Support Groups and Advice

Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

We help millions of people to know their rights and make the best choices for later life. We put people in control of the care they receive, while sharing best practice to improve services. We tackle loneliness, get older people active, and support people to stay independent for longer

0800 678 1602

Age UK West Sussex and Brighton and Hove 01903 731 800

Age UK East Sussex 01424 426 162 / 01273 476 704

Barnardo’s work with children and young people, and their families, up to the age of 18 years old who are at risk of or abused through sexual exploitation.

Their direct work sessions are flexible and focused on the individual’s needs. They aim to help young people to explore their situation in a way that is most comfortable for them.

Professionals, parents/carers and young people can find out more on how to refer into the service, by following the link to the website.

B You Service also provide training packages for professionals in raising awareness in the area of Child Sexual Exploitation and how best to support children and young people

01293 610691

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

We work with people who want to change their lives for the better and achieve positive and life-affirming goals.

We believe that everyone has the right to lead the best life they can. Our accessible services empower people to improve their health and wellbeing and take control of the direction of their lives.

Our areas of expertise include:

• Substance misuse
• Children and young people’s services
• Family services
• Accommodation & homelessness
• Clinical services
• Criminal justice
• Domestic abuse specialist provision (East Sussex)

0300 323 9985

A West Sussex based charity supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and genders, and their close supporters. Providing trauma-informed therapy face-to-face, online or over the phone, and play therapy for those under 10 years old. Plus, additional wrap-around support including trauma-informed yoga and psychoeducation support groups.

To make a counselling referral: 01243 786349

09:00 - 15:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Specialist therapeutic support for people over 18 years old who self-identify as male and who have had unwanted sexual experiences, including:

• Child sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual body shaming
• and rape.

Mankind offers 1-2-1 counselling, group courses, and peer therapy groups.

01273 911680

The Mental Health Foundation have a variety of online resources to help you, including a range of free, downloadable leaflets.

Migrant Help assist victims of human trafficking and modern slavery in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The charity also provides advice and guidance to asylum seekers, it runs a free asylum helpline accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK. They can assist with applications for asylum support, reporting maintenance issues with asylum accommodation, requests for assistance, and advice on any asylum-related queries.

0808 8010 503

The National Stalking Helpline is run by Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

They can help you by giving you information and guidance on topics including:

• The law in relation to stalking and harassment in the United Kingdom
• Reporting stalking or harassment
• Effective gathering of evidence
• Ensuring your personal safety and that of your friends and family
• Practical steps to reduce the risk

Refuge, the national domestic violence charity, provides safe refuge accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence across East Sussex.

National 24hr Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247

The Revenge Porn Helpline supports adults (those over the age of 18) who are victims of image based abuse and who have had their intimate images and videos shared without their consent, or when someone is threatening to do this.

Non-judgemental and confidential advice: The helpline practitioners will listen to what has happened and help as best they can.

Reporting and removal of content: They can help with reporting and removing content online.

Social media advice: Advice on the social media platform’s community guidelines and polices and how to report and remove content to which they should respond promptly.

Reporting to the police: Advice on how and what evidence you need to gather.

Legal advice: They have an effective and positive working relationship with the QMUL Legal Advice Centre who offer free, client-centred legal consultations.

Safe in Sussex provides a range of support services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse in West Sussex this includes refuge and help in the community.

Contact: 0330 333 7416

09:30 - 14:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

It doesn’t matter who you are, how you feel, or what has happened. If you feel that things are getting to you, get in touch.

We know a lot about what can help you through tough times.

We can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

StreetlightUK provides specialist support for women involved in prostitution, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Every woman matters.

Placing a woman's dignity and choices at the centre of their service, they provide practical support to those wanting to exit prostitution. They are committed to helping them discover their intrinsic value and worth as individuals and sustain a new life free from sexual exploitation.

07886115953

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Churchill Court, 3 Manor Royal, RH10 9LU

We are the Rape Crisis Centre for Sussex.

