Crime & Social Issues
Help and advice if you've been affected by crime or social issues featured in EastEnders
Crime
Victim Support is an independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. It provides free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime. Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or fill in its anonymous online form.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust works to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety. It provides solutions that help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.
Foodbanks
A national anti-poverty charity which runs a network of over 400 foodbanks, providing three days' nutritionally balanced food to people in crisis, and signposting to other services able to help resolve the underlying cause. Everyone who comes is referred by a professional such as a social worker, health visitor or schools liaison officer.
Emotional Support
Samaritans
Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope round the clock, every single day of the year. They provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential. Get in touch by phone or email or find the details for the local branch online.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90
Email: jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org
PAPYRUS and HOPELineUK
If you’re a young person and you’re considering suicide, or you feel depressed or like you’re not coping with life, HOPELineUK, provided by the organisation PAPYRUS, is a confidential helpline service staffed by trained professionals who can give support, practical advice and information.
PAPYRUS can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.
Helpline: 0800 068 41 41
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Text 07786 209 697
www.papyrus-uk.org
Calm
CALM, the campaign against living miserably is a charity aimed at preventing male suicide in the UK. Calls to their helpline are anonymous, confidential, free from a landline and will not appear on itemised bills.
Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)
www.thecalmzone.net
Lifeline
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline for people who are experiencing distress or despair. For immediate support, call 0808 808 8000 in confidence, 24 hours a day.
For further information visit www.lifelinehelpline.info
If you’re in Wales, the Community Advice & Listening Line offers a confidential listening and support service on 0800 132 737, or text "help" to 81066 or find them online at www.callhelpline.org.uk
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. They are there in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and information.
If you think you need Breathing Space call 0800 83 85 87 (6pm til 2am Monday to Thursday and 6pm-6am at the weekends).
Community Advice & Listening Line
Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales. Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. The C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service.
Freephone: 0800 132 737, or text "help" to 81066.
http://callhelpline.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm daily)
Gangs
'A programme designed to improve the life chances of young people in London by giving advice on issues to do with healthy relationships and problems related to gang violence and youth crime.'
They have a helpline for young people: 0800 1111 (24 hour helpline)
'A national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life.'
They have a free helpline : 0808 800 2222 (open from 7am - midnight)
MAMAA (Mothers against murder and aggression)
They provide 'An all inclusive practical/emotional support & advocacy service to those affected by serious violent crime & homicide'.
Housing and Homelessness
The National Debtline is a national telephone helpline offering free, confidential and independent advice for people with debt problems.
Advice is backed up with written self-help materials which can be sent out for free or downloaded from the National Debtline website, or contact them by phone on 0808 808 4000, Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm and on Saturdays between 9.30am and 1pm. There is a 24hour voicemail to request an information pack or factsheet. My Money Steps is also run by National Debtline. Visit the My Money Steps website.
StepChange Debt Charity helps people in financial difficulty by providing free, confidential, independent and realistic debt advice. The StepChange Debt Charity free phone helpline 0800 138 1111 is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays. Its free online counselling, StepChange Debt Charity Debt Remedy, is available anytime at the StepChange Debt website.
thesite.org is an online guide to life for 16 to 25 year-olds. They provide non-judgemental support and information on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs. Log on to thesite.org
Shelter believes that everybody needs a home in a place they can thrive. More than one million people a year go to Shelter for housing advice and support via our website, helplines and national network of advice centres. Their work won’t stop until there is a home for everyone. Contact their free Housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444, or visit the Shelter website.
Crisis is a national charity for single homeless people. They are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Their innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help people to transform their lives. Contact Crisis by phone on 0300 636 1967 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or visit the Crisis website.
Centrepoint is a leading charity providing housing and support to improve the lives of homeless young people aged 16-25. For more information, visit theCentrepoint website.
StreetLink is a service that enables members of the public to connect rough sleepers with local services and support. If you’re concerned that someone may be sleeping rough, you can call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 or visit the Streetreetlink website.
Citizens Advice Bureau are able to deal with all kinds of problems, but may make referrals to other services if the case is particularly complicated.
Information and advice can be found on the Advice Guide website and may be available on 0844 4111 444 (England) or 0844 4772 020 (Wales) depending on whether your area is covered yet - if not you will hear alternatives.
To find details of your local bureau visit the website or text CAB and your post code to 64446. Please note that telephone and text charges apply.
Age UK is a charity dedicated to improving later life for all. They provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to older people.
If you are an older person you can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65 (8am to 7pm seven days a week).
Age UK Advice (Age UK & Age Cymru): 0800 169 6565
Age NI Advice: 0808 808 7575
Age Scotland Helpline: 0845 125 9732
Alternatively, visit the Age UK website where they can also put you in touch with your local Age UK.
Quarriers is one of Scotland’s largest social care charities. It provides much-needed care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, young people, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances such as poverty, homelessness, learning and physical disabilities and epilepsy.
To find out more visit the Quarriers website, or call 01505 616000
Immigration
The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the UK border and controlling migration in the UK.
