Citizens Advice Bureau | NSPCC | RSPCA | Samaritans

General Advice

• Citizen's Advice Bureau AdviceGuide
  • Hampton, The Avenue (020)-8941 8330
  • Kingston upon Thames, 55c Eden Street (020)-8549 0818
  • Richmond, 26 Kew Road (020)-8940 2501 (daily, 10am-12noon)
  • Twickenham, 61 Heath Road (020)-8892 5917 (Mon-Thu, 1.30pm-3.30pm)
  • National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
• Community Legal Service online advice on legal issues
• Premier Radio's Lifeline - Confidential advice for those needing help; e-mail
  • Helpline 0845 345 0707 (Mon-Sat, 9am-10pm); fax (020)-7233 6706; e-mail
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) 0121 248 2000
• Social Services (Richmond Council)
  • Office - 42 York Street, Twickenham (020)-8891 1411 (office hours)
  • Out of Hours Team (020)-8744 2442

Alcohol Abuse

• Addiction Care and Support Agency (ASCA) (020)-8940 1160
• Alcoholics Anonymous Helpline 0845 769 7 555 (up to local call rate)
• Al Anon (020)-7403 0888 (daily 10am-10pm confidential helpline - help for friends & families of alcoholics)
• Alcohol Concern
• Alcohol Services (Kingston and Richmond), 28 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3LJ
  • Counselling Kingston and Richmond (020)-8339 9899
  • Day Services Richmond (020)-8891 5448
• Drinkline National Alcohol Helpline Freephone 0800 917 8282
• Kingston - Kaleidoscope, 40-46 Cromwell Road, Kingston (020)-8549 2681
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Helpline Freephone 0800 358 3456
• Richmond - SPEAR: Drink & Drugs worker (Pam Orreal) (020)-8948 5564
• Richmond - Community Drug and Alcohol Team (Richmond Council) (020)-8940 3331
• Turning Point (Hounslow) (020)-8577 3294 - Drug and Alcohol Project
• Turning Point (London) (020)-7702 1458 or (020)-7702 2300 - Drug and Alcohol Project

Animal Welfare

• Cats Protection Helpline 08702 099099
• Dogs Home, Battersea (020)-7622 3626
• People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) 0800 731 2502
• RSPCA
  • Cruelty Hotline 0870 55 55 999 (national call rate; 24 hours) - for animal emergencies of all kinds
  • Helpline 0870 3335 999 (national call rate) - for specific non-urgent enquiries

Bereavement

• Child Bereavement Trust 0845 357 1000 (up to local call rate)
• Child Death Helpline Freephone 0800 282 986
• Compassionate Friends - self help group offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents
  • National 08451 23 23 04 (up to local call rate)
  • Kingston (020)-8395 2645
• Cruse - organisation offering support for bereaved people
  • National 0870 167 1677 (national call rate)
  • Richmond Bereavement Care (020)-8785 4415
• Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths e-mail fsid@sids.org.uk
  • Cot Death Helpline (020)-7233 2090 (24 hours)
• London Bereavement Network (020)-7247 1209
• Pet Bereavement Support Service Freephone 0800 096 6606
• Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society Helpline (020)-7436 5881
• Way Foundation 0870 011 3450 (national call rate)

Blind Persons

• Action for Blind People Freephone 0800 915 4666; fax (020)-7635 4900
• Association for the Blind (020)-8423 5141
• Blind Business Association 0870 831 9730 (national call rate)
• DCF Torch Trust - Christian organisation for the blind (020)-8568 5177
• Deafblind UK Freephone 0800 132 320
• Disability Resource Team Braille, audiotape, etc. (020)-8943 0022
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
  • National 0870 600 2323 (national call rate)
  • Richmond (020)-8876 5513
• International Glaucoma Association (020)-7737 3265
• National Blind Children's Society Freephone 0800 279 1555
• Richmond Talking Newspaper (020)-8890 8260
• RNIB - Royal National Institute of the Blind Helpline 0845 766 9999 (up to local call rate)
• Sense - the National Deaf Blind and Rubella Association (020)-7272 7774; Text 020 7272 9648
• Visor - local social activity (020)-8831 6080

