Challenges, wellbeing and additional support
Mental Health
Getting help
Anxiety UK
Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.
Contact Details
Tel: 03444 775 774 (9:30am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri)
Text Service: 07537 416 905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
No Panic
Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.
Contact Details
Tel: 0300 7729844 (10am-10pm, 365 days per year)
24h Crisis Line: 01952 680835
Email: info@nopanic.org.uk
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
Mental Health UK
Provides support to people affected by mental health problems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Contact Details
Email: info@mentalhealth-uk.org
Website: www.mentalhealth-uk.org
Mind
Provides information, support, and campaigns for better mental health.
Contact Details
Tel: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
Provides practical advice and information on various topics related to mental health, including the Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, carers' rights, medication, and more.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 801 0525 (9:30am-4pm, Mon-Fri)
Webchat: (10am-1pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: advice@rethink.org
Website: www.rethink.org
Fraud and scams
Getting help
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime.
Contact Details
Tel: 0300 123 2040 (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm *Opening times may vary for different specialist teams).
Textphone (if you have speech or hearing difficulties): 0300 123 2050
Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Met Police
To help people avoid becoming a victim of online crime the Met Police have created the “little series of books and videos” to explain some of the most common scams and give advice on how to avoid falling victim to them.
Contact Details
Website: www.met.police.uk/littlemedia
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.
Contact Details
Tel: England- 0800 144 8848, Wales- 0800 702 2020
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Victim Support
Provides help and support after a crime. It is independent, free and confidential.
Contact Details
Tel: 08 08 16 89 111
Live Chat facility available
Website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk
Bereavement
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Getting help
Bereavement Advice Centre
Offers information and support for people dealing with bereavement.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 634 9494
Email: advice@bereavementadvice.org
Website: www.bereavementadvice.org
Child Bereavement UK
Provides support for families and professionals dealing with child bereavement.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 02 888 40
Email: helpline@childbereavementuk.org
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Cruse Bereavement Care
Offers bereavement support through helpline, local services, and online resources.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 808 1677 (9:30am-5pm, Mon-Fri; 10am-2pm, Sat & Sun)
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Abuse
Financial abuse can take various forms and can happen to anyone of any age. Examples of the types of financial abuse could be financial control, exploitation, or manipulation. It can also occur in various relationships, including partners/ex-partners, family members, friends, or carers.
Getting help
If you or those around you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. If you are in a situation where you are unable to speak, dial 999 followed by ‘55’ after the call is answered to indicate you need help and your call will be transferred to the police.
Refuge
Refuge supports women and children affected by domestic abuse, offering a range of services such as emergency accommodation, helpline, and advocacy.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 2000 247 (available 24/7 365 days per year)
Email: info@refuge.org.uk
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Survivors UK
Survivors UK provides support to male survivors of sexual assault or abuse, offering therapy, counselling, and an online helpline.
Contact Details
Tel: 020 3322 1860 (12pm-8pm, 7 days a week)
Email: info@survivorsuk.org
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Women’s Aid
Women's Aid supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse, providing refuge, helpline, and other services to help them escape and recover.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 2000 247 (National Domestic Abuse Helpline available 24/7 365 days per year)
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website: www.womensaid.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line
Supports male victims of domestic abuse. Offering emotional support to men who experience abuse, and signpost to other vital services that help men keep themselves (and their children) safe.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 8010 327 (10am-5pm, Mon - Fri)
Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Galop
Support for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence including domestic, emotional and financial abuse.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 999 5428
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Gambling
Whilst gambling itself doesn’t have physical symptoms, its negative effects can impact many areas of life such as in terms of career, financial issues, reduced quality of life, relationship problems or conflict as well as other things. Gambling might become a problem when you lose the ability to stop.
Getting help
Gamblers Anonymous.org
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to overcome gambling addiction.
Contact Details
Tel: 0330 094 0322
Email: info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
National Gambling Helpline
Operated by GamCare, the National Gambling Helpline provides free and confidential advice, support, and information on problem gambling.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 8020 133 (available 24/7 365 days per year)
WhatsApp: 020 3031 8881
Email: info@gamcare.org.uk
Website: www.gamcare.org.uk
Money/Debt Worries
Getting help
Money Helper
MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 138 7777 (8am-6pm, Mon-Fri)
WhatsApp: +44 77 0134 2744
Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk
National Debtline
National Debtline advisers are experts in debt advice and their service is always free. They'll give you all the help and support needed to deal with your debts yourself.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 808 4000 (9am-8pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-1pm, Saturdays)
Website: www.nationaldebtline.org
Step Change Debt Charity
Everyone should have access to free debt advice. SCDC can help you find a way to deal with your debt and will support you along the way. The debt advice is impartial and confidential.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 138 1111 (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri; 9:00am-2pm, Saturdays.
Website: www.stepchange.org
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.
Contact Details
Tel: England- 0800 144 8848, Wales- 0800 702 2020
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Emergencies
Getting help
Samaritans
For somebody to speak to and to support anyone having a difficult time. Confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicide.
Contact Details
Tel: 116 123 (available 24/7 365 days per year)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
SHOUT
Free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone struggling to cope.
