Aberdeen Cyrenians
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a 1968-founded Scottish charity delivering crisis response, housing, mental health, abuse recovery, care-at-home, and digital inclusion services to vulnerable people in North East Scotland, funded through donations, statutory contracts, and government grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersAberdeen, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aberdeen Cyrenians does
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a Scottish registered charity (OSCR SC 014849; company SC 070903) founded in 1968 by University of Aberdeen students, headquartered at 62 Summer Street, Aberdeen, and operating across three office sites plus a donation warehouse. It supports people facing homelessness, crisis, poverty, mental health and addiction challenges, abuse and violence, and long-term care needs in North East Scotland. Service portfolio includes a walk-in Crisis Response Hub (324 families supported in 2024/25), Housing and Homelessness services, Mental Health and Substance-Related Harm services (including residential support for 19 residents), Violence and Abuse services (128 people), Care at Home (138 people, average 547 days of support), Digital and Financial inclusion, and the CaféChat community kitchen. The charity runs the Care at Home service as a Care Inspectorate-registered provider (CS2020381006, CS2015340783, CS2003000231).
In 2025 the organisation launched three new initiatives that materially reposition it from a direct-service charity toward a system-convenor: ATAP (Aberdeen Tasking & Activation Partnership), a £1M Scottish Government-funded homelessness prevention partnership with seven housing associations and three third-sector partners, using the proprietary ASK:ENACT™ digital platform for early housing-risk identification; NorthBridge, an SSEN Transmission-funded co-working hub targeting workers facing redundancy in the North East energy transition; and the Integrated Prevention Pathways (IPP) pilot supporting national implementation of Housing (Scotland) Act Ask and Act duties. Revenue is generated from individual donations (2,409 in 2024/25, up 49%), corporate partnerships (including £100k pro-bono from Aspect Strategic Communications and Deloitte's 5 Million Futures), event fundraising (CEO Sleepout raised £72k in 2025 — highest outside London), statutory commissioning for Care at Home and Residential services, and government grants. The charity is led by CEO Donna Hutchison with 51–100 employees and a seven-trustee board. All services are free at point of use.
Aberdeen Cyrenians firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Legal name
- Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Website
- https://weareac.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aberdeen Cyrenians is a 1968-founded Scottish charity delivering crisis response, housing, mental health, abuse recovery, care-at-home, and digital inclusion services to vulnerable people in North East Scotland, funded through donations, statutory contracts, and government grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aberdeen Cyrenians industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social Services and Charitable Support
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Emergency Shelter, NFIs & Winterization for Displaced Populations (BPADAHAG)
Keywords
Where Aberdeen Cyrenians is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aberdeen
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Aberdeen Cyrenians business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate monetary donations, text-to-donate campaigns, bank transfers, cash and cheque donations, event-based fundraising (challenge events, fantasy football league, CEO Sleepout), and seasonal appeals. Individual donations grew 49% year-over-year (2024/25).
- Government Grants and Contracts: Scottish Government Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund supporting ATAP; SSEN Transmission Regional Community Benefit Fund for NorthBridge; Homelessness Prevention Pilot Fund via Advice Direct Scotland/SFHA; statutory funding for care services.
- Charitable Services: Care Inspectorate-registered services including care at home, residential support, and crisis support — funded through local authority commissioning and public sector contracts.
- Corporate Partnerships: ESG-aligned strategic partnerships with businesses (e.g., Aspect Strategic Communications provided £100,000 worth of pro-bono support), employee volunteering programmes, workplace fundraising, and pro bono consultancy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free services for people in crisis and vulnerable individuals |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Granite City Fantasy Football - Individual entry |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Granite City Fantasy Football - Business/corporate/group entry |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Suggested donation tiers for supporters |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Text-to-donate amounts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels9 records
Aberdeen Cyrenians product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a registered Scottish charity providing free crisis support, housing and homelessness services, mental health and substance-related harm support, abuse and violence recovery, care at home, independent living support, and digital and financial inclusion services to vulnerable individuals in the North East of Scotland. It also operates the CaféChat community kitchen, NorthBridge co-working hub, and runs community fundraising campaigns including CEO Sleepout and Granite City Fantasy Football.
Product overview
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a charity providing social support services rather than a technology product company. Their service portfolio includes core support services (crisis response, housing, mental health, abuse/violence support, care at home, digital/financial support), digital tools (ASK:ENACT™ for housing risk assessment), partnership initiatives (ATAP and Integrated Prevention Pathways for homelessness prevention), and community facilities (NorthBridge co-working hub, CaféChat community kitchen). They also run fundraising campaigns including CEO Sleepout and Granite City Fantasy Football.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ATAP (Aberdeen Tasking & Activation Partnership): Homeless prevention partnership coordinated through Aberdeen Cyrenians on behalf of housing associations and third sector organisations.