Carers

• Carers UK Helpline Freephone 0808 808 7777
• Princess Royal Trust for Carers
  • National (020)-7480 7788
  • Richmond (020)-8744 3900
• Richmond - Crossroads (020)-8831 6088 - support and information for those with a disabled person at home
• Richmond CVS (020)-8255 8500 - the local Council for Voluntary Service

Children

• Action for Sick Children (020)-8542 4848 - for professionals
• Anti Bullying Campaign (020)-7378 1446
• Barnardos (020)-8550 8822
• Child Accident Prevention Trust (020)-7608 3828
• Childcare Link Freephone 0800 096 0296 - information about childcare
• Childline Freephone 0800 1111 (24 hours) - help for children in trouble or danger
• The Children's Society 0845 300 1128 (up to local call rate) - Christian social justice organisation
• Homestart - helping families with young children
  • National Freephone 08000 68 63 68
  • Richmond (020)-8948 8370
• Kidscape Helpline: 0845 1205 204 (local call rate) - help dealing with bullying
• NSPCC Homepage - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
  • Child Protection Helpline Freephone 0800 800 500 (24 hours)
  • Richmond representative (020)-8876 9870
• "Off the Record" (020)-8744 1644 - a confidential service for young people

• See also Family

Complaints

The Office of Fair Trading can give advice.

Always start by complaining to the person or organisation with which you have a grievance. They may recognise the justice the justice of your complaint and deal with it quickly. If you are not satisfied you may need to resort to the Citizens Advice Bureau or some of the following assistance:

• Advertising Standards Authority (020)-7580 5555
• Air Transport Users Council (020)-7240 6061
• Broadcast Media 0845 456 3000 (up to local call rate)
• Charity Commission 0870 333 0123 (national call rate)
• Citizens Advice 0870 750 9000 (national call rate)
• Consumer Gateway - UK government's one stop advice web site for the consumer
• Office of Fair Trading Helpline 08457 22 44 99 (up to local call rate)
• Information Commissioner's Office 01625 545 745 first time; 01625 545 740 otherwise
• Pensions Advisory Service Helpline 0845 6012923 (up to local call rate)
• Postwatch Helpline 08456 013 265
• Press Complaints Commission Helpline (020)-7353 3732
• Office of the Rail Regulator (020)-7282 2000
• Retail Motor Industry Federation problems with used cars and servicing -
  Motorline 08457 585 350 (up to local call rate)
• Financial and Investment Supervisors and Regulators
  • Financial Services Authority Helpline 0845 606 1234 (up to local call rate)
  • Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority 01273 627600
• Richmond Council
  • Aircraft Noiseline (020)-8891 7979
  • Consumer Advice and Trading Standards (020)-8891 7770
  • Environmental Health (020)-8891 1411
  • Graffiti Helpline (020)-8891 7053
  • Neighbour Nuisance (020)-8891 7857
  • Pest Control (020)-8891 7800
• Telephone and Fax
  • BT Adviceline on handling unwanted calls etc. Freephone 0800 666 700
  • ICSTIS Freephone 0800 500 212 (Mon-Fri; 9am-4pm)
    ICSTIS is the Independent Committee for the Supervision of of Standards of Telephone Information Services - i.e. the regulator for premium rate telephone services
  • Telephone Preference Service 0845 070 0707 (up to local call rate)
    register your wish online or by phone not to receive telephone sales calls
  • Fax Preference Service 0845 070 0702 (up to local call rate)
    register your wish online or by phone not to receive faxes selling things
  • Telephone and fax sales complaints (020)-7766 4420
• Trading Standards
  • Richmond Council Trading Standards Office (020)-8891 7770
  • Trading Standards (government website)
  • Trading Standards Net
• Travel
  • Aircraft Noise
    • Heathrow Airport Noise Information Line Freephone 0800 344 844 (24 hours)
    • Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN) (020)-8876 0455
    • Richmond Council Aircraft Noiseline (020)-8891 7979
  • South West Trains - 0845 6000 650 (up to local call rate) e-mail complaints through site Feedback section
• Utilities and their Regulators
  • Ofcom - Office of Communications 0845 456 3000 (up to local call rate)
  • OfGem - The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (020)-7901 7003
  • Postwatch 08456 013 265 (up to local call rate)
  • Office of the Rail Regulator (020)-7282 2000
  • SRA - Strategic Rail Authority (020)-7654 6000
  • OfWat - Office of the Water Services 0121 625 1300
  • Water Voice e-mail complaints
• Watchdog 0870 010 7070 (national call rate) - the BBC consumer programme

