Men from Bethany’s Men’s Music Group have been working hard over the past year at the Scots Music Group and we are proud to announce they have written and recorded a top-notch contemporary Scottish folk song on a footballing theme.

Twa Fields O Dreams, a song about Hearts and Hibs, was written by Bobby McLean and Scott Murray during the Scots Music Group’s Inspire Project in 2011.

The song celebrates the great football teams of old and looks forward to future successes.  Bobby came up with the idea for the song after hearing sectarian chanting at a Hearts/Hibs game – he wanted to write a song praising both teams, even though he’s a lifelong Hearts fan.  At the time it was written Bobby had no idea how relevant the song would be in 2012 when the two teams meet in the final for the first time in 116 years!

Bobby is part of the Bethany Christian Trust/Edinburgh YMCA Men’s Group, one of the organisations which worked with the SMG Inspire Project.  Inspire offered opportunities for those affected by homelessness and mental health issues to get involved in Scots music and song.

• LISTEN TO and DOWNLOAD the song as a FREE mp3 from the Scots Music Group

DONATE to Scots Music Group or Bethany Christian Trust and contribute to the development of Inspire (which will start its new project, Inspiring Leith, in summer 2012) and to the valuable support provided by Bethany Christian Trust in the community.

On the way to the showroom a wall crowded with thank-you cards is visible through the interview room window. “These are just a sample of the people who have been helped,” says Gordon Kingsford-Smith, Manager of Bethany Homemaker, a social furniture project which helps vulnerable people on low incomes to source and fund essential items for their homes.

Each year, Homemaker provides furnishings for over 900 households.  The Homemaker team’s grant application success rate stands at an astounding 91%.

Homemaker works on a referral basis to ensure the most vulnerable people are able to benefi t from the service. Referrals can be made by recognised caring, community, public health or social work organisations. The service helps vulnerable people who have just got their own permanent tenancy as well as people on low income or state benefits.

Thanks to Community Care Grants (CCG), available through Job Centre Plus, Homemaker is able to provide a faster service for individuals and families at this key stage in resettlement. The grant pays for essential items the applicant needs to set up home which they couldn’t otherwise afford.

Homemaker helps explore other funding options for anyone who is unsuccessful in their CCG application.  One of Homemaker’s three case workers meets with referred service users and in a 15 to 20 minute interview gathers any details that may be useful in applying for an external grant. Details such as previous employment, the circumstances causing their hard times, and any medical conditions are all factors that have specific grants attached to them.  “If we gather enough evidence to present someone’s case, we can write the letter and usually get the funds,” Gordon says.

The turn-around for these kind of applications is around 4-6 weeks as some of the grant committees only meet once a month. Then, if they are successful, the service user is invited back for a follow-up appointment to choose items for their home and arrange delivery with the help of three Homemaker volunteers who perform the important role of Showroom and Delivery Coordinators.  Items include beds and mattresses, chests of drawers, wardrobes, other furnishings and reconditioned appliances, plus new cookers, fridges/freezers, washing machines, carpets and bathroom vinyl.

“This isn’t a handout, it’s a hand up,” Gordon explains. “We sell items, we don’t give them for free.”  However, the prices are rock bottom and as they don’t even meet the costs of running Homemaker, Bethany Head Offi ce Fundraising Team seeks to raise money from other sources to ensure the project stays afloat.

Dignity is key at Homemaker. Service users choose the items they want, even down to the colour scheme.  The staff at Homemaker are there to help them stretch the grant as far as possible. Sometimes this will mean choosing a second-hand washing machine in order to get a carpet for the children’s room, but the idea is always that the service user is able to choose from a selection of goods. “We want people to feel good about their homes,” Gordon says. And judging by the wall of thank-you cards in the interview room, the Homemaker team’s hard work is greatly appreciated.

Operating each evening from November to April, the emergency shelter providing overnight accommodation for rough sleepers in Edinburgh is hosted in a different church every night and advertised on a calendar posted in shop windows around town. Each evening there are two scheduled mini-bus pick-ups at 9:15 pm and 9:30pm ensuring that those in need of the service will be able to get to it.

