Tag: homelessness charities

Cyrenians and Bethany Christian Trust receive £2500 donation each from Scotmid to support homelessness across Edinburgh

  • Donations will support both charities work and services across Edinburgh.

Cyrenians and the Bethany Christian Trust have both received donations of £2500 from convenience store retailer, Scotmid, to help support homelessness across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The charities received a £1500 cash donation as well as £1000 in Scotmid vouchers to help users of their accommodation services gain a sense of independence, as the vouchers will allow them to purchase items for themselves, from Scotmid stores.

Ewan Aitken, CEO at Cyrenians, said: “Thank you very much indeed to Scotmid. It is such a delight to talk with an organisation that is so open to ideas and understands intuitively the importance of dignity in how we support people.

“The vouchers will be a welcome addition to those who have been disproportionately affected by the impact of the pandemic. They will allow each person to hold on to dignity as they are able to choose food and toiletry items that meet their own preferences and needs. 

“We are very grateful that Scotmid, like us, recognise the power of supporting individuals to make their own steps towards recovery and a positive life journey.”

Bethany Christian Trust will be using its vouchers to help men who are seeking to move on from a history of homelessness and addiction. The Bethany Christian Centre facilitates a safe and supportive space for individuals to grow in their recovery, helping them reach a place where they feel ready to move into permanent accommodation and sustain independent living for the future.

Alasdair Bennett, CEO at Bethany Christian Trust, said: “We are really grateful for the donation of £2,500 from Scotmid, which will go directly to supporting the men in the recovery project, contributing to the range of opportunities provided within this life saving service.”

Since April 2020, Bethany Christian Centre has accommodated and supported 26 different men who were seeking to improve their lives and opportunities.

Harry Cairney, Chairman of Scotmid, said: “Our stores focus on serving the local communities that they are located in and so it’s important for us to be able to support charities that work within those communities, improving people’s everyday lives.

“We are pleased to be able to make these donations to both Cyrenians and Bethany Christian Trust to aid the incredible work they do.”

Brian was a previous resident at Bethany Christian Centre and has now moved on to his own flat.

Brian said: “Before I arrived at Bethany Christian Centre, my life was very sad and I suffered with depression. I had really lost all hope. I constantly battled feelings of fear and insecurity, but instead of trying to get help I found an escape in drink and drugs and shut myself away from others.

“Although I’ve had periods of recovery from time to time, I never felt that I could see a way out and become totally free.

“I came to Bethany Christian Centre to get help for my addiction. I was lost and had no direction or hope. Coming to the Centre has helped me see myself differently; that I am fully loved and accepted. It hasn’t been an easy programme for me but without the help of the staff, I don’t think I would have made it.

“With their love I have found strength and confidence within me that I never thought I could have. Now, I have more to look forward to, and I’m excited to have moved on to my own flat. I thank God for the people he has put in my life and for the newfound love and security that I have.”

NOT SOCKS AGAIN!?

Aldi encourages customers to donate unwanted Chrsitmas socks to people who need them most

This December Aldi will launch a thoughtful new initiative encouraging customers to donate any unwanted or extra unused socks they received as Christmas gifts to charities supporting homeless people across Scotland.  

Every year millions of people receive socks for Christmas and they are often a gift that no one really wants or needs. However, they are one of the things homeless charities always run out of over winter and Aldi’s ‘Not Socks Again?!’ initiative aims to put these gifts to better use by donating new and unused socks to local homeless charities.  

Aldi’s ‘Sock Amnesty’ boxes will be in stores across Scotland from 27th December to the end of January where people can drop off their unused Christmas socks to help keep homeless people warm this winter.  

Aldi has linked up with three charities across Scotland who will benefit from the initiative;  Simon Scotland, Aberdeen Cyrenians, and Trust in Fife, who work tirelessly to provide care and support for the most vulnerable people in society.  

​Hugh Hill, Director of Services and Development at Simon Community Scotland, said: “As you can imagine, Scottish winters are absolutely freezing, and we often just don’t have enough socks to go round.

“We’re so pleased that Aldi has launched this initiative and we’re so grateful to Aldi and their customers for helping to keep the people we support warm this winter.”   

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “We wanted to do something to support homeless charities this Christmas who are working day in day out to support the most vulnerable people in society.

“One thing that homeless charities say they are always looking for is socks, so we thought, why not allow our customers to donate any unwanted socks they are given as a Christmas present to people who will really value them. 

“Aldi will also contribute a £250 donation to each charity in the hope of helping the most vulnerable during winter.” 

Aldi’s Sock Amnesty boxes will be in store from 27th December and customers are invited to drop off any unwanted, new and unused, socks which will be donated to the charity in their local area.  

This initiative builds on Aldi’s commitment to supporting communities across Scotland. Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund has supported over 458 local clubs with more than £240,000 worth of donations. Aldi is also Kiltwalk’s official ‘Supermarket Partner’ and in 2019 was responsible for fuelling over 20,000 Kiltwalkers across events in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Dumfries.  

Since July 2019 Aldi has helped over 200 charities provide over a million meals to vulnerable people across Scotland through its partnership with community engagement platform, Neighbourly. 

The supermarket is also set to relaunch its popular Supermarket Sweep programme next year in support of local foodbanks. 

To find your nearest store please visit: www.aldi.co.uk/store-finder