Local MP visits Oxgangs Street service to learn about homelessness support

Last Friday, Hillcrest Futures welcomed Dr Scott Arthur MP to our Oxgangs Street service in Edinburgh South West. As Oxgangs Street sits within his constituency, the visit provided an opportunity to talk openly about the realities of delivering supported accommodation to people experiencing homelessness.

Our Oxgangs Street service supports people to build independence, skills and confidence so they can move on to permanent housing and sustain a tenancy of their own. Staff discussed the level and scale of support needs within the service, the impact of the housing shortage on move on options, and the day-to-day challenges faced by frontline workers.

We also shared information about our harm reduction approach, including our high tolerance and low threshold way of working, and how this helps people engage with support and stay safe while working towards longer term stability.

The visit highlighted both the pressures facing homelessness services and the commitment of our staff to supporting people with complex needs.

Photo, from left to right: Louise Doctor, Hillcrest Futures Operations Manager; Elena Malkovska, Hillcrest Futures Support Worker; Jess MacLeod, Constituency Engagement Officer; Dr Scott Arthur MP.