Help in crisis

The current situation may be especially distressing for some people. Below are some helplines and organisations you can turn to if you have immediate concern about yourself or someone you know.

In case of life-threatening emergency, call 999 immediately.

Dial 111 if you need medical help quickly, but it’s not an immediate risk, or if it is out-of-hours for your General Practitioner (GP) surgery. If you are experiencing mental health problems and are not known to your local mental health surgery, you should contact your General Practitioner (GP) surgery.

The general enquiry number for Oxfordshire County Council is 01865 792422.

For the Oxfordshire County Council’s most vulnerable helpline, call:

  • 01865 897820, if you’re a County resident;

  • 01865 249811, if you’re a City resident.

Domestic violence helplines

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available for support or a chat, for free, 24/7. Call 0808 2000 247.

The Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services are available 10pm-7pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0800 731 0055.

Child welfare

Childline offer on-the-phone counselling to children up to their 19th birthday. Call 0800 1111 between 9am and midnight.

For concerns about a child:

  • Please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0345 050 7666, or call 999 if a child is in immediate danger.

  • The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is available 24/7. Call 0808 800 5000.

  • The Oxfordshire Emergency Duty Team is available outside office hours. Call 0800 833 408.

  • A special helpline is available if you are concerned that a child you know is being sexually exploited. Call 01865 309196.

  • For safeguarding advice, information and training please visit the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board website https://www.oscb.org.uk or contact the team at OSCB@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Welfare of vulnerable adults

The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board is available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0345 0507 666.

The Oxfordshire Emergency Duty Team is available outside office hours. Call 0800 833 408.

You may also wish to report a safeguarding concern.

Out of hours mental health crisis centers & helplines

The Oxford Samaritans offer emotional support on the phone 24/7, 365 days a year.

  • You can contact their general helpline for free on 116 123

  • Or you can reach their local helpline on 01865 722 122.

Oxfordshire Mind’s Oxford Safe Haven and Banbury Safe Haven are open during the Covid-19 crisis. They are providing confidential support face to face or over the phone to anyone who is struggling to cope in the evenings and weekend. If you need support, call ahead from 5pm (last entry 9pm).

Nightline is a completely independent listening, support and information service run for and by students of Oxford and Oxford Brookes universities. They aim to provide every student in Oxford with the opportunity to talk to someone in confidence.

  • Nightline are here for everyone from between 8pm and midnight, from 0th week to 9th week during Oxford term time.

  • During the Covid-19 pandemic, their phone services are not working, but you can chat with Nightline online.

Dealing with a distressed person

You or one of your group’s volunteers may find themselves dealing with a distressed person, either face-to-face or on the phone.