Children & Young People Support Organisations
UN Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC)
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a comprehensive set of rights.
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has information on children’s rights and the UNCRC which can be found here – https://www.cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncr. There is also a guide for children and young people – http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00508949.pdf
Aberlour
Support for young people and their families, including rehabilitation services that allow children and their parent/guardian to stay together during rehab.
Website: http://www.aberlour.org.uk/
Helpline: 0800 0856150
Children 1st
Provides a range of national and local services for vulnerable children and young people aged 0-19 years, and empower families to do their best for children and young people. They run Parentline which includes a Kinship Care helpline.
Parentline: 08000 28 22 33
Website: https://www.children1st.org.uk/
Childline
Childline is a counselling service for children and young people.
Helpline: 0800 1111
Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA)
Helpline providing information, advice and support for children of alcoholics and those concerned with their welfare.
Helpline: 0800 358 3456
Website: http://www.nacoa.org.uk/
Email: helpline@Nacoa.org.uk
Action for Children
Action for Children challenge injustice and empower children to overcome the obstacles in their lives that hold them back. They tailor their work to local circumstances, in partnership with children and young people, families, communities and local organisations.
Website: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/
Resources for Kids Facing Divorce
An article for children whose parents are divorcing or separating. Contains advice and links to further resources.
Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH)
MYH is a national award-winning charity that provides free and confidential faith and culturally sensitive support services targeted at vulnerable young people in the UK.
Helpline: 0808 808 2008 (Open 7 days 4pm – 10pm)
Webchat: https://myh.org.uk/how-we-can-help/chat-with-us/#
Website: https://myh.org.uk/
Barnardo’s Scotland
Provides community-based services throughout Scotland working with vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Website: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/
ADAM (Another’s Drinking Affects Me)
A.D.A.M. is a website for young people who are concerned about or may be affected by another person’s drinking. The person may be your mum, dad, grandparent, brother, sister or friend.
A.D.A.M has been developed in consultation with young people who have experienced harm as a result of someone else’s drinking and offers an opportunity to explore IF and HOW you are being affected.
Website: https://www.chatresource.org.uk/
NHS Go
NHS app with confidential health advice and support for 16–25-year-olds including advice around; sex & relationships, mental health & wellness, puberty & teen health, LGTBQ+, smoking, drugs and alcohol, sleep, general health, eating healthily & exercise.
Website: nhsgo.uk
On My Mind (Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families)
On My Mind aims to empower young people to make informed choices about the mental health support they want, the treatments they receive and the outcomes they desire.
It contains information, advice and resources to help young people support their own mental health, including signposting to sources of support in times of crisis and tools to help young people manage their own wellbeing. The free digital resources are designed for use by children and young people between the ages of 10 – 25.
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/
The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better.
Text AFC to 85258.
The Mix
Support and advice for under 25s, including a helpline, crisis messenger service and webchat. They’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs.
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Crisis messenger service: 85258 (text THEMIX)
Website: https://www.themix.org.uk/
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Website: https://www.hopeagain.org.uk/
Mind Yer Time (Kooth)
A project in partnership with The Scottish Youth Parliament and The Children’s Parliament, Kooth offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11 – 24 years and is available up to 10 pm every day. They offer the chance to speak to friendly counsellors, read articles by young people, get support from the community and keep a daily journal of your online activity.
Website: https://mindyertime.scot/kooth/
Me and My Mind
An NHS website providing advice and support for young people struggling with unusual experiences – like feeling paranoid or hearing voices.
Website: http://meandmymind.nhs.uk/
OCD Youth
Youth Support for young people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD Youth aims to increase awareness and access to support for anyone under 25 affected by OCD and is run by young people with OCD, for young people with OCD.
Website: https://ocdyouth.org/
Papyrus HOPELINEUK
Confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open daily from 9am-midnight.
Helpline: 08000684141
Text line: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Refuge
Help and support for young people affected by domestic violence.
Helpline: 080 200 0247
Online Chat: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Website: https://www.refuge.org.uk/
Young Stonewall
Information and support for all young lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.
Helpline: 0800 050 2020 open 9:30 – 4:30 Monday to Friday (answerphone available outside these hours)
Switchboard: 0300 330 0630 (every day 10am-10pm )
Website: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Youth Access
Advice and counselling network for young people, including details of free local services.
Helpline: 020 8772 9900
Website: https://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
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