An Edinburgh charity that aims to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness has received a £3,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh.
The donation was made to Cyrenians, a homelessness organisation with over 50 year’s experience supporting those excluded from Home, Work, Family and Community. Since its formation, the charity has worked with thousands of people facing homelessness to help them towards more positive futures.
Cyrenians understand there are many routes into homelessness and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. From their residential homes to their work ensuring dignified access to food, to their family mediation and outreach work, Cyrenians are there for those who need them.
Amazon’s donation will help Cyrenians to provide vital supplies to those living in their residential communities, such as new bedding, hygiene products and more.
Speaking on the donation, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Cyrenians helps thousands of people every year in our city so we’re very pleased to support the impactful work the charity does.
“With the current cost of living crisis, the services provided by the Cyrenians staff and volunteers are needed now, more than ever, and we hope that this donation helps them to continue their invaluable work.”
Nicole LeBlond, Community Manager from Cyrenians, added: “I would like to say thank you on behalf of our team at Cyrenians for Amazon’s donation. Support like this enables us to keep offering help and guidance for people in our community who are impacted by homelessness, and we really appreciate this gesture from Amazon.”
Cyrenians received the donation as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.
Homeless charity Rowan Alba is appealing for local volunteers to support its CARDS befriending service which works with people across the city, providing vital support and social contact to reduce isolation.
The Community Alcohol Related Damages Service (CARDS) was set up by Rowan Alba in 2010. Those who are referred to CARDS by health care specialists, GPs, hospitals and mental health services have, for various reasons, become isolated and developed a problematic relationship with alcohol. CARDS volunteers are there to provide vital social contact and to listen without judgment.
A team of 60 volunteers deliver 1-1 befriending support to 80 clients across the city, usually meeting once a week to provide emotional support, helping clients build their social skills and confidence to engage with their local community.
Since getting support from CARDS, 69% of clients have reported improved mental health, 77% have reduced their alcohol intake and 80% said life was less chaotic. 69% said they have spent less time in hospital.
As a crucial befriending service for older people with long term alcohol issues and at risk of crisis, CARDSis just one of a number of services delivered by Rowan Alba in supporting some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable, isolated and homeless people. The charity aims to break the cycle of homelessness for people deemed ‘un-houseable’ by other services.
Rowan Alba pioneered the home for life concept with Thorntree Street in Leith, providing permanent homes for older men with a long-term history of rough sleeping and street drinking. The charity’s second home for life property will open in Peffermill in 2022.
Rowan Alba also provides temporary supported accommodation at Stramullion in Pilton, supporting women with complex needs to move out of homelessness and into their own home.
The charity has years of expertise working with older people with alcohol issues; these issues may stem from years of health inequality, trauma, homelessness, family breakdown, mental health issues time spent in prison or abuse. Many have developed Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD), which has left them physically and emotionally damaged and socially isolated.
Tracey Stewart, Volunteer Service Manager at Rowan Alba said; “We have all faced periods of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic but for those who are referred to CARDS, social isolation is something many have lived with for years.
“The 1-1 befriending service provided by our volunteers provides vital emotional support, helping clients to re-learn how to manage a trusting relationship with another person.
“CARDS urgently needs more volunteers to support our clients across Edinburgh, so we are looking for people who can provide compassionate support for individuals who have had a difficult relationship with alcohol now or in the past.
“Ideally you will have had experience in a role where managing relationships is key. Being able to listen without judgment and understand the benefit of human contact is vital.
“Our best volunteers are the kind of people whom you end up chatting to at a bus stop and go away being moved by the interaction. It’s as simple as that. We provide all the support, training and guidance that you need.
“Half of our staff started as volunteers and 85% of people who were looking to get in to social care as a career find themselves within employment within the first year after volunteering Those who come for the experience hang around for much longer. It’s a community in itself.”
Comprehensive training and support are provided and volunteers are asked to make a time commitment of at least 1 year.
Full details of the application process are available at:
