Useful contacts – for 11-18 year olds

Why am I looking for useful contacts?

All of the phone and text numbers linked on this page are helplines, unless we've noted what they're for instead.

If you're looking at this page on a laptop or tablet, you'll need to copy the number into a phone to call or text for support.

Email helplines might take longer to reply than phone and textlines.

On this page, you can find contact details if you're a young person looking to get information and support for:

• General support needs. Like advice on mental health, wellbeing or relationships.
• Mental health problems and difficult experiences. Like experiencing panic attacks, self-harm or suicidal feelings.
• Specific identities and communities. Like if you're LGBTQIA+ or you're Muslim.
• Grief, trauma and abuse. Like experiencing violence or losing someone close to you.
• Housing and living situations. Like living in care or experiencing homelessness.
• Legal rights and advocacy. Like where to find an advocate or how to claim benefits.

Barnardo's

barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-young-people
Practical information and emotional support for:

• Young people
• Young people leaving care
• Young carers

Provides local services for further support in some areas of the UK.

BigDeal

0808 8020 133
bigdeal.org.uk
Information and advice for young people who are worried about their gambling activity, or worried about someone else's. Offers support, workshops and a live chat.

Childline

0800 1111 (24/7)
childline.org.uk
Information and advice for young people on topics like bullying, body image and relationships. Also offers:

• A phone helpline
• 1-to-1 online chats with counsellors
• Online message boards
• Counsellors who can speak Welsh and also British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters

FRANK

0300 123 6600 (24/7)
82111 (textline)
talktofrank.com
Confidential support, advice and information about alcohol and drugs, plus their effects and the law.

Hub of Hope

hubofhope.co.uk
A database of UK mental health charities and organisations offering advice and support.

Kooth

kooth.com
Safe, anonymous, online community and counselling for young people in certain areas of the UK. New users need to create an account to use it.

Local Minds

mind.org.uk/about-us/local-minds
Local mental health services across England and Wales. Offers talking therapies, peer support and advocacy. Check to see if there is a local Mind near you.

The Mix

themix.org.uk
Support and advice for people under 25, including:

• Crisis messenger textline
• Discussion boards
• Webchat
• Short-term counselling online and by phone

NHS Every Mind Matters

nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/youth-mental-health
Information and advice on mental health and wellbeing. Includes videos about dealing with change, social media and sleep.

On My Mind

annafreud.org/on-my-mind
Information, support and resources about mental health and wellbeing.

Reading Well

readingagency.org.uk/reading-well 
Self-help books to help people understand and manage health and wellbeing. Also available in Welsh.

Samaritans

116 123 (24/7)
0808 164 0123 (Welsh Language Line)
samaritans.org
Helpline open 24/7 for people to talk about any concerns, worries and troubles they're going through. Offers some in-person Samaritans branches.

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)
giveusashout.org
A confidential and anonymous text support service for anyone struggling to cope.

Sidekick

07888 868 059 (textline)
[email protected]
sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk
A confidential textline and email support for people aged 13 to 18, or up to 25 for people with special educational needs.

YoungMinds

youngminds.org.uk
Mental health support for young people, parents and carers. Includes information about mental health problems and medication.

Youth Access

youthaccess.org.uk
Advice and counselling network for young people. Search for free local services using their online search tool.

Alumina

selfharm.co.uk
A 7-week, online course to help people between 10 and 17 years old who self-harm, or worry that they might.

Beat

0808 801 0677 (England)
0808 801 0433 (Wales)
beateatingdisorders.co.uk
Helpline, webchat and online support groups for people with eating problems, like anorexia and bulimia.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

0800 58 58 58
thecalmzone.net
Information and support for anyone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Offers a helpline and webchat.

Me and My Mind

meandmymind.nhs.uk
Information and support for young people experiencing symptoms of possible mental health problems, like hearing voices or having unusual thoughts. Only offers some services in certain South London boroughs.

