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Key options for support

Information provided by Community Wellbeing Link Workers, Social Prescribing ~ March 2025

Community Transport

  • Lydcare ~ door to door transport service: 01594 544414
  • Dial-a-Ride Lydney ~ door to door transport service: 01594 843809
  • The Robin ~ bookable bus service, offering service at times when there is no other bus running: 0345 263 8139.
  • Bream Voluntary Car Service ~ door to door transport for medically related trips: 07497 435808.

Finances

  • Citizens Advice ~ for financial and benefits support and advice: 0808 189 6280.
  • CAP ~ support with debt: 08003 280006
  • Step Change ~ support with debt: 0800 138 1111.
  • Warm and Well ~ support and advice regarding heating and energy costs: 0800 500 3076.
  • Council Tax Support ~ you could be eligible for help with your Council Tax bill if you are on a low income or claim benefits. Call the FODDC Benefits team on: 01594 812531.
  • Turn 2 Us ~ benefits guide and grants search: www.turn2us.org.uk

Emergency Food Support

  • Salvation Army Hub ~ 43 North Road, Broadwell. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-2pm. 01594 839106.
  • Forest Food Bank ~ by referral. See agencies who can make a referral here: https://theforest.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/how-to-get-help/ or call 07775 265263.
  • Food Share Cafe ~ Littledean URC Chapel, Broad Street, Littledean. Tuesdays 10-12, Thursdays 9-12.
  • Bream Community Fridge ~ Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 12:00, St James Church Centre, Bream: 01594 562985
  • Too Good to Go App ~ details of local surplus food.
  • Olio App ~ find and share items locally.

Children and Young People Support

  • Children’s Social Care ~ to request support or report safeguarding concerns: 01452 426565.
  • Family Information Service ~ directory of support and advice for families and professionals: www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk
  • TIC + ~ support for mental health and emotional wellbeing: 01594 372777.

Mental Health Support

  • Crisis team ~ 24/7 mental health support for times of crisis: 0800 169 0398.
  • Samaritans ~ 24/7 support if you are experiencing feelings of despair or distress: 116 123.
  • Rethink Connect and Offload ~ support when you are feeling anxious or have low mood or depression: 0808 801 0606.
  • Rethink Mental Health Support and Advice ~ 1:1 practical and emotional support: 07570 343767.
  • Let’s Talk ~ self-referral for a programme of CBT support, when you are feeling anxious, low or depressed: 0800 073 2200.

Lifestyle

  • FODDC Specialist Health Exercise Classes ~ 01594 812447
  • Healthy Lifestyles Service ~ support to manage weight, be more active, stop smoking, drink less and support through pregnancy: 0800 755 5533.
  • VIA ~ support if worried about drug or alcohol use: 01452 223 014

Housing Support

  • FODDC Housing Team ~ 01594 810000.
  • CCP ~ for housing support and advice: 0300 365 2002
  • P3 ~ help with homelessness: 08081 786003
  • Shelter ~ emergency helpline, if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight or are worried about losing your home in the next two months: 0808 800 4444. Line open Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
  • Homeseeker Plus ~ register to bid on housing: www.homeseekerplus.co.uk/onlineregister/
  • Homeswapper ~ register to swap your social home: www.homeswapper.co.uk

Carer Support

  • Adult Social Care ~ to request a Care Needs Assessment: 01452 426868
  • Care Advice Line ~ information and advice service to support with making decisions about care: 01452 222200.
  • Glos Carers Hub ~ support and advice for carers: 0300 111 9000.
  • Dementia Advisers ~ support and advice for people diagnosed with dementia and their carers: 01452 525222.

Employment and Volunteering

  • Employment and Skills Hub ~ employment, skills and training advice: 01452 425776.
  • FVAF ~ find out about local volunteering opportunities: 01594 822073.
  • Go Volunteer Glos ~ online directory of volunteering opportunities.

Bereavement

  • Great Oaks Hospice Bereavement Support Service ~ 01594 811910
  • Cruse Bereavement Helpline ~ 08088 081677
  • Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Counselling ~ www.sueryder.org/grief-support
  • Good Grief Support Group ~ meet on the 3rd Monday of every month at the Speech House Hotel, Coleford – 7-9 p.m.

Other support and activities

  • Royal Voluntary Service Befriending ~ o􀆯ering Check in and Chat Calls from a volunteer for a friendly phone call and listening ear and Companionship Calls with a volunteer who will provide a regular friendly phone call up to 3 times a week for 6 weeks: 0808 196 3646.
  • Silver Line ~ the Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, confidential telephone service for older people, providing friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0800 4 70 80 90.
  • Age UK telephone friendship service ~ a weekly call from an Age UK befriender: 0800 434 6105.
  • Age UK Gloucestershire ~ support and advice for older people and their families: 01452 422660.
  • Crossroads Care ~ care support and social activities, including friendship groups and lunch groups: 01594 823414.
  • Forest Community Walks ~ welcome people of any ability who would like to walk with others. Range of walks and you can choose the level that suits you best. Most walks end with refreshments with a chance to chat. All walks are free and friendly and there is no need to book: 07881 338476.
  • Forest Community Shed ~ creative workshop where you can socialise, learn new skills, and hone existing ones. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 10am – 3pm at Orchard Trust, Upper Stowfield, Lower Lydbrook, GL17 9PD: 01594 780170.
  • Salvation Army Broadwell ~ café, support and social activities. 43 North Road, Broadwell, GL16 7BX. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 2pm: 01594 839106.
  • Club Connect ~ support groups for people who have chronic pain and chronic fatigue conditions. 11:00 to 12:30. Lydney 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at River Children and Family Centre. Cinderford 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at The Causeway Club. Coleford 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at Sixteen Community Café. All welcome to come along.
  • CANDI ~ Drybrook and Cinderford. Weekly timetable of activities, including a Women’s Group, Youth Groups, Café and workshops: https://candi.website/ .
  • Artlift ~ creative space for adults living with mental and/or physical health challenges, including face-to-face and online programmes: 01452 222726.
  • Live Better to Feel Better ~ online and face-to-face courses to support you to live well with your long-term health condition: 0300 421 1623.