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Other sources of support

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Some of the organisations listed on this page are local to the Staffordshire area and some are national.  The list is arranged by issue/subject.  We hope this information is helpful. Please note that University of Staffordshire is not responsible for the quality, accuracy or effectiveness of the services, information or advice provided by organisations external to the University.

Abuse and sexual assault

Glow

Offering support for people experiencing or concerned about domestic abuse. Glow is part the Honeycomb Group of services, which include support for housing and homelessness.

Telephone: 0330 0945559 (domestic abuse helpline) 

Email: Support@findtheglow.org.uk

New Era 

Offering confidential 24 hour victim support and information in Staffordshire contact New Era on 0300 303 3778 (24-hour victim helpline). New Era also provide information and support to perpetrators who are concerned about their behaviour on 0300 373 5772 ( office hours). 

Refuge

Offering support for people experiencing or concerned about domestic abuse.

24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 You can also chat to them online, live: Monday – Friday, 10am – 10pm.

Women's Aid

Supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse. 

You can email Women's Aid on helpline@womensaid.org.uk You can also chat to them online from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday.

Staffordshire Women's Aid 

A specialist service providing Domestic and Sexual Violence services to women and children. 

24 hour helpline 0300 330 5959 Providing emotional support, information, advice and guidance

Survivors UK

Offering information and support for males who have experienced sexual abuse or rape.

Helpline Web Chat  - 12pm - 8pm every day. Chat via SMS  text - 020 3322 1860.  Telephone: 0203 5983898 9.30am - 5pm weekdays. For information:  help@survivorsuk.org

Karma Nirvana

Supporting victims of forced marriage and honour based abuse.

Telephone: 0800 5999 247 Email: support@karmanirvana.org.uk

Rape Crisis

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres.  You can find your nearest Rape Crisis Centre, use a live-chat helpline and find out more information via the Rape Crisis website

There is also a national telephone helpline: 0808 500 2222.  The also offer an online chat that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and phone lines are open at various times during the week. 

Staffordshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - Grange Park

Cobridge Community Health Centre
Church Terrace
Cobridge
Stoke-on-Trent
ST6 2JW
Telephone: 0330 223 0099 or 101 if you want to access the service with Police support. You can also email SARC on grangepark.sarc@nhs.net  - emails are monitored 9am until 5pm, Monday-Friday.


The Glade Sexual Assault Referral Centre
  - Centres in Worcestershire and Telford

Sexual Assault Referral Centres are specialist Centres providing support to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted.

Telephone: 0330 223 0099 open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

For information about options to consider immediately after a rape or sexual assault, visit the NHS Choices web pages.

Relume

Relume is a christian organisation, supporting women to find freedom and recovery from the harms caused by sexual exploitation and the sex industry. 

Telephone: 07823 695258 or email info@relume.org.uk

Ascend Recovery Service  

 Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Ascend Recovery Service provides evidence-based psychological services for people aged 16 and above who have experienced sexual assault or abuse.  For more information phone Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm on 0300 790 7000 ext 7304462 

 


Alcohol

Waythrough

Aiming to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. Specialists in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas.

Telephone: 01325 731 160 Email: info@waythrough.org.uk

Stoke on Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service (cdas)

Offering support to anyone struggling with the impact of alcohol or drugs.

Telephone: 01782 283113 Email: referrals@sotcdas.org.uk

CDAS also offer an adult drop-in service  to anyone aged 18 or over in Stoke-on-Trent. No referral or appointment is needed. Unit 2, Whittle Court, 5 Town Road, Hanley, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 2QE. Click here for further information. 

Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service – STARS

A drug and alcohol recovery service provided on behalf of Staffordshire County Council.  There are service hubs in Leek, Newcastle under Lyme, Stafford, Burton and Tamworth, each have their own local contact details.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Helping people with alcohol problems.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650 Email: help@aamail.org

Rehab 4 Addiction

Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health, which could be invaluable to those in need. Secondly, we provide a helpline that offers immediate assistance to those struggling with addiction, a service that could be life-saving for some of your readers. Lastly, we offer a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK, making it easier for those in need to find help near them.

Telephone: 0800 140 4690, International: +44 345 222 3508, Email: info@rehab4addiction.co.uk

 

Bereavement

The Dove Service

The Dove Service offers counselling and support to those struggling with the impact of bereavement, significant loss, or life changing/limiting illness.

Telephone: 01782 914455 Email: enquiries@thedoveservice.org.uk

Take our Hand

Take our Hand are a national grief service for young people aged 16-25yrs old.

Telephone: 07707126650 Email: info@takeourhand.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement Care

Offering information and support to anyone affected by bereavement.

