Advice, Information and Services

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Welcome to the Advice, Information and Services page. This page features an alphabetical selection of links to websites that could be useful to you if you need advice, support or information on a particular issue and some that have been recommended by young people as being worth having a look at. We have also included some telephone numbers for useful organisations without websites.

If you want to recommend a website to other young people, or tell us about a subject we might have missed off, that you’d like some information on, email linconline@wlct.org

The following websites and help lines may be useful to you if you need more information on any of the following issues:

Advice

www.connexions-wigan.org.uk – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
www.there4me.com is a site from the NSPCC offering advice and support for teenagers on a range of issues.
Little London is the free, confidential young people’s counselling service for young people aged 11-25 in Wigan Borough. Call (01942) 776767 and leave a confidential answer message. Little London counsellors will then get back to you.
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife - BBC Radio 1’s ‘One Life’ is a great site to find out loads of information and advice on everything from sexual health, work issues, education and more. You can also e-mail the Radio 1 Surgery, which is on air from 10pm on Sunday nights for advice.
www.imokta.co.uk – An interactive flash-based website from Bolton’s Imokta group. Contains lots of scenarios you're likely to come across and advice on how to deal with them, as well as cool games and downloads.

Asylum Seekers’ Support

Wigan Council ASS team : 01942 766138
Wigan English as a Second Language Team - Specialist Support Service: 01942 404889
Motswako is an educational and social group for young asylum seekers: 01942 705398
www.refugee-action.org - Refugee Action is an independent national charity that works with refugees to build new lives in the UK. You can contact them on 020 7654 7700
www.iasuk.org - IAS is the leading charity giving legal advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers free to those who are eligible.

Bullying and Abuse

www.bullyfreezone.co.uk features a guide to coping with bullying, how to spot if someone you know is being bullied and how to help if someone you know is bullying others. Bully Free Zone is based in Bolton and you can contact them on 01204 454958.
DIAS, Suite 38, Rodney House, King Street. Wigan Drop-in centre offering support ,advice and counselling for anyone over 16 affected by domestic violence. Contact: 01942 495230
If you are under 16 you can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
www.bullying.co.uk – Bullying Online offers lots of practical advice and help, whether you’re being bullied at school, home or even over the internet.
www.donthideit.com – Don’t Hide It encourages anyone suffering from bullying, neglect or abuse to speak out and tell someone to put an end to their problems.
www.stoptextbully.com – If you’re being bullied by text, e-mail or on the internet, Stop Text Bully has lots of information and advice on how to put a stop to it.

Benefits

www.dwp.gov.uk Department for Work & Pensions. Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00
www.adviceguide.org.uk – The Advice Guide provides information and advice on a wide range of financial subjects, including benefits, Job Seekers Allowance and debt.

Bereavement
(When someone you know has died)

www.rd4u.org.uk A website designed by young people, for young people, to offer you support after the death of someone close.
www.winstonswish.org.uk Winston's Wish helps bereaved children and young people rebuild their lives after a family death. Practical support and advice is available by contacting 0845 20 30 405 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm).
BUDS help bereaved children and their families after the death of a family member or friend. BUDS meet weekly on a Tuesday evening for 6 weeks and provides a safe environment for children to use therapeutic activities to express their feelings and find ways to cope with and understand their grief. For more info, email emilyellarby@wiganfamilywelfare.co.uk or call 01942 867888 (Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm).

Careers

www.connexions-wigan.org.uk – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
www.careersnorthwest.com Information on what is happening in the jobs market in the North West.
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ - An excellent website for young people interested in taking up a modern apprenticeship, with information on the different types of apprenticeships, how you can go about applying for one, plus much more.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk - For those looking for a career in teaching.
http://www.skillset.org/careers/ - For those interested in a career in the media industries. Skillset offers advice, information and guidance for anyone wanting to work in broadcasting, film and photo imaging.
http://www.ttctraining.co.uk - Is a great website for anybody looking for a career in travel and tourism.
www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk – Working for the National Health Service isn’t just about being a doctor or a nurse. From dietician to drama therapist, there are loads of careers to chose from in the NHS and this website for 14-19 year-olds has loads of information on how to get into them.

