Get help

We're here to support you

Get help with the British Red Cross. We provide practical, local and emotional support to people around the UK.

British Red Cross volunteer, Tala, smiles at the camera.

We’re able to provide services designed to help people most in need in the UK.

Some of our health services in England are rated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Click here to find out more 

On this page:

  • cost of living support
  • mobility support
  • refugee services
  • emergencies in the UK
  • international services

We also provide free mental health resources.

Mobility support

We provide specialist equipment to people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to support people with their mobility needs.

Man in Red Cross wheelchair

Borrow or Hire a wheelchair

Red Cross wheelchairs are available for anyone over the age of 5 years old. You can hire a wheelchair for short-term use or we may be able to assist in a loan.  

Get a Red Cross wheelchair
Couple who both volunteer for British Red Cross smile for the camera.

Hire a toilet aid

We offer a wide range of toilet aids, including commodes, toilet frames and toilet seats.

Hire a toilet aid

Cost of living support

If you’re struggling with the rising cost of living, there’s help available. Find out about practical support to help you with your bills as well emotional support to get you through these difficult times.

A close up shot of a lonely woman's hands as she sits at home.

Get help with money problems

If you're worried about the rising cost of living or have other money concerns, find out where to get financial support.

Get money help
Support line volunteer smiling while talking on the phone and helping callers

British Red Cross support line

When a crisis happens, you can get help by calling our support line. We’ll provide information and connect you to support in your area.

Learn about our support line
Lonely man on park bench

Get help with loneliness

Our guidance provides tips on how to tackle loneliness and information on where to get further help.

Advice for tackling loneliness
A Red Cross volunteer takes notes while helping a woman at home.

Help at home after a hospital stay

We support people living independently at home and those who need help after a stay in hospital.

Get help at home

Refugee services

We provide emergency support for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, including victims of trafficking.

Get Help refugee support volunteer food packages

Help for refugees

Connect with our local refugee services for emergency support including help with food and essentials as well as adjusting to life in the UK.

Get refugee support
A reunited refugee family together in their new home in Leicester, UK.

Help for refugee families to reunite in the UK

If you are a refugee in the UK who is separated from your loved ones and wants to bring them here, we may be able to help.

Get help with family reunion

Emergencies in the UK

Our guidance helps you prepare for an emergency, such as a storm, flood or heatwave. Know what to do before, during and after an extreme weather event.

In a flooded street in the UK, Red Cross volunteers wearing protective clothing and boots help by pulling an inflatable raft with a man sitting in it through the water

Get help in emergencies

Learn what to do when a flood, storm or power cut happens. Stay safe during droughts, wildfires or heatwaves.

What to do in an emergency
Mobile phone display for emergency help response app

Prepare an emergency kit

Find out what to include in an emergency kit for your home or car.

Build your emergency kit

International services

We help families who are separated by war, disaster or migration. We also support victims of terrorism abroad.

Volunteers from the family tracing and reunion service sit at a table and look through some paperwork.

Family tracing service

Get help finding your missing family with our free and confidential international family tracing service. 

Find your missing family
British Red Cross 'Get Help' Volunteer writes on a clipboard

UK victims of terrorism abroad

If you’ve been seriously injured or bereaved by terrorist incidents overseas we may be able to provide immediate and long-term financial support.

Support for UK victims of terrorism

How to give help

We couldn’t run our services without the help and support of our committed volunteers and the people who generously donate to us.

Two Red Cross volunteers wearing branded Red Cross t-shirts and laughing together

Become a volunteer

If you too believe in the power of kindness, volunteer for the Red Cross. Together we can make a difference.

Volunteer opportunities
Woman gives help by donating using her mobile phone

Give help and donate

Donation, large or small, can make a significant difference to people in need. Learn more about our appeals or donate to help people wherever the need is greatest.

Donate today
First aid training session on CPR

Learn first aid

Learn the key skills needed to save a life with our up-to-date first aid apps, tips and advice.

Learn first aid
Woman smiles while she interacts with the toddler she is holding.

Every Refugee Matters

Help us show the very best of humankind by standing with us to say that every refugee matters.

Take the pledge