Information and support available from Family Support services including contact details can be found in the drop-down boxes below.
While aiming to provide the best quality information possible, we do not recommend or endorse any particular service which is listed, offer advice about choice of service and take no responsibility for any support provided.
| Type of service | Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advocacy | Advocacy Service Aberdeen Offices 6, 8 & 9 | 01224 332314 asa@advocacy.org.uk | Advocacy is about helping you to speak up for what you want and making sure your views are heard. We can help you work out what your choices are and explore options with you. |
| Advocacy | VoiceAbility c/o Sayer Vincent | 0300 3031660 | Free independent support to understand and access Social Security Scotland benefits. This support is for people who identify as disabled; parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child; and parents, guardians, or carers who are disabled and want support to access social security benefits for their child. VoiceAbility also provides group advocacy in the community and online. |
| Equality and diversity | Grampian Regional Equality Council Ltd ( G R E C )
| 01224 595505 | Our services include support and advice for individuals and communities; translation and interpreting; counselling for adults and young people; language cafés and English classes. |
| Equality and diversity | Polish Association Aberdeen 35a Union Street | 07563221790 info@paaberdeen.co.uk | The Polish association is a voluntary organisation aiming to help people integrate, meet others, get involved in community life and improve their skills (English classes, mental health and wellbeing workshops, counselling, Polish library, information point). |
| Legal | Civil Legal Assistance Office 353 Union Street | 01224 402330 aberdeen@clao.org.uk | We can help you with cases relating to:
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| Legal | Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights Level 1 | 01315101565 info@togetherscotland.org.uk | Working to promote the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.' The website is updated regularly to keep members informed and up to date on children's rights issues throughout Scotland, the UK and internationally. |
| Legal | Scottish Child Law Centre 53 East Crosscauseway | 0131 667 6333 advice@sclc.org.uk | Our free confidential legal advice service is provided via telephone and email, on all aspects of Scots law relating to children and young people. |
| Legal | Witnesses in Scotland The Scottish Government | 0131 244 4227 | Find out what emotional support and practical information is available if you have been the victim of crime. |
| Type of service | Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bereavement | A Child of Mine - help for bereaved parents 17 Eastgate Street | Helpline: 07803 751229 hello@achildofmine.org.uk | Child of Mine website includes a comprehensive list of support groups by region, together with all the major national organizations across the country who give support and counselling after the death of a child.
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| Bereavement | Child Bereavement Charity 16 Fitzroy Place | Helpline: 0800 02 888 40 | Our support and information service is available to both bereaved families and the professionals who come into contact with them as part of their work. |
| Bereavement | Child Death Helpline
| 0800 282 986 | A free lifelong service of emotional support for anyone affected by the death of a child of any age (from pre-birth to adult), under any circumstances, however recently and however long ago. |
| Bereavement | CLAN Cancer Support CLAN House & Haven | 01224 647000 | Help with bereavement and loss issues. The Children and Families Service offers a confidential service and will provide information, listen, allow the child or young person to explore difficult feelings in a safe environment.
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| Bereavement | Grampian Child Bereavement Network c/o The ARCHIE Foundation | 01224 554142 gcbn@archie.org | Grampian Child Bereavement Network provides support to bereaved children and young people across Grampian. |
| Bereavement | Sands (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Society)
| 0870 760 6649 help@aberdeen-sands.org | We are open to all, no matter at what gestation or age their baby passed away. |
| Bereavement | Sunrise Partnership S C I O | support@sunrisepartnership.org | We are a local charity that offers a free, confidential service for children and young people up to age 18 who have been affected by loss and bereavement. |
| Counselling services | C C I S Youth | 01224 573892 acisyouth.office@mhaberdeen.org.uk | Confidential counselling services for children and young people. |
| Counselling services | Aberdeen University counselling service 5 Dunbar Street | counselling@abdn.ac.uk | Counselling service for students and staff at University of Aberdeen. |
| Counselling services | Avenue | 01224 587571 enquiries@avenue-info.com | Avenue is a charity, based in the North East of Scotland, that provides support to families and individuals with a focus on relationships, wellbeing and children. |
| Counselling services | Cairns Counselling | 01224 633131 info@cairnscounselling.org.uk | We operate a generic counselling service providing help for those in Aberdeen and surrounding areas. |
| Counselling services | G R E C 'Me-Time' Counselling Service | 01224 595505 info@grec.co.uk | Provides free specialist support and counselling to children and young people in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Moray, who are affected by prejudice incidents, discrimination, harassment and bullying on the grounds of: Ethnicity, race, nationality, disability, sex or gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or transgender identity |
