Find A Contact or Helpline
In addition to contacts given for the services listed under "Find a Service", this section can help you to locate a contact who can give you more information about local housing support services, how to get them, or assist you to contact them.
If you already have a social worker or housing officer, do speak to them first as they may well be able to help you directly.
The Supporting People Contacts in each Local Authority are the relevant staff who will know which services are provided under "Supporting People" arrangements, and how to access them.
There also are independent advice agencies that operate throughout Scotland that may be able to help you. You can locate many local advice and information service through either of the following links:
The following links are to the websites of some specialist organisations that provide advice and information on a range of issues for particular groups of people. They also provide contact details for local organisations in Scotland.
Scottish Women's Aid (www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk) provides information for women and their children who are experiencing domestic abuse. The website gives contact details for the local groups throughout scotland. Women's Aid also operates a Domestic Abuse telephone Helpline, which is 0800 027 1234.
See Me (www.seemescotland.org) is a campaign funded by the Scottish Executive to challenge stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health in Scotland. The website gives links to organisations that can provide information, advice, and other support.
The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability (SCLD) website (www.scld.org.uk) provides contact information for local services that provide advice and information for people with learning disability and physical disability. Some of these services also provide an advocacy service.
Talk to Frank is a national website (www.talktofrank.com) providing information about illicit drugs, and has contact details for local organisations that provide advice and help. Talk to Frank operates a free 24 hour telephone helpline 0800 77 6600 and translators can be provided if required.
AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity. The website (www.avert.org) has a list of contacts for local organisations throughout the UK that provide a range of services for people living with HIV. These services can provide counselling, and information about a range of issues, including housing and welfare.
The Scottish Refugee Council website (www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk) contains information and advice, in several languages, for asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland. It also gives contact details for local organisations, as well as the free advice line. There is a free telephone Helpline 0800 085 6087 (Mon-Fri 9.30-4.30) for newly arrived and dispersed asylum seekers.
Age Concern Scotland website (www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk) contains contact details for organisations and websites throughout Scotland that provide services for older people. Age Concern operates a telephone Helpline 0845 125 9732, Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm (local call rates apply). Age Concern Scotland also provides a private retirement housing advice service called INNIS (see Glossary) that is funded by the Scottish Executive.
Alzheimer Scotland website (www.alzscot.org) contains information and advice for people with dementia, their carers and families. Alzheimer Scotland operates a free 24 hour helpline 0808 808 3000.
Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) provides information and advice about all forms of housing, support and care for older people, and operates a telephone Advice Line 020 7820 1343 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Information about individual retirement housing schemes and care homes throughout the UK is available from the Advice Line and the website (www.HousingCare.org).
Scottish Personal Assistant Employer Network (SPAEN) is a membership organisation of people who employ personal assistants using direct payments. It provides a range of services to it's members and other agencies, and these include peer support, advice, training, advocacy and best practice in employing personal assistants (www.spaen.co.uk). Tel: 01698 250 280.
Home Fire Safety. All Fire & Rescue Services in Scotland offer free Home Fire Safety Visits on request. During a visit the firefighters will check/risk assess each room of the house/flat with the occupier, helping them to make sure that their home is safe. If needed, smoke alarms will be fitted free of charge. Residents in Strathclyde can request a home visit from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue using the following link www.strathclydefire.org/cs/hfsv.asp