A PROJECT to help homeless asylum seekers in Glasgow is among those to share in £3m of lottery funding.

The Glasgow Night Shelter for Destitute Asylum Seekers will benefit from cash to help ensure the service continues to operate.

While the mainstream, winter night shelter in the east end of the city, runs from December to March, the shelter for asylum seekers is open all year round.

It is one of eight charities helping with homelessness to get cash in the latest round of lottery community funding.

Glasgow Homelessness Network will receive half a million pounds to help with projects designed to prevent people becoming homeless.

Shelter, Marie Trust and Crisis UK are among the others receiving cash.

READ MORE:

Homelessness services face £2.6m cut

David Ramsey, 46 from Pollok was homeless for two years and has gone on to help to shape the Glasgow Homelessness Network in Gorbals and Pollok.

Mr Ramsey said his difficulties came once he had a tenancy, in an unfamiliar area where many people had addictions problems.

He said: “I’m a passionate believer that anyone, with the right support, can overcome problems and, if I can, anyone can.

“It’s also important to remember that it’s much, much easier when the correct support is in place and delivered in such a way that local people are aware of it and want to use it.”

Initiatives across Glasgow cover a range of services including emergency accommodation and support with mental health and addiction.

Susanne Millar, Interim Chief Officer of Glasgow’s Health & Social Care Partnership, welcomed the National Lottery funding. She said: “We work in close collaboration with third sector partners to tackle homelessness in Glasgow.

READ MORE:

Tackling homelessness is priority for Glasgow

“The strategic manner in which these National Lottery grants have been awarded, to tackle the underlying causes on a number of fronts.”

Maureen McGinn,National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, said: “There is a clear focus today on support for organisations working collaboratively to address the issue of homelessness in Glasgow.

“David’s inspirational story shows if people get the right mix of support at the right time then they are able to move forward and make real and lasting changes to their lives. These National Lottery funds really are life changing and will have a positive impact for people who need our help the most.”