Help and support
Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time for many people. If you're alone, or need advice and support during the festive season, get in touch with one of the following helplines or services:
Childline
Tel: freephone 0800 1111
Web: Childline (external link)
Childline is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can call to talk about any problem – counsellors are always on hand to help you sort it out.
Domestic violence
Tel: freephone 0808 2000 247
Web: Women's Aid (external link)
Run by Women’s Aid and Refuge, the helpline provides 24-hour access to emotional support, practical information and can refer women to refuges across the UK. All calls are confidential.
- You can also visit our domestic violence pages for more advice and support
Ask For Angela: Home - Ask For Angela
Ask for Angela is the national scheme that helps anyone who is feeling vulnerable on a night out to get the support they need.
The help me Angela App connects you to a 24/7 live Personal Safety Specialist who will provide you with the assistance you need to help you feel safer.
The Samaritans
Tel: freephone 116 123
Web: The Samaritans (external link)
The Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people in distress or despair.
Shelter
Tel: freephone 0808 800 4444
Shelter provides a free, national telephone advice line staffed by trained housing advisers who can help with all sorts of problems from finding a place to sleep to suggesting how to handle mortgage arrears. Advisers can give immediate, practical assistance, tell you your rights, offer advice and guidance and suggest specialist or local support services to help you in the longer term.
Loan Sharks
To safely report a loan shark
Tel: 0300 555 2222
Web: Stop Loan Sharks
