If you or a friend need help today, here is some information that you may find useful
*If you or someone you know is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk call 999
Emergency Numbers
Addiction
- FRANK: 0300 123 6600 – 24 hour confidential helpline or see their website below
Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Abuse Helpline: 01202 710 777
Mental Health
- Connections: 0800 6520190 (24 hour helpline)
- NHS 111: phone 111 and ask to speak with a mental health practitioner
- Samaritans: 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Modern Slavery & Exploitation
- Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline: 08000 121 700 (free, confidential, 24 hour phoneline available in 200 languages). Or report your concerns below.
Food
- Crisis Team BCP: 01202 096622 (if you are in need of food and live in BCP)
- Household Support Team Dorset: 01305 221027 (if you are in need of food and live in Dorset)
- The BCP Access to Food map: shows food support across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Help and Kindness map: includes food support across Dorset
If you live in Christchurch, Poole, Wimborne or Blandford you can contact one of our Food Bank+, see below for more information.
Housing
- Housing Early Prevention Service: 01202 633819 – advice and support for those at risk of eviction or homelessness. See also BCP Council’s website below for more information.
- St Mungos: 01202 315962 – support for those sleeping rough in BCP
*If there is no answer you can leave a message with your name and the location of where you are sleeping - Julian House: 01305 236585 – support for those sleeping rough in Dorset
- Housing Options BCP: 01202 123147 – support for those living in BCP and worried about losing their home
- BCP Council out of hours: 01202 123456
- Housing Help in Dorset: email housinghelp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
- Homelessness Partnership BCP: information to both help prevent people losing their homes and to help those wishing to escape homelessness – see their website below.
- Shelter: 0330 175 5121 – housing advice
You can contact our Faithworks helpline: 07842 174241, Monday – Friday, 10am – 12pm
Mental Health
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Dorset Mind have a list of places you can contact – follow the Need Urgent Help link below.
- Connections: 0800 6520190 (24 hour helpline)
- Samaritans: 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- Shout Crisis Text Line: text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111: Phone 111 and ask to speak to a mental health practitioner
- The Retreat, Bournemouth: (face-to-face and virtual drop-ins 4.30-11.30pm daily – Hahnemann House 01202 584400)
- Crisis and Home Treatment Response Team: (East Dorset) – 01202 609821 (evenings and weekends)
- Dorset Open Door: 01305 361361 (bereavement support)
Addiction
- We Are With You: 01202 558855 (drug & alcohol support in BCP)
- REACH: 0800 0434656 (drug & alcohol support in Dorset)
- National Alcoholics Anonymous Helpline : 0800 917 7650
- Narcotics Anonymous Helpline: 0300 999 1212
- FRANK: 0300 123 6600 – 24 hour confidential helpline (honest information about drugs) or see their website at: talktofrank.com/
Our Faithworks Recovery programme also provides regular structured activities and support within safe spaces…
Energy Costs
If you are finding it difficult to pay your energy bills, always contact your supplier first to speak with them.
- Government Help for Households: for information on help with bills.
- Citizens Advice: 01202 081732 (grants and benefits to help pay your energy bills) or see their website below.
- Ridgewater Energy Help for Warmth scheme: 01202 862717 or see their website below.
- Ridgewater Energy: download the Energy & Money Saving booklet below.
See list below for energy suppliers who offer grants to their customers.
Friendship
Prama run a number of friendship and support groups
- Telephone Friendship Groups: 01202 207326 (free hour long chat for up to 6 people)
- Groups for the over 55’s in BCP and Dorset: see their website below
- Befriending for Carers: 01202 207326 and ask for the FOCUS team
- Age UK Community Connections: 01202 530 530
Other Practical Help
- Furniture: The Storehouse provides simple, quality pre-loved furniture and basic cooking facilities for those moving out of emergency accommodation. If you need this service you will need to be referred by BCP Council or someone like a social worker who is supporting you.
- Women’s clothes: we work closely with local social enterprise Wardobe Foundation. The Wardrobe Foundation provide quality and personalised clothing to women in need of clothing support. If you need clothing support please ask one of our Food Bank+ to refer you.
- Clothing for those who are homeless: Hope & More (AOK Rucksack appeal) provide clothing pack for those experiencing homelessness – they can be contacted on 01202 428735.
- Garden Project: we provide a basic garden service for those who are unable to maintain their own gardens. To find out more please phone Mikey on 07469 019624.
Social Services
The contact numbers for social services are:
- Adults living in BCP: 01202 123654 (out of hours: 0300 1239895)
- Children living in BCP: First response hub – 01202 123334 (out of hours: 01202 738256)
- Adults living in Dorset: 01305 221016 (out of hours: 01305 858250)
- Children living in Dorset: 01305 228866
Energy suppliers who offer grants to their customers:
Invest in a Home
We partner with Hope into Action to provide homes for those escaping homelessness. Local investors buy a property and then lease it to Faithworks; working alongside local churches individuals or families to build a home, friendships and find confidence for the future.
