Useful Contacts

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner promotes the rights, views and interests of children in policies or decisions affecting their lives. They particularly represent children who are vulnerable or who find it hard to make their views known.

Help at Hand is the Children’s Commissioner’s advice and assistance service for children in care, children who have a social worker or are working with social services, children living away from home and care leavers. If you ever have any concerns about your care or in general, you can call the Children’s Commissioner for advice.

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/childrens-rights-advocacy

Advocating for children is at the heart of everything they do at Barnardo’s. Young people deserve to have someone on their side. Barnardos are there to listen and empower.    

Their children’s advocacy services are specifically dedicated to giving children and young people across the UK a voice.

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It is a statutory right for all looked after or care experienced children to have an independent advocate.

Specialises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. Free 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK.

help@nyas.net

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NYAS support, safeguard and empower those they work with to have their voices heard - especially when important decisions are being made about their lives.

Online guide to life for 16-25 year olds. Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. Chat about any issue on moderated discussion boards and live chat room.

Provides information and support for anyone under 35 who is struggling with suicidal feelings, or anyone concerned about a young person who might be struggling.

samaritans.org

Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA.

Emotional support for anyone feeling down, experiencing distress or struggling to cope.

Operates a network of membership organisations who provide local information, advice and counselling services. The Youth Access website and helpline can direct you to services in your area. 

National charity committed to improving the mental health of all babies, children and young people. Provides information for both parents and young people.

St Giles is a charity using expertise and real-life past experiences to empower people who are not getting the help they need, people who are hard to engage because they have been failed time and time again – held back by poverty, exploited, abused, dealing with addiction or mental health problems, caught up in crime or a combination of these issues and others.