0808 196 3651: Call the British red cross support line
British Red Cross support line
If you feel lonely, worried or need access to food and medication, we can help.
Call free and confidentially, 10am to 6pm daily
0808 196 3651
The British Red Cross support line provides support in more than 200 languages, supporting people who are lonely, worried, impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and finding it difficult to access food or medication in the UK.
Meet Chris, one of our support line volunteers.
The safety and security of our people and those who we support is fundamental to our work at the British Red Cross. Our client/user charter and policies protect all our service users, staff and volunteers.
If you need help during this difficult time, our support line volunteers can provide (where possible):
You can also find financial support and further guidance on this page.
The Red Cross helpline is available 10am-6pm daily. For support outside of these hours 24-hour emergency help is also available.
For support outside of the UK, contact your nearest National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.
Looking for family in Afghanistan?
Translators
If you need a support line translator, call and say 'can I speak to a translator?'.
With the help of our volunteers, we now provide support in Farsi, Arabic, Persian, Kurdish Dari, Punjabi, Russian, Italian, Somali and more.
For information on Coronavirus (Covid-19) in 60 languages visit Doctors of The World.
Emotional support
If you're experiencing loneliness, anxiety or are struggling with mental health, please know that you're not alone.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic, feelings of loneliness have only gotten worse, and people who were already living in isolation have become more vulnerable than ever.
At the Red Cross, we're committed to ensuring that everyone in need has somewhere to turn to. Learn more about how we're tackling loneliness.
Use these tips and tools to help support yourself and others:
- Understanding loneliness and its causes
- How to cope with anxiety
- How to cope with stress
- Managing your worries
- Build confidence, coping skills and connect with others
For mental health and wellbeing tips and advice in 27 languages see six ways to improve your wellbeing.
Red Cross support services
Other support services
Red Cross support line volunteers are always here to help, but if you can’t find what you're looking for they will do everything to help you find the people who can. Other organisations that may be able to help include:
- The Trussell Trust for help with food and essentials.
- Migrant Help for independent guidance and advice for asylum seekers in the UK.
- The Silverline for free confidential, emotional support for people over 50.
- NHS Volunteer Responders for help with food shopping, transportation and other essentials.
- Cruse for bereavement counselling, and support after losing a loved one.
Emergency help
- The Samaritans provide 24-hour emotional support. Call free on 116 123 or send an email.
- If you're feeling unwell or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, call 111 or visit the online covid symptom checker
- In the event of a life threatening or medical emergency call 999. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Coronavirus information and practical advice
Look after yourself during lockdown
We have lots of information and advice to help you during this time:
- Judge the risks when going out during the coronavirus pandemic
- Stay well, keep active and fight anxiety
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Feel safe
- Keep children busy and active
Latest Government advice
Get the latest information on Covid travel restrictions, quarantine rules and learn what you need to travel to and from the UK.
Find the latest information on furlough, return to work, working from home, and information on UK financial support schemes.
Read about the UK government plans for autumn and winter 2021/22.
For the latest information on Covid restrictions, lockdown and tiers, visit the gov.uk website.
