Useful Sources of Support

POLICE, AMBULANCE OR FIRE – Call 999 if you or someone else is seriously ill or injured, at immediate risk of harm or danger to life, or if there is an immediate threat or use of violence. It is always best to speak to the call handler if you can, but if you cannot speak press ‘55’ and they will be able to help you.

NHS 111 Online – Remember you can talk in confidence to your GP about many issues or contact NHS 111 Online at https://111.nhs.uk/ for non-emergency medical advice (24 hours, 7 days a week).

POLICE Non-emergency advice or assistance – Call 101 or make an online report at www.gov.uk/contact-police

 

NON-urgent support for anyone seeking help because they feel worried or want to talk about their wellbeing and mental health

CHILDLINE 0800 1111 (24 hours) www.childline.org.uk Whatever your worry, we’re here for you, whatever issue you’re going through. Confidential help and support for young people under 19 years old.

YOUNG MINDS www.youngminds.org.uk Support, information and advice about mental health and emotional wellbeing for young people. There is also a telephone helpline for parents and carers 0808 802 5544 (9.30am-4.00pm Mon-Fri)

NHS WELLBEING HELPLINE & TEXTING SERVICE 0800 915 4640 (7pm-11pm Mon-Fri; 12 noon-12 midnight Sat-Sun) or text HELLO to 07860 022 846 (10am-11pm Mon-Fri; 12 noon-12 midnight Sat-Sun) staffed by volunteers offering emotional support for anyone who is feeling lonely or wants to chat about their mental health.

NHS CAMHS – ELCAS Attend Anywhere An online drop-in session for children and young people to talk about their mental health with a trained practitioner. Search for ELCAS Primary Care Team – Attend Anywhere. Parents and carers may also use the sessions if they are concerned about the mental health of any young person up to the age of 18.

NHS TALKING THERAPIES (formerly Minds Matter) Search for ‘NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Talking Therapies’. A wellbeing service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire. It is possible to self-refer using an online form on their website.

NHS HEALTHY YOUNG MINDS www.healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk Online self-help materials, resources and guidance for young people, families and friends including an interactive map of mental health services in Lancashire and Cumbria.

MIND www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people Information, advice and support about mental health and wellbeing.

SHOUT www.giveusashout.org Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) A confidential text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope because they are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and need help. This is part of the Young Minds Crisis Messenger Service.

THE MIX www.themix.org.uk Text THEMIX to 85258 (24/7) A text support service for under 25s experiencing issues around mental health, money, alcohol and drugs, body image, homelessness, finding a job, break-ups and more.

STEM 4 www.stem4.org.uk Support for young people, their families and friends about coping with feelings of anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders and addiction. Advice about dealing with change and developing resilience.

KOOTH www.kooth.com An anonymous chat service and online mental wellbeing community commissioned by the NHS. Mainly for 10-25 year olds, however access to services in different areas of the country can vary according to age.

CALM 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-12am) www.thecalmzone.net The Campaign Against Living Miserably helpline and webchat offer practical suggestions for life’s problems including anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts.

ANNA FREUD www.annafreud.org Self-care resources for young people. There are also self-care resources for parents and carers, tips for parents experiencing conflict or separation, and advice for adoptive carers, kinship carers and foster carers.

PAPYRUS Suicide Prevention www.papyrus-uk.org Hopeline 0800 068 4141 or text 88247 (24/7) Non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to teenagers and young people up to 35 years old who are worried about how they are feeling or anyone who is concerned about a young person. They also offer suicide bereavement support.

 

URGENT help for anyone in mental health distress or crisis

Remember CALL 999 if you or someone else is seriously ill or injured, at immediate risk of harm or danger to life, or if there is an immediate threat or use of violence.

SAMARITANS 116 123 (free phone, 24 hours) www.samaritans.org If you are feeling lonely, struggling to cope or having suicidal thoughts, whatever you are going through the Samaritans will face it with you.

