Useful contacts

The following helplines all offer a confidential and anonymous service. They are free unless otherwise stated and will not show up on your bill if phoning from a BT landline.

Free Helplines

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National Sexual Health Helpline
If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health you can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in the strictest confidence. The Sexual Health helpline is open from 9am - 8pm Monday to Friday.

Childline
0800 1111 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Free, confidential, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger.
www.childline.org.uk

NHS 111
Dial 111 calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. (7 days a week, 24 hours a day)
Health information and help if you're feeling unwell.
NHS 111

Child Protection Related Sites (including web/cyber safety)

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NSPCC
Child protection helpline gives information, advice and counselling to anyone worried about a child.
0808 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk

www.forwarduk.org.uk

0208 960 4000
Expertise and support around the threat of Female Genital Mutilation as a child protection issue. Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

www.ceop.police.uk
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre website which is part of the UK police and dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Site for children, young people, parents, carers and teachers providing information on the websites young people like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what's good, what's not and what you can do about it.

www.chatdanger.com
Guidance and handy tips to help young people aged 11 to 18 navigate and enjoy the online world.

www.thehideout.org.uk
Mainly info on domestic violence.

Sexual Health and Relationship Information and Advice

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www.brook.org.uk
Brook has services around the UK offering free and confidential sexual health advice, contraception and counselling to young people under the age of 25. www.brook.org.uk offers a wealth of information including the Ask Brook 24/7 tool, which contains a searchable bank of over 500 FAQs.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
NHS information and guidance about sexual health, including contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Check it Out Service - Sutton
Check it Out is an NHS contraception and sexual health outreach service for the under 20s in the Sutton Borough. Whether you are a teenager or professional in need of advice or support, please get in touch.
0208 296 4774

www.shswl.nhs.uk
Sexual Health South West London website. Provides information and advice on sexual health issues, clinic locations and opening times, and an online appointment booking service.

Croydon Sexual Health Centre
www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-services/service/sexual-health-services-188/
Croydon University Hospital website giving information about sexual health services for all ages, clinic location and opening times. To book an appointment, call 020 8401 3766.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/advice (Clear & frank info for young people on personal issues)

www.nhs.uk (NHS Choices - Advice on relationships, sex and contraception)

www.riseabove.org.uk  Rise Above is about us all sharing our experiences, questions and challenges to get us ready for anything life throws at us.

Specific Advice for LGBTQI+ Young People

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www.londonfriend.org.uk

www.mermaidsuk.org.uk
Emotional support for transgender and gender diverse young people, their families and professionals working with them. Helpline : 0344 334 0550

www.fflag.org.uk
FFLAG: Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays.

Gendered Intelligence
Support, information and groups for Trans Young People.

Drugs & Alcohol

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Alcohol Education Trust provides useful information for young people, parents, carers and teachers. Download a leaflet here (PDF).

Drinking and You - there is a section for under 18s that links you to resources on different sites.

NHS Choices for information from the NHS.

Talk About Alcohol here you'll find quizzes, interactive games and facts about alcohol.

Talk to Frank for all you need to know about drugs (including alcohol)
Free helpline 0800 77 66 00 and a text service.

If you're worried about your or someone else's drinking or if you're worried about dependency and alcohol problems, the following sites could help:

Adfam works with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. Their goal is that no family member in need of support should go without it. If you are worried about someone then their website has lots of links to organisations which can help.

Childline provides confidential help and counselling for young people. FREE phone 0800 1111

Drinkaware information on alcohol including an alcohol units calculator.

Drinkline
If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol list of local family support services.
Tel: 0300 123 1110 (Mon-Fri 9 am - 8 pm, weekends 11 am - 4 pm).

Families Anonymous - for families and friends concerned about a loved one's drug problems.
Tel: 0845 1200 660

Emotional Well-being and Mental Health

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Anxiety UK
Information and support on anxiety.
Helpline on 08444 775 774support@anxietyuk.org.uk / Live Chat
Available from Monday to Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm, with the exception of bank holidays.

Barnardo's
Barnardo’s provides a range of services to children, young people and families across the UK. Services address problems including sexual exploitation, substance misuse and homelessness.

BEAT Beating Eating Disorders
Information and support on eating disorders and problems.
0845 634 7650 (Youthline) / fyp@b-eat.co.uk
If you are aged under 25, we can call you back.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Help to find a local Counsellor.
01455 883300 / bacp@bacp.co.uk

Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Helpline for young men (15-35) who may be feeling suicidal, struggling or feeling down. Webchat service nightly 5pm-midnight.
Our helpline service is open 5pm-midnight every day of the year.
0800 802 5858 FREE / info@theCALMzone.net

Centrepoint
Support for ages 16-25 who are homeless, sofa surfing or at risk https://centrepoint.org.uk/. Helpline : 0808 800 0661.

