Coronavirus update
The Wise Group continues to adapt the way we work in line with coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance.
We’ve re-introduced some face-to-face contact with customers and partners in line with government (COVID-19) guidance. We also continue to deliver high-quality services using alternative means including on-line channels as part of our inclusive approach.
This page provides information about changes to our services, including contact details, and is updated regularly.
Coronavirus guidance
For the latest guidance about COVID-19, including stay at home advice:
In Scotland:
In England:
Mentoring support for people leaving prison
In most cases, mentors will contact all prisoners with eight weeks or less to serve on their sentence using the “email a prisoner” service to offer mentoring support.
People leaving prison, and who have agreed to mentoring support, will be provided with a Liberation Pack by their mentor. Each pack will include contact details for essential services, a supermarket voucher and a phone number for their mentor.
After leaving prison, our mentors continue to offer support to customers in the community by other means.
For more information:
Supporting people into employment
Fair Start Scotland coaches remain on hand to offer support and guidance for people looking to move in to work,
Support can include:
- writing a winning CV
- helping with applications
- signposting to available skills development resources
Work coaches will carry out regular weekly appointments by phone. They will also keep in touch through text message, email and video calls.
Our Fair Start team is working with local employers including supermarkets, facilities management, manufacturing and care sectors to find vacancies.
For more information:
Our Wise Steps delivery team are very much open for business and here to support our existing participants as well as hearing from people looking to move towards work.
One-to-one support will now be offered via alternative ways. We are making every effort to contact people through methods that best suit them. These include, but are not limited to:
- Phone
- Text
- Video calling including Teams, Zoom and Skype
- Limited face to face support depending on your area and government guidance at the time
We will continue to deliver support where we can. To find out how we can continue your tailored support, contact your Wise Steps work coach.
For more information:
Energy advice
We continue to provide vital energy advice and advocacy services for people struggling to stay warm at home or those worrying about their energy bills in the coming months.
Our Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) continue to provide free and impartial energy advice to households. Your advice appointment will now take place by phone.
On the call, your advisor will discuss things like:
- Advice on how to make behavioural changes within your home to save energy and money
- Assistance to resolve any energy related issue or concern
- Support to set up a budget method with a realistic repayment rate for an outstanding bill
- Impartial advice and information on eligible funding support that is available to help vulnerable households
For more information:
Home Energy Scotland teams remain very much available and committed to keeping you warm. The team is available Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm and Saturday, 9am – 5pm.
Our friendly advisors:
· can help with any questions you, family or friends may have around staying warm and saving energy while you are at home.
· have the latest information from energy suppliers who have agreed emergency measures to make sure vulnerable people and those with prepayment meters do not get cut off during the outbreak.
· provide practical advice and energy saving tips to help ease pressure on household finances.
For more information:
Skills and Learning
Our Skills and Learning team have been working hard behind the scenes to move some of our courses online to continue to help people with their skills development during this time. In line with Government advice, we have paused all face-to-face contact entirely, instead delivering a high quality nationwide service using alternative channels.
If you would like to discuss your learning needs – as an individual, an employer or as another support organisation, please do not hesitate to direct your enquiries to:
On Wednesday 1 July, Skills Development Scotland launched their latest release of ITA (Individual Training Account) funding. As an approved training provider, we are running online Construction CSCS Card Training to anyone currently working or interested in pursuing a career in Construction.
A CSCS Card is a mandatory accreditation needed by all in the industry, visit our CSCS Card training page for more information.