homelessness – Page 2 – The NEN

HEATTECH continues the pursuit of ultimate comfort in Scotland

UNIQLO partners with Social Bite and Unique Assembly to provide warmth to local Scottish communities

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the latest innovations for HEATTECH, its thin and warm thermal clothing technology that converts water vapor from the body into heat.

Following the Edinburgh store opening in Spring 2024, UNIQLO are pleased to offer its HEATTECH lineup to the people of Scotland this winter.

The epitome of UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy, for more than two decades, available in three levels of warmth: HEATTECH (Regular), HEATTECH Extra Warm and HEATTECH Ultra Warm, HEATTECH has changed winter fashion around the world.

The 2024 HEATTECH offering has even greater comfort. The new HEATTECH EXTRA WARM Cashmere Blend from the UNIQLO: C collection has a 9% cashmere blend to provide a soft and fluffy feel. In addition to innerwear, the broad lineup of products incorporating HEATTECH technology also includes outer layers and accessories. HEATTECH continues to support winter lifestyles, making the cold season warmer, lighter, and more comfortable.

The Heart of LifeWear in partnership with Social Bite

In the Social Bite coffee shop November 2024, donations of new HEATTECH items were provided as the part of The Heart of LifeWear initiative by Alessandro Dudech, UNIQLO UK COO, and representatives from Social Bite’s Jobs First employment programme for people affected by homelessness.

This winter, UNIQLO will launch the ‘Heart of LifeWear’ initiative donating one million new items of HEATTECH, thermal clothing, worldwide to make life a little more comfortable for those who are in a severe situation. With the help of its NGO partners, UNIQLO is working to provide warmth and comfort to people all over the world.

Since the opening of the UNIQLO Edinburgh store in April 2024, UNIQLO UK has partnered with local Scottish charity Social Bite, to support its mission to end homelessness.

UNIQLO is pleased to announce Social Bite as one of the UK recipients for the ‘Heart of LifeWear’ initiative, in the coming winter, with over 2,500 items of HEATTECH that will be distributed in Scotland via the Social Bite network.

Josh Littlejohn, Social Bite Founder,said: “We’re thrilled that our partnership with UNIQLO will bring thousands of thermal items to people affected by homelessness this winter.

“This essential support provides warmth and comfort through the coldest months, while also helping to raise awareness of challenges faced by people most in need.

“With homelessness rising across the UK, UNIQLO customers can also make a financial donation to Social Bite at UNIQLO tills this season, supporting vulnerable people during winter and beyond.”

Alongside Social Bite, UNIQLO UK will partner with Goods for Good, Crisis Liverpool, Crisis London and New Horizon to distribute a total of 10,000 HEATTECH items this winter.

UNIQLO Ice Rink

As part of the HEATTECH activity in Scotland, UNIQLO is delighted to partner with Unique Assembly as title sponsor of this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink on the West End of George Street.

Every attendee of the Ice Rink will receive a scratch card offering money off vouchers and lucky winners will receive one free item of HEATTECH, vouchers are redeemable at the Edinburgh store until the end of January 2025.

Speaking about the partnership Sally Richens, Brand Manager UNIQLO U.K. said: “Following our successful Edinburgh store opening in April this year, we are delighted to support the Edinburgh Ice Rink this winter.

“We hope to bring warmth to the city via our HEATTECH thermal products, allowing people to enjoy outdoor pursuits this festive season.”

When: 22 November – 04 January

Where: West George Street between Castle Street and Charlotte Square

You can find more info on this link: https://edwinterfest.com/whats-on/ice-skating

Letters of Hope: Fort Kinnaird and Cyrenians call on local community to help spread festive cheer

Fort Kinnaird is calling on customers to help spread festive cheer in the community this Christmas.

The centre has teamed up with Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based charity that tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness, to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.

The local community are being asked to write their warm wishes in a Christmas card or letter and post without an envelope in its ‘Letters of Hope’ mailbox free of charge. The initiative will then see these heartfelt Christmas cards distributed to those at risk of homelessness in and around Edinburgh.

