Please note: Due to the current situation, and in line with government advice, our support groups will not be taking place until further notice.
The charity remains in operation with all our services being provided. Our welfare rights and admin team is working remotely and securely. We are here for you and happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Thank you everyone. Hopefully we can all meet up again soon. Until then please stay safe and well.
We host a network of support groups across Scotland, from Inverness to the Scottish Borders, providing a place for you and your family to meet others for mutual support.
The aim of the groups is to bring together those who are living with mesothelioma, and all other asbestos conditions, with others who are affected, in a local venue, to socialise together, share experiences and discuss any concerns that anyone may have.
The groups have participated in a number of activities including things like self-management of asbestos conditions, gaining information about local services, campaigning activities, having guest speakers from your local area or just somewhere to meet and have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.
Aberdeen
Monthly meeting. Venue: RUA Club, 5-7 West Craibstone Street, Aberdeen AB11 6DL
Meetings are normally between 12.00 and 2.00pm.
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- Aberdeen Care & Repair – gave advice on local handyman service, carrying out small repairs around the house with no charge for labour.
- Community Physiotherapist team from Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership visited and provided a demonstration of breathing and relaxation exercises.
- Energy Adviser from the Scarf Project to advise on reducing bills, saving energy, switching suppliers, accessing grants for boiler upgrades and specialist advice on insulating granite built buildings.
Ayrshire
Monthly support group meeting. Meetings are normally between 12.00 and 2.00 pm. Venue: North Ayrshire County Building, Cunningham House, Irvine, KA12 8EE (Kilwinning committee room which is located on the ground floor).
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- Local respiratory Physiotherapist from NHS Ayrshire & Arran provided a talk and demonstration on the active cycle of breathing to help combat breathlessness.
- Citrus Energy a social enterprise based in Ardrossan that assist with switching suppliers, dealing with any problems with your gas & electricity supplier, saving money on your energy bills and ongoing support.
Borders
Venue:84 Channel St, Galashiels, Scottish Borders TD1 1BD
Meeting: TBC
Edinburgh
Monthly support group meeting. Meetings are normally between 12.00 – 2.00 pm
Venue: Unison Building, Douglas House, 60 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3UQ.
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- Audrey McKinven from Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well Project – a demonstration of seated exercise to music and advice on health and leisure activities that are suited to those with long-term health conditions that can be accessed in Edinburgh and the surrounding regions.
- Care & Repair Edinburgh advised on the free handyman service available to those living in the local area as well as advising on grants available to support more major work around the home and a list of verified and trusted contractors.
Forth Valley
Venue: Larbert Library, 22 Hallam Rd, Stenhousemuir, Larbert FK5 3BF
Monthly meeting. Meetings are normally between 12.00 – 2.00pm.
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- Specialist Respiratory Physio from NHS Forth Valley attended to demonstrate breathing and chest clearing techniques.
- Falkirk Care & Repair spoke about disability grants available to local people to help adapt their house to continue home living.
Glasgow
Meetings are monthly. Meetings are normally between 12.00 – 2.00 pm
Venue: Glasgow Life; 220 High Street; G4 0QW.
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- G-Heat Energy adviser advised on energy efficiency, money-saving tips, switching suppliers and grants available to those living in the Glasgow area.
- Local MSP’s visited to answer questions from members of the group on a range of issues relating to ARD’s
Greenock
Monthly support group meeting. Meetings are normally between 12.00 – 2.00 pm
Venue: Your Voice Inverclyde Community Care Forum, 12 Clyde Square, Greenock, PA15 1NB
Some of the activities the group has been taking part in
- i-Heat spoke about the fee impartial energy advice and support to any resident in Inverclyde who has an energy-related concern.
- Inverclyde Care & Repair advising on small repairs and handyman service advising of the support available to local residents who need assistance with home repairs ranging from changing light bulbs to fixing taps and plumbing.
- Inverclyde Future Skills attended the meeting to demonstrate the use of digital technology, tablets & mobile phones and other ways of getting online.
Inverness
Venue: Unison Building, Highland Area Resource Centre, 53 Shore Street, Inverness.
Meeting: TBC
North Lanarkshire
Venue: TBC
Meeting: TBC
