The Edge of the City

This is a two part script. Part 1 provides details of support organisations dealing with child abuse and exploitation. Part 2 concerns support for older people and their families, or those with alcohol dependency problems and their families and friends.

Part 1

The term grooming has recently been connected to the those using the internet to contact and arrange to meet someone under the age of 16 for sexual activity. In fact this criminal offence applies to any adult persuading a child or young person under 16 to take part in any sexual activity.

If you're concerned about the safety of a child, including yourself, the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000 is a free, confidential, 24 hour helpline available every day of the year. A free textphone service is in place for people who are hard of hearing on 0800 056 0566. There's also an e-mail helpline, send messages to help@nspcc.org.uk.

The NSPCC Asian Child Protection Helpline is free and confidential providing a culturally sensitive service to anyone concerned about a child at risk. Calls are taken by advisers experienced in child protection who speak English as well as one of the south Asian languages. Available on freephone 0800 096 7719 (Mondays to Fridays 11am-7pm).

If you're a young person ChildLine provides free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. The free helpline is on 0800 11 11 (24 hours a day, every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information is on their website at www.childline.org.uk.

The organisation CROP works to end the exploitation of children and young people by pimps and traffickers. Find out about the services they offer by writing to CROP Suite 21, Munro House Duke Street, Leeds LS9 8AG or by e-mail to crop1@freeuk.com.

NAPAC - The National Association for People Abused in Childhood provides support no matter how long ago the abuse took place, pointing people in the right direction to take control of their own recovery. Call the free helpline 0800 085 3330 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-1pm). Also check out their website at www.napac.org.uk.

Voice UK provides telephone support for adults and children with learning disabilities who have been abused, and for their families and carers. Call the national rate number 0870 013 3965 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-4pm). Or you can look at their website at www.voiceuk.org.uk.

Part 2

The Age Concern Information Line is a free service for older people, their families and those who care for them. Call 0800 00 99 66 (every day 7am-7pm) for information on income and benefits, community care, health, housing, and community issues. You can also get information and factsheets from the website at www.ageconcern.org.uk.

Help The Aged SeniorLine is free, impartial, confidential and aims to enable as many callers as possible to take action themselves. Trained advice workers can help with issues such as claiming benefits, housing advice and getting help at home. Call free on 0808 800 65 65 (Mondays to Fridays 9am-4pm). If you're in Northern Ireland call 0808 808 75 75. There's also a textphone service for those with hearing or speech problems on 0800 26 96 26 and you can visit their website at www.helptheaged.org.uk.

The Relatives and Residents Association offers advice and support for older people and their families and friends. Their advisers can offer valuable guidance to those considering a move into residential or nursing homes, as well as supporting anyone who's already made that move. Their helpline 020 7359 8136 (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am-5pm), there's also an e-mail service on advice@relres.org and a website at www.relres.org.uk.

Drinkline provides advice and information for people with alcohol problems and those who'd like to find out about safe limits. Phone them free on 0800 917 8282 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am-11pm, at weekends there's a 24 hour service from 9am Friday mornings to 11pm Monday evenings).

Alcoholics Anonymous run free self-help groups for people who are alcoholics. You may have heard of their 12-step recovery programme. To find out more, phone Alcoholics Anonymous on local rate number 0845 769 7555 (every day 11am-11pm). You can also check out their website at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.

The Al-Anon family groups offer information and support to people concerned about the drinking of a family member. While young people aged 12 to 20 concerned about a parent are supported by Alateen. Both organisations can be contacted on the helpline 020 7403 0888 (every day 10am-10pm) where you'll also find out about local groups. Check out their website at www.al-anonuk.org.uk.

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