Borderline offers support and advice to homeless and insecurely housed Scots in London since 1990. We assist vulnerable Scots in London to find a secure tenancy and lead a healthy, independent life by offering a range of services, including information, advice and advocacy, accommodation and referrals to specialist agencies.

We can provide:

• Assessment and referrals to resettlement options such as hostels and supported housing in London and Scotland
• Professional housing and welfare benefits advice and advocacy
• Priority access to bedspaces with partner hostels in London
• Assessment and referrals to specialist drug and alcohol agencies
• Supportive resettlement in Scotland
• Planned resettlement into longer-term accommodation
• Subsidised travel to help with resettlement, attending interviews for jobs or housing and to visit family
• Subsidised birth certificates for proof of identity
• Assistance to approach grant givers for essential items to help furnish new accommodation, to assist with hardships and occasionally help to fund rent deposits
• Free telephone advice line

Advice We Can Offer:

• Resettlement to Scotland – we can look at various options such as returning to your family home, Local Authority accommodation, supported housing and hostels
• Accommodation in London – it is difficult to access accommodation in London but we will look at what might be available to you
• Referrals to specialist agencies – we can help you access specialist services for problems such as drugs, alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, sexual abuse, gambling and many other problems you might be facing
• Advice on Welfare benefits and Housing – general benefits and housing advice, plus access to specialist workers for more complex issues.
• Birth certificate tracing – should you need a copy of your birth certificate for identification. There may be a charge for this service
• Help with travel fares to Scotland – we will normally pay for travel costs incurred in your resettlement and may help if there is an urgent need for you to travel to Scotland
• General advice and assistance – whatever the problem. If we are not able to help you directly we will put you in contact with another, more relevant organisation
• We always try to find time to talk - call into our office or phone us to make an appointment - we want to help you

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Scottish connection do I need?

In order to be eligible either you or one of your parents need to have been born in Scotland. We can accept either a birth certificate or passport as proof of this.

What does Borderline do?

Borderline offers advice and support to homeless and insecurely housed Scots in London.

What do you mean by insecurely housed?

Insecurely housed means you’ve been living in your accommodation for less than twelve months, or your tenancy agreement isn’t secure. It can also mean you’re sofa surfing or living with family when it might be better for you to move out.

Can you help me move back to Scotland?

We can contact any Local Authority in Scotland and see what options are available to you. We can also help you look for supported accommodation, perhaps in an ex-services hostel.  We have relationships with many agencies in Scotland to ensure that the resettlement process runs as smoothly as possible.

What if I want to stay in London?

Finding accommodation in London is not easy. We will try to find you a bed to help you off the streets, and we will work with you to find suitable accommodation in the longer term. You will need to be realistic about what will work for you.

What kind of accommodation can you help me with?

The accommodation we would look at depends on individual needs and the area where you need to live. It could be a hostel or it may be supported housing. We will discuss the options available with you.

What can you do if I need to see a specialist worker?

We can offer support and advice but we are not specialist workers. We can link you in with relevant services to make sure that you can access the support you require.

How long will it take for you to get me a birth certificate?

Yes, we can help you get a Birth Certificate. If you were born in Scotland, we can usually get your certificate in about 2-3 weeks but often sooner.  If you were not born in Scotland, we can usually help but it might take a little longer and there may be a small charge.

Can you look after my bags?

Unfortunately, we don’t have the facilities to look after personal items or luggage for you. Be careful, left luggage facilities at Stations are very expensive.

Can you help me travel back to Scotland?

We can often help with travel warrants for reasons such as to attend a funeral or view accommodation. Please call us on 0800 174 047 and we will discuss your particular needs.

What information do I need to give you?

If you need a travel warrant, we will need details of why you need to travel, a contact number for where you will be staying (this would normally have to be a landline number) and the name and address of the people you will be staying with.

I need ID - can you help?

Yes, we can help you get a Birth Certificate. If you were born in Scotland, we can usually get your certificate in about 2-3 weeks but often sooner.  If you were not born in Scotland, we can usually help but it might take a little longer and there may be a small charge.