Useful contacts

Support for mothers suffering from post-natal illness.

Providing 1:1 counselling for people experiencing problems with their own gambling or that of a family member.

Anxiety UK is a national registered charity formed for those affected by anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression.

Anti-Bullying Alliance is a national charity comprising a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.

Their interactive website offers tools and information including advice and support for children, parents and schools on bullying as well as guidance on getting support if you are being bullied as an adult at work or experiencing long-term effects of bullying experienced as a child.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) supports the recovery and continued sobriety of individuals. Meetings are available online and in person.

Al-Anon Family Groups provide support for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.

We are local, national and international, and together, we’re providing crucial support for older people.

Confidential information and support for families and friends of drug and alcohol users.

The national charity for women and families affected by Postpartum Psychosis.

Creating opportunities for social relationships and experiences for adults with learning disabilities.

Services include day centres for people with dementia, respite relief and a luncheon club.

Working to ensure people with learning disabilities are valued equally, participate fully in their communities and are treated with dignity and respect.

Beyond the Streets provides a confidential call back service for women who are involved in prostitution and want to explore possible alternatives.

BZ Bodies is commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council to provide free support for Gloucestershire families to make healthy changes to their lifestyle. They provide support for children and young people aged 5-17 years old and their families living in Gloucestershire who are above the healthy weight range. They offer a range of services from online support to fun and interactive group programmes.

We work together with the people of Gloucestershire to bring the county closer together, exploding myths about disability and mental health.

Support, advice and information for children, young people and adults when someone dies.

Crossroads Gloucestershire is a charity which provides practical help, support and social opportunities to carers and those they care for across all ages and disabilities.

Providing vital respite breaks to unpaid Carers and individuals with care needs.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity that aims to give people the power to speak up and stop crime anonymously.

Help, support and advice for young people (16-25) and their families.

Counselling Directory aims to be the leading service for providing counselling advice and information – connecting those in distress with the largest support network in the UK.

An online register of accredited counsellors.

Cotswold Friends is a local charity which helps and supports older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswolds.

They aim to combat isolation and loneliness and provide a telephone befriending service as well as carer respite and community transport.

Coram Voice is a charity representing children’s rights and supporting children and young people in or leaving care.

Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction.

Free, independent and confidential advice on issues including consumer problems, debt, personal and family affairs, housing and welfare benefits.

Free, independent and confidential advice on issues including consumer problems, debt, personal and family affairs, housing and welfare benefits.

Childline is a national free, private and confidential service for children and young people under the age of 19 where you can talk about anything big or small with trained counsellors.

CASA is a support and information service for autistic adults throughout Gloucestershire. CASA is for all autistic adults in Gloucestershire, and their families, friends, and support networks. The service is commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council.

They provide groups, drop-ins, information, resources, peer support, and one-to-one support. You can just turn up, no booking required, at their drop-ins and groups, which they currently run in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Cinderford, and two online groups. To find out exactly where and when they take place, see the weekly reminders on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Expert advice, information and support for carers.

Information and support for carers.

The new helpline, ‘Connect and Offload’, or CandO (pronounced ‘can do’) for short is designed to provide support when someone first notices signs and symptoms of their mental health worsening. It will be open to any adult who is experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as low mood, anxiety, stress and loneliness.

It also includes support and advice for individuals seeking help with self-harm allowing them to receive the support they need, alongside wider support for their overall emotional wellbeing.

CALM runs a free and confidential national charity helpline and webchat for men who need to talk about life’s problems and spreads awareness about depression and the devastating impact of suicide.

Helping people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.

Government information about services, carers’ rights, benefits advice and respite care.

Dad Matters is part of Home-Start Gloucestershire and provides support for dads with children under 3, including antenatal groups and perinatal mental health support groups.

Every Mind Matters has been created by Public Health England, with tips and advice developed with experts and approved by the NHS for adults and children and young people.

It gives you simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting your mood or sleeping better.

It will help you spot the signs of common mental health conditions, get personalised practical self-care tips and information on further support. You’ll also learn about what you can do to help others.

