Fareport appreciate that there will be times when learners, their family, friends or employers may be looking for extra help or support in their personal or professional lives. We signpost to a range of professional services that you may find beneficial to contact. For ease, we have categorised these as follows:
Mental Health Support
Addiction Support
Abuse & Victim Support
Unseen is a UK charity working towards a world without slavery which offers information, advice and guidance about any modern slavery issues to potential victims, businesses, the public and statutory agencies.
08000 121 700
Online email form is also available
Eating Disorder Support
Beat are a UK eating disorder charity who give sufferers and their family or friends a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered. They provide information, advice and guidance about different types of eating disorders, a library of information and contacts to help get the treatment needed to overcome the disorder.
Contact: www.b-eat.co.uk
Helpline for adults, over 18: 0808 801 0677 or help@b-eat.co.uk
Helpline for young people, under 18: 0808 801 0711 or fyp@b-eat.co.uk
The National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCFED) provide guidance and advice on everything people need to know about eating disorders, as well as treatment and recovery, help for carers, personal assessments (which can be face-to-face, by phone or skype) and an information service on areas such as body image, about eating disorders and topical issues for sufferers and carers.
Contact: www.eating-disorders.org.uk
0845 838 2040
Self Harm & FGM Support
Self-harm is when people hurt themselves as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. After self-harming, they may feel a short-term sense of release, but the cause of distress is unlikely to have gone away - self-harming can be an addictive behaviour that people start to depend on, and can take a long time to stop. There is some excellent advice and guidance at the following organisations
Mind have a large section on their website dealing with all aspects of Self-harm, from why people self-harm, to how to help themselves both in the short and longer term plus information on treatment and support for both the self-harmer and their friends or family.
Contact: www.mind.org.uk
or their supportive online community site at www.elefriends.org.uk
0300 123 3393 or text 86463
Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends, families and professionals. They also provide a bank of resources, advice and guidance in coping strategies, workbooks, DVD's and an online blog to help provide advice and guidance.
Contact: www.harmless.org.uk including an online contact form.
Email: info@harmless.org.uk
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation is the deliberate removal or cutting of the external female genitalia (i.e. the labia and clitoris) despite there being no medical reason for this to be done. The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, who often play central roles within the community despite it being viewed internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. The majority of procedures are carried out on young girls between infancy and adolescence who are generally of African, Middle Eastern and Asian backgrounds. This procedure is illegal in the UK and constitutes child abuse.
If someone is in immediate danger, please contact the police by dialing 999.
If you're concerned that someone may be at risk or you are being put under pressure to have FGM performed on your daughter, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 3550 or fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
If you've had FGM you can get help from your GP or gynaecologist at hospital
Forward (Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development) are a leading gender equality and safeguarding charity working with partnerships in the UK, Europe and Africa to transform lives, tackle discriminatory practices and provide support, guidance and safeguarding advice to African girls and women - they focus on FGM as well as child marriage.
Contact: www.forwarduk.org.uk
0208 960 4000
Email support@forwarduk.org.uk
Employment
The National Careers Service provide information, advice and guidance to help people make decisions on their learning, training and work. Online tools are available to help create a CV, undertake a Skills Health Check and action plan future careers.
0800 100 900
Text: 07766 413219
Online chat and email facility also available
Fareport also have a careers helpline on:
The HSE provide advice and guidance on all things health, safety and welfare related in line with current legislation. Policies, procedures, processes, myth busters and toolkits as well as an online ‘shop’ are all available for employers and employees to access.
0300 003 1647
Online forms are also available
ACAS provides a range of expert and impartial advice and guidance to both employers and employees about a range of work-related topics including employment legislation. ACAS stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Lots of guidance and resource tools are also available online.
0300 123 1100
online help also available
Fareport also have an employment and HR helpline at: helpline@vlexible-hr.com
The Amazing If Squiggly Careers Podcast has over 250 episodes covering topics including progression, resilience, self-belief, failure, people management and learning.
Financial Support
The Money Advice Service provide free and impartial money advice, set up by the government, to provide support by phone or online. Other tools include an online savings calculator, budget planner, mortgage calculator, pension planner, benefits and letter templates.
0800 138 7777
Webchat also available online
Independent Financial Solutions (IFS) offer unbiased advice and guidance on a range of private, professional and corporate planning to both employers and employees, i.e. pensions advice, mortgages, medical cover, investments, tax planning, employee benefits and life cover – nationally.
0800 980 4136
Online email form is also available
Advice and Guidance
The Citizens Advice can provide independent free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, work, debt and money, consumer, family, housing, law and courts, immigration and health. Advice can be sought online, by phone or in person at a centre around the country.
03444 111 444
webchat is also available
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provide information, advice and guidance on equality legislation, human rights and discrimination in employment or when using goods or services – with particular reference to the Equality Act 2010.
Advice and support via the Equality Advisory and Support Service:
0808 800 0082
The Mankind Initiative was the first charity in GB to support male victims of domestic abuse - they provide services and support for male victims and campaign to ensure that male victims receive the support they need from other organisations. Their aim is to ensure all male victims of domestic abuse (and their children) are supported to enable them to escape from the situation they're in. 1 in 6 men will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime - you are not to blame, you are not weak, you are not alone.
Helpline: 01823 334244 - provides listening support as well as information and signposting.
SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The Helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. There are numerous sources of advice and guidance on this website - including for stalking, harassment, anxiety, bereavement, bullying, child abuse, debt, finance, depression, forced marriage, hate crime, gender identity, homelessness, loneliness, offenders and rehabilitation, self-harm, terminal illness, trauma - and many others. Support Line or 01708 765200 or info@supportline.org.uk.
Housing
Shelter helps millions of people every year experiencing housing or homelessness issues. They provide advice around homelessness, private renting, tenancy deposits, repossessions, evictions, repairs, housing benefit and council housing. Visit the website for free, expert advice.
lf you have nowhere to sleep tonight or are at risk of harm or abuse in your home, call the emergency helpline for urgent advice: 0808 800 4444
Centrepoint are an organisation that provides housing and support to homeless young people, aged 16-25, around London, Manchester, Yorkshire, the North East and through partnerships all over the UK. Recent research estimates that at least 150,000 young people across England and Wales have approached local authorities for help because they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Centrepoint can be contacted via online form: Centre Point Get Help Now
0808 800 0661
Emergency Housing Advice
The council must help if you're legally homeless, but how much depends on your eligibility, your level of need and whether it is deemed that your homelessness is your fault. For more information and definitions of homelessness and eligibility, see:
Sexual Health
Let's talk about it Information, advice and links to services for Contraceptions, STIs, Pregnancy and Sexual Health. Also includes a section for professionals who support young or vulnerable groups. www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk
Single Parent Familes
Gingerbread is a leading charity organisation seeking to support single parent families by providing support, advice and campaigning for single mums and dads to help them meet their family's needs. They can provide support to those experiencing separation or bereavement, or sorting out work or childcare. There are a number of ways to get in touch with Gingerbread, including an online form and forum, as well as:
Helpline: 0808 802 0925
Stalking
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust
This is a charity organisation established following the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh. They run a National Stalking Helpline available on 0808 802 0300 - calls are free from all landlines and many network providers (O2, Orange, TMobile, Three (3), Virgin and Vodafone). There is also a wealth of information on their website www.suzylamplugh.org to support and signpost victims of stalking.
