In this blog, Craig Tobin, Head of Business Development & Impact, from Advice Direct Scotland outlines their services including Advocacy.Scot and how health professionals and Community Link Workers can access help to support their clients.
For more than 20 years, Advice Direct Scotland has provided free, independent advice across Scotland. As the country’s largest digital advice agency, we offer accessible, responsive support that complements primary care, helping address the wider social determinants of health.
Our services are available 24/7 via phone, SMS, webchat, email, and online platforms—making it easy for patients to access help when they need it most.
Why It Matters for Primary Care
Many patients present to GP practices with issues linked to:
- Financial stress and debt
- Housing insecurity
- Employment concerns
- Energy affordability
These challenges can significantly impact mental and physical health. We provide practical support that helps reduce pressure on GP services and improves patient wellbeing.
Our Impact
- 900,000 contacts annually
- 5,000,000+ cases handled
- 1,600 partnerships across housing, local authorities, foodbanks, and third sector
- £60 million secured annually for households
How We Can Support Your Patients
We offer trusted, specialist advice services that GP Link Workers can refer into:
- advice.scot
Support with benefits, housing, employment, and family issues - moneyadvice.scot
Debt advice and solutions to reduce financial stress and improve stability - energyadvice.scot
Help with energy bills, fuel debt, and crisis situations (including risk of disconnection) - consumeradvice.scot
Support with consumer issues and scams (including a 24-hour reporting tool) - taxadvice.scot
Help with HMRC issues, including self-assessment and tax credits
Working with GP Link Workers
We can:
- Accept direct referrals from Link Workers
- Provide fast, accessible support for patients
- Help stabilise individuals in crisis
- Support patients with complex or multiple issues
- Contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes
We are particularly well placed to support those who may struggle to attend face-to-face appointments, offering flexible and confidential access to advice. Referrals can be made through the websites above.
Advocacy Scot
Advocacy.scot is a service which offers free, face-to-face advocacy to disabled people across Scotland and is operated by Advice Direct Scotland. It provides free, independent advocacy support to help people in Scotland access and deal with Social Security Scotland benefits, ensuring their voice is heard. Community Link Workers and other health professionals can refer directly via the website.
Marjorie Gibson, Operations Director at Advice Direct Scotland, which runs advocacy.scot, added:
“Our mission is to ensure everyone in Scotland can access free, impartial advocacy when they need it most.”
