Aberdeen City Council staff are working tirelessly to ensure citizens have access to crucial support and advice during the current COVID-19 lockdown.
Aberdeen City Council’s Customer Service Centre at Marischal College remains open thanks to the ongoing commitment of staff, from 10.30am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, until further notice. It is a restricted service with non-essential face to face contact suspended in line with government advice.
Many council services can be accessed online at http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/.
For updates on council services and support visit the council’s Covid-19 webpage: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19.
Information available online includes:
- Assistance for businesses
- Benefits and money advice
- Births, deaths and ceremonies
- Health & Protection
- Help with food
- Housing advice
- Protection of Children and Young People
- Protection of Vulnerable Adults
- Schools, childcare and education
- Support in communities
- Waste and recycling services
The Council has also launched a free crisis support line to prioritise help for its most vulnerable and at-risk customers who are unable to obtain help from their existing support networks.
The number, 0800 0304 713, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From 8am until 8pm the team can provide welfare and emotional support including what to do if someone is struggling to get food or pay bills. From 8pm to 8am anyone can contact the team for urgent emotional support.
Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership is providing daily updates for service users and service providers, which can be found at https://www.aberdeencityhscp.scot/
Aberdeen City Council is also working with Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils and partner organisations including Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, NHS Grampian and Police Scotland to maximise knowledge-sharing and expertise as part of the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub.
The Grampian Coronavirus (COVID-19) Assistance Hub website https://gcah.org.uk/ is a focal point for information and assistance for anyone affected by coronavirus anywhere in the region.
During these challenging times Councils are appealing to people to consider volunteering. And while it is appreciated that it is a big ask when there is so much uncertainty around volunteers could help provide a lifeline to many people who are isolated, struggling to make ends meet, need someone to do their shopping, walk their dog or be someone to talk to on the other end of the phone.
Anyone interested in volunteering can register to be a volunteer through the Hub and help support and care for people in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire or Moray.