Big Lottery Fund

Use this directory to find details of advice centres that can help you in person. Whatever your problem, getting advice might help you solve it. Shelter offers free confidential housing advice.

An adviser can explain your legal rights and help you to take action. They may be able to help you negotiate with your landlord, lender, the local council or other agencies.

For urgent advice call; 0808 800 4444 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday

If you need advice about your caring situation please call CarersLine on 0808 808 7777. It is hard to give advice by email as we may need to ask you specific questions about your personal situation.

Daycare Trust has a range of information available to you, including our factsheets, audio guides in community languages and our Paying for childcare website. We are also able to speak to you directly about your childcare issues via our Information Line, open five days a week, and email enquiry service.

Our Information Line provides comprehensive information about childcare to callers; from parents trying to find out about their childcare options and the help they can get to pay for it, to employers seeking information about setting up a childcare scheme for their employees.

Call our Information Line: 0845 872 6251

(Open Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm, Wed 2.00pm-5.00pm)

or email: info@daycaretrust.org.uk

The SCLC are the only Law Centre in Scotland that works exclusively for children and young people. We provide services throughout the whole of Scotland. We help children and young people, their families and carers, and professionals working for and with children by providing expert advice and information through our advice line, email and text services.

We also provide training on the law and children's rights to groups and individuals across Scotland, and offer a range of leaflets and publications on various issues. We do school visits as well.

Freephone for under 18s: 0800 328 8970

Telephone: 0131 667 6333

Text: text 'SCLC' and your question to 80800

E-mail: enquiries@sclc.org.uk

We help to increase the confidence and independence of families by:

• Visiting families in their own homes to offer support, friendship and practical assistance
• Reassuring parents that their childcare problems are not unusual or unique
• Encouraging parents' strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their children
• Trying to get the fun back into family life

Call the info line on: 0800 068 63 68

email at: support@home-start.org.uk

or find your local service via the website

IAS is the leading charity giving legal advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers.

IAS gives free advice and assistance on all immigration, asylum and nationality issues to persons in the UK and abroad eligible for Legal Help and Controlled Legal Representation and we present appeals against refusal decisions for all who have a right of appeal. We can take cases to the higher courts by way of appeal and judicial review.

IAS has offices throughout the UK and in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria. Office locations can be viewed via the website

Planning your financial future and managing money are important skills that you need in life. Yet many people spend more time planning their annual holiday than they do their financial future!

As a result, and because many of us have never been taught even the basics of money management, three leading organizations involved in these issues have got together to produce this Web site, which aims to provide simple, clear and independent information about money.

PACE is a unique Scottish partnership initiative which provides support to employees when an organisation is facing redundancy issues. The initiative established by the Scottish Government is being delivered by Skills Development Scotland and supported by national and local partners, offering a service to help individuals and businesses.  

Recent improvements to PACE have included the establishment of a dedicated helpline (available from the 1st February 2009) and an improved website which will open the services to more individuals and employers. Skills Development Scotland and Jobcentre Plus will be working closely together to create a seamless service between skills development and employability support to minimise the time people affected by redundancy are out of work.

Helpline number - 0808 100 1855

Parenting Across Scotland (PAS) is a partnership of adult relationship organisations and children’s charities. We work together on issues affecting parents and families in Scotland today.

PAS believes that parents should be valued more - family relationships are crucial to everyone’s health, wellbeing and achievement.

Some of our activities include:

• sharing good ideas about things that have helped parents
• working together to support families
• providing information to parents to help bring up children
• finding out what parents are concerned about, and then
• letting politicians and decision-makers know about parents’ concerns.

Parentline Plus works to offer help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents.

Phoning the helpline gives you the opportunity to talk and to be listened to, to work things out and find solutions to your family problems or to be put in touch with one of our regional parent support groups. You’ll be talking to a parent who will understand and won’t judge you or boss you around

0808 800 2222

Harper Macleod, Lindsays and MacRoberts have agreed to provide up to 2 hours per referral of free legal advice exclusively to SCVO member organisations.

The Subjects covered are: Property Law; Employment Law; Governance; Contracting; Intellectual Property

SCVO Member organisations who have an annual turnover of less than £500,000 can access this service.

0800 169 0022

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) has set up a dedicated recession support website, offering practical advice for voluntary groups on surviving and leading through the recession.

Updated daily, www.recessionsupport.org.uk provides you with the latest news on the current economic downturn, as well as expert guides and advice on finances, management, development and recovery.

Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity dedicated to providing advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland. We also provide specialist services in areas such as housing and welfare, family reunion, women's issues, community development, the media and the arts.

Refugees and those seeking asylum can call Scottish Refugee Council’s free advice line on 0800 085 6087. This line is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 to 16:00  (It closes for lunch between 13:00 and 14:00) and Wednesday from 13:00 to 16:00.  Important note:  We are happy to help any agency looking for advice  but please call the main office number 0141 248 9799.

The Centre for Separated Families is the national charity that works with everyone affected by family separation in order to bring about better outcomes for children.

Our email advice service provides impartial support and advice to anyone with concerns about family separation:

advice@separatedfamilies.org.uk

Ethnic Enable helps minority ethnic (ME) disabled people and their carers achieve a better quality of life by improving access to educational, employment, social welfare, health leisure, recreational and cultural opportunities.

Our Mentoring program aims to help, encourage and support disabled individuals from ME communities to overcome social isolation and facilitate access to a range of opportunities, in order for them to increase their confidence, self esteem, to learn new skills and to make better informed decisions about their life.

Phone: 0141 334 2277

Get Ready for Work supports young people (16-19 years old) to move into a job, further training or college, by helping them focus on what they want to do. They can also learn new skills and get the confidence they need to move on to further training, learning or into work. Get Ready for Work helps young people identify their individual needs and offer training in a number of skills.

For instance, a trainee might receive help with interview techniques or find out how to complete an application form or C.V. He or she might require some support with communication or computer skills – or simply want to build self-confidence to help in applying for jobs. People taking part in the programme will get the chance to try out “work tasters” and work placements – helping them decide on the job that’s best for them.

Call Careers scotland on 0845 8 502 502

Daycare Trust has a range of information available to you, including our factsheets, audio guides in community languages and our Paying for childcare website. We are also able to speak to you directly about your childcare issues via our Information Line, open five days a week, and email enquiry service.

Our Information Line provides comprehensive information about childcare to callers; from parents trying to find out about their childcare options and the help they can get to pay for it, to employers seeking information about setting up a childcare scheme for their employees.

Call our Information Line: 0845 872 6251

(Open Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 10.00am-1.00pm & 2.00pm-5.00pm, Wed 2.00pm-5.00pm)

or email: info@daycaretrust.org.uk

Families Need Fathers is firstly a social care organisation, helping parents whose children's relationship with them is under threat. We offer  information, advice and support services for  parents on how to do the best for their children. We are the only organisation that provides these services on a national basis.

Our helpline is available on weekday evenings between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm. The helpline is staffed by volunteers who have experience of some of the problems that you might be facing. They may able to give you information that will enable you to progress your situation or simply to listen if you want a sympathetic ear.

You can call the Helpline on 0300 0300 363 Monday to Friday 6pm to 10pm

We help to increase the confidence and independence of families by:

• Visiting families in their own homes to offer support, friendship and practical assistance
• Reassuring parents that their childcare problems are not unusual or unique
• Encouraging parents' strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their children
• Trying to get the fun back into family life

Call the info line on: 0800 068 63 68

email at: support@home-start.org.uk

or find your local service via the website

Parenting Across Scotland (PAS) is a partnership of adult relationship organisations and children’s charities. We work together on issues affecting parents and families in Scotland today.

PAS believes that parents should be valued more - family relationships are crucial to everyone’s health, wellbeing and achievement.

Some of our activities include:

• sharing good ideas about things that have helped parents
• working together to support families
• providing information to parents to help bring up children
• finding out what parents are concerned about, and then
• letting politicians and decision-makers know about parents’ concerns.

Scottish Childcare provides free, impartial information on childcare and pre-school education services throughout Scotland. You can find out about:

• Childcare availability in your area including: nurseries, childminders,playgroups and out of school care
• Funded pre-school education places for three and four year olds
• How different types of childcare are organised and what to look for when choosing a service
• Organisations offering support, information and guidance at local and national levels

The Scottish Out of School Care Network is the lead independent voice for school-aged childcare in Scotland. We promote good quality in Scotland's 1000+ out of school care clubs providing over 45,000 places and believe that good quality childcare can benefit children, parents and the community.

We support the right to play and the development of a playcare training infrastructure, and aim to support equal opportunities and work in partnership. We work with children, government and develop links with childcare organisations worldwide to share good practice.