Debt

www.moneymatterstome.com Spending money and budgeting, struggling with debt and leaving education
www.adviceguide.org.uk – The Advice Guide provides information and advice on a wide range of financial subjects, including benefits, Job Seekers Allowance and debt.

Domestic Abuse

www.thehideout.org.uk – The Hideout provides help, information and support for children and young people. Whether you current live with domestic abuse, have experienced it in the past or know someone who is going through it, this website can help.
www.rapecrisis.org.uk – Rape Crisis provides information for survivors of sexual violence, their friends and family to help them access the services and support they need.
www.womensaid.org.uk – Women’s Aid work to end domestic violence against women and children in the UK. Their website has lots of information and advice for sufferers and those close to them.
www.burstingthebubble.com – Bursting the bubble looks at domestic violence in families, with information and support for when things aren’t right at home.

Drugs and Alcohol

The Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team is a local service for all young people aged 18 and under who are experiencing problems or have concerns about drugs or alcohol. The service also offers advice and support for concerned parents and carers. A young people’s drug and alcohol trained officer is available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. For further details contact: 01942 777720

Other useful contacts:

www.wrecked.co.uk a web-site about alcohol, aimed at young people
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Alcoholics Anonymous web-site for help if you or someone you know is experiencing problems with alcohol. Tel: 0161 236 6569
www.ukna.org narcotics anonymous, for help if you or someone you know is experiencing problems with substance abuse (drugs).
www.addaction.org.uk help and information about drugs and alcohol with a special section aimed at young people featuring cartoon style advice on what to do in different situations related to drug using.
www.drugscope.org.uk links to hundreds of good, informative sites about drugs and alcohol. This site also features information on the latest news and policies about drugs, alcohol and the law and information on regional conferences on young people and substance misuse.
www.talktofrank.com 0800 776600
Drinkline 0800 917 8282

Eating Disorders

www.b-eat.co.uk – B-eat, formerly the Eating Disorders Association, are dedicated to providing help, advice and support for people with eating disorders, their friends and families. Call the special helpline on 08456 341414
www.eatingproblems.org 020 7602 0862 - The Eating Problems Service is for young people concerned about their weight, body image or what they eat, and provide support and advice on a range of issues including binge eating, bulimia or even self-harm.

Emergency Contraception/Pregnancy

01695 626554 is a recorded message which lists all places in Wigan Borough where emergency contraception can be obtained
www.brookwiganandleigh.org.uk Tel: 01942 760000. Brook Wigan and Leigh offers free, friendly, confidential advice on sex, relationships and contraception for under 25’s.
www.fpa.org.uk Family Planning Advice Line (advice on sex, relationships and contraception): 01695 626291
www.ruthinking.co.uk, advice and information aimed at young people about sex, relationships and sexual health.
GUM Clinic- Advice and sexual health testing and pre and post –test counselling. 01942 822277
www.ruready2.com – RUREADY2.com is The LINC Online’s own sub-site to help you find local information on relationships, sex, sexual health and contraception, with information on the local TIC TAC Bus, Chlamydia testing and more.

Gambling

www.gamcare.org.uk/site.builder/young.html - Gamcare helpline 0845 6000 133. Information, advice and counselling if you have concerns about your, or a family member or friend’s problem gambling.
www.gam-anon.org - Gam-Anon is the support group for families and friends of gamblers. There is a national 24 hour helpline which is 020 7384 3040 for both friends and families and gamblers themselves.

Health

www.lifebytes.gov.uk A fun and informal site for 11-14 year-olds with loads of useful health tips.
www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk - Contains much of the same information as Life Bytes, this time for all you 14-16 year-olds.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call 0845 46 47 for medical advice at any time of the day or night
www.teenagehealthfreak.com – A portal to several different sites with lots of advice on a whole range of health issues.

