NSPCC

Abuse robs children of their childhood. Without help, the scars of abuse can last a lifetime. And as devastating as it can be for the child, society pays a heavy price too.

Helpline: 0808 800 5000

18 or Under Helpline: 0800 1111

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Herts Domestic Abuse

The Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline is a confidential, free, support and signposting service for anyone affected by domestic abuse.

Telephone: 0808 8088 088
Monday – Friday – 09:00 – 21:00
Saturday – Sunday – 09:00 – 16:00

Website: www.hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org

SAHWR

St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge aims to provide a safe comfortable, conflict free environment for women and women with children who are suffering domestic abuse.

Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.stalbansandhertsmerewomensrefuge.org.uk

Child Exploitation and Online Protection command

Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.

Website: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

Women's aid

Since 1974, Women’s Aid have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic abuse. As a federation of over 180 organisations, they provide just under 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country.

Hepline: 0808 2000 247

Facebook: @womensaid

Twitter: @womensaid

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

Herts Sunflower

Herts Sunflower are here to help and support you if you or someone you know has been abused.

Website: www.hertssunflower.org

Victim Support

As an independent charity, Victim Support work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They help people feel safer and find the strength to move beyond crime.

Surrey Supportline: 0808 168 9274
Lines are open 09:00 – 19:00, Monday – Friday
For out of hours support call our support line on – 0808 168 9111
Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

The Hospice of St Francis - Berkhamsted

The hospice offers a bereavement service to those of all ages.

Telephone: 01442 869 550

Website: www.stfrancis.org.uk

CRUSE Hertfordshire

Cruse exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering bereavement caused by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Cruse Bereavement Care Hertfordshire offers support when you need it most.

Telephone: 01707 278 389

Website: www.cruse-hertfordshire.org.uk

Sands

Sands offer support to those whose baby has died through late miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death.

Telephone: 0808 164 3332

Website: www.uk-sands.org

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting bereaved parents and their families after the death of their son or
daughter, at any age and from any cause.

Helpline: 0845 123 2304

Telephone: 01767 689 781

Website: www.tcf.org.uk

Stand by Me

Stand-by-me bereavement support is here to help children & families in North Herts & Stevenage when someone close to them has died or is dying.

Telephone: 07469 255 163

Website: www.stand-by-me.org.uk

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exist to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. They are a self-help organisation and they aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other.

Helpline: 0300 111 5065
09:00 – 21:00 Monday to Friday

Website: www.uksobs.org

Grief encounter

Grief support bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close.

Telephone: 0808 802 0111
Monday – Friday 09:00 – 21:00

Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk 

Hub of Hope

There’s always somebody to talk to. Find nearby services.

Website: www.hubofhope.co.uk

Carers in Hertfordshire

A local, independent organisation offering support and signposting for carers.

Telephone: 01992 586 959

Website: www.carersinherts.org.uk

Email: contact@carersinherts.org.uk

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 0207 3784 999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Email: info@carersuk.org

Macmillian Hertfordshire

Macmillan improves the lives of people affected by cancer locally. They provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. Cancer affects us all. We can all help. We are Macmillan in Hertfordshire.

Telephone: 0300 1000 200

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Cancer Research UK

Free information service provided by Cancer Research UK about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families.

Telephone: 0300 123 1022 (general enquires)

Telephone: 0808 800 4040 (Cancer related enquires)

Facebook: @cancerresearchUK

Twitter: @CR_UK

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Live Better With Cancer

Making day to day life a little bit better for people living with cancer.

Telephone: 0800 118 2705
Open Monday – Friday – 08:00 – 17:00

Facebook: @livebetterwith

Twitter:@LBWCancer

Website: www.livebetterwith.com

Email: theteam@livebetterwith.com

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Contact for families with Disabled children

Contact support families with the best possible guidance and information. For every shape and size of family, whatever they need and whatever their child’s disability, we’re here.

Telephone: 0808 808 3555

Facebook: @contactfamilies

Twitter: @contactfamilies

Website: www.contact.org.uk

Email: info@contact.org.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Walking Netball

Netball sessions designed for female participants over 55 years, although anyone wanting to take things a bit slower is welcome to attend. Led by a qualified coach, the emphasis is on having fun whilst learning the basic skills and rules. Suitable for all abilities.

