Community Groups

Advocacy Shetland

Advocacy Shetland is an independent voluntary organisation which aims to provide a voice for anyone deemed "in need of community care" or their carers.

They provide trained volunteer advocates who ensure that a client's voice is heard, and their views taken into account when decisions are made which may affect their life. They will provide support to clients and provide information regarding their options, entitlements and rights.

Contact: Richard Charlton, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP.

Tel: 01595 743929

email: advocacy@shetland.org

Art Therapy

Art Therapy can help people communicate feelings and thought processes that may be too hard to express in words alone. More effective ways of coping and moving forward are explored as the client develops their own confidence and builds on their strengths. No artistic skills are necessary, the service can be provided outside Lerwick by arrangement. There is no charge.

Contact: Wilma Stewart, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743916

email: art.therapist@shetland.org

website: www.shetlandlinkup.org

Shetland Befriending Scheme

One-to-one befriending scheme for young people and young adults aged between 7 and 25, who are experiencing significant social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, or have significant problems forming effective relationships with adults and peers.

Provides a service to young people who lack significant role models, and who would benefit from regular contact with an adult befriender.

Offers friendship & support, to build confidence and enhance all round social development enabling the young person to go forward.

Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9-5

Contact:

Lynn Tulloch or Idamay Brill, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743907/743908

Fax: 01595 696787

email: befriending@shetland.org

website: Shetland CSS - Befriending Scheme

Citizens Advice Bureau

Free confidential advice on issues ranging from consumer rights to welfare entitlements, benefits and housing.

Offers the services of a Welfare Rights Officer with home visiting service.

Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri - 0930 to 1230 & 1400 to 1600.

Wednesday appointments only. Thursday 0930 to 1230 (Welfare Rights appointments only).

Saturday 1030 to 1300.

Contact:

Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 694696

Fax: 01595 696776

email: sicab@zetnet.co.uk

website: www.cas.org.uk

C.O.P.E

This organisation's aims are to enable adults with learning difficulties who are excluded from employment & community service the opportunity to plan, participate in and manage their own small business.

COPE has achieved this by establishing a dedicated enterprise centre where groups conduct social and economic activities and so change perceptions about the contribution Adults with Learning Difficulties can make.

Contact:

COPE, Port Business Park, Gremista, Lerwick ZE1 0TW

Tel: 01595 690011

email: info@cope.ltd.uk

website: www.cope.ltd.uk/

Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme

Caring for Carers

Supporting carers in the community by providing a respite care service for vulnerable people in their own homes, following a full assessment of their individual needs. Crossroads provide information for carers and operate the "Absent Carers Scheme" offering regular visits to older people giving peace of mind to carers and loved ones.

Contact:

Mary Gifford, Crossroads (Shetland), Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743931/2

Fax: 01595 696787

email: crossroads@shetland.org

Crossroads Caring Scotland

Carers Information and Support Line - Tel: 0141 353 6504

Website: www.crossroads-scotland.co.uk/

Disability Shetland

Disability Shetland aims to offer a comprehensive range of services to people with disabilities and their families or carers. They also work closely with other local agencies, both voluntary and statutory, to help deliver the best service to their clients.

They offer various projects including Recreation Club, Children’s club, Swimming club, Computer project and work closely with the Access Panel.

Contact:

Disability Shetland, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743919

Email: disability-shetland@shetland.org

Website: www.shetlandcommunities.org/disability-shetland

Family Centre Services

Family Centre Services brings together the Pre-school Home Visiting Service, Daycare Officer (Children), the Childcare Partnership Co-ordinator, the family Centre Services Co-ordinator and three playworkers.

This team aims to offer family support services throughout Shetland on an outreach basis by offering parent support groups, a creche, play opportunities, use of the mobile Play Van and individual input to more vulnerable families and children.

For information on childcare provision in Shetland contact:

Family Centre Services Co-ordinator

Bruce Family Centre

Lovers Loan

Lerwick

Tel: 01595 694936

website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Shetland Childcare Partnership Co-ordinator

Shetland Childcare Partnership

Bruce Family Centre

Lovers Loan

Lerwick

Tel: 01595 697460

email: rosemary.inkster@sic.shetland.gov.uk

website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Firth and Mossbank Family Centre

This is a community led initiative aimed at improving services to families in a more isolated area, by promoting the health and well-being of all.

