History of the service and public support
Bethany Christian Trust has provided emergency accommodation and care for people sleeping rough in Edinburgh every Winter since 1996. For years, the provision at the Care Shelter had outstripped the traditional shelter model.
In 2020 the Care Shelter was modified into a more inclusive service with an emphasis on re-accommodation.
Renamed the Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre, we now provide private en-suite rooms with access to professional services and tailored 24-hour support for each person in order to move rapidly out of the crisis of homelessness.
As well as the amazing support raised through your generous Buy a Bed gift, we are indebted to the support of volunteers from churches across the Lothians who prepare and serve a hot meal every night. The Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre is also funded by the voluntary donations of trusts and foundations, individuals, local churches, companies, communities, local and national government, as well as receiving support from the Caring Christmas Trees project.