The Cowgate Centre
What is the Cowgate Centre?
The Cowgate Centre offers a safe, secure and warm place for homeless people of all ages. It is open everyday and night of the year.
What does the Cowgate Centre Provide?
Experienced staff will provide support, assistance, advice and advocacy on a range of matters and can put Service Users in touch with a variety of other agencies including accommodation providers, health and social care professionals, and other statutory and voluntary organisations. The aim is to assist individuals to find pathways towards sustainable resettlement and social inclusion.
The Centre provides comprehensive catering facilities during the afternoon and at night, with teas, coffee, cold drinks and a variety of low cost meals to meet various tastes and dietary needs.
It also offers:
- Low-cost laundry facilities
- A small supply of clothing and footwear
- Personal lockers for storage of belongings
- Showering facilities and toiletries
- Use of the Centre as a mailing address
The day service offers a varied programme of activities and surgeries ranging from reflexology to an alcohol support group and attenders’ forum (services and times change, please call (or check this link?) for details).
The Centre is not a hostel and does not provide beds. The overnight facilities are therefore fairly basic, but there are mats to rest on and a warm environment to make Service Users as comfortable as possible.
How does it Work?
Individuals can present at the Centre during the afternoon or nighttime drop in. Alternatively, a weekday appointment can be made.
Who Can Use the Cowgate Centre?
During the daytime the Centre is open to those who are sleeping rough, in hostel or temporary accommodation, or in insecure accommodation staying with friends or relatives. People at immediate risk from violence or abuse or suffering from loneliness, isolation and poverty are also welcomed at the Centre during the day.
Individuals are assessed at the door to ensure the Centre is an appropriate resource for them: they must be 18 years of age or over (exceptions are sometimes made for 16 and 17 year olds). Although the Centre is welcoming and understanding to those under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, entry may be denied to those whose level of intoxication may render them unable to cope in the Centre’s environment, or may pose a risk to others.
At night, access to the Centre is limited to those who have no accommodation options, or are at immediate risk from violence or abuse. A limit of 40 Service Users is set at night.
When is the Centre Open?
Daily drop-in times: 1.00pm – 4.30pm 10.15pm – 7.00am
(Weekday mornings by appointment)
How Do I Get in Touch with the Cowgate Centre?
For further information contact us at:
The Cowgate Centre
22 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
EH8 8AF
Tel: 0131 557 6055
Fax: 0131 557 6078
cowgate@foursquare.org.uk
Complaints
If you are unhappy with the service provided by the Cowgate Centre, we have a written complaints procedure. We treat seriously any complaints or dis-satisfaction with the project. If you would like a copy of the Complaints Procedure, please ask.
Useful Links / Contacts
Coming Soon
- Other Four Square Services
- Edinburgh Council
- Various other agencies