Family Support & Advice

Family Support and Advice 

Below are a list and links to some of the organisations that can offer support and advice to families on a range of issues.  Many of these organisations will also be able to signpost you to further information or support: 

If you are worried about the welfare of any child, please contact: 

                     First Response on:  0117 903 6444 OR DIAL 999 

Other numbers you can call: 

• NSPCC 24-hour Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free from a landline) 

• NSPCC Text helpline: 88858 (service is free and anonymous) 

• Police: 101 (non-emergency calls) 

ADULT EDUCATION 

Community Learning West  https://communitylearningwest.net/ 

Free courses for adults with little or no qualifications and receiving certain benefits. 

ADULT MENTAL HEALTH 

Samaritans:  - www.samaritans.org 

116 123 (FREE PHONE) 

Bristol Mind: www.bristolmind.org.uk 

MindLine helpline – 0808 808 0330 

BENEFITS AND WELFARE ADVICE 

WRAMAS (Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service) - www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-financial-help/welfare-rights-and-money-advice-service 

Helpline 0117 35 21888. (Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, 9am to 1pm) 

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH 

Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk   Tel: 0117 980 0370 

NHS - www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/ 

CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OR DISABILITIES (SEND) 

Family Fund – gives financial grants for children with special needs or disabilities www.familyfund.org.uk 

Supportive Parents - https://www.supportiveparents.org.uk/ 

Providing information, advice and support about SEND to children, young people and their parents and carers. 

 DEBT ADVICE 

Talking Money: https://www.talkingmoney.org.uk/  Freephone: 0800 121 4511 

Tel: 0117 954 3990 

The Money Advice Service:  https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/debt-advice-locator/bristol 

DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE 

If you are worried about your safety, call 999 

Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the National Domestic Violence Helpline – Freephone 0808 2000 247 

Next Link:   https://nextlinkhousing.co.uk/  (including dedicated services for Black and Ethnic Minorities) Tel:  0117 925 0680 

EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION If you are worried about someone who is becoming extreme or radical in their views or is involved with organisations who have extreme or radical views, you can contact: 

For any IMMEDIATE concerns:  999 

ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) – Help and advice -  www.actearly.uk 

NSPCC  - https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation 

FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) – If you are worried that a girl or woman is at immediate risk of FGM – call 999 

If you know that a British National has already been taken abroad for FGM, contact: 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 

Telephone: 020 7008 1500 

From overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 1500 

For confidential help and advice on FGM –  

NSPCC FGM Helpline 

Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk 

Telephone: 0800 028 3550 

From overseas: +44 (0)800 028 3550 

FORCED MARRIAGE 

For help, advice and support contact the Forced Marriage Unit: 

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7008 0151 

Email, including for outreach work: fmu@fcdo.gov.uk 

Facebook: Forced Marriage page 

Twitter: @FMUnit 

HEALTHY EATING - https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/food-facts 

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS 

Bristol City Council:   https://www.bristol.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk-of-being-homeless     Tel:  0117 352 6800 

Shelter:  https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/local_services/bristol 

Tel: 03445151430 

CHAS Housing:   http://www.chasbristol.co.uk/ 

Tel:   0117 935 1260 

LEGAL ADVICE:   

Including, Family Law, Immigration and Asylum, Employment Law, Discrimination 

Bristol Law Centre:  https://www.bristollawcentre.org.uk/get-help/ 

Tel:  0117 924 8662 

Family Law – Bristol University Law Clinic - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/law/law-clinic/  

Provides free advice on Family Law issues only. 

PARENTING PROGRAMMES 

Free, and delivered by Bristol City Council and partners in the community https://www.bristol.gov.uk/social-care-health/parenting-courses-currently-running-in-bristol 

PARENTING SUPPORT 

Action for Children: https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/  Tel:  03001232112 

Family Lives:  https://www.familylives.org.uk/     Tel: 08088002222 

Home Start:  Home Start Bristol:  www.homestartbristol.org.uk  Tel: 0117 9501170 or 9501197 

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE (SOCIAL SERVICES) 

Family Rights Group – www.frg.org.uk  Tel:  0808 8010366 

RACISM AND DISCRIMMINATION 

SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) – www.sariweb.org 

Tel:  0117 942 0060