Help and wellbeing
At ICAB, we understand that needing to move out of your home can be stressful and overwhelming. While we’re here to arrange safe, comfortable alternative accommodation, we know there’s much more to consider than just a place to stay.
This page brings together a range of independent resources to support your emotional wellbeing, offer practical guidance and help you through any challenges you may face during this time.
If you need immediate support
If you or someone you know is in crisis or at immediate risk of harm, it’s important to get help straight away. The following services are available 24/7 and can offer urgent support, protection, and someone to talk to:
- Emergency Services — Call 999 for Police, Fire, or Ambulance in life-threatening situations.
- Samaritans — Call 116 123 for free, confidential support if you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or need someone to talk to.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) — Call 0800 58 58 58 for support if you’re feeling down or struggling to cope.
- SHOUT — Text 85258 to start a confidential conversation with a trained volunteer via text, 24/7.
- Refuge (National Domestic Abuse Helpline) — Call 0808 2000 247 if you’re experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about someone who is.
- NHS 111 — Call 111 and choose option 2 for urgent mental health support.
You are not alone. There is help available right now.
Getting the help and support you need
Below you’ll find a range of trusted support services and information, grouped by topic, to help you or someone you care about navigate challenges related to wellbeing, housing, finances and more.
Helplines & Support
Alcoholics Anonymous: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
BetKnowMore: www.betknowmoreuk.org
GamCare: www.gamcare.org.uk
Alcohol Change: www.alcoholchange.org.uk
Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
With You: www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Al-Anon (For families): www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Other resources
NHS: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addictiongetting-help
Drink Aware: www.drinkaware.co.uk
GamAnon: www.gamanon.org.uk
Mind: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-tosupport-and-services/addiction-and-dependency
Talk to Frank: www.talktofrank.com
Alcohol Change: www.alcoholchange.org.uk
Nacro (criminal records): www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-supportservice/support-for-individuals/addiction-services/drugsupport-services
HumanKind: humankindcharity.org.uk/drug-and-alcohol-recovery
TurningPoint: www.turning-point.co.uk/services/drug-and-alcoholsupport/friends-and-family.html
DrugFAM: www.drugfam.co.uk
Betel: www.betel.uk
The Bead Project: www.beadproject.org.uk
Helplines and Support
Cruse Bereavement: https://www.cruse.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Scotland: www.crusescotland.org.uk
Child Death Helpline: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK: www.childbereavementuk.org
SAMM (Support after Murder or Manslaughter): www.samm.org.uk
Papyrus (After suicide): www.papyrus-uk.org
UK SOBS (After suicide): www.uksobs.org
Other resources
The Bereavement Register: www.thebereavementregister.org.uk
Brake Charity: www.brake.org.uk
Road Peace: www.roadpeace.org
Support After Suicide: www.supportaftersuicide.org.uk
Child Death Helpline: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Sands (Baby deaths): www.sands.org.uk
Grief Chat: www.griefchat.co.uk
The Miscarriage Association: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Bereaved Parent Support: www.careforthefamily.org.uk/familylife/bereavement-support/bereaved-parent-support
Support with funeral costs: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
Government Tell Us Once: www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-tocontact-and-tell-us-once
Helplines
National Bullying Helpline: www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
National Stalking Helpline: www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/nationalstalking-helpline
Rights of Women Helpline (sexual harassment): 020 7490 0152
Other Resources
Ditch the Label: www.ditchthelabel.org
ACAS www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-bullying-andharassment
Changing Faces: www.changingfaces.org.uk
Family Lives: www.familylives.org.uk
Anti-Bullying Alliance: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
Galop (LGBT+): www.galop.org.uk
SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality): https://saricharity.org.uk/
Tell Mama: www.tellmamauk.org
