In life and work we all need help occasionally.
To try and help support our members and prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness during the Covid-19 crisis, The PSA has been running a series of different events and online initiatives.
Our regional meetings are available online, do join us to learn and be part of a tribe. Don’t worry if you don’t want to ‘be seen’, video is optional.
Another idea is to start (or join) a mastermind group of speakers at a similar level to yourself to encouragement and challenge. If you are unsure where to start try speaking with your regional president or posting on The PSA members only Facebook group.
Speak with the team at the PSA Foundation. This is a special, growing fund to help PSA fellows, members and associates in financial difficulties.
If you are struggling with overwhelming thoughts or feelings please do speak with someone you trust and then also your GP, we are in an ever-changing world and together, with the right help and support. we will get through this.
Contact details for organisations that may be able to help
We have compiled a list of organisations from various websites and sources that have helplines to help people struggling.
Note: The PSA is not responsible for the content of external websites, and the inclusion of a link to an external website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or company.
Housing
Shelter
Call Shelter if you need urgent housing information from an expert housing adviser. You should use this line if you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or in a bad housing situation.
Shelter England/Scotland 0808 800 4444 (open 365 days a year – weekdays 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, weekends 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (England); weekdays 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (Scotland))
Shelter Cymru 0345 075 5005 (weekdays 9.30 am to 4.00 pm)
In Northern Ireland, you should contact:
Housing Rights Service Northern Ireland (NI) 028 9024 5640 (weekdays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm)
Read the Turn2us Help with Housing Costs information
General
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide advice on a range of different topics. Calls to this service cost the same as landlines.
03444 111 444
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can also provide information and advice.
Citizens Advice website (England)
Citizens Advice website (Wales)
Citizens Advice website (Scotland)
Citizens Advice information for Northern Ireland
Debt and Money
StepChange
If you need free advice on problem debt, you can call StepChange. Their team of debt experts can help you find the solutions you need.
0800 138 1111 (weekdays 8.00 am – 8.00 pm, Saturdays 8.00 am to 4.00 pm)
CAP – Christians Against Poverty is one of the UK’s leading debt counselling charities (all people of any, or no faith can use this service)
Address: Christians Against Poverty, Jubilee Mill, North Street, Bradford, BD1 4EW
New enquiries helpline: 0800 328 0006
Free, impartial and confidential debt advice
Free and impartial money advice
Financial support to help people get back on track
Money Advice and Budgeting Service Ireland
MABS is a national, free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt.
Irish Mortgage Holders Association
https://www.mortgageholders.ie/
Domestic violence/abuse
Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline
National Domestic Violence Helpline
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Freephone helpline for support and information.
0808 2000 247 (24 hour)
http://www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk/
Men’s Advice Line
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner, ex-partner or from other family members.
0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm)
http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk/
Support for women, children & men with a range of services, including refuges, independent advocacy, community outreach & culturally specific services
Help for women affected by domestic violence
Specialist services for women and girls who have been raped and/or experienced any other form of sexual violence
Health Service Executive Ireland
https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/mental-health/domestic-violence-and-abuse.html
Women’s Aid Ireland
https://www.womensaid.ie/help/
1800 341 900. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Garda – https://www.garda.ie/en/Crime/Domestic-abuse/
Male Advice Line Ireland – 1800 816 588.
This is run by the Men’s Development Network and its opening hours are 10am to 6pm Monday and Wednesday, 12pm to 8pm Tuesday and Thursday and 2pm to 6pm on a Friday.
http://www.cosc.ie/en/COSC/Pages/WP09000005
Alcohol and drugs
Support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Support related to the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics
Non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem
High quality, effective residential rehab and community-based addiction treatment
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/
Support to those affected by drugs in Ireland
https://www.drinkaware.ie/support-services
Support to those affected by alcohol in Ireland
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation services
Single parents
Gingerbread (England, Northern Ireland and Wales)
Gingerbread is a charity helping single parents.
