The Edinburgh homelessness charity, Gowrie Care, and the people they support are set to benefit from a National Lottery award from the Big Lottery Fund it was announced last month.

The £98,744 of funding will mean that people who are homeless or at the risk of homelessness in Edinburgh’s Southside will get the support they need to move forward in life.

Gowrie Care will use the funds to provide a Futures drop in hub in Gilmour Street for people who have experience of, or are at risk of, homelessness.

Graeme Brown, Gowrie Care area manager, said: “We are delighted to receive this essential funding which will benefit people experiencing isolation and loneliness and will better prepare them for maintaining their own tenancy.

“We will do this through a range of activities including cooking on a budget, tenancy skills, decorating your home, budgeting, confidence building and recreational activities.

“Last year we worked with and supported 88 people and we can now aim to increase this to 125 by the end 2017.”

Stacey, a Futures hub attendee who was previously living in homeless accommodation, said: “Futures prepared me for moving into my own flat and I enjoyed learning to decorate and brushing up on my cooking skills.”

Gowrie Care was just one of twenty Scottish organisations to benefit from £4.5 million of Big Lottery Fund cash.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted that Gowrie Care has been successful in securing a Big Lottery Fund grant.

“The funding will make a big difference where it is needed most and I wish Gowrie Care every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project for the benefit of their local community.”