On this page you’ll find links on a wide range of topics, including support for different kinds of problems, information about things to do, and a list of community groups in Aberdeen. Just click a box to see links for that category. Links open in a new tab or window.
General Information
- Aberdeen City Council Equality Outcomes 2017-2020
- Living and Working in North East Scotland Guide (multiple languages available)
- Aberdeen City Council Website
- Aberdeen City Libraries – including eBooks and Audiobooks, available online
- A Local Information System for Scotland (ALISS)
- Aberdeen Guide to Independent Living (PDF in English – Polish – Russian – Lituanian)
- Migrant Rights – Know Your Rights
Food and Essentials
- Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) – food bank, advice, sanitary products
- Instant Neighbour – food bank, affordable homewares
- Trussell Trust Aberdeen North Foodbank
- Trussell Trust Aberdeen South Foodbank
- Food Poverty Action Aberdeen – guide to support services (PDF)
- AberNecessities
- Independent Food Aid Project
Money and Debt
- Aberdeen City Council Financial Inclusion Team – information and advice on benefits and debt
- Citizens Advice – debt, benefits, etc.
- Money Map – online tool to help lower your costs
- Scarf – energy efficiency and advice
- SMART Money Advice Project
- Independent Food Aid Project
- List of resources and links for money help (PDF download).
Mental Health
Employability and Language Support
- Aberdeen Foyer
- Pathways
- Skills Development Scotland
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
- Learning English in Aberdeen – including information about GREC language café, Language Works and ESOL for work classes
- Fountain of Love Church – runs a weekly job club
Housing and Homelessness
- Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Shelter Aberdeen
- Scarf (energy efficiency and advice)
- Living Rent (tenants’ union)
- Aberdeen Foyer (housing for vulnerable young people)
- Disabled Persons Housing Service (DPHS) Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Street Friends
- JustRight Scotland – Fact Sheet on EU Citizens’ Housing Rights (PDF)
- Bethany Christian Trust (some tenancies available in Aberdeen)
- Turning Point Scotland (Aberdeen) (for people with No Recourse to Public Funds)
Domestic Abuse
Local Organisations
- Aberdeen City Council Domestic Abuse Team
- Grampian Women’s Aid
- Rape Crisis Grampian
- Fear Free – for men and LGBT+ people
- Advocacy Service Aberdeen
- Ending Violence and Abuse Aberdeen (run by Aberdeen Cyrenians)
National Organisations and Helplines
- Scottish Women’s Aid
- Rape Crisis Scotland
National Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 - 24-Hour Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline
Telephone: 0800 027 1234 - Victim Support Scotland
Helpline: 0800 160 1985 - GALOP – LGBT+ Anti-Violence Charity
Helpline: 0300 999 5428 - Rights of Women: Helping Women Through the Law
- Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Domestic Abuse Support for Ethnic Minorities
- Polish Women’s Support Network
Helpline: 0800 061 4004 - Opoka
Helpline: 0300 365 1700 - Amina – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
Helpline: 0808 801 0301 - Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid
(website available in Cantonese, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu)
24-hour Helpline: 0141 353 0859 - Shakti Women’s Aid
(website available in Arabic, Polish, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili)
Helpline: 0131 475 2399
Families with Children
Other Support
- VSA – for carers, older people, and people with learning disabilities
- Advocacy Service Aberdeen – for people with mental and psychological disorders
- Civil Legal Assistance Office
- Scottish Legal Aid Board – find a solicitor
- No Recourse North East Partnership – information for people with No Recourse to Public Funds
Prejudice and Hate Crime
Arts and Culture
(some venues are temporarily closed due to Covid-19, check websites for details)
- Aberdeen City Libraries – including eBooks and Audiobooks, available online
- Visit Aberdeen – wide range of listings for things to do
- Aberdeen Performing Arts – concerts, theatre and other performances
- Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums
- Station House Media Unit (SHMU) – local radio
- 57 North – music in North East Scotland
- Scottish Culture and Traditions – traditional music and dance in Aberdeen
- Society Aberdeen – information and event listings
- Skiddle – event listings
- Aberdeen City Council Event Listings
- The List – event listings
Sport and Fitness
(some facilities are temporarily closed due to Covid-19, check websites for details)
- Sport Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Sports Village
- Access to Leisure – discounts for people receiving benefits
- Visit Aberdeen – information and event listings
Community Groups for Older People
- Silver City Surfers – help to develop IT skills
- VSA Services
- Age Scotland
- Generations Working Together
- Ethnic Minority Older People’s Lunch Club
Community Groups for Young Poeple
For Care Experienced Young People:
Community Groups for Disabled People
Community Groups for Ethnic Minorities
- African Council
- Article 12 – Gypsy Travellers
- Aberdeen Multicultural Centre
- Polish Association Aberdeen
- ALNES (Association of Lithuanians in North East Scotland)
- SLOVO (Russian Education and Support Centre)
- Igbo Community Aberdeen
- African Women’s Group Scotland
Community Groups for Religious Minorities
Muslim
- Amina – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
- Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre
- Masjid Alhikma Mosque and Community Centre
- Aberdeen Muslims
- Aberdeen Muslim Women’s Association
Jewish
Hindu
Buddhist
- Aberdeen Buddhist Group
- Varapunya Meditation Centre
- Kadampa Meditation Centre
- Thai Buddharam Temple and Cultural Centre
Sikh
Bahá’í
Christian
- Aberdeen Chinese Christian Church
- Aberdeen Methodist Church
- Aberdeen Quakers
- New Life International Church
- Fountain of Love
- The Father’s House
- Seventh Day Adventist
Catholic
- St Mary’s Cathedral (Polish, Spanish; African Choir)
- Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church (Catholic Polish)
- Polish Pastoral Care
- African Catholics in Aberdeen
Christian Orthodox
Other
Community Groups for Women
- Aberdeen Women’s Alliance
- Engender (Scotland’s Feminist Organisation)
- Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
Helpline: 08088 010 789 - Grampian Women’s Aid
- Rape Crisis Grampian
National Helpline: 08088 010302