24/09/2026
A message from our CEO Lorraine McGrath following the release of the latest Scottish homeless and drug death figures this week.
Two days, two sets of figures, presented and talked about in a national context, but both entirely about individual people and families experiencing misery, harm and loss. We need to really look and put extra ordinary effort into seeing each and every one of them, and, really think about where and how we are failing them, because undoubtedly it's the system, the attitudes and discrimination they experience and our lack of action at the first point of concern that drives these figures and the growing misery we are investing huge sums in maintaining. We are way too accepting of homelessness and drug related harms and loss in Scotland today. It will take every part of our communities, services and systems to build towards a country where we do not accept either as normal or unavoidable.
I am enormously proud of every member of the Simon Community Scotland team and the way every day they work hard to create the opportunities for people to find better in their life, reduce the harm that life has delivered them and to make the best of what the system has to offer them. We absolutely believe and see every day just how amazing the people we support are, when they are offered the right care, support and safety to find their way out of harm and misery.
We live in a caring country, we need to deliver that care not just at the point of crisis but in ways that truly prevent anyone's life circumstances leading them there. With the right interventions that protect communities, families and each person from harms of all kinds .
