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External support services

Here you can access resources and support external to the University of Bedfordshire.

Please note By selecting these links you are leaving the University of Bedfordshire website. The University of Bedfordshire is not responsible for the content of other websites.

I need urgent help now

Call 999

This is the line to emergency services - e.g. paramedic or police. If you feel you are in danger or going to harm yourself, please call them. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call NHS 111

If you are concerned about your own or physical or mental wellbeing, please contact NHS 111. They will listen and signpost you to the most appropriate place for support. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Luton, call 111 and press Option 2 - this will go directly to the mental health line crisis support team. You will be able to speak to someone who can then triage your concerns and offer you the best advice, ensuring the right support is put in place.

Samaritans

The Samaritans are a charity who can help people when they need support or who are in crisis.
Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

Offers a supportive listening service to anyone throughout the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self-harm. Call 0800 689 5652 Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

I would like to talk to someone now

Call NHS 111

In Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Luton, call 111 and press Option 2- this will go directly to the mental health line crisis support team. You will be able to speak to someone who can then triage your concerns and offer you the best advice, ensuring the right support is put in place.

Samaritans

The Samaritans are a charity who can help people when they need support or who are in crisis.

Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

Offers a supportive listening service to anyone throughout the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self-harm.

Call 0800 689 5652
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide)

For young people or someone concerned about a young person (up to 35).

Call 0800 068 4141 or email Pat@papyrus-uk.org
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shout

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Text “Shout” to 85258

Recovery Lounge – Bedfordshire

Mind BLMK Recovery Lounges (formally known as Crisis Café) are open each evening in Bedfordshire and Luton. Anyone from Bedfordshire and Luton is welcome at any location. The service operates from 5pm-11pm 365 days of the year and can support you to get well, stay well.

Monday The Lighthouse, Whichellos Wharf, The Elms, Stoke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2TD open 5pm – 11pm.
Tuesday The Lighthouse, Whichellos Wharf, The Elms, Stoke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2TD open 5pm – 11pm.
Wednesday Luton Wellbeing Centre, Dumfries Street, Chapel Langley, Luton LU1 5BP open 5-11pm
Thursday Bedford Wellbeing Centre, 3A Woburn Road, Bedford MK40 1EG open 5pm – 11pm.
Friday The Lawns Mental Health Resource Centre, The Baulk, Biggleswade, SG18 0PT open 5pm – 11pm.
Saturday Luton Wellbeing Centre, Dumfries Street, Chapel Langley, Luton LU1 5BP open 5pm – 11pm.
Sunday Florence Ball House, Kimbolton Road, Bedford MK40 2PU open 5pm – 11pm.

Talking space - Birmingham

The aim of the Talking Space service is to provide a safe, welcoming place where people can go outside of normal working hours, instead of A&E or other urgent services, if they are feeling emotionally distressed or are in a mental health crisis. Open 5pm – 11pm.

The service is available by appointment and Drop-In’s. You can make an appointment by calling 0121 262 3555 or by emailing help@birminghammind.org

Monday Selly Oak Talking Space (11 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, B29 7BL) 5-10pm.
Tuesday Selly Oak Talking Space (11 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, B29 7BL) 5-10pm.
Wednesday Selly Oak Talking Space (11 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, B29 7BL) 5-10pm.
Thursday Northfield Talking Space (888 Bristol Rd S, Birmingham B31 2PA) 5-10pm.
Friday Northfield Talking Space (888 Bristol Rd S, Birmingham B31 2PA) 5-10pm.
Saturday Northfield Talking Space (888 Bristol Rd S, Birmingham B31 2PA) 5-10pm or Erdington Talking Space (501 Slade Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7JG) 5-10pm.
Sunday Northfield Talking Space (888 Bristol Rd S, Birmingham B31 2PA) 5-10pm or Erdington Talking Space (501 Slade Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7JG) 5-10pm.

Crisis Café Milton Keynes

If you find yourself in crisis or need support with your mental health in the evening we are here to listen and help you in your time of need.

Crisis Café operates 365 days of the year, seven days a week, between 5.00pm – 11.00pm

226 Queensway, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2TE

Islington Recovery café

The Islington Recovery Café is a service that provides practical and emotional support for those experiencing a mental health crisis. The service is open 365 days a year including bank holidays, and residents in the Borough of Islington can drop in without an appointment.

Open 6-10pm Monday-Friday
2-6pm on Saturday and Sunday

Islington Recovery Café,
Elfrida Society,
34 Islington Park Street,
London,
N1 1PX

Accessible entrance can be found in Purley Place (house numbers 5 and 6), a passage in between 26 and 28 Islington Park Street.
Islington.RecoveryCafe@hestia.org
Telephone: 07384 117 241

Crisis Café Hackey

As well as offering a welcome cuppa, the Crisis Café is a safe, supportive and therapeutic place for anyone struggling and not coping with life. It means people do not have to be alone, struggling with upsetting thoughts or worry.

The Raybould Centre
City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health,
Homerton Row
London
E9 6SR

It is open from 6pm-9pm Monday to Friday, and from noon-4pm on Saturday and Sundays.
Call 073937 62366
24 Hour Freephone number: 0800 073 000
elft.crisiscafe2@nhs.net

Rape Crisis

Did something sexual happen to you without your consent? Or you're not sure? No matter when or where it happened, we are here for you – at any time of the day or night.

Call free on 0808 500 2222 open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
rapecrisis.org.uk

CALM (Campaign Against Miserable Living)

If you are feeling suicidal, please reach out and speak to one of the team.

Phone 0800 58 58 58 open 5-12pm every night of the week.

I would like to seek some support

Please make an appointment with your GP as they will be able to signpost you to support in your area.

Total Wellbeing Luton

Total Wellbeing supports people living in Luton who want to improve their physical and emotional health.
Please call 0300 555 4152 or visit the Total Wellbeing Luton webpage

Bedfordshire Wellbeing service

The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better.

The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service on nhs.uk

Birmingham Talking Therapies

Birmingham Healthy Minds is an NHS primary care psychological therapies service for people with depression and anxiety symptoms. Must be registered with a Birmingham GP.

Birmingham Healthy Minds on nhs.uk

NHS Talking Therapies

If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapies services for anxiety and depression.

A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral. NHS talking therapies services offer:

Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies and guided self-help
Help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression

Find a Talking therapies near you