| Counselling services | The Spark counselling Ogilvie Institute | 0808 802 0050 | We provide a generic counselling service. We are able to offer counselling to both children and adults. We have particular experience working with children and families struggling with the effects of separation and divorce. |
| Counselling services | Third Level Foundation Ltd 35A Union Street | 0800 021 7704 | Our helpline is available to everyone and trained operators are there to take your calls, offer instant support and a listening ear. |
| Counselling services | Victim Support Aberdeen 41 Regent Quay | 0800 160 1985 | Free information, advice and one-to-one emotional support for anyone affected by crime. |
Information, including news, events and useful links and information can be found on the Kinship, Adoption and Fostering Service website
Library Services including contact details can be found on their website - Aberdeen City Libraries
| Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| Family Lives | 0808 800 2222 | Emotional support information advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. |
| Lone Parent Helpline | 0808 801 0323 (helpline) | We provide a free, confidential and friendly service that provides advice and supports your wellbeing, whatever you are going through. |
Maternity Action Tindlemanor | 0808 802 0029 | We are committed to ending inequality and improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, partners and young children. From conception through to the child’s early years. |
Parenting across Scotland Children In Scotland | 0131 313 8816 | Parenting across Scotland provides support for parents and families through our information service and partners' helplines. |
Parentline Scotland Children 1st | 0800 028 2233 | Do you feel like you’re at the end of your tether? Children 1st Parentline is here for you and your family. |
Befriend a Child 9 Bon Accord Square | 01224 210060 | Our volunteer befrienders are matched on a 1:1 basis with some of the most disadvantaged, under privileged and vulnerable children in our local community. |
Cry-Sis Helpline British Monomarks Ltd | 0800 448 0737 (helpline) | We offer a telephone service offering support and advice to parents of crying and sleepless babies. Callers are referred to a volunteer who has had similar experiences in their own family. |
Family Learning
| 01224 764700 familylearning@aberdeencity.gov.uk Facebook: familylearningaberdeen | Our aim is to encourage Mums/ Dads/ Carers to value the support they give to their children on a day-to-day basis within their homes and in the community. In partnership with schools and other agencies we provide various courses and events to support parents/carers with behaviour management, confidence and assertiveness, curriculum and homework support sleep and understanding emotions. |
Home-Start Aberdeen Langstane House | 01224 693545 | We help families to develop the skills and confidence they need to cope with the challenges they face and give their children the love and support they need. Referrals welcome from professional organisations and from families themselves. |
Peep Deeside Family Resource Centre | 01224 248389 | Peep supports parents and children to learn together. The learning together programme supports parents and carers with children from 0-5 years of age to value and build on the home learning environment. Focusing on attachment relationships with their children by making the most of everyday learning opportunities such as listening, talking, playing, singing and sharing books and stories together. |
| NHS Choices | Start for life | Trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy birth and parenthood |
Pregnancy.UK Mum Network Ltd 1 | Pregnancy UK | The website provides mums and mums-to-be with free pregnancy advice and information. |
| Ready Steady Baby | Ready Steady Baby | Your guide to pregnancy, labour and birth and early parenthood up to 8 weeks. |
Tamba 2 The Willows Gardner Road | 01483 304442 | The Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba) is a charity set up by parents of twins triplets and higher multiples and interested professionals. We provide advice education family support and health information to families with multiples. |
| The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) | Enquiries 0300 330 0700 | The national charity for pregnancy birth and early parenthood. |
| Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
Aberdeen Recovery Community Drugs Action
| 01224 594700 or 0333 3 448 355 | People who are receiving drug treatment and are ready to move on, looking at steps to recovery. |
Alcoholics Anonymous Suite 120 | 0800 9177 650 | Our helpline is open 24 hours a day and there are local meetings available at various times and locations across Aberdeen City. |
Drinkline Helpline Scotland
| 0800 7 314 314 | Supports people who are worried about their own or someone else’s drinking or drug use. |
Know the Score
| 0800 587 587 9 | An online resource and confidential helpline service for young people providing information and advice on drug use. |
| Narcotics Anonymous | 0300 999 1212 | If you have a problem with drugs, we are recovering drug addicts who can help you get and stay clean. |
Scottish Families Affected By Drugs Suite 2E, Ingram House | 08080 10 1011 (helpline) | If you are concerned about someone else's alcohol or drug use, contact our helpline today. Open 9am-11pm weekdays and a call-back service on weekends. |
| Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
| Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods Payment | Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods Payment | Payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child. Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| Child Benefit | 0300 200 3100 | |
