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Advice services

999 Club (Lambeth & Lewisham)

Referral to the winter shelter (15 beds) only from 999 Club. Dry. Immediate support, friendship, help and advice. The Club is staffed by local people, who know the misery caused by homelessness, poverty and drug/alcohol abuse at first hand. Advice, referrals and advocacy.

ADFAM

Information, counselling and support for families and friends of drug misusers. Listings of local support groups.

Advisory Service for Squatters

Legal and practical advice to squatters and other homeless people. Please ring first or email first. Phone 0845 644 5814 if you are calling on a land line from outside London.

Anchor House

Anchor House is a educational life-skills centre, with beds for 120 homeless people. It aims to help residents develop aspirations, confidence and self-esteem to enable them to move towards leading independent, self-fulfilling lives. Their services - far too many to list! - include regular Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous meetings, sport and games sessions, art and singing.

Aziziye Mosque

Drop-in for advice and support on issues including housing, family and substance use. Languages: Turkish & Arabic. Interpreters available for other languages.

Brixton Advice Centre

Specialist advice on welfare benefits, housing, employment and debt. Website has good info on homeless health services. All advice sessions are on a first come, first served basis.

Congolese Community Council

Advice, information and advocacy for Congolese and other French-speaking refugees and asylum seekers. French, Tshiluba, Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and access to interpreters. Specialist services for older people. ESOL and IT courses.

Cricklewood Homeless Concern

Helps the homeless by housing and reintegrating them into society through training. They run the Brent Q awards services to homelesss people, with nominations coming from homeless people.

Divine Rescue

Work with homeless people and substance abusive victims. In addition to services listed, help with hospital visits and bereavement, and support with detox. Their mission is to touch and change lives one at a time. Helpline: 0203 4891765

East European Advice Centre/Biuro Porad dla obywateli z panstw Europy Wschodniej

Ring for an appointment.

Eritrean Community in the UK

Advice, information, support, advocacy and referral: education, training, employment/business start-ups, welfare rights, housing, immigration, health and culturally-based counselling etc.

Havering Public Advice and Service Centre

Outside office hours, phone 01708 433999. Text phone: 01708 433175

Homeless London

This site (updated at least annually) has full details of all major services in London, including emergency accommodation.

JobCentrePlus

Combined job search and benefits service. Personal advisers assist with jobsearch activities and benefits claims. Serves SE11, SE5 and SE17.

Kalaayan

Justice for migrant workers and a range of services - English classes, immigration and legal advice etc. Make an appointment if you need advice.

KCAH (Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness)

Ring to arrange an appointment if the opening hours are inconvenient.

London Coalition Against Poverty

A coalition of local community activists and individuals working in advice, mainly in Hackney. Outside the core office hours, please phone the LCAP mobile or email.

London Irish Centre

Has been providing welfare services, and social and cultural events for over 50 years. Ring for service times.

Mainliners

For Londoners (especially in Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich) affected by HIV and drug use. Drop-in day centre at Kennington. Wide variety of HIV, Hepatitis, social, welfare and health information services. Free complementary therapies, free meals, laundry, needle exchange, condoms. Outreach in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area. Information services as above, needle exchange, condoms. Portuguese spoken. No disabled access.

Mary Ward Legal Centre

Free legal advice and assistance to people on low income. Please bring proof of income. Please phone to make appointments for davice on debt (020 7269 0292), housing (020 7831 7079) or employment (020 7831 7079).

No 10 - Care Advice Service

Providence Row

Richmond upon Thames Advice Team

Outside office hours, phone 0845 600 7413.

Sangam Centre

Advice for the Asian and other local communities on housing, homelessness, benefits, employment, immigration and nationality, domestic violence. Legal advice sessions Saturdays. ESOL classes, IT training. Languages: Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu.

ScotsCare & New Borderline

Scotscare and Borderline merged to provide stronger services for homeless and vulnerably-housed Scots in London by helping them to establish a secure tenancy and lead a healthy, independent life. Their services include information, advice and advocacy, provision of birth certificates for identification purposes, travel warrants and housing advice, including some accommodation.

SHP

Provides innovative accommodation and support services to 3,000 of London's most vulnerable people. To discuss the referral process, call 020 7520 8660.

SMART

For people with drug-related problems. Advice, information and support. Assessment, counselling, complementary therapies, referral to specialist providers and user groups.

Sock Book

Previously Everyone's Home: An 'e-shelter', with a large directory of services in the UK.

Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers

Drop-in centre for asylum seekers and refugees. Advice on housing, health, education, training and employment. English classes. Foreign newspapers. Also at Crossway Church and Peckham Settlement. Drop in, phone, email or write.