Email: info@soscn.org

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phoneline service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.

Breathing Space provides the following services:

• A free, easily accessible and confidential listening service in which callers may be offered advice, guidance and support underpinned by empathy, warmth and understanding.
• A signposting service into other statutory or voluntary agencies empowers callers and provides a stepping stone for them to access local services.
• The advisor database is updated regularly, ensuring that where necessary, callers can be referred to organisations and agencies best suited to their particular needs.

The phoneline is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday - 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday - Thursday - 0800 83 85 87

Relate can help families, parents and young people in their family life. Services for families include family counselling, courses for parents and books for you and your children.

Relate can support you and your children through a divorce or separation with counselling, mediation and counselling for young people whose parents are divorcing.

Relate makes a charge for its services but does not aim to make a profit. Individual Centres will be able to advise you about how much they charge, and some do offer subsidised sessions.

You can find your nearest Relate here to find out if you can access the service in your area, or call 0300 100 1234.

We offer relationship counselling, sex therapy, family mediation, child contact centres and other forms of family support across Scotland.  To find your nearest service phone: 0845 119 2020

Phase One of ScotAction - the 'Adopt An Apprentice' Scheme. Employers will be paid up to £2,000 to recruit a redundant apprentice.

For more information on the 'Adopt An Apprentice' scheme telephone 0808 100 1855

Apex Scotland aims to reduce re-offending by working with offenders and young people at risk of offending to help them address their employability needs and progress them towards employment, education or training.

By helping offenders and young people at risk to realise their potential for employment we can reduce crime because an individual who finds and sustains a job is three times less likely to offend than if they are unemployed.

Apex offer guidance and services aiming to increase employability across a range of ages and disadvantages, including chaotic lifestyles, mental health issues, addiction and histories of offending.

For information about provision in your area, please contact your local office:

http://www.apexscotland.org.uk/location.htm

0131 220 0130

The Bridges Programmes is a specialist agency that helps refugees and asylum seekers living in Glasgow gain meaningful work experience within their field of expertise. We also develop accreditation and up-skilling schemes, to help refugee professionals access sustainable jobs at the appropriate level.

Our Core Activity remains arranging work shadowing and work experience placements for asylum seekers and refugees across all industry and business sectors. By matching the skills of clients with the skills of employees of Scottish businesses and organisations we provide valuable opportunities of practical experience of the Scottish Labour Market.

0141 445 4464

Do you have some inspiring ideas to develop your organisation and help realise your sustainability? Perhaps you’re looking to tender for new contracts or diversify your income base. Help is at hand with the new Realise Mentoring programme. You can access free, confidential mentoring support from experienced mentors with expertise in the areas of greatest interest to you.

Whether it’s successfully bidding for tenders, managing cultural change or developing your organisation's sustainability, we can match you with the right mentor for your needs.

0131 221 3197

info@realisementoring.org.uk

www.realisementoring.org.uk/

Changing Lives is a grant scheme that offers single homeless or recently homeless people up to £2500 to move towards work.

Grants can be used to:

• Finance work-related courses
• Fund tools or equipment to do a course, carry out a job, or become self-employed

Contact Crisis on:

0844 251 0111, or changing.lives@crisis.org.uk

If you are looking for work, or want to improve or develop your skills, you’ll find a range of support, help and advice on this website.

We answer enquiries, develop materials on the web, provide one to one support, run events and training and are always building a network of pro-bono support.

We introduce you to others who can help, and help you build networks and contacts from a range of organisations and individuals. We listen. We want you to succeed. We work with your strengths and what you have

0131 220 0511 or 0845 478 6336

Get Ready for Work supports young people (16-19 years old) to move into a job, further training or college, by helping them focus on what they want to do. They can also learn new skills and get the confidence they need to move on to further training, learning or into work. Get Ready for Work helps young people identify their individual needs and offer training in a number of skills.

For instance, a trainee might receive help with interview techniques or find out how to complete an application form or C.V. He or she might require some support with communication or computer skills – or simply want to build self-confidence to help in applying for jobs. People taking part in the programme will get the chance to try out “work tasters” and work placements – helping them decide on the job that’s best for them.

Call Careers scotland on 0845 8 502 502

The Glasgow4Business Fund offers a discretionary grant of up to a maximum of £5,000 to support business sustainability.  The project operates on a match funding basis and limits the amount of Public Sector contribution to 50% of total projects costs.

