Services A to Z

There are a range of resources and charities available for such conditions online and we have included a thorough list of links to helpful websites should you wish to find out more information on your specific condition.

Multiple Sclerosis

• MS Society
• MS Revive
• MS Trust

Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS)/ Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

• GBS-CIDP International
• Gain Charity

Functional Neurological Disorder 

• FND

Peripheral Neuropathy

• NHS Information on Peripheral Neuropathy
• Peripheral Neuropathy Foundation

Critical Illness Neuropathy

• American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine 

Cerebral Palsy 

• Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Stroke

• Stroke UK
• Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland

Epilepsy

• Epilepsy Scotland 

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Back-Up 
• Spinal Injuries Scotland

Brain Tumour

• NHS Information on Brain Tumours
• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan

Brain Injury Services

• Headway
• Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network
• Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust 
• Brain Injury Experience Network West Dunbartonshire 
• Renfrewshire Head Injury Service 

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

• NHS Information on Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Rare Diseases

Ataxia

• NHS Information on Ataxia
• Ataxia UK

Dystonia

• NHS Information on Dystonia
• Dystonia UK

Regular physical activity is a very important component of physical and mental health well being. The benefits include reducing the risk of disease, managing existing conditions, and developing and maintaining physical/mental function.

Physical Activity Guidelines

The UK Chief Medical Officer updated the Physical Activity Guidelines in September 2019. The guidelines provide recommendations on the frequency, intensity, duration and types of physical activity regardless of your age or ability. Benefits are accrued over time, but it is never too late to gain health benefits from taking up physical activity.

Although we recommend that everyone should work towards achieving these guidelines, there are no absolute thresholds: benefits are achieved at levels both below and above these guidelines.

In general, the more time spent being physically active, the greater the health benefits. However, the gains are especially significant for those currently doing the lowest levels of activity (fewer than 30 minutes per week), as the improvements in health per additional minute of physical activity will be greater.

Here we have a few videos which may help you in increasing your physical activity levels.

Local Opportunities for Exercise

Good Move Glasgow Health Walks – Fun, free, easy walks in your local community for all abilities. Ideal for meeting new people and exploring Glasgow’s lovely parks and greenspaces.

Scottish Disability Sport – Scottish Disability Sport passionately believes in leading and developing inclusive opportunities and improving performance. This will ensure that any child, young person or adult with a disability can participate in sport and physical activity – no matter ability, geography or age

Disability Snowsport – Disability Snowsport UK believe that taking part in adaptive snowsport has the power to transform a person’s relationship with their disability. They are committed to enabling all people to participate in snowsport, regardless of disability, injury or experience.

ParaSport – With Parasport, you can discover inclusive local opportunities to become more active. They believe there’s a sport or activity out there for everyone and by highlighting inclusive activities and one-off events which able bodied and disabled people can do together. Parasport can inform and inspire people to discover something new.

Free Wheel North – Free Wheel North is a cycling development charity based in Glasgow working towards creating a fairer healthier society by enabling people of all ages and abilities to cycle as part of their every day life.

Yogability – Yogability provides free yoga classes to children and adults with physical disabilities, special needs, their carers and other barriers to entry. We also run mainstream classes on a donation basis.

Beach Wheelchairs – Beach Wheelchairs is a Scottish Charity which believes that everyone has the right to enjoy our beautiful beaches. Each site has a range of beach wheelchairs and equipment, and you can see what is available and details of how to contact us by clicking on one of the tabs in the menu at the top of the page.

Inclusive Skating – Inclusive Skating helps all skaters learn to skate with their families and carers in a supportive environment. Ice Skating and Inclusive Skating competitions for skaters with additional challenges are open to all, come and join the community.

Riding for the Disabled – Riding for the Disabled is an inclusive and diverse organisation. They welcome clients with physical and learning disabilities and autism, and there are no age restrictions. With fun activities like riding and carriage driving, they provide therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement.

Possobilities – Possobilities is a Glasgow based charity which is able to offer support through social groups and community-led activities in a welcoming environment. 

Live Active (NHSGGC) – Through the support of the highly trained and qualified Live Active Advisors, they can help you build the confidence you need to make positive lifestyle changes. They will work with you to develop a support package which is right for you. This is provided through one-to-one catch-ups, supported activity sessions and encourage you to set goals, which will leave you feeling great and ensure you’re getting the most out of life. 

