Support Services
Food & Basics
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Lochwinnoch Community Larder
Help with: Community Food - Free food, household items, and sanitary products.
The Pantry is open: Mon 12.00 -16.00, Tues 10.00 - 12.00, Thurs 10.00 - 14.00, Sat 10.30 - 12.00; Community Fridge & Freezer accessible 24/7 for Members. Membership is free. Food parcel delivery on Fridays. Self referral for anyone who can't get to the project in-person, or who requires a bit of extra help. Free cooking classes also offered at times throughout the year.
Lochhead Gardens, Lochhead Ave, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4AW.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lochwinnochcommunitylarder
https://www.myleapproject.org/the-larder
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Darkwood Crew - Ferguslie Community Market
Help with: Community Food - Open to anyone who needs it. £2.50 for approx. £15 worth of shopping.
Visit website for more details.
Thurs 11.00 am onward (Priority access for 65+ from 10.30 am)
Tannahill Centre, 76 Blackstoun Rd, Ferguslie Park, Paisley, PA3 1NT.
https://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodCrew
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Star Project
Help with: Community Food - Low cost pantry; Shopper service.
Tues - Thurs 10.00 - 14.00 & Fri 13.00 - 15.00
12-14 Wallace Street, Paisley, PA3 2BU.
https://www.facebook.com/STARPantryPlus​​
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Active Communities
Help with: Community Food - Low Cost Pantry
Wednesday 10.00 - 14.00
Station Seven, 7 Quarry Street, Johnstone, United Kingdom
https://www.facebook.com/ACommunities
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Renfrewshire Food Bank
Help with: Provides an emergency three day food supply for those who have been referred for support. They can also provide reimbursement for travel to and from Johnstone.
Contact: LEAP Together can make a referral on your behalf if you let us know, or contact Advice Works or Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau for a referral.
www.renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk/contact-us / 0300 102 2500​​
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Lochwinnoch Library
Help with: Free sanitary products available.
Old School, High St, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB
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Fuel
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Home Energy Scotland
Help with: Referral for loans and grants for making your home more energy efficient; Help clearing fuel debt; Fuel advocacy and help contacting fuel companies and making supplier choices.
Contact: 0800 092 9002
Home Energy Scotland
https://www.homeenergyscotland.org
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The Wise Group
Help with: Fuel advice, practical solutions and financial support.
heat-thewisegroup.co.uk
You can access the referral form for fuel vouchers and energy support by clicking here.
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Family Wellbeing Service
Support for families across a range of issues including bereavement, financial stress and mental health.
You can access their referral form by clicking here.
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Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau
Help with: Home energy advice; Referral to home energy improvement schemes; Access to fuel vouchers and grants for clearing fuel debts; Fuel debt management; Help contacting fuel providers.
Contact: 0141 889 2121
energy@paisleyCAB.casonline.org.uk
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/energy/energy-supply
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Renfrewshire Council
Help with: Energy advocacy; Referral to home energy improvement schemes; Help contacting fuel providers; Fuel debt advice; Access to grants and for clearing debt and fuel vouchers.
Contact: 0300 300 0300
https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2738/Energy-advice-and-advocacy
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Ofgem
Help with: Industry regulator - able to confirm legitimacy of cold calling schemes if approached.
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Money
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We are proud to partner with the Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance (RACA) to bring you The Good Guide to Credit.
Around one-fifth of the UK adult population has less than £100 in savings, or no savings at all, so when an emergency strikes, they may need to use credit. We have a great Guide to Credit to help you out.
The Good Guide to Credit from RACA is the perfect FREE guide for anyone who is looking to understand credit terms, borrow money, or is considering borrowing money but doesn’t know where to start.
Click here to access the Guide which is packed full of information on local financial services offering an alternative to high-cost (payday) lenders or even loan sharks.
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Renfrewshire Affordable Credit Alliance
Helps with: Accessing fair and affordable credit.
Contact: 0141 887 7707
See RACA's good guide to credit here: https://www.raca.org.uk/
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Family Wellbeing Service
Support for families across a range of issues including bereavement, financial stress and mental health.
You can access their referral form by clicking here.
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Advice Works
Help with: Free money and debt advice; Assistance with benefit claims and benefit checks.
Contact: 0300 300 1238
https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/​
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Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau
Help with: Money and debt advice; advice on employment and housing; legal advice; consumer advice.
Contact: 0141 889 2121
https://www.renfrewshirecab.org.uk
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Family Wellbeing Service
Support for families across a range of issues including bereavement, financial stress and mental health.
https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/13943/Family-wellbeing-service
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Mental Health & Wellbeing
Family Wellbeing Service
Support for families across a range of issues including bereavement, financial stress and mental health.
You can access their referral form by clicking here.
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RAMH
Free support with mental health issues, including access to counselling, immediate crisis support and individualised care.
0141 847 8900
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Home Start
Help with: Emotional and practical befriending support for families with at least one child under five yo.
https://www.home-start.org.uk/about-us
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Family Wellbeing Service
Support for families across a range of issues including bereavement, financial stress and mental health.
https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/13943/Family-wellbeing-service
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Parentline Scotland
Help with: Advice and support for all parents.
Contact: 0800 028 2233
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Young Minds
Help with: Supporting young people and your mental health.
https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/
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Papyrus
Help with: Supporting under 35s with suicidal thoughts.
Contact: 0800 068 4141 / (Text) 07860039967 /
https://papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk
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Samaritans
Help with: Telephone support and advice for adults.
Contact: 116223​
https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/samaritans-in-scotland
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Breathing Space
Help with: Free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Contact: 0800 83 85 87
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ROAR
Help with: Empowering elderly people to stay resillient, socially connected and physically active.
Contact: 0141 889 7481
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Childline
Help with: Telephone support for anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.
Contact: 0800 1111
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Kairos Women
Help with: Community-led women’s space for all women and non-binary people.
Contact: info@kairoswomen.org
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Employment
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Employability Scotland
Help with: Tailored, flexible, and person-centred support for people who want help to find work.
Contact: ruth.cooper@renfrewshire.gov.uk
https://www.employabilityinscotland.com/
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Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau
Help with: Money and debt advice; advice on employment and housing; legal advice; consumer advice.
Contact: 0141 889 2121
https://www.renfrewshirecab.org.uk/
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Domestic Abuse
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Renfrewshire Women's Aid
Help with: Women's service providing support and advice on your rights, as well as safe places to stay.
Contact: 0141 561 7030
https://www.renfrewshirewomensaid.co.uk/
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Homelessness
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Renfrewshire Council Homelessness Services
Help with: Supporting people to find accommodation
Contact: 0141 618 7200
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2546/Homelessness
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Shelter Scotland
Help with: Advice, support and legal services for people experiencing homelessness.
Contact: 0808 800 444
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Turning Point Scotland
Help with: Supporting ex-offenders seeking housing / general support.
Contact: https://www.turningpointscotland.com/get-support/what-help-is-available/
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Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau
Help with: Money and debt advice; advice on employment and housing; legal advice; consumer advice.
Contact: 0141 889 2121
local resources
Here is a list of useful links and contact details for organisations which provide support services.
Check out Aliss for details of other community groups in our area.
