Homeless and Community Support Services
in Edinburgh

For mental and physical health:

NHS 24 ⋅ 111
For out-of-hours urgent treatment and advice.

Mental Health Assessment Service ⋅ 0131 286 8137
Self-refer for an emergency psychiatric assessment.

Edinburgh Crisis Centre ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0808 801 0414 or text 07974 429 075
Mental health helpline.

Samaritans ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 116 123
Confidential, emotional support for anyone in crisis.

Breathing Space ⋅ 0800 83 85 87
Monday-Thursday 6pm-2am, Friday 6pm-Monday 6am

Shout ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ Text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258
Free, confidential text messaging service for anyone who needs support.

Other helplines:

Missing People ⋅ 7 days a week, 9am-11pm ⋅ 116 000 call or text
If you are missing or have lost touch with someone.

Cruse Bereavement Centre ⋅ 0808 808 1677
Monday-Friday (except Tuesday) 9:40am-5pm, Tuesday 1pm-8pm.
Support after the death of someone close.

National Association for People Abused in Childhood ⋅ 0808 801 0331
Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday 10am-6pm

Lone Parent Helpline ⋅ 0808 801 0323
Monday-Friday 9:30am-4:30pm. Advice and support for single parents.

Asylum Help ⋅ 0808 801 0503
Monday-Friday 8am-8pm (24-hour for emergencies). Advice and guidance for asylum seekers.

Men’s Advice Line ⋅ 0808 801 0327
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm

ANDYSMANCLUB ⋅ www.andysmanclub.co.uk
Monday 7pm. Free peer-to-peer support groups for men on topics surrounding men’s mental health #ItsOkayToTalk

Scottish Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse Line ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0800 027 1234
24/7 helpline for issues of domestic abuse and forced marriage.

National Domestic Abuse Violence Helpline ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0800 2000 247
For women seeking advice and support about domestic abuse and safety planning.

Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline ⋅ 08088 01 03 02
Every day, 5pm-midnight. Help for women in abusive relationships or in danger from ex-partners.

Chalmers Dental Centre ⋅ 0131 537 8801/8802
3 Chalmers Street, EH3 9EW. Walk in emergency dental clinic.
For same-day care please attend before 3pm. Call the above number for emergency dental pain relief.

Spittal Street Dental Clinic ⋅ 0131 537 8323
Monday-Wednesday 12:30-4pm. The Exchange, Lady Lawson Street. Advice, emergency treatment and routine care provided in a relaxed
and friendly environment.

Leith CTC Dental Clinic ⋅ 0131 536 6286
Thursday 9:45-3pm, Leith Community Treatment Centre, 12 Junction Place, EH6 5JQ. Drop-in clinic.

Wound Clinic ⋅ 0131 537 8300
Thursday 10:30am-1:30pm. The Exchange, Lady Lawson Street. Confidential drop-in service for people with concerns about injecting sites or skin damage from drug use.

Salvation Army ⋅ 25 Niddry Street ⋅ 0131 523 1060
Monday-Friday 10-11:15am

The Breakfast Bothy ⋅ Melville Drive Police Box, Meadows
Monday-Friday 9-12pm, free roll and coffee

Old St Paul’s Church ⋅ 39 Jeffrey Street
Monday, 12:30-2pm, warm lunch. Saturday 8:20am-1pm, porridge, sandwiches, soup

Steps to Hope ⋅ St Cuthbert’s Church, 5 Lothian Road ⋅ 0131 229 1142
Monday Munchies: Every Monday at 6pm
Sunday Suppers: Every Sunday at 5pm

Lunch Club ⋅ Hibs Community Foundation
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 12-2pm. Free two-course lunch

3 Spires ⋅ Walpole Hall, 27 Chester St ⋅ 0131 225 6293
Tuesday 12:30-2:30pm. Social Lunch Club for anyone aged 60+

Pitch to Plate ⋅ Hibs Community Foundation
First Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Free multi-cultural meal

Community Meal ⋅ St Nicholas Parish Church ⋅ 07890 557 398
Wednesday 12-2pm, lunch

Community Café ⋅ South Leith Baptist Church
Wednesday 10.30am-1pm, free community café

Grassmarket Community Project ⋅ 86 Candlemaker Row ⋅ 0131 225 3626
Wednesday 5-6:30pm, two-course meal

Lunchtime Plug-In ⋅ Stenhouse Baptist Church ⋅ 07436 379 806
Thursday 11-1pm, community lunch with access to computers

Mustard Seed ⋅ St Margaret’s Church, 170 Easter Road
Friday 10-11am, breakfast (sit-in or takeaway)

Empty Kitchens Full Hearts ⋅ 11 West Granton Road
Friday 12-2pm, community lunch. Enquire also for delivery of lunch
and dinner packs