Housing

Housing Advice/Homelessness: 01942 827406
www.walh.co.uk Wigan and Leigh Housing: 01942 827970
http://england.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm offers advice on where to go for advice and support related to housing. Or call Shelter’s housing advice line on 0808 800 4444.
Tennant Participation Team:
Based at Wigan Investment Centre. We have a lot of Tenants and Residents groups and we help them deal with various issues around their estate.

We look to get the views of young people but often struggle with this hard to reach group. We look to get the opinions of people of all different age ranges to help us improve every aspect of our service. We do this by trying to get young people to attend our housing steering groups. We also try and get young people to attend Tenants and Residents meetings to create a good relationship between young and old on the estates.

The TP team are available throughout the week. We offer everyone the chance to join our many housing steering groups and we encourage the youth to join Tenants and Residents Groups on their estates to try and achieve a better community. TP team Wigan 0800 389 7652 or TP team Leigh 0800 032 1451. Website: www.walh.co.uk

Information

www.need2know.co.uk provides information on all kinds of issues and is aimed at young people. Issues include: health, money, travel, relationships and law.
www.connexions-wigan.org.uk – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
www.youthinformation.com Over 1,000 information topics and hundreds of built in web-links. Features information on issues such as education, employment, environment, Europe, family and relationships, health, housing, justice and equality, money, sport, leisure and travel.
www.ukyouth.org information on young people’s conferences, funding opportunities and awards and certificates you can work towards.
http://www.communityship.org.uk The Community Ship is an online information centre, providing details of local events, groups and organisations and things you can get involved with.
www.thesite.org – A wealth of topics with loads of information on everything from travel, studying, sexual health, the law and more.
www.help4me.info - Help4Me is an online directory of local services and organisations available in the local area. Simply select Wigan in the drop down menu and search for local services.

Mental Health

www.youngminds.org.uk – National Charity dedicated to improving the mental health of children and young people across the UK. Contains lots of information, advice and support.
www.rethink.org – Rethink offer a wide range of services to help people with depression and mental illnesses.
Samaritans Helpline: 08457 909090 (24hour) or Saneline on: 08457 678000 (12 noon to 2am) are there if you need someone to talk to, if you need help with an issue or worry, or if you are feeling very sad or suicidal. The Samaritans have a web-site: www.samaritans.org.uk and Saneline has a web-site: www.sane.org.uk. If you can’t face talking to someone you can now email the Samaritans on jo@samaritans.org
www.mind.org.uk offer lots of information on therapies, anti-depressants, herbal remedies and rights for people with mental health problems.
www.depressionalliance.org lists symptoms, treatments and new research on depression and advises of numbers to call in a crisis.
www.ocfoundation.org can help with problems related to obsessive compulsive disorder and includes the ‘organised chaos’ section, especially for teenagers.
Little London is the free, confidential young people’s counselling service for young people aged 11-25 in Wigan Borough. Call (01942) 776767 and leave a confidential answer message. Little London counsellors will then get back to you.

Panic Attacks and Phobias

www.nomorepanic.co.uk information and advice on how to cope with panic attacks and anxiety, where to go for further help and other people’s experiences.
www.first-steps.org – First Steps is a registered charity helping people to be free from panic attacks, phobias and anxiety. They provide a confidential helpline, fact sheets, practicle help and more.
www.phobics-society.org.uk – The National Phobics Society help to relieve and support people living with anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, stress disorders and more. They’re website is really useful with a dedicated section for young people.
www.nopanic.org.uk – No panic are a registered charity helping people with panic attacks, phobias and anxiety issues. Visit their website or call the confidential helpline on 0808 808 0545 from 10am-10pm every day.

Parent Support

Parentline Plus: 080 800 2222 A helpline for all parents worried about any aspects of their child’s welfare.
www.gingerbread.org.uk – Gingerbread is the largest charity in England and Wales offering support to lone parent families. They have over 200 local support groups, a confidential help line and offer to help combat childhood poverty by providing discounts and days out so that children are not excluded from activities and opportunities.

