SCOTSIN - LONDON: ScotsCare helps London Scots in need

LONDON: ScotsCare helps London Scots in need

Written by ScotsCare

Saturday, 11 August 2007

ScotsCare helps Scots who live in and around London suffering hardship or seeking to rebuild or improve their lives.

ScotsCare helps Scots who live in and around London suffering hardship or seeking to rebuild or improve their lives. We help these first and second generation Scots by providing; financial assistance, employment and training opportunities; a friendly face to visit them; social networks and housing.

Are you one of 340,000 Scots living in London? You should know about us...

Every day we meet distressed men and women, young and old alike and listen to anxious telephone calls from Scots who need our help to overcome poverty; some are fleeing from violence and abuse, some are homeless and many are elderly and frail. Whether its lone mothers with young kids to support or young men who have lost their way and are seeking to rebuild their lives, all call on us desperate for help.

So, if you are one of the 340,000 Scots living in London visit our website (and our "Help Us" page) to find out how you can help us with either a donation or by volunteering some of your time.

How we help

> Housing for the elderly and severely disabled;

> Help to get people back into work at a decent level of income;

> Grants and assistance to those on low incomes;

> Grants to students on low incomes or from deprived families;

We focus services on helping people help themselves.

Help Us

We always appreciate help. You can help in two ways:

(1) Donate money

In an average year, ScotsCare spends more than £1 million in meeting its remit which includes assisting those on low incomes. We fund regular allowances for almost 300 older people and provide financial assistance to over 900 other households.

A million pounds is a lot of money but it can only alleviate a small part of the distress and hardship experienced by London Scots. ScotsCare is always in need of additional funds so please, if you can, consider making a donation today.

(2) Donate time

ScotsCare has a full volunteer programme of social events and community involvement with a view to helping those Scots in London. As one volunteer, Karen (left) explains, "Volunteering with ScotsCare has been a truly empowering experience in many ways: it has enabled me to connect with my own Scottish heritage, as well as offering enormous personal satisfaction in my befriending relationship. I can honestly say that volunteering with ScotsCare has added a whole new dimension to my life!"

To find out more about volunteering call us free on 0800 652 2989.

ScotsCare can help with...

ScotsCare can help through a range of services to alleviate hardship and to assist Scots in need in London. ScotsCare will aim to help Scots and second generation Scots in London from all walks of life whether they are young or not so young, whether out of work or wanting to undertake training towards work. ScotsCare aims to focus services on helping people help themselves.

> Older people and people with disabilities may be able to get help to improve their quality of life by giving a one-off grant or by an increase in their disposable income by granting a regular allowance.
> People of working age can be offered guidance and assistance towards developing a plan which can help them move towards employment.
> Training and Student grants are available to help complete educational and vocational courses enabling them to improve their chances of gaining paid employment. To be eligible, applicants must have lived in London for two years prior to the start of any course.
> People who are housebound or socially isolated can be helped to gain access to social events either organised by themselves or ScotsCare.
> Those on low income can be considered for:
- > One-off general grants towards, for example, household items,
- > One-off Children's grants to help towards the support and care of children, such as for school uniforms or funding towards a school event.
> Those with caring responsibilities in certain circumstances may get help to fund respite holidays.

Helpline service

Our Telephone Helpline service is for Scots in London, allowing them to gain help from ScotsCare by telephone. We offer a listening service along with advice and information on a range of issues. The person receiving your call will,

Listen to your problems and difficulties.
Ask you for the kind of information that is necessary to guide you to the best source of help.
If appropriate, redirect your call to someone within the ScotsCare team who may be able to offer further help.

Housing

ScotsCare provides homes for Scots young and old who live in and around London. Currently we have 83 flats, 20 of which are available for young working Scots who cannot afford London property prices. The remaining 63 are for the elderly or those with a manageable disability.

Rothesay Court has 35 fully supported homes in a community setting in the Grove Park area of Lewisham. A Community Warden is on site to support residents with advice, practical help and assistance and in dealing with health and social services. There is a tastefully furnished community room available for all residents and it is regularly used for social gatherings. There is also a well stocked and maintained garden which is much enjoyed by residents and hosts an annual garden party.

St Ninian's Court and Bruce Gardens. These 28 delightful little maisonettes form a village style community close to Whetstone. Our Warden is able to provide advice and practical support to those residents who need it, all the while helping them to retain their independence and to follow their own interests. There is also a community hall which has a summer house ambiance that is very much enjoyed by residents.

Kinnear Court is where we have created a community for young working Scots. These homes are available on short term assured tenancies and benefit from a reception/lounge room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Set in the quiet, leafy suburbs of Wimbledon, it also benefits from good transport links to the centre of London.

Agency Referrals

Do your clients qualify for our help?

ScotsCare are keen to work in partnership with organisations, agencies and educational establishments throughout London to help Scots and second generation Scots in need of support and assistance. ScotsCare can help through a range of services to alleviate hardship from all walks of life whether they are young or not so young, whether out of work or wanting to undertake training towards work.

ScotsCare recognises that many people living on state benefits and/or on low income have abilities and talents as well as needs. ScotsCare aims to encourage people to use these talents and to encourage people to reach their full potential by taking steps themselves to improve their quality of life and by helping others to do likewise. Services offered by ScotsCare include:

> For older people and people with disabilities; to help improve the quality of life perhaps by giving a one-off grant or by an increase in their disposable income by granting a regular monthly allowance.
> For People of working age; can be offered guidance and assistance towards developing a plan, which can help them move towards employment either in the short or longer term.
> For Training and Student grants; available to help complete educational and vocational courses enabling them to improve their chances of gaining better paid employment. To be eligible, applicants must have lived in London for two years prior to the start of any course.
> For people who are housebound or socially isolated; can be helped to gain access to social events either organised by themselves or ScotsCare and can be offered assistance from staff or volunteers.
> For those on low income; can be considered for,
- > One-off general grants towards, for example, household items
- > One-off Children’s grants to help towards the support and care of children, such as for school uniforms or funding towards a school event.
For those with caring responsibilities; in certain circumstances, help to fund respite holidays.
A dedicated Telephone Helpline, 0800 652 2989, offering a listening and befriending service along with advice and information on a range of issues.

Our History

The history of the charity begins in 1603

ScotsCare is the registered trademark of The Royal Scottish Corporation, a charity that traces its origins to 1603. During that time the charity has helped over a million Scots in London and aims to help many more over the next 400 years.

If you are interested in reading more about the charity and the work it has carried out over the years we have a detailed book, "A Cup of Kindness" by respected author Justine Taylor which you can purchase from our office in Covent Garden alternatively you can order a copy by telephoning 020 7240 3718.

Contact Us

Scotscare is based in the heart of Covent Garden in London's West End. Our dedicated staff are able to deal with all your queries and would be happy to hear from you, even if it's just to say hello!

Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Address: ScotsCare, 37 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JS

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.scotscare.com

Telephone: 020 7240 3718

Facsimile: 020 7497 0184

UK Helpline: 0800 652 2989

Further Information:

> ScotsCare

Comments

ScotsCare - "A Cup of Kind

siladmin 2007-10-13 18:56:46

For over 400 years, the Scottish Hospital, now known as ScotsCare, has done a
great job helping Scots in need in London. If you know any Scots who need
support and could benefit from a monthly allowance, need new white goods or need
help with student fees then get in touch.
I'm delighted to be one the ScotsCare
Trustees and see first hand the difference a little help makes to lives. To coin
a phrase "every little helps" and it really does... :wink:

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