Help and Information
If you've been affected by the issues in EastEnders check here to find what further resources are available.
Latest: Sharon
ADDICTION
A selection of films concerning various addictions and the personal journeys of those that have been affected by them.
provides a confidential, free service to anyone wanting information, advice or support about any aspect of drugs. To get the facts on drugs visit www.talktofrank.com or talk to FRANK on 0800 77 66 00. The helpline is available 24 hours 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. You can also text a question to 82111.
Scotland's free and confidential 24 hour drugs information and advice helpline.
The Wales Drug And Alcohol Helpline
a free and bilingual telephone drugs helpline providing a single point of contact for anyone in Wales wanting further information or help relating to drugs or alcohol. The helpline will assist individuals, their families, carers, and support workers within the drug and alcohol field to access appropriate local and regional services. Contact them on the freephone number 0808 808 2234, 24hrs 7 days of the week, or visit their website.
One of the UK's leading drug and alcohol treatment charities. It has services throughout England and Scotland, that help people (and their families) recover from addiction and substance misuse problems. The charity has services for both adults and young people. Their website allows you to search for a service that best fits your needs in a location near you.
Charity providing an online encyclopaedia of drugs and directory of help sources.
Charity working across the addiction field in research, prevention, treatment, professional education and family support.
AddictionNI has been working since 1978 to provide support and treatment to people affected by alcohol or drug addiction. They provide tailor-made treatment programmes for people with drug or alcohol problems, delivered in community settings. They also give confidential support for people affected by someone else's drinking or drug use. Contact them by phone on 02890 664434, or log onto their website.
Scotland’s free and confidential 24 hour drugs information and advice helpline. They can provide you, and those you know, with advice and information about drugs issues. Contact them on 0800 5875879, 24 hours, 7 days a week, or log onto their website.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
The National Debtline is a national telephone helpline offering free, confidential and independent advice for people with debt problems.
Advice is backed up with written self-help materials which can be sent out for free or downloaded from their website at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk or contact them by phone on 0808 808 4000, Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm and on Saturdays between 9.30am and 1pm. There is a 24hour voicemail to request an information pack or factsheet. My Money Steps is also run by National Debtline. www.mymoneysteps.org
StepChange Debt Charity helps people in financial difficulty by providing free, confidential, independent and realistic debt advice. The StepChange Debt Charity free phone helpline 0800 138 1111 is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. Its free online counselling, StepChange Debt Charity Debt Remedy, is available anytime at www.stepchange.org
thesite.org is an online guide to life for 16 to 25 year-olds. They provide non-judgemental support and information on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs. Log on to www.thesite.org
Shelter believes that everybody needs a home in a place they can thrive. More than one million people a year go to Shelter for housing advice and support via our website, helplines and national network of advice centres. Their work won’t stop until there is a home for everyone. Contact their free Housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444, or visit www.shelter.org.uk
Crisis is a national charity for single homeless people. They are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Their innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help people to transform their lives. Contact Crisis by phone on 0300 636 1967 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or visit www.crisis.org.uk
Centrepoint is a leading charity providing housing and support to improve the lives of homeless young people aged 16-25. For more information, visit www.centrepoint.org.uk
StreetLink is a service that enables members of the public to connect rough sleepers with local services and support. If you’re concerned that someone may be sleeping rough, you can call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 or visit www.streetlink.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau are able to deal with all kinds of problems, but may make referrals to other services if the case is particularly complicated.
Information and advice can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk and may be available on 0844 4111 444 (England) or 0844 4772 020 (Wales) depending on whether your area is covered yet - if not you will hear alternatives.
To find details of your local bureau visit the website or text CAB and your post code to 64446. Please note that telephone and text charges apply.
Age UK is a charity dedicated to improving later life for all. They provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to older people.
If you are an older person you can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65 (8am to 7pm seven days a week).