Southwark Homeless Information Project

Self-help group offering advice and info on homelessness, housing rights, illegal eviction and alleged 'Unauthorised Occupation'. Languages: French, German, Italian & Spanish.

St Mungo's (Tower Hamlets Ex-Offenders Floating Support Services)

St Mungo's (Brent Probation Housing advice and Floating Support)

For offenders in the Borough of Brent aged 18+. Works with offenders with complex needs to prevent homelessness and re-offending.

St Mungo's (Lambeth Mobile Harm Reduction and Needle Exchange)

Free injecting equipment. Harm reduction advice, sexual health advice and free condoms. Referral to relevant agencies. A place to listen... For more info, call the Nx hotline (07920 701 264).

The Big Issue Service Broker Team (London)

Helps vulnerably housed and homeless people - mainly Big Issue vendors - find information on accommodation, resettlement and welfare rights. Drug, alcohol and mental health support.

The Upper Room (St Saviour's)

Provides a broad range of services for the homeless, vulnerable and excluded of west London. UR4Jobs is a drop-in project for A10 nationals and offers support in Polish, Romanian, Russian and Latvian.

The Welcome Project

Drop-in service for socially isolated people, particularly the homeless and refugees. Nurse led clinic. ESOL classes. And it has an allotment! Drop in or phone.

UNDUGU/African Swahiliphone Refugee Project (ASREP)

Advice, counselling, information and support for asylum seekers and refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Languages: French, Lingala, Swahili.

Westminster Community Alcohol Service

WCAS provides an accessible and flexible health and advice service to clients and their families adversely affected by alcohol use.

YouthNet UK

Incredible online support resource for 16-24-year-olds.

Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland (CHNI - central office)

Represents organisations working with homeless people throughout Northern Ireland. Training, information, research and collective representation.

Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland (CHNI - NW office)

Represents organisations working with homeless people throughout Northern Ireland. Provides training, information, research and collective representation.

Hosford House

Part of East Belfast Mission, which has developed a range of services to meet the needs of children, young people, people who are homeless and/or unemployed, the elderly and families.

Linen Court

Provides shelter, accommodation, care, support, training and a positive future for homeless and other socially excluded and marginalised groups.

Addaction Birmingham

Information, support and advice for those with alcohol or drug problems. Harm reduction, auricular acupuncture, nurse.

Birmingham City Council (Housing Pathways)

Normally referral-only, but if you are leaving, or have left, the armed forces, you can apply directly to the Housing Pathways Team to access the service. Phone or email (HOUVulnerablepersons@birmingham.gov.uk)

Centrepoint Streets Project

Outreach project for asylum seekers, refugees, and the homeless and disadvantaged. Education and training projects for children and unemployed young people. Project supporting people affected by murder and manslaughter.

CHADD Outreach Support Service

Confidential advice and assistance, and signposting to other services. Advice on benefit claims, debt, registering with a GP, finding suitable schools, work and college etc. Work or college course Any tenancy related problems you may be experiencing Finding out what other services are available to you in the area.

Community Mental Health Homeless Team

Help with accommodation, benefits, employment and resettlement to homeless people with serious mental health problems. Multi-disciplinary help with access to mental health services throughout the city.

Coventry Cyrenians

Coventry Refugee Centre

Helps asylum seekers with subsistence, housing, health, racial harassment etc, and also assists EU citizens. Helps refugees given leave to remain to set up home. Women's and youth groups.

Dudley Area Housing Office

If you find yourself without a roof over your head over the weekend or outside office hours, please call the emergency housing team on 0300 555 8283 for help.

Dudley Refugee Support Team

Culturally sensitive support service. Advice on benefits, harassment, domestic violence, housing. Floating support.

Front Door Wolverhampton

Fantastic range of support from starter kits for tenants to guidance on support options and benefits. Signposting to appropriate agencies, listening, needle exchange. Please note: the needle exchange is not open on Tuesdays and closes on Fridays at 4.00pm.

Irish Welfare and Information Centre (Older Irish Adults Project)

Drop-in centre for older (45+) Irish people, including people who are homeless, isolated, living in poor accommodation, ex-offenders, those needing support around life skills. Sessions with mental health outreach team. Alcohol project work. Housing advice, including referrals to accommodation and floating support in people's own homes. Showers, laundry, clothing, lunch. Primary health care.

Jericho Foundation

Training and work experience in a wide range of areas. Individually tailored personal development programmes for your specific needs. Cafe. Mentoring scheme.