CIPD Bullying at work: www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/harassmentfactsheet
Resources – Cognitive & Health
Priority Services Register: www.thepsr.co.uk/
Downs Syndrome Association: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Sense: www.sense.org.uk
Cerebral Palsy: www.cerebralpalsy.org.uk
RNIB (Sight): www.rnib.org.uk
RNID (Hearing): www.rnid.org.uk
Epilepsy: www.epilepsy.org.uk
Mobility Trust: www.mobilitytrust.org.uk
Headway (Head Injury): www.headway.org.uk
National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk
Stroke Association: www.stroke.org.uk
ADHD: www.adhdfoundation.org.uk
MacMillan Cancer: www.macmillan.org.uk
Diabetes: www.diabetes.org.uk
Arthritis: www.arthritisaction.org.uk
Arthritis: www.arthritis.org
MS Society: www.mssociety.org.uk
Dementia www.alzheimers.org.uk
Parkinson’s: www.parkinsons.org.uk
Leukaemia: www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
British Heart Foundation: www.bhf.org.uk
Backcare www.backcare.org.uk
Dyslexia: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Disability: www.leonardcheshire.org/get-support – www.mencap.org.uk – www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support
Resources – Communication
Dyslexia: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Speech Therapy: www.rcslt.org
Find A Voice: www.findavoice.org.uk
Google Translate: www.translate.google.co.uk
Text Relay: www.relayuk.bt.com
Resources
Support Line: www.supportline.org.uk
Women’s Aid: www.womensaid.org.uk
Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk
Elder Abuse: www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/healthwellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse
Rape Crisis: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
National Stalking Helpline: www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/nationalstalking-helpline
Positive Psychology: www.positivepsychology.com/emotional-resilience
Relate: www.relate.org.uk
Carers UK: www.carersuk.org
Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk
Family Lives: www.familylives.org.uk
Financial Management Resources
Benefits Calculator: www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
StepChange: www.stepchange.org
National Debt Line: www.nationaldebtline.org
Debt Advice Foundation: www.debtadvicefoundation.org
Christians Against Poverty: www.capuk.org
Business Debt: www.businessdebtline.org
Mental Health & Money: www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en
Money Saving Expert: www.moneysavingexpert.com
Turn2Us: www.turn2us.org.uk
Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Phone-paid Services Authority: www.psauthority.org.uk
Policy in Practice (benefits calculator): www.policyinpractice.co.uk/software
The Money Charity: www.themoneycharity.org.uk
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money
Family Fund: www.familyfund.org.uk
Foodbanks
Trussell Trust www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank
Housing Resources
Shelter: www.england.shelter.org.uk
Crisis: www.crisis.org.uk
Centrepoint: www.centrepoint.org.uk
Housing Justice: www.housingjustice.org.uk
Porchlight (Kent): www.porchlight.org.uk
Paying Bills
Support with Energy bills: www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energyadvice-households/getting-help-if-you-cant-afford-yourenergy-bills
Support with water bills: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/watersupply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/help-withpaying-your-water-bills
Support with council tax bill: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/checkif-you-can-pay-less-council-tax
Helplines and Support
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org
Saneline: www.sane.org.uk
Calmzone: www.thecalmzone.net
Shout: www.giveusashout.org
Other resources
Mind: www.mind.org.uk
Rethink: www.rethink.org
Action for Happiness: www.actionforhappiness.org
Heads Together: www.headstogether.org.uk
Campaign to End Loneliness: www.campaigntoendloneliness.org
Together: www.together-uk.org
Hub of Hope www.hubofhope.co.uk
NHS Mental Health Service Now in operation 24/7 across England, Wales & Scotland It is a free and confidential service which is available to people of all ages, including children and young people. How to access support to access, call 111 and then select the Mental Health option (currently 2). Access for hearing impaired via Sign Video: www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/
Language Line offers a free interpretation service – call 111 and tell the call handler you need a translator and which language you prefer. If you use a textphone you can contact NHS 24 on 18001 111 or by using the Relay UK app.
