Many people who have committed offences may have problems with drugs and/or alcohol, gambling, debt, relationships, housing, health, domestic violence, racism or other problems not listed here.

You, or your relative or friend, may be experiencing any of these problems listed. Or you may have other problems not listed here.

Probation staff are very used to hearing about these sorts of problems. Many people report that we have been able to help them.

If you need help with any problems that may be linked to your offending, or that of a close relative or friend, then please talk to the probation staff. They will try to help you.

Or, if you would rather, then you can write to us at the probation office or community punishment unit that you attend.

This page lists some contact details of national advice & support services for people with problems that may be linked to their offending e.g. drug and/or alcohol misuse, debt, housing, domestic violence, health, racism.



General support for people with a criminal record

Nacro Resettlement Plus Helpline

They provide help if you are:

• having problems getting a job because of your criminal record
• in prison and facing problems when you come out
• trying to help prisoners and ex-offenders to sort out their problems
• an employer seeking advice about recruiting people with criminal records

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
www.nacab.org.uk
CAB provides free and independent advice on many subjects - including housing, debt, benefits and legal matters.
Advisors can help fill out forms, write letters, negotiate with creditors and represent people in court.
The website gives details of the local CAB offices as well as on-line advice.

Contacts for problem drug users

National Drugs Helpline
www.ndh.org.uk
Freephone: 0800 7766 00
Gives information and advice for anyone concerned about drugs. This includes drug users, their families and friends and people who work with them.

ADFAM
National telephone helpline, Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.
Tel: 020 7928 8900
A national charity for the friends and families of drug users. Also offers specialist support for prisoner's families.

Re Solv
www.resolv.org
Freephone helpline: 0808 800 2345 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
Society for the prevention of solvent abuse.

If you have a problem with drugs and/ or solvents, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.

Contacts for people with drink related problems

New Drinkline
Tel: 0800 917 8282
Information and advice for people concerned with a drinking problem - or that of relatives or friends. Provides up-to-date information about alcohol use.

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 7697 555
Support for people with problem drinking. The website gives details of local support groups.

Al-Anon Family Groups
www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether still drinking or not.
Alateen is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else's drinking - usually a parent. It is a part of AL-Anon.

If you have a problem with your drinking, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.

Contacts for problem gamblers

GamCare
www.gamcare.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 6000 133
The national centre for information, advice and practical help for gambling problems.

Gamblers Anonymous
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
National helpline: 020 7384 3040
A self-help organisation of people who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problems. Over 200 groups in the United Kingdom and in many prisons.
See website for details of local contacts and helplines
Gam-Anon - contact as above. Gives help to partners and parents of people with gambling problems.

Contacts for housing problems

Shelter (national campaign for the homeless)
www.shelter.org.uk
Freephone emergency 24 hour advice: 0808 800 4444
Shelter runs a network of housing aid centres providing advice and help to people who are homeless or likely to become homeless.
The website gives details of housing advice.

If you have a problem with housing or accommodation, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.

Contacts for health problems

NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
24 hour information and helpline: 0845 4647
For advice and information about a wide range of health matters.

MIND (National Association for Mental Health)
www.mind.org.uk
Mindinfoline: 0845 7660 163
A leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Works for a better life for everyone with experience of mental health problems.
There are over 220 local MIND Associations.
Call 020 8215 2225.
The website gives details of all the local associations - log on to find the nearest one.

If you have a health problem, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.

Racism

The Commission for Racial Equality
www.cre.gov.uk
Provides information and advice to people who think they have suffered racial discrimination or harassment. The website gives contact details of the local Race Equality Councils (RECs) that work in local communities.

If you have a problem with racism, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.


Domestic violence

Women's AID Federation of England
www.womensaid.org.uk
National 24 hour helpline: 08457 023468
Helpline for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Co-ordinates the work of women's refuges in England.
The website gives details on 'finding a safe place to go'.

If you have a problem with domestic violence, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please try to talk to the probation staff.

Contacts for debt problems

National Debtline
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Freephone: 0808 808 4000
Provides free and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
An information pack for debt advice can be downloaded from the website. Sample letters for creditors are also available.

If you have a problem with debt, then our probation staff will be able to help you too. Please talk to them.