We believe that no one should be alone when they have experienced sexual violence, abuse or harassment.

We are here for you, whether your experiences were a week ago or fifty years ago. We will support you, listen to you and believe you.

Office: 01273 203380

Helpline: 01273 720110

6a Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE

The Sussex Mental Healthline is a telephone service offering support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. The service is also available to carers and healthcare professionals. You do not need an appointment.

• They are a service available to anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend.
• They provide support for people experiencing distress.

For Text Relay calls and New Generation Text calls from hearing and speech impaired callers please contact 0300 5000 101.

0800 0309 500

Switchboard is a charity for LGBTQ people looking for community, support or information. They connect people and support them directly through specially developed Switchboard services or link them to other specialist organisations.

The trans survivors helpline provides support and information to trans and/or non-binary people. Operated by trans and/or non-binary volunteers; you can talk to them confidentially about anything that’s on your mind. They talk to people about a range of things, specialising on those who have experienced crime, including sexual violence at any point in their life. Trans Survivors is available Sunday 3-5pm on 01273 359042

01273 359042

19:00 - 21:30 Wednesday, Thursday

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG

The Daisy Chain Project: Domestic Abuse Legal Advice Charity

A charity start up aiming to help fight domestic violence by providing pro bono legal advice, educating people about what constitutes domestic abuse.

The Daisy Chain Project legal team consists of qualified and regulated barristers and solicitors who offer free legal support to men and women experiencing, or fleeing, domestic abuse.

All barristers and solicitors are regulated by the Bar Standards Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority respectively.

The Esther Project offers free tailored practical and emotional support to self-identifying women in the sex industry and victims of sexual exploitation and coercion, across coastal West Sussex.

Their offer includes 1:1 listening support, safety planning, sexual health information and advice, signposting to other specialist services as well as free well-being packs, food/toiletry parcels and supermarket vouchers. They provide extensive exit support including help with: finding affordable housing, benefits applications, immigration issues, debt relief, job applications, work experience and access to education.

They offer free training to front line professionals/service providers who support women who sell or exchange sex. Training includes an overview of the outreach service, the reasons why people might sell or exchange sex, risks, signs, communication - how to talk about it and help women stay safer.

The Esther Project is run by the charity Yada, meaning ‘to be known’, which works to prevent sexual exploitation.

07902 726432

09:00 - 16:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

If you think you are a victim of modern slavery/human trafficking, you can contact The Modern Slavery Helpline. They can help you to understand what is available including information, advice and ways to access government funded support.

The helpline is confidential, you do not have to give your name or address unless you wish for your details to be passed to the police or another agency to access the government funded support.

08000 121 700

Open 24/7

The Saturn Centre SARC provides a 24/7 response service via Police to victims of rape and sexual assault who are aged 14 and over.

The service is run by a team of dedicated and specially trained Nurses and Support Workers and they are here to help. If you report directly to Sussex Police they can arrange for you to attend the SARC in Crawley for forensic evidence collection and injuries documented.

You can also access the service without Police involvement, this is a confidential service and runs 9am-5pm.

Reporting without Police involvement ensures that evidence can be obtained and safely stored whilst you receive support and advice and decide on what you would like to do next.

01293 600 469, Helpline 0800 033 7797

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Helpline 24/7

Crawley Hospital,
Crawley,
West Sussex
RH11 7DH

Veritas Justice is a community organisation providing support, advocacy and advice for individuals affected by stalking and the professionals supporting them.

The aims of their service are to offer practical help, current safety advice and support to victims of stalking, combining professional expertise with personal experience to create a quality, high impact service with the needs and voices of victims at its heart.

Stalking can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims. Harassment and stalking crimes are damaging and pervade all sections of society. No one should live in fear. Veritas Justice are here to help.

They have a new chat feature on their website which will allow victims of stalking and anyone supporting them to begin an instant chat with a member of their team.