No Panic

0300 772 9844
nopanic.org.uk/youth-hub
Supports young people who experience panic attacks or have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a 6-week Youth Mentoring Recovery Programme, but it costs to become a member before joining.

OCD Youth

[email protected]
ocdyouth.org
Information and resources for young people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Provides an email helpline, support group, online network and discussion group.

The OLLIE Foundation

theolliefoundation.org
Help and advice for people experiencing suicidal feelings. Provides information and support for anyone worried about another young person.

Our Time

ourtimecharity.org.uk 
Information and workshops for children and young people whose parents or carers experience mental health problems.

PAPYRUS

0800 068 4141 (24/7)
88247 (textline)
[email protected]
papyrus-uk.org
Support and advice for people under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts or finding it hard to cope. Also supports people who are concerned about someone else.

Self-Injury Support

0808 800 8088
07537 432 444 (textline)
[email protected]
selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Support for anyone who is thinking about self-harm or has self-harmed, and for people supporting others in this situation. Offers online information and self-help tools.

Voice Collective

[email protected]
voicecollective.co.uk
Information and support for people under 25 who:

• Hear voices
• See visions
• Experience other sensory issues or beliefs

Also offers peer support, plus support to parents, carers and families.

Bayo

bayo.uk
An online search tool to find mental health and wellbeing support or services, run by and for the Black community.

Being Gay is OK

bgiok.org.uk
Provides advice and information for LGBTQ+ people under 25 years old.

Black Minds Matter UK

blackmindsmatteruk.com
Connects Black individuals and families with free, 1-to-1 talking therapies, delivered by Black therapists. Also provides information and resources.

The Empowerment Group

theempowermentgroup.co.uk
Offers culturally appropriate, 1-to-1 online therapy for mental health. To access their services, people must be of Black African or Caribbean heritage, aged 14 or over, and live in the UK.

Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales

[email protected]
eyst.org.uk
Provides services in Wales to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds between 11 and 25 years old. Includes support for health and wellbeing, plus support for families.

Mermaids

0808 801 0400
mermaidsuk.org.uk
Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse people up to 18 years old. Runs events, local groups, a youth forum and a webchat.

Muslim Youth Helpline

0808 808 2008
[email protected]
myh.org.uk
Provides faith and culturally sensitive support to young Muslims by phone, webchat and email.

Pink Therapy

pinktherapy.com
Directory of therapists and counsellors who specialise in working with LGBTQIA+ people of all ages. Also offers a therapy guide and educational resources.

The Proud Trust

0161 660 3347
theproudtrust.org
Support for LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring schemes and a webchat.

Stonewall Young Futures

stonewall.org.uk/young-futures 
Information and advice for young LGBTQ+ people on a range of topics, like mental health and coping with discrimination.

Spark

sparkandco.co.uk
Supports young people from racialised communities, including a service finder with a filter for ages 13 to 24 in its Directory of Support.

Switchboard

0800 0119 100
[email protected]
switchboard.lgbt
Provides a support phoneline, webchat and nationwide database of LGBTQIA+ services. Offers a safe space to discuss topics like sexuality, gender identity and wellbeing.

Child Bereavement UK

0800 028 8840
childbereavementuk.org
Help for children, young people, parents and families after the death of someone close. Offers support through local services, groups for young people, plus films and blogs.

Hope Again

hopeagain.org.uk
Information and resources for young people living with grief after losing someone close. Also available in Welsh.

Kidscape

kidscape.org.uk/i-am-a-young-person
Information and advice for young people about school bullying and abuse, as well as advice for parents and carers.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

0800 1111 (24/7)
nspcc.org.uk
Information and support for children who have experienced abuse, or anyone worried about a child. Provides local services to help young people and families overcome abuse.

Refuge

0808 200 0247
refuge.org.uk
Help and support for women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.

