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Welcome to the Advice, Information and Services page. This page features a selection of links to websites that could be useful to you if you need advice, support or information on a particular issue and some that have been recommended by young people as being worth having a look at. We have also included some telephone numbers for useful organisations without websites.

Below, you'll also find some of our specialist sections of LINC Online with our own information and advice on certain topics. Scroll down to view everything or just use the links below to navigate.

Our advice
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OUR ADVICE SECTIONS

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LINKS

All our links and helplines have  been arranged in alphabetical order. If you know what subject you need help, advice or support with, you can browse the page by subject by using the 'Choose Your Category' table below, or you can scroll down to view the full list.

If you want to recommend a website to other young people, or tell us about a subject we might have missed off, that you’d like some information on, email linconline@wlct.org

Choose Your Category:

Advice

  • www.cnx2jobs.com  – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
  • www.childline.org.uk – Childline’s bright, interactive website has tonnes of advice on all kinds of issues affecting young people. They also have a free helpline you can call on 0800 1111
  • Little London - (01942) 776767 - is the free, confidential young people’s counselling service for young people aged 11-25 in Wigan Borough. Call and leave a confidential answer message. Little London counsellors will then get back to you.
  • Radio 1 - The Surgery - BBC Radio 1’s Surgery is a great site to find out loads of information and advice on everything from sexual health, work issues, education and more. You can also e-mail the Radio 1 Surgery, which is on air from 10pm on Sunday nights for advice.
  • www.imokta.co.uk – An interactive flash-based website from Bolton’s Imokta group. Contains lots of scenarios you're likely to come across and advice on how to deal with them, as well as cool games and downloads.
Asylum Seekers’ Support
  • Wigan Council Asylum Seekers' Support team : 01942 766138
  • Wigan English as a Second Language Team - 01942 404579 or e-mail m.mccormack@wigan.gov.uk
  • Rafiki - 01942 705398 Educational and social group for young asylum seekers:
  • www.refugee-action.org - Refugee Action is an independent national charity that works with refugees to build new lives in the UK. You can contact them on 020 7654 7700
  • www.iasuk.org - IAS is the leading charity giving legal advice and representation services to immigrants and asylum seekers free to those who are eligible.
Bullying and Abuse
  • www.bullyfreezone.co.uk features a guide to coping with bullying, how to spot if someone you know is being bullied and how to help if someone you know is bullying others. Bully Free Zone is based in Bolton and you can contact them on 01204 454958.
  • DIAS, Suite 38, Rodney House, King Street. Wigan Drop-in centre offering support ,advice and counselling for anyone over 16 affected by domestic violence. Contact: 01942 495230
  • www.childline.org.uk - If you are under 16 you can contact Childline on 0800 1111.
  • www.bullying.co.uk – Bullying UK offers lots of practical advice and help, whether you’re being bullied at school, home or even over the internet.
Benefits
  • www.dwp.gov.uk Department for Work & Pensions. Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00
  • www.adviceguide.org.uk – The Advice Guide provides information and advice on a wide range of financial subjects, including benefits, Job Seekers Allowance and debt.
  • Wigan Council Benefits team01942 828644 or e-mail benefits@wigan.gov.uk - for advice on claiming benefits or any other issue relating to benefits.
    Wigan council also arrange for their benefits advisors to be out and about in Wigan all week long, ready to answer your questions or help with claims.

    Find out where your benefits advisors will be  (opens in new window)


     

Bereavement
(When someone you know has died)

  • www.rd4u.org.uk A website designed by young people, for young people, to offer you support after the death of someone close.
  • www.winstonswish.org.uk Winston's Wish helps bereaved children and young people rebuild their lives after a family death. Practical support and advice is available by contacting 0845 20 30 405 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm).
  • Compassionate Friends -  (national helpline - 0845 1 23 23 04 ) - A nationwide charitable organisation offering support to parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters dealing with the loss of a child.
  • Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90 or e-mail jo@samaritans.org  - Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
  • BUDS help bereaved children and their families after the death of a family member or friend. BUDS meet weekly on a Tuesday evening for 6 weeks and provides a safe environment for children to use therapeutic activities to express their feelings and find ways to cope with and understand their grief. For more info, email emilyellarby@wiganfamilywelfare.co.uk or call 01942 867888 (Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm).
Careers
  • www.cnx2jobs.com – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
  • www.careersnorthwest.com Information on what is happening in the jobs market in the North West.
  • http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ - An excellent website for young people interested in taking up a modern apprenticeship, with information on the different types of apprenticeships, how you can go about applying for one, plus much more.
  • http://www.teachernet.gov.uk - For those looking for a career in teaching.
  • http://www.skillset.org/careers/ - For those interested in a career in the media industries. Skillset offers advice, information and guidance for anyone wanting to work in broadcasting, film and photo imaging.
  • http://www.ttctraining.co.uk - Is a great website for anybody looking for a career in travel and tourism.
  • www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk – Working for the National Health Service isn’t just about being a doctor or a nurse. From dietician to drama therapist, there are loads of careers to chose from in the NHS and this website for 14-19 year-olds has loads of information on how to get into them.
  • http://young.nowpeople.co.uk/ - Now Young People has lots of information for young people looking for a career in local government
  • Young People’s Job Clubs - Job clubs run on Wednesdays in Marsh Green and Thursdays in Worsley Hall, providing lots of practical help and advice on getting into employment, from help with your CV to interview techniques and more. For more information, locations and contact details, see our Young People’s Job Clubs page on LINC Online.

