Agencies across the city have been working on the Open Doors programme, with dozens of different community spaces and activities included so far. This handy ONLINE MAP has been created to help you find out what's happening in your local area. If you'd prefer to view this information by location listings you can find it on Dundee City Council's Open Data page. Venues taking part in the programme include churches and community centres, libraries and sports venues. A number of community groups are also taking part. 

The activities on offer range from living room activities (such as board games, jigsaws and a cuppa on the couch) and sit-down meals to craft groups, sports sessions and much more. All are free or low-cost. 

1. Shelter Scotland

They provide free, specialist advice on a range of housing issues including homelessness, rent and mortgage arrears, evictions, repairs, landlord/tenant disputes and housing benefits. They provide personal support to people over the phone. For fast advice, you can use their online chat. 

For step-by-step guides to common housing problems or to find out what your rights are, visit: www.shelterscotland.org/Dundee 

Tel Helpline: (national, not based in Dundee): 0808 800 4444 (Mon - Fri 9am-5pm)

2. Positive Steps (referral needed)

They work with individuals who have a wide range of potential barriers to sustain independent living and are impacted by mental health, learning disabilities, substance misuse, offending behaviour, homelessness and poverty.

It is important to note that they operate an open referral system which means that people can be referred or refer other members of their family for example. Further, the service is not restricted to people in social housing, they can also support people with tenancies in the Private Rented Sector as well as owner occupiers.

For a Referral form for Housing Support please download the form. Once you have downloaded this, you can type into the document and either post it to:

Positive Steps – Housing Support Service

East Wing

Swan House

2 Explorer Road

Dundee

DD2 1DX Tel: 01382 561822 (also call for general advice if someone is needing support)

OR send via email to: referral@positivesteps.org.uk

3. DCC Housing Support Team

The Dundee City Council Housing Support Team offers a range of support services designed to give people advice and assistance to help them maintain their tenancy and live independently.

It’s a free and confidential service and is available to all Dundee City Council tenants.

If you would like to refer yourself or make a referral for someone else or would like more information, please contact the team.

Housing Support Team, East District Housing Office, 169 Pitkerro Road, Dundee DD4 8ES

Tel: 01382 307357

Email: housing.support@dundeecity.gov.uk(link sends e-mail)

4. Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau

They give advice and assistance to help with a wide range of issues, including; benefits, debt, housing, and financial health checks through their Money Talks service. *(see WDIDI leaflet for all info)

If you're feeling suicidal or are worried about someone phone your GP or care team (if you have one) first.

If you're unable to talk to them, call NHS 24 on 111. If it is an emergency, dial 999.

1. NHS24

NHS 24 can provide patients with health advice and help over the phone when your usual GP services aren’t available. Referrals can also be made over the phone to crisis support and other mental health professionals out with normal GP practice working hours.

Call NHS 24 on 111, or if you think you need an emergency ambulance, call 999 to speak to the operator.

2. Sources of Support

Sources of Support is a ‘social prescribing’ service which is available in every GP Practice in Dundee.

The service works with people whose mental health and wellbeing is being impacted upon by social and economic issues. They have a link worker attached to each GP Practice who can help you access the most appropriate support to best meet your needs. 

If you are interested in their service, please contact your GP Practice to find out more about the referral process.

3. Samaritans

Provides 24 hour free confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

Call free: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

www.samaritans.org

4. SHOUT (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for free, 24/7 text-based support for people in crisis, struggling to cope & in need of urgent help.

5. Breathing Space

A confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who may be feeling low, anxious or depressed.

Call free on 0800 83 85 87.

Opening hrs - Weekdays: Monday - Thursday 6pm - 2am. Friday 6pm - Monday 6am.

6. Suicide? Help!

A free information website as well as an Apple and Android app for people who are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone else.

Access online or download the App for free on your app store.

7. Dundee Recovery Road Map

A free app on Android and Apple which has information on services providing health & wellbeing, mental health, addiction, family and carers and peer support. It also has a link with information about where to access support for food city wide. You can download it free from your App store.

8. Andy's Man Club

ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. They want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK.

Find your local groups in Dundee. 

9. CALM

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer a free helpline and webchat dedicated to preventing suicide and helping people talk through life's problems.

Call: 0800 58 58 58 / www.thecalmzone.net

10. Feeling Strong

They exist to make sure that every young person aged 8-26 in Dundee who has experienced a mental health or wellbeing challenge is supported to reach their full potential. They deliver projects, services and campaigns in the community to tackle stigma, build confidence, develop resources, create networks and most importantly support the positive recovery journey of our young people.

Feeling Strong runs Drop-In sessions for any young person aged 11-26 who lives in Dundee, On Line, and In Person.

Feeling Strong Drop-in contact page. feelingstrong.co.uk/feeling-strong-café

What do I do if? Money Advice Leaflet can be a great source of relevant information for you. Start by downloading it here.

