Useful Resources

The law touches almost every part of life - and so does this page. Here you'll find a selection of trusted organisations and resources covering legal rights, housing, health, money, employment, and more.

Not all of them are strictly legal services, but all of them exist to help you find your footing. This list is not exhaustive, and inclusion does not represent endorsement. It is simply here to point you in the right direction.

In an Emergency

999 - Police, ambulance, fire service. Call if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

111 - NHS non-emergency line. Use when you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency. Available 24/7.

116 123 - Samaritans. Free, 24/7, confidential emotional support for anyone struggling.

Housing & Homelessness

Shelter England Charity providing services for people in England going through housing issues. Their website is a useful resource for information relating to housing. They have centres across the country, a helpline if in need of urgent housing advice, and an online chat function. 📞 0808 800 4444 | 🌐 england.shelter.org.uk

Shelter Cymru Charity providing services for people in Wales going through housing issues. Their website is a useful resource for information relating to housing. They have centres across the country and a helpline if in need of urgent housing advice. 📞 0800 049 5495 | 🌐 sheltercymru.org.uk

Crisis Charity offering support, advice and courses for the homeless. They have 'skylight centres' across the country where they offer different types of education, training and support to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 📞 0300 636 1967 | 🌐 crisis.org.uk

Employment

Acas Provides impartial and free advice for employers and employees on their rights. Their website contains a number of helpful guides on different employment law matters and they have a helpline where you can discuss matters with them. 📞 0300 123 1100 | 🌐 acas.org.uk

Criminal Justice

The Crown Prosecution Service The CPS website details how criminal cases will be prosecuted. It is a useful website to look at if you are appearing in court and want to get a sense of the types of arguments lawyers will be making. 🌐 cps.gov.uk

The Sentencing Council The Sentencing Council's website contains 'Sentencing Guidelines' for each offence. If you type the name of an offence along with the words 'sentencing guidelines' into a search engine, the relevant page will usually appear. Here, you can see what the courts will have in mind when passing a sentence. 🌐 sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Unlock Charity providing advice for people with criminal records. Their website contains helpful information on DBS checks and when convictions will become 'spent'. 🌐 unlock.org.uk

Victim Support Charity offering support to victims of crime. They have a 24/7 helpline and an online live chat service. 📞 0808 168 9111 | 🌐 victimsupport.org.uk

Mental Health & Emotional Support

Samaritans Charity providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. Their phoneline is open at all hours. 📞 116 123 | 🌐 samaritans.org

Mind Charity providing advice and support to those experiencing a mental health problem. Their website contains helpful information on a number of issues related to mental health. 📞 0300 123 3393 | ✉️ info@mind.org.uk | 🌐 mind.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness Charity providing advice and support to those experiencing a mental health problem. Their website contains helpful information on a number of issues related to mental health. 📞 0808 801 0525 | 🌐 rethink.org

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably Charity working to prevent suicide in the UK. They have a helpline and a webchat service, both available from 5pm to midnight every day. 📞 0800 58 58 58 | 🌐 thecalmzone.net

Papyrus National charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Their HOPELINEUK offers confidential support for young people and those concerned about a young person. 📞 0800 068 4141 | 🌐 papyrus-uk.org

Shout UK's first 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis - free on all major mobile networks. 📱 Text SHOUT to 85258

POhWER Charity providing information, advice, support and advocacy to individuals who experience disability, distress, vulnerability and social exclusion. Among other services, they provide Independent Mental Health Advocacy. 📞 0300 456 2370 | 🌐 pohwer.net

Anxiety UK Charity supporting those living with anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression. Provides a range of services including therapy and helpline support. 📞 03444 775 774 | 🌐 anxietyuk.org.uk

Domestic Abuse

Refuge Charity providing advice and information to women and children facing domestic abuse. 📞 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 200 0247 | 🌐 refuge.org.uk

Women's Aid Charity offering advice and information to women and children facing domestic abuse. They have a confidential online chat function on their website where you can discuss issues you may be facing. ✉️ info@womensaid.org.uk | 🌐

womensaid.org.uk

Respect / Respect Men's Advice Line Charity providing services for victims of domestic abuse, including a helpline for victims whether male or female, and one specifically for male victims. 📞 0808 802 4040 (all victims) | 📞 0808 801 0327 (men specifically) ✉️ info@respect.uk.net | 🌐 respect.uk.net | 🌐 mensadviceline.org.uk