- NorthBridge
- Ask:Enact
Products and services
- Crisis Response Hub Safe and welcoming crisis support and emergency essentials service for individuals and families at point of need, providing emergency food, crisis support, and pathways to longer-term recovery. Supported 324 families in 2024/25.
- Housing and Homelessness Services Services helping individuals and families secure and maintain safe, stable, and functional housing, including housing support, tenancy management skills, and support for those at risk of homelessness. Delivered in partnership with housing associations through the ATAP partnership.
- Mental Health, Wellbeing and Substance Related Harm Services Support to reduce mental health challenges, isolation, and alcohol and substance related harm, including Care Inspectorate-registered Residential Services (19 residents) and community-based support.
- Violence and Abuse Services Services providing safety, recovery, and resilience for anyone experiencing or who has experienced abuse, violence, or hate crime. Supported 128 people in 2024/25.
- Care at Home (Care Choices) Choice-based personal support service (Care Inspectorate-registered, CS2020381006) enabling adults with long-term support needs to remain within their own home and local community. Supported 138 people with average 547 days of support in 2024/25.
- Digital and Financial Support Help with digital and financial awareness, skills, and wellbeing for everyday life, supporting digital inclusion and financial wellbeing among service users.
- NorthBridge Co-working Hub An accessible co-working hub in central Aberdeen providing connection, purpose, and practical support for skilled workers, apprentices, and supply-chain workers facing redundancy and economic transition in the North East.
- CaféChat Community Kitchen A community kitchen providing hot meals and friendly chat for those in need, helping reduce isolation and build community connections.
- ASK:ENACT™ Digital Platform A digital platform supporting early identification of housing insecurity and homelessness threat through a simple conversational interface using plain language, enabling frontline workers to ask follow-up questions, identify risk factors, and produce structured action plans and referrals without collecting personal information. Deployed across ATAP and IPP partnerships.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,723 households supported (2024/25), up 5% from prior year
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Aberdeen Cyrenians
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Aberdeen Cyrenians technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature1 record
Aberdeen Cyrenians partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Aberdeen Tasking & Activation Partnership (ATAP)coreMulti-agency homelessness prevention partnership led by Aberdeen Cyrenians, involving Castlehill Housing Association, Grampian Housing Association, Hillcrest, Langstane Housing Association, Osprey Housing, Sanctuary Housing, Aberdeen Foyer, and Turning Point Scotland. Supported by Scottish Government Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund (£1 million). Uses ASK:ENACT™ digital tool. Has supported 68 people to avoid homelessness.
- Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT)coreCo-host of CEO Sleepout Aberdeen with Aberdeen Cyrenians. Annual event at Pittodrie Stadium. Also partner in Granite City Fantasy Football league (SPFL 26/27) in association with Aberdeen FC Community Trust.
- Ask:EnactcoreTechnology partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital platform used in ATAP and Integrated Prevention Pathways. The platform helps frontline workers identify housing risk early and generate structured action plans and referrals without collecting personal data.
- E'len CooperativesupportingLearning and technology partner contributing to ATAP's multi-agency homelessness prevention approach.
- Station House Media Unit (SHMU)supportingLearning and technology partner in the ATAP partnership, contributing media and communications expertise to homelessness prevention.
- Homewards Aberdeen CoalitionsupportingPartnership in the ATAP learning and technology network, contributing to Aberdeen-wide homelessness prevention efforts under the Homewards initiative.
- Aspect Strategic CommunicationscoreCorporate partnership with Aspect Strategic Communications provided £100,000 worth of support through pro-bono consultancy, fundraising assistance, and employee volunteering. Website created by Aspect. Demonstrates long-term strategic commitment to the charity's communications and brand.
- Deloitte (5 Million Futures programme)coreDeloitte's 5 Million Futures programme supports Aberdeen Cyrenians as local charity partner alongside St Machar Academy as education partner. Activities include lunch and learn events, business awareness sessions, and mock interviews. Deloitte professionals have volunteered over 55,000 hours as part of the programme.
- St Machar AcademysupportingEducation partner in Deloitte's 5 Million Futures programme. Students organised and hosted a lunch and learn event for Aberdeen Cyrenians, developing event planning, teamwork, and organisational skills.
- Robert Gordon CollegesupportingParticipated in Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), raising awareness and funding for Aberdeen Cyrenians' crisis services. Empowers young people to become advocates for change.
- Albyn SchoolsupportingParticipated in Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), raising awareness and funding for Aberdeen Cyrenians' crisis services.
- CFINEsupportingFood and essentials hub collaboration partner. Works with Aberdeen Cyrenians to provide emergency food and hygiene support across the region.
- FaresharesupportingFood network partnership providing emergency food supply to Aberdeen Cyrenians' crisis services.
- NHS GrampiansupportingHealth partnership for wellbeing projects improving access to essential health services for vulnerable people supported by Aberdeen Cyrenians.
- HomewardssupportingJoint advocacy and awareness campaigns partner. Aberdeen Cyrenians participates in Challenge Poverty Week and local policy forums through this partnership.
