Help & Support

Mencap Learning Disability Helpline provides advice and information on all issues relevant to people with learning disabilities and their families in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Phone: 0808 808 1111

Elder Abuse work to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older adults, and to protect older adults at risk of abuse.

Phone: 080 8808 8141

Age UK provide a national advice line and local advice covering many subjects including money worries and health and wellbeing.

Phone: 0800 169 2081

WaveLength gives media technology (radios, televisions, and tablets) to lonely people living in poverty.

You need to be referred but can find more information on how to apply for this service on the website

MacMillian are a cancer support organisation. They offer a range of support services and advice, including money worry advice.

Phone: 0808 808 00 00

The People Hub are a charity working to empower people with long-term health conditions and disabilities through knowledge sharing. You can find resources and toolkits to help you manage a personal health budget on their website.

Gordon Moody Association offers residential courses for men and women who have problems with gambling. It also runs the Therapy website, which offers online support to problem gamblers and their friends and family.

Email help@gordonmoody.org.uk

Phone: 01384 241292

GamCare is a charity set up to help problem gamblers, as well as their friends and families providing advice over the phone and online or through face-to-face counselling.

Phone: 08088020133

Find NHS drug support services in your local area.

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger is a free, 24/7 support line for young people going through a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Text YM to 85258

SANE provide practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.

Phone: 0300 304 7000

Rethink Mental Illness have information about different types of mental illness, diagnosis and treatments as well as support groups around the country. They also have a number of factsheets that may help customers get further support.

Mind has a team that provides information on a range of topics including types of mental health problems, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments. They can also signpost your services offering help and support in your local area.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

Email: info@mind.org.uk

Become, a charity for young care leavers has put together factsheets covering a variety of frequently asked questions about finances, how the care system works and what you are entitled to when you leave.

Citizens Advice has a guide for making practical arrangements around shared finances, living and children when a relationship ends.

Gingerbread offers advice and practical support for single-parent families in England and Wales. They can advise on separation, benefits, child tax credits work and housing.

Cruse is a bereavement charity specialising in advice support and information for bereaved people across the UK.

Phone: 0844 477 9400 (costs apply). 

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Stop Loan Sharks provide specialist support, help and advice for victims of loan sharks. They have the power to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and will support you in accessing local financial support and coping emotionally.

Phone (Report a loan shark): 0300 555 2222

The Red Cross offers a range of services if you are a newly arrived migrant living in the UK. Depending on your circumstances and where you live they may be able to help you with travel vouchers, food parcels, small amounts of cash, benefits and careers advice and adjusting to life in the UK

Refuge offers specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. They have put together a guide with practical help and information on your rights if you are being controlled or manipulated financially by a partner or family member.

Women's Advice Line: 

0808 2000 247 (England) 

0808 80 10 800 (Wales) 

0808 802 1414 (N. Ireland) 

0800 027 1234 (Scotland)

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) provides a free, fast emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances, race, gender or sexual orientation. The service allows anyone to apply for an injunction within 24 hours of first contact (in most circumstances).

Phone: 0800 970 2070

Young people's charity Centrepoint run a service called Nightstop providing emergency accommodation in volunteer homes across the country. You can find your nearest service here

Shelter offer housing advice, support and legal services to anyone at risk of eviction, repossession or homelessness in England and Scotland.

Phone: 0808 808 4000

Money Advice Trust / National Debtline offer free and independent advice through telephone and online advice services. Website includes fact sheets on bankruptcy, IVA, DROs etc.

Phone: 0800 1381111

StepChange Debt Charity offers free to-client independent debt advice. They cover various debt scenarios from the development of repayment arrangements to insolvency.

Phone: 0800 1381111

Working Families include a guide to benefits available to people at work.

Financial hardship charity Turn2Us have a benefits calculator which can help you understand what you are entitled to. You just need to fill in some details about your current circumstances

If you need help applying for universal credit, the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service can support you through the early stages of your application in person or over the phone.

Phone: England: 0800 144 8 444 

England textphone: 18001 0800 144 8 444 

Wales: 08000 241 220 

Wales textphone: 18001 08000 241 220 

Scotland: 0800 023 2581

Office of the Public Guardian protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. They hold information on lasting powers of attorney and investigate issues with those applied. This also contains information about registering lasting powers of attorney.

The Carers UK helpline provides advice and information for carers on any issue including benefits, residential care, the Carer’s Act and respite care.

Phone: 0808 808 7777 

Email advice@carersuk.org

Mental health charity Rethink has a guide for anyone caring for someone with a severe mental health condition.