CHAI Edinburgh

15/06/2026

This week is International Men’s Health Awareness Week 💙

Mental health matters — and no one should feel they have to struggle alone.

At CHAI, we know that financial worries, housing problems, debt and life pressures can all have a serious impact on wellbeing. Reaching out for support is a strength, not a weakness.

Let’s continue encouraging open conversations, support networks and access to help for men across our communities.

08/06/2026

It's Carers Week! 💙

Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting family members, friends and neighbours across Scotland. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also have an impact on finances, work and wellbeing.

At CHAI, we regularly support unpaid carers to check they are receiving all the financial support they are entitled to. Social Security Scotland currently provides four key benefits for unpaid carers:

• Young Carer Grant – an annual payment of over £400 for young carers aged 16–19.
• Carer Support Payment – for people providing 35 hours or more of care each week.
• Scottish Carer Supplement – an additional payment for people receiving Carer Support Payment.
• Carer Additional Person Payment – extra support for carers looking after more than one person.

Find out more about financial support for unpaid carers here:
https://bit.ly/FinancialSupportForUnpaidCarers

✅ Not sure what you could claim? CHAI can provide a free, confidential benefit check and help you maximise your income.

📞 Contact us on 0131 442 2100 or visit CHAI Edinburgh

Carer Support Payment is money to help you if you're a carer. You can get paid £86.45 a week if you're eligible.

03/06/2026

💙 It's Volunteers' Week!

This week, we're celebrating and thanking the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and energy to support CHAI and the people we work with across Edinburgh.

Our volunteers make a real difference in many ways – supporting clients, assisting with fundraising and administration, helping with marketing and social media, contributing to research and social policy work, providing housing court support, delivering flyers, and much more.

Their commitment helps us reach more people, strengthen our services, and support individuals and families facing challenges with housing, benefits, debt and employability.

To every one of our volunteers: thank you. Your contribution is valued, appreciated and makes a genuine difference to our community every day.

01/06/2026

Happy Pride Month from everyone at CHAI 🌈 This month, we celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, equality and dignity for all. Contact us for welfare, debt or housing support if you need advice.

28/05/2026

Meet Agnieszka! Supporting Ethnically Diverse Families Project.

Agnieszka has been working with CHAI for over five years and now works as an Advice Worker supporting ethnically diverse families across Edinburgh. Through this project, Agnieszka provides tailored advice and support to families facing challenges with:
📄 Benefit issues
💷 Financial pressures
🏡Housing problems

The service supports individuals and families to build confidence, improve financial stability, and work towards employment goals, and accepts referrals from organisations and agencies, as well as self-referrals. Agnieszka also works closely with interpreters to ensure clients receive the right support for their needs.

Appointments can take place:
🏢 In the office
📍 At outreach locations
🏠 Through home visits

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, get in touch with CHAI today on 0131 442 2100.

22/05/2026

Hi, I’m Emma and I’m the Fundraising & Development Manager at CHAI.

My role involves securing funding, building partnerships and helping to develop projects that support people across Edinburgh with issues such as housing, welfare rights, debt and employability.

A big part of my job is also connecting people and organisations with ways they can support our work, whether that’s through funding, partnerships, or simply making a donation.

I love being able to help turn ideas into practical services that make a real difference to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Seeing the impact our advisers have every day is what motivates me most.

If you’re able to support us, donations really do help us continue delivering vital advice services across Edinburgh.
Find out more or get involved here: https://loom.ly/Q5GFAyk

18/05/2026

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re reminded that awareness is only the starting point. Real change happens when people feel able to reach out, ask for support, and support each other too. 💜

At CHAI, we know that mental health is closely linked to so many parts of life – financial worries, housing problems, caring responsibilities, isolation, and uncertainty can all take a toll on wellbeing.

No one should have to face those challenges alone.

Whether it’s checking in on someone, asking for help, taking a break, or accessing advice and support, small actions matter. Together, they can make a real difference.

24/04/2026

💚 Stress Awareness Month 💚

A gentle reminder to pause and check in with yourself.

Stress can build up quietly — especially when you’re dealing with things like finances, housing or uncertainty about the future. You don’t have to manage it all alone.

✨ Reaching out for support can make things feel more manageable.

If you need advice or support, CHAI is here to help.

24/04/2026

10/04/2026

💚 April is Stress Awareness Month 💚

Life can feel overwhelming at times, whether it’s worries about housing, finances, work, or just trying to juggle everything day to day. You’re not alone in feeling this way.

At CHAI, we see first-hand how stress can impact people’s wellbeing, especially when it’s linked to uncertainty around money, housing or benefits.

✨ A few small things that can help:
• Talk to someone you trust
• Take short breaks when you can
• Focus on what’s within your control
• Reach out for advice and support early

If you’re struggling with issues like housing, welfare rights or debt, getting the right advice can make a real difference and help ease some of that pressure.

💬 We’re here to help — don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s use this month as a reminder to check in with ourselves and with others.