USEFUL LINKS: Emergencies; Domestic abuse; Mental health
999
If you – or someone you know – are being harmed or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.
Refuge
The largest specialist domestic abuse organisation in the UK.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Women’s Aid
Support services and information for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
Samaritans
Free, 24-hour line, to talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels.
Helpline: 116 123
Victim Support
The independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Supportline (24/7): 0808 1689 111
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA)
A centre of excellence for reviews after fatal domestic abuse and for expert and specialist advocacy and peer support.
Phone: 07887 488 464
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter)
Provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
Helpline: 0121 472 2912
Southall Black Sisters
Support services for black, minoritised and migrant communities.
Helpline: 020 8571 9595
Imkaan
The only UK-based, umbrella women’s organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and Minoritised women and girls, i.e. women defined in policy terms as Black and ‘Minority Ethnic’ (BME).
Phone (not direct crisis support): 0207 842 8525 (Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm)
Mind
Mental health charity offering support and information.
Childline/NSPCC:
Children: If you need help or to talk to someone about something that’s happening or something you are worried about you can call Childline on 0800 1111, a free, confidential 24-hour helpline.
Adults concerned about a child or young person: If you have concerns about a child’s safety or welfare, call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. Remember, if a child or young person is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
Parents and carers: If you’re a parent or carer and are struggling and need someone to speak to, please contact Mind (see above).
USEFUL LINKS: Grief charities
Cruse Bereavement Care
Support after the death of someone close, including face to face, telephone and group support.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Mon, Fri, 9.30am–5pm; Tues–Thurs, 9.30am–8pm; Sat, Sun, 10am–2pm)
The Good Grief Trust
Information for the bereaved and a searchable directory of services, plus virtual cafes where people can meet with others who may have been through a similar bereavement.
The NHS
Information on grief after bereavement or loss.
The Compassionate Friends
Support, understanding and comfort to bereaved siblings and parents after the death of a child, of any age, from any cause.
Helpline: 0345 123 2304 (daily, 10am–4pm, 7pm–10pm)
Child Bereavement UK
Help for children, young people, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies.
Helpline: 0800 028 8840
Child Death Helpline
Offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from prebirth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago.
Helpline: 0800 282 986 (Mon–Sun, 7pm–10pm; and Mon, Thurs, Fri, 10am–1pm; Tues, Weds, 10am–4pm)
Winston’s Wish
Support for grieving children and young people after the death of someone important.
Helpline: 0808 802 0021
Hopeagain
Youth website of Cruse. Support for children and young people affected by the death of someone close.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)