Saturday Meal @ Ps&Gs ⋅ 46 York Place ⋅ 0131 556 1335
Saturday 5pm-6pm, sit-down hot meal

Wee Breakfast ⋅ Waverley Bridge ⋅ 0131 556 2626
Sunday 8-9am, breakfast

South Leith Parish Church ⋅ 6 Henderson Street ⋅ 0131 554 2578
Sunday 9:30-10:30am, breakfast

Kirk O’ Field Church ⋅ 140 Pleasance
Sunday 9:30-12:30pm. Sandwiches & hot drinks and takeaway lunches

Edinburgh Food Social ⋅ The White House, 70 Niddrie Mains Rd
First Thursday of every month, 6-8pm. Two-course community meal

Soul Food ⋅ Various locations and times ⋅ www.soulfoodedinburgh.org
Central Hall, 2 West Tollcross ⋅ Sunday 2pm, takeaway dinner
Oxgangs Community Church, 71 Firhill Drive ⋅ Thursday 12-1pm and Sunday 5-6:30pm
CofE Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square ⋅ Monday 4:30-5:45pm
Grace Church, Leith, 3 Shurbhull Walk ⋅ Thursday 5:30pm
Life Church, 2 Davie Street ⋅ Sunday 5:30pm

Social Bite ⋅ 131 Rose St ⋅ 0131 353 0250

*TEMPORARILY RELOCATED – Free food service available, hosted at St John’s Episcopal Church* 

Suspended coffee/food
Members of the public pay for an extra coffee/meal which is then available for someone who needs one.
Social Scran – Takeaway
Mon-Fri 8am-9:30am, breakfast rolls and tea/coffee & 4-4:45pm, evening meal.
Mixed Supper – Sit-in
Thursday 4-5pm, free meal.
You can also pick up items at the end of the day at 3:30pm every Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri.

Care Van ⋅ City centre ⋅ 0131 561 8930
Operating every evening and at lunchtimes Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun.
Lunchtimes
12:30pm – Market Street
1-2pm – King’s Stables Road and Grassmarket
2pm – Tesco Car Park, Easter Road (leaving no earlier than 2:15pm)
Evenings
9pm – Waverley Bridge
9:50-10:30pm – King’s Stables Road, Grassmarket and High Street
(leaving High Street no earlier than 10:35pm)

The following organisations provide food bank or pantry services. Speak to a support worker or get in touch with the organisation directly to find out more about access to support and referrals.

Edinburgh NE Foodbank ⋅ 0131 553 5694 ⋅ info@edinburghne.foodbank.org.uk
Covering the EH6 and EH7 postcode area. Visit the website here for more information: www.edinburghnefoodbank.com

Edinburgh SE Foodbank ⋅ 0131 664 9353 ⋅ edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
For local people in crisis in South East Edinburgh. Visit the website here for more information: www.edinburghse.foodbank.org.uk

Salvation Army (Gorgie Road) ⋅ 0131 346 2875 / 0131 440 9108 ⋅ edinburgh.gorgie@salvationarmy.org.uk
Recommended to contact the food bank first if you have any specific questions or want to check opening hours before visiting. More information at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/foodbanks

Edinburgh Food Project ⋅ 0131 444 0030
Find details of various locations here: www.edinburghfoodproject.org/locations

Edinburgh City Mission ⋅ 0131 225 9445
Foodbank+ is the Edinburgh City Mission network of food banks, located across 5 sites. Providing essentials for those experiencing deprivation and food poverty. Speak to a support worker or get in touch via the number above to find out more.

Edinburgh Jesuit Church ⋅ www.edinburghjesuit.org.uk/food-bank
Open access food bank available to anyone who finds difficulty feeding themselves or their family. Check the website above for church opening times.

Fresh Start ⋅ www.freshstartweb.org.uk/what-we-do/pantry
Fresh Start Pantry is a community food club offering food with dignity. The Pantry is for members of the local North Edinburgh community who need help to make their money stretch further every week. Visit their website above for more details.

Your Local Pantry ⋅ www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/pantry-listings
Access to good food and community. See the listings above for location details.

Places for People ⋅ 07738 760 601 ⋅ thepantry@communityrenewal.org.uk
The Hays Community Pantry operates most Wednesdays between 11am and 2pm, offering a choice of food for affordable prices. Join the Facebook page for updates.

Edinburgh Clothing Store ⋅ www.edinburghclothingstore.org
Providing free clothing, bedding, towels, etc, for people in genuine need such as those who are on low income, or vulnerable through personal circumstances.

