Advice Renfrewshire

Directory

Advice Works

Advice Works is a free, confidential and independent service and will give you advice in a straightforward manner. The team can help with a wide range of money and debt advice issues including budgeting, negotiating with creditors, bankruptcy, mortgage and rent arrears, checking you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to, help with forms, and lots more.

We have a drop-in service at the following locations, with no appointment needed:

Advice Works
Johnstone Town Hall, 25 Church Street, Johnstone
Monday – Thursday: 8.45am – 4.45pm, Friday 8.45am – 3.55pm

Renfrewshire House
Customer Service Centre, Cotton Street, Paisley
Monday – Thursday: 8.45am – 4.45pm, Friday 8.45am – 3.55pm

Renfrew Health Centre
10 Ferry Road, Renfrew
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8.45am – 11am

Advice Works also works with various partners on projects such as with Macmillan Cancer providing support to those with a cancer diagnosis and Families First supporting families with young children, they also work with INVEST for clients who are looking for employment.

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Address

Johnstone Town Hall, 25 Church Street, Johnstone, PA5 8FA

Phone

0300 300 1238

Opening Times

Monday - Thursday, 8.45am - 4.45pm & Friday 8.45am - 3.55pm

Website

Advice Works

ATMs – Free to use cash machines

Some ATMs (cash machines) now charge a fee per withdrawal, but many in Renfrewshire are still free. For a list of free ATMs please see the ATM locator on the Link Website.

The ATM locator gives all ATMs, free and charging and details what the charge is. It is kept up to date by LINK so the information should always be correct.

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Website

ATMs – Free to use cash machines

Breathing Space

Breathing Space can offer you phone support to speak about anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. It’s a confidential service, and the advisors come from mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds. They can provide direction if you don’t know where to seek help, or just listen.

They will also help if you are worried about a friend or family member who is depressed, anxious or speaking about suicide, by giving you advice and support.

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Phone

0800 838587 (number won’t show up on bills)

Opening Times

Mon – Thurs 6pm – 2am
Friday 6pm – Mon 6am

Website

Breathing Space

Care at Home (Home Helps)

Care at Home services are part of a range of supports provided by social work.

The aim of care at home is to help vulnerable people of all ages live independently and securely in their own homes by providing personal and housing support services. Care at home services are provided very much on each individual’s own circumstances and needs.

Practical help is available for people who have difficulty:

getting up or going to bed;
getting washed;
getting dressed;
getting to the toilet;
preparing meals;
eating; or
looking after basic hygiene in their home

To get help from care at home services you can contact a member of staff who will be able to help you or anyone such as a friend, relative, doctor or other concerned person can, with your agreement, contact social work on your behalf.

Once your details have been recorded you will be visited by a member of staff, at home, to discuss your needs and those of your carer. This is called an ‘assessment’. The member of staff may also suggest, as part of a care plan, other services that can be of help such as lunch clubs or volunteer schemes.

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Phone

0300 300 1380
Mobile - 07958 010325

Email

adultservicesreferral.sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Care at Home (Home Helps)

Community Assistance for Covid – 19

Many local organisations are coming together to help their communities through Covid-19. Services provided include shopping, picking up medicines and food parcels/meals. These organisations are working throughout Renfrewshire. For current information see the Communities page on the Renfrewshire Council website.

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Website

Community Assistance for Covid – 19

Energy Advocacy Renfrewshire

Energy Advocacy Renfrewshire is a Renfrewshire Council advocacy service, giving independent and expert advice on a wide range of energy issues to local people. They can help if you:

Are struggling with fuel debt or thinking about changing fuel supplier
Have issues with your gas or electricity supplier
Need general energy advice

The Energy Advocates work with partner services throughout the Renfrewshire area to offer support to all residents in the area whether you live in a council house, housing association house, privately rent or own your own home.

Energy Advocacy Renfrewshire provides its service across Renfrewshire by arranging appointments to visit you in your own home.

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Phone

0141 6187515

Email

emu@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Energy Advocacy Renfrewshire

Ethnic Minorities Law Centre

The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre (EMLC) provides legal advice and representation to individuals from Scotland’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and focuses on providing bilingual and culturally sensitive service.

We operate out of offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh and our specialist areas of law are:

Asylum, Refugee and Human Rights
Immigration and Nationality
Employment
Discrimination
Criminal Injuries Compensation

In addition to casework for clients and training for advice agencies in our specialist areas of law, we also operate telephone advice lines, awareness-raising sessions and workshops for young people.

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Address

The office is closed due to Covid-19. Please 'phone or email to access service.

Phone

Glasgow Office – 0141 204 2888

Opening Times

Advice Line Open Monday – Friday 9:30am – 10:30am

Email

admin@emlc.org.uk

Website

Ethnic Minorities Law Centre

Families First Service affected by Covid -19 – telephone at present

Families First is free service to help families give their children the best start in life. Based in 5 communities in Renfrewshire, Families First can help families with children 0 – 8 years old in those areas. We can help with:

School issues, such as free school meals and planning for the school day

Health issues, like healthy eating and attending appointments

Home issues, like budgeting advice and positive relationships

Money and debt advice, and dealing with bank satatements and letters

Childcare issues, like finding a nursery, childcare information, breastfeeding and finding free activities

We can also help with filling in forms and help if you are thinking about returning to work.

Our locations are:

Ferguslie, Foxbar, Gallowhill, Johnstone and Linwood

For any issue big or small, our team offers support at home or at school or can just be there for a friendly chat.

We also run holiday clubs where children take part in free activities and get a hot meal during the school holidays.

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Address

Ferguslie, c/o Glencoats Primary - 0141 889 2697

Foxbar, c/o Heriot Primary - 01505 812914

Gallowhill, c/o Gallowhill Primary - 0141 889 3450

Johnstone, c/o Auchenlodment Primary - 01505 335006

Linwood, c/o Woodlands Primary - 01505 328144

Website

Families First Service affected by Covid -19 – telephone at present

Food Train

We provide a range of services, delivered by volunteers, to people over 65 in Scotland including grocery shopping home deliveries, household support services and befriending services.

Local volunteers provide weekly deliveries of fresh groceries to older people experiencing difficulties doing their weekly grocery shopping, ensuring they can eat well, live well and age well. The customers complete a blank shopping list which is collected by the volunteer. The shopping is completed and delivered on a day that suits the customer. The shopping is paid for on delivery and there is a charge of £5 for this service.

If you, or someone you know could benefit from this service, you can fill in a referral form on our website, or give us a call.

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Phone

0141 887 2557

Email

renfrewshire@thefoodtrain.co.uk

Website

Food Train

Housing – Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire Council provides and maintains council houses as well as organising home insurance and home exchanges.

We can give information regarding Council tenancies, including how to apply for a council tenancy, how to report faults and repairs and how to exchange your home with another council tenant as well as providing support for you if you are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

For more information about our services and details of neighbourhood offices, please use the link on the right to access our website.

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Phone

0300 300 0222

Website

Housing – Renfrewshire Council

Housing Associations

Housing associations build new homes and improve existing, often older homes to rent to people who need housing. We are not property companies or commercial organisations and do not make a profit. Housing associations work closely with the council to offer properties to local people. For example, the council can nominate people who have applied for council housing for housing association properties.

Most Housing Associations in Renfrewshire offer advice and help, for example with budgeting and welfare benefits, to their tenants.

If you click on the link to the right of this page to the Housing Association page on the Council website, all Housing Associations that operate in Renfrewshire and their contact details are listed.

If you would like some advice about a housing issue, you may also find it useful to contact your local neighbourhood Housing Office for more information or advice about housing associations.

There are Local Housing Offices in Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew, and these can be contacted on 0300 300 0222.

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Website

Housing Associations

Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ)

Living with cancer in Renfrewshire? The Improving the Cancer Journey service is here to support you. The service is still operating through Covid-19 by telephone.

Cancer doesn’t just affect your physical wellbeing, it can impact on every aspect of your life and the lives of those around you. But knowing where to turn for support isn’t always easy. We want to ensure everyone in Renfrewshire who has been diagnosed with cancer can easily access all the support they need after diagnosis, as soon as they need it, to enable them to live as well and as independently as possible.

We have joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to help people across Renfrewshire who have been diagnosed with cancer.

If you are living in Renfrewshire and have been affected by cancer, our Improving the Cancer Journey service is here to help you live as well as possible. We can meet with you to discuss your needs and help you access tailored information and support. You can talk to us about how you feel, get help with money and housing worries or help at home – whatever matters most to you.

We will also be able to give you details of organisations who can provide support, or contact them on your behalf.

If you want to find out how we can help you through your cancer journey, just give us a call. We also provide support for family members and carers.

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Phone

0300 300 1380

Opening Times

Mon - Fri 8.45 - 4.45

Email

adultservicesreferral.sw@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ)

Invest in Renfrewshire Employability Services

Invest in Renfrewshire is Renfrewshire Council’s Employability Service. We provide support to people of all ages across Renfrewshire whether you are unemployed and looking for work, training or in further education or you are qualified and looking for a job more suited to your qualifications. Our team offers free, professional one to one advice and support. We can help you to improve your vocational skills through our online training service and your employability skills through our own training team with CVs, applications and interview skills. We can also help you with a broad range of personal development such as confidence building or self-esteem. We will also do a benefits check with you where relevant as part of the service.

Additionally, we have a team of Job Brokers, who work with over 1,000 local employers to help them meet their recruitment needs. Many of these vacancies will not be advertised anywhere else.

During lockdown due to Covid-19, our team are all working from home and can continue to support you towards your employability, training or further education goals.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, call us on 0300 300 1180 or email us at invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk

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Address

The Russell Institute
30 Causeyside St,
Paisley
PA1 1UR

Phone

0300 300 1180

Opening Times

Monday to Thursday 08:45 to 16:45
Friday 08:45 to 15:55

Email

invest@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Invest in Renfrewshire Employability Services

Jobcentre Plus

You can contact Jobcentre Plus about, new benefits claims, existing benefits claims and changing or cancelling your appointment.

Renfrewshire has three local Jobcentre Plus offices:

Johnstone Jobcentre Plus

11 Floors Street
Johnstone
Renfrewshire
United Kingdom
PA5 8QT

Paisley Jobcentre Plus

49a High Street
Paisley
Renfrewshire
United Kingdom
PA1 2AN

Renfrew Jobcentre Plus

High Street
Renfrew
Renfrewshire
United Kingdom
PA4 8QL

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Address

JobcentrePlus offices are closed to the public at present due to Covid-19. Please contact by 'phone or online. Only vulnerable customers in need of urgent assistance should attend the jobcentre.

Phone

0800 055 6688 (new claims)
0345 6043719 (general enquiries)
0345 608 8551 (text phone)

Website

Jobcentre Plus

Universal Credit should be claimed online. Details of how to claim here

Macmillan Cancer and Palliative Care Project

The Macmillan Cancer and Palliative Care Project, run by Advice Works, provides advice and support on welfare benefits and debt to people affected by cancer living in the Renfrewshire area. We provide a free and confidential specialist Welfare Rights service to people living with cancer and to their families. We can advise on a range of issues including benefits and income maximisation and assist with any other related issues you may have, such as housing, debt and employment. We can also help you with form completion, advocacy and representation at tribunals. Our aim is to strive to ensure that if you are affected by cancer you receive the support and help you need.

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Address

Johnstone Town Hall, 25 Church Street, Johnstone PA5 8FA

Phone

0300 3001238 - please ask for a Cancer and Palliative Care referral

Website

Macmillan Cancer and Palliative Care Project

Macmillan Cancer Support – Living Well @ Renfrewshire Libraries

This is a free information and support service for anyone affected by cancer. You may have cancer yourself, care for a relative or friend, work as a healthcare professional, or simply want to know more about cancer.

Based in four Renfrewshire Libraries, Erskine, Ferguslie, Johnstone and Renfrew, the service is delivered by trained volunteers supported by a Macmillan Delivery Manager and library staff, and can offer:

a confidential support service
benefits and financial advice
time to talk
a relaxing place to meet others affected by cancer
access to complementary therapies
links to other relevant local organisations
a comprehensive range of leaflets and books on cancer topics

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Address

Erskine, Ferguslie, Johnstone and Renfrew Libraries

Phone

Macmillan helpline - 0808 808 0000
0141 6186542 - David Brady
Renfrewshire Libraries - 0300 300 1188 (outside office hours)

Email

david.brady@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Macmillan Cancer Support – Living Well @ Renfrewshire Libraries

Men’s Advice Line

Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). We help by:

giving you time to tell your story
offering emotional support
providing practical advice
signposting you to other services for specialist help

We help heterosexual, gay and bi male victims of domestic violence and also provide information and support to family members and friends of male victims.

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Phone

0808 8010327 -- 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Opening Times

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Email

info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Website

Men’s Advice Line

NHS

For health services, Renfrewshire is part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

If you need to find a doctor, dentist, clinic or hospital location, please use the website.
The website also gives information about where to obtain emergency medications, where your nearest minor injuries service is and who to contact if you have concerns about your own or someone else’s mental health.

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Website

NHS

Further Information

NHS information about common health problems and details of support groups

NHS 24

If you are ill and can’t wait until your regular NHS service reopens you can call NHS 24 free.

NHS 24 is an online and telephone-based service which can answer questions about your health and offer advice. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The ‘phone service operates an out-of-hours phone service providing help if your GP surgery is closed and you are too ill to wait until it re-opens.

During the call you will be asked about your location and your reason for contacting the service. This will be used to direct your call to a suitable health professional, such as a nurse, pharmacist or dental nurse. They will talk to you about your symptoms and tell you what care they think you need. They might suggest that you treat yourself at home, that you see a doctor or another health professional or, in some cases, they might call an ambulance for you.

Online, you can access a self help guide, a directory of local services and emergency dental information.

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Phone

111 (free)

Opening Times

Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year

Website

NHS 24

Paisley Housing Association – Welfare Benefits Service

At Paisley Housing Association Welfare Benefits Service we offer help to our tenants, prospective tenants and factored owners. We provide a free, impartial and confidential service, providing information, advice, assistance, advocacy and representation with all areas of social security advice, such as:

Maximising your income and completing forms
Applying for disability benefits
Challenging incorrect or unfair benefit decisions
Representation at appeal tribunal

The service can also help you develop a budgeting plan particularly if you are on Universal Credit and have to manage your own rent payments.

If you want to find out more or are having problems with any benefits please contact Alan Graham our Welfare Benefits Officer who will be happy to help.

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Address

Paisley Housing Association
64 Espedair Street
Paisley
PA2 6RW

Phone

0141 8897105

Opening Times

Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm
Friday 9am – 4pm
Access to Welfare Benefits Service by appointment only

Email

admin@psha.org.uk

Website

Paisley Housing Association – Welfare Benefits Service

Patient Advice and Support Service

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau delivers the Patient Advice and Support Service for Renfrewshire. This is an independent service where we can provide free, confidential and impartial advice, support and information to anyone who uses the NHS in Scotland. It aims to support patients, their carers and families in dealing with the NHS.

We promote an awareness and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of patients. We also advise and support people who wish to give feedback, make comments, raise concerns or make a complaint about treatment and care provided in Scotland.

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Address

7 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QS

Phone

0141 889 2121

Website

Patient Advice and Support Service

Further information

General information about the service.

Rape Crisis

If you have been raped or sexually abused or are supporting someone else who has, you can contact Rape Crisis for help, support and information. It doesn’t matter whether this happened recently or a long time ago. You can phone the free helpline on any day between 6pm and midnight to speak to someone in confidence.

They also offer a similar support service by email.

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Phone

08088 010302 (free)

Opening Times

6pm – midnight 7 days

Email

support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Website

Rape Crisis

Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH)

RAMH promotes recovery from mental ill health, and empowers people to build independent, fulfilled lives. They can provide immediate support in crisis situations, as well as longer term support, counselling and individualised care and support.

RAMH have a variety of services at a variety of locations in Renfrewshire for people with mental health difficulties, including help to manage finances, benefits advice and help with stress management.

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Address

41 Blackstoun Road, Paisley, PA3 1LU

Phone

0141 848 9090 (crisis support service)
0141 847 8900
0500 829093 (free from landline)

Opening Times

The RAMH service has been affected by Covid-19. They are still offering support, including Crisis Support. See their website for details.

Email

enquiries@ramh.org

Website

Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH)

Renfrewshire Carers Centre

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, who could not manage without this help. This could be due to age, illness, disability, long term condition, a physical or mental health problem or addiction.

Here at Renfrewshire Carers Centre, we offer a wide variety of services to carers in Renfrewshire including:

Respite
Befriending
Carers Advocacy
Help with Emergency Plans
Stress Management Programmes
Social Activities and Support Groups
Please contact us for further information.

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Address

Renfrewshire Carers Centre
Unit 55 Embroidery Mill,
Abbey Mill Business Centre,
Paisley, Renfrewshire
PA1 1TJ

Phone

0141 887 3643

Email

enquiries@renfrewshirecarers.org.uk

Website

Renfrewshire Carers Centre

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential and impartial comprehensive advice and information throughout Renfrewshire.

They cover a wide variety of issues, including:

Benefits
Tax Credits
National Insurance/Tax
Consumer Goods and Services
Debt and Money Advice
Education
Employment
Finance
Housing
Health and Care
NHS Concerns and Complaints
Relationship Issues
Travel, transport and holidays
Utilities and communications
Pension guidance

Although based in Paisley they cover the wider area of Renfrewshire with outreach clinics in Erskine, Ferguslie, Foxbar, Glenburn, Johnstone, Linwood, Lochwinnoch, and Renfrew as well as the Disability Resource Centre. They also offer home visits for those unable to get to one of their clinics.

Please visit the website to book an appointment at either the main office or one of the outreach locations.

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Address

7 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QS

Phone

0141 889 2121

Opening Times

No face to face service at present due to Covid-19. Telephone and email only. See website for further details.

Website

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Legal Clinic

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau now offers a FREE legal service. The legal advice is provided by a solicitor and covers:

Housing/Homelessness

Employment

Debt

Public Law

Community Care

Disability Rights, and

Welfare Rights

Please contact us to make an appointment

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Address

7 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QS

Phone

0141 889 2121

Opening Times

Our 'phoneline is open 9am - 5pm on weekdays. No drop-in at present due to Covid-19

Website

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Legal Clinic

Renfrewshire Credit Unions

Credit Unions are financial co-operatives working on a not-for-profit basis to offer savings and low cost loans to their members. Renfrewshire is served by 5 Credit Unions.

Gleniffer Credit Union
Johnstone Credit Union
Renfrewshire Wide Credit Union
Scotwest Credit Union
White Cart Credit Union

The individual Credit Unions cover different areas and offer different services, although all offer savings and loan products. Products offered include ‘Fastcash Loans’, Funeral Plans and Loans and ‘Junior Accounts’. Credit Unions may accept savings from as little as £2 per week.

