Wellbeing and
Mental Health
Life can be full of challenges. Many of us will need to focus on our wellbeing and mental health at some point in our lives. There are resources, support and advice at hand that can help you feel in control and ready to take on new opportunities. This page can help you know where to look.
I’m not sure where to start…
The NHS’ One Mind service offers a quick quiz which takes into account your personal situation. It will suggest instant wellbeing services, ideas and tools depending on how you are feeling.
The One Mind website also has a whole range of information on all aspects of keeping yourself healthy. They have short self-care videos for younger people on a range of issues, including social media, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Visit the One You website and watch self-care videos.
Wellbeing services to try
Off The Record is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. They offer a range of projects and services to connect and support you. This might be through similar experiences on a range of issues from gender identity to low self-esteem or by interest such as activism or book clubs.
Kooth is a free digital wellbeing service that can connect you to an online community of young people. They offer tips for managing mental health and provide a messaging service to talk about anything that’s on your mind.
Getting physical
Exercise is important for the mind as well as the body. There are lots of free and low-cost ways to get active, whether you want to get out or stay at home.
Visit the local South Glos One You site for a range of ideas for exercising on your own or with others (as and when social restrictions are eased). If you are aged 18+ and currently do less than 30 minutes exercise a week, you can also apply for an Active in Life card which will allow you to try a range of activities for only £2 per session.
I need to talk to someone…
Our ’Talk to someone’ pages can connect you to free services for urgent help.
Money advice
There may be practical issues that are preventing you finding work or training placements. Whether you are facing debt or want to claim financial support there are services that can help.
Claiming benefits
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It can be claimed if you are on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. Generally, you need to be age 18 or over but there are some exceptions if you are 16 to 17.
Find out more by watching the video below or visiting the website www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Alternatively, try the Turn 2 Us benefits calculator to find out how much you might be able to claim.
Help with debt
Dealing with debt can feel overwhelming but there are services that can help you plan your money or give advice.
South Gloucestershire Council provide a list of reliable independent financial advice services.
The Princes Trust is a charity that helps young people with access to jobs, education and training. They also offer money management and debt advice and can direct you to available services whether online, by phone, or locally to you.
Young care leavers
Young adults leaving care can get extra financial support from South Gloucestershire Council up to the age of 25. This can include: leaving care grant (setting up home allowance), Bursary (for people aged 16-19 years), Higher Education Bursary (for going to university), vacation accommodation for higher education, help with education, employment, and training costs.
The council also offer an app providing wider support and help for care leavers which is co-produced by young care leavers. The ‘Bridges’ app is available to download from Google and Apple.
Help with Housing
Having an uncertain housing situation can make it difficult to cope. Whether you need urgent help or want to find out your options, there are services you can contact.
South Gloucestershire Council help with housing
HomeChoice is the Council’s housing advice and options service for people in housing need, including those looking for social housing and those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. If you are worried about losing your home then the service can offer free and impartial advice. The website is packed with useful information.
If you are under 18 and need help
If you are aged 16 or 17 and have nowhere to stay, then there are special Council services to help you. Contact the Duty Social Worker for Children’s Services on the numbers below who will help you get started.
01454 866000 Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm
01454 866000 Friday 9am – 4.30pm
01454 615165 Out of hours and at weekends
Shelter
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through their advice, support, and legal services. They have expert housing advisers you can talk to if you’re in urgent need of housing advice. Shelter has a helpline which is open every day.
Call 0808 800 4444 or visit the Shelter website.
Drugs and Alcohol
Everyone should understand how drugs and alcohol can affect their lives, from your mental health to your working life. Whether you are worried about your own drug or alcohol use or just curious, you can find information and support below relevant to you.
Young Minds
Young Minds provide advice and can point you to other services tackling specific issues on drinking, drugs and supporting others with addictions. They have a confidential crisis helpline.
You can use their crisis service by texting ‘YM to 85258’ (24/7 service, free from most mobile networks) or visit their pages on drugs and alcohol to find out more.
