A group of the UK’s leading helplines have launched the #readytotalkcampaign, encouraging people to seek support for problems that may have been aggravated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or which they may not have spoken to anyone about while in lockdown.
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, these organisations want to reassure the British public that whenever they are #readytotalk, their helplines are ready to listen.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has affected people across the country differently. Whether it has meant new difficulties, exacerbated existing issues, or meant that people couldn’t find the space to speak about their issues confidentially, the #readytotalk campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the support services available to help people when they need it most.
The campaign is supported by GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline, alongside Samaritans, Refuge and Cruse Bereavement Care.
The key helpline numbers are:
National Gambling Helpline – 0808 80 20 133
Samaritans – 116 123
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – 0808 2000 247
Cruse Bereavement Care – 0808 808 1677
Support from other helplines can also be found with the ‘Find a Helpline’ tool from Helplines Partnership: https://helplines.org/helplines/
The RAF's Health & Wellbeing website is at this link and all personnel are encouraged to talk about any issues they may have, with either a line manager, friend, or unit welfare staff.