Support & Resources

Brighton has a big heart and a strong sense of community, where people look out for each other. Including, but not limited to, guidance for young people, the LGBTQIA+ community, or anyone simply looking for safe spaces and trusted advice. Brighton has plenty of organisations ready to help.

Youth Groups & Young People’s Services

Brighton’s young people have access to a wide mix of groups offering guidance, safe spaces and activities that build confidence and community. Whether it’s mental health support, skills training or just somewhere to hang out, there’s help and resources available.

Brighton Youth Centre (BYC): Activities, drop-ins and youth support.
YMCA DownsLink Group: Housing advice, wellbeing and youth services.
Safety Net: Safeguarding and support for young people and families.

LGBTQIA+ Support in Brighton

Brighton is proudly the UK’s LGBTQIA+ capital, with safe spaces and groups for every identity and experience. Whether you’re after advice, peer support or a welcoming place to meet others, the city has it covered.

Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline: support, information and listening services.
MindOut: LGBTQ+ mental health charity.
The Clare Project: Trans, non-binary and intersex support and advocacy.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Brighton offers counselling, peer groups, workshops and helplines for when life gets overwhelming.

Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service: NHS mental health and wellbeing support.
Mind in Brighton & Hove: Mental health advice, groups and advocacy.
Grassroots Suicide Prevention: Crisis support and suicide prevention resources.

Mental Health Emergencies

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried you might hurt yourself or someone else, or struggling with suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone. There are people ready to listen and help.

If it’s an emergency, if your life, or someone else’s, is in immediate danger, call 999 straight away or go to your nearest A&E. If you need urgent help today or tonight, these services are free, confidential and here for you:

Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.
Call Samaritans on 116 123 – available 24/7 to listen, any time, day or night.
Visit a Staying Well service – out-of-hours mental health crisis support for adults (18+) in Brighton
Text SUSSEX to 85258- for confidential, 24/7 mental health text support.
Download the Stay Alive app – a suicide prevention resource with tools, strategies, and contacts to help you stay safe during a crisis.

⚡Please note that we are not a crisis service.

Health & Safety Resources

Sexual Health Clinics & Advice

Brighton has a strong network of confidential sexual health services. Whether you need free testing, contraception advice, or support with sexual wellbeing, there are trusted clinics and organisations here to help.

Claude Nicol Centre: NHS sexual health clinic offering free testing, contraception and advice.
Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton: HIV and sexual health support.
Brook Brighton: Sexual health advice and services for under-25s.

Sobriety & Addiction Support

Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions, Brighton has many welcoming spaces and groups where recovery and support come first. You’ll find peer-led meetings, professional services and safe places to share.

Alcoholics Anonymous Brighton: Regular AA meetings across the city.
Pavilions Brighton: Free drug and alcohol services, advice and recovery support.
Narcotics Anonymous Brighton: support and meetings for people recovering from drug addiction.

Domestic Violence & Safety Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there are safe, confidential services across Brighton ready to support. These organisations provide advice, emergency accommodation, and a way out of dangerous situations.

Rise: Support for women, families and survivors of domestic abuse.
Survivors’ Network: Support for survivors of sexual violence.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 24-hour confidential helpline, available locally.

Employment, Housing & Financial Support

If you need job advice, housing support or financial guidance, Brighton has services that can lend a hand.

Job Seekers & Career Resources

Brighton Job Centre Plus: Local support for job seekers, benefits advice and training opportunities.
Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove: Free, impartial career and benefits guidance, in-person or over the phone.
Advice & Financial Inclusion Partnership: A network including Money Advice Plus, BHT Advice and Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project, offering help with jobs, training and money matters.

Housing & Homelessness Support

BHT Sussex, First Base Day Centre: Food, showers, laundry, health checks and housing advice for people facing homelessness.
B&H City Council Homelessness Services: Emergency housing, rough sleeping intervention and long-term support.
Shelter & Citizens Advice Housing Advice: Help with housing rights, tenancy issues and emergency rehousing.

Financial Advice & Benefits Guidance

Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove: Benefits help, debt advice, energy support and financial inclusion services.
Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP): Help applying for Universal Credit, ESA, PIP and appealing decisions.
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership): Free advice to reduce bills, energy-saving kits and access to grants.
Brighton & Hove Food Partnership: Food bank access, healthy eating on a budget and emergency food provision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brighton A Safe City For LGBTQIA+ People?

Brighton has a long history of LGBTQIA+ inclusion and is often called the UK’s queer capital. The city is full of supportive organisations, safe venues and community spaces. For details on local groups, check our LGBTQIA+ Support section above.

Can I Get Free Counselling In Brighton?

Yes. Brighton offers NHS services, charity-run counselling and free peer support groups. While waiting times can vary, there are several wellbeing services you can reach out to – see our Mental Health & Wellbeing Support section.

What Should I Do If I Need Emergency Housing Tonight?

If you’re at immediate risk of homelessness, contact Brighton & Hove City Council’s emergency housing team or visit First Base Day Centre. Our Housing & Homelessness Support section has the details you’ll need.

Are There Addiction Services Specifically For Young People In Brighton?

Yes. In addition to adult recovery groups, local organisations like YMCA DownsLink Group and Pavilions Brighton offer youth-specific support for drugs and alcohol. See our Sobriety & Addiction Support section for details.

Can I Access Financial Help If I’m Not On Benefits?

Absolutely. Brighton has services that offer advice on managing debt, reducing bills and budgeting, even if you’re not claiming benefits. Start with Citizens Advice or LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership). Check our Financial Advice section for more info.

I Have a Relevant Resource That Should Be Featured, How Can I Share It?

Got something that could help Brighton’s community? Whether it’s support services, local initiatives, or helpful resources, we’d love to hear about it. Just drop us an email with the details and our team will take a look at getting it featured.

Know a Resource That Could Help Someone?

If you know of a local support service, safe space, or organisation doing amazing work in Brighton & Hove, please get in touch. We’ll make sure it gets added here so more people can find the help they need.