FRANK
FRANK provide honest information about drugs and a friendly, confidential advice service by phone, text or email. They also offer a 24/7 service by phone on 0300 123 6600 or by texting a question to 82111.
Services in South Gloucestershire
For local help, South Gloucestershire Council offers advice, information and support to young people under the age of 18 who have problems with drug or alcohol use, their carers and family members.
The One You service is a healthy lifestyles and wellbeing service for adults to help make important, lasting improvements to their health. If you want to cut down on drinking or quit smoking, there are apps to help.
Special Educational Needs or Disability
If you have a Special Educational Need or Disability and are 25 or under, South Gloucestershire Council has information to help you plan.
If you would like to learn new skills then there may be local, free courses available to you. These are run by the Council’s Community Learning and Skills Service. You can contact them on 01454 864613 or email community.learning@southglos.gov.uk.
Other services that may help
Scope
Scope is the disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support as well as an online community. Visit Scope’s website:
Mencap
Mencap is a charity especially for people with learning disabilities. They offer support and advice on lots of topic from wellbeing to employment. If you would like to speak to someone at Mencap you can fill in their contact form for them to ring you back.
Caring Responsibilities and Parenting
You might be considered a carer if you who look after a family member, partner or friend who needs help and cannot cope without your support. This can include care to someone of any age who is: disabled, frail, physically or mentally ill, frail or elderly, misusing alcohol or other substances.
Caring for someone else comes with added responsibilities and extra demands on your time which can become barriers to other parts of life such as finding and keeping work. Being connected to organisations that can offer advice, support and connect you with others who have similar experiences can be a good first step to helping you cope.
Young carers
Young carers are those under 18 years old who look after or care for another person or family member. If you think you may be a young carer and want to find out more, South Gloucestershire Council offers a support service. You can also call the Carers Support Centre helpline on 0117 965 2200 or visit the website.
If you would like to get involved with a local group who offer activities and events with other young carers, the Carers Support Network organise these in Bristol & South Glos. See photos on Instagram @YoungCarersBSG or click here.
The NHS also offers a guide to supporting young carers and their rights. Find out more here.
Carers of all ages
The organisations below are a good place to start if you are a carer over 18, or for more general support services for carers.
South Gloucestershire Council provides a guide for carers. You can find out how to access everything from financial support to short breaks for carers. Click here >>
The Carers Trust is a charity for, with and about carers. They offer advice on caring for others with specific conditions as well as pointing you toward services locally. Click here >>
Carers UK is a membership organisation supporting carers. They offer a telephone helpline on 0808 808 7777 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm) or you can talk to other carers on their online forum. Click here >>
For Parents
Parenting is a rewarding but hard job in itself. If you are a parent, you may want some extra support from time to time.
South Gloucestershire Council can help you find advice and local services to suit you. They also run parenting courses for all ages and offer advice on specific situations such as parents and carers of children with SEND.
Gingerbread is a charity especially for single parents. They offer advice and share stories and tips from other single parents on their community pages.
Talk to someone
Our ‘Support and Advice’ pages can help you find the information and advice you need to support you in all aspects of life, from money issues to looking after your wellbeing.
If you need to talk to someone now then the following services can connect you instantly by webchat, phone, text or email.
Young Minds Crisis Messenger
A text service available 24/7 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
• If you need urgent help, text YM to 85258.
• All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
• Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
The Samaritans
Every seven seconds, the Samaritans respond to a call for help. They are there for anyone who is having a difficult time and needs someone to talk to. They can be contacted 24 hours a day on their helpline, by email, or you can download a self-help app.
Call the free helpline anytime on 116 123
Send an email to jo@samaritans.org for a response within 24 hours
Young people’s team at SGC
CALM
Campaign against Living Miserably (CALM) offer services for anyone at crisis point. Their webchat is and their free helpline are open 5pm to midnight everyday.
Call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58