Nacro Services - Coventry Young Homeless Accommodation Project

Advice for young people on homelessness and finding accommodation. Temporary accommodation with support for young people, pregnant women and women with a baby aged up to 2 years.

Polish Club Birmingham

Advice on employment law, social benefits, housing and accommodation.

Salvation Army (Eden Villa)

Single homeless people with support needs, and 1 room for married couples. Support around life skills and advice on accommodation. Help with move-on - applications, grants, obtaining furniture, utilities etc. Residents who have moved on can use the drop-in advice centre.

Salvation Army (Lincoln Street Centre)

Staff provide help and advice as required. Job seeking sessions, computer literacy courses and basic skills sessions are also available.

St Martin in the Bullring Helpdesk

Listening, advice and referrals to other agencies and services. Practical intervention in the form of emergency food and local travel, along with ongoing support in a friendly environment. Many people seeking help are encountering homelessness, addiction, mental health problems, bereavement and loss. Call in or phone.

The Castle & Crystal Credit Union

All credit union members (18+) can apply for a Handiloan (£100 to £500) and anyone living or working in the Dudley borough is eligible to join.

The Glebe Centre

For people (18+) who are homeless, unemployed, or who have mental health or substance abuse problems. Breakfast, lunch, hot drinks, showers, clothing store. Full time alcohol worker. Advice on benefits, housing and health. Pool, snooker and TV lounge.

The What? Centre

Advice and information services and therapeutic counselling for young people (13-25) in Dudley.

Wearside Women in Need

A range of services from domestic violence refuges to drop-in facilities for homeless men and woman. Direct-access hostel for young homeless women. Aims to provide a friendly services, and if they can't help, will try to suggest a service that can. 24-hour domestic violence helpline: 0800 066 5555. 24-hour helpline for men: 0191 510 8010. Opening times vary - see website.

999 Club (Bromley)

Immediate support, friendship, help and advice. The Club is staffed by local people, who know the misery caused by homelessness, poverty and drug/alcohol abuse at first hand. Advice, referrals and advocacy.

Porchlight

Kent-based charity supporting vulnerable and homeless people to access housing and related support services. 24-hour helpline: 0800 567 7699.

Booth Centre

An activities and advice based day centre which enables homeless people to rebuild their lives.

Advicenow

An independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues. Its information service brings together the best information on the law and rights from over 200 UK websites.

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Emergency contraception and termination advice. Calls to the Actionline will be charged at a local rate.

Brook Centres - Young People's Information Service

Free sexual health advice & helpline for under 25s, including information on your rights, and facts about sex and sexually-transmitted infections.

Childline

Free, confidential helpline. If you're living away from home (foster home, school or hospital), call 0800 884444 (3.30pm-9.30pm, Mon-Fri; 2pm-8pm weekends). Textphone: 0800 400 222

Citizens Advice Bureau

Free information and advice on legal, financial and other problems. Go to the website to find your nearest branch.

Community Legal Advice

Get in touch to find out the names of solicitors in your area who can take legal aid cases. Also advice on benefits, debt, education, housing and employment. If you are worried about the cost of a phone call, request a callback via the website or text 'legalaid' and your name to 80010 and they will call you back within 24 hours.

Connexions Direct

Huge range of information and advice for 13-19-year-olds. You don't have to give your real name if you don't want to. If Connexions think you are in danger or at risk, they will tell you and offer lots of support. Ring Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19, tell the adviser your mobile number and they will call you back.

Cyber Pilots

For gypsy, traveller, barge and showmen children.

DABS Pathfinder Service

Information and counselling for adult survivors of rape and childhood abuse. Please phone or write.

DePaul UK

Helps young people who are vulnerable, homeless and disadvantaged through accommodation, resettlement, training and employment, family mediation, prison work, work in communities, and volunteering and mentoring.

Depression Alliance

Information and support to people affected by depression via self-help groups and other supporter services.

Drugscope

Excellent drug information site which features an extensive list of local drug treatment services in the UK.

Exchange Supplies

Information for drug users and drug workers about safer drug use - focuses on injecting drug use.

Frank

Drug advice for young people - free from landlines.

Friends, Families and Travellers

Gypsy/traveller campaigning group. Parent site of Cyber Pilots (for gypsy and traveller children).

Get Connected

Free connections to local and national services and sources of help for young people.

Homeless Link

Information about services for homeless people, into which Hostels Online has been integrated.

Housing Justice

Supports night shelters, drop-ins and hundreds of practical projects nationwide by providing advice and training for churches and other community groups who work with homeless people.

