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The Ark Trust

www: www.thearktrust.org
E-mail: admin@thearktrust.org
space44@thearktrust.org
The Ark Trust is an organisation that works with homeless people and those threatened by homelessness in and around the city of Edinburgh.
Established in 1988 The Trust provides a diverse range of services both within and beyond the premises.  Operating from the centre of Edinburgh the Trust provides a range of open access, advocacy and outreach services.  The result of this is that we are at the forefront of providing crisis assistance to some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we can see between 80-110 people a day.

The range of services include;

  • A safe non-judgmental environment for homeless people

  • A cafe which provides inexpensive food

  • A laundry and clothing service for those who are caught in the poverty trap
  • A women only drop in centre, Space44 which provides support to women affected by domestic abuse

  • Resource Team who provide support and assistance with a myriad of issues
  • Generic specialist workers who work with women, young people, older people and adults with drug and/or mental health issues

  • Tenancy Support Workers who provide support to service users in their own tenancies
  • Community Development Workers

  • An extensive volunteer programme open to the general public as well as those accessing our services.

Space 44

Space 44 was set up through The Ark Trust to provide an accessible and appropriate service for woman at risk of homelessness with complex needs (drugs/alcohol self harm mental health experiencing domestic abuse/violence).

Space 44 is a drop-in centre for woman in need of support. We also operate an 'open door' policy which allows woman access no matter what behaviour they present. The behaviour often excludes them from accessing other services.

We have developed a service for vulnerable woman which will provide support to deal with the consequences of abuse/violence and allow them through key working and group work opportunities more positive coping mechanisms in order for them to start rebuilding their lives should they choose. Ongoing activities include Art work, Reiki, Work shops on topics of the woman's choice and Card making work shops. This provides woman with some structure in their lives.

We offer a drop-in and crèche facilities for women in need of support. We give advice, information, support and advocacy to women. We offer help and confidential support with: Domestic abuse, Health issues, Drug/alcohol use, Accommodation, Welfare benefits, Legal issues. Further, Space 44 offers a safe and welcoming environment to relax or meet your friends and new people.

Supporting People
The Ark’s Supporting People team work with service users who have moved into a tenancy – usually for the first time. Our workers visit people to support them to keep their tenancy and reduce the risk of them becoming homeless again.

We offer support with:

  • Shopping

  • Cleaning

  • Money management
  • Accessing furniture

  • Getting on with neighbours

  • General life-skills

We also offer emotional support to help people cope with moving out of the homeless scene. Service users can find this experience fairly traumatic, especially when they may have been homeless for several years. Emphasis is placed on encouraging individuals to tap into local support networks to help them become integrated into their new community. 

Read more about The Ark Trust:
www.thearktrust.org