New edinburgh food project helpline

17th July 2020

We are delighted to be working together with Health in Mind to provide a helpline to support people who have mental health difficulties during these challenging times.

People who call the helpline will speak to a fully qualified and supervised counsellor, who will be there to listen and offer practical help and information. This will help people to improve their resilience and coping strategies to navigate this challenging period.

The helpline is available to people living in Edinburgh City who have received a food parcel from the Edinburgh Food Project. There is no need for an appointment, people can call for free at any time during opening hours.

Wendy Bates, Chief Executive of Health in Mind, said:
‘We are really proud to be partnering together with the Edinburgh Food Project to deliver this helpline. It has been an incredibly tough period for so many of us and it can often feel difficult to know how to cope or where to turn to. That’s why, especially in times like these, having a trained professional on the other end of the phone who is there to listen and support you is so important.’

Bethany Biggar, Director, Edinburgh Food Project, said:
‘We had to change our food bank centres to a delivery service due to COVID, and in doing so we took away a safe community space, where people could come have a cup of tea and unload. We know how important that space was for people, and so we wanted to give them the option to speak to someone on the phone while we’re all apart. If they need to talk, or don’t know who to turn to they can pick up the phone and Health in Mind will be there to listen and support them.’

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Tom at tom.grayson@health-in-mind.org.uk.
The project is funded by the Scottish Government Inspiring Communities Fund.