Immigration Advisory Service (IAS)

Representation and advice in immigration and asylum law, with offices throughout the UK. Check website for nearest office.

Independent Police Complaints Commission

If you want to make a complaint about the police or to find out more about making a complaint, phone, email or visit the website.

Lifeline

Publications focussing on harm reduction for drug users and their families, and for sex workers and others affected by drugs, and much more. Visit their website for full details.

Marie Stopes International

Very informative website and helpline for emergency contraception - call 0845 300 8090 to find the nearest centre.

Message Home Helpline

For anyone 18+ who is away from home. Confidential advice, and can help pass a message home and make referrals to other agencies where appropriate.

Migrant Helpline

Advice and support for asylum seekers entering and living in the UK.

MIND

Information and support for people with experience of mental distress.

National Problem Gambling Clinic

Treats problem gamblers living in England and Wales aged 16+. Evidence-based treatments and interventions to assist with financial, employment, social and relationship difficulties. Also offers assessment and short-term treatment of co-existing mental health conditions. The team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, family therapist and CAB debt management specialist. Self-referral. Contact in person, by phone, fax or e-mail (gambling.cnwl@nhs.net).

National Self-Harm Network

Resources and information for people who self-injure. Site has details of local contacts and help, and a message board.

National Youth Agency

Supports those involved in young people's personal and social development. Not a frontline service provider, but makes referrals to specialist organisations.

No Panic

Support for those suffering from panic attacks, phobias, OCD, general anxiety disorder and tranquilliser withdrawal. Info, advice, counselling, listening, befriending and referrals. Free helpline: 0808 808 0545

St Mungo's

Runs over 100 projects working with homeless people.

UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre

Excellent online information centre on hepatitis C. Runs the Hepatitis C Information Line for patients and professionals alike.

Youth Access

Confidential phone (charged at national rate) and email service which can put you in touch with local contacts for mental health counselling, advice and information.

AdvoCard

Advocacy, advice and information for adults who have experience of mental ill health.

Alcohol Focus Scotland

Call in, phone or email.

Breathing Space Scotland

Helpline for young people, esp. men, experiencing low mood or depression. If you are in despair, suicidal or need support outside office hours, contact Samaritans on 08457 909090 (24/7). If you can't wait until your GP surgery opens, call NHS 24 on 08454 242424. If you need an ambulance, dial 999.

City of Edinburgh Council (Housing Options Team)

Advice and information on housing options for homeless people, including assessment of priority need for housing. Out of hours emergencies: 0800 032 5968.

Depression Alliance Scotland

Information, support, understanding and care for people suffering from depression. Self-help support groups in various parts of Scotland.

Glasgow City Council

For anyone who is homeless, threatened with homelessness, or in need of advice about homelessness issues. Staff will discuss your circumstances with you in a private interview room and provide advice.

Glasgow Homelessness Network

Umbrella organisation for groups and individuals who want to end homelessness in Glasgow and ensure that outcomes for people affected by homelessness meet their needs, interests and aspirations. (Not a direct service-provider.)

Glasgow Shelter Housing Aid Centre

For people facing homelessness, eviction, rent arrears, disrepair, overcrowding, mortgage arrears etc. Referrals to specialist services. Outside opening hours, call the 24-hour Shelterline: 0808 800 4444.

Hamish Allan Centre

For anyone who is homeless or threatened with homelessness. Temporary accommodation may be available. The pilot domestic violence project is for men and women, with or without children, who are at risk of homelessness because of violence. The 24/7 freephone number is 0800 838 502.

Homeless Edinburgh

Information about services in Edinburgh including hostels, advice and support centres. Also info on 8,000+ services outside Edinburgh.

Homeless Information Pages Glasgow

Useful information and advice on homeless services in and around Glasgow.

Move On (Glasgow)

Work to prevent homelessness and to support people affected by homelessness. Work with people, enabling them to develop the skills and tools they need to reach their own long-term solutions.

Shelter (Edinburgh Housing Aid Centre)

Information, advice, advocacy and representation for people facing housing problems. If you need more help than the helpline can give, you can be referred to local specialist services.

Streetwise

Information on a full range of services for people who are homeless in the highlands of Scotland or about to be homeless.

Streetwork UK (Out of the Cold)

Working with people over 50 years who are or have been homeless / housing crisis - self-referral service.

Streetwork UK (Women's Service)

If you're worried about housing, alcohol, drugs, health, benefits, relationships, sexuality, prostitution, or anything at all, please call.

The Access Point

Advice and information for single homeless people.

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