Wellbeing Support and Information
Our wellbeing team are here for you! As a student, parent/carer or staff member you can access support directly from the team or via the information shared on this page.
If you feel you need support you can:
1. Get in touch with the team by calling or sending a text during college hours, see below for numbers.
2. Look through the list of topics below to find the best resource for you. Under the news stories is a list of useful contacts and suggested Apps. This includes many out of college hours and crisis help information.
3. Take action. No matter how small.
Our Happy Balance wellbeing programme is focused on helping you achieve your ideal mental, social and physical state so that you can achieve your full potential and, most importantly, be happy!
Happy students are successful students and we make every effort to encourage you to nurture yourself. We will help you to identify the areas of your life that may need some work and we will support you in meeting your personal targets.
Our dedicated student and apprentice wellbeing team are here to help you and run a host of talks and workshops throughout the year to help support you to be mentally and physically healthy. They can be contacted to arrange face to face, telephone or online appointments or share advice and great organisations via email. Please contact the team via wellbeing@eastcoast.ac.uk or call 0800 854695.
It’s Time to Talk 
Checking in with friends, course colleagues and family is more important than ever. Our college did a great job of raising awareness during Time to Talk day in February, we can keep that going! Follow the tips below and find out more from Time to Change.
1) Check in
You might not be able to meet face-to-face, but picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.
2) Listen and reflect
Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.
3) Ask questions
Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you’re worried they aren’t sharing the full picture. Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they’re feeling.
Emotional health resources
You can find useful information on a range of topics including building resilience and self-harm to help you. See our Useful Contacts list below for other help available.
Useful Contacts:
Scroll down for topics of interest to you:
Mental health support
Suicide Prevention Leaflet (1.3 MB PDF)
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust First Response
This is a 24/7 service for people of all ages in Norfolk and Suffolk who need urgent mental health support.
Telephone: 0808 196 3494 (Freephone)
Shout
If you are a young person struggling to cope, Shout can provide 24/7 text support. For help, text SHOUT to 85258 or Chat Health to 07480 635060. Whatever you are going through, if it matters to you, it matters to us.
If you’re a Parent or Carer and need general advice you can;
Telephone: Just One Number on 0300 300 0123
Text: Parentline on 07520 631590
Website: www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk
Samaritans
Offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Telephone: 116 123 its FREE
Email: jo@samaritans.org.uk
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Sane Line
Work with anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their helpline is open between 4:40pm and 10pm every day of the year. They also provide a free text-based support service called Textcare. And an online supportive forum community, where anyone can share their experiences of mental health issues.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm – 10:30pm every evening)
Textcare: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/textcare
Support Forum: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Norfolk and Waveney Mind
Provide a ranges of services to help people suffering from mental distress with one-to-one support, social groups and workshops for young people, adult and carers.
Telephone: 0300 330 5488
Email: enquiries@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
Website: http://www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
Young Minds
Fighting for children and young people’s mental health
Telephone: 020 7089 5050
Parent Helpline: 0800 802 5544
Urgent help: Text YM to 85258 (free)
Website: https://youngminds.org.uk/
BEAT
Provide information and a range of support services for anyone affected by an eating disorder.
Telephone: 0800 801 0677 (helpline) 0808 801 0811 (Studentline) 0808 801 0711 (Youthline)
Email: Adult email support is open to anyone over 18: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Studentline email support is open to all students: studentline@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Youthline email support is open to anyone under 18: fyp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Rethink Mental Illness
Help millions of people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes, changing lives.
Website: https://www.rethink.org/
Just One Norfolk
Single webpage summarising contact information available to support 0-25’s mental health.
Website: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/mentalhealth
Point 1 Norfolk and Waveney Under 18s
If you need more specialist help the team will get you to the right person, you don’t need a referral.
Telephone: 0800 977 4077
Email: Point1-support@ormistonfamilies.org.uk
NHS Wellbeing Service Over 16s
Support to help people make changes to improve their wellbeing and to help them cope with common mental health and emotional issues.
Telephone: 0300 123 1503
Email: www.wellbeingnandw.co.uk
Website: https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
People understand and talk openly about depression where young people know how to maintain wellbeing and where the treatment is available to everyone who needs it
Telephone: 01635 3697154
Website: https://www.cwmt.org.uk/
Mental Health Foundation
Prevention is at the heart of their work.
Website: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/getting-help
C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Aimed specifically at men. Their helpline is open between 5pm and midnight every day of the year.
Telephone (outside London): 0800 58 58 58
Telephone (London): 0808 802 58 58
Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/ (5pm – Midnight every day)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT)
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are a range of services which support children and young people who are at risk of, or are experiencing mental health issues and problem.
Website: Find a service – https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Papyrus
Charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Website: https://papyrus-uk.org/
Silverline
Aimed at people over 55. Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90
Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk
The Mix
Aimed at people under 25. Their helpline is open between 4pm and 11pm, 7 days a week. They also run a crisis text service which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone: 0808 808 4994
E-mail: through the website.
Crisis text message service: Text THEMIX to 85258
Webchat: through the website. (4pm – 11pm, 7 days a week)
Website: www.themix.org.uk
Mood Swings
Aimed at anyone affected by a mood disorder, including friends, families and carers. Their helpline is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone: 0161 832 37 36
E-mail: info@moodswings.org.uk
Website: www.moodswings.org.uk
Cameron Grant Memorial Trust
Supporting mental health in young people.
