Five charities are to benefit from a £300,000 fund created through a partnership of public sector organisations and philanthropy to support those impacted by homelessness.

The grants have been handed to the charities, who work in the Clackmannanshire area of Scotland, through the first round of Transformation Space funding, which involves the Scottish Government, Clackmannanshire Council and philanthropic grant maker The Hunter Foundation.

This initial funding round is focused on supporting on early intervention and prevention initiatives to tackle homelessness.

Action for Children has received £93,214 to pay for a part time family therapist to support families in the area at risk of breakdown and homelessness over the next two years.

Barnardo’s has received £76,942 for a three-year early intervention and mediation programme for young people and Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau has been handed £38,642 over two years to provide housing support and advice for those in the private rental market.

Also receiving money is Gate Charity, which has been handed £75,000 for a three-year programme offering skills training, mentoring and housing advice.

Meanwhile, Change Please Foundation has been handed £13,608 for barista training and work placements for six people at risk of homelessness.

The fund is backed by £1m from the Scottish Government and council funding, to bring “together public and partner funding, breaking down barriers between separate budgets so funds go directly to initiatives that address the root causes of challenges like homelessness, poverty, and poor mental health”.

Involved in funding decisions is a Community Voice panel of residents with lived experience and local knowledge.

“By putting residents at the heart of decisions, the Transformation Space is giving our communities the power to shape real, lasting change in this area,” said Clackmannanshire Council leader Cllr Ellen Forson.

Barnardo’s Clackmannanshire and Stirling Services participation leader Jilly Stephen added that the joint funding model “responds directly to a long-standing gap in local provision, where the absence of timely support has contributed to young people aged 16–25 reaching homelessness crisis”.

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