Education Action Challenging Homophobia is a charity which provides services to inspire lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality.

Earth Wisdom CIC offers free, therapeutic group sessions grounded in nature to support mental health, reduce anxiety and low mood, and help people reconnect with themselves, others, and the natural world.

Their approach is rooted in trauma-informed, relational, and eco-psychological principles. These sessions are particularly supportive for those experiencing stress, depression, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or social isolation. They offer Circle Work, Forest Bathing and Seasonal Workshops. Self-refer by email, or sign up to their mailing list for updates on upcoming sessions and events: Contact: info@earthwisdomtherapy.co.uk

Frontline19 Support Services is a free and confidential service for frontline workers

Frontline19 is an independent UK nationwide service delivering psychological support to those who are, or have been on the frontline of Covid-19. They can ensure you get the right help quickly and easily.

FRANK is a website and national telephone helpline operated by Public Health England offering honest advice, information and support to anyone concerned about drugs and solvent/volatile substance misuse.

FearFree is a local, registered charity and a commissioned service in Gloucestershire aimed at breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. They work with the perpetrator, supporting them through behaviour change. The service was formerly known as Splitz Support Services and then FearLess.

Providing help and support in all aspects of family life.

Works to improve the quality of life for people who face complex challenges in society.

Support for young people aged eight to 25 whose lives are affected by caring for a family member.

GSASS is linked with the Rethink Mental Illness charity and provides a range of support to those affected by bereavement by suicide.

They provide support for people aged 18+ who live in Gloucestershire and have been bereaved by suicide. This includes family, partners, friends, colleagues, health & social care professionals and those who may have witnessed the death. If they receive a referral or enquiry for support for someone under the age of 18, they are able to direct to alternative sources of support.

Their core opening hours are Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. For those who require support during the evening as a result of day-time commitments, they provide support up to 8pm.

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre is an independent charity affiliated to Rape Crisis England and Wales.

They offer both practical and emotional support, for anyone (all genders) who has been affected by rape, sexual abuse, sexual violence, and childhood sexual abuse. This can take place in the form of one-to-one emotional support, groups, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and email support.

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) is a county-wide service commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council designed to reduce the level of domestic abuse and improve the safety of victims and their families.

They operate in all districts offering a variety of support programmes for women and men over 16 years old who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Gloucestershire Counselling Services is a charity offering a range of counselling in Gloucestershire and the surrounding area for individuals, couples, children and families, schools and other services.

Gloucestershire Community Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a confidential service that provides information advice and support for patients, families and carers.

We provide a person-centred approach to Carers who register or are referred to us.

Online guide to services, organisations and activities for children and young people, parents and carers.

Provides face-to-face and over the phone support to those with gambling problems.

Galop runs a specialist helpline for LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
Telephone: 0800 999 5428 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Wednesday-Thursday 10am-8pm)
Email: advice@galop.org.uk

Hospice UK is a charity offering all NHS, care sector staff and emergency service workers their new ‘Just B’ counselling and trauma helpline.

Hope House SARC is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre provided by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.

They offer medical care, emotional and psychological support, and practical help to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted.

They also offer information and advice to friends and family if someone you care about has been affected by sexual assault.

Honour Thy Women is a Gloucestershire community outreach programme supporting women, and those who identify as women, over the age of 20 against Domestic Abuse. They offer judgment-free peer mentor support, creative & wellbeing workshops and resources to communities in Gloucester. Their Peer Mentors are enhanced DBS-checked and safeguarding trained.

Their community connections are with community hubs, Gloucestershire Constabulary, community organisations and the specialists all strategically supporting those in need. They describe themselves as diverse and inclusive and all services are funded.

Home-Start Gloucestershire provides early support to families who are facing the challenges and stresses of family life, including a wide range of difficulties such as isolation, low self-esteem, physical and mental health issues.