This grant will apply flexibility in respect of types of investment but this spend must be clearly demonstrated within Business Plan and/or Marketing Export Plan and be clearly communicated in your application.  Applicants should note that the maximum award being £5,000 in any one financial year.

ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that helps you pay for learning that you can do at a time, place, pace and in a way to suit you.  It’s for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits. If you are 16 or over and living in Scotland, you could get up to £500 towards the cost of learning with a learner account from ILA Scotland.

LINKnet Mentoring Ltd is a voluntary sector mentoring project established to serve black minority ethnic people living in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scottish Borders and Fife.

LINKnet aims to increase representation of black minority ethnic people in further and higher education, employment, public and civic life of Scottish society through a structured mentoring programme. The main aim of LINKnet is to enhance the quality of life of individuals by improving their personal circumstances. The project also hopes to achieve a collective impact on the black minority ethnic community as a whole in their struggle to be better represented in all spheres of life.

Phone: 0131 225 6284   

Email enquiries@linknetmentoring.com

PACE is a unique Scottish partnership initiative which provides support to employees when an organisation is facing redundancy issues. The initiative established by the Scottish Government is being delivered by Skills Development Scotland and supported by national and local partners, offering a service to help individuals and businesses.  

Recent improvements to PACE have included the establishment of a dedicated helpline (available from the 1st February 2009) and an improved website which will open the services to more individuals and employers. Skills Development Scotland and Jobcentre Plus will be working closely together to create a seamless service between skills development and employability support to minimise the time people affected by redundancy are out of work.

Helpline number - 0808 100 1855

ProjectScotland is a national charity which helps young people realise their potential through volunteering. Our volunteering projects change their lives and aspirations, and their youth and energy give an enormous boost to the capacity of the voluntary sector and the communities in which they volunteer. The demand from young people is huge. Since launch in May 2005 we have exceeded targets placing over 2,900 young people into structured and rewarding placements with over 300 non-profit organisations across Scotland.

ProjectScotland is an independent charity that creates partnerships between business, the voluntary sector and government. It acts as a portal connecting young people with full time volunteering opportunities in a wide range of areas such as the environment, education, youth projects, sports and the arts.

The Scottish Investment Fund is a £30million fund provided by the Scottish Government to be delivered over the period from 2008-2011. The fund’s overall aim is to build capacity, capabiltiy and financial sustainability in the the Third Sector to help it fulfill it’s potential and contribute to the overall national outcomes of the Scottish Government.

Funded by Scottish Government, the Social Enterprise capacity Building Programme (SECBP) is now in its second year providing one-to-one support, guidance and practical help to more established ethnic minority voluntary organisations (most of which have gone through CEMVO's capacity building programme) to help them work towards a level of self-sufficiency, i.e. less dependent on grant funding.

The Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer helps participating organisations explore social enterprising/income generation ideas, support their skills development and assist in formulating funding proposals.

If you would like to find out more about the SECBP, please contact Alison Davis, Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to alison.davis@cemvo.org.uk .

Supporting Sustainable New Business is a discretionary grant designed to encourage the development of new businesses in Glasgow.  It is targeted at companies trading for less than twelve months with potential to grow and create new jobs.

A grant of up to a maximum of £1,500 is available to new companies that are based wholly in Glasgow, have a viable business plan, and can demonstrate their need.

 0141 572 8336 or 0141 572 8484

The Scottish Government has invested £12 million in the Third Sector Enterprise Fund to help the third sector to contribute towards Scotland's success. The Fund aims to help established third sector organisations to become more sustainable and increase their capacity and capability.

We expect organisations who apply to the Third Sector Enterprise Fund to be at an earlier stage of enterprise development than applicants to the Scottish Investment Fund. The fund offers awards of between £25,000 to £100,000 to third sector organisations who can demonstrate how they intend to make transformational step changes to their capacity, capability and sustainability

Email: enterprisefund@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

We offer advice and information, one-to-one counseling and support for people with drug or alcohol problems, as well as ‘group’ sessions where people can share their experiences and help support each other.

As well as giving you information, counselling and advice, we can help you with your self-esteem, fitness and general wellbeing. We also have links with local employment providers, and can help you back into work.

We also provide a Mother and Baby service. This supports women in pregnancy and the early years of motherhood, around issues of drug use and being a parent. We help people with alcohol problems who are at risk from homelessness. We can help you manage your drinking or to stop drinking altogether. You can be referred to us (by your GP, for example) or simply come and see us on your own.

