Find out why and learn some techniques to help you cope.
Survivors West Yorkshire provides support to men and women in West Yorkshire who have been affected by sexual violence.
The service provides a tailored service for families needing assistance with bereavement and support, including advice on funeral care, 365 days a year. Their comprehensive range of services support people, not just after they have lost someone special, but also before, so that the support is available and they can plan ahead.
The helpline offers a confidential space for you to talk about your feelings and signpost you to appropriate services and support. Non-binary gender includes any gender identity which does not fit the male and female binary. MindLine Trans+ is run by trans volunteers.
If you have lost someone and need to find the right support Leeds Bereavement Forum offers information about bereavement and grief, and can signpost you to the most appropriate local bereavement services.
Gingerbread can help if you have children and are facing divorce or separation. They also run friendship groups.
A service worker can carry out a property review and advise you how to make the best use of your heating and hot water systems and suggest ways of keeping the heat in your home. They can also provide help with understanding your fuel bills, help you identify the best available tariff, provide advice about fuel debt and check your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.
The service offers free, independent advice and can help people in a range of difficulties. If you are having benefits, money or housing problems; worrying about having your electric or gas cut off; being sanctioned; experiencing domestic abuse, or, if you've spilt from your partner - this service can help. Call to book an appointment. Horizons also offers support advocacy services and workshops.
Solace supports the survivors of persecution and exile many of whom have been traumatised by torture, rape, the death or the disappearance of loved ones. Speak to Solace about different kinds of support including psychotherapy, complementary therapies, group support and advocacy.
The CALM helpline and webchat are open every day of the year from 5pm to 12 midnight.
You can also call Hopelink UK if you are concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide.
Open bank holidays 2pm-5pm
Get information and support.
The Space is located near Leeds city centre where there is a mixture of social space, art and craft activities, education opportunities and peer support groups. Contact The Space to find out how to become a member. The Space is not a crisis service.
Call the AA to get support and advice for your alcohol use or someone else's. You can also get information about AA's “12-step" programme which involves getting sober with the help of local support group meetings. You can just turn up at a meeting. Find your nearest meeting group on the AA website.
Engage Leeds can work with you to prevent homelessness and manage your tenancy - housing support workers will work with your needs and goals and support you in your own home or out in the community. Engage Leeds also offers specialist advice and support in a range of areas including benefits, employment, dementia and volunteering / peer support. You can self-refer to this service.
Leeds Domestic Violence Service helpline is open 24 hours every day for confidential support, information and access to emergency accommodation for women and men experiencing violence, fear or abuse at home. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need somewhere to go, you can call at any time day or night.
Service is by referral only. Please phone - visits are by appointment only.
You can talk to Frank if you are worried about yourself or someone you know. Frank can give advice and information about services and treatments that can help. Email through talktofrank
The ManKind Initiative confidential helpline offers both emotional support and practical information. Calls from mothers, sisters and friends seeking information are welcome.
You can call Forward Leeds for advice, information and support if you are concerned about your alcohol use or drugs use or someone else's. You can also call to refer yourself or someone else to alcohol or drug services in Leeds or download a referral form from the website. You will then be invited to an appointment to discuss your needs before being assigned a case manager who will work with you to support your recovery.
Call the round the clock helpline for advice and support.
Text: 07717 989 025
Survivors UK run a helpline which you can use either online (web chat), via text (sms chat) or whatsapp. The helpliners are experienced in supporting you to share things at your own pace, when you are ready. The chat is under your control, so you can choose to end the conversation whenever you want. If this is your first time using it, they will support you through the process.
Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you or someone you are concerned about.
You can either call National Debtline for free debt advice or use their online advice service which takes you through four clear steps to control your debt and increase your income. The website also has lots of helpful information and factsheets about all aspects of debt including bankruptcy, court action and dealing with different kinds of loans.
National charity which supports the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. See their website for information.
Call the LGBT Foundation national helpline for advice, support and information about any issue that might be affecting you such as coming out, bullying, relationships or keeping safe.
You can contact Welfare Rights if you have got a problem with your benefits and need free, confidential and independent advice. Welfare Rights can also help you to complete a claim, or give you guidance and support when making an appeal.
You can call the advice line, make an appointment to see a welfare rights worker at one of the advice surgeries located in City Council one stop centres or ask about home visits if you will find it difficult to get to a surgery. You can find the times and locations of Welfare Rights surgeries here.
