Alcoholics Anonymous is group meeting where people share their experience, strength and hope that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Each meeting is autonomous, and confidential.
If the person has a smartphone they can download the 'Drink Free Days' app Drink less - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)designed to make it easy to keep an eye on alcohol consumption and take control with daily tips and feedback.
Narcotics Anonymous
A non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.
FRANK is a national drug information service providing honest information about drugs. If you need friendly confidential advice for yourself or someone else, you can contact their helpline 24/7. They also provide email and live chat services.
We Are With You is a charity providing free, confidential support to people living in Cornwall who are experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. This service can be online or face to face at your nearest service centre. Please use their Service Finder (link below) to find the service closest to where to you live and their relevant contact details. It also provides support to families, friends or anyone who needs advice or support in this area.
Referral method: Self-referral or via professional
Cornwall at YZUP
This service is for you if you’re under 18, living in Cornwall and you’re worried about either your drug or alcohol use or someone else’s. You can make contact via phone, or use the online chat.
Referral method: Self-referral or via professional
Bosence Treatment Services
Bosence Drug & Alcohol Treatment provides a peaceful and tranquil environment in Cornwall where you can concentrate on getting well, free from distraction. They offer residential detoxification & stabilisation and rehabilitation treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. If you would like to contact them for more information or to discuss admissions you can write, email, or call them in confidence.
St Petrocs operates the Freshfield Service, a confidential telephone advice-line for individuals, concerned family members and friends of those with substance misuse issues, and also for professionals involved in the care of people using drugs and alcohol. A bespoke face to face counselling service is also available.
Telephone: 01872 264153
Opening Hours/Drop in: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm/Drop in Mon – Wed 10am to 4pm
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is a law enforcement agency providing support and advice for children, adults or teachers about keeping children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. Submit a report online https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/
Childline provide free, confidential support to children about any topic, including modern slavery and human trafficking. Support is available to anyone under the age of 19 years. Online 1-2-1 chats with counsellors and email options are also available. See their website for more details.
Telephone: 0800 1111 (Available 24hrs a day 7 days a week)
Safeline provides specialist, tailored support for anyone affected by or at risk of sexual abuse and rape, that empowers them to make choices about the lives they want and helps prevent abuse. They provide support to anyone but also offer a dedicated phone service for male survivors of sexual violence.
Telephone: 01926 402 498 (Safeline) or 0808 800 5005 (National Male Survivor Helpline)
If you’re worried about a child, even if you are unsure, the NSPCC helpline is available for advice from a trained counsellor. You don't have to say who you are. You might be looking for guidance and support on issues affecting children. Whatever it is you're worried about, their dedicated child protection specialists will be able to help.
NWG- Say Something If You See Something Awareness Campaign
Say Something If You See Something is an all year round National Campaign which provides a proactive, partnership approach towards the prevention of child exploitation and trafficking in a range of trades. It provides and extensive range of resources and support for organisations to raise awareness of Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking, as well as guidance on how to respond effectively and protect vulnerable young people.
Support Advice and Guidance is also available from the CSE Response Unit based at the NWG premises in Derby. The CSE Response Unit is for all professionals from all sectors who want to understand and improve their response to CSE, this multi-disciplinary team provides excellent support on all matters related to Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery.
Pace is a national charity working to keep children safe from exploitation by supporting their parents, disrupting the offenders and working in partnership with police and family services. They also train professionals to support affected children and their parents using a trauma-informed, family-centric approach. They take referrals directly from parents who have concerns and need support.
Report Remove-Remove a Nude Image Shared Online (Run by Childline)
Report Remove helps young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet. Having your nudes shared can feel scary, and it can leave you feeling worried or even ashamed. But it’s not your fault. It’s against the law for anyone to share a sexual image or video of someone who’s under 18, and Childline are working with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and Yoti to help you remove any sexual image or video of you that’s online.
Report Remove is safe, easy and free- visit the website address below for more information.
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and come back. You can also contact them if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. Runaway Helpline has been supporting young people for many years and is run by the UK charity Missing People.
Telephone: 116000 (call or text for free, 9am-11pm 7 days a week)
The Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (CSODS) lets you formally ask the police whether someone who has contact with a child or children has a record for child sexual (paedophile) offences poses a risk to the child or children for some other reason. It's not a law, but it is sometimes called 'Sarah's Law'. It gives guidance on how you can ask us to use our existing police powers to share information about sex offenders. If you’re worried about someone’s behaviour towards a child, or something you've seen, heard, or been told, you can use Sarah's Law to find out if that person is a risk. You must apply for information about a specific person and a specific child or children they spend time with. You cannot apply for general information about child sex offenders.
Who can apply?
Anyone who is worried about someone's behaviour towards a child can apply, not just a child's parents. This includes people like a grandparent, neighbour, or friend. No matter who makes the application, if there is information we decide to share, we will tell whoever can use the information to keep the child safe. This might not be the person who made the application, it might be someone else (like the child's parents).
Barnardo's Exceed Service is commissioned by the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner and Torbay Council to support young people aged 8-18 who live in Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay where there are concerns around Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
They also work with 18-25s who are care experienced or who have additional needs, as well as supporting parents and carers and professionals to tackle CSE across Devon and Cornwall.
Telephone: 01752 256339
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (closed on bank holidays)
The Truro SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers 24 hour access to counselling and services to support anyone of any age who has experienced rape or sexual assault. This could have been recently or in the past. Services offered include; forensic medical facilities and examination, emotional and practical support and sexual health and contraception information and services. Support staff and medical services are available at any time of the day or night. This can be with or without the need for police involvement.
There are Sexual Assault Referral Centre's (SARC) in Truro, Exeter & Plymouth, please click on the link below to find your nearest centre.
Truro Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Children’s Service
Truro SARC offers a dedicated children’s service for children up to their 18th birthday who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
If you or somebody you know has been a victim of non-recent sexual assault you can get help by calling 0300 303 4626 or by filling in a quick referral form.
Children who have experienced recent cases of sexual assault (10 days or less ago) in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are cared for at their facility in Truro. They will be given immediate medical care, a forensic medical assessment, emergency contraception if required, and support and advice about what to do next.
If you are a Police Officer referring a victim into the ISVA Service, you must use the below secure online referral form. Please do not useFirst Light's own website or advise victims to report directly.
The Money Helper Service (Government backed service)
Free and impartial money advice, set up by the government. Providing advice and guides to help improve your finances. They also have tools and calculators to help keep you on track and plan ahead. They provide support over the phone and online, via WhatsApp and Webchat. See their website for more details.
