Reasons you may want to leave

You have the right to be safe where you live and nobody should be hurting you. If you are facing abuse the Police have the duty to stop it. We know it can feel like a big step to talk to them and report what is going on, so some other services may be able to help.

Childline are available anytime on the phone or online. They’re available by email, 1-2-1 chat, or by calling 0800 1111.

The Freephone 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

Problems with drugs and alcohol can lead to people drifting away from family and friends, there are a number of organisations, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, who can provide advice and support if you find yourself in this situation.

If it is someone else’s drinking that is affecting you, NACOA can offer support.

Addiction Family Support also offer support if someone you love has problems with drugs or alcohol.

If you have left or are thinking of leaving due to money problems there are a number of organisations who will be able to help you free of charge, and provide you with the advice and support you need to find a solution.

• Citizens Advice Bureau provides help with a variety of financial issues. They offer extensive online guidance, face-to-face help at local branches throughout the UK, and telephone support.
• StepChange Debt Charity is a charitable organisation which provides debt and money management advice through a free and anonymous service.
• DirectGov has webpages with practical information on a range of financial topics, including managing money, benefits and debt.
• The England Illegal Money Lending Team investigates and prosecutes illegal lending and any related activity. They run a 24/7 hour confidential hotline for people to report illegal lending to trained investigators.

If you’re having relationship problems at home – either with a partner or other family members – there are organisations that may be able to help.

Childline has lots of information about relationships and sex.

Relate offers advice, relationships counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and face-to-face support for individuals and couples with relationship difficulties. Whilst Relate charges for their services, a number of free resources can be downloaded from their website.

Questioning gender or sexuality can be a long and confusing process; you may have lots of questions about yourself and your identity that you don’t feel you can answer, which can make it very difficult to talk about it to anyone else because if you can’t understand yourself it’s hard to think how someone else would. There may even be fears about the people you want to talk to about how you identify being prejudiced and reacting negatively.

If you ever feel the need to leave, we’re here for you. You’re not alone. There are also other organisations who can help, including Switchboard, which offers a national LGBTQIA+ support line.