SITE Scotland members at Forth Rail Bridge.
© Maverick Photo Agency
Partnering for Purpose
Each year, SITE Scotland chooses a local charity to support through fundraising and industry awareness. This year we wanted to work with a charity that had a direct link to the incentive industry, to enable us to promote them to groups wishing to incorporate corporate social responsibility into their incentive trips in Scotland.
I first encountered Cyrenians back in 2022 through VisitScotland’s work to connect business events with local communities and make a positive impact. I knew Cyrenians would be the perfect fit because of the charity’s commitment to finding creative solutions to tackle homelessness, fostering partnerships with the business community, and changing public perceptions around homelessness.
Cyrenians Fareshare Depot
© Cyrenians
Making a Difference with Cyrenians
Founded in 1968, the Edinburgh-based charity Cyrenians aims to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness through learning from lived experience; by delivering targeted services which focus on prevention, early intervention and support into a home; and by influencing changes in legislation and policy.
Their way of working is based upon building trusted relationships and guided by their four core values: compassion, respect, integrity and innovation.
Cyrenians works across the community to break the cycle of homelessness. With services across addiction recovery, family mediation, supported housing, food distribution and more, they will provide vital support to many people who are struggling this winter.
There are many ways for corporations to get involved with Cyrenians, including volunteering at one of the social enterprises that the charity operates, such as Cyrenians Farm and Green Skills Centre in West Lothian, a working organic farm and residential community for young people experiencing homelessness. – Cyrenians also operates the Fareshare Depot in Leith, which distributes surplus food to families and individuals in need.
The charity regularly hosts corporate volunteering days at its Fareshare Depot in Leith and its farm in West Lothian and is always keen to hear from groups who may want to include a volunteering experience, or establish a short-or longer term partnership, as part of a business event programme.
Read more about how Cyrenians is making a difference in Scotland’s communities.
SITE Scotland members abseiling down Forth Rail Bridge.
© Maverick Photo Agency
Reaching new heights
As official SITE charity partner for 2024, our work with Cyrenians has grown a huge amount since our first meeting. Earlier this year, SITE members supported Cyrenians with a fundraising abseil from one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, the Forth Rail Bridge.
Representing SITE Scotland were Elizabeth Del Giacco (Freelance DMC Specialist and SITE Scotland President 2023 & 2024), Iain Rowan (W Edinburgh), Fiona Pengelly (2BUK DMC), Sarah-Jane Anderson (Crossbasket Castle), Paul Geica (Trump Turnberry) and Kate Galloway (K&N Events). The SITE team were joined by two of the Cyrenians team, CEO Ewan Aitken and Senior Finance Manager Rachel Evans. The group bravely participated in the 165ft abseil, joined by two of the Cyrenians team, and as a result the event raised an incredible £8,500 for the charity.
Another of our SITE members was able to link one of their corporate clients with Cyrenians. The client was seeking a local charity to support as part of a conference, and as a result of the meeting, they were able to donate much needed food to Cyrenians’ Depot.
Cyrenians regularly participate in MICE-focussed showcase days for local businesses and SITE members to explore the various options available to work with them.
