Emotional support
Everyone goes through a period of anxiety or distress at some point in their lives and we know that people deal with it in different ways. There are many different kinds of emotional support available to help you to cope.
The national and local organisations listed below offer a range of support services tailored to specific needs. Many have helplines and local support groups and some offer sessions with trained counsellors. Remember to check call charges before you ring.
Visit the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy website
Abuse – Action on Elder Abuse
Works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults.
Phone: 0808 808 8141
Web: www.elderabuse.org.uk
Abuse (Domestic: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) – Broken Rainbow
Advice, support and referral services.
Phone (helpline): 0300 999 5428, 2 – 8pm Monday and Thursday; 10am – 1pm Wednesday.
Web: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Abuse (Domestic) – Men’s Advice
Information and confidential helpline for men who have experienced, or are experiencing, violence from their partners.
Phone: 0800 801 0327, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Web: www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Abuse (Domestic) – Women’s Aid
Working to end domestic violence against women and children through support and advice.
Phone: 0800 2000 247
Web: www.womensaid.org.uk
Age Concern Richmond upon Thames
Working with and for local people over 60, their friends, families and carers, including information, advice, activities and support.
Phone: 0845 600 1090, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.
Web: www.acrut.org.uk
Alcohol - Drinkline
If you are concerned about drinking or that of someone close to you, then get in touch for free, confidential advice or visit the website to find out more about alcohol and its effects.
Phone: 0800 917 8282
Web: www.units.nhs.uk
Alcohol - Richmond DAIS
A friendly, confidential, open access drop in service from 2pm onwards, Monday to Friday, for anyone experiencing difficulty with drugs and/or alcohol and friends and family who are affected by substance misuse issues.
Address: Unit 2, Ilex House, Holly Road, Richmond, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4HF
Phone: 020 8891 0161
Web: www.cri.org.uk/project/265
Alcoholics Anonymous
First line advice on dealing with alcoholism.
Phone: 0845 769 7555
Web: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Alzheimers Society, South West London
Provides advice and support for people with dementia and their carers, including a telephone helpline giving advice and support.
Phone: 020 8877 0033 (national), 8.30am – 6.30pm, Monday to Friday
Arthritis - National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)
Provides information, support and advice for people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Phone: 0800 298 7650 or 0845 458 3969
Web: www.nras.org.uk
Autism – The National Autistic Society
Provides support for parents and carers through information and family support.
Phone: 0845 070 4004, 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday
Web: www.autism.org.uk
Bereavement - CRUSE (Richmond)
Aims to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable them to understand their grief and cope with their loss.
Phone: 020 8876 0417
Web: www.cruserichmonduponthames.org.uk
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy
National specialist charity for sexual and relationship therapy.
Phone: 020 8543 2707
Web: www.basrt.org.uk
Cancer – Cancerlink Richmond
Information services and telephone counselling. Individual and group support for those affected by cancer.
Phone: 020 8940 6235
Cancer – Macmillan
Practical, medical, emotional and financial support for those affected by cancer.
Phone (free): 0808 808 00 00
Web: www.macmillan.org.uk
Carers Direct
Free, confidential advice and information to help you as a carer.
Phone: 0808 802 0202 8am - 9pm, Monday to Friday; 11am - 4pm weekends. Textphone 0800 988 8657.
Web: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx
Carers - Richmond Carers Centre
Information, support, drop-in service and appointments.
Phone: 020 8538 3712 (Carers Support Line: 10am – 2pm, Monday to Thursday.)
Web: www.carers.org/local-centre/richmond
Crossroads Care (Richmond and Kingston upon Thames)
Crossroads Care provides individually tailored support by taking over caring tasks, giving carers a break either within the home or taking people out into the community.
Phone: 020 8943 9421
Web: www.carers.org/local-service/kingston-upon-thames
Citizens Advice Bureau (Richmond)
Provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilties.
Phone: 0844 826 9700
Web: www.rcabs.org.uk
Counselling – The British Association for Counselling
The British Association for Counselling (BACP) has an excellent website and you can use the search facility to find other counselling services.
Web: www.bacp.co.uk
Counselling – Off the Record (for young people)
Provides information and counselling for 11-25 year olds who live, work or study in the borough. The services are free and confidential. Call in or phone.
Address: 2 Church Street, Twickenham, TW1 3NJ
Phone: 020 8744 1644
Debt – National Debtline
Free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
Phone: 0808 808 4000, 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday; 9.30am – 1pm, Saturday
Web: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Debt – NHS Credit Crunch Stressline
Support from the NHS to help people manage stress as a result of the credit crunch.
Phone: 0300 123 2000
Web: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Onabudget/Pages/Creditcrunchstresshelp.aspx
Dementia - Alzheimers Society, South West London
Provides advice and support for people with dementia and their carers.
