“Need someone to talk to? Struggling to cope with feelings? Pause is here for you, if you are under 25 and have a Birmingham GP.

We offer a non-judgemental listening ear, self-help strategies plus skills for managing difficult situations and feelings. We are open 10-6 seven days a week.

For more info check out https://forwardthinkingbirmingham.nhs.uk/pause

Operating as both a consortium of over 30 organisations that offer free mental health services in Birmingham and Solihull; and a charity that is boldly leading the charge to make free mental health services focus as much on prevention and resilience, as they do recovery: Living Well’s mission is to ensure everyone has access to free mental health services in Birmingham and Solihull.

You can visit Living Well Consortium at their website HERE

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust provides a comprehensive health care service to those people living in Birmingham and Solihull who are experiencing mental health problems.

Click HERE

Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Founded in 1946 as the National Association for Mental Health, it celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf.

Click HERE for details

I want to make a Housing Application

• Go to Birmingham Choice website: www.birminghamchoice.co.uk . You will be asked for your National Insurance (NI) number    
• Complete Part 1 of application to register         
• Complete Part 2 of application (you will need previous addresses for 5 years)
• Make sure you upload any documents that will evidence your housing needs (consultant letters, CIN or CP plan etc)

If you fail to qualify, call Registrations 0121 303 7410 as they can say why and reopen if appropriate.

Tips for Housing applications:

• An exceptional need is when there is a risk to life or of serious harm and will normally need a Tier 1 from police. This won’t be considered if incidents or threats are not reported.
• Medical - must be a medical condition that is being made worse by your current property.
• If a child needs a separate bedroom due to any medical condition, this needs to be evidenced by a medical professional.
• Child in Need – this is any child with an allocated Social Worker
• ASB – if BCC property this must be reported to the ASB team 0121 464 4700 or online: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20095/antisocial_behaviour_and_neighbour_disputes/565/antisocial_behaviour/3

I am homeless now or know I will be soon:

• Contact the BCC Homeless Team (to make a homeless application) on 0121 303 7410.
• If you are roofless on the day, they will arrange Temporary Accommodation (TA) for you. This may well be outside Birmingham as TA properties are in very short supply. They have 56 days to assess the case and whether individuals are genuinely homeless. If an applicant is found to be ‘intentionally homeless’ they won’t be able to join the housing register unless they have another housing need.
• If the homeless team take a homeless application, they will issue a letter with a homeless reference on it. This reference needs to be added to the Housing application. If it isn’t added, then ‘Homeless priority’ Band 2 won’t be added.
• A homeless application can be made even if you aren’t roofless, as BCC can give ‘prevention duty’ and they will try to prevent the homelessness from happening. Evidence is needed in the form of a letter from the landlord or a possession order etc. Again, a housing application needs to be completed as well.

My housing application has closed. What do I do?

Call Registrations on 0121 303 7410 as they can see what the reason is and potentially open it up again for changes to be made. They can also reset passwords.

I’ve got rent arrears but want to join BCC Housing Register

• For a current BCC tenancy, call Rents Team 0121 675 2006 to set up a repayment plan.
• If the arrears are from a previous BCC tenancy, call Former Tenancy Rent Team on 0121 303 3173 to set up a repayment plan.
• If the arrears are from a TA property, call TA Finance on 0121 675 5535.
• If it's from a Private tenancy, then evidence is needed to show that a repayment plan is being adhered to. This could be a bank statement.

Once the repayment plan has been adhered to for at least 3 months, then a Housing application can be made. If the arrears are significant (£2000 or more) allow longer before making a housing application. You will not be accepted onto the Housing Register with any arrears unless there is a repayment plan.

I have got problems with my landlord:

BCC has a team that can support tenants with rogue landlords, longstanding repair issues and environmental issues.

• Call the Private Tenancy Unit on 0121 303 5070

My BCC property is in disrepair with rats or mice:

• All repairs need to be reported to 0121 216 3330. If it is a health and safety risk (Front door lock broken etc) then an urgent repair can be requested, and they will aim to get it done within 2 hours
• Call Pest Control on 0121 303 6007
• For Environmental Health call 0121 303 1112

I am having problems with my neighbour:

• If either are BCC tenants call 0121 303 1111 to report it or online at: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20095/antisocial_behaviour_and_neighbour_disputes/565/antisocial_behaviour/3
• If a private tenant, call the Private Tenancy Unit on 0121 303 5070
• If a criminal offence has taken place call WMP on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
• If it is a Housing Association tenancy this is a list of providers: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50113/advice_and_support/1223/housing_associations_advice

BCC Housing advice portal: Start | Housing Advice | Birmingham City Council (adviceaid.uk)