Find support and help
If you're having a difficult time, the Samaritans are available 24/7
Visit the Samaritans website to find support
Call 116 123 for free
Childline
If you're under 18, you can contact Childline for support
Call 0800 1111
NSPCC
Call 0808 800 5000
Our Children Young People and Families (CYPF) services
Domestic violence or abuse can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.
Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic abuse charities and other organisations are reporting an increase in cases.
If you or someone you know are at risk, you can reach out to one of these national or local support services, including the police and refuges.
You can read all the below information in this PDF guide
Emergency
If it's an emergency, please call police on 999 or non emergency 101
Domestic abuse helpline
Visit the National DA helpline website
Call 0808 2000 247 (Available 24/7)
West Berks Domestic Abuse Service (Newbury area)
Call 0800 731 0055
Berkshire Women’s Aid (Reading, Wokingham & Bracknell areas)
Call 0118 954003
Dash (Windsor and Maidenhead)
Visit the dash charity website
Call 01753 549865
Hestia Emergency Refuge
Call 01753 477352
Download the Bright Sky app - disguised as a weather app, it gives free information and local support, and ‘am I at risk?' questionnaire
Browsing online safely and in secret
If you’re worried that your search history may be seen, there are things you can do to browse privately.
Use a private or ‘incognito’ browsing window, which means your browsing history will not be saved and no cookies will be set.
- Read how to browse secretly in Chrome
- Read how to browse secretly in Safari
- Read how to browse secretly in Microsoft Edge
Have another tab or window open in the background that would be very normal for you to be visiting, such as BBC News. If your privacy is compromised you can quickly switch to this site.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly close your browser.
- On a Mac – Press Command and W
- On a PC – Press Ctrl + W, or Alt + F4
NSPCC
Call 0808 800 5000
Age UK
Call Age UK 0800 678 1174
Action on Elder Abuse / Hourglass
Visit the Action on Elder Abuse / Hourglass website
Call Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141
Grief is a natural and very personal process, which everyone experiences differently. There is no 'normal' or 'right' way to grieve.
It might be that you've lost someone due to COVID-19, you feel alone due to social distancing measures, or you're unable to make funeral arrangements due to restrictions around gatherings.
Cruse Bereavement Care have a collection of resources, including support specifically covering coronavirus, such as dealing with bereavement and grief, grieving and isolation, children and young people, trauma and funerals.
Cruse also offer a national helpline manned by trained volunteers; open Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours until 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Visit the Cruse Bereavement Care website
Call 0808 808 1677
Email helpline@cruse.org.uk
Advice and support for staying well at home
How you can help us, including donations