There will also be a contactless donation point where shoppers can tap to donate £3, £5 or £10 as well as a QR code displayed on the side of the post box where visitors will be able to tap to make donations and support the charity’s vital work in the city.

The initiative is part of Cyrenians’ Winter Appeal which launched earlier this week to support the charity’s services to stop homelessness in its tracks. The city is facing significant housing challenges, and the funds raised will help Cyrienians reach more people this winter, while providing a little light through initiatives like the Letters of Hope mailbox.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, we know that the winter months, and especially the festive season, can be challenging for those experiencing homelessness.

“It’s our visitors who make Christmas so special for us here at Fort Kinnaird, so we know we can count on them to spread some cheer to those who need it most.

“We hope our ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, and the fundraising support for Cyrenians, will help to bring a few more smiles over the seasonal period.”

Sophie Bell, Fundraising Manager at Cyrenians, said: “Winter is dark enough, so we are delighted to be partnering with Fort Kinnaird this season to bring a little light to those who need it most.

“Cyrenians works across the community to break the cycle of homelessness. With services across addiction recovery, family mediation, supported housing, food distribution and more, we will provide vital support to many people who are struggling this Christmas. Thanks to Fort Kinnaird and their customers, we can work to tackle homelessness together.”

Letters and cards can be posted into the special post box – located outside ODEON Cinema – from now until 20th December when they will be distributed by Cyrenians in plenty of time for Christmas.

For more information on Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

For more information on Cyrenians, please visit: https://cyrenians.scot/

Victory for campaigners as Housing (Scotland) Bill passes stage 1

Strengthening tenants’ rights and preventing homelessness

Legislation to strengthen tenants’ rights and prevent homelessness has passed stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to tackle poverty across Scotland by improving the renting experience for tenants, through a range of new rights and a system of rent controls, in a way that maintains investment.

The Bill will also place a stronger emphasis on homelessness prevention based on better coordination across services and providing support earlier.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “The Housing (Scotland) Bill will play an important role in helping to tackle poverty by keeping rents affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes.

“Ensuring everyone has the right to a safe and stable home is essential to the Scottish Government’s priority of ending child poverty and the Bill will play a role in reaching that goal.

“Scotland has led the way in protecting tenants and providing rights for homeless people. The Housing (Scotland) Bill aims to create a rental system that improves the rights of tenants while maintaining investment and provides greater support for people threatened with homelessness.

“I am pleased Parliament has supported the general principles of the legislation, especially on our proposals for a system of rent controls that keep costs lower for tenants.”

Living Rent campaigners said: “Make no mistake this would not have happened without the work of Scotland’s tenants union.

“Right now we need to celebrate the vote bringing rent controls one step closer. But landlords are fighting hard and it’s clear there is a lot of work to be done.”

Charity brings its ‘Light the Way Home’ Christmas campaign to Edinburgh

Right There, a charity dedicated to preventing homelessness, is pledging to Light the Way Home this year for the thousands of people it supports, and those it will support in the future. The Light the Way Home campaign is visiting Edinburgh this week where staff and volunteers are spreading festive cheer in the Gyle Shopping Centre.

The campaign was launched earlier this month by Scottish children’s writer Angela Proctor, who joined children for a Christmas party at the charity’s Glasgow headquarters to kick off the festive campaign.

Angela Proctor has recently spoken out about her distress over the number of children and young people faced with or experiencing homelessness in Scotland.

Angela Proctor said: “As an author, I have visited hundreds of schools across Scotland, and I can see how austerity is affecting children.

“The worst affected are our most vulnerable children, those without a permanent home having to deal with the uncertainty, worry and anxiety that constantly moving ‘home’ causes.

“I have seen first-hand the impact this has on children who are trapped in the housing crisis cycle, moving from one temporary abode to another. It impacts on their development and mental health, potentially reducing their future prospects which is why we need to put an end to homelessness in all its forms.”

