Sources of Help, Advice and Information
Edinburgh Unitarians Help and Support Links (September 2022)
There are also many sources of independent help available to you. We have linked to pages with some of these below, and also in our downloadable factsheet: Edinburgh Unitarians Independent Sources of Help: September 2022. These include support for older people, money and financial help, benefits and debt advice as well as assistance with mental health, addiction and LBTGQ+ issues.
If there are other sources of support you feel we should highlight and include in the support pages and factsheet, please send us this information via email if possible, using enquiriesunitariansinediburgh@gmail.com
We will review the information and update it when required.
With concern and love,
St Mark’s
Find support pages by topic:
Latest information about the Route Map in Scotland
Find the latest information and support from the Scottish Government about where we are on the Covid-19 route map to recovery here:
If you have Benefits and Debt worries or problems, the City of Edinburgh Council provides a Benefits and Debt Advice Shop. Click to visit the website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/benefits-grants/advice-shop
Visit the Citizens Advice Edinburgh Website to access their regularly updated information systems for up to the minute information: https://www.citizensadviceedinburgh.org.uk/
If you don’t live in Edinburgh contact Citizens Advice Scotland (cas.org.uk) for details of your nearest service: https://www.cas.org.uk/
Visit Shelter Scotland for more information and access to support: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/
The Edinburgh Food Project operates 8 foodbanks across the north west, central and east of Edinburgh. It also runs More Than Food projects offer a range of support to people including, benefits and debt advice, housing and employment, a Money Advice Service and Mental Health Project.
Contact them by phone 0131 444 0030 or email at info@edinburghproject.org
Or fill in the form here Contact Us - Edinburgh food project.
What to do after a death in Scotland
The Scottish Government provides information on what to do after someone dies, including planning and paying for the funeral, succession and inheritance here:
What to do after a death in Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/collections/what-to-do-after-a-death-in-scotland/
Bereavement and Support Group
Information about our Bereavement and Support Group can be found here:
Our Groups: http://www.edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk/courses-and-groups
If you are a parent with worries and need support you can get support through the Children 1st Parentline:
Call 08000 28 22 33 free, Mon - Fri, 9am to 9pm and Sat-Sun, 9am to noon
If you are a child or young person you can access ChildLine for support:
Call 0800 1111 and you’ll get through to a counsellor.
The Young Scot Information Line (InfoLine) is a free information helpline for 11 to 26 year-olds across Scotland.
Call the InfoLine on 0808 801 0338 between 10am and 5pm, Mon - Fri, subject to public holidays.
If you think that you or someone else might have a problem with drugs and alcohol, there is a wide range of help available.
You can get help with drug and alcohol problems in Edinburgh here:
The Age Scotland team provides information, friendship and advice. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/what-we-do/tacklingloneliness/age-scotland-helpline/
You can get advice on benefits and entitlements, local services and opportunities, social care funding and options, housing and staying warm, and legal issues like power of attorney.
The Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 is free to call and available Monday - Friday 9- 5pm.
The Age Scotland also operate a Friendship Line through the same number which is also open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you are LGBTQ+ and the current pandemic is affecting you, these organisations will offer you a friendly ear as often and as regularly as you need it.
Support is also available for those questioning or wanting to discuss their sexuality or gender identity.
NHS Scotland
Phone 111 to get medical help near you.
Find out more about 111 here https://www.nhs24.scot/111/introduction-to-the-111-service/
If you’re seeking support for concerns, problems and issues, getting the RIGHT help is important.
Click ‘Read More’ for our Health and Mental Health Support page.
101 is the number to call to contact the police when it’s not an emergency and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out more about what you can use 101 for here https://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/call-handling/nonemergencies/frequently-asked-questions/
But remember – in critical or life-threatening circumstances always call 999.
Read what you can do if you need to call 999 but cannot make a noise or speak Silent Solution Guide