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Help and advice

We can offer a range of advice and support at the East Lothian Foodbank. Including money advice, benefit checks, guidance on social security payments, and debt and housing support.

Also check what other support you may be entitled to, or support services in your local area.

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Get emergency food Referral Agencies Additional support

East Lothian Foodbank and our support services are here to help, acting with respect and without judgement.

Get Help

We are committed to ending the need for Foodbanks in East Lothian and we encourage individuals to explore all available options to maximise their income, to ensure a foodbank referral is the last resort. Below are some agencies and resources to find out what extra support is available in East Lothian.

Worrying About Money Leaflet

The Worrying About Money leaflet is a step-by-step guide for people facing money worries. The leaflet identifies which local agencies are best placed to help people maximise income and access any existing financial entitlements.

Money Advice Service

We have our own Money Advice Service in partnership with the Edinburgh Food Project. We can refer in to this specialist advice service, who can support you with a range of services. Please see our advice page for more information.

Fa'side Help Hub

Every Wednesday morning from 10am - 12pm, we run a support hub at VCEL in Tranent. Come along for a hot drink and a chat about how best we can support you. Please see our Help Hub page for more information.

Scottish Welfare Fund

Before receiving a food parcel, the Scottish Welfare Fund can offer cash alternatives. They provide a safety net for people on low incomes. This is a discretionary scheme which means it provides grants that do not have to be repaid. Find out how to apply on their website.

Get emergency food

If you need help, we can provide an emergency food parcel. We can help you find out where to get a food voucher for emergency food.

Get emergency food
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Our foodbank works using a referral system

In order to provide support for your circumstances, we work with a range of local agencies across East Lothian to ensure you receive the best support and advice you need.

Referral Agencies

When you speak to one of our partners they will take some details from you to make a referral to us. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means we are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people, take into account any special dietary requirements and may also provide long-term support to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.

If you’re not sure who you can ask for a referral, here is a list of some of the agencies we work with. Once they’ve made the referral to us, we’ll be in touch to confirm details with you and organise your parcel.

East Lothian Council Tenancy Support

01620 827827

If you are an East Lothian Council tenant, this service is free to use and can help support you to receive a food bank referral.

East Lothian Council Social Work Services

01875 824309

 

Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau

01620 824 471

46 Court Street
Haddington EH41 3NP

Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL)

01875 615423

55 High Street
Tranent EH33 1HH

The Ridge

01368 865888

1 Black Bull Close

Dunbar EH42 1JH

Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau

0131 653 2748

Fisherrow Centre, South Street
Musselburgh EH21 6AT

Other ways to get a referral

We work with a number of local charities and community partners. If you are being supported by one of these you can ask your support worker for a referral or any of the following to complete a referral on your behalf:

GPs, Local Councillors, NHS mental health teams, NHS substance use teams, East Lothian Council and justice services, family agencies and school practitioners. 

Additional support

Find out which additional support you may be eligible for and how we can help.

East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council offers a range of advice services, agency partners and welfare support. Take a look and see what you may be entitled to.

VCEL Locator

The Volunteer Centre has created a searchable map that displays third sector services and activities throughout East Lothian. It provides easy access to essential information and support services.

Eastspace

Eastspace is an online space for mental health and wellbeing information in East Lothian. They provide information about local mental health and wellbeing services and support and aims to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, through connecting people to local activities and places.

Information Hubs

Information Hubs are held across East Lothian on a regular basis, these hubs bring together friendly faces from charities, the council and the NHS all in one place - to help you find the right support.

Follow the link to find out more about the next dates/venues.

NHS Single Point of Contact

East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a new single point of contact telephone line to allow individuals over 18 years to self-refer themselves into East Lothian based NHS mental health services.  By calling 0300 790 6292, Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, adults can make contact and receive professional advice from specialist mental health clinicians in as little as 24 hours.

After an initial discussion, assessment and evaluation, the mental health clinician will advise the person of the available options to meet their needs. This may include:

An initial referral to online self-help courses and/or community support networks

For those requiring some structured support, an appointment with the CWIC Mental Health Team or the Distress Briefing Intervention Service

It may be recommended that the person gains more specialised support from occupational and/or physiotherapy teams, the psychological therapies service or substance use team

Alternatively, a referral may be placed directly with the Older Adults Mental Health Team or to Social Work Services

Care When It Counts Mental Health Service – CWIC

If you are feeling anxious, depressed or have other worries about your mental health, you can call the CWIC mental health service.

When you call, an experienced worker will take your details and make an appointment for you to speak to a Mental Health Occupational Therapist or Nurses, who will ring you back at a time that is convenient for you within the next 36 hours.

The practitioner will assess you over the phone, and provide help and support and sometimes a referral on to other services.

Out of hours support 

NHS 24 Tel: 111

Samaritans Tel: 116123

Breathing Space (2pm-6am) Tel: 0800 838 587

CALM (5pm-midnight)  Tel: 0800 585 858