Age UK Advice (Age UK & Age Cymru): 0800 169 6565
Age NI Advice: 0808 808 7575
Age Scotland Helpline: 0845 125 9732
Alternatively, visit their website where they can also put you in touch with your local Age UK.
Quarriers is one of Scotland’s largest social care charities. It provides much-needed care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, young people, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances such as poverty, homelessness, learning and physical disabilities and epilepsy.
To find out more visit www.quarriers.org.uk or call 01505 616000
GANGS
'A programme designed to improve the life chances of young people in London by giving advice on issues to do with healthy relationships and problems related to gang violence and youth crime.'
They have a helpline for young people: 0800 1111 (24 hour helpline)
'A national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life.'
They have a free helpline : 0808 800 2222 (open from 7am - midnight)
MAMAA (Mothers against murder and aggression)
They provide 'An all inclusive practical/emotional support & advocacy service to those affected by serious violent crime & homicide'.
CHILD ABUSE AND BULLYING
The NSPCC provides a host of advice and information for children, young people and families. Anyone concerned about the welfare of a child can call 0808 800 5000.
ChildLine is the free confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can talk to ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small: call them on 0800 1111.
Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse.
They provide free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales.
SEPARATION
If you, a friend, or family member, is going through a break-up, Sorting out Separation is here to give you the support and guidance you need.
Knowing what to do or where to turn to when you separate can be difficult. If you're a parent, you'll want to make sure you do what's right for your children. And if you're a friend or relative of someone going through a break up, you'll probably be looking for ways you can help. The Sorting out separation tool will help you work out what areas you need help with and find information on a range of issues such as parenting apart, housing, money and employment.
EPILEPSY
Young Epilepsy
Young Epilepsy is the national charity supporting children and young people aged 25 and under living in the UK with epilepsy. For help or information, please contact the Young Epilepsy Helpline on 01342 831342, email helpline@youngepilepsy.org.uk or visit the Young Epilepsy website
CHILDREN IN CARE AND CHILD PROTECTION
They offer free and confidential legal advice on child, family and education law issues in England. Their expert advisers can be reached online.
ChildLine is the UK’s free, 24-hour confidential helpline for children and young people who need to talk. Trained counsellors are there to provide comfort, support and advice about ay problem that’s on their minds. Contact them 24 hours a day, every day, by phone on 0800 1111 or on their website. Calls are free from all existing networks – landline and mobile.
The Who Cares? Trust is a voice for children in care. Everything they do is designed to improve the day to day experience of children and young people in care - and their future lives. You can contact them by phone on 020 7251 3117 or visit them online. Their website also includes The Who Cares? Town, a section designed for especially for children and young people. You’ll find this by on their website.
Mothers Apart From Their Children
MATCH offers non-judgemental emotional support to mothers apart from their children in a wide variety of circumstances.
The NSPCC is a charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. They operate a free 24-hour helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to adults concerned about a child’s safety. Contact them by phone on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
ADOPTION
Coram was the UK's first ever Children's charity, helping children faving loss to feel safe and loved, and to have acces to education and opportunities.
AAA NORCAP is a national charity working for over 25 years supporting and guiding adults whose lives have been touched by adoption.
Charity providing support and advice for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) adopters and foster carers.
British Association For Adoption And Fostering
BAAF is an adoption and fostering charity that helps find families for children waiting for adoption.
Barnardo's has an adoption and fostering agency. For more information on how you can adopt go to the website.
PREMATURE BABIES, POST-NATAL ILLNESS, COT DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT
What is cot death, and what causes it? Plus, support information for bereaved parents.
Bliss is the UK charity working to provide the best possible care and support for all babies born too soon, too small and too sick and their families. If you or someone you know has been affected by having a premature or sick baby and would like information or support, call the freephone helpline on 0500 618 140 or visit their website.
TinyLife, the premature baby charity for Northern Ireland, is dedicated to reducing premature birth, illness, disability and death in babies.
