ADVICE DIRECT SCOTLAND – FESTIVE PERIOD OPENING HOURS 2022
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EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Website: www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Phone number: 0808 801 0789
Men’s Advice Line (MALE)
Phone number: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Emergency 24-hour contacts (Electricity / Gas / Water Emergencies)
Electricity
999 – If you notice damaged cables on or near the ground, which are close to roads of footpaths, call 999 immediately
105 – To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations
Gas
0800 111 999 – To report a smell of gas or suspected leak
Water
0800 0778 778 – If you experience any problems with an unplanned interruption to your water supply contact Scottish Water
Energy Supplier Opening Hours / Friendly Credit Information
| Supplier | Opening Hours – December and January |
| British Gas | 23rd December – 9am -3pm
24th – 27th December – Closed 28th – 30th December – 9-5 31st December – 9am-3pm 1st / 2nd January – Closed |
| Scottish Power | 23rd December – Normal Opening Hours
24th – 27th December – Closed 31st December – 2nd January – Closed 3rd January – Normal Opening Hours |
| Ovo/SSE/ Boost | 23rd December – Normal Opening Hours
24th – 27th December – Closed 31st December – 3rd January – Closed 4th January – Normal Opening Hours |
| E.on Next | 23rd December – Normal Opening Hours
24th – 27th December – Closed 31st December – 2nd January – Closed 3rd January – Normal Opening Hours |
| EDF | TBC |
| Shell | 23rd December – Normal Opening Hours
24th – 27th December – Closed 31st December – 2nd January – Closed 3rd January – Normal Opening Hours |
| Utilita | 23rd December – Normal Opening Hours
24th-27th December – Closed 28th-30th December – Normal Opening Hours 31st – 2nd January – Closed |
Emergency Numbers
Note – Supplier opening hours may vary.
Utilita – no emergency number – online only – Utilita only have smart PPM
Scottish Power – 0345 270 0700 (Select option for ‘off-supply’).
British Gas – 0330 100 0303
E.on Next – 0808 501 5200
Ovo – 0330 175 9669
SSE/Boost – 0345 070 7372
EDF – 0333 200 5110
Octopus – 0808 164 1088
Bulb – 0300 30 30 635
Friendly Credit Hours
Utilita
- Friday 23rd 2pm to 10am Wednesday 28th
- Friday 30th 2pm to Tuesday 2nd 10am
British Gas
- Saturday 24th 5pm to Wednesday 28th December 9am
- Saturday 31st 5pm to Tuesday 3rd January 9am
SSE/OVO/BOOST
- 6pm Friday 23rd to 9am Wednesday 28th
- 6pm Saturday 23rd to 9am Tuesday 3rd
Scottish Power
- Saturday 24th 6pm to Wednesday 28th 11am
- Saturday 31st 6pm to Tuesday 3rd 11am
Shell
- Friday 23rd 8pm to Wednesday 28th 9am
- Friday 30th 8pm to Tuesday 3rd 9am
EDF
- Saturday 24th 5pm through to Wednesday 28th 9am
- Saturday 31st 5pm through to Tuesday 3rd 9am
E.on Next
*No friendly credit for traditional gas PPM’s
- Saturday 24th 5pm to Wednesday 28th 8am
- Saturday 31st 5pm to Tuesday 3rd 8am
Octopus
*No friendly credit for traditional gas PPM’s
- Friday 23rd 4pm to Wednesday 10am
- Friday 30th 4pm to Tuesday 3rd 10am
Bulb
- 6pm Friday 23rd to 9am Wednesday 28th
- 6pm Saturday 23rd to 9am Tuesday 3rd
Friendly credit will kick in if a customer goes off supply during these hours, and any spend will be recouped through the meter when you next top up.
Trussell trust
Phone number (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm): 0808 208 2138
Find a food bank: Find a Food Bank – The Trussell Trust
Online contact page: Contact Us – The Trussell Trust
Emergency food and support is available for people in need. Each foodbank will arrange its own Christmas hours. You need a voucher from their referral agency first, so find your nearest foodbank, and find out when their referral agency is open too. To be able to access a foodbank you will need to be referred by one of the following:
- Jobcentre Plus
- A social worker
- Citizens Advice
- A children’s centre
- Your local authority
- Police or probation workers
- A GP, health visitor or other medical professional
If you are not already in touch with any of the above, you can contact your local foodbank directly to ask for help. They will work with one of their referring agencies to arrange an appointment with you.
Housing / Homelessness / Social Work
Emergency housing / homelessness contact information for local authority teams can usually be found on their individual websites.
