A partnership is helping people at risk of homelessness access vital support before reaching crisis point.
Turning Point Scotland, in collaboration with Fife Council, has been running the Community Navigators programme for more than a year.
The programme delivers person-centred support to individuals in Fife who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.
Andrew, one of the Community Navigators, said: "The partnership is really important because it allows us to meet people where they are and help connect them with the services they need.
"For the people I support, a lot of my work is listening and finding a practical solution to the issues I can help with."
The Community Navigators work as part of a wider Whole System Approach, which also includes Fife College, to prevent homelessness by addressing barriers across health, housing, and other essential services.
This approach is currently focused in Cowdenbeath, bringing support directly into the heart of the community.
By working closely with Fife College’s Health and Wellbeing team, Andrew is able to identify and support students facing housing insecurity, often before they realise they are legally considered homeless.
He said: "Many students I have worked with aren’t aware that they are legally considered homeless because they are staying with friends or sofa surfing.
"People have a certain image of what homelessness looks like in their head, which can be a person sitting on the street with a cup.
"But homelessness can look very different.
"By working with Fife Council, we can help identify those situations earlier and make sure people know what support is available to them."
Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council’s spokesperson for housing, said: "We know that homelessness can affect people at any point in their lives.
"It can have serious and long-lasting consequences in relation to a debt, unemployment and health and wellbeing.
"One of the most effective ways of preventing homelessness is early intervention.
"At Fife Council we are very pleased to have partnered with Turning Point Scotland to try to help anyone at risk of becoming homelessness, to get the help and advice they need at the right time."
Carol Hunter, a health and wellbeing adviser at Fife College, said the scheme was making a real difference to students: "For students, experiencing housing difficulties can have a significant impact on their wellbeing, studies and ability to achieve their goals.
"This partnership is helping us identify and respond to those challenges as early as possible, bringing specialist support closer to where students are and making it easier for them to access the help available.
"Working collaboratively with Turning Point Scotland and Fife Council means we can take a whole-system approach, ensuring students don’t have to navigate complex services alone.
"By listening to students’ experiences and connecting them with the right support at the right time, we can help prevent housing difficulties from escalating and give students the stability they need to achieve their goals and thrive during their time at college."
Community Navigator support is available through four morning drop-in sessions each week, which are:
Fife College Kirkcaldy campus – Mondays
Fife College Dunfermline campus – Wednesdays
The Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath – Thursdays
The Clearing, Cowdenbeath – Fridays
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