Scotland has seen a shift in attitudes towards homelessness in the last decade, according to new research.

A study by charity Street Soccer Scotland shows the general public in Scotland has a better understanding of the causes of homelessness than it did over ten years ago.

It also found that there is greater empathy towards homeless people.

Researchers found that when asked whether they thought "most homeless people could find somewhere to live if they really tried", 45% of respondents agreed with the statement in 2006, compared to only 19% today.

However, according to the charity's founder, there is still a long way to go to build understanding, end the stigma and work towards ending it for good.

This news comes after a public consultation was launched to build Scotland's first Change Centre - a football themed self-management and personal development centre for people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh.

Homeless people referred to the centre would help run the facility using a social enterprise model, working alongside members of staff.

Founder and CEO of Street Soccer Scotland, David Duke, said: "We don't want Change Centre to be just another place offering a roof for people who are homeless.

"We want to be part of the community, working with locals and users of the Change Centre to build trust and understanding.

"When most people see a person who is homeless, it's usually when they're sleeping rough or on the street.

"It's at the lowest point of that person's life - a snapshot of despair, crisis and sometimes chaos.

"What we need to start doing is seeing people for who they are and remember that before homelessness, often a series of unfortunate and sometimes tragic events led them here often without the support network around them, and we should see people for what they could be with the right help and support."