What is Bethany anyway?

First month down! As I sit back and reflect on my time here in Edinburgh so far, I can’t help but praise God for all he has given me. I’m attending a bible study every Tuesday where I have met some great friends, going to work everyday is something I look forward to, and being surrounded by an environment that I’m not quite used to yet excites me!

Since my last update I have been through about 3 weeks of induction at the centre which in turn has helped me quite a bit in understanding the extent of what Bethany Christian Trust does for Edinburgh. Just to clear things up a bit, I’ll give you the break down because it is a really awesome organization! It offers 7 levels of care within Edinburgh:

1. Street Work- Nightly food, blankets and clothing; drop in centres providing basic support, addiction and housing advice
2. Emergency Accommodation (Bethany House)-Resettlement Hostel
3. Specialist Units
-Bethany Centre (this is where I work)-residential addictions unit for men
-Matthew House-resettlement hostel for young men
-Martha House-supported hostel for young women
4. Supported Housing
5. Home Furniture Provision- furniture for people who are on low income
6. Community Education- Bridging the gap between homeless services and formal education; Supporting vulnerable people through formal education; Facilitating volunteering and employment opportunities
7. Community Integration- Providing networks and skills to prevent homelessness Employment, apprenticeships and volunteering placements

Bethany is great because it’s the type of organization that is intervening at all levels of poverty and helping people break the cycle, allowing them to live on their own as an active member of the community. It’s also completely God centered but not restricting to anyone who wants to come in who is not a Christian.

Working at the centre-The staff is friendly and very hospitable. They are all super funny and down-to-earth which makes for a fun and family-like atmosphere.

Pretty cool, eh?