Jo’s Story at Gateway M40

We recently went to visit Jo, our local Acts 435 Advocate who works for Gateway M40 a Debt Advice charity based in Manchester.

For the last three years Jo has worked as a Debt Advisor and around the same time, she also took on the role — as an Advocate for Acts 435.

Jo speaks with deep gratitude for the Acts 435 donors, whose generosity transforms lives every single day. “The difference they make is incredible,” she says. “They change lives daily.”

At Gateway M40, Jo often meets people in desperate situations. She recalls one man who was on the brink of shoplifting just to feed his family. Within hours of posting a request on the Acts 435 website, donors had stepped in — providing an emergency food voucher to get the family through the crisis.

A few years later, Jo bumped into the same man again. “He looked so well — he wasn’t the man we met back then,” she smiles. Thanks to the kindness of donors and staff, his family received food vouchers, a freezer, and even a Christmas dinner funded by the Gateway M40 staff who dipped into their own pockets.

Today, that same dad has a job and his family are thriving. “Because of that kindness,” Jo says, “they found hope again and got back on their feet.”

For Jo, it’s moments like these that show just how powerful Acts 435 can be.

“The people that come to us for debt advice often have nothing — no money, no way to replace a broken washing machine or fridge. Having Acts 435 means we can meet those urgent needs. Sometimes, even a small electricity top-up can make all the difference.”

Another story close to Jo’s heart involves a young woman leaving the care system. With no one to turn to and little support, she was struggling to set up her first home.

Through Acts 435, Jo was able to help her get essential items — simple things like white goods — that allowed her to start building a life of her own.

“There’s just no funding out there for things like this,” Jo says. “But through Acts 435, we can provide hope in hard times — and that’s life-changing.”

–

Watch our video interview with Jo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwmQMYEHrJw

If you’re in the Manchester area and you’re struggling with problem debt you can get in touch with Gateway M40 at: https://www.gatewaym40.org

Find out more about how you can partner with Acts 435 at: www.acts435.org.uk/partner