Simon Community Scotland
Simon Community Scotland is a Glasgow-based registered charity, founded in 1966, that provides street outreach, support hubs, Housing First accommodation, harm reduction, and digital inclusion services to people experiencing homelessness across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, and Perth and Kinross, supporting over 13,000 people in 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Simon Community Scotland does
Simon Community Scotland is a registered Scottish charity (SC003076) and company limited by guarantee, founded in 1966 and headquartered at 472 Ballater Street, Glasgow. It provides integrated homelessness services across Scotland with operations in Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, and Perth and Kinross, employing 101-250 staff and supporting over 13,000 people in 2025 (up from 9,000+ in 2023). Its service portfolio spans street-based outreach (Street Team, StreetCycles — the UK's first pedal-powered homeless outreach), physical support hubs (Access Hub, Connect Hub for women), Housing First accommodation, Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme, digital inclusion (Get Digital Scotland), alternative giving (Street Change via QR codes), and 24/7 telephone helplines in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The charity's revenue model rests on four pillars: individual donations and fundraising (including JustGiving HOPE appeal and Street Change), grants and trusts (with Allia C&C as a named supporter), corporate partnerships (McTaggart Construction, AND Digital, Biffa, Dallas McMillan), and commissioned services purchased by local authorities. It is regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), the Care Inspectorate, and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), holds ICO data controller registration (ZA109132), is accredited by Living Wage Scotland, and is pursuing the LGBT Charter. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by CEO Lorraine McGrath. In 2021 it raised approximately £4.5 million from Social and Sustainable Capital with participation from the University of Edinburgh, and in 2026 it marked its 60th anniversary.
Simon Community Scotland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simon Community Scotland
- Legal name
- Simon Community Scotland
- Website
- https://simonscotland.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Simon Community Scotland is a Glasgow-based registered charity, founded in 1966, that provides street outreach, support hubs, Housing First accommodation, harm reduction, and digital inclusion services to people experiencing homelessness across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, and Perth and Kinross, supporting over 13,000 people in 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simon Community Scotland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homelessness Support Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
Keywords
Where Simon Community Scotland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Simon Community Scotland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, fundraising activities (runs, events, campaigns), and legacy donations. The Connect Hub costs approximately £1,000 per day to operate.
- Grants and Trusts: Funding from charitable trusts, foundations, and grant providers. Allia C&C provided significant grant support for Connect Hub development.
- Corporate Partnerships: Long-term partnerships with companies like McTaggart Construction (£25,000 donation), AND Digital, Dallas McMillan, Biffa. Includes charitable giving programs and anniversary donations.
- Commissioned Services: Many services are commissioned by Local Authority. Organization regulated by Care Inspectorate with staff registered with Scottish Social Services Council.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
Simon Community Scotland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simon Community Scotland is a Scottish registered charity that delivers comprehensive, person-centered homelessness support services free of charge to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Offerings span street-based outreach (Street Team, StreetCycles), multi-agency and women-only support hubs (Access Hub, Connect Hub), emergency and supported accommodation, SCS Homes, 24/7 helplines, harm reduction (Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme), Housing First, digital inclusion (Get Digital Scotland), and alternative giving (Street Change).
Product overview
Simon Community Scotland is a homelessness charity providing a comprehensive suite of integrated support services rather than a single product. The organization operates through multiple interconnected service lines including outreach services (Street Team, StreetCycles), support hubs (Access Hub, Connect Hub for women), specialized programmes (Housing First, Managed Alcohol Programme, Street Change alternative giving), and digital inclusion initiatives (Get Digital Scotland, Digital Inclusion Programme). Additional services include harm reduction (Period Friendly, Streetreads), emergency and supported accommodation, and 24/7 helplines. Services are delivered across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, and Perth and Kinross, with a person-centered, trauma-informed approach focused on building relationships and meeting people where they are.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Access Hub A multi-agency support hub located on Argyle Street in Glasgow city centre, providing immediate comfort and practical support including showers, clothing, food, and supportive conversations for people in crisis.
