Local Support Groups
Age Concern Working with and for older people. The local group provides social activities for pensioners in Lerwick. The Good Companions Club meets every Wednesday afternoon between October and April for a programme and afternoon tea. Outings are organised in the summer, and lunches at Christmas time. Local Branch Tel: 01595 692671 |
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings every Friday evening in the Congregational Church Hall at 7.00pm. Local contact numbers: Lerwick - 01595 693063 Hamnavoe - 01595 859427 Sumburgh - 01950 422266 National No. 0845 769 7555 |
Arthritis Care Offer advice, support and information to people who live with arthritis and their carers. They hold monthly meetings and can offer contact information. Local: 01595 694598 National: 0141 952 5433 Freephone 080 8800 4050 (12-4pm weekdays) Website: www.arthritiscare.org.uk |
Breast Cancer Support Group This long established local support group provide a support and information service for those affected by breast cancer. They can offer home and hospital visits and are independent of health services. Contact: Elma Polson on 01595 693296 |
Community Alcohol & Drugs Services Shetland (CADSS) Working towards a Safer Shetland CADSS is an independent voluntary organisation that exists to develop and deliver a range of services to those affected by alcohol and/or drug use in Shetland. Addresses: 44 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0AB 34 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP Tel: 01595 695363; Fax: 01595 692801 Email: admin@cadss.org.uk Website: www.cadss.org.uk |
Depression Alliance A local self help group offering mutual support, advice and information to people experiencing depression and their carers. Providing empathy and understanding in an informal environment. Speakers sometimes attend and videos are shown. A confidential telephone help line is available. An outreach service can be arranged for those unable to attend the group. Home visits are available. Social activities and outings are encouraged. The Art Therapist visits once a month. Meetings are every second Thursday at 7pm in Annsbrae House, Lerwick Contact: Ann Brock, 18 West Baila, Lerwick Tel 01595 696892 Website: www.depressionalliance.org/ |
Diabetes U.K (Shetland Branch) This is a local branch of the national organisation, Diabetes U.K. They have a local committee which campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of this condition. Fund raising is also central, to fund research into the condition and to spend on locally based projects. The local group donated a blood testing machine to the Gilbert Bain Hospital and organised a fun weekend for young people with diabetes (and others) to attend. The local group can also provide blood testing machines. For details, leaflets, membership forms and more information, contact: Anne Russell, 6 Voderview, Lerwick tel. 01595 694929 Website: www.diabetes.org.uk |
Couple Counselling Shetland Counselling for couples who are in conflict. Appointment system and referrals. Reception open 10am - 5pm Counselling Wednesday 6.30pm-9.30pm and Thursday 2pm - 5pm Contact: Couple Counselling, Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick ZE1 0JP Tel: 01595 692719 Email: ccshetland@tesco.net |
MS Group Meeting on the last Tuesday of every month at the Eric Gray Resource Centre for a social evening, often including guest speakers, with an area reserved for support, advice and information purposes. Also publishes a regular newsletter. For more information contact: Karen Angus on 01950 431 576 or the Website: www.mssociety.org.uk |
Samaritans Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to offer confidential emotional support. For support phone 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org For local support phone 01595 694449. Linda Rose House, 13 Charlotte Street, Lerwick ZE1 0JL (wheelchair accessible). Samaritans relies on volunteers and donations to exist. Find out more at: www.samaritans.org |
Scottish Pensions Association The Shetland Branch of the Scottish Pensions Association meets on the last Thursday of each month in the Freefield Centre. For more information contact: Chairman - John Henderson: 01595 692045 or Secretary - Willie Henderson: 01595 693147 or email: merryn.henderson@linone.net |
SHOARD Whalsay Disability and Special Needs Support Group, raising funds for many different groups, including the elderly and disabled, through a charity shop helping to provide specialist equipment and aids. Contact: Barbara Stewart on 01806 566 495 or Margaret Anderson on 01806 566 271 |
Shetland Autism Support Providing support, information, and practical help and a meeting place for families, carers and professionals involved with people on the Autistic Spectrum, and anyone with an interest in the autistic spectrum. Meetings once a month at the Bruce Hostel, Lerwick. Contact Nancy Hunter on 01595 880 408 |
