Find out what your rights are if your relationship has broken down, for example whether you can stay in the family home or who the children should live with.  You can also find out how to deal with things like making a will, registering a birth or changing your name, and where else to go for help.

The Citizens Advice information site is the best place to start looking for help and advice. Click the button below.

Search below for contact details of organisations who may be able to help further.

Advice groups

Service Contact number or website Description
Family Rights Group 0808 801 0366  frg.org.uk 

Advice related to care for children, including court orders

Family Lives 0808 800 2222  www.familylives.org.uk 

Managing family life, separation and divorce

Child Law Advice (family and immigration) 0300 330 5480  childlawadvice.org.uk 
Working Families 0300 012 0312  workingfamilies.org.uk 

General advice on any aspect of family life if someone’s employed

University of Law - Pro Bono (Term time only) feal-chester@law.ac.uk 

Family Email Legal Advice

Grandparent Plus 0300 123 7015  kinship.org.uk 

Guidance for grandparents relating to grandchildren – access to, care of etc…

Gingerbread 0808 802 0925  www.gingerbread.org.uk 

Advice for single parents

Child Maintenance

Service Contact number or website Description
CM Options 0800 953 0191 

For questions about liability and use of official CM Service

Solicitors

Service Contact number or website Description
Susan Howarth 01606 48777  www.susanhowarthsolicitors.co.uk 

Free half hour, then help through legal aid/private funds

Freeman Jones 01244 893133  www.freemanjones.co.uk 

Free half hour appointment (Chester)

RCJ Citizens Advice 0203 745 8921   www.rcjadvice.org.uk 

Free family/DV advice if eligible

Allington Hughes 01244 312166  allingtonhughes.co.uk 

Mediation

Service Contact number or website Description
National Family Mediation Service 0300 4000 636  www.nfm.org.uk 

Provides details of suitable mediators

Family Mediation Council www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk 

Provides details of suitable mediators (bottom right on the home page)

Susan Howarth 01606 48777  www.susanhowarthsolicitors.co.uk 

Provide mediation to legal aid clients (Northwich)

CAFCASS 0300 456 4000  www.cafcass.gov.uk 

Looks out for best interests of children going through court

Hall Smith Whittingham 01270 212 000  www.hswsolicitors.co.uk 

Provides family mediation (Winsford)

Domestic Abuse

Service Contact number or website Description
National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 200 0247   www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk 

Information, emotional support, referral for accommodation

Refuge 0808 200 0247  refuge.org.uk 

Accommodation for women

Rights of Women 020 7251 6577  www.rightsofwomen.org.uk 

Family law advice relating to domestic abuse

Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327  mensadviceline.org.uk 

Information and support for men relating to domestic abuse

National Centre for Domestic Violence 0800 970 2070  www.ncdv.org.uk 

Information and support for men and women relating to domestic abuse

Action on Elder Abuse 0808 808 8141  wearehourglass.org 

Information and support to the elderly relating to domestic abuse

GALOP 0300 999 5428  galop.org.uk 

Information and support for L,G,B, and T relating to domestic abuse

Advice or Support Groups

Service Contact number or website Description
Family Rights Group 0808 801 0366  frg.org.uk 

Advice related to care for children, including court orders

Age UK Cheshire West 01244 401 500  www.ageuk.org.uk 

Benefits and care issues for 50+ yr olds

British Legion 0808 802 8080 

General support and guidance for forces/ex-forces

Carers Trust CW and Warrington 01244 400 502  cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org 

Advice and support for carers

National Dementia Helpline 0300 222 1122  www.alzheimers.org.uk 

Advice and support for matters relating to people with dementia

National Autism Helpline 0808 800 4104  www.autism.org.uk 

Advice on general issues affecting people with autism

Stroke Association 0303 3033 100  www.stroke.org.uk 

Practical and emotional support for people affected by strokes

Asthma Helpline 0300 222 5800  www.asthmaandlung.org.uk 

Asthma nurses for guidance on the condition

BHF Heartline 0300 330 3311  www.bhf.org.uk 

Guidance on living with heart conditions

Little Lungs 0151 608 8288  koalanw.co.uk 

Ch’ West and Wirral – Emotional support for parents of 1-5yo children with respiratory issues (interpreter available)

General/ Physical Treatment

Service Contact number or website Description
Cheshire and Merseyside dental helpline 0161 476 9651 

Help to find an emergency dentist if a client has been unable to book an appointment

NHS England's Customer Contact Centre 0300 311 2233 

General guidance and signposting, can offer same-day call backs

NHS Service Finder www.nhs.uk 

Mental Health

Service Contact number or website Description
MIND Info Line 0300 123 3393 

Information on dealing with MH conditions and general issues

MIND Legal Line 0300 466 6463 

Advice on mental health law

Samaritans 116 123  www.samaritans.org 

Listening service only. No advice, information or ongoing support

Wirral & Cheshire West NHS Mental Health Line 0300 303 3972 

For people struggling severely to maintain mental health

Duncan Lewis Solicitors 033 3772 0409  www.duncanlewis.co.uk 

Legal aid solicitors for family, housing, and mental capacity/court of protection (No free sessions)

Rethink 0808 801 0525  www.rethink.org 

Guidance around Mental Health Act, money matters, community care, benefits, carers’ needs

NHS Complaints

Service Contact number or website Description
Patient Advice and Liaison Service 0800 195 4462  www.nhs.uk 

Advice on service options and complaints

Healthwatch 0300 323 0006  www.healthwatch.co.uk 

Support with complaints

The Patients Association 020 8423 8999  www.patients-association.org.uk 

Information and advice on complaints, and service standards

Voiceability 0300 330 5454  www.voiceability.org 

Complaints advocacy service

Local Authority

Service Contact number or website Description
Child Social Care 0300 123 7047  www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

Concerns about children or disability needs

Adult Social Care 0300 123 7034  www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

Concerns about adults or disability needs

Data/ Medical Evidence

Service Contact number or website Description
Information Commissioners Office 0303 123 1113  ico.org.uk 

Guidance on handling/getting copies of personal data, and reporting concerns

Skip to content
Give feedback...