Help now
Phone numbers and places for help in Hastings and St Leonards, tonight and this week.
In danger now, or someone is badly hurt or very ill? Call 999
Right now
Phone lines and places for a crisis. Each card says when it's open.
Emergency services
A life-threatening emergency, like a serious road accident, a stroke or a heart attack.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: The call handler will ask where you are and what has happened.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: NHS (nhs.uk) and GOV.UK on calling the police, public body, checked 12 Oct 2026
NHS 111
Medical help now that isn't a life-threatening emergency, including an evening or weekend GP, and urgent dental or mental health help.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: Call 111, or use 111 online. Text relay is 18001 111.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: NHS (nhs.uk) and NHS Sussex on urgent dental care, public body, checked 12 Oct 2026
Samaritans
Someone to talk to about anything, day or night.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: Call free from any phone.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: Samaritans, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Shout 85258
Mental health support by text message, if you're struggling to cope.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: Text SUSSEX to 85258. It doesn't show on your phone bill.
Who for: Anyone, any age. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: Shout, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
NHS 111, mental health option
Urgent help in a mental health crisis, for you or someone you're worried about. In Sussex this is the Sussex Mental Healthline.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: Call 111 and choose the mental health option.
Who for: Everyone, including children and young people. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Staying Well Hastings
A place to go in the evening if you feel you can't cope or are in a mental health crisis.
When: Monday to Friday: 5pm to 10.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 3pm to 10.30pmHow: Walk in, no appointment needed. If you call, choose option 2.
Who for: Adults. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Where: Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, Hastings, TN38 0JP.
Source: Southdown, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
Confidential support if you're experiencing domestic abuse, help to plan for your safety, and help finding a refuge place.
When: 24 hours, every day
How: Call free and in confidence. The website has live chat.
Who for: Anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: National Domestic Abuse Helpline, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Advance, East Sussex Domestic Abuse Service
Help to be safer, understand your options, find safer housing and deal with court.
When: Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
How: Call, or email EastSussexDA@advancecharity.org.uk if only you can see your inbox. Out of hours, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Who for: Anyone over 16 experiencing domestic abuse in East Sussex, of any gender. Cost: Free. Referral: You can refer yourself.
Source: Advance, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Hastings Borough Council, emergency accommodation out of hours
Emergency accommodation if you have nowhere to stay tonight and the council's offices are closed.
When: Outside office hours
How: Call. In office hours, call the housing team on 01424 451100.
Who for: People in Hastings with nowhere to stay tonight. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Source: Hastings Borough Council, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Sussex Police, non-emergency (101)
Reporting something that isn't an emergency, giving the police information, or asking a question. In an emergency, call 999.
When: Call to check
How: Call 101.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: GOV.UK, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Somewhere to sleep tonight
If you have nowhere to stay tonight, call the borough council: its housing team in office hours, its emergency line out of hours.
Hastings Borough Council, housing options
If you're homeless or might lose your home. Its page says emergency accommodation isn't always available, especially for single people.
When: Phone: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 4.45pm (Wednesday from 10am), Friday 8.30am to 4.15pm
Counter: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm (Wednesday from 10am), Friday 9am to 4.30pmHow: Call to be assessed and book an appointment. If you're homeless today, go to the counter for a same-day assessment. Out of hours, call 01424 451999.
Who for: People in Hastings who are homeless or at risk of it. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Where: Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY.
Source: Hastings Borough Council and its opening hours, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Warming Up The Homeless night shelter
A bed for the night, three hot meals a day, showers and laundry. Pets are welcome.
Call 07367 060708Call 07731 998878
When: Every night until 30 November 2026
Last entry 10pmHow: Through a referral from a service working with you. You don't have to go through the council first.
Who for: People sleeping rough, or at risk of sleeping rough for the first time tonight with nowhere else to go. Cost: Meals, showers and laundry are free. Referral: By referral from a service working with you.
Where: Gizmo House, 23 Priory Street, Hastings, TN34 1EA.
Source: Hastings Borough Council, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Hastings Homeless Support Service (Warming Up The Homeless)
Hot meals, showers, laundry, clothes, food to take away and phone charging.
When: Monday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: 4.30pm to 7pmHow: Go in while it's open.
Who for: People who are homeless. Cost: Clothes, underwear and socks are free. Referral: unknown.
