Health, Welfare and Advice

Click here for COST OF LIVING ADVICE - videos and links
Fuel Poverty leaflet - click to download

Fuel Poverty leaflet - click to download

Keeping Warm in Winter leaflet - click to download

Keeping Warm in Winter leaflet - click to download

Housing & Homelessness leaflet - click to download

Housing & Homelessness leaflet - click to download

Financial Support leaflet - click to download

Financial Support leaflet - click to download

NHS Dental Treatment leaflet - click to download.

NHS Dental Treatment leaflet - click to download.

Medical

Glenkens Warm Spaces

  • Over the winter months, during the current cost of living crisis, a number of local spaces are open their doors to provide a warm space to sit, chat, enjoy a hot drink a chance to chat.

    All the information below was correct at the time of writing, but we recommend contacting the venues for latest info.

  • Saturdays, monthly, 10am-1pm. Soup and home baking. Pay what you can (donations go to charity). See Facebook for more details.

  • Warm space run by Dumfries & Galloway Council. Open Tuesday: 2pm to 5pm and Friday: 12noon to 5pm. Call: 030 33 33 3004 or email: yourlibrary@dumgal.gov.uk.

  • Join us every Thursday, 12noon - 3pm in New Galloway Town Hall. The Hub is a drop-in space where you can grab a cooked meal and access services and support, all on a pay-what-you-can basis.

    Contact: info@ling.org.uk

  • 'Heat Bank' available where you can get warm, make tea & have a blether. Contact Andrew: 01556 690677 for more information.

  • LING Lunches, Tuesdays 12.30-2pm, cost £6.

    Contact : info@ling.org.uk

  • Carsphairn Community Trust invites residents on Tuesdays, 11am-2pm, for a blether, board games & refreshments. Call 07710 124255 or email carsphairn.trust@gmail.com

Food Cupboards and Banks

  • There a number of places in the Glenkens where you can get help with basic groceries and essentials like period products and school uniforms.

  • Free and fresh hot meal for anyone who's struggling, even if just a pay day gap issue. The Family Pass initiative runs all year round. If you're ever struggling to feed yourself or your children, get in touch and quote "family pass".

    The Family Pass initiative is mostly used as takeaway, however sit-in is available if a warm space is also required. Unfortunately they aren't able to deliver.

    For more information see their Facebook post from January 2026 - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19jcSXV1AE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  • Open 24 hrs/day for free food & staples in the garden of Dalry Library.

  • Are you struggling with household bills? Do you know someone who is struggling?

    Galloway Food Hub runs a scheme to help people who are experiencing food inequalities in the Glenkens. We want to make sure that everyone has access to good food.

    If that's you or someone you know, you can contact us by emailing lesley@propagate.org.uk, putting 'Fair Food for All' in the subject line or call 07587122151. Your enquiry will be private, and we will not share your personal details with anyone else.

    This scheme is being funded by the D&G Climate Hub to give more people better access to climate and nature friendly, local food.

  • Period Poverty collection point at New Galloway Town Hall

    Pop in on a Tuesdays from 12.00 - 14.00 pm or Thursdays from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm. You can either contact us in advance at info@ling.org.uk and we'll have a discreet package prepared for you or you can come and browse.

    If you can't come along between those times someone else can collect for you. All products are FREE and you don't have to live in New Galloway.

    Also available at venues and via community groups in larger towns (see full list at https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/25354/access-to-free-period-products).

    For residents who live in very rural areas, free period products can be posted to your home address. Please contact Wendy Jesson, Poverty & Inequalities Development Officer on 0788 094 2909 or email: wendy.jesson@dumgal.gov.uk.

  • Free food and staples in the car park between the CatStrand and the Smithy Tearoom.

  • The community larder in New Galloway Town Hall is open for anyone to pop in, browse and help themselves on:

    • Mondays 9am - 4pm

    • Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm

    • Thursdays 9am - 4pm

    Donations welcome! Contact: info@ling.org.uk

  • Located on 198 King St, Castle Douglas, this service is open between 10am and 12pm, Mon/Wed/Fri. Contact 07730 788335.

