Callum’s story: Changing lives through ‘Street Change’
05 March 2025
Street Change is a Simon Community Scotland ‘alternative giving’ initiative. It was developed to make it easy for people to do something practical that can make life a bit better for people experiencing begging or rough sleeping in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We work in partnership with a range of incredible organisations to make this happen.
In this blog we want to share a story of how Street Change has made a difference in the life of Callum*. But first, a quick introduction to this innovative alternative giving initiative.
How it works
- Our teams and delivery partners build relationships with the people who are experiencing life on the streets in Edinburgh and Glasgow – so we can really understand the specific barriers they are each facing and things they want to make happen, including looking at the practical stuff that could really make a difference.
- People donate to a dedicated pot of funds. This can be individual giving through a QR code or our website. Businesses also contribute through a range of initiatives (e.g. inviting their customers to ‘add a £1 to your bill’ to help someone who needs it).
- Then the magic happens! The central pot of donations can be rapidly accessed by our support workers who are working directly with people who are begging or rough sleeping. The fund is used to purchase warm clothing and footwear, food and essentials, as well as supporting people with utility bills, travel to appointments or to return to their family, and much more!
The people we support tell us it makes a massive difference to them. Not only does it help make their lives a bit easier. It also makes them feel like they really matter, that their needs really matter, that someone cares and is really listening to their individual situation. People feel valued, supported and better able to take steps towards the life they want.
Callum’s story is such a clear example of how Street Change is helping to make a difference. Please take a moment read it, and then consider supporting Street Change with your donation, or promote it in your networks. Together, we can make a difference in people’s lives.
Callum’s Story
Callum (not his real name) is a well known face around Edinburgh, having rough-slept and street-begged in central parts of the city for nearly 12 years. You can often find him chatting with local business owners, asking to charge his phone or collecting his complimentary daily coffee.
It takes Callum a long time to trust people. So despite our Street Team seeing and chatting with him on a regular basis and over a number of years, Callum would typically tell us that he’s ok, prefers to sleep outside, and believes begging is his only option. Although support has been offered, for many years he has largely declined it.
Over the last few months, however, this has all changed. A key part of the new Edinburgh Begging Strategy is to help people on the street build trusting relationships, allowing them to feel supported and secure as they begin to make positive changes in their lives. Our Begging Strategy Development Worker, Lucy, began to spend time with Callum during his morning coffee, helping him pack his belongings and walking with him to his begging spot. While there was some small talk at first, over time, Callum opened up about his life and began to accept additional support – such as warm clothing, a backpack, a phone charging bank, and vouchers for hot meals. It started with practical things – that cost money. Money he didn’t have. This is how your gifting through Street Change can help.
These practical things made life a bit easier. They also helped build the trusting relationship between Callum and Lucy, and us as a service provider.
As part of this relationship, Callum started sharing about things he was worried about or finding difficult, and things he dreamed about but thought were impossible. He told us about wanting to reconnect with his family – he hadn’t seen his children since they were small. He expressed concerns that they might not wish to see him while he was living on the streets and struggling with mental health issues. Gradually, Callum took bigger steps. With our support he was able to get help to apply for disability benefits, get a bus pass, and open a bank account. Through our Get Connected project (delivered by Get Digital Scotland), he received a smartphone. One day during a coffee with Lucy, Callum excitedly shared, “I’ve been texting my daughter.”
After 15 years of no contact Callum visited his daughter. The beam on his face the next time Lucy saw him was indescribable. Callum started to visit his daughter more regularly and she even prepared a bed for him to stay a couple of nights a week.
In the lead up to winter, Callum’s daughter and Lucy were both encouraging him to secure accommodation so that he had somewhere safe to stay before the temperatures dropped below freezing. Working with Edinburgh City Council, Lucy was able to open a new ‘homelessness case (which is how people get access to housing provided by local councils in Scotland). Callum has now been given a place in supported accommodation in the city centre. We continue to meet with Callum so that we can support him as he works to find a more permanent housing solution, one that is also closer to his family.
Callum is one of over 80 people that regularly beg in Edinburgh. The funding raised through Street Change can and does transform lives and save lives. Your support can truly make a difference.
Join in
Please donate today or get in touch if you would like to partner with us.
Donate to Street Change Edinburgh today
Donate to Street Change Glasgow today
Learn more about Street Change
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*Every person matters and we want to show dignity and respect in how we share stories that show the impact of what we do. To respect Callum’s privacy, we are not using his real name in this story.