Homelessness links

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

The following organisations offer help, advice or support for street homeless people.

Cheap internet access is offered by some public libraries and internet cafes if you want to send and receive emails. Use the Scottish Library and Information Resources website to find a library with public access internet near you. 

Advice and support

Aberdeen Cyrenians

Providing homelessness services and advice in the Aberdeen area.
www.aberdeen-cyrenians.org

Barnardo's

Barnardo's runs various projects across the UK to support young people in need. Find your nearest service using the search on the website.
www.barnardos.org.uk

Bethany Christian Trust

Providing accommodation, support and street work in the Edinburgh area.
www.bethanychristiantrust.com

Dundee Cyrenians

Providing homelessness services and advice in the Dundee area.
www.cyrenian.co.uk

Edinburgh Cyrenians

Providing homelessness services and advice in the Edinburgh area.
www.cyrenians.org.uk

Four Square/Edinburgh Furniture Initiative

Four Square (Scotland) is a charity involved with the rights and needs of homeless people in Edinburgh and the Lothians and other areas of Scotland. Services include advice and advocacy, support and accommodation, and clothing and furniture supplies.
www.foursquare.org.uk

The Foyer Federation

Information on foyer accommodation for young people across the UK.
www.foyer.net

Glasgow Simon Community

Providing homelessness services and advice in the Glasgow area.
www.glasgowsimon.org

Homeless Edinburgh

Information on services for homeless people in Edinburgh. Search for a hostel or accommodation service, or find out where to get help in an emergency.
www.homelessedinburgh.org

Homeless Pages in Glasgow

Advice for homeless people in the Glasgow area, from the Glasgow Homelessness Network. Includes listings and information for housing advice centres, street teams, drop in centres and emergency access accommodation.
www.hipinglasgow.com

Homeless UK

A comprehensive database of services for homeless people across the UK. Find contact details for a hostel or other emergency accommodation that's near you and suits your needs, and find out how to get a place.
www.homelessuk.org

Refuge

Refuge offers safe houses for women and children escaping domestic violence and abuse. Some refuges are specifically for women from particular ethnic or cultural backgrounds. The website offers advice and information on your options if you're facing domestic abuse. Together with Women's Aid, Refuge also runs the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
www.refuge.org.uk

Salvation Army

Providing homelessness services including accommodation and soup runs across Scotland.
www.salvationarmy.org.uk

Scottish Refugee Council

Advice for asylum seekers and refugees, including a list of day centres, soup runs and drop in centres.
www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Streetwork

Edinburgh based outreach team working with young people. Offers crisis support and advice and help with health issues and education, training and employment opportunities.
www.streetwork.org.uk

Scottish Women's Aid

Women's Aid groups offer support, information and a safe place to stay to women suffering from domestic abuse. The website contains contact details for your nearest women's aid group, as well as advice and information.
www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk

YMCA Scotland

Supporting young people under 25 across a range of issues, including housing.
www.ymcascotland.org

Other services

ChildLine

Free, confidential 24-hour helpline offering comfort, advice and practical help to all children and young people.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

Bereavement can often lead to homelessness: Cruse offers advice, practical help and sympathetic ear to anyone affected by death.
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

FPA

Advice and emergency help on contraception, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections from the Family Planning Association. Find your nearest clinic or call the FPA helpline for confidential advice.
Helpline: 0845 122 8690 (lines open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm)
www.fpa.org.uk

Get Connected

Get Connected is a free helpline and email service for young people. Whatever your problem, whether it's to do with your family, your health, school, housing or anything else, the counsellors can put you in touch with an agency who can help you.
Tel: 0808 808 4994 (lines are open 1-11pm every day)
Email: help@getconnected.org.uk.
www.getconnected.org.uk

Message Home

Message Home have a free, confidential 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 7070 dedicated to children and young people under the age of 18 who have run away. The advisers can pass on a message to your parents or carers without telling them where you are, talk through your options and help you decide what to do next and put you in touch with local advice agencies who can help you. Visit the Runaway Helpline website for more information.
www.missingpeople.org.uk/runaways/

If you are over 18 you can call the Message Home helpline on 0500 700 700 to leave a message for your family and receive advice and help. Visit the Message Home website for more information.
www.missingpeople.org.uk

Rape Crisis

Advice and help for women who have undergone sexual abuse. Contact details for local centres are provided.
www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to all those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces, and their dependants.
www.rblscotland.org

Samaritans

If you are going through a hard time or feel depressed, desperate or suicidal and need someone to talk to anonymously, you can call the Samaritans free and in confidence.
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
Email: jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org

SANE

SANE is a UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. If you are worried about depression or any other mental health issue, you can call Saneline on 0845 767 8000 for practical information and support (lines open 6pm-11pm). The website also contains information on depression, addictions, schizophrenia, phobias and other mental illnesses.
www.sane.org.uk

Scottish Drug Services

Online directory to help people find information on all drug treatment and rehabilitation and care services in Scotland.
www.scottishdrugservices.com

Survivors UK

Advice and help for men who have suffered from sexual abuse or rape.
Helpline: 0845 122 1201 (lines are open 7pm-10pm on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday)
www.survivorsuk.org

Frank

Straightforward information on the effects and risks of drug taking, including a comprehensive A-Z of drugs and a searchable database of services that can help you. You can also call Frank on the free 24-hour helpline 0800 77 66 00.
www.talktofrank.com

Victim Support Scotland

Practical help and emotional support for victims of crime. Visit the website or call their helpline on 0845 603 9213 (lines are open Monday-Thursday 9am-4.30pm. Friday 9am-4pm).
www.victimsupportsco.org.uk