The Legion is a UK charity providing lifelong support to members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Reservists, veterans and their families all year round.
Find your local branch. You can ring the Leeds City Centre branch Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or drop in from 9am-4pm.
You can also access lots of helpful information on the Citizens Advice website.
Leeds City Council has produced a website called Leeds MIC (Money Information Centre) which helps people in Leeds with money problems.
A short video to show how diaphragmatic breathing can help you to feel calmer and ease a panic attack.
Food banks provide food parcels to people who are homeless or in need. You can find out more about food banks in Leeds on the Leeds Food Aid Network website and about where to find a food drop-in or soup kitchen.
You can access support from the Money Advice Service over the telephone or online from their webchat. The website provides interactive tools and information on a range of issues – from budgeting to savings, credit and borrowing, mortgages and debt as well as managing life changes such as starting a family or losing a job.
If you are unable to get through to the helpline at any time, please leave a message and they'll get back to you. You can also email them.
You can register for RFEA services here or call the Central Support Team on 0121 236 0058.
From relationships to money, health or family troubles - you can talk about whatever is getting to you at any time of the day or night. You don't have to be suicidal to call.
You can call Beat to talk about eating disorders and get information about services and treatments that can help, including peer support. Beat also has youth and student helplines, moderated message boards, one-to-one web chat and a range of online support groups. You can find all the details on the Beat website.
The RBLI offer a wide range of support to armed forces veterans including free employment support and career opportunities, housing and accommodation and nursing care.
The Warrior Programme runs residential programmes for veterans and adult family members of veterans. Attending a programme can help you to learn tools and techniques to improve confidence, self-belief and resilience and to manage your emotional wellbeing.
Veterans UK also provides welfare support for veterans of any age, and their families through the Veterans Welfare Service and the Veterans UK helpline: 0808 1914 2 18.
Veterans UK can help ex-service personnel get appropriate support from government, local authorities, independent bodies and the charity sector. The helpline offers advice on war disablement pension and armed forces compensation scheme claims and on other issues including benefits, pensions, loans and grants, emergency accommodation, finding a job, retraining, health issues, welfare concerns, service records and medals.
Offers community-based outreach services which provide practical and emotional support, advocacy and information.
The service can give you advice on benefits, housing, immigration, employment and debt and can support you to understand your rights and help fill in forms. You will have an initial telephone interview and, if needed, a face-to-face appointment can be booked. Download a leaflet for more information about the service.
Victim Support is independent of the police so you can contact them in confidence about any kind of crime including burglary, domestic abuse and sexual violence. It doesn't matter whether you have reported the crime or how long ago it took place. Victim Support can offer both emotional and practical support including help with house security, information about the criminal justice system and support with reporting a crime. Support is adapted to individual needs to help people cope with the different effects of crime. All services are for both men and women. You can contact the national helpline on 08 08 1689 111 when the regional centre is closed.
Money Buddies offer a drop-in service throughout 29 centres in Leeds which support people to get help with a large range of money issues, including checking you are on the right benefits; dealing with loan companies; finding the best energy deal and opening a credit union account. A Money Buddy can also help you build up your confidence to deal with money issues yourself.
Visit the Money Buddies website for centre details and drop-in times.
No matter when someone served, Help for Heroes offers support to help people lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. It can also support the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face.
Galop is a completely independent community-led group. The service is confidential, and you can contact Galop anonymously if you choose. Galop runs the National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 999 5428.
Combat Stress offer welfare support and free treatments for a range of mental health problems including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression to veterans across the UK.
You can also text on 07537 404 719. Standard charges may apply for texts, please check with your provider.
Serving personnel and their families can call 0800 323 4444.
There's a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky. Veterans' Gateway make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need. The team work with people on a one-to-one basis, connecting them with the right support as soon as possible. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can also make contact via email or Live Chat on their website. You can also text your details to 81212 and one of their advisers will be in touch as soon as possible.
Call the Stonewall information for help and guidance.
Emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn't always physical - it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Galop is a safe space to talk and think about what you want away from pressure at home. Galop can help you to explore your options, plan to make you safer, look for safe housing and speak with the police.
1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service.
Online chat is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm - 8pm.
Call for confidential support, help and information from trained female helpline support workers.
The Helpline can give support, help and information over the telephone, wherever the caller might be in the country. The Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day by fully trained female helpline support workers and volunteers. All calls are completely confidential.
Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing are available.
A drop-in for refugees and asylum seekers is held on Wednesdays 10 am - 1 pm at St Aidan's Community Hall, off Roundhay Road in Harehills, Leeds
Call Mesmac Leeds office to discuss what services are available to support you including group and individual support. BME and asylum/refugee specific services are available. You can book counselling (one-to-one support) online on the Mesmac website. If you are worried that you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours (3 days) you can speak to Mesmac to find out about PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis), a course of HIV medication. If you start taking PEP within 72 hours it may prevent you from becoming infected with HIV.
Victim Support is independent of the police so you can contact them in confidence about any kind of crime including burglary, domestic abuse and sexual violence. It doesn't matter whether you have reported the crime or how long ago it took place. Victim Support can offer both emotional and practical support including help with house security, information about the criminal justice system and support with reporting a crime. Support is adapted to individual needs to help people cope with the different effects of crime. All services are for both men and women. If you'd prefer to talk to someone locally, West Yorkshire Victim Support can be contacted on 0300 303 197.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can contact the Supportline using Next Generation Text 18001 08 08 16 89 111. Supportline also has an interpretation service for people who do not speak English as a first language.
Offers practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals. Not open bank holidays.
If you have just been diagnosed with HIV or have been living with the virus for some time, you can call Skyline for help. Services include one-to-one support, counselling, workshops, training, support groups and peer support.
Call Mermaids for emotional support and signposting to different forums, training and resources.
The helpline is manned by volunteers so there are no specific opening hours but calls are answered throughout the day and evening and any voicemails will be responded to as soon as possible. If you can only receive calls at a particular time, please include this in your message. If there is no-one available to talk to and your situation is urgent, please email.
Mermaids offers a webchat service periodically. When available, this is shown as 'open' on the webchat icon on right hand side of their Helpline and Email Support page.
Call the Leeds office to find out about bereavement services available in Leeds.
Cruse run a drop-in on the first and third Wednesday of every month 4.30pm-6.15pm at Robert Ogden Centre, St James Beckett Street Leeds LS9 7TF.
SMART meetings are open to anyone struggling with the problems of addictive behaviour. They are led by someone who is themselves in recovery and the purpose of meetings is to help each other through mutual support and open and confidential discussion. You can find your nearest meeting through the SMART Recovery website or by contacting them. Meetings are available in Leeds and also online.
The Refugee Council is a national charity which works directly with refugees, supporting them to rebuild their lives.
Service is open to veterans registered with GPs across Yorkshire and the Humber. Call to refer yourself or access a referral form.
The service is available to anyone who has completed one day's service or more with the British Military, is a Reservist not currently deployed or is a family member of military personnel.
Find more information about experiencing bereavement and loss.
The Leeds Crisis Card is a credit card-sized fold-out leaflet which lists different services in Leeds that you can call if you are struggling to cope. You can pick one up at venues across the city including shops, cafes, restaurants and public buildings.
The Mind team can provide information on a range of topics such as different mental health problems, where to get help (including support in your own area), medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.
Coping with poor health, whether it's physical or mental, can be difficult for the person who is unwell as well as for their family or friends. Being ill for a long time can cause arguments and stress between family members or close friends, as people try to cope with the effects of an illness.
Talking about the problems can and does help, and Relate Mid Yorkshire is offering up to 6 sessions of free counselling to individuals, couples or families to help them talk about the problems and find a better way forward for the future.
This service is offered via webcam, and any device that connects to the internet such as a smart phone, a tablet or computer can be used. This service is currently for people in North Leeds.
If a problem with gambling is affecting you or someone you know you can call GamCam for emotional support and confidential advice. Their expert services are confidential and non-judgemental. GamCare counselling provides a safe, confidential way for you to talk about your situation, either in person or online. The GamCam website has information about problem gambling and how it can affect your life.
To qualify for this free service offered by the Green Doctors at Groundwork in partnership with Care & Repair Leeds you must pay council tax to Leeds City Council and be able to fit at least one from each section below:
• Aged over 60.
• Pregnant or have children under 16 living with you.
• Have a disability or cold-related long-term health condition.
and
• Your household income is less than £21,000 per year.
• Receive any income-related benefits.
