Below is a growing list of helpful websites, resources and helplines which you may find helpful on a range of issues including mental health, bereavement support, living with cancer, debt and personal finances, energy and household costs, addiction services, support for families, and help when in distress.
General Resources
HELPLINES NI is single point of access to Northern Ireland helpline numbers and websites providing information, advice, counselling. You can view their leaflet which provides a list of helplines to suit your needs here.
The Here2Help Smartphone app was developed locally in Ballymena in order that local residents can quickly access contact details for a range of support services. It’s free and available to download on the Google Play store and Apple iTunes App store.
FRESH LIGHT. A counselling service provided by the Presbyterian Church, open to everyone. Click here for information.
CHILDLINE. If you're under 19, you can contact Childline:
Tel: 0800 1111
Mental Health Resources
MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS PACK. Christian-based information and resources on a range of mental health issues. Click here to access.
MIND - www.mind.org.uk – support for people with mental health issues.
MIND AND SOUL FOUNDATION - www.mindandsoulfoundation.org – educating, equipping and encouraging people to meet with God and recover from emotional distress, and helping local churches engage with mental health services.
Living with Cancer
TOGETHER LIVING WITH CANCER. Christian perspectives and resources for living with cancer. Click here for information.
Bereavement Support
AT A LOSS. A website providing signposting to various resources, answers to questions, and support for those who have been bereaved. Click here to access ataloss.org
LOSS AND HOPE. A website which helps the Church to support those who are bereaved. Various helpful videos on how you might support others. Click here to access lossandhope.org
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT helps people with bereavement support and information. Click here to access cruse.org.uk
Debt & Personal Finances
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (CAP) – www.capuk.org - a national organisation specialising in debt counselling for people in financial difficulty, including those in need of bankruptcy or insolvency. Tel: 0800 328 0006
ADVICE NI - www.adviceni.net A trained adviser will take your call, listen to you and help you find debt and budget advice and support to maximise your income, navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional benefits to which you could be entitled. Tel: 0800 915 4604
MAKE THE CALL - Tel: 0800 232 1271 A helpline provided by the Department for Communities to help you check if you are missing out on any benefits, services and support to which you are entitled.
MONEY HELPER - www.moneyhelper.org.uk Tel: 0800 138 7777 The MoneyHelper helpline and website, provided by the UK Government, seeks to help make personal choices around money and pensions clearer.
STEP CHANGE DEBT CHARITY - www.stepchange.org Tel: 0800 138 1111 Step Change is a national debt charity which seeks to help people with debt problems to take back control of their finances and their lives.
Energy and Household Costs
COUNSUMER COUNCIL FOR NORTHERN IRELAND - www.consumercouncil.org.uk Tel: 0800 121 6022 The Consumer Council provides free, independent support and advice for all consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland. Its website provides price comparison tools and advice guides on budgeting and managing the costs of living - including around transport, energy, food shopping, home heating oil, insurance, broadband and postage.
NORTHERN IRELAND ENERGY ADVICE LINE - Tel: 0800 111 44 55 Free independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in the region - including advice about grants and other sources of help.
NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION - www.nea.org.uk Tel: 0800 304 7159 A national fuel poverty and energy efficiency charity, providing advice and support both to people in need, and to others working on their behalf.
ELECTRICITY AND GAS COMPANIES - Each of the main energy companies has helplines through which its customers can get in touch and discuss options around making the payment of their bill more manageable. Companies also provide additional support for older people or customers who are particularly vulnerable, and energy efficiency advice. If you have difficulties in getting in contact with a company, the Consumer Council’s staff are able to assist. Please call 0800 121 6022 to ask for help from them.
Budget Energy - Tel: 0800 012 1177 // Click Energy NI - Tel: 0800 107 0732 // Electric Ireland - Tel: 0800 313 4926 // Firmus Energy - Tel: 0330 024 9000 // Phoenix Natural Gas - Tel: 03454 55 55 55 // Power NI - Tel: 03457 455 455 // SSE Airtricity - Electricity Tel: 0345 601 9093 // SSE Airtricity - Gas Tel: 0345 900 5253
Addiction Services
STAUROS FOUNDATION. Specialist help for those struggling with addictions. Click here for information.
Support for Families
CARE FOR THE FAMILY. A range of resources to support family life. Click here for information. They also provide a very helpful set of resources on COVID support for your family - click here.
In distress…
LIFELINE. If you or someone you know needs help, you can telephone Lifeline free at any time. Lifeline is a crisis response helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people in Northern Ireland. It offers immediate help over the telephone if you, or someone you know, is in distress or despair.
Tel: 0808 808 8000
www.lifelinehelpline.info
THE SAMARITANS is an organisation which is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. The Samaritans offer a 24-hour telephone helpline:
Tel: 028 9066 4422
www.samaritans.org/branches/