Telephone: 07834 500 189

Email: lucy.ponting@englandnetball.co.uk

Pioneer Approaches

Creative Training, Consultancy, Workshops, Projects and Activities for and with People with Learning Disabilities and Differences.
They offer specialist and innovative creative support with an emphasis on music and drama in leisure, personal development, life skills and employment.

Facebook:@PioneerApproaches

Telephone: 07773 291 579

Website: www.pioneerapproaches.co.uk 

Email: ali@pioneerapproaches.co.uk

Adult Disability Football Sessions

Football Session for adults aged 18 years + to take part in a fun and safe football session. The session will combine with football skills and activities and games. The sessions will be designed to be delivered to any disability. £2 per session.

Telephone: 07841 028 229

Email: karen.stephanou@watfordfc.com

Dementia Adventure

Dementia Adventure helps people live better with dementia by connecting them to the outdoors, their community and help retain a sense of adventure in their lives.

Facebook: @DementiaAdventure

Twitter: @DementiaAdv

Telephone: 01245 237 548

Website: www.dementiaadventure.co.uk

AnxietyUK

AnxietyUK work to relieve and support those living with anxiety and anxiety-based depression by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy.

Text Service: 07537 416 905

Infoline: 03444 775 774
Monday – Friday 09:30 – 17:30

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Hertfordshire Directory

The Hertfordshire directory has a useful search engine which includes many organisations and support groups within Hertfordshire.

Website: directory.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Kooth

Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss your mental health issues.

Website: kooth.com

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.hertsmindnetwork.org

Better Living

Find practical help with managing Type 2 diabetes through this informative toolkit.

Telephone: 0162 853 7900

Website: www.better-living.co.uk

Email: DSO-UK@takeda.com

BDA

British Dietetic Association (BDA) is the only body in the UK representing the whole of the dietetic workforce.

Telephone: 0121 200 8080

Facebook: @BritishDieteticAssociation

Twitter: @BDA_Dietitians

Website: www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/home#medical_conditions

Diabetes UK

Dealing with diabetes can be daunting, whether you’re newly diagnosed, an old hand, or even if it’s someone you know who has the condition. Having someone to talk to can make all the difference.

Telephone: 01376 501 390

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk

KIDS

KIDS are a national charity, founded 49 years ago, providing a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families. They support children with any disability from birth to 25 years of age. They offer our support to the whole family with the aim of giving disabled children a brighter future.

Website: www.kids.org.uk 

Disability Rights UK

Disability Rights UK ant a society where everyone can participate equally.

Telephone: 0330 995 0414

Website: www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs wants a world in which all blind and partially-sighted people enjoy the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as everyone else. Their mission is to provide guide dogs and other mobility services that increase the independence and dignity of blind and partially-sighted people.

Telephone: 0800 953 0113

Facebook: @guidedogsUK

Twitter:@guidedogs

Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk

DeafblindUK

Deafblind UK supports people with combined sight and hearing loss to live the lives they want .Losing your sight and hearing can be frightening. The charity’s team of experts is here every step of the way to show you life beyond sight and hearing loss.

Telephone: 0173 3358 356

Facebook: @DBUKCharity

Twitter: @DeafblindUK

Website: www.deafblind.org.uk

ABLEize

ABLEize is the largest and most viewed UK disability, mobility and healthcare contact point on the net. Here you will find 430 plus categories filled with providers offering everything from mobility and daily living aids through to support, disability sports, arts and education, care providers and healthcare products and services.

Website: www.ableize.com

The Living Room

The Living Room Hertfordshire is an award winning addiction recovery charity, founded in 2000. Our centres in Hertfordshire are in Stevenage and St Albans, staffed by highly-trained counsellors with lived experience of addition themselves. We offer free, day-time, group counselling, peer support and workshop therapies using the 12-step programme.

Telephone: 01438 355 649

Website: www.livingroomherts.org

Turning Point

Turning Point work with people who need our support with their drug and alcohol use, mental health, offending behaviour, unemployment issues and people with a learning disability. They aim to inspire and empower them to discover new possibilities in their lives.

Website: www.turning-point.co.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 9177 650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Age UK Dacorum

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 01442 259 049

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/kingslangleyff

Dementia UK

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Email: helpline@dementiauk.org

Older Drivers

Experienced drivers are, in general, safer than those with less experience but as we age, our health and fitness, often including our eyesight, physical condition and reaction times, begins to decline.

