Quick Contact

Information, Advice and Guidance

Youth Access: is the national membership organisation for young people’s information, advice, counselling and support services (YIACS). They have a search facility on their website to look for local services for children 12- 25 years.

The Mix (formerly Get Connected): offers free confidential help and support for under 25 year olds + has a telephone counselling service.
Helpline: 0808 808 4994 (1-11pm every day)

Young Minds: is a charity focusing on the emotional and mental wellbeing of young people. They have information for young people and parents.

Kooth: this is an online counselling service that some Health and Local Authorities use to provide support to young people in some parts of the country. Check the website for areas covered.

Via your GP for under 18’s:
The Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service (CYP IAPT) in England has started to be rolled out to provide help, especially with anxiety and depression. Different arrangements are in place for Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland have a more fully developed counselling service based in schools. Ask your GP about the options available where you live. Your GP can also refer to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). There is often a waiting list for assessment plus there might also be service access criteria based on severity of difficulties experienced.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
www.bacp.co.uk
0870 443 5252
Umbrella organisation for counselling in the UK + details of local practitioners

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
www.babcp.com
0161 797 4484
Can provide details of accredited cognitive behaviour therapists

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
www.psychotherapy.org.uk
020 7014 9955
Umbrella organisation for psychotherapy in the UK + list of practitioners

Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland
www.cosca.org.uk

Creative Arts Therapies: Art, drama, music and dance therapy can assist young people to communicate and express themselves. They offer valuable support in exploring feelings and concerns, especially when it’s hard to ‘find the words’. Some CAMHS and other NHS services may have access. Check with each discipline’s Governing Associations to find creative arts therapists in your area.

Family support can include help looking after your child, such as:

  • daycare for children under 5
  • help with parenting – such as parenting classes
  • courses or family support workers
  • practical home help
  • access to a Children's Centre

Support services may also be provided by an education or health authorities, or by voluntary organisations.

Many of these services are available to all families. Check your local council's website to see what's available in your area.

You may also find support from these charities:

Children with special educational needs and disabilities

Additional help is available for parents and children with special educational needs and disabilities.

  • Guidance on staying safe online which includes information on security and privacy settings
  • Thinkuknow provides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on staying safe online
  • Parent info is a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations
  • Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support
  • Internet matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world
  • Net-aware has support for parents and carers from the NSPCC, including a guide to social networks, apps and games
  • Let’s Talk About It has advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation
  • UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services
  • Educate Against Hate safeguarding from radicalisation, building resilience to extremism, and promoting shared values.

Here you will find links to websites and organisations that will be able to help and support you if you require support with drugs and/or alcohol:

Adfam - Adfam is the only national umbrella organisation working specifically with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. Our final goal is that no family member in need of support should go without it.
Frank - Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.
Rehab 4 Alcoholism - is a free and impartial helpline for people troubled with drug and alcohol issues. 

Young Minds

Young minds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.

Young minds want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

Find out more about who they are, the work we're doing and what we're trying to achieve.

www.youngminds.org.uk

Shout 85258 | How Shout works

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message service for anyone in need of support in the UK. Our trained Shout Volunteers can help with issues including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, sexuality, money worries. Text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to a volunteer today.

PAPYRUS

Prevention of Young Suicide is a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional well-being in young people.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. PAPYRUS believe that suicide is preventable.

PAPYRUS was founded in 1997 by a group of bereaved parents, who had each lost children to suicide. 

www.papyrus-uk.org

Childline

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.

Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. You can talk to us:

Whatever feels best for you!

www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC

NSPCC helped make over 6.6 million children safer from abuse

NSPCC has been here for children for over 100 years. From our campaigns to our services – we strive to make a difference in everything they do. Between 2016 and 2021, they helped make 6.6 million children safer from abuse.

Help for adults concerned about a child
Call us on 0808 800 5000

Help for children and young people
Call Childline on 0800 1111

Mind

Mental well-being doesn't have one set meaning. We might use it to talk about how we feel, how well we're coping with daily life or what feels possible at the moment.

Good mental well-being doesn't mean you're always happy or unaffected by your experiences. But poor mental well-being can make it more difficult to cope with daily life.

If you need non-urgent information about mental health support and services that may be available to you:

Please call our infoline on 0300 123 3393

Email info@mind.org.uk

Watch our animation for eight relaxation tips to help you look after your mental well-being.

Samaritan

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Samaritans are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won't judge or tell you what to do.

Contact a Samaritan

Call 116 123

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better.

jo@samaritans.org

Response time: It may take several days to get a response by email

www.samaritans.org

Beat - Eating Disorders Association

Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
Looking for eating disorder support in your area? Contact Beat Eating Disorders
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

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