Free Support Helplines for Parenta Learners in England
Whatever you’re going through, you don’t have to deal with it alone. This page brings together free, confidential helplines for Parenta learners in England, covering everything from mental health and money worries to domestic abuse, bereavement and your rights at work. Search or browse by topic, then call or text in one tap. Your Parenta Tutor/Assessor and Safeguarding Team, available on 01622 585588 or safeguarding@parenta.com are here for you too.
Need it now? Free helplines for urgent help
- Emergency: call 999. If you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted.
- Urgent mental health help: NHS 111, then option 2.
- Someone to talk to: Samaritans on 116 123.
- Prefer to text: text SHOUT to 85258.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. This page does not replace emergency services. You can also speak to your Parenta Tutor/Assessor at any time, or contact the Parenta Safeguarding Team on 01622 585588 or safeguarding@parenta.com.
Studying and working in early years can be rewarding, and it can also be demanding. Whether you are dealing with stress, a money worry, a family issue or something you have carried for a long time, you don't have to face it alone. This page brings together free and confidential helplines that any Parenta learner in England can contact directly. Start with the emergency panel if you need help straight away. Otherwise, search by keyword, choose what they help with, or filter by coverage to find the right service for you.
Find support
No services match these filters. Try a different keyword, or choose ‘All sections’ and ‘All coverage’.
Need it now?
Right now matters most. See every urgent helpline in one place.
| Need it now? | Contact | Coverage | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Call 999 | National (UK) | Life at risk, immediate danger |
| Urgent mental health help | NHS 111: call 111, select option 2 | National (England), routes to local NHS crisis team | 24/7, all ages, England |
| Someone to talk to | Samaritans: call 116 123 | National (UK & Ireland) + local branches | 24/7, free |
| Prefer to text | Shout: text SHOUT to 85258 | National (UK) | 24/7, free |
| Safeguarding Concern | Parenta 01622 585588, safeguarding@parenta.com | National (England) | Monday to Friday |
Mental health and well-being
Education Support is especially relevant to Parenta learners, as it covers early years and childcare staff.
Feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed? Free support is available, and you can start today.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Talking Therapies | National (England) + local NHS services | Free NHS therapy for anxiety, depression, stress; self-refer online, no GP needed | Online self-referral by postcode | nhs.uk/talk |
| Every Mind Matters | National (England), online | NHS self-help tools and a free personalised Mind Plan | Online | nhs.uk/every-mind-matters |
| Mind | National (England & Wales) + local Minds | Information, local Mind services and peer support | Infoline 0300 123 3393 | mind.org.uk |
| Rethink Mental Illness | National (England) + local groups | Advice for people living with severe mental illness and their carers | Advice line 0808 801 0525 | rethink.org |
| Anxiety UK | National (UK) | Support for anxiety, stress and panic | 03444 775 774 or text 07537 416 905 | anxietyuk.org.uk |
| Beat | National (UK) | Eating disorder support | 0808 801 0677 | beateatingdisorders.org.uk |
| Education Support | National (UK) | Free 24/7 counselling for people working in education, including early years | 08000 562 561 | educationsupport.org.uk |
| Hub of Hope | National (UK) directory of local services | Finds local mental health and well-being services by postcode | Online / app | hubofhope.co.uk |
Crisis and suicide prevention
You don't have to carry this alone. Talk to someone now, at any time of day or night.
| Organisation | Coverage | Who it's for | Contact | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samaritans | National (UK & Ireland) + local branches | Anyone struggling to cope | 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org | 24/7 |
| Shout | National (UK) | Anyone in crisis who prefers text | Text SHOUT to 85258 | 24/7 |
| NHS 111 option 2 | National (England), routes to local NHS crisis team | Urgent mental health help, connects to local NHS crisis team | 111, then option 2 | 24/7 |
| PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 | National (UK) | Under-35s with thoughts of suicide, or anyone worried about a young person | 0800 068 4141 or text 88247 | 24/7 |
| CALM | National (UK) | Anyone, with a focus on men | 0800 58 58 58 or webchat | 5pm to midnight daily |
| Stay Alive app | National (UK), app | Safety-planning app from Grassroots Suicide Prevention | Free app | Anytime |
Domestic abuse, sexual violence and personal safety
Silent Solution: if a learner calls 999 but cannot speak, they can press 55 when prompted to show it is a genuine emergency.