Recognise whether and how your driving is changing and decide what you can do to cope with these changes and find help, such as medical advice, driving assessments and training and vehicle adaptations

Visit: www.olderdrivers.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Family Lives

Family Lives is a charity with over three decades of experience helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. They know that many people play active roles in raising children, from dads and mums, grandparents, stepparents and non-resident parents. Their role is to support all of you to achieve the best relationship possible with the children that you care about, as well as supporting parenting professionals.

Helpline: 0808 800 2222

Website: www.familylives.org.uk

MindEd

Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together.

Website: www.minded.org.uk

Healthtalk

At healthtalk.org you can find information and support for a range of health issues by seeing and hearing people’s real life experiences. Thousands of people have shared their experiences on film to help you understand what it’s really like to have a health condition such as breast cancer or arthritis.

Website: www.healthtalk.org

Vista

Support for Parents, Children, Young People and Families.

Telephone: 07584 798 528

Website: www.vistastalbans.org.uk

Families First

For more information about services available, please visit the below website.

Telephone: 0300 123 4043

Website: www.directory.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Email: familiesfirst.support@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Families in Focus CIC

Families in Focus CIC provides parenting courses that support parents, grandparents and adoptive parents in their local community to bring harmony, balance and enjoyment to family life. Free courses available across Hertfordshire.

Website: www.familiesinfocus.co.uk

Separated Families

Information and advice for everyone affected by family separation to help bring better outcomes for children.

Website: www.separatedfamilies.info

Kids in the Middle

Kids In The Middle^® (KITM) is a non-profit organization that empowers children, parents and families during and after divorce through counseling, education and support.

Website: www.kidsinthemiddle.org

Childnet

Childnet’s mission is to work in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.

Website: www.childnet.com

Switchboard

Switchboard is a charity for LGBTQ people looking for community, support or information. They connect people and support them directly through specially developed Switchboard services or link them to other specialist organisations.

Website: www.switchboard.org.uk

Stonewall

Stonewall work with institutions to create inclusive and accepting cultures, to ensure institutions understand and value the huge benefits brought to them.

Website: www.stonewall.org.uk

akt

akt supports lgbtq+ young people in the uk experiencing homelessness or living in hostile environments to find safe homes, employment, education or training  and to celebrate their identities in order to improve their life outcomes.

Website: www.akt.org.uk

West Hertfordshire Hospitals - Hemel Hempstead

There are a wide range of maternity service available at West Hertfordshire Hospitals (Hemel Hempstead).

Website: www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/maternity

BabyCentre

BabyCentre® reaches more than 45 million mums globally each month in nine different languages, including eight in 10 new and expecting mums online in the UK.

Website: www.babycentre.co.uk

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Hertfordshire Wellbeing Service

The Wellbeing Service is an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service, part of Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. We deliver psychological therapies to those over the age of 16 years, registered with a GP in Hertfordshire.

Telephone: 0300 777 0707

Website: www.talkwellbeing.co.uk

Big White Wall

Big White Wall was founded in 2007 by social entrepreneur, Jen Hyatt. Since then, they  have supported over 100,000 people living with anxiety and depression.

Website: www.bigwhitewall.co.uk

Get Connected

Get Connected are the biggest provider of private rehabilitation, they treat drug and alcohol addictions along with process addictions like gambling, sex & love and eating disorders. They are constantly at the forefront of the latest addiction treatments and look forward to helping you onto your journey of recovery.

Website: www.getconnected.org.uk

SANE

SANE is a leading UK mental health charity. They work to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness.

SANEline: 0300 304 7000
16:30 – 22:30 daily.

Website: www.sane.org.uk/home

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Kooth

Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss your mental health issues.

Website: kooth.com

Elefriends

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard.

Website: www.elefriends.org.uk

Guideposts

Guideposts’ exists to provide services to meet individual needs so that each person has the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations and maximise their potential.

Website: www.guideposts.org.uk

Harmless

Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide.

Website: www.harmless.org.uk

Hector's House

Hector’s House is a suicide and crisis prevention and help resource charity – set up by the family of Hector Stringer, who took his own life at just 18 years old. Their mission is to stop suicide by making sure everyone has access to the mental health support the need, and to encourage people to talk openly about how they feel.

Website: www.hectorshouse.org.uk

CALM

CALM are the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and are leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Maytree

Maytree’s house is open 365 days a year for people when they’re feeling suicidal. They provide a unique residential service for people in suicidal crisis so they can talk about their suicidal thoughts and behaviour. They offer a free 4 night, 5 day one-off stay to adults over the age of 18 from across the UK.

