Partnership in Action: Essential Edinburgh and Cyrenians
On 26th November Cyrenians officially launched their Winter Appeal 2025, joined by partners, supporters and friends from across Edinburgh – including a powerful opening speech from Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh.
The launch marked not only the beginning of our seasonal fundraising campaign, but also a celebration of the power of partnership working, which is central to how Cyrenians tackles homelessness and supports people towards stability and belonging.
For nearly eight years, Cyrenians and Essential Edinburgh have worked side by side to support people who are homeless in the city centre. Through projects like our Navigator's, this partnership has helped people access safety, health care and long-term solutions – transforming lives that might otherwise be lost to crisis.
Reflecting on that collaboration, Roddy spoke about the importance of collective responsibility and shared purpose in addressing the city’s housing emergency:
“I am exceptionally lucky to work for an organisation that is people and partnership led. For nearly eight years, we’ve had a fantastic partnership with Cyrenians. The city centre business community wanted to support people who are homeless in the city and give them immediate, compassionate help. Rather than just moving people on, the project is about finding long-term solutions for those in crisis.”
He went on to acknowledge the stark reality facing the city today, noting that 80,000 residents in Edinburgh live in relative poverty, 10,000 rely on food banks, and homelessness in Scotland is rising sharply, with 38,674 adults and 15,046 children assessed as homeless in 2024/25.
Roddy praised the Cyrenians Manifesto for Ending Homelessness in Scotland, launched earlier this autumn, calling it “a powerful document” that highlights the need for sustained investment in prevention, early intervention and long-term support into a home.
“Winter is hard enough without having to deal with the issues of homelessness,” he added. “Cyrenians do amazing work for the people of Scotland. Everyone at Essential Edinburgh and our member businesses are proud to be a partner in their work, and we encourage others to support their Winter Appeal.”
Cyrenians’ Winter Appeal 2025 focuses on the story of a young man called Ryan who left home to escape violence and found himself without any support. You can help us provide warmth, safety and support for people facing homelessness, isolation and crisis during the coldest months of the year by supporting our campaign. Every donation helps provide essentials, one-to-one outreach, and help navigating housing and health systems, alongside the connection and compassion that can change lives.
As Roddy reminded us, true change happens when communities, businesses, and charities stand together. Partnership working, across sectors and across the city, remains central to ending homelessness in Edinburgh and beyond.
Together, we can ensure that no one is left without a safe place to sleep this winter.
Together, we can tackle homelessness
Homelessness is not inevitable - it’s preventable.
With your support, we can stand alongside people like Ryan, making sure no one is left out in the cold. Your gift this Winter will help change someone’s story.