Help and Support
Due to the current situation caused by Covid-19, we understand that it may be more difficult to access
support when needed.
To help, we have included a list of some important and useful helpline numbers which can be used to gain access to support and information where required.
MIND(0300 1233393)
Mind offers mental health support and wellbeing. There are lots of tips to help you through this particularly difficult time.
Family Lives (helpline 0808 800 2222)
Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline).
Please call us on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life.
Our helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
For callers from Scotland, Children 1st run Parentline Scotland and you may wish to contact them on 08000 28 22 33 Monday to Friday from 9am – 9pm.
Childline UK (0800 1111)
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.
You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.
Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.
Important update: Because of the coronavirus, we’ve had to make some changes to how Childline works. For now, you can only speak to a Childline counsellor online or on the phone from 9am – midnight.
Samaritan’s (116 123)
We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis.
NSPCC (0808 800 5000)
NSPCC work hard to keep children safe and protect them from abuse.
Citizens Advice Gateshead (0344 2451288)
Advice on issues such as debt management and welfare benefits, housing, immigration and asylum, employment, consumer complaints and landlord-tenant disputes.
Gateshead Council’s Children’s Services
(In confidence) on:0191 433 2653 (office hours: Monday – Friday, 8.30am to 5pm)
0191 477 0844 (out of hours, at night, at weekends and bank holidays)
The Emergency Duty Team will help with personal or family problems that reach a crisis at these times. All calls go through to the Gateshead Care Call Service where a telephone operator takes all the calls. This service is the contact point for all council services out of hours. If the phone isn’t answered straightaway, please be patient as they will be dealing with another call.