Local Authority contact info finder: Find your local council – mygov.scot
Glasgow – Asylum and Refugee Team (Homelessness Service) – 0141 222 7352
Shelter Scotland
Website: Home – Shelter Scotland
Phone number: 0808 800 4444(weekdays from 9am until 5pm)
Glasgow City Council (homelessness services)
Visit their website for the most current information: www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/17283/Homelessness
Glasgow City Council (social work services)
To get a Social Work Services out of Office Hours you can call 0300 343 1505
Legal issues
Law society of Scotland
Website: Law Society of Scotland | Law Society of Scotland (lawscot.org.uk)
Phone number: Telephone: 0131 226 7411
Email: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
Scottish legal Aid Board
Website: Home – Scottish Legal Aid Board (slab.org.uk)
Phone number: 0131 226 7061
Email: general@slab.org.uk
Medical
Contact your local GP practise.
For non-emergency out-of-hours assistance, contact NHS 24 on 111 or visit their website.
If you think you need immediate or emergency medical attention, dial 999.
Dental
In-hours dental emergencies – In-hours is Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Registered with a Dentist – If you are registered with a dentist and think you have a dental emergency during this period, phone your dental practice. They’ll be able to tell you whether you should:
- be seen by your dentist
- go to a local hospital for care
Not Registered with a Dentist – If you are not registered with a dentist, follow the local advice given for each region listed here – Dental emergencies – NHS Scotland | NHS inform. Local area helpline operating as normal.
Out-of-Hours Dental Emergencies – Out-of-hours is: Monday to Thursday, 6.00pm to 8.00am, 6.00pm on Friday to 8.00am on Monday. If you think you have a dental emergency during this period, phone the 111 service.
Beat
0808 801 0677 (adult helpline)
0808 801 0711 (youth line)
0808 801 0811 (student line)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information and advice on eating disorders, and runs a supportive online community. Also provides a directory of support services at HelpFinder.
Beat’s answers to five questions you may have about Christmas with an eating disorder
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
0800 58 58 58
thecalmzone.net
Provides listening services, information, and support for anyone who needs to talk, including a web chat.
Combat Stress
0800 1381 619
combatstress.org.uk
Treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Information and support after a bereavement.
Cruse’s information on coping with grief at Christmas
LGBT Foundation
0345 3 30 30 30
lgbt.foundation
Advice, support and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+. LGBT Foundation’s Christmas survival guide
Men’s Advice Line
0808 801 0327
mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential advice and support for men who have experienced domestic violence and abuse by a current or ex-partner or family member.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence, with all female advisors. Also offers a live chat and can help to find refuge accommodation. Run by the domestic violence charity Refuge.
PANDAS Foundation
‘The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.’
Tel (nationwide): 0808 1961 776
Website: www.pandasfoundation.org.uk
Relate
Provides help and support with relationships, including counselling and telephone support. Relate’s tips for a stress-free Christmas
SAMH Information Service
Information and support about mental health.
Available: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk
Visit: samh.org.uk/info
Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
jo@samaritans.org
Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day). Samaritans’ Christmas coping information
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Support for women experiencing domestic abuse
Website: www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Phone number: 0808 801 0789
Shout
85258 (text SHOUT)
giveusashout.org
Confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you are in crisis and need immediate help. Shout’s tips on feeling less alone over the festive season
Stand Alone
standalone.org.uk
Charity supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family. Standalone’s festive guide to the Christmas period.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
0300 111 5065
uk-sobs.org.uk
Emotional and practical support and local groups for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.
Switchboard
0300 330 0630
switchboard.lgbt
Listening services, information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
The Compassionate Friends
0345 123 2304
tcf.org.uk
Provides support to bereaved families after the death of a child. The Compassionate Friends’ tips for coping with Christmas
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
0808 801 0331
support@napac.org.uk
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support and local services. NAPAC’s advice on surviving Christmas as a survivor
The Silver Line
0800 4 70 80 90
thesilverline.org.uk
Provides support, information, friendship, and advice for older people (over 55) who may feel lonely or isolated.
Tommy’s
tommys.org
Information and support for people affected by stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth. Tommy’s advice on coping with Christmas when you’ve suffered the loss of a baby
Scams
If you have been targeted by a scammer and have lost money from your bank account, you should report this to the police and the bank / card provider in the first instance.
Police non-emergency (for reporting suspected fraud and scams): 101
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, or are subject to threats or violence, you should call 999.
You can continue to report suspected scams and suspicious activity through our Quick Reporting Tool at scamwatch.scot. These reports will be picked up by specialist consumer advisers during opening hours.
Accessed through your Local Authority. Emergency contact information for local authority teams can usually be found on their individual websites.
Local Authority contact info finder: Find your local council – mygov.scot