National helpline: 0808 808 1677 Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Support After Suicide Partnership

A Network of organisations supporting people bereaved or affected by suicide.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Offering information and support to anyone affected or bereaved by suicide.

Telephone: 0300 111 5065  open 9am – 7pm every day Email: email.support@uksobs.org

Funeral Guide - students 

Website offering resources and guidance for students and staff who have been bereaved. 

Email: support@funeralguide.co.uk  


Concern for others

If you are concerned about the mental wellbeing of a University of Staffordshire student and would like to speak to a member of staff, please contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. You can also share your concerns anonymously via the Share a concern form. If the situation is urgent and it is outside of our opening hours, please see our Emergency and 24-hour Support page for other options.

Mind

Provides a variety of information, including how to help someone experiencing difficulties  You can browse the information on the website by the type of difficulty you need support with.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393  open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays)               

Email: info@mind.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides an A-Z Mental Health index of a variety of information and includes a section on friends and mental health.

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Provides a variety of information, including tips for parents supporting their children.

#TalkSuicide - Suicide prevention campaign

#TalkSuicide provides, amongst other things, information about supporting someone you may be concerned about.

Student Minds 

Has information on what you can do to support a friend in need, but it also crucially has advise for you to look after yourself when supporting a friend.

Crime

Victim Support

Offers support and information for victims of crime.

National Support line: 0808 168 9111

Staffordshire Victim Gateway

Offering information, advice and support to all victims of crime in Staffordshire, even if you haven't reported the crime to the Police.

Telephone: 0300 303 0588  

  Violence Reduction Alliance (VRA) Support page

brings together a wide range of free and confidential services across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Whether you're a victim, survivor, concerned friend, or professional, this page offers quick access to support  

 https://violencereductionalliance.co.uk/support/

 

Drugs

Frank - a national drug helpline

24-hour advice and help.  This can be offered in a variety of different languages.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Release

Helpline offering information on all aspects of drugs and drug-taking including legal advice.

Telephone: 0207 324 2989 Email: ask@release.org.uk

Waythrough

Aiming to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. Over the years Waythrough developed an array of support services to become specialists in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas along the way.

Telephone: 01325 731 160 Email: info@waythrough.org.uk. .

Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service – STARS

A drug and alcohol recovery service provided on behalf of Staffordshire County Council.  There are service hubs in Leek, Newcastle under Lyme, Stafford, Burton and Tamworth, each have their own  local contact details.

Stoke on Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service (cdas)

Offering support to anyone struggling with the impact of alcohol or drugs. CDAS also offer an adult drop-in service  to anyone aged 18 or over in Stoke-on-Trent. No referral or appointment is needed. Unit 2, Whittle Court, 5 Town Road, Hanley, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 2QE. Click here for further information. 

Telephone: 01782 283113 Email: referrals@sotcdas.org.uk

Eating Disorders

BEAT

Offering support and information about eating disorders.

Helpline: 0808 801 0677 Studentline: 0808 801 0811 Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Battle Scars

Offering resources and online peer support groups for 18+ for all forms of self-harm including disordered eating. Email:  info@battle-scars.org.uk

 

Emotional/psychological

Anxiety UK

Offering information and support to anyone affected by anxiety.

Telephone: 03444 775774 - Selfcare Infoline available 24/7

Bipolar UK

 Offering information and support groups to anyone affected by Bipolar.

Black, African and Asian Therapy Network

Offering information and counselling/therapy in the UK through its members.

Changes

Changes is a user-led mental health charity that offers weekly mutual-help groups and wellbeing workshops, at various times and venues in Staffordshire.  

You can self-refer to access support from changes either online, by phone 01782 411433 or by email contact@changes.org.uk (Office opening hours are weekdays 9.00am - 5.00pm)

Combat Stress

Offering support to UK Veterans suffering mental ill-health caused by military service.

Free Helpline: 0800 138 1619 Text: 07537 173 683

Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk (available 24/7)

Healing Circles 

The circles are a safe space to share for the black african and caribbean community as a form of therapeutic intervention supporting individuals to build resilience, address trauma, build collective cohesion and develop family support for an individual’s mental health and wellbeing. Further information is available Healing Circles - Living Well UK (livingwellconsortium.com)

Mind

Mind is a national mental health charity offering information and support, including counselling.

North Staffs MIND: 83 Marsh Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, Staffs, ST1 5HN
Telephone: 01782 262100 Email: reception@nsmind.org.uk

Chaplaincy Services

Offering spiritual support as well as general help and encouragement, and information about faith groups within the University and locally. 'Mick the Vic' is the senior chaplain.

