For children like Zach Grimshaw, there's a place in Harpurhey that's become a second home. Whatever struggles his mum Helen is facing making ends meet, at Rochdale Road there's a hot meal waiting for him, friendly faces, and the chance to learn some skills.
As the cost-of-living crisis shows little sign of easing, Manchester Youth Zone is ray of hope. "I can just about feed my child, to feed my son is my priority but there is often not much left to feed yourself," Helen says.
"I am struggling to top up the meter, to keep the gas and electric going. I can't afford to use the heating in the day and we have showers at night, rather than in the morning. We are just operating one charger that does both our devices."
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"I can't always use foodbanks as I can't afford to get there," Helen added. "I don't have a car and I can't afford a taxi. I go to the local supermarket and pick up a few bits from there, but I struggle to bring it back as I can't carry much."
Helen says The Youth Zone offers some respite for Zachary, who not only gets to eat there, but to try things she could not otherwise afford to provide for him.
"The Youth Zone is his second home, he is learning break dancing there and every session, he gets a slush for 50p and they are offered a meal, whether it is a pizza, sandwich or a home cooked meal. It really helps me financially," she says.
"It all feels hopeless, especially when you are thinking of your child's future. It is frustrating that the prices keep rising in the supermarket - I have to keep stopping getting everything, I'm trying to hang on to my Yorkshire Tea."
For Faith Thompson, 41, a business support officer, having the Youth Zone to go to eases the pressure of being a single parent.
Her children - Hannah, 10, and Sarah, nine, go twice a week. Saturdays are family day, which means she can relax and eat alongside them.
"I can engage and play with them and have fun times," she said. "It is so hard to have that time and have fun with them at home because the responsibilities of being a single parent are just so immense.
"I always try my best, I do not let them go hungry. I have to make some choices like putting on the heating or making sure they have something to eat, as it is all so costly. When you go to sleep at night, you worry that you will be able to get through the days but I have to just have faith that God will help - and he does."
Manchester Youth Zone, based in one of the city’s most deprived wards, is now looking to make Christmas that bit easier by raising £20,000 to help people like Faith and Helen - families who need help with everyday costs in the cost of living crisis.
The team is appealing to Manchester businesses to support them, and seek volunteers to help decorate the Youth Zone for the upcoming festive season, wrap presents and put together hampers.
The kitchen team is keen to accept any donations towards the cost or food contributions for what they hope will be the biggest and best Christmas feast yet for the whole Youth Zone family.
The Youth Zone also supports families all year round with household staples like soups, baked beans and tinned tomatoes, soap, toothpaste and shower gels - donations of which are all sought.
“We can already see how tough Christmas is going to be for many families around North Manchester," Amanda Naylor, OBE, CEO of Manchester Youth Zone said. "We would love companies or individuals, who may have some time or budget to spare to get involved with our campaign.
“We’ve had a great year celebrating our tenth anniversary and we’ve had some amazing support from across the business community. We want Christmas to be special too."
For more information on how you can support Manchester Youth Zone visit here.
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