TinyLife offers practical and emotional support to the parents of premature and vulnerable babies through our raft of family support services. Contact them by phone on 028 9081 5050 or visit their website.
Tommy's believe every pregnancy should have a happy ending, and so fund medical research into the causes of premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage. They provide free information to educate all parents-to-be about health in pregnancy, and their midwives provide bereavement counselling support for anyone who has experienced a pregnancy loss. To speak to a midwife contact Tommy's freephone PregnancyLine on 0800 0147 800, or to find out more about premature birth please visit their website.
Sands is an organisation which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or after birth. They also promote research to reduce the loss of babies' lives. As well as an online message board they offer a telephone support service which you can contact on 020 743 65881 or visit their website.
The only cot death charity in Scotland. The Trust supports bereaved families, raises money and educates professionals on cot death.
A national charity that offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago.
Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
The Foundation For The Study Of Infant Deaths (FSID)
The UK's leading baby charity working to prevent sudden deaths and promote health. FSID funds research, supports bereaved families and promotes safe baby care advice.
The Association For Post-Natal Illness
A national charity offering support and information for women suffering with Post Natal Depression, as well as a network of volunteers who have themselves experienced postnatal illness.
Mothers Apart From Their Children
MATCH offers non-judgemental emotional support to mothers apart from their children in a wide variety of circumstances.
PREGNANCY
Count The Kicks want to empower mums with knowledge and confidence during their pregnancy. As one of the only UK charities working for and on behalf of pregnant women, they believe pregnancy should be a positive, happy experience and they aim to raise awareness of risks in a very positive empowering way. For more information, visit their website.
MENTAL HEALTH
Information from Professor Nick Craddock, a world leading authority on genetics and bipolar disorder guides you through some of the key issues, including pregnancy in bipolar disorder.
Access information and advice on a wide range of mental health issues including conditions and disorders including stress and depression, therapy, medication and where to find support.
MDF The Bipolar Organisation
Established in 1983, MDF The Bipolar Organisation is a national user-led organisation and registered charity. It works to enable people affected by bipolar disorder/manic depression to take control of their lives.
Mind
Mind campaigns for the rights of people with mental health problems covering England and Wales. The Mind Infoline provides information on a range of topics including types of mental distress, where to get help, drug and alternative treatments and advocacy. They are also able to provide details of local help and support. Contact them by phone on 0300 123 3393 between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, or log onto their website.
YoungMinds is a charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Visit their website for information, support and advice or call the Parents Information Service helpline on 0808 802 5544, Monday to Friday between 9.30am –4.30pm.
The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health
The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health provide local services to support the mental health & wellbeing of people across Northern Ireland (and some in Republic of Ireland). Contact them by phone on 028 90 32 8474, or visit their website.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health
The Scottish Association for Mental Health offers information and a range of services on mental health problems, homelessness, addictions and other forms of social exclusion Contact them by phone on 0800 917 34 66, Monday to Friday from 2pm until 4.30pm, or visit their website.
Community Advice & Listening Line
The Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information & literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales. Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. Contact 0800 132 737, text "help" to 81066 or visit their website.
Depression Alliance work specifically with people who experience depression and anxiety. They provide support and understanding to those who are affected by it, including friends and family of sufferers. Contact them by phone on 0845 1232320, or visit their website.
SANE are a UK-wide charity set up to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness.
They has three objectives: to raise awareness and combat stigma about mental illness, educating and campaigning to improve mental health services and to provide care and emotional support.
Contact them by phone on 0845 767 8000 between 6pm and 11pm, or log onto their website.
A website giving information, advice and support to relatives and friends of people with psychosis, including people who have schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
CANCER
Jo‘s Cervical Cancer Trust (Jo‘s Trust) is the only UK charity dedicated to women and their families affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. It provides practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.
Pancreatic Cancer UK is the only organisation that provides support to pancreatic cancer patients and their carers as well as undertaking vital research and raising awareness.