Hollie Gazzard Trust is a charity created following the murder of 20-year-old Hollie Gazzard in 2014 by an ex-partner. The charity helps reduce domestic violence through creating and delivering programmes on domestic abuse and promoting healthy relationships to schools and colleges. The charity has developed a smartphone app called Holly Guard to help women to better protect themselves is working alone, travelling to an unknown area. Their new 24/7 monitoring service provides direct access to a dedicated emergency response team who are fully equipped to assess your situation and are trained in appropriate escalation procedures.

If you live in Gloucestershire, the Healthy Lifestyles team is on hand to help and support you. They can work with you to identify small changes that you can make, as well as supporting you to achieve them.

Whether you’re thinking about losing weight, giving up smoking, getting more active or just improving your overall wellbeing, they’re here to help you.

The consumer champion for health and social care in England.

Gloucestershire based help and support for people affected by brain injury.

Harmless is a sponsored organisation which provides a range of services about self-harm including support, information to people who self-harm, their friends and families.

The charity offers sight loss advice and guidance for anyone living with sight loss across Gloucestershire, delivering services out of hubs located around the county and resource centre in Cheltenham.

Independent Age is a charity aimed at supporting older adults and families with clear, free and impartial advice on care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility and how to get the help you need to remain independent.

JIGSAW Thornbury is a charity that works with children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs or disabilities, and their families in Gloucestershire and BANES by running support groups, events, activities and youth groups.

Kidscape is a national charity which provides children, families, carers and professionals with advice, training and practical tools to prevent bullying and protect young lives.

Karma Nirvana is a UK human rights charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. The charity offers training to professionals and in schools and operate a National helpline to support victims in immediate danger.

The Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage App is a child-led, parent/guardian supported therapeutic intervention that can be used on most smartphones or tablets and is free for all Gloucestershire children and their families to help children to build their confidence and to self-manage their worries.

It facilitates graded exposures (the active ingredient of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with psychoeducation to empower 7-12 year olds with mild to moderate needs to learn to self-manage fears, worries and anxiety.

It is recommended by NICE and described as practical, age appropriate, non-stigmatising, encourages self management and provides user progress and health outcomes data in real time to authorised professionals.

Longfield offers free counselling for anyone over the age of 18 with a progressive life limiting condition such as cancer, heart disease, neurological diseases (including Parkinson’s, MND, MS. Also, early to mid-stage dementia, depending on support needs) and advanced lung disease, who live in Gloucestershire or have a GP registered in Gloucestershire.

Live Well provides advice, tips and tools to make the best choices about your health and wellbeing including practical advice to help you feel mentally and emotionally better as well as programmes, workouts and tips to get you moving, improve your fitness and to improve your diet.

MindOut online support

Parents who are concerned about their child’s behaviour or emotional wellbeing can go on the MindEd for Families site for free, practical information to help you to understand your child and support them through whatever they are going through.

Information on postnatal depression and perinatal mental health.

Information, advice and support for people with mental illness and their carers.

Mermaids helps gender-diverse kids, young people and their families.

Mental Health Foundation Provides information and research on prevention and mental health.

The leading voice of learning disability.

Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that that may solve their common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

Mankind offer support to male victims of domestic abuse. Their helpline provides both emotional support and practical information.

NSPCC is a national charity working to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families.

They work with schools, provide therapeutic services, undertake research as well as providing support and advice for families and campaigning for change.

If you’re worried about an urgent medical concern, call 111 and speak to a fully trained adviser. For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.

Next Steps is a website from the Dementia Change Action Network.
It is for anyone waiting for a memory assessment appointment as well as carers, family members and organisations who support them.

An organisation working to enable people at risk of exclusion to live the life they choose.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a national charity and aims to reduce the risk of violence and aggression through campaigning, education and support.

Operated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, advocacy and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.

Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims of domestic abuse and those who are worried about friends or loved ones.

National Debtline is a charity which provides free and independent debt advice over the phone and online as well as handy resources to help overcome financial pressures.

National Bullying Helpline is a charitable organisation offering help and support for adults, children and parents struggling with bullying issues.

National Autistic Society provides advice and support for people with autism and their families.

NACOA is a charity which provides information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem.

NAPAC offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. They offer a range of resources for survivors, as well as those who care for and work with them.

On Your Mind Gloucestershire (OYMG) is an NHS website with an anonymous online support finder and provides information for young people about bullying, eating disorders and anxiety and much more, including where you can go for more support and how to self-refer to many services.

Information and advice on how to support someone who needs help managing their financial affairs

Support and information for those living with OCD.

POhWER is a charity and membership organisation providing information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion.

POD (Peer support and Online Development) is Beat’s online learning platform designed to provide anyone supporting someone with an eating disorder with a space to learn, share experiences and find community through online courses, workshops and forums.

Through POD, you can access a wide range of interactive e-learning modules to learn more about the basics of eating disorders and useful tools to support your loved one in recovery.

You’re not alone in supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. With POD, you can connect with others who have the same experiences and worries as you.

Pink Therapy has an online directory of therapists who work with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer or questioning (LGBTIQ), and people who are gender- and sexual-diverse (GSD).

Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide is a national charity which provides confidential support and practical advice for any children and young people under the age of 35 who may be having suicidal thoughts or their parents/carers who might be concerned about someone who could be thinking about suicide.

Pre and Postnatal depression advice and support.

Run things is a not-for profit virtual running club that focuses on fighting isolation and social anxiety among users.

The helpline is a UK service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as, revenge porn.

Charity campaigning for the rights of people with mental health problems and their carers.

Respect Men’s advice line is a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse offering nonjudgmental emotional support, practical advice and information.

Respect is a domestic abuse organisation which runs a confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families, as well as a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.

RELEASE is an independent charity and a national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. The team provides free nonjudgmental, specialist advice and information to the public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug laws.

Relate is a charity providing confidential counselling service by professionally trained counsellors for couples or individuals experiencing relationship problems. Relate offers a range of digital and telephone counselling services.

Rehab 4 Addiction was founded to assist those affected by substance misuse and their loved ones. We offer a range of services and help signpost you to the most effective treatments.

Reengage is a national charity which exists to provide social activities and friendship for people over 75 who live alone.

They have created a new telephone befriending service for older people called call companions for anyone over the age of 75 who feels lonely or isolated.

Find out more about how you can join a group, make new friends, join a reading friends group or arrange to be a part of the befriending service.

Rape Crisis Centres provide specialist support and services to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence. The Rape Crisis National Helpline offers free, confidential emotional support and information.

Switchboard LGBT+ provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email and through instant messaging.

They also have useful resources on their website including an emotional wellbeing support pack. The service is open 10am-10pm every day. All volunteers are self-identifying LGBT+.

SurvivorsUK support men, boys, trans and nonbinary survivors of sexual violence. They offer one to one counselling, ISVA services, and an online helpline.

Supporting adults who have been bereaved by suicide.

Support at The Cavern, funded by Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, provides listening support, low level interventions such as board games and adult colouring, inclusive activities such as quiz nights and offers a supportive environment for Gloucestershire adults.

Sunflowers Suicide Support provides bereavement support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

The National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK is a compassionate and understanding lifeline for those grappling with their mental well-being or thoughts of suicide. Our lines are open every day from 6 pm until midnight, offering a safe haven for anyone who needs someone to talk to.

Sue Ryder is a charity which supports people living with a terminal illness, a neurological condition or who are bereaved. They run Bereavement groups in Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Stroud Women’s Refuge is a charity offering accommodation and support services to women and their children who have been affected by domestic abuse.

Stonewall provides information and support for LGBT communities and their allies.

Stay Safe East provides specialist and holistic advocacy and support services to disabled people who are victims and survivors of domestic or sexual violence.

Stay Alive App is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, from charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention. It is packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. The free app can be accessed through the Apple Store, Google Play and downloaded as a pdf.

Southall Black Sisters specialise in domestic and gender related violence, including forced marriage and ‘honour-based’ abuse. They provide specialist advice, information, casework, advocacy, counselling and self-help support services in several languages.

