Vital service to help concerned Scots

A national service providing free advice on coronavirus for Scotland has been launched.

The coronavirusadvice.scot, run by the charity Advice Direct Scotland, offers practical advice and information on issues including employment, housing and personal finance, as well as cancellations and consumer rights.

The multi-channel service includes a free national phone number, live web chat, email and social media, as well as an online knowledge centre.

The service has been created using cloud technology so that all advisers are working from home and able to use the organisation’s software to answer calls from the public and provide up-to-date information.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “The coronavirusadvice.scot service is a one-stop-shop for everyone in Scotland to receive practical advice and information. `

“We know how anxious many people are at this difficult time, so we set out to find a way to provide a national advice service while protecting our dedicated staff by moving to home working.

“Our technology will ensure that people in Scotland can contact us through multiple channels, and we are receiving a huge number of queries relating to housing, benefits and employability, with many of these issues compounded amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Consumers also have lots of questions about cancellations and our team can provide free, practical advice on people’s rights.”

The service will be updated regularly, and will be in place for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.

It can be contacted on 0808 800 9060 between 9am and 5pm on Mondays to Friday, and via live webchat or email at www.coronavirusadvice.scot.