Pupils from St Joseph’s College, in Dumfries took part in their school’s YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) and chose to focus their presentations on Bethany Christian Trust’s Housing and Support stream.
They interviewed our Housing Officers in Dumfries about the support they provide to tenants in our temporary flats, also known as Bethany Homes. The group were encouraged that despite a growing housing crisis across Scotland, Bethany is able to provide up to 82 supported flats nationwide to individuals and families in need of a roof over their head.
The group then decided that they wanted to go further in demonstrating their commitment to raising awareness of the realities of homelessness of Scotland by participating in The Big Bethany Sleep Out. Together with supervising parents and guardians, as well as Bethany staff, they spent a night sleeping outside in sub-zero temperatures.
The group documented their experience and created a vlog commenting on the way it made them feel and reflecting on how it might make individuals feel who are experiencing homelessness.
The YPI panel were struck by how driven the group was to raise money and awareness of the charity and awarded the group the top prize of £3,000 to Bethany Christian Trust’s work across Scotland.
To find out more about how you can represent Bethany Christian Trust through your YPI, click the link below: