News

Hack to the future – Scotland's first Homeless Hackathon announced

The country's first homeless hackathon is hoping to bring bright ideas for digital solutions to the growing homelessness crisis in Scotland's cities

Scotland’s first-ever Homeless Hackathon will take place this April with the aim of finding practical ways to tackle Scotland’s growing homelessness problem.

It’s hoped the hackathon will be a spark for innovative solutions including apps, websites and other digital platforms.

Bringing together more than 150 people from across the IT and digital community, creative industries and charity sector, the event, sponsored by HRC Recruitment, a Glasgow-based recruitment agency, will also include pitches from Simon Community and Streetwork, who are looking for support to create a Risk Assessment App for their street teams.

New app Karma brings food waste battle to UK

A report from Heriot-Watt University last year predicted homelessness in Scotland will rise by more than half in the next 25 years with an estimated 11,800 people across the country currently sleeping rough, staying in hostels, or living in unsuitable or temporary accommodation.

Glasgow Homeless Network Director, Margaret-Ann Brünjes, said: “If there are digital solutions that can ease people’s experience of homelessness in any way, then the Hackathon is the best opportunity to engage with the growing tech community in Scotland.”

The Hackathon is looking to attract anyone with ideas, time, skills and resources to dedicate to supporting homeless charities. As well as programmers and coders, the Homeless Hackathon will welcome, event organisers, social workers, graphic designers, care workers, digital marketeers, project managers, shop owners, journalists, accountants, PR professionals and those in transformational roles.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age
Books

Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age

Reform came within 117 votes of Tories in Blackpool by-election. But it's 'far from an earthquake'
Blackpool South's new MP Chris Webb celebrates in an election which saw the Conservatives beat Reform UK into second.
Politics

Reform came within 117 votes of Tories in Blackpool by-election. But it's 'far from an earthquake'

Shell just made £6.2bn in quarterly profit. Here's how that money could be better spent
Environment

Shell just made £6.2bn in quarterly profit. Here's how that money could be better spent

Housing estate residents fear their family homes being bulldozed to make way for 'gentrification'
Housing

Housing estate residents fear their family homes being bulldozed to make way for 'gentrification'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know