Shelter Scotland has launched a specially designed classroom kit to help teach children important lessons about housing and homelessness.

The kit follows an interactive programme of themed work, packed with exciting and stimulating free resources designed for teachers to use in the classroom to educate primary and secondary children in a fun and interesting way about the complex issues of homelessness.

Currently there are over 9,500 households in temporary accommodation across Scotland. Of these households, there were 3,682 households with dependent children and pregnant women in temporary accommodation across Scotland [2]. Homeless children are two to three times more likely to be absent from school than other children due to the disruption caused by constantly moving around. The charity believes it is vital children learn about the issues at a young age to help develop understanding and awareness.

The kit also includes information on Home Time!, Shelter Scotland's day of fundraising action for schools. The charity hopes that children will be motivated by what they have learnt and dedicate a day of fundraising for Shelter Scotland in the New Year to help change the lives of thousands of homeless children.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: 'Bad housing and homelessness can have a devastating effect on every area of a child's life. The classroom kit is a fantastic way to educate children in an informative way about aspects of bad housing and also encourage a younger age group to get involved and help support the work Shelter Scotland do to end bad housing for the next generation of children.'

Find out more information about Shelter Scotland's classroom kit.

Notes to editors

1. Shelter Scotland believes everyone should have a home. The charity helps 170,000 people a year across the UK fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Scotland’s housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
2. Scottish Government (March, 2009) Operation of the Homeless Persons legislation in Scotland: Quarters ending 30 June and 30 September 2008 (including households in temporary accommodation at 31 December 2008).
3. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
4. Follow Shelter Scotland on Facebook; Twitter; Bebo. Or pick up a Twibbon.