Safeline

0808 800 5005 (helpline for male survivors of sexual abuse)
01926 402 498 (for info about counselling for over 16s)
safeline.org.uk
Information and support for young people and adults who have experienced or are at risk of sexual abuse and rape. Offers face-to-face services in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Shore

shorespace.org.uk
Online resources for young people concerned about their own, or someone else's, sexual thoughts and behaviours. Offers a live webchat and an email helpline.

Stop Hate UK

0808 801 0576 (reporting line for under 18s)
0800 138 1625 (reporting line for over 18s)
07717 989 025 (text reporting line)
stophateuk.org
Offers an online reporting service for people who have experienced or seen a hate crime in certain areas of the UK. Also offers an information resource hub for young people.

Talk Grief

08088 020 021
[email protected]
talkgrief.org
An online space for people aged 13 to 25 who are living with grief. Offers advice and resources for coping with grief, plus an email helpline, textline and webchat.

Victim Support

0808 168 9111 (24/7)
victimsupport.org.uk/children-and-young-people
Emotional and practical support for people affected by crime and traumatic events. Offers online information for young people.

Welsh Women's Aid

0808 80 10 800 (Live Fear Free helpline, 24/7)
[email protected]
welshwomensaid.org.uk
Information for women and children in Wales who have experienced domestic abuse, including a directory of local services.

Also offers a live chat and confidential support through Live Fear Free for:

• Anyone experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence in Wales
• Anyone supporting someone who needs help with this in Wales

Women's Aid (England)

chat.womensaid.org.uk (live chat)
[email protected]
womensaid.org.uk
Information and support for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Provides support by live chat, email helpline, local service directory and a forum.

Please note: it's unclear whether this service offers support to trans women and non-binary people, and whether this will change.

Become

0800 023 2033
becomecharity.org.uk
Information and support for young people in care and young care leavers.

Carers Trust

carers.org
Information and support for unpaid carers. Includes specific information and local support for young carers.

Centrepoint

0808 800 0661
centrepoint.org.uk
Provides advice, housing and support for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in England.

Children's Society Young Carers

childrenssociety.org.uk/young-carers
Information and advice for young carers on topics like education and rights. Offers a local service finder for young carers' projects.

Coram Voice

0808 800 5792 (advocacy helpline)
[email protected]
coramvoice.org.uk
Information, support and advocacy for young people who are care leavers.

SafeCall

116 000 (phone and textline)
safecall.org.uk
SafeCall is a free, confidential support service for young people who are away from home, thinking of leaving or feel trapped in an unsafe situation. Offers an online chat.

Shelter England

0808 800 4444
england.shelter.org.uk
Supports people in England who need housing by providing independent, expert advice. Includes specific information for homeless people aged 16 to 25.

Shelter Cymru

08000 495 495
sheltercymru.org.uk
Information and advice for people in Wales experiencing homelessness or housing problems, in both English and Welsh. Include specific information for people under 25 years old.

Stonewall Housing

0800 6404 404
stonewallhousing.org
Support for LGBTQ+ people who are experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe environment. Provides confidential advice, advocacy and support.

Cafcass

cafcass.gov.uk/children-and-young-people
Advice and legal representation for young people in family court cases in England.

Citizens Advice

0800 144 8848 (England)
0800 702 2020 (Wales)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Information and advice on our rights, covering topics like money, housing and discrimination. Offers some local branches and an online chat.

Law Stuff

lawstuff.org.uk/not-from-the-uk
Legal information for young people who have come to the UK from a different country. Covers topics like immigration, work and education.

Meic

080 880 23456 (call or WhatsApp message)
07943 114 449 (SMS textline)
meiccymru.org
Information and advice on rights in Wales for people aged up to 25. Available in English or Welsh by phone, text and online chat.

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)

0808 808 1001
[email protected]
nyas.net/get-support/young-people (England)
nyas.net/get-support/support-in-wales (Wales)
Advocacy services and helplines to listen to what young people want and empower them to get their voices heard.

VoiceAbility

0300 303 1660
[email protected]
voiceability.org/support-and-help/for-children-and-young-people-1
Provides advocacy services, plus information and advice on how advocates can help young people.