Oldham’s Ancora Project, a lifeline for vulnerable residents facing homelessness and financial crisis, will shut its doors on July 25 after more than eight years of operation from its base in Oldham Library.

The volunteer-run service has provided crucial support to those battling debt, struggling to afford food, or facing eviction, but funding has finally dried up after eight years of National Lottery grants. “We’re gutted,” said Suzy Pabla, Ancora’s project manager. “We regularly see a group of people that usual services don’t work for. We are a little concerned where people might go for accessing that sort of support. There are things on offer, but I think we are quite unique in our approach. For some people it’s transformed their lives.”

One man, who asked not to be named, described the service as “life-saving” after he became homeless when rent increases priced him out of his home. The former kitchen fitter, now approaching pension age and living in temporary accommodation, said Ancora volunteers helped him navigate paperwork for pension credit and other benefits. “I didn’t know what I was entitled to and without them I really would have struggled. I think it’s easy to slip through the cracks,” he said.

The closure comes as Oldham faces rising housing insecurity, with private rents soaring while wages and benefits fail to keep pace. While Ancora closes, residents can still access support through Christians Against Poverty and Oldham foodbank, while KeyRing continues its work supporting individuals to build skills and prevent crisis.

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