Happy birthday to North Edinburgh’s ‘strong women’!

Rowan Alba chief executive Helen Carlin and project manager Sue Evans were joined by staff, supporters and service users past and present at a reception to celebrate the tenth birthday of the organisation’s homeless women’s unit in North Edinburgh last Friday. Local MP Mark Lazarowicz was among the guests who gathered to mark the important milestone at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

Rowan Alba’s Stramullion Service in West Pilton was established in 2003 in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to  provide secure short-term supported accommodation for up to ten women and their children in individual flats. Stramullion works with women aged 16+, with and without children, who are homeless – this includes young people who are in transition (for example, leaving care), women whose families have broken down, and those involved in offending, or alcohol or drug misuse.

Stramullion staff provide advice and support to enable each woman to build the personal skills and resources they need – equipping them to move on from homelessness in a positive and healthy way. Each personal support plan depends on individual circumstances and need, and just some of the core services which many Stramullion clients need include:

• Welfare and benefits advice
• Budget and debt management
• Life skills training and home management
• Tenancy maintenance support
• Resettlement and social activities
• Advice, information and support to access local community services
• Referral to specialist social work, health and counselling services
• Help with applications and grants
• Move on support when the time comes to move in to their own home
• A follow-up service after re-settlement.

The Stramullion (an old Scots word for ‘strong woman’) service believes that accommodation, support, education and employment provide women with the best route off the streets and out of the misery caused by homelessness.

Speaking at the anniversary event, Rowan Alba CEO Helen Carlin said: “I’m really delighted to be celebrating ten years in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and all our supporters. I’m especially pleased  to see so many current and past service users turning out to celebrate with us.”

Stramullion project manager Sue Evans, who has been at West Pilton since day one, added: “This is a very special day for us and it’s great to see so many people here. It’s really brilliant!”