We also have a Supporting Families service, providing support to familes where the parent has a problem with alcohol.

• Addaction Glasgow South West: 0141 425 1800
• Addaction Glasgow North: 0141 558 3230
• Addaction Glasgow North West Alcohol Support: 0141 221 3382
• Addaction Glasgow West: 0141 949 4884

Online directory of furniture re-use projects in Scotland

Reuse is the second stage of the waste hierarchy. Product reuse involves the multiple use of an item in its original form, for its original purpose or for an alternative, with or without reconditioning. In many cases waste that cannot be prevented can be reused instead of buying new products.

This web directory highlights a number of ways in which you can save valuable resources that would otherwise be needed in the manufacture of new products. You can find a list of shops across Scotland that sell items that can be Reused.

Families Need Fathers is firstly a social care organisation, helping parents whose children's relationship with them is under threat. We offer  information, advice and support services for  parents on how to do the best for their children. We are the only organisation that provides these services on a national basis.

Our helpline is available on weekday evenings between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm. The helpline is staffed by volunteers who have experience of some of the problems that you might be facing. They may able to give you information that will enable you to progress your situation or simply to listen if you want a sympathetic ear.

You can call the Helpline on 0300 0300 363 Monday to Friday 6pm to 10pm

The SCLC are the only Law Centre in Scotland that works exclusively for children and young people. We provide services throughout the whole of Scotland. We help children and young people, their families and carers, and professionals working for and with children by providing expert advice and information through our advice line, email and text services.

We also provide training on the law and children's rights to groups and individuals across Scotland, and offer a range of leaflets and publications on various issues. We do school visits as well.

Freephone for under 18s: 0800 328 8970

Telephone: 0131 667 6333

Text: text 'SCLC' and your question to 80800

E-mail: enquiries@sclc.org.uk

The Know the Score Information line 0800 587 587 9 is a free, confidential 24-hour service that will put you in contact with trained advisers. They can provide you, and those you know, with advice and information on drugs in Scotland.

The Know the Score website has information on drugs for parents, carers and professionals.

TheLilias Graham Trust provides a residential family support and assessment service.   This is backed up by outreach and non-residential day services as appropriate.  

The key service objectives are:

• to help strengthen child-parent relationships and
• to help parents develop the knowledge, skills and approaches which will enable them to meet their children’s developmental needs.

Referrals are principally made by social workers, other local authority or health workers.  Private and voluntary organisations supporting a family may also make a referral provided this has the sanction of the social worker.

01786 850259

Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.

If you or a friend need help, contact the freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge

Call:  0808 2000 247       

Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk

One Parent Families Scotland works to ensure that all families, particularly those headed by a lone parent, have the support, information and confidence needed to play a full part in Scotland's economic and social life.

OPFS provides help to lone parents through a variety of services across Scotland. We also provide training and support for agencies that work with lone parents.

OPFS also operates the National Lone Parent Helpline in Scotland:

0808 801 0323

Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 4.30pm

Parentline Plus works to offer help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents.

Phoning the helpline gives you the opportunity to talk and to be listened to, to work things out and find solutions to your family problems or to be put in touch with one of our regional parent support groups. You’ll be talking to a parent who will understand and won’t judge you or boss you around

0808 800 2222

We offer relationship counselling, sex therapy, family mediation, child contact centres and other forms of family support across Scotland.  To find your nearest service phone: 0845 119 2020

Scottish Childcare provides free, impartial information on childcare and pre-school education services throughout Scotland. You can find out about:

• Childcare availability in your area including: nurseries, childminders,playgroups and out of school care
• Funded pre-school education places for three and four year olds
• How different types of childcare are organised and what to look for when choosing a service
• Organisations offering support, information and guidance at local and national levels

Shakti is an organisation based in Edinburgh that helps women who are experiencing domestic abuse.

We offer support and information to all black minority ethnic women (over 16 years) and their children experiencing and/or fleeing domestic abuse from:

• partners/husbands
• ex-partners
• other family members

If you need help or you are in an emergency situation please contact our helpline:

0131 475 2399

Stepfamily Scotland understands the problems that stepfamilies face.  If you are in a stepfamily already, or about to become part of one, Stepfamily Scotland can provide helpful advice and support.  If you feel you would like to talk to someone who will listen, be non-judgemental and provide you with some support call the Stepfamily Scotland Helpline on 0845 122 8655 (open Mon-Fri, 1200-1600)

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is available to help people with the extra costs involved in having a new baby.  It is available to people who are getting Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit and you can claim this grant at any time from the 29th week of your pregnancy until your child is three months old.  Claims can be made using form SF100 Sure Start, which you can get from your local Jobcentre plus office.

