Submitted by GHN on December 9, 2011 - 12:25pm
Press release
Glasgow Winter Service launch date
08/12/2011
GLASGOW CHARITIES AIMING TO PROTECT ROUGH SLEEPERS FROM THE BIG FREEZE
Date: Monday 12th December 2011
Time: 11am
Venue: Glasgow City Mission, Crimea Street
The winter storms and icy conditions may be causing disruption for commuters but for some, cold weather can have far more serious consequences than just delayed journeys.
A group of Glasgow charities providing homelessness services have opened an emergency shelter to alleviate the risks to rough sleepers in the city, as temperatures plummet and the winter weather really takes hold.
Persistent snow or icy conditions could increase the risk of hypothermia which can be fatal.
The Glasgow Winter Service at the Shieling building on McAlpine Street is open once again, providing some much needed warmth for those out on the streets with nowhere else to go.
The service is running for approximately 12 weeks, providing snacks and drinks, sofas and sleeping bags to some of the most vulnerable people within the community.
It is run by the Glasgow City Mission, Glasgow Homelessness Network, Glasgow Housing Association, Turning Point Scotland, the Marie Trust, Blue Triangle Housing Association, Shelter and Impact Arts.
Andrew Low, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Mission said,
“For the second year running a number of organisations in Glasgow have come together to provide the Glasgow Winter Service, offering overnight accommodation for individuals that might otherwise find themselves rough sleeping in extreme winter conditions. The service will offer up to 50 spaces per night for our city’s rough sleepers.
If this winter was to be anything like the last, where we provided accommodation over 1,746 times to Glasgow's most disadvantaged citizens, then there was no question that we had to make sure we could provide this vital cold weather refuge again.”
The Glasgow Winter Service is aimed at people over the age of 18 years who need to get off the streets and out of the cold weather for the night.
You are invited to arrange filming/photos and interviews at 11am at the Glasgow City Mission, Crimea Street Building on Monday 12th December 2011.
Contacts:
Iain McPhie
Marketing and Fundraising Manager
Glasgow City Mission
20 Crimea Street
Glasgow G2 8PW
Tel: 0141 221 2630
Mob: 07766 311193
Email: iainm[AT]glasgowcitymission.com
Andy Dewar
Marketing and Communications Officer
Turning Point Scotland
54 Govan Road
Glasgow G51 1JL
Tel: 0141 427 9425
Fax: 0141 427 8201
Mob: 07837765483
