Chap is a charity that helps people in need.

Are you homeless?

Could you lose your home?

Do you have money problems?

Do you need benefit support?


We can help!

Chap is a charity that helps people in need.

Are you homeless?

Could you lose your home?

Do you have money problems?

Do you need benefit support?


We can help!

Chap is a charity that helps people in need.


Are you homeless?

Could you lose your home?

Do you have money problems?

Do you need benefit support?


We can help!


We are here to help,
tell us what you need...

Worried about mortgage payments?


The AHAP service provides free financial advice and legal support for homeowners in Ayrshire who are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to maintain their mortgage payments.


AHAP is a partnership between CHAP and Govan Law Centre and is funded by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

MORE INFO

REFERRALS


๏ปฟTo make an appointment with an adviser, or to refer someone, please select the relevant link below.

REFER YOURSELF REFER SOMEONE ELSE

DONATIONS


What our clients said

“Extremely happy with the service. I wouldn't be where I am just now without the staff at CHAP. I will return in future if needs be”

“The service was brilliant, cannot talk highly enough of the service and will be recommending CHAP to others. I am very grateful for my advisor’s help and will not hesitate to come back for help in the future for myself and my son”

“Everything was dealt with very well and I was always kept informed. CHAP is the best service for finance help as everything was dealt with fast everything was explained clearly”

“100% fantastic service, not one single complaint. I would like to thank my advisor for all her help and would highly recommend – the service she provided couldn't have been better”

“The service and staff were great & so helpful. I wouldn't have known about PIP if it wasn't for CHAP & will be back in the future for any renewal forms”

“The service is great. I was always made to feel at ease and that staff were willing to listen to any questions/issues. The staff were very helpful”

“Extremely happy with the service. I wouldn't be where I am just now without the staff at CHAP. I will return in future if needs be”

“The service was brilliant, cannot talk highly enough of the service and will be recommending CHAP to others. I am very grateful for my advisor’s help and will not hesitate to come back for help in the future for myself and my son”

“Everything was dealt with very well and I was always kept informed. CHAP is the best service for finance help as everything was dealt with fast everything was explained clearly”

“100% fantastic service, not one single complaint. I would like to thank my advisor for all her help and would highly recommend – the service she provided couldn't have been better”

“The service and staff were great & so helpful. I wouldn't have known about PIP if it wasn't for CHAP & will be back in the future for any renewal forms”

“The service is great. I was always made to feel at ease and that staff were willing to listen to any questions/issues. The staff were very helpful”


Latest News...

by John Edgar 1 December 2025
Our partners at Social Bite are inviting people to make a real difference in the run-up to Christmas by giving a Gift of Kindness to help someone who is homeless. A £28 donation can offer someone much more than a hot meal. It provides: A Christmas dinner A meaningful gift A pack of essential items A safe bed for the night And beyond the festive season, each donation helps to give someone the chance of a fresh start with ongoing support from Social Bite throughout the year. If you’re able to contribute, your generosity could change someone’s life. Please consider donating here: www.social-bite.co.uk/giftkindness For more information on Social Bite and their movement to end homelessness, please visit: www.social-bite.co.uk
by John Edgar 24 November 2025
CHAP is pleased to announce that, thanks to funding from the East Ayrshire Anti-Poverty & Inequalities Fund, it has been able to establish a network of outreach services in East Ayrshire. In addition to our current outreach based at CentreStage in Kilmarnock, we have now expanded our support service to cover the Cumnock, Dalmellington and Newmilns areas. To ensure our services remain accessible and shaped by local residents, we ran an online consultation - with the results allowing us to identify the locations where residents are most likely to face barriers when accessing support. We have been fortunate in partnering with local organisations who are able to provide a safe space for our advisers to meet clients in need of a helping hand with housing issues, benefit entitlements and managing debt. The location details and dates for the expanded outreach service is provided below: Cumnock - Yipworld, 19 Barrhill Road, Cumnock KA18 1PG Starting from Wed 19th November, then the third Wed of each month (excl. December) Dalmellington - The Zone Initiative, 10 Main High Street, Dalmellington KA6 7QN Starting from Wed 3rd December, then the first Wed of each month (excl. January) Newmilns - Commando Factory Gym, 14 Stoneygate Road, Newmilns KA16 9AL Starting from Wed 26th November, then the fourth Wed of each month (excl. December) All CHAP services are free, independent, and confidential. Please note that these are not drop-in services - all appointments must be booked in advance by calling Freephone 030 0002 0002 .
by John Edgar 10 November 2025
This November marks a very special milestone for CHAP as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Reaching a quarter of a century is no small achievement, and we’re incredibly proud to have supported thousands of people across Ayrshire since 2000. Over the years, CHAP has grown from a small local advice project into a well-established and trusted charity providing free, independent and confidential advice on housing, debt, welfare rights. We’ve developed strong partnerships, expanded our services, and adapted to meet the changing needs of our communities. From helping individuals facing homelessness to delivering financial education in schools and supporting homeowners at risk of repossession through the AHAP service , our commitment has always been the same - to help people find stability, security, and confidence in difficult times. We’ve achieved so much along the way and worked alongside national and local partners to tackle poverty and promote financial wellbeing. Each step has been driven by our belief that everyone deserves a fair chance at a better quality of life, and our commitment remains to empower individuals and families to thrive. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and compassion of our team. To our incredible staff, board of trustees, volunteers, partners, funders and donors - thank you. Your continued support, passion, and belief in our mission have contributed to making CHAP what it is today. Of course, the landscape for third sector organisations remains uncertain. Many charities have not been as fortunate in reaching such a significant milestone. Funding is increasingly competitive, while the need for our services continues to grow as more households face financial strain and insecurity due to the current cost of living crisis and lack of affordable housing. Despite these challenges, we remain determined to continue delivering vital support to those who need it most, while working to secure our long-term sustainability. It’s been a challenging, but always rewarding, journey. As we celebrate 25 years of helping our community, we’re also looking ahead with optimism and determination - ready to face new challenges, strengthen key partnerships, and continue making a difference for the next 25 years and beyond.