Welcome to the Winter issue of INFORM North Ayrshire.
We'd like to thank everyone who has read and shared previous editions with their networks, colleagues and clients - we’re always glad to hear that people are finding this directory a useful resource!
If your organisation or community group is currently running a long-term service and/or activity that is not already listed, please email us with a poster/flyer giving all the necessary details and we will include it in future updates of this guide.
Cost of Living Support
Cost of Living Support Portal
The Scottish Government has launched an online portal to support everyone in Scotland through the cost of living crisis.
Explore the portal here: https://costofliving.campaign.g ov.scot/
Cost of Living Support Portal
North Ayrshire Council also have an online portal with information, support and advice to help with the cost of living crisis.
Visit the website here: https://www.northayrshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
Debt and poverty drain hope from people's lives. CAP believe everyone should experience equal dignity, freedom and opportunity.
We can help you make the right choices with your finances including practical budgeting and dealing with debt.
No matter how large or small your problem is, we can help. Our free, expert debt help will support you all the way to becoming debt free.
T: 0800 3280006 (calls are free from mobiles and landlines)
E: info@capuk.org
W: www.capuk.org
Our specialist team helps people in North Ayrshire deal with their debt problems. No matter how big or small your debt problem is, we can recommend practical solutions to suit your situation.
If you need to talk to someone about a debt matter which is affecting your life, call our number or speak to an advisor over web chat.
T: 030 0002 0002
E: enquiries@chap.org.uk
W: www.chap.org.uk/money-advice
and Community Banking
Welfare Advice for Council Tenants
The Welfare Reform Advice Team directly delivers welfare rights and a debt advice service to Council tenants across North Ayrshire, with the aim of improving the income and living standards of individual tenants and communities as a whole.
Our service offers free, confidential and impartial advice and assistance on a range of matters including:
► Welfare Benefits
► Assistance with Universal Credit claims
► Rent Arrears
► Housing options advice to assist with on-going housing needs
► Housing Benefit and Council Tax advice
► Personal budgeting advice
► Employability support
Support
Our support workers conduct pro-active visits to tenants identified as being affected by changes to benefits under Welfare Reform, including:
► Under Occupation charge
► Benefit Cap
► Introduction of Universal Credit
► The transfer of DLA to PIP
Contact the Welfare Reform Advice Team
Email: welfarereformteam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 999 4606
Home Energy Scotland
You could get around £5,000 of energy saving home improvements funded by the Scottish Government - including new heating and insulation. Most eligible households get around £5,000 of support through the Warmer Homes Scotland programme to help them save on their heating bills.
For more information and advice please visit: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/
How to save money on your energy bills
If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, help is available.
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Winter Fuel Payment
Some people in Scotland get a single payment during winter called Winter Heating Payment. Winter Heating Payment will be paid from December 2024 and will be £58.75.
To find out more please visit:
https://www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment
If you have meter problems, then Citrus Energy can help with the resetting of pre-payment meters and with any queries relating to how your pre-payment meter works.
Lemon Aid from Citrus Energy can even help you apply for services you may be entitled to such as white goods schemes, discounts on your energy bills, benefits and many other services. So if you are a resident in Ayrshire and want to get the best from your energy supply then call us today on 07973 847 981
please read the leaflet: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/2384040/sfrs-keepwarm-and-well-this-winter-a5-booklet-v10-digital.pdf
Families & Children
Children
1st works to keep children safe, loved and well and together with their families.
Children do well when their families do well, so we work with children and families in their homes, local communities and across Scotland. We offer practical, emotional and financial support to prevent and protect children and their families from harm and to support them to recover from trauma and abuse.
If your family are feeling stressed or anxious Children 1st Parentline can help.
Call Parentline for free on: 08000 282233 or browse our website for advice and support: www.children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland/
Ayrshire Children's Services
ACS support children aged 3 -18yrs who have additional support needs.
Our support workers will support you and your child to choose activities that they would like to attend and pick new ones to try such as: sports, arts, music, cooking and many more.