We are the world‘s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. We‘ve saved millions of lives with our ground-breaking work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.
The No Surrender Charitable Trust is a cancer charity which provides an online cancer related social network and a fellowship which researches into cures for pancreatic cancer.
Positive Action On Cancer is a free professional one-to-one counselling service for anyone affected by a diagnosis of cancer or another life threatening illness.
Information on breast cancer risks, symptoms and diagnosis at BBC Health.
BEREAVEMENT
Survivors Of Bereavement By Suicide
A national charity, which exists to help anyone bereaved by suicide. They offer a self-help group and counselling. You can contact them on 0844 561 6855 (9am to 9pm every day), visit uk-sobs.org.uk or get email support on issues regarding sexuality.
DOMESTIC ABUSE
The WISH centre is often the first point of contact for people experiencing domestic abuse, honour based abuse or forced marriages. Trained staff are available to discuss choices and options in a non-judgemental way. As well as offering emotional and practical support staff will also refer to other areas within the service. Call the helpline number on 0845 0777 088, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, info@womens-aid-blackburn.co or visit their website.
Refuge is the national charity which provides a wide range of specialist domestic violence services to women and children experiencing domestic violence. On any given day our services support over 1,600 women and children. For information and support visit the Refuge website or call the 24-Hour Freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Refuge and Women's Aid, on 0808 2000 247. If you're worried about a friend or family member, visit the 1in4women website to learn how to spot the signs of domestic violence and support someone who's being abused.
Women's Aid is the national domestic violence charity which supports over 250,000 women and children every year. If you need information or support, you can go to the website to visit the Survivor's Handbook and to find your local service, or you can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline (run by Women's Aid and Refuge) on 0808 2000 247.
Roshni was founded in 2002 by a group of people who were particularly concerned about the perception of abuse and the level of under-reporting within the minority ethnic communities in Scotland. Roshni remains the only charity in Scotland that is committed to tackling abuse specifically in minority ethnic communities. Roshni offers confidential support, a listening ear as well as details of local support services via our telephone helpline. Face to face counselling and support is also offered to survivors of abuse. Please contact us on our freephone telephone helpline 0808 80 22 222.
MISCARRIAGE
The Miscarriage Association is a UK wide charity that offers support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Scottish Care & Information On Miscarriage
SCIM is a charity managed by people in Scotland who themselves have suffered pregnancy loss. Their counsellors offer a person-centred approach to counselling and invite women and families to choose, which services would be of most help to them, including face-to-face counselling, telephone counselling, e-mail exchange, pre-pregnancy support, and pregnancy support following loss.
Sands is an organisation which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy or after birth. They also promote research to reduce the loss of babies' lives.
The child death helpline is a national charity that offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago. The Helpline is staffed by bereaved parent volunteers supported by a professional team.
We exist to save babies' lives by funding research and providing information on the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.
Survivors UK provide information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Survivors UK provide information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.
The Child Exploitation And Online Protection
CEOP is the UK's national police agency set up to tackle child exploitation on and offline. If you are worried about someone's behaviour towards a child online, you can report this at CEOP's Thinkuknow programme provides more detailed information for parents, teachers and young people about staying safe on the internet - visit the website.
National Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Children
The NSPCC is a charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. They operate a free 24-hour helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to adults concerned about a child's safety.
National Association For People Abused In Childhood
NAPAC is the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, and provides support and information for people abused in childhood.
The Survivors Trust is an umbrella agency providing a range of counselling, therapeutic and support services working with women, men and children who are victims / survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood abuse.
The SurvivorScotland website has been developed by the Scottish Government to improve the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It provides a wide range of material about abuse.
Stop it Now! UK & Ireland aims to stop child sexual abuse by encouraging abusers and potential abusers to seek help, and by giving adults the information they need to protect children effectively.
