Local support & helplines

There is a lot of free, confidential support available in our area. Below are local and national organisations, grouped by the kind of help they offer. Each name links to that organisation’s website. In an emergency, always call 999.

Someone to talk to (any time)

  • Samaritans. A listening ear for anyone in distress or struggling to cope. Call 116 123 (free).
  • Childline. Support for children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111.
  • CALM. Support for anyone struggling or in crisis, including help to prevent suicide. Call 0800 58 58 58.
  • The Silver Line. Friendship and advice for older people who feel lonely or isolated. Call 0800 470 8090.

Domestic abuse and sexual violence

  • RISE. Support for anyone in the Brighton area affected by domestic abuse, including LGBTQ+ survivors. Call 01273 622 822.
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Advice for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, run by the charity Refuge. Call 0808 2000 247.
  • Survivors’ Network. Support for survivors of sexual violence and abuse across Sussex. Call 01273 203 380.
  • The Saturn Centre. Sussex Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), with healthcare and support for anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, recent or in the past. Call 0330 223 0099.
  • Mankind. Support for men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. Call 01273 911 680.
  • Men’s Advice Line. Advice and support for men experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 801 0327.

Sexual health and HIV

Mental health and wellbeing

See our Mental health and wellbeing page for crisis help and talking therapies. Other local organisations include:

Drugs, alcohol and gambling

  • Change Grow Live. Drug and alcohol support for people in Brighton and Hove. Call 01273 731 900.
  • Cascade Creative Recovery. Peer-led recovery community and drop-in groups for people affected by addiction. Call 07477 072 956.
  • Oasis Project. Drug and alcohol support for women, children and families. Call 01273 696 970.
  • Breakeven. Support for anyone affected by gambling, their own or someone else’s.

Money, benefits and housing

Children, young people and families

Older people

  • Ageing Well. Activities, befriending and advice for people aged 50 and over, to reduce loneliness. Call 0808 175 3234.
  • Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove. Advice and support for older people, with a drop-in hub in central Brighton. Call 0800 019 1310.
  • Alzheimer’s Society. Support for anyone affected by dementia. Call 0333 150 3456.

Disability and learning disability

  • Amaze. Information and support for families of disabled children and young people aged 0 to 25. Call 01273 772 289.
  • Possability People. Advice for disabled people on benefits, Blue Badges and more, plus Brighton’s Shopmobility. Call 01273 894 040.
  • Grace Eyre. Activities and support for adults aged 16 and over with learning disabilities. Call 01273 201 900.
  • Brighton, Hove & District Mencap. Support and grants for people with a learning disability. Call 01273 479 620.

LGBTQ+

  • Switchboard. Support, community and information for LGBTQ+ people. Call 0300 330 0630.
  • MindOut. Mental health support run by and for LGBTQ+ people. Call 0300 772 9855.
  • The Clare Project. Support and social groups for trans, non-binary and intersex people across Sussex.
  • Allsorts Youth Project. Support for LGBTQ+ and unsure children and young people. Call 01273 721 211.

This page was last updated in June 2026.