*This page was last updated on 26 March 2020
The current outbreak of Covid-19 (also known as Coronavirus) has caused disruption to mental health and wellbeing services in East Lothian. During this time, some information on Eastspace may be out-of-date.
We want to make sure that you are receiving up-to-date and reliable information. In light of the current situation, we recommend you contact the service provider before trying to access any face-to-face service found on Eastspace.
We are in the process of contacting service providers and will add service updates to this page. Services are listed in alphabetical order.
In the meantime, please look at our self-help section and the latest news on how to stay well during this time.
Click on the links below to be taken to the relevant section of this page.
East Lothian Service Updates
Helplines/Email Support
Online Resources
East Lothian Service Updates
1st Response
Face to face support has been suspended. First Response Telephone appointments available daily. Call 07966 526 452 to book.
Art Therapies
The Art Therapies team are not taking on any new assessments at this time but will continue contact with people already referred to the service by telephone
Phone: 01620 642 776
Anam Cara
All workshops have been cancelled until further notice. You can still contact Anam Cara if you are interested in attending workshops in the future
Email: fiona@anamcara.scot
Bridges Project
All face-to-face meetings will no longer go ahead. Staff will continue to be in touch by phone, email and FaceTime.
Circle Scotland
All group work activities have been cancelled s for the foreseeable future.
If you have any questions, you can contact the team on –
Phone: 0131 552 0305
Email: info@circle.scot
For a full statement on Circle’s response –https://circle.scot/coronavirus-update/
CAPS Independent Advocacy
The offices in Musselburgh and at Argyle House in Edinburgh are not open for the time being.
The Individual Advocacy staff for East Lothian and Midlothian are working from home and regularly checking telephone messages so please get in touch with them on 0131 273 5118 if you need advocacy support and the team will arrange a telephone appointment with you. The team can also still attend appointments if you have been detained in hospital; if you have an upcoming Mental Health Tribunal or a Children’s Hearing.
Collective advocacy
All collective advocacy groups have been postponed. You can get in touch with the collective advocacy workers directly on:
Ele – ele@capsadvocacy.org 07948 740 158
Fingal – fingal@capsadvocacy.org 07989 402 612
Jacob – jacob@capsadvocacy.org 0791 0983 030
Niamh – niamh@capsadvocacy.org 07910 021 539
Pam – pam@capsadvocacy.org 07989 402 634
Victoria – victoria@capsadvocacy.org 07436 102 762
Anne – anne@capsadvocacy.org 07469 660 999
All LEARN courses have been postponed for now. You can get in touch with the team by email learn@capsadvocacy.org
CHANGES Community Health Project
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, CHANGES is no longer able to provide face to face appointments, groups or courses.
Between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm, Monday to Friday, a member of staff will be answering phone calls to the main office number on 0131 653 3977.
Crossreach Counselling
CrossReach Counselling: Lothians has temporarily suspended its service. Staff are working remotely and will respond to e-mails.
For all administrative queries please contact: ccl@crossreach.org.uk
Circle Scotland
Click here for a full-service update – Circle Response to Covid-19
Dads Work
Dads Work has suspended face-to-face services. There will be no one-to-one, home visits, groups or counselling until further notice.
The team will be continuing to work online, text, telephone, skype, video messaging to ensure families feel supported.
If you have questions or would like further information please contact Kevin Young.
Phone: 07833741768
Email: dadswork@hotmail.co.uk
EARS Independent Advocacy Service (SCIO)
EARS is currently only providing statutory advocacy (for example, Adult Protection, Mental Health Act or Adults with Incapacity referrals) for the time being. This is across all services.
East Lothian Councils
For more information on how the Covid-19 outbreak has affected East Lothian council services, go to www.eastlothian.gov.uk
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – East Lothian Outreach
No face-to-face support, only over the phone or email
Email: support@ercc.scot
Phone: 0131 556 9437
First Steps
All First Steps groups are no longer running. Go to their Facebook page for videos and advice for what to do during this time. www.facebook.com/firststepcommunityprojectmusselburgh/
Friday Friends
Tuesday and Friday recovery cafés, F4 (Sunday afternoons) and The Jericho Youth café on Saturday evenings have been suspended until further notice.
In the meantime, the team are taking measures to offer support to our service users via social media, text and WhatsApp.
Food received from Greggs, Foodshare and food in from the freezer at the Centre is to be delivered to service users doors.
Get2gether
Get2gether are cancelling all events and meetings until at least the end of June 2020.
The team will be keeping an online presence and encourage members to send photos, poems, stories and ideas of what you are doing to keep yourself busy. Send items by email to admin@get2gether.org.uk or through Facebook messenger.
You can also phone the team on 07867 179023
Headway East Lothian
All Headway East Lothian meetings and outreach will be cancelled for the time being.
Haddington Citizen Advice Bureau
Haddington CAB are currently not able to offer any face-to-face appointments until further notice.
The team are providing a limited-service via telephone and email.
Phone: 01620 824471
Advice Direct: 0808 800 9060.
