Sources of help during the pandemic
See also our main Coronavirus page and our volunteering page.
If you know of a useful resource, especially a local one, that we could add to this page, please email us at NKcovid19@gmail.com.
Glasgow helpline (see blue poster below): 0141 345 0543 or helpline@gcvs.org.uk
Shielding support: Scottish Government helpline for vulnerable people 0800 111 4000
Download the COPE newsletter, full of advice and useful contacts on all aspects of coping with the pandemic.
On this page
- Food and foodbanks
- Power companies
- Online access for vulnerable people
- For parents and carers
- For young people
- For older people
- Domestic abuse helplines
- Advice, benefits and scams
- Housing
- Mental health
- Dementia support
- Cancer support
- Heart disease support
- Library resources
- Bus travel
Food and foodbanks
Local foodbanks
- BJO Amara Association
Tel 07397080956 to book a pick-up time slot, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and alternate Saturdays, 10am–4pm.
The Quadrangle
59 Ruchill St
Glasgow G20 9PX
. - Glasgow NW Trussell Trust Foodbank
Please note you will need a voucher from a referring agency such as a housing association, social work or a health visitor.
Thursdays 12 noon – 2pm.
Ruchill Kelvinside Parish Church
15–17 Shakespeare Road
Glasgow G20 8TH
. - St Gregory’s Catholic Church
Monday to Friday 10 am to 12 noon.
130 Kelvindale Road
Glasgow G20 8DP
. - Urban Roots Free Food Map
The map will direct you to foodbanks, meals (community and emergency) and fruit and veg barras in Glasgow. All foodbanks and meals are free or pay what you can unless stated otherwise: www.urbanroots.org.uk/freefood
. - Well-Fed Scotland
Tel 0141 954 2006 to request delivery. Open Mon–Fri 9am–7pm. Coverage includes all of North Kelvin and the following: G3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 81. Well-Fed Scotland are based in Whiteinch and make fresh, labelled ready meals daily which can be frozen, and will include bread, milk, fruit, veg, eggs and cake where possible in deliveries.
Meal delivery (meal and delivery both free)
- Woodlands Community are working in partnership with Maryhill Community Central Halls, Queens Cross Housing Association and Flourish House to offer a weekly food delivery service, with freshly cooked meals that are frozen and then delivered free of charge. These are delivered to local people who are vulnerable, self-isolating or otherwise in need of support. To qualify for help you must live in the catchment area. Click the map to check. To register for the scheme please call Queens Cross Housing Association on 0808 143 2002 or Maryhill Community Central Halls on 07875 862552 or 07706 921992. Full details at woodlandscommunity.org.uk/covid-19-support
Food and toiletries delivery
- Refuweegee can deliver support packages to you or someone you know in Glasgow. This service is open to EVERYONE.
Toiletries package (incl. toilet roll, nappies).
Food package
Entertainment – toys, board games, books.
Our volunteers have been trained in zero-contact, doorstep deliveries. You will be given details of this when requesting a package. Text PACK to 07520648388 to request items. See www.refuweegee.co.uk for more information, to see the information in other languages or to volunteer.
Buying food for home delivery
Please note we are not endorsing any particular supplier: these are suppliers that have been recommended to us.
- Barvas & James local fruit & veg box delivery scheme (£20 per box, free delivery): info@barvasandjames.com
- Morrisons food boxes from £30+
- Parsley Box ready meals that can be stored for up to 6 months in a cupboard rather than the freezer; delivery within 2 to 3 days. See Information for new customers. Order online or call 0800 612 7225
Tips on saving food
- Less food waste means you save money. Kitchen tips, recipes and advice on food storage at Love Food hate waste
Power companies
Emergency contact numbers:
Online access for vulnerable people
- Not everyone has access to the internet: do you know someone who needs support to get online? See the Connecting Scotland initiative, which aims to connect up to 9,000 more people on low incomes to help them access services and support and connect with friends and family during the pandemic.
For parents and carers
- Care Information Scotland support for carers
- Carers Scotland
- National Parent Forum for Scotland
- Parent Club Scotland
- Scottish Natural Heritage. Their Outdoor Learning Directory news section signposts regularly updated nature-based news, activities and resources from Scotland, the UK and further afield, with some great ideas for parents and carers to do during lockdown.
For young people
- Childline
- Young Scot
- Download this PDF containing all sorts of links and information for young people. It is a response to the Lockdown Lowdown survey that showed that young people in Scotland are concerned about school, college and university closures as well as exams and coursework; employment and their financial situation; their own physical and mental wellbeing and the physical and mental wellbeing of others; social relationships with family and friends; ability to look after or care for others; ability to access their rights.