Even though the shelter doesn’t open until 9:30pm, the work begins long before the service users arrive as a different team of volunteers arrives each night to prepare and serve a hot evening meal.  The menu ranges from haggis, neeps and tatties, to pasta bake and always includes a vegetarian option and a second course (either soup or dessert).  The food quality is high and the users appreciate it.

“If  somebody were to invite me around for dinner on a Sunday, I’d not get any better,” says Care Shelter Manager,  Norrie Webb.  Tea and coffee is served before lights out at 11pm.

In the morning, service users are served a basic breakfast and put in contact with the Shelter’s partners (including Street Work, Homeless Outreach Project and the City of Edinburgh Council out of hours service) all of whom provide advice and support to give hope for a new and better day.  Over the past winter, the Shelter has had lower numbers than the previous year which has led to a more relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s been a year of peace without the usual unrest,” says Norrie.  “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from service users saying they feel a lot safer this year due to the lower numbers,” he continues, going on to cite an example of the activities that are only possible in a secure environment:

“Some people feel relaxed enough to change into slippers and jogging bottoms and read a book before lights out.”  The reason for the calm atmosphere has been a different approach to admitting those who need the service: rough sleepers.  People with their own tenancies have been discouraged from turning up for the hot dinner and then leaving. Staff are able to give more structured support and attention to more vulnerable rough sleepers who have previously felt threatened and stayed away.

The shelter is staffed by two team leaders and four project workers from Bethany Christian Trust, with three staff members on all night, every night.  It also relies on support from around 600 volunteers from churches across Edinburgh.  “Without the volunteers, the shelter wouldn’t run,” Norrie attests. “It’s the generosity of the churches who have donated the use of their buildings and the people who donate the food and service that keeps this service in operation.”

Is the shelter really needed if numbers are lower? “It’s essential,” Norrie says, and especially so when the weather turns cruel. “Without the shelter last year there would have been a loss of life.” The shelter provides respite from damp weather and bitter temperatures for people with nowhere to go who may have spent hours out in the cold that day; it’s a chance to warm up and hopefully relax while they rest.

“Our job is to offer a safe and warm environment and a hot meal,” Norrie finishes.  “The service users say they felt really safe this year so we know we have made a difference in their lives.  There are a whole host of people
who have made this possible, from donors to volunteers to Caring Christmas Tree buyers and I really want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported the shelter and helped to stop people being homeless.”

On Friday 23rd March 2012, 128 amazing fundraisers slept outside in almost freezing conditions to raise funds and awareness of homelessness in Scotland.

The event, which was held at the Edinburgh City Chambers, kicked off with a live music set from local Edinburgh Band Illuminate Scotland and then saw participants taking part in the legendary Shelter building contest.  Some utterly amazing structures were made using only cardboard to create warm snug dens to go to sleep in.

Click the thumbnails below to view full size images.
Edinburgh City Chambers	Illuminate Band	Sign by participants	Sleeping bags out

The smooth running of the event was aided by a team of 23 wonderful volunteers who ensured that hot chocolate and midnights snacks were available from the Care Van all night to keep participants refreshed. After what for some people was the hardest night of their lives, morning came and with it the smell of fresh bacon rolls to fortify everyone for the journey home to their own comfy beds.  Not much sleeping was had, but lots of much needed money raised to help people who have no homes of their own.

The event participants spanned many generations from the youngest at 9 year’s old to the oldest who was over  70!  One participant, Alexis Brown even celebrated her birthday with us at the Big Sleepout.  We were also joined by a team of corporate supporters from Peter Vardy Limited who get involved every year to help homeless people.  Euan Cameron, Head of Marketing at Peter Vardy said:

“Giving back to the community and to those in need is something that’s very important to us as a company”.

We were also delighted to welcome individuals, couples, church and youth groups including various Scout and Ranger Groups.

Shelter building	Explorer Scouts in Onesies	Peter Vardy Ltd	Happy Birthday, Alexis

Well done to everyone who took part, volunteered their time and gave donations.  You are all truly amazing!  Together we can stop homeless in Scotland!