NHS CRISIS LINE for residents of East Lancashire & Blackburn with Darwen 0800 013 0707 (24 hours) When life seems overwhelming and you feel you have nowhere to turn the Home Treatment Team (HTT) may be able to help. They help people who are experiencing mental distress and support them out of a crisis. The service helps to resolve problems and offers practical and emotional support. If you require urgent help, please contact the Initial Response Service (IRS) on 0800 013 0707 or contact the Out of Hours team on 01254 226074.

NHS CRISIS LINE Lancashire & South Cumbria 0800 953 0110 (24 hours) If you need urgent help as you are in mental health distress, or you know someone who needs help urgently, then call this Crisis Line. It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services.

MIND www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool Emergency advice, crisis resources, helplines and information about mental health.

 

Support and advice for children, young people and adults when someone dies

CRUSE Bereavement Care www.cruse.org.uk  A helpline and support for anyone, no matter how long they have been grieving.

CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK www.childbereavementuk.org 0800 02 888 40 or Live Chat (Weekdays 9am-5pm).

GRIEF ENCOUNTER www.griefencounter.org.uk 0808 802 0111 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-3pm).

WINSTON’S WISH www.winstonswish.org 08088 020021 A charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) who have been affected by grief.

 

Locally-based youth support groups for children and young people

YOUTH ZONE Blackburn with Darwen www.blackburnyz.org/your-zone/ Somewhere to go, someone to talk to, something to do for young people 5-18 years old in Blackburn and Darwen (and up to 25 years old SEN). Over 20 activities each evening, 365 days a year.

YOUTH ZONE Lancashire www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone/ Young people’s centres across Lancashire, providing support and advice for young people, and activities and trips across Lancashire. Find your local Zone centre at www.lancashire.gov.uk/youthzone/things-to-do/places/young-peoples-centres/

 

Advice about sexual health and relationships

BROOK www.brook.org.uk Search for Brook Services for free sexual health and wellbeing advice.

FUMBLE www.fumble.org.uk Help and advice on intimacy, relationships, consent, sexual identity, health and wellbeing for young people up to the age of 25 of all genders, sexualities and backgrounds.

RELATE www.relate.org.uk for information and support about relationship and family-life difficulties.

 

Support for young people about drugs, alcohol, smoking and gambling

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 0800 917 7650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

WAWY – WITH YOU www.wearewithyou.org.uk Free support and advice for young people under 25 who live in Lancashire who are worried about their drug and alcohol use, or someone else that they care about. Online chat service (9am-9pm Mon-Fri; 10-4 Sat-Sun)

FRANK www.talktofrank.com Text FRANK to 82111 or call 0300 123 6600 (24/7) for information about drug and alcohol use and how to access support in your area.

CGL INSPIRE 01254 495382 www.changegrowlive.org A free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults, families, carers and affected others. Centres in Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn with Darwen

EARLY BREAK 0161 723 3880 (weekdays) www.earlybreak.co.uk

NHS STOP SMOKING SERVICE www.nhs.uk Stop Smoking Treatments advice page in the Health A-Z.

GAMCARE www.gamcare.org.uk Offers free information, support and counselling for anyone experiencing problems with gambling. It runs the National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.

 

Support with money, debt and legal issues including your rights as a consumer and as an employee

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU 03444 111 445 or webchat www.citizensadvice.org.uk For confidential advice and support about legal issues, money and debt, consumer and employment rights.

NATIONAL DEBTLINE www.nationaldebtline.org  0808 808 4000 Free debt advice and support (9am-8pm Mon-Fri; 9:30am-1pm Sat)

STEP CHANGE www.stepchange.org 0800 138 1111 Free debt advice and support (24/7)

TURN2US www.turn2us.org.uk Advice and support for anyone finding it hard to make ends meet financially.

ENTITLED TO www.entitledto.co.uk Advice to help you find out what benefits or financial support you might be entitled to.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT www.gov.uk/universal-credit Government payment to help with living costs for those on low incomes.

MONEY AND PENSIONS SERVICE www.maps.org.uk A government service providing impartial and free guidance on money and pensions. Call for money advice 0800 138 7777 and pensions advice 0800 011 3797

TRUSSELL TRUST trusselltrust.org/get-help A network of foodbanks and confidential crisis support. GPs, housing associations and schools can help by referring parents, or students living independently from their parents, to receive vouchers which can be exchanged for emergency food.

