If you need help with the cost of living, there are a range of places you can access support. We’ve gathered the resources below to help guide you. We will keep updating this with further information as often as we can.
Financial support and advice
Scottish Government
Scottish Government has information on support during the cost of living crisis. The website includes support for energy, bills, benefits debt, health and more. www.gov.scot
Citizens Advice Scotland
Citizens Advice Scotland can offer you free, confidential advice. Their helpline number is 0800 028 1456. cas.org.uk
Their Money Map website also has information on benefits, grants, housing costs and emergency food: Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland
Cosy Kingdom (Fife)
Cosy Kingdom is a free and impartial energy and debt advice service available to all tenants and homeowners across Fife. www.cosykingdom.org.uk info@cosykingdom.org.uk | 01592 807930
Cranhill Development Trust (Cranhill)
Advice and support services to local people in Cranhill, covering welfare and benefits, housing issues, and food and fuel poverty. cranhilldt.org.uk | info@cranhilldt.org.uk | 0141 774 3344
Gemap (North Glasgow, East Glasgow)
Information and advice on money, welfare rights, benefits and debt. For people in North Glasgow and East Glasgow. www.gemap.co.uk | enquiries@gemap.co.uk | 0141 773 5850
Glasgow Helps
Support with food and fuel, employability, mental and physical health, housing issues and more. For people living in Glasgow. www.glasgow.gov.uk/glasgowhelps | 0141 276 1185
Mental Health and Money Advice
Support and advice for anyone struggling with debt and poor mental health. www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org
Turn2Us
Turn2Us provides practical help to people who are struggling financially. www.turn2us.org.uk
Fuel and Energy Support
Age Scotland
Age Scotland can offer support and advice for older people, on topics including how to manage bills and use energy wisely. www.ageuk.org.uk
British Gas Energy Trust
Individuals and families can apply for grants to clear domestic gas and electricity debts. Before applying to the Trust you must get money or debt advice first. britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
Citizens Advice Scotland
Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills. www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Cosy Kingdom (Fife)
Help with energy, debt advice and benefit check. www.cosykingdom.org.uk info@cosykingdom.org.uk | 01592 807930
Energy Saving Trust
Advice about fuel and energy costs. energysavingtrust.org.uk
Go Compare Energy Calculator
Go Compare has an energy calculator so you can check how much it costs to use different appliances. Energy Cost Calculator UK | GoCompare
Home Energy Scotland
Free advice on saving energy and keeping warm at home. They also have a ‘funding finder’ tool which lists programmes and services that can help with financial support like debt, emergency funding and fuel vouchers. www.homeenergyscotland.org
Nest Scheme (Wales)
Nest scheme offers a range of free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating, insulation, or solar panels. For people who live in Wales. nest.gov.wales
Help with food
Asda
Throughout November and December, people aged 60 and cover can get soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in Asda cafes. See the list of participating stores.
Edinburgh City Mission
Foodbank+ is the Edinburgh City Mission network of food banks, located across 7 sites. They provide essentials for those experiencing deprivation and food poverty, on a referral basis. edinburghcitymission.org.uk
Empty Kitchens (Edinburgh)
They provide meal packs that are delivered to your door. If you or someone you know is experiencing reduced safe access to food and can benefit from the service, do get in touch with them. www.emptykitchens.co.uk
Fife Council
Listing of food banks and low cost community cafes in Fife. www.fife.gov.uk
Gorgie City Farm (Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian)
Gorgie Farm operates a foodbank to help those in our community who are in the most vulnerable positions. No proof of income is required. www.lovegorgiefarm.org.uk | gorgie@l-o-v-e.org.uk | 0131 337 4202
Pet Food Bank (Edinburgh)
Pet Food Bank provides food, jackets, collars, leads, bowls, and bedding to owners that can’t afford the things their pet needs. edch.org.uk
Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust website has a map so you can find your local Trussell Trust food bank, their contact details and opening times. www.trusselltrust.org
Housing
Shelter
Shelter offers advice to people about homelessness, rights, and other issues like repairs and housing costs. Call their free helpline on 0808 800 444. Or visit scotland.shelter.org
Clothing
Birth, Baby and Beyond (Glasgow)
Help for essential baby and child items, including clothing, bedding and other essentials. The charity supports families with little or no income within the Glasgow community. birthbabybeyond.org.uk
Connect Scotland
Connect have a listing of uniform banks and children’s clothing exchanges across Scotland. connect.scot
Clothesbank+ (Edinburgh)
For those in need of clean, warm clothing. Referral-based Clothesbank+ located in Tollcross, Edinburgh, in partnership with Central Church. edinburghcitymission.org.uk
Grassroots Clothing (Edinburgh)
Grassroots clothing offer free to keep interview clothing to men in need. grassrootsclothingedinburgh.co.uk
Financial grants
Fashion and Textiles Children’s Trust
Financial grants for children of UK textile or fashion families. www.ftct.org.uk
Glasspool
Small, one-off grants to individuals, couples and families for everyday items. www.glasspool.org.uk
Grocery Aid
GroceryAid is a charity that can provide financial grants to people who work or have worked in the grocery industry. www.groceryaid.org.uk
Motability
Motability support the independence of disabled people through the provision of grants to help with personal or other transportation. www.motability.org.uk
Retail Trust
Financial Support for those working in the retail industry and supporting roles. www.retailtrust.org.uk
Smallwood Trust
Financial grants towards cost of living – open to women ages 18 and above. www.smallwoodtrust.org.uk
Support with prison visits
Help with the cost of prison visits like travel, accommodation and meals. www.gov.uk
Look after your mental health
Financial struggle can also have an impact on your mental health. If you need to speak to someone or find immediate support, contact:
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland. They can provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and providing information.
Freephone: 0800 83 85 87
Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am
Samaritans
Samaritans provide support for anyone who’s struggling to cope and who needs someone to listen.
Freephone: 116 123
Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They also have an email service, letter writing service and a self-help app. You can find out more on their website. www.samaritans.org
