Food banks and other sources of help

Browse this page for all sorts of ways to find help.

Go to our Energy page for advice and help on fuel bills and energy-saving tips.

See also this list of other organisations that can help with cost of living support.

Let us know if you have found a service or resource useful that you would like to see on this page. And please let us know if you notice that any of the information below is out of date.

Read our website accessibility statement.

Glasgow Helps

Glasgow Helps is a new service set up to work directly with the people of Glasgow.

Download flyer

The service offers free, confidential support, information and advice for citizens on a wide range of issues including:

Fuel Support
Food Support
Employability
Mental Health
Physical Health
Housing Issues and much more.

Call 0141 276 1185 to speak to a member of the team, or fill in the referral form on the Glasgow Helps website.

Food and foodbanks

Accessing food

There are a number of organisations across Glasgow who support people experiencing difficulties with the cost of food or with accessing food. These include food banks, food pantries and community groups with community fridges.

Good Food For All lists information and resources about food in Glasgow.

The Glasgow Community Food Network has a map of local food services.

Local foodbanks

BJO Amara Association
Telephone or text 07450 939946 to book a pick-up time slot. Open Thursday and Friday 11am to 3pm.
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

Other resources

Courtyard Pantry and cafe
2 Westercommon Drive, G22 5PG
Telephone 0141 589 7419
Shop open Tuesday and Wednesday: 10am to 3pm
Cafe open Monday, Thursday and Friday: 10am to 2pm
Local people can become members of the pantry for £1. They can then spend £2.50 in return for food and household goods worth £10 to £15 per visit.
NAJRA Helping Hands
351 Bilsland Drive, opposite Ruchill Park, G20 9LT
Community food cupboard open to anyone.
Wednesday and Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm
Possobilities
74 Closeburn Street, G22 5ST
Hot meals delivered to anyone in north Glasgow (£4.50 for 3 courses).
Monday to Friday: 10.30am to 1.30pm
Telephone 0141 336 3562
Woodlands Community Seasonal Fruit and Veg Box Scheme
Fortnightly seasonal fruit and veg box for local people on a ‘pay what you can afford basis’, but if you are struggling financially you do not have to pay anything.

Tips on saving food

Less food waste means you save money. Kitchen tips, recipes and advice on food storage at Love Food hate waste

↑ Top of page

Money advice and benefits

Benefits you’re entitled to: see mygov.scot and gov.uk
Glasgow Life welfare and benefits advice
Citizens Advice (Glasgow North West, 1455 Maryhill Rd, Glasgow G20 8YA; phone 0141 948 0204)
Low income help (Citizens Advice website)
GAIN: Glasgow’s Advice & Information Network (0808 8011011)
GEMAP: financial inclusion and money advice services (advice line 0141 773 5850)
Trading Standards Scotland. Find out more about doorstep scams, cyber scams, fake medical products and holiday cancellation scams on their coronavirus scams page
Worrying About Money: interactive guide based on your circumstances, with links to PDF leaflet versions in English and other languages.

Online access for vulnerable people

Support is available for people who have difficulty getting online.

The Connecting Scotland initiative aims to connect more people on low incomes to help them access services and support.
North West Glasgow Voluntary Sector Network take donations of IT equipment and referrals for free recycled IT equipment for people and families in North West Glasgow. The project has full recycled IT packages ready to give out. More information is available on their website or contact Martina on 0141 952 7090/ martina.northwestglasgowvsn@outlook.com.

↑ Top of page

For parents and carers

Care Information Scotland support for carers
Carers Scotland
National Parent Forum for Scotland
Parent Club Scotland
The Scottish Natural Heritage Outdoor Learning Directory news section signposts regularly updated nature-based news, activities and resources from Scotland, the UK and further afield.

For young people

Childline
Young Scot
Download this PDF containing all sorts of links and information for young people in North West Glasgow. It was originally a COVID-19 response but contains other useful information.

For older people

Age Scotland: telephone helpline 0800 12 44 222 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Good Morning Service telephone befriending service for older people (tel. 0141 336 7766 or 0333 101 0036)
Glasgow’s Golden Generation Befriending Service
Re-engage: free volunteer-led activities making life less lonely for thousands of people over 75, including monthly tea parties and a telephone befriending service.
City Council Care and Repair Service and Handy Person Service. Assists home owners where all members of the household are aged 65 and over or have a disability to organise repairs to the fabric of their property or help to carry out adaptation works.

For refugees

↑ Top of page

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

↑ Top of page

Housing

Scottish housing advice: Shelter

Mental health

Bereavement support: Cruse Scotland. Free support helpline: 0808 802 6161
Breathing Space: A confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious or depressed.
Need help now? Worried about someone? Call free on 0800 83 85 87. Opening hours:
Weekdays: Monday–Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekend: Friday 6pm – Monday 6am
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.
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.

↑ Top of page

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.

↑ Top of page

Heart disease support

British Heart Foundation (BHF) Heart Helpline. Our specialist nurses are here for you, just a call or click away. Call 7 days 0300 330 3311 or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk