There are many organisations in the community which can help people cope when they are affected by ill-health, particularly if this is due to a long term condition. Many aspects of life such as work, supporting family, seeing friends, managing finances or studying, can be affected.

These organisations belong to the voluntary or 3rd sector and provide information, support and advice to help people manage their own health and cope better with their condition. They are non-profit, non-governmental organisations aiming to help people, and their carers, in the community and promote social activity.

Below are links to a few useful resources which may be of help.

Please be aware that we cannot take any responsibility for the accuracy of information provided on any of these sites.

General

http://www.acvo.org.uk – Aberdeen City Voluntary Organisation, part of Voluntary Action Scotland, which helps develop, involve, represent and support voluntary charity and social enterprise organisations in Aberdeen. They help plan service in the community.

http://www.aliss.org – Aliss Community Website – a central index for self management information. It holds links to various community support groups for those with long term health conditions.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk – Citizen’s Advice Bureau

http://www.advocacy.org.uk – An independent Advocacy Service for people who live in Aberdeen, working with health and social work services.

Health Point (NHS Grampian)- free and confidential health advice from trained staff on wide range of health topics.
Phone free Healthline 0500 20 20 30
E.mail for information - healthpoint@nhs.net

http://www.getinvolved.org.uk 

Mental health/ Counselling

http://www.aberdeeninmind.org/ - Focuses on mental health issues and gives links to other organisations offering help in this area, for example - Addaction, Grampian Women’s Aid, Advocacy Services, Aberdeen City and Information Service, Momentum, Choices and Penumbra some of which are detailed below.

http://www.addaction.org.uk – Addaction - Individual and Family support for Alcohol Problems.

http://www.drugsaction.co.uk – Drugs Action - Individual and Family support for Drug Problems

http://www.mha.uk.net/acis - Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service - provides individual and confidential counselling to people living in and around Aberdeen, suffering from any kind of mental or emotional distress.

http://cairnscounselling.org.uk – Cairns Counselling offers a confidential counselling service for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement, anger, stress, trauma and relationship issues.

Financial

http://www.ciyp.co.uk - Aims to provide a referral service, which offers a single point of access to a range of organisations who can help improve your finances. We work with our partners to ensure that people living in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire have easy and hassle free access to the benefits and services they are entitled to.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en - Free and Impartial Advice on Financial issues set up by the government.

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/council_government/council_tax_benefits/welfare_rights/welfare_rights.asp - Aberdeen Welfare Rights is a free, expert and confidential service provided by Aberdeen City Council for residents of Aberdeen City. The service offers advice and representation on all aspects of Social Security benefit entitlement.

Children

http://www.aberdeengettingitright.org.uk – Integrated Children’s Services for children and young people in Aberdeen

http://www.mha.uk.net/acisyouth - Free and confidential counselling to young people living within the Aberdeen are between the ages 12 and 18 years.

http://www.childline.org.uk – Childline – free and confidential advice on a wide range of issues. Call free on 08001111 or speak to a counsellor online

Elderly

http://www.thesilverline.org.uk – the Silver Line – a free 24hour confidential helpline for older people.

http://www.vsa.org.uk - As the North East of Scotland's leading social care charity, VSA provides a range of social care services to all age groups. Their motto is to provide the best care and support to enable our community to fulfil its potential.

http://www.alzscot.org - Alzheimer’s Scotlandprovides a wide range of specialist services for people with dementia and their carers.

Homelessness

http://www.aberdeen-cyrenians.com - Aberdeen Cyrenians offer a variety of services to ease homelessness in Aberdeen.

Carers

www.carersuk.org/scotland -Carers Scotland supports carers and provides information and advice about caring. They campaign to try and make life better for carers.

www.carers.org - Carers Trust aims to help ensure that no carer has to reach crisis point before they get the support they need and make it easier for them to cope. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Carers' Centres are independent charities that deliver a wide range of local support services to meet the needs of carers in their own communities.

www.crossroads-scotland.co.uk - Crossroads Caring Scotland

A national charity providing home based respite through short breaks/longer periods of support for carers. They also try to help with personal care for individuals finding it difficult to cope living alone.

www.vsa.org.uk - VSA Carers’ Services in Aberdeen City

VSA Carers’ Services provide information, advice and support to carers within the Aberdeen City area.

The Carers Service is based at 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen, 01224 212021. carers.info@vsa.org.uk

www.vsa.org.uk/vsa/children-and-young-people/children-and-young-people.html VSA Young Carers provides physical, social, emotional and educative support directly to young carers. Support and service provision can include one-to-one support, homework group, special interest groups e.g. boy’s group, girl’s group, outdoor activities, music, various special activities and support in school

www.youngcarers.net Young Carers Net supports carers under the age of 18 who are looking after someone who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. It is run by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Exercise

www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Fitness/Pages/Fitnesshome.aspx - advice from NHS on fitness, health and exercise

www.activescotland.org.uk - Active Scotland - suggestions for activites in your area

www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/activities/active-aging - Sport Aberdeen Active Ageing Programme - Offers many activities including health walks.