Starting Afresh with the Welcome Centre
“I feel like no-one has ever cared if I live or die before I came here, thank you for your support and care.”
Jane* came to the Welcome Centre after leaving a marriage where she was experiencing psychological abuse from her husband.
Since leaving she had been sofa surfing and staying with friends but had nowhere to go now. After presenting to the Council to seek accommodation she was referred to the Welcome Centre as there was no accommodation available.
“We appreciate you guys! Thanks for your kindness.”
After just over a month in the Welcome Centre Jane moved into a Move-On Flat with Bethany Christian Trust, where she gets support from Bethany Christian Trust visiting support workers and she is able to start afresh.
*name changed for privacy.
At the Welcome Centre, between 2nd October and 31st December 2024, there have been…
432 individual presentations
5,903 accesses to the service
65 guests per night
Over 10,010 meals served
88% of guests saying they would have been sleeping rough if it were not for the Welcome Centre
Did you know?
- The Welcome Centre provides emergency accommodation with support to anyone who has no alternative accommodation and needs somewhere safe to stay.
- Operating throughout the coldest months of the year, the Welcome Centre provides each individual or couple with their own bedroom and en-suite facilities.
- 24/7 care and support are provided by professional Bethany staff, as well as specialised support from 40 partners, with a focus on follow on support. Each day there is breakfast, lunch and a hot nutritious evening meal provided by Edinburgh and Lothian churches.