Support services in Oldham

If you have been affected by domestic abuse or child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), support is available. This page brings together information on local and national support services, as well as options for reporting concerns.

Help is available whether your experience is recent or historic, whether it has been reported to the police or not, and whether you are seeking support for yourself or someone else.

Immediate help

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

If you are in the UK and need emergency help but cannot speak, you should still call 999. You may be transferred to the Silent Solution system.

If you are calling from a mobile phone

  1. Listen to the operator.
  2. If you cannot talk, you may be transferred to the Silent Solution system.
  3. When prompted, press 55 to show that your call is a genuine emergency and that you need police assistance.

If possible, you can also cough, tap the handset or press keys in response to questions.

If you are calling from a landline

  • Stay on the line, even if you cannot speak.
  • If the operator hears background noise or has concerns, they can transfer the call to the police.
  • Location information from landlines is generally available to the emergency services automatically.

Important

  • A silent 999 call on its own does not automatically bring help.
  • On a mobile, you must press 55 when prompted if you cannot speak. Otherwise, the call may be ended.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment

  • If you have registered with the emergencySMS service, you can text 999.
  • You can use the textphone service on 18000.
  • You can use the 999 BSL service to speak to the emergency services using British Sign Language.

If it is not an emergency

If you have witnessed or been the victim of a crime that is not an emergency, you can report it to Greater Manchester Police. Your report will be sent directly to their control room.

There may be a more appropriate place to report what has happened to you, for example domestic abuse, a road traffic incident or antisocial behaviour. You can see all your options in the main reporting section. It asks you the right questions to support investigations.

Report abuse or a safeguarding concern

Support related to the National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and CSEA reviews in Oldham

Reading or hearing about inquiries, reviews and media coverage relating to CSEA in Oldham may be distressing for some people. It may bring back difficult memories or experiences, or prompt people to seek support, report concerns or share their own experiences.

Support for victims and survivors

If you have been affected by these issues, support is available. The services on this page can be accessed whether your experiences are recent or historic, and whether or not they have been reported to the police.

The National Inquiry Survivor Support Hub provides a dedicated space for victims, survivors, families and support groups to engage with the UK’s statutory inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse.

The services on this page may also provide additional local, regional and national support, depending on your needs.

For more information and updates, see our page on the National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs:

Operation Beaconport

Operation Beaconport is a national policing operation established following recommendations from Baroness Casey’s National Audit into Group-Based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (GBCSAE).

Delivered in partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA), the operation is reviewing previously closed investigations into GBCSAE reported across England and Wales between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2025.

It seeks to identify opportunities for justice, support victims and survivors, strengthen safeguarding, and improve future responses to GBCSAE.

Support services

The organisations below provide a range of local, regional and national support services.

Abuse, exploitation and trauma support

Keeping Our Girls Safe (KOGS) supports women and girls who have been affected by child sexual exploitation and offers non-judgemental support and guidance. They are an independent charity and are here to listen and help you.

The Children’s Society is a national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Rape Crisis England & Wales offers specialist support for women and girls affected by rape, sexual abuse and sexual violence, including a free online chat and a 24/7 support line.

Oldham St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a coordinated forensic, counselling and aftercare service for men, women and children in Greater Manchester who have experienced rape or sexual assault, whether recently or in the past.

We Are Survivors offers specialist support for men and boys affected by sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) offers support for adults affected by childhood abuse.

Victim Support offers practical and emotional support for victims of crime and traumatic experiences.

The NSPCC Helpline offers advice and support if you are concerned about a child.

Galop offers support for LGBT+ people affected by abuse, violence or exploitation.

IAmReady is a website providing victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation with information about support, reporting and review processes.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing support

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health services across Oldham, including support for people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression and other emotional wellbeing needs.

Oldham Talking Therapies (formerly Healthy Minds) is a free NHS talking therapies service for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related difficulties and other common mental health conditions.

Greater Manchester NHS mental health crisis services are for people who need urgent mental health support or are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Samaritans is a registered UK charity that provides free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to anyone struggling to cope or in distress

Housing advice and support

Our Housing Options Service delivers a comprehensive range of services from under one roof, including help with applying for social housing, housing advice, homelessness, tenancy relations and supported housing.

Drug and alcohol support

If you are struggling with drug or alcohol use, specialist support services are available, including Early Breaks and Turning Point.

Family and children’s support

Oldham Family Hubs are a universal one-stop shop providing support with children’s health and wellbeing.