Help Directory and Helplines
When you're in a crisis, it can be very hard to ask for help.
You might be embarrassed, stressed or unsure about who can provide the help you need.
But there are organisations, helplines, workers and groups ready to help you sort out all kinds of problems.
Find an information Session
Youth Centres, Connexions Centres, Bodyzones, Information centres, points, sessions, drop-ins and i-zones are all places where young people can find information.
Workers and information at these groups can help you find things to do, opportunities and someone to talk to, as well as access to health services, counselling, mentoring and other specialist services for young people.
You can find your local information access point in your local Youth Centre and/or in your school (there may be a room, or lunch-time sessions).
Staff won't tell anyone about your visits unless you ask them to or you are in danger.
Connexions
Connexions is about helping young people 13-19 make the best start in life. The Connexions Service is available to you through a Connexions Personal Adviser (PA) and through local Connexions centres.
Your PA is there to help you with choosing education, training and work, and developing your skills through sport or voluntary work. Your PA is also your link to a huge range of services offering help on other issues that may be affecting your life, from health and finance to relationships and housing. You can contact a PA at your school or at a Connexions Access Point.
You can also access connexions, chat online to advisers and more through Connexions Direct.
Citizens Advice Bureaus
C.A.B.s (Citizens Advice Bureaus) offer free, confidential and independent advice on a wide range of issues. Every town has one. Find your local C.A.B. and access the Online Advice Guide
Helplines
Many organisations have helplines that provide information and/or advice on a particular topic. They are often available all day, or late at night when you most need to talk to someone.
Some helplines are free (Freefone) and will not appear on the telephone bill, but they may not be free from mobiles. Numbers that begin with the prefix 0345 or 0845 are local call rate and will appear on the bill. If you are worried about someone at home knowing you called, use a public phone box. Some helplines will call you back so you don't have to pay for the call.
When you first call a helpline you might get nervous or start to cry. Don’t worry. The person on the other end of the phone has been trained to handle your call, and may even know first-hand what you're going through.
What you tell them is strictly confidential.
Alateen
(020) 7403 0888 Mon-Fri 10am-10pm
For ages 12-20 who have an alcoholic family member or friend.
Asian Women’s Helpline
Freefone (0800) 052 6077 Mon-Fri 10-12 noon, 2-4pm
Help with any problem for women 16+.
Bristol Crisis Service for Women
(0117) 925 1119 Fri-Sat 9pm-12:30am, Sun 6-9pm.
For women in emotional distress with a focus on self-injury/self-harm
Careline
(020) 8514 1177 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, 7-10pm
Help with any problem for young people in care.
Childline
Freefone (0800) 1111 24/7
Help with any problem, no matter how bad.
Cruse Bereavement Care
(0808) 808 1677
For anyone suffering bereavement.
Drinkline
Freefone (0800) 917 8282 Tue-Thu 9am-11pm, Weekends 24/7
National helpline for problems related to drinking.
Eating Disorders Association
(0845) 634 7650 (local rate) Mon-Fri 4-8:30pm, Sat 1-4.30pm
For young people with anorexia, bulimia, compulsive eating or weight worries.
Frank
Freefone (0800) 776600 24/7
Help, information and advice on anything involving drugs.
Gamblers Anonymous
(020) 7384 3040 24/7
For help with compulsive gambling or problems you're suffering because of a compulsive gambler.
Get Connected
Freefone (0808) 808 4994 7 days a week 1-11pm
UK-wide helpline that finds young people the best sources of help no matter what the problem.
Kidscape
(020) 7730 3300
Help for people who want to stop bullying.
The Line
Freefone (0800) 88 44 44 ( Freefone (0800) 400 222 for deaf or hard of hearing.) Mon-Fri 9:30am- 9.30pm; Sat-Sun 9.30am-8pm
Help with any problem for young people in care or living away from home.
Mens Advice Line
Freephone 0808 801 0327 Mon-Fri 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
For men who are suffering domestic abuse from a current or ex partner, or in an abusive relationship.
Mermaids
07020 935066 Mon-Sat 3-7pm
Support for young people up to age 19 who are trying to cope with gender identity issues.
Mind info line
0845 766 0163 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Information on mental distress and mental illness, including where to get help, treatments and advocacy.
National Debt Line
Freefone (0808) 808 4000 Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9:30am-1pm
Expert advice on any type of debt, including court proceedings.
NHS Direct
(0845) 4647 (local rate) 24/7
Health panics, do I need a doctor, help with dealing with illness or injury.
NSPCC
Freefone (0808) 800 5000 24/7 Textphone (0808) 056 0566 24/7
For young people who are being, or are at risk of being hurt, injured or abused.
Oxford Friend
(01865) 726893 Tue, Wed, Fri 7-9pm
For lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Line
(01865) 726295 Mon-Thu 6:30pm-9pm, Sun 6-8:30pm
For anyone who has been assaulted, threatened, harassed or raped recently or in the past
Quitline
Freefone (0800) 002200 9am-9pm
Help to stop smoking.
Refuge
Freefone (0808) 2000 247 24/7
Help for women and children suffering domestic violence from a current or ex partner.
Release
(020) 7729 9904 M-F 10am-5:30pm
Information and support for drug users and family/friends.
Runaway Helpline
Freefone (0808) 800 70 70 24/7
Information and support for anyone age 17 or under who has run away or been forced to leave home.
Shelter
0808 800 4444 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm Sat-Sun)
Information for anyone in a housing crisis.
Samaritans
(0845) 7 90 90 90 (local rate) 24/7
In a crisis, considering suicide, support for any kind of problem
Self Harm
Key information resource for young people who self-harm, their friends and families
Sexwise
Freefone (0800) 28 29 30
Any question on sex, relationships or contraception.
Survivors UK
0845 122 1201 (local rate) Mon, Tue & Thu 7-10pm
For male victims of sexual abuse.
Talk Adoption
Freefone (0808) 808 1234 Mon, Wed, Thu 9am-6pm; Tue 9am-8pm; Fri 9am- 4pm
Counselling for anyone with a connection to adoption.
Terrence Higgins Trust
0845 12 21 200 (local rate) Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm
For anyone worried about any aspect of HIV and AIDS.
The Young Person’s Safety Net
Freefone (0800) 616101 Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Confidential information, advice, advocacy or legal representation for any issue.
Victim Support Line
0845 30 30 900 Mon-Fri 9am–9pm, Sat-Sun 9am–7pm, bank holidays 9am-5pm
Confidential support and listening service for victims of crime
Youth2Youth
(020) 8896 3675 Mon & Thu 6:30-9:30pm
Helpline staffed by young people. Support with emotional well-being, self image, sexuality and sexual relationships.
Who is missing?
Spotted someone who isn't on the list, or details that are out of date? Let us know.
