There are lots of services available which offer advice and support. Below are just a few that you may find useful, but if you are looking for other support, please speak to your personal adviser who might also be able to signpost you to a service who can help.
- Care Leavers' Service contact information
- Financial, employment and accommodation support services
- Drug and alcohol support services
- Sexual health support services
- Emotional health and wellbeing support services
Care Leavers' Service contact information
If you can't get in touch with your personal advisor or social worker, for any reason, you can contact the duty team. The duty team are available from 9am-5pm weekdays. If you are unsure which borough you live in then you can check your postcode using the gov.uk website.
Email: duty.deskleavingcare@surreycc.gov.uk
- North West team: 01483 518292
This team covers the boroughs of Runnymede, Surrey Heath and Woking - South West team: 01483 519440
This team covers the boroughs of Guildford and Waverley - North East team: 01737 733921
This team covers the boroughs of Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell and Spelthorne - South East team: 01737 733919
This team covers the boroughs of Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Mole Valley - Asylum team: 01932 795605
If it's after 5pm or it's the weekend, call the Emergency Duty Team on 01483 517898.
Financial, employment and accommodation support services
A charity that support care leavers looking for help and advice about the care system and what everyone's rights and entitlements are. Freephone 0800 023 2033 or email advice@becomecharity.org.uk.
We provide free, confidential and impartial advice. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face. People come to us with all sorts of issues. You may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems. You may be facing a crisis, or just considering your options. Call the Citizens Advice Bureau at 08444 111 444.
The Money Advice Service helps people manage their money. We do this directly through our own free and impartial advice service. We also work in partnership with other organisations to help people make the most of their money. We are an independent service, set up by government. Contact the Monday Advice Service at 0300 500 5000.
Free advice on homelessness, private renting, social housing and housing benefit. You can call Shelter at 0808 800 4444.
Drug and alcohol support services
If you feel you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, or no someone else who is, there is support out there and services who may be able to help you. We have listed some of these below:
Choosing the right addiction treatment option can feel like a daunting task, especially if you don't know where to start. Whether you opt for a private rehab facility, addiction counselling or a 12-step programme, it's important to know that you have seriously considered all of the options available to you, and made an informed decision on what is best-suited to your needs.
You can phone for more information at 0800 138 7199, or send an email to info@addictionhelper.com.
Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire
Al-Anon Family Groups offers free and inclusive meetings for the benefit of the relatives and friends of those suffering with alcohol issues. Al-Anon members provide one another with mutual support, by sharing their experiences with each other. They also offer literature about various aspects of alcoholism and the Al-Anon principles, which include the Twelve Steps. Many Al-Anon members choose to apply these principles in their own lives but there is never any pressure to do so.
You can call the helpline at 0800 0086 811, which is available 10 am - 10 pm, 365 days a year.
Catch22 Surrey Young people's Substance Misuse Service (SYPSMS) is a county-wide specialist treatment service for young people aged up to 25. We offer free and confidential advice and support. We want to make it easy for you to access our services and ensure that from the start we can support your needs. If you have any particular difficulties or support needs please let us know so that we can make it as easy as possible for you to access our services.
Call 01372 832905 to access support, or use the 24/7 emergency referral and crisis helpline at 0800 622 6662. You can also email: ypsm@catch-22.org.uk
For confidential advice regarding drugs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also visit www.talktofrank.com for some impartial advice and information. Call FRANK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using 0300 123 6600. You can also text a question to 82111 and FRANK will text you back.
NHS Live Well - alcohol support
The NHS Live Well site has advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing, including alcohol support.
Sexual health support services
Healthy Surrey - sexual health
Having good sexual health is an important part of staying physically and emotionally healthy. If you're sexually active, you could be negatively affected by a sexual health decision and may need to take precautions or access sexual health services. The Healthy Surrey website has some helpful resources you might find useful.
To find the best service for your needs:
- Call: 020 3317 5252 (staffed Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm)
- Email: sexualhealth.cnwl@nhs.net
- SMS text: 07540802997 (hard of hearing only)
To find out more about sexual health clinics in Surrey, visit the Healthy Surrey website for more information.
Emotional health and wellbeing support services
Contact your PA who can signpost you to specialist support, and access the Care Leavers Service mental health support service. There is also other support available to you, some of the services are listed below.
Children and Young Peoples (CYP) Havens
The CYP Havens offer a safe place for 10-18 year olds to talk about their worries and mental health in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment. The Surrey CYP Havens are located in Guildford, Epsom, Staines and Redhill. While these locations are temporarily closed at this time, a virtual service is operating over the phone, every weekday from 4pm - 8.30pm and from 12pm to 6pm on the weekend.
Young people can call 07773 008435 during these times; the number will not be available outside of those times and may be subject to change.
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. They won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are still struggling. Mind believe no one should have to face a mental health problem alone. They'll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your corner.
You can use the Mind website if you feel like you need urgent help now, and you can also call the Mind support helpline at 0300 123 3393.
Whether you're 13, 25, or any age in between, the Mix will be there to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don't-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. They can give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you're awesome.
The Mix will 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.
You can call them on 0808 808 4994. If you feel like you can't cope or are worried about how you are feeling, you can contact The Mix crisis messenger 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting THEMIX to 85258. The text messaging support service is free and for any issue. The Mix provide in-the-moment support and problem solving when you need it most.
Samaritans can offer you a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever's getting to you. They won't judge you or tell you what to do, they'll listen to you. Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will be waiting for your call if you need them. You can call for free on 116 123.
If you want to keep up to date with news about Samaritans services, programmes and events, you can subscribe to their newsletter. From time to time, they will include information about their fundraising activities and how you can get involved.
YoungMinds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. They are here to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life's difficulties. The crisis in children and young people's mental health is real and it is urgent. More children and young people than ever before are reaching out for help with their mental health. But for those who take that brave step, help is much too hard to find.
Together, we are changing this. We're fighting for young people's mental health. Join our fight.
You can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger, for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
- If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
- All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
- Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus
