SuPPoRT & ReSORCeS

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 services & LGBTQIA+ support

For a safe space to explore your identity, one-to-one youth coaching, or a way to connect with other LGBTQIA+ people, Brighton offers a range of services.

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 experiencing a mental health crisis or are in an immediate emergency, Brighton provides 24/7 services that can intervene and assist.

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 Brighton.co.uk is not a crisis service.

Health, wellbeing & safety resources

If you need sexual health advice, addiction support or sobriety guidance, Brighton has dedicated services ready to help.

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.
  • Advice & Financial Inclusion Partnership: Offering help with jobs, training and money matters.

Housing & homelessness support

  • BHT Sussex: Food, health checks & housing advice for those facing homelessness.
  • B&H City Council Homelessness Services: Emergency housing and long-term support.
  • Shelter & Citizens Advice Housing Advice: Help with housing rights and emergency rehousing.

Financial advice & benefits guidance

  • Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove: Benefits help, debt advice and financial inclusion services.
  • BUCFP: Help applying for Universal Credit, ESA, PIP and appealing decisions.
  • LEAP: Free advice to reduce bills, energy-saving kits and access to grants.
  • Brighton & Hove Food Partnership: Food bank access and emergency food provision.

Support & resources FAQs

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. Check out mental health & wellbeing support section on this page.

Brighton has a long history of celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and is often referred to as the UK’s gay capital. The city is full of supportive & inclusive organisations, safe venues and community spaces. For details on local groups, check our LGBTQIA+ support section above.

If you’re at immediate risk of homelessness, contact Brighton & Hove City Council’s emergency homelessness team at 01273 294400 and you’ll be connected with an emergency duty housing officer. See the housing & homelessness support section on this page for more information & support.

Yes. In addition to adult recovery groups, local organisations Change Grow Live offer recovery-focused drug and alcohol support. The Oasis Project also helps women, children and families affected by drugs & alcohol. BHT Sussex’s Addiction provide support through 3 pathways; consist of three services: detox support, recovery project and moving on.

See our sobriety & addiction support section on this page for more information.

Yes, if your based in Brighton & Hove you are still eligible to access emergency and/or low-income financial support, even if you don’t receive standard government benefits. For more information, see our financial advice section on this page.

The Brighton JobCentre Plus can be found at 15 Queen Square, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 3FD, just a short walk from the clock tower in Central Brighton. 

You can also look at our job board on Brighton.co.uk for latest roles being advertised in Brighton & Hove.

Know of an organisation or support that could help our 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 on this page.