Sources of Support  during Covid-19

Call 111 if you are experiencing physical or mental ill health.  Call 999 for emergencies.

These are sources of support for people experiencing isolation.

 

Source of support

What they offer

Further details

Telephone and online support

The Samaritans

Emotional support 

The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence.

Call 116 123 - it's FREE

Or email jo@samaritans.org.uk

Shout

If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support, Shout can help with urgent issues such as:

  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Abuse or assault
  • Self-harm
  • Bullying
  • Relationship challenges

For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258.

Rethink

Advice on:

  • Different types of therapy and medication
  • benefits, debt, money issues
  • police, courts, prison
  • your rights under the Mental Health Act.

You can call the Rethink advice and information line Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm: 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).


 

CALM

National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling

Call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight 365 days of the year

Visit the website by clicking here

7 Cups

7 Cups connects you to caring listeners for free emotional support and is available 24/7

Visit the website by clicking here

Guidance on maintaining your mental health

Mind

Details of local Minds and other local services, and Mind’s Legal Line. Language Line is available for talking in a language other than English.

Be Mindful

Information about mindfulness. Guidance on how to learn mindfulness, including course listings

Visit the website by clicking here


 

Mind Tools

Provides information on topics including stress and anxiety.

Visit the website by clicking here

Mental Health Foundation

A range of content designed to give you more information about mental health and to help you to look after your mental health.

Visit the website by clicking here

Mentalhealth.org 

Useful guidance on lookng after your mental health 


 

Online communities

Big White Wall

An online community of people who are finding it hard to cope. It’s completely anonymous so you can express yourself openly.

Visit the website by clicking here

Elefriends

A friendly, supportive, online community where you can talk openly about how you’re feeling.

Visit the website by clicking here


 

Online therapy/tools

Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions

Bliss is a free 8 session interactive online therapy program for depression that you complete on your own. The program is based on psychotherapy treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT for short. 

Visit the website by clicking here

Headspace

Guided meditations for stress, anxiety, sleep problems and more. Introductory sessions are free.

Visit the website by clicking here

Physical health

The Body Coach

Free fitness videos from fitness coach Joe Wicks on YouTube.

Joe is also offering live PE lessons via YouTube for children, every weekday at 9am

Visit the You Tube Channel

Core Clapton

Free osteopathy consultation. 

Free wellness classes streamed via Facebook Live every day.

Visit the website by clicking here

3 Tribes

Free 15 minute yoga/fitness classes every day if you follow 3 Tribes on Instagram.

Follow on Instagram

COVID-19 specific support

Covid Mutual Aid

Covid Mutual Aid UK is a group of volunteers supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. 

You can search for local volunteer groups through their website.

Visit the website by clicking here

Doctors of the World

Advice about COVID outbreak in 20 languages

Visit the website by clicking here

Food supplies

Trussell Trust website allows you to search for your local foodbank

Visit the website by clicking here

Welfare benefits and debt advice

Citizens Advice Bureau 

Free advice on a range of issues including:

  • Benefits
  • Housing
  • Debt and money
  • Law and courts
  • Immigration
  • Family

Use the website to find your local Citizens Advice centre or contact via telephone for advice over the phone

  • Contact Citizens Advice
  • Adviceline: 03444 111 444
  • Text relay: 03444 111 445 
  • Adviceline available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Debtline

Free online and telephone help and advice on dealing with your debt.

Age UK

Online and telephone support to over 55 year olds available.

Can also connect to local services through their website.

Alzheimer’s UK

Support and advice for people with dementia and their carers.

Employment

ACAS

Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.

Domestic abuse

For women: Refuge

Domestic abuse helpline for women

For women: Women’s Aid

Online webchat service for women 

Click here for Webchat. Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm

For LGBT people: Galop

Domestic abuse helpline for LGBT+ people

  • Call: 020 7704 2040 for the London LGBT+ Advice Line. Monday to Friday,  10:00am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Call: 0800 999 5428 for the National LGBT+ Advice Line. Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm and Wednesday to Thursday, 10:00am - 8:00pm

For men: Men’s Advice Line

Domestic abuse helpline for men

Call: 0808 8010327

  • Monday: 9am – 8pm
  • Tuesday: 9am – 5pm
  • Wednesday: 9am – 8pm
  • Thursday: 9am – 5pm
  • Friday: 9am – 5pm
Visit the website by clicking here

For support to stop using violence and abuse: Respect

Helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse 

Call: 0808 8024040. Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

For people with learning disabilities: Respond

Helpline for people with learning disabilities

For Muslim women: Muslim Women’s Helpline

Helpline for Muslim women

For Jewish women: Jewish Women’s Aid

Helpline for Jewish women

For legal advice around domestic abuse and family law: Rights of Women

Helpline for people seeking legal advice

Visit the website by clicking here

  • Tuesday to Wednesday, 7pm – 9pm
  • Friday, 12pm-2pm