Tips on calling

Calling Switchboard for the first time is for some a daunting prospect but it need not be. Easy to say I know. You will be heard, for many it will be the first time they have shared what they have to say with anyone at all, we respect that all too well. We will listen to what you have to share with us with dignity and respect for who you are.

We are open 365 days a year between 7pm and 10pm we try to have a woman on each night but that can be difficult to manage however all our male volunteers are well able and comfortable discussing women's issues where you need someone now.Only women staff Lesbian line.

If what you have to say is troubling or confidential try to phone us from a location where you are less likely to be disturbed while phoning. We cannot call you back and our phones are all barred from the 1471 service so we cannot identify the number you are calling from in any way. Mobiles cost the same as any other call you make to a landline phone. We have a new digital exchange that means if our advisors are engaged your call will be answered by a machine asking you to call back later on.

There are no tricks and no easy answers, if by accident you share something you feel you ought not to have don't worry, we don't repeat anything. No detailed notes of your call are kept by anyone.Only the basic statistics I mentioned earlier.

If you are on itemised billing, only our telephone number will show up on the bill and we have no control over that I am sad to say. If you can, take some time before you call us to think what it is you hope to get out of the call. If you think it will help make a list of things you want to cover in the call and have a pen and paper handy for any numbers we might be able to provide you with.

Above all make the call: it may help take a bit of the pressure off yourself. Don't be embarrassed about what you want to talk about; mostly we will have heard something similar before and may even have personal experience of the issue ourselves too!

Should you fear discovery of your call to us, after you hang up, dial 123 and clear the number from the last number redial facility on your phone.