For older people
- Age Scotland Coronavirus page and telephone helpline 0800 12 44 222
- Good Morning Service telephone befriending service for older people (tel. 0141 336 7766 or 0333 101 0036)
Domestic abuse helplines and support
- Amina – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
Call 0808 801 0301. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
. - AMIS – Scottish charity supporting men who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. Free and confidential helpline 0808 800 0024 (9am to 4pm, weekdays). Email support@amis.org.uk at any time. See also Male Domestic Abuse Support in Glasgow. Open to any man who lives in Scotland and is over 16 years old, inclusive of transgender and non-heterosexual men. Anyone concerned about a man can also use our services to get information and advice.
. - Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage
Call 0800 027 1234 (open 24/7).
. - Glasgow Women’s Aid
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
Call 0141 553 2022.
. - Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis
Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm
Call 08088 00 00 14
FB @GlasgowRapeCrisis
Twitter @RCCGlasgow
Instagram @glasgowandclydercc
. - National LGBT & Domestic Abuse Helpline
Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm
Call 0800 999 5428
Email help@galop.org.uk
. - Rape Crisis Scotland
Daily 6pm to 12 midnight
Available for survivors of all forms of sexual violence and abuse
Call 08088 01 03 02
Text 07537 410 027
Email support@RapeCrisisScotland.org.uk
Advice and benefits
- Benefits you’re entitled to: see mygov.scot and gov.uk
- Citizens Advice has a new helpline: free to call on 0800 028 1456 and will initially operate open from 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Glasgow City Council coronavirus advice and information; includes information on Council services, bins, recycling, council tax and more
- Trading Standards Scotland. Find out more about doorstep scams, cyber scams, fake medical products and holiday cancellation scams on their coronavirus scams page.
Housing
- Scottish housing advice – coronavirus (COVID-19): Shelter
Mental health
- COPE Scotland phone support: please text 07763 743 296 or call 0141 944 5490 and leave a message with your name and number or email admin@cope-scotland.org and one of the team will call you back. Click on the picture to download a list of useful helplines:
- Samaritans: Whatever you’re going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123. Or email us: jo@samaritans.org.
Samaritans volunteers are available to speak to you day or night, 24/7 and 365 days of the year.
During the day, you will generally get through to speak to a volunteer within less than a minute. In the middle of the night, you may have to wait a few minutes to get through to a volunteer (as at April 2020). Alternatively you can email us on jo@samaritans.org. At present (April 2020), we are replying to emails within a few hours. Writing an email can be a calm and safe way to work through what’s on your mind, especially if it feels too upsetting to talk about on the phone.
Dementia support
- Alzheimer Scotland 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000. helpline@alzscot.org
Our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline is available for you whether you are looking for information, emotional support or just need someone to talk to. We have a team of dedicated and experienced volunteers willing to listen, many of whom have personal experience of caring for someone with dementia.
Cancer support
- Macmillan Cancer Information & Support
Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries support and information is available to provide emotional support and chat through any questions or concerns people have about cancer.
You can contact the team at 0141 287 2903 or macmillan@glasgowlife.org.uk for cancer information, help to access financial support, or even just to talk about how you’re feeling. If someone would rather speak face to face, we are happy to schedule a video call at a time that suits the individual. People can also chat to us and stay in touch on Facebook and Twitter. - Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey / Macmillan Long Term Conditions
Welfare benefit advice/form filling support (for all long term conditions including cancer) and Holistic Needs Assessments (for people affected by cancer) is available by telephone rather than face to face. For partners who regularly refer into ICJ or LTC, please continue to do so via ICJ@glasgow.gov.uk or LTC@glasgow.gov.uk The office telephone line will not always be manned therefore email referrals will be easier to manage and support provided quicker. - Macmillan Support Line
The Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 can help with clinical, practical and financial information – available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. - Macmillan Online Community
If you’re facing cancer, or love someone who is, there may be times when you need to talk about things or just hear from those who’ve been there. The Online Community has people who understand how you feel, because they’re facing cancer too. You can join groups relevant to your experiences, cancer type, being a carer, or life after cancer. Within groups you can respond to an existing discussion, or start a new one, write a blog, or read other blogs.
Heart disease support
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Helpline. Our specialist nurses are here for you, just a call or click away. During this unsettling time, we know that many of you have lots of questions relating to the Covid-19 coronavirus. To help answer these, we have expanded our Helpline, which means you can speak with one of our specialist nurses about any queries or concerns. Call 7 days 0300 330 3311 or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk
Online library resources
- Find information and download ebooks, audio books and music from GlasgowLife
Travel
- First Bus Coronavirus service update
- Scotrail Coronavirus travel information