The opening times are:

Monday to Friday: 10am till 5pm

01273 234 773

Victim Support is here to help anyone affected by crime, not only victims, but their friends, family and any other people involved. Because they're an independent charity, you can talk to them whether or not you reported the crime to the police. They can help you find the strength to deal with what you've been through.

Victim Support also have the following specialist services in Sussex:

Hate Incident Support Service (HISS)- The HISS can provide emotional and practical support to victims of Hate Crime and Hate Incidents. You can self refer by contacting Victim Support's main service or by emailing the specialist hate incident contact address.

Fraud Caseworkers- Sussex wide. Two specialist caseworkers supporting vulnerable victims of fraud by providing tailored emotional and practical support, putting in place effective interventions to help minimise the risk of re-victimisation. Additionally a specialist fraud peer support service is available in the area, providing one to one casework, group work programme and peer support sessions to victims of relationship fraud. Referrals are through Sussex Police and their Operation Signature initiative.

0808 168 9274

0808 168 9111 (out of hours)

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Supportline Out of Hours

Worth Specialist Domestic Abuse Service supports people who are at high risk of harm or homicide as a result of domestic abuse.

They have teams of specially trained advisors across West Sussex who work to identify, assess and assist people at risk.

0330 222 8181

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Allsorts Youth Project listens to, supports and connects children and young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or exploring of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBT). 

They aim to improve the lives of LGBT children and young people via a two pronged approach:

1. Providing specialist youth services to children and young people from the ages of 5-25 who are LGBT

2. Family support service for parents/carers and siblings of LGBT children and young people

3. Training the wider community and professionals so all spaces and organisations can be safer and more inclusive for LGBT people.

01273 721 211

BHIMS mediators help parties involved in a dispute understand each other and recognise that they can find their own resolutions to conflicts. Mediation can help with disputes between neighbours, local community groups, families, schools, social care, supported living environments and businesses. BHIMS offers a safe and confidential environment for all involved to think things through and talk to each other about the issues. Their mediators are trained to work through the issues so that a resolution can be agreed.

01273 700812

10:00 - 16:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Brighton & Hove Independent Mediation Service,
Lower Ground Floor,
Ecclesden,
Grove Hill,
Brighton
BN2 9NG

Provide Individual Counselling for children and young people and Free Adult Counselling.

Mental Health Services: Individual Emotional Wellbeing Sessions & Equine Emotional Wellbeing Sessions

Please note, there are fees applicable for some of our services, details can be found on our website

01424 775187

Capa First Response supports families and professionals impacted by child or adolescent on parent abuse.

Money Advice Plus in partnership with Surviving Economic Abuse operate the Financial Support Line for victims of Domestic Abuse. This service offers one off/ short term advice for victim-survivors for support with debts and benefits.

To contact the Financial Support line for advice and guidance call 08081968845 between 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday.

0808 196 8845

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Home-Start East Sussex is a local independent charity that believes every child and adult should live in a safe and nurturing family where every member enjoys a positive life. They currently run four services:

• 'Lotus Domestic Abuse Recovery Programme' for women who have experienced domestic abuse
• 'Who’s in Charge?' groups for parents experiencing violence and abuse from their children
• 'Being Mum' groups for first time mothers
• 'Volunteer Family Support Service' for parents with pre-school children and pregnant women

The Lotus programme received SafeLives Leading Lights accreditation in March 2020 in recognition of its good and safe practice as a risk-led community-based domestic abuse service.

They continue to work harder than ever to make sure East Sussex residents have the support they need. All their services continue to be delivered via video-call or telephone.

Hourglass is a UK wide charity focusing exclusively on the issue of elder abuse. They run a free and confidential Helpline for victims and those at risk, providing both emotional and practical support. It is also available for concerned relatives, friends and professionals.

The Helpline can offer information, advice and emotional support, as well as referrals to other agencies. 

Please use enquiries@wearehourglass.org for all general or volunteering enquiries or if you are concerned about an older person email helpline@wearehourglass.org or call 080 8808 8141.