Where: Gizmo House, 23 Priory Street, Hastings, TN34 1EA.
Source: Warming Up The Homeless, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Seaview Project Wellbeing Centre
Food, warmth, showers, laundry, clothes, advice and help with housing. Its team also goes out early in the morning to people sleeping rough.
When: Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9am to 3pm
Wednesday: 9am to 2pm, then 2.30pm to 4pm for women only
Thursday: 8am to 9am for people sleeping rough only, then 9am to 3pm
Closed at weekendsHow: Drop in, no appointment needed, or call.
Who for: Anyone who needs it. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Where: Hatherley Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6LB.
Source: Seaview Project, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
StreetLink
Tell the local outreach team about someone sleeping rough, or find support if you are sleeping rough yourself.
When: Online at any time
How: Online. If the person needs emergency help or is under 18, call 999.
Who for: Anyone in England and Wales. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Source: StreetLink, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
East Sussex Children's Services, for 16 and 17 year olds
If you're 16 or 17 and homeless, or it isn't safe to go home. Children's Services can find you somewhere to stay.
Call 01323 464222Call 01273 335905
When: Single Point of Advice: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Emergency Duty Service: after 5pm on weekdays, and all day at weekends and on bank holidaysHow: Call the borough council on 01424 451100 first, or the Single Point of Advice. Out of hours, call the Emergency Duty Service.
Who for: Under 18s. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Source: East Sussex County Council, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Interventions Alliance, refuges in East Sussex
A place in a refuge if you need to leave home because of domestic abuse.
When: Call to check
How: Call, or email referrals.eastsussex@interventionsalliance.co.uk.
Who for: People in East Sussex needing safety from domestic abuse. Cost: unknown. Referral: You or someone supporting you can contact it.
Source: East Sussex County Council, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Food
Hastings Foodbank
An emergency food parcel.
When: Monday and Wednesday: 10.30am to 3pm, The Hastings Centre
Friday: 10.30am to 1pm, Downs Farm Community Centre, Crowborough Road, TN35 5EE
Its page also says Friday at The Hastings Centre: call to check.How: Get a voucher from a health worker, a school, a housing association or another agency, or ask Citizens Advice on 01424 869 352. Then take it to a centre.
Who for: People in crisis who have a foodbank voucher. Cost: unknown. Referral: A foodbank voucher. It is a referral-only service.
Where: King's Church Hastings, The Hastings Centre, The Ridge, Hastings, TN34 2SA.
Source: Hastings Foodbank, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Hastings Temple Salvation Army, food bank
A food bank, by appointment.
When: Tuesday: 10.30am to 11.30am, by appointment
How: Call for an appointment.
Who for: unknown. Cost: unknown. Referral: An appointment is needed.
Where: 418 Old London Road, Hastings, TN35 5BB.
Source: The Salvation Army, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
STS Direct (Surviving the Streets)
Food parcels, homeless packs and pet food. Once your request is approved, you get a code by text within 24 hours to collect it.
When: Call to check
How: Ask online at any time. Its page doesn't name the collection point.
Who for: People struggling in Hastings and St Leonards. Cost: unknown. Referral: Your online request is approved by STS.
Source: STS Direct, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
The Pantry (etc Sussex)
Long-life food, toiletries, fresh fruit, vegetables and bread each week, for members.
When: Tuesday and Friday: 10am to 1pm
How: Join as a member, or be referred by a local agency. Membership is limited to what food there is.
Who for: People in food poverty. Cost: A £3 donation. Referral: Bring proof of benefits and of your address, or a referral from a local agency.
Where: 6 Dorset Place, next to the Hastings Furniture Service building, Hastings, TN34 1LG.
Source: etc Sussex, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Hope Kitchen
Soup and rolls, a hot drink, and advice and support.
When: Thursday: 7.30pm to 8.30pm
How: Go to the main entrance of the church.
Who for: Anyone over 18. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Where: Wellington Square Baptist Church, Wellington Square, Hastings, TN34 1PN.
Source: Hope Kitchen, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Sustenance (once Karmabank)
A cooked lunch to share, and a food bank, on Thursdays.
When: Thursday. No page gives the times: call to check.
How: Go on a Thursday, or call first.
Who for: People in need of support in the Hastings area. Cost: unknown. Referral: unknown.
Where: Concordia Hall, Church Road, St Leonards, TN37 6HR.