Responds to the needs of adults who have experienced sexual abuse. It provides an effective, professional counselling service for those in need. nexusinstitute.org
The Rape And Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Help and support to male and female survivors (and partners, friends, family) of rape or sexual abuse (over 14 years of age) however long ago it happened.
National rape crisis helpline for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. The helpline offers free and confidential crisis support and information.
Independent national charity for people affected by crime. Highly-trained staff and volunteers give free and confidential information, emotional support and practical help to victims, witnesses, their family, friends and other people affected.
The National Domestic Violence Helpline
Run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge. Freephone helpline offering support and information to women experiencing (or who have experienced) domestic abuse and to those seeking help on a woman's behalf.
Barnardo's - Specialist Sexual Exploitation Projects
Barnardo's runs specialist sexual exploitation projects that offer a safe, confidential environment where young people can go for help, advice and support.
IMMIGRATION
The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the UK border and controlling migration in the UK.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Understand how to be Gas Safe at home - only use a Gas Safe registered engineer and always check the Gas Safe ID card.
BBC Health - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
BBC Health page on Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Information on how you can prevent poisoning and learn how to recognise the early warning signs.
NHS - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Information regarding the symptoms, causes and treatments for Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
HSE - Health & Safety Executive
HSE is the national independent watchdog for work-related health, safety and illness.
CO-Awareness is a registered charity that supports the many victims of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning and other products of combustion (POC), their families and friends.
The national campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by Carbon Monoxide.
ALCOHOL
Alcoholics Anonymous and the AA programme aid in the recovery from alcoholism. A fellowship of people who help others in recovering from alcoholism by sharing their own experience, strength and hope.
Provides information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on lives and lifestyles.
Alcohol fact file.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Samaritans provides 24/7 confidential, non-judgemental emotional support to anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Please call 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in ROI) or for more details and email support visit the website.
A voluntary organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of mental health and well-being. It was founded in 1997 by parents who had lost a son or daughter to suicide. You can contact them on 0800 068 4141 or visit papyrus-uk.org.
SEXUALITY
London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard
Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a national charity. It aims to provide a 24 hour information and advice line. They support lesbians and gay men and their families and are open to anyone. You can contact them on 020 7837 7324 (7 days 24 hours) or visit the website.
Stonewall campaigns for lesbian, gay & bisexual equality at home, at school and at work. You can contact them on 08000 50 20 20 or visit stonewall.org.uk
The Rainbow Project is a health organisation that works to improve the physical, mental & emotional health of gay, bisexual and non-heterosexual men in Northern Ireland. You can contact them on 028 9031 9030, or visit the website.
A London based support group for the parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Visit the website.
The Excellence Centre Wales provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people across Wales who experience discrimination, inequality abuse, bullying, and hate crime. They also work with employers, schools, forces and other organisations in changing policies and attitudes. You can contact them on 0800 023 2201 or visit the website.
Scotland's largest youth and community-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization. It works to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT youth and LGBT communities in Scotland.
CRIME
Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or fill in its anonymous online form.
Victim Support is an independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. It provides free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust works to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety. It provides solutions that help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.
BRAIN INJURY
Headway is the Brain Injury Association, a UK based charity set up to give help and support to brain injury survivors and their families through care centres and the promotion of development in medical services concerning brain injury.
If you have a question about brain injury you can call the confidential freephone helpline on 0808 800 2244.
Connect is a national charity, whose vision is a world where people with aphasia can find opportunity and fulfilment. They work to promote services, opportunities and a better quality of life for people living with aphasia.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust
Helps people regain the skills lost as a result of brain injury. Offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of people at different stages of rehabilitation.
STROKE
The Stroke Association, a UK-wide charity, funds research into charity prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its rehab and support services.
DYSLEXIA
Dyslexia Action is a national charity and the UK's leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
SEXUAL HEALTH
Marie Stopes International (MSI) is the UK's leading provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services. They provide sexual health, abortion and vasectomy information, advice and care.
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