Redundancy support for individuals and businesses
Financial and mental health and wellbeing
People facing redundancy can have money worries, stress, anxiety and other concerns. This page lists free support services that may help you, whatever your circumstances.
Some services give impartial, regulated advice. Others provide emotional, mental health or practical support.
Get urgent emotional support
Swindon and District Samaritans
Samaritans are there to listen if you are having a difficult time. You can talk about anything that is troubling you, no matter how large or small it feels.
You do not have to be suicidal to contact Samaritans. Only one in five people who call Samaritans say they feel suicidal.
You can call 116 123 for free from landlines and mobiles. This includes pay-as-you-go phones. You do not need phone credit or a call allowance.
You can also email jo@samaritans.org. Email can be a calm and safe way to talk through what is on your mind.
Samaritans also offer practical ways to help you cope and a self-help app to help you track how you feel.
You can find more support on the Samaritans website.
Shout
Shout is a free 24-hour UK text service for people who need immediate support.
Text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer.
Campaign Against Living Miserably
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) gives national support for men. It offers advice, support and a free phone service.
Telephone: 0800 58 58 58
Financial support
Citizens Advice Swindon
Citizens Advice can help with money worries linked to redundancy.
They offer advice about preparing for redundancy. They can also help with:
- benefit entitlements, including a full benefits check
- rent, mortgage, Council Tax and other bills
- making a new Universal Credit claim
Telephone: 0344 4994114 or 0808 2787813
You can also use the Citizens Advice Swindon contact form.
Help to Claim
The Help to Claim service supports people in the early stages of a Universal Credit claim.
Telephone: 0800 1448 444
Emotional and mental health support
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters gives practical tips and expert advice to support emotional health and wellbeing.
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Books on Prescription Scheme
The Books on Prescription Scheme is available through Swindon and Wiltshire Library Services.
It helps you understand and manage your health and wellbeing through self-help reading. Health experts and people with lived experience choose the books.
Tasting Colours
Tasting Colours supports local people affected by redundancy.
It works with people one-to-one to help them rethink their direction and take more control of their future.
This is a free service for Swindon residents going through redundancy. It is not a mental health service, but Tasting Colours works closely with Swindon Mind and Ipsum. They can signpost you to extra support if you need it.
Tasting Colours can also work directly with businesses to support staff.
Email: takingpart@tastingcolours.com
Visit the Tasting Colours website.
Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind
Swindon Mind supports people in the Swindon and Shrivenham area with mental health.
Support includes:
- wellbeing programmes
- self-help advice and guidance
- support for mental ill health
Swindon Mind also runs the Swindon Mindful Employer Network in partnership with Business West. The network gives local businesses free events and resources to support staff wellbeing.
Visit the Swindon Mindful Employer Network page.
You can contact Swindon Mind by using the self-referral form on the Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind website.
Telephone: 01793 432031
Ipsum
Ipsum offers support to promote good mental health.
Support includes:
- arts and music-based therapy
- peer support
- low-cost face-to-face counselling for people living in Swindon
Telephone: 01793 695 405
Visit the Ipsum website.
NHS talking therapies
NHS talking therapies are provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
The service has a dedicated Employment Support Team. Employment Advisors can support people who are:
- out of work
- facing redundancy
- trying to get back into work
- experiencing stress at work
The service also supports people with issues such as stress, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Support may include psycho-educational courses and one-to-one help, depending on your needs.
For more information about the support available and how to access it, visit the NHS talking therapies page.
You can also email awp.swindontalkingtherapies@nhs.net.
Support for children, young people and parents
Young Minds
Young Minds supports young people and their parents.
The Young Minds website has articles for young people, a text crisis messenger and a parents helpline.
Parents helpline telephone: 0808 802 5544
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.00pm. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
STEP Swindon
STEP delivers therapeutic sessions for children and young people.
These sessions help children work through issues that affect their lives and the lives of people around them. STEP also offers support, life-skills development and learning opportunities.
Visit the STEP Swindon Facebook page.
Support for carers
Swindon Carers Service
Loss of income can create extra challenges if you have caring responsibilities.
Swindon Carers Service supports carers living in Swindon. Depending on your needs, support may include:
- welfare and benefits advice
- funding for respite opportunities
- emotional support
- practical support
Swindon Carers Service also works with employers. It helps them make workplaces more carer-friendly, so unpaid carers can stay in work where possible.
Telephone: 01793 531133
Visit the Swindon Carers Service website.
Support for employers
Some organisations may not have the money to give extra support during redundancy.
Employers can still take simple steps to help staff, including:
- signposting staff to support services
- encouraging staff to get support early in the redundancy process
- making sure staff have the right ending to their employment
- recognising staff for their contribution where this would help
Having closure can support good mental health.
Other local wellbeing support
There is other emotional and mental health support in Swindon.
This includes green space therapy from:
You can also find general advice and support for:
Domestic abuse support
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Services
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Services supports victims of domestic violence and abuse who are over 16 years old.
Visit the Swindon Women's Aid website.
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Drug and alcohol support
Turning Point Swindon and Wiltshire
Turning Point is the local integrated drug and alcohol service.
It offers treatments to support health and wellbeing.
Visit the Turning Point Swindon and Wiltshire website.
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Housing support
Swindon Borough Council housing team
The housing team can help with housing-related questions and issues.
Email: hoptions@swindon.gov.uk
Advocacy support
Swindon Advocacy Movement
Swindon Advocacy Movement supports people who are vulnerable or need help to make informed decisions.
Advocates help people understand their rights and access services they are entitled to. They work in partnership with the people they support and take their side.
Swindon Advocacy Movement offers mental health support in two ways.
It provides an Independent Mental Health Advocate for children, young people and adults detained under the Mental Health Act. Advocates can help people understand their rights, share their views in meetings and appeal their section.
It also offers a community-based mental health service for adults aged 18 and over. This service can help adults who:
- are moving from inpatient mental health services to independent living in the community
- are already living in the community and want independent support with mental health options
- want independent support with an issue affecting their mental health