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Debt

  • www.moneymatterstome.com Spending money and budgeting, struggling with debt and leaving education
  • www.adviceguide.org.uk – The Advice Guide provides information and advice on a wide range of financial subjects, including benefits, Job Seekers Allowance and debt.
  • Citizens Advice in Wigan Borough - 08701 264 459 - offers advice and information on a range of issues including money and debt, legal help and more. You can call the advice line on the number above or pop into any of the following locations

    * Wigan Citizens Advice Bureau – Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA (view map)
    * Leigh Citizens Advice Bureau – 6, The Avenue, Leigh, WN7 1ES (view map)
     

Domestic / Sexual Abuse

  • www.thehideout.org.uk – The Hideout provides help, information and support for children and young people. Whether you current live with domestic abuse, have experienced it in the past or know someone who is going through it, this website can help.
  • www.rapecrisis.org.uk – Rape Crisis provides information for survivors of sexual violence, their friends and family to help them access the services and support they need.
  • www.survivorsuk.org - Survivors UK offer advice, support and counselling for victims of male rape and sexual abuse
  • www.womensaid.org.uk – Women’s Aid work to end domestic violence against women and children in the UK. Their website has lots of information and advice for sufferers and those close to them.
  • www.burstingthebubble.com – Bursting the bubble looks at domestic violence in families, with information and support for when things aren’t right at home.

Drugs and Alcohol

  • Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team - 01942 777720 Local service for all young people aged 18 and under who are experiencing problems or have concerns about drugs or alcohol. The service also offers advice and support for concerned parents and carers. A young people’s drug and alcohol trained officer is available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Other useful contacts:

  • www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk - Tel: 0161 236 6569 - Alcoholics Anonymous web-site for help if you or someone you know is experiencing problems with alcohol.
  • www.ukna.org narcotics anonymous, for help if you or someone you know is experiencing problems with substance abuse (drugs).
  • www.addaction.org.uk help and information about drugs and alcohol with a special section aimed at young people featuring cartoon style advice on what to do in different situations related to drug using.
  • www.drugscope.org.uk links to hundreds of good, informative sites about drugs and alcohol. This site also features information on the latest news and policies about drugs, alcohol and the law and information on regional conferences on young people and substance misuse.
  • www.talktofrank.com 0800 776600
  • Drinkline 0800 917 8282
  •  Why Let Drink Decide?  This is a new site from the folks at DirectGov, with young people's stories about their night on the booze and a game you can play on Facebook.
     

Eating Disorders

  • www.b-eat.co.uk – B-eat, formerly the Eating Disorders Association, are dedicated to providing help, advice and support for people with eating disorders, their friends and families. Call the special helpline on 08456 341414
  • www.eatingproblems.org 020 7602 0862 - The Eating Problems Service is for young people concerned about their weight, body image or what they eat, and provide support and advice on a range of issues including binge eating, bulimia or even self-harm.
  • www.obsessiveeatersanonymous.org - Obsessive Eaters Anonymous are a group of people recovering from an obsession with weight size or eating, who's aim is to help others with similar issues.
  • www.boyanorexia.com - Boys Get Anorexia Too is a useful site which provides support, comfort, information and words of advice for young men and their friends and family dealing with eating issues.

Emergency Contraception/Pregnancy

  • www.brookwiganandleigh.org.uk  Tel: 01942 760000. Brook Wigan and Leigh offers free, friendly, confidential advice on sex, relationships and contraception for under 25’s.
  • www.fpa.org.uk Family Planning Advice Line (advice on sex, relationships and contraception): 01695 626291
  • www.ruthinking.co.uk, advice and information aimed at young people about sex, relationships and sexual health.
  • GUM Clinic- 01942 822277 Advice and sexual health testing and pre and post –test counselling.
  • www.ruready2.com – RUREADY2.com is The LINC Online’s own sub-site to help you find local information on relationships, sex, sexual health and contraception, with information on the local TIC TAC Bus, Chlamydia testing and more.
  • Ashton, Wigan & Leigh Primary Care Trust’s website has a full list of places where you can get emergency contraception from.
  • NHS Direct - (0845 4647) can provide more advice and information on emergency contraception.
     

Gambling

  • www.gamcare.org.uk - Gamcare helpline 0845 6000 133.  Information, advice and counselling if you have concerns about your, or a family member or friend’s problem gambling.
  • www.gam-anon.org - Gam-Anon is the support group for families and friends of gamblers. There is a national 24 hour helpline which is 020 7384 3040 for both friends and families and gamblers themselves.

Health

  • NHS Direct - (0845 4647)  for medical advice at any time of the day or night
  • www.teenagehealthfreak.com – A portal to several different sites with lots of advice on a whole range of health issues.
  • www.orchid-cancer.org.uk - Orchid's Mission is to raise awareness of male cancer and support those affected by it.

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Housing

  • Housing Advice/Homelessness: 01942 827406
  • www.walh.co.uk Wigan and Leigh Housing: 01942 827970
  • http://england.shelter.org.uk/home/index.cfm offers advice on where to go for advice and support related to housing. Or call Shelter’s housing advice line on 0808 800 4444.
  • Tennant Participation (TP) Team:
    Based at Wigan Investment Centre. We have a lot of Tenants and Residents groups and we help them deal with various issues around their estate.

    We look to get the views of young people but often struggle with this hard to reach group. We look to get the opinions of people of all different age ranges to help us improve every aspect of our service. We do this by trying to get young people to attend our housing steering groups. We also try and get young people to attend Tenants and Residents meetings to create a good relationship between young and old on the estates.

    The TP team are available throughout the week. We offer everyone the chance to join our many housing steering groups and we encourage the youth to join Tenants and Residents Groups on their estates to try and achieve a better community. TP team Wigan 0800 389 7652 or TP team Leigh 0800 032 1451. Website: www.walh.co.uk

Information

  • www.need2know.co.uk provides information on all kinds of issues and is aimed at young people. Issues include: health, money, travel, relationships and law.
  • www.cnx2jobs.com – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
  • www.youthinformation.com Over 1,000 information topics and hundreds of built in web-links. Features information on issues such as education, employment, environment, Europe, family and relationships, health, housing, justice and equality, money, sport, leisure and travel.
  • www.ukyouth.org information on young people’s conferences, funding opportunities and awards and certificates you can work towards.
  • www.thesite.org – A wealth of topics with loads of information on everything from travel, studying, sexual health, the law and more.
  • Family Information Service Directory - An online directory of local services and organisations available in the local area. Simply click 'young people aged 13+' to view information.
  • ContactPoint is a new database that holds information about you and those working with you, if you want to know more about it, read our quick guide: What is ContactPoint?

Mental Health

  • www.kooth.com - Kooth is an online counselling service where you can talk to someone about any problems you're having.
  • www.youngminds.org.uk – National Charity dedicated to improving the mental health of children and young people across the UK. Contains lots of information, advice and support.
  • www.rethink.org – Rethink offer a wide range of services to help people with depression and mental illnesses.
  • www.samaritans.org.uk - Samaritans Helpline: 08457 909090 (24hour)  If you can’t face talking to someone you can now email the Samaritans on jo@samaritans.org
  • www.sane.org.uk. Saneline on: 08457 678000 (12 noon to 2am) are there if you need someone to talk to, if you need help with an issue or worry, or if you are feeling very sad or suicidal.
  • www.mind.org.uk offer lots of information on therapies, anti-depressants, herbal remedies and rights for people with mental health problems.
  • www.depressionalliance.org lists symptoms, treatments and new research on depression and advises of numbers to call in a crisis.
  • www.ocfoundation.org can help with problems related to obsessive compulsive disorder and includes the ‘organised chaos’ section, especially for teenagers.
  • Little London is the free, confidential young people’s counselling service for young people aged 11-25 in Wigan Borough. Call (01942) 776767 and leave a confidential answer message. Little London counsellors will then get back to you.

