Helplines and websites

This page provides a signposting service for homelessness agencies, homeless people and those threatened with homelessness. As well as general advice and support services, it includes helplines and websites which may be useful to people from particular groups, or to people with particular needs.

All information on this page was correct at the date it was published. If you find any information which is incorrect, or if you have any other useful links or helplines that you would like to share with others please contact us. Homeless Link is not responsible for the content of any external websites.

SUBJECTS

Advice | Alcohol & Drugs | Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants | Black and Minority Ethnic | Charity Management/Governance | Disability | Dogs | Domestic Violence | Employment | Ex-Offenders | Ex-Service Personnel | Finance | Health | Human Rights & Housing Rights | Interpreting/Translation | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender | Mental Health | Missing Persons | Older Homeless | Policy/Information Services | Self Harm | Single Homeless | Supporting People | Trade Unions | Volunteering | Young People

ADVICE

  • Advicenow - information on the law and rights, including housing and homelessness
  • Adviceguide - advice on wide range of subjects. Details of local CABs across the UK
  • Samaritans - for anyone experiencing emotional crisis and at risk of suicide. Helpline - 08457 90 90 90 local rate (24 hours) or email
  • Shelter - housing and homelessness advice and information. Helpline - 0808 800 4444 freephone (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm).

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

  • Alcohol Concern - information and resources
  • Department of Health - substance misuse - useful links and information
  • Down Your Drink - information
  • Drinkline - individual help and advice. Helpline - 0800 917 8282 freephone (24 hours)
  • DrugScope - information, publications and databases, including drug treatment services
  • Exchange Supplies - comprehensive online information on drugs, harm reduction, needle exchange, safer injecting, drug treatment etc.
  • Frank - help and advice. A-Z of drugs. Helpline - 0800 77 66 00 freephone (24 hours) or email.

ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS

BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC

  • Equality and Human Rights Commission - legal advice. Helpline - 0845 604 6610 local rate (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
  • Friends, Families and Travellers - advice and information for the Traveller community, both traditional and new
  • Operation Black Vote - ethnic minority civic leadership support and information on Black/Asian MPs and Councillors
  • The Gypsy Council - information and support for Gypsies and Travellers. 01708 868986 (Mon-Thurs 9am-12 noon) or email
  • Travellers Advice Line - advice and representation. Helpline - 0845 120 2980 local rate (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm). Out of hours 07768 316755 or email.

CHARITY MANAGEMENT/GOVERNANCE

  • ACAS - works with employers and employees to improve relations. A-Z listings of work related issues. Helpline - 0845 47 47 47 local rate (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-1pm)
  • Charity Commission - resources and information on registering and running a charity
  • Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - information, research and resources, including useful publications and free information leaflets
  • Information Commissioner’s Office - information on Data Protection and Freedom of Information
  • NAVCA - information and resources from a network of local voluntary and community infrastructure organisations throughout England.

DISABILITY

DOGS

  • Dogs Trust (Hope Project) - free treatment for range of services for dogs whose owners are homeless or in housing crisis.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

EMPLOYMENT

  • 3xE Network Website - information about organisations using social enterprise models, including those working with unemployed people who are homeless or at risk
  • Dress for Success - appropriate interview attire for women
  • The Big Issue - information on the work of the Big Issue magazine.

EX-OFFENDERS

  • Jobcheck - helpline for ex-offenders, prisoners, probation staff and employers on issues which affect ex-offenders seeking employment. Helpline - 0870 608 4567 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm) or email
  • Nacro - crime reduction services, publications and information
  • Nacro Resettlement Plus Helpline - information and advice for prisoners and ex-offenders, their families and friends. Helpline - 0800 0181 259 freephone (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email
  • Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS) - advice and support
  • Revolving Doors Agency - support for people with problems around both offending and mental health. National development programme, and publications
  • Women in Prison - advice and support.

EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL

  • Combat Stress - advice, information and support for ex-Service personnel who have mental health problems as a result of their experiences in conflict
  • Joint Service Housing Advice Office – helpline for members of the armed forces and their families. Helpline 01722 436575 (Mon-Thurs 8.30am-5pm, Fri 8.30am-4pm)
  • Royal British Legion - financial and social support for people who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces, including practical help for those who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation. Helpline (Legionline) - 08457 725 725 local rate (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
  • Service Personnel and Veterans Agency - government agency providing help and advice for serving and ex-military personnel. Veterans Helpline - 0800 169 2277 freephone (Mon-Thurs 8.15am-5.15pm, Fri 8.15am-4.30pm) or email
  • Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation - housing and enabling services for disabled and homeless ex-Service personnel. Helpline 020 7385 2110 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email
  • SPACES (Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services) - helpline for single people leaving the armed forces with no permanent home to go to. Helpline - 01748 833797 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email
  • SSAFA - Forces Help - support for serving and ex-serving military personnel and families. Helpline - 0800 731 4880 freephone (10.30am-10.30pm) or email
  • Veterans Aid - advice for homeless ex-service personnel and their families, and accommodation.

FINANCE

  • Consumer Credit Counselling Service  - helpline and online counseling for people with debt problems. Helpline - 0800 138 1111 freephone (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm) or email
  • National Debtline - independent advice on debt problems. Helpline - 0808 808 4000 freephone (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm)
  • Payplan - advice on debt. Helpline - 0800 716239 freephone (Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-3pm) or email.

HEALTH

  • Department of Health - policy information, statistics and publications covering a wide range of topics, including homelessness
  • NHS Direct - online health information and self help. Helpline - 0845 46 47 local rate (24 hours).

HUMAN RIGHTS AND HOUSING RIGHTS 

  • Liberty - online and phone advice on human rights and civil liberties issues. Information on rights under the Human Rights Act 1998, including access to support and accommodation for asylum seekers. Helpline - 0845 123 2307 (Mon 6.30pm-8.30pm, Weds 12.30pm-2.30pm, Thurs 6.30pm-8.30pm)
  • Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture - support for survivors of torture and other human rights abuse, including refugees and asylum seekers.

INTERPRETING/TRANSLATION

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER

  • Broken Rainbow - helpline for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence. Helpline 08452 60 44 60 local rate (Mon 2pm-8pm, Weds 10am-1pm, Thurs 2pm-8pm) or email
  • Lesbian & Gay Switchboards - links to UK regional and international lesbian & gay switchboards
  • London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard - UK-wide helpline (and link to online search directory) for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people. Helpline - 020 7837 7324 (10am-11pm)
  • Safra Project - resources on issues relating to lesbian, bisexual and transgender women who identify as Muslim religiously and/or culturally
  • Stonewall Housing - online and phone advice and information for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people on homelessness, housing options, harassment and finding accommodation
  • Housing Advice Line - 020 7359 5767 (Mon 10am-1pm, Tues & Weds 2pm-5pm, Thurs & Fri 10am-1pm).

MENTAL HEALTH

  • Department of Health - mental health policy, publications and links
  • Mental Health Foundation - information for people affected by mental health problems or learning disabilities. Online access to publications and mental health A-Z
  • MIND - information and advice for people affected by mental health problems. Helpline - 0845 766 0163 local rate (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or email. 

MISSING PERSONS

  • Message Home - helpline providing a message home service for adults who are missing. Helpline - 0800 700 740 freephone (24 hours) or email
  • Missing People - helpline for adults with a missing family member or relative. Helpline - 0500 700 700 freephone (24 hours)
  • Runaway Helpline - advice and message home service for young people up to age 17 who have run away, or been forced to leave home or care. Helpline - 0808 800 7070 freephone (24 hours) or email.

OLDER HOMELESS

  • Age Concern - advice, information, campaigning and other support for older people. Helpline (Information Line), including advice on housing. Helpline 0800 009 966 freephone (8am-7pm)
  • Help the Aged - advice, information, campaigning and other support for older people
  • SeniorLine - helpline, including advice on housing options. Helpline 0808 800 6565 freephone (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm) or email
  • UK Coalition on Older Homeless - lobby group of housing and homelessness agencies concerned with raising the profile of older homeless people in the UK.

POLICY/INFORMATION SERVICES

  • Crisis - information, campaigning, policy and research. Data bank of downloadable research
  • Homeless Forum - website discussion board for people involved in providing homelessness services to discuss issues and share information
  • Homeless London - information on services for homeless people in London
  • Homeless UK - information on services for homeless people in London and the UK
  • Homeless Pages  - information on publications about homelessness and related issues in the UK
  • Parliament - information on UK legislation, MPs etc
  • Shelter - advice, support, campaigning, research
  • Housing Advice Helpline 0800 800 4444 freephone (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm).

SELF HARM

  • National Self Harm Network - survivor-led organisation. Campaigning and support, including online support forum
  • Samaritans - for anyone experiencing emotional crisis and at risk of suicide. Research and training on self harm. Helpline - 08457 90 9090 local rate (24 hours) or email
  • TheSite.org  - information for young people, including downloadable factsheets, getting help and details of support groups.

SINGLE HOMELESS

  •  Homeless Places Project - information on emergency services available to single homeless people in the UK (outside London).

SUPPORTING PEOPLE

  • CLG - information about the Supporting People programme
  • SITRA - advice for Supporting People providers. Email enquiries.

TRADE UNIONS

VOLUNTEERING

  • Do-it.org.uk - website about volunteering in the UK with a national database of volunteering opportunities and volunteer bureaux.

YOUNG PEOPLE

  • Barnardo's - resources and information
  • Childline - helpline for children and young people in danger or distress. Helpline - 0800 1111 freephone (24 hours) or email
  • Connexions Direct - listening and advice helpline for young people aged 13-19 on education, training, employment and other issues. Helpline - 080800 13 2 19 freephone (8am-2am)
  • Get Connected - helpline for young people under 25 which provides free connection to local and national services and sources of help, including texting to callers’ mobile phones. Helpline - 0808 808 4994 freephone (1pm-11pm) or email
  • National Care Advisory Service - advice for young people in England leaving care and those working with them
  • National Youth Advocacy Service - information, advice and advocacy services for children and young people up to the age of 25. Helpline - 0800 616101 freephone (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm)
  • Runaway Helpline - advice and message home service for young people up to age 17 who have run away, or been forced to leave home or care. Helpline - 0808 800 7070 freephone (24 hours) or email
  • Talk, Don't Walk - support and advice for young people who have run away or are thinking of running away. Helpline - 0800 085 2136 freephone (24 hours)
  • The Hideout - information for children and young people experiencing domestic violence
  • TheSite.org  - practical information for young people on an extensive range of issues, including homelessness
  • Youth Information - website with information for young people, including leaving home or care and homelessness.