Listening Works
Phone, text and web chat support for care leavers, every evening 6-12.
We’re here for you
Fancy a chat? We’re listening! Open ears. Open minds. Open late.
If you’re a care leaver aged 18-27, we’re here for you. All evening. Every evening. So whether you’ve got something on your mind or you just fancy a friendly chat, we’d love to hear from you. You can call us, text us or start a web chat – whatever kind of listening works for you.
Our trained volunteers can offer you:
- Someone to talk to – a listening ear, a friendly voice
- A chance to talk openly about whatever’s on your mind
- Time and space to think things through without pressure
- Signposting to useful resources if any specific problems come up
- Information about other support out there and how to get it
Give us a try today!
How to contact us
One of our team of trained volunteers is looking forward to answering your call, text or web chat between 6pm and 12 midnight, every day. If you call during these hours and the line is busy, that’s only because all our volunteers are already talking to someone, so just leave us a message and we’ll get back to you in a flash.
Telephone: 0808 802 0222
Live web chat 
Text message: 07860 065 169
Opening times: 6pm – midnight* – 7 days a week
* You can actually call us any time and leave a message on our voicemail, asking for a call back from us when we’re open again.
Christmas opening hours
Our opening hours are changing during the Christmas period.
From Thursday 24th December until Saturday 2nd January, our service will be available from 3pm until 6pm every day.
We will return to our usual hours of 6pm – midnight on 3rd January.
Befriending and Mentoring
Someone who’s there just for you
Through our befriending and mentoring services, you can benefit from short-term or longer-term personal support and advice in all areas of your life and work. Our trained volunteers can help you with your emotional and physical health, get you work-ready or even offer friendly suggestions about managing your time.
How Befriending Works
You’ll be matched with a dedicated volunteer for consistent befriending or sustained emotional support. That means you’ll have the same person to talk to regularly, at a set time, for around 6 to 8 weeks. Some of our befrienders are care experienced adults themselves.
How Mentoring Works
Mentoring offers you longer-term, independent support from one of our trained Volunteer Mentors. Your mentor will draw on his or her own knowledge and experience to help and encourage you through your next steps as you work towards the goals you set.
Want a mentor or befriender? 
Get in touch:
Telephone: 0808 802 0222
Live web chat
Text message: 07860 065 169
When we’re closed
We know there might be times when you need some extra help. If you need to talk to someone urgently outside our opening hours, please text our crisis line to get in touch with a trained professional.
Text FAMILYACTION to 85258
Because we know that getting the support you need at the right time is important, our crisis messenger text service provides you with free 24/7 crisis support across the UK. This service is delivered by Family Action in partnership with Shout.
… and we’re here for your future.
Want to volunteer?
If you’d like to find out about volunteering for Listening Works, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Laura, our national volunteer co-ordinator, at listeningworks@family-action.org.uk for details.