Phone: 020 8877 0033 (national), 8.30am – 6.30pm, Monday to Friday
Web: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Depression - Depression Alliance
Works to relieve and prevent depression by providing information and support and has self-help groups in Twickenham and Richmond.
Web: www.depressionalliance.org (national)
Web: www.depressionalliancetwickenham.com (Twickenham)
Diabetes
Works for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.
Phone: 020 7424 1000 (national)
Web: www.diabetes.org.uk (national)
Web: www.dukrt.org.uk (local)
Disability – Richmond Aid
A confidential advice and information service for disabled people, their families, friends and carers.
Phone: 020 8831 6070
Web: www.richmondaid.org.uk
Down’s Syndrome
Provides information and support for people living with Down’s Syndrome and for families and carers.
Phone: 0845 230 0372, 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Web: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Drugs - FRANK
Information about drugs.
Phone: 0800 77 66 00
Web: www.talktofrank.com
Drugs - Richmond DAIS
A friendly, confidential, open access drop in service from 2pm onwards, Monday to Friday, for anyone experiencing difficulty with drugs and/or alcohol and friends and family who are affected by substance misuse issues.
Address: Unit 2, Ilex House, Holly Road, Richmond, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4HF
Phone: 020 8891 0161
Web: www.cri.org.uk/project/265
Elderly
See 'Older People' on this list.
Gambling - Gamcare
Information about gambling and other people’s experiences of gambling.
Phone: 0845 6000 133, 8am - 2am, 7 days a week,
Web: www.gamcare.org.uk
Homestart Richmond
Supports families who need help for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, illness or social isolation.
Phone: 020 8487 8500
Web: www.homestart-richmond.org.uk
HIV - Terrence Higgins Trust
For information, support and advice on HIV and sexual health.
Phone: 0845 1221 200, 10am – 10pm, Monday to Friday; 12 noon – 6pm, weekends
Web: www.tht.org.uk
HIV – South London HIV Partnership
Provides independent advice and support.
Phone: 020 7160 0949
Web: www.slhp.org.uk
Incontinence - Bladder and Bowel Foundation
Provides information and support for all types of bladder and bowel related problems.
Phone: 01536 533255
Web: www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Learning disability – Richmond Mencap
Values and supports people with a learning disability and their families and carers, including information, advice and a helpline. The local branch is Richmond.
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (national), 020 8744 1923 (Richmond Mencap)
Web: www.mencap.org.uk (national), http://richmondmencap.users.btopenworld.com (Richmond Mencap)
Lesbian & Gay Foundation
Provides counselling, direct services and resources to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Phone: 0845 3 30 30 30, 6 - 10pm staffed, 10pm – 6pm (automatic system).
Web: www.lgf.org.uk
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)
More useful organisations can be found on our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) page.
Mental Health – Richmond Borough Mind
Supports people who experience mental distress and their carers, including information and advice, drop-in sessions and low cost, confidential counselling.
Phone: 020 3513 3404
Web: www.rbmind.org
Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
Providies support to people with MND, their families and carers.
Phone: 08457 626 262 (South London Branch)
Web: www.mndassociation.org
Multiple Sclerosis
Information and advice about Multiple Sclerosis.
Phone: 0808 800 8000 (national)
Phone: 07905 099 080 (local)
Web: www.mssociety.org.uk (national), www.mssociety.org.uk/richmond (local)
NHS Direct
Answers health concerns and worries.
Phone: 0845 4647.
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Older people - Independent Age
Information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, focusing on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services
Phone: 0845 262 1863
Parkinsons Disease
Nurses and specialist advisers offer support and advice.
Phone: 0808 800 0303
Web: www.parkinsons.org.uk
Relate (Richmond)
Offers advice and relationship counselling.
Phone: 020 8940 8578
Web: www.relate.org.uk
Samaritans
Provides confidential those that, emotional support to those who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including could lead to suicide.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90 (national)
Phone: 0208399 6676 (local)
Sensory Loss - Listening Eye
Offers support and empathy to anyone who needs to talk about any aspect of sight loss, including both carers and the visually impaired.
Phone: 0800 783 1979, 6pm -10pm, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
Sensory Loss - The Visually Impaired Society of Richmond (VISOR)
A self help group for active blind and partially sighted people, offering support, advice and social events.
Phone: 020 8487 5080, Monday and Thursday and 020 8831 6080, Wednesday
Sexual Health Line
Information and advice on sexual health, HIV, contraception and local services.
Phone: 0800 567123
Web: www.playingsafely.co.uk
Victim Support
Provides confidential support and information to victims of crime and to witnesses attending court.
Phone: 0845 30 30 900 (national)
Phone: 020 8547 3202 (Richmond)
Web: www.victimsupport.org.uk
Please note: the organisations listed on this page are not endorsed or recommended by Richmond Council and the contact details are provided for information only.