If you are in an emergency, please call 999. If it is unsafe to speak on the phone, press 55 after dialling 999 for the silent solution.

Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9 AM – 5:00 PM. Call 0121 728 7030 during these times to be signposted to services. Please note, these phone lines will closed between 25th December 2024 until 2nd January 2025.

If you need support outside of these times or have contacted us with a query out of office hours on social media, please see below:

Food

• We are no longer able to offer food parcels but are continuing to offer cooked meals at our community cafes.  Find out about these free meals here.
• Find more information on other support available for food provided by other organisations and foodbanks here.

Mental health

• Whatever you’re going through, Samaritans are here to help. Call 116 123 or visit: their website (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
• If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight, 365 days a year) or use their webchat service.
• Mind provides information and signposting via their website or Infoline 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm – except for bank holidays).
• Birmingham and Solihull Urgent Mental Health Helpline is 0121 262 3555. The Helpline is operated by Birmingham Mind from 9 AM – 11 PM, providing advice and information to people experiencing mental health difficulties, their families, professionals and the wider public. 
• Children and Young Peoples mental health support is available from Kooth here.

Domestic Abuse

• Contact Refuge’s freephone 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, you can use the expert, all-female Helpline team via their live chat service Monday to Friday, 10am – 10pm.
• If you are affected by domestic abuse or are supporting someone who is, Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid are here to help. Find them here or by calling 0808 800 0028 (7 days a week, 9:15am-5:15pm).
• If you identify as male and you are affected by domestic abuse, contact Respect UK’s freephone helpline on 0808 8010327, Mon–Fri 10 AM – 5 PM. The Men’s Advice Line offers confidential advice, non-judgmental support, practical information and help. For more information or to access to Men’s Advice Line Information Hub, please click here. 

Children, Young People and Families

• If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, please contact The Birmingham Advice and Support Service on: 0121 303 1888 (Monday to Friday 8:45am-4:15pm). Emergency Out of Hours 0121 675 4806.
• If you’re based in Essex and are worried about a child, please contact the Essex County Council Children’s Social Care team on 0345 603 7627. This phoneline is open Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 5.00pm Fridays 8.45am – 4.15pm For out of hours or bank holidays, call the emergency duty team on 0345 606 1212. For the Southend, please contact Southend Council Children’s Social Care on 01702 215 007. 
• You can contact the NPSCC – professional counsellors can offer advice and support via 0808 800 5000 (Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends). More info and support, as well as an online reporting form are available on the NSPCC website.
• Childline can be contacted by calling 0800 1111 (9am-3:30am) or 1-2-1 chat with a counsellor can be accessed here 9am-10:30pm.
• FamilyLine, offers free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships – including siblings – conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more. The helpline opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm.
  
  Outside these hours, text FAMILYACTION to 85258, to access the free 24/7 crisis support service delivered in partnership with Shout. This is also available on weekends and bank holidays. Please note, over Christmas the FamilyLine will operate on reduced hours – dates and times can be found on the FamilyAction website here. 

Support for older people

• If you’re feeling lonely, or know of someone who might be this Christmas, please contact Age UK (England) for more information and support for older people. The helpline is open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year 0800 678 1602. For more information, please visit the website here.
• The Silver Line Helpline, run by Age UK, is a telephone service specialist for older people aged 55 and over. Whether you’re feeling lonely, need access to support, or just want to chat, the friendly team is ready for your call: 0800 4 70 80 90 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). 

Birmingham Adult Social Care

• If you are worried about an adult and want to report possible abuse of adults with care and support needs, please contact: 0121 303 1234 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm). Outside of these hours call: 0121 675 4806.

Money advice

• Free and impartial advice, guides and tools on how to improve your finances, plan ahead and is available via phone 1800 138 777 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or on the Money Advice Service website.

Homelessness

• The Shelter helpline is 0808 800 4444 (8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm on weekends) and more info is available here.
• If you are currently homeless, or if you are concerned about someone sleeping rough in your local area, support is also available at thestreetlink.org.uk. You can send an alert to StreetLink by via the website, mobile app, or by calling 0300 500 0914
• For Essex, please visit the Essex County Council website here for more information on emergency support and advice. For support in Birmingham, please visit the Birmingham City Council website here. 
• SIFA Fireside offers Emergency and Rough Sleeper Support, Mon-Fri, 9am – 12.45pm. Appointments are available throughout the day . Assistance can be given over the phone on 0121 766 1700 (9am – 3pm, Monday – Friday) or via their website. If you’re looking for support outside of SIFA Fireside’s opening hours, emergency accommodation support is available from: 
• You can contact the Birmingham City Council Housing Options team at Newtown Housing Options Centre directly on 0121 303 7410.
• Birmingham City Council Housing Service: 0121 303 2296

Migrant help

• For people seeking asylum in the UK, there is a free asylum helpline, Migrant Help, which you can call on: 0808 8010 503  (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) or live webchat here.

Non emergency medical help

• Check symptoms and find out where and when to get help by calling NHS 111, or visiting the website.

Please note due to changes in circumstances after the time of publication, the accuracy of the information may be affected. We, therefore, encourage you to contact the organisation directly.