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Do you need someone to talk to? Text Sidekick for support

Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young people in the UK. Text* or email us about anything that’s bothering you 💙

*Texting is free if you have free texts included in your mobile plan. If not, it will cost the normal rate charged by your provider.

Need urgent help?

Text 07888 868 059 Email sidekick@actionforchildren.org.uk

Here for all young people

Two years ago, we launched Sidekick for young carers. In that time, we have seen how many young people needed our help.

Now, we are open to all young people in the UK 💪

If you’re a young carer, you can still take our quiz and explore our advice hub – and of course, message us for support!

Our opening hours

  • Monday: 12:30 pm to 7.30 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 12.30 pm to 7.30 pm
  • Friday: 9.30 am to 4.00 pm

If we’re offline when you message, we’ll get back to you when we reopen.

Need urgent help while we're away?

  • If you’re worried about your safety, call Childline on 0800 1111.
  • If you need mental health support, text the word SHOUT to 85 258.
  • If you need urgent help from the police or a hospital, dial 999 from any phone.

We support young people aged 13 to 18 in the UK – and up to 25 if you have special educational needs.

We first launched Sidekick to support young carers. Since then, we have seen how many young people needed support.

Now we support all young people aged 13 to 18 in the UK.

Lots of things!

  • Listen when things feel tough.
  • Talk through problems and ways to help.
  • Offer tips and strategies for your mental health and wellbeing.
  • Support you with family or friendship worries.
  • Help with school challenges, like exams, bullying or challenges related to ADHD/autism.
  • Look for extra support for you.

You can ask us anything you like – it will be confidential and we will never judge you.

Everything you say is confidential.

This means we won’t tell anyone else about the things you tell us, unless we’re worried about your safety or the safety of someone else.

These are the times we might need to tell someone what you’ve told us:

  • If you tell us you are being hurt – physically or emotionally.
  • If another person is being hurt – physically or emotionally.
  • If you or someone else is in danger.
  • If an adult is having an inappropriate relationship with you or another young person.

We might need to tell someone if you tell us or if we think you may be at risk of:

  • Neglect
  • Sexual abuse
  • Domestic abuse
  • Suicide/self-harm
  • Sexual or criminal exploitation
  • Harmful cultural practices like forced marriage
  • Grooming for extremism or being involved in terrorist activity.

We will always try to work with you to help you get the support you need from people around you.

Texting is free if you have free texts included in your mobile plan. If not, it will cost you the rate charged by your mobile provider.

Emailing is free.

Yes! Sidekick coaches are real people with lots of experience listening to and supporting young people.

On our team at the moment, you could be talking to Kylie, Claire or Leanne.

What young people have said

“Helped me in every way I could have imagine and gave me advice I really needed.”

Anonymous

“They gave a lot of options in how to help and listened to everything I said. Also didn’t judge you.”

Anonymous, age 13

“This has given me resources to learn about the disability my brother has more. I really appreciate it.“

Anonymous