We will design-out destitution from the refugee experience in Scotland.*
Our long-term vision is clear. We see a future where everyone has personal access to food, medicine, sanitary, and washing facilities. Everyone has a personal digital device to stay in touch with social networks and services, with access to electricity to charge devices. Everyone has specialist advice, advocacy, and support which is relevant to their circumstances.
We are working towards a prevention pathway where everyone has access to accommodation that is safe and secure, which provides peace of mind and upholds the principles of dignity and privacy.
*What is destitution by design?
Some people in Scotland are destitute as a direct result of UK legislation. This is a deliberate policy that leaves people with little or no money to meet basic needs to survive.
Safe in Scotland is a proud member of the Everyone Home collective.
Everyone Home is a collective of 34 (and growing) third and academic sector organisations that have come together during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the progress that’s been made and to protect the principles that must now guide next steps.
Fair Way Scotland represents a new system and service response to end homelessness and destitution in Scotland. It is about creating a fair way forward so that people with no rights to housing, benefits or local authority support, because of UK-policy, have a safe place to stay with access to essentials, support, and advice.
It is a collective response from the public, third and academic sectors working in partnership. And it is a core component of Scottish Government and COLSA strategies on ending homelessness and destitution. Currently a consortium is mobilising to create the delivery vehicle for this new approach which will be launched over the coming months - watch this space.