Figures for the last year show that 3,261 households are considered homeless or at threat of homelessness in Edinburgh, this is the second highest in Scotland, behind Glasgow.

Right There Chief Executive, Janet Haugh said: “For many, the essence of Christmas is found at home, where families and friends gather to celebrate, share meals, exchange gifts, and create cherished memories.

“In Edinburgh there are thousands of individuals for whom this joy is unattainable. Many lack a place to call home, or if they do, it is fraught with challenges such as family breakdowns, financial hardships, substance use, or mental health issues.

“What millions take for granted is a distant dream for tens of thousands, and this Christmas, countless adults, young people, and children will face the day with a heavy heart.”

The Light the Way Home campaign represents something different for each person affected by homelessness, for some it will be physical bricks and mortar, and others it will be a sense of stability and peace in their current environment.

Janet Haugh added: “By raising awareness of Right There’s programmes in Edinburgh, we hope to provide a sense of security and stability not only for those we support now, but for many more in the future, while at the same time spreading some joyful Christmas spirit ahead of the festive season.”

The campaign will be on the road throughout November and December to spread festive cheer and awareness of Right There’s work.

Homelessness is a hidden issue in Scotland’s student housing crisis

THE recent Cross-Party Group on Housing report on student homelessness proved that we have a long way to go with student housing (writes RUTH ELLIOTT, Vice-President Community of Edinburgh University Students’ Association).

In Edinburgh alone, there is currently a shortfall of over 13,000 bedspaces.

Students have been known to be both resourceful and resilient, hopping between hostels and crashing on friends’ sofas, but it’s hard to believe this lack of stability won’t have an impact on their studies, as well as their mental health.

In fact, NUS Scotland’s Cost of Survival Report (2023) survey showed that 66% of students feel this has impacted their mental health, with this skyrocketing to 83% of estranged students and 78 per cent and 79 per cent of low income and students with caring responsibilities.

And things aren’t much better if you do manage to find accommodation, with 75% of student respondents falling below the UK poverty line after housing costs (Russell Group Student’s Unions (RGSU) Cost-of-Living survey).

The Advice Place at Edinburgh University Students’ Association has seen an increasing trend of affordability as a barrier to finding housing for students.

As Vice President Community, I am calling on the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Government to provide more accommodation that is genuinely affordable for students, and to support alternatives such as student housing co-operatives to alleviate the pressures on the housing market.

Nowhere to live

But there’s another, unexpected problem on top of the lack of accommodation and affordability.

One of the biggest issues with student homelessness is hidden homelessness. ‘Hidden homelessness’ refers to people who would meet the legal definition of homelessness but are not represented in the local authority homeless statistics (see here).

Some examples are:

Staying with family and friends
Sofa surfing
Living in unsuitable housing such as squats or in ‘beds in shed’ situations

Source: The Homeless Monitor: England 2018

Many students don’t realise they could be considered homeless (possible as the problem has become increasingly normalised). As a result, the majority of students are not empowered to reach out for help when they really need it, which also means we don’t have a good idea of how widespread this problem is.

This affects how the issue of student housing is recorded by the university, and therefore how it is prioritised and addressed. Equally, the fact that students do not consider the University as a place to reach out for help is troubling.

The University of Edinburgh has a lot of work to do to rebuild the relationship with its students to be viewed as more trustworthy and supportive.

Those who experience hidden homelessness are hidden from statistics and services as they are dealing with their situation informally.” (Crisis)

It is essential to raise awareness about hidden homelessness – as well as awareness about being at risk of homelessness, whether through overcrowding, unaffordable rent or those at risk of abuse in their homes – so we can better support our students and lobby for change that is backed by data.

Because of the limited housing options available, students are more likely to take on riskier situations – whether that be higher rent than they can’t afford, living further away from campus living with strangers, or subletting illegally.

This leaves students very vulnerable. Students are not a homogenous group and can be some of the most vulnerable people in our society as young people, international students, queer people, carers and parents, and people from low-income backgrounds.

It’s positive to see Edinburgh Council putting more focus on reducing homelessness, and I would like the University to take more responsibility here.

