Homeless Project Scotland

• Membership number 7766
• Charity registered in Scotland SC050207

Homeless Project Scotland was established in October 2019 to provide hot meals, food packages, hygiene packs and practical to homeless and vulnerable families and individuals across Scotland. 100% of funding directly supports those deprived and marginalised in our communities. We receive no government or council funding. There are no salaried management or staff and volunteers do not receive expenses. The Project is dependent on the goodwill and commitment of volunteers. 1200 to 1500 meals are distributed daily. The cost of purchasing, preparing, cooking and distributing food is funded from donations and the goodwill and relationships forged with retail/ food outlets. Our function is to improve the immediate needs of families and individuals. However many present with needs in excess of a hot meal or food parcel. Our 24/7 volunteer caseworkers provide advice/support by liaising with relevant bodies regarding accommodation, welfare, safety and legal matters. Our expanded range of services results in us frequently being the first point of referral from many charities and statutory bodies. Many volunteers have experience of social, health and mental wellbeing issues and can relate and empathise with the circumstances others find themselves in. We support our volunteers by providing or facilitating training in areas of First Aid, Naloxone Training, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Food Hygiene and Health and Safety. Volunteering opportunities are promoted on our website and our aim is to be inclusive by highlighting that volunteering is recognised by the DWP as beneficial experience for those seeking employment; we encourage asylum seekers and refugees (in accordance with Home Office requirements). We have volunteers from the medical, legal and business communities. We actively engage with ex-offenders and those imposed with Community Payback Orders By involving a diverse group of volunteers we encourage a wider-range of skills and encourage positive integration into the community. Across the year, in excess of 550,000 hot meals have been cooked and distributed. With fuel poverty many cannot afford to cook meals let alone purchase ingredients. Our volunteers are praised and thanked for being life-savers not only by the people they serve but by many passers by. Our approach is to encourage and welcome. We aim to remove barriers and build a rapport with service users. We accept in good faith that everyone who attends is in need and do not ask personal details. Our core values are to support without judgement or discrimination. We take our services from the kitchen and street tables to the side streets actively looking for those in need but who exist in the shadows. Our bespoke food van, the first in Scotland of its kind, travels to outlying areas of deprivation to provide children and young people with hot food. Our daily soup kitchen, 24-hour Helpline, Street Teams, bespoke food van and nightly food bank are evidence of the need we meet and the success and commitment of Homeless Project Scotland. We highlight our services through Facebook, TikTok blog and PR material in health centres, community centres and homeless hostels.

Links

• https://www.homelessprojectscotland.org
• https://www.homelessprojectscotland.org
• https://www.facebook.com/homelessprojectscotland

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