Shout is a 24/7 text service, supported by digital mental health charity, Mental Health Innovations.

It provides free (on all major mobile networks) crisis support for anyone who is anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and needs immediate support.

Shine is a Cirencester-based charity which offers creative art therapy courses, peer support and weekly drop-in sessions for struggling mums dealing with depression and anxiety

Selfharm.co.uk is a charity which supports young people aged 14-19 impacted by self-harm and provides information and a moderated discussion board where you can ask questions and get support.

Scope is the disability equality charity in England and Wales providing practical and emotional support.

Their online disability forum is a supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information and to talk to people with similar experiences.

Information on all aspects of mental illness.

Abuse, domestic violence & sexual assault and Additional support for ethnic communities. and Additional support for LGBT+ and Bereavement, grief & loss and Bullying and Carers, Parent Carers and Young Carers and Children, young people & families and Counselling and Drugs & alcohol and Eating disorders and Key workers and Learning disabilities and Maternal Mental Health and Mental Health support and Older people and Self-harm and Suicide prevention and Support for adults

Samaritans also has a specialist Wellbeing Support phoneline for health and care workers which is free to access and available from 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You can get support signposting and confidential listening from trained professionals in a number of areas, from coaching and bereavement care to mental health and welfare support.

SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse. They provide information, resources, support and training.

Safeline’s National Male Survivor Helpline is a dedicated service for men and boys in England and Wales affected by rape or sexual abuse and those that support them such as friends and family.

Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults In Gloucestershire there’s a statutory partnership – the Safeguarding Adults Board of all organisations working together to safeguard adults at risk in the county and they provide support to report, investigate and to stop abuse.

Information about mental health in pregnancy.

Time to change is a social movement led by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness aimed at ending mental health discrimination.

The Survivors Trust provides confidential information, advice and support for people who have experienced rape and sexual violence.

The Silver Line is a free confidential charity helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to anyone who needs to talk.

The Royal British Legion, Gloucestershire is the local branch of the national Armed Forces charity for veterans. Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities.

The Loss Foundation specialises in bereavement support for those who have lost a loved one to cancer. They offer free grief therapy groups tailored specifically to support those coping with bereavement and their services focus exclusively on the unique needs of those navigating loss.

The Listening Post provides counselling support to Gloucestershire adults.

The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) was set up in 2005 and provides support to victims as well as expert training and guidance to professionals.

It is jointly run by the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Contact the Forced Marriage Unit if you’re trying to stop a forced marriage or you need help leaving a marriage you’ve been forced into.

Support after the death of a child of any age.

The the only charity for people with severe learning disabilities who display behaviour described as challenging.

The largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK.

Counselling, Support and Care for Young People and Families

Universitycompare.com has developed a guide for students managing anxiety when in university halls of residence. They cover important topics, such as:

• Understanding and embracing anxiety triggers
• Coping techniques and preparing for life in halls
• How to deal with financial pressures
• Managing academic pressures
• The importance of a healthy lifestyle

UK Smart Recovery is a charity which promotes choice in recovery through a national network of mutual aid meetings and online training resources.

Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.

Their connection with additional key referral partners and information organisations – both within and outside the Armed Forces sector – means they can get you to the right organisation who can help. Get veteran-focused information, advice and support

Worried about your own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use?

We provide free and confidential advice, care and support for people in Gloucestershire aged 18+.

Women’s Aid is a charity which provides support for women who are experiencing or have experienced physical, mental, sexual or domestic violence or abuse.

A a charity for men and women aged 50 or under when their partner died.

Your Circle is a website run by Gloucestershire County Council with information, advice and support to help you, or someone you look after, stay independent, safe and well.

Information on mental health of young children and young people, including young carers.  Confidential support for anyone worried about the emotional problems or behaviour of a child or young person.

Young Gloucestershire (YG) is a countywide charity that supports young people who are facing very difficult times; whether it be a disruptive home life, caring for a family member, coping with a mental health issue or substance abuse. They offer practical ways to find confidence and develop the skills needed to get on track and to move into a job, education or training.