Frank provides free confidential drug advice via a 24-hour helpline, text message, email or internet chat. Frank also provides advice and information for parents or families with drug issues.

0800 77 66 00

The BAS service exists to provide entirely independent help and advice at very minimal cost to anyone with debt or bankruptcy problems.

We speak regularly to business groups and clubs, other advisors, professionals, welfare workers etc, in an attempt to educate more people about the suffering brought about by debt and bankruptcy. Attitudes have changed in recent years and, hopefully, will continue to change.

Through its free national telephone service, ten regional centres and online CCCS Debt Remedy, CCCS is able to help people with debt problems wherever they live.

Based on a proven and successful formula, our specialist advisory service has already helped thousands of people in the UK by providing counselling on personal Budgeting, advice on the wise use of credit and, where appropriate, managing achievable plans to repay debts

Helpline: 0800 138 1111

Changing Lives is a grant scheme that offers single homeless or recently homeless people up to £2500 to move towards work.

Grants can be used to:

• Finance work-related courses
• Fund tools or equipment to do a course, carry out a job, or become self-employed

Contact Crisis on:

0844 251 0111, or changing.lives@crisis.org.uk

The Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) is a debt management tool introduced by the Scottish Government (then the Scottish Executive). This service is often free, but some money advisers may charge you for their services.

DAS offers you:

• Advice on managing debts.
• Protection from court enforcement, bankruptcy and loss of your home (provided you keep up mortgage/rent payments).
• The opportunity to freeze interest, fees and charges on your debt, from the date your DAS debt payment plan is approved.
• Breathing space and extra time to pay.
• An aftercare service should your circumstances change.

Debt advice and information from the Scottish Government

Planning your financial future and managing money are important skills that you need in life. Yet many people spend more time planning their annual holiday than they do their financial future!

As a result, and because many of us have never been taught even the basics of money management, three leading organizations involved in these issues have got together to produce this Web site, which aims to provide simple, clear and independent information about money.

National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent.

At National Debtline we are committed to answering your call and then discussing your debt problems with you and the options available to you. The specialist advice that we give over the telephone is backed up with written self-help materials which we can send out to you for free. If your circumstances meet certain criteria, we can, if you are interested, assist in setting up a Debt Management Plan for you, for free.

Our opening times are:

Monday - Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday 9.30am - 1pm

0808 808 4000

ProjectScotland is a national charity which helps young people realise their potential through volunteering. Our volunteering projects change their lives and aspirations, and their youth and energy give an enormous boost to the capacity of the voluntary sector and the communities in which they volunteer. The demand from young people is huge. Since launch in May 2005 we have exceeded targets placing over 2,900 young people into structured and rewarding placements with over 300 non-profit organisations across Scotland.

ProjectScotland is an independent charity that creates partnerships between business, the voluntary sector and government. It acts as a portal connecting young people with full time volunteering opportunities in a wide range of areas such as the environment, education, youth projects, sports and the arts.

On these pages you will find all sorts of useful resources, leaflets and calculators to help you plan, budget, save, borrow and claim.

They are all taken from a new, free pack from the FSA - the Parent's Guide to Money. It's being handed out free to expectant parents by midwives UK wide. This easy to follow guide doesn't attempt to sell anything. It just aims to help parents and their families learn about money and become more confident about managing their finances.

email us at: families@fsa.gov.uk

or call our Consumer Contact Centre on:

Main number – 0300 500 5000

Minicom/textphone – 0845 730 0104

The Scottish Centre for Financial Education was established by LTS to help teachers, schools and education authorities provide a high standard of financial education to meet the needs of all their learners.

The centre has information and resources for teachers, lecturers, learners, parents and anyone interested in financial education.

We aim to promote financial education for all children and young people by:

• working in partnership with the financial services industry- advising schools and local authorities
• providing and evaluating resources produced by other agencies
• publishing our own resources
• supporting continuing professional development through a programme of workshops, seminars and conferences.

The Scottish Government has invested £12 million in the Third Sector Enterprise Fund to help the third sector to contribute towards Scotland's success. The Fund aims to help established third sector organisations to become more sustainable and increase their capacity and capability.