This year, I am working on a project with the University to include more comprehensive data collection on students’ housing situations in the matriculation process. It’s really important that this addresses the issues I have outlined regarding hidden homelessness, and encourages students to reach out.

The student housing crisis is a complex issue which needs addressing. But without the right data, we’ve failed before we’ve begun.

Housing Bill presents an opportunity to prevent homelessness – but more detail required, says Holyrood Committee

A Holyrood Committee has raised concerns about a lack of detail in a Bill which proposes a move away from a crisis management approach to a preventative approach to homelessness in Scotland.

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has been scrutinising the homelessness and domestic violence aspects of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. While the Committee supports the principles of the proposals in the Bill, it wants the Scottish Government to outline how the measures will work in practice.

The practicalities of the “ask and act” duty, which calls on relevant public bodies to ask a person about their housing situation and to take action to prevent homelessness, were one aspect the Committee would like to understand in greater detail.

The Committee’s report asks how the Scottish Government will ensure that relevant bodies do not just refer people to the homelessness officers in their local authority.

The report also notes that there are problems with the Bill’s costings, as laid out in the Financial Memorandum. The Committee calls for this to be updated.

Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “Our Committee agrees with this Bill’s goal of shifting Scotland’s approach to homelessness away from crisis intervention towards prevention.

“However, we do share witnesses’ concerns about the lack of detail in the Scottish Government’s plans. In particular, we would like to see more detail about how the ‘ask and act’ duty will operate in practice.

“We also acknowledge concerns raised about the Financial Memorandum. Our report recommends that the Scottish Government consult with stakeholders again and update costings as appropriate ahead of the Stage 1 debate on the Bill.”

The Committee also backed proposals in the Bill to support people affected by domestic abuse, although its report requests more information about the measures in the Bill will interact with other relevant policy and legislation.

In particular, the Committee heard that the Bill is linked to the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021. As the Act has not commenced in full, the Committee calls for a detailed plan and timeline to confirm when the laws in the Act will come into force.

Social Bite to join The Pitt in Granton with dessert pop-up

Social Bite’s first pop-up food venture will focus on custard and desserts
Social Bite customers will be able to pay it forward and donate towards the charity’s work providing food, homes, jobs and support to people affected by homelessness
Social Bite is the third vendor to be announced for the market’s opening in Granton later this year
Social Bite joins British Street Food Champions Choola, and the legendary Buffalo Truck with more to be announced

Leading homelessness charity Social Bite today announced their dessert pop-up as the newest addition to an exciting line up of local food businesses at The Pitt, Granton. The partnership between Social Bite and The Pitt will bring sweet treats to customers.

Social Bite’s first pop-up will celebrate all things custard, with delicious desserts including crumble made with seasonal fruit and a choice of toppings served with hot or cold fresh custard. Social Bite will be a permanent trader and exclusive provider of desserts for visitors to the popular street food market at its new home in Granton.

Whilst Social Bite has a history of coffee shops in Edinburgh city centre, the charity is no stranger to the Granton Waterfront. The Pitt is located opposite Social Bite’s village, which opened in 2018 and has since supported 100 people out of homelessness.

The Pitt, owned and operated by not-for-profit community interest company, Granton Project CIC, is on a mission to create positive change in North Edinburgh and will open year-round this winter.

Mel Swan, Commercial Operations Director at Social Bite, said: “We’re excited to bring the Social Bite brand and our new dessert concept to The Pitt. There’s a lot of synergy between us – as well as our love of good food, we share their ethos of creating a supportive, community environment where people can flourish.

“They’ve welcomed us an established business with a new idea. We chose custard because it’s great hot, cold or frozen, and it works on its own, baked in a dessert, or as a side. We’ve got loads of great ideas that we can’t wait to bring to The Pitt’s devoted foodies, whether you pop along for pudding or want to pay it forward.”

Hal Prescott, Chief Executive of The Pitt, said: “With a number of exciting traders already confirmed, it’s amazing to welcome Social Bite, such a well-established social enterprise, to the project.