It offers a weekly GP surgery, visits by other health professionals and training in many aspects of health education.

There is also provision for Under 5's Childcare and an Out-of-school Club. Provision is being made for the development of programmes in parenting and other family friendly skills.

For more details please contact:

Sian Hemingway, 21-23 Leaside, Firth, Mossbank, ZE2 9TF

Tel: 01806 242404

Fax: 01806 242838

email: projectfame@btconnect.com

Shetland Hospitals & Community Friends

Helps to provide some equipment and comforts not provided by the Health Board, for patients in hospitals and in the community (such as reclining chairs, toiletries for emergency admissions).

Contact: Tel: 01595 693147

Moving On

The Moving On Employment Project is a voluntary organisation, registered as a charity, offering a confidential service to anyone with a disability, whether it is a learning disability, a sensory impairment or the result of a mental health condition who wants to find work, or take part in work experience.

Contact:

Kellie Naulls, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743926

email: kellie.naulls@shetland.org

British Red Cross Society (Shetland District)

The Red Cross provide several important services throughout the voluntary sector, including:

  • Escort Service - accompanying patients to the Aberdeen Hospital
  • Car Service - conveying disabled/elderly people to medical appointments in Lerwick.
  • Trolley shop - for patients in Hospital
  • Medical Loan - wheelchairs for short term use.
  • Therapeutic Care - for clients in most care centres in Shetland.
  • First Aid - cover for special events

Contact:

Richard Hamilton, Services Manager, Red Cross District Office, Reform Lane, Lerwick

Tel/Fax: 01595 695498

Email: rhamilton@redcross.org.uk

website: www.redcross.org.uk

Red Cross Shop, 125-127 Commercial Street, Lerwick ZE1 0DL

Tel/Fax: 01595 693517

Shetland Alcohol Support Services

Aims to provide a high quality confidential service to all users and to tackle alcohol misuse in Shetland by

  1. The provision of a quality one-to-one counselling service for individuals who misuse alcohol
  2. Advice, support and counselling to families, friends and partners
  3. The promotion of alcohol awareness and health education in alcohol matters
  4. The provision of education, training and advice on alcohol and sensible drinking
  5. Drop-in

We have an outreach counsellor who will see people in their own homes, doctors surgeries or in the centre.

Shetland Alcohol Support Services has a member of staff who works with the schools and community to provide help and support to young people under 16yrs of age.

Please ring for an appointment.

Our main reception is open: Mon, Tues & Friday 9.30am - 5pm. Wed. & Thurs 9.30am - 1pm.

Contact: Shetland Alcohol Support Services, 44 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0AB

Tel: 01595 695363

Fax: 01595 692801

email: admin@alcoholsupport.org.uk

Shetland Community Bike Project

Aims of this project are to provide a therapeutic activity for clients referred from the Alcohol Advice Centre, Shetland Link Up and the Drugs Project and promote cycling by selling or hiring out bikes and organising social cycling events.

Contact: Caroline Adamson, The Cellar, Peterson's Closs, Lerwick ZE1 0EX

Tel: 01595 690077

Fax: 01595 690077

email: shetlandbikeproject@uksfn.org

Shetland Community Drugs Team

This initiative is jointly funded by the Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Health Board and run by a voluntary Board of Directors. Drug workers and trained volunteers provide specialist help and support. There is a GP prescribing clinic for drug dependent clients.

Shetland Community Drugs Team (SCDT) is a voluntary organisation offering confidential counselling, support, information, advice and practical help to anyone with a drug related problem, their family, partner or friends. Where access to project based services is problematic, arrangements may be made to meet you in your own home or another mutually convenient and confidential place. SCDT will assist you in accessing other appropriate information and support services.

SCDT can also deliver training to other professionals or community groups on drug related issues.

Contact:

Gill Hession, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743925

email: gill.scdt@shetland.org

Shetland Council of Social Service

An independent organisation which exists to develop voluntary action in Shetland.

The SCSS Voluntary Services Resource Centre provides office space, office services, conference facilities and training for a wide range of social and welfare activities throughout Shetland.

