Our approach
Working together to make change
People at the heart
We are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support. Together we co-create solutions that are shaped by what people need and where they want to go. Day-by-day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what works best for each person. We don’t offer a ‘one size fits all’ package.
We're human
How we do things matters, because people matter.
Everything we do is about and for people: the people we support, our staff, our volunteers, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness.
We work together
We are changemakers together.
We work with people we support. We build relationships with each other. We form partnerships that can help us deliver even more impact. We nurture our teams to be good places to be.
We make change happen
I am most proud of the fact that we never lose sight of why we do it, that the people we support are human beings and not just numbers/statistics. We care.
Team Member (#OneTeam Survey 2024)
How we change lives
Our Values
Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of the Simon Community.
Inclusion & Participation
We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances and ensure each person's voice and influence is heard and felt in everything that we do.
Personalised & Creative
Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential which requires a uniquely tailored response.
Warmth & Regard
We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential as human beings.
Partnership & Collaboration
We know that we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach, improve our response and add value to the experience of the people we support.
Supportive & Ambitious
We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support and deliver growth and development for staff and volunteers.
What human care looks like
For many people, being homeless is about living with continual insecurity and little sense of value. It is really important that people experience something different at Simon Community Scotland.
Being pyschologically informed
Our approach is rooted in a relational, evidence-based psychological approach – one that can recognise and respond to the physical, mental and social impacts of trauma in anyone's life. It informs how we relate day-to-day, how we interact as teams and how our spaces look-and-feel. This shapes how we build relationships that feel safe.
Harm reduction approach
We are working to stop anyone we support dying from a preventable drug overdose. We want to reduce wider harms of substance use and gambling, and help keep people safer. Our Safer Services model is rooted in an evidence-based approach that is proven to reduce drug deaths, tackle stigma and improve relationships.
Wellbeing for all
Leading and Learning
We’re a learning team – We will never be a ‘perfect organisation' (or ‘perfect people'!). Our goal is to be always learning and developing – as individuals, teams and an organisation.
Reflective practice is how we embed a psychologically informed approach. It’s how we stay connected to each other and build strong, healthy relationships. It’s also how we learn what works, what’s needed and what we could try next. We want to be getting better all the time because the people we support deserve better.Â
Everyone is a leader in their sphere of influence. Everyday we each shape and influence change – in people’s lives and in the world. Our actions matter. Being a leader means always learning, reflecting, and improving. It also means being accountable and finding creative ways to bring our values and approach alive in everyday actions.
Rewarding to be part of a community that is compassionate, forward thinking and driven to make real change
Team member (#OneTeam Survey 2024)
#OneTeam
We're an incredible team with a shared vision, values and approach. We’re spread across different parts of Scotland doing all sorts of things to support amazing people who face extremely difficult things and inspire us every day.
