1. Need Help?

Revolving Doors does not provide advice directly to the public.

Click on the links below or scroll down to find information on organisations that may be able to assist you.

• If you are worried about your mental health …
• If you have a problem relating to the criminal justice system …
• If you are trying to get help for a friend or family member in prison …
• If you would like advice about drugs or alcohol …
• If you have a housing problem …
• Other organisations that may be able to help …

If you are worried about your mental health …

Mind 

Mind provides two confidential mental health information services.

Mindinfoline: 0845 766 0163

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Mindinfoline provides information on a range of topics including types of mental distress, where to get help, drug and alternative treatments and advocacy. They can  provide details of help and support for people in their own area.

Mind Legal Advice Service: 0845 2259393

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Mind’s Legal Advice Service provides legal information and advice on mental health related law covering mental health, community care, capacity, discrimination/equality and human rights.

The Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. The service is also offered by email, letter and face to face in most of their branches.

SANEline: 0845 767 8000

Open from 6pm to 11pm every day of the year including Christmas, New Year and all other public holidays.

SANEline is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems.

Rethink Advice and Information Service: 0845 456 0455

Open Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm

Rethink’s Advice and Information Service provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. The Information and Advice Service team also provides evidence to the media and government to improve mental health policy.

If you have a problem relating to the criminal justice system …

Nacro Resettlement Advice Service: 020 7840 7200

Email helpline@nacro.org.uk

Resettlement Service Finder is part of Nacro's new Resettlement Advice Service, which provides a number of specialist services including:

• the UK’s only dedicated confidential helpline and online service providing expert advice and advocacy to serving prisoners, former prisoners and others facing severe barriers in various aspects of their lives as a result of their former offending.
• expert advice, training and strategic support to employers, educational establishments and other organisations working with ex-offenders, including risk assessment support for organisations seeking to employ or admit individuals with a criminal record, and Work Programme Contractors seeking to place ex-offenders into sustainable employment.
• a personalised research service, based on a unique national service level database which helps family professionals locate suitable housing, employment and other vital resettlement services for people leaving prison and relocating to different areas of the country.

Prisoners Advice Service: 020 7253 3323 or 0845 430 8923

Open 9.30-13.00 and 14.00-17.30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Answer phone service at all other times – please leave a message.

Prisoners Advice Service (PAS) provides legal advice and information to prisoners in England and Wales regarding their rights, the application of the Prison Rules and conditions of imprisonment. PAS takes up prisoners’ complaints about their treatment inside prison by providing free advice and assistance on an individual and confidential basis, taking legal action where appropriate.

Prison Reform Trust

For families/friends and people working with prisoners: 020 7251 5070
Open 9:30am - 5:30pm, Monday – Friday

Free phone information line for prisoners: 0808 802 0060
Open Monday 3:30pm - 7:30pm, Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm, Thursday 3:30pm - 5:30pm

The Prison Reform Trust’s advice and information service helps people in prison, their family and friends and those working with prisoners who have queries. They can give you information on any aspect of the prison system and can explain the rules and regulations in a clear way and give advice and support. If they cannot help we can usually tell you about an organisation that can. They do not give legal advice or provide counselling.

If you are trying to get help for a friend or family member in prison …

Prisoners' Families Helpline: 0808 808 2003

Open 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday, 10.00am - 3pm Saturday

The Prisoners' Families Helpline is a free and confidential service for anyone who is affected by the imprisonment of a close family member or friend. The Helpline is managed by Action for Prisoners' Families and the service is provided by the Ormiston Children and Families Trust in Cambridge.

Prisoners' Families and Friends

Freephone helpline for prisoners’ families: 0808 808 3444   

Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service is an independent voluntary agency which has been helping prisoners’ families for over 40 years.  They provide support, friendship and advice to the families and friends of anyone sentenced to imprisonment or remanded in custody.

If you would like advice about drugs or alcohol …

National Drugs Helpline (Talk to Frank): 0800 77 66 00

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Helpline for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse. Advice and information for people who misuse drugs, their families, friends, carers and professionals. Formerly known as the National Drugs Helpline.

Alcoholics Anonymous national helpline: 0845 769 7555

A confidential helpline where you will speak to someone who knows about problems with alcohol from personal experience.

Drinkline: 0800 917 8282

Advice and information for people with alcohol problems or anyone concerned about alcohol misuse.

Adfam

Adfam is a national organisation working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol. They do not have a helpline, but their website has information on support groups and services and useful organisations.

If you have a housing problem …

Shelter Housing advice helpline: 0808 800 4444

Open Monday – Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am-5pm

Shelter provides a free, national telephone advice line staffed by trained housing advisers. They provide advice and information for people with a housing problem or who are homeless. Issues dealt with include housing rights, harassment, illegal eviction, rent and mortgage arrears, housing benefit, domestic violence, hostel placements and finding accommodation. 

Other organisations that may be able to help …

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Open 24 hours

Helpline for women experiencing physical, emotional or sexual violence at home - provides advice, information and support.