Find a Helpline
Our Find a Helpline directory lists approved members of Helplines Partnership providing support via various channels. If you cannot find the topic you are looking for, use the search bar.
Find a Helpline
Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid
BSWA provides a free, confidential telephone helpline service to anyone affected by violence against women and children. The Helpline Team can provide emotional support, details for emergency accommodation such as refuge or temporary accommodation, information on community drop-ins across Birmingham and Solihull for face to face support on a range of issues and safety planning information. Support extends to professionals, friends or family members who are supporting or are worried about a woman who is affected by abuse. The Team can also assist with issues including abusive relationships, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, child sexual abuse, gang association and young people's relationships. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free from mobiles and landlines in the UK and do not appear on itemised bills.
Birmingham Mind
People of all ages in England will be able to access local crisis services directly by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. Calls will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to quickly assess the situation and determine whether an urgent referral is required. In Birmingham and Solihull, those already engaging with mental health services are asked to continue to contact their existing service. Contact telephone numbers will be in care plans and treatment plan letters. Those seeking advice and information for people experiencing mental health difficulties and not a mental health crisis, are encouraged to call the Birmingham Mind Mental Health Helpline.
Blue Cross - Pet Bereavement Support Service
Offers confidential support, understanding and practical information for pet owners and others in contact with animals through its telephone and email support line service. Dedicated and trained volunteers across the UK offer their time on the support line every day of the year to help pet owners through their loss. Volunteers welcome. The Pet Bereavement Support Service also has a range of literature available to download covering euthanasia, children and pet loss, information cards and posters. Charity provides training courses in pet loss.
Bone Cancer Research Trust - Support & Information Service
The Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) is here to help anyone affected by a primary bone cancer or bone tumour diagnosis. We offer a support and information service that provides a listening ear through our free phone number and email address. BCRT also offers financial support grants to help ease the burden of treatment costs, along with ongoing community and peer support through virtual and in-person groups to connect with others facing similar challenges. We have dedicated resources to help patients and caregivers navigate their journey, as well as Facebook peer support groups for shared experiences and mutual encouragement. Each year, we host a patient conference for education, networking, and empowerment. Our goal is to ensure that individuals and their families can access immediate emotional support and guidance during this difficult time.
Bradford Cyrenians
Confidential telephone helpline for all men across the UK suffering from domestic abuse by their current or former partner (including same-sex partner) or other family members. The helpline team are trained professionals who have experience of working with men who have suffered domestic abuse. Offering emotional support, information and guidance. Can also signpost to other specialist services. MSU can offer 2 units of emergency crash pad accommodation and 5 units of longer term furnished accommodation. Each service user has a dedicated supported housing officer who will work intensively around support needs, for e.g. emotional and practical support, claiming correct benefits, registering with a GP, helping become tenancy ready and rehousing support to help men access long term accommodation.
Brain and Spine Foundation
Offers information and support for people with brain and spine conditions and their families, through a helpline, website and publications. The helpline is run by neuroscience nurses who can answer questions and provide emotional support. The Team can talk through any neurological symptom, investigation or condition, even if it is rare; explain neurological and medical jargon; help with medical notes or letters and advise about services to access. Can also assist callers in making an informed choice or decision. Further support includes information booklets and factsheets on various conditions, such as dizziness and balance problems, subarachnoid haemorrhage and brain tumours, all of which can be downloaded from the website free of charge. Calls to 0808 80 are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK.
brainstrust
UK based brain tumour charity providing personal 24/7 support from the point of diagnosis onwards. Work nationally to help both patients and carers get back on their feet following a brain tumour diagnosis. Local brainstrust teams run a range of activities to build communities and provide help for people battling a brain tumour. Also work with hospitals to secure the best care possible for brain cancer sufferers. Website has information on symptoms and diagnosis, treatment information, patient guides and resources.
Brake - The Road Safety Charity
Brake supports people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in a road crash, as well as the family, friends and professionals supporting them. Support is provided via literature and through a telephone helpline staffed by professionals. Literature includes information and advice to help with the immediate practical issues, coping with emotions and feelings following a crash, criminal prosecutions and finding appropriate legal support. The Helpline provides support to those directly affected by a crash, either through bereavement or injury, and their carers, whether the crash happened recently or a long time ago. Also supports professionals, such as health workers, police officers and teachers, who need information about how to help people affected by a crash. The helpline officers can help by providing a listening ear, provide information on procedural and practical issues, help accessing legal support, source counselling and help from support agencies. Officers will also signpost callers to other national and local support organisations as appropriate.
Breast Cancer Now
Free confidential helpline with tailored information and specialist support to anyone affected by breast cancer or with queries about breast health. Callers include people who want to know more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer; people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and friends; and healthcare professionals. Calls are answered by nurses and trained staff with experience of breast cancer. Can also signpost to further support. Further information on the range of services available on the website. Support days around the UK. National regional centres, also hairloss advice, online forums, specialist services for younger women and those with secondary breast cancer. Calls are free from all UK landlines and mobiles. Access to a telephone interpreting service in over 240 languages and the Next Generation Text service, prefix 18001.
Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard
Brighton & Hove LGBTQ Switchboard’s helpline offers confidential, anonymous support and information, connecting callers to the right LGBTQ services. The helpline is entirely volunteer-staffed, with all operators identifying as LGBTQ+. They are trained to provide a supportive, non-judgmental listening ear, allowing callers to discuss whatever is on their minds, from exploring gender or sexual identity to relationship difficulties or concerns about hate crime.
When you call, one of our volunteers will answer, and you can take your time discussing whatever is important to you. There is no pressure to start talking right away; the conversation will flow at your pace, and the call will only end when you're ready.
You can discuss a wide range of topics, including coming out, emotional and relationship difficulties, drug and alcohol concerns, sexual health, and more. There’s no need to share personal details like your age or name unless you wish to, and the service is open to anyone aged 18+. Our helpline aims to answer calls as quickly as possible. If the line is busy, you can try again or leave a message on our answerphone if you wish to be called back when the helpline reopens. We only return calls if it’s safe and with your permission.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our service. We do not record calls, but for training purposes, another volunteer or the Helpline Manager may occasionally be aware of the call. This ensures quality and maintains the safe service our users expect. We follow strict confidentiality policies, and all volunteers are bound by these.
To maintain your privacy, consider how our contact information might appear in emails, phone bills, or voicemail messages. We don’t know your location or number unless you choose to share it, and you can block your number for added privacy. If you wish to remain anonymous, you’re welcome to do so. We do keep some basic information to help provide the best support, especially if you’ve been calling us for some time. Additionally, we record anonymized statistical and demographic information after every call to help us improve our service and report to our partners and funders. This data is never linked to specific callers.
In summary, Brighton & Hove LGBTQ Switchboard’s helpline is here to listen, support, and connect you to the right services, all while maintaining your confidentiality and privacy. Whether you need information, support, or just someone to talk to, we are here for you.