Coronavirus - Local Communities

I will continue to post links to community support groups, including local volunteer groups and charities which are offering support online. 

Please also see attached at the bottom of this page a list of different local organisations across the constituency and their contact details. 

If you know of any other groups or websites then please get in contact with my office.

Facebook Groups to follow:

 

Other Local Groups:

Ballater Help for those self-isolating – 013397 56111. Bridge of Gairn to Tullich.

Banchory Community Resilience Team  - 01330 825000

Blethers: Some local residents are willing to call people for a quick chat. Call 07900 044317. Leave a message on the answer machine, and a volunteer will return your call within 24 hours if at all possible.

Crathie Community Support Group – Coronavirus is available on Facebook or by telephoning: Eileen Allan 0759 609 6540 ; Bill Boggia   0771 969 0480; Nicky Petrie 0750 135 7424; Ken MacKenzie 013397 42208

Dinnet and Ordie (013398 85229 or email info@lochkinord.com ): If you need or know anyone in Dinnet/Ordie who may have to self-isolate or in a vulnerable category and can’t get to the shops, please give Andrew and Jenny at the Loch Kinord a call or email them.

Kinker Store and Post Office (013398 84201) are organising volunteers in that area. 013398 84201.

Logie Coldstone Trust (07801 432093) have a list of volunteers who are willing to help out in the local area. lctrust2012@gmail.com.

Mid Deeside Community Trust are offering help in Aboyne ( 013398 85222)

Tarland and Cromar community (01339891389 ) have volunteers available to help.

 

Further Support:

The Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub:

The Hub has been set up to provide information for all of those living in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Moray who are seeking help or advice. They provide links to useful resources for information, covering a range of topics including health, school closures, and financial assistance - offering social, practical and emotional support.

You can also fill out a form to make a request for assistance, or register to offer your support to those in need!

https://www.gcah.org.uk/.

You can also call them on 0808 196 3384 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week).

 

Coronavirus Helpline for non-medical questions : 0800 028 2816

 

Banchory Community Resilience Group:

Set up by the Banchory Community Council and in co-operation with Aberdeenshire Council, the local group is dedicated to helping those who live in Banchory during these difficult times.

They are currently recruiting volunteers to hand out flyers around the community to help engage those who are not computer literate. If you would like to volunteer then please email banchorycommunityflyers@gmail.com.

If you would like some assistance, or know someone who does, please contact banchorycommunity@hotmail.com or contact the Banchory Community Resilience Team directly on 07394-528657 (anytime) or 01330-825000 (between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Saturday).

 

Aberdeenshire Council:

Aberdeenshire Council's website has up-to-date information on coronavirus and the latest advice on school closures, community groups, travel services and more:

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/featured-items/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

Grampian Psychological Resilience Hub:

They are providing telephone or virtual face-to-face appointments to offer guidance and support to those who are struggling with the changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Please visit https://covid19.nhsgrampian.org/for-the-public/mental-health-support/what-is-the-grampian-psychological-response-hub/ to access online self-referral forms.

Additionally, they have provided many useful resources and websites which offer guidance on mental health and wellbeing. These can be accessed here: https://covid19.nhsgrampian.org/for-the-public/mental-health-support/additional-self-help-resources/.

 

One to One Deeside, Aboyne:

One to One Counselling have taken the difficult decision to close all face-to-face counselling. The team have set up a telephone support service, staffed by fully trained, experienced counsellors, which can be accessed by calling 013398 86700 or by emailing onetoone-helpline@outlook.com. Please leave a clear, concise message on the answering machine that includes your name and telephone number, and a counsellor will call you back. If you have a preference of what time we should call, please let them know. 

 

Forget Me Not Club, Banchory is available to provide help and support at this time. Please contact our General Manager, Eunice Gardyne on 07483 407254.

 

Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action:

Has created a new page on its website that is to specifically address the Covid-19 outbreak, including funding available for groups who are offering community support: https://www.avashire.org.uk/covid-19.html and https://www.avashire.org.uk/funding.html.