A huge thank you goes to the fabulous Gaynor and her team at Loopy Lorna’s Teahouse at Churchill Theatre, Morningside for hosting Bethany’s Stop Homelessness Spring Launch last night.

The tea-themed evening was opened by Forth One’s own Grant Stott who used his characteristic charm to  encourage everyone to get behind our work and to do their bit to help.

The event was a huge success – in more ways than one.  The launch saw the unveiling of 3 giant display teacups to help highlight our work in communities across Scotland.  The giant teacups idea came from Bethany’s Events Organiser, Hannah Biddulph.

“I was just looking through our annual report and was amazed to read that our wonderful Care Van volunteers give out 23, 580 cups of tea every year to rough sleepers.  That’s a lot of tea!  It made me think how comforting a cup of tea is and how we could encourage and inspire others to host a “stop for tea and stop homelessness” event.”

The teacups feature quotes from people who have used Bethany’s services as well as images of paintings by Scottish Contemporary Artist Jolomo (John Lowrie Morrison) , who has previously supported Bethany by donating a unique work to our Art & Antiques Auction in 2010.

Enjoying a cuppa – Grant Stott (Forth One), Gaynor Salisbury (Loopy Lorna’s), Hannah Biddulph (Bethany Christian Trust)	Giant teacups on display	Jackie enjoys a large cup of tea outside Loopy Lorna’s with Hannah Biddulph and Gaynor Salisbury

Our giant cups will be on display at Loopy Lorna’s Teahouse for the next month and will go on tour around Scotland thereafter.  Do pop in to have a look and for a nice cuppa and one of her splendid cakes!

Now in its fourth year, this exciting event for serious amateurs involves a super challenge route of 102 miles.

A shorter route of 72 miles is also on offer for those who would not be able to complete the longer stretch within 8 hours or less.  (Still a huge challenge, nonetheless!)

The Route

Riders leave from Lasswade High School, Bonnyrigg and head south over the Moorfoot Hills to Innerleithen where the long and shorter routes split. The long route now takes a spectacularly scenic route around the borders and both routes meet again just west of Selkirk. For the shorter route, riders return to Lasswade from Innerleithen via the River Tweed and Gala Water valleys. Both routes then return to the High School over the Moorfoot Hills once more. Each participant will be individually timed and the finishing times will be published on the Bethany website after the event. Feed and water stations will also be on hand offering the riders refreshments along the way. (It is advised that if you required something more substantial other than snacks, you bring your lunch)

• 102 mile route map
• 72 mile route map

Entries are limited to 400 with an entry fee of £30 per entrant. Please sign up quickly to ensure your spaces. There are 50 free spaces for riders who can raise over £100 in sponsorship!

We are running very low on essential furniture items and white goods to pass on to homeless people seeking to resettle in their own tenancies.  If you have any good quality items you can donate to help people at a key stage in their battle to overcome homelessness please do get in touch as soon as you can.

We are looking for all :

• *beds and mattresses
• *sofas
• *suites
• chest of drawers
• washing machines
• electric cookers
• fridge/freezers

*Items must meet 1988 fire safety regulations

Did you know that every week at the Learning Centre, a group of budding journalists get together to work on the Bugle Magazine, the homelessness magazine by people who have had first-hand experience of homelessness.

Our creative writers hone their written skills using poetry and prose to convey their views on a variety of topics.  It’s thought-provoking stuff!

Take a look at their handiwork and see what you think…

• Bugle Magazines online

On Behalf of Everyone at Bethany Christian Trust, we’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered and supported our Walk for Homelessness along the Water of Leith Walk Way on Saturday 10th September.

Exactly 100 Walkers and two furry four-legged friends walked 11 miles from Currie to Ocean Terminal to raise vital funds for Bethany’s ongoing work.

After an initial down pour, the weather stayed dry and very warm as walkers made their way through many beautiful areas of interest such as Colinton Village and Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Winter Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

With severe rainfall the night before, there were many slippery and muddy patches along the route. Despite this, our walkers braved the mud slide to reach the end and enjoy a well deserved cup of tea and piece of shortbread, nurse their blisters and rejoice in the fact that they collectively raised over £10k for Bethany – well done everyone, remember to send your sponsor money in as soon as you can!