For further advice and information

AbilityNet

A 'one-stop-shop' for assistive technology needs. The company has centres in various locations in the UK.
AbilityNet c/o Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1WG
Helpline: 0300 180 0028
Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
www.abilitynet.org.uk

Age UK

One America Square, 17 Crosswall, London EC3N 2LB

Call in Time - Friendship telephone service for people over 60 - Register via the website Organises daily, weekly or occasional calls to the elderly living alone.

Advice Line: 0800 678 1602, 8am - 7pm every day,365 days a year
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.ageuk.org.uk

The Silver Line

The Silver Line a 24-hour freephone helpline for older people, their family and carers. It is run in partnership with Age Scotland and offers information, friendship and advice.

Tel: 0800 4 70 80 90 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Alzheimer's Society

Information and support for people with dementia, their family and carers.

43-44 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE

Fundraising and General Enquiries 0330 333 0804, 8am-10pm everyday (except Christmas day)
Dementia Support Line: 0333 150 3456, Mon to Weds: 9am - 8pm, Thurs and Fri: 9am - 5pm, Sat and Sun: 10am - 4pm
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.alzheimers.org.uk

Bettercaring

Bettercaring is 100% focused on the needs of those looking for residential care and for those who are providing these services.

Cairns House, 10 Station Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9AA

Tel: 01273 757313
Email: info@betteringcaring.org.uk
www.bettercaring.com

British Red Cross

British Red Cross branches have a supply of products for loan to aid independent living.

UK Office, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL

General Enquiries 0344 871 11 11
Support Line 0808 196 3651
Email: contactus@redcross.org.uk
www.redcross.org.uk

Cancer Care Map

Cancer Care Map is an online resource to help people living with cancer find care and support services in their local area, anywhere in the UK.

www.cancercaremap.org

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. We do this with Network Partners - a unique network or independent carers centres, Crossroads Care schemes and young carers services. Together we are united by a shared vision for carers - to make sure that information, advice and practical support are available to all carers across the UK.

Head Office, 10 Regent Place, Rugby CV21 2PN

To find your nearest Network Partner, call 0300 772 9600 or visit our website at www.carers.org
Email: info@carers.org

Carers Allowance Unit

Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 2AB

General Enquiries: 0800 731 0297
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm
You can claim Carers Allowance online at www.gov.uk/carers-allowance-unit

Care Rights UK

Unit 6, Aztec Row, 1 Berners Road, London, NW1 0PW
Tel: 0207 359 8148
Email: team@carerightsuk
www.carerightsuk.org

Care Quality Commission

CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England. We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve. We monitor, inspect and regulate services and publish what we find. Where we find poor care, we will use our powers to take action.

Tel: 03000 616161 Mon-Fri - 8.30am - 5.30pm (except bank holidays)
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk or via the online contact form at www.cqc.org.uk

Carers UK

Carers UK offers advice and support for carers. You are a career if you look after a relative, friend or neighbour because they are frail, ill or have a disability.

20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX

Advice line: 0808 808 7777
Mon- Fri 9am - 6pm
Email: advice@carersuk.org
www.carersuk.org

Communication Matters

National charitable organisation concerned with supporting people with complex communication needs.

3rd Floor, University House, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT Tel: 0113 343 1533
Email: admin@communicationmatters.org.uk
www.communicationmatters.org.uk

The Cinnamon Trust

National charity for the elderly, terminally ill and their pets.

10 Market Square, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HE
Tel: 01736 757 900
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.cinnamon.org.uk

Citizens Advice

National Phone Line Adviceline (England) 0800 144 8848
For free, independent, confidential and impartial advice or find your local bureau at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Centre for Accessible Environments

Provides information for people with disabilities about adapting their home. Contact your council's housing or environmental health department about applying for a grant to make the necessary alterations.

Tel: 020 7822 8232
Email: info@cae.org.uk
www.cae.org.uk

Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions produces a number of useful factsheets about funding a place in a care home, benefit entitlements, winter fuel payments etc.

You can call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898
Textphone 0800 731 7339

Various phone numbers apply to order hard copies but many leaflets can be downloaded from the website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

Department of Health

To obtain hard copies of Department of Health publications, write to:
Ministerial Correspondence and Public Enquiries Unit, Department of Health, 39 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0EU

Switchboard 0300 790 4007

You can find a number of useful factsheets and leaflets online in the Publications Library on the Department of Health website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

Elderly Accommodation Counsel /First Stop Advice

Advice and information on all types of accommodation for older people

Suit A 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW

www.eac.org.uk or www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk

Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)

Funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the helpline provides information and advice about the Equality Act 2010 and human rights.

Telephone helpline 0808 800 0082
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm
www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Foundations

The national body for Home Improvement Agencies in England.

Telephone 0300 124 0315
Email: info@foundations.uk.com
www.foundations.uk.com

Friends of the Elderly

Charity providing care homes, day clubs, home support, grants and befriending services for older people.

40-42 Ebury Street, London SW1W 0LZ

Head Office Reception: 020 7730 8263
Care Home Enquiry: 03305 550 378
Email: enquiries@fote.org.uk
www.fote.org.uk
Registered charity number 226064

Gov UK

www.gov.uk

Health Education England

Reliable and informative health information sites can help you with a range of issues, such as finding a local GP or dentist, learning more about conditions and also healthy lifestyles.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ library.nhs.uk/public/

Homecare Association

The Homecare Association is the UK's membership body for homecare providers. Together we ensure that homecare is valued so that all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities.

