Homelessness in Glasgow: A reality this Christmas
We've been speaking to people who are sleeping rough and hearing about the work the Marie Trust and others do to help.
During the cold winter months, hundreds of people sleep rough in the streets of Glasgow.
According to the most recent census, nearly half of those people had mental health problems. But there are many reasons why people end up homeless.
The dangers of this are real, too; homeless people are thirteen times more likely to be the victim of violence or end up with addictions.
Clyde News has been speaking to Billy who 48-years-old and has been out in the cold for five months since his mum died.
You can listen to Billy’s story here:
Rough sleepers and people with nowhere else to go are welcome to use the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter for one or two night's emergency accommodation. It is run by a variety of charities from across the city.
In the mornings, a staff member from the Marie Trust connects the homeless people to Glasgow City Council's case team in order that homeless accommodation can be found.
The shelter, which runs for three months over winter, is extremely busy and the staff members have even turned people away because of demand.
The Marie Trust run a homeless day centre and outreach service on Midland Street in the centre of the city. (see picture above)
They offer a range of person-centred services to prevent and alleviate homelessness and promote social inclusion.
It operates 365 days a year, where they provide people with hot meals and services such as counselling. They let people access education and try and give them the help they need.
It is a life-line for so many people who don't have anywhere else to go, and at this time of year it can be even more difficult.