About Us

Moray Fresh Start SCIO is a local charity which was started in 2008 under the auspices of the Scottish Church Housing Action Group. We are committed to supporting homeless people in Moray when they move into new tenancies. Many of the basic essentials which most of us take for granted are unaffordable, especially for those without a family to help them.

We receive referrals from many departments of Moray Council as well as from Moray Women’s Aid, Scottish Association For Mental Health (SAMH), Scottish Association for Resettlement of Criminal Offenders (SACRO), Soldiers, Sailors and Air Forces Families Association (SSAFA), the NHS Hospital Discharge Team, Refugee Resettlement and Housing Associations.

Volunteers make up Starter Packs to suit individual requirements - and very importantly – quickly. In 2022 we supplied 191 packs which helped 342 people, including 137 children, when they moved out of temporary accommodation accommodation into their homes.

Cooking and Eating

We offer a kettle, toaster (and a microwave or slow cooker when appropriate) with frying pan, saucepans, casseroles and the many kitchen items that are needed to cook basic meals together with crockery, cutlery and glassware. Wherever reasonable, we will offer 'lightly-used' donated items.

Sleeping and Washing

The single and double duvets and pillows are new while the bedding and hand and bath towels are donated - we are trying to do our bit for the 're-use' economy.

Laundry and Cleaning

We offer a laundry basket and perhaps an airer for a family as well as the important cleaning things – mop and bucket, a bin, broom, dustpan and brush, together with a Cleaning Pack of the chemicals and necessaries.

Generic picture of dionner plates

Have a look at our short YouTube video of the causes of homelessness and our work.