Telephone: 07887 655487 Email: m.williams@staffs.ac.uk

NHS Mental Health Teams

NHS Mental Health Teams can provide mental health assessment, support and referral.  People are often referred into these services (e.g.by a GP) but you can also access them direct, particularly if you are seeking urgent support.

Crisis Care Centre - North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust Telephone: 0800 0328 728 (option 1) open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

NHS Mental Health Access Team for South Staffordshire Telephone: 0808 196 3002 and for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Telephone: 0808 196 4501

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies

Provides talking therapies, to those struggling with depression, stress, anxiety, low mood, worry, phobias and other mental and emotional issues and to those adjusting to living with a long-term health condition. You can self refer online Referral Form orTelephone: 0300 303 0923

OCD Action

Offering advice and support to anyone affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Telephone: 0300 636 5478 (9.30am - 8.00pm weekdays) Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk

OCD UK

Offering advice, support and information to anyone affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Telephone: 01332 588112 (10am until 2pm) Email: support@ocduk.org

Papyrus

Offers support and advice to young people (under 35) having suicidal thoughts or anyone concerned about a young person having suicidal thoughts.

HOPELineUK Telephone: 0800 068 4141 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org 

Text: 88247 - Available 24/7

Sane

SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.

Telephone:0300 304 7000  (SANEline is open 4pm until 10pm, 365 days a year)

Email: support@sane.org.uk  Textcare is also available by clicking the following link SANE Textcare

Self-injury Support

The Self-injury support website has lots of information about self-harm and also provides information on support groups and helplines throughout the country.

Helpline: 0808 800 8088 Text: 07537 432 444 (Monday to Thursday 7pm until 10pm)

Email: tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org 

Battle Scars

Offering resouces and online peer support groups for 18+ for all forms of self-harm including disordered eating. Telephone support can be accessed by completing an online referral form here Referral form - Battle Scars

NHS Health Centres (You can search for local NHS services online)

Student Minds

Providing support, training, campaigns and information regarding student mental health.

The Calm Zone

Offering support to anyone who is feeling down and feel they need to talk or find information and support.

Telephone: 0800 585858 Live chat and Whatsapp support are also available.  (5pm - 12.00am (midnight) every day)

The Muslim Youth Helpline

The Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is a registered charity which provides faith and culturally sensitive support to young people in the UK.

Telephone: 0808 808 2008 Email: info@myh.org.uk Online chat also available. (open every day 4pm - 10pm)

The Samaritans

Offering support to anyone, whatever you are going through.

Telephone: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org open 24 hours every day

Gambling

If you are struggling with Gambling including Gaming apps and you feel this is getting out of control.  Please visit TalkBanStop which is a partnership combining practical tools and support to help you stop gambling. 

GamCare

GamCare provides support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem.  They offer a helpline, live chat, group chat and a forum.

Telephone: 0808 8020133 open 24/7 every day

YGam

Ygam provides help and support to anyone effected by gaming and gambling. There is also specific support available for students via their student hub

Gambleaware

Gambleaware provides information to anyone concerned about gambling.

Telephone: 0808 8020133 (National Gambling helpline) open 24/7 

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous provides meeting spaces for people to talk about their experiences with gambling problems. They have numerous meeting types, including newcomers meetings, LGBTQIA+ meetings and Women-preferred. You can find a meeting close to you here.

LGBT+

Project 93

Project 93 provides free, confidential counselling services for LGBTQAI+ and support groups. Counselling appointments are delivered at the Dudson Centre in Hanley.

Trans-Staffordshire

Offering information and support groups at various locations around Stoke and Staffordshire. Offering information and support groups at various locations around Stoke and Staffordshire. All the information can be found on the website however should you wish to contact them for further information they have a contact us form here.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

Switchboard provides a one-stop shop listening service for LGBT+ people.

Telephone: 0800 119 100 Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt

Live chat available on the website here (10am until 10pm every day)

Stonewall

Information and support for LGBT communities and their allies.

Telephone: 0800 0502020 Email: info@stonewall.org.uk (9.30am until 4.30pm  - weekdays)

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation offers one off support via a Helpline where you can talk about mental health, coming out, isolation, loneliness, and questioning your gender identity.  

Telephone helpline: 0345 330 3030  (weekdays 9am-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-5.30pm) Email: helpline@lgbt.foundation 

Stonewall Housing

Stonewall Housing support thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the UK every year. If you’re LGBTQ+, facing or experiencing homelessness, or living in an unsafe home they may be able to help you. All of their services are free and confidential. You can self refer online here.

There is also free housing-related advice on our helpline, open every weekday 10:00 – 13:00.      Telephone: 0800 6 404 404.