Leeds Nightline is open from 8pm until 8am every night of term including weekends. Call 0113 380 1285. The service also offers e-listening online with Instant Messaging that runs from 8pm until 8am or you can email listening@leedsnightline.co.uk. Find the dates of term (when they're open) on their website.
Someone else's drinking can affect your life - be it a relative or friend. Al-Anon Family Groups hold regular meetings in Leeds where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Al-Anon does not offer advice or counselling, but members give each other understanding and strength. Search here to find a group.
And how to prepare for an appointment.
You can talk to an expert housing adviser about your housing situation. Their helpline is open every day of the year. Shelter has two housing advice helpline numbers.
When it's not urgent, for example:
Call 0808 256 5392.
When it's an emergency, for example:
Call 0808 274 1338
Basis can offer one-to-one support and help accessing other agencies or appointments, including making sure your voice is heard by other professionals. They work with you as long as you need it and offer peer support for girls and young women that no longer need one-to-one support. You can refer yourself or be referred, forms available online.
Basis Yorkshire sex work project supports female and transgender sex workers that work in all sectors of the Leeds sex industry, including those working indoors and online. They provide non-judgemental, free and confidential support and information around sexual health, sexual and domestic violence, benefits and housing, emotional support and referral to counselling, mental health and wellbeing services.
Please call if you need any advice or emotional support or just need someone to listen sympathetically without making judgements. RASASC is also there for anyone supporting a survivor and needs to talk. Closed Saturdays and bank holidays.
Call the helpline for support, information and advice.
You can talk to someone if you are a woman experiencing violence or fear at home. Are you a woman experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse? Have you reported something to the police, or are you thinking about it, and don't know what to do next? Do you want some advice about injunctions or children's issues? Are you being forced into a marriage that you don't want to do?
Venues are in the city centre and in communities around Leeds. WCTS offer services for women, including transgender women, experiencing depression, anxiety, domestic abuse, relationship difficulties and enduring problems arising from past physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The waiting list is currently closed (check their website for updates to see when opens again). If you are interested in finding out more about any of the above, please contact the office.
The helpline gives you the time to tell your story, offers emotional support, provides practical advice and signposting you to other services for specialist help. The helpline is available for heterosexual, gay and bisexual male victims of domestic violence.
They also have a webchat available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Its debt service is entirely confidential and has been awarded the Advice Quality Standard. Debt advisers give professional, personalised support and will help you look at how to increase your income and possible benefits and grants available to you. A drop-in session is open Monday 10:30 – 12:30, or call to make an appointment on 0113 248 4126.
Call Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service to find out how you can access group or individual support, practical information and one-to-one counselling. The service can support you whoever you have lost – whether a friend, colleague or relative – and whether your bereavement was a few days ago or many years. You can talk to a specialist worker Monday to Friday 10am-6pm. The service runs a drop-in group – first Tuesday of the month 6pm-8pm at the Civic Hall Leeds. You can also access the service by completing their self-referral form online.
If you do need to borrow money you can contact Leeds City Credit Union to discuss their affordable loans which are offered at fair rates of interest. The Union is a 'mutual' organisation and provides a range of savings plans and other accounts that help members save and manage their money. You can call Leeds City Credit Union or drop into one of their branches (details on the website).
If you are 16 or over and have been raped or sexually assaulted within the past seven days you can contact the Sexual Assault Referral Clinic. A crisis worker will discuss your options with you and, if you wish, can arrange for you to have a forensic medical examination. You do not have to report the offence to the police in order to access this service. Evidence gained from an examination will be stored by the SARC for up to seven years. If, in future, you do decide to report the incident to the police, SARC can help you with his process. SARC can also help you with accessing further support and healthcare. You can still access support and information if you do not have a forensic medical examination. Call to book an appointment or for further advice and guidance.
Call the round the clock helpline for advice and support. You can report hate crime by text to 07717 989 025
People who use British Sign Language can report hate crime in BSL using Interpreter Now between 8 am and midnight every day. See the Stop Hate UK homepage and scroll down the page to find details.
Anyone in West Yorkshire can also use the West Yorkshire Hate Crime Reporting App to report hate crime, available for Apple and Android. See the Stop Hate UK website for details or search the Apple App Store or Google Play for 'Stop Hate UK'.
Anyone can refer or self-refer to LASSN by phone or email. There is currently a waiting list for both Befriending and English at Home, and all referrals to our accommodation must come via PAFRAS or the British Red Cross.