Haddington Peer Project
The Drop-In Soup group which happens every Thursday from 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm at Meadowpark school is suspended for the next 12 weeks. For further updates, please go to their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HaddPeerProject
Health in Mind
For a full update on Health in Mind services and access to free resources, go to the Health in Mind website – www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL)
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) has cancelled all of its groups between now and at least the end of May – potentially June. The team are in the process of trying to be able to host these groups via Zoom – if you are interested in taking part in these groups, please email lisa.milburn@lothiancil.org.uk.
Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP)
LEAP is no longer assessing patients or admitting to the programme. The LEAP team will write to all prospective patients.
Mid and East Lothian Drugs (MELD)
All support groups are postponed. If anyone is looking for drug and alcohol support in Mid or East Lothian, the MELD team can still provide this by phone.
Phone: 07843 339 958
Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau
Clients in the East Lothian area and who require advice, are asked to please check the Musselburgh CAB website for self-help options. you can also send us an enquiry via the website.
If your issue is urgent i.e. you require a foodbank referral, you have a problem with a benefit claim, or you need to make a new claim for benefits, please get in touch by phone.
Website: musselburghcab.org.uk
Phone: 0131 665 1141.
Post Natal Mental Health Peer Support Group (PANDAS)
All groups have been suspended. Contact the group leader for more information.
Local leader: 07735 021880
Email: info@pandasfoundation.org.uk
Sleep Scotland Phoneline
The Sleep Scotland team will be working remotely until further notice, in line with current government guidance. This includes the Sleep Support Line. The team can be contacted via email at enquiries@sleepscotland.org, or if you know the team you wish to contact, please use the addresses below:
Sleep Support Line – sleepsupport@sleepscotland.org
Training – training@sleepscotland.org
Finance – finance@sleepscotland.org
Starfish Recovery SCIO
The Starfish Recovery Cafe is closed until further notice.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones has suspended all activites until furtehr notice. You can still contact the team during normal working hours.
Phone: 01620893056
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Steppingouteastlothian
STRiVE
STRiVE is enacting a Social Distancing Policy. Therefore its office will be closed until further notice. All staff can be reached by email and by the contact form on its website – strive.scot
Substance Misuse Service – The Esk Centre
The Substance Misuse Service is currently restricting face-to-face appointments to those considered to be essential.
It is advised not to visit the Esk Centre unless a staff member has told you to do so.
People already involved with thr service will have their prescriptions delivered to their usual pharmacies and will be followed up by telephone.
If people have specific difficulties and/or require additional support, they should contact the team by telephone.
If you are looking for a gateway assessment, please contact the team by phone on Mondays at 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm or on Thursdays at 11.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Phone: 0131 446 4853
The Ridge
The Ridge is currently supporting people by phone and has cancelled face-to-face support. The team are liaising with different agencies to provide emotional and practical help.`
Venture Scotland
Venture Scotland office is closed and all staff working from home. The team are continuing to try to support the young people currently engaging with our courses through digital media. The team are unable to offer face-to-face meetings, however, referrals can still be made via email (admin@venturescotland.org.uk) and by telephone 07495 836 248.
Waverley Care
Waverley Care has released a full statement about how Covid-19 will effect its services –www.waverleycare.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-announcement-were-suspending-person-support-services
Women’s Aid Mid and East Lothian
Staff are working from home but still available on phone and email.
Phone: 0131 561 5800
Email: info@womensaideml.org
Monday – Friday
Helplines/Email Support
Anxiety UK
During the coronavirus pandemic, Anxiety UK has extended its helpline hours to provide additional support in the evenings until 10.00 pm and over the weekend between 10.00 am -8.00 pm.
Phone: 03444 775774
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, stress, depression or anxiety.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
Monday to Thursday – 6.00 pm – 2.00 am
Friday to Monday – 6.00 pm – to 6.00 am
CALM
For people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
Hopeline
Hopeline is a confidential support and advice service for:
- Children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide
- Anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
LGBT Health and Wellbeing Helpline
The helpline provides information and emotional support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, friends and supporters across Scotland. The team also provide support to those questioning or wanting to discuss their sexuality or gender identity.
Phone: 0300 123 2523
Email: helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk
Tuesday and Wednesday between 12.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Webchat: www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/helpline
Between 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm
OCD Action
A confidential and unbiased service offering help, information and support for people with OCD, carers and anyone who is concerned that they, or their friends or relatives, may have OCD or a related disorder.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 or 020 7253 2664
Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 8.00 pm
Samaritans
Samaritans offer confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Open every day, all day
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline is for all LGBT people across the UK.
Every day, 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
Phone:0300 330 0630
Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt
Saneline
National out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
Phone: 0300 304 7000
every day of the year 4.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Beat eating disorders
Beat support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Student line: 0808 801 0811
Youth line: 0808 801 0711
Beat helplines are open 365 days a year from 12.00 pm – 8.00 pm during the week, and 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm on weekends and bank holidays.
If the lines are busy and you can’t get through immediately, please do try again or try the one-to-one webchat.
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Rape Crisis Scotland
The Rape Crisis Scotland helpline offers free and confidential support and information by phone, email and text. It is for anyone aged 13 and over, of any gender, affected by any form of sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened.
