Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) is calling on communities to help stop preventable deaths in house fires, by making a 5 minute phone call. Make the Call is designed to be a hard-hitting appeal to carers, family and friends of those who are at risk of serious injury or even death because of an accidental fire in their home. SFRS are now asking people to consider home fire safety when checking in on vulnerable neighbours, patients, friends and family members during lockdown, and to put them in touch with SFRS, with either person contacting the free Home Fire Safety Visit by phone: 0800 0731 999, or texting “fire”: 80800.
News & Events
Connecting Scotland: Applications Open
Connecting Scotland is a Scottish Government digital access programme set up in response to COVID-19, and is now open for applications.
The programme provides iPads, Chromebooks and support to develop digital skills for people who are: digitally excluded, on low incomes so cannot afford to buy a device or pay for internet access, and at risk of isolation due to COVID-19 because they are in the extremely high vulnerability group or the higher risk of severe illness group. Organisations (including third sector groups) are invited to read the Connecting Scotland guidance, and submit device applications for people they support. The deadline for applications is 5pm next Sunday 28th June.
Social Security Scotland Newsletter
The latest Social Security Scotland newsletter is now available to view online. This edition details: updates to the Best Start School Age Payment, the new “Coronavirus Financial Assistance Campaign”, the new Child Winter Heating Assistance, Carer’s Allowance statistics, and Social Security Scotland’s services during COVID-19.
Home Energy Scotland Local Support
In addition to their general COVID-19 support, Home Energy Scotland offers: support for households with prepayment meters who are worried about topping up during COVID-19, clear advice on ways to save energy and reduce fuel costs while staying warm at home, practical help if households find themselves without heating or hot water, and information about extra help from energy suppliers to make sure people don’t get cut off.
Citizens Advice Bureaux in Falkirk
Due to COVID-19, all Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) in the Forth Valley area (including those in Falkirk) are offering services via telephone and email only, including for referrals. They are still working to provide support and advice during this time. As a result, we have gathered the contact information for Falkirk’s CAB branches into one place
