Useful links
Charities
Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia
www.alzscot.org
Helps people with dementia, their carers and families.
Contact the Elderly
www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk
A national charity who organise monthly tea parties for people aged 75 and over who live alone and lack support from family or friends.
Age Scotland (formerly Help the Aged and Age Concern)
www.agescotland.org
A charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.
Shelter
www.shelter.org.uk
A charity that addresses all aspects of homelessness and housing.
Housing associations and registers
SHOP
www.scottishhousingoptions.org/
SHOP stands for Scottish Housing Options. It's a national housing register developed by Hanover, Bield and Trust housing associations.
Bield
www.bield.co.uk
A housing association that, like Hanover, provides housing and related services primarily to older people. Hanover works in partnership with Bield across a number of areas.
Trust
www.trustha.org.uk
A housing association that, like Hanover, provides housing and related services primarily to older people. Hanover works in partnership with Trust across a number of areas.
Hanover (in England)
www.hanover.org.uk/
A housing association similar to Hanover (Scotland) that provides similar services in England. Hanover (Scotland) used to be part of Hanover in England but is now a separate organisation.
Government
Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR)
www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk
The SHR regulates registered social landlords and the landlord and homelessness services of local authorities.
Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk
Information and advice on all public services in one place.
Scottish Government
www.scotland.gov.uk
The devolved government is responsible for most issues of day-to-day concern in Scotland, including health, education, transport, rural affairs and justice.
Scottish Parliament
www.scottish.parliament.uk
A housing association that, like Hanover, provides housing and related services primarily to older people. Hanover works in partnership with Trust across a number of areas.
Other organisations
Care and Repair Scotland
www.careandrepairscotland.co.uk
The co-ordinating body for care and repair providers across Scotland. Care and Repair services help older and disabled home owners and tenants stay in their own homes through repairs, adaptations and and improvements to their properties.
Care Commission
www.carecommission.com
The Care Commission regulates all adult and child independent healthcare services in Scotland.
Care Information Scotland
www.careinfoscotland.co.uk
Information on care services for older people living in Scotland.
Carers Net
www.carersnet.org
The website for the Coaliition of Carers in Scotland - an information network for carers, carer groups and those who work with carers.
Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH)
www.cih.org/scotland
The professional organisation for people who work in housing.
Citizens Advice Scotland
www.cas.org.uk
Helps people solve their legal, financial and other problems by providing free, impartial and confidential advice.
Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland
www.ccpsscotland.org
The association of voluntary sector organisations providing care and support services in Scotland.
Equality Scotland
www.equalityscotland.com
Developed by Hanover, Bield and Trust housing associations, Equality Scotland promotes equality for Scotland's many communities, particularly black and minority ethnic older people.
Global Action Plan
www.globalactionplan.org.uk
Environmental charity working in partnership with Hanover and Sky TV.
Elderly Accommodation Counsel
www.eac.org.uk
An organisation that helps older people to make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs.
Housing Support Enabling Unit
www.ccpsscotland.org/hseu
Offers support and assistance to providers of housing support services in the voluntary, private and registered social landlord sectors.
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)
www.oscr.org.uk
The independent regulator and registrar of Scottish Charities.
Work With Us
www.workwithus.org
Provides information, advice and services for charities and voluntary organisations.
Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
www.scvo.org.uk/
The national body representing the voluntary sector in Scotland.
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
www.sfha.co.uk
The SFHA is the national representative body for Scotland's housing associations and co-operatives.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)
www.spso.org.uk
The SPSO is the final stage for handling complaints about public services, including housing associations, in Scotland. We normally consider complaints after they have been through the formal complaints process of the organisation concerned.
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
www.sssc.com
The SSSC is responsible for raising standards in the Scottish social service workforce.
Telecare Services Association (TSA)
www.asap-uk.org
The TSA is the representative body of telecare and telehealth providers in the UK.