Edinburgh City Mission ⋅ www.edinburghcitymission.org.uk/ministry/clothesbank
For those in need of clean, warm clothing. Referral-based Clothesbank+ located in Tollcross, in partnership with Central Church. Visit the ECM website through the link above for more details about referrals.

Services offering advice and support:

Drinkline Scotland ⋅ 0800 731 4314

Alcoholics Anonymous ⋅ 0800 917 7650

Frank (drugs helpline) ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0800 123 6600

Cocaine Anonymous ⋅ 0800 612 0225

Gamblers Anonymous ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0370 050 8881

Crew 2000 (helpline) ⋅ 0131 220 3404
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. Call for support or information.

Crew 2000 (drop-in) ⋅ 32 Cockburn Street
Mon-Wed 10am-5pm, Thurs 3-7pm, Fri-Sat 1-5pm. Drop-in at 32 Cockburn Street for information about drugs and how to stay safe.

Celebrate Recovery ⋅ Gilmerton Hub, 6 Ravenscroft St
Thursdays 7-9pm. 12-step programme for hurts, habits and hangups.

Teen Challenge ⋅ Leith
Outreach van every Thursday 11.30am – 2.30pm in Leith Kirkgate, hot drinks and addiction support. Testimony night with fish supper, third Sunday of the month at South Leith Baptist Church.

Bridge to Freedom ⋅ Leith and City Centre ⋅ 07458 016 976
A community Christian recovery programme which includes both group and one-to-one sessions.

Edinburgh Recovery Activities ⋅ Various locations ⋅ 0131 555 9124
Trips, groups, activities, meet-ups, one-off events and training for those in recovery. www.facebook.com/EdinburghRecoveryActivities

For medical help and prescriptions:

Harm Reduction Team ⋅ 22-24 Spittal Street ⋅ 0131 537 8300
Medication programme for injecting drug users, women’s services for those involved in the sex industry, injection equipment provision, wound care clinic, harm reduction training, dental care for people using drugs.

Residential programmes:

Bethany Christian Centre (men-only) ⋅ 0131 454 3125

Anne Hope House (women-only) ⋅ 0131 552 3907

Teen Challenge ⋅ 01664 822 221

LEAP ⋅ 0131 446 4400

For recovery hubs offering a wide range of alcohol and drug services and support:

Turning Point Scotland ⋅ Leith ⋅ 0131 554 7516

Change Grow Live ⋅ West Pilton ⋅ 0131 469 5044

Change Grow Live ⋅ Gilmerton ⋅ 0131 661 5294

Change Grow Live ⋅ Wester Hailes ⋅ 0131 453 9406

Shelter ⋅ 0808 800 4444
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Housing advice helpline.

Fresh Start ⋅ www.freshstartweb.org.uk/what-we-do
A range of services that provide the practical and social support to help people resettle successfully.

Early Intervention Team ⋅ City of Edinburgh Council
Support to help you stay in your current home.
Contact: early.intervention@edinburgh.gov.uk

Visiting Housing Support ⋅ 0131 603 0400
Helping clients set up their accommodation, providing ongoing support for maintenance and stability and delivering preventative support to avoid eviction. Services include:

Turning Point Scotland – North East & South East Edinburgh
Right There – North West Edinburgh
Four Square – South West Edinburgh
Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland (for complex needs) – Citywide
Citywide LinkLiving (for young people, aged 16–25) – Citywide

Citizens Advice Direct ⋅ 0800 028 1456
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm. Benefits, employment, debt and housing advice.

Citizens Advice Bureau ⋅ 0131 510 5510
Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm. Advice on welfare rights, debt, budgeting, employment, housing, energy, immigration, consumer rights and health.

Job Centre Plus ⋅ 0800 169 0190
Monday-Friday 8am-6pm

The Advice Shop ⋅ 0131 200 2360
249 High Street. Information advice and representation to access benefits and deal with debt.

Social Security Scotland ⋅ 0800 182 2222

National Debt Line ⋅ 0808 808 4000
Monday-Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday 9:30am-1pm

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) ⋅ 01274 760 720
Free debt help and money courses.

CHAI ⋅ 0131 442 1009
Welfare rights and money advice.

Granton Information Centre ⋅ 0131 551 2459
Welfare rights and money advice.

Grassmarket Community Project ⋅ 0131 225 3626
86 Candlemaker Row. Monday 4-6pm.
Information and advice on benefits and debt.

Money Mentor ⋅ 0131 629 6119
King’s Church, 104 Gilmore Place

Jobs First Programme (Social Bite) ⋅ 0131 353 0250
Providing job opportunities to people who have experienced homelessness.

