The Scottish Refugee Council team are taking a short break between Christmas and New Year.
Our Glasgow and Dundee offices will close at 5pm on Tuesday, 23 December. Our team will be working remotely on 24 December 2025 . Our free and confidential Helpline will remain open until 5pm on Wednesday, 24 December. We will then shut between Christmas and the New Year.
Helpline open until 5pm on Wednesday, 24 December
We are closed from Thursday, 25 December – Sunday, 4 January
We reopen at 9am on Monday, 5 January
If you need help while we are closed, you can find a list of key services below. We have provided festive opening hours for each organisation along with information about the support they provide and how to contact them.
We would like to wish a safe and restful Christmas to all who celebrate. We’ll see you in 2026.
SCOTLAND-WIDE SUPPORT
Emergency services
If your emergency or crisis is life-threatening call 999.
If you are worried about someone who is unwell call the NHS on 111.
Foodbanks
Salvation Army – runs foodbanks from churches and community centres. Search their website to find local support.
Helplines
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Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
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Breathing Space: 0800 838 587
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Glasgow Disability Alliance: 0141 556 7103 / text 07958 299 496
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Citizens Advice Scotland: 0800 028 1456 (closed 19 Dec – 5 Jan)
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Rape Crisis Scotland: 0808 801 0302
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NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
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Childline: 0800 1111
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Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234
British Red Cross
Offers practical and emotional support to refugees and people seeking asylum. Services are now closed for the festive break and will reopen Monday 5th January. Phone: 07590 445 367.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing
A charity that provides emotional support and information to LGBTQ+ community across Scotland including refugees and people seeking asylum (16+).
Helpline: 0800 464 7000
Opening times: Tuesday–Thursday: 12pm–9pm and Sunday: 1pm–6pm
Closed 25th–26th December & 1st–2nd January
New Scots Worker: Stella Kyalikunda, email: stella@lgbthealth.org.uk
Migrant Help
Provides independent advice and guidance to assist people seeking asylum, including:
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Advice on claiming asylum
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Asylum support applications
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Accommodation problems
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ASPEN card issues
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Complaints
Phone: 0808 8010 503
Opening: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free number, interpreters available.
Positive Action in Housing (PAIH)
Independent, anti-racist, homelessness and human rights charity dedicated to supporting children, women, and men from refugee and immigrant backgrounds to rebuild their lives. Provides:
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housing advice
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destitution support
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community hosting (Rooms for Refugees)
Phone: 0141 353 2220 or email: home@positiveactionh.org or roomforrefugees@positiveactionh.org
GLASGOW
Govan Community Project has helpfully shared this list of opening times for organisations in Glasgow providing advice and support to refugees and people seeking asylum. You can view the list below or download the information here.
Central & West Integration Network
Offers advice, food support, wellbeing activities, English classes, and opportunities for social connection and skills development.
Phone: 0141 573 0978 or email: info@cwin.org.uk
Opening Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm
Christmas Opening:
Last day: Friday 19th December
Reopening: Monday 5th January
Community Info Source
Services offered include wellbeing, befriending, ESOL, wellbeing walks.
Phone: 0141 258 2773 or email: info@infosource.org.uk
Christmas Opening:
Last day: Wednesday 24th December
Reopening: Monday 5th January
Wellbeing walks will continue over Christmas – check online.
Cranhill Development Trust
Learning opportunities and advice for refugees, asylum seekers and people from other countries
Focus on East Glasgow (G31, G32, G33, G34, G40, G69)
Phone: 0141 774 3344
Email: info@cranhilldt.org.uk
Opening Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Christmas Opening:
Closing at lunchtime on 24th December
Reopens: Monday 5th January
Maryhill Integration Network
Services:
Information, support, advice and advocacy
ESOL Classes
Women’s Group
Family Group
Men’s Group
MIN Voices Peer-Support Group
Art Group
Gardening Club
Community Choir
Phone: 0141 946 9106 or email: hello@maryhillintegration.org.uk
Opening Hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm
Christmas Opening:
Last day: Friday 18th December
Reopens: Monday 5th January
Maslow’s Community Shop & Community Hub
Services:
Second-hand shop with free clothing & household goods
Community hub with activities
Phone: 0141 387 0978 or email: maslowscommunity@gmail.com
Opening Hours:
Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm
Wednesday: 1pm–4pm
Christmas Opening:
Hub closes: 12th December
Shop last day: Friday 19th December
Both reopen: Monday 5th January
Govan Community Project
Services include advice on Home Office support and accommodation, and information on foodbanks, English classes and social groups
Phone: 0800 310 0054
Opening Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10am–1pm
Christmas Opening:
Last helpline day: Wednesday 17th December
Reopens: Monday 5th January
Community groups restart: Monday 12th January
Refuweegee
Services offered include clothing, prams, household items, welcome packs, volunteering and events.
Shop appointments: www.refuweegee.co.uk/shop
Phone: 0141 391 3386 or email: enquiries@refuweegee.co.uk
Christmas Opening:
Last day: 19th December
Reopens: 5th January
Ubuntu Women’s Night Shelter
Services include emergency housing, and practical support for destitute women and marginalised genders.