Click here for a version in Polish.

1. Abertay University Money Support

The University has a range of available support, you could access. Find out more HERE.

2.Social Security Scotland Benefits and Grants

Social Security Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government with responsibility for social security provision.

You can contact Social Security Scotland by web chat, phone or post.

You can contact Social Security Scotland on web chat between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday:

● for general enquiries

● to check the progress of your application

● to let them know something's changed with your application

By phone Freephone: 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday).

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.

● They can answer your questions quicker if they know your National Insurance number.

● They’ll never ask for your bank details through web chat.

A full list of benefits they deliver can be found here.

3. GP Surgery Welfare Rights Co-Location Services in Dundee

Some GP surgeries in Dundee have a co-located Welfare Rights Service that works within the practice alongside health professionals.

To access this, you must be a patient of the relevant surgery. The service is particularly useful for those who are entitled to or looking to claim Disability and/or Sickness Benefits such as Adult Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, Employment Support Allowance etc. However, the service offered is not just benefits related. Patients can also use the practices as a gateway into debt, energy or housing advice as well as welfare benefits advice.

Click here for a full list of surgeries in Dundee offering this service.

4. Dundee City Council Help

Dundee City Council's website has a range of useful information on the following: ● Money and Energy Advice ● Children and Families ● Energy Costs ● Grants to pay off energy debt ● Free Period Products ● Travel ● Mental Health and Crisis Support

Follow the LINK

5. Macmillan Benefits Support

Macmillan Benefits Project service and the Improved Cancer Journey Service in Dundee. Help and advice available to those with a cancer diagnosis, their family and carers.

Find out more HERE. 

The lovely people at Faith In Community Dundee have created a great map, in which you can find your nearest community food project . Just follow the link and search for your local food projects, their opening times, location, provision and additional information. All you need is your postcode. 

You can also download a list of all the provisions from the Dundee Community Food Network.

1. Abertay Students' Association Food Provision

During the academic year, we have a number of projects that aim to help you, our students with the cost of living.

1. Abertaysty - free food every Tuesday

2. SOUPer Thursday - free soup and a roll every Thursday (in partnership with Abertay University)

3. SafeTaxi Scheme - We pay your taxi home, you pay us back when you can.

5. RelaxTrolley - free hot drinks and food during revision/exam time

During the Holiday Closure, we have organised an Abertaysty pop-up at the library, with items available while stock lasts.

If you're looking for ideas on how to prepare the food you have at home, or the one you got from your local food provision place, look no further. Here are some recipe books for you to download:

You may be able to get payment to help with the cost of living if you're getting certain benefits or tax credits. See the leaflet HERE for more information.

1. Debt Relief Schemes

● Home Heat Support Fund (HHSF) – Registered referral partners can apply for funding on behalf of individuals resident in Scotland. Individuals can make applications through our 'Household Application' form, but must supply evidence of having received energy and / or money advice from an accredited agency.

●  British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) – If you are facing bills you can’t afford and struggling with the rising cost of energy, don’t suffer in silence. The British Gas Energy Trust is here to help. They are an independent charitable trust set up to support families and individuals facing financial hardship and energy debt across England, Wales and Scotland.

●  Charis Grants – Charis manage schemes on behalf of companies, authorities and charities.

●  SSE/CAB Plymouth Debt Relief – We have temporarily opened a Debt Advice scheme with Citizens Advice Plymouth for financially vulnerable customers. This scheme will aim to help eligible customers with practical assistance to support their usage and financial situation. If a referral is successful, Plymouth Citizens Advice will then attempt to contact the customer within 2 - 3 weeks of the referral.

2. Financial Support Schemes

● Home Heat Support Fund -As above 

● Redress Scheme - £49 voucher for Pre-Payment Meters, can be applied via various charities.

●  Scottish Welfare Fund – Can be applied for through D.C.C -There are different grants you can apply for depending on your circumstances. You do not need to pay these grants back.

●  Fuel Bank Foundation – Prepaying for energy but not having the money to do so means living in the dark without heat and light. They provide people with the financial support and practical advice that they need to get back on their feet.

3. Governement Schemes

● Warmer Homes Discount (WHD) – “You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.”

●  Winter Fuel Payment – “If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.”

●  Cold Weather Payment – “You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.”

●  Energy Bills Support Scheme – “Households to start receiving £400 off their energy bills from October, with the discount made in 6 instalments to help families throughout the winter period”

4. Home Improvement Scheme

● ECO (Energy Obligation Schemes – “The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.” Criteria based scheme

● Warmer Homes Scotland – “You can reduce your heating bills by £300 per year and save energy with government funded support worth around £5,000.” Criteria based scheme.

● Home Energy Efficiency Programmes (HEEPS) – “Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) is the Scottish Government initiative to tackle fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency in homes.