The Scotland Office

We have been meeting with MSPs to discuss the Scottish Government's policies regarding homelessness. Since the start of 2022 we have met with;

Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland (Scottish Labour), Party Spokesperson for Housing and Local Government
Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (SNP)
Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley (SNP), Minister for Drugs Policy

The Scotland Office organised the visit of Meryame Kitir, the Belgian Minister of Development, Cooperation and Urban Policy to The Salvation Army's Housing First programme in Glasgow, where she met with staff and partners and chatted with several people who had benefitted from taken part in Housing First.

The Scotland Office co-ordinated the attendance of the General, the Territorial Leaders, and representatives of The Salvation Army in West Scotland at the Ecumenical Service for COP26, Glasgow Cathedral (07/11/2021)

Members of The Scotland Office attended the Gathering SCVO Glasgow

The Scotland Office set up and coordinated a voucher scheme to aid Ukrainian refugees arriving in Scotland, liaising with Local Authorities to ensure that the vouchers are distributed to those who need them. See below for articles on this work;

The Scotland Office represents The Salvation Army at a national level in Scotland, and collaborates with the two Scotland divisions: Central & Southern Scotland and North Scotland.

What we do

Engage with the Scottish Parliament by responding to proposed legislation and highlighting policy issues. We also work closely with The Salvation Army Public Affairs Unit in London.

Work with other Christian denominations at a national level as a member of the Scottish Christian Forum and other bodies especially the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office. We also work with Interfaith Scotland and with Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees (SFAR).

Coordinate between Scotland Drug and Alcohol Strategy, Homelessness Support Unit & Older Peoples Services to provide a voice in the Parliamentary and Ecumenical arenas.

Liaise with the front-line services of The Salvation Army in Scotland;.

73 church and community centres that, in addition to Sunday worship, offer a range of activities: cafés, breakfast clubs and lunch clubs; charity shops and furniture recycling projects; clubs for children, for youth and for senior citizens; drop-in centres; food banks, food parcels and food distribution; job clubs; parents & toddlers groups and playgroups; street projects.
Homeless services including;
- 9 Lifehouses
- 3 outreach support centres
- 3 Housing First services
- a wellbeing centre
Scottish Drug and Alcohol Strategy (SDAS), see below
3 care homes for older people
emergency response services
a family tracing service
a centre for adults with learning disabilities
a debt advice service
an employability and training service

In 2009, the leaders of The Salvation Army requested the development of a Scotland Drug & Alcohol (Addiction) Strategy which was then formally launched in 2013 to support communities affected by addictions. The service is now established across five key areas that have been identified through the needs of the communities. Our approach, rooted in a Christian Approach to Harm Reduction, focuses on positive change and on building relationships and safety with people, without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that they stop their behaviour as a pre-condition of support.

In the last 2 years, we have supported 130 individuals and families across Scotland. Our services aim to respond to social need, working with people at their point of need with a person-centred approach. The programmes are voluntary, unconditional and flexible to support service users with one to one support, therapeutic groupwork and meaningful activities available.

Since 2017, we have partnered with the University of Stirling to establish the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research (SACASR). This collaboration has led to a number of exciting research opportunities to develop The Salvation Army’s addictions work and has allowed our services to be involved in new and innovative research projects that impact the wider sector. This has included research on staff wellbeing during the pandemic, managed alcohol programmes, Housing First and supporting harm reduction through peer support. We also have a number of staff undertaking the MSc in Substance Use at the University of Stirling, which enhances their personal professional development, and creates sustainable growth within our workforce.