FAMILY Fund www.familyfund.org.uk For parents on low incomes who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child, this charity provides a range of grants for essential items such as kitchen appliances, clothing, bedding, play equipment or IT.

SUPPORT FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES https://migrantfamilies.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/ An online tool to help you find out what financial support and housing you may be eligible for as a migrant family if you have no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

 

Support for LGBTQI+ young people

PROUD TRUST www.theproudtrust.org  Somewhere to talk. The Proud Trust in Manchester supports LGBT+ young people and runs the Proud Connections Chat Live service.

SWITCHBOARD LGBT+ Helpline https://switchboard.lgbt/ An information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people, and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.

POUT Power to be Out in the Burnley area 07929 847448 email POUTBurnley@lancashire.gov.uk and

in the Pendle area 07876790731 email POUTPendle@lancashire.gov.uk

LANCASHIRE LGBT www.lancslgbt.org.uk Support groups, activity groups and counselling for LGBTQ+ people aged 18 and above across Lancashire including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.

GALOP www.galop.org.uk National Helpline 0800 999 5428 Support for LGBT+ people who may be experiencing, or have experienced, abuse and violence including hate crime or sexual violence, domestic abuse or conversion therapy.

 

Support for anyone who self-harms, or is considering using self-harm, as a coping technique

BATTLE SCARS www.battle-scars-self-harm.org.uk Based in Leeds, Battle Scars is not a crisis support service so it does not operate a helpline, but they provide useful resources and online support for young people who self-harm and their families and friends.

CALM HARM NHS www.calmharm.co.uk A downloadable NHS app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm.

MIND & BODY in Lancashire 0808 164 0074 Support for young people 13-25 who are self-harming, at risk of self-harming or struggling with their mental wellbeing. Search for Mind and Body in Lancashire at www.wearewithyou.org.uk

NHS www.nhs.uk Self-harm advice page in the Health A-Z.

SAFA Self Harm Awareness for All www.toolbox.safa-selfharm.com/self-harm-and-self-injury/ Support for anyone who is struggling and using self-harm as a coping technique. Although the services being offered are mainly for residents of Cumbria, the website has online resources which can be used by anyone, including a Self-Care Toolbox.

 

Support and advice for anyone with disordered eating, and their friends and families

BEAT 0808 801 0677 (Mon-Fri 12-8; Sat-Sun 4–8) www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk  For anyone affected by an eating disorder and those supporting them. They provide a First Steps leaflet for young people to read and take along to their GP to help them access advice and explore the route for referral into specialist eating disorder services.

NHS EATING DISORDER SERVICE based at Pendle House, Nelson and Oxford Annex, Preston. Search for Eating Disorder Service in the A-Z Service Finder on Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust’s website.

 

Dealing with bullying, threats, harassment, sexual harassment and the effects of crime

CHILDLINE www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/ Support for young people up to 19 years old who are being bullied, feeling worried or unsafe.

NEST https://nestlancashire.org 0300 111 0323 or Text NEST and your mobile number to 60777. For young people in Lancashire aged 5-18 (and up to 25 for anyone who has learning needs) who have been affected by crime, or subjected to threats or harassment.

OUR STREETS NOW www.ourstreetsnow.org A campaign that provides information and discussion aimed at ending Public Sexual Harassment in the UK through cultural and legislative change.

 

Advice about online safety including dealing with online sexual harassment, cyber-stalking, sexting, indecent images and revenge porn

CEOP Internet Safety Centre www.ceopeducation.co.uk for advice about staying safe, managing your identity, healthy relationships and friendships online, indecent images or ‘nudes’, dealing with pressure, bullying, stalking or manipulative behaviour online.

CHILDLINE www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/ Advice for young people up to 19 years old about online and mobile safety, including how to block and report bullying and sexting on social media.

REPORT REMOVE To help young people under 18 to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet. Search Report Remove at www.childline.org.uk

REVENGE PORN HELPLINE www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk Support for young adults over 18 who are experiencing intimate image abuse or revenge porn.

