Bethany Christian Trust assistance programmes in Aberdeenshire

Thousands of families on a low income as well as the homeless get help from the Bethany Christian Trust each year. They are a leading charity organisation in the city of Aberdeen as well as surrounding areas. The assistance provided will help ensure families have some form of housing as well as basic needs such as food or clothing available to them. They also run a Winter Shelter and operate a care van for families in Aberdeenshire.

The services fall into a few different categories. One will be for basic needs, such as furniture and food from locations such as the charity shop at Tillydrone Shopping Centre. There is also emergency shelter for the homeless. Another category will be for substance abusers, such as the services from the Christian Centre. Volunteers from the charity will also provide free advice on long term support such as welfare. More information on these and other programmes is below.

Housing programmes from Bethany Christian Trust

A Winter Shelter is for the homeless in Aberdennshire. This service relies on volunteers as well as local churches to keep it operating. The exact location of the shelter will change from week to week, but it will always be at a local church.

Not only will lodging be provided from the winter shelter, but clients will also be given a free hot meal. In most cases, some clothing will be given to them as well. The Christian Trust wants to help the rough sleeper find a permanent home to live in as well, so signposting can be given to programmes ranging from benefits to rent deposit schemes. The phone number is 0131 561 8930.

Recovery programmes are for substance mis-users in Aberdeen that are sleeping rough. The Bethany Trust has a centre that will give them the support they need. It addresses many aspects of what they need to gain stability.

Accommodations are for abusers as well. The person needs to be willing to work towards living independently. If they do this, then the Bethany Christian Trust will give them temporary housing. The capacity is for almost 30 substance abusers in the region. They will also help them access job training opportunities in the form of one-on-one support.

Resettlement schemes are for families in which their tenancy is deemed to be an unsafe environment or they do not have a secure tenancy, such as maybe they are in rent arrears. The aim of the Bethany Christian Trust is to get people into more permanent housing in Aberdeenshire. In most cases, the client needs to be able to apply for housing benefits in order to use this scheme. The main phone number for this housing programme is 0131 561 8911.

Food and basic needs

Anyone that is facing hunger can get a hot meal or a voucher to an emergency parcel of food. There are drop in centres located throughout both the city of Aberdeen as well as the council area of Aberdeenshire. Sandwiches, hot drinks, and breakfasts may be served too. The charity also have information on food bank distribution centres in the city of Aberdeen.

Some of the local food banks include The Quay Community Project at Crown Terrace Baptist Church as well as Kings Community Church. These will require the family to have a voucher. But if they have one, then a box of groceries may be given to them for free.

A charity shop for other basic needs is at Unit 6, Tillydrone Shopping Centre in Aberdeen. The hours are Monday from Friday until 2pm. At this location people can buy furniture, white goods, or maybe a fridge. People that use the shop can free up their income for other bills that they may have.

The Care Van also provided basic needs to the vulnerable. This service is not only for Aberdeenshire, but Bethany Christian Trust even operates the programme in Edingburgh as well. The service will provide the low income and homeless with clothing, free food or a drink as well. The aim is to provide more practical needs to the family.

At the same time there are volunteers that are part of the Care Van service that will give the person free information on where they can turn to for long term needs. For those that need temporary housing, they may be placed into the centres above. Others need help in applying for benefits or the Scottish Welfare Fund, and that can be provided as well.

The Gateway to Homes and Communities programme as well as Homemaker is for homeless families and the service is run in partnership with Fresh Start. The Trust will provide them the household items they need for their new flat. Also, social workers give advice on financial aid or deposit schemes, which will help them maintain their new tenancy.

The scheme may give them a starter pack. It that will be essentials. This will vary based on donations, but it can be bedding, kitchen utensils, or a small appliance. The items can even be installed into the home of the client. The number to ring is 0131 561 8903.

For more information, the main centre is at Credo, 14-20 John Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1BT. Call the charity at 01224 647677.