Rough sleepers in Glasgow’s urban areas are to be supported by bicycle thanks to a new initiative.
The Street Cycles team, run by Simon Community Scotland, are being kitted out with bikes to allow them to meet the changing demands of helping rough sleepers.
After discovering growing numbers of rough sleepers heading to different areas of the city, the team developed the innovative pedal-powered programme, which will see their teams use touring bikes loaded with food, clothing, needle-exchange kits and sleeping bags to reach Glasgow’s outer areas.
We are bringing in volunteers to increase the scope of our cover and using bikes to reach a wider number of people
Hugh Hill, director of Services at the charity, said: “We are encountering growing numbers of homeless people in the south and west of the city, most of them women concerned about their safety in the city centre.
“Our ability to cover the more outlying parts of the city is inhibited by staff resources, as well as geography. We are bringing in volunteers to increase the scope of our cover and using bikes to reach a wider number of people, increase the visibility of the work we do, and distribute supplies.”
Funded by The National Lottery, the scheme is appealing for people to volunteer for this “unique and rewarding challenge”; extensive training will be given, including first aid and the administration of opiate reversal drug, Naxolone. It is hoped that an army of 30 volunteers working in pairs will provide the necessary staff for a seven-days-a-week service.
