Urgent help and emergency careGet the right help when it cannot wait.
These routes are for disabled children and adults, their families and carers. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for emergency help. Choose the service for your location and the kind of help you need.
If someone’s life is at risk, or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E. Do not wait for a charity, funding application or email reply.
NHS guidance on calling 999
Urgent health or mental-health help
If you need someone to listen, Samaritans is available day and night, 365 days a year: 116 123. Contact Samaritans. It is a listening service; immediate danger still needs emergency services.
Accessible emergency contact
999 BSL provides free emergency video relay for Deaf BSL users, 24/7, through its app or website, without registration. Relay UK’s official 999 guidance explains text relay and emergencySMS. EmergencySMS requires registration in advance. For NHS 111, use its official BSL interpreter guidance.
If care has broken down or someone is unsafe
If a carer becomes ill or unavailable and the person cannot safely wait, telephone the relevant council’s urgent social-care team. Explain what care is missing, the person’s communication needs, medication/equipment needs and their location. Ask the team to assess immediate support. An assessment does not guarantee a particular placement or free replacement care.
West Yorkshire adult social care
Children need the children’s route
In Bradford, contact 0800 953 0966 during office hours or 01274 431010 out of hours. Bradford Children and Families Trust. Leeds has separate children’s contacts; the directory lists the official public contact centre and children’s EDT. In other areas follow the council’s children/families emergency guidance. Call 999 for immediate danger.
Urgent disability equipment and planning ahead
If essential loaned equipment fails, contact its NHS/council supplier or repair service and explain any immediate safety risk. Urgent clinical concerns go through 111 or 999. Newlife’s existing equipment listing includes emergency equipment loans for eligible children; these require assessment and professional support and are not an ambulance service. Do not rely on an unconfirmed delivery promise.
Carer emergency planning helps record backup contacts and care instructions before a crisis. Installed Bradford Safe and Sound alarms provide monitored response for registered users; the referral number is not a public emergency dispatch line.
Urgent money or essentials
Emergency hardship funds can help with financial pressures, but application processing may take days or weeks. They do not replace urgent clinical or safeguarding help.
Official NHS, council, service-provider and helpline information checked 12 October 2026. Sources and discrepancies are recorded in the directory. The website does not monitor emergency requests or provide clinical assessment.
Urgent food, baby essentials & money worries
If you cannot afford food, nappies or other essentials, you deserve help without judgement. These services support people facing hardship; you do not need a disability diagnosis to ask. A food bank, a free community meal and a paid surplus-food shop offer different kinds of help.
Official provider, council, NHS and register sources checked 13 October 2026. Opening arrangements, stock, referral capacity and prices can change. Contact the provider before travelling.
Not sure how to get an emergency food referral?
Free advice — England and Wales. Help through Hardship, delivered with Citizens Advice: 0808 208 2138, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, excluding public holidays. Ask about emergency essentials, benefits, grants and food support. BSL interpretation, language interpretation and Relay UK options are available through the linked page.
A health visitor, school, support worker, housing worker or advice agency may also be able to arrange a referral. Tell them if you have no food today, no cooking facilities, dietary requirements, or cannot travel or carry a parcel. Delivery and suitable food cannot be assumed; ask what can be arranged.
Bradford & Keighley: food support
Bradford Central Foodbank
Free emergency food — voucher/referral needed. Offers three-day non-perishable parcels. Call 0300 102 0120 or email info@bradfordcentral.foodbank.org.uk. How to get help and arrange a voucher. A 0300 number is charged at standard rates unless included in your phone plan.
Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank
Free emergency food — professional route. Supplies food bags through organisations supporting vulnerable people, rather than directly to individuals. Ask your social worker, welfare adviser, teacher, health or housing worker to contact it. Provider’s referral explanation and contact form.
FoodCycle Bradford
Free community meal — no booking required. Everyone is welcome; this is a meal to eat together, rather than a take-home food bank. Current venue: Deaf Centre, 25 Hallfield Road, Bradford, BD1 3RP. The provider lists a disabled toilet, disabled parking and flat access. Check its current Bradford meal and access details; despite the URL’s old Thorpe Edge wording, the published venue is Hallfield Road. Tell volunteers about allergies; alternative dishes are not guaranteed.
