The following suggestions may help you with any difficult feelings and to look after your mental health:
Stay connected. Draw on support you might have through your friends, family and other networks (see below). Try to stay in touch with those around you, this might be over the phone, by post, or online. If you have been advised to stay at home, let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine.
Get practical help If you need help, for example with shopping or running errands, ask for it and let those around you know what they can do. If you need help but you’re not sure who to contact, Age UK runs an advice line (0800 678 1602 – lines are open every day, 8am to 7pm) that can put you in touch with local services.
Dementia
For people living with dementia, their carers and families, staying connected, maintaining a routine and making sure to keep active and entertained as much as possible are all essential to supporting mental health and wellbeing.
If you’d like to connect and talk with other people affected by dementia, you can visit the Alzheimer’s Society online community Talking Point.
A range of information on information on dementia is also available from Alzheimer’s Research UK.
If you are still feeling worried and want more help you can call the Alzheimer’s Society Helpline on 0300 222 11 22.
Alternatively, take a look at the services below:
GlosFamilies Directory is an online resource provided by Gloucestershire County Council providing information for families and practitioners on Relationship Support for Parents, Family Support, Advice and Early Help Services, Childcare, Education, Young People, Things...
Your Circle is a directory to help you find your way around care and support and connect with people, places and activities in Gloucestershire. The website is run by Gloucestershire County Council with information, advice and support to help you, or someone you look...
Crossroads Gloucestershire is a charity based in the Forest of Dean which provides practical help, support and social opportunities to carers and those they care for across all ages and disabilities.
The National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, advocacy and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.
Stroud Women’s Refuge is a charity offering accommodation and support services to women and their children who have been affected by domestic abuse.
The Eating Disorders Service Community Team is the first point of contact for anyone needing professional support in the county.
Specialist Wellbeing Support phoneline for health and care workers
Mind is a mental health support charity and offers a way of finding out what’s available in your area, such as specific BAME groups.
Advice, tips and tools to make the best choices about your health and wellbeing to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.
Run things is a not-for profit virtual running club that focuses on fighting isolation and social anxiety among users.
Simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting your mood or sleeping better.
Specialist health care services for people with learning disabilities.
Veteran-focused information, advice and support.
Scope is the disability equality charity in England and Wales providing practical and emotional support. Their online disability forum is a supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information and to talk to people with...
Carers UK is a membership charity for carers, sharing experiences and offering support.
Guideposts Gloucestershire is a charity that supports people living with long-term conditions, disability or caring responsibilities to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Gloucestershire Carers Hub provides information, advice and guidance for carers, signpost to other services, provide assessments and support planning, support groups and hubs, benefits and finance advice, access to groups, befriending and mentoring as well as counselling and provide a free 24-hour helpline as part of their carers’ emergency scheme.
Cotswold Friends is a local charity which helps and supports older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswolds.
The Silver Line is a free confidential charity helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Reengage is a national charity which exists to provide social activities and friendship for people over 75 who live alone. They have created a new telephone befriending service for older people called call companions for anyone over the age of 75 who feels lonely or...
Independent Age is a charity aimed at supporting older adults and families with clear, free and impartial advice on care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility and how to get the help you need to remain independent.
The Royal British Legion, Gloucestershire is the local branch of the national Armed Forces charity.
Age UK is a charity offering services for older people over the age of 55 including a meals delivery service and a befriending service.
Managing Memory Together provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment services to people who are worried about memory as well as providing support to their carers.
POhWER is a charity and membership organisation providing information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion.
Healthwatch Gloucestershire is the county’s independent health and social care champion.
SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse.
Respect Men’s advice line is a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse offering nonjudgmental emotional support, practical advice and information.
Refuge is a national charity offering a 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline for women and children.
HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse) is an international charity run by adult survivors of child abuse.
GDASS offers a variety of support programmes for women and men over 16 years old and families who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Gloucestershire Constabulary provide advice and information on Domestic Abuse, how to report it and links to partner support helplines at: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
Anti-Bullying Alliance is a national charity comprising a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.
The Listening Post provides counselling support to Gloucestershire adults.
Stonewall provides information and support for LGBT communities and their allies.
The LGBT Foundation is a national charity offering information, advice, and support services, including a Talking Therapies Programme.
Education Action Challenging Homophobia is a charity which provides services to inspire lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality.
GayGlos is a charity which provides support services, education and engagement for Gloucestershire’s LGBTQ+ community.
For information about services available, STI’s, contraception, HIV, pregnancy and sexual assault.
The Compassionate Friends supports bereaved parents and their families.
SOBS provide peer support to adults who have been bereaved by suicide.
Sue Ryder is a charity which supports people living with a terminal illness, a neurological condition or who have lost a loved one.
Cruse Bereavement Care offers support to the bereaved.
Stay Alive App is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, from charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.
The teams offer advice and support when you feel you require an increased level of care, due to your mental health or due to emotional and psychological distress.
SupportLine is a charity which provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue.
Shout is a 24/7 text service, supported by digital mental health charity, Mental Health Innovations.
