Working to make Scotland fairer for all.
FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENTS UNAVAILABLE
In the interests of health and safety, we will not meet clients face to face until the risks posed by the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) have reduced to an acceptable level. Many of our volunteers are themselves disabled or chronically ill and we need to keep them and you safe. We will conduct interviews etc on the telephone or via video conferencing.
Welfare Scotland is a not for profit organisation working to promote the benefit of a fair and compassionate rights-based social security system which meets the needs of the people of Scotland. In addition to this, we provide a range of services to support disabled people, those who are chronically ill and the carers who support them.
BENEFITS CASEWORK
Our volunteer caseworkers can assist clients navigate the often unnecessarily over-complicated benefits system. We can assist clients applying for and appealing PIP and other benefits for those who are disabled or chronically ill. While we prioritise those who are disabled or chronically ill, we will endevour to assist those in need who are not, provided we have the capacity.
HOUSING RIGHTS
We provide housing advice and representation to those who are disabled or chronically ill and those who care for and support them. We can assist in a range of housing rights matters and can assist by liaising with landlords etc.
We are not in a position however to assist with the funding of deposits or removal costs etc.
EMERGENCY FOOD PARCELS
It is a sad reality that due to the state of the current social security system that many people and families are forced to rely on emergency food parcels in order to eat. Welfare Scotland holds foodbank vouchers for foodbanks across Scotland and can often assist clients to access food in an emergency, even where we do not currently hold vouchers for the foodbank nearest them.
Volunteer certification.
We believe that volunteering your own time to help and support others is no mean feat. Volunteering helps reduce social isolation, promote community cohesion and helps develop and fine tune ones own skillset. We have created a number of digital volunteering badges which recognise the immense contribution volunteers make to Scotland and Scottish society. These badges are issued via Mozilla Foundation’s Open Badges platform and can be awarded for volunteering with Welfare Scotland itself or with other non-profits or charities which benefit the people of Scotland.