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits, as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to.
To find your nearest Citizens Advice please click on the link below. Scroll down and enter your postcode or town to get contact details for your nearest Citizens Advice.
StepChange helps change lives, helping you be free from Debt by getting your finances back on track. They will give you debt advice, a personalised plan to deal with your debts, while providing a wide range of debt solutions and services. Their expert advice is impartial and personalised to each individual situation.
PayPlan's supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts. They understand the recent cost of living increases will be putting a strain on your finances. They can help in many ways, such as; with contacting people you owe money to and arranging lower payments to make things more affordable.
Their website has tools such as budget calculator's and tips to help you save money help you with budget and plan, to get you back on track.
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
CAP offer free, expert debt help and they will support you all the way to becoming debt free. No matter how large or small your problem is. The first step is often the hardest, but it’s worth it. If CAP is not available in your area you can still other services available to you on their website. You can check if CAP provide support i your area by using their postcode search, follow the link here: CAP UK | Contact us
Cornwall Council offer advice and support with the cost of living for residents of Cornwall. They provide lots of financial help for those struggling, free school meals, help with foods, tips for saving money and more.
Get in touch with your nearest foodbank, either by telephone or email and explain your situation. The foodbank will be able to tell you which referral agencies they work with in your area and how you can get a voucher.
Contact the referral agency specified by the foodbank, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher via email or discuss arranging a visit in person to collect, if they're able to.
Take the voucher to your nearest foodbank centre to collect your food parcel.
Please note in most cases, you must have a food bank voucher to receive your food parcel.
If cost of living pressures are affecting your mental health please look at the Mental Wellbeing Topic showing support services in your area.
If you are in danger, please dial 999 immediately or 101 in a non-emergency.
If you're unable to speak when you dial 999, use 'The Silent Solution': Wait for the operator to speak and type 55 on your keypad. This will alert the operator that you need help.
Refuge- National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Providing advice and support for women and children, against domestic violence. If you are seeking immediate support please call, support can be provided in many different languages including BSL. Any messages you send won’t leave any trace on your email and they won’t leave voicemails when calling back for safety reasons.
A national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They provide online help and support to women and children suffering domestic abuse, help to access refuge accommodation, outreach services and Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA).
Resources on this website explore technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. To talk to someone who can answer your questions and support you, call the National Domestic Abuse helpline. Information includes:
Safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology
Spyware and Stalkerware information
Smartphones - Increasing privacy & responding to abuse
Tips on being webwise when sharing personal information online
A confidential helpline, run by Respect, for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). Their focus is to increase the safety of men experiencing domestic abuse (and the safety of their children).
The Helpline Team has extensive experience in supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse. Professionals can also contact this number for advice.
Rights of Women - helping women through their rights in law
They give free legal advice and information to women in England and Wales on a wide range of issues including domestic violence, child contact, sexual violence and the criminal justice process, immigration and asylum, sexual harassment at work as well as other legal issues arising from relationship breakdown.
Respect offer a confidential and anonymous helpline offering advice, information, and support for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner of either sex.
Relate can help you with pressing concerns that are affecting your relationships. This could be with your partner, a child, a family member, or friend. The service offers relationship counselling for partners and individuals, sex therapy, family counselling and counselling for children and young people.
Victim Support provide emotional and practical help to people who have been affected by domestic abuse in Devon and Cornwall. They are independent charity, and you can contact them regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place.
Telephone:National 0808 1689 111- 24 Hours
Devon and Cornwall: 0300 3030 554 Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm
This scheme enables the police to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have. Under Clare's Law you can:
Apply for information about your current or ex-partner because you're worried they may have a history of abuse and are a risk to you
Request information about the current or ex-partner of a friend or relative because you're worried, they might be at risk.
Please note: The Clare’s Law (DVDS) scheme does not replace: CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) Checks, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, subject access requests or FOI requests.
First Light is a charity providing Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence support for all, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. You don't need to have reported to the police to access their services. Their website also provides useful information, advice and support, if you have experienced rape or sexual assault both recently and in the past.
Telephone: 03458 12 12 12 - Sexual Violence Recovery Service Helpline
For Domestic Abuse call 0300 7774777 open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm and Saturdays 9am-5pm
Cornwall Refuge Trust provides refuge accommodation for women, men and children who have escaped domestic abuse, offering them a safe and supportive environment in which to recover from their experiences.
Supporting male victims of domestic abuse who have left or are leaving abusive relationships, they provide safe accommodation for men and their children in their male refuge in Cornwall. They also have a separate self-contained unit which maybe suitable for Trans victims who may not feel comfortable in the main refuge, or possibly couples fleeing honour-based violence.
Telephone: 01872 225629 (24/7) and office hours 01872 229826 or 01872 229827
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
The Women’s Centre Cornwall
Run by women for women, with the aim of empowering and enabling all women and girls to gain the health, well-being, confidence, and skills they need to achieve their potential. They provide a safe, caring and supportive environment where women can access support and services to achieve this.
Telephone:Main Office 01208 76466 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and Rape and Sexual Abuse & Domestic Abuse Helpline 01208 77099
Opening Hours: Helpline- Monday-Friday 10am-1pm, Monday and Thursday, evenings 6pm-9pm and Saturday mornings 10am-1pm
West Cornwall Women's Aid supports women and children at risk in Cornwall. The services offered aim to give women and children a safe space, where they can relax and rebuild. They provide accommodation, support and information to women who are in abusive relationships.
Address: West Cornwall Women’s Aid, PO Box 94, Penzance, TR182XP
Referral Method: Self-referral, via family/ friends or via professional
Refuge 4 Pets
Refuge4Pets provides a specialist animal fostering service across Devon and Cornwall to victims/survivors of domestic violence and abuse so that they can leave with their much-loved pets.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Make Amends Restorative Justice Service
This service aims to bring those who have been affected by crime into communication with those who are accountable. This is voluntary and is a way to help everyone move forward from what has happened. Restorative Justice between those affected and accountable for harm should always be facilitated by accredited practitioners.
You should get out of the property, stay out and call 999
Keep calm and act quickly get everyone out as soon as possible
Close all doors behind you, if it is safe to do this
Do not tackle the fire yourself
Before you open a door check if it’s warm, if it is do not open it as fire may be on the other side
If there is smoke, keep low where the air is clearer
If your clothes catch fire, you should lie down and roll around. If possible, smother the flames with a heavy material such as a coat or a blanket – remember – STOP, DROP and ROLL
What to do if you cannot get out
If safe to do so gather everyone into one room, ideally with a window and a phone
Put bedding around the bottom of the door to block out smoke
Call 999 and an operator will offer survival advice whilst you are on the phone
If you do not have access to a phone, open the window and shout “HELP FIRE”
Fire and Rescue Service Home Safety
Please use the Local Support and Contact details section below for signposting information to request either a Home Safety visit for further Fire Safety advice from the Fire and Rescue Service.