Mercury Way, 117 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UL

Helpline: 020 8661 8188
Email: enquiries@homecareassociation.co.uk
www.homecareassociation.co.uk

Independent Age

Independent Age helps older people through the ABC of advice, befriending and campaigning. Our free national telephone and email advice service focuses on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services, which is supported by a range of printed guides and factsheets. This is integrated with on the ground local support, provided by a network of over 1,500 volunteers offering one to one and group befriending.

18 Avonmore Road, London W14 8RR

General Enquiries 020 7605 4200
Helpline: 0800 319 6789
Email: charity@independentage.org
www.independentage.org

Living Made Easy (formerly Disabled Living Foundation)

Provides advice and information on disability equipment and assisted products

Telephone 0300 999 0004
www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk

LGBT+ Switchboard

At Switchboard we provide information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people - and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.

Tel: 0800 0119 1000
Open 10am-10pm every day
www.switchboard.lgbt

Motability

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. As a registered charity (No. 299745), Motability also raises funds and provides financial assistance to those who may otherwise be unable to afford the mobility solutions they need.

Explore the website to see answers to common questions that you may have about the mobility services. www.motability.co.uk

Mind

Mind offers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. They also provide a special legal service to the public, lawyers and mental health workers. To find your local Mind, go to the website.

Mind Info Line 0300 123 3393
Email: info@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk

The Mobility Trust

PO Box 7044, Tadley, Hampshire RG24 4PL
Tel: 0118 984 2588
Email: mobility@mobilitytrust.org.uk
www.mobilitytrust.org.uk
Registered Charity number. 1070975

NAPA (National Association for the Providers of Activities for Older People)

The National Activity Providers Association is the UK's leading activity and engagement charity. We support care services to prioritise wellbeing and promote activity, arts and engagement.

Support Line: 0800 15805503
General Enquiries 01494 590 421
Email: info@napa-activities.co.uk
www.napa-activities.co.uk

National Care Association

Suite 4 Beaufort House, Beaufort Court, Sir Thomas Langley Road, Rochester ME2 4FB
Tel: 01634 716 615

Email: info@nationalcareassociation.org.uk
www.nationalcareassociation.org.uk

NHS

www.nhs.uk

NVCO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations)

Your local volunteer bureau may offer a range of services such as shopping, visiting and gardening. Visit our website to find out more about schemes in your area.

Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL

General Enquiries: 020 7713 6161
Email: via the online contact form on www.ncvo.org.uk

Office of the Public Guardian

PO Box 16185, Birmingham B2 2WH

Tel: 0300 456 0300 Phone lines open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 5pm Wednesday 10am to 5pm
Textphone 0115 934 2778
Email: customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ office-of-the-public-guardian

Parkinsons UK

215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EJ

Helpline: 0808 800 0303
Text Relay: 18001 0808 800 0303
Email: hello@parkinsons.org.uk
www.parkinsons.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

Helpline: 0303 123 9999
Mon-Fri 8am - 9pm, Sat 9am - 1pm
Email: helpline@rnib.or.uk or via the online contact form at www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for Deaf (RNID)

Information Line: 0808 808 0123
Text Message: 07360 268 988
Email: contact@rnid.org.uk or via the online contact form at www.rnid.org.uk

Reengage

(Formally known as Contact the Elderly) This national charity arranges events, visits and companionship for elderly people who might otherwise feel isolated. They organise free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for older people aged 75 or over, who live alone. For information about live-in- companions, daily or longer term nurses or care workers, see your Yellow Pages or telephone directory under headings such as 'Employment Agencies', 'Nursing Agencies' or 'Care Agencies' one to one and group befriending.

Freephone: 0800 716 543
Office phone: 020 7240 0630
Email: info@reengage.org.uk or via the online contact form at www.reengage.org.uk

Royal Voluntary Service

Royal Voluntary Service (formerly WRVS) supports older people throughout Britain through a variety of community and hospital based services. The charity has over 40,000 volunteers that help older people stay independent at home and active in the local community through services such as, Good Neighbours (companionship), Meals on Wheels and Books on Wheels. The charity also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its onward befriending and home from hospital services.

Visit our website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk and email us via the online contact form

Social Care and Support Guide

For help with day-to-day living due to illness or disability.

Telephone helplines and forums www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-andsupport-guide/

Social Services

To get in touch with your local social service office please visit your local council website

Stroke Association

At the Stroke Association we believe in life after a stroke. We support stroke survivors to make the best recovery they can.

Write to us at: Supporter Relations Stroke Association 1 Sterling Business Park Salthouse Road Northampton NN4 7EX

Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100
Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk
Supporter Relations Team Tel: 0300 330740
Email: supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk
www.stroke.org.uk

The Society of Will Writers

The largest self-regulatory organisation regulating Will writers and estate planning professionals. Our primary aim is to provide consumers with confidence in using SWW members.

Chancery House, Whisby Way, Lincoln, LN6 3LQ

Tel: 01522 687888
Email: info@willwriters.com
www.willwriters.com

Turn2Us

A charitable service helping people access financial support through welfare benefits, grants and other help. Contact us via our online contact form at www.turn2us.org.uk

Well Aware

Health and Wellbeing at your fingertips! Well Aware is a website run by The Care Forum with lots of information about 1,000s of health, wellbeing and community services.

Tel: 0808 808 5252 This call is FREE.

The Well Aware Team at the Care Forum will search for information for you.
Email: info@wellaware.org.uk
Log on to www.wellaware.org.uk today and try it yourself!

Winter Fuel Payments

Tel: 0800 731 0160 Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm
Textphone: 0800 731 0464
www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Other useful websites:

www.helpguide.org
www.medlineplus.gov
www.retiredbrains.com
www.justgreatlawyers.com