A LIFELINE service for the city’s homeless has been extended due to the increasing demand for help.

Glasgow City Mission will open its winter night shelter today and will run it for four months this year, as opposed to the normal three month project.

Based in a new location near the Barrowlands, the service provides basic emergency accommodation for people with nowhere else to sleep but the streets.

Now in its sixth year, demand for the service is expected to remain high with more than 400 people using the facility during the three months it was open last year.

This was a 10% increase on the previous year, and organisers expect an equally high number of visitors again this year.

It will open its doors at 10pm every evening until March 31, serving breakfast in the morning to all those who have stayed overnight.

Trained staff and volunteers will also talk to people who attend about services available to them and how they can get more support.

The facility’s new location also offers easy access to NHS Hunter Street – a specialist clinic for people affected by homelessness and do not have access to a GP.

As previously reported, funding given to the charity from the Rangers Charitable Foundation will pay for legal costs if service users are refused accommodation or have been unfairly evicted by their landlord.

The Foundation have also pledged support which will allow the duration of the project to be extended by an extra month.

Grant Campbell, Chief Executive Of Glasgow City Mission said: “During the harsh winter months, it is simply too cold and too dangerous for some of our most vulnerable citizens.

“Together with our partners, we want to provide a safe, warm and welcoming space for those who are forced to sleep rough in the city.

“Critically however, we want to address the root causes and secure lasting help for people in the form of a sustainable housing solution.

“We’ve found that not everyone knows how to access statutory homeless provision. Others have had difficulties accessing it. With our advocacy and that of our partners, we’ve managed to get people into housing by connecting night shelter patrons to the local authority.

“We’re also pleased to be able to offer a range of enhanced services this year. By relocating to East Campbell Street, there is no longer a need to send service users back out to the cold in the morning.

“The service now links up with additional support within the same premises and is located just around the corner from NHS Homelessness services”.