Online home safety check
As most Fire and Rescue Services have waiting lists for home visits, you can do a home self-assessment using the Safelincs online home fire safety check tool.
Further information on Home Safety Visits can be found on the local area links below:
Hoarding UK
What you can do
If you know a friend, family member, or someone you care for is hoarding, talk to them about the fire home safety visit service.
A friendly Fire and Rescue service staff member will visit them in their home to give advice and guidance without judgement or embarrassment.
If someone wants to get rid of items, professional help is available. There is a register of professional declutterers who can work with people to support them to remove excess belongings.
If someone you know lives in a home that is full of belongings, help them to live more safely by:
helping them to plan and practise a fire escape plan. Stress the importance of clear routes and exits in case of a fire. Practise the plan often. Exit routes may change as new items are brought into the home.
installing working smoke alarms in the home. Test them every week (or at least once a month).
making sure flammable items (such as tea towels, dishcloths, and clothes) are kept away from portable heaters, the stove or the oven
checking electrical wiring - it may be old or worn from the weight of their possessions. Pests can chew on wires. Damaged wires can start fires.
helping them to manage their paperwork - newspapers and mail are particularly flammable. Recycle newspapers and post as soon as it is finished with. In the event of a fire, they would cause it to spread rapidly.
encouraging safer smoking habits such as smoking outside, discarding cigarettes in a suitable ashtray, and regularly emptying ashtrays.
Book a home safety visit and the Fire and Rescue Service can install free smoke alarms and specialist equipment and have a conversation with the person about keeping safe in their home.
Hoarding UK support people affected by hoarding behaviours. Their aim is to empower individuals experiencing hoarding behaviours to achieve spatial and personal change, to reduce isolation and improve their health and well-being. They are a multi-service organisation, helping thousands of people over ten years of service.
In order for us to assess your level of need, we need to ask some questions about you or the occupier of the property. Those with the greatest need in the community will be eligible for a free home fire safety check and will be contacted to arrange an appointment to do this. In this case we will visit your home at an allocated time and accompany you around every room in your property with the aim of:
Making sure you know what to do in order to reduce or prevent these risks.
Helping you put together an escape plan in case a fire breaks out in the future.
Ensuring you have a working smoke alarm and if you don't, we will fit a free smoke alarm (type of alarm will vary depending on the need).
The home fire safety check will take about half an hour of your time. A member from Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety (CFRCS) Service will be wearing a uniform and carrying an identification card. Please ask to see the identification card, and if you require confirmation telephone the freephone helpline 0800 3581 999, alternately you can email hfsc@fire.cornwall.gov.uk
To help us determine if you are eligible for a free home fire safety check please complete the home fire safety check short survey. If you are eligible an officer will contact you and arrange a convenient time to visit your home. Please be aware that there is a waiting list in place.
If you are concerned due to a threat of arson in Cornwall, please call 0800 3581 999 (24/7), or send an email marked as ‘high importance’ to hfsc@fire.cornwall.gov.uk so that the referral can be processed as quickly as possible. Alternatively Police Officers or Staff can refer using the PPN (Public Protection Notice) which will be assessed and shared by CST.
CrimeStoppers is an independent charity that provides advice on how to protect people from crime and offers a completely anonymous crime reporting service 365 days a year. If you know someone who may be violent or abusive to someone because of their disability, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation you can contact CrimeStoppers to report it anonymously. Due to their anonymity guarantee, they can't take information from victims of hate crime. In an emergency, always call 999. If you are a victim of hate crime, call the police or contact Victim Support.
True Vision is a police-funded website designed to providing information about Hate Crime. The website has a range of downloadable tools (based on practice developed across policing) that can assist in developing partnerships. These products include guidance on how non-statutory groups can be engaged to establish effective partnerships.
Individuals can report incidents here which will be forwarded to the local police and will be recorded. As long as they do not report anonymously, an officer will contact them back.
Experiencing hate crime can be a particularly frightening experience the attack is very personal and specifically targeted. Hate incidents can feel like crimes to people who suffer them and often escalate to crimes or tension in a community. You can report such incidents, but the police can only prosecute when the law is broken. However, the police can work with other organisations to prevent the situation escalating.
Victim support want to help support you to recover from hate crime and hate incidents;
Telephone: 0300 303 0554 Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm
Out of hours support line: 0808 1689 111 (available 365 Days a Year)
The EASS has a helpline to give information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues. The service is free and fully accessible by phone, email and video link for those who wish use British Sign Language. The service provides access to advocacy services for those with mental ill health and people with a learning disability.
Telephone: 0808 800 0082 Freephone - Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm
A national project supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents. Reports can be made via; Telephone, Email, SMS, Facebook or Twitter. A trained case worker will take the issue further with individuals who connect with the service and ensure they have details to record the incident and offer them support.
An organisation planning to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life. They support and provide advice to individuals and families with the issues that matter most to them.
Telephone: 01273 234 777 Open Mon-Fri, 10am-4:30pm excluding Bank Holidays
A national charity supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse. A person can refer themselves into this services, or be referred by someone else.
The Beaumont Society operates a national information line providing help and support for the transgender community. This information line contains the telephone numbers of all the societies regional organisers who are available to speak to for advice.
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people up to their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. They also offer web chat support to students up to the age of 25. Calls to Mermaids are confidential and any details recorded will not be shared with a third party.
Telephone: 0808 801 0400 - Open Monday-Fri 9am-9pm
A national support service for people with learning difficulties who are either victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse and other trauma, and for their carers. Issues covered include bereavement, abuse, bullying, relationship and sexuality issues.
Third Party Reporting Centres are organisations that have agreed to make reports to the police on behalf of victims who do not want to go directly to the police. The link shows a list of locations and numbers where hate incidents may be reported to encourage victims to report at a location of their choice.
This link also provides some further information about local support services available for diversity groups.
This service aims to bring those who have been affected by crime into communication with those who are accountable. This is voluntary and is a way to help everyone move forward from what has happened. Restorative Justice between those affected and accountable for harm should always be facilitated by accredited practitioners.