You are not to blame, and help is confidential. Find the right support for your situation.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) | National (England) | Women experiencing domestic abuse, and those supporting them | 0808 2000 247 with live chat | 24/7 |
| Men's Advice Line (Respect) | National (UK) | Men experiencing domestic abuse | 0808 8010 327 | Weekdays |
| Galop | National (UK) | LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse, hate crime or sexual violence | 0800 999 5428 | See website |
| Rape Crisis England & Wales | National (England & Wales) + local Rape Crisis centres | Anyone 16+ affected by sexual violence or abuse, at any time | 0808 500 2222 with live chat | 24/7 |
| Victim Support | National (England & Wales) + local teams | Anyone affected by crime, whether reported or not | 08 08 16 89 111 | 24/7 |
| Karma Nirvana | National (UK) | Forced marriage and honour-based abuse | 0800 5999 247 | Weekdays |
Money, debt, housing and benefits
Money worries are easier to face with the right advice. Get free help today.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizens Advice | National (England & Wales) + local offices | Benefits, work, debt, housing, consumer and legal problems | Adviceline (England) 0800 144 8848 | citizensadvice.org.uk |
| StepChange | National (UK) | Free debt advice and debt solutions | 0800 138 1111 | stepchange.org |
| National Debtline | National (Great Britain) | Free, independent debt advice | 0808 808 4000 | nationaldebtline.org |
| MoneyHelper | National (UK) | Government-backed money and pensions guidance | 0800 138 7777 | moneyhelper.org.uk |
| Turn2us | National (UK), online | Benefits calculator and grants search | Online tools | turn2us.org.uk |
| Shelter | National (England) + local hubs | Housing advice, homelessness and renting problems | 0808 800 4444 | england.shelter.org.uk |
| Trussell | National (UK) + local food banks | Find a local food bank and Help through Hardship line | 0808 208 2138 | trussell.org.uk |
Drugs, alcohol and gambling
Support for drugs, alcohol and gambling is confidential, and no one will judge you for asking.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANK | National (UK) | Honest, confidential drug information | 0300 123 6600 or text 82111 | talktofrank.com |
| Drinkline | National (England) | Free NHS alcohol helpline | 0300 123 1110 | nhs.uk |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | National (Great Britain) + local meetings | Peer support and local meetings | 0800 9177 650 | alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk |
| We Are With You | National (England & Scotland) + local services | Free local and online drug, alcohol and mental health support | Webchat | wearewithyou.org.uk |
| GamCare | National (Great Britain) | National Gambling Helpline | 0808 8020 133 | gamcare.org.uk |
Family, parenting, carers and bereavement
Whether you are parenting, caring or grieving, you don't have to do it alone.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Lives | National (England & Wales) | Parenting and family relationship support | 0808 800 2222 | familylives.org.uk |
| Gingerbread | National (England & Wales) | Single parent families | 0808 802 0925 | gingerbread.org.uk |
| PANDAS Foundation | National (UK) + local peer groups | Perinatal (pre- and postnatal) mental health | 0808 1961 776 | pandasfoundation.org.uk |
| Tommy's | National (UK) | Pregnancy, baby loss and miscarriage support | 0800 0147 800 | tommys.org |
| Carers UK | National (UK) | Advice for unpaid carers | 0808 808 7777 | carersuk.org |
| Cruse Bereavement Support | National (England, Wales & NI) + local services | Support after someone dies | 0808 808 1677 | cruse.org.uk |
| Relate | National (England & Wales) + local centres | Relationship counselling (fees may apply) | Online / local centres | relate.org.uk |
Young learners, LGBTQ+, disability and learning differences
Learners with additional needs should also tell their Parenta Tutor/Assessor, who can arrange reasonable adjustments to their learning and assessment.
Everyone deserves support that fits them, whatever their age, identity or needs.
| Organisation | Coverage | Who it's for | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childline | National (UK) | Under-19s, about anything | 0800 1111 | childline.org.uk |
| The Mix | National (UK) | Under-25s: mental health, money, relationships | 0808 808 4994 with webchat | themix.org.uk |
| YoungMinds | National (UK) | Young people's mental health, with a text line | Text YM to 85258 | youngminds.org.uk |
| Switchboard LGBT+ | National (UK) | LGBTQ+ listening service | 0800 0119 100 | switchboard.lgbt |
| Scope | National (England & Wales) | Disability advice, including work and benefits | 0808 800 3333 | scope.org.uk |
| British Dyslexia Association | National (UK) + local dyslexia associations | Dyslexia information and helpline | See website | bdadyslexia.org.uk |
| National Autistic Society | National (UK) + local branches | Autism advice and local services | See website | autism.org.uk |
| ADHD UK | National (UK) | ADHD information and support | See website | adhduk.co.uk |
Work and apprenticeship support
Know your rights and get practical help, whether it is your apprenticeship or a problem at work.
| Organisation | Coverage | What they help with | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acas | National (Great Britain) | Free advice on workplace rights and disputes | 0300 123 1100 | acas.org.uk |
| National Apprenticeship Helpline | National (England) | Questions or concerns about an apprenticeship | 0800 015 0400 | gov.uk |
| Access to Work | National (Great Britain) | Government grant for practical support at work for disability or health conditions | Apply online | gov.uk/access-to-work |
| Education Support | National (UK) | 24/7 counselling for education and early years staff | 08000 562 561 | educationsupport.org.uk |
Finding local support and building local partnerships
Learners are spread across England, so use these finders to locate services in your own area.
Find the nearest support to you, wherever you live in England.
| Finder | Coverage | What it finds |
|---|---|---|
| Hub of Hope | National (UK) directory of local services | Local mental health and well-being services by postcode |
| NHS Talking Therapies finder | England | Local NHS therapy service for self-referral |
| Find your local Mind | England & Wales | Local Mind branches and groups |
| Citizens Advice local office | England & Wales | Face-to-face advice near the learner |
| Find your local council | UK | Council support, housing, cost-of-living help, family hubs |
| Domestic abuse services directory (Women's Aid) | England | Local refuges and outreach services |
Frequently asked questions
Who can use these services?
Any Parenta learner living in England can contact them directly. Most are free and confidential.
What is the National Domestic Abuse Helpline number?
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, is 0808 2000 247. It is open 24 hours a day and offers live chat.
Where can I get free debt advice?
StepChange on 0800 138 1111, National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 and MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777 all offer free, independent advice.
Is there free counselling for early years staff?
Yes. Education Support on 08000 562 561 offers free 24/7 counselling for people working in education, including early years.
What if I have a learning difference or disability?
Tell your Parenta Tutor/Assessor, who can arrange reasonable adjustments. Scope on 0808 800 3333 also gives advice on disability, work and benefits.
Not sure where to start?
Call the Parenta team on 0800 002 9242, or speak to your Tutor/Assessor.
Call 0800 002 9242