Mist covers Bolton town centre as people go about their business, tightly wrapped amid the biting cold. Most won’t have to face the horrific weather for too long.
Most be indoors by the time temperatures plummet even further. Except people like Jamie Wynne – who doesn’t know where he’ll be as darkness falls.
Sat on a cold, damp and dirty flight of steps, the 38-year-old tells the Manchester Evening News: “My plan is to make enough money to afford a bed and breakfast.” He says he’s been sleeping rough for a few months.
READ MORE: Roads shut and bomb squad called after ‘suspicious package’ found
READ MORE: Met Office issue NEW snow weather warning for Greater Manchester – when and where it is forecast
“I ask people for money… spare change,” Jamie adds. “I need to make around £19. Some nights I make enough and some nights I don’t.
“Right now, I don’t know where I’m going to sleep tonight.” The start of 2025 has been turbulent, weather-wise. Between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, more than three inches of rain fell in just 24 hours.
The region has been battered by snow and rain in the first two weeks of 2025 -Credit:Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News
Soon after, the Met Office issued a warning for ice and on January 3, temperatures of -5C were recorded. The second week of the new year brought more misery.
After the widespread flooding, snow and ice causing mayhem on the roads and multiple school closures. Tonight (January 8), temperatures are forecast to fall to -4C in most areas across Greater Manchester, with remote and hilly areas, including in Saddleworth and Littleborough, being as cold as -7C.
Just a few metres away from Jamie stands Damien Dyer. The 39-year-old says he’s only been on the streets for seven weeks. But this isn’t the first time he’s been homeless.
Damien Dyer says he can’t last much longer on the streets
Damien says he’s desperate to find a warm and dry place to rest, adding: “I can’t stay on the streets, it’s absolutely freezing. I’ve been homeless before and I know how to survive if I don’t make enough money for a bed and breakfast, but this is the first time I’ve been homeless in the winter.
“It’s to the point where there’s nothing you can do to keep you warm. It’s the reason why homeless people to drink and drugs… it’s hard to cope.”
Dale Glaister, 36, says he has a place to stay tonight – but being wheelchair bound, he says he doesn’t know how safe he will be.
“I always find something,” he says. “But I don’t know if people will let me be. People think they can take the mick out of you. I get sick and tired of it.”
Bolton town centre -Credit:Manchester Evening News
Councils, charities and volunteer groups work to support rough sleepers in Bolton. One of those is the Outreach Enterprise on Salope street, which has been running for over 30 years.
CEO, Dave Bagley MBE said the town is well prepared to help those who needed it. “Irrespective of the weather, we are already in touch with all of the people that are rough sleeping in Bolton,” he says,
When the weather changes, the severe emergency protocol (SWEP) comes into place and there are enough bed spaces made available for people to come off the street and go into accommodation, which includes food.
“Everyone knows about that through outreach services,” Dave adds. “We’re ready for a change in the weather. It’s a multi-agency response with the council, there are many different agencies involved too.
David Bagley and his partner Christine (left) were both recognised for their services to the community -Credit:ABNM Photography
“I think we’ve come out of the complex period that we had at the end of Covid. As it is now, we have our rough sleepers, but we don’t have an unmanageable amount.
“It’s not easy, it’s still difficult, there’s still a reduction in services, but sometimes we cope and sometimes we don’t. I feel like it’s a partnership approach in Bolton.”
A spokesperson for Bolton council, when later approached by the M.E.N, said: “These individuals have all been offered accommodation and have accepted those offers. They also have access to wider support services.
“As temperatures plummet, it’s a worrying time for anyone at risk of sleeping rough. We have extensive plans to support those that are, with the help of our partner agencies.
“No Bolton resident needs to be in that position and the team are available 24/7 to support anyone that is. Please email housingoutreachteam@bolton.gov.uk or call the Housing Options team on 01204 335900.”