We have collated some helplines, support groups and health guidance below to support you through this crisis. Please let us know anything which is missing.
A large number of Covid mutual aid groups have appeared around the country – ordinary people joining up to support the most vulnerable in their communities.
Find your local Covid mutual aid group.
See Glasgow Mutual Aid’s helpful list of resources.
New Scots Connect
New Scots Connect is a Scotland-wide network for community groups supporting New Scots. Find out how to join and connect.
Free food map – Glasgow
Urban Roots have created a free food map of Glasgow – a vital resource.
This map will direct you to free food parcels and free meals in Glasgow.
Projects on this map are undergoing significant changes in the way they operate due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Several projects are now providing delivery to those who are unable to go out.
Urban Roots are continually updating the map but suggest that you double check with projects before making a journey.
Refuweegee
Refuweegee provide urgent deliveries for ANYONE who is self-isolating and cannot afford provisions.
Text only: 075206 483 388
Free food in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
Social Bite have collated a list of organisations providing free food across Scotland, alongside other vital resources.
Covid-19 treatment is free for all and that anyone with symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, should follow the guidance in exactly the same way as those that are ordinarily resident in Scotland.
Anyone that requires immediate or urgent healthcare in Scotland, not only for Covid-19, will receive it regardless of their immigration status or their ability to pay at the time if charges apply.
Healthcare provision in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government and is in no way linked to immigration control, which is a matter for the Home Office. NHS Boards in Scotland never pass on patients’ details to the Home Office for the purpose of immigration enforcement.
Download the Test and Protect app.
Test and Protect information leaflet.
NHS guidance
Doctors of the World guidance
Doctors of the World have now translated essential Covid-19 guidance based on NHS and Government health advice and information in 60 languages available in written format. Please find them here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/
Additional Doctors of the World guidance on migrants right to healthcare has been translated into 13 languages.
Coping strategies for anxious times
Translated guidance on breathing techniques from the Traumatic Stress Service in Bristol, available in 15 languages.
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis helpline is open 6pm – midnight for anyone affected by sexual violence.
Telephone: 08088 01 03 02 ; 07537 410027
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline
Open 24/7 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you want support for yourself, or if you’re worried about someone:
Telephone: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: http://sdafmh.org.uk
ASSIST Glasgow
Telephone support service to women, men, children and young people affected by domestic abuse.
Telephone: 0141 276 7710
Email: assist@glasgow.gov.uk
Glasgow Women’s Aid
Website: http://www.glasgowwomensaid.org.uk/get-support-now.html
Phone: 0141 553 2022
1. Support if you want to talk to someone confidentially
2. Signposting to other support organisations
3. Information about your rights (legal, housing, money etc)
4. Provision of interpreting services
5. Safe refuge accommodation (Refuge Link)
Services and opportunities for young people, families and professionals. Aims to increase awareness and confidence as well as reducing isolation and intolerance.
9-5 Mon-Fri
Glasgow: 0141 552 7425
Edinburgh: 0131 555 3940
Dumfries: 01387 255058
https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/
LGBT Unity
Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Refugees, Asylum Seekers and other Migrants in Glasgow.
Phone
LGBT Helpline Scotland is open every week on a Tuesday and Wednesday between 12-9pm. You can call us on 0300 123 2523.
Email
Email us at helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk any time and we will get back to you during our opening hours.
LiveChat
Chat with us via www.lgbthealth.org.uk every Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 3-9pm. Look out for a pop-up box in the bottom right-hand corner of our website. Simply click on the box to begin chatting with us.
Deaf or hard of hearing
If you are a Deaf BSL user or hard of hearing, you can contact the Helpline BSL Contact Scotland or our LiveChat session.
Call Samaritans for free on 116 123.
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Breathing Space
Open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday).
6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday).
Phone and speak to a Breathing Space advisor for free on 0800 83 85 87.
SAMH
The SAMH Information Service provides quality assured mental health information and signposting relevant to the people of Scotland
0344 8000 550 or email info@samh.org.uk
Advice and guidance – including health and wellbeing and legal and financial support.
07958 299 496
0141 556 7103
info@gdaonline.co.uk
Glasgow City Council Disability Services
0141 287 0555
Visibility Scotland
Supporting people living anywhere in Scotland with visual impairment.
0141 332 4632
info@visibilityscotland.org.uk
Scottish British Sign Language (BSL)
Video relay service.
0333 344 7712
info@contactscotland-bsl.org
NHS guidance
NHS Inform guidance for people with underlying health conditions requiring to physically distance
Support for Children & Families. providing free lunch bags to vulnerable families whilst schools and nurseries are closed – food shopping deliveries. Financial and benefits support.
0141 849 6333
Children 1st and Parentline
Support for Children & Families. A family support service available for all parents and carers in Scotland covering finance, child abuse, schooling.
Monday to Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday and Sunday 9 am -12 noon
0800 028 2233
All of Us (NSPCC)
Advice and signposting for parenting and worries.
0808 800 5000
Scottish Families affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Support to people affected by families affected by substance abuse.
Line opens Monday to Friday from 9-11pm.
08080 10 10 11
Free school meals during Christmas holidays
The payment will be made to families in December but you need to make sure your local council has your information and bank details by 7 December.
If a family already receives free school meals they should automatically qualify for this but it is definitely worth checking with the council to make sure they have your details and that all details are up to date and that the council has your bank account details.
For people in Glasgow the information and contact details are here: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/schoolsandlearning