Resources for: Disability and Age 12-17

Here you will find information for people living with a disability.

1. Aberlour

Aberlour Children's Urgent Assistance Fund

Aberlour supports children, young people, and families across Scotland with practical and emotional help. Services include:

  • Support for families affected by addiction

  • Residential care and fostering

  • Early years and disability support

  • Early intervention

  • Urgent Assistance Fund – providing emergency cash grants for families struggling with food, heating, clothing, and other essentials. Families must have a child under 21 and be facing extreme hardship. Applications are made by a professional (e.g. social worker or health visitor) through the Aberlour website.

Phone: 0800 0856 150

Web: www.aberlour.org.uk

Website Professional referral National Free
18. Benefits Grants

Benefits and Grants

mygov.scot – Benefits in Scotland is the Scottish Government’s official site for information on social security and benefits. It covers disability, carers, family support, heating help, crisis funds, and more, with guidance on eligibility, claims, and appeals. The site also links to support services like financial advice and independent advocacy.

Web: www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits

Website Online National Free
32. Childline No Text

Childline

Childline is a free, confidential service for children and young people under 19 in the UK. Whether you're feeling happy, sad, confused, or worried, you can talk to a trained counsellor anytime day or night by calling, chatting online, or sending an email. They can help with anything, from bullying and family problems to mental health and self-harm. You can also use tools like the Mood Journal, Calm Zone, and message boards to express yourself and find support.

 

Helpline number: 0800 11 11

Web: www.childline.org.uk

Helpline Online Telephone National Free
40. Clifftops

Clifftops Project

Clifftop Projects CIC is a community arts organisation in West Dunbartonshire offering free, inclusive creative activities for all ages. They run Art Youth Clubs (ages 5–18), an Intergenerational Dance Company, monthly youth creative nights (ages 13–25), and regular art challenges and workshops with local artists. Through projects like Creative Mental Health, they use art and dance to support emotional wellbeing and bring people together across generations.

Web: www.clifftopprojects.co.uk/

Services & somewhere to go Self referral Local Free
Cyp Comissioner

Children and Young People's Comissioner Scotland

An independent organisation that protects and promotes the rights of children and young people in Scotland. They raise awareness of children’s rights, challenge unfair policies, and help young people have their voices heard. The Commissioner works to ensure every child’s rights are respected across Scotland.

Phone: 0800 019 1179

Web: www.cypcs.org.uk/

Website Online Self referral Telephone National Free
Childrens Health Scot

Children's Health Scotland

The only charity in Scotland dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and young people with health conditions. They provide information, support, and self-management programmes for young people and families, including help with anxiety, hospital stays, and healthcare rights. The charity also works with professionals to promote child-friendly, rights-based healthcare across Scotland.

Phone: 0131 553 6553

Web: www.childrenshealthscotland.org/

Website Download Online National Free
129. 130. Scotland's Redress Scheme Scot Gov

Cost of Living Campaign

A government-run website offering a comprehensive guide to financial and practical assistance available across Scotland during the cost of living crisis. It provides information on areas such as energy and household bills, benefits and income, debt and money management, support for children and families, health and wellbeing, and help for older or disabled individuals. The site also includes details on discounts and offers from businesses to help people make savings across groceries, retail, utilities, entertainment, travel, and more. Additionally, it directs users to local council support for urgent needs like food or fuel.

Web: https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/

Website Online National Free
Disability Sport Finder

Disability Sports Finder

A free online guide that helps people of all ages and abilities in Scotland discover accessible local sports and physical activities. Simply enter a postcode or region to find community clubs or leisure centres offering adapted sessions tailored to various needs. It’s a user-friendly platform run in partnership with local councils and disability sports organisations, aimed at making sport inclusive and empowering everyone to get active Some activities have a cost.

Web: www.disabilitysportfinder.org.uk/

Services & somewhere to go Professional referral School Referral Self referral Local Costs money
Ind Living Fund

Independent Living Fund

provides funding and support to help disabled people live independently and take part in their communities. They work alongside local services to make life more flexible and empowering.

