From funding to flourishing: How Procure Plus helped enable Embassy’s breakthrough results ahead of World Homeless Day on the 10th October.
As champions of social value, Procure Plus prides itself on working with partners that deliver real and lasting change.
Embassy, a leading homelessness charity in Greater Manchester, is a standout example — tackling the homelessness cycle head-on with an integrated approach to housing, skills development and personalised support, which has recently grown with help from Re:vision, a charitable subsidiary of Procure Plus.
For Embassy, growth meant more than funding. While it had a strong record of supporting men, it lacked the capacity to offer tailored support for women. Thanks to Re:vision’s match funding, the charity hired two new resettlement workers, Pip and Kathy, enabling it to reach more women.
Strengthening support for women
Since coming on board, Pip and Kathy have strengthened the charity’s support model by being able to provide the tailored, one-on-one care to female residents. Many of the women they work with need longer-term support to build trust and prepare for independent living — something the pair have been instrumental in delivering.
Thanks to Pip and Kathy’s support, nine women are making a fresh start, moving into the charity’s new seven-apartment housing block in Salford. Among the women they have helped so far, 75% are now in full-time employment, with an additional 11% actively pursuing qualifications to achieve their career goals.
Impact across the whole community
The benefits of this increased capacity extend beyond supporting just the women residents. Expanding the team has enabled Embassy to host more social events — from trips to Chester Zoo to barbecues and weekly social meals — giving both current and former residents opportunities to connect, build trust, and strengthen relationships. These activities not only encourage a sense of community but also support engagement with training, budgeting, and job preparation.
This enriched community environment has led to tangible outcomes across the whole resident group. Embassy now reports a 64% employment rate, alongside achievements such as college enrolments, volunteering, and vocational certifications.
Individual stories bring this to life: one resident overcame psychiatric challenges to secure a university place; another gained full-time work with the contractor building Embassy Village — a pioneering community of 40 homes designed for independence and connection.
A pioneering vision for the future
Embassy Village will mark a new chapter, offering high-quality homes and providing residents with a supportive environment where they can rebuild their lives within a community-focused setting that includes green spaces and a village hall for social activities.
Beyond Greater Manchester, Embassy’s impact extends internationally. The charity recently organised a two-week volunteer trip to Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, where four volunteers supported over 450 schoolchildren with food and activities. The experience broadened perspectives and renewed purpose – for one volunteer, it was life-changing, helping them confront life-long issues, build new friendships, and even create a music video.
Turning procurement into purpose
“With Pip and Kathy on board, we’ve been able to reach more women and provide the tailored, one-to-one support that’s central to our work,” said Sid Williams, Embassy CEO and Founder.
“The match funding from Re:vision has enhanced our services — giving us the capacity to help women build trust, gain confidence, and imagine a different future. This extra capacity has also strengthened our support for some of the hardest-to-reach men, who are now more open and engaged than ever.”
Mike Brogan, Chief Executive of Procure Plus, commented: “Through Re:vision, we’re proud to support organisations like Embassy that empower people to overcome some of the most complex challenges in their lives and take steps towards independence.
“What Embassy has achieved shows the difference that the right resources, delivered in the right way, can make — that is the heart of our work at Procure Plus and why we remain committed to turning procurement into real social value.”
These results come at a pivotal time, as World Homeless Day reminds us of the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions. By combining strategic funding with dedicated, compassionate staff like Pip and Kathy, Embassy has unlocked potential and delivered lasting change for some of society’s most vulnerable — helping them not only find shelter, but build independent and fulfilling lives.