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Website

Renfrewshire Credit Unions

Renfrewshire Foodbank

Renfrewshire Foodbank provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

The foodbank distributes food in the following locations at the following times:

Central Baptist Church

14 Lady Lane, Paisley, PA1 2LJ
Mon 14:00 – 16:00
Wed 14:00 – 16:30
Fri 14:00 – 16:30

Johnstone High Parish Church Halls

Quarry Street, Johnstone, PA5 8DZ
Wed 10:00 – 12:00

Renfrew Baptist Church

77 Paisley Road, Renfrew, PA4 8LH
Thu 10:00 – 12:00

Erskine Baptist Church – this distribution has been suspended due to Covid-19

Park Hill, Park Mains, Erskine, PA8 7HE

In order to get a food parcel, a voucher must be issued by a local agency who can also provide advice and support. Many agencies work with the foodbank and can issue vouchers. These include Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you are in crisis and need a voucher to allow you to pick up a food parcel, please contact one of these agencies.

The Foodbank may be able to deliver your food parcel on a Wednesday afternoon or Friday if you cannot travel during the Covid-19 crisis. Please ask to arrange (limited time slots).

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Phone

0300 102 2500

Email

info@renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk

Website

Renfrewshire Foodbank

Renfrewshire Women’s Aid

Renfrewshire Women’s Aid offers confidential and free advice and support for women who are suffering domestic abuse. The service is provided by and for women. They will offer support without making any judgements.

They offer both emergency and longer term support including advocacy, benefits advice and safe accommodation. Their services include:

Confidential support
Legal, housing and financial information
A safe and secure place to stay
Committed support workers for children and young people

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Address

Violet House, 3 Violet Street, Paisley PA1 1PA

Phone

0800 0257603

Website

Renfrewshire Women’s Aid

Samaritans

The Samaritans offer a 24 hours service, every day of the year to provide emotional support for people who are struggling to cope, including those who have had thoughts of suicide.

They provide a non-judgemental, confidential service over the phone, by email and by letter as well as face to face.

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Phone

116 123 (free)

Email

jo@samaritans.org

Website

Samaritans

Postal Address

Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 9090
Stirling
FK8 2SA

School Costs – Renfrewshire Council

Clothing Grants and Free Schools Meals are provided by Renfrewshire Council

A clothing grant is a payment made by the Council to qualifying parents or guardians to assist with the purchase of your childrens’ school uniforms. The amount of the grant is £100 per eligible pupil. A maximum of one grant is payable for each child during any school year.

Pupils who meet certain conditions are also entitled to one free meal every day they attend school. Due to Covid-19, a fortnightly payment is being made to families where the children would normally be entitled to Free School Meals. The is £11.25 per week, per child. This payment is made directly to a bank account.

To see whether your child is eligible, please click on the link to the Council website which is on the right of this screen.

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Phone

0300 300 0300

Website

School Costs – Renfrewshire Council

Scotcash

Scotcash is a Glasgow based organisation that provides affordable credit, financial support and guidance to help make the most of your money. We cover the whole of Scotland through our online processes, including the Renfrewshire area. You can apply online, or you can visit the Scotcash office in central Glasgow.

Scotcash can provide loans from £50 – a cost-effective credit alternative where a bank or building society cannot help. Loans are based on your current circumstances, not your past credit history.

We offer affordable, fixed regular repayments to suit your financial situation and you have the option of paying weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly with flexible repayment dates. All Scotcash loans are repaid through your bank account by Direct Debit, so there are no home visits or cash payments required. If you don’t have a bank account, Scotcash can help you open one through our trusted partnerships with RBS, Virgin Money and Barclays. For more information on the services that we offer you please visit our website.

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Address

55 High Street, Glasgow. This office is closed at present due to Covid-19. Loan applications can be made online, and Scotcash can be contacted by telephone or webchat.

Phone

0141 276 0525

Opening Times

MONDAY 09:00 - 17:00 TUESDAY 09:00 - 18:00 WEDNESDAY 10:00 - 17:00 THURSDAY 09:00 - 18:00 FRIDAY 09:00 - 16:00 SATURDAY Closed SUNDAY Closed

Email

info@scotcash.glasgow.gov.uk

Website

Scotcash

Scottish Legal Aid Board

If you are looking for a solicitor in Renfrewshire who can offer you help through legal aid, or other legal advice providers funded by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, please use the solicitor finder. Here you can find solicitors who are registered to carry out legal aid services for Civil, Criminal and Children’s Legal Assistance work in the Renfrewshire area.