Drugs & Alcohol

FRANK Anti-drug advisory service whose website contains information in relation to drugs - from maximum sentences, to their effects on the body. Their website has an online chat function and a contact section where you can ask a question and receive a response via email. 📞 0300 123 6600 | 📱 Text 82111 | 🌐 talktofrank.com

Release Charity providing free and impartial advice and information on issues relating to drug use and drug laws. 📞 0207 324 2989 | ✉️ ask@release.org.uk | 🌐 release.org.uk

DrugWise Organisation providing advice and information in relation to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Their website provides helpful information in relation to a range of different types of drugs. 🌐 drugwise.org.uk

Alcohol Change UK Charity aiming to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Their website contains useful material if you or a loved one require support with an alcohol problem.

Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. 📞 0203 907 8480 (general enquiries) | 📞 0300 123 1100 (Drinkline) | 🌐 alcoholchange.org.uk

Debt & Money

National Debtline Charity providing debt advice. Their website contains a number of informative fact sheets on different matters relating to debt, along with a tool that can help you work out your budget. There is also an online chat function. 📞 0808 808 4000 | 🌐 nationaldebtline.org

StepChange Service providing debt advice. Their website contains a significant amount of information about different aspects of debt. There is also an online chat function and a budget template that you can download and print. 📞 0800 138 1111 | 🌐 stepchange.org

MoneySavingExpert Website providing useful information on all things spending and money. There are a number of useful guides on their website which can help you stand up to authority - from challenging unfair charges to understanding your consumer rights. 🌐 moneysavingexpert.com

Turn2us Charity helping people in financial hardship access welfare benefits, charitable grants, and support services. Their benefits calculator can help you understand what you may be entitled to. 🌐 turn2us.org.uk

Ofgem The government regulator for gas and electricity markets in Great Britain. Their website contains useful information for gas and electricity consumers - from videos aimed at helping you understand your bills, to guidance on how to complain about a bill or your supplier. 🌐 ofgem.gov.uk

Digital Rights & Privacy

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) The ICO is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights. Their website contains user-friendly guides on a number of matters relating to data privacy. You will also find information on how to make a complaint to an organisation in relation to your personal data. 📞 0303 123 1113 | 🌐 ico.org.uk

Health

NHS Website containing reliable information on a number of health matters - from explanations of different medical conditions, to details about different medications and their side effects. The NHS 111 service is also available online or by phone for urgent medical concerns that don't require a 999 call. 📞 111 | 🌐 nhs.uk

Protest & Civil Liberties

Liberty Civil liberties organisation that provides helpful explainers on numerous legal topics. They also offer an 'advice and information' service where they respond to queries from the public on their legal rights. 🌐 libertyhumanrights.org.uk

Green & Black Cross Independent grassroots project. Their website contains an array of useful resources worth reviewing before attending a protest. 🌐 greenandblackcross.org

StopWatch Organisation campaigning against the disproportionate use of stop and search. Their website contains useful information on police powers. 📞 0208 226 5737 | 🌐 stop-watch.org

Consumer Rights

Which? Website containing helpful information on a comprehensive range of consumer rights-related issues. 🌐 which.co.uk

Finding Legal Help

Citizens Advice Your local bureau can offer confidential advice or signpost you to organisations that may be able to help. The Citizens Advice website also contains helpful information on a wide variety of legal topics. 📞 0800 144 8848 (England) | 📞 0800 702 2020 (Wales) | 🌐 citizensadvice.org.uk

The Law Society The independent professional body for solicitors. Their website contains a useful 'find a solicitor' search function for members of the public. This can enable you to find a suitably qualified solicitor for your issue. 🌐 solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

Advicenow Website providing practical information on rights and the law in England and Wales. It is run by the charity Law for Life. The Advicenow website contains helpful guides on going to a civil court and also information on how to deal with benefit problems. 🌐 advicenow.org.uk

GOV.UK The official government website, containing useful information on a broad range of topics - from benefits and tax to immigration and legal aid eligibility. 🌐 gov.uk

This page will be updated regularly. If you think a resource should be added, please get in touch.