£300,000 investment to prevent homelessness in Clackmannanshire
Five organisations in Clackmannanshire will share nearly £300,000 to prevent homelessness in the first round of funding from the area’s pioneering Transformation Space.
Backed by £1 million from the Scottish Government’s Invest to Save Fund and other council funds, the Transformation Space is a first-of-its-kind model in Scotland. It brings together public and partner funding, breaking down barriers between separate budgets so funds go directly to initiatives that address the root causes of challenges like homelessness, poverty, and poor mental health.
At the heart of the model is a diverse Community Voice panel of residents with lived experience and local knowledge. Working with Clackmannanshire Council, The Hunter Foundation, and other partners, the panel shapes the funding calls and then makes decisions on proposals that will deliver meaningful, lasting change across Clackmannanshire.
The first funding round will support five initiatives focused on early intervention and prevention, including family mediation for young people, housing advice for private tenants, and mentoring programmes to help adults at risk of homelessness stay securely housed.
The funded organisations are:
- Action for Children (Clackmannanshire Functional Family Therapy Services) – £93,214 for a part-time family therapist over two years to help families at risk of breakdown and reduce youth homelessness.
- Barnardo’s Clackmannanshire & Stirling Services – £76,942 for a three-year early intervention and mediation programme for young people aged 16–25.
- Change Please Foundation – £13,608 for barista training, wraparound support, and paid placements for six people at risk of homelessness.
- Clackmannanshire Citizens Advice Bureau – £38,642 over two years to provide housing support and advice for private rental tenants and landlords.
- Gate Charity – £75,000 for a three-year programme offering life skills workshops, mentoring, housing literacy sessions, and welfare checks.
The Panel worked with Foundation Scotland, bringing their own experiences, along with stories from others living in the area, to give clarity and local context to the challenge of homelessness prevention.
Reflecting on their involvement, a Community Voice Panel member commented:
I liked that throughout the process, there was no pressure and everyone’s comments were valued and everyone was encouraged to participate. Also, I felt that the differing opinions in the session were handled well and people didn’t leave feeling not listened to or that any of their questions or suggestions were wrong or not valid.
Cllr Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, said:
This is an important moment for Clackmannanshire. Homelessness affects people’s health, wellbeing, and dignity. By putting residents at the heart of decisions, the Transformation Space is giving our communities the power to shape real, lasting change in this area. Together, we can build a future where the number of people experiencing homelessness is absolutely minimal.
Andy Hyde, participation lead with Foundation Scotland, added:
The Panel’s commitment and rigorous approach to decision making has helped to foster an even stronger trust in handing decision-making power to local people. By shaping the call for proposals, informed by local knowledge and experience, the Panel set a direction for organisations to travel.
Jill Stephen, children’s service manager at Barnardo’s Clackmannanshire & Stirling Services, said:
We are thrilled to have been awarded funding to launch this innovative early intervention project. The model responds directly to a long-standing gap in local provision, where the absence of timely support has contributed to young people aged 16–25 reaching homelessness crisis. This project will enable us to intervene earlier and help our young people build stability and brighter futures.
The Transformation Space builds on local successes such as the Family Wellbeing Partnership, STRIVE (Safeguarding Through Rapid Intervention), and What Matters to You, showing that prevention and collaboration work. With strong governance through the Citizens’ Panel and Oversight Board, and real-time learning captured by a dedicated partner, the initiative ensures transparency, accountability, and adaptability in all decisions.