Gingerbread's advice service for lone parents is available: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Freephone 0800 018 4318, visit http://www.gingerbreadnw.org.uk for their North West branch.

Personal Relationships

Family Support Team – Local advice, support, guidance, individual or group work and counselling. 01942 828777.
www.teenissues.co.uk/arguingwithparents.html - Advice on what to do when you find you’re just not getting on with your parents.
www.soyouvebeendumped.com – Through a mixture of both light-hearted and serious styles, So You’ve Been Dumped offers advice and support on breaking up and coming to terms with the end of a relationship.

Race Issues

Rafiki is an educational and social group for black young people run by Positive Futures: 01942 705398
www.britkid.org – Follow the characters of this fun, interactive website around their hometown of Birchester as they discuss race, religion and being proud of who you are.

Rights at work

http://www.gmemploymentrights.org.uk The Greater Manchester Low Pay Unit provide advice and information on low pay and rights at work. You can call their free and confidential advice line on 0161 839 3888.
www.youngworker.co.uk information for anyone who is responsible for young people in the work place and information for young people who work.
Employment Rights Advice Line: 0161 953 4024

Rights for Young People

www.therightssite.org.uk Contains information and quizzes on children and young people’s rights
www.rights4me.org.uk This website is for children and young people living in children's homes, family centres, foster care, boarding schools, residential special schools, or FE colleges. It is also for those children and young people who are going through adoption, getting any sort of help from social services, or who have just left care
www.direct.gov.uk/Parents/FamilyIssuesAndTheLaw/fs/en Contains information about divorce, young people’s rights, parent’s rights, rights if you are arrested, employment rights and more
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk/kidszone Kids Zone is the place to get help, information and advice about child abuse and what you can do to help it stop
www.there4me.com/home/index.asp Confidential online advice for teenagers
http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/Homepage.asp?NodeID=89614 Provides legal information on: child employment; child protection; child witnesses; contact; Education Maintenance Allowance; home alone; parental responsibility; refugee and asylum-seeking children; residence; and school attendance
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Explaining your consumer rights
www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/civil_rights/young_peoples_rights.htm Civil rights - In England Young people's rights

Self Harm

www.nshn.co.uk The Self-harm Network provides support for those who are affected by self-harm
Life Signs also provides a useful web-site on this issue: www.lifesigns.org.uk
www.basementproject.co.uk – The Basement Project provide support groups for people who self-harm and people who have been abused as children.
www.selfharm.org.uk – Young People & Self Harm has lots of helpful resources for young people who self harm, their friends and families.

Sexual Health

WISH: drop-in for young women to talk about sexual health, relationships and contraception in confidence: 01942 681411
GUM Clinic: Advice and sexual health testing and pre and post –test counselling. 01942 822277.
www.brookwiganandleigh.org.uk 01942 760000Brook Wigan and Leigh offers free, friendly, confidential advice on sex, relationships and contraception for under 25’s.
National Aids Helpline: (free-phone) 0800 567 123
24-hour free advice about HIV and AIDS.
Sexwise: (free-phone) 0800 282930
Free and confidential telephone service giving you the chance to talk to an adviser about sex and personal relationships. Lines open from 7am – midnight. Text Phone for people with hearing impairments: 0800 328 1651
www.ruclear.co.uk - Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection and most people who have it don't know they've got it. Untreated Chlamydia can lead to long term problems such as infertility. RUCLEAR offer free, painless and confidential Chlamydia testing. Visit the website or call the confidential advice line on 0845 330 6363.
www.tht.org.uk – The Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV and Aids charity in the UK, offering support, access to HIV testing, treatment advice and more.
www.ruready2.com – RUREADY2.com is our own sub-site to help you find local information on relationships, sex, sexual health and contraception, with information on the local TIC TAC Bus, Chlamydia testing and more.