Telephone: 01675 443610
Email: info@camgrant.org.uk
Website: https://www.camgrant.org.uk/getting-help/
Protection from abuse and support
NSPCC
Work to protect children and prevent abuse so we can make child abuse a thing of the past
Telephone: 0808 800 5000 or for 18 years and under 0800 1111
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Website: http://www.nspcc.org.uk
The Rose Project
If you live in Norfolk and have been affected by child sexual exploitation, you can contact the dedicated team for help.
Telephone: 0808 800 1037
Website: www.magdalenegroup.org/rose-project
Leeway
Free, safe and confidential service to help those who are experiencing domestic abuse and give confidence needed to make independent choices about their life.
Telephone: Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0300 561 0077
Email: adviceandsupport@leewaynwa.org.uk
Website: https://www.leewaysupport.org/help-support/
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline
This website provides guidance and support for potential victims, as well as those who are worried about friends and loved ones. They can also be called, for free and in confidence, 24 hours a day.
Telephone: 0808 200 0247
Website: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Women’s Aid
Women’s Aid provides information and education and training and campaigns on Domestic abuse as well as helping women to escape from domestic abuse and providing support and guidance those suffering.
Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/
Men’s Advice Line
A confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.
Telephone: 0808 8010 327
Email: info@mensadviceline.org
Website: https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Victim Support
Working with people affected by crime or traumatic events get support they need and respect they deserve.
Telephone: 0808 1689111
Email: via website form
Website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Relationships
Relate Norfolk and Suffolk
Relationship counselling and sex therapy in Norfolk and Suffolk
Telephone: Norfolk 01603 625333 or Suffolk 01473 254118
Email: Online form
Website: https://www.relate.org.uk/norfolk-suffolk/contact-us
See Leeway above
Substances
The Matthew Project (Norfolk)
Supporting children and adults with issues around substance misuses and wellbeing
Telephone: 01603 216420 (general enquiries) or 01603 246420 (Young people)
Email: enquiries@matthewproject.org
Website: https://www.matthewproject.org/
Turning Point (Suffolk)
Supporting children and adults with issues around substance misuses and wellbeing
Telephone: 01502 531 138
Email: suffolk@turning-point.co.uk
Website: http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/
Frank
Honest information about drugs.
Telephone: 0300 1236600
Text: 82111
Website: www.talktofrank.com or you can email/live chat from the website.
Housing
MAP (Norfolk)
Ensure young people have the access to quality information, advice, counselling and support they need for their holistic development
Telephone: 01603 766994
Email: info@map.uk.net
Website: https://www.map.uk.net/find-us/contact-us/
Shelter
Housing advice and support
Telephone: 0808 8004444
Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
The Benjamin Foundation
Deliver a range of services to support local people including working to prevent youth homelessness and helping families build strong relationships
Telephone: 01603 615670
Email: info@benjaminfoundation.co.uk
Website: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/
Bereavement
Nelson’s Journey
Supports children and young people who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life
Telephone: 01603 431788
Email: enquiries@nelsonsjourney.org.uk
Website: http://www.nelsonsjourney.org.uk/
Cruse Bereavement
Supports people who have experiences the death of a significant person in their life.
Telephone: 0808 308 1677
Email: info@cruse.org.uk
Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/helpline
Sexual Health
Terrence Higgins Trust
Sexual health advice and signposting
Telephone: 0808 302 1221
Email: info@tht.org.uk
Website: https://www.tht.org.uk/
iCash Norfolk/Suffolk
Contraception, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV care and treatment or related advice in:
Telephone: 0300 300 3030
Website: www.icash.nhs.uk/contraception-sexual-health/postal-self-test-kits
LGBT+
Norfolk LGBT+ Project
Providing support that is relevant to the health and wellbeing needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender+ community in Norfolk and Waveney
Telephone: 01603 219299
Email: info@norfolklgbtproject.co.uk
Website: http://www.norfolklgbtproject.co.uk
Outreach Youth – Suffolk
Outreach youth wants a world where all young people can reach their full potential.
Telephone: 07999 730289
Email: info@outreachyouth.org.uk
Website: https://outreachyouth.org.uk/
Stonewall
Acceptance without exception.
Telephone: 0800 0502020
Website: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Keeping safe online
Thinkuknow
Information about staying safe when you’re on a phone, tablet or computer. Helping keep you safe online and offline.
Website: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/4_7/
Apps include:
Clear Fear – https://www.clearfear.co
Calm Harm – https://calmharm.co.uk/
Self Heal – http://self-healapp.co.uk/
Blue Ice – https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/blueice/
DistrACT – https://www.expertselfcare.com/health-apps/distract/
16-19 Health Passport
If you’re aged 16-19 and live in Norfolk, you can download the Just1Norfolk Health Passport from the app store. It can help you become more independent with your own health needs. It has general health information and advice on a variety of topics.
Download from: Apple app store
Download from: Google Play store
Stay Alive
Suicide prevention resources, including your own safety plan and links to local and national crisis resources.
Download from: Apple app store
Download from: Google Play store