St Catharine’s Convent Homeless Project offers friendship and practical support to homeless and disadvantaged people. We provide morning and evening meals, toilet and shower facilities, and perhaps, more importantly, a warm welcome, a listening ear and a place to call ‘Home’.
The project is used by up to 200 people a day. These range from long-term homeless people who are sleeping rough or staying in hostels around the city, to old age pensioners who bus in from their flats in the Edinburgh estates for a meal and some company.
The project is staffed by a rota of about 100 volunteers who, like our clients, come from all over Edinburgh and the world. Thus, the friendship and service provided by the project comes free of charge. The practical support (food, heating and lighting; the maintenance of cooking, dining, shower and toilet facilities) all cost money, all of which is given in donations by our generous benefactors.
- Breakfast / brunch
- Evening Meal
- Shower and toilet facilities
- Change of clothing
- Help in setting up house
- Guidance with job applications
- Letter writing
- Counselling
- Help seeking medical assistance
- Transport to hospitals
- Support groups for addict
- Visits to hospitals
- Visits to prisons
- Bereavement Services
- Talks to Schools and Churches
- Being a voice for the voiceless