Samaritans — emotional support, 24 hours a day
Family court proceedings are one of the most stressful things a person can go through. Samaritans offers free, confidential emotional support, day and night, to anyone who is struggling — including parents facing hearings, hearings that go against them, or proceedings that touch on self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01
What Samaritans is
Samaritans is a UK and Ireland charity offering a listening service run by trained volunteers. It is completely confidential, non-judgemental, and free. More than 200 branches across the UK and Ireland take calls around the clock. It is not a counselling service and gives no advice — volunteers listen and help you talk things through.
What help it offers
- Free 24/7 phone line: 116 123 — free from landlines and mobiles, any time, from any phone, even with no credit.
- Welsh language line: 0808 164 0123 — free.
- Relay UK for d/Deaf callers: dial 18001 then 116 123.
- In-person visits at many branches (check availability locally).
- Email and letter services — note Samaritans is gradually closing its email and letter services in the UK during 2026; phone remains fully available.
- Free from any phone — the 116 123 number works even on pay-as-you-go phones with no credit.
How a self-representing parent can use Samaritans
1. Before a difficult hearing. Final hearings, fact-finding hearings and judgment days are emotionally brutal. Talking it through the night before can help you keep your position statement measured instead of raw. 2. After an adverse judgment. If a decision goes against you — especially one affecting where your children live — talk to someone before doing anything procedural. A short delay rarely changes appeal deadlines, and Samaritans volunteers can help you steady yourself. 3. During allegations. Being accused of something you deny, or facing a children's guardian or Cafcass assessment, is isolating. Samaritans offers a confidential space to decompress. 4. If you have thoughts of suicide. Samaritans exists exactly for this. Call any time. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Samaritans is not a legal or advice service and does not engage with courts. For legal information use the rest of this directory; for emotional support, this is the national service.
Contact details
- Phone (free, 24/7): 116 123
- Welsh language line: 0808 164 0123
- Website: https://www.samaritans.org
- Find a branch: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/
Useful links
- Talk to us: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
- Welsh language line: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/welsh-language-phone-line/
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.