If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness you can ask any local housing authority for help. This is known as making a homeless application. You should seek help at the earliest possible opportunity - do not delay. If you are homeless, the local housing authority you approach will owe more duties to you if you have a local connection to their area and you should consider this when deciding which local housing authority to ask for help.
The priority for the local authority is to prevent someone from becoming homeless in the first place, wherever possible.
If you find yourself rough sleeping, there are several local organisations that can provide advice and support. However, In the first instance you should contact your local authority/council housing options service.
If you see a person sleeping rough, please report their location here: Streetlink.
Street Link
Street Link is a national service which can be used if you see people sleeping rough. Referrals can be made 24 hours a day using the hotline or online.
A person can contact the free Shelter helpline if they have nowhere to sleep, might be homeless soon, they have somewhere to sleep but nowhere to call home or could be at risk of harm.
Telephone: 0808 800 4444
Opening Hours: 365 days a year 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends.
Homeless Link is the most comprehensive database of homelessness services. With over 1500 projects up and down the country providing contact details and service descriptions, it's for individuals to access the link to find local services and projects they can contact direct.
Provide advice on applying for homeless help from the council, including making an application and challenging a decision.
To find your nearest Citizens Advice please click on the contact link below. On the new link scroll down and enter your postcode or town to get contact details for your nearest Citizens Advice.
For further support with food such as food banks please go to the ‘cost-of-living' topic
Cornwall Council
If you are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless please contact Cornwall Council in the first instance as they maybe able to help you. The best way to contact is online by inputting your details on Housing Jigsaw. They can help with:
Registering as homeless,
Contacting the early prevention team,
Signposting to homeshare if you are single and at risk of homelessness,
Rough sleeping and professionals seeking to report persons as homeless.
If you're unable to access online services then please call.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Cornwall Housing
Part of Cornwall Council, Cornwall Housing provides the Housing Options service and the Cornwall Homechoice scheme. You should register here to find a home with a social landlord.
If you are rough sleeping or know about someone who is rough sleeping: Alert the local authority and outreach services by contacting Streetlink online or on 0300 500 0914 Or Call Housing Options on 0300 1234 161 - out of hours and it will put you through to the Housing Emergency Team.
Cornwall's 16 Plus Team (supporting care leavers 16-24 years)
Cornwall’s 16 Plus Team is formed as a partnership between the Local Authority and Carefree. Carefree provide a commissioned service and work with one third of all care leavers from Cornwall. Together they aim to improve the life chances of young people living in and leaving Local Authority care. The service also runs a 16+ Supported Lodgings Scheme which provides supported accommodation for care leavers aged 16 and 17 to help prepare them for independence.
Telephone: 0300 1234 101 Cornwall Council number option 3 and ask for Cornwall 16+ Team
YMCA Cornwall offers supported accommodation for young people aged 16-24 currently in Cornwall area (they will consider referrals from other Local Authorities). They offer advice to young people who find themselves homeless, sofa-surfing, rough sleeping or need to leave home. They offer free confidential and independent advice. There is currently a waiting list for their supported accommodation. The housing advice appointment acts as a gateway to their waiting list.
Address: YMCA Cornwall, International House, The Orchard, Alverton Road, Penzance TR18 4TE
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
St Petrocs
A charity in Cornwall supporting homeless adults. It provides resettlement advice and has supported accommodation. Through their outreach and resettlement services, they will engage with people who are experiencing homelessness and secure them accommodation where it is available and work with the relevant agencies to ensure permanent solutions are found and adequate support is provided.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Harbour Housing
A charity providing a range of tailored services all with the aim of helping people who are either homeless or facing homelessness, transform their lives. Ranging from supported accommodation to their outreach project or seasonal cold weather provision.
Address: Cosgarne Hall, 81 Truro Road, St Austell, PL25 5JQ
Referral Method: Self-referral, for someone else or via professional
STAK St Austell
Cornish based charity supporting the homeless within their community. They provide a community kitchen, open 6 days a week where they offer two affordable meals a day- lunchtime and teatime. The kitchen is a safe space where people can access support, advice, and guidance. Friendly team, non-judgemental and if you’re passing, they invite you to drop in.
Address: 8 High Cross Street, Saint Austell, PL25 4AB
Referral Method: Self-referral
Truro Foyer
Truro Foyer has 12 bed spaces for 16–25-year-olds. It is located right in the city centre. It has 6 flats each shared by two young people. There is a separate meeting room available for hire and a separate training kitchen for young people to develop independent living skills.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Truro Young Women's Centre
Offers support in a shared environment with an experienced support team. They offer support in a safe living space to help you manage your accommodation and ultimately move on to more independent accommodation.
Telephone: 01872 260847 ask for Truro Young Women’s Centre
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Glen Carne
A charity providing supported accommodation near St Agnes. Offering residents an opportunity to access housing related support and gain training to enable successful moves to independent accommodation.
Address: Barkla Shop, St. Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0XN
Referral Method: Self-referral
Cornwall Health for Homeless
Cornwall health for homeless is a service for people who experience difficulties in accessing medical care. They provide primary care to people over 16 years old without homes or in unstable, temporary accommodation in West Cornwall. They run drop-in clinics in three locations across Cornwall County. Medical treatments available from the clinics are very much the same as any other GP Practice & include: Immunisations, health promotion, acute illness, chronic disease management, dressings. they have close links with drug and alcohol services, mental health services, Cornwall Housing Services along with homeless charities St Petrocs and Coastline.
Telephone: 01872 221 240, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Opening Hours: Most weekdays from Camborne, Penzance and Truro please call for details including drop-in times.
Referral method: Self-referral by dropping in at a clinic, or calling on the above number
Coastline
If you are homeless or may lose your home, help and advice is available from the Coastline Homeless Service. There is a day centre where you can drop in for information, advice, referrals, activities, and courses. They welcome use of their facilities, such as use of computers and telephone while having hot drinks and light refreshments as well as laundry and shower facilities. There are also several support services available for example Health for Homeless GP Service to Drug and Alcohol support. They also provide crisis accommodation and supported accommodation houses across Camborne, Pool and Redruth.
For information about what to do if you're concerned someone you know might be carrying a knife or for more information and guidance, please refer to the 'Act' section above which contains links to National and Regional support.
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia. Memory loss can be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it's affecting your daily life, or it's worrying you, or someone you know, you should get help from a GP.
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. They campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today. You can contact their dementia advisers using the telephone number below.
Looking for information or advice about dementia or Alzheimer’s. Please make contact with Dementia UK. Their Helpline provides support from dementia specialist and admiral nurses.
