07487 810823
USEFUL INFORMATION
I have provided a list of sites that might be useful to you. This list is by no means exhaustive; please do research thoroughly any links/sites that may be of help.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL REFERRALS LIST
CRISIS AND URGENT SUPPORT
Kent and Medway (NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust) Crisis Team:
For urgent mental health support, advice and guidance
Adults: 0300 222 0123
Under 18’s: 0300 123 4496 (select option 1, then option 3)
Provides confidential and non-judgemental support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Tel: 116 123. www.samaritans.org
REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS – WEST KENT INTER GROUP
West Kent Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup has many groups and a range of services in the West Kent area in support of our primary purpose which is; "To stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."
Helpline: 0800 9177 / 01622 751842
DOMESTIC ABUSE
Support services in Kent and Medway
Helpline: 0808 168 9276 www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk
KENT AUTISTIC TRUST
Have been providing support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other associated difficulties since 1989. General enquiries: 01634 405168 www.kentautistictrust.org
IASK (Information, Advice, Support, Kent)
Provides free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents and carers.
Tel: 03000 41 3000 www.iask.kent.gov.uk
SEVENOAKS AREA MIND
Provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Tel: 01732 744950. www.westkentmind.org.uk
NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Helpline: 0800 9177 650. www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
ANXIETY UK
Works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1-to-1 therapy.
Tel: 03444 775 774. www.anxietyuk.org.uk
BEAT
The leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Beat provides information and support through helplines, online support and online support groups.
Helpline: 0808 8010677. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably is a leading movement against suicide.
Helpline: 0800 585858 www.thecalmzone.net
CHILDLINE
A counselling service for children and young people in the United Kingdom, up to their 19th birthday.
Helpline: 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU
An independent charity giving free confidential information and advice to assist people with money, legal, consumer and other problems.
Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks, Swanley and Tonbridge 0300 330 9001 www.citizensadvice.org.uk
COCAINE ANONYMOUS UK
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction.
Tel: 0800 6120225. www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE
The leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.
Helpline: 0808 8081677. www.cruse.org.uk
Provides self-help and support to families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies.
Helpline: 08451 228 669. www.cry-sis.org.uk
DEPEND
A voluntary organisation whose aim is to provide support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, an adult trans person, where that person is considering or is in the process of transitioning, or has transitioned, within the UK.
info@depend.org.uk www.depend.org.uk
DEPRESSION UK
National Self-Help Organisation helping people cope with their depression.
info@depressionuk.org www.depressionuk.org.uk
FAMILY LIVES
A national family support charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life.
Tel: 0808 800 2222. www.familylives.org.uk
Provides services for people who seek information and/or advice about drugs including a confidential 24-hour helpline.
Helpline: 0300 123 6600. www.talktofrank.com
GAMCARE
The leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Helpline: 0808 8020 133 www.gamcare.org.uk
HOURGLASS
The only charity dedicated to calling time on the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people across the United Kingdom.
Helpline: 0808 808 8141 www.wearehourglass.org/england
KOOTH
Free, 24/7 support for young people experiencing a crisis.
For urgent help, text YM to 85258 www.kooth.com
MENS ADVICE LINE
Provides non-judgemental emotional support, practical advice and support to male victims of abuse
Helpline: 0808 801 0327 www.mensadviceline.org.uk
MINDED
Is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health, for all adults.
MISCARRIAGE ASSOCIATION
Offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy.
Helpline: 01924 200 799. www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
MOSAC
Provides supportive services in a safe and non-judgemental environment for non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused. Helpline: 0800 980 1958 www.mosac.org.uk
National Autistic Society (NAS)
The UK’s largest provider of specialist autism services. Tel: 0808 800 4104 www.autism.org.uk
NO PANIC
Provides information and advice for the carers of and people with Panic, Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and the effects of Tranquiliser withdrawal. They also provide treatment and support over the telephone. Tel: 0844 967 4848. www.nopanic.org.uk
The leading children's charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every childhood. Helpline: 0808 800 5000. www.nspcc.org.uk
PANDAS
The leading UK charity in supporting families suffering from pre (antenatal) and postnatal illnesses. Offering sufferers, their families and carers support and advice to help aid their recovery.
Tel: 0843 2898401. www.pandasfoundation.org.uk
PAPYRUS
A national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Helpline: 0800 068 41 41 www.papyrus-uk.org
OCD ACTION
Is a national charity focussing on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Helpline: 0845 390 6232 www.ocdaction.org.uk
RAPE CRISIS
Is a feminist organisation that supports the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales.
The UK's largest provider of relationship support, and every year they help over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships. www.relate.org.uk
Works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. Rethink's aim is to make a practical and positive difference by providing hope and empowerment through effective services, information and support to all those who need support. Tel: 0300 5000 927. www.rethink.org
STILLBIRTH AND NEONATAL DEATH SOCIETY (SANDS)
Operate throughout the UK, supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby, working to improve the care bereaved parents receive, and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
Helpline: 0808 164 3332. www.sands.org.uk
STONEWALL
Campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain. www.stonewall.org.uk
SOBS (SURVIVORS OF BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE)
SOBS exist to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide. Helpline: 0300 111 5065 www.uksobs.org
SUPPORT LINE
A website that acts as a signposting service for vulnerable people. www.supportline.org.uk//problems/a-z/
THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
A charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child or children of any age and from any cause. Helpline: 0345 123 2304 www.tcf.org.uk
THE MIX
Under 25’s can use their phone counselling service or get information on support services.
Freephone: 0808 808 4994 www.themix.org.uk
VICTIM SUPPORT
Free and confidential helpline if you’ve been a witness to or victim of a crime.
Support line: 0808 1689 111 www.victimsupport.org.uk
WOMEN’S AID
National charity for women and children working to end domestic abuse.
Helpline: 0808 2000 247. www.womensaid.org.uk
YOUNG MINDS
Young Minds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. www.youngminds.org.uk
YOUTH ACCESS
A place to get advice and information about counselling in the UK for young people aged 12-25.