Level 2     Emergency Accommodation

Care Shelter

The Care Shelter provides emergency accommodation in church halls around Edinburgh each night, from the end of October until the end of March. This service provides food, shelter and support for men and women over the age of 16 who cannot access other accommodation.

Transport is provided each evening from the Care Van on Waverley Bridge at 9.15 pm and 9.40 pm to the various church hall locations used by the shelter. Hot food is served at the Shelter between 9.30 pm and 10.30 pm. Breakfast is served before the Shelter closes the following morning at 7.30 am.

A staff team is on duty each night to provide advice and information about services and opportunities available to service users to enable them to move off the streets.

There is no charge for using the Shelter, which is available to anyone who has nowhere else to sleep. Bethany recognises the partnership with Edinburgh City Mission and the Edinburgh Churches that makes this service possible.

Bethany House

Who can apply?

Prospective residents must be between the ages of 16-59, and homeless either through having no secure tenancy, or where their home/tenancy is deemed to be an unsafe environment. They are expected to be able to cope with personal care, and must be willing to claim benefits, register with a local GP, and apply for more permanent housing.

Unfortunately, Bethany House is not able to accommodate clients who are in full-time employment or study, display challenging behaviour, or have been convicted of a Schedule 1 offence.

How to apply

Referrals can be accepted at any time. If there are any suitable vacancies available at the time, an interview for later on the same day will be offered. Interview appointments are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis. Bethany House does not operate a waiting list.

It is not possible to interview anyone who presents as being under the influence of substances of any kind.

Please call 0131 467 1010 for further information