The Gingerbread Advice Service was set up in 2002 to provide support and expert advice on any aspect of single parenting, from dealing with a break-up or bereavement to going back to work or sorting out child maintenance, benefit or Universal Credit issues. Our expert advisers provided tailored advice and can talk you through your options.

The Advice Service closed on April 1 2025.

More information about the closure can be found on our website.

For help and support with single parenting, please visit our information pages.

If you require urgent help or support, please contact the following organisations:

Emergency help

If you’re really struggling, ask for help. Don’t wait.

If you feel like you want to end your life, call 999. Don’t worry – this IS an emergency. If you’re under 35, you can also call HopeLine UK on 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967. You’re not wasting anyone’s time and you will be taken seriously.

You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free, 24 hours a day.

You can also contact Shout, a free, confidential, 24/7 texting messaging service, by texting ‘Shout’ to 85258

Debt

If you are in debt, there are lots of free advice services you can turn to. A debt adviser won’t judge you, no matter how large your debt or how you got into it. They will help you find ways to manage your debt even if you don’t have much spare money.

Call StepChange (0800 138 1111) or National Debtline (0808 808 4000) for free personalised advice. They also have online information and tools that can help you budget and make an action plan.

Domestic violence or abuse

If you are a woman experiencing abuse or violence in your relationship, you can call Refuge on 0808 2000 247

If you are a man experiencing abuse or violence in your relationship, you can call Respect on 0808 8010327

If you are LGBT+, you can call Galop on 0800 999 5428

Housing/homelessness

If you’re worried about becoming homeless, you can call Shelter’s emergency helpline for free on 0808 800 4444 or speak to a trained adviser at Citizens Advice.