Phone: 0300 200 2022

Web: www.ilf.scot/

Website Online National Free
I Am Me Keep Safe

I Am Me

I Am Me Scotland is a charity supporting disabled and vulnerable people through accessible education, training, and resources. Their Learning Platform offers schools, parents, and organisations tools on disability awareness, mental health, and inclusion to promote positive change.

Web: https://iammescotland.co.uk/

Website Online National Free
Whizz Kids

Whizz Kids

The UK’s leading charity supporting young wheelchair users up to 25 years old provides them with the equipment and skills they need to live life as independently as possible. To enjoy all of the opportunities and activities that so many others take for granted ‐ at home, at school, at work and beyond.

Web: https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
Contact

Contact

A charity offering information, guidance, and emotional support to families raising disabled children from birth up to age 25, regardless of diagnosis. They provide a national helpline, Listening Ear telephone therapy, expert parent guides, and workshops on topics like benefits, education, sleep, and wellbeing . Regional offices run family events such as accessible outings and coffee mornings.

Helpline number: 0808 808 3555

Web: https://contact.org.uk/

Helpline Website Online Self referral National Free
Sibs

Sibs

Sibs exists to support people who grow up with or have grown up with a disabled brother or sister. We provide information, support and training on sibling issues for adult siblings, young siblings, parents and professionals.

Web: https://www.sibs.org.uk/

Website National Free
Clydebank Can Logo

Clydebank Can

Clydebank Can is a community-based project that aims to bring to life the canal and bandstand area of Three Queen’s Square in Clydebank. It will bring more arts and leisure activities into the area for local people to enjoy, giving everyone in the community more opportunity to take part in events and activities which improve health and wellbeing, and increase social and economic activity in the area.

The website also contains a 'What's On' section with a wealth of information on local events, clubs, activities and more.

Web: https://www.clydebankcan.com/

Website Services & somewhere to go Online Local Free
Improving Lives Logo

Improving Lives West Dunbartonshire

Improving Lives aims to alleviate the stress and isolation that can come with living with a disability by making things more accessible to everyone and helping people to make improvements to their own lives. 

They believe everyone should be able to access the support and information they need quickly and easily. They are also passionate about making sport accessible to everyone.

Phone: 0141 237 4560

Web: https://www.improvinglives.co.uk/?

Website Services & somewhere to go Self referral Local Free
Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Cerebral Palsy Scotland is a Glasgow-based charity supporting children, young people, and adults with cerebral palsy across Scotland. They offer access to specialist therapy, including the Bobath concept, and provide fully funded therapy sessions for children through the Better Start programme. The charity also hosts social events, provides mental health and wellbeing support, and maintains a comprehensive support directory to connect families with relevant services.

Phone: 01413525000

Web: https://cerebralpalsyscotland.org.uk/

Website Services & somewhere to go Online Self referral National Costs money
CHSS Logo

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) supports people in Scotland living with chest, heart, stroke conditions, and Long Covid. They offer free advice, one-to-one support, peer groups, and online resources to help manage health and wellbeing. CHSS also runs volunteer programs and educational tools to empower patients and carers.

 

Phone: 808 801 0899

Web: https://www.chss.org.uk/

Helpline Website Services & somewhere to go Download Online Professional referral Self referral Telephone National Free

TapSOS app

A free, non-verbal emergency app for the UK. It lets people who can’t or shouldn’t speak, such as those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or in unsafe situations quickly contact the four emergency services (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard). You tap icons to send your location and medical information directly to 999 call handlers via SMS.

Web: https://tapsos.com/

App Online National Free
Screenshot 2025 09 15 144234

My Rights, My Say

Supports young people aged 12–15 with additional support needs to have their say in decisions about their education. The service is independent and confidential, offering advocacy, advice, and resources to help make sure your voice is heard at school.

Also includes information for practitioners

Web: https://myrightsmysay.scot/

Website Online National Free
Outsidethebex Logo

Outside the Box

Outside the Box provides development support to groups and people across Scotland who want to make a difference in their communities.

They have loads of downloadable resources such as cost of living guides, info for LGBTIQ+ families, and human righths and equality.

Phone: 0141 419 0451

Web: https://otbds.org/

Online National Free