Merseyside Charities and Community Organisations Offering Practical Help

If you need practical help in Merseyside, finding the right organisation can be harder than asking for support. Services often cover specific postcodes, age groups or referral routes.

This guide covers organisations helping with food, furniture, housing, mental health, disability, family problems, youth activities and isolation across Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens.

It is a directory, not a ranking. A large football foundation and a volunteer-led neighbourhood group do different jobs. Start with the problem you need help with, then check the organisation's eligibility rules before travelling.

We checked the information on 31 July 2026. Opening hours, funding and waiting lists can change.

The short version

• Immediate danger: call 999 or go to A&E.
• Urgent mental health help: use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.
• Sleeping rough in Liverpool, or concerned about someone who is: call 0300 123 2041.
• Homeless with nowhere to stay tonight in Liverpool: complete the council's homelessness referral between 9am and 4.30pm on weekdays. Outside those hours, or if nobody has contacted you by 5pm, call 0151 233 3044 or freephone 0800 731 6844.
• Before attending: give the organisation your postcode, age and the type of help needed.
• Referrals: some services accept self-referrals, while others require a school, GP, landlord or support worker.
• Privacy: do not post personal information in public social media comments.

Practical support across Merseyside

Community organisations offering several types of help

Bee Wirral

Bee Wirral is a not-for-profit community interest company based at 138 Park Road North, Birkenhead, CH41 8AB. A community interest company, or CIC, is set up to benefit a community rather than private shareholders.

Its services include community activities, men's activities, cafés, room hire, supervised family contact and the Refresh Furniture Project. The furniture project redistributes furniture, soft furnishings and small appliances through trusted referrals, so contact the organisation before trying to collect anything.

Bee Wirral lists its centre hours as 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Its supervised family-contact sessions currently cost £55 an hour. Contact the organisation to confirm availability and complete its referral process.

The Florrie

The Florrie is at 377 Mill Street, Dingle, L8 4RF. It runs youth work, food support, housing and welfare support, cultural events, a café, Florrie Radio and community activities.

The charity advertises more than 30 hours of community hub activity each week. The building is normally open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but each activity has its own timetable.

The Florrie can suit you if you do not need a formal crisis service but want regular activity, social contact, creative work or a familiar local space. Our Toxteth and Liverpool 8 guide gives more context for the surrounding area.

Centre 63

Centre 63 is a youth and community centre on Old Hall Lane in Kirkby. It provides advice, activities and practical support for young people and families.

The centre opens from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Its open-access youth club is for ages 8 to 18, with separate junior and senior sessions. Its social supermarket currently opens from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Thursday. Check the youth club and social supermarket pages before attending.

Football and rugby club foundations

Club foundations do more than run sport sessions. Their work can cover mental health, employment, disability inclusion, education, youth support and activities for older residents.

Everton in the Community

Everton in the Community is Everton FC's official registered charity. It works across health, employment, education, dementia, poverty, youth engagement, disability and neighbourhood safety.

Facilities in the Goodison area include The People's Place on Spellow Lane, which is used for mental health and wellbeing programmes. Each project has separate eligibility rules. Some accept direct enquiries, while others work through schools, health services or partner organisations.

Use the charity's current project directory instead of assuming every activity is open for general registration. Our Anfield area guide covers travel and local planning around the stadium area.

LFC Foundation

LFC Foundation is Liverpool FC's official charity. Its programmes focus on health, learning and employability.

Current work includes football, primary and secondary education, health and wellbeing, inclusion, community engagement and employment training. Some sessions can be booked directly, while others run through schools, hospitals or partner organisations.

Tranmere Rovers in the Community

Tranmere Rovers in the Community is based at Prenton Park. Its work covers health and wellbeing, education, sport and citizenship.

Check the current community page, email community@tranmererovers.co.uk or call 0151 608 2354 for current sessions, prices and eligibility.

Saints Community Development Foundation

Saints Community Development Foundation is an independent charitable trust working with St Helens R.F.C.

Its current programme includes wheelchair rugby league, learning-disability rugby league, inclusive cheer, health sessions, school work and a reminiscence café. It is a useful starting point for St Helens residents looking for sport-based support or social activity.

Food, furniture and homelessness help

The Whitechapel Centre

The Whitechapel Centre provides homelessness prevention, housing advice, street outreach, supported accommodation and help for people sleeping rough.

If you are sleeping rough in Liverpool, or are concerned about someone who is, call the 24-hour Always Help Available line on 0300 123 2041. Whitechapel says this number should only be used to report rough sleeping.

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, call Whitechapel's advice service on 0151 207 7617 from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Its Homeless Advice Centre is at Langsdale Street, Liverpool, L3 8DT, and asks people to call first where possible. If you have nowhere to stay tonight, use Liverpool City Council's homelessness service. The council's out-of-hours numbers are 0151 233 3044 and freephone 0800 731 6844.

Homelessness can include sofa surfing, squatting, staying in a hostel or living in unsafe, severely overcrowded housing. If you could lose your home within 56 days, contact your council's Housing Options team as well.

Micah Liverpool

Micah Liverpool runs two emergency food sessions each week:

• Tuesday, 10.30am to midday: St Vincent de Paul Church, Hardy Street, Liverpool, L1 5JN
• Thursday, 10.30am to midday: St Bride's Church, Percy Street, Liverpool, L8 7LT

The sessions are open to anyone in need. Micah provides a three-day emergency food parcel once a week for up to four weeks. It may ask for evidence if you need support for longer. Check the website before travelling around bank holidays.

Wirral Ark

Wirral Ark supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Wirral. Its work includes supported accommodation and help towards secure, independent living.

The main contact address is 7 Sidney Street in Birkenhead. General enquiries can be made on 0330 1755 330.

If you are homeless in Wirral when council offices are closed, call Wirral Council's Emergency Duty Team on 0151 677 6557. For daytime help, use the council's housing options enquiry. To report someone sleeping rough in Wirral, call the Rough Sleeper Initiative on 07821 125119 or use StreetLink.

The Hope Centre in St Helens

The Hope Centre runs food, furniture, homelessness and practical support services across St Helens.

Hope House on Crab Street is a homelessness drop-in centre. It provides food, personal care, benefits and housing support, telephone and computer access, advocacy and help obtaining identification. It is open from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, and you do not need an appointment.

Other projects include St Helens Foodbank, Hope Pantry, Baby Basics, digital-skills support and Restore St Helens. Contact the organisation before bringing physical donations because storage space is limited.

The Hope Centre website currently says Crisis Café 110 "opened in September 2026". That date was still in the future when this guide was checked on 31 July 2026. Do not rely on the café as an open crisis service until the organisation confirms it directly.

Venus Charity

Venus Charity is based in Bootle and works mainly across Sefton. It supports women, children, young people and families through mental health work, family services, practical help and accommodation.

Projects have different referral routes and geographical restrictions. Venus currently says new referrals to its children and young people's mental-health service have been paused since 1 December 2025 because of demand. Its open-access drop-ins are still listed. Check the current timetable and referral status or call 0151 474 4744 before attending.

Support for children, young people and families

The Hive Youth Zone

The Hive Youth Zone is on Bright Street in Birkenhead, close to Conway Park station.

Membership is for young people aged 8 to 19. A young person with a disability or additional need may be able to remain a member until 25 following assessment by the youth-work team. Annual membership currently costs £5, followed by 50p for each standard visit. Families who cannot afford the charge can speak to the team about their options.

YPAS

YPAS provides mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children and young people aged 5 to 25, as well as parents and families.

The young person needs a Liverpool home postcode or a Liverpool GP. For someone under 18, YPAS lists its own online form and the wider children and young people's form. Referrals made through the wider form go to CAMHS for triage before suitable cases are passed to YPAS. A primary-school referral must be made by the school's SENCO or mental health lead. People aged 18 to 25 can use the YPAS online referral form.

YPAS is not an emergency mental health service. For urgent help, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.

Koala North West

Koala North West supports parents, carers and children across Wirral, Liverpool and parts of Cheshire.

Services include family support, early-years help, breastfeeding support, SEND services, home visiting, groups and parenting programmes. Coverage differs between projects, so give the organisation your postcode and the type of support needed.

Claire House Children's Hospice

Claire House supports babies, children and young adults with recognised life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, together with their families.

The main hospice is on Clatterbridge Road in Bebington. Claire House Liverpool is on Honey's Green Lane in West Derby. Care can include overnight and day care, care at home, hospital support, end-of-life care, counselling and family support.

Access is arranged through a referral and assessment. Claire House normally accepts referrals for ages 0 to 25, but new referrals from age 18 are limited to end-of-life care. Its Rapid Response Team is available 24 hours a day for babies, children and young adults receiving end-of-life care. This does not mean every Claire House service is available without referral at any hour.

Mental health, disability and isolation

Sean's Place

Sean's Place is based at 211 Linacre Lane in Bootle. It provides community mental health support for people aged 18 or over who identify as male across Merseyside. The Nest accepts referrals for young people aged 16 to 18.

Support includes one-to-one sessions and group activities. Self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted. Adult applicants need stable accommodation and GP registration. The organisation aims to contact applicants within two working days.

