Health and Wellbeing Resources

The Council is committed to providing appropriate support for any employee whose use of drugs or alcohol has a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing.

The Alcohol and Substance Use policy (Word doc, 100 KB)

and the associated

Alcohol and Substance Guidance for Managers (Word doc, 100 KB)

provide a framework for dealing with these issues in a supportive manner and encourages anyone experiencing alcohol or substance use problems to seek help at the earliest opportunity.

There are also external organisations that can support you or your family including ;-

East Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS) - Part of East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, it includes staff from social work and health. The service provides a wide range of alcohol and drug treatment and recovery help and support to adults aged 16 and over. The partnership is funded jointly by East Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board.
Know the Score provides free, confidential information and advice on drug use. Call the Helpline between 8am and 11pm 7 days a week on 0800 5875879.
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) support anyone who is concerned about someone else's drug or alcohol use, wherever they are in Scotland. Call the free and confidential helpline on 08080 101011 Monday to Friday 9am-11pm.

Gambling Services

RCA Trust- East Renfrewshire provides local support to individuals and families on gambling related harms. Services include:

Courses
Group Work
Education & Training
Advice & Information
1:1 Couple & Family Counselling

Find out more on the RCA Trust website
or

Telephone: 0141 887 0880

Email: info@rcatrust.org.uk

Smoking Cessation Service

East Renfrewshire Quit Your Way Community Service provides free, specialist, personalised stop smoking support every step of the way. Delivered through face-to-face, 1 to 1 telephone or video/virtual consultation, Quit Your Way provides access to FREE stop smoking medication available from your local pharmacy. Behavioural support is also available for those using electronic cigarettes or vapes to aid their tobacco cessation journey.

For more information visit the Stop Smoking Support - Quit your way webpage

or book an appointment via telephone on 0800 916 8858.

Seasons for Growth Groups - We are currently running grief and loss education programme that uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief for staff in ERC. Seasons for Growth aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of adults who are dealing with significant life changes by:

Exploring the impact of the change and loss on everyday life
Learning new ways to respond to these changes

For more information contact our Health and Wellbeing Officer, Charlie Jackson via email.

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands is committed to improving health, wellbeing and reducing isolation within the community. They have various services but offer a Bereavement Support group. Whether you have been bereaved recently or some time ago you will be made most welcome. For more information you can check out their webpage or contact them directly via email or telephone.

Cruse Scotland provides compassionate bereavement support across Scotland. Cruse Scotland services include:

National Bereavement Helpline
Grief Chat is a free support service that enables you to type to talk to a professional counsellor through our website.
One-to-One Bereavement Counselling
Practical and Legal Support

For further information on Cruse Scotland services visit their website.

National Bereavement Helpline open: Monday - Friday 9am -8pm Weekends - 10am -2pm

Telephone : 0808 802 6161

The Canmore Trust are all about working with people to find a safe space - a space that allows and encourages them to stay in the world, despite all the struggles and difficulties they may be facing right now. We work to prevent suicide - suicide prevention - by influencing Government policies and lobbying for change in all sectors of society. You can access their resources and support on their website.

A Place Called Here - A FACE-TO-FACE support group for people living with suicide bereavement has been established in Glasgow to help people through their "complex grief". The sessions run Wednesdays 19:30 - 2100. Contact via email or just show up at the below address.

Anderson Maguire
1172 Springburn Road
Glasgow
G21 1UB

East Renfrewshire Library Services

East Renfrewshire has 10 libraries across the area providing various supports / services for all. There is free tea and coffee available and spaces to sit and read, public access PCs, scanners and photocopying services.

The libraries have collections of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Large Print, Spoken Word, Dyslexia Friendly print for adults and Children, special collections including Practical Parenting, Health collection with wide range of Health and Wellbeing titles. You can find out more information on the library collection.