We have set aside £250,000 of the £12 million specifically for Credit Unions. The Credit Union Fund will offer established Scottish Credit Unions between £2,500 and £25,000 to build their capacity, capability and financial sustainability.

Credit Unions can also apply to the Enterprise Fund where the level of funding being ask for is more than £25,000 ( up to the limit of £100,000).

Email: enterprisefund@scotland.gsi.gov.uk  

0141 305 4172 or 0131 244 0460

Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre (EMEC) is committed to helping individuals from a Glasgow BME community achieve their full potential in both Employment and Training.

We can provide the following services:

• One-to-One Support
• Job Search Assistance
• Career Options Guidance
• CV Preparation
• Mock Interviews

For further information on how we can assist you call us on 0141 419 0327 to make an appointment for registration.

IAS is the leading charity giving legal advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers.

IAS gives free advice and assistance on all immigration, asylum and nationality issues to persons in the UK and abroad eligible for Legal Help and Controlled Legal Representation and we present appeals against refusal decisions for all who have a right of appeal. We can take cases to the higher courts by way of appeal and judicial review.

IAS has offices throughout the UK and in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria. Office locations can be viewed via the website

LINKnet Mentoring Ltd is a voluntary sector mentoring project established to serve black minority ethnic people living in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Scottish Borders and Fife.

LINKnet aims to increase representation of black minority ethnic people in further and higher education, employment, public and civic life of Scottish society through a structured mentoring programme. The main aim of LINKnet is to enhance the quality of life of individuals by improving their personal circumstances. The project also hopes to achieve a collective impact on the black minority ethnic community as a whole in their struggle to be better represented in all spheres of life.

Phone 0131 225 6284   

Email enquiries@linknetmentoring.com

The Community Empowerment Action Plan, jointly developed by Scottish Government, COSLA and colleagues in the third sector and announced in March 2009, encourages people in both rural and urban areas to participate in the running of their neighbourhoods. The action plan provides clarity on what community empowerment is, why it is important and how communities can get involved.

A range of best practice examples from across Scotland are set out, providing information and inspiration for people who want to have a say in the decisions affecting their communities. There is also information on the variety of grants that are accessible to community groups, providing potential investment of around £180 million from a range of government sources.

Funded by Scottish Government, the Social Enterprise capacity Building Programme (SECBP) is now in its second year providing one-to-one support, guidance and practical help to more established ethnic minority voluntary organisations (most of which have gone through CEMVO's capacity building programme) to help them work towards a level of self-sufficiency, i.e. less dependent on grant funding.

The Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer helps participating organisations explore social enterprising/income generation ideas, support their skills development and assist in formulating funding proposals.

If you would like to find out more about the SECBP, please contact Alison Davis, Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to alison.davis@cemvo.org.uk.

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phoneline service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.

Breathing Space provides the following services:

• A free, easily accessible and confidential listening service in which callers may be offered advice, guidance and support underpinned by empathy, warmth and understanding.
• A signposting service into other statutory or voluntary agencies empowers callers and provides a stepping stone for them to access local services.
• The advisor database is updated regularly, ensuring that where necessary, callers can be referred to organisations and agencies best suited to their particular needs.

The phoneline is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday - 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday - Thursday - 0800 83 85 87

The BTCV Green Gym® is a scheme which inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time.

Experienced leaders guide you through a range of practical projects, giving you the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors – improving your strength and stamina, boosting your practical skills and confidence and benefitting your local green spaces.

If you need advice about your caring situation please call CarersLine on 0808 808 7777. It is hard to give advice by email as we may need to ask you specific questions about your personal situation.

We run self-help support groups in various parts of Scotland. They offer people affected by depression the opportunity for confidential local support, contact with others in a similar situation and the opportunity to explore positive ways of coping with depression. Anyone who has depression is welcome to come along to a group.

Our information service offers support and information on depression to individuals, their families and friends and professionals working with people who have depression. The telephone line is 0845 123 23 20. It is currently open 10am to 2pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (closed on Wednesday).

Email: info@dascot.org

The Know the Score Information line 0800 587 587 9 is a free, confidential 24-hour service that will put you in contact with trained advisers. They can provide you, and those you know, with advice and information on drugs in Scotland.

The Know the Score website has information on drugs for parents, carers and professionals.

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

24 hour helpline: 08457 90 90 90

Email: jo@samaritans.org

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