Helpline

Sickle Cell Society Helpline

Do you have a sickle cell disorder or know someone who does? Are you looking for information, advice or support?

The SCS Helpline Service provides confidential information, guidance, and emotional support to individuals and families affected by sickle cell living within the UK.

Helpline Service

During this difficult time we want to support you as best as possible, that is why we have opened up our helpline to 5 days a week from 10am to 5pm. However, we currently only have one Helpline Officer, with other members of staff stepping in to cover the other days.

Before calling, please see below the correct number to call for each day of the week.

We are currently undergoing a transition period with our Helpline and Information service. During this time, the best way to get in touch with us is via email to a direct member of staff.

Find out more here: www.sicklecellsociety.org/contact-details/

What can we advise on?

We understand that sickle cell disorders uniquely affect people, and can manifest into a range of further conditions. We also understand that a sickle cell disorder affects the wider social support network. That’s why we support any individual affected by sickle cell, including family members, friends, employers, teachers and healthcare professionals. The topics we cover include:

  • Managing a sickle cell disorder
  • Social and welfare issues
    • Health and education provision
    • Housing and benefits entitlement
    • Employment support
  • Emotional support
  • Advocacy
  • Accessing services
  • Signposting to external agencies and support groups

What can’t we advise on?

Although we can provide information and guidance on managing a sickle cell disorder, we are not medically qualified and are therefore unable to comment on individual health issues. We can, however, explore your options and signpost you to your nearest sickle cell and thalassaemia service.

We cannot provide professional legal advice or legal representation, however we can signpost you to organisations that may be able to help.

The Helpline Service

You can contact our helpline service on:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (10am-5pm)

Valerie – 0780 973 6089

Thursday and Friday (10am-5pm)

Check above

These times do not include bank holidays. Sometimes we will be unable to answer calls immediately. If you are unable to get through to the helpline service, please don’t leave a message but instead, call back later on.

You can also use our confidential email service: helpline@sicklecellsociety.org. We aim to respond to all emails within 5 working days.

We also have a wide range of information about sickle cell disorders under the resources section of our website.

Alternatively, please write to us: Helpline Services Team, Sickle Cell Society, 54 Station Road, London NW10 4UA.

Confidentiality

All information shared via telephone and email is confidential. However there are limits to our confidentiality. Read our confidentiality policy.

Have your say

We aim to ensure the best possible helpline experience. In order to achieve this, we rely on your feedback. If you have recently spoken to a helpline officer via the phone or email and would like to comment on how we dealt with your enquiry, please do fill in our short survey. This survey is anonymous, and is made up of a few questions about why you called, how you would rate the support or information received, and whether we helped to make a difference.

Fill in the SCS Helpline survey.

Thank you for your help!

Read our complaints and feedback process.

Disclaimer

The helpline service is not a substitute to medical care. Please contact your GP, haematologist, or sickle cell clinical nurse specialist if you have any concerns about your condition or treatments.