If you have been affected by hardship or poverty, are feeling emotionally distressed, or feel you need additional support for your current situation the following organisations offer advice and support:

Samaritans

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.

Phone – 116 123

Email – jo@samaritans.org

Shout

Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.

Text SHOUT to 85258

Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank

Stoke-on-Trent foodbanks provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

To get help in a food crisis due to emergency financial hardship contact:

Local Foodbank Helpline – 01782 317942 Monday-Friday 09:00-14:00

Email – info@stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk

Website – https://stokeontrent.foodbank.org.uk/

Help with Hardship helpline – 0808 208 2138

Shelter

Shelter helps people in housing need by providing advice and practical assistance.

Help Line – 0808 800 4444

You can talk to an expert housing adviser if you’re in urgent need of housing advice.

You should use this line if:

• You have nowhere to sleep, or might be homeless soon
• You have somewhere to sleep, but nowhere to call home
• You are/could be at risk of harm

FRANK

FRANK offers free practical drug advice for adults and children

24/7 Helpline – 0300 123 6600

For people with hearing impairments, you can Textphone FRANK on 0300 123 1099.

Text – 82111

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Homeless Tonight – if you have nowhere to stay tonight, we will advise you on the best course of action to take.

Please call 01782 233696 (Outside of Office Hours – 01782 234234)

Rough Sleepers Team – Free Phone 0800 970 2304

Adult Social Care – 0800 561 0015

Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline

The Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline is for you if you are feeling concerned, worried, stressed or low, or if you are worried about someone you know. You may be going through a difficult time and feel that you have no one to talk to.

Call FREE 24/7 from landlines and mobile networks on 0808 800 2234

Text 07860 022821 (FREE)

Email – Staffordshire.helpline@brighter-futures.org.uk

Affordable Food Stoke

Affordable Food Stoke sell food that is close to or is past its sell by date in order to provide everyone with perfectly edible food, at massively reduced prices.

Visit the Store:

77-81 Meaford Drive, Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2BB

Email – affordablefoodstoke@outlook.com

Website – http://www.affordablefoodstoke.co.uk/

Alice Charity

Alice Charity is on a mission to make sure the most vulnerable families across Stoke and Newcastle have access to unconditional love and support.

Alice Charity provides different kinds of support, including Family Support and Emergency Food Supplies. A full list of services is at https://alicecharity.com/services/.

Call – 01782 627017 Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00

Email – info@alicecharity.com

Find us – The Assembly Rooms, 4 Merial Street, Newcastle, ST5 2AD

Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent

If you need advice on any issue that is causing you a problem Citizens Advice specialise in problems with social security benefits, personal debt, or housing, employment disputes and immigration issues. They also offer specialist help to the victims of crime.

Address – Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke, Advice House, Cheapside, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1HL

Advice Line – 0808 278 78 76

Reception – 01782 201234