In pledging support to the annual Scottish Homelessness Conference for the third year in a row, The Salvation Army is helping address the most urgent issues affecting support providers and people who use services across the country.

This year’s conference, organised by Homeless Network Scotland, forms part of a national summit exploring overlapping problems and severe challenges experienced by some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people and groups.

Helen Murdoch, assistant director of strategic operations and development (Scotland) for The Salvation Army, said: “We are very pleased to be sponsoring the Scottish homelessness conference again this year.

“We are also getting behind ‘The Level’, which is an example of policy into action − a strategic framework led by Homeless Network Scotland that acknowledges the complexity of public services while remaining focused on improving people’s day-to-day lives.”

‘The Level’ aims to improve joined-up working for better outcomes, including fewer homelessness cases and drug deaths, less reoffending, better mental health and stronger recovery and stability for individuals, families and communities.

It is widely acknowledged that people are too often referred from one part of the system to another and relive trauma by retelling their story to multiple agencies. The new framework is designed to address this by providing a shared set of tools for practitioners, commissioners and policy makers to deliver joined-up support.

Margaret-Ann Brünjes, chief executive at Homeless Network Scotland, said: “I want to thank The Salvation Army for supporting this year’s conference, once again recognising the immense value in gathering to address common challenges, identify solutions and put joined up working into practice. When people are together at conference the energy and potency of shared values and a common commitment to improve people’s lives is tangible.

“Our task is to extend that powerful force beyond the event, ensuring the design and quality of services in Scotland measure up to the care and compassion exhibited by those who deliver them.”

The Salvation Army will use this year’s conference to showcase recent research into how nature can improve wellbeing and provide cost-effective recovery support for people, particularly men, experiencing poor mental health or a history of substance use.

The research from the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research (SACASR) at the University of Stirling found nature-based activities are beneficial when they combine purpose, practical activity and peer support.

Delegates can learn more about this research at The Salvation Army’s exhibition stand and through a keynote address on day one of the event. Staff and partners will share examples of how nature-based approaches are supporting people on their recovery journeys.

Attendees at the event will be welcomed on Tuesday morning by The Salvation Army’s own Voices Of Hope Choir.