News

700 Rough Sleepers Given Shelter in Edinburgh

Friday May 5 2017

More than 700 homeless people have been given a bed for the night in Edinburgh and Lothians church buildings over the past winter.

The Bethany Christian Trust has reported that its Winter Care Shelter provided over 9000 beds and 10,550 hot meals between October and April.

The service is run by a small team of staff, aided by over 1000 volunteers who help prepare the meals and venues. On average, 47 people each night have used the shelter and 72 churches across Edinburgh and Lothians have taken part.

Iain Gordon, chief executive of Bethany Christian Trust, said: “It is extremely sad that over 700 people were left with no option other than to sleep rough in Edinburgh this winter. We are extremely grateful to the 1000 volunteers from local churches who helped to save lives and support people to move on to more permanent accommodation and to access the help they needed. Their efforts made Edinburgh a more caring and compassionate city this winter for people with nowhere to call home.”

The service has now provided over 83,000 bed spaces in total since it began as a two-week pilot in 1996. As well as a bed and a meal, it also offers homeless people access to a range of support from experienced staff and partner agencies.

In terms of the number of people staying each night, demand has nearly doubled since the 2011-12 shelter, from an average of 28 people to this year's 47, while the total number of bed spaces provided is up 136% from 3920 to 9251 (albeit the 2011-12 shelter was eight weeks shorter).

Alasdair Bennett, Director of Operations, said: “We are indebted to the churches and individuals who once again have responded with enormous generosity and commitment, giving of both their time and resources to make this lifesaving work possible. The Care Shelter has provided a dignified meal, warmth, care and a secure place to sleep to over 700 of some of the most vulnerable adults in Edinburgh since October.

“We work in partnership with a wide range of charitable and statutory services to support the people who access the project to urgently facilitate a route out of homelessness.”