Our History

Four Square has been a major provider of services for homeless and other vulnerable people in Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland for more than 35 years.  Over this period we have created a range of 
innovative responses to their needs.
 

Timeline:

1977



The "Edinburgh Working Party on the Single Homeless" was established.
The main concern of the time was the Dickensian conditions in several "common lodging houses".

1978



The Working Party's recommendations led to the formal creation of the Edinburgh Council for the Single Homeless (ECSH) - the original name for Four Square.

 The first services managed and developed from the earliest days of the new organisation were the Cowgate Day Centre and the Grassmarket Advice Centre, which reflected the needs of people largely based in lodging houses and hostels in the area.

2003


ECSH re-named Four Square representing the four areas that its services work in:

• Accommodation and Support
• Practical Assistance
• Advice and Advocacy
• Education and Training

2011 onwards



Today our homelessness services are only one of three areas that we work in:

• Social Care
• Learning & Employability
• Social Enterprise

We now offer a broader range of services and help more people than ever before. 

Our social enterprise EFI Superstore is the largest second-hand furniture store in Edinburgh.

Our innovation continues with the new services Training Flats for young people moving on from Stopover and Number 20 and CONNECTED, our learning and employability service offering supported volunteer and work placements.

Homelessness is still a major issue for many people in Scotland and we will continue to respond with high quality services that are accessible and flexible in meeting this need.