Support Services
If you are looking for emotional support, professional advice or resources for any issues or problems, we hope one or more of the following list may be helpful to you.
Samaritans
Talk to the Samaritans any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you
Free Phone Line: 116 123 (open 24/7)
samaritans.org
Shout/Crisis Messenger
The UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Text: ‘Shout’ to 85258
giveusashout.org
The Silver Line
The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
0800 4 70 80 90
thesilverline.org.uk
ChildLine
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
Along with their free phone line, the website has many resources and advice pages including confidential 1-2-1 webchat, and message boards.
Free phoneline: 0800 1111 available 9am-midnight during Covid-19.
childline.org.uk
The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. Helping with any challenges from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. They provide an online community, social media, a free, confidential helpline and a counselling service.
0808 808 4994 and online chat are open 7 days a week from 4pm to 11pm.
themix.org.uk
Age UK
Provide support, companionship and advice for older people who need it most. They have specific Covid-19 advice pages on their website
Age UK Advice Line 0800 055 6112 is free to call 8am – 7pm, 365 days a year
You can search for local Age UK services via a postcode search tool on their website’s homepage.
ageuk.org.uk
Relate
Offers a range of counselling and therapy services to help with couple and family relationships, whether young or old, straight or gay, single or in a relationship. They have increased the availability of webcam, telephone and Live Chat counsellors during the Covid-19 crisis.
General contact line: 0300 0030396
You can search for your local Relate service office via the postcode search tool on their website’s homepage.
relate.org.uk
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
If you're looking for a counsellor or therapist in your area, we recommend finding a practitioner accredited with the BACP, the national accreditation body, who host an online national register.
They have updated the register to focus on therapists who provide online and telephone therapy.
Their website includes articles about many topics relating to therapy and they have also produced specific pages relating to the Covid-19 crisis.
www.bacp.co.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to people who live or work in the locality, on almost any issue - including money, benefits, housing, immigration, employment, consumer issues, family problems, social care and health services.
You can search for your local CAB office via the postcode search tool on their website’s homepage.
Adviceline (England): 03444 111 444
Advicelink (Wales): 03444 77 20 20
Textphone: 18001 03444 111 445
citizensadvice.org.uk
SANE
A charity that works to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness, SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
They set up and run the Black Dog Campaign that highlights depression and other mental health conditions, and encourages people to seek help.
They have modified services during the Covid-19 crisis but are still offering support. Up-to-date details are available on their website
sane.org.uk
Mind
Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They have a specific advice online during the Covid-19 crisis.
Infoline provides an information and signposting service by phone: 0300 123 3393 or text: 86463
Legal line provides legal information and general advice on mental health related law by phone: 0300 466 6463 or email: legal@mind.org.uk
Both lines open 9am to 6pm, Mon to Fri (except bank holidays).
mind.org.uk
CALM
The Campaign against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK and the cause of 18 deaths every day.
They run a free and confidential helpline and webchat – 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. They support those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership.
Advice line 0800 58 58 58 and web chat available 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year
thecalmzone.net
Women’s Aid
A grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services in England and build a future where domestic abuse is not tolerated.
They provide a live chat function, support forums and survival guides on their website. They also have this useful directory of other, bespoke support services.
womensaid.org.uk
MindOut
A mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people. They run an online support service at certain times - opening hours can be checked on their website and social media channels. The website is a resource of advice and information including counselling and peer support.
mindout.org.uk
The Helplines Partnership
A membership organisation for the many helplines that are there to support you and your loved ones by offering advice, information or a listening ear when you need it.
They have an online 'Find a Helpline' service that lists their members and how to contact them. The database is searchable by Topic, Keyword and Region.
helplines.org
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
National helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Monday: 9.30am-5pm
Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm
Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm
Thursday: 9.30am-8pm
Friday: 9.30am-5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am -2pm
You can search for your local Cruse service via the search tool on their website’s homepage.
cruse.org.uk
The Hub of Hope
The world’s first of its kind mental health database bringing grassroots and national mental health services together in one place for the first time.
Using the location of your web browser or via its mobile app, the Hub of Hope allows anyone, anywhere to find the nearest source of support for any mental health issue, from depression and anxiety to PTSD and suicidal thoughts, as well as providing a ‘talk now’ button connecting users directly to the Samaritans.