MSP also announced that the Scottish Government will provide a further £150,000 to allow groups to continue to provide homeless services
Staff at a homelessness charity have been thanked for going the extra mile to help people caught by the Beast from the East.
Housing minister Kevin Stewart visited Bethany Christian Trust’s HQ to meet with some of its staff and volunteers who run two of the charity’s key emergency services, the Winter Care Shelter, which operates for 28 weeks a year, and the Care Van, which is run in partnership with Edinburgh City Mission.
As a result of the extreme winter weather, staff from Bethany’s Winter Care Shelter and the Care Van mobilised replacement teams last minute and worked extra shifts to support the number of people sleeping rough who required assistance during the blizzard.
Stewart said: “I was extremely impressed by the fast and effective work of organisations like Bethany Christian Trust supporting those sleeping rough during last week’s unprecedented and extreme winter weather and want to thank everyone involved for the work and commitment they have shown.
“It is now important that we build on this good work and these latest recommendations provide a blueprint to do that and reach our national priority to eradicate rough sleeping for good.”
Alasdair Bennett, director of operations at Bethany Christian Trust, said: “Thank you for everyone’s incredible support. Throughout the worst of the weather the Care Van street teams still managed out every night and also for all our lunchtime outreaches, bringing hot drinks, fresh soup, food, blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, and hope.
“The Care Shelter has been in full operation and keeping men and women safe and warm, with hot two-course meals every night. We are indebted to the amazing staff and volunteers who went the extra mile to save lives and keep all our frontline services going, including providing accommodation and support for a capacity of up to 175 people each night across the Lothians.”
Stewart also announced that the Scottish Government will provide a further £150,000 to allow groups to continue to provide homeless services.