Samaritans is a charity providing non-judgemental listening support to anyone.
If you or someone you know over the age of 11 needs help in a mental health crisis, call our crisis team – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GlosFamilies Directory is an online resource provided by Gloucestershire County Council providing information for families and practitioners on Relationship Support for Parents, Family Support, Advice and Early Help Services, Childcare, Education, Young People, Things...
Your Circle is a directory to help you find your way around care and support and connect with people, places and activities in Gloucestershire. The website is run by Gloucestershire County Council with information, advice and support to help you, or someone you look...
Crossroads Gloucestershire is a charity based in the Forest of Dean which provides practical help, support and social opportunities to carers and those they care for across all ages and disabilities.
The National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, advocacy and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.
Stroud Women’s Refuge is a charity offering accommodation and support services to women and their children who have been affected by domestic abuse.
The Eating Disorders Service Community Team is the first point of contact for anyone needing professional support in the county.
Specialist Wellbeing Support phoneline for health and care workers
Mind is a mental health support charity and offers a way of finding out what’s available in your area, such as specific BAME groups.
Advice, tips and tools to make the best choices about your health and wellbeing to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.
Run things is a not-for profit virtual running club that focuses on fighting isolation and social anxiety among users.
Simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting your mood or sleeping better.
Specialist health care services for people with learning disabilities.
Veteran-focused information, advice and support.
Scope is the disability equality charity in England and Wales providing practical and emotional support. Their online disability forum is a supportive space for disabled people, parents and carers to get disability advice and information and to talk to people with...
Carers UK is a membership charity for carers, sharing experiences and offering support.
Guideposts Gloucestershire is a charity that supports people living with long-term conditions, disability or caring responsibilities to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Gloucestershire Carers Hub provides information, advice and guidance for carers, signpost to other services, provide assessments and support planning, support groups and hubs, benefits and finance advice, access to groups, befriending and mentoring as well as counselling and provide a free 24-hour helpline as part of their carers’ emergency scheme.
Cotswold Friends is a local charity which helps and supports older and vulnerable people in the North Cotswolds.
The Silver Line is a free confidential charity helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Reengage is a national charity which exists to provide social activities and friendship for people over 75 who live alone. They have created a new telephone befriending service for older people called call companions for anyone over the age of 75 who feels lonely or...
Independent Age is a charity aimed at supporting older adults and families with clear, free and impartial advice on care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility and how to get the help you need to remain independent.
The Royal British Legion, Gloucestershire is the local branch of the national Armed Forces charity.
Age UK is a charity offering services for older people over the age of 55 including a meals delivery service and a befriending service.
Managing Memory Together provides specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment services to people who are worried about memory as well as providing support to their carers.
POhWER is a charity and membership organisation providing information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion.
Healthwatch Gloucestershire is the county’s independent health and social care champion.
SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse.
Respect Men’s advice line is a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse offering nonjudgmental emotional support, practical advice and information.
Refuge is a national charity offering a 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline for women and children.
HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse) is an international charity run by adult survivors of child abuse.
GDASS offers a variety of support programmes for women and men over 16 years old and families who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Gloucestershire Constabulary provide advice and information on Domestic Abuse, how to report it and links to partner support helplines at: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/
Anti-Bullying Alliance is a national charity comprising a coalition of organisations and individuals that are united against bullying.
The Listening Post provides counselling support to Gloucestershire adults.
Stonewall provides information and support for LGBT communities and their allies.
The LGBT Foundation is a national charity offering information, advice, and support services, including a Talking Therapies Programme.
Education Action Challenging Homophobia is a charity which provides services to inspire lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality.
GayGlos is a charity which provides support services, education and engagement for Gloucestershire’s LGBTQ+ community.
For information about services available, STI’s, contraception, HIV, pregnancy and sexual assault.
The Compassionate Friends supports bereaved parents and their families.
SOBS provide peer support to adults who have been bereaved by suicide.
Sue Ryder is a charity which supports people living with a terminal illness, a neurological condition or who have lost a loved one.
Cruse Bereavement Care offers support to the bereaved.
Stay Alive App is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, from charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention.
The teams offer advice and support when you feel you require an increased level of care, due to your mental health or due to emotional and psychological distress.
SupportLine is a charity which provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue.
Shout is a 24/7 text service, supported by digital mental health charity, Mental Health Innovations.
Samaritans is a charity providing non-judgemental listening support to anyone.
If you or someone you know over the age of 11 needs help in a mental health crisis, call our crisis team – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It can be hard to know where to turn when we’re struggling with our mental health but support is available, from NHS and council-commissioned services to local and national charities. Many services are free, confidential, and you can access them yourself without a referral from a professional.
Find out what support is available to you.
There is a wide range of support for children, young people and families in the county.
More information about additional support that is available for older people locally and nationally.
Getting help with issues you're struggling to deal with on your own is one of the most important things you can do
If you think you or your partner may be experiencing mental health difficulties, you can get expert help
The past year has been a particularly challenging time for everyone but whatever you’re worried about, please reach out for support – help is available
If you can’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch to let us know what mental health support information would be useful to you at this time