Shetland Carers Group Shetland Carers' Group provides emotional support and information and advice for carers. They can also link carers with other services such as practical help and training. The Carers' Support Group - Central meets one afternoon per month at Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick. Tel. SCSS Support Worker Kirsten Harcus on 01595 743923 Fax: 01595 696787 Website: Shetland Carers Group |
| Shetland Club for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing This club meets monthly (usually 3rd Thursday) in the Freefield Centre. It has a membership of around 25, made up of profoundly and partially deaf, and some hearing people with an interest in deafness. It is a social club - members sometimes use the time for chat (in speech or sign), for teaching sign language to those who are not sign users, or have a game of bingo. There is usually a trip to the Scottish mainland most years - funds permitting - to catch up with hearing impaired people in other areas. Fundraising is through raffles, jumble sales and donations. For more information contact: Audrey Thompson, 20 South Lochside, Lerwick on 01595 692966 |
Shetland Community Drugs Team (SCDT) This initiative is jointly funded by the Shetland Islands Council and the 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. 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 drugs and related issues. Contact: Gill Hession on 01595 743925 email: gill.scdt@shetland.org |
Shetland Stroke Support Group The Shetland Stroke Support Group was set up last year with money provided by
the National Lottery. A Committee has been elected and we provide a varied
programme of events throughout the year, with activities each month -
usually
on the second Thursday of the month. We have group members from all over
Shetland, and outings are arranged to places outwith Lerwick so that those
living in the outer isles or other parts of the mainland can join in group
activities more easily. For further details please visit our website: www.sssg.co.uk For further information please contact Dorothy H Storey (secretary) at the Secretary: Dorothy Storey, Baila House, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0SF Telephone: 01595 696201 email: dorothy@force10.co.uk |
Shetland Womens Aid "Dont Let Abuse Cloud Your Life" A registered charity offering counselling, advice, assistance and refuge to women and their children who have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused, by their partners or other members of their family. Appointments are currently available by phoning 01595 692070 |
Shetland Parents Support Group This group provide support, information, practical help and a meeting place for parents and carers of children with special needs. The group is open to all families and carers of children with special needs in Shetland. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month (during term time) in the offices at the address below. Visiting speakers often attend. The Special Needs Toy Library is located in the same building and is open on Support group evenings for parents to use. If you are interested in supporting the group or would like more details, Contact Richard Charlton, 7 Clairmont Place, Lerwick Tel 01595 696462 or email advocacy.shetland@virgin.net |
Shetland Patient Supporter Scheme The Patient Supporter Scheme provides independent, free and confidential advice and support to all NHS users throughout Shetland. They have a core of trained volunteers who will assist patients who require advice and support or guidance and information. Patient supporters can accompany patients to see a doctor or consultant as part of the service. This scheme is independent of Shetland Health Board and is run by the Shetland Local Health Council. Further information is available from: Patricia Alderson, Co-ordinator, Gracefield, Sand, Bixter. Tel 01595 860257 |
| Special Needs Action Group The Special Needs Action Group is a pressure group dedicated to maintaining and improving the facilities and resources available to children with special needs, their families and carers. For more information contact: Neil Risk, Nordlys, Shurton, Gulberwick Tel: 01595 695851 email: mail@neilrisk.com |
Stepping Stones Club for the Handicapped This organisation offers respite care to parents and families of people with learning disabilities. They run an evening social club for people with learning disabilities (who are able to attend unaccompanied) using volunteer carers. Meetings are held every two weeks at the Freefield Centre. Transport is available in Lerwick. For more details tel: 01595 693966 |