- Connect Hub A specialist, trauma-informed, women-only safe space in Glasgow offering practical and emotional support for women experiencing homelessness; operates 5 days per week in Year 2.
- Street Team (outreach) Outreach street team providing direct support to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering practical assistance, harm reduction supplies, and connections to services.
- StreetCycles UK's first pedal-powered homeless outreach service, using bicycles to reach people outside city centres and deliver essentials such as sleeping bags, first aid provisions, and Period Friendly packs.
- Street Change Alternative giving initiative in Edinburgh and Glasgow that redirects public donations to support workers, who help people begging or rough sleeping access warm clothing, food, travel, and other essentials.
- Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP) Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme - a pioneering harm reduction service for people with alcohol dependency, helping reduce harm while supporting transition to stable housing.
- Housing First A housing-first approach providing stable housing to people experiencing homelessness before addressing other support needs.
- Get Digital Scotland Digital inclusion programme helping people experiencing homelessness access technology, smartphones, and digital skills to improve their lives and connections.
- 24/7 Helplines Free telephone helplines available 24 hours a day in Glasgow (0800 027 7466) and Edinburgh (0808 178 2323), providing immediate support and referrals.
- Emergency and Supported Accommodation Emergency accommodation and supported accommodation services across Glasgow, Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire, and Perth and Kinross, plus SCS Homes operated by the charity.
- SCS Homes Own homes operated by Simon Community Scotland for people who have experienced homelessness, providing settled accommodation.
- Make a House a Home Initiative helping people transition into settled accommodation after experiencing homelessness by providing essential items and support.
- My Glasgow Photography project providing disposable cameras to people experiencing homelessness to capture images of Glasgow, with exhibitions and calendar sales used to raise funds.
- Digital Inclusion Programme Organisational programme embedding digital inclusion as part of support practice, helping staff and people they support develop digital confidence and skills.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported 13,000+ people in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Simon Community Scotland
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Simon Community Scotland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Simon Community Scotland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- McTaggart ConstructioncoreScottish construction firm donated £25,000 as part of its 80th anniversary charitable giving programme. Funding supports Connect Hub (covering two weeks of running costs), North Lanarkshire opportunities, Make a House a Home initiative, and Managed Alcohol Programme community gardens. Employee Sarah Freel joined as Hub ambassador.
- GoodiesminorFood provider for Communities at Christmas event, preparing Christmas dinner with same care as for guests in someone's house. Worked until 11pm on Christmas Eve preparing feast.
- Dallas McMillan SolicitorscoreLocal law firm partnership involving team visits to Glasgow hubs, understanding Street Team and helpline services. When team noticed someone sleeping rough, they called Simon Community Scotland helpline, leading to successful intervention. Partnership exemplifies local business understanding and rapid response coordination.
- AND DigitalcoreLong-term partnership where AND Digital project team collaborated with Simon Community Scotland to develop a technical tool. Team engaged with SCS during Almeida Club Day, understanding the work and developing solutions that impact lives positively.
- BiffaminorCorporate partner with staff engagement - Gavin Money from Biffa described personal understanding gained through time with Glasgow Street Team, appreciating comprehensive care packages.
- Glasgow City MissioncoreDelivery partner in Street Change interagency network for Edinburgh and Glasgow, meeting regularly to review donation usage and ensure those most in need access funds and wider support.
- Lodging House MissioncoreDelivery partner in Street Change interagency support network in Glasgow.
- Marie TrustcoreDelivery partner in Street Change network in Glasgow.
- Waverley CarecoreDelivery partner in Street Change network in Edinburgh/Glasgow.
- City of Edinburgh CouncilcorePartner in Edinburgh Begging Strategy and Street Change network, working to open homelessness cases and provide housing solutions.
- Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug PartnershipminorPartner in Street Change interagency network.
- Edinburgh Community Safety and Justice PartnershipminorPartner in Street Change interagency network.
- South Side Community CentrecoreVenue partner for Communities at Christmas event in Edinburgh.
- Edinburgh Old Town Development TrustcorePartner in Communities at Christmas initiative.