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Panic Attacks and Phobias

  • www.nomorepanic.co.uk information and advice on how to cope with panic attacks and anxiety, where to go for further help and other people’s experiences.
  • www.first-steps.org – First Steps is a registered charity helping people to be free from panic attacks, phobias and anxiety. They provide a confidential helpline, fact sheets, practicle help and more.
  • www.phobics-society.org.uk – The National Phobics Society help to relieve and support people living with anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, stress disorders and more. They’re website is really useful with a dedicated section for young people.
  • www.nopanic.org.uk – No panic are a registered charity helping people with panic attacks, phobias and anxiety issues. Visit their website or call the confidential helpline on 0808 808 0545 from 10am-10pm every day.

Parent Support

  • Parentline Plus: 080 800 2222 A helpline for all parents worried about any aspects of their child’s welfare. You can also contact Parentline Plus through Skype. Skype
  • www.gingerbread.org.uk – Gingerbread is the largest charity in England and Wales offering support to lone parent families. They have over 200 local support groups, a confidential help line and offer to help combat childhood poverty by providing discounts and days out so that children are not excluded from activities and opportunities.

    Gingerbread's advice service for lone parents is available: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Freephone 0800 018 4318, visit http://www.gingerbreadnw.org.uk for their North West branch.

Personal Relationships

  • Family Support Team01942 828300 Local advice, support, guidance, individual or group work and counselling.  .
  • www.teenissues.co.uk/arguingwithparents.html - Advice on what to do when you find you’re just not getting on with your parents.
  • So You've Been Dumped – Through a mixture of both light-hearted and serious styles, So You’ve Been Dumped offers advice and support on breaking up and coming to terms with the end of a relationship.

Race Issues

  • Rafiki - 01942 705398. Rafiki is an educational and social group for black young people run by Positive Futures:
  • www.britkid.org – Follow the characters of this fun, interactive website around their hometown of Birchester as they discuss race, religion and being proud of who you are.

Rights at work

  • http://www.gmemploymentrights.org.uk The Greater Manchester Low Pay Unit provide advice and information on low pay and rights at work. You can call their free and confidential advice line on 0161 839 3888.
  • www.youngworker.co.uk information for anyone who is responsible for young people in the work place and information for young people who work.
  • Employment Rights Advice Line: 0161 953 4024

Rights for Young People

Self Harm

  • www.nshn.co.uk The Self-harm Network provides support for those who are affected by self-harm
  • www.firstsigns.org.uk - First Signs (Self Injury Guidance & Network Support) is a voluntary organisation who's aim is to raise awareness about self-injury and provide information and support to people of all ages who are affected by self-injury.
  • www.basementproject.co.uk – The Basement Project provide support groups for people who self-harm and people who have been abused as children.
  • www.selfharm.org.uk – Young People & Self Harm has lots of helpful resources for young people who self harm, their friends and families.

Sexual Health

  • WISH: drop-in for young women to talk about sexual health, relationships and contraception in confidence: 01942 681411
  • GUM Clinic: Advice and sexual health testing and pre and post –test counselling. 01942 822277.
  • www.brookwiganandleigh.org.uk  01942 760000 Brook Wigan and Leigh offers free, friendly, confidential advice on sex, relationships and contraception for under 25’s.
  • National Aids Helpline: (free-phone) 0800 567 123 - 24-hour free advice about HIV and AIDS.
  • Sexwise: (free-phone) 0800 282930
    Free and confidential telephone service giving you the chance to talk to an adviser about sex and personal relationships. Lines open from 7am – midnight. Text Phone for people with hearing impairments: 0800 328 1651
  • www.ruclear.co.uk - Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection and most people who have it don't know they've got it. Untreated Chlamydia can lead to long term problems such as infertility. RUCLEAR offer free, painless and confidential Chlamydia testing. Visit the website or call the confidential advice line on 0800 046 1303.
  • www.tht.org.uk – The Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV and Aids charity in the UK, offering support, access to HIV testing, treatment advice and more.
  • www.ruready2.com – RUREADY2.com is our own sub-site to help you find local information on relationships, sex, sexual health and contraception, with information on the local TIC TAC Bus, Chlamydia testing and more.
  • www.eachaction.org.uk - EACH aim to help young people and adults affected by homophobia. You can visit their website, or call their free action line for help and support on: 0808 1000 143
  • www.fpa.org.uk Find your nearest Family Planning Clinic. Once on their site, go to "I Need Help Now" and then "Search" to get advice on contraception and sexual health.

