The Decelerator Hotline offers a free, confidential space to navigate the complexities of endings. With the help of a trained Deceleration Navigator you will have the chance to pause, breathe, and explore all your options.

What brings you here? Are you…

• Seeking clarity about an ending you're considering, planning, or experiencing?

• Navigating mixed emotions like uncertainty, relief, stress, or hope?

• Looking for a place to voice your thoughts—whether for the first or hundredth time?

Whatever your reasons for seeking out The Decelerator’s support, we’re here to meet you with empathy, understanding, and practical guidance.

What to Expect from a Hotline Call:

• We are ready to offer you solidarity and reassurance. Our Deceleration Navigators are people who have their own experience of endings in an organisational context. 

• We are ready to meet you where you are in the process. Whatever your circumstances, we are ready to support you to consider what can be done to make the best of an ending. 

• A space free from shame and blame. We reject simplistic notions of right and wrong, fostering empathy and openness to complexity.

• We are here to remind you that you are not alone. You may not have told anyone the ending you are considering or contemplating; it may be an unvoiced inkling. We may be the first or the 100th person you have told. 

• We are here to be practically supportive. Most people finish a call with some next steps. We have developed resources that can move you towards action and agency and we can share these with you over email after the call. We can share some examples of how other organisations have raised funds for endings.

• We can point you in the direction of people who can help: other agencies, infrastructure groups, funders or individuals. 

• You can expect tailored support. You will be able to choose a one-time call or up to three 50-minute sessions to reflect and plan. Most of our calls are 121 as this is where we have found the service we offer works best. Occasionally we can accommodate a call with up to 2 people.

Please note: the choices you make after speaking with us remain your responsibility. We encourage careful consideration and professional advice as needed.

The Small Print (ie. Important And Useful Information)

Upcoming Hotline Availability

In 2025 the Hotline will operate during three periods:

• January – March

• May – July

• September – November

Between these periods, we will actively reflect on and analyze the insights we gather, sharing and disseminating our learnings in practical and actionable ways to help shape policy and improve practices across civil society.

Safeguarding and care in our work

The Decelerator is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all those who draw on our hotline and other services. We understand that individuals who reach out to us may be experiencing extreme stress or mental ill-health, and we take our duty of care towards them very seriously. As well as the duty of care to our team who support organisations and individuals. Our approach to safeguarding and whistleblowing can be read here.

Equity and Countering Oppression

The Decelerator is committed to equity and prioritising support where it is most urgently needed. To uphold this commitment, we reserve up to 10% of our available calls for organisations led by individuals and communities we have learned face the most acute and ongoing challenges related to endings. This includes (but is not limited to) organisations led by Black and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, working-class communities, and others navigating systemic inequities and disproportionate barriers to accessing funding. By doing so, we aim to ensure that our resources reach those who experience the greatest and most immediate need for this critical support. Read more about what we have learnt so far about inequity, oppression and endings, and what we’re doing to unlock equitable endings and counter oppression here.