WELFARE
CRISIS
TEXT SERVICE
We're proud to partner with Shout to offer free and confidential support round the clock to anyone who needs help.
Text comfort to 85258
Simply text the word COMFORT to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer who can help with anything you're struggling with, including anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression.
What is Shout
Shout is a free, confidential and 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
Shout’s trained volunteers are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is suicidal, depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. This service is anonymous and doesn’t show up on phone bills. To start a conversation, text the word COMFORT to 85258. If your life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.
Shout can help with issues such as:
● Anxiety
● Bullying
● Depression
● Loneliness or isolation
● Money worries
● Relationship problems
● Self-harm
● Stress
● Suicidal thoughts or feelings
How it works
To start a conversation, text (please don’t WhatsApp) the word COMFORT to 85258. After you send the first message, you’ll receive four automated text messages before you connect to a trained Shout Volunteer.
The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask you to share a bit more about what’s worrying you. The volunteer will listen and talk with you silently, via text message. You only need to share what you feel comfortable sharing.
As well as listening without judgement, our volunteers may provide you with further resources or tools to help you get more expert support. Your conversation will only end when the volunteer is sure you are calm and feeling better.
What mobile networks can you text Shout from?
You can text Comfort anonymously and for free from all major UK networks. It is free and confidential to text our service from the following major networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. These include – BT Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, iD Mobile, Sky, Telecom Plus, Lebara and GiffGaff.
If you are contacting us from a network listed above, and the service does not appear to be working for you, please reply with your mobile phone number and network provider at info@giveusashout.org. We need this information to be able to investigate the circumstances.
Some Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy handset, may issue a warning that you will be charged for texting us. Provided you are on one of the networks listed here, this warning is incorrect and you will not be charged. If you text us from a network that is not on this list there is a possibility that you may be charged for the messages and that they may appear on your bill. This applies to a very small minority of operators. If your mobile network is not listed here, please check with your mobile network operator directly.