Some of the in person services available are:

IT Sessions - Regular one-off sessions are held in the 4 larger libraries, learning advisors can help with devices and signpost to other learning resources.
Share A Song and Singalong - (Adult Singing Groups) No singing experience or book necessary- just come along, sing some old favourites.
Read, Relax, Refresh - based on bibliotherapy- staff select suitable extracts or poems to read aloud, to spark conversations and bringing a sense of wellbeing.
Memory Group - chat about memories and stories from the past. Open to all including those living with Dementia.
Home Lending Service - The Home Lending Service is available to any East Renfrewshire resident with short or longer-term mobility issues, illness or caring responsibilities. A team of dedicated volunteers deliver/collect library resources such as books, large print or audiobooks direct to residents' doors.
Colour Therapy Group - Adult Colouring groups
Knitting Groups - Drop-in knitting groups
Hearing Aid Batteries - Libraries offer free hearing aid batteries.
HEY GIRL! Free Period Products - All libraries have free period products available.
Macmillan Information and Support Service - Macmillan East Renfrewshire offers a weekly drop in service at Barrhead Foundry Library on Wednesdays 10.30 am - 12.30 pm where trained volunteers can help you find the right support. For more information contact via email or phone.

ER Libraries also provide free online resources, including

Borrowbox - E-books and e-audiobook collection
Press reader - Thousands of top magazines and worldwide newspapers available to read online or download
Ancestry - Family History website giving access to a wealth of resources to help you with your family history
Britannica Library - one of the most trusted resources on the web, offers easy access to reliable information on most topics enriched by magazine articles, images and video clips.

For further information regarding the library services listed you can contact your local library by email or telephone.

The libraries are inclusive and neurodiverse friendly. Virtual tours of all libraries are available on the library website for anyone who is anxious and or has ASN that wishes to see what the library layout and what is available before visiting.

Find out information about the Children and Family library services here.

PAM Assist

PAM Assist have been appointed to provide confidential counselling and support for all East Renfrewshire employees.

Counselling can be arranged 24/7 and covers a range of topics including stress (personal and work-related), critical incident debriefing, debt, gambling, substance misuse and bereavement.

Free helpline: 0800 882 4102

Email: counsellingteam@pamassist.co.uk

Visit the PAM Assist Website - (username: ERC / password: ERC1)

You can now also access the Wellbeing App

Pam Assist Flyer (PDF, 1 MB)

Able Futures

With nine months support, signposting and information from a qualified mental health professional, you could learn more about your mental health, understand how you can access treatment for any mental health problems and connect with other people and support
organisations who know what it's like to live with a mental health problem.

Able Futures delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. The support service is fast, flexible and, best of all, there is no charge to use this service.

Free telephone 0800 321 3137 (open 8am-10.30pm, Monday to Friday)

Email: hello@able-futures.co.uk

Visit the Able Futures website

RAMH

RAMH promotes recovery from mental ill health, and empowers people to build independent, fulfilled lives.

They offer a range of free, confidential services which provide:

Immediate support in crisis situations for residents aged 16 and over in Renfrewshire
Individualised care and practical support to people in their own homes
One to one counselling sessions with a qualified counsellor
Employability support to help individuals gain or maintain employment and/or volunteering opportunities
A range of social, creative, therapeutic, educational and physical activity groups
Support to family, friends, carers and the wider community through information and education

Wellbeing Officer 1:1 Wellbeing Conversations

If you're needing a bit of support with your mental health and wellbeing we're available for an informal chat. These conversations can help you live well at work and at home, and are completely confidential.

We can offer support with your physical, emotional and practical needs - such as help with finances, housing and relationships.

For more details, email charlie.jackson@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

There are a range of local services and community organisations that can help with your financial wellbeing

MART - Money Advice and Rights Team

Money Advice and Rights team (MART) can offer free, expert and confidential advice to help you:

maximise your income
find out what benefits you're entitled to
make a claim to benefit
challenge a benefit decision
representation at benefit appeals
deal with all types of debts
speak to your creditors on your behalf
review the money you have coming in and out

Telephone: 0141 577 8420 / 0800 0521023

Email: MART@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Food insecurity

(East Renfrewshire Larder at Muirend Road)

The larder is currently open Wednesday 5pm to 7pm and Friday 4pm to 5.30pm for walk ins.

Shanta Residential, 11 Muirend Road, G44 3QR
Visit the East Renfrewshire Larder Facebook page

East Renfrewshire Foodbank

There are 2 Trussell Trust foodbanks in East Renfrewshire

Visit their website for locations and opening times.

Eaglesham and Waterfoot Community Larder

Open Saturdays - Visit their Facebook page for up to date information.