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

National Helpline providing emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don't suffer in silence.

0800 999 5428

10:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Friday

10:00 - 20:00 Wednesday, Thursday

Opoka is a specialist service working to stop domestic violence against women and children in the Polish community, aiming to create a world where women feel safe, secure, and can engage and participate in society.

Opoka is part of Chrysalis Supported Association Limited and has been working to improve the lives of Polish women and their families since 2012.

They offer safe and specialist support to help survivors of domestic violence to improve their lives and build a better future, providing opportunities to move forward and begin their recovery. Their services are delivered by highly trained specialist bilingual domestic violence experts.

General Enquiries: 0117 427 0012,
Helpline: 0300 365 1700

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Paws Protect is a cat fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse.

0345 260 1280

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Relate’s team of experienced counsellors supports children, young people, individuals, couples and families to improve their mental health, and to make personal changes which enable them to engage in committed and loving relationships to benefit themselves, their family and society.

Relate do not want cost to be a barrier for support. If you think you may struggle to pay for ongoing counselling, please contact the team to talk about subsidies, as well as some free support that may be available.

01293 657055
07423147915

The Orchard
1-2 Gleneagles Court
Brighton Road
Crawley
RH10 6AD

RISE is a charity. RISE stands for Refuge, Information, Support and Education. We help and support people in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex affected by violence and abuse. Services include:

• Domestic abuse helpline
• LGBT* Specialist service
• Support with criminal or civil proceedings
• Counselling
• Support Groups
• Drop In
• Individual support and advice
• Children and Young People's Support
• Training and education

You are not alone. You are not to blame. Help and support are available.

01273 622 822

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Shaftesbury Court
95 Ditchling Road
Brighton
BN1 4ST

The domestic abuse service (previously known as DeafHope) is a unique, deaf-led service for deaf people who have or are experiencing domestic abuse. The service is the first and only one of its kind in the UK.

Their team of deaf Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Young People’s Violence Advisors (YPVAs) help bring deaf people and their children to safety and empower them to build new lives free of fear.

They currently work in London and the South East and remote support across England.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded by Diana and Paul Lamplugh following the disappearance of their daughter Suzy, a young estate agent, in 1986. Since then, the charity has pioneered personal safety as a life skill and a public policy priority. Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s vision is a society in which people are safer – and feel safer – from violence and aggression; we want people to be able to live life to the full. We work towards this vision through campaigning, education and support.

The Brighton Refuge is a safe space providing accommodation and support for women and their children who are fleeing domestic abuse. The team at Stonewater are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment, making sure each resident has access to the support and advice they need. Referrals to The Brighton Refuge are accepted from any source, though most typically this is via professionals or associate agencies, such as Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA's), Domestic Abuse (DA) Support Services, Social Services, and local Housing Teams.

01293 780419

09:00 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Time to Talk is a friendly and approachable service offering talking therapies to people who are struggling with; Stress, Worry and General Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia, Phobias, Social Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Health Anxiety, Post Natal Depression, Low Self Esteem or Low Confidence, Relationship difficulties or Bereavement and Reactions to Loss.

Please see the website for your local contact number.

Helping women thrive, not just survive.

My Sisters' House work with women to improve their welfare and wellbeing, reduce their risk of domestic abuse and support their recovery, and help them reach their goals for employment, education or training.

The services are delivered by women, for women.

With hubs in Bognor Regis and Chichester, they support self-identifying women across the Arun & Chichester Districts.

01243 697800

My Sisters' House Bognor
108bc London Road,
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 1BD

My Sisters' House Chichester
44 Bognor Road
Chichester
PO19 7TG

The Family Justice Service is run by a skilled experienced team that works to provide you and your family access to support services. They aim to listen and respond to your needs in a safe way.

Telephone: 020 8688 0100

Email: fjs@croydon.gov.uk

CVA promotes, supports and develops, effective voluntary action to benefit the community in Croydon and its surrounding areas. They aim to build stronger communities by supporting citizens and championing organisations that nurture and celebrate local strengths.

