The Scottish Government

This page provides links to other organisations which you might find helpful. The Scottish Government is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of websites referenced by an external link.

is an independent charity, working to help make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable, dignified and enjoyable. It operates a helpline from Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm (0845 125 9732).

Alzheimer Scotland provides information and advice for people with dementia, their carers and families. It operates a free 24 hour helpline (0808 808 3000).

Apex Scotland is the leading training and employment organisation, working with offenders, ex-offenders and young people at risk.

AVERT is an international HIV and AIDS charity. Its website provides a list of contacts for local organisations throughout the UK that provide services for people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Care Commission is the independent regulator of housing support and care services in Scotland.

Citizens Advice Scotland helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice.

Communication Forum Scotland is an informal alliance of organisations representing people of all ages with varied communication support needs.

Domestic Abuse: There's No Excuse is the Scottish Government's website about domestic abuse. It includes a free 24 hour Scottish domestic abuse helpline (0800 027 1234).

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel provides information and advice about all forms of housing, support and care for older people. It operates a telephone advice line, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm (020 7820 1343). Its website contains information about all forms of housing and care throughout the UK.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission was established in October 2007 and works to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequalities and protect human rights. It replaced the three previous commissions, including the Disability Rights Commission.

Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living helps disabled people in Glasgow access support for independent living.

HIV Scotland is a voluntary sector policy organisation, providing information and advice on HIV.

Inclusion Scotland is a consortium of organisations of disabled people and disabled individuals. It aims to draw attention to the physical, social, economic, cultural and attitudinal barriers affecting the lives of disabled people in Scotland.

Know the Score provides information and advice about drugs in Scotland for young people, parents and professionals. It operates a 24 hour free confidential helpline (0800 587 5879).

The Lothian Centre for Integrated Living is a disability and user led organisation which provides a range of practical services to disabled people in the Lothian region.

Makaton promotes a symbol and sign language for people with communication and learning difficulties.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice for blind and partially-sighted people.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People offers a range of services for deaf and hard of hearing people.

The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability provides details of local services for people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

The Scottish Council for Single Homeless is the national membership body for organisations and individuals tackling homelessness.

The Scottish Council on Deafness represents organisations working with and on behalf of Deaf Sign Language users, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people.

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum works for social inclusion in Scotland through the removal of barriers and promotion of equal access for people affected by disability.

The Scottish Personal Assistant Employer Network (SPAEN) is a membership organisation of people who employ personal assistants using direct payments. It provides a range of services, including peer support, advice, training, advocacy and best practice in employing personal assistants.

The Scottish Refugee Council offers advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. It operates a free helpline from Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 1pm and 2 - 4.30pm (0800 085 6087).

The Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum aims to improve support for young people leaving care by influencing national policies and local support services.

Scottish Women's Aid provides information and advice women and their children experiencing domestic abuse. It has refuges and other locally based support throughout Scotland and operates a domestic abuse helpline (0800 027 1234).

The See Me Scotland campaign was launched in October 2002 to challenge stigma and discrimination around mental ill health in Scotland.

Shelter Scotland is the national campaigning charity for housing and homelessness. It operates a free housing advice helpline from Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm (0808 800 4444).

Streets Ahead is an on-line guide to leaving home and housing for young people aged 14 to 25 in Scotland.

VOX (Voices Of eXperience) is a national mental health service user led organisation which works with mental health and related services to ensure that service users get every opportunity to contribute positively to changes in the services that serve them.

wellscotland.info is the website of the Scottish Government's national programme for improving mental health.

Who Cares? Scotland is a voluntary organisation working with and for children and young people in care.

Young Scot is the Scottish youth information site for people in Scotland aged 12 to 26 years.