 

Advice about personal safety and support for anyone who is worried they are being stalked

NATIONAL STALKING HELPLINE 0808 802 0300 For anyone who is worried that they are being stalked.

SUZY LAMPLUGH TRUST www.suzylamplugh.org Advice about personal safety for students, and support for anyone who thinks they might be being stalked. It is a feminist-led charity.

PALADIN www.paladinservice.co.uk/get-support Information, support and advice about stalking, including cyber-stalking.

 

Support for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of experiencing, sexual violence

RAPE CRISIS www.rapecrisis.org.uk Rape and sexual abuse helpline 0808 500 2222 (24/7) No matter when, where or how it happened, you can come to us. Support for anyone affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence. Information about sexual consent, online emotional support, self-help tools and links to Rape Crisis Centres nearby. Many of the Rape Crisis Centres also support men and boys who have experienced sexual violence.

SURVIVORS UK www.survivorsuk.org Support for men, boys and non-binary people who have been affected any type of unwanted sexual activity. Chat online or call 020 3322 1860 (12-8pm Mon-Sun)

AURORA DAWN www.aurorand.org.uk Out of Hours Helpline 02394 216816 (5pm – 8am and 24 hours over the weekend) Registered charity giving support, advocacy and empowerment to survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. Their services are available to anyone. Their website explains that they are a feminist-led charity and they are involved in supporting feminist-led campaigns to end male violence against women.

 

Support for anyone worried about, or experiencing, domestic abuse or domestic violence

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk 24-Hours 0808 2000 247 or live chat (Mon-Fri 3-10pm)

RESPECT Phone Line  www.respectphoneline.org.uk If you’re hurting the ones you love or you’re worried about your use of violence within a relationship, contact the helpline to talk in confidence to an advisor who will listen without judgement and provide honest advice. One-to-one web chat or 0808 802 4040 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)

REFUGE www.refuge.org.uk Support for women and children who experience domestic violence, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honour-based abuse or violence, human trafficking or modern slavery.

HARV Domestic Violence Team 01254 879855 www.harvoutreach.org.uk Supporting and protecting adults and children from abuse, exploitation and violence.

WISH CENTRE Blackburn www.thewishcentre.org 0300 561 0440. Advice and courses for young people who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse in the past, or those who may be vulnerable or in abusive relationships, or need support in building positive relationships.

MANKIND INITIATIVE www.mankind.org.uk Information, support and sign-posting service for males experiencing domestic abuse. Confidential Helpline 0808 800 1170 (10am-4pm Mon-Fri)

BROKEN RAINBOW 0300 999 5428 for lesbian/gay/bi-sexual/transgender people suffering domestic abuse.

NAZ AND MATT FOUNDATION www.nazandmattfoundation.org/about/ Support services for LGBTQI+ young people, or their parents, from religious or culturally conservative backgrounds who may be experiencing homophobia, honour-based abuse, forced marriage or conversion therapy.

WOMEN’S AID https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/ Emotional support and practical advice for women and girls who think they might be experiencing domestic abuse, or aren’t sure if they are. Chat to a fully trained female support work using the Live Chat link on their website (8am-6pm Mon-Fri; 10am-6pm Sat-Sun)

BE FREE Support for Children & Young People www.p-a-c.org.uk/be-free-young-people (formerly The Lookout) is Pendle’s and Rossendale’s specialist support provision for young people experiencing domestic or sexual abuse.

BE FREE Reducing Harm and Aggression Programme (RAH) www.p-a-c.org.uk/be-free-rah. Support for children and young people who are displaying harmful behaviour towards others. A safe environment to explore the reasons for aggression and violent behaviour.

MAKE THE CHANGE Lancashire Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme (LDAPP) A 14-week programme in locations across Lancashire to support men who are worried about their behaviour towards women. Call 01254 260465 or email info@bddwa.org.uk. It is possible to self-refer.

 

Support for young people experiencing problems in their family home, at risk of homelessness or considering running away

BREATHING SPACE www.breathingspacelancs.org.uk For young people aged 14-25 who are having problems at home, thinking of leaving or been told to move out. Help and advice, including communication within families and safe accommodation.

