Help !

In an age when most people have access to a telephone, the helpline has become an important addition to the range of services Jewish charities can offer the community.

Anonymous, confidential, safe and easily accessible, helplines provide a sympathetic and patient voice on the end of the phone for people in distress - as well as a valuable source of information and advice.
Here we list just some of the Jewish helplines available to callers throughout the UK.

Needless to say, the charities that run these vital services are always happy to hear from people offering counselling skills or financial support.

Chai Cancer Care
Chai Cancer Care is the Anglo-Jewish community’s cancer support organisation and offers a comprehensive range of services including complementary therapies, counselling, expert referrals, legal and financial advice, lectures and
support groups. Chai provides services to cancer patients, their families and friends.
Confidential free Helpline Tel: 0808-808 4567
Appointments: Tel 020-8202 2211

DRUGSLINE-CHABAD
Drugsline (registered charity number 1067573) provides a comprehensive package of drug and alcohol education and awareness sessions in schools and youth organisations across London and Essex. It also offers a free crisis support helpline. Drugsline provides a confidential and non-judgemental service for anyone struggling with drug/alcohol or other addictions, including support for families and friends.
Crisis Line No: 0808 1 606 606.
Administration: 020-8554 3220
Availability: Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm;
Monday to Thursday evenings, 7pm - 10.30pm; Sundays, 10am to 4pm.
Help by email also available. Website: www.drugsline.org

JEWISH WOMEN’S AID
Run by Jewish women, for Jewish women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. The group
runs a national, confidential, freephone helpline. Outreach and support services also available. A Kosher refuge,
a national facility, provides accommodation for women and their children, fleeing domestic violence.
Office Tel: 020-8445 8060
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Freephone Helpline No: 0800-591 203
Availability: 9.30am - 9.30pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday except Bank Holidays and Festivals.
Out of hours: 24-hour answerphone, which is monitored daily, or write to JWA, P.O. Box 2670, London N12 9ZE Or E-mail: nfo@jwa.org.uk

MIYAD
One of the pioneers of Jewish helplines, Miyad offers a listening and sympathetic ear to anyone who needs to discuss their problems. It serves as a crisis helpline and provides immediate help for people calling about anything from feelings of suicide, depression or loneliness, to worries about AIDS, adultery, abuse or homosexuality.

Miyad has also been chosen by the Jewish Emergency Support Service (JESS) to respond to calls for emotional support whenever a major emergency arises involving Jewish people.

Helpline No.: 0800-652 9249 (Freephone) or 020-8457 5810
Availability: 12 noon - 12 midnight, Sunday to Thursday; 12 noon - 1 to 2 hours before Shabbat,
Friday; 1 to 2 hours after Shabbat and Festivals.

Addiction Service Family Support
Tel: 020-8922 2166

Board of Deputies Community Information
Enquiry Desk Tel: 020-7543 5421/2 - General enquiries about Jewish organisations and events.

Community Security Trust (CST)
Tel: 020-8457 9999

JAFA (Jewish Association for Fostering and Adoption)
Tel: 020-8952 3638

JAMI (Jewish Association for the Mentally Ill)
Tel: 020-8458 2223

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service
Tel: 020-8385 1874

Jewish Care Direct
(office hours)
Tel: 020-8922 2222
(out of hours another number will be offered to callers).

Jewish Community Services Ombudsman
can be contacted in the case of any complaint against Jewish welfare organisations.
Tel: 020-7543 0105 (answerphone)

J-LINE Jewish Children’s Helpline (under 18)
Offers help to Jewish children experiencing anything from bullying and abuse to exam stress and peer pressure. All calls in strictest confidence. Professionally trained volunteers.
Tel: 0800-6 52 42 32 (Freephone) or 020-8209 3141

Jewish Deaf Association
Support and counselling for hearing parents of newly diagnosed deaf or hard of hearing babies, as well as people with any kind of hearing loss, or tinnitus.
Tel: 020-8446 0502 Textphone: 020-8446 4037. Answerphone out of hours

Support Group for Parents of Jewish Gays and Lesbians
Tel: 020-8958 4827