 

Mental Health Aberdeen:

A new mental health helpline: 01224 573892 has been set up to provide practical advice, signposting to other services and support and emotional support to those who need it now.

 

AbilityNet:

During this difficult time it is important that we have access to important services online, including online banking, shopping, health services, and staying in touch with our loved ones and local communities. Volunteer-run charity AbilityNet are providing support to those who are having to adapt their lives online.

They are happy to help with your needs, whatever they may be – from communication apps such as Whatsapp, Facetime and social media, to training on Zoom and MS Teams for organisations and businesses free of charge.

Please visit their website https://www.abilitynet.org.uk/ to access their online resources, or call their free helpline 0800 048 7642 to discuss your needs.

 

Ready Scotland:

A new ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign has been launched to encourage people to sign-up to support our local communities and public services, including the NHS.

Please visit the Ready Scotland website https://www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/volunteering where you will find more information on the ways you can support your community and the organisations to register an interest with, such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross. 

Ready Scotland have also prepared a useful list of where to go to find additional support for you or someone you know, which will be updated on a rolling basis.

https://www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/where-to-find-additional-support/

 

Breathing Space:

They offer an advice and listening service if you are experiencing low mood, feeling anxious or depressed. They can be contacted on 0800838587. Visit https://breathingspace.scot/.

 

Cruse Bereavement Care offer support, advice and information to people when someone dies. They can be contacted on 0808 808 1677, Monday and Friday 9:30am to 5pm and Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am to 8pm.

 

Forget Me Not Club, Banchory is available to provide help and support at this time. Please contact our General Manager, Eunice Gardyne on 07483 407254.

 

The Samaritans offer support and listening to anyone that is struggling to cope or who just needs someone to listen. They can be contacted on 116 123, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland:

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland are looking for volunteers to help people who are most at risk in our communities. They have 4 roles available https://www.chss.org.uk/coronav…/volunteering-opportunities/.

 

Independent Age:

You can volunteer to become a Telephone Volunteer to call those who are isolated: https://www.independentage.org/get-involved/how-can-i-volunteer/join-our-team-of-telephone-volunteers

 

Marie Curie:

For those who are struggling with wanting to help loved ones but are unable to visit them, please see below.

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/blog/how-to-support-your-loved-one-if-you-cant-visit-them-in-person/270458

 

Age UK:

They are offering help for the elderly and their families, and also offer advice on how to support loved ones who are in self-isolation. 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

 

LGBT Helpline: 0300 123 2523. Tues and Weds 12-9pm, Thurs and Sun 1-6pm. helpine@lgbthealth.org.uk. Www.lgbthealth.org.uk

 

Online Support Communities:

https://nextdoor.co.uk/find-neighborhood/

Join your neighbourhood where you can post questions and receive responses from your neighbours, offer help and contact if you need any assistance or support.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/support-community-elefriends/

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard.

 

Other Information:

Transport Scotland:

Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on transport:

https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/coronavirus-covid-19/

Information on public transport in Scotland https://www.travelinescotland.com/coronavirus

 

Energy Saving Trust:

Advice for home heating and energy use by people staying home to work or to avoid picking up the coronavirus:

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/home-energy-scotland/news/home-energy-scotland-–-covid-19-status-update-customers

 

Money Advice Service:

Information on how mortgage payment holidays work and the circumstances in which you might be granted one: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/mortgage-payment-holidays

 

Housing Regulator:

The Scottish Housing Regulator regulates to protect the interests of people who receive the services of social landlords as well as protect the interests of tenants, people who are homeless, and others who use social landlords’ services.  It has made changes to its regulatory approach in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19):

https://www.housingregulator.gov.scot/about-us/news/regulator-makes-immediate-changes-to-its-regulatory-approach-in-response-to-coronavirus

 

UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office:

Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during Coronavirus (COVID-19):

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

 

If you are a business who can offer support please contact covid19response@gov.scot.

 

To volunteer safely, please make sure that you check the latest advice at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.

 

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