For over 50 years, Cyrenians has tackled the causes and consequences of homelessness.

We understand that there are many routes into homelessness, and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people towards more positive and stable futures. That’s why all our work is values-led and relationships-based. We meet people where they are and support them towards where they want to be.

Our mission: 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.

Compassion | Respect | Integrity | Innovation

Read more about us and our values

About the team

Our Policy & Participation Team helps develop Cyrenians’ work to influence policy and systems change through learning from lived and professional experience.

Based within Cyrenians’ Outreach pillar, we work closely with services across the whole organisation, as well as external stakeholders and partners, including national and local government, funders and other third sector organisations.

The team currently consists of a Policy & Participation Manager and Youth Participation Lead.

We cover three main projects:

• The Scottish Frontline Network: Part of a UK wide network for frontline professionals who support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We facilitate free events and training opportunities, providing a regular opportunity for frontline workers in Scotland to network, share expertise and link to policy makers.
• All in for Change: A platform for lived and professional experience of homelessness in Scotland. The programme is co-facilitated by Cyrenians and Homeless Network Scotland and led by the Change Team – a group of around 25 people who bring their own unique experience and expertise of homelessness to influence policy change.
• Youth Participation: taking a youth work approach, we provide opportunities for young people supported by Cyrenians to share their experience and expertise and influence change in policy and practice in areas such as youth homelessness, The Promise, neurodiversity etc.

In addition to delivering the projects above, the team works closely with the Press & Public Affairs Manager on influencing opportunities and – when capacity allows – supports other policy and participation initiatives across Cyrenians’ services, e.g. cross-organisational responses to public policy consultations.

About the role

This is a new role created to mainly support delivery on two of our participation projects: the Scottish Frontline Network and All in For Change.

Working closely with the Policy & Participation Manager, you will deliver activities across both projects. The main focus will be to create safe and inclusive ways for people with experience of homelessness and frontline staff to share their expertise and influence change. Key activities will include organising and facilitating various types of engaging events, workshops, focus groups and meetings (both online and in-person) for frontline professionals and people with lived experience of homelessness.

As this is a new post and there will be scope to shape the position depending on your own interests and experience. We are keen to support you to try things out and bring your own ideas to the table.

We are looking for someone who can listen to, and learn from, people from all walks of life; has a passion for participation and co-production; and a desire to make a difference and create change at policy and systems level.

Are you interested in using data to make a difference?

If so this role could be for you!

About the Fundraising Team

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do at Cyrenians, with those we support and those who support us too. It's an exciting time to join our fundraising team. Following a period of rapid growth we're now expanding and you can play an integral role in the future of our fundraising activity. To support that, we recently moved our data to a CRM called Beacon which records income from our funding streams, key relationships and funding applications.

About the role

• Using Beacon to record income and relationships
• Supporting colleagues across the organisation to use Beacon
• Analysing data to inform future campaigns

About you

• Experience of data analysis
• Experience of using a system like a CRM
• A proactive self-starter

How we’ll support you

As part of the Fundraising Team, you’ll be welcomed by both new and experienced colleagues with a passion to tackle homelessness and its root causes. We’ll support you to learn about our systems, introduce you to our colleagues across the charity and give you opportunities to attend training and networking events.

You’ll also have access to wider Cyrenians support, including our learning and development programme, and staff wellbeing services.

About Cyrenians

At Cyrenians we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by taking a values-led and relationships-based approach to delivering our services. You can find out more about our values and our impact online.

Are you looking for a role where every day is different, and you work in a role that makes a real difference to people’s lives?

If so, this role may be the perfect opportunity for you!

About the service

The Moving Forward Service, delivered by Cyrenians, supports young people aged 15–19 in Edinburgh who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). It provides early-stage employability support through a relationship-based, outreach approach. The service works both with young people - mainly in East Edinburgh- and their families across the city to address barriers and help them move towards positive outcomes.

About the role

This is a role combining Family Support Worker (3 days) and Young Person Keyworker (2 days).

• With young people: provide one-to-one, strengths-based support to help them identify goals, build confidence, and progress into education, training, or employment. This includes action planning, attending appointments, and working with partner agencies.
• With families: offer tailored, person-centred support on issues such as financial hardship, wellbeing, and access to services, including home visits and signposting.

The role involves lone working, outreach, multi-agency collaboration, safeguarding responsibilities, and maintaining accurate records. It also includes contributing to service delivery, monitoring, and ongoing development.

About you

You should be motivated, resilient, and organised individual committed to supporting disadvantaged young people and families. You have experience working with young people and/or families facing complex challenges, and understand issues linked to deprivation.

You can work independently and as part of a team, communicate effectively, manage your workload, and build strong relationships. Experience in employability pathways, welfare support, or outreach work is beneficial but not essential.

How we’ll support you

You’ll be working independently but with a supportive line manager. You will also have access to wider Cyrenians support, including our learning and development programme, and staff wellbeing services.

About us

At Cyrenians we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by taking a Public Health Approach to Homelessness Prevention. We take a values-led and relationships-based approach to delivering all our services.

You can find out more about our impact and our values online.