 

HIV/AIDS

Project 93- LGBTQ+ & HIV provides free, confidential counselling services and support groups for people living with HIV. They also offer free and confidential rapid HIV testing. 

Telephone: 01782 201251 Email: ask@p93.org

Terrance Higgins Trust Helpline

Offering information on all aspects of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. They also offer Live chat via their webiste that is available Monday to Friday - 11am until 1pm & 3pm until 5pm.

Telephone: 0808 8021221 Email: info@tht.org.uk 

Parenting

Gingerbread

Offering a range of online information and advice for single parents. You can also join the Gingerbread Community where you will find local groups or a space to chat with other single parents online.

Family Support and Children's Safeguarding (Stoke on Trent City Council)

Offering support to anyone who has safeguarding concerns for a child or who would like family support for themselves.

Telephone: 01782 235100

Pregnancy

NHS Health Centres (You can search for local NHS services online)

Should you experience a miscarriage then you may find information on The Miscarriage Association of support, they have a help line of 01924 200799 that operates 9am-4pm Mon-Fri.

Race and Culture

AASHNA
Provides a list of therapists working to recognise the ways in which culture, faith, religion, colour, social background, sexuality, gender and neurodiversity affect people's experiences.

BAATN (The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network)

Provides a list of therapists from Black, African and Asian backgrounds, and signposts to local mental health and advocacy services.

Bayo

Bayo is a space to find collectives, organisations and services from across the UK that offer mental health and wellbeing support to the Black community.

BLAM (Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health)

Offers mental health support to people from Black British communities, including racial wellness workshops. Works to embed Black British cultural heritage and African and Caribbean histories into teaching.

Diverse Cymru

Welsh charity committed to supporting people facing inequality and discrimination. Offers mental health services to people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds through its mental health projects.

Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales (EYST)

Provides services in Wales for young people aged 11–25 from ethnic minority backgrounds and their families, including support for health and wellbeing.

Telephone: 0300 222 5720 / 01792 466980 Email: Info@eyst.org.uk

Hub of Hope

UK-wide mental health service database. Lets you search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.

Inside Out Wellbeing

Provides culturally-informed wellbeing talks and workshops, including sessions on racial wellness.

Inspirited Minds

Offers private counselling services for Muslim communities.

Jami

Provides mental health support for the Jewish community through online services, community hubs, recovery support plans and education. 

Telephone: 020 8458 2223 Email: info@jamiuk.org

Muslim Community Helpline

Provides listening and emotional support for members of the Muslim community. 

Helpline: 020 8908 6715 or 020 8904 8193 (Monday to Thursday 10am – 1pm, Friday 10am – 4pm)

Email:  ess4m@btinternet.com

Muslim Youth Helpline

Provides faith and culturally sensitive support to young Muslims by phone, live chat, WhatsApp and email. 

Telephone: 0808 808 2008 (4pm – 10pm Monday to Sunday)

Rethink Mental Illness

Provides support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups. 0808 801 0525

Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC)

Offers mental health support to people of Southeast and East Asian heritage in the UK, and lists other support options in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland.

Spark and Co.

Directory of support services for people of colour, including mental health services.

Taraki

Creates spaces for mental health education and awareness for Punjabi communities.

 

Support with experiences of discrimination and hate crimes

These organisations offer advice on your rights and guidance on what to do if you've experienced discrimination or a hate crime.

Citizens Advice

Free, confidential information and advice on your rights, including money, housing, experiences of discrimination and other problems.

0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
18001 0800 144 8884 (textphone)

Community Security Trust (CST)

Protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats, including through an emergency number and an online form for reporting incidents.

Telephone: 08000323263 (24-hour emergency number)
Telephone: 02084579999 (general enquiries)

Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS)

Advice on issues relating to equality and human rights, including guidance for disabled people. 

Helpline: 0808 800 0082 (available Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm and Saturday 10am – 2pm)
Textphone: 18001 0808 800 0084 

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Promotes and monitors human rights and equality.

True Vision

Provides information about hate crimes and an online form for reporting them.

Victim Support

Provides emotional and practical support for people affected by crime and traumatic events. 

Telephone: 0808 168 9111 and Live chat available 24/7

Relationships

National Family Mediation

Offering mediation to families.

Telephone: 0300 4000 636  (9.30am - 4.30pm weekdays)

Relate

Counselling for people experiencing relationship difficulties.

Forced Marriage

Information and support in relation to Forced Marriage.

General advice and information

Citizens Advice

Offering advice and information on a wide range of issues.

Student Advice Centre (Students' Union, Staffordshire University)

Offering information and advice on a wide range of issues including student finance, money, housing and academic issues.

Telephone: 01782 294629