T: 01294 588123
W: www.ayrshirechildrensservices.org
Support For Carers
We offer specialist information, support advocacy, advice, peer support and respite activities for carers. If you are an unpaid or family carer of almost any age you can access support from our Carer Centre in Irvine.
T: 01294 311333
W: www.unity-enterprise.com
Families & Children
Food & Essentials
Helping Local People in Crisis
We provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Everyone who visits a foodbank for emergency food needs to have a valid foodbank voucher in order to access the service.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.
Our foodbank works with a number of different agencies, such as Citizens Advice, children’s centres and health visitors. To find out more about the agencies that hold our vouchers and how you can get help, please contact us.
T: 01294 601312
E: info@northayrshire.foodbank.org.uk
W: www.northayrshire.foodbank.org.uk
Once you have received a voucher, you can exchange this for three days of emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.
Food & Essentials
Emergency Foodbank Centre Locations
Food & Essentials
Emergency Foodbank Centre Locations (contd.)
Food & Essentials
Community Food Larders, Pantries & Shops
A Community Larder or Community Pantry scheme provides food for its members, with people picking items themselves in a shop-like environment.
It is a great way to access nutritious food at a low cost. Members need to register for a small fee. They will then pay around £4.00 each time they use the larder or pantry and for that payment they will be able to choose approximately £15 worth of food.
Community larders, pantries and shops are accessible to anyone living within the local area - you do not need to be in receipt of any state benefits to become a member.
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Café Solace is a series of Community Cafés in Irvine and the Garnock Valley, delivered by people in recovery and those who support recovery from addiction, by volunteering and giving back to the local community.
With affordable, nutritious food and access to information, the goal of Café Solace is to help volunteers reduce feelings of isolation in a warm, safe and supportive space. Here, they can gain valuable skills through learning and training while experiencing the far-reaching benefits of advocating community empowerment
Café Solace Irvine
Open on Tuesdays at Fullarton Connexions from 5pm-7pm
£2.50 for a 3 course meal, £1 for single course and the team run a pay it forward scheme for anyone in need who can discreetly obtain a voucher covering the cost of a meal.
Café Solace Kilbirnie
Open on Fridays at Bridgend Community Centre from 5pm-7pm
£2.50 for 3 courses and kids under 12 eat free with an accompanying adult.
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Food & Essentials
Woodwynd Community Centre are starting a wee silver citizens bingo from Wednesday 12 till 2pm a heat , bowl of soup and a wee roll and game of bingo. This is A FREE EVENT. Those who wish can use Woodwynd's wee shoap (£4).
The lunch will be held in the community diner WOODY'S WHICH HOLDS 30. No one needs to sit without a heat
Food & Essentials
Seven Sisters Coffee House
As our library's are closing we will be offering over 65's a free hot drink & biscuit or a free soup & bread. We will be doing this as of Tuesday and hope to continue it throughout the winter, pop in and have a chat, we're really friendly and would love to see your faces.
Location : 51 Countess Street, Saltcoats
Available between the hours of 11am till 12pm Tuesday till Saturday.
NHS Change of Number
If you get a call from the number below, the NHS is calling. ~ 01292 666500 ~
Please store this number in your phone for future reference.
Note: this number will NOT take incoming calls, if you need to contact the NHS please visit: www.nhsaaa.net/contact-us/
Please visit: https://wellbeinghub.scot/
Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
WELCOME HUB
A place for friendly chat, crafts, games & more ~ Thursdays 110am - 2:30pm ~ Light Lunch - No charge
South Beach Baptist Church 66A Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats, KA21 5BW
Health & Wellbeing
FREE Community Group for all
Every 2nd Sunday from June 2nd St Marys Church Hall 10 Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats
Facebook Community Hub of Hope
Local Community Books
Health & Wellbeing
Ayrshire Cancer Support provide a range of emotional support and practical help for people affected by cancer in Ayrshire
All services are free to access and include:
• Hospital transport service
• Counselling
• Complementary therapies
• Support groups and workshops
• Cancer Nurse appointments
• Drop-in Centre
• Specialist Children and Young People Service
• Specialist Cancer Information
To find out more contact: T: 01563 538008
E: admin@ayrshirecs.org
W: www.ayrshirecs.org
Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing
Our advisors offer free, confidential support to people in North Ayrshire struggling with a housing issue or homelessness. Whether you find yourself threatened with eviction because you can’t cope with your mortgage payments, or you want advice handling problems with your landlord to avoid losing your home, you can talk to our specialist team. T: 030 00020002
E: enquiries@chap.org.uk
Crisis Support
Crisis Support
Our service provides both emotional and practical support to women and children affected by domestic abuse.