Telephone: 0207 236 7070

Website: www.maytree.org.uk

Beat Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can have a devastating impact on the lives of sufferers and the people around them. Beat’s vision is an end to the pain and suffering caused by these serious mental illnesses. Campaign with us and help make that vision a reality.

Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Youthline: 0808 801 0711

Studentline: 0808 801 0811

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Contraception Choices

There are many types of contraception available and none are perfect.
The Contraception Choices website provides honest information to help weigh up the pros and cons.

Website: www.contraceptionchoices.org

SH:24

SH:24 provides free and confidential sexual and reproductive health services 24 hours a day.

Website: www.sh24.org.uk

Scarleteen

Scarleteen is an independent, grassroots sexuality and relationships education and support organisation and website.

Website: www.scarleteen.com

Sexual Health Clinic

The Hemel Hempstead sexual clinic offers a wide range of sexual health services.

Telephone: 0300 008 5522

Website: www.sexualhealthhertfordshire.clch.nhs.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Stop Smoking Help - Hertfordshire

There are over 300 local stop smoking services in Hertfordshire offering non-judgemental support, either one-to-one or for groups in the workplace.

Website: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/smoking

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

YC Hertfordshire

YC Hertfordshire provides youth work projects and programmes, information, advice, guidance, work related learning, outdoor education and support for young people aged 13-19 (to 24 for young people with learning disabilities). For young people leaving care, support is provided to the age of 21.

Telephone: 01442 454 060 / 0800 389 3258

Website: www.ychertfordshire.org

Youth Talk 13-25yrs

Counselling service for those living, working or at school in St Albans District.

Telephone: 01727 868 684

Website: www.youthtalk.org.uk

Signpost / Urban Access 10 - 25yrs

Signpost provides counselling, coaching and other support to help young people living in South and West Hertfordshire overcome problems in their lives. In 2017 we helped nearly 500 young people.

Telephone: 01923 239 495 

Website: www.signpostcounselling.co.uk

Email: administration@signpostcounselling.co.uk

Health for Teens

Health for Teens introduces a new and different way for young people aged 11-19 to learn about their health.

Website: www.healthforteens.co.uk

Kooth

Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss your mental health issues.

Website: kooth.com

Young Minds

Young Minds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.

Parent Helpline: 0808 802 5544

Facebook: @youngmindsuk

Twitter: @YoungMindsUK

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

1Voice Herts

A support and networking group for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).  1Voice is a local volunteer group as part of the national charity 1Voice Communicating Together. A member-led charity passionate about supporting AAC users, families and carers in the communication journey.

Telephone: 07943 618 525

Website: www.1voice.info

Beacon Victim Care Service

Confidential emotional and practical support to victims and witnesses of crime in Hertfordshire. They help individuals navigate their way through the criminal justice system by providing information on their rights under the Victim Code of Practice. They also offer a restorative justice service exploring how we can give victims the opportunity to communicate with the person who has harmed them. They also work with lots of other organisations who may be able to provide help and support.

Monday to Friday 08:00 – 20:00 and Saturday 09:00 – 17:00

Telephone: 03000 115 555

Website: www.hertfordshirebeacon.org

Childline

Childline are here for you, whatever’s on your mind. They’ll support you. Guide you. Help you make decisions that are right for you.

Their tips and techniques, ideas and inspiration, can help you feel more in control. And you can access them in your own time, at your own pace!

Telephone: 0800 1111

Website: www.childline.org.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

The Mix

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. They are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via online, social or our free, confidential helpline.

Telephone: 0808 808 4994

Website: www.themix.org.uk

Stem4

Stem4 provides information on identification, intervention and effective management of commonly occurring teenage mental health issues

Website: www.stem4.org.uk

PAPYRUS

PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

Health Walks Berkhamsted

Sometimes a walk alone in the fresh air is just what we need. But if you’re just getting started and you’re not sure that you want to do all your walking alone – or if you like the idea of having other people around to help you stay motivated – then walk with us.

Website: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

National Centre for Eating Disorders

They believe that you have the right to have good help from someone who cares and understands. This is our mission for people with anorexia, bulimia, binge and compulsive eating, body image issues, intractable weight struggles and the people who serve them.

Supportline: 0845 838 2040

Website: www.eating-disorders.org.uk

Am I a Healthy Weight?

Calculate your BMI using this NHS Tool

Website: www.nhs.uk

WW International

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. There are options and support, whatever your lifestyle, from WW International (formerly Weight Watchers).

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk