Useful numbers

Someone to talk to

ChildLine

0800 1111 Freephone
ChildLine is the UK’s free and confidential, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Samaritans

0845 790 9090 Local rate
Area Served: UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Helpline offering emotional support 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

NSPCC – Child Protection Helpline

0808 800 5000 Freephone
Area Served: England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Channel Islands.
24 hour helpline, open 365 days a year, for anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse, including children themselves. Counselling, information and advice from qualified professionals trained in child protection. Can make referrals to social services, the police or local NSPCC teams.

Careline

0845 122 8622
Crisis telephone counselling service for children, young people and adults on any issue, including relationship difficulties, depression, mental health, child abuse, bullying, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, drug and alcohol problems, stress. Referrals to other agencies and support groups throughout the country.

Drugs and Alcohol

Release

0845 450 0215 Local rate
Helpline and support for drug users, families, friends and professionals. Advice on drug related subjects, including health, welfare and legal issues. Referrals to lawyers and local drug services. Also run a specialist heroin helpline on the same number.

FRANK

0800 776 600 Freephone
Advice and information for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse, including drug misusers, their families, friends, carers and professionals.

Sexual Health

Sexwise

0800 282 930 Freephone
Information, advice and guidance for young people under 18 on sexuality and sexual health. Issues dealt with include contraception, pregnancy, family planning clinics, sexually transmitted diseases, peer pressure and relationships.

Brook Young People’s Information Service

0800 018 5023 Freephone
Information, support and signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health, contraception, pregnancy and abortion.

Rape and Domestic Violence

National Domestic Violence Helpline

0808 2000 247
Free phone 24 hr (Run in partnership between Women’s Aid & Refuge)

Leaving or in care

Voice

0808 800 5792 Freephone
9.30 am – 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children who are or have been in the care system.

Running Away or Missing

Runaway Helpline

0808 800 7070 Freephone
National 24 hour helpline for children and young people who have run away from home or care or been forced to leave home. Advice, referrals to other organisations. Can help a child or young person get to a place of safety. Can also pass on a message to enable them to get in touch with their family or carers.

Finding help near to you

Get Connected

0808 808 4994 Freephone
(call between 1pm and 11pm)
We provide a free, confidential helpline that gives you the support and information you need to decide what you want to do next. You might need to be put in touch with somewhere safe to stay for night, need to be referred to an organisation that deals with eating disorders, or you might just want a listening ear. Whatever the problem, we can always help.

Education, training and employment

Connexions Direct

0808 001 3219 Freephone
Helpline for young people aged 13-19 providing a listening service, information and advice on subjects including education, training and employment and a range of other issues affecting young people. Calls from a land line are free and won’t show on a phone bill. Calls from a mobile are charged, but the helpline will ring back once contact is made.

Bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Care – Youth Involvement Project

0808 808 1677 Freephone
Helpline for young people (aged 12-18), following bereavement. Advice on benefits. Email and online support via the website.