Useful Website Links

Circle Network, based at 6 Pentland House, Saltire Centre, Glenrothes – 01592 772220

fife@circlesnetwork.org.uk

http://www.circlesnetwork.org.uk/

Fife Law Centre

Fife Law Centre is a registered charity which aims to improve access to justice and legal advice in the local Fife community for those who either have difficulty accessing legal services or who cannot afford other forms of legal representation.

The Law Centre opened on 4 November 2009 and is headed by Afshan Rathore, its Principal Solicitor. It currently has offices at BRAG in Crosshill  near Lochgelly (open Monday – Friday) and at the Adam Smith College ‘Our Space’ Centre in Leven (open Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The Centre has links with various local voluntary organisations such as Frontline Fife and Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF) and so our solicitors can travel to see potential clients at a variety of locations throughout Fife.

The current core areas of the Law Centre’s work include:-

• Employment Law

• Housing Law

• Child Law issues

We can also offer general legal advice in other areas however, if an issue is out with the remit of the Law Centre’s work (e.g. criminal law, divorce, wills and executries) or is a matter which requires more specialist advice, we will endeavour to refer the enquiry to another law firm or relevant organisation for further assistance (as appropriate).

The Law Centre also anticipates holding a series of legal seminars throughout the year for both local law firms and voluntary organisations and separately can provide more specialised advice/presentations to individual organisations on request.

To Contact Us:
Tel:   01592 860503   

Email  :info@fifelawcentre.co.uk

Fife Elderly Forum

FIFE ELDERLY FORUM EXECUTIVE

Fife Elderly Forum Executive is a Voluntary Sector Advice & Information Agency dealing with older peoples issues.

We provide information and advice on issues which affect older people and their relatives. We also provide a professional independent advocacy service to older people.

As well as providing this service we also act as a voice on older people's issues, consulting with older people and feeding their concerns and issues to the statutory providers. We represent older people on a number of groups including The Older Peoples Framework Group, The Older Peoples Strategy and Implementation Group, Fife Rights Forum and the Equality Forum.

In 2006 the Fife Elderly Forum Executive went through the Fife Rights Forum Quality Standards Scheme. We are happy to say that we achieved a level 2 award, confirming that the information, advice and advocacy which we provide meets quality standards. This standard was renewed in July 2009. 

Fairness Race Awareness & Equality, Fife

FRAE Fife was established as a thematic SIP in 1999, with the aims of building the capacity of and empowering the Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Fife, tackling social exclusion and improving service delivery to these communities. The organisation's primary purpose is to promote racial harmony across all races and eliminate racial discrimination. The 2001 census identified 4,426 BME residents in Fife, nearly a 50% increase on the previous census and constituting 1.3% of Fife's population.

The key factors affecting BME communities, that drove the establishment of FRAE Fife and the focus of its work included:

• Communities are dispersed across Fife and there was a lack of support structures and services specifically targeted at meeting their needs.

• Llinks between public agency service providers and communities were poor. This affected service design, delivery and uptake of services.

• There was a lack of community development support and capacity building opportunities for community members.

• Between 1990 and 1997 the number of reported racially motivated incidents in Fife rose from 3 to 53. Community safety was highlighted as a key issue to be addressed.

• Despite higher average levels of educational attainment, people from BME communities were between two or three times more likely to be unemployed than their white counterparts. Little use was made of job clubs, employment services and careers guidance by members of BME communities.

• Research indicated that many families were experiencing overcrowding and were less likely to rent accommodation from social landlords.

• NHS Fife and Social Work Service research into the needs of older people from BME communities not using mainstream services indicated that many were isolated.

Lead Scotland

Lead Scotland, Linking Education and Disability, is a voluntary organisation set up to widen access to learning for disabled young people and adults and carers across Scotland. Find the Lead Scotland mission and vision.

Guidance and support for learners and volunteers: we really listen to what people want to learn.  We know everyone has different aspirations, for example, employment, volunteering, skills or self development.  We are flexible about where we meet learners and in the way we offer our services.

Personal touch: each learner is supported to develop their own action plan with us, which results in a tailored and unique service from Lead.  Some people may find their own answers and solutions quickly after a few meetings with their Organiser.  Some people might find they need more time and support to get things in place, including the support of other organisations, and continued support to be able to learn.

Citizens Advice guide to your rights
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice, and by influencing policy makers.

The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.

• To provide the advice people need for the problems they face
• To improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives

CVS Fife is the Council for Voluntary Service Fife which promotes local community and voluntary action. We provide voluntary, community, social enterprise and charitable organisations with advice, information and one-to-one support. We also help the Voluntary or Third Sector to network, and to take part in Community Planning processes. We can provide access to training and a range of information resources.

CVS Fife is a member of the Scotland-wide CVS Network, which comes under the umbrella of Voluntary Action Scotland.

The Disability Law Service (DLS) has provided high quality information and advice to disabled and Deaf people for over 30 years.
DLS is run by and for disabled people as an independent, national registered charity.
Disabled people and their families, carers and advocates, are all welcome to get in touch with our helpline for advice.
DLS only provides advice and information in these six areas of law:
Disability Discrimination
Consumer
Community Care
Further and Higher Education
Employment
Welfare Benefits (Greater London Area)

For these areas of law DLS also provides a casework service, and support at any level of the legal system.
If you believe your legal problem fits our remit then please call our helpline staff. It is advisable to have read the online resources within this site, to mke the most of your call.

Download DLS Factsheets »

Who is entitled?

• because of illness or disability you have developed care and/or mobility needs before the age of 65 and claim before then.; or
  
• you have needed help with personal care or getting around for at least three months and the need is expected to exist for at least a further six months. If you are terminally ill and are unlikely to live longer than 6 months you do not have to satisfy this qualifying period, this rule applies to all customers, including babies under 3 months old.; or
  
• you use a kidney machine at home or in a self care unit two or more times per week.