Organisations that can help you
There are many organisations that can help if you or someone you know is struggling and needs support. To help you we’ve listed some of the main ones below.
Financial difficulties
If you’re facing a drop in income or increased expenses due to coronavirus, check out the Moneyhelper website 
for free and impartial money advice.
Advice NI’s Money and Debt team have put together some helpful FAQs around financial issues during the coronavirus crisis. Visit the Advice NI website or call them on 0800 915 4604 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
You can also get free debt advice at PayPlan and Step Change
Support for older people
If you or an older person you know needs advice or support please call Age NI’s Advice Service on 0808 808 7575. Advisers will be happy to help from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Age NI is also offering a ‘Check in and chat’ telephone service for everyone who is over 60 in Northern Ireland, who may feel isolated or lonely during this time. Anyone over 60 in Northern Ireland can register free of charge, to receive a regular telephone call from Age NI. Call Age NI Advice on 0808 808 7575 or email info@ageni.org
Hourglass NI (formerly Action on Elder Abuse NI) works to end the abuse of older people, including financial abuse. If you are concerned about an older person, contact their helpline on 0808 808 8141 for free and confidential support.
Digital help
Do you or does someone you know need help with digital solutions? Business in the Community, in partnership with Go ON NI and NI Direct, is offering free digital help for anyone who needs it.
If you have a tablet, laptop or phone and need help to address a specific problem, a team of digital volunteers can help. Simply text the word DIGITALHELP to 67300 with a brief description of what you require help with and a volunteer will phone you within 48 hours with free, helpful advice.
All text messages will be charged at your network operator’s standard rate.
Mental Health
If you are in crisis or distress, counsellors at the crisis helpline, Lifeline, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence. Call 0808 808 8000. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000.
The Samaritans are also available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call them free on 116 123.
Domestic & Sexual Abuse
The Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline offers much needed support, advice and referral for all victims of domestic and sexual abuse in Northern Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can contact the Helpline by;
Calling 0808 802 1414,
emailing help@dsahelpline.org
or by visiting the DSA website .
For further guidance and support on domestic abuse visit the government support page 
.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police and +55 if you can’t speak.
Gambling
GamCare is the leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Visit the GamCare website or call the helpline to speak to an adviser for free. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0808 8020 133.
Minding Your Mind lists a number of regional Gambling Support Services for Northern Ireland on their website .
General
You can access a free Advice NI helpline for information and advice on coronavirus. Available from 9am to 5pm every day, the helpline can assist with arranging for food parcels to be delivered to the vulnerable, offering assistance such as the collection of prescriptions and advising on jobs and benefits.
- Freephone 0808 802 0020
- Email covid19@adviceni.net
- Text ACTION to 81025
Need other support?
The Helplines NI website contains details of over 30 different helplines operating across Northern Ireland. The helplines provide a variety of vital support services including, information, advice, counselling, a listening ear and be-friending, and offer immediate support to those with a wide-range of health and wellbeing needs, often for those who are the most vulnerable in our community.
