Fresh Start grew from the desire of a small number of people to do something practical in response to the growing scandal of homelessness in Scotland’s capital city in the run up to 2000.

In 1997 a small group of people with a variety of backgrounds and experience of homelessness were brought together by the Edinburgh churches to look at the issues of homelessness. They quickly realised that there was a number of areas in which members of the churches and others could provide immediate practical support to those who were trying to break the cycle of homelessness.

With the support of several congregations in Edinburgh we began to collect and distribute a range of basic household items to new council tenants, who had previously been homeless. Soon more and more people became involved in our work and by July 1999 Fresh Start was established to provide a range of services that support the resettlement of homeless people in the community.

Fresh Start now works in partnership with Edinbugh Council, businesses, schools, individuals, community and faith groups to offer a complete package of services.

Our work is about developing an overall resettlement plan for each person we work with in the hope that they will maintain their tenancy and work to overcome issues which they may have regarding their health and well-being.

As an organisation we do not just tackle the practical aspects of homelessness but also the emotional and social needs which individuals may have.