National Lottery delivers funding support to tackle homelessness

12 Jun 2019 03:11 PM

Homelessness projects are today (WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE 2019) the focus of over £3 million in National Lottery funding, set to increase third sector led provision, helping prevent Scots losing their tenancies and becoming homeless.

In Glasgow and Edinburgh eight new partnerships have come together, working with those with lived experience of homelessness, to develop the new projects which have been funded today. This is part of a £7 million wider package of funding for 38 voluntary and charity groups across Scotland from The National Lottery Community Fund. Today’s funding total is £6,981,769. See a full list of awards here

Glasgow Homelessness Network and YPeople in Edinburgh are two of the projects focusing on making a difference to those at risk of becoming homeless, the other six are:

David Ramsey, 46 from Pollok was homeless for two years and has helped to shape the Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) project which today receives an award of £490,705 aiming to help prevent homelessness in Gorbals and Pollok. Part of this funding will support a Community Chest with the aim of testing low budget and targeted local ideas based on local evidence and shared decision-making with those living locally.

David found his most challenging times came once he had permanent accommodation in an unfamiliar area. He was isolated from his family and surrounded by people with addiction issues and his life spiralled out of control.

With the support of GHN David turned his life around. He began volunteering for GHN in 2014 and has gone on to full time employment there. Now Change Lead, David is at the forefront of delivering the project to help prevent homelessness in Pollok.

He said:

“I’m a passionate believer that anyone, with the right support, can overcome problems and, if I can, anyone can. It’s also important to remember that it’s much, much easier when the correct support is in place and delivered in such a way that local people are aware of it and want to use it.

“It’s also really important to me that people who have been successful in turning their lives around are able to tell others about their journey, helping those who may still be struggling have the belief that change is possible.”

Maggie Brunjes, Chief Executive of Glasgow Homelessness Network, said:

“All homelessness starts in a community. This award connects our expertise on homelessness with the experience of those who live and work locally in two communities - testing together different ways that could prevent people becoming homeless in the first place.

“The National Lottery Community Fund’s forward-thinking approach has been impressive. Granting us a ‘community chest’ allows creative use of funding based on local evidence and shared decision-making with people in those communities. This is innovative – we can’t wait to get started and to share what we learn along the way.”

In Edinburgh, YPeople receive £498,332 to work in collaboration across the sector to pilot a new way of working, avoiding segregating those at risk of homelessness from the people and places they are familiar with.

Joe Connolly, CEO, YPeople, said:

“It’s time for a new approach for Scotland, one that breaks down silos and existing homelessness systems, and supports the sector to hold itself to a different set of rules and standards.

“We’ll pilot this service across the city, gathering evidence of what works with the aim of sharing our practice nationally and bringing more organisations on board.

“We have been encouraged by The National Lottery Community Fund’s approach to this funding because the voices of people with lived experience have been at the heart of this whole process and will be central to the delivery of all of the projects funded today.”

Susanne Millar, Interim Chief Officer of Glasgow’s Health & Social Care Partnership, welcomed the National Lottery funding. She said:

“We work in close collaboration with Third Sector partners to tackle homelessness in Glasgow. Homelessness is an extremely complex and challenging problem with many contributing factors including mental and physical ill- health, addiction issues and poverty.

“The strategic manner in which these National Lottery grants have been awarded, to tackle the underlying causes on a number of fronts, is welcome and impressive. It will help ensure the funding is used to best effect, to help those who need it most – preventing homelessness and supporting people to maintain tenancies.”

Announcing today’s funding of just under £7 million across Scotland, Maureen McGinn, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, said:

“There is a clear focus today on support for organisations working collaboratively to address the issue of homelessness in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We hope this funding will begin to support a wider change. By adopting a strategic approach and encouraging collaboration across organisations working in the homelessness sector we have looked to ensure that our National Lottery funds can add value and make a significant difference to tackling homelessness in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“David’s inspirational story shows if people get the right mix of support at the right time then they are able to move forward and make real and lasting changes to their lives. These National Lottery funds really are life changing and will have a positive impact for people who need our help the most.”

Last year The National Lottery Community Fund gave out over £48m of National Lottery funding to community projects across Scotland. Over 1130 projects benefitted from this, enabling people and communities to bring their ideas to life. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk