Most of our services only accept referrals from organisations and partners we work with, usually local authorities or health and social care services. Individuals cannot usually refer themselves. There are a small number of exceptions, and you can find out more about these here.
We have included some information and useful links for other organisations that may be able to help you if you require help now.
Help if you are homeless
Your local authority’s housing department or Housing Options Service is usually the best place to start. You can find their contact details through Homeless Link.
Shelter’s Advice Finder can help you find local face-to-face advice services, or you can call their Freephone National Housing Advice Line on 0808 800 44 44 (Monday – Friday, 8am to 8pm, weekends 8am – 5pm).
If you’re sleeping rough or you know someone who is, contact Street Link to link you into available local support.
If you’re a woman fleeing domestic violence, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline – you can call them 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.
Help if you are in a mental health crisis
Talk to your GP, dial 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department (A&E)
Contact your local crisis home treatment team or refer to your crisis plan if you have one
Talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable with
Contact a trained professional
- You can contact The Samaritans 24 hours a day – call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- You can also contact the Mind infoline 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am – 6pm) or email info@mind.org.uk
Help if you are a young person or leaving care
If you’re under 18, and experiencing abuse or violence at home or are at risk of becoming homeless, contact your local council and speak to their Children’s Services or homelessness team. You can also speak to someone in confidence by contacting Childline on 0800 111 or visiting www.childline.org.uk.
If you are a care leaver, you may be able to get help with housing from your local Social Services Team. Get in touch with them or your local Housing Department at your local council to see what support is available where you live.
Coram Voice can help you find and access independent advice from advocacy services in your local area.
Help if you are experiencing or affected by domestic abuse
If you live in a London Look Ahead service, you can self-refer to our London Domestic Abuse Advice Service (DAAS). You can reach the service by phone on 0207 515 1843, email LondonDAAS@lookahead.org.uk or refer yourself here.
We also offer support in Kent. If you are based in west Kent you can contact our Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) service on kentdomesticabuse@lookahead.org.uk.
If you identify as male and live in Kent and Medway, our Male Independent Domestic Advocacy Service (MIDAAS) can support you. You can reach the service on MIDAAS@lookahead.org.uk, by the service helpline: 0333 010 4660, or refer yourself here.
Support is also available from other providers. For refuges and other support, you can speak to Refuge on 0808 2000 247. Support for males is also available from Respect, who you can speak to on 0808 8010 327 or by webchat.
Karma Nirvana also offer support to people facing and at risk of so-called honour-based abuse, you can reach them on their helpline, 0800 5999 247, you can also visit their website here.
Help if you are a Look Ahead customer or a family member has a learning disability
British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) provides up-to-date news, information and resources
Learn more about our learning disability support here.
If you are already a customer
Call the Customer Contact Centre on 0333 010 4600 for help with:
- Repairs & maintenance
- Gardening & communal cleaning
- Facilities & security
- Complaints
- Housing & rent
- General enquiries