RUNAWAY HELPLINE www.runawayhelpline.org.uk Call or text 116 000 (24 hours) For young people thinking about running away or anyone who is worried that someone they care about is going to run away. Run by the UK Charity Missing People.

NIGHTSAFE www.nightsafe.org 01254 503067 (5pm-10am 365 days) Support for young people in Blackburn with Darwen who are homeless or vulnerably housed, providing access to safe accommodation, information, advice and guidance.

HAPI Homelessness Awareness & Prevention Interventions www.p-a-c.org.uk/hapi/ 01282 619192 For young people aged 14-25 in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. HAPI aims to address the risk of homelessness at the earliest opportunity, by preventing homelessness or by offering support in a crisis to find safe accommodation. Services are available via telephone or at their offices in Nelson and Rawtenstall.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE www.homeless.org.uk Search for Places for People – The Sidings. A supported accommodation project in Clitheroe for young, single homeless people from 16-25 years. Referrals via the ART Referral Team at Lancashire County Council or Ribble Valley Borough Housing Department.

SAFESPACE 01282 619192 A staffed, supported accommodation project in East Lancashire for 16-21 year olds (up to 25 in some circumstances) who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, including young people who are leaving care.

STEPPING STONE PROJECT www.stepping-stone.org.uk Accommodation and support across Lancashire for young people 16-25 years old who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

SHELTER https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help National Helpline 0808 800 4444 Advice and support if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight or are worried about losing your home. Online advice about housing rights, and a webchat to help with next steps.

AKT Albert Kennedy Trust www.akt.org.uk/get-immediate-support/ An LGBTQ+ charity that supports young people aged 16-25 who are struggling with housing and homelessness.

STONEWALL HOUSING https://stonewallhousing.org/ 0800 6404 404 Free housing-related helpline for all LGBTQ+ people who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe home. Stonewall Housing is a charitable foundation established in 1983. It isn’t part of, or affiliated to, the Stonewall charity – they are totally separate organisations.

 

Support for young people leaving care, receiving kinship care, or who are carers themselves

BARNARDO’S www.barnardos.org.uk Over 800+ services which provide specialist support to vulnerable young people who are experiencing issues linked with being a young carer, homelessness, seeking asylum, leaving care, gender and sexual identity, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse and more.

KINSHIP COMPASS www.compass.kinship.org.uk 0300 123 7015 Advice and information for anyone involved in kinship care, as a young person receiving kinship care or as a carer themselves.

ANNA FREUD www.annafreud.org Resources for adoptive parents, special guardians, kinship carers and foster carers.

LANCASHIRE YOUNG CARERS (LYC) 01772 641002 email lancashireyoungcarers@barnardos.org.uk Funded through Lancashire County Council, LYC supports young carers under 18 who provide regular care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled, or misuses substances and are significantly affected by their caring role.

LANCASHIRE CARERS SERVICE www.carerslinklancashire.co.uk East Lancashire 0345 688 7113 Select Option 1.

 

Reporting hate crime

TRUE VISION Stop Hate Crime https://www.report-it.org.uk/home Advice for anyone who believes they have been the victim of a crime motivated by hostility or prejudice towards their identity based on their race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or membership of an alternative sub-culture.

 

Support for anyone who is worried because someone is expressing extreme views or hatred (extremism or radicalisation) which could lead to them harming themselves or others

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT www.ltai.info/ provides support for anyone who is worried that someone they know is at risk of being radicalised. The site provides support via two counter-extremism initiatives called PROTECT and CHANNEL.

 

Advice and support for anyone experiencing Honour-based Abuse or facing a Forced Marriage

KARMA NIRVANA www.karmanirvana.org.uk National Honour Based Abuse Helpline 0800 5999247 We are here to listen and help anyone who is affected by honour-based abuse.

 

Support for girls and women at risk of Female Genital Mutilation, or those who have already experienced FGM

NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk  FGM anonymous helpline 0800 028 3550 If you’re worried that you or a young person is at risk of, or has already had FGM, call the anonymous helpline or email help@NSPCC.org.uk

FORWARD www.forwarduk.org.uk An African women-led organisation providing advice and signposting to services for women and girls affected by any form of violence including FGM.