Support for parents, mums and dads in the United Kingdom
Groups, help lines and good information for the days parenting is a lot. UK-wide charities and help lines first, then services for one nation, then online. Every link was opened and read before it went on this page.
If you need help right now
If anyone is in danger or has been hurt, call 999. These lines are free and confidential:
Samaritans
Free, confidential emotional support for anyone who is struggling, including thoughts of suicide.
Samaritans Welsh Language Line
Free emotional support from Samaritans in Welsh.
Shout
Free, confidential text support with a trained volunteer.
Text SHOUT to 85258WebsiteChildline
Free, confidential help for children and young people about anything that worries them.
NSPCC Helpline
For adults worried about a child; you can also report to the children's social care team at your local council, or call 999 if the child is at immediate risk.
Coram Family Lives
Confidential helpline for parents and families about any part of family life.
Children First support line (Parentline Scotland)
Free support line for families in Scotland.
Lines checked October 24, 2026. Every support line for the United Kingdom, by region where we have them.
For every parent and caregiver
Parenting help, local services, and support for families going through separation, without taking sides.
- United Kingdom
Parent Talk (Action for Children)
One-to-one chat with a parenting coach by webchat or WhatsApp, to talk through a problem and find other support. Replies can take a few working days.
- For
- Parents and carers in the UK
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
- United Kingdom
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
Advice for parents worried about a child’s mental health. It’s an advice line, not a crisis service.
- For
- Parents and carers of a child or young person aged 25 or under
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
- United Kingdom
Contact
A helpline, workshops and emotional support for families with a disabled child.
- For
- Parents and carers of a disabled child aged 0 to 25
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
0808 808 3555Visit Contact (opens in a new tab) - United Kingdom
Home-Start
Trained volunteers support families with young children who are finding things hard, at home and in the community, through local Home-Start groups.
- For
- Families with young children
- How
- In person
- Cost
- No fee listed
- England and Wales
National Family Mediation
Not-for-profit mediation for separating parents, covering arrangements for children and money. Government vouchers can pay £500 towards it.
- For
- Separating and divorced parents
- How
- In person, Phone
- Cost
- Free and paid
0300 4000 636Visit National Family Mediation (opens in a new tab) - England and Wales
Gingerbread
Information for single parents, plus a free-to-join community with local and online groups. Its helpline closed in April 2025.
- For
- Single parents of any gender
- How
- Online, In person
- Cost
- No fee listed
- England
Coram Family Lives parenting helpline
Confidential support on any part of family life, including separation and getting on with the other parent. Staff can’t give legal or medical advice.
- For
- Parents, step-parents, foster parents and wider family
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
For mums
From the first weeks with a new baby to raising kids on your own.
- United Kingdom
PANDAS Foundation
Peer support for mental health in pregnancy and after birth: a bookable callback, WhatsApp support on weekdays and face-to-face groups.
- For
- Mums, and any parent or partner affected
- How
- Phone, Online, In person
- Cost
- Free
- United Kingdom
Association for Post Natal Illness (APNI)
A volunteer helpline and email support for mums with postnatal illness.
- For
- Mums with postnatal illness, and their families
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- No fee listed
- United Kingdom
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Independent breastfeeding and infant feeding support, day and night, every day of the year.
- For
- Breastfeeding mums and families feeding a baby
- How
- Phone
- Cost
- No fee listed
- United Kingdom
NCT
A free infant feeding line with trained breastfeeding counsellors, plus paid antenatal and new-baby courses and local groups.
- For
- Expectant and new parents
- How
- Phone, In person, Online
- Cost
- Free and paid
0300 330 0700 (option 1)Visit NCT (opens in a new tab) - United Kingdom
La Leche League GB
Relaxed groups in person and online, one-to-one help from breastfeeding counsellors, and online courses before the baby arrives.
- For
- Mums who breastfeed, from pregnancy on
- How
- In person, Online
- Cost
- No fee listed
- United Kingdom
Twins Trust helpline
A free helpline by phone or WhatsApp for families of twins, triplets or more. You don’t need to be a member.
- For
- Parents of multiples
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
0800 138 0509Visit Twins Trust helpline (opens in a new tab)
For dads
New dads, stay-at-home dads, separated dads, and dads who are finding it hard.
- United Kingdom
ANDYSMANCLUB
Free peer talking groups for men across the UK and online. Nobody has to speak, and there’s no need to book.
- For
- Men aged 18 and over, including dads
- How
- In person, Online
- Cost
- Free
- United Kingdom
PANDAS Foundation: support for new dads
A bookable helpline call, a monthly online call for dads and non-birthing parents, and a toolkit for talking to your GP about how you’re feeling.
- For
- Dads and non-birthing partners
- How
- Phone, Online
- Cost
- Free
- England and Wales
Dad Matters (Home-Start)
Local support that helps dads bond with their baby and look after their own and their partner’s mental health. Runs in some areas only.
- For
- Expectant and new dads where there’s a Dad Matters service
- How
- In person, Online
- Cost
- No fee listed
- England
Future Men
One-day courses for new and expectant fathers, and support for young dads, in London.
- For
- New, expectant and young dads in London
- How
- In person
- Cost
- No fee listed
0207 237 5353Visit Future Men (opens in a new tab) - Scotland
Dads Rock
Dad-and-child groups, one-to-one support and new-dad sessions, plus online peer support open to dads anywhere in Scotland. All free.
- For
- Dads and male carers in Scotland
- How
- In person, Online
- Cost
- Free
- Scotland
Fathers Network Scotland
A directory of dad-friendly services near you, parenting information from pregnancy to pre-school, and dad meet-ups.
- For
- Dads, father figures and families in Scotland
- How
- Online, In person
- Cost
- No fee listed
- International (online)
Family Man (Movember)
A free, short online parenting course in episodes on everyday moments like misbehaviour and praise.
- For
- Dads of children aged 2 to 8
- How
- Online
- Cost
- Free
Know a good one we missed?
A group that helped you, near you or online? Tell us about it. We’ll check it and add it if it fits.
Kid Pickup isn’t affiliated with any of these organisations and doesn’t receive anything for listing them. This page is a starting point, not medical, legal or counselling advice. Details change, so check with each organisation before you rely on a time, a cost or a phone number.