Helplines and Support
This page has a number of links that may be of help to you at this time. Below are a list of agencies that may be able to help with income support (money, debt), essentials (food, healthy eating, housing) and staying healthy. Below are local and online resources for mental health, relationships, confidential life advice and much more for your family’s health and wellbeing. Please access services via telephone or online first as opening times may be subject to change.
Income Support
Free impartial money advice
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en Tel: 0800 138 7777
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk Free helpline: 0800 808 4000
www.stepchange.org Tel: 0800 138 1111 (free debt advice)
For advice on benefits, money, housing. Tel: 0800 254 0298 www.caml.org.uk
Providing Essentials
https://norwoodbrixton.foodbank.org.uk Tel: 07722 121108
Emergency food, help and advice www.lambethlarder.org
Shelter - Advice, support, legal services for poor housing / homelessness
www.england.shelter.org.uk Tel: 0808 800 4444
Safety
Are you experiencing domestic abuse? You are not alone
Survivors of domestic abuse may feel particularly alone & at risk during social distancing and self-isolation. Domestic abuse isn’t just physical violence. It’s a pattern of behaviours used to control a current/ex-partner or family member & can include emotional, psychological, financial & sexual abuse. Where there is domestic abuse within the home or family, children are at risk.
- If you’re in Lambeth the Gaia Centre can help. Confidential advice & support by phone, text or email – whatever’s safest. Tel: 020 7733 8724 / Email: lambethvawg@refuge.org.uk
- For 24/7 advice for yourself or someone else, no matter where you live, please contact the freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger always call police on 999. If you cannot speak, press 55 and the operator will know you need silent support
- For more information, news and resources see Lambeth Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls webpage
Wellbeing and Mental Health
- www.kooth.com which provides free, online counselling to young people (11-16 year olds).
- DHSC have produced guidance for parents and carers on supporting mental health and wellbeing of children and young people during COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing
- Become also has a coronavirus advice line: https://becomecharity.org.uk/for-young-people/care-advice-line/coronavirus-advice/.
Several organisations have put together general advice for children and young people in dealing with the impact of Covid-19:
- Young Minds: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/#dealing-with-self-isolation-
- Barnado’s: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/coronavirus-advice-young-people
- Anna Freud: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Please click on this document for NHS advice for parents and Lambeth Talks (A magazine following advice from Public Health England