“They’ve already made such a huge contribution to end homelessness and we firmly believe that this innovative collaboration will make a significant impact.

“And how exciting to have Britain’s first dedicated custard stall at The Pitt on the shores of Granton!”

University of Edinburgh invests £1m to tackle homelessness

University of Edinburgh invests further £1 million through Social and Sustainable Capital to enable UK charities and social enterprises to provide homes for service users

The University of Edinburgh has announced further investment of £1 million in a social housing fund. Managed by Social and Sustainable Capital, the SASH II fund loans charities and social enterprises the finance to purchase residential properties, which are then leased to people at risk of homelessness.

The University hopes to build on the success of its previous £1 million investment in the first Social and Sustainable Housing Fund (SASH I), which raised £64.5 million and supported 20 social impact organisations across the UK.

SASH II aims to continue the success of the first fund, helping more organisations to provide decent homes for vulnerable people.

Over £35 million has been committed to date, with The Scottish National Investment Bank investing £15 million for allocation to Scottish organisations.

Life-changing impact across Scotland

The Scottish organisations supported by the SASH I portfolio were Simon Community Scotland, the Positive Steps Partnership and the social enterprise Homes for Good Glasgow.

Using a £5 million loan from SASH I, Simon Community Scotland purchased 15 properties across Edinburgh, providing affordable accommodation for up to 30 vulnerable adults at risk of homelessness.

This has been life-changing for Greig, a tenant of the Simon Community Scotland Homes scheme in Edinburgh. He said, “Having a new home has changed my life in so much of a great way. I’ve got so much freedom to go out walking, to do my artwork – and I feel it’s helping with my mental health as well.

Dundee’s Positive Steps Partnership, is a charity helping ex-offenders and adults suffering drug addiction to transition from prison release to independent living. The £1.8 million investment from SASH I enables the Positive Steps Partnership to purchase 30 properties across Dundee for its service users.

Homes for Good Glasgow is an award-winning social enterprise, using the £3.5 million loan from SASH I to purchase 47 properties in Glasgow and Ayrshire, providing quality rented accommodation for people living with mental health issues, family breakdown and recovery from drug dependency.

Investing for social good

Announced in 2019, the University’s Social Investment Fund has invested £8 million in funds that deliver a social benefit alongside a traditional financial return.

Dave Gorman, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh said, “As values-driven institutions with commitments to social and civic responsibility, universities can use their finances to address social issues, whilst generating a return on investment.

“That has been the mission of our Social Investment Fund. We are delighted to support SASH II, having seen the positive impact that affordable housing can bring to vulnerable people here in our city and across Scotland.“

Mark Bickford, CEO of Social and Sustainable Capital said, “We are looking forward to building on the success of SASH I with fantastic, people-first organisations – all delivering significant social impact.

“We’re pleased to receive further investment from the University of Edinburgh, which demonstrates the potential of universities as social impact investors.

Alongside the University and the Scottish National Investment Bank, investors in SASH II include Better Society Capital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Church of England’s Social Impact Investment Programme, Ceniarth, and Ogelsby Charitable Trust.

For more information on SASC visit: www.socialandsustainable.com

First Vision Care for Homeless People clinic opens in Scotland

A NEW free eye care clinic for people experiencing homelessness opened this week at Crisis Skylight Centre in Edinburgh, the first such clinic outside of England.

The clinic, run by eye health charity Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP), will operate from the new Wellness Floor at the Skylight in Canongate. The Wellness Floor has been funded by Specsavers and, alongside the bespoke eye clinic, includes additional rooms, which will enable Crisis to broaden the health services it provides to members.

A special event to mark the occasion was attended by more than 60 attendees from Crisis, VCHP and Specsavers, as well as third sector professionals, with all guests receiving a tour of the new facilities whilst being able to speak to experts on the invaluable support being offered at the Centre.

The Edinburgh Crisis Skylight opened its doors last year but was unable to fund these additional facilities until Specsavers stepped in to finance the new health and wellness suites.