Active Health (North Lanarkshire) – North Lanarkshire Leisure’s Active Health Programme in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire provides a range of supported programmes to help individuals realise the benefits of becoming more physically active whilst also assisting those who are recovering from minor or even more serious illness.

Certain areas will offer accessible swimming and we would advise contacting your local pool/leisure centre to find out what facilities they have available. 

You can also find out more about local physical activity opportunities by visiting your Local Authority website:

• Glasgow Life
• Inverclyde Leisure
• East Renfrewshire Cuture and Leisure
• East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
• West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
• Renfrewshire Leisure Trust
• North Lanarkshire Leisure
• South Lanarkshire Leisure
• North Ayrshire Leisure
• South Ayrshire Leisure

MyBus – MyBus is a bookable bus service offering door-to-door transport in your area. MyBus can be used for shopping, GP appointments, visiting friends, attending local clubs, and much more.

Euan’s Guide – Euansguide.com is the disabled access review site where disabled people, their family, friends and carers can find and share reviews on the accessibility of venues around the UK and beyond. The site is an invaluable tool for everything from planning a day out, to picking a last-minute place for coffee or lunch.

Changing Places – Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible toilets (or “disabled toilets”) and should be provided in addition to accessible toilets. Each Changing Places toilet provides the right equipment, enough space and a safe and clean environment.

The National Key Scheme – The Radar key offers disabled people independent access to more than 9,000 accessible locked public toilets around the country. For more information and to purchase your own Radar key, go to the link above.

Neatebox – Neatebox feel that no person should feel concerned about being able to enjoy their independence. In pursuing their mission to lead society in becoming more inclusive to everyone, they have developed solutions that empower disabled people in their daily life and ease the pressure on those who are tasked to support them. 

Their two apps, ‘Button’ and ‘Welcome’, are used across the UK and Ireland to foster the independent lifestyles of disabled people. With them, the aim is to reduce anxiety, increase social mobility and ultimately promote a very real change in society’s attitude towards those who have so often been ignored.

Accessible Theatre Events – Search for accessible events in venues across Scotland.

Pony Axe S – Pony Axe S helps to provide unique and inclusive transport to those who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues. Available across the UK.

Disability Horizons – Founded in 2011, Disability Horizons publishes articles on a wide variety of topics, all to support the aim of a world where disabled people live exactly as they choose to.

Outside the Box – Outside the Box provides independent development support to groups and people across Scotland who want to make a difference in their communities. They work on a broad range of projects under four key themes – offering support, information, training, evaluation and advice. 

Men’s Sheds – Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun.

Accessible Holidays

Disability Scotland – For holiday makers staying in the UK there are a wide range of options. From accessible hotels, caravans and motor homes to residential activity centres for groups.

Visit Scotland – Scotland offers plenty of wonderful accessible accommodation options, including sleek city centre hotels, eco-friendly retreats and luxurious country houses.

Tourism for All – Tourism for All is the place to find accessible destinations and places to stay – whether you want a relaxing hotel break, an exciting day trip or just a change of scenery, find everything you can think of right here! We can link you to accommodation, attractions, events and more all across Britain. 

Calvert Trust – This organisation has sites in Exmoor, the Lake District and Northumberland where individuals and families affected by disability can enjoy well-supported active, outdoor holidays. Each site operates independently and offers slightly different opportunities.

Motability – The Motability Scheme helps you get mobile by exchanging your higher rate mobility allowance to lease a new affordable car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.

Rough Guide to Accessible Britain – The Guide aims to inspire and support people with diverse needs in enjoying the best of Britain’s attractions – whatever their disability. You can also access a free downloadable PDF Rough Guide to accessible Britain.

Psychological Wellbeing refers to your overall functioning in relation to your feelings. It is about how we think, how we feel, how we behave, how life affects us and how we cope with it, how we engage with others and the choices that we make. The key components to positive psychological wellbeing are positive emotions, sense of purpose, engagement in activities, relationships, accomplishment and achievement.

Common mood problems include depression, anxiety, anger and stress. Below, you can find a presentation on ways in which you can help manage your mood. 

The NHSGGC Health and Wellbeing Directory is a gateway to information about a wide range health improvement and wellbeing services provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and our partner organisations. 

This page is to provide general advice and understanding and does not provide medical advice. Should you, or a family member feel that any of these symptoms are having a significant impact on your life or a cause for concern, we would strongly recommend discussing with your GP or healthcare professional.