Surplus to Purpose CIC
Paid surplus-food shopping — not a free emergency parcel service. Its current Bradford store is Allenby House, Rees Way, Bradford, BD3 0DZ. The provider lists level access and free parking. Stock and prices vary; check current shopping and delivery arrangements through Surplus to Purpose and its store/contact page. Older Leeds warehouse addresses and fixed box-price listings should not be relied on. Its own story identifies it as a Community Interest Company.
More local locations: Find Food in Bradford lists food banks, meal provision and low-cost markets across Bradford district, including Keighley. Bradford Council directs residents to this specialist local finder on its welfare advice page.
Leeds: food support
Leeds North & West Foodbank
Free emergency food — arrange a voucher first. Call 0113 269 2985. Use the current contact page and help instructions. Its Burley Hill warehouse does not issue food to visitors; use the collection centre arranged for your referral.
Leeds South & East Foodbank
Free emergency food — online referral system. Provides three-day non-perishable parcels. Call 0113 277 2229 or email info@leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk. Follow its get-help instructions before visiting.
St Vincent’s Centre, Leeds
Free crisis food and essentials. Call 0113 248 4126 to discuss emergency same-day provision or a referral. The provider describes food parcels, toiletries, household essentials and, for families with young children, nappies, wipes and baby food. Availability depends on your circumstances and stock. Emergency support at 4 Berking Avenue, Leeds, LS9 9LF.
FoodCycle Leeds community meals
Free community meals. The provider lists Leeds Beeston & Holbeck, Harehills and Seacroft. Use FoodCycle’s meal finder for the current venue, session, family-friendly and disability-access details for each project.
Council route: Leeds Money Information Centre’s emergency food page explains crisis support and links to the local food-aid map. Food banks, paid pantries and community kitchens have different access arrangements.
Kirklees, Calderdale & Wakefield: food support
The Welcome Centre — South Kirklees
Free crisis packs — agency referral, no self-referral. Food, toiletries and essential household items, with advice and support. General enquiries: 01484 515086, info@thewelcomecentre.org; referrers: 01484 340034. Ask about collection or delivery circumstances. Provider’s help and referral guidance; current Kirklees contact listing.
Fusion Food and More — North Kirklees
Free crisis food and essential packs — referral needed. Covers North Kirklees, with toiletries, cleaning and pet-food support as well as food. Ask a support professional to refer you, or contact Kirklees Local Welfare Provision on 01484 414782. Fusion advice team: 01924 454770. Ask your referrer about any delivery eligibility and cooking or dietary needs. Provider’s full access instructions.
Dewsbury Community Outreach
Free meals and drinks for people in need. Also describes prepared meals to take home through its food programme. Use the provider’s current community food programme to confirm sessions before visiting.
Halifax Community Fridge
Free surplus food. Located at Jamia Madni Mosque, 117–131 Gibbet Street, Halifax, HX1 5LE. Contact 07790 758618. The Calderdale Council food page lists this service and current collection arrangements.
Our Place — Boothtown, Halifax
Food and clothing bank. Contact 07825 429034 or coordinator@calderdaleourplace.co.uk to ask about help and access. At Boothtown Methodist Church, Freda Wade Centre. Council’s current food-support listing.
Brighouse Central Food Bank
Food parcel collection service. Contact 07467 729067 or foodbank@brighousecmc.org to check referral and collection arrangements. Calderdale Council food support also covers Elland, Todmorden and other district locations.
St Catherine’s Community Pantry — Wakefield
Paid membership pantry. The provider publishes a £5 weekly contribution for a choice of food, cleaning materials and toiletries. Ask about eligibility, availability and current charges: 01924 211130. Provider’s emergency food store/pantry information. Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5HL.
