Assertive Outreach

Working at the sharpest end of homelessness our assertive outreach service provides support to those currently experiencing homelessness, including people experiencing street homelessness and those in temporary accommodation.

We offer person-centred support, meaning that the individuals we are supporting shape the way we work together. By empowering people to make decisions about what they need, and how they are comfortable receiving that support, we are able to create long-term relationships with individuals who may have previously had negative experiences working with support services.

Our assertive outreach projects are:

Navigator Project (recognised as best practice in Europe 2019, winner of "Inspiring Partnership" award from ECC 2023).

The Homeless Navigator Project that seeks to address a visible problem with rough sleeping in Edinburgh. The project aims to offer an alternative opportunity for people who are experiencing homelessness and cannot, for whatever reason, make use of the current support services that exist in Edinburgh.

The Homeless Navigator Project offers a peer support service, delivered by someone with lived experience of homelessness, for those who are rough sleeping or vulnerably housed.

Recent research by Crisis shows that homelessness in Britain is projected to double by 2041. Another report by Shelter Scotland suggests that figures of people sleeping on the streets might actually be higher than imagined as some people do not seek the help they need. With that in mind, the Homeless Navigator Project will offer rough sleepers a chance to speak to someone who has been homeless and understands the challenges involved.

The Homeless Navigators, who are a combination of peer workers with lived experience of homelessness and experts by training, will tour around Edinburgh on foot. They will identify people who are sleeping on the streets in order to form supportive relationships and increase their uptake of services such as Housing, Health, Employability and Substance Misuse.

When working with marginalized and vulnerable people, establishing trust is crucial. A peer approach works on the basis that someone who has experienced the same difficulties is motivated by positive, caring reasons – they have been there themselves and they know how challenging it can be.

The Outreach team builds trusting relationships with people in order to allow them to achieve their goals using a combination of expertise by training and lived experience.

There are no eligibility criteria or referrals into the project – the team will actively seek out and build relationships with people who are on the streets and offer them support.

Peer Worker Programme

The Edinburgh Peer Project offers support to people who are involved with or have been involved with the Criminal Justice System. Peer support is used in order to help people think differently about offending as well as to take steps towards a positive future.

Peer Workers can offer non-judgemental advice and support on account of their lived experience that can be used to share feelings and frustrations. Peer Workers are able to help with connection with services, accompaniment to appointments, planning and other tasks.

The Edinburgh Peer Project can help people:

- Of age 18 or older
- Who have been or are involved with the criminal justice system
- Living in Edinburgh
- Experiencing needs such as mental health, substance misuse or homelessness

If you wish to find out more about the service or make us aware of someone spending time on the streets who would like some help then please contact us on 0131 475 2354.