Emergency housing: 07570 87717
Other support: 07835 160913 (Weekdays 10am–5pm)
Email: info@ubuntu-glasgow.org.uk
Christmas opening:
Last day: Friday 19th December
Reopens: Monday 5th January
Glasgow City Council – Social Work / Homelessness Support
Social Care Direct: 0141 287 0555
Out of Hours: 0300 343 1505
Emergency Homelessness (Out of Hours): 0800 838 502
Emails:
socialcaredirect@glasgow.gov.uk
scdchildrenandfamilies@glasgow.gov.uk
Simon Community Scotland – Access Hub
Address: 389 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8LR
Helpline: 0800 027 7466
Christmas Opening:
Hub open: 26th December & 2nd January (10am–4pm)
Street Team: 24th–26th December & 1st January (10am–10pm)
Glasgow City Mission
City Centre Project Day Centre, 20 Crimea Street, G2 8PW
Meals:
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Lunch: 1pm–2pm
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Dinner: 6:30pm–8pm (Mon–Fri)
Christmas Opening:
Closes: Christmas Eve at 2pm
Reopens: 6th January
Overnight Welcome Centre (OWC)
Open 1st December – 31st March
Phone: 07513 567 671
Pantries & foodbanks
Govan Pantry: Closed Thursday 18th December, reopens Monday 5th January
Castlemilk Pantry: Closed 24th December – 7th January
Courtyard Pantry: Closed 22nd December – 5th January
Garnethill Multicultural Food Hub @ CWIN: Last day 19th December, reopens 5th January
Destiny Hope Hub: Exact dates not confirmed
Govanhill People’s Pantry: Exact dates not confirmed
North West Pantry: Closed 23rd December – 5th January, reopens 6th January
Pollok Pantry: Open 27th, 29th, 30th December, then closed. Reopens 3rd January and resumes normal hours
Royston Pantry: Last day 19th December (10am–1pm), reopens 8th January (4pm–7pm)
Ruchazie Pantry: Dates not confirmed
Trussell Trust Foodbanks
South East: Final day 24th December, reopens 5th January
South West (22nd Dec – 2nd Jan sessions):
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Ibrox Parish Church: 22nd & 29th December (12–2pm)
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Penilee: 23rd & 30th December (10:30am–12:30pm)
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Linthouse: 23rd & 30th December (2–4pm)
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Cardonald (Hillington Park Parish Church): 2nd December (10am–12:45pm)
North West:
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Blawarthill Parish Church: 23rd, 26th, 30th December & 2nd January (12–2pm)
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Victory Family Centre: 24th & 31st December (12–2pm)
North East:
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22nd December: 1–3pm
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23rd December: 10:30am–12:30pm
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24th–28th December: Closed
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29th December: 1–3pm
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30th December: 10:30am–12:30pm
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31st December –5th Jan: Closed
PERTH
Foodbanks
Perth and Kinross Foodbank – perthkinross.foodbank.org.uk
Email: info@perthkinross.foodbank.org.uk
Call: 01738 626 799
Open until 4pm on Wednesday, 24 December
Closed from Thursday, 25 December – Sunday, 28 January
Open until 4pm on Monday, 29 December – Wednesday, 31 December
Closed from Thursday, 1 January – Sunday, 4 January
Perth and Kinross Council
The council will update information on their website: Perth and Kinross Council – Perth & Kinross Council
Citizens Advice Bureau – Perth
Visit www.perthcab.org.uk for free, impartial and confidential advice
DUNDEE
Foodbanks
Dundee Community Food Network
You can download a list of the networks here.
Dundee City Council
Emergency housing repair phone numbers for Dundee City Council.
Dundee social work out of hours for adults and children: 01382 307964
Dundee 24hr Homeless Advice Line on 0800 633 5843 or 01382 432001
ABERDEENSHIRE
Aberdeen City Council has provided information on where to find support over the festive period. Details here.
Aberdeenshire Council has provided guidance on who to phone in an emergency, such as issues with housing, homelessness, social care, and if someone is at risk of harm. Details here.
Foodbanks – Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire North foodbank centres will be closed for the festive season from midday on Tuesday 23rd December and reopen from Monday 5th January 2026. Full details here.
Aberdeenshire South foodbank information can be found here.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Council homeless service – offices closed from 5pm, 24th December until 8.30am, Monday 29th December.
If someone needs emergency accommodation outside of normal working hours (9am – 5pm), please contact the out-of-hours team on 0800 032 5968. They will try to provide interim accommodation until you are able to present at one of our offices on the next working day.
Food Banks
Steps to Hope is offering a free, 3-course Christmas dinner on Monday 22 December at 5pm. It’s at St Cuthbert’s Church, 5 Lothian Road, EH1 2EP.
Edinburgh Food Project
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Clermiston is open on Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons, including 22-23 December and 29-30 December. It’s at 17-19 Clermiston View, St Andrew’s Church, EH4 7BS.
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Prestonfield is open on the afternoon of 24 December. It’s at Priestfield Parish Church, 2 Marchhall Place, EH16 5HW.
Porty Community Fridge are delivering boxes of excess food collected from supermarkets on 24 December and 31 December, for anyone in a two-mile radius of Portobello. To find out more email portyfridge@gmail.com.
Hibernian Community Foundation is offering a free, 3-course Christmas dinner on 25 December at the Easter Road Stadium, 12 Albion Place, EH7 5QG. To sign up, email lewis@hiberniancf.org.
Crisis is providing hot, 3-course meals to their members and service users on 25 and 26 December.
Social Bite is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to provide a free Christmas dinner to anyone experiencing homelessness. They are based at 131 Rose Street, EH2 3DT.