Source: East Sussex 1Space and its own page, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
Safehaven (HTH Church)
Hot food, drinks and a clothing bank.
When: Women: Thursday, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, in term time
Men: Monday, 10am to 12 noon, in term timeHow: Drop in.
Who for: Women on Thursdays, men on Mondays. Cost: unknown. Referral: unknown.
Where: HTH Hall, 29 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1DJ.
Source: HTH Church, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Community Breakfast, Halton Baptist Church
A free cooked breakfast, cereal, juice, tea and coffee.
When: Second Sunday of the month: 9am to 10am
How: Walk in.
Who for: Everyone. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Where: Halton Baptist Church, Old London Road, Hastings, TN35 5LU.
Source: Halton Baptist Church, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Money and advice
Crisis payments (Citizens Advice 1066)
A one-off payment for essentials after something unexpected: food, heating, clothes, household items or travel. You don't pay it back.
When: Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
How: Call free, apply online, or go to any Citizens Advice office in East Sussex.
Who for: People in East Sussex on a low income. You don't have to be on benefits. Cost: Free. Referral: Apply yourself, or someone can apply for you with your permission.
Source: Citizens Advice 1066 and East Sussex County Council, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Citizens Advice 1066
Free advice on benefits, debt, bills and energy.
When: Call to check
How: Call the advice line and they ring you back, or use the web form. Advice in person in St Leonards is by appointment.
Who for: People in Hastings and Rother. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Where: The Magnet Centre, Alfred Street, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 0HD.
Source: Citizens Advice 1066, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
HARC and the East Sussex welfare benefits helpline
Specialist advice on benefits, bills and debt, including challenging a decision. HARC (Hastings Advice and Representation Centre) runs the county's helpline.
Call 0333 344 0681Call 01424 428375
When: Helpline: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
HARC's reception: Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pmHow: Call the helpline, or call HARC or ask at its reception about drop-in sessions. You can email benefitseastsussex@harcuk.com.
Who for: Anyone in East Sussex, whatever their income. Cost: Free. A call to the helpline costs the same as one to an 01 or 02 number. Referral: None needed.
Where: Renaissance House, London Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6AN.
Source: HARC and East Sussex County Council, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Warm Home Check
Advice on keeping warm, paying for heating, and damp and mould. Some households can get a home visit, small repairs or emergency heating.
When: Call to check
How: Call free, text WARMHOME to 88440, or apply online.
Who for: Anyone struggling to keep warm. Home visits are for some households in East Sussex on a low income. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: Warm East Sussex, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice and debt plans.
When: Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 2pmHow: Call, or get advice online at any time.
Who for: Anyone with debts. Cost: Free. Referral: None needed.
Source: StepChange, own page, checked 14 Oct 2026
Health tonight
For a life-threatening emergency call 999. If you're not sure where to go, NHS 111 can tell you.
Conquest Hospital: A&E and the urgent treatment centre
A&E is for life-threatening emergencies. The urgent treatment centre, inside A&E, is for urgent injuries and illnesses that aren't life-threatening.
When: A&E: 24 hours
Urgent treatment centre: 10am to 10pm, every day including bank holidaysHow: Go there. NHS 111 can book you into the urgent treatment centre. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: Free for everyone, including visitors from abroad, unless you are admitted to a ward. Referral: None needed.
Where: Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD.
Source: East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and the Conquest's page and GOV.UK on NHS charges, public body, checked 11 Oct 2026
Urgent dental care
Urgent NHS dental appointments if you have no dentist, or yours can't see you.
Call 0300 123 1663Call 01323 449170
When: Sussex Dental Helpline: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Out-of-hours helpline: weekdays 6.30pm to 10.30pm; weekends and bank holidays 9am to 5.30pmHow: Weekdays, call the Sussex Dental Helpline. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays, call the out-of-hours helpline. Appointments are booked by phone first.
Who for: People in East Sussex. Cost: NHS dental charges may apply, paid when you book. Referral: None needed.
Source: East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, public body, checked 14 Oct 2026
A pharmacy open tonight
Pharmacists can help with minor illnesses.
When: Call to check
How: Search by postcode on the NHS website, or call 111.
Who for: Anyone. Cost: unknown. Referral: None needed.
Source: NHS (nhs.uk), public body, checked 11 Oct 2026