Help and advice
Atheism UK has compiled the following list of secular voluntary organizations (and some statutory agencies) that provide help and advice on various issues. Whilst there are many other charitable and voluntary organizations engaged in similar work, a number of them are overtly religious in their underlying rationale or do not willingly declare hidden religious motives.
Citizens Advice can give advice and information about most of the issues referred to below.
Debt
Consumer Credit Counselling Service provides free, confidential advice and support to anyone worried about debt – 0808 808 4000
National Debtline provides free, confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt – 0808 808 4000
Donating to non-religious relief organizations
Non-Believers Giving Aid has been set up by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS) to collect donations to non-religious relief organizations.
Education
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) provides advice and information to parents and carers on a wide range of school based issues including exclusion, admissions, special education needs, bullying and attendance – 0808 800 5793
First Tutors - helping people find great tutors in their local area.
Student Finance England provides information about loans and grants for students in higher education in England – 0845 300 5090
Student Finance Wales – 0845 602 8845
Student Awards Agency for Scotland – 0845 111 1711
Student Finance Northern Ireland – 0845 600 0662
Tutorhunt – an on-line service to help students and tutors to find each other.
Health
Anyone experiencing health problems should contact their GP or the Accident and Emergency department of their local hospital.
Mind promotes good mental health. It provides advice, information and support via local associations – 0845 766 0163
NHS Direct offers advice and information about health related matters and NHS services – 0845 46 47
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 – 08457 90 90 90
SANE works to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. SANEline is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems – 0845 767 8000
Housing
Crisis helps single homeless people to find accommodation, training, work etc. They also produce a booklet called In Reach which contains a vast amount of information useful for homeless people. The booklet can be downloaded from the Crisis website – 0844 251 0111
Shelter gives advice, information and advocacy to people in housing need – 0808 800 4444
People experiencing housing difficulties should also approach their Local Authority for advice.
Families and Relationships
Parentline Plus works with and for parents giving advice and information, by telephone, email or via local support groups – 0808 800 2222
Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website – 0300 100 1234
Leaving religion
CountMeOut offers advice on how to leave the Roman Catholic Church.
Recovering from Religion was started by Dr. Darrel Ray, author of ”The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture” and is an organization dedicated to helping people navigate the path out of religion.