We have also provided a list of mental health organisations below.

Mental Health and Support Resources

Other services may be available in your area.

Helplines

• Samaritans 08457 909090 (24 hour support)
• Breathing Space 0800 838587 (Friday to Sunday 24 hours a day; Monday to Thursday 6:00pm – 2:00am)
• Sane line 0845 7678000
• NHS 24 08454 242424 (24 hour support)
• NHS Direct 0845 4647 (24 hour)

Online Support

Mental Health

• GGC Mental Health Network
• Mind Charity 
• Well-Being Glasgow
• Living Life to the Full
• Breathing Space
• SAMH
• GAMH (only services available in Glasgow)
• Project Happiness
• NHS Inform
• Headspace

Other Support

• Citizens Advice (Information and advice to resolve money, legal and other problem)
• Glasgow Council on Alcohol
• Rape Crisis Scotland 
• Sandyford Initiative (Sexual health and counselling)
• Scottish Care and Information on Miscarriage
• Relationship Scotland

Your Rights

Glasgow Disability Alliance – Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) is a membership organisation run by and for disabled people with over 5000 members across Greater Glasgow. 

Disability Information Scotland – Disability Information Scotland enable positive change by sharing information on disability when people need it, in a way they want it.

Disability Rights UK – Disability Rights UK is a UK pan-disability charity which was set up with the aim of representing the needs and expectations of disabled people in the UK. Disability Rights UK was formed as a result of several disability charities merging in 2012.

Independent Advocacy – The Advocacy Project provides a free and confidential service that is independent of the NHS and Social Work. Independent advocacy can benefit those living at home, in care or in hospital. An advocacy workers work with a number of clients, usually on a one to one basis, but they also support groups of people who have issues in common.

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance  – Independent advocacy is about speaking up for an individual or group. Independent advocacy is a way to help people have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives. Independent Advocacy organisations are separate from organisations that provide other types of services.

Inclusive Scotland – Inclusion Scotland works to achieve positive changes to policy and practice, so that disabled people are fully included throughout all Scottish society as equal citizens. 

Power of Attorney – This Power of Attorney campaign is about giving you the power to make decisions that will protect you, your family and those you care about should you ever lose capacity to make decisions for yourself.

Grants and Funding

Scottish Disability Directory – The Scottish Disability Directory is the only directory of its kind in Scotland. It provides access to information on thousands of disability organisations and support groups, both local and national.

Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living – Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living is run by disabled people for disabled people. They believe that barriers disable people, not impairments. Their support, payroll, training, housing, employment and consultancy services enable disabled people to assert more control over their lives as equal citizens.

Take a Break – Take a Break is Scotland’s short breaks fund for carers of disabled children, young people and their families. Take a Break grants can be used for a break away, towards leisure activities or outings; sports equipment and much more.

Disability Aid Trust – The Disability Aid Trust believes in giving others the chance of a well deserved holiday. Through contributions towards the cost of helpers, they can make sure that severely disabled people around the country can experience a welcome break from routine by taking a holiday that they have so often dreamed about.

Turn 2 Us – Many charities offer non-repayable grants. Help is based on where you live, your age, gender, current or past jobs, health condition and nationality. 

Disability Grants – Charities and Trusts provide funding towards the high cost of disability equipment, holidays, housing, days out etc. Disability Grants are here to help what grants are available nationally and in your local area by searching the individual sections.

Respitality Scotland – Respitality provides short vital breaks for unpaid carers in Scotland when they need it most. This is achieved by connecting carers’ organisations with hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses who are willing to donate a break free of charge. Respitality is a Scottish Government supported project which is delivered locally by approved Respitality Delivery Partners and coordinated nationally by Shared Care Scotland.

Independent Living Fund Scotland (ILF) – Independent Living Fund (ILF) aims to ensure our recipients have choice and control over how and when they are supported in all aspects of their daily lives, as well as facilitating real participation and inclusion for individuals within their local communities.

Glasgow Disability Alliance – Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) is a membership organisation run by and for disabled people with over 5000 members across Greater Glasgow. 

Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland – Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland will provide funds for a wide range of goods or services, provided the need arises directly as a result of chest, heart or stroke illness. 

MS Society – The MS Society provide Health and Wellbeing grants that can help you pay for items that will have a significant positive impact on your life.