Barnardo's Rachel House

Rachel House is part of the Barnardo’s North West Homelessness project. It is a supported housing project for homeless young people, or those threatened with homelessness, aged between 16-21. The project is open to both males and females. Barnardo’s Rachel House project is a partnership between Rachel House Trust, Barnardo’s and West Pennine Housing Association.

The Rachel House Trust

Rachel House Trust was set up in 1993 by a small group from a local church. It was Christmas time and they became aware of how much money people spend during the festive season. While they themselves spent happy, contented Christmasses with family, they realised that for many young people in Bury, Christmas was a time of family breakdown, loneliness and vulnerability.

They got together to discuss the possibility of providing accommodation to cope with temporary homelessness.  A local builder also got involved and it was shortly after this that his niece, Rachel, was killed in a house fire. The group were so touched by the sudden death of this young life that they decided to call the project ‘Rachel House’ in her memory. Not long after, a housing officer from West Pennine Housing Association joined the group and suggested a purpose built site. Barnardo’s Rachel House project was opened in 1994, and since then over 120 young people have passed through its doors - a testimony to the faith of that original group. It seems a fitting memorial to a young person who could not be saved, that so many young lives have been saved in her name.