We welcome news that the Scottish Government has extended funding for a national helpline and support service which offers a lifeline for people facing homelessness and destitution this winter.
The project, which launched in April, provides destitute asylum seekers, who have nowhere else to turn, with legal advice and advocacy services.
This joined-up approach to service provision brings together experts from Scottish Refugee Council, law firms and other service providers to support people seeking safety who have no recourse to public funds. The project also contributes to the Fair Way Scotland plan.
People facing homelessness and destitution can call our free helpline to speak with an experienced adviser. Our advisers talk through each callers’ problems, assess their situation and refer them to specialist services, including legal advice, homelessness support and mental health services.
The added funding from the Scottish Government will allow our national helpline and support service to continue until the end of March 2023.
Wafa Shaheen, Head of Asylum, Integration and Resettlement at Scottish Refugee Council said: “We welcome news that the Scottish Government is extending funding for this vital service until the end of the financial year. And we hope that more funding will be made available in the New Year to support and expand this work, which provides a lifeline for extremely vulnerable people with nowhere else to turn.
“We’re committed to continuing to work in partnership and collaboration with lawyers and other supporting agencies to help people seeking safety in Scotland who are facing homelessness and destitution. We want to learn together, find solutions together, pool our skills and experience and share resources. This project allows us to do that.”
Read more about the difference this service is making
DestitutionThis post was originally published on Scottish Refugee Council.