Contact Details
Tel: 85258 (Text ‘SHOUT’)
Website: www.giveusashout.org
NHS 111
NHS 111 is a free helpline available 24/7 that provides medical advice and guidance for non-emergency health concerns. Alternatively in an emergency situation please call 999.
Contact Details
Tel: 111 (available 24/7 365 days per year)
Website: www.111.nhs.uk
SANE line
SANEline offers emotional support and information to individuals affected by mental health problems, including those in crisis.
Contact Details
Tel: 0300 304 7000 (4pm-10pm, 365 days a year)
Email: info@sane.org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Other situations and available support:
Travel
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
The FCDO, provides travel advice and guidance to British nationals to assist them in making informed decisions when travelling abroad. Their primary aim is to assess and communicate the risks associated with travel to different destinations. This information helps British nationals understand the potential challenges and dangers they might encounter while abroad.
Contact Details
Tel: 020 7008 5000
Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
Suicide
Calm
Offers support and a helpline for men in crisis and at risk of suicide.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 585858 (5pm-12am, 7 days a week)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Self Harm
Harmless
Harmless is a user-led organisation that provides support to people who self-harm, as well as their friends and family.
Contact Details
Tel: 0115 880 0280 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: info@harmless.org.uk
Website: www.harmless.org.uk
NSHN (National Self-Harm Network)
NSHN is a survivor-led online support forum for individuals who self-harm, their friends, and families.
Contact Details
Tel: 0115 880 0280 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
Website: www.nshn.co.uk
Self Injury Support
Self Injury Support focuses on improving support and knowledge around self-injury. A UK-wide self-harm and self-injury charity offering direct support, reliable information, expert training and specialist consultancy. Their helpline is for women of any age or background affected by self-injury or self-harm, whether on their own or that of a friend or family member.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 800 8088 (7pm-9:30pm, Tue & Thurs)
SMS Text: 07537 432444 (7pm-9:30pm, Tue & Thurs)
Email: tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Website: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Addiction
UK SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery programme can help if you are looking to change your harmful addictive behaviour and lead a balanced and fulfilling life. Their family and friends programme helps individuals who have a loved one struggling with addiction.
Contact Details
Website: www.smartrecovery.org.uk
With You
Get free, confidential help, advice and support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of With You’s local services or online.
Contact Details
Website: www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Alcohol Support
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
If you need help with a drinking problem, you can contact AA on their national freephone number or contact them by email.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 9177 650
Email: help@aamail.org
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alcohol Change UK
Explore their library of alcohol-related research, fact sheets and more.
Contact Details
Tel: 020 3907 8480
Email: contact@alcoholchange.org.uk
Website: www.alcoholchange.org.uk
Al-Anon Family Groups UK
Al-Anon Family Groups UK is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.
Contact Details
Tel: 0800 0086 811 (10am-10pm, 7 days a week)
Email: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Drinkaware
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a drinking problem there is help available. Find out the many ways that you can access support, advice or treatment.
Contact Details
Tel: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)
Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk
Disability and Illness
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan provides services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer journey. They are there to provide emotional, practical, physical, and financial support.
Contact Details
Tel: 0808 808 00 00 (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm)
*Opening times may vary for different specialist teams.
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Alzheimer's Society
Advice on various financial and legal issues that someone with dementia and their carer may want to consider, such as: benefits available and how to apply, Care and support options and likely cost.
Contact Details
Email: advice@carersuk.org
Tel: 0333 150 3456 (open Monday to Wednesday: 9am – 8pm; Thursday and Friday: 9am – 5pm; Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm)
*Calls charged at standard local rate).
The Alzheimer's Society can arrange a simultaneous language translation service. Please call their English-speaking support line on 0333 150 3456, say the English word for the language you would like to use, end the call and wait. An interpreter will usually call you back within five minutes.
If you have speech or hearing difficulties and have a textphone or an adapted computer, you can use Text Relay to call their English-speaking dementia support line on 18001 0333 150 3456.
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Utilities
Ofgem
Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. Their role is to protect consumers by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system and is the regulator for the gas and electricity networks.
Contact Details
Website: www.ofgem.gov.uk
Energy Suppliers
British Gas: www.britishgas.co.uk Phone: 0330 100 0056
EDF Energy: www.edfenergy.com Phone: 0800 111 99
E.ON*: www.eonenergy.com Phone: 0808 501 5200
ScottishPower: www.scottishpower.co.uk Phone: 0345 270 0700
SSE PLC: www.sse.co.uk Phone: 0345 070 7373
Drug Support
Adfam
Adfam is a charity working to support families affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use. Information, advice and local support services for families affected by alcohol and drugs. Please note ADFAM does not operate a helpline but general queries can be made on 07442 137 421 or 07552 986 887.
Contact Details
Website: www.adfam.org.uk
Carers
Carers UK
For people caring for a family member or someone else close to them to provide unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support.
How: Phone, Website, Web form.
Contact Details
Email: advice@carersuk.org
Tel: 020 7378 4999 (8am-6pm, Mon-Fri)
Website: www.carersuk.org
Carers Trust
Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard, valued and have access to the support, advice and resources they need to live a fulfilling life alongside caring.
Contact Details
Email: info@carers.org
Website: www.carers.org