Community Works ⋅ 0131 553 8757
Free 1:1 employability advice to residents of EH5, EH6 and EH7

Safe Families ⋅ 0131 603 8430
Provides support for parents through friendship, coaching and, if needed, providing a short stay for their children with a trustworthy family.
www.safefamilies.uk

City of Edinburgh Council ⋅ www.edinburgh.gov.uk/support-families
Information hub for family support in the city. Email supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk for help in finding specific support for your family.

Kids Matter ⋅ www.kidsmatter.org.uk
Free, friendly groups that focus on parental wellbeing and confidence, equipping parents with the tools to build strong relationships with their children. Groups available at Wester Hailes Baptist Church, City on a Hill Granton, Ps&Gs Church, Edinburgh Vineyard.

The Rock Trust ⋅ 55 Albany Street ⋅ 0131 557 4059
Monday-Friday 9am-12pm. For 16-25 year olds who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Showers, laundry, advice and support.

Papyrus ⋅ 0800 068 4141 or text 88247
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm & 7pm-10pm/weekends 2pm-5pm.
A helpline for anyone 35 or younger considering suicide.

Childline ⋅ 0800 11 11
Talk to a counsellor about anything that is troubling you.

Missing People’s Runaway Helpline ⋅ 116 000 (free call or text)
For under-18s who have run away or are thinking of running away.

The Junction ⋅ 0131 553 0570
Young people health and wellbeing services.

For anyone who may be facing the crisis of homelessness:

The Access Place ⋅ 6 South Gray’s Close ⋅ 0131 529 5015
Register as homeless here, get advice about entitlements, eligibility for temporary accommodation, benefits and GP Surgery. Or go to one of the locality housing offices:
South East – 40 Captain’s Road EH17 8QF
South West – 10 Westside Plaza EH14 2ST
North East – 101 Niddrie Mains Road EH16 4DS
North West – 8 West Pilton Gardens EH4 4DP

Out of Hours Service ⋅ Edinburgh Council ⋅ 0800 032 5968
Call if you are homeless and need somewhere to stay and it is outwith normal office hours.

Edinburgh Support Hub ⋅ 22 Holyrood Road ⋅ 0808 178 2323
Laundry, showers and lockers available as well as advice and support from Streetwork, Simon Community.

Salvation Army Wellbeing Centre ⋅ 25 Niddry Street ⋅ 0131 523 1060
A drop-in that provides food for a small charge, a clothing store, shower, and advice service. The Salvation Army also run various events.

Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre ⋅ ELS House, 555 Gorgie Rd 07919 557 673
Now operating throughout the year and extending into March 2027* offering food, sleeping facilities and a high level of support to people who would otherwise be sleeping rough. Can be accessed 24 hours a day.
*Season extension running until March 2027 in the first instance. There will be a further update before April 2027.

The Wee Hours ⋅ Waverley Bridge
Friday 7:45–8:45pm. Provides clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries
and essentials.

Crisis Skylight ⋅ Cranston House, 271 Canongate ⋅ 0131 209 7700
Monday, Wednesday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm, Tuesday 12:30-3:30pm. Supporting people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid ⋅ 0131 315 8110
Help for women in abusive relationships or in danger from ex-partners.

Shakti Women’s Aid ⋅ 0131 475 2399
Advice for black/ethnic minority women, children and young people experiencing and/or fleeing domestic abuse.

Scottish Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse Line ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0800 027 1234

National Domestic Abuse Violence Helpline ⋅ 24-hour ⋅ 0800 2000 247

Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline ⋅ 08088 01 03 02
Every day, 5pm-midnight. Help for women in abusive relationships or in danger from ex-partners.

Sacro Another Way Service ⋅ 0131 624 7270
Non-judgemental, one to one support for women involved in the sex industry. Drop-In: Thursday 8.30-10pm.

Anne Hope House ⋅ 0131 552 3907
Supported accommodation for women who are looking to make positive changes in a community setting.

The WiSH Project ⋅ wish@cyrenians.scot
Accommodation for Women and their families who are experiencing domestic violence.

Women’s Group (Bethany Christian Trust) ⋅ 07990 078 377
A social group and safe space for women across Edinburgh looking to connect with others.

Street Soccer ⋅ www.streetsoccerscotland.org
Free, friendly football sessions to build confidence, community, and opportunities for change. Additional support available.
Locations include: Leith Community Centre, Meadowbank, Portobello Powerleague

Spartans Community Foundation ⋅ www.spartanscf.com
Free activities using football, youth work, and education to build confidence, community, and opportunity.

Junction 42 Connect Groups ⋅ www.theconnectnetwork.org
A weekly community meal with worship, testimonies and prayer. Junction 42 works with people in prison, ex-offenders, their families and communities.
Tuesdays 7pm at Ebenezer Church, 31 Bangor Road, Leith
Wednesdays 7pm at Stenhouse Baptist Church, 30 Stenhouse Grove