Here you will find links to organisations that provide free support and advice for when you are going through challenging times.
Social Prescribing
Phoenix Rising is a Social Prescribing initiative with the aim of supporting health and wellbeing through community based activities.
You can find out about other free to access programmes by contacting your GP Surgery and asking the receptionist or GP to refer you to your Social Prescribing Link Worker. You don’t need to say why you want to access this service, it’s open to everyone as we all deserve access to activities that support our heath and wellbeing.
Support Services
Lancashire Recovery College: Free Courses
Free courses and events online and in-person to support health and wellbeing.
https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/lancashire-recovery-college
Our Lancashire: Community Groups
A website of community groups that you can join and events you can attend
https://ourlancashire.org.uk/
Preston City Council: Budgeting and debt advice
A friendly advice service to support you with budgeting and debt.
L.Gray@preston.gov.uk
Preston City Council Advice Services: Benefits Advice
Expert advice including benefits checks, PIP forms and appeals. They can be reached on 01772 906363
The Haven: Emotional & Mental Wellbeing Support
Central Lancashire
A drop-in mental health support service. A welcoming and non-judgemental place for individuals struggling socially and emotionally with life challenges or who are in crisis. Open for telephone and face-to-face support during our full opening hours and no appointment necessary, just call or drop-in.
Monday to Friday: 10am–10pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays: 11am–10pm
https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk/services/central-lancashire-haven/
North Lancashire Counseling Service: Emotional & Mental Wellbeing Support
North Lancashire
A free to access mental health support service. There is unfortunately currently a waiting list, but you can join the waiting list and their website has links to helpful advice and support services.
https://northlancscounselling.org.uk/
Bereavement Support & Advice: Cruse
Local Services Available as well as a national helpline
Cruse Bereavement Care has local and national helplines as well as online resources and support.
The Cruse Bereavement Care helplines are staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. They will give you space to talk about your bereavement and how you’ve been coping. The volunteers are completely non-judgmental allowing you to talk openly in a way that can be difficult with family and friends.
Cumbria | 0300 600 3434 | cumbria@cruse.org.uk
Lancashire | 01772 433645 | lancashire@cruse.org.uk
Preston Domestic Violence Services
Free and confidential support and advice for victims/survivors of domestic violence/abuse.
Helpline number is 01772 201601 available during office hours. Out of hours leave a message and one of their dedicated staff will contact you.
https://www.pdvs.org.uk
Morecambe Domestic Violence Services: New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a friendly, informal peer support group for women who are victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
https://www.homestartmorecambe.co.uk/new-beginnings
Family Support: Home Start
Branches supporting the whole of Central and North Lancashire
Home Start offers a wide range of support for young families going through tough times such as separation, illness, financial difficulties, multiple births and isolation.
Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside you to overcome the challenges you are facing. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
https://www.home-start.org.uk/
North Lancashire Citizens Advice: Advice Service
Morecambe, Lancaster, Heysham and the surrounding area
The Citizens Advice service offers practical, up-to-date information and advice on a wide range of topics, including; debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems.
http://www.northlancashirecab.org.uk/
Disability Equality: Advice and support for those living with disabilities
North West
A service available to everyone in the North West living with a disability. Service include advice and information, hate crime reporting and support, group activities and peer support, managed accounts for self-directed support.
01772 558 863
http://disability-equality.org.uk/about-us/
Let’s Grow Preston
A wonderful charity that helps communities to brighten up their areas and green spaces. Volunteering opportunities available.
https://www.letsgrowpreston.org/