• Finance
  • Financial Ombudsman 0845 080 1800 (up to local call rate)
  • Pensions Ombudsman (020)-7834 9144
• Legal Services
  • Barristers - The Complaints Commissioner to the Bar Council (020)-7440 4000
  • HM Land Registry - Independent Complaints Reviewer (020)-7278 6251
  • Legal Services Ombudsman 0845 6010794 (up to local call rate)
  • Solicitors - Office for the Supervision of Solicitors 0845 608 6565 (up to local call rate)
• Other
  • Chartered Surveyors 0870 333 1600 (national call rate)
  • Child Support Agency - Independent Case Examiner 0845 6060777 (up to local call rate)
  • Communications - Ofcom 0845 456 3000 (up to local call rate)
  • Customs and Excise - The Adjudicator's Office (020)-930 2292
  • Estate Agents Ombudsman 01722 333306
  • Financial Services Ombudsman 0845 080 1800 (up to local call rate)
  • Immigration Services Commissioner 0845 000 0046 (up to local call rate)
  • Independent Housing Ombudsman 08457 125 973 (up to local call rate)
  • Inland Revenue - The Adjudicator's Office (020)-930 2292
  • Local Government Ombudsman Greater London (020)-7217 4620
  • Mining Subsidence Office of the Subsidence Adviser 01522 820 215
  • Northern Ireland Ombudsman Freephone 0800 34 34 24
  • Parliament - Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman 0845 015 4033 (up to local call rate)
  • Police Complaints Authority (020)-7273 6450
  • Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (020)-7035 2876
  • Public Appointments (020)-7276 2625
  • Public Guardianship Office - The Adjudicator's Office (020)-930 2292
  • Social Fund 0845 300 1960 (up to local call rate)
  • Telecommunications Ombudsman 0845 050 1614 (up to local call rate)
  • The Valuation Office - The Adjudicator's Office (020)-930 2292
  • Waterways - The Waterways Ombudsman 01273 832 624

Crime Victims

• Victim Support
  • National 0845 303 0900 (up to local call rate)
  • Kingston (020)-8547 3202
  • London (020)-7735 9166
  • Richmond (020)-8948 7010
• Working with the Police
  • Crimestoppers Trust Freephone 0800 555 111 - uniting against crime
  • Police and Community Consultative Group (020)-8891 7155
  • Metropolitan Police

Deaf Persons

• British Deaf Association 0870 770 3300 (national call rate)
• Childline Freephone 0800 400 222
• Hearing Concern Helpline 08457 0744600 (up to local rate call)
• Hearing Dogs for the Deaf 01844 348 100; fax 01844 348 101; e-mail
• National Deaf Children's Society Freephone 0808 800 8880 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)
• Sense - the National Deaf Blind and Rubella Association (020)-7272 7774
• Royal Association in Aid of Deaf People (020)-8743 6187
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People Helpline Freephone 0808 808 0123; 
  Tinnitus Freephone 0808 800 8880 (9am-5pm); Textphone: 0808 808 9000; e-mail

