Oban charity offers advice on how to help the homeless this winter

Hope Kitchen can also offer information and connect homeless individuals with other key support services in Oban, such as Carr Gomm Housing Support Service, another charity you can reach out to on Soroba Road.

The Carr Gomm centre provides housing support and advice, helping people to overcome barriers to stable accommodation. 

Another important point of contact you can make a homeless person aware of is the Argyll and Bute Council Housing (ACHA) Service office at the Municipal Buildings on Albany Street.

Homeless individuals in need of housing can make a formal homelessness application by phone or in person and Catriona said when someone makes an initial phone call to the office they will receive “same-day support”.

She added: “While the council is looking into someone’s homelessness application, where eligible, they will accommodate that person the same day.

“Whenever I’ve had to support someone in making a homelessness application, the council has worked really hard to help quickly.”

If the individual is too nervous to phone the council, or if they do not have access to a phone, Hope Kitchen or Carr Gomm can support them to do so. 

In case of an urgent housing or homelessness issue outside of the Argyll and Bute Homeless Service’s office hours you can phone the out of hours service for assistance.

If you encounter a person presenting as homeless at night and are concerned, Catriona added that you can also go into Oban Police Station on Albany Street.

“If it wouldn’t be appropriate to have a conversation, the person seems distressed or unwell or you are worried about your own safety, it can be helpful to go to the police,” she said.

When it does feel safe to do so, Catriona said you can help people in more simple ways by showing kindness.

She said: “You don’t have to give money. It doesn’t cost anything to smile and say hello."

Contacts

Hope Kitchen

Address: 2 Soroba Road, Oban, PA34 4HU.

Phone: 01631 565730

Opening Hours: Monday - 11am to 2pm, Tuesday - 11am to 6pm, Wed - 11am to 2pm, Thursday - 11am to 2pm, Friday - 11am to 6pm, Saturday - 11am to 2pm.

Carr Gomm Housing Support Service

Address: 16 Soroba Rd, Oban, PA34 4HU.

Phone: 01631 563375

Argyll and Bute Council Housing (ACHA) Service, Oban office

Address: Municipal Buildings, Albany Street, Oban. PA34 4AW.

Phone: 01631 567926

Out of hours phone: 03450 565457