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA)coreAdministering the Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund supporting ATAP. Key housing association network partner in the homelessness prevention ecosystem.
- Integrated Prevention Pathways (IPP) PartnershipcoreFunded through Homelessness Prevention Pilot Fund administered by Advice Direct Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Supports national implementation of Ask and Act duties within the Housing (Scotland) Act. Brings together digital innovation, lived experience, and multi-agency practice to create practical tools for frontline workers.
- Aberdeen FoyercoreThird sector partner in ATAP and co-host of CEO Sleepout Aberdeen. Supports youth homelessness services in the region.
- Castlehill Housing AssociationcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- Grampian Housing AssociationcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- HillcrestcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- Langstane Housing AssociationcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- Osprey HousingcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- Sanctuary HousingcoreRegistered social landlord and referral partner in ATAP. Pilot partner for ASK:ENACT™ digital tool.
- Turning Point ScotlandcoreThird sector support partner in ATAP. Contributes specialist expertise in substance use and mental health to the homelessness prevention partnership.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aberdeen Cyrenians competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Crisis UK: National charity focused on ending homelessness across the UK, providing housing, education, training and research. Comparable as a peer in homelessness prevention and supported housing, with overlapping service lines including mental health and life-skills support.
- Centrepoint: UK charity supporting young people experiencing homelessness through housing, learning, health and employability programmes. Comparable as a peer in supported housing and homelessness prevention, particularly for younger cohorts overlapping Aberdeen Cyrenians' care-leaver segment.
- Shelter (England): National UK housing and homelessness charity offering advice, support and legal services across England. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the same housing/homelessness mission space, though it operates at national scale rather than regional community-embedded delivery like Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Direct peers
- Turning Point Scotland: Scottish social-care charity delivering mental health, addiction and homelessness services including supported accommodation. Already an ATAP partner of Aberdeen Cyrenians; comparable as a direct peer in residential recovery and homelessness services.
- St Mungo's: UK charity providing hostels, supported housing and recovery services for people experiencing homelessness, often with complex needs including addiction and mental health. Directly comparable operating model to Aberdeen Cyrenians' residential, housing and substance-related harm services.
- CFINE: Aberdeen-based social enterprise tackling food poverty and supporting people in crisis through community food hubs. Direct local peer and listed partner of Aberdeen Cyrenians; comparable in the food-insecurity and crisis-response segment.
- Depaul UK: UK charity supporting homeless and disadvantaged people through night-stop, supported housing and prevention services. Comparable as a direct peer in homelessness prevention and supported housing delivery, though operating across multiple UK cities rather than a single region.
- Aberdeen Foyer: Aberdeen-based charity supporting young people facing homelessness through training, housing and life-skills programmes. Direct local peer and ATAP co-partner; comparable as a community-embedded North East Scotland youth-homelessness and employability provider.
Regional players
- Homeless Network Scotland: Scottish umbrella body supporting organisations working to prevent and tackle homelessness. Comparable as a Scotland-focused peer in the homelessness-prevention policy and partnership ecosystem in which Aberdeen Cyrenians' ATAP operates.
- Cyrenians (Edinburgh): Edinburgh-based sister charity in the broader 'Cyrenians' network, providing housing, homelessness and social-enterprise services across central Scotland. Comparable brand heritage and service mix, operating in a different Scottish region rather than directly competing with Aberdeen Cyrenians.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aberdeen Cyrenians social profiles
Digital presenceAberdeen Cyrenians compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Aberdeen Cyrenians financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aberdeen Cyrenians leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Aberdeen Cyrenians funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aberdeen Cyrenians 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 Aberdeen Cyrenians
What does Aberdeen Cyrenians do?
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a registered Scottish charity providing free crisis support, housing and homelessness services, mental health and substance-related harm support, abuse and violence recovery, care at home, independent living support, and digital and financial inclusion services to vulnerable individuals in the North East of Scotland. It also operates the CaféChat community kitchen, NorthBridge co-working hub, and runs community fundraising campaigns including CEO Sleepout and Granite City Fantasy Football.
Is Aberdeen Cyrenians a public or private company?
Aberdeen Cyrenians is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Aberdeen Cyrenians founded?
Aberdeen Cyrenians was founded in 1968. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aberdeen Cyrenians based?
Aberdeen Cyrenians is headquartered in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Aberdeen Cyrenians make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts, charitable Services and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Aberdeen Cyrenians's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Crisis UK, Centrepoint and Shelter (England). Direct peers are Turning Point Scotland, St Mungo's, CFINE, Depaul UK and Aberdeen Foyer. Regional players are Homeless Network Scotland and Cyrenians (Edinburgh).
Does Aberdeen Cyrenians have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aberdeen Cyrenians.
What industry is Aberdeen Cyrenians in?
Aberdeen Cyrenians's product category is Social Services and Charitable Support. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAAAC, Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI). Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.