A group of MSPs from the Local Government and Communities Committee met with Edinburgh’s homeless community at the Streetwork crisis centre on Wednesday. Continue reading MSPs hear first-hand from Edinburgh’s homeless community
Tag: homelessness
Charities partnership launches homelessness initative
Cyrenians are excited to launch a new venture in partnership with the St Martin-in-the-Fields charity. The St Martin’s Frontline Network is designed to bring together workers on the frontline of homelessness in Edinburgh and will provide a space for mutual support, sharing best practice, and engaging with public policy. In time, the Frontline Network will nurture an innovative and collective response to tackling homelessness in the city. Continue reading Charities partnership launches homelessness initative
Students harness tech to tackle homelessness
Twenty Edinburgh Napier students took part in a 24 hour ‘Hackathon’ at Edinburgh Napier University on Friday 3 to Saturday 4 February. Cyrenians, Bright Red Triangle, Scottish Institute for Enterprise, and IBM co-hosted the event, along with staff from Edinburgh Napier University who also provided the facilities. Continue reading Students harness tech to tackle homelessness
Homelessness figures ‘a national disgrace’
The latest homelessness statistics have been released – and the Scottish Greens have lambasted the plight of the homeless – particularly children – ‘a national disgrace’. Continue reading Homelessness figures ‘a national disgrace’
“Wonderful news”: £1.65 million to support homelessness projects
Grants of £1.65m to help homeless and vulnerable people
Continue reading “Wonderful news”: £1.65 million to support homelessness projects
Zoo sleepover raises over £24,000
Cold comfort: Fundraisers get a taste of what life’s like for Edinburgh’s homeless people
Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost and 126 hardy local fundraisers braved the elements through Thursday night at Edinburgh Zoo to raise funds for charities supporting homeless people.
Together they raised £24,340 – and counting – to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.
The open air sleep out, which took place close to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs, was compered by Grant Stott. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers and comedian Susan Morrison, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.
The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.
“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.
“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”
Heather Arni, Chief Executive of Four Square, said: “On behalf of myself, The Board, staff and importantly our young people I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Lady Provost and her team, the staff of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, all the individuals who attended and those who have donated.
“Such an event has enabled both charities to raise awareness of young people’s homelessness in Edinburgh and the services that work tirelessly across the city working with vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.”
Kate Polson, Chief Executive of the Rock Trust, added: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that.
“The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”
Lady Provost to sleep rough – at the Zoo!
‘Nobody can truly experience the struggle of homelessness based on one night in the cold, but I hope our eyes can be opened to what it is like to spend a night outside’ – Lady Provost Elaine Brand.
Edinburgh’s Lady Provost will brave a cold night at the Zoo next week in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for local causes.
On a crusade to raise awareness of homelessness in the city, the Lady Provost Elaine Brand has challenged local businesses and individuals to join her as she swaps her bed for a sleeping bag and experiences a night with the nocturnal sounds of the RZSS Edinburgh Zoo’s animal inhabitants.
‘The Lady Provost’s Sleep Out at Edinburgh Zoo’ will raise vital funds for Four Square and the Rock Trust to help young people get off the streets and into work. Over 160 people have so far signed up to take part including teams from Edinburgh companies, members of the British Army and Lord Provost Donald Wilson.
The Lady Provost said she wants people to ‘open their eyes’ to what it is like for young homeless people during the colder months but admits the challenge will be nothing compared to the struggle faced by those who sleep rough every night.
She said: “In spite of Edinburgh’s continued growth as a successful and affluent city, homelessness remains a pressing issue. Nobody can truly experience the struggle of homelessness based on one night in the cold, but I hope our eyes can be opened to what it is like to spend a night outside.
“We’ll be sleeping out in September when the nights get longer and the temperature drops – I hope this shock to the system will emphasise just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “Elaine is determined to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Edinburgh and this event is an attempt to raise as much money as possible for Four Square and the Rock Trust. These charities are very close to her heart and I hope we can help to make a big difference.”
Edinburgh Zoo, owned by the charity the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), is home to more than 1,000 endangered animals and is one of Europe’s leading centres of conservation. The sleep out will take place outside the Zoo’s historic Mansion House, close to the popular Penguins Rock and Lemur Walkthrough.
Chris West, Chief Executive of RZSS, said: “We are delighted to support worthy causes of this nature. We wish every success to all those involved in raising awareness of homelessness in Edinburgh.”
While the number of people presenting to the City of Edinburgh Council as rough sleepers is the lowest of any Scottish city – having reduced by almost 15 per cent over the last five years – almost 4,000 people were assessed as homeless in the Capital last year: a quarter of those are aged 24 or younger.
The Rock Trust Chief Executive Kate Polson said: “We support approximately 400 young people from across Edinburgh and the Lothians every year, which shows that youth homelessness is a real problem. For the majority of people who become homeless, the main reason behind it is family breakdown or problems at school. It can really happen to anyone. This event will help raise awareness of the hardships faced by those forced to sleep rough and the Lady Provost and all the participants are helping to highlight the devastating issue of youth homelessness.”
Four Square Chief Executive Heather Arni said: “Every night in Edinburgh we provide a safe haven for 40 young people aged 16-24 in two hostels and 18 training flats. But simply giving them a roof over their head is not enough. We give them skills to fend for themselves, like cooking, budgeting and the chance to take a training course or volunteer. The Zoo sleep out facilitated by the Lady Provost and RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will enable both charities to continue their work.”
