Other support for people aged 24 and under

East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS) provides information on local services.

Amaze is a charity for families with disabled children and young people in Sussex. It provides:

• information
• support
• advice

For children and young people with SEND and their parents/carers depending on where you live in Sussex.

Change Grow Live independent volunteers work with children and young people who have an East Sussex County Council social worker. They:

• help young people and children have their voice heard
• make sure their views, wishes and feelings are taken into account
• organise monthly visits, fun activities and days out for young people
• meet children and young people in the community. This might be at home, school, college or at a cafe.

Karma Nirvana are there to help with honour based abuse regardless of age, gender, sexuality or faith. Access their free and confidential helpline by calling: 0800 5999 247 (Monday - Friday 9am-5pm).

Credit Unions are local community loans and savings organisations or financial cooperatives that can be used by its members. They are often described as an alternative to major high street or online banks or payday loan businesses.

East Sussex County Council - children and families with special needs and disability information for children and families with special needs and disability.

East Sussex County Council - services for children and families links and information to services for children and families.

Imago Young Carers is the East Sussex County Council's website.  Imago Young Carers work with young people aged 5-18 who emotionally practically support a family member who has a long term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issue.  They work with young carers to increase their wellbeing and minimise negative impact of their caring role.

i-Rock provides a youth wellbeing service for 14-25 year olds in Hastings and Rother, offering advice and support for emotional and mental wellbeing, employment, education and housing.

Learner Support provides help for 19 year olds or over who are having trouble with meeting the costs of participating in further education at college.

Stonewall provides help and support for LGBT.

Shelter provides housing advice for young people.

REBOOT programme is aimed at children and young people living in Sussex aged 11 to 17 who are at risk of engaging in serious violence and gang behaviour. Coaches will work with you to create a personalised plan that emphasises your strengths and supports you to overcome any barriers who may face and help you make positive changes in your life.

Stop Loan Sharks team are there to help you if you think that you have been borrowing money from a loan shark. They are the only government agency in the UK who have the power to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and illegal money lenders.

You are not in trouble if you have borrowed cash or have been paying back a loan from an illegal money lender, the loan shark is. They are the people committing a crime, not you.

If you can answer yes to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark:

• Did they offer you a cash loan?
• Did they not give you paperwork?
• Did they add huge amounts of interest or APR to your loan?
• Have they threatened you?
• Are you scared of people finding out?
• Have they taken your bank card, benefit card, passport, watch or other valuables from you?

Stay safe, borrow responsibly and start saving for next Christmas:

• Remember: loan sharks should be avoided because they will make a difficult financial situation much worse.
• If you need to borrow money, check the lender is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
• There are legitimate services you can access for help with money, such as credit unions, which offer safe saving and affordable loans options. Find your nearest Credit Union.
• Start preparing your finances for next Christmas and open a savings account with your local credit union.
• For advice on all money matters, including debt and loans, ring Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444.

The Sussex Coast College has information about further education in East Sussex. They can support people who are keen to continue their education but are not sure which course to choose or how to enroll.

The college has a dedicated Student Services department that provides essential information, advice and guidance to learners looking to get started and make the most of their time at college.

• East Sussex College Hastings
  Station Approach
  Hastings
  East Sussex
  TN34 1BA
• Telephone: 01424 442222
• Email: info@sussexcoast.ac.uk

The Sussex Safe Space provides a valuable directory of help and support for all agencies, near you. There are many different types of crime such as domestic abuse, fraud, hate crime, child sexual exploitation and so on. There is help and available for everyone who has ever been a victim of crime and support can be tailored to suit your needs.

Time 2 Talk offers mediation between children/young people, aged 8 to 18 and their parents/carers. It helps families to:

• improve their understanding of each other
• improve their communication and confidence
• helps them talk through their issues and difficulties together.

Xtrax Youth Hub provides support services for 16-24 year olds on housing, health and socialising.

Visit the Hub at: 

• Xtrax
  23 Priory Street
  Hastings
  TN34 1EA
  
• Telephone: 01424 722524

YMCA Wise supports children and young people to stay safe in their relationships.

Young Oasis Hastings offer therapeutic support for children and young people aged 5 to 18 who are affected by family drug or alcohol problems.

Mental Health

Every Mind Matters has now released expert advice and top tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It also includes guidance if you are feeling worried or anxious about the outbreak.

If you, or someone you know, feels that they are struggling to cope or do not feel in control of their situation, please go to NHS Dealing with a mental health crisis or emergency. You will find information, support and guidance about mental health issues.

You can call NHS 111 if you, or someone you know, needs urgent care but it's not life threatening.

For example:

• if you have an existing mental health problem and your symptoms get worse
• if you experience a mental health problem for the first time
• if someone has self-harmed but it does not appear to be life threatening, or they're talking about wanting to self-harm
• if a person shows signs of possible dementia
• if a person is experiencing domestic violence or physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Sussex Mental Healthline - Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has expanded the Sussex Mental Healthline to provide a 24/7 service for people needing urgent help with their mental health.

• Telephone: 0300 5000 101 (24/7 service)

There are a number of other agencies who provide mental health support service for people living in East Sussex.

East Sussex Community Information Service

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Southdown Mental Health Recovery Services supports people to get well, stay well and prevent crisis, they provide a range of mental health services across Sussex.

Staying Well Space (Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea) is a safe space providing evening and weekend mental health support. You can get help and advice from their team of Recovery Workers & Peer Supporters.

• Email: StayingWell@southdown.org
• Telephone: 07384 467 593 (Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Saturday and Sundays 4.00pm to 10.30pm).

Cuckooing

Cuckooing is when a criminal gang targets the homes of vulnerable people so that they can use the properties for drug dealing.

It means the criminals can operate from a property rather than the street, which is out of sight from the police making it an attractive option. The criminals can then use the premises to deal drugs from, which is difficult for the police to monitor.

Signs to look out for:

• it usually takes place in a multi-occupancy or social housing
• there may be an increase in the number of people visiting the home
• criminals will often have new vehicles outside the home or hire cars
• possible increase in anti-social behaviour in and around the home
• victims may disengage with support services
• professionals visiting may become aware of strangers in their customer's home.

Victims of cuckooing require support for the abuse they have suffered.

If you are being or you know anyone that you think is being cuckooed, you can contact Sussex Police:

• Telephone: 101
• Email: 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk
• website.

If you don't want to speak to the police directly, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.