Organisations that can provide support and assistance

Find details of advice agencies and charities, legal advice and other helpful organisations

Advice agencies and charities

Advice UK

Charity supporting community organisations that give free advice to members of the public. You can search by postcode to find advice organisations in your area.

http://www.adviceuk.org.uk/

Age UK

Provides services and support at a national and local level for people over 60 in the UK.

0800 678 1602

https://www.ageuk.org.uk

Citizens Advice

Free advice in all matters, find a local Citizens Advice online.

03444 111 444 (Adviceline)

0345 000 0046 (Consumer advice)

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Independent Age

Charity for people over state retirement age. Offers advice and befriending.

0800 319 6789 (Mon-Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm)

https://www.independentage.org/

Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE)

Free legal advice to leaseholders and landlords. Book a telephone appointment online.

https://www.lease-advice.org/

Mencap

Works in partnership with people with a learning disability.

0808 808 1111

https://www.mencap.org.uk/

Mind

Mental health charity for people in England and Wales

0300 123 3393

https://www.mind.org.uk/

POhWER

Provides information, advocacy and advice services for individuals struggling with challenges in their life.

0300 456 2370

https://www.pohwer.net/

Refuge

Charity for women and children against domestic abuse.

0808 2000 247 (freephone 24 hour helpline)

https://www.refuge.org.uk

RNIB

Charity providing practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people.

0303 123 9999

https://www.rnib.org.uk/

The Royal British Legion

Provides practical care, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

0808 802 8080

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

Samaritans

Charity offering a safe place to talk about whatever’s getting to you.

116 123 (freephone)

jo@samaritans.org

https://www.samaritans.org/

Scope

Provides support, information and advice to disabled people and their families.

0808 800 3333

https://www.scope.org.uk/

Shelter

Shelter provides expert housing and homelessness advice online.

If you have nowhere to sleep tonight or are at risk of harm or abuse in your home, call the emergency helpline for urgent advice:

0808 800 4444 (free from UK landlines and main mobile networks).

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)

Charity that supports ex service personnel.

0800 260 6767

https://www.ssafa.org.uk

Support Line

Confidential emotional support in the UK for men, women, children and young adults.

01708 765200

http://www.supportline.org.uk/

Victim Support

National charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales.

0808 1689 111

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Write to Them

Find details and write to your local councillor, MP, MEP for free.

https://www.writetothem.com/

Helpful Links

Legal aid

We are advocate

A charity which helps to find pro bono (free) legal assistance from volunteer barristers.

Advocate: Finding free legal help from barristers (weareadvocate.org.uk)

Civil Legal Advice

Get free and confidential legal advice in England and Wales if you’re eligible for legal aid.

0345 345 4 345

https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

Equality Advisory Support Service

New support service to replace the EHRC helpline. Statutory remit to promote, monitor and protect human rights and equality.

0808 800 0082 (freephone)

http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/app/home

Find Legal Advice

Search for a legal adviser or family mediator with a legal aid contract in England and Wales.

https://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk/

Mary Ward Legal Centre

Free advice to people who live and work in London. Specialist legal advice services in debt, housing and welfare benefits for those on low incomes. Also runs free advice clinics with volunteer lawyers on other matters including small claims, tax, consumer and contract law.

020 7831 7079

https://www.marywardlegal.org.uk/

Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service

You can now access free legal support through the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. Accessing this support as soon as possible can help you resolve your situation.

If you have received written notice that someone is seeking possession of your home, you are now entitled to free legal advice. A housing expert will talk to you to understand why you might be at risk of losing your home and will explain your options. Housing experts may be able to provide legal advice on:

illegal eviction
rent arrears
mortgage arrears
issues with welfare benefits payments
debt concerns
disrepair and other problems with housing conditions

And if you are required to attend a court hearing, they may be able to represent you.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/legal-aid-for-possession-proceedings

First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)

The Property Chamber deals with a wide range of applications, appeals and references relating to disputes over property and land.
It brings together Rent Assessment Committees, Leasehold Valuation Tribunals, Residential Property Tribunals, Rent Tribunals

https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-property-chamber

LawWorks

Provides free initial legal advice at a clinic for those who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.

https://www.lawworks.org.uk/

Law Centres Network

Complete list of law centres. Law Centres offer legal advice, casework and representation to individuals and groups.