Tide aims to connect, mobilise and enable carers of people with dementia to recognise their own value and contributions to society. Offering carers opportunities to use their individual and collective experiences of caring to influence policy and practise.
Are you caring for a family member or someone else close to you? We are here for unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support and campaign to make life better for carers.
Age UK is the leading charity for older people. Visit Age UK today for a wide range of information and advice including a specific section on dementia support. You can use the service finder on their website to find local Age UK support near you.
We can’t change our age or our genes, and there is currently no way we can completely prevent dementia. However, there are some simple steps we can all take to help lower our risk.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (like high blood pressure and stroke) are also risk factors for dementia, so what is good for your heart is good for your brain. Looking after your health, cutting out smoking and being physically active on a regular basis will help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s likely you’ll be lowering your risk of dementia too, particularly vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
For good heart health: don’t smoke, keep cholesterol and blood pressure under control be active and exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy balanced diet, drink fewer than 14 units of alcohol per week.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.
This form is to record information about the person you care for; this will be used by the police and search teams in the event that the person goes missing. Wherever possible, complete the form in advance and keep in a safe place to give to the police in the event of the person going missing. The contents of this form will help the search teams gather relevant information and begin searching. Recording this information ahead of time and keeping it regularly updated will greatly reduce any stress associated with trying to recall detailed information in an emergency situation. If possible, please also attach a clear and recent head and shoulders photograph to this form.
If the person you care for goes missing: Phone 999 without delay
Complete the ‘Missing now’ section of the Herbert Protocol form as best you can.
Hand the form to the police when they attend your location.
The service is run by specially trained memory assessment practitioners which includes nurses, doctors and occupational therapists. They will use a variety of assessment tools to measure different aspects of a patient’s cognitive function, such as how they perceive, register, store, retrieve and use information.
They are also able to organise brain scans which may help diagnosis and rule out any other causes of memory loss.
The Memory Café Network is made up of our café hosts, volunteers, and the committee. The Memory Cafe's are a place where any one with memory loss and their carer or family members may find support and a signpost to more formal help if so desired.
To find a local memory café near you, click the link below.
The Sensory Trust is a leading authority on inclusive and sensory design. They use nature and the outdoors to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with disability and health issues, their families and carers. They work throughout the UK and share our approaches internationally with a wide network of organisations and individuals.
Address: Fig Leaf Building, Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
ReferralMethod: Self-referral
Memory Matters
Memory Matters are champions of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST); a therapy proven to slow the progression of dementia and increase the quality of life. They work closely with like-minded individuals and organisations to achieve their goal of ensuring that every person diagnosed with dementia, as well as those close to them, has access to the support they need to continue to lead a happy and fulfilled life.
Telephone: 01752 243 333 (Ring this number for Cornwall referrals) Mon-Thu 10am to 4pm
A mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place. Enter your postcode and the website will provide you to local Mental Health support services.
SANEline is an out-of-hours telephone helpline offering practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems. They also provide a free text-based support service called Textcare. You need to be 16+ to use this service.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 - 4pm-10pm each evening, every day of the year.
A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. A text will prompt a conversation with trained volunteers. For individuals who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.
Rethink is the largest severe mental illness charity in the UK and their information and advice service offers practical help on a wide range of mental health issues.
Telephone: 0808 801 0525 - 9:30am – 4pm from Monday to Friday.
Adults can self-refer to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT). Please see local support and contact details for further information.
Andy's Man Club
Andy's man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. Their goal is to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
Meeting every Monday from 7pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal.
Telephone: 0800 138 1619 - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering. They also offer support via WhatsApp, Email and Support Groups both on and offline. See their website below for more information.
Telephone: 0808 1961 776 (11am-10pm, 7 days per week)
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. If you or a young person you know is not coping, you can contact their HOPELINE247 for confidential Suicide Prevention advice. Text and email options are also available, please visit their website for more information.
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41 - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
No self-referral route, signposting only. No professional referral route, signposting only
The Mix
The Mix provides a free, confidential helpline that gives young people in difficult situations the support and information they need to decide what they want to happen next. It could be anything from mental health, to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. The mix can help with the feeling of loneliness, it is pretty commonplace and there are tonnes of young people feeling this way, even with social media.
The Mix is for young people who know they need help but don't know where to find it. You can contact them on social, by phone or by webchat.
Online Mental Wellbeing Community, free, safe, anonymous support for 11-19 year-olds. It is a welcoming space for digital mental health care, available to all. You can
live chat
journal
message
discussion board
mini activities
set goals
access helpful resources
speak to online community of peers
speak to team of experienced, accredited counsellors.
To access this service please Join Kooth online to register.
Young Minds provides young people with tools to look after their mental health. Their website is full of advice and information on what to do if you're struggling with how you feel. They also empower parents and adults who work with young people to be the best support they can be to young people in their lives.
Migrant Help protect people affected by displacement and exploitation, helping them thrive as individuals and recover from their trauma. Core services include Asylum Support, and those seeking asylum in the UK can come to MH to seek help with applying for accommodation and financial support, to report issues with asylum accommodation, and any other advice needed. MH can advise individuals in their language on issues such as:
Accessing healthcare
How to claim asylum
Applying for asylum support including accommodation
Notifying the Home Office if your circumstances change
Finding legal representation
Telephone: 0808 8010 503 - A free asylum helpline available 24 hours a day
Provides a list of translated information on a range of health and wellbeing subjects, translated into over 60 languages. All information targets migrant communities and subjects include:
Praxis provide expert support to migrants and refugees in the UK. They are a leading expert in finding pathways out of destitution and supporting migrants facing homelessness, as well as survivors of trafficking and domestic violence and young people. They provide free immigration advice over the phone. Support includes securing rights, safe housing, influencing and advocacy and interpreting and training.
Telephone: 020 7749 7608 or 020 7749 7605 - Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm and Thursdays from 10am to 12:30pm
A person can contact the free Shelter helpline if they have nowhere to sleep or might be homeless soon, they have somewhere to sleep but nowhere to call home or could be at risk of harm. Their website also has specific information about accommodation options for Asylum Seekers.
Telephone: 0808 800 4444 - The helpline is open 365 days a year and accessible at the following times:
Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support provide advocacy, advice, support, education, and a welcoming communal space for asylum seekers in the region. Accessing legal representation, financial support, and appropriate housing. DCRS provide social support and a welcome into Devon and Cornwall, ensuring that asylum seekers can seek sanctuary whilst the UK government decides on their claim.
Address: Masiande Centre, 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
British Red Cross
Immediate help and longer-term support for survivors of trafficking and exploitation is available from a range of British Red Cross services. Refugee Support teams can provide help (including material assistance) for trafficked refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. The Devon-based team can be contacted at:
Telephone: 01752 831619 or 07711 085135 (for normal calls, WhatsApp and messages)
The British Red Cross support line 0808 196 3651 is available Mon- Fri 10am-5pm and 10am-8pm on Wednesdays and can provide support in more than 200 languages, supporting people who are lonely, worried, and finding it difficult to access food or medication.
Drop-in sessions: Monday 9am-2pm: triage, signposting and appointment booking done, hot meal provided. An opportunity to socialise.
Address: 18 Catherine Street, Plymouth, PL1 2AD (Advisable to book an appointment apart from emergency cases)
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Pentreath Community Development Workers (CDW)
The CDW service is for people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities including migrant workers, gypsies and travellers. This can be 1:1 support case work, support to access mental health services, support patients admitted to hospital because of mental health difficulties and training service providers to improve health outcomes for these communities. They work with individuals, families, carers and communities.
NUM caseworkers are here to provide emotional and practical support to adults across sex industries. This could be just a listening ear, help with accessing resources or support to report harm, right through to the criminal justice system and court, if that is your choice. There are four members of the casework team. Two are qualified Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), and there is also a specialist caseworker to support sex workers of colour and those who are trans/non-binary.
The Salvation Army provides specialist support for all adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales. Their confidential referral helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Childline provide free, confidential support to children about any topic, including modern slavery and human trafficking. Children can speak to a counsellor on the phone:
Telephone: 0800 1111- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you’re worried about a child, even if you are unsure, the NSPCC helpline is available for advice from a trained counsellor. You don't have to say who you are.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000 - Help for adults concerned about a child (Mon-Fri 10am-8pm)
For cases of exploitation that do not meet the threshold for modern slavery. The Acas helpline is for anyone who needs employment law or workplace advice, including employers, employees and workers.
Telephone: 0300 123 1100 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Migrant Help (MH) protect people affected by displacement and exploitation, helping them thrive as individuals and recover from their trauma. Core services include Asylum Support, and those seeking asylum in the UK can come to MH to seek help with applying for accommodation and financial support, to report issues with asylum accommodation, and any other advice needed. MH can advise individuals in their language on issues such as:
Accessing healthcare
How to claim asylum
Applying for asylum support including accommodation
Notifying the Home Office if your circumstances change
Finding legal representation
Telephone:0808 8010 503 - A free asylum helpline available 24 hours a day
Modern Slavery is where one person controls another by exploiting a vulnerability. It is often linked with human trafficking, where a person is forced into a service against their will- usually forced work or prostitution. The control can be physical, financial or psychological.
Local services below are for those who think they are, think someone is being, have been or who are being sexually exploited in the context of modern slavery and/or human trafficking or as part of an abusive relationship in the sex industry.
Supporting Initial Access to Medical Care
Potential victims and victims, regardless of residency, can receive emergency medical treatment and some primary care services through the NHS. Health and wellbeing should be an immediate primary concern for all professionals working with potential victims. In all cases, professionals working with potential victims should support them to self-refer to appropriate NHS health services as necessary.
Truro Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
The Truro SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers 24 hour access to counselling and services to support anyone of any age who has experienced rape or sexual assault. This could have been recently or in the past. Services offered include; forensic medical facilities and examination, emotional and practical support and sexual health and contraception information and services. Support staff and medical services are available at any time of the day or night. This can be with or without the need for police involvement.
If you are a Police Officer referring a victim into the ISVA Service, you must use the below secure online referral form. Please do not useFirst Light's own website or advise victims to report directly.
Referral Method: Telephone for self-referral or via professional referral form online
Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support (DCRS)
Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support provide advocacy, advice, support, education, and a welcoming communal space for asylum seekers in the region. Accessing legal representation, financial support, and appropriate housing. DCRS provide social support and a welcome into Devon and Cornwall, ensuring that asylum seekers can seek sanctuary whilst the UK government decides on their claim.
Address: Masiande Centre, 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
British Red Cross
Immediate help and longer-term support for survivors of trafficking and exploitation is available from a range of British Red Cross services. Refugee Support teams can provide help (including material assistance) for trafficked refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. The Devon-based team can be contacted at:
Telephone: 01752 831619 or 07711 085135 (for normal calls, WhatsApp and messages)
The British Red Cross support line 0808 196 3651 is available Mon- Fri 10am-5pm and 10am-8pm on Wednesdays and can provide support in more than 200 languages, supporting people who are lonely, worried, and finding it difficult to access food or medication.
Drop-in sessions: Monday 9am-2pm: triage, signposting and appointment booking done, hot meal provided. An opportunity to socialise.
Address: 18 Catherine Street, Plymouth, PL1 2AD (Advisable to book an appointment apart from emergency cases)
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
Make Amends Restorative Justice Service
This service aims to bring those who have been affected by crime into communication with those who are accountable. This is voluntary and is a way to help everyone move forward from what has happened. Restorative Justice between those affected and accountable for harm should always be facilitated by accredited practitioners.
NUM caseworkers are here to provide emotional and practical support to adults across sex industries. This could be just a listening ear, help with accessing resources or support to report harm, right through to the criminal justice system and court, if that is your choice. There are four members of the casework team. Two are qualified Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs), and there is also a specialist caseworker to support sex workers of colour and those who are trans/non-binary.
Sex workers can report information anonymously about crimes committed against themselves or other sex workers to CrimeStoppers. They are an independent charity that allows you to report crime with a 100% guarantee of anonymity.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust aims to reduce the risk and prevalence of abuse, aggression, and violence- with a specific focus on stalking and harassment- through education, campaigning and support. They raise awareness about personal safety and stalking and can provide safety resources including personal safety alarms.
If you need sexual health advice now, you can call the National Sexual Health Helpline for free, Mon-Fri 9am-8pm or Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. It provides information about your nearest sexual health/GUM clinic if you want screening for sexually transmitted infections, post-exposure prophylaxis or sexual health information. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.
They offer a free confidential support service for women in the sex industry. Women support workers are available to take your call Mon-Thurs 9:30am-3:30pm and Fri 9:30am until noon. If no one is available to take your call, or you call outside of these times, leave your phone number or email address and someone will get in contact with you.
If you're being forced into any kind of sex work, this is sexual exploitation, a form of Modern Slavery. For more information and advice please look at the Modern Slavery topic.