Debt and Finance

• Consumer Credit Counselling Service Freephone 0800 138 1111
• Credit Action Freephone 0800 591084
• Debtors Anonymous (020)-7644 5070
• Direct Debt Line 01323 481111
• Insolvency Helpline Freephone 0800 074 6918
• National Debtline Freephone 0808 808 4000 - free advice on all aspects of debt

Disability, Physical

• Ability Net - Freephone 0800 269545 access to Internet sources on disability
• Artsline (020)-7388 2227 - advice on the arts and entertainment accessible in London for people with special needs
• Companion Cycling (020)-8977 3390
• Crossroads (020)-8831 6088 - support for those who care for disabled at home
• Dial UK - the Disability Helpline 01302 310123 - Richmond AID is affiliated
• Disability Access (020)-8862 5230 or (020)-8862 5490
• Disability Alliance 0845 769 7940 (up to local call rate) - benefits advice
• Disability Go - provides free detailed access information via an online database
• Disability Information Service (020)-7289 2360 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm)
• Disability Rights Commission Helpline 08457 622 633 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
• Disabled Drivers' Association 0870 770 3333 (national call rate)
• Disabled Living Foundation 0845 130 9177
• Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (020)-7944 8011
• Disabled Photographers' Society 01256 351990
• Independent Living Employment Action Project (020)-8831 6081
• London Action on Disability (GLAD) (020)-7346 5800; Textphone (020)-7326 4554
• RADAR (Royal National Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) (020)-7250 3222
• Richmond AID (Richmond Advice & Information on Disability) (020)-8831 6070
• Richmond Disability Forum (020)-8392 9135
• SWT Disabled Customer Helpline 0845 6000 650 or 0845 605 0441 (textphone)

Drug Abuse

• Addiction Care and Support Agency (ASCA) (020)-8940 1160
• ADFAM National (020)-7638 3700 - for families and friends
• City Roads Crisis Intervention (020)-7278 8671 - for drug users in crisis (not cannabis or solvents)
• Cocaine Anonymous (020)-7284 1123 (10am-10pm daily)
• Families Anonymous (020)-7498 4680 (1pm-5pm weekday) - for families of addicts
• HEA's Trashed web site
• Kingston - Kaleidoscope, 40-46 Cromwell Road, Kingston (020)-8549 2681
• Mainliners (020)-7582 5226 - for needle users
• Narcotics Anonymous Helpline (020)-7730 0009
• National Drugs Helpline Freephone 0800 77 66 00 - Frank campaign
• Parents against Drug Abuse (PADA) 08457 023 867 (up to local call rate)
• Release
  • Emergency Service Helpline (020)-7729 9904 or (020)-7603 8654
  • Drugs in Schools Freephone Helpline 0808 8000 800
  • Heroin Helpline (020)-7749 4053
• Richmond - Community Drug and Alcohol Team (Richmond Council) (020)-8940 3331
• Richmond Drug Awareness Project (020)-8941 9566; Fax (020)-8332 6034
• Richmond - SPEAR Drink & Drugs worker (Pam Orreal) (020)-8948 5564
• Turning Point  London (020)-7702 2300 - Drug and Alcohol Project

Elderly People

• Age Concern
  • National Helpline Freephone 0800 009 966
  • National Office (020)-8765 7200
  • Kingston (020)-8546 2610
  • Richmond (020)-8940 8066/1088
• Alzheimer's Disease Society (UK) 0845 300 0336 (up to local call rate)
• Careline 0845 600 7413 (up to local call rate) - 24 hour emergency service
• Continence Foundation Helpline 0845 345 0165 (up to local call rate) (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm)
• Counsel and Care 0845 300 7585 (up to local call rate) - free advice and information
• Elder Abuse Response Freephone 0808 808 8141
• Hampton - Linden Hall, Social Club for the Elderly (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm) (020)-8941 2373
• Help the Aged
  • SeniorLine Freephone 0808 800 6565 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)
  • SeniorLine Textphone Freephone 0800 26 96 26 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)
• Richmond Meals on Wheels (020)-8891 5282
• Teddington - Elleray Hall Day Centre for Older People, Elleray Road (020)-8977 0549 - friendship and a warm welcome for the elderly
• Twickenham - HANDS (Helping A Neighbour in Distress), Bath House, Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DX (020)-8891 3346 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-12.30pm)

