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Scotland

You can stand with families like Ethan's

£30 could fund one call to our helpline

The end of the school day is a moment so many children look forward to. The bell rings and they rush out of class to get home.

But for over 9,500 children in Scotland, school is an escape from the tough reality of being homeless. It's a place where – for a few hours each day – they feel warm. Safe, settled, protected from dangerous mould. Free from worries about rodents or lice.

It's not home time for children facing homelessness.

'My mum tried setting up an area for me to do school work, but it wasn't really that much. It was a desk that we also used to cook and everything on.' – Ethan

Ethan and his Mum Sireena were forced to move into temporary accommodation – where they stayed for the next six years. Ethan was just 11 years old.

At Shelter Scotland, we know that living in unsafe and unsuitable temporary accommodation brings tough challenges for children's education.

How do we expect children to thrive at school without a safe place to call home?

Ethan, now 17 and settled in a safe, permanent home, is passionate about sharing his experiences. He's supporting our work to put pressure on the Scottish government to fulfil their commitment to more social homes.

17-year-old Ethan sits on a sofa with his small dog next to him

Your donation could fuel this crucial campaigning, while also supporting families who urgently need our help.

FIGHT FOR HOME

We exist to defend the right to a safe home, because home is everything. The fight to end the housing emergency starts here.

How we helped in 2024

  • 17,500 people got advice through our helpline and webchat services.

  • 2 million + views of our online advice pages.

Donate over the phone or by post

It's simple to donate to Shelter Scotland by phone or post. Call us now on 0300 330 1234.

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Make a positive difference and celebrate a life by donating in memory of a loved one.

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Leaving a gift in your will can make a lasting difference to the lives of families.

Gift Aid

The government's Gift Aid scheme means that, if you pay tax in the UK, we can reclaim tax on your donations.

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*Your donation won't be restricted to a single project but will be used wherever it's needed most to help those fighting for their right to a safe home.