The RASASC centre in Croydon, provides specialist support to female survivors of sexual violence.

Telephone: 0808 802 9999

Walk with Me equips parents and carers with tools to manage situations such as:

• child on parent abuse and disputes
• school exclusions,
• neurodiverse and additional needs
• child criminal exploitation

Email: info@walkwithmeuk.co.uk
Mobile: 0788 365 4495
X (Twitter): @walkwithmeuk

The Cassandra Centre is dedicated to educating, raising awareness and supporting young people and families at risk of or involved in abusive relationships. Their mission is to create a safe, nurturing environment where clients can heal and rebuild their lives.

Telephone: 0785 252 5468
Email: info@cassandracentre.org.uk

Women and Girls Network help with issues concerning Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). They offer counselling and support for women who have experienced, or are at risk of, gender based violence. This includes free specialist one to one casework support, to self identifying women, girls and non-binary people aged 14 and over.

To self-refer or learn more
Email: advice@wgn.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 801 0660

For professionals to make a direct referral
Email: casework@wgn.org.uk

RESPECT run behaviour-change courses in small groups for perpetrators of domestic violence.

FORWARD provides safe and culturally sensitive support for migrant and African women who have recent or historical experience of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). They also help with other harmful practices such as breast ironing, so called 'honour' based abuse, forced or child marriage and abuse based on faith or belief.

Telephone: 0208 960 4000, extension 1
Mobile: 07834 16 8141
Email: support@forwarduk.org.uk

Lioness Circle is a 'by and for' specialist support network for women and girls who've experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence. It's for women living in and around Croydon, particularly those born of African and Caribbean heritage.

Lioness Tamar
Email: tamar@lionesstamar.com
Telephone: 0790 487 5793

ADA is a grassroots organisation that delivers high quality domestic abuse education and awareness training. They have in-depth knowledge and lived experience and also support women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Mobile: 0790 384 0033
Email: ask@againstdomesticabuse.org

BCWA provides support for individuals, safe accommodation, support groups, counselling and community outreach. This includes the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) programme for GPs, the Japanese project to support Japanese women, and NRPF advice.

Email: info@bcwa.org.uk for general, support and training enquiries
Email: training@bcwa.org.uk for sessions for young people, school staff and any professionals working with young people.

Telephone: 0208 313 9303

Soul Purpose 360 is a national black women’s empowerment social enterprise with a growing network of local groups. They host the Black Women’s Networking and Empowerment Circle; a free-to-access membership that offers a wide range of support from black women.

Email: soulpurpose360@gmail.com
Telephone: 0783 455 8500 for general enquiries

Anima Youth supports marginalised girls and young women aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of exploitation and violence. This includes a EmpowerHER Safe Space, a supportive environment for young mums aged 16 to 24 at risk of VAWG. The same space also runs 'beingHER' for girls aged 11 to 18.

Email: info@animayouth.co.uk

Hestia provides domestic abuse support services in London and the Southeast, including domestic abuse refuges and community-based support.

Sky Alexandra House works to raise awareness about sexual violence and its profound impact, both locally and internationally. This work is done through advocacy, research and workshops.

The Music Relief Foundation, offer a program designed for young girls aged 11 and older, facilitated by female youth workers. This initiative creates a safe environment where the girls can openly discuss the issues they wish to address.

Email: youthworker@music-relief.org
Telephone: 0208 683 2922

Every 3 Seconds run a 12 week domestic abuse programme. The next in-person programme starts on 6 January 2025 in Croydon.

Email: freedom@every3seconds.com
Telephone: 0739 504 8008

Africa Advocacy Foundation provides cultural, language and faith-appropriate support. They aim to improve the safety, health and well-being of African women and girls who are at risk or experiencing domestic and sexual abuse (DSA) in South London.

Email: vawg@africadvocacy.org
Telephone: 0757 733 4073