Sexuality

  • Brook support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning young people meet at Brook, in The Galleries in Wigan. For info call call or text a call back request on 07950 571 796 or call  the Brook office on 01942 483180 and ask to speak to Joya.
  • B-You: local advice and support for young people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual or are questioning their sexuality and want support: 01942 203363
  • Lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual helpline: 0161 235 8000
  • www.fflag.org.uk Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG) 01942 832810
  • www.mermaids.freeuk.com  Mermaids provide information and support for children, young people and parents about gender identity. (07020 935066)
  • www.gyuk.org.uk - The Gay Youth UK Online Community aims to provide information, support, help and advice to all gay or bi-sexual young people, as well as those who may be questioning their sexuality.
  • www.queeryouth.org.uk – A National Organisation run by and for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Young People, offering lots of support and information, including message boards, a publication and more. Queer Youth also have a number of local groups, such as Wigan’s Open Minds.
  • www.bgiok.org.uk - A support and advice website for gay young people, bgiok aims to answer questions about sex, coming out and dealing with homosexual feelings. The site has a problem page, dedicated coming out section, advice and information articles, links and more.
  • www.gayteens.org – With lots of news, information and discussions for gay young people.
  • www.openminds-lgbt.co.uk - A local group for 18-25 year-olds who are lesbian, gay or bi-sexual, offering a safe confidential meeting place, advice, support and activities.

Support

  • www.cnx2jobs.com – Wigan & Leigh’s Connexions Service offer advice, support, guidance and information on a whole range of issues and subjects.
  • www.childline.org.uk - Child Line run a free and confidential 24-hour helpline you can call for advice and support on any problem or worry.
  • www.youth2youth.co.uk / 020 8896 3675 – Youth 2 Youth is a unique helpline run by young people for young people. All the helpline staff are aged between 16-21 and are on hand to offer advice and support. You can e-mail your problem, chat online (Monday and Thursday evenings only) or call the confidential free hotline.
  • www.kooth.com - Kooth is an online counselling service where you can talk to someone about any problems you're having.

Sports and Leisure

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Trouble with the Police

  • www.crimeinfo.org.uk
  • Youth Offending team:
    The Youth Offending Team’s one simple aim is to prevent offending by children and young people.

    To achieve this aim, we provide a range of services which are: Support courses for parents (in partnership with Education and Family Centres, bail supervision and support, attending the Police Station when a parent / carer cannot be present during an interview, preventative Services – working closely with other local groups to divert young people from offending, writing court reports, which advise Courts on which sentence to choose, and restorative Justice – making good any harm or damage to a victim and help the young person restore their position in the community.

    Jackie Benton, Admin Team Manager: 01942 776886 Fax number 01942 776856. The office hours are Monday to Friday 8:45 – 5 (there is also a duty system in operation on Saturdays and Bank Holidays). However, the hours are flexible, some young people are seen in the evenings to avoid disruption if they are at school, college or at work.
  • www.askthe.police.uk – A large database of the most frequently asked questions to the police, with lots of information about crime and the law.

Voluntary Work

  • www.do-it.org.uk  - A great website with loads of information on voluntary work in your area.
  • vinvolved helps young people across Wigan Borough to get involved in volunteering by matching people with their ideal placement, whether it’s a one-off experience or a long-term project. Whatever you're interested in, V can help put you in touch where you can make the most out of any volunteering experience, whether that's helping to plan events, taking part in arts projects, conservation work or anything else, whatever it is, there's sure to be something to suit you.
  • http://wnyp.olib.co.uk - We Need Young People is a directory of opportunities that young people can get involved in. There are countless requests for young people to get involved in consultations, TV programmes, debates, surveys etc. There are some great schemes and competitions available for young people to enter. We Need Young People brings them all together.

Young Carers

  • Crossroads Wigan & Leigh - 01744 612929. Crossroads Wigan & Leigh offers a wide range of free training to unpaid carers in the borough. If you’re a young carer and want to take the opportunity to do an NVQ, non vocational courses such as jewellery making, specialised courses and many more.

Your Views

  • To pass on your views to your local UK Youth Parliament member or to find out more about getting involved in youth parliament, email youngpeoplesvoice@wiganmbc.gov.uk
  • Youth Mediation Team - 01942 705321 / j.holland@wigan.gov.uk Wigan Borough’s Youth Mediation team are on hand to help sort out any problems or arguments you may be having with older people. Whether it’s adults telling you to move on all the time or stop playing footie in the street, whatever it may be, the team will listen to all sides and try to help everyone to sort out any issues. Contact them on  or e-mail
  • www.byc.org.uk The British Youth Council is an independent charity run by and for young people aged 16-25 to report your views to central and local government
  • www.nya.org.uk The National Youth Agency website can help you to find out about government policies which affect young people and offers an electronic information service on young people’s issues.

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