- Social Bite Festival of KindnessminorProvided holiday joy and survival essentials including warm clothing for Communities at Christmas event.
- Socks in a BoxminorSchool sock and toiletries collection partner for Communities at Christmas.
- ScotmidminorDonated to Communities at Christmas event.
- Tesco Nicolson StreetminorDonated Christmas decorations when they saw setup happening.
- Merchant City FestivalminorVenue partner for My Glasgow photography exhibition showing finalists' work in windows of The Metropolitan Bar.
- MYWORLDminorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
- Glasgow City CouncilminorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
- Glasgow LifeminorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
- FUJIFILMminorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
- Street Level PhotoworksminorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
- The RPS (Royal Photographic Society)minorPartner supporting My Glasgow photography project.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Simon Community Scotland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Depaul UK: UK charity working with young people and adults experiencing homelessness, providing accommodation, education, and employment support. Comparable scale, beneficiary focus, and donation/grant-funded operating model.
- Bethany Christian Trust: Scottish Christian charity supporting homeless people across Edinburgh and beyond, providing shelter, supported accommodation, and training. Highly comparable as a Scotland-based homelessness service provider with overlapping programmes.
- Cyrenians: Edinburgh/Scotland-based charity tackling homelessness, social isolation, and other challenges through housing, support, and social enterprise. Comparable as a Scottish homelessness charity with similar person-centred model.
- Shelter: Major UK charity focused on housing and homelessness, offering advice, legal services, and campaigning. Comparable as a large UK homelessness/housing charity with similarly broad service portfolio and reliance on donations and grants.
- St Mungo's: London-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, with street outreach, hostels, housing, and recovery services. Directly comparable service model and target beneficiaries, though focused on London rather than Scotland.
- Emmaus UK: Federation of UK charities supporting people out of homelessness through accommodation, training, and social enterprise. Comparable service offerings with a slightly different social-enterprise orientation.
- Crisis: UK-wide charity working to end homelessness through housing, advice, education, and research. Directly comparable as a national-scale homelessness service provider with similar outreach, accommodation, and helpline services, though operating at a larger geographic scope.
- Centrepoint: UK charity focused on youth homelessness, providing accommodation, health, and education services. Comparable beneficiary overlap and service structure, though with a narrower age focus.
- Glasgow City Mission: Glasgow-based Christian charity supporting people facing homelessness, addiction, and poverty with outreach, day services, and supported housing. Directly comparable service model and overlapping Glasgow street-outreach activities (partner in the Street Change interagency network).
Broad incumbents
- Turning Point: Large UK social enterprise providing health and social care services including housing, mental health, and substance use support. Comparable on harm reduction and supported housing, but broader in scope and scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Simon Community Scotland social profiles
Digital presenceSimon Community Scotland compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Simon Community Scotland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simon Community Scotland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Simon Community Scotland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simon Community Scotland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Simon Community Scotland
What does Simon Community Scotland do?
Simon Community Scotland is a Scottish registered charity that delivers comprehensive, person-centered homelessness support services free of charge to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Offerings span street-based outreach (Street Team, StreetCycles), multi-agency and women-only support hubs (Access Hub, Connect Hub), emergency and supported accommodation, SCS Homes, 24/7 helplines, harm reduction (Scotland's first Managed Alcohol Programme), Housing First, digital inclusion (Get Digital Scotland), and alternative giving (Street Change).
Is Simon Community Scotland a public or private company?
Simon Community Scotland is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Simon Community Scotland founded?
Simon Community Scotland was founded in 1966. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Simon Community Scotland based?
Simon Community Scotland is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Simon Community Scotland make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are grants and Trusts, corporate Partnerships and commissioned Services.
Who are Simon Community Scotland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Depaul UK, Bethany Christian Trust, Cyrenians, Shelter, St Mungo's, Emmaus UK, Crisis, Centrepoint and Glasgow City Mission. Turning Point is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Simon Community Scotland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simon Community Scotland.
What industry is Simon Community Scotland in?
Simon Community Scotland's product category is Homelessness Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.