Shelter 2012 Hometime Campaign

Shelter's Hometime Scotland campaign launches at T in the Park this weekend, with a string of musicians set to come out in support by donning the charity's T-Shirt.

So what's it all about?

Well, in 2003 the Scottish Government passed unheard of legislation in the Homelessness Act, giving a long term commitment for all unintentionally homeless people to have the right to a home, pledging funding to build thousands of new homes by 2012. Yet it is now 2008 and the budget has been cut and the commitment to battle the plight of the homeless has slipped down the agenda. Shelter's Hometime Campaign is dedicated to getting this issue back on course and they are trying to get the public backing the pledge too. While getting celebs to wear a T-Shirt isn't going to change anything directly, it should mean that more people will be aware of what is happening at the Scottish Government. The Shelter campaign is just starting here though and throughout August they will be hosting an array of events, with Scottish bands getting gigs together to raise awareness for Hometime Scotland.

Homelessness is a real issue for younger people, and recent surveys have indicated it is third biggest concern for 16 - 24 year olds in Scotland. And with this problem growing considerably over the last 15 years it is time to start getting together and aiming to reach the goal of one of the most ground breaking pieces of legislation in the world. If you want to get involved either come along to one of the gigs in August (a full line up will be available on The Skinny website), check out www.hometimescotland.co.uk and don't forget to sign the petition that will be handed in to the Scottish Government in the autumn.

So next time you are passing someone on the street, spare a moment to think about how rubbish it would be to have nowhere to chill out, wash, spend time with friends or cook dinner. Everyone deserves the right to a home, and that is why The Skinny is proud to sponsor the Shelter Hometime Scotland campaign.

Shelter are also asking people to get in touch and let them know what song reminds of them home. Here are just a couple from The Skinny team:

Rupert Thomson, Editor

Going Home from the Local Hero soundtrack. I remember listening to it in the kitchen when a kid, and my wee bro aged about 5 pretending to play a cucumber saxophone.

Sophie Kyle, Publisher

There's an Irish folk song that goes

When I was walking over...
The Cork and Kerry mountains
I met a travelling man and his money he was counting
At first I pulled my pistol and then a la la la la
etcetcetc...
Aaaaannnnd A JUG OF PUNCH!
tiraliralooo trialiraluuu tirairraloo

My dad used to sing this in the shower very loudly every morning when we lived in Norway, not so much these days. Its a silly song but It reminds him and me of home.

Dave Kerr, Music Editor

Navigator by the Pogues, my dad would play it in the car on the trip home from holidays in the Highlands and give the road map to me or one of my brothers (all of us aged between around 4 and 12 at the time), then pretend he was lost for about an hour. Pretty terrifying really.

What song reminds you of home? Join the campaign and submit your song choice at http://www.hometimescotland.org.uk