0808 802 0925 (Mondays 10.00 am – 6.00 pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10.00 am – 4.00 pm; Wednesdays 10.00 am – 1.00 pm and 5.00 – 7.00 pm; the helpline is closed on all public holidays)
Gingerbread website (England and Wales)
Gingerbread NI website (Northern Ireland)
One Parent Families Scotland
One Parent Families Scotland provides help to all single-parent families in Scotland.
0808 801 0323 (weekdays 9.30 am – 4.30 pm)
One Parent Families Scotland website
Children at risk
Childline
A confidential service for vulnerable children under 19 to talk about anything that is worrying them.
0800 1111 (24/7)
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children provide 24/7 help and support if you are worried about a child.
0808 800 5000 (24/7)
Disability and Health
Disability Law Service
The Disability Law Service provides free legal advice, information and representation to disabled people and their families or carers.
0207 791 9800 (weekdays 10.00 am till 1.00 pm then 2.00 pm till 5.00 pm) for general enquiries
Disability support in Ireland
https://www.disability-federation.ie/
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan are a national charity that helps people living with cancer. It provides practical, medical and financial support as well as campaigning for change.
0808 808 0000 (seven days a week 8.00 am to 8.00 pm)
Support to those affected by cancer in Ireland
https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-support
https://www.arccancersupport.ie/
Scope
Scope provides free and independent support on issues that matter to disabled people and their families. Calls are free from a UK landline and from most mobiles.
0808 800 3333 (weekdays 9.00 am – 5.00 pm)
Migrants
Migrant Help
Migrant help is a charity helping people seek asylum as well as working on a number of other migrant specific issues.
0808 80000 630
https://www.migranthelpuk.org/
Older people
Age UK
Age UK Advice is a free and confidential phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.
0800 055 6112 (8.00 am – 7.00 pm, 365 days a year)
Tax
TaxAid
TaxAid provide support to vulnerable, low income taxpayers who can’t resolve tax issues with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They can help you understand parts of the tax system, pay the right amount of tax and resolve crises when things go wrong.
0345 120 3779 (Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon)
Benefits
www.benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
Find out what benefits you can get with the Turn2Us benefits calculator.
Grants and funding
www.grants-search.turn2us.org.uk
Grants Search tool to look for grant opportunities.
Funding for 13-25 year olds to help bring ideas to life
Help with childcare costs while you study
Work and careers
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
Publicly funded careers service for adults and young people in England
Careers advice for women with children
Federation of trade unions in England and Wales, representing the majority of trade unions.
A centre of information for working parents with advice and support for people trying to juggle parenting and work.
General for younger people
UK charity that works to empower young people and promote their interests
Delivers national programmes to provide opportunities to young people
The national body for youth work – opportunities for young people, support for youth sector, influencing practice.
Free information and support for under 25s in the UK
Training and education
Apprenticeship opportunities
Training provider
Distance learning university
A free online tool to check your numeracy level
Employment rights
Affordable legal advice to employees and employers who want to resolve problems at work.
Mental health
National charity for people with eating disorders
Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Support and campaigning organisation for those affected by mental illness
Charity which help girls and women who harm themselves
Support for those living with anxiety and anxiety-based depression by providing information, support and understanding
Free telephone support for anyone who needs help
Family & relationships
Expert advice and practical support for single mums and dads in England and Wales
Help for working parents and carers and their employers to find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.
Helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life.
A centre of information for working parents with advice and support for people trying to juggle parenting and work.
Support for parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.
Relationship support for everyone
Advice about maternity rights at work, benefits or entitlement to free NHS maternity care
Turn2Me: https://turn2me.org/
An Irish based website which offers free online counselling, chat and group support to promote good mental well-being.
Family Therapy Ireland – www.familytherapyireland.com
Family Therapy Ireland (FTA) is the professional agency which represents family therapy and therapists in Ireland. The FTA connect those who seek the professional services of a family therapist with qualified, experienced and practicing therapists.
List produced 23rd June 2020