Phone: 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Text: 077537 410 027
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
The helpline supports anyone with experience of domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them. The team provide a confidential, sensitive service to anyone who calls.
Phone: 0900 027 1234
Open 24/7
Email: helpline@sdsfmh.org.uk
Webchat: sdafmh.org.uk/
Survivors UK
Survivors UK supports men who have been sexually abused.
Online Helpline
A chat service for men who have experienced sexual abuse either as a child or an adult and allows you to have a confidential one-to-one chat with one of the trained helpliners.
Website: www.survivorsuk.org/
Text: 020 3322 1860
Whatsapp: 074 9181 6064
Addiction and Substance Misuse
Al-Anon
Al-Anon helpline is for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking.
Phone: 0800 0086 811
Every day, 10.00 am – 10.00 pm, 365 days a year.
Please do not leave a message as, to ensure callers’ confidentiality, the team are unable to return calls.
Email: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk
Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
Cocaine Anonymous (CA) is a fellowship, offering information and support to people affected by addiction to cocaine and other mind and mood-altering substances.
Phone: 0800 612 0225
Email: helpline@cauk.org.uk
Drinkline
Drinkline runs a free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s.
Phone: 0300 123 1110
Weekdays, 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Weekends, 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Know the Score
Confidential drugs information and advice.
Phone: 0333 230 9468
Email: knowthescore.info/help-and-support/drugs-helpline
Scottish Families Affected by Drugs & Alcohol
If you are concerned about someone’s alcohol or drug use, contact Scottish Families Affected by Drugs & Alcohol. Available 9.oo am-11.00 pm Monday to Friday and as a call-back service on weekends.
Phone: 08080 10 10 11
Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 11.00 pm
Call back service on weekends.
Talk to Frank
Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs information and advice.
Phone: 0300 123 6600
Open every day, all day.
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Webchat and email advice are also available, along with a wide range of online resources on the Frank website.
Older People
The Age Scotland Helpline
Information and advice for older people.
Phone: 0800 12 44 222
Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Elder Abuse Helpline
The Elder Abuse Helpline offers free and confidential advice and support on:
- financial harm or exploitation
- physical abuse
- emotional or psychological abuse
- sexual harm or abuse
- neglect
Phone: 080 8808 8141 (press 2 for Scotland)
Monday – Friday, 9.o0 am – 5.00 pm
Email: scotland@elderabuse.org.uk
Young People
Childline
Phone: 800 1111
Webchat: www.childline.org.uk
Every day, 9.00 am – 12.00 am
For more information, go to www.childline.org.uk
The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. The team can help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Webchat: www.themix.org.uk/get-support
Open 24/7
Text Service
A crisis messenger text service providing free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. The service is for people aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis.
Text THEMIX to 85258
Families
Lone Parent Helpline
The Lone Parent Helpline offers emotional support and information for lone parents on a range of topics, including:
- child maintenance
- contact
- employment
- education
- welfare benefits and tax credits
- housing
- debt
Phone: 0808 801 0323.
Monday – Friday, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Webchat: opfs.org.uk/talk-to-us
ParentLine
ParentLine Scotland is the free, confidential helpline run by Children 1st. Its highly trained call-takers offer help, advice, information, reassurance or just a friendly listening ear to stressed parents or carers.
Phone: 08000 28 22 33
Email: parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk
Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 9.00 pm
Saturday – Sunday, 9.00am – 12:00pm
Online Resources
ACE IT Online Shopping Helpsheet
The purpose of this helpsheet is to help you walk through the steps to set up and then effectively use supermarket shopping.
Download the helpsheet here – ACE IT Online Shopping Helpsheet
Coronavirus advice for unpaid carers
For anyone providing regular support to a vulnerable friend or relative will want to do what they can to protect their own health and that of those they look after during the coronavirus outbreak.
Download here – Carers Leaflet Covid-19
CHAYN
CHAYN is a global volunteer network addressing gender-based violence by creating intersectional survivor-led resources online.
Website: www.chayn.co
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
CAMHS have a comprehensive list of online resources for children, young people and their family/carers.
Click here to view the CAMHS online resource page – services.nhslothian.scot/camhs/Resources/Pages/Online-Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice for professionals
People who work in health and care settings should be extra vigilant about any new or developing symptoms. Check out this webpage for more advice – www.nhsinform.scot
Headspace
A mindful approach to helping your team through the current global crisis.
ww.headspace.com/work/mindful-approach-to-covid-19
Health in Mind
Health in Mind service updates and free resources.
www.health-in-mind.org.uk/coronavirus_covid_19
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity based in England but has a lot of online resources to support you during Covid-19
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
Safe Lives
Safe Lives have a collecti0n of resources to help adults and children living with domestic abuse, and the professionals working hard to support them, during Covid-19.
safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19
SCVO Coronavirus Directory
Search for support in your area, including:
- Emotional/social support
- Food/grocery delivery
- Transportation
- Information and advice
Online Directory: www.covid-19.scvo.org.uk
Staying well while social distancing
NHS Lothian Occupational Therapists have developed a fantastic resource to help you stay well while you are social distancing.
Click here to download the document – Staying well while social distancing