Rowan Alba Limited

11/06/2026

Free, online conference for frontline staff working with people experiencing homelessness this June – sign up today!
If you work with people experiencing homelessness you are invited to St Martin in the Fields Charity Frontline Network Annual Conference on Tuesday 23rd June 2026.
Now in its eighth year, the Frontline Network Annual Conference aims to showcase a diverse range of speakers and sessions, offering a day of solidarity and inspiration that recognises frontline worker voices and experiences, and celebrates the remarkable work undertaken across our UK-wide sector.
The conference supports frontline workers across the UK by sharing best practice, knowledge and skills. It will share perspectives and approaches from across the four nations.
The conference will take place entirely online, with ten interactive sessions happening throughout the day. Attendees can register for one session or up to four, with one session available in each time slot.
Throughout the day, a range of speakers will share their expertise and experiences on topics relevant to frontline workers supporting people experiencing homelessness, such as trauma informed support for trans and gender diverse people, roadside homelessness and building trust with criminalised and stigmatised communities.
We look forward to welcoming frontline workers from across the sector for a day of connection, learning and inspiration.
Sign up for free today: https://tinyurl.com/frontline2026

26/05/2026

We have a great opportunity available at our Birkentree / Upper Gilmore Place service. The Service Lead will provide clear leadership and vision, inspire and motivate staff to achieve excellence and mentor them as they develop new skills. To effectively manage staff teams to achieve the aims and outcomes of the service and meet key performance indicators.
You can learn all about the role and apply at the link below:
https://goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001gu5FIAQ/service-lead

Applications for this role will close on the 8th of June.

15/04/2026

"Since becoming the CEO of this amazing charity three years ago our team has pushed even harder to ensure we reach as many people as possible who are forced to live on the streets and find themselves homeless and in need of community support."
Our CEO Karen Barr reflects on her time thus far at the helm of Rowan Alba in a new opinion piece for TFN
Read the full piece here:
https://tfn.scot/opinion/three-years-on

10/04/2026

We recently met with Councillor Tim Pogson, Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee. It’s so vital to keep partners like the council up to date with the challenges we face as well as the successes. We will continue to work closely with the Council and highlight the approaches which really work to support homeless people in Edinburgh.

“The role of the third sector is vital in helping resolve the housing emergency facing Edinburgh. Your housing and support services, reaching the most vulnerable, those who are furthest from having their own tenancy and most at risk of sleeping rough, is testament to the invaluable role that organisations such as Rowan Alba play.”

Councillor Tim Pogson, Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee.

17/03/2026

Having tripled in size over the last 3 years we have consolidated our teams. 7 staff were promoted, to reflect their increased responsibilities, while 4 new posts have been created.

Rowan Alba Limited, which provides long-term, supported accommodation and community services to those affected by homelessness, addiction and social isolation is growing its team following a recent restructure.

Having tripled in size over the last 3 years the charity consolidated its teams and 7 staff were promoted, to reflect their increased responsibilities, while 4 new posts have been created.

New jobs and more clearly defined roles have been created for people who have a passion for supporting people to break the cycle of homelessness, while providing lasting stability and creating safe and welcoming communities.

Karen Barr, Chief Executive of charity Rowan Alba, said:
“Homelessness continues to be a significant challenge for communities across Edinburgh and Rowan Alba has been steadily building its services, thanks to vital funding from The City of Edinburgh Council, to support a range of different services for homeless people. Birkentree House, Broomhouse, Aspen Tree House and Fusion services opened over the last two years, more than tripling our support capabilities and creating safe and welcoming communities..."

Learn more by clicking the link in the comments below. ⬇️📰

Photo credit: Antonio Pozojević

10/03/2026

Rowan Alba supports The Everyone Home Collective Homeless Network Scotland and the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) who have jointly issued a position paper calling on the Scottish Government to integrate housing equality and strategic support into More Homes Scotland, the national housing agency announced by the First Minister John Swinney in January 2026. This arrives ahead of an anticipated parliamentary update this month on the agency's co-design phase. Check it out athttps://homelessnetwork.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Toward-a-Fairer-National-Housing-Agency-Recommended-Course-of-Action-March-2026.pdf

12/02/2026

"Grateful to be part of the East West Forum for Civic Leadership - a powerful space for honest reflection, critical thinking and peer connection at a time when leadership feels more complex than ever. A big thanks to Charity Leadership Scotland , ACEVO and CO3 Chief Officers 3rd Sector for creating the space for collaborative learning and engaging discussion. Leadership today is relational and connection matters as much as competence. Complex challenges are best navigated collectively, and our trust, reflection and curiosity are essential leadership capabilities." Karen Barr, Rowan Alba CEO

19/01/2026

The start of January saw our community Evening Art Group get 2026 kicked off in style with this amazing workshop! Our brilliant Support Worker Kris led the session and had this to say, "This group had the theme of, "Creature Collage". Materials were provided (kids books about unicorns and yeti, stickers, markers, glue) and it was really a lot of fun. The aim is to just create in a playful way, no need to be an "artist".
Our Evening Art Group meets every 5-6 weeks at Spaces Edinburgh between 6pm-8pm. With volunteers getting involved in leading the sessions, it's a great way for them to get experience in facilitating art groups and form connections with clients and staff.
If you're a CARDS client and would like to attend this, or any other group, ask your Volunteer how to get involved, or reach out to the CARDS staff. Volunteers get an email and text message informing them of upcoming groups.
If you're interested in becoming a Community Volunteer for Rowan Alba, you can find out more on our website at : https://rowanalba.org/volunteering/community-volunteering/

08/01/2026

We are delighted to announce we have received a grant from Scottish Children's Lottery to support activities for young people at our Fusion service in North Edinburgh.
Rowan Alba CEO Karen Barr said, "Thanks to the Scottish Children's Lottery we will be able to deliver more social activities to young people in Edinburgh who are experiencing homelessness and hardship. Activities will encourage young people in our supported accommodation to make friends, feel connected and learn new ways to cope with difficult mental health issues as they face long waits for a permanent home."
Thanks to all the Scottish Children’s Lottery players for their support.

23/12/2025

As one of our most-experienced Support workers, Paul has worked across several of our accommodation services. Paul’s ability to provide the right support, at the right time for our clients makes him vital to building community within our accommodation services.
When other homeless charities close their offices for Christmas we’ll be there giving care and support, 365 days a year, without judgement or conditions.
You can support our staff and community this Christmas by going to rowanalba.org/donate