Sidekick
sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk
07888 868 059 (textline)
[email protected]
A confidential textline and email support for people aged 13 to 18, or up to 25 for people with special educational needs.
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.
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.
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 drugs, their effects and the law.
Hub of Hope
hubofhope.co.uk
A UK-wide database of mental health charities and organisations offering advice and support.
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.
Mencap
0808 808 1111 (Learning Disability Helpline)
mencap.org.uk
Information and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Services include an online community.
The Mix
Text SHOUT to 85258 (crisis messenger service)
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
Text SHOUT to 85258 (crisis messenger service)
annafreud.org/on-my-mind
Information, support and resources about mental health and wellbeing.
Our Time
ourtimecharity.org.uk
Information and workshops for children and young people whose parents or carers experience mental health problems.
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)
[email protected]
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for people to talk about any concerns, worries and troubles they're going through. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person.
Shout
85258 (textline)
giveusashout.org
Shout is a confidential and anonymous 24/7 text support service for anyone struggling to cope. It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK. To speak to a trained volunteer, text SHOUT to 85258.
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.
Anxiety UK
03444 775 774
07537 416 905 (textline)
anxietyuk.org.uk
Advice, support and information for people who experience anxiety.
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.
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 online or by phone – it costs to become a member before joining the programme.
OCD Youth
ocdyouth.org
[email protected]
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.
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.
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.
Kids of Colour
kidsofcolour.com
Online platform for young people to learn about race, identity and culture, and to challenge racism. Offers a YouTube channel, summer school and workshops.
Mermaids UK
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.
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.
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.
Talk Grief
Text SHOUT to 85258 (crisis messenger service)
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.
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 trauma-informed counselling for over 16s)
safeline.org.uk
Information and support for young people and adults who have experienced sexual abuse and rape. Offers face-to-face services in Coventry and Warwickshire.
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.
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
- Anyone supporting someone who needs help
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.
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/information/young-people/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.
Gingerbread
gingerbread.org.uk/information/children-of-single-parents
Offers information for young people whose parents are splitting up, or who have lost a parent.
Runaway Helpline
116 000 (phone or text)
[email protected]
runawayhelpline.org.uk
Support by phone, text and email for people who:
- Are running away
- Have already run away
- Have come back after running away
- Are worried about someone who might run away
Also offers online information and a 1-to-1 webchat.
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.
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 texts)
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.
NYAS and NYAS Cymru (National Youth Advocacy Service)
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.
POhWER
0300 456 2370
pohwer.net/childrens-and-young-peoples-advocacy
Information, advice, support and advocacy in England for people facing difficult issues who want to make their voice heard. Offers specific advocacy services for young people.
rights4children
Offers information and advice for young people in England to help them understand their legal rights.
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.
Published: June 2022
Next review planned: June 2025
References are available on request. If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.
