Welcome to the Self Help Hub's guide to supporting services & resources - listed under this section T, U and V are resources supporting the following subject areas: Teeth and Dental Care, Terrorism, Tics & Tourettes, Toilet Issues, Trafficking, Trauma, Upskirting, Vaccinations, Visual Impairment, Vaping and Volunteering. Click below to find more details.
NHS - About Braces and Orthodontics
Around a third of children need orthodontic treatment. Find answers to some common questions about braces and orthodontics here.
NHS - Teeth and Gum Care
Find out how you can have healthy teeth and keep trips to the dentist to a minimum.
ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Information advice about oral health with a specific section (link here) for teens' teeth.
Also run national Smile Month in May-June.
WHAT IS TERRORISM?
Terrorism is legally defined as 'an action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people, causes serious damage to property or seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system.... the use of threat must be designed to influence the government or intimidate the public and is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause'... (source - Terrorism Act 2000.
It is often linked to extremist activity which is 'vocal or active opposition to fundamental (British) values' - (source Prevent Strategy 2011).
Radicalisation is a gradual process over time 'by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism' (source Prevent Strategy 2011). Radicalisation typically involves adopting an extreme world view, one that is rejected by mainstream society and that sees the use of violence as a way to trigger change.
What to do if you suspect terrorist threat?
All members of the public are advised to be alert to the danger of terrorism and report any suspicious activity to:
POLICE
Call 999
THE ANTI-TERRORIST HOTLINE
0800 789 321
TOURETTES ACTION
Support for those with this inherited neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements.
Produce a whole range of support resources in their extensive resources library including
- Factsheet Preparing for Exams with TS
BOOKS, BLOGS, VLOGS AND MORE:
- Why Do You Do That?: A Book about Tourette Syndrome for Children and Young People
ANXIETY UK - Toilet Phobia Fact Sheet
Anxiety UK are specialists in anxiety support including 'toilet phobia' which can affect anyone and is more common than you may realise. Toilet phobia may include worries about using a public loo, of not being able to go to the toilet, of being caught out too far from a toilet or concerns that others may be listening or watching.
- Download their Toilet Phobia Fact Sheet here.
- Access the National Phobics Society booklet Toilet Phobia: Breaking the Silence here.
BLADDER & BOWEL COMMUNITY - Just Can't Wait Card & App
Access a free card or digital Just Can't Wait card to give you the benefit of discreet and clear communication for those moments where you just can’t wait to use the toilet.
BOWEL & BLADDER UK
0161 214 4591.
Contact for advice on bladder and bowel health, continence promotion and options for managing incontinence, products, as well as signposting to services.
Link here to their Resources Library.
CHANGING PLACES - Toilet Map
Standard accessible toilets may not meet the needs of those with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Changing Places toilets however are different to standard disabled toilets with extra features and more space to meet these needs.
CROHNS & COLITIS UK - 0300 2225700
Support and information from symptoms to management tips and links to support such as IBD nurses for anyone concerned about or diagnosed with Crohn's or Colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
ERIC - The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity 0808 169 9949
ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health and to reduce the impact of continence problems on children and their families.
GREAT BRITISH TOILET MAP
Find (or add) a loo near you wherever you are in the UK.
IBS NETWORK
info@theibsnetwork.org
National charity supporting people living with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS who provide support, accurate and up-to-date information and advice and who work alongside specialist healthcare professionals to help facilitate self-management. Offer a self care programme (follow link), fact sheets.
IT TAKES GUTS
0300 222 5700
Crohn’s and Colitis campaign website - thousands of people with Crohn's and Colitis are suffering in silence - ITG want to change that but need your help with their campaign.
TOILET ANXIETY
Access a range of free downloads here about toilet anxiety and how to manage it.
You may also find it useful to look at other sections of this A-Z Directory including Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Crime, Modern Slavery.
BRITISH RED CROSS
0808 196 3651
Free confidential support line available daily 10am - 6pm which provides support in more than 200 languages,
Provide care, protection and support to trafficked people in the UK and internationally who have been exploited through many forms including forced labour and criminality, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude.
MODERN SLAVERY & TRAFFICKING LEAFLET (available in 11 languages)
Government leaflet to support those affected by modern slavery/trafficking.
UNSEEN
08000 121 700 (support available in 200 languages)
Unseen is a UK charity providing safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. They also run the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (number above) and work with individuals, communities, business, governments, other charities and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good.
See also Racial Trauma under Directory.
BRAKE UK
Road safety group providing information and support including Guides for families and for those seriously injured in road crashes.
DISASTER ACTION
01483 799 066
Advice and support for the bereaved and survivors of major disasters in the UK and overseas.
PSYCHOLOGY TOOLS - Trauma Resources for Ukrainian Refugees - Translated to Ukrainian:
- How Trauma Can Affect You
Illustrated information for children and young people. It describes and normalises common reactions to traumatic events, including feeling scared, having unwanted memories, or having nightmares and sleeping badly.
Symptoms experienced post-trauma can be physically and emotionally powerful, and can feel especially disturbing if the person doesn’t know why they are occurring. This resource can help children and adolescents to understand that they are experiencing normal reactions to powerful events. It can also be used to help wider family and other people to understand how young people might be feeling.
