Urgent help

Samaritans provides emotional and practical support to people in crisis to prevent suicide and self-harm. They listen without judgement and are available 24/7.

Phone: 116 123

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Mind is a mental health charity that offers information and advice about emotional wellbeing. Their phoneline provides a non-urgent information and signposting service.

Phone: 0300 123 3393

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, excluding bank holidays

Rethink Mental Illness provides an advice and information service on a wide range of mental health topics such as The Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits and carers’ rights.

Phone: 0808 801 0525

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 1-4pm, excluding bank holidays

Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. All Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families have free access.

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. To start a conversation, text SHOUT to 85258.

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

The Bereavement Advice Centre provides practical advice and support to those dealing with the death of a family member or friend.

Phone: 0800 634 9494

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, excluding bank holidays

Veterans’ Gateway puts veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the advice and support they need.

Phone: 0808 802 1212

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Combat Stress helps ex-Servicemen and women deal with issues like PTSD, anxiety and depression. They provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues.

Phone: 0800 138 1619

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Sapper Support is the only 24/7 PTSD helpline staffed by veterans and 999 personnel. They give emotional and physical support to sufferers of PTSD and other associated mental health issues.

Phone: 0800 040 7873

Opening hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Help for Heroes provides recovery support to service personnel who have been wounded in the line of duty, and their families. Their Hidden Wounds service supports veterans who are living with anxiety, depression, stress, anger, or wish to change their drinking habits.

Phone: 0300 303 9888

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families, offering advice on recovery, rehabilitation and transitioning to civilian life.

Phone: 0808 802 8080

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 8pm

SSAFA helps the Armed Forces community by providing direct support to individuals in need of physical or emotional care.

Phone: 0800 260 6767

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5.30pm

Veterans UK administers the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, the War Pension Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. They also provide a dedicated welfare service and freephone 24-hour helpline for veterans and their families.

Phone: 0808 191 4218

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm

RNIB recognises everyone’s unique experience of sight loss and offers help and support accordingly.

Phone: 0303 123 9999

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm, and Saturday, 9am – 1pm

Guide Dogs helps people with sight loss to live actively and independently. From getting around safely to dog care and welfare, they offer a variety of services to support those living with sight loss.

Phone: 0800 781 1444

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

Age UK is dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life and overcome the challenges that come with ageing. They tackle loneliness, provide advice and information, and support people to stay independent for longer.

Phone: 0800 055 6112

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 7pm

Independent Age offers free information, advice and help for older people on issues such as care and support, money and benefits, and health and mobility.

Phone: 0800 319 6789

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 6.30pm, excluding bank holidays