Advice on Living Independently

Useful resources and advice for independent living.

Age UK

One America Square, 7 Crosswall, London, EC3N 2LB

For lifeline schemes (emergency alarm systems), details of Age UK groups, factsheets and briefing documents on matters concerning older people.

Advice Line Tel: 0800 678 1604
8am 7pm every day, 365 days a year

Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society

43-44 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE

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

Fundraising and General Enquiries Tel: 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
www.alzheimers.org.uk

Benefits

www.gov.uk/browse/benefit

Bladder and Bowel UK

Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road, Manchester M28 2LY
Helpline: 0161 214 4591
Email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or
Email: via the online contact form
www.bbuk.org.uk

British Heart Foundation

A wide selection of leaflets can be downloaded from the website. Topics include all aspects of heart disease and treatment, dietary and other lifestyle guidelines. You can find out about preparing for heart surgery, recovery and dealing with post operative difficulties; leaving hospital after a heart attack / surgery; life saving techniques and the importance of emergency aid, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

General Enquiries 0131 555 5891
Customer Services 0300 330 3322
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm

Email: heretohelp@bhf.org.uk
Textphone: 18001 0300 330 3322
Heart Helpline: 0808 802 1234 to speak to a cardiac nurse
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Email: hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk
www.bhf.org.uk

British Red Cross

UK Office, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL

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

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

Care Quality Commission

CQC National Customer Service Centre, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA

Independent regulator of health and social care in England
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 Trust

10 Regent Place, Rugby, CV21 2PN

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.

To find your nearest Carers Trust Network Partner, call 0300 772 9600
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
visit our website at www.carers.org
Email: info@carers.org

Carers UK

20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX

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

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

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

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Membership organisation of more than 64,000 chartered physiotherapists, associates and physio students.

Tel: 020 7306 6666
Email: via the online contact form at www.csp.org.uk

Citizens Advice

Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848

For free, independent, confidential and impartial advice or find your local bureau at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Department for Transport

Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR Use the Department of Transport's enquiry line as a first point of contact for information and advice about older road users and drivers, and driving with a disability.

Switchboard: 0300 330 3000
Check list on contacts on website for most appropriate email address
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport

Diabetes UK

Wells Lawrence House, 126 Back Church Lane, London E1 1FH
Diabetes UK Careline: 0345 123 2399
Mon-Fri 9am - 6pm
Email: Helpline@diabeties.org.uk or via the online contact form at www.diabetes.org.uk

Foundations

22 Norfolk Street, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8BS

National body for disabled facilities grants and home improvement agencies across England

Tel: 0300 124 0315
Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5pm
Email: info@foundations.uk.com
www.foundations.uk.com
www.twitter.com/FoundationsHIA

Foundations Independent Living Trust

Foundations Independent Living is a charitable arm of Foundations. We help older and vulnerable people live with dignity in their own homes by operating funds which enable local home improvement agencies to provide a range of support including repairs and improvements to people's homes.

0300 124 0315
Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm
Email: info@foundations.uk.com
www.foundation.uk.com
www.twitter.com/FoundationsHIA

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.

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

Homecare Association

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

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.

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

Hearing Link

The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9NG
Call or Text: 01844 348111
Email: enquiries@hearlinglink.org
www.hearinglink.org

Hospice UK

34-44 Britannia Street, London, WC1X 9JG

Hospice UK is a national charity for hospice and palliative care. We work to ensure all adult and children living with a terminal illness or life-shortening illness receive the care and support they need, when they need it.

Tel: 020 7520 8200
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.hospiceuk.org

Independent Age

18 Avonmore Road, London W14 8RR

We provide information, advice and support for thousands of older people, their carers and families.

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

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

Local Health Services

To find out more about GPs, dentists, pharmacists or opticians in your area.
Visit www.nhs.uk or your local health Authority

Living Made Easy

Impartial advice for making life easier

Helpline 0300 999 0004
Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm
Email: info@dlf.org.uk
www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk

The Macular Society

Post: PO Box 1870, Andover SP10 9AD

The Macular Society is the national charity for anyone affected by central vision loss. We provide free information and support to improve lives today and we fund research so that one day we can overcome macular disease. Advice & Information Service: Tel: 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org

Support Care (Membership and general enquiries) Tel: 01264 350 551 or email: info@macularsociety.org
www.macularsociety.org

Macmillan Cancer Support

89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 00 00
Email via the online enquiry form at www.macmillan.org.uk

Mind - The Mental Health Charity

Write to us at: 2 Redman Place London, E20 1JQ

For support, referral to local organisations for counselling, self-help groups and drop-in centres in your area.

Mind Info Line 0300 123 3393
General Enquiries Tel: 020 8519 2122
Email: info@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk

NHS 111 (if you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency)

www.nhs.uk

Oral Health Foundation

Smile House, 2 East Union Street, Rugby, CV22 6AJ
Tel: 01788 546 365 (local rate call in the UK)
Email: mail@dentalhealth.org
www.dentalhealth.org

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

The Patients Association

PO Box 935, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3YJ

For advice on patients' rights, complaints procedures and access to health service and self-help groups.

Helpline: 0800 345 7115
General Enquiries: 020 8423 9111
Email: helpline@patients-association.org.uk
www.patients-association.org.uk

Reengage (Formally known as Contact the Elderly)

7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JP

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.

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

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

106-114 Borough High Street, Southwark, London, SE1 1LB
General Enquiries: 020 3141 4600
Email: hello@rcot.co.uk
www.rcot.co.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

Helpline: 0303 123 9999
Email: via the online enquiry form
www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for Deaf (RNID)

Brightfield Business Hub, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6XU
Information Line: 0808 808 0123
Text Message: 07360 268 988
Email: information@rnid.org.uk
www.rnid.org.uk

Royal Osteoporosis Society

St James House, The Square, Lower Bristol Road, Bath, