A HOMELESS prevention charity has been given a major funding boost as they set to take their support services to rural East Ayrshire.

SeAscape based in Ayr have secured funding from The Scottish Government to help them provide essential help to those who experiencing hardship such as severe poverty, homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

The charity have seen an increase in demand for their services due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now they want to make their vital services more accessible for those living outwith major towns in South and East Ayrshire.

In a bid to reduce the need to travel during lockdown, they will open additional outreach surgeries to offer “immediate emotional and practical support” for those who are facing crisis.

Kelsey Kane, CEO of SeAscape said: “The additional funding secured will allow us to increase the number of outreach surgeries and the geographical area covered, it is hoped that by improving accessibility and raising awareness of services in rural areas that we can reach more people before crisis point and prevent more people from becoming homeless.”

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart said: “Preventing homelessness is about so much more than finding somewhere to live and SeAscape’s rural outreach surgeries play an important role in that prevention.”

Lisa Punton, East Ayrshire Council's Housing Service Manager said:“We are delighted at this opportunity to continue to work alongside our partners to truly transform the lives of those living and working in our rural communities.

Remote support is available to anyone living across either of the local authority areas and this can be accessed by freephone on 0808 196 33 85. Afull list of areas, venues, days and times will be made available at www.seascapeayr.co.uk in the coming weeks.