Sexuality

B-You: local advice and support for young people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual or are questioning their sexuality and want support: 01942 203363
Lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual helpline: 0161 235 8000
www.fflag.org.uk Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG) 01942 832810
www.mermaids.freeuk.com Mermaids provide information and support for children, young people and parents about gender identity. (07020 935066)
www.fpa.org.uk Find your nearest Family Planning Clinic. Once on their site, go to "I Need Help Now" and then "Search" to get advice on contraception and sexual health.
www.gyuk.org.uk - The Gay Youth UK Online Community aims to provide information, support, help and advice to all gay or bi-sexual young people, as well as those who may be questioning their sexuality.
www.queeryouth.org.uk – A National Organisation run by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Young People, offering lots of support and information, including message boards, a publication and more. Queer Youth also have a number of local groups, such as Wigan’s Open Minds.
www.bgiok.org.uk - A support and advice website for gay young people, bgiok aims to answer questions about sex, coming out and dealing with homosexual feelings. The site has a problem page, dedicated coming out section, advice and information articles, links and more.
www.gayteens.org – With lots of news, information and discussions for gay young people.
www.openminds-lgbt.co.uk - A local group for 18-25 year-olds who are lesbian, gay or bi-sexual, offering a safe confidential meeting place, advice, support and activities.

Support

www.connexions-wigan.org.uk – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk A website designed for young people, giving you information about services and people that are there to help
www.childline.org.uk - Child Line run a free and confidential 24-hour helpline you can call for advice and support on any problem or worry.
www.youth2youth.co.uk / 020 8896 3675 – Youth 2 Youth is a unique helpline run by young people for young people. All the helpline staff are aged between 16-21 and are on hand to offer advice and support. You can e-mail your problem, chat online (Monday and Thursday evenings only) or call the confidential free hotline.

Sports and Leisure

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust offers a wide range of leisure and cultural activities for all ages. www.wlct.org will give you more information on these opportunities including:
Libraries, how to join, Internet access, homework clubs
Active Life Sports Centres and free swimming for under 16’s (or call 01942 828508 and ask to be put through to your nearest centre)
Sports Development, information on local, regional and national sporting opportunities, coaching programmes, high profile events and opportunities and volunteering opportunities. (or call 01942 404982)
Active Living Team, helping people to become more physically active via a range of alternative activity sessions at different levels (call 01942 404961 or email Active.Life@wlct.org )
Youth Development Team, positive publicity on your event, project or achievement and opportunities to get involved in The Linc newspaper and develop journalism skills, get your work in print, receive feedback on your work and learn how a publication is put together (or email andrea.smith@wlct.org or k.stewart@wlct.org)

Trouble with the Police

www.crimeinfo.org.uk
Youth Offending team:
The Youth Offending Team’s one simple aim is to prevent offending by children and young people.

To achieve this aim, we provide a range of services which are: Support courses for parents (in partnership with Education and Family Centres, bail supervision and support, attending the Police Station when a parent / carer cannot be present during an interview, preventative Services – working closely with other local groups to divert young people from offending, writing court reports, which advise Courts on which sentence to choose, and restorative Justice – making good any harm or damage to a victim and help the young person restore their position in the community.

Jackie Benton, Admin Team Manager: 01942 776886 Fax number 01942 776856. The office hours are Monday to Friday 8:45 – 5 (there is also a duty system in operation on Saturdays and Bank Holidays). However, the hours are flexible, some young people are seen in the evenings to avoid disruption if they are at school, college or at work.
www.askthe.police.uk – A large database of the most frequently asked questions to the police, with lots of information about crime and the law.

Voluntary Work

www.do-it.org.uk - A great website with loads of information on voluntary work in your area.

Your Views

To pass on your views to your local UK Youth Parliament member or to find out more about getting involved in youth parliament, email youngpeoplesvoice@wiganmbc.gov.uk
www.byc.org.uk The British Youth Council is an independent charity run by and for young people aged 16-25 to report your views to central and local government
www.nya.org.uk The National Youth Agency website can help you to find out about government policies which affect young people and offers an electronic information service on young people’s issues.