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Website

Scottish Legal Aid Board

Scottish Welfare Fund

The Scottish Welfare Fund offers grants or in-kind support for two purposes:

Crisis Grants can be provided where an individual is facing a disaster or emergency situation, and where there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of that individual or their family.
Community Care Grants can be provided where a qualifying individual needs help to establish or maintain a settled home. A grant may also be provided to support individuals and families facing exceptional pressure.

If you don’t have alternative means of paying for what you need you might be entitled to a grant. Grants are intended to meet one-off needs rather than ongoing expenses and don’t need to be paid back.

Who can apply?

You must be 16 or over to apply for assistance from the Scottish Welfare Fund and normally be entitled to one of the following benefits (although this is not essential):

Income Support/Job Seekers (income-based)
Employment Support Allowance (income-related)
Pension Credit (GC/SC)
Universal Credit

A grant can be awarded to meet expenses that have arisen from an emergency or disaster. The purpose of the grant is to prevent serious damage or serious risk to your or your family’s health or safety.

If you want to apply for a crisis grant, please call 0300 300 0204 (Monday-Thursday 8.45am to 4.15pm, Friday 8.45am-3.25pm).

This is the best way to apply due to the urgency of the situation.

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Phone

0300 300 0204

Opening Times

Monday-Thursday 8.45am to 4.15pm, Friday 8.45am-3.25pm

Email

scottishwelfarefund@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Scottish Welfare Fund

Shelter

Shelter Scotland provides advice on housing, including:

Homelessness
Private Renting
Repairs
Eviction
Tenancy Deposits
Housing Benefits

They offer support by telephone or webchat and their website also has a lot of useful information.

It may be helpful to have the following information to hand when you contact them:

If you rent your home: your landlord’s name and address and any letters you’ve received from your landlord.
If you have a mortgage: your mortgage lender’s details and any letters you’ve received from your lender
Details of any benefits you’re claiming.

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Phone

0808 800 4444

Opening Times

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Shelter

Shelter Scotland

You can get urgent advice from Shelter Scotland’s free Helpline. From eviction and repossession to neighbourhood issues, repairs and problem flatmates, Shelter can help with a whole range of issues. You can find a live chat option on their website.

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Phone

0808 800 4444 (free)

Website

Shelter Scotland

Trading Standards

The Trading Standards pages on the Renfrewshire Council Website give information about:

Trusted Traders
Consumer Advice
Business Advice
Scam Advice

and allow you to sign up for e updates to:

let you know about any new scams
keep you up-to-date with important consumer issues
tell you about important product safety recalls
let you know about our service changes
ask your opinion on important issues
tell you how we are performing.

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Phone

0300 300 0380

Email

ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Website

Trading Standards

University of the West of Scotland Funding and Advice

The Funding and Advice service are a team of Student Support Advisers within the University of the West of Scotland; offering specialist advice and guidance on matters relating to student funding and how best to manage your money. Our advisers collectively have over 65 years of experience delivering advice and guidance.

We work hard to ensure that our team are knowledgeable, kept informed of student funding related matters, and that our service is professional. We strive to offer a non-judgemental service with dignity, respect and confidentiality. We appreciate that everyone is different and will tailor our service to you as an individual.

We subscribe to the Student Services ethos of supporting and empowering our students to develop the skills that will allow them to succeed.

We can offer help with benefits, childcare costs, additional funding, budgeting, debt, housing and other issues affecting students.

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Phone

0141 848 3800

Opening Times

Contact by email or telephone to make an appointment

Email

fundingadvice@uws.ac.uk

Website

University of the West of Scotland Funding and Advice