Charities unite to tackle homelessness in Dundee

published on 2 May 2014

Representatives from The Salvation Army join counterparts at Scottish Churches Housing Action to launch the befriending project.

The Salvation Army and Scottish Churches Housing Action have teamed up to launch a befriending project for homeless people in Dundee.

The project will see trained volunteers work in small groups and offer one-to-one assistance to men and women in the city. All volunteers will be screened and receive support from project staff.

And tonight at 7.00 pm the charities will hold a public meeting to establish the project and encourage people to consider becoming a befriender. The meeting will be held at the council chambers in Dundee and chaired by Rev David Laing, clerk to the local Church of Scotland Presbytery.

Andrew McCall, regional manager for The Salvation Army's Homelessness Services in Scotland, said: “Our aim with this initiative is to tackle social isolation. All too often people impacted by homelessness also suffer from being cut off from the rest of society.

"There are many reasons why people become homeless. We don't judge or condemn, we just help people on their journey from homelessness to independent living."

Alastair Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Churches Housing Action, said: “Befriending is an important addition to the range of services to people going through homelessness. 

“In our role in developing befriending projects, we establish partnerships with locally-based organisations who manage them in the long term. We’re delighted to be working with The Salvation Army in Dundee.”

For more information on the project or to volunteer to become a befriender, contact Dundee Central corps officer Captain David Tidball at david.tidball@salvationarmy.org.uk or call 01382 826 889.