Medical Support
Firstly, speak to your vets about payment plans to help spread the cost of pet care. Lower cost or free services are also provided by the following:
Vet Help Pet Symptom checker: www.vethelpdirect.com
PDSA: www.pdsa.org.uk
Cats Protection: www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/financial-assistance
Dogs Trust: www.dogstrusthopeproject.org.uk/help-with-vet-care/introduction
RSPCA: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/costofliving/foodbank
RSPCA – Animal Neglect Cases: www.rspca.org.uk
Bereavement Support (after loss of a pet)
Blue Cross: www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss
Cats Protection: www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/grief/paws-to-listen
England
Business Support Service (England) – enquiries@businesssupportservice.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 998 1098 (free) or Webchat Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays)
Scotland
Business Support Scotland – www.findbusinesssupport.gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 303 0660
Textphone: 0800 023 2071 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays)
Wales
Business Support Wales – www.businesswales.gov.wales
Business Wales Helpline – Telephone: 0300 060 3000 Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (except bank holidays)
Northern Ireland
NI Business Support – https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/ Invest Northern Ireland – Telephone: 0800 181 4422 (free) Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm (except bank holidays)
UK-wide
British Business Bank: www.british-business-bank.co.uk
Business Debt Line: www.businessdebtline.org
Business Finance Support: www.gov.uk/business-finance-support
Business Advice Centre: www.businessadvicecentre.co.uk
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk
The Kings Trust (business support for 16-30-year-olds): www.kingstrust.org.uk
R&D Tax Credits: www.gov.uk/guidance/corporation-tax-research-anddevelopment-rd-relief for qualifying Science & Technology companies Regional Business Support Hubs, such as Buckinghamshire Business First and the LEP Growth Hubs.
If customers facing difficult circumstances work or have worked in a specific industry, they may be able to access support from one of the following organisations.
Automotive: www.ben.org.uk
Insurance: www.theinsurancecharities.org.uk
Healthcare: www.healthcareworkersfoundation.org
Teaching: www.teachingstafftrust.org.uk
Retail & Distribution: www.retailtrust.org.uk/financial-aid
Musicians: www.helpmusicians.org.uk
Mental Health Support for people working in construction, logistics and the self-employed: www.matesinmind.org/what-we-do/sector-specific-support
SSAFA: www.ssafa.org.uk
Combat Stress: www.combatstress.org.uk
The Veterans Association: www.theveteransassociation.org
Help for Heroes: www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Op Courage: www.veteranaware.nhs.uk/op-courage
Veterans Gateway: www.veteransgateway.org.uk
Apps can provide individuals with accessible support services.
The following are free to download and aim to benefit the well-being and safety of individuals.
- Samaritans Self-help
- Recovery Record – An eating disorder app
- Stay Alive – A suicide prevention app
- Bright Sky – An abusive relationship app
- Jointly App – For carers
- Samaritans Veterans App – For UK military Service Leavers and Veterans
Autism
Some individuals may carry an Autism Alert Card with them for situations when communication may be challenging: www.autism.org.uk/shop/products/merchandise/alert-card
Brain Injury
Some individuals may carry a Brain Injury Identify Card with them for situations when communication may be challenging: www.headway.org.uk/supporting-you/brain-injury-identity-card
Sunflower Lanyard
The Sunflower Lanyard provides a subtle but visible sign enabling staff to recognise that the wearer (or someone with them) may require some extra help, time or assistance when interacting with the organisation: www.hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/index.php
akt
Helps young LGBTQ+ people aged 16 to 25 find safety, security and new pathways to fulfilment. akt supports young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
akt – the national LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity
Stonewall
Stonewall is part of a vibrant, growing and global movement advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Mind
Useful contacts – LGBTQIA+ mental health
Mindout
If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have mental health problems, this page has information about organisations that can offer support.
We know this may be a difficult time and we’re here to help make things easier. While ICAB arranges alternative accommodation for you, these organisations can provide additional support for your wellbeing, family and circumstances. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you need support beyond your housing.
