This page brings together trusted UK support links for people who are worried about, caring for, supporting or affected by someone else's addiction, mental health, emotional wellbeing, gambling harm, family difficulties or safety concerns.
Supporting someone else can feel confusing, frightening and emotionally heavy. These organisations can help visitors understand what support may be available, how to start a conversation, how to look after themselves, and where to turn if there are safety concerns.
Some services support adults, some support young people, and some are designed for parents, carers or anyone worried about a child. Always check directly with each organisation for the most up-to-date contact details, opening times, eligibility and access routes.
Important Safety Note
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of harm, contact emergency services, children's social care, the NSPCC Helpline or another safeguarding route as appropriate.
If someone is physically dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids or other substances, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. They should speak to a GP, pharmacist, NHS service or local drug and alcohol service before making sudden changes.
The Recovery Space provides education, self-help tools and neutral signposting only. We do not provide crisis support, safeguarding support, medical advice, counselling, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, detox support, legal advice or one-to-one support.
What they help with: Change Grow Live provides drug and alcohol support, advice and information. Their family and friends information can help people understand how substance use may affect loved ones, how to offer support, and how to look after their own wellbeing.
Who it may help: Family members, partners, friends, carers or supporters who are worried about someone else's alcohol or drug use.
Location / Coverage: England and Wales, with local services varying by area. Online information is available through the Change Grow Live website.
Contact details: Use the Change Grow Live website or Find a service tool to find local contact details. Some local services have their own phone numbers, email addresses, referral routes and opening times.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the Family and Friends information page. If local support is needed, use Find a service and search by postcode or area.
Change Grow Live - Family and Friends
Start Here...
These links are useful starting points to find support meetings for friends and family, who know someone who is struggling with addiction, these groups provide advice and information surrounding areas of addiction if you are unsure what support you need or where to begin.
Drugs and Alcohol family Support
What they help with: WithYou provides support for people affected by alcohol, drugs and mental health concerns. Their online advice can also help people who are worried about someone else and are unsure how to respond safely.
Who it may help: People supporting a loved one affected by alcohol or drugs, as well as people looking for local WithYou services or online advice.
Location / Coverage: WithYou services are available in parts of England and Scotland. Online information is available through the WithYou website. Local support varies by area.
Contact details: Use the WithYou website or services page to check local service details, referral routes and contact options.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the Help someone else page or the services search if someone wants to find local alcohol, drug or mental health support.
WithYou
What they help with: Mind provides mental health information and guidance for people supporting someone else. Their Helping someone else hub includes advice on being supportive, encouraging someone to seek help, coping while caring and supporting young people.
Who it may help: Anyone worried about a friend, family member, partner, colleague, student or loved one who may be struggling with their mental health.
Location / Coverage: England and Wales, with national information online and local Mind services available in many areas.
Contact details: Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393. Check the Mind website for current opening times, email options and other helpline details.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is Mind's Helping someone else page, especially if someone wants practical guidance on what to say, how to encourage support and how to protect their own wellbeing.
Mind - Helping Someone Else
Mental Health and Emotional Support
What they help with: Samaritans provides listening support for people who are struggling to cope, in emotional distress or affected by suicidal thoughts. Their website also has guidance for people worried about someone else.
Who it may help: People who are worried about someone's emotional safety, concerned about suicide risk, or unsure how to start a supportive conversation.
Location / Coverage: UK and Ireland. Phone support is available day or night. Online guidance is available through the Samaritans website.
Contact details: Call 116 123 free, day or night. Email jo@samaritans.org. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the Worried about someone else page. If someone needs to talk now, they can call 116 123. If there is immediate danger, call 999.
Worried About Immediate Safety
Samaritans
Young People and Family Support
What they help with: Childline provides confidential support for children and young people. Young people can talk about anything that is worrying them, including family problems, abuse, bullying, mental health, self-harm, relationships, school pressure or feeling unsafe.
Who it may help: Children and young people under 19. Adults may also use this link to show a young person where they can get direct support.
Location / Coverage: UK. Support is available by phone and through Childline's online support options.
Contact details: Call Childline free on 0800 1111. Young people can also use online support options through the Childline website. Check the website for current availability.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point for a young person is the Get support page or the free phone number 0800 1111. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Childline
What they help with: The NSPCC Helpline offers advice and support for adults who are worried about a child. It can help people report concerns, talk through worries and understand what to do next if a child may be at risk.
Who it may help: Adults worried about a child or young person, including parents, relatives, neighbours, professionals, volunteers or members of the public.
Location / Coverage: UK. The NSPCC also provides online guidance about keeping children safe and reporting abuse.
Contact details: NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000. Email: help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the NSPCC Helpline if an adult is worried about a child and needs advice on what to do next. If the concern is immediate, call 999.
NSPCC Helpline
Parent and Carer Support
What they help with: YoungMinds provides information and support for parents and carers worried about a child or young person's mental health, behaviour, emotions or wellbeing.
Who it may help: Parents, carers, guardians and trusted adults who are worried about a child or young person and want guidance on mental health support options.
Location / Coverage: UK. Online information is available through the YoungMinds parent support hub. Helpline and webchat access should be checked directly on the website.
Contact details: Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544. Webchat may also be available through the YoungMinds website. Check current opening times before publishing.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the Parents Helpline and webchat page if a parent or carer wants guidance about a young person's mental health or behaviour.
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
What they help with: Family Lives offers parenting and family support, including advice around family relationships, behaviour, separation, conflict, emotional pressure and everyday parenting challenges.
Who it may help: Parents, carers, family members or trusted adults looking for practical family support, parenting advice or someone to talk to about family pressures.
Location / Coverage: UK online support and helpline information. Some support options may vary, so check the Family Lives website directly.
Contact details: Family Lives Helpline: 0808 800 2222. Check the website for current opening times, email options and online support routes.
Best starting point advice: A good starting point is the confidential helpline page if someone wants parenting or family support. For immediate safety concerns, use emergency or safeguarding routes.
Family Lives - Parenting and Family Support
Note
The Recovery Space provides education, self-help tools and signposting only. We do not provide medical advice, mental health assessment, crisis support, detox support, safeguarding support, counselling, therapy, diagnosis, treatment, legal advice or one-to-one support.
Support services, opening times, contact details and eligibility can change over time, so please check directly with each organisation for the most up-to-date information before using or sharing their details.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of harm, contact emergency services, children's social care, the NSPCC Helpline or another safeguarding route as appropriate.
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