Bolton charities called for action to help those in poverty.

Bolton Neighbourhood Investment in Community Enterprises (NICE), is working with Bolton Community Smile to make a film about poverty, homelessness and isolation in the area.

Making the film has highlighted to the groups that not enough is done to help those in need.

Grant Mcaulay, one of the filmmakers, said that the problem is just getting worse.

He said: “We saw one lad with schizophrenia who was put out onto the street with no help or medication and he can’t get a GP because he has no fixed abode.

“If that’s not picking on the most vulnerable people in society then I don’t know what is.

“I hope that we can raise awareness to what’s happening on people’s doorsteps. The people who have the power are doing a lot of talking but not enough action.”

The groups were in Victoria Square on Friday re-enacting the Victorian “Penny Hang”.

This practice involved charging people 1d to hang on a washing line for the night to get a “safe sleep”.

Mr Mcaulay said: “I’ve recently spoken to a young man in his 20s who had someone set his tent on fire while he was inside it.

“It was actually safer when the homeless were sleeping on the lines because they were at least inside instead of in doorways or being set on fire. It’s disgusting.”

The group has spoken to many people in poverty as part of the film, and has spoken to a lot of people who did not want to be on tape.

The film, part of an Ambition for Ageing project, was paid for through the National Lottery Community Fund.

Martin McLoughlin, founder of NICE, said: “There are a multitude of reasons that someone can find themselves in poverty.

“Each person has their own story and their own problems, and we welcome anyone who needs help.

“We don’t run our foodbank on vouchers so if you need help feeding yourself, come to us.”

The group runs an emergency foodbank from Allerton Court Community Resource Centre.

They provide food to those in need every day of the year, and receive no funding to help.

Mr McLoughlin said: “We have zero funding from the council, so we get nothing.

“What we do get is food from major supermarkets to distribute, and clothes and furniture donations from people.

“Last year the Muslim community raised £7,000 to buy us a van, and Bolton at Home gave us the extra £3,000 so we could afford the bigger van to collect and deliver items.”

The charity’s biggest need is a smaller van for home deliveries of food and small items.

Visit www.boltonnice.org.uk for details on how to help.