News

Well done to everyone who took part in our recent Big Ibrox Sleep Out events at the Stadium, raising money for the Foundation and our partnerships with the Simon Community and Glasgow City Mission.

We had three very cold nights at Ibrox on 3, 4 and 5 November but the fans cheerfully braved the elements to sleep on the technical area pitch-side for some very good causes. 

Not only did the event raise vital funds, but it also raised awareness of homelessness, with participants getting a small glimpse into the nightly conditions experienced by people in our city who are street homeless.

Funds raised will be supporting an innovative new project with The Simon Community – Nightstop – which targets 16 to 25 year olds who are in danger of sleeping rough and offers the help and advice this vulnerable group needs to move forward in a positive direction. 

The Nightstop service provides immediate support with 3 – 5 night’s emergency accommodation in the home of an approved Nightstop volunteer.  Nightstop volunteers also provide a young person with a warm welcome, evening meal, breakfast and someone trusted they can talk to.

Glasgow has the highest concentration of young people who are homeless in Scotland, with 1,051 young people presenting as homeless in 2015.  An average of 15 young people sleep rough every month in the city, which equates to 174 young people each year.

The Sleep Outs are also supporting Glasgow City Mission’s Evening Drop-in Service, where a donation of just £1 can pay for a hot meal.  On average 130 homeless and vulnerable people attend this service each evening where they receive a meal and staff have the opportunity to develop relationships with those who attend and help them get the advice and support they so desperately need.

The Evening Drop-in operates Monday to Friday throughout the year, from 8pm – 10pm.  Glasgow City Mission staff and volunteers prepare hot soup, sandwiches and drinks and serve other food donated by local businesses such as salads and cakes.

One of the most important aspects of the Evening Drop-in Service is the chance to show kindness to those who often have no self-esteem and low expectations from life.  As relationships develop and trust grows, people open up about their circumstances to staff and volunteers and there is an opportunity to help people contact other services and improve their situations, grow in confidence, learn new skills and move forwards in their live.