‘The Lady Provost’s Sleep Out at Edinburgh Zoo’ will take place overnight on Thursday 24 September.
Show your support on social media #ZooSleepOut
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Taking SHAPE: city strategy is reducing homelessness
‘it is clear that Edinburgh’s homelessness strategy is helping us to move in the right direction and delivering real results’ – Councillor Cammy Day
New statistics released by the Scottish Government (see below) show that Edinburgh’s homelessness strategy is working. The overall number of people presenting as homeless has reduced by 15% over the last five years, with less than 3% of people classed as rough sleepers.
Edinburgh’s success is the result of effective partnership working with third sector organisations and a renewed focus on prevention, and the latest figures have been welcomed by Housing Leader, Councillor Cammy Day.
He said: “These statistics are extremely encouraging and a tremendous achievement, not just for the Council but for our partners in the third sector who work tirelessly to support homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“While there is still much to be done, it is clear that Edinburgh’s homelessness strategy is helping us to move in the right direction and delivering real results. All of this has been achieved despite a challenging economic climate and significant budget pressures.
“We have invested over £14 million this financial year to fund third sector support services and around another £11 million on our own prevention services. Protecting vulnerable people will continue to be our key priority and we are committed to reducing homelessness further across Edinburgh.”
The City of Edinburgh Council offers an extensive range of services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, from support and advice on housing options, to assessment services and accommodation.
An early intervention approach also plays a vital role in the Council’s homelessness strategy. Each year commissioned services help over 7,500 people to find new homes as quickly as possible and provide support to help them keep their homes.
Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of Bethany Christian Trust and Chair of the Strategic Homeless Action Partnership in Edinburgh (SHAPE) said: “It is encouraging to see indications that the number of people presenting as homeless in the city is reducing. A great deal of work has been done by third sector organisations and the Council in recent years to address some of the root causes of homelessness as well as the distress that homelessness brings to the lives of some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
“SHAPE remains keen to work with the Council to address increases in the level of support required by those who find themselves homeless and in the prevalence of repeat homelessness.”
Putting the boot in for Fresh Start
Customised Doc Martens raise over £1000 in raffle for local charity Fresh Start
The Dr. Martens Edinburgh team demonstrated its ongoing support for the local art and charity scene when they attended the fifth annual Scottish Tattoo Convention recently.
The global footwear brand set-up shop alongside some of the world’s most renowned artists and entertainers at the Corn Exchange, in aid of the homelessness charity Fresh Start.
An impressive line-up of tattooists from the convention set to work in customising Dr. Martens’ product with an inked-based twist.
Making use of mixed-mediums, products were embellished with hand-drawn or painted designs as well as leather tattooing or etching, raising over £1,000 as part of a charity raffle – the proceeds from which will support people who have been homeless to resettle successfully.
Dr. Martens Edinburgh store manager, Jenni Birrell said: “After a huge success last year, we are so pleased that this year has been equally as triumphant. The team are big fans of tattoo culture – myself included – so being a part of the convention is a perfect fit.
“We selected Fresh Start as our chosen charity for the second year running because of the close work they do in helping the city’s community and it’s important to us to do our bit on a local level.”
Keith Robertson, Managing Director of Fresh Start, said: “We are delighted that Dr. Martens has chosen to support Fresh Start once again at such a well-attended international event. Each year we provide goods and support to over 2,000 of the most vulnerable households in Edinburgh and this is only possible due to the support we receive from the wider community.
“Dr. Martens’ support will enable us to help people who are moving into an empty tenancy with the goods they need to make their house a home.”
Homeless? That could be you or me …
How does a person end up homeless? A recent survey carried out by the Salvation Army uncovered a gulf between the public’s perception and the reality.
The fact is that homelessness can affect ordinary people, of all ages and backgrounds, who would never have imagined this outcome for themselves and their families. Becoming homeless – which means someone not having a permanent place to stay – has a devastating impact on people’s lives.
This is why the Capital Coalition has agreed to protect funding for commissioned services aimed at helping those affected by homelessness. It included this proposal in its budget motion after listening to the responses to thousands of residents who took part in one of the widest consultations ever undertaken by the Council.
Ongoing Council work focuses on preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place. We believe that tackling the issues that can lead to it is much more successful than dealing with it once it becomes a serious problem.
Our homelessness strategy has seen incidences drop by 17% in five years, and two-thirds of Council house lets go to those who are homeless. Making sure that there are enough affordable homes is a challenge that we are meeting head on – the budget motion also proposes spending a further £55m of investment into building more.
We recently announced an innovative scheme to prevent homelessness with third sector organisation partners the Bethany Christian Trust, Edinburgh Cyrenian Trust, Foursquare and CHAI (Community Help and Advice Initiative).
The aim is to take a collaborative approach by rebalancing housing support services and by placing emphasis on prevention, through mentoring, befriending, group work and visits from housing support staff.
This approach will help resolve some of the crises that lead to homelessness and also deliver initial savings of £400,000, with potential further savings in the future.
Details include giving advice about budgeting and debt, benefits, housing options, links to employment and training, and help to avoid social isolation.
Not having a permanent roof over your head can lead to all sorts of health and social issues, and it’s our duty, as a local authority, to protect our citizens and to give children the best start in life. Tackling the problems of homelessness before it’s too far down the line is something that we are very much committed to.
Councillor Ricky Henderson,
Health, Social Care and Housing Convener, City of Edinburgh Council