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Sources of Information and Support

Set out below is a list of additional organisations and services that may be able to provide information, advice and support. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may wish to contact one or more of the organisations listed.

Familymediation.co.uk is not directly associated with any of these organisations, and inclusion in this document should not be interpreted as a recommendation or endorsement. The details are provided for information purposes only.

Many of these services operate on a national basis, whilst others are specific to Staffordshire and Cheshire, where Familymediation.co.uk is principally based. Where local services are listed, you may also be able to identify equivalent support within your own area.

Advice Now may also be of assistance, as it provides a wide range of guidance on benefits, separation, child arrangements, housing, court applications and related matters, together with access to lawyers who may offer discounted fees https://www.advicenow.org.uk/

Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety UK – 03444775774 – National charity helping people with anxiety – Anxiety UK – Nationwide – fee-paying service

CALM – Calm – The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep

Campaign Against Living Miserably – 0800 585858 https://www.thecalmzone.net/

No Panic – 0300 772 984 – Home – NoPanic – Nationwide

Alcohol and Substance Misuse

NHS assistance
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/

Alcoholics Anonymous – 0800 9177 650
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Narcotics Anonymous – 0300 999 1212
https://ukna.org/

Legal Advice

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free assistance on a wide range of matters.
0344 411 1444
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

The Law Society can provide details of solicitors in your area who may be able to assist with a range of legal issues.
020 7320 5650
https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

Benefits and Financial Support

Government guidance https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

Benefits calculator from Turn2Us
Tackling Financial Insecurity Together | Turn2us

Or
Entitled To
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/

Child Benefits helpline – 0300 200 3100
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/

Housing Assistance

Turn2Us provides housing advice, including information about available grants and benefits.
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Other-help/Help-with-housing-costs

Government housing benefit information:
https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit

Council Tax support:
Apply for Council Tax Reduction – GOV.UK

In addition, your local authority may provide specific assistance. For example, in Stoke-on-Trent:
Apply for council tax support | Apply for council tax support | Stoke-on-Trent

 

Domestic Abuse and Child Abuse

If anyone is in immediate danger of abuse, harassment or violence, urgent assistance should be sought by contacting the Police on 999 and your local social services department.

Refuge (support for domestic abuse) – 0808 2000 247 https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Government guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

Childline – 0800 11 11 https://www.childline.org.uk/

Cheshire Without Abuse
https://www.mycwa.org.uk/our-history

New Era – support for domestic abuse and domestic violence in Stoke and Staffordshire
https://www.new-era.uk/

Support for men experiencing abuse Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men’s Advice Line UK – 08088010327

Further support is also available from ManKind Initiative – Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse and Jonathan’s House Male Survivors of abuse: Trauma Support

National Centre for Domestic Violence assistance Domestic Violence & Abuse · Emergency Injunction Service

Women’s Aid Federation of England – https://www.ncdv.org.uk/agencies/womens-aid-federation-of-england/ – support relating to domestic abuse affecting women and children

Galop – support for LGBTQ+ people experiencing domestic abuse https://www.galop.org.uk/

Karma Nirvana – support relating to honour-based abuse in the UK https://karmanirvana.org.uk/

Financial Assistance, Including Economic Abuse

Gambling Addiction

National Gambling Helpline – 0800 8020 133
Chat to us now – GamCare

Mental Health Support, Including Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

Mind, a charity supporting people with mental health difficulties and those caring for someone who is struggling – 0300 123 3393
https://www.mind.org.uk/

Mental Health Foundation, supporting people with mental health difficulties and those caring for someone who is struggling – 020 7803 1100
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

NHS guidance and helplines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

The Samaritans, providing year-round support to people in distress – 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/

Open Door 24/7 helpline – 0800 138 7276, part of Making Space Manchester Mental Health Service Open Door – Making Space

Hopeline, a suicide prevention service for young people (not a 24-hour service) – 0800 068 4141, part of Papyrus Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

Shout – crisis support by text message. Text SHOUT to 85258 Shout: the UK’s free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support | Shout 85258

Explaining Court or Mediation to Children

The Dennis Duckling series of books is an age-specific guide designed to help explain foster care and care proceedings to children.
https://corambaaf.org.uk/books/dennis-duckling-complete-series

The Elephant that Blows Rainbows by D V Mousioli is available from Amazon and elsewhere.

Parent Support Groups

https://dadmatters.org.uk/ – specifically aimed at supporting fathers in parenting

Manchester Parent Carer Forum – For Parents and Carers of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Aged 0-25 in Manchester – supporting parents of children with special educational needs

Family Lives | Help & Support Manchester
Charity supporting parents in all situations, including young parents

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/who-we-are
Supporting lone or separated fathers to build social networks and access support

Bereavement

https://theretreatclinics.org.uk/ – online support for those dealing with bereavement and other mental health concerns – 01904 412 551

Bereavement Helpline – Cruse Bereavement Support – 08088081677 – England and Wales

Staffordshire-Specific Services

Domestic Violence and Abuse – Staffordshire Women’s Aid – 0300 330 5959

Glow

Pathway – help for young people dealing with domestic violence – 01543 676800

SARAC – help for victims of sexual abuse (due to resource issues this service is only available in limited postcodes)

The Survivor’s Trust (Rape and Sexual Violence Services)
08088 010818

Other Sources of Support

Your local council is likely to have a range of services available and may be able to direct you to further local support where required.

Your GP and local NHS trust may also be able to provide assistance with a wide range of health-related concerns, including matters affecting family members and non-physical issues such as depression.