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Special Projects

Pathfinder Housing Support Programme

This innovative programme provides personalised support for young people facing housing challenges like:

  • Financial instability or debt

  • Relationship breakdowns or family conflict

  • Sofa surfing or unsuitable housing

  • Threat of eviction, even without a formal notice

If you're worried about your current housing or see trouble ahead, we’re here to help early. Pathfinder isn’t just about accommodation; we’ll also work with you to improve your mental health, explore meaningful opportunities, and gain the confidence to move forward with your life.

Struggling to stay housed? Early Break’s Pathfinder service supports young people aged 18–25 in Rochdale and Oldham who are at risk of homelessness, before crisis hits.

“The Pathfinder programme has saved my life, it’s as simple as that.”
— Young Person, Rochdale

What Support Does Pathfinder Offer?

Early Break delivers Pathfinder locally in Rochdale and Oldham, as part of the wider Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership (GMBOP).

This 3-year programme helps young people build stable futures with the support of a dedicated key worker.

Here’s what to expect:

  • We co-design a personalised plan based on your needs, goals and strengths.

    There is no pressure, no judgment, just consistent, empowering support.

  • We can assist you with:

    • Securing or stabilising your accommodation

    • Budgeting and reducing debt

    • Setting up benefits and utilities

    • Attending appointments (e.g. GP, job centre)

    • Liaising with landlords or housing services

  • We’ll support your physical and mental wellbeing, including internal referrals and access to groups, activities and signpost you to local mental health services and encourage you to access your GP.

  • From cooking classes to training, our groups help you connect and build skills.

    We’ve delivered tenancy workshops, men's wellbeing groups, and more.

  • You can get support if you:

    • Are aged 18–25 (sometimes up to 35 by discussion)

    • Live in Rochdale or Oldham

    • Are at risk of homelessness, even if you’re not homeless right now

    Note: We can’t work with individuals already rough sleeping or those in emergency or supported accommodation, but we can help earlier.

    So if you are homeless or need urgent assistance, you will need to contact your local housing options team through the links below:

Flyer from Pathfinder offering support for housing issues for individuals aged 18-25, with contact information and social media handles, featuring a city skyline silhouette at the bottom.
Information sheet for 'Pathfinder,' a homelessness prevention program in Greater Manchester, including program description, referral criteria, and benefits for young people. Logos of related organizations at the bottom.

Start your Pathfinder support journey today

Make a Referral
Download the Posters
Get in Touch

Pathfinder FAQ’s

  • You can stay connected to Early Break in various ways listed below:

  • If you or someone you know needs urgent help, you can access our list of emergency and useful helpline numbers by clicking the Get Help Now. 

    This will open a quick-reference popup with 24/7 services and support lines for mental health, safeguarding, substance use, and crisis care.

  • Pathfinder is a homelessness prevention service for young people aged 18–25 in Greater Manchester. Early Break delivers this support in Rochdale and Oldham.

  • You may be eligible if you're 18–25, living in Rochdale or Oldham, and at risk of homelessness due to debt, family issues, eviction, or unsuitable accommodation.

  • Unfortunately, no, Pathfinder focuses on prevention. We can’t support those currently rough sleeping or in emergency/supported housing, but we can help before crisis hits.

    Reach out to your local councils about homelessness pages. We have created a list of quick access links here:

  • We help with budgeting, benefits, liaising with other housing services and landlords, mental health referrals, group sessions, and pathways into education or work.

  • Pathfinder offers consistent, long-term coaching support and tackles the wider challenges that affect housing, including wellbeing and confidence-building.

  • Yes, this is exactly the kind of situation Pathfinder is designed to address.

  • We’ve run tenancy sustainment workshops, a parent & baby group, and a men’s wellbeing group, always shaped by what young people want.

  • Start a referral online on the GMbop website or contact us, and we will provide you with advice accordingly.

From the Blog

Here’s a selection of articles from the blog related to our housing-related services.

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