SERVICE DETAILS
At Thorntree St. we provide individual homes in a communal living environment, for older people (50+) in partnership with Bield Housing Association. Our community-members are men who have had a history of rough sleeping, living in insecure accommodation or homeless hostels.
How does Thorntree St. work?
Rowan Alba support isn’t about forcing residents into ‘conditions of stay’ such as engaging services they don’t want to use, or having to address dependency issues through therapy. It is THEIR home. Does your home come with those kind of personal conditions attached?
No one at Thorntree Street can be ‘thrown out’, or designated ‘unsuitable’ or too challenging. Many of the men who live in Thorntree Street have come from services where they had been described as having ‘behaviours unsuitable for the service’. We believe that this suggests that it was the other way around. ‘Services’ were unsuitable for them.
Accept
Rowan Alba accepts every individual’s right to choose. Most residents have a long-term history of problematic alcohol use. Rowan Alba support isn’t about forcing residents into ‘conditions of stay’ such as engaging services they don’t want to use, or having to address dependency issues through therapy. It is THEIR home. Does your home come with those kind of personal conditions attached? The time may come when one of our residents is ready and motivated to explore change – or it may not.
Support
We provide access to individual homes in a communal living environment, for older people (50+) in partnership with Bield Housing Association. Residents are men who have had a history of rough sleeping, living in insecure accommodation or homeless hostels. We support residents to maintain and thrive in their own Scottish Secured tenancies with 24-hour staffing on site, working with them to manage finances, eating well and keeping on top of daily domestic tasks in their flats.
Include
No one at Thorntree Street can be ‘thrown out’, or designated ‘unsuitable’ or too challenging. Many of the men who live in Thorntree Street have come from services where they had been described as having ‘behaviours unsuitable for the service’. We believe that this suggests that it was the other way around. ‘Services’ were unsuitable for them. Homes, that provide Safety and Security, make a difference that would be difficult for any ‘Service’ to quantify. We’ve had over 60 residents voices wehave learned from, and 12 years on we’re still listening and learning.
Key facts:
- Located in central Edinburgh
- Scottish-assured tenancies
- 24hr supported accommodation
- 50+ men with experience of homelessness
Routes to refferal
New tenants are referred to Thorntree Street by Social Work through The Access Practice, an integrated NHS health service based in Edinburgh which supports anyone experiencing homelessness and has complex additional needs.
Along with Edinburgh City Council and NHS Lothian, The Access Place is a part of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership who’s mission is to deliver a caring, healthier and safer Edinburgh. Thorntree Street is proud to be able to provide secure, long-term accommodation to people who have been referred to us through this route.
