Food support
At NESCol: Staff can help you to access food and other essentials. Examples of support include the student food pantry, student kitchen, breakfast club, and a referral to a foodbank through the Trussell Trust. To learn more, you can book an appointment with the Student Support team via MyNESCol.
Food banks: Information on where you can find emergency food is available on websites such as; Foodbanks.co.uk, CFINE (community food initiatives North East), and Aberdeen City Council.
There are also mobile phone apps (such as 'Too Good To Go') which can help people to identify free or low-cost food nearby and reduce food waste.
For other essentials
At NESCol, you can gain access to free period products, available on campus, and to order and collect.
Aberdeen Cyrenians can help link someone (age 18+) to support for food, fuel, clothing, toiletries and household items.
Instant Neighbour support people on low incomes to set up home, by providing access to low-cost reuse furniture, white goods, clothing and more.
Somebody Cares are a charity who collect and sell donated furniture, electrical goods, and more, and provide a variety of support through different referring agencies.
Abernecessities provide support and essential items to local children and families facing extreme hardship.
The North East has numerous different charity shops available, where you can find a bargain on various different products. Local charity shops include: Barnardo's, The British Heart Foundation, The Salvation Army, PDSA, Cancer Research, and more.
Similar to the mobile apps that aim to prevent food waste, there is an increasing trend whereby people are engaging in 'swaps' of clothing or other items, in order to help limit spending and prevent so much going to landfills. FreeCycle is just one such example of a platform that report this as their aim.
Financial support
At NESCol, the Student Advice Team can support you with any questions or concerns that you may have in relation to funding your studies.
The Scottish Welfare Fund provide financial support for people (aged 16+) who are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, and have experienced an unexpected emergency (e.g. a fire, flood, or losing their job) or require support to help them or someone they care for live independently. Further information on eligibility and how to apply for this support, can be found on the Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council websites.
Scarf provide a free energy saving advice service across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, including in-depth advice over the phone and through home visits to help householders reduce their energy use, find the best supplier and tariff to suit their needs and help them make the switch. Advisors also offer an advocacy service to help those in fuel debt.
Aberdeen Foyer's Managing Money Team can help you budget, apply for Universal Credit and even negotiate payment plans for your debt. They offer phone appointments in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
YoungScot provide information for young people about managing money, debt and budgeting for the future.
Through a person-centred support service, the SAFE Team at CFINE can provide budgeting advice or a free benefit check, helping you navigate the welfare system and ensure you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to.