Ex-offenders to be given help to find new homes

PEOPLE left destitute after leaving care, prison or hospital will be the focus of a new support service in Glasgow.

Govan Law Centre has been given £100,000 from Bank of Scotland Foundation to launch a new initiative aimed at helping prevent homelessness.

The service will provide a dedicated solicitor for legal advice and representation and financial worker as well as a caseworker for housing.

They will also be given help to improve literacy skills through training or support.

The charity says people being discharged from facilities such as hospital, care or prison can experience long periods of homelessness due to poor financial skills, or not being aware of benefits they are entitled to.

The centre was one of 14 Glasgow charities sharing grants totalling £276,837, awarded by the Bank of Scotland Foundation.

Alistair Sharp, Project Manager at Govan Law Centre, said: “We very much welcome this Grant from Bank of Scotland Foundation as it means we can effectively focus on vulnerable people with complex needs who find themselves somewhat unexpectedly homeless when discharged from facilities such as hospital, care or prison.

“Our new service will ensure they receive the appropriate support and guidance on their legal rights to accommodation, which will help them integrate back in to society and put an end to rough sleeping.”

Cancer charity Maggies was given £80,000 towards the funding of a benefits advisor in every centre in Scotland.

Other charities to benefit included the City Mission, which was given £10,000, Glasgow’s Riding for the Disabled, which was given £4800, YDance and Baillieston Community Care, which was awarded £5000.

Philip Grant, chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees said: “We’re delighted that the Large Grant awarded to Govan Law Centre can support this new initiative and help prevent vulnerable people becoming homeless when released from facilities such as hospital or care.

“We’re proud to be able to help support the great work that charities do for their communities across Glasgow and look forward to awarding further Grants later this year.”

For grant application forms go to www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org.