Child Bereavement Charity
Support for young people who are affected by someone dying.
0800 028 8840 FREE / enquiries@childbereavement.org.uk

Disaster Action
We offer support and information for the bereaved and survivors of major disasters that occur in the UK and overseas.
01483 799066

Disrespect NoBody
Help and advice on subjects such as sexting, relationship abuse, consent, rape and porn.

The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s free, confidential and multi-issue helpline service for young people under 25 who need help, but don’t know where to turn. We help young people find a path to a brighter future.
0808 808 4994 FREE
Phone, webchat, email or text. Every day from 1pm – 11pm.

Grief Encounter
Online counselling, face to face support, activities and therapy.
The Lodge, 17 East End Road, London N3 3QE
020 8371 8455 / contact@griefencounter.org.uk

Kooth
Kooth offers online counselling and peer support anonymously on any issue.
Monday-Friday: 12 noon till 10pm
Weekend: 6pm till 10pm

National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247 FREE
Support for people worried about domestic abuse.

PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide
A confidential helpline, staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to young people under the age of 35 feeling suicidal or anyone concerned that a young person they know may be at risk of suicide.
0800 068 4141 FREE HOPELineUK / pat@papyrus-uk.org

Rape Crisis South London
A helpline for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or rape.
0808 802 9999
12:00 – 14:30 daily, 19:00 – 21:30 daily

Samaritans
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
If something is troubling you then get in touch. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
08457 90 90 90 / jo@samaritans.org

Self Injury Support
Text and email support service for young women affected by self-harm.
Also a helpline for women of any age to contact. Open every evening.
PO BOX 3240, Bristol, BS2 2EF
0117 927 9600 / info@selfinjurysupport.org.uk

Self-Harm Support
This site is a key information resource for young people who self-harm, their friends and families. Our aim is to provide you with information, resources to help you manage so you get the support and help you need.

Solace Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Surrey
Solace Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) provide local communities with a safe, discreet and caring environment to support victims of rape and sexual assault.

Support Line
SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue.
01708 765200 / info@supportline.org.uk

Choosing for You
Help to work out which therapy, treatment or medication might help young people.

Hate Crime
A place to report hate crime.

Find a Therapist
Help to find a therapist.

Money Worries - Turn2us
Help with money worries and help to work out any benefits you are entitled to.

General Health & Lifestyle Advice and Information

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www.youngminds.org.uk
Emotional health and well-being.

www.themix.org
Young people's guide to real life issues.

www.fearless.org
Crimestoppers site for young people.

JustBe Croydon
Physical Activity Finder which hosts a list of things you can do to be active in Croydon.
www.justbecroydon.org/be-active/find-activities

Croydon Council
Find out about your local library, museum of Croydon, art and entertainment, parks and open spaces and get an A-Z of activities.
www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure

Young Croydon
Young Croydon is the handle for Croydon Council's Youth Engagement Team. Young people will have access to activities that help develop their skills as an individual, building on their strengths and aspirations.
youngcroydon.org.uk

Croydon Local Offer
Find a service or activity for families and people with Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND).
localoffer.croydon.gov.uk/kb5/croydon/directory/home.page

Legacy Youth Zone
Coming soon - Croydon Youth Zone, named by young people as ‘Legacy’, will be a purpose-built facility for the borough’s young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities. Activities on offer include indoor rock climbing, boxing and martial arts, fitness centre, dance studio, music room and many more.
www.legacyyouthzone.org

Merton Council
Find out about leisure, library and cultural facilities in Merton.
www.merton.gov.uk/leisure-recreation-and-culture

Merton Local Offer
Find a service or activity for families and people with Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND).
directories.merton.gov.uk/kb5/merton/directory/localoffer.page

Info on Contraception

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www.fpa.org.uk
Family Planning Association - A great guide to all kinds of contracpetion including lots of information about different contraceptive pills.

Info on Pregnancy (including choices & parenthood)

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www.fnf.org.uk
Aimed at dads.
Helpline 0300 0300 363

www.fatherhoodinstitute.org
Aimed at dads.

www.midwivesonline.com
Option to e-mail a midwife your questions with specific section for young mums and dads.

www.nct.org.uk
Support for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.