Other Financial Help and Advice

Citizen's advice

East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau is a local, independent charity which provides free, impartial and confidential advice and information to give you the tools you need to sort out any issues or problems.

Step Change

Step Change provide free, expert debt advice, no matter how large or small your debt problem is. Call 0800 138 1111 Monday - Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.

Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland offer free and impartial advice on energy saving, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel, water waste and more. Call free of charge on 0808 808 2282.

Salary Finance

Did you know you have access to Salary Finance to support you with your money all year round? To support you during the current cost of living squeeze, Salary Finance provides access to financial benefits designed to help you take control and reduce money worries.

Through Salary Finance you have options to:

Borrow, affordably through salary

Access affordable loans with lower interest rates. Designed as an alternative to high interest credit cards, overdrafts and payday loans - it can be used to pay off existing debt quicker and cheaper, cover an unexpected expense or help you achieve your money goals. Representative Rate 13.90% APR (fixed)

Save easily through salary

With Salary Finance you have the option to save directly from your salary. For eligible colleagues there is also the option to earn bonuses on savings with Help to Save.

Learn better money habits

The Learn platform offers educational resources in all shapes and sizes to suit different financial situations and learning styles: webinars, YouTube-style insights, guides, tools, calculators, webinars, articles and blog posts

You can access these benefits at any time throughout the year.

Important: East Renfrewshire Council does not benefit from offering this service and all your communications will be with Salary Finance. Loan applications will be assessed to ensure the loan is appropriate and affordable for you. "Learn" content is for guidance and educational purposes only and is generic in nature. Salary Finance does not offer regulated financial advice. Please seek independent financial advice.

EastRen Rewards

Save on high-street shopping, groceries, travel, eating out and more. Log on to the website and click on 'Lifestyle Savings'. Learn more about your Lifestyle Savings once you have registered.

To register:

Use your Employee Number (which is the number you log into Self Service with) along with our Scheme ID Number 5504.

*Please note, you must register with your personal email address, not your work email address.

East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure

East Renfrewshire provides culture, leisure and sports across East Renfrewshire. For further information on any of East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure services listed visit the East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure website.

or

Telephone: 0141 577 3500

Email: marketing@ercultureandleisure.org

Gym Facilities
Fitness classes
Vitality Classes
Swimming
Sports ; Badminton / Football / Gymnastics & more
Live Active Programme
Art & Drama

Health Shield

The Council has teamed up with Healthshield, a non profit-making friendly society, to offer a cash back health care scheme as a voluntary benefit for employees. Health cash plans are an affordable way for employees to look after the health and wellbeing of themselves and their family. Health Shield operates a cash back scheme which is different from a private healthcare scheme. If you join you can claim money back up to a certain level for a range of healthcare.

Along with your everyday healthcare costs such as dental and optical fees, you'll also be covered for a whole range of health and wellbeing benefits.

To find out more, talk to their dedicated support team on 01270 588555 and please quote East Renfrewshire Council when calling (opening Hours: 8 am to 6 pm - Monday to Friday.)

Alternatively, find out more information on the Healthshield website.

Cycle 2 Work scheme

Within the government's Green Transport Plan, there is a tax exemption which allows employers to provide cycles and cycle safety equipment to employees as a tax free benefit. This is known as the Cycle to Work Scheme.

Council employees can register by visiting the Cycle to Work website

Please note - council employees signing up to the C2W scheme will be asked to complete a mandate [87kb] and have this signed by their line manager or head teacher.

NHS Community Weight Management Service

NHSGG&C Community Weight Management Service in partnership with Weight Watchers and Slimming World to help you lose weight. If eligible for the service you'll receive a free 12 week membership providing access to a blend of in-person and online support

Visit the community weight management service webpage for more information.

Self-Referral: NHSGGC Weight Management Services support individuals with existing health conditions that could be improved by losing weight. If you have Diabetes, Heart Disease or have previously had a Stroke and are overweight then you can self-refer.

To self-refer:

Telephone : 0141 211 3379 (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm)

Email: WeightManagement.HealthRecords@ggc.sc ot.nhs.uk

Gambling Services

Smoking Cessation Service

Employability Service

Housing Support