Contact for a copy of an annual report:

SCSS, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP

Tel: 01595 743902

Fax: 01595 696787

email: scss@shetland.org

Website: www.shetlandcss.co.uk

Shetland Link Up

Provide a free drop-in service for men and women who are recovering from problems with mental-health and well-being. Opening times are on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am - 2pm. Facilities for smokers and non-smokers. Tea and coffee etc are free - just help yourself. You are welcome to share a snack meal with us. We play games of various types or just chat. If you want to speak confidentially to a member of staff, we are happy to arrange it.

Contact:

John Hadland, 8 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0AN

Tel: 01595 693313

email: shetland_linkup@tiscali.co.uk

website: www.shetlandlinkup.org

Shetland Voluntary Services Resource Centre

SVSRC is an umbrella organisation for directing people to appropriate places.

Fund raising and project development are central.

Contact:

Andrina Tulloch by Tel: 01595 743904

email: andrina.tulloch@shetland.org

Shetland Youth Information Service (SYIS)

Offer free, confidential advice and information on a variety of topics of particular interest or concern to young people.

These include alcohol, drugs, housing, money, sexual matters, relationships, mental health and the Internet.

Opening Hours Mon - Fri 9-5pm.

They have a drop-in cafe, resource library and operate a Young Parents Group.

Drop-in opening hours: Mon & Tues 11-4.45pm, Thurs 1-6.45pm, Fri 4-9.45pm, Sat 11-4.45pm.

They also offer a range of workshops and group work activities for young people which can be delivered at the SYIS, in youth clubs, in schools etc.

SYIS offer a Children's Rights Service, freephone 0800 100 2353

Contact: SYIS, 62-64 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0DL

Tel: 01595 692002

Fax: 01595 695001

email: info@shetlandyouth.com

website: www.shetlandyouth.com

Volunteer Centre Shetland

A volunteer co-ordination agency offering opportunities for people to participate in their communities. It also assists individuals and organisations with information and assistance on all volunteering issues.

Opening Hours: Mon 9-5pm, Tues-Fri 9-1pm.

If you would like to offer your services or find out more about the many benefits of volunteering, contact:

Sherl Maclennan, Volunteer Centre Shetland, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick

Tel: 01595 743909

Fax: 01595 696787

email: vcs@shetland.org

website: www.shetlandvolunteers.org.uk

Women of Worth

This is a group run by women for women who have experienced emotional difficulties and problems with mental health and well-being. We encourage mutual support, a sense of worth, acceptance and respect for all group members, explore aspects of self awareness and develop a sense of acceptance of the self and others. This encourages self-love, self-respect, and self-worth. The aim is for members to become more self-reliant, live more independent lives and make healthy life choices. Women of Worth meets at the Shetland Link Up premises on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am - 2pm.

Contact:

Julie Tulloch

Tel: 01595 693313

email: women-of-worth@tiscali.co.uk

website: www.shetlandlinkup.org

WRVS

The WRVS is a national organisation that helps people maintain independence and dignity in their homes and communities, particularly in later life.

Throughout the UK, 56,000 volunteers help provide services like meals on wheels, hospital trolleys or Good Neighbour Tasks.

The WRVS in Shetland offers the following services :

  • Social Clubs in Lerwick, Burra, Walls, Whalsay and Brae
  • Lerwick Social Club meets 2:30-4:30pm every second Tuesday at the Royal British Legion
  • Burra Social Club meets 2-4pm every second Monday at Hamnavoe Public Hall
  • Walls Social Club meets 2-4pm every second Tuesday at Germatwatt Centre
  • Whalsay Social Club meets 2-4pm every second Monday at Isbister Hall
  • Brae Social Club meets 2:30-4:30pm every second Friday at North Haven Care CEntre
  • Lunch club in Sandwick (meets on the last Thursday of the month, 12:30-2:30pm at Sandwick Social Club)
  • New club will be starting spring 2008 in Cunningsburgh/Quarff
  • Good Neighbours Scheme - volunteers provide help with shopping, a trip to the doctor or the post office.

Contact:

WRVS, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick

Tel: 01595 743914

email: shetland.admin@wrvs.org.uk

website: www.wrvs.org.uk