Support for all during COVID-19

Get in touch

Are you self-isolating due to COVID-19 and don't have family, friends and neighbours you can call on?

Working with community groups

We will take your request, and council staff will either respond or pass it on to a partner community group.

In an emergency

If you have a health emergency call 999. For non-urgent health concerns call 111.

More information about self-isolation:

Money

Emergency grants

  • Scottish Welfare Fund, 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.
     
  • One Parent Families Scotland, 0808 801 0323
    Emergency energy grants and top-ups to single parent families.

Advice on benefits, housing, employment

Fuel

Medicines and seeing your GP

Repeat prescriptions will still be prescribed as normal. There is no need to order early or to order more than you need. If you are picking up someone else's prescription for them, you may be asked to show ID. 

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.

Essential transport e.g. to a hospital, GP or funeral

  • Handicabs Lothian (HCL), 0131 447 9953
  • Red Cross, 0131 654 0340

Hearing aid batteries

Staying connected

Chatting to someone

  • Red Cross, 0131 654 0340
    Friendship calls
     
  • 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. You must be referred: 0131 270 7500
    Referrers only: 0131 660 1216 or [email protected]

Staying connected in other ways

Food

If you can afford food but need help to get it

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 Foodstore - You must be referred - 0131 271 3414

If you cannot afford food: all ages - food banks 

  • Bonnyrigg and Sherwood Community Trust, 0131 663 2555 Bonnyrigg Trust on Facebook
    High Street, Bonnyrigg
     
  • Gorebridge Joint Project, 07858 285299 or 01875 816320
     
  • Gorebridge (Trussel Trust), You must be referred - 0131 270 7500
    Gorebridge Church, Hunterfield Road
    07789 173 276 or 07597 359 910 (referrers only)
     
  • Penicuik (Food Fact Friends), You must be referred - 0131 270 7500
    St Mungo's Church Hall, Penicuik. Monday and Friday 10.30am - 1.00pm
    07507 697109 [email protected] (referrers only)
     
  • Penicuik Ambassadors (food and other items), 07990 117700 or 07990 117699
    Part of Sweet Dignity. Contact them for drop offs.
     
  • Woodburn (Food Fact Friends) You must be referred 0131 270 7500
     
  • MARC building - Woodburn Road, Dalkeith. Monday 3:30-5:00pm, Thursday 11am - 2:00pm
    07507 697109 [email protected] (referrers only)

Mental health

  • Breathing Space, 0800 83 85 87 (Free)
    Confidential support if you are feeling low, anxious, low or depressed.
     
  • Samaritans, 116 123 (Free)
    Confidential listening line if you need someone to talk to.
     
  • Health In Mind Crisis line, 0131 663 5533
    Monday to Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm.
     
  • MYPAS (age 12 to 21), 0131 454 0757 [email protected]
     
  • NHS Lothian Child/youth mental health
    Resources to help children and young people cope with such stress and uncertainty at this time.
     
  • Midspace
    Midlothian’s online source of mental health and wellbeing information.

Sensory impairment 

Learning disability

  • Artlink
    Ideas for staying at home
     
  • SCLD
    Easy read information

Dementia

Carers

Kinship carers

  • Kinship Care advice and support KCASS, 0808 800 0006
    Financial and legal information and advice
     
  • Kinship Care Alliance, 07490720123
    Local group info, practical and emotional support
     
  • Big Hearts, 0131 603 4927
    Reducing loneliness, help with support and strategies and referrals to local services
     
  • Nurture Scotland, 07547525674 or 07505855341
    Support with educational strategies and school work stress

LGBT+ community

All ages 

Young people

Adults

Domestic abuse

  • Women's Aid East and Midlothian, 0131 561 5800, [email protected]
    Monday - Friday 9am-4pm 
    Facebook: Womens Aid East and Midlothian 
    Twitter: @WomensAidEML
     
  • Shakti Women's Aid, 0131 475 2399
    Support to BME women, children, and young people.
     
  • FearFree, 0131 624 7266 
    Domestic abuse service for men and any LGBT+ person - support by phone, text, WhatsApp
     
  • National Rape Crisis Helpline, 08088 01 03 02 or textline: 07537 410 027
    Every night 6pm to midnight
     
  • ERCC [email protected]
    If you have experienced rape or sexual assault in the last 7 days.
     
  • AMIS (Abused Men In Scotland), 0808 800 0024

Bereavement

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

  • Children & Families, 0131 271 3414 (Emergency out of hours: 0800 731 6969)
  • Adult Social Care, 0131 271 3900 (Emergency out of hours: 0800 731 6969)

Download a printable copy of this guide (PDF)

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