Family

• Adoption
  • Richmond Council Adoption and Fostering Team (020)-8891 7754
• Divorce
  • Mediation in Divorce (Twickenham) (020)-8891 6860 or 3107 - short-term counselling for individuals or couples
  • National Family Mediation (020)-7383 5993
• Domestic Violence
  • Police Domestic Violence Unit (020)-247-7274 or 7275
  • London Women's Aid Helpline (020)-7392 2092
  • M.A.L.E. (020)-8644 9914 - advice line for men in violent relationships
  • Women's Aid National Domestic Violence Helpline 08457 023 468 (up to local call rate)
  • Women's Information and Resource Centre (020)-8744 9888
• General
  • Homestart (Richmond) (020)-8948 8370 - support for families under stress
• Marriage Guidance
  • Relate (previously known as The Marriage Guidance Council)
    • National 01788 573241
    • Kingston (020)-8549 3318
    • Richmond (020)-8940 8578
• One Parent
  • Gingerbread Advice Line Freephone 0800 018 4318 (advice for lone parents; Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
  • National Council for One Parent Families (020)-7428 5400
• Parenting
  • Families Anonymous (020)-7498 4680
  • Parentline Plus Freephone 0808 800 2222 - national advice service for worried parents
  • Parent Network (020)-7735 1214
  • Parents Anonymous (020)-7263 8918
  • Teddington and Hampton Twins and Triplets Club (020)-8892 8364 or (020)-8287 6962
• Pregnancy and Baby Care
  • Abba Pregnancy Crisis Centre, The Kings House, 141 Uxbridge Road, Hampton Hill
    (020)-8941 9191; fax (020)-8979 6910
  • Association for Post-Natal Illness (020)-7386 0868
  • Birth Defects Foundation (020)-8862 0198
  • BLISS (Baby Life Support Systems) (020)-7820 9471 - for parents of special and intensive care babies
  • CRY-SIS Support Group (020)-7404 5011 - for parents of babies who cry incessantly
  • LIFE
    • National Hotline 01926 311511
    • Pregnancy Care Service (020)-8570 7717
  • The Miscarriage Association Helpline 01924-200799 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm
  • National Childbirth Trust (020)-8992 8637
    • NCT Enquiry Line 0870 444 8707 (9am-5pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-4pm Fri)
    • NCT Breastfeeding Line 0870 444 8708 (8am-10pm)
  • Twins and Multiple Births Association
    • Tamba Twinline 0870 770 3305
  
  See also Bereavement and Children

Gambling Addiction

• Gamblers Anonymous (020)-7384 3040 (24 hours)

Government and Official Advice

• Child Support Agency National Enquiry Line 0845 7 133 133 (up to local call rate)
• Customs and Excise Helpline (020)-7202 4227
• Department of Trade and Industry Redundancy Payments Helpline Freephone 0800 848 489
• Family Credit Helpline 01253 500050
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 01792-772134
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice (020)-7238 4503
• Government Direct - access to web sites of UK national and local govt depts and orgs
• Home Office General Enquiries (020)-7273 4599
• Inland Revenue Self Assessment Helpline 0645 000 444 (local rates; evenings and weekends)
• Job Centre Plus
  • Jobseeker Direct 0845 6060 234 (up to local call rate)
  • Twickenham, 121-125 Heath Road (020)-8258 8200
• Member of Parliament for Twickenham Constituency Vincent Cable - MP for the Twickenham constituency which includes Teddington and Hampton (020)-8892 3212
  Note The Twickenham Constituency covers Teddington and the Hamptons
• National Blood Service National Enquiry Line 0845 7 711 711 (up to local call rate)
• National Insurance Contributions Office (Inland Revenue) National Enquiry Line 08457 143 143 (up to local call rate)
• Office of Fair Trading 08457 22 44 99 (up to local call rate)
• The Pension Service
  • State Retirement Pension claims 0845 300 1084 (up to local call rate)
  • Twickenham, 10 Montague Road (020)-8607 1600
• Post Office
  • Parcel Force
  • Post Office Counters Helpline 0845 7 22 33 44 (up to local call rate)
  • Royal Mail
  • Postwatch 08456 013 265 (up to local call rate)