Specsavers Scottish Divisional Chair, Jenny Stephenson, says: ‘We are delighted to help VCHP open its very first clinic in Scotland. Our founding purpose is to improve eye care for all, but for those experiencing homelessness it can sometimes be difficult to get access to the eye health care they need.

“The opening of the Wellness Floor celebrates an impactful collaboration with Crisis and VCHP with the ultimate ambition of making care equitable and accessible for all, regardless of their circumstances.’

VCHP Founder and Chair of Trustees Elaine Styles, spoke on behalf of her team when she said how thrilled they were with the new clinical rooms, which includes a separate dispense area: ‘This new clinic will be our tenth in total and all are staffed and run by volunteers, who provide professional ophthalmic services to people experiencing homelessness.

“It’s a true testament to what our long-term partnership with Crisis and Specsavers is achieving.’

Mark Kennedy, Director of the Crisis Skylight in Edinburgh, says: ‘’Crisis has been running frontline services for people experiencing homelessness in Scotland for more than a decade but this new clinic will allow us to do even more for the people we work with.

 ’We’re incredibly grateful to Specsavers and VCHP for their support. Having the clinic available for our members is invaluable in helping people to improve their eye health and, ultimately, to help them on their journey out of homelessness.’

VCHP, Crisis and Specsavers are working with wider optical industry stakeholders and charities to call for changes in government policies that will enable people experiencing homelessness to access the eye care they need.

To find out more, visit:

specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness

https://www.crisis.org.uk

https://www.visioncarecharity.org

New research reveals charity generates over £300m of savings to public purse annually

Charity dedicated to preventing homelessness highlights true value to taxpayers during national housing crisis

A groundbreaking study into the impact of Scottish charity Right There has revealed it generates over £300m of savings every year for the public purse, through its unique approach to preventing and tackling homelessness.

As Scotland’s national housing crisis deepens, the report, entitled “The difference Right There makes” takes a social return on investment approach to impact evaluation, and sets out how much Right There’s work saves the taxpayer through the likes of long-term health and social care, unemployment benefits, emergency accommodation and by helping to stop people’s problems from worsening.

It has been carried out in the context of the current landscape of economic, political, social, and environmental factors that have and are continuing to shape the third and public sectors, to show the social benefit to society achieved through the charity’s work.

Right There, formerly Ypeople, part of the YMCA movement, has provided practical assistance, advocacy, and empowerment for 200 years, assisting individuals facing tough times.

The charity is built on the principle of meeting people where they are without judgement and walking alongside them, tailoring support to their ever-changing needs from providing safe homes to emotional wellbeing and family support as well as community outreach.

In addition to implementing programmes or interventions, Right There stands by individuals, offering unwavering life-improving support and a helping hand when they need it most. That includes accessing medical help, guiding them toward employment opportunities and, ultimately, a secure long-term home.

Through creating five archetypes, based on a series of ‘typical’ storylines about the lives of people that Right There helps, the study has mapped out the journey that supported individuals take, selecting relevant and realistic metrics to measure the impact of the charity as a financial cost to the public purse, had those individuals not been supported by Right There.

Savings that have been measured in the report include the cost of NHS treatment for issues such as substance use and poor mental health; the avoidance of future interactions with the criminal justice system; the benefits of individuals moving into longer term, more sustainable accommodation and savings to the Scottish economy in supporting individuals towards employment.

Janet Haugh, CEO of Right There said: “As a charity we are driven by the desire to help individuals, one person at a time. Our support is tailored to each person, and we pledge to be right there for as long as it takes. To see the impact of our support defined in such large financial terms is quite overwhelming.

“Right There is saving taxpayers in excess of £300m annually through relieving pressure on NHS and social care costs, unemployment benefits and emergency accommodation.

“At a time when Scotland’s housing crisis is intensifying, budget cuts are increasing and the prediction that homelessness will increase by a third by 2026, compound just how critical our work is and the social benefits it delivers for society as a whole.”

The full report can be viewed here.

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