Charities join forces to boost rough sleepers
THE race is on to protect Scotland’s homeless from Omicron as work steps up to deliver booster vaccines to the most vulnerable.
Frontline charities and local authorities have joined forces to steer thousands of people to specialist drop-ins and pop-ups as the country braces itself for a “tsunami” of cases.
In Scotland’s biggest cities, teams of volunteers are helping those without a permanent address access the jabs, setting up appointments and even transporting service users to walk-in centres.
Frontline charity The Marie Trust said: “It’s about trying to break down as many boundaries as possible for homeless people to ensure they can protect themselves and each other during this pandemic.”
More than 42,000 people were assessed as homeless in 2020-21, according to the latest Scottish Government figures, with more than 13,000 households in temporary accommodation including B&Bs and hostels – an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous year.
Nurses were previously touring temporary accommodation to administer jabs in Glasgow but health protection teams have had to adapt their approach to rolling out the booster, which is not as easily transported.
A series of clinics have been organised at homeless hubs, pharmacies and needle exchanges.
Marie Trust chief officer Frances McKinlay said her team had been directing the homeless to these services while providing additional support.
She said: “We’re trying to encourage as many people to get vaccinated as they can but also respecting people’s choices if they don’t.
“It seems to be working. We’ve had a lot of people taking up appointments.”
Despite efforts to protect more people from the virus, another charity, Homeless Project Scotland has warned that they could have to close down its services as Omicron cases surge.
Chairman Colin McInnes said: “Our service users are worried about it.
“We’re considering at the moment whether we will have to close to protect our staff and our vulnerable people but we’re still seeing 100-150 people at our soup kitchens three times a week.
“We’re extremely worried because a lot of people are telling us they can’t afford to stay in their homes because they can’t keep them warm.
“They tell us it’s warmer out walking on the streets than sitting in a freezing house. “It is crisis point.” A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Ensuring Scotland’s vaccination programme is inclusive is a priority and we are committed to offering a vaccine to everyone in Scotland.”