Support
Below are a number of organisations that can help with a range of issues
BULLYING
Anti Bullying Alliance
Has a list of helplines and websites that can provide information and support for children and young people who are being bullied.
Website
https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/if-youre-being-bullied
Bullying UK (part of Family Lives)
Non-judgmental support helpline that can provide advice with Family Support Workers available through Live Chat or via the confidential helpline. There is also a parent forum. Family Lives is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can be contacted us about any family issue, big or small.
Tel: 0808 800 2222
Website
https://www.familylives.org.uk/
ChildLine
Tel: 0800 1111
Information about bullying on the ChildLine website.
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/
Direct Gov: Bullying
Explains bullying and the law in and outside school. Gives a definition for bullying and how to report bullying.
Website
https://www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school
EACH
EACH has a freephone Actionline for children experiencing homophobic bullying. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm.
Tel: 0808 1000 143
Young Minds
The voice for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Has information and support available online about bullying.
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/bullying/
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Lewisham’s Young People’s Drugs and Alcohol Service
The Hub is a drug and alcohol service for young people in Lewisham up to the age of 25 years old. They work across the borough and will come and see a young person wherever they feel comfortable, whether that is at home, in a café, or in another service or agency such as a youth club, a job centre or a school.
The Hub has a friendly and welcoming service base in Catford shopping centre where they hold activities and run group sessions, as well as seeing young people individually.
Address: 38 Winslade Way, Catford, SE6 4JU
Tel: 020 8690 3020
FRANK
Friendly confidential drugs advice.
Website
SMS Text: 82111
Tel: 0300 123 6600
EATING DISORDERS
Beat
Support anyone affected by eating disorders, or difficulties with food, weight or shape.
Youthline: 0845 634 7650
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Young Minds
Young at Mind have an info page about bulimia.
SEXUAL HEALTH AND PREGNANCY
Lewisham Sexual Health Services
There are four clinics across the borough that provide contraception, reproductive and sexual health services for men and women of all ages, including young people. The website has the addresses and a list of pharmacies that provide emergency contraception.
Brook
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health services and advice for young people under 25.
NHS - Sexual Health
Information and advice about sexual health, including contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
Rise Above
Created by young people for young people, the Rise Above website aims to build emotional resilience in individuals aged 11 to 16 by equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions, and help deal with the pressures of growing up. It also encourages conversations about the key health and wellbeing issues that affect teens and young people.
http://riseabove.org.uk/about/
Young Minds
The voice of young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELLING
Speaking to a GP
Doc Ready is a website that helps you to prepare for talking with your GP about your own mental health. With information, advice and guidance along with a practical tick list that you can print and take to your appointment.
Kooth
Provides free online counselling support for young people aged 10-14 in Lewisham schools and for vulnerable groups of young people thanks to Big Lottery HeadStart Funding.
South East London Mind
South East London Mind works with people affected by mental health problems/dementia in Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
https://selmind.org.uk/contact/
Mind (national)
Gives information about where children and young people can get support with a mental health problem.
Mind also has a mental health Infoline:
Tel: 0300 123 3393
SMS text: 86463
Place 2 Be
Is now providing support in schools in Lewisham thanks to Big Lottery HeadStart funding.
Rethink
Provides information about looking after your own mental health, how you can support friends and family if they are experiencing mental health problems and the places where you can get support and advice.
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/
The Deborah Ubee Trust
Provides counselling to those who are otherwise unable to access it in the southeast of London.
http://www.thedeborahubeetrust.org.uk/
Young Minds
The voice of young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Youth Access
For young people’s information, advice and counselling.
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
Bipolar UK
Supporting young people 18-25 affected by bipolar and their families.
Website
Tel: 020 7931 6486
Email: youth@bipolar.org.uk
Samaritans
If there’s something troubling you, then get in touch.Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Tel: 08457 90 90 90 (call charges may apply)
INFORMATON & SUPPORT
Keeping Children Safe in Education
ChildLine
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, talk to a counsellor online, send ChildLine an email or post on the message boards.
Website
Tel: 0800 1111
Get Connected
Get Connected is a free, confidential helpline service for young people under 25 who need help, but don’t know where to turn.
https://www.getconnected.org.uk/
The Mix
The mix is an online guide to life for 16-25 year-olds in the UK. They provide non-judgmental support and information.
Youth Access
Young people’s information, advice and counselling.
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
Youth Health Talk.org
Reliable information for young people, from young people.
VIOLENCE & ABUSE
Respect
Respect’s Young People’s Service focuses on interventions with young people who use violence and abuse in close relationships, whether its relationship abuse, adolescent to parent violence or abusive behaviour within the family e.g. sibling abuse, young parent abuse.
SupportLine
SupportLine is able to take calls on a wide range of issues including relationships, child abuse, anger, bullying, eating disorders, exam stress, self harm, domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, disability, mental health, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, addictions, debt, phobias, conflict, sexuality, health concerns, homelessness, racial harassment, loneliness.
Helpline: 01708 765200
https://www.supportline.org.uk/
HELP FOR PARENTS
Family Services UK - South East London Mind
This is a charity based in Deptford, South East London SE8 providing low-cost therapy to individuals and families, walk-in counselling without an appointment to those in crisis, as well as support groups, parenting workshops, psycho-educational programmes and activities to improve mental health wellbeing.
https://selmind.org.uk/directory/family-services-uk/
Parent Support: Insightful Families – Lewisham
Offer a free confidential friendly service for children, young people, parents and carers in Lewisham.
https://insightyoungpeople.org.uk/our-services/insightful-families-lewisham/
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Have specifically tailored information for young people, parents, teachers and carers about mental health related issue
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people
Young Minds
Young Minds is the voice for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. They have information online for parents and a parent helpline.
Tel: 0808 802 5544
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/
LGBTQ
Metro Youth
METRO Youth provides free and confidential services to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and those questioning their sexuality or gender) YP in South East London.
Tel: 020 8305 5000
https://metrocharity.org.uk/youth