Care Van

A picture of the Care Van

Edinburgh City Mission and Bethany Christian Trust jointly manage the Care Van and the Care Shelter using the skills and services of volunteers from 32 churches in Edinburgh, including Currie Kirk.

Since 1990, and for 364 nights a year (Hogmanay being the exception due to the logistics), the Care Van has provided coffee, tea and biscuits, soup and rolls, clothing, and support to homeless people in Edinburgh city centre. Each night we serve between 30 and 80 people; for many it is their first contact with a compassionate, accepting, love-in-action service, and some then choose to use other rehabilitation services running in the city.

Since November 2013 a Lunchtime Care Van service has been in operation, providing sandwiches, snacks and hot drinks to those who are rough sleeping or housed in homeless B&B accommodation by the Council.  The van goes out on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and regularly serves between 40 and 60 people.

Currie Kirk staffs the van on the evening of the third Tuesday in each month; typically, each of our volunteers go out two or three times a year. People using the van range from older people with alcohol and relationship problems, to younger people who are using drugs, young teenagers lost in the care system, and families with particular difficulties. People are often glad of a chat and sometimes want to talk about where else they can get help. (Information is provided in the Care Van). We have seen quite a few successes over the years where people have returned to tell us about their first rental, hostel and support received from other agencies. Our evening starts about 8pm and we’re usually home by midnight. We have a great friendship with the homeless we meet and also within our own team as we share the night’s events on our way home.

If you would like to know more about Currie Kirk’s involvement with the Care Van, or volunteer to join our Care Van team, please contact Fiona Pigott on 07874 282480, fpigott19@gmail.com.

We are always looking for donations of men’s’ clothing – coats, sweatshirts, jeans, etc…. If you’re having a clear-out and would like to help please contact Fiona Pigott on 07874 282480.

Further information on Bethany Christian Trust can be found here (this will open in a new window).

 

 

 

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