Kilmarnock homeless charity launches winter appeal as number of people sleeping rough soars

Blue Triangle, a housing association and homelessness charity, has launched a Christmas Winter Clothing Appeal.

Homelessness in Scotland has increased alarmingly since 2017/18, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This has been driven by several causes, including a cost-of-living crisis that has pushed lower-income people into deep poverty and a difficult housing sector with rising prices.

Last year, 35 per cent of those entering Blue Triangle services had been sleeping rough.

READ MORE:David Gray sends Hibs message over his future as boss understands 'the noise' with pressure cranking up

READ MORE:Detective reveals how he confronted Limbs in the Loch killer William Beggs in his cell after he was convicted of murder

Jamie, a supported person at Blue Triangle’s Hamilton service, said: "I’ve been out in the cold in winter before. For example, the night before I came into Blue Triangle’s Hamilton service, I spent a night in Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride because I didn’t want to go into homeless. But you guys have been brilliant, honestly."

Many young people and adults arrive at Blue Triangle with only the clothes on their back.

The Christmas Winter Clothing Appeal aims to provide the people of Blue Triangle with the essentials they need to keep warm this Christmas and beyond.

A 41 per cent of those who entered Blue Triangle services last year were under the age of 25.

Amy was one of the young people who was supported by the Bank Street service in Kilmarnock.

Thanks to the support from staff, Amy was successfully accepted into Dundee University to study art, and now is living independently.

Amy said: "A few weeks before officially moving on from Blue Triangle, I decided to do two murals. One of Bank Street in Kilmarnock, and the other showing the tree of life, quoting ‘turn over a new leaf’, as a thanks for the support during my stay, as I doubt I would be thriving at university right now without them."

Blue Triangle currently supports over 400 people every day through its services and outreach work.

By providing safe, supportive, psychologically informed environments, Blue Triangle works with people at various stages of their support journey, offering the time and space to reset at a critical point in their lives.

Staff are trauma-informed, available 24/7 and champion Blue Triangle’s supported people’s rights, helping them overcome barriers whenever they can.

To donate to Blue Triangle's Christmas Winter Clothing Appeal, please visit here.

Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter