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For supporters

Help Hub

Help with the things that shape your life.

A landlord trying to evict you. A benefit that has suddenly stopped. Trouble at work. Debt that keeps growing. Clear, plain-English information and guidance, from guides each built for one job.

Talk to Thistlewood See how it works

In danger now? Call 999 (112 works too). If you can't speak, stay on the line and press 55 when you're asked.

Need to talk to someone? Free and confidential:

  • Samaritans, any time: 116 123
  • Shout, any time: text SHOUT to 85258
  • NHS 111, choose the mental health option (in Wales, press 2). In Northern Ireland, Lifeline: 0808 808 8000
  • CALM, 5pm to midnight: 0800 58 58 58
  • Childline, for under-19s: 0800 1111
  • Domestic abuse, any time: 0808 2000 247 (England), 0800 027 1234 (Scotland), 0808 80 10 800 (Wales), 0808 802 1414 (Northern Ireland)

What's going on?

You don't need to know which guide you need. Tell Thistlewood in your own words and she works it out. Select a problem to see who she would bring in.

How it works

One conversation, with the right help brought in when you need it.

  1. Tell Thistlewood. She's Ennui Nation's own AI. Tell her what's going on, in your own words. She asks a few questions to understand it properly.
  2. She brings in a guide. When you want to act on a problem, she suggests the guide built for it and asks first. Nothing happens without your OK.
  3. Back to Thistlewood. When the guide is done, she picks up again, and offers the next guide if something else came up. Your whole conversation stays together.

See it in action

Real test conversations with made-up people. Every reply is word for word what Thistlewood and the guides said. Pick a situation, then press each message to send it.

Examples only. Nothing here is sent anywhere.

The guides

Each one knows a single area in depth. Select a guide to see what they cover.

Thistlewood

Where every conversation starts. She keeps everything in one place, and always knows which guides are here today.

    New guides are added as each one is ready.

    Information and guidance, not advice

    The guides go right up to the line, then stop. When you need a professional, they tell you plainly what sort and point you to the right place, such as ACAS, Citizens Advice or the relevant ombudsman.

    They will

    • Explain how the law, the rules and the systems work, in plain English.
    • Ask questions first, so they understand what's really going on.
    • Give an honest reading of how things look on the facts you give them, with the law behind it, and suggest you get it checked.
    • Tell you what people can usually get or claim.
    • Walk you through processes like grievances, appeals and claims.
    • Help you prepare, keep records and ask the right questions.
    • Draft a letter or message for you to adapt, from the facts you give them.
    • Point you to the right official body for where you live.

    They won't

    • Decide your case for you, give you odds, or tell you what they would do.
    • Represent you, negotiate for you or act on your behalf.
    • Give personal tax, investment or regulated debt advice.
    • Advise on your own immigration or asylum case.
    • Promise or guarantee an outcome, or take sides in politics.
    • Pretend to be a solicitor, accountant or any other professional.

    Why you can trust it

    Built to the same standard as the journalism.

    Official sourcesThe guides work from official sources such as GOV.UK, ACAS and Citizens Advice, not guesswork.
    All four nationsRules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The guides check, rather than assume one rule fits all.
    Safety firstIf what you write suggests you or someone else is in danger, they stop and point you straight to help.
    One accountable personI set the rules they follow, and I answer for them. The AI Use Policy explains how AI is used across Ennui Nation.

    Your privacy

    • What you type is used only to answer you. Help Hub deletes it when you end the chat, leave the page or are idle for 30 minutes. Anthropic, which makes the AI model, deletes it within 30 days and does not use it for training.
    • The guides never ask for your name, address, postcode, phone number, email or date of birth.
    • No one reads your chat as it happens. I count topics anonymously, never your words, to learn which guides to build next.
    • Nothing is used for advertising, and nothing is sold.
    • If a message is blocked for misuse or you go over the fair usage limits, I keep a short security record that includes your internet address for 90 days.

    The Privacy Policy has the full detail.

    Questions

    Is this a person?

    No. Thistlewood and every guide are AI, built by Ennui Nation.

    Can I choose a guide myself?

    No, and that's on purpose. Tell Thistlewood what's going on and she brings in the right one, so nothing gets lost between guides.

    Is there a limit?

    Fair usage applies, so there's enough for every supporter. If you reach the limit, Thistlewood will tell you plainly.

    Will it ask where I live?

    Only which town or region you're in, so it can point you to local services. You don't have to answer.