The Truro SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers 24 hour access to counselling and services to support anyone of any age who has experienced rape or sexual assault. This could have been recently or in the past. Services offered include; forensic medical facilities and examination, emotional and practical support and sexual health and contraception information and services. Support staff and medical services are available at any time of the day or night. This can be with or without the need for police involvement.
If you are a Police Officer referring a victim into the ISVA Service, you must use the below secure online referral form. Please do not useFirst Light's own website or advise victims to report directly.
Referral Method: Telephone for self-referral or via professional referral form online
Brook- Cornwall Sexual Health Services
Brook Cornwall offers a wide range of services from locations across Cornwall. Providing free, confidential sexual health and contraception services, for people of all ages living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
First Light
First Light is a charity providing Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence support for all, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. You don't need to have reported to the police to access their services. Their website also provides useful information, advice and support, if you have experienced rape or sexual assault both recently and in the past.
Telephone: 03458 12 12 12 - Sexual Violence Recovery Service Helpline
For Domestic Abuse call 0300 7774777 open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm and Saturdays 9am-5pm
The Eddystone Trust is an independent sexual health charity based in the South West, UK. They offer a range of services that includes; non judgemental advice, free testing, free condoms, support for people living with HIV and training for anyone who wants to know more about sexual health.
TWCC provides a holistic, trauma responsive specialist service to women including women who are or have been sex working. They have a mentoring project which offers one to one support to women who have had contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of offending, which may also include sex workers.
Telephone: Main Office 01208 76466 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and Rape and Sexual Abuse & Domestic Abuse Helpline 01208 77099
Opening Hours: Helpline- Monday-Friday 10am-1pm, Monday and Thursday, evenings 6pm-9pm and Saturday mornings 10am-1pm
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
MSI Choices - St Austell Community Treatment Centre
MSI Reproductive Choices UK (MSI UK) is a registered charity who have been providing global reproductive health options. They provide NHS funded and self-funded (private) abortions, contraception, vasectomy services and post abortion care.
Telephone: 0345 300 8090
Opening hours: Please call to book your appointment before you arrive
Although most people need some kind of social contact to maintain good mental health, everyone has different social needs. A person may be someone who is content with a few close friends, or they may need a large group of varied acquaintances to feel satisfied.
The simplest way to ease feelings of loneliness can be to try to meet more, or different, people.
Can they think of anything they are interested in, a class or a group they have heard of, that could help connect them with new people? The Red Cross can help you connect with your local community and meet new friends. They also have a free confidential support line you can contact for advice on loneliness support- 0808 196 3651
Volunteering is a good way of meeting people. Helping others can also really help improve mental health.
Join an online community.
It doesn’t really matter who you talk to first. Some ideas would include: a friend, family member, anonymous listening service like Samaritans, student union welfare rep, personal tutor, students support services staff member, counsellor, or doctor. Decide who is the best person for you to talk to first. Be realistic about what each person can offer. If it doesn’t work out, try someone else. Talk to more than one person.
See useful contacts on the Mind website for some suggestions on finding a community group, an organisation to help find a volunteering opportunities or to find other groups.
The Coronavirus (Covid-19) and Loneliness, What can you do to support people in your local community?
It is particularly important for people who
are 70 or over
have a long-term condition
are pregnant
have a weakened immune system
People in these groups have been asked to apply social distancing, you can support people who are doing this by asking if you could:
Pick up shopping, drop off a letter to post, collect a prescription, give a them a friendly call, or even add them to a local community What's app group.
Covid Aid works with a diverse range of organisations that provide advice and assistance to those affected by Covid-19. You can search for available support on their website or contact them directly if you need more help.
A free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people. The Silver Line can also put people in contact with community activities in your local area.
Telephone: 0800 470 8090 - Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The Age UK Advice Line is a free, confidential, national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals, which is open 365 days a year (8am-7pm). You can contact them, if you're feeling lonely or need some practical help and support. This organisation also offers a befriending service to support loneliness in later life, this is where a volunteer visits an older person once a week in their own home. There is also telephone befriending, where a volunteer befriender will phone an older person.
Telephone: 0800 678 1602 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year)
Andy's man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. Their goal is to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
Meeting every Monday from 7pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
It is recognised that Loneliness is not something that is exclusive to older adult, indeed many younger adults in particular can experience loneliness and a recent report from the office for national statistics highlighted Britain as the loneliest capital of Europe.
Samaritans
Providing mental wellbeing support nationally, including crisis support and confidential suicide prevention advice. Any time, from any phone, for FREE.
Telephone: 116 123, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A free confidential helpline for young people under 25, where people can seek help with emotional and mental health issues often linked to loneliness. The service is available 365 days a year and young people can get in touch by phone, webchat, email, text message or use the online help directory, WebHelp 24/7.
The Mix provides a free, confidential helpline that gives young people in difficult situations the support and information they need to decide what they want to happen next. It could be anything from mental health, to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. The mix can help with the feeling of loneliness, it is pretty commonplace and there are tonnes of young people feeling this way, even with social media.
The Mix is for young people who know they need help but don't know where to find it. You can contact them on social, by phone or by webchat.
Age UK's current aim is to tackle loneliness through numerous Age UK Cornwall | Activities and events to help people feel more included in the community. They provide several services, activities and events, please visit their website.
Phone Friend Service can match an individual with a friendly volunteer. Calls enable clients the comfort of a regular check in, companionship and the opportunity to access additional services as and when required.
The Cornwall link is designed to connect people to their local community, offering clear advice and information to reduce loneliness and it's health impacts. It has information about a wide range of activities and volunteering groups.
Social Prescribing Cornwall connects people with non-clinical resources of support within the local community. The link workers will connect you with activities and advice which can help alleviate the feeling of loneliness and isolation. Please look on their website for more information and ask your GP Surgery for a referral.
Pentreath is a Cornish Charity providing support and guidance to people experiencing and recovering from Mental ill Health via outreach work within the community. They want to develop opportunities for people to meet their potential for happy and productive lives. Offering outreach, one to one coaching and support to help individuals achieve their goals.
If you need to report an incident of stalking contact 101. Report it as early as possible to the police and tell others what is happening. If you are in danger dial 999.
National Stalking Helpline- Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.
If you contact the helpline via their online form, a Helpline Advisor will respond to you by email. They endeavour to respond to all online contact as soon as possible. If you need advice quickly, call the helpline.
Paladin provides a high level of advocacy to anyone at risk of serious harm or homicide from a stalker. They give initial advice and offer to complete a detailed assessment to anyone who calls their service and is affected by stalking.
