Support coping with rising living costs

Support for all

Help with coronavirus

  • Visit NHS Inform                                                                                                                                                                               Top of page

Food

If you can afford food but need help to get it

  • Check if there are any online shopping slots or get someone to click and collect for you
  • Local business might be able to deliver
  • Call the Red Cross helpline 0808 196 3651. It's free and confidential and open 10am-6pm
  • Call the council 9am and 5pm Mondays to Thursdays and 9am and 3.30pm on Fridays: 0131 270 8894 
  • If you are unable to call the council or Red Cross email CLL@midlothian.gov.uk 
  • Twitter: @MidHelp (9am-5pm weekdays) 

If you cannot afford food: families with children 0-18

  • Dalkeith Storehouse - You must be referred - 0131 271 3414
  • Newbattle Storehouse -  You must be referred - 0131 271 3414
  • Penicuik North Kirk - You must be referred - 0131 271 3414

If you cannot afford food: all ages (food banks)

  • Gorebridge (Trussel Trust) – You must be referred, call - 0131 270 7500
    Gorebridge Church, Hunterfield Road.  Monday – Friday 10.00am-2.00pm
    07789 173 276 (referrers only)
     
  • Penicuik (Food Fact Friends) - You must be referred, call - 0131 270 7500
    Community Hub, 42 John Street, Penicuik. Monday and Friday 10.30am - 3.00pm
    07507 697109 foodfactsfriends@gmail.com (referrers only)
     
  • Community Food Pantry (MAEDT) – For residents of Mayfield and Easthouses.
    Sign up to become a member and then shop there for £3.50 a week, getting around £15 worth of groceries – 0131 663 5317
    14-15 Bogwood Road, Mayfield, EH22 5DG
     
  • Food Train – (age 65+) 0800 13 88 220 (FREE) - www.eatwellagewell.org.uk
    Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am-4pm - information and advice to stay well nourished.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Top of page

£  Money

Emergency grants

  • Scottish Welfare Fund
    More about the fund and apply online     or call 0131 270 5600
    Crisis Grants - for emergencies when you have no other means.
    Community Care Grant - to provide a safe + secure home when you have no other means.
    Self-isolation Support Grant - if you have been asked to self-isolate by test and trace.
     
  • British Red Cross Midlothian Older People’s Assistance Fund (60+)
    One off immediate payments of up to £60 for urgent needs and/or increased costs due to COVID for people living in poverty. 

Help with paying for childcare

Advice on benefits, housing, employment

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Fuel

  • Changeworks - 0131 555 4010
    Grants and advice to keep your home affordably warm
     
  • Home Energy Scotland 0808 808 2282 (FREE)
    help to reduce energy bills and create warmer homes
     
  • Ofgem
    Advice on energy supply and bills

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Essential transport

  • Handicabs Lothian (HCL) 0131 447 9953
  • For support getting to a vaccination appointment call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 (8am-8pm)
     

Medicines and seeing your GP

If you are picking up someone else's prescription for them, you may be asked to show ID. 

If your pharmacy cannot deliver and you have no way of collecting your prescription e.g. if you are staying at home because you have Covid contact us on 0131 270 8894 or CLL@midlothian.gov.uk.

In Scotland you can turn to NHSinform.scot day and night for information on health conditions, what you should do, and when you should get in touch with professionals.

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Staying connected

Chatting with someone

  • Red Cross coronavirus helpline  0808 196 3651
    Friendship calls available 10am-6pm daily or help and advice about getting food and medication.
  • Red Cross Connecting With You: For over 18s if you are lonely call 03003033077 or email connecting-withyou@redcross.co.uk
  • Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland - 0808 801 0899
    Friendship calls and advice about conditions
  • The Silverline - (age 55 +) 0800 470 8090 (FREE) 
    Friendship calls and advice. 24 hours a day, every day.
  • Volunteer Midlothian
    Call 07859 914587 or info@volunteermidlothian.org.uk
     

Staying connected in other ways

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Mental health

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Sensory impairment

Practical and emotional support and help to stay connected

Learning disability

  • Artlink
    Ideas for staying at home
     
  • SCLD
    Easy read information including Covid-19 and lockdown guides

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Dementia

  • Alzheimer Scotland - 0808 808 3000
    information, advice and support 24 hours a day, every day.

Carers

  • Support for unpaid carers
    Information about local supports, PPE and testing
     
  • VOCAL Midlothian - 0131 663 6869 
    information, advice and one to one support

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LGBT+ community

All ages

Young people 

Adults

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Domestic abuse + sexual violence

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Bereavement

If all other options have been exhausted, or if you think someone is at risk of harm:

  • Children & Families on 0131 271 3413 (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969) 
  • Adult Social Care on 0131 271 3900 (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969)

This document can be made available in a variety of alternate formats and community languages on request.  If you would like more information about this or would like to request an alternative format or language, please contact: equalities@midlothian.gov.uk.

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For all health advice

Go to nhsinform.scot.

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