The Ripple Pond has a range of services that members can access. If you contact them by phone or complete their online form, they will take you through their simple and free membership process.
The Ripple Pond runs peer-led support meetings for any adult family member who feels they would like support. Meetings happen around the country, but not currently in Leeds.
They run a buddy system which puts members directly in contact with another local member. They also have an online forum for members to join in discussions and offer or seek support as and when you are ready.
You can call Carers Leeds if you want to talk things over and you need someone to listen. Carers Leeds can also help If you want to know about available services or what you may be entitled to receive. They can also offer advice to help you make choices. You can also drop into Carers Leeds and talk to someone, Monday to Friday, 9.30am-3.30pm.
Relate in Leeds has closed. Relate can offer relationship counselling to people in Leeds via telephone, webcam or email. Face to face counselling can be accessed at a centre such as Bradford, Keighley, Huddersfield or Hull.
If you're struggling and need to talk, no matter what the problem - Teen Connect is there for you.
The service can offer up to an hour of support either by phone or online chat.
Referrals will be accepted from professionals such as a GP, practice nurse, counsellors, teachers etc and from concerned family/friends or from the person experiencing difficulties.
Call Connect if you are feeling anxious, lonely, angry or just need to talk. Trained volunteers and workers provide compassionate, non-judgemental support and can give information about other services, if needed. Whatever your problems are - mental health, housing or money worries, caring for someone, bereavement or the end of a relationship - Connect can help. The Teen Connect service also offers support to teenagers aged 13-18 years old through the same helpline number. For more information, visit the Connect Helpline website
This includes connecting newly arrived asylum seekers with local volunteers who can help them settle in and engage with local services, ESOL classes, employability workshops and one-to-one guidance to help with accessing education and employment opportunities.
RETAS runs a drop-in session each week on a Friday 10am-1pm which supports people to find the right education and employment opportunities.
If you're new to RETAS, you should go to their Friday drop-in at their office on Roundhay Road to register, or call them on 0113 380 5630 to book an appointment.
Sage is a partnership between Yorkshire MESMAC and AgeUK Leeds. It is funded by Time to Shine and led by Leeds Older People's Forum. Find out more about the project on the Time to Shine website and sign up here for information about events.
This is a drop-in group and meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7-8.30pm and is run in partnership with the Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT) carers team. The person you are caring for does not need to have had a diagnosis for you to attend this group.
IAPT offers therapies for mild Bulimia and Binge eating disorder. If you are over 17 years of age and registered with a Leeds GP, you can self-refer to the service through an online form.
The service can offer you time with an experienced therapist in a confidential space. Appointments are on Mondays from February 2019. Email mondays@northpoint.org.uk now to secure a place. Download a poster for more information.
See poster for more information.
A volunteer (women only) will offer you confidential emotional support and can also help you explore your options. As well as providing support by phone and text, SARVSL offer face-to-face appointments in a women-only safe space in the city centre. A volunteer will listen and help you talk about how you are feeling. Appointments can be made by telephone or email (but not text) and are available on Sundays, 2-5pm and Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-8pm.
SARSVL also offer counselling to women aged 18 and over and advocacy to woman aged 16 and over who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. These services can be accessed by emailing counselling@sarsvl.org.uk or advocacy@sarsvl.org.uk
You can use a free online debt help tool for help with creating a budget and to access free debt advice. You can also call 0800 138 1111 if you want to talk to someone. Don't forget to use the budget form to gather your information before calling. A debt advice call takes around 40 minutes to complete.
People can call the SPA to make a referral for someone if that person has previously been under the care of LYPFT.
From 4 March the SPA will no longer offer a telephone support line for service users and carers. Anyone who calls the SPA seeking telephone support may be re-directed to another support agency if it's more appropriate for their needs.
Further details about the SPA can be found on the Urgent Referrals page of the Trust's website.
You can call The Mix if you are feeling low, anxious or lonely or want to talk through something that is upsetting you like relationship difficulties, family problems or drug use. They also offer support via text message, email and one-to-one chat online. See their website for details.
You can phone Childline, email or talk via online chat. If you're using email, you'll need to create an account with Childline and log in (you don't need to tell them your email or real name).
You can also contact Childline in BSL (British Sign Language) on Monday – Friday from 8am-8pm or Saturdays from 8am-1pm. See their website for details.
Wherever you see this icon, you will find a BSL video explaining the content on the page.
