Help and support

The READY study is about growing up. Taking part may mean you start to think about new things in your life. Or you want new information. Or you want to discuss with another person something that troubles you. You can find here details of different people and organisations you can contact.

See this page in Welsh

The READY Study Team

If you have recently taken part in the READY study, thank you. We hope that you have found it interesting and have not been upset by any of the topics discussed. However, if you have found any part of this experience to be distressing and you wish to speak to one of the researchers, please contact Claire Dodds, one of our study co-ordinators, or Alys Young, our study lead. Alys and Claire are both able to discuss anything you wish in BSL or spoken English, or suggest you chat to another member of the study team if that is more appropriate.

E-mail:

• claire.dodds@manchester.ac.uk
• alys.young@manchester.ac.uk

Other Organisations

There are also a number of organisations that you can contact for support which are separate from the READY study if you need to:
 

Childline Deaf Zone

The Childline Deaf Zone pages are where young deaf people can find advice and support about lots of different issues, in BSL and English. You can talk to Childline about anything. No problem is too big or too small. Their services are free, private and confidential.

Online chat: You can talk to a counsellor online 1-2-1 using the online chat facility. You type what you want to say, and the counsellor types back. This link explains how. This service is open every day, 9am – 10.30pm.

Video: You can speak to a counsellor in BSL via a SignVideo interpreter if you have a webcam. Follow this link and then follow the instructions in the ‘Chat or sign to a counsellor’ section to connect using SignVideo. The service is free and is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm; Saturdays, 9am – 1pm.

Email:You can send an email and Childline will reply (usually within 24 hours).

Phone: If you can use the telephone without a relay service, you can call free on 0800 1111.

SignHealth – The Deaf Health Charity 

SignHealth is a charity which supports deaf people of all ages with mental and physical health problems. They run a counselling service for deaf people.

Video: You can contact SignHealth in BSL, using an online interpreting service. It is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can find out how from this webpage.

Phone: If you can use the telephone without a relay service, you can call 014946 87606.

SMS/text message: 07966976747

Email: therapies@signhealth.org.uk  

National Deaf Children’s Society 

NDCS have lots of information for young deaf people available on their main website. You can get to their Help and Support pages here. Their BUZZ website for deaf young people also has information and advice you may find useful. If you want to talk to someone, the NDCS operate a Helpline

Phone: If you can use the telephone without a relay service, you can call free on 0808 800 8880. Spoken language interpreters are available if you have limited English. The phone line is open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm.

Email: helpline@ndcs.org.uk

Video: You can contact the National Deaf Children’s Society by making a free video call via a BSL interpreter using the Interpreter Now BSL video interpreting app. The BSL service is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Follow this link to find out how to use this service.

Shout 

Shout is a free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. 

Text DEAF to 85258 or contact them through their website if you need help urgently.