External Support Services

Access support off campus

Non-University Support Services

This page lists support services outside the University that you can contact if you need help with your mental health, wellbeing, safety, or practical support.

Some services are available 24 hours a day. Others have set opening times or support people in specific local areas. If you are unsure where to start, choose the option that feels closest to what you need.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. NHS 111 can help you speak to the right local mental health crisis support service.

If you need to speak to someone and you are not in immediate danger, Samaritans offers free listening support at any time.

Online support can be useful if you are not ready to speak to someone, you want to explore self-help tools, or you need something you can use in your own time.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS has a library of reviewed health and wellbeing apps. These apps can support areas such as stress, anxiety, sleep, mood, and general wellbeing.

If you would prefer support from an independent service near your campus, the options below may be useful. These services are external to the University and are based closer to each campus area.

Some services are drop-in. Some may ask you to contact them first. Some may only support people who live in a particular local authority or NHS area. Check before travelling.

Preston

If you would like in-person support near Preston, Central Lancashire Haven offers free mental health and wellbeing support. You can contact the service in advance or visit in person during opening hours.

The service offers one-to-one and group support, peer support, coping strategies, practical guidance, and signposting to other organisations.

Westlakes, Whitehaven and Barrow

If you would like in-person support in West Cumbria, Hope Haven offers mental health and wellbeing support for adults aged 18 and over in Whitehaven and Copeland.

Hope Haven provides emotional, practical and social support. It may be useful if you are struggling, need a calm place to speak to someone, or want help finding the right next step.

If you are based closer to Barrow, check local NHS and community mental health services for support available in your area. You can also call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option if you need urgent mental health support.

Burnley

If you would like local wellbeing support near Burnley, Burnley Together can help connect people with local support. Their Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team provides support for adults, children, and young people aged 5 to 18, and up to 24 for those with special educational needs.

This support may be useful if you are struggling with your emotions, mental health, or supporting someone you care about.

London, East India Docks

If you are based at the London campus, local support will depend on where you live and which borough you are in. East India Docks is in East London, close to Tower Hamlets and Newham services.

If you need urgent mental health support in East London, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.

Newham Together Café supports Newham residents aged 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Waltham Forest Beacon offers free evening and weekend drop-in support for adults aged 18 and over living in Waltham Forest.

If you live outside these boroughs, NHS 111 can help direct you to the right local support.

If you are worried that you might harm yourself, or you are worried about someone else, seek help now. If there is immediate danger, call 999.

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.

You can also contact Samaritans at any time.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, or you feel unsafe in a relationship, you can contact specialist support.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

If you are worried about alcohol, drugs, gambling, or another form of addiction, support is available. You do not need to wait until something feels severe before asking for help.

Money, housing and practical problems can affect your wellbeing. Getting advice early can give you more options and reduce the amount you have to untangle later.

If you want to search for support near where you live, Hub of Hope can help you find local mental health and wellbeing services.

You might know exactly what support you need. You might only know that things feel difficult. Both are valid starting points.

If you contact a service and it is not the right fit, ask whether they can signpost you to another option. Many services can help you find the next step, even if they are not the final answer.

If you need University-based support as well, contact Student Support and Wellbeing. If you need independent advice about University processes, academic issues or complaints,you can contact the SU Advice Service through the enquiry form here

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