Group Purchasing Scheme

  • Monthly oil purchasing scheme open to anyone in the Glenkens area, although the oil-supplier reserves the right to place restrictions concerning distance and access issues.

    We are saving money and doing our bit for the environment by reducing the number of tankers coming into our community.

    Contact: Sam Rushton, New Galloway Oil Purchasing Co-ordinator on 07544 700566 or email: ngoilpurchasing@gmail.com.

School Uniforms

  • Open to everyone at Dalry Primary & Secondary School and Kells School.

  • There are eight permanent free back to school points open all year round.

    Each location has a extensive stock of excellent to good-condition school uniforms which are suitable for the schools near the Uniform Bank locations.

    Our nearest for Glenkens Schools is:

    • Stepping Stones Food Bank, 9 St. Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1DE

    See the Dumfries and Galloway Council page here for the full list: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/25718/Free-School-Uniforms

Services

  • A Listening Ear offers volunteer-led befriending to people experiencing loneliness and isolation, helping them to feel socially connected in a positive way. Email: hello@listening-ear.org or see their website: https://a-listening-ear.org/

  • Just having a chat or a friendly ear to listen can make all the difference to an older person's day. Call FREE on 0800 12 44 222, Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm.

  • For support with alcohol, drug or gambling Issues: Alcohol & Drug Support are based in Castle Douglas and can be contacted on 01556 503550 or enquiries@adssws.co.uk.

  • Support for family or friends of loved ones with alcohol/drug issues: call Being There on 0333 8806950 or email beingthere@adssws.co.uk.

  • Care and Repair aim to help people over the age of 60 and disabled people of any age, to remain living at home in their own community by providing free support and advice on adapting their home. Call 01387 217744 (Monday–Friday 9am-5pm) or e-mail: enquiries@careandrepair-dg.co.uk.

  • Mental health can affect everyone. One in four people will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime, but we believe that anyone can experience it in their lifetime.

    Our Advice and Support Service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm), where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs, including our Change Mental Health services. We offer initial advice on money worries and help to deal with emergencies.

    Contact 0808 8010 515, email us at advice@changemh.org or fill out the enquiry form on the Advice and Support Service page.

  • Are you living with a chest hear tor stroke condition or Long Covid?

    We can help you live well with our Supported Self Management Programme. Find out more here: https://www.chss.org.uk/

  • For anyone over the age of 65 unable to shop for themselves. Stewartry Branch - 01556 288427 or everything@thefoodtrain.co.uk.

  • A support service for over 18s experiencing stress and low mood as a result of life circumstances such as bereavement and social isolation. Call 01556 505724 or email dg.hcs@nhs.scot.

  • CBT‑based programmes to help with things like stress, anxiety, low mood, sleep, and resilience. Use access code Scotland2020

    https://wellbeing.silvercloudhealth.com/onboard/nhsscotland/

  • Think Differently are a community group that celebrates neurodiversity by raising awareness and offering support to neurodivergent adults. Their aim is to reduce isolation and create inclusive, neuro-affirming spaces where people can connect, learn, and support one another across the region. Find out more on their website:

    https://www.thinkdifferentlydg.org.uk/

Local Financial Advice and Support

  • SCU provides practical, affordable and straight forward financial services. They provide share accounts and simple loan accounts. For more information contact Anne (SCU Admin) on 01387 267200 or email:info@solwaycreditunion.co.uk.

  • A really useful source of information and support about a range of subjects, from making sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, to advice on debt, work and housing. For more info visit www.dagcas.org or ring them on 0300 303 4321.

    The Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach Clinic also has a Generalist Advisor at The Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, fortnightly on Mondays 10-4pm and at the Catstrand, New Galloway, fortnightly on Tuesdays 10-4pm.

  • On low income and needing help with rent deposit? Contact: 01387 269161 or email: rdgs@thehubdg.org.uk.

  • New service to help with the cost of living: www.costofliving.dumgal.gov.uk.

General Advice