Wakefield emergency route: Wakefield Council’s help-with-food page offers an online assistance request and explains that emergency food-bank parcels require referral. Ask a local Help at the Hub service if you need assistance using the form.
Baby & children’s essentials
Free referred support is separate from any charity’s paid shop. Items depend on donations, safe suitability and capacity. Ask a midwife, health visitor, school or support worker to help with a referral, particularly if you need nappies or equipment urgently.
Bradford Baby Bank
Bradford; children aged 0–5; professional referral. New and pre-owned essential items for families in hardship. How families get support; professional referral form and capacity updates. Email admin@bradfordbabybank.com for enquiries. Delivery referrals may close when capacity is reached.
Leeds Baby Bank
Leeds; children aged 0–5; referral only, no self-referral. Baby essentials and equipment, including clothing, nappies, buggies and stair gates where available. Ask a health visitor, midwife or other support professional to refer. Provider’s help and referral information; admin@leedsbabybank.org.
Rainbow Baby Bank — Kirklees
Whole of Kirklees; professional referral only. Supports families and mothers-to-be with baby equipment, nappies, toiletries, baby food and clothing up to 18–24 months. Call 01924 694500 or email info@rainbowbabybank.org.uk. Referral and service details.
Mothershare — Calderdale
Free equipment and clothing through professional referral. Prioritises North Halifax but helps families across Calderdale; does not accept personal requests without referral. Call 07383 440050 or email info@mothershare.org.uk. Referral information. Its own homepage separately lists an emergency out-of-hours referral email and paid sales; check which route applies.
Airedale Baby & Children’s Bank — Castleford
Wakefield district and surrounding areas; children from birth to 16. Clothing, beds, bedding, toiletries and other essentials for families in hardship. This is Airedale in Castleford, not the Bradford/Airedale hospital area. Ask about professional referral and current availability on 07561 499019. Provider’s help and enquiry form; registered geographic scope.
NHS Healthy Start
Ongoing food, milk and vitamin support — eligible pregnancies and children under four. Available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland subject to scheme criteria. Check eligibility and apply directly; 0300 330 7010, healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. Special application routes apply for some under-18 pregnancies and families with no recourse to public funds. This is not same-day emergency support.
Low-cost food clubs and pantries
The Bread and Butter Thing
Paid weekly surplus-food bags — free to join at a participating hub. Current published options are £5, £8.50 or £17; check current prices and local hubs before registering. Food changes each week and dietary requirements beyond vegetarian options are not guaranteed. Places can be limited; someone else can collect for you. How bags and ordering work; join/contact information; hello@breadandbutterthing.org.
Your Local Pantry offers another paid membership model where local residents choose groceries; each pantry sets its catchment and contribution. Check the provider’s finder for availability in your postcode. A membership scheme is not a substitute for free crisis help when you have no money.
Free debt, benefits & money advice
If bills, arrears or debt leave you unable to afford essentials, these services can help you understand options. Tell the adviser about disability-related costs and any urgent rent, energy, court or enforcement issue. The advice below is free; do not assume every advertised debt solution is suitable for your circumstances.
Citizens Advice — local and telephone advice
Debt helpline: 0800 240 4420; general Adviceline in England: 0800 144 8848. Find your local office, webchat, current hours and Relay UK options. Most local offices help residents or workers within their area. Bradford Council additionally identifies district advice providers, including Equality Together for long-term or complex health conditions.
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice for UK residents. Call 0800 138 1111, or use the official online advice and contact routes. Its provider page advises self-employed people to seek specialist help such as Business Debtline rather than assuming StepChange’s service applies.
National Debtline
Free confidential advice — England, Wales and Scotland. Call 0808 808 4000 or use official advice, webchat and current hours.
MoneyHelper
Free UK money guidance and debt-adviser finder. Find telephone, online or face-to-face debt support through the Debt Advice Locator. Guidance phone: 0800 011 3797; the linked page offers BSL, Relay UK and interpreter options.
For ongoing grants and household support, browse our hardship directory and household essentials directory. Ask your council or support worker about local crisis help alongside a food referral.
