Urgent help and charities
In short: In danger now? Call 999. Need help fast? Call NHS 111. This page lists official numbers and free charity helplines for England.
Official numbers for England, plus free national charity helplines. This is information, not advice. If you are unsure and it feels urgent, call 999 or 111.
Emergency
- 999 — Emergency servicesLife-threatening emergency, serious injury, or if you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.Call 999
- NHS 111Urgent medical help when it is not a 999 emergency. You can also use 111 online.Call 111 111.nhs.uk
- Police non-emergencyReport a crime or contact the police when nobody is in immediate danger.Call 101
- Emergency textphone / Relay UKIf you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, dial 18000 for emergency services via Relay UK.Call 18000
Mental health
- NHS 111 — mental health optionUrgent mental health help. Call 111 and select the mental health option.Call 111
- SamaritansSomeone to talk to, day or night, about anything that is troubling you.Call 116 123
- ShoutFree, confidential crisis support by text, 24/7. Text the word SHOUT.Text SHOUT to 85258
Abuse and safeguarding
- National Domestic Abuse HelplineFree, confidential support if you are experiencing domestic abuse. Open 24 hours.Call 0808 2000 247
- ChildlineFor children and young people under 19 who need support.Call 0800 1111
- NSPCC HelplineFor adults worried about a child.Call 0808 800 5000
- HourglassHelp if an older person is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.Call 0808 808 8141
Local social care
- Council out-of-hours social careThere is no single national number. Search your local council for adult or children's social care out of hours.Find your council
Charities that can help
Free national helplines. Opening times vary. Check each website for the latest hours.
- Age UKAdvice for older people, families and carers.Call 0800 678 1602 ageuk.org.uk
- Carers UKInformation and signposting for unpaid carers.Call 0808 808 7777 carersuk.org
- MindMental health information and where to get help.Call 0300 123 3393 mind.org.uk
- ScopeDisability advice, including benefits, care and work.Call 0808 800 3333 scope.org.uk
- Citizens AdviceFree advice on benefits, debt, housing and more (England Adviceline).Call 0800 144 8848 citizensadvice.org.uk
- Independent AgeAdvice for people of State Pension age, including benefits and care.Call 0800 319 6789 independentage.org
- ContactAdvice for families with disabled children and young people up to 25.Call 0808 808 3555 contact.org.uk
- Rethink Mental IllnessPractical advice for adults in England affected by mental illness.Call 0808 801 0525 rethink.org
- Alzheimer's SocietyDementia Support Line for people affected by dementia and carers.Call 0333 150 3456 alzheimers.org.uk
- Macmillan Cancer SupportSupport for people living with cancer, and their families and friends.Call 0808 808 00 00 macmillan.org.uk
Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.
Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.
Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 29 October 2026.