DOMESTIC ABUSE SUPPORT SERVICES ARE STLL AVAILABLE AND OPERATIONAL

Local and national support services for those affected by domestic abuse are still available and fully operational.

National charity, Refuge, has reported an increase of 25% in calls just in the last week and on 18 April UK charity, Crimestoppers, has recorded a 50% increase in domestic abuse cases with many organisations throughout the UK reporting the same trend – a situation which is expected to be worsened by lockdown.

Grants from the Scottish Government’s £350 million Communities Fund have been made to both Scottish Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland to ensure that access to these key support services is maintained and victims still have access to methods of reporting crimes during the crisis, including using online video platforms, text messaging, phone calls and face-face.

Boots pharmacies based in towns across Dumfries & Galloway are offering private consultation rooms and assistance to victims where they will have access to help and support. Boots staff are also being supported and being given education on how to recognise potential victims.

Abuse

Scottish Women’s Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid has a specific COVID-19 page with resources for women experiencing abuse, children and young people who might feel unsafe at home, Women’s Aid workers, journalists and other frontline staff who have questions about their practice just now.
Visit: womensaid.scot/covid-19/ <womensaid.scot/covid-19/>

Rape Crisis Scotland
In response to COVID-19, Rape Crisis Scotland is exploring how they can make support more accessible. Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact Rape Crisis Scotland by phone, by email, or by text.
Call: 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk <mailto:support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk>
Text: 07537 410027
Visit: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/ <www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/>

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Call: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdadfmh@org.uk
Visit: sdafmh.org.uk <sdafmh.org.uk/>

Mental health support:

Breathing Space
Breathing Space offers a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Call: 0800 83 85 87
Visit: breathingspace.scot

Samaritans
Samaritans offers 24-hour emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
The Samaritans also provide information on the effects of coronavirus on mental health – www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/ <www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/>
Call: 116 123
Visit: samaritans.org <samaritans.org/>

Shout
Shout is volunteer-run and is the UK’s first 24/7 crises text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.
Text: 85258
Visit: giveusashout.org <giveusashout.org/>

SAMH (Scottish Association of Mental Health)
SAMH has a lot of resources and information on coronavirus and your mental wellbeing. It includes help with anxiety, OCD, issues for older people and young people, benefits, and coping with distressing news coverage.
The SAMH helpline is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays.
Call: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk

Age Scotland
The Age Scotland helpline is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their carers and families in Scotland. The helpline provides information, friendship and advice, is free to call, and available Monday-Friday 9-5pm.
Call: 0800 12 44 222
Email: helpline@agesscotland.org.uk

ChildLine Scotland
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine anytime and in these ways; You can phone, send an email, have a 1-2-1 chat, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards.
Call: 0800 11 11
Visit: www.childline.org.uk <www.childline.org.uk/>

Young Scot
Young Scot provides relevant and accessible daily digital information on Coronavirus to help ensure young people have all the information they need to make informed decisions and choices during these unsettling times.
Visit: www.young.scot <www.young.scot/>

Relationship Helpline
Free support line providing a safe and confidential space for anyone struggling with their relationship. They provide free relationship counselling if you feel you’d benefit from a bit of extra support. This will either be online or over the phone.
Call: 0808 802 2088
The Helpline is open from 9.00am to 9.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.00am to 4.00pm on Friday.

Scottish Autism Helpline
Call: 01259 222 022
The Helpline is open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

Scottish Government – Clear Your Head campaign
Highlights practical ways to look after mental health and wellbeing while continuing to stay at home – and signposts sources of help and advice.
Visit: www.clearyourhead.scot <www.clearyourhead.scot/>

Mental Health Foundation:
The Mental Health Foundation recommends some tips on looking after your mental health during lockdown, which can be found on their website.
Visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk <www.mentalhealth.org.uk/>

Financial support and money concerns

Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide advice on issues such as debt management and welfare benefits, housing, immigration and asylum, employment, consumer complaints and landlord-tenant disputes. Most local Citizens Advice aren’t giving face to face advice to reduce the spread of coronavirus. They will still be able to help by phone, email or online chat.
Call: 03444 111 444
Visit: citizensadvice.org.uk <citizensadvice.org.uk/>

Consumer Advice
Consumeradvice.scot has prepared comprehensive advice and information for consumers who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. This covers: travel, cancellations of concerts, events & entertainment, deliveries & online orders, planning for shortages / price increases.
Call: 0808 800 9060
Visit: www.consumeradvice.scot <www.consumeradvice.scot/>

Shelter Scotland
Shelter offers advice on housing rights and changes to government legislation.
Call: 0808 800 4444
Visit: www.scotland.shelter.org.uk <www.scotland.shelter.org.uk/>

NHS Inform – Coping with money worries
www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/coping-with-money-worries <www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/coping-with-money-worries>

Money Advice Service
Money Advice Service offers free advice on the implications of COVID-19 on work, benefits and travel plans. They have published a guide which looks at rights to sick pay, benefits claims, and what to do if you’re self-employed or not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Call: 0800 138 7777
Visit: moneyadviceservice.org.uk <moneyadviceservice.org.uk/>

Stepchange
Stepchange is a charity which offers free financial advice and practical budgeting and money advice. They operate a free helpline, and free online chat service.
Call: 0800 138 1111
Visit: www.stepchange.org/ <www.stepchange.org/>

Jobs

Community Renewal Next Step (Edinburgh)
Community Renewal Next Step offer free, flexible support for people looking for a job in Edinburgh. They work closely with The City of Edinburgh Council to ensure that anyone who is looking for work or needs help or employment advice during the lockdown receives all the support they need.
Call: 0300 365 0025
Email: admin@communityrenewal.org.uk
Visit: www.nextstepedinburgh.org/ <www.nextstepedinburgh.org/>