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HELP!
JEWISH TELEPHONE HELPLINES / ENQUIRY DESKS / SUPPORT GROUPS
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 at the end of the phone for people in distress – as well as a valuable source of information and advice.
Here we list some of the Jewish helplines (phone numbers in bold type) 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.
We also include a number of Jewish organizations that have enquiry desks or can offer information, support and advice on topics of interest to the Jewish community, but do not necessarily have a dedicated helpline service.
AHADA BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING
An independent registered charity serving the Jewish Community in Redbridge and its neighbouring boroughs.
Tel: 07758 727328
CARDIFF JEWISH HELPLINE
Offers to help needy Jewish people in the Cardiff and surrounding areas.
Contact: 029 2075 8614
CHAI CANCER CARE
Chai Cancer Care is the Jewish community’s cancer support organization, providing a range of services including counselling, therapies, complementary therapies, helpline, a comprehensive programme of social and physical activities, advocacy and advice, as well as expert lectures.
Confidential free Helpline Tel: 0808 808 4567
Appointments: Tel 020 8202 2211
COMMUNITY SECURITY TRUST (CST)
Fighting antisemitism and providing physical security, training and advice for the protection of the British Jewish community.
Tel: 020 8457 9999 / Manchester (Northern Region): 0161 792 6666
GESHER EU
Helps Jewish individuals living in the UK or elsewhere in the EU who have taken the decision to explore living beyond their present Ultra-Orthodox community.
Helpline: 0800 998 9753
JAMI
To self-refer or talk to someone about a friend or family member who may have a mental health issue.
Tel: 020 8458 2223
JAT (FORMERLY JEWISH AIDS TRUST)
For Client Support or adult education programme information
Tel: 07546 429885
JCOUNSELLING (FORMERLY JEWISH MARRIAGE COUNCIL)
JCounselling is the go-to resource for building and maintaining healthy Jewish relationships through confidential, expert, sensitive support for individuals, couples and families. Services include a counselling service, various advice services as well as courses, workshops and support groups.
Helpline Tel: 020 8203 6311 9am – 5pm, Monday – Thursday, 9am – 1pm Friday.
email: jcounselling.org.uk
JEWISH BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING SERVICE
Bereavement counselling and support is offered on a one-to-one basis by trained and experienced voluntary counsellors in the client’s own home or in a designated venue
Tel: 020 8951 3881
JEWISH CARE DIRECT
Available during office hours.
Tel: 020 8922 2222 (out of hours another number will be offered to callers)
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.
JEWISH DIGEST
Jewish Digest is a unique UK based charity run by volunteers for poeple suffering with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. To contact them, please see their website: www.jewishdigest.org
JEWISH LISTENING LINE (FORMERLY JEWISH HELPLINE)
Administered by Jewish Care, Jewish Listening Line offers a non-judgmental listening ear to anyone who needs to discuss their problems. Callers ring about any issue that they would like to talk about.
Helpline No: 0800 652 9249 (Freephone) or 020 3096 2875.
Availability: 12 noon – 12 midnight, Sunday to Thursday; Fridays, 12 noon – 3.00pm. Closed Shabbat and Jewish festivals.
JEWISH WOMEN’S AID
Run by Jewish women, for Jewish women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence.
JWA 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: 0808 801 0500
Availability: 9.30am – 9.30pm Monday to Thursday.
E-mail: advice@jwa.org.uk Webchat :JWA.org.uk/webchat
Open Monday & Wednesday 3pm – 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10pm – 12pm
JWEB
JWeb is a one-of-a-kind website for the UK Jewish learning disability community. It is the place to find news and information about education, Jewish community inclusion, work opportunities, leisure events and much more. The website is aimed at people with learning disabilities, parents, carers and professionals.
Helpline No: 0300 222 5949 or Email helpline@jweb.org.uk.
KESHETUK
Since its formation in 2011 KeshetUK has become the sole organization that works across the Jewish community to deliver training to promote the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and questioning people in all areas of Jewish life in the United Kingdom. www.keshetuk.org
NATIONAL HEREDITARY BREAST CANCER HELPLINE
Aimed specifically at the Jewish community, a new online forum, run under the auspices of the helpline, will help those at highest risk of developing cancer, due to genes prevalent in Ashkenazi Jews.
Tel: 01629 813000 (8am – 10pm)
www.breast-cancergenetics.co.uk or Email: canhelp@btopenworld.com
PAPERWEIGHT
Offering administrative support for the recently widowed or divorced, Paperweight is a free Jewish community service with dedicated volunteers offering support and guidance in the organisation of domestic finance matters, including insurances, utility bills, bank accounts and form filling, giving people the confidence to carry on.
Tel: 0330 174 4300 or Email: info@paperweighttrust.com
PARENTS OF JEWISH GAYS AND LESBIANS (SUPPORT GROUP
Contact for advice or to attend one of the group’s meetings, where parents can discuss their experiences and concerns: parentsjgl@gmail.com
RESOURCE – The Jewish Employment Advice Centre
For over 20 years Resource has offered an exclusive and practical service to unemployed members of the Jewish community to help them find their feet in the job market. Tel: 020 8346 4000
SHEMA KOLI
A confidential Helpline for women and men of all ages in the Jewish Community who have experienced or been affected by emotional, physical, mental or sexual abuse, either currently or in the past. All Helpline operators are qualified professionals, trained to offer advice, a listening ear and non-judgemental support.
Helpline Tel: 020 3670 1818. Open Monday 3.30pm – 5.30pm; Tuesday 11.30am – 1.30pm; Wednesday 7.30pm – 9.30pm; Thursday 11.30am – 1.30pm. Email: info@shemakolihelpline.org
The SUE HARRIS TRUST
Advice for those wishing to donate stem cells. Tel: 020 3793 2361 or 07957 206236
WORK AVENUE: Creating Employment, Growing Business.
Working with thousands of clients from right across the community and beyond, this charity is proud of its track record of advising and supporting people into work, placing them directly into jobs and helping entrepreneurs develop profitable businesses.
Tel: 020 8371 3280 Email: reception@theworkavenue.org.uk