Protection Against Stalking is a national charity working within communities to raise public awareness about stalking and support victims of stalking through providing specialist support services. If you believe you are being stalked, but not in immediate danger, contact them.
A UK service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as, revenge porn. The helpline was established in 2015 alongside the legislation which made it an offence to share intimate images or videos of someone, either on or offline, without their consent with the intention of causing distress. The helpline can assist you with: Non-judgemental and confidential advice, reporting and removal of content, social media advice, reporting to the police and legal advice.
Telephone: 0345 6000 459 – Monday to Friday 10am-4pm
Rights of Women- helping women through their rights in law
They give free legal advice and information to women in England and Wales on a wide range of issues including domestic violence, child contact, sexual violence and the criminal justice process, immigration and asylum, sexual harassment at work as well as other legal issues arising from relationship breakdown.
If you’re experiencing persistent and unwanted attention, and the behaviour is making you feel fearful, harassed, or anxious, then you are a victim of stalking. It’s not something that you should have to live with, and they are here to help you. Victim support are an independent charity, and you can contact them regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place.
Telephone: National 0808 1689 111- 24 Hours
Devon and Cornwall: 0300 3030 554 Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm
Respect phoneline is a confidential and anonymous helpline offering advice, information, and support for anyone concerned about their violence and/or abuse towards a partner or ex-partner of either sex.
A confidential helpline, run by Respect, for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). Their focus is to increase the safety of men experiencing domestic abuse (and the safety of their children).
To ensure everyone in the UK has immediate access to expert, cybersecurity help when they need it. The Cyber Helpline is a movement by the cyber security community to step in and fill the gap in support for victims of cybercrime and online harms. They provide a free, confidential helpline for individuals and sole traders. They help victims understand, contain, recover and learn from cyber-attacks by linking them with cyber security technology & experts who provide relevant advice and guidance.
Resources on this website explore technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. To talk to someone who can answer your questions and support you, you can call the National Domestic Abuse helpline. Information includes:
Safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology
Spyware and Stalkerware information
Smartphones - Increasing privacy & responding to abuse
Tips on being webwise when sharing personal information online
StreetSafe is a service for anyone to anonymously report about public places where people have felt or feel unsafe, because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused.
Please note: 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.
If you are being harassed in a pub, club or bar, you can approach the staff and ‘Ask for Angela’. Staff will help you leave the situation safely and securely.
Harassment and stalking are often used as interchangeable terms. However, they relate to similar but different offences that can cause victims, their families and loved ones physical, psychological and emotional harm.
Offenders can stalk or harass their victims in a number of different ways, including:
a text, answer phone message, letter or email
a comment or threat in person or online (e.g. social media or online chat rooms)
standing outside someone’s house or driving past it
an act of violence
damage to someone else’s property
maliciously and falsely reporting someone to the police without any wrongdoing
First Light
First Light is a charity providing Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence support for all, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation. You don't need to have reported to the police to access their services. Their website also provides useful information, advice and support, if you have experienced rape or sexual assault both recently and in the past.
Telephone: 03458 12 12 12 - Sexual Violence Recovery Service Helpline
For Domestic Abuse call 0300 7774777 open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm and Saturdays 9am-5pm
Cornwall Refuge Trust provides refuge accommodation for women, men and children who have escaped domestic abuse, offering them a safe and supportive environment in which to recover from their experiences.
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
The Women’s Centre Cornwall
Run by women for women, with the aim of empowering and enabling all women and girls to gain the health, well-being, confidence, and skills they need to achieve their potential. They provide a safe, caring and supportive environment where women can access support and services to achieve this.
Telephone: Main Office 01208 76466 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and Rape and Sexual Abuse & Domestic Abuse Helpline 01208 77099
Opening Hours: Helpline- Monday-Friday 10am-1pm, Monday and Thursday, evenings 6pm-9pm and Saturday mornings 10am-1pm
Referral Method: Self-referral or via professional
West Cornwall Women’s Aid - WCWAid
West Cornwall Women's Aid supports women and children at risk in Cornwall. The services offered aim to give women and children a safe space, where they can relax and rebuild. They provide accommodation, support and information to women who are in abusive relationships.
Address: West Cornwall Women’s Aid, PO Box 94, Penzance, TR182XP
Referral Method: Self-referral, via family/ friends or via professional
Norda House
Supporting male victims of domestic abuse who have left or are leaving abusive relationships, they provide safe accommodation for men and their children in their male refuge in Cornwall. They also have a separate self-contained unit which maybe suitable for Trans victims who may not feel comfortable in the main refuge, or possibly couples fleeing honour-based violence.
Telephone: 01872 225629 (24/7) and office hours 01872 229826 or 01872 229827
If there is no immediate risk to the individual you may encourage them to contact:
Samaritans - (All age groups)
Providing mental wellbeing support nationally, including crisis support and confidential suicide prevention advice. Any time, from any phone, for FREE.
Telephone: 116 123, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. If you or a young person you know is not coping, you can contact their HOPELINE247 for confidential Suicide Prevention advice. Text and email options are also available, please visit their website for more information.
Telephone:0800 068 41 41 - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
A confidential service where you can talk about anything, it is aimed at anyone under the age of 19 years and supports any issue. Trained counsellors will talk through anything, whether it is big or small, providing advice and discussions. Online 1-2-1 chats with counsellors and email options are also available. See their website for more details.
SANEline is an out-of-hours telephone helpline offering practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems. They also provide a free text-based support service called Textcare. You need to be 16+ to use this service.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 - 4pm-10pm each evening, every day of the year.
Rethink is the largest severe mental illness charity in the UK and their information and advice service offers practical help on a wide range of mental health issues.
Telephone: 0808 801 0525 - 9:30am – 4pm from Monday to Friday.
A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. A text will prompt a conversation with trained volunteers. For individuals who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.
Andy's man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. Their goal is to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.
Meeting every Monday from 7pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
Mindwell is a mental health website providing useful information about how to take care of your mental wellbeing and providing a range of self-help techniques. Although some resources are Leeds focussed, there is also lots of useful self-help resources and some links to national services.
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource, it is packed full of useful information and tools to help people to stay safe in crisis. There is help from emergency and crisis support services and an option to create a Safety Plan on how to stay safe when in crisis.
If you feel that you’re in immediate danger of seriously harming yourself, call 999 and ask for help. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and you can’t keep yourself safe you can attend your local A&E and ask to see the on call mental health team.
