Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Advice and Helplines

Older People
Families
Children and young people
Listening ear
Abuse
Housing
Immigration and Asylum
Health
Mental Health
Disability
Regulatory bodies
Legal Aid and civil rights

Older People

The Scottish Helpline for Older People 0845 125 9723
Information about community care, tax, pensions, what measures to take about elder abuse or any other issue

Grandparents Apart Self-Help Group Scotland 0141 882 5658
A helpline for grandparents separated from their grandchildren

Alzheimer’s Scotland 0808 808 3000
24 hour helpline offering information and support to people with dementia, their carers, relatives and professionals

Families

ParentLine Scotland 0808 800 222
Advice, information and support for parents and carers

Message Home 0800 700 740
A confidential service offering help, advice and a message home service to adults who are away from home

Scottish Prisoners Family Helpline 0500 38 93 83
An independent support service for families and friends affected by imprisonment.

Missing People 0500 700 700
A number for family support and sightings

The Runaway Helpline 0800 800 7070
Service for anyone who has run away from home or has been forced to leave home

Listening ear

Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
Provide support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
A service for any individual who is experiencing low mood or depression and in need of someone to talk to

Children and young people

Scottish Child Law Centre 0800 328 8970
Advice and information on Scottish child law and children’s rights

LGTB Youth Scotland 0131 622 2266
Groups, advice, volunteering and other opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people

Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People 0800 019 1179
Promotes and safeguards the rights of children and young people living in Scotland

Childline Scotland 0800 1111
Comfort, advice and help

Young Scot Infoline 0808 801 0338
Enquiry service for young people on any topic, from money to health

Abuse

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234
Information and support for those affected by domestic abuse

Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline 08088 01 03 02
Providing confidential support and information services to survivors of sexual violence, their friends, relatives and workers.

For elder abuse see Older People

Housing

Shelter Scotland 0808 800 4444
For all aspects of housing law, including homelessness, eviction, arrears and disrepair

Positive Action in Housing 0141 353 2220
Works with ethnic minority groups to secure good quality, affordable and safe homes

Immigration and Asylum

Legal Services Agency 0141 353 3354
To meet with one of LSA’s Refugee Legal Project solicitors

UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group 020 7922 7811
Advice on asylum and immigration for lesbian s and gay men

Scottish Refugee Council 0800 085 60 87
Advice for asylum seekers and refugees

Health

Patient Advice and Support Service (was IASS) 0808 800 0121
Free, confidential information, advice and support to anyone who uses the NHS in Scotland, their carers and families.

NHS 24 08454 24 24 24
Health advice and information service for people in Scotland

Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS) 0845 600 9527
Making sure that people receive the highest quality of care and that their rights are promoted and protected.

Know the Score 0800 587 587 9
Information and advice on drugs in Scotland for young people, parents and professionals

Epilepsy Scotland Freephone 0800 800 2200
Providing services to people with epilepsy, their friends and family and care professionals

Waverley Care 0131 661 0982
Supporting people in Scotland with HIV and Hepatitis C

A Voice to Trust