- Reactions to Trauma (18+ resource)
Information for adults which describes symptoms which commonly follow trauma – including re-experiencing symptoms, hyperarousal, and avoidance. It also gives helpful pointers about what to do to help someone who has experienced trauma.
COMBAT STRESS
Charity supporting military veterans suffering from mental health concerns including PTSD. Downloadable self help guide for PTSD here.
DISASTER ACTION
01483 799 066
Advice and support for the bereaved and survivors of major disasters in the UK and overseas.
NHS Inform (Scotland)
PTSD support information and downloadable guide.
PTSD UK
UK charity raising awareness of PTSD.
ROADPEACE
RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims in the UK who provide information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes.
ROYAL COLLAGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS' TRAUMA LEAFLET
- English language information - click here.
- Ukrainian translation - click here.
NHS INFORM: PTSD and CPTSD self-help guide
Work through a self-help guide for PTSD and CPTSD based on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Therapy (TF-CT).
BOOKS, BLOGS, VLOGS, VIDEOS AND MORE:
- Qi Gong for Anxiety, Trauma Release and Recovery Video
Easy to follow exercise support video with Qi Gong practitioner Rosemary Biraghi to help release anxiety and trauma.
ABTA - Staying Safe on Holiday - Advice for Young Travellers
ABTA’s tips and advice to help you have a fun and safe holiday.
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE
text 61016
The BTP Text Service 61016 (or call 0800 40 50 40) is available when you want to contact them directly and discretely about an issue or crime on the transport network which doesn't require an emergency response. Simply text BTP on 61016 to let BTP know what happened, where it happened and when.
You can report any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or report if you witness an incident, such as:
• Touching/Groping
• Rubbing against someone
• Masturbation
• Someone exposing themselves
• Taking photos of a sexual nature without consent
• Sexual comments
• Leering
• Indecent acts
You don't have to prove that it was a criminal offence or an intentional act in order to report it; BTP will investigate.
Always dial 999 when you need an urgent police response, in instances such as:
• A crime is happening right now
• Someone suspected of a crime is nearby
• Someone is injured, being threatened or in danger
If your enquiry concerns buses or roads, you can contact local police anywhere in the country by dialling 101.
FCDO TRAVEL AWARE
Links and top tips on topics that you might need when planning your trip and while you’re away.
Includes link and country directory to find help abroad in an emergency situation whilst travelling such as losing your passport, being arrested or if you have been involved in an accident.
FCDO TRAVEL ADVICE UPDATES
You can keep up to date before and while you’re away by subscribing to the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) free email alert service, which will notify you of any travel advice updates for the countries you are visiting.
You can also keep up to date on travel advice by folllowing FCDO on:
- Twitter @FCDOtravelGovUK
- Facebook @FCDOTravel
- Instagram @travelaware
NATIONAL RAILWAYS - PASSENGER ASSIST
Passenger Assist allows you to request an assistance booking in advance. Any train company can organise assistance for your entire journey, even if you are travelling on multiple services. Visit the website or download the Passenger Assist app.
Passenger Assist includes:
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offering a helping hand to navigate the station
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support when boarding the train
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meeting you from your train and taking you to your next train or the exit
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arranging a ramp on or off your train
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assistance relating to a non-visible impairment
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carrying your bag(s) – up to 3 items of luggage as per the National Rail Conditions of Travel (PDF, 1.1MB)
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getting an Assistance Dog Under Seat card
SAFER TRAVEL - CAROLINE'S RAINBOW FOUNDATION
Charity promoting safer travel offering advice, information and training.
Watch their video for travellers called 'What is personal safety' using this link.
Listen to their Safer Travel podcast on You Tube here.
WHAT 3 WORDS App
Never get lost again with the what3words app which makes it easy to find, share and save precise locations for anywhere in the world. The app has divided the world into 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words. what3words addresses are easy to say and share, and as accurate as GPS coordinates.
WORLDWIDE HELP AND SERVICES
When you’re abroad and need help in an emergency, for example, if you’ve lost your passport, been arrested or involved in an accident.
YOU GOV: Guide to Gap Years, Volunteering Overseas and Adventure Holidays Advice
Information on how to stay safe and healthy during your travel overseas.
YOU GOV: Advice for Women Travelling Abroad
Travel and safety advice for women travelling and living abroad including to other organisations
YOU GOV:
- Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
A Blue Badge will help you to park close to your destination, either as a passenger or driver. The badge is intended for on-street parking only.
Check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge. You can also use this service to reapply for a Blue Badge. You can apply for yourself, someone else or an organisation.
- Apply for Disabled Person's Bus Pass
DISCOUNTED TRAVEL CARDS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:
Upskirting is where someone takes a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission including for the purposes of sexual gratification or causing humiliation, distress or alarm.
It is now a specific criminal offfence in England and Wales and under the Voyeurism Act and the Sexual Offences Act (2003) with offenders facing two years in prison.
Read more about it here:
GOV UK - Upskirting Know Your Rights
Information and support regarding upskirting.
GINA MARTIN'S STORY ON UPSKIRTING
Video explaining Gina's campaign to have upskirting made a criminal offence.
CPS - Voyeurism & Upskirting Information
“Upskirting” is a colloquial term referring to the action of placing equipment such as a camera or mobile phone beneath a person’s clothing to take a voyeuristic photograph without their permission. It is not only confined to victims wearing skirts or dresses and equally applies when men or women are wearing kilts, cassocks, shorts or trousers.
