Here you can find information on organisations that you can contact for help, support, advice and guidance throughout Christmas.
Listed below are some helplines and websites where young people can get information, advice and support for where to go in emergencies over the Christmas break. There are also specialist helplines which deal with specific issues e.g health, housing, drugs, mental health, self-harm, suicide prevention, bullying and bereavement.
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
For immediate emergency assistance in the United Kingdom
Phone: 999
Non-emergency incidents: 101
NHS 111
Where trained health professionals can give you health advice and information 24 hours a day.
Telephone: 111
RCT Homelessness Emergency Contact
If you are homeless or at risk of eviction and becoming homeless, don’t delay in contacting Housing Advice Centre.
Daytime: 01443 495188
Out of hours: 01443 425090
Sexual Health Clinics
Sexual health clinics will be open as normal except bank
holidays.
To make an appointment at a venue in the Merthyr Tydfil/Cynon area, please contact the Prince Charles Hospital Triage Line on; 01685 728272.
To make an appointment at a venue in the Rhondda/Taf area, please contact the Dewi Sant Hospital Triage Line on; 01443 443836.
Link below to the Sexual Health Wales website where young people can access condoms and free STI testing kits (if over 16) as well as information on various sexual health related issues.
Welcome to Sexual Health Wales | Advice & Testing STIs Infections (friskywales.org)
YoungMinds
YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.
Website: Find Help With How I’m Feeling | Advice For Young People | YoungMinds
Text: YM to 85258
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Opening times:24/7
Barod
Free and confidential support and guidance to anyone in Rhondda Cynon Taf who is affected by drug or alcohol use.
Phone: 0300 333 000
Website: barod.cymru
Barod will only be closed on Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day). They remain open throughout the rest of the Christmas Break.
Meic
Information, advice and advocacy helpline for young people. Remember that you can contact the Meic Helpline by text, IM or phone if you need information, advice or advocacy. They are open every day from 8 in the morning until midnight (even at Christmas and every weekend).
Website: www.meiccymru.org
Call: 080880 23456 – All calls are totally free… and they don’t show up on your bill either!
Text: 84001 – You can text Meic free anytime
Childline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, Childline is free, confidential and available anytime, day or night.
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: childline.org.uk
CEOP Child Exploitation and Online Protection
CEOP is here to keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
Twitter @CEOPUK
Facebook @clickceop
Papyrus
Suicide prevention. If you or a young person you know is not coping with life, for free confidential suicide prevention advice contact:
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Kooth.com
A free, safe and anonymous place for young people to find online support and counselling. There’s tools and features to support you if you’re looking for advice or if you aren’t feeling great.
Read/write articles, log your mood and Kooth Chat & Messenger.