Calls For Housing Help

There's been a record rise in calls to Shelter Scotland from people at serious risk of losing their home.

According to helpline staff, there was a 13% increase in calls in the 12 months to August 2014 as people continued to struggle with bad housing, homelessness and with the cost of keeping a roof over their head. 

The charity's free national helpline helped 15,903 people and expects more than 1,500 people to get in touch over the coming festive season.

People in Fife are being encouraged to buy Christmas themed food items from the Marks & Spencer’s, 5% of which is donated to Shelter Scotland.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said:
 
"There will be many families and individuals struggling to keep a roof over their heads this Christmas in Fife. Our helpline is a vital lifeline for these people, but to keep it going and make it as good as possible better we need to invest in it.
 
"Shelter Scotland receives no funding to run our busy national helpline, so support from the public and partners such as Marks & Spencer is incredibly important to us to ensure we can continue helping families and individuals at a time when they need it most.  We thank them all for their ongoing support."