Crisis support
If you are in an emergency situation and need immediate assistance, please use the following numbers:
999
For EMERGENCY calls to police, ambulance, fire brigade and rescue services
This number should be used only when urgent attendance by the emergency services is required – for example someone is seriously ill or injured, or a crime is in progress.
Calls are free, and 999 can be dialled from a locked mobile phone.
Samaritans
Freephone: 116 123 (24 hour helpline 7 days a week)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Samaritans are a confidential emotional support service for anyone in the UK where there are concerns of suicide for yourself or others.
Local council
Click here and enter your postcode to find your local council’s website. From here you can find a variety of services that your council may be able to support you with including how they can help with Covid-19 and what to do if you don’t have food, money or housing.
Foodbanks
You will need a food voucher from your GP, social worker, health visitor or Citizens Advice. Hand the voucher in to your nearest Trussell Trust foodbank in exchange for a minimum of three days’ emergency food. When searching for your nearest foodbank remember to check the opening hours.
There may be other types of foodbanks locally which don’t require vouchers, for example churches or community organisations.
Refuge
Freephone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hour helpline 7 days a week)
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Refuge supports women, children and men experiencing domestic violence with a range of services.
Women’s Aid
Live Online Chat: 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 12noon Saturday and Sunday
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Women’s Aid support survivors of domestic abuse, friends and families, and professionals who are in contact with domestic violence survivors.
Non-Emergency Contacts
If you need urgent support or advice, the following contacts may be useful. Some of these organisations are available outside of our office hours.
101 – The non-emergency number for the police
Use 101 when it’s not an emergency and an immediate response is not necessary and/or will not serve any purpose. For example, your car has been stolen, property has been damaged, or home broken into.
101 can also be used to give information about a crime committed, or to contact the police with a general enquiry. Calls are charged at a flat rate of 15p per call.
111 – The non-emergency medical number
Advice available nationwide for illnesses and minor injuries where life isn’t threatened, but you need advice on what to do next. Calls are free.
Financial Support
If you are looking for grants or support, you can visit the Grants Search on the Turn2us website to search for charities which you may be eligible for support from.
Turn2us’ helpline can also be contacted: 0808 802 2000
Wellbeing Support
Mind
Freephone: 0300 123 3393 (Open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm except bank holidays)
Text: 86463
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Mind can provide confidential information on a range of topics including types of mental distress, where to get help, drug and alternative treatments and advocacy. With information for local areas as well.
Young Minds (for parents)
Parents Freephone: 0808 802 5544 (Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)
Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds supports any adult concerned about the emotions and behaviour of a child or young person under 25. They offer information and professional advice, via telephone and email.
Silverline
Freephone: 0800 470 8090 (24 hour helpline 7 days a week)
Silverline is the only free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.
Breathing Space – Scotland
Freephone: 0800 83 85 87 (Open 6pm Friday to 6am Monday and 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday)
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Lifeline – Northern Ireland
Freephone 0808 808 8000 (24 hour helpline 7 days a week)
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. Lifeline counsellors are available to listen and help in complete confidence. Should you need further support, Lifeline can provide a face-to-face counselling appointment in your local area within seven days.
C.A.L.L. – Wales
Freephone: 0800 132737 (24 hour helpline 7 days a week)
Text: 81066 (text “help” followed by the information you require)
C.A.L.L. the Community Advice and Listening Line, offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales. Use their online database of 1,500 agencies to find a service relevant to your needs.
CALM
Freephone: 0800 58 58 58 (Open every day 5pm to midnight)
CALM offers a free, confidential, anonymous helpline and webchat for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason and need to talk or find information and support.
PAPYRUS
Freephone: 0800 068 4141 (Open everyday 9am to midnight)
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
PAPYRUS is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Their hopeline is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people aged under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
Shout
Text: 85258
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service for anyone in a crisis anytime, anywhere, free on all major mobile networks.
Housing advice
Shelter
Shelter offers advice to people about homelessness, rights, and other housing issues
- England – Phone: 0808 800 4444 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and 9am to 5pm weekends)
- Scotland
- Wales – Phone: 08000 495 495 (Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4pm)
Housing Advice NI
Phone: 028 9024 5640 (Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm)
Housing Advice NI is the home of independent housing advice in Northern Ireland.
Money Advice
National Debtline
Freephone: 0808 808 4000 (Open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9:30am to 1pm)
National Debtline’s dedicated team of debt advisers are ready to help you deal with your debt, giving you options and clear advice on how you can move forward. Their websites also contain online support, factsheets and letters to help you deal with your debt.
Advice NI
Freephone: 0808 915 4604 (Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Advice NI offer information, advice, advocacy and representation on a variety of financial issues.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide help on a range of issues, including: employment, housing, benefits and rights. Scroll to the bottom of the Citizens Advice page to find your local Citizens Advice location, contact details and opening hours.