You will be able to obtain advice about help and welfare services from your local advice centre, where invariably there is also information on local services available. Each country or state has their own rules and regulations; check with your local health information bureau. These lists provide information on support available in the UK. They often indicate a wide variety of groups that exist to give expert help when needed. If your local centre does not produce a list, then compile your own to aid and support your client. The following are the types of information that may be needed:
Alcoholics Anonymous – these often operate a 24-hour helpline.
Drugs Advisory Service – the aim is to provide the necessary support for substance users and their relatives and friends. This entails counselling, so an appointment is compulsory.
Emergency Drug Line – sometimes there is a 24-hour helpline.
Gamblers Anonymous – these often offer self-help groups to support the person and family.
Most doctors operate a ‘quit smoking’ session.
Local voluntary wardens are listed.
Day centres provide services for retired residents.
Most towns have an Age Concern number to contact.
Child guidance services include: babies in need, advice for sexually assaulted children, anti bullying childline (often this is a free phone number).
For cases of bereavement, cot death, miscarriage and cancer, most towns have local support groups or helplines; these offer practical advice, friendship and understanding.
The Samaritans operate a 24-hour helpline.
There are very long lists to cover every eventuality, from marriage guidance centres, to local charities and religious organizations.
These types of lists are often similar from one town to the next and they usually include addresses and telephone numbers. In a time of crisis most people are unsure where to turn. Because we are holistic practitioners we often become more involved in the family problems. During your time in practice it is beneficial if you are able to offer support and advice, so keep a list to hand. I have had parents wrongly accused of child abuse. I have also had parents extremely upset because their teenager is taking drugs. I also treat many elderly people, who are often lonely and need a little bit of advice and compassion. A practitioner often acts as a counsellor and the greatest skill is to offer sympathetic listening and understanding, which paves the way to self-help so that they can deal with their own personal relationships, and any occupational or social problems.