Sean's Place is not an emergency service. If you cannot keep yourself safe, call 999 or NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Tomorrow's Women Wirral

Tomorrow's Women operates from Beckwith Street East in Birkenhead. It supports women aged 18 and over with domestic abuse, sexual violence, mental health, substance use, isolation, confidence and contact with the criminal justice system.

Tomorrow's Young Women supports girls aged 14 to 17 in Wirral. The main centre is open from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, phone lines run from 9am to 5pm, and referral forms can normally be completed from 9.30am to 3pm.

Support and referrals take place at the centre. Children cannot enter because of safeguarding restrictions.

Daisy Inclusive UK

Daisy Inclusive UK is a disability-led charity at 2 Barnes Street in Everton.

It provides counselling, disability hate-crime support, benefit advice, inclusive sport, social activities, education and employment support. Call 0151 261 0309 before attending because age limits and access arrangements differ between activities.

Age UK Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton

Age UK Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton provides benefits checks, digital support, social activities, befriending, dementia help and practical support at home.

Despite the charity's full name, its current service directory says that many services operate across Wirral. Ask which programmes cover your postcode. The main number is 0151 482 3456.

Specialist safety and inclusion services

Asylum Link Merseyside

Asylum Link Merseyside is at St Anne's Centre, 7 Overbury Street, Liverpool, L7 3HJ. The entrance is through St Anne's Church car park on Harbord Street. It supports refugees and people seeking asylum through casework, English classes, wellbeing activities, meals, clothing and practical help.

The centre normally opens from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday. Casework prioritises people in the Liverpool City Region and people from places with little specialist advice. Email caseworkers@asylumlink.org.uk or call 0151 709 1713 before travelling for casework.

RASA Merseyside

RASA Merseyside provides specialist help for people affected by rape, sexual assault, harassment and other sexual violence.

Its Independent Sexual Violence Adviser service supports people aged 18 or over in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral. You do not need to have reported an incident to the police to ask for support.

RASA does not provide crisis support. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If the incident happened recently and you want a forensic medical examination, RASA directs people to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0151 295 3550. Counselling waiting times and re-referral rules can apply.

Savera UK

Savera UK is a Liverpool-based organisation supporting people affected by honour-based abuse and harmful practices. This includes forced marriage, female genital mutilation and abuse threatened in the name of family or community honour.

The specialist helpline is 0800 107 0726. It opens from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Individuals and professionals can use its referral routes. Call 999 if the danger is immediate.

Savera's website has a quick-exit button, but using it does not remove the page from browser history. If someone may monitor your device, use a safer device or a public computer where possible.

What to have ready when you ask for help

Write down the following before you call or complete a referral form:

1. Your postcode.
2. The age of the person needing support.
3. The main problem you need help with.
4. Whether help is needed immediately.
5. Whether a GP, school, landlord, social worker or other professional is involved.
6. Whether you can travel to the organisation.
7. Any access, interpreter or communication support you need.

Ask whether the service covers your postcode, accepts self-referrals, has a waiting list, charges a fee or needs identification. If travel is difficult, ask whether telephone, online or outreach support is available. Our guide to getting around Liverpool without a car may help with local journeys.

Donating or volunteering

Check what an organisation needs before delivering food, clothing or furniture. Storage is limited and some centres cannot accept unplanned donations.

Businesses wanting to support several local organisations can contact the Community Foundation for Merseyside. It manages funds, assesses grant applications and connects donors with community groups.

You can also help through regular donations, payroll giving, professional skills, work placements, meeting space or items from a current wish list.

Urgent mental health or safety concerns

Most organisations in this directory do not provide emergency help.

If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help that is not an immediate life-threatening emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.

Check before travelling

This directory is a starting point. Merseyside has many smaller food clubs, warm spaces, parent groups, youth sessions and social activities that are not included here.

Check the official service page before travelling. Funding, staff capacity, postcode rules, age limits and referral routes can change at short notice.

Useful links and sources

• Bee Wirral
• The Florrie
• Centre 63
• Everton in the Community projects
• LFC Foundation programmes
• Tranmere Rovers in the Community
• Saints Community Development Foundation
• The Whitechapel Centre
• Liverpool City Council homelessness help
• Wirral Council homelessness help
• Micah Liverpool emergency food aid
• Wirral Ark
• The Hope Centre
• Venus Charity
• The Hive Youth Zone membership
• YPAS referrals
• Koala North West
• Claire House support
• Sean's Place referrals
• Tomorrow's Women
• Daisy Inclusive UK
• Age UK Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton
• Asylum Link Merseyside
• RASA Merseyside
• Savera UK
• Community Foundation for Merseyside
• NHS urgent mental health guidance