When you contact us, our support workers will listen to you, help you think about your options, and if necessary, arrange somewhere safe for you to stay.
All information you wish to share with us is confidential unless we have any concerns about safety and risk.
17 Vernon St, Saltcoats, North Ayrshire KA21 5HE www.nawomensaid.com
Scottish Welfare Fund
This discretionary scheme provides 2 types of grantCrisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Visit: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/benefits These grants do not need to be paid back.
Addiction Helper
0800 014 8024
Alcohol Focus Scotland
0141 572 6700
Alcoholics Anonymous
0800 9177 650
AMINA (The Muslim Women's Resource Centre)
0808 801 0301
ASSIST
0141 276 7710
Anxiety UK 03444 775 774
Age Scotland Helpline
Freephone 0800 12 44 222
Alzheimer Scotland 24 Hour
Helpline
Freephone 0808 808 3000
Beat Eating Disorders
0808 801 0432
Breathing Space
Freephone 0800 83 85 87
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
0800 58 58 58
CASS Self Injury Helpline
0808 800 8088
Crisis Textline (24/7 support for people in crisis) Text 85258
CHAP
030 0002 0002
Christian Against Poverty
0800 328 0006
Citizen Advice
0800 144 8848 OR 0141 889 2121
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Freephone 0808 801 0899
Childline
Freephone 0800 11 11 (24 hours)
Child Protection
01292 267675 (out of hours, freephone 0800 328 7758)
Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247
Drink Aware
020 7766 9900
Dental Helpline
01292 616990 (Mon-Fri 8am6pm) NHS 24 on freephone 111 (out of hours)
Disability Information Scotland
0300 323 9961
Emergency Social Work Service
0300 343 1505
Ethnic Minorities Law Centre
0141 204 2888
Family Support Directory
email at parentclub@gov.scot
FRANK
0300 123 6600
Useful Contacts
Gamblers Anonymous
0370 050 8881
GeMap 0141 773 5850
Glasgow Women's Aid 0141 553 2022
Hourglass 0808 808 8141
Home Fire Safety Visit Freephone 0800 0731 999
Homeless Services
0300 123 0900 (out of hours, freephone 0808 100 3151)
Home Energy Scotland 0808 808 2282
Includem
East 0808 800 0409 West 0808 800 0408
Know the Score 0800 587 5879
LGBT Helpline Scotland 0800 464 7000
LGBT Youth Scotland 0141 552 7425
Lemon Aid 0800 221 8089
Money Matters 01294 310 456
Macular Society 0300 30 30 111
Mind (mental health)
0300 123 3393 or text SHOUT 85258
Muslim Community Helpline 0208 904 8193 or 0208 908 6715
Muslim Youth Helpline 0808 808 2008
NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) 0800 358 3456
North Ayrshire Carers Gateway 01294 311 333
North Ayrshire Foodbank 01294 601312
North Ayrshire Women's Aid 01294 602424 (or freephone 0800 0271234 - 24hrs)
Click here : https://northayrshire.community/services/
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Although we try our best to keep this Information in this directory as accurate as possible, there may be some services that no longer operate . We recommend that you always contact them directly before visiting. If you are reading this as a printed version please be aware that the Information may be out of date.
The latest version can always be found here : https://issuu.com/tact-na/docs/inform_north_ayrshire
If your organisation would like to be added or removed please e-mail : Info@tact.scot