Child Tax Credit ( CTC) Tax Credit Office | 0345 300 3900 | Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| Free school meals and school clothing grant | customerapplications@aberdeencity.gov.uk | Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| Financial Inclusion Team | Financial Inclusion Team | If you live in Aberdeen City, our benefits and money advice team can provide free, impartial and confidential advice. |
| Healthy Start | 0300 330 7010 | If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) SCARF | 0808 129 0888 | Over the phone, online or face-to-face we can offer information about grants and funding, energy efficiency improvements for the home, fuel debt and billing. |
Home Energy Scotland
| 0808 808 2282 | Home Energy Scotland helps people in Scotland create warmer homes, reduce their energy bills, and lower their carbon footprint. We are funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. |
Instant Neighbour 5 St Machar Drive | 01224 489955 reception@instantneighbour.co.uk | We provide a range of financial support services and a food bank. More information about Instant Neighbour's services can be found on Instant Neighbour website. |
| Job Seeker's Allowance | Job seekers allowance | Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid to eligible people who are currently unemployed and looking for work. |
| Money Helper | Money helper | On the Money Helper website you'll find lots of information, resources and calculators to help you plan, budget and save. |
| Scottish Welfare Fund | 0800 03 04 713 | The Scottish Welfare Fund provides financial support if you are facing a crisis or need help to live in the community. This is normally in the form of a one-off grant to help with living costs. The fund does not cover ongoing expenses. Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| Sure Start Maternity Grants | 0800 169 0140 | You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant. Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| The T L C food bank | 07859 765720 info@tlc.org.uk | At TLC food bank our aim is to meet the basic food needs of people in crisis across Aberdeen and the surrounding areas. Once we have identified people in crisis we work hard to improve their quality of life. |
| Turn2us | 0808 802 2000 info@turn2us.org.uk | Helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help, online, by phone and face to face through our partner organizations. |
| Universal Credit | 0800 055 6688 | A payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly or twice a month for some people in Scotland.
|
| Working Tax Credit (WTC) | 0345 300 3900 | Eligibility criteria can be found on the website. |
| Type of service | Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child safety | Absafe - Scottish Home Safety Equipment Scheme 26 Corunna Road | 01224 646461 | Every year many children get injured in their own home. Absafe is a local safety charity and we want to prevent these injuries from happening. We offer a free home safety visit and equipment. |
| Child safety | Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) C A P T | 020 7608 3828 | The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents. |
| Domestic abuse | Grampian Women's Aid
| 01224 593381 info@grampian-womens-aid.com | We provide information and support to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. |
| Domestic abuse | Scottish Women's Aid 132 Rose Street | 0800 027 1234 (helpline) | If you feel scared of or around your partner or if you are worried about someone you know, get in touch with Scotland’s 24 hour helpline. |
| Mental health | Beat Wensum House | 0808 801 0432 | Online support and a UK-wide network of self-help groups to help people beat their eating disorder. The Beat helpline is open Monday to Thursday 1:30 - 4:30pm. |
| Mental health | Breathing Space
| 0800 83 85 87 | Free confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Phone Breathing Space where experienced advisors will listen and provide information and advice. |
| Mental health | Living Life to the Full Five Areas | 01360 661 078 | Free online courses covering low mood, stress and resilience. Work out why you feel as you do. How to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm and tackle upsetting thinking. Our courses are free for individuals using them in their own lives. |
| Mental health | 'See Me' Scotland Brunswick House | 0141 530 1111 | A programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, enabling people who experience mental health problems to live fulfilled lives. |
| Mental health | Steps For Stress | Steps For Stress | The website covers practical ways for you to start dealing with stress. |
Information on Social Care and Health can be found on their website - Social Care and Health
Contact details on other services can be found below:
| Name and address | Contact details | What they offer |
|---|---|---|
Take a Break Scotland Unit 4 | 01904 571093 | Take a Break is Scotland’s short breaks fund for carers of disabled children, young people and their families. Find out if you may be eligible to apply and how to make an application on our website. |
Barnardo’s Aberdeen Young Carers Service 20 Carden Place | 01224 624090 AberdeenYoungCarers@barnardos.org.uk | Supporting children and young people who care for and look after family members affected by health issues, disability or substance misuse. |
| Type of service | Name and address | Contact details | Care Inspectorate Service number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child maintenance options | 0800 988 0988 | A free service providing information and support for separating parents | |
| Relationships Scotland | Relationships Scotland 18 York Place Edinburgh EH1 3EP | 0345 119 2020 Relationships Scotland | A network of regional autonomous charities offering relationship counselling, family mediation and support, and child contact centres. |
| Obtaining maintenance from abroad | 0131 244 3570 / 0131 244 4829 |