Links to advice and information services
General
London Advice Services Alliance
This website is designed for people providing advice and information services. It can help you find information on systems and getting the best out of your IT, as well as training and policy work in the UK advice sector.
Black and minority ethnic groups
Wide-ranging and accessible site linking you to the Scotland-wide minority-ethnic-led charity whose mission is to work with communities and others to enable everyone to have an equal chance to live in good quality, affordable and safe homes, free from discrimination and the fear of racial harassment and violence.
Disabled groups
Housing Options Information
Look on this site for a self-assessment personal housing plan kit for disabled people – or for anyone thinking through their housing needs.
Scottish Accessible Information Forum
SAIF aims to make information more accessible to everyone who needs it, supporting the rights of disabled people and carers in getting access to accurate information about a range of services.
Energy
Grants for Energy Efficiency
There are many ways of saving energy around your home, including some simple things you can start today. To find out how to reduce your household fuel bills, year in, year out, view this website then roll your mouse over the house to learn about energy efficient products that save energy, money and the environment.
Government
Scottish Parliament
A comprehensive website with information on all aspects of the Scottish Parliament. From these pages you can link to Parliament and assemblies of the UK, Europe and elsewhere, and to Scottish institutions and organisations.
Government Information and Service Online
Visit www.ukonline.gov.uk which is an easy way to get government information and services online.
COSLA
Local government in Scotland is represented collectively by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which exists to promote and protect the interests of councils in Scotland by providing a forum for discussion of matters of common concern.
National Assembly for Wales
To find out what's happening in Wales, take a look at the National Assembly for Wales website. The site has up-to-date news stories, a list of publications, public information and many other useful links.
The Stationery Office
The Stationery Office (formerly Her Majesty's Stationery Office) site offers a wealth of information and links to government, health, acts of legislation and more.
Homelessness
Scottish Council for Single Homelessness
National Body for organisations and individuals working to tackle homelessness in Scotland.
The National Rent Deposit Forum (NRDF) is a network of nearly 200 local housing projects from across the UK. Together, they help over 10,000 homeless people find private rented accommodation each year. The common feature of every local scheme is that they provide rent deposits, rent guarantees, or bonds to help homeless people to avoid the needs from rent in advance when seeking housing.
Shelter is a campaigning organisation that helps homeless and badly housed people. Through its advice and support services in Scotland, Shelter is able to understand the needs of homeless and poorly housed people on a regional and national level and to campaign for more progressive laws and policies.
Homes mobility and exchange services
Available HOMES is an internet service which includes a facility to conduct online searches for properties that are available for immediate let, or exchange of low cost home ownership throughout the UK.
Older people
Housing Options Online
Elderly Accommodation Counsel is a national charity offering advice and information about all forms of accommodation for older people.
Age Concern (Scotland) works throughout Scotland to help make the lives of older people more secure, comfortable, dignified and enjoyable. It supports a wide network of older people and older people's groups, which in turn provide local responsive services to older people in their communities. Age Concern (Scotland) itself directly offers a range of services which reflects its role as advocate, and the involvement of older people. Age Concern also provides information to meet the needs of older people living in the community and to disseminate best practice for those working with older people, to publicise issues relevant to older people, and to inform them of their rights.
Property
Homes Online
Search details of homes for sale and to rent on this UK site devoted to buying, selling and owning a home. Arrange to view properties and register on-line with any of the estate and letting agents listed.
Homes
This website provides extremely useful information on shared ownership, mobility and Homeswap. It also has a link to available homes which advertises social sector properties for rent and low cost home ownership.
Your Move is the Estate Agency Division of Norwich Union. The site includes property search, information on letting, surveys and insurance, and also offers a handy mortgage calculator.
Rural housing
The Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service helps rural communities to take action and develop practical solutions to local housing needs. The Case Studies section highlights rural communities who have taken action to improve housing in their community either through developing new housing or establishing new housing services.
Self-build
Community Self-Build Scotland (CSBS) is a voluntary membership organisation set up in 1995 to provide information and education on community self-build, including development, technical and funding issues. It provides and/or facilitates the provision of advice, assistance and training for the benefit of self-build groups.
Voluntary sector
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
SCVO has developed a site to provide voluntary organisations, their paid staff and volunteers with access to a wide range of practical information and guidance in an easy style.