Homelessness

• Alone in London (under 26) (020)-7278 4224
• Kingston - Kaleidoscope, 40-46 Cromwell Road, Kingston (020)-8549 2681
• Richmond - Homelessness Unit (Richmond Council) (020)-8891 7409
• Richmond - SPEAR Housing Association Ltd (020)-8948 5564 (some emergency accommodation in Richmond)
• Shelter
  • Nightline Freephone 0800 446 441
  • London Office (020)-7505 2000

Missing Persons

• Look for Them
• National Missing Persons Helpline Freephone 0700 700 700 - support for relatives of missing people
• National Missing Persons Message Line Freephone 0500 700 740 (24 hours) - takes messages for forwarding
• Salvation Army Family Tracing (020)-7383 2772

Samaritans - advice for those contemplating suicide

• Samaritans in Kingston
  • Helpline 0845 7 90 90 90 (up to local call rate; 24 hours)
  • Kingston Branch Helpline (020)-8399 6676 (24 hours)
  • Samaritans e-mail - normal e-mail communication
  • Samaritans e-mail via anonymous server so no-one knows who or where you are

Sexual Abuse and Rape Victims

• Rape Crisis Centre (confidential counselling) (020)-7837 1600

Smoking

• Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) (020)-7739 5902
• Smokers Quitline Freephone 0800 169 0 169 (daily, 7am - 11pm)

Social Justice

• Ethnic Minorities Advocacy Group (EMAG) (020)-8893 9000; fax (020)-8893 9555

Voluntary Care and Community Support Groups

• Richmond Volunteer Bureau (020)-8255 8505 - find out how to use your spare time to help others
• Food available 7.00pm-8.30pm
  • Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon at SPEAR, 24 Kew Road, Richmond
  • Tues at Duke Street Baptist Church, Duke Street, Richmond
  • Wed at Vineyard Day Centre, the Vineyard, Richmond
  • Thurs at St Stephen's Church, East Twickenham
• Voluntary Care Groups
  • Teddington - Teddington and Hampton Wick Community Care Group
    office at Methodist Church, Stanley Road, Teddington (020)-8943 3112
    Mon-Fri 9.30am-12.30pm
  • Hampton and Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group, Greenwood Centre, School Road, Hampton Hill
     (020)-8979 9662 or (020)-8941 3902; fax (020)-8941 1348
  • Richmond Community Care Group for Carers 51 Sheen Road, Richmond TW9 1YQ; (020)-8940 6235 (may be moving)
• Other Groups
  • Hampton Fuel Allotment Charity, 15 High Street, Hampton (020)-8941 7866
  • Kingston and Richmond Furniture Project, Normansfield, Kingston Road, Teddington (020)-8755 4665

Other Sources of Advice

We can't possibly provide a listing here of all possible sources of advice. See also Healthcare for aids and cancer helplines. You can find other sources of advice in a variety of ways through online sites:

Community Care has a list of organisations able to help.

Many organisations providing telephone helplines are listed on the web site of The Telephone Helplines Associations.

CAF CharityNet and Charities Direct have lists of all UK charities. The former is more comprehensive (exhaustively so).

Charities Online CAF CharityNet, Charity Choice,

If none of those find what you are seeking, then look at Wot? Search Advice