Coronavirus- an update

I wanted to update you on how Borderline is responding to the current coronavirus outbreak. We hope that you and your friends and family are keeping safe and well in this difficult time.

As you can imagine, the outbreak presents an extreme challenge to the nature of our face to face work helping homeless Scots across the capital to get the support they need to access secure accommodation. As a result, we are asking for your continued support during this unprecedented situation.

The homeless, particularly those sleeping rough, often have long term health issues which puts them at greater risk should they catch Coronavirus. The lack of accommodation also makes self-isolation near impossible.

What we are doing

We will of course continue to operate and provide the highest level of support to our clients, but our priority is always their safety and the safety of our staff. As a result, and following virus quarantine measures, our working practices have changed.

Both the office and Scottish Outreach Worker staff are working remotely, with working hours unchanged. During the planning stage, our Scottish Outreach Workers provided our clients with a mobile phone in order to keep in touch and check their wellbeing.

The outreach workers continue to monitor, talk to and track our clients by working closely with our partner agencies in the field, in particular with the Connection at St. Martin’s and the St Mungo’s Compass team. Regular phone support to clients and sourcing of appropriate accommodation is our priority now.

We are tracking the locations of clients in hostels, hotels, day centres and hospitals and covering expenses for clients as they arise, for example, distributing supermarket vouchers via agencies to ensure clients have access to food.

The Scottish Outreach Workers are involved in arranging for clients to be tested for Covid-19 and then tracking their health and accommodation subsequently.

We will continue to adapt to the fast-moving situation to make sure our clients receive the support they need, but we cannot do this alone.

How you can help

Much of our income comes from vital donations, and the virus has had a severe impact on our regular fundraising activities. To continue our service to homeless Scots, any support you can give now will be especially beneficial.

Please join our Saltire Donors Club online here, or make a donation by text in just 15 seconds. To donate by text through your mobile phone, simply text BORDERLINE10 to 70085 to donate £10 or to donate £20, text BORDERLINE20.

For the latest message from us, please check updates on our website and our social media channels.

Thank you for your support and we wish you well,

Shona Fleming

– Chief Executive