Eligibility for the Blue Light Card, the nation’s leading discount provider for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces, has been extended to the homelessness workforce – estimated to number around 60,000 people in the UK.

The announcement is the result of a new partnership between Blue Light Card and Homewards, a five-year programme created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales which aims to demonstrate that it’s possible to end homelessness as well as to change perceptions around the issue.

They have worked with the four membership bodies across the UK - Homeless Network Scotland, Cymorth Cymru (Wales), Homeless Connect (Northern Ireland) and Homeless Link (England) to support the homelessness workforce deliver in local communities.

Frontline colleagues are often the first point of contact for people facing the worst crisis of their lives. But working in those roles is increasingly more pressurised because of the housing emergency and cost-of-living crisis.

A survey of frontline workers released by St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity found over half (52%) of people working within the sector sometimes struggle to pay their bills or housing costs (44%). Nearly one in two (47%) have spent their own money on work-related costs and 51% said that they always or often feel at risk of burnout and a further 29% said they sometimes feel this way.

Access to Blue Light Card will provide practical ways for workers to save money and improve their own overall wellbeing, from discounts on everyday essentials like groceries and utilities, to coffees and meals out with friends and family after a long day at work.

In Scotland, members of Homeless Network Scotland will enjoy a simple sign-up process for accessing the scheme, with those organisations on a pre-approved list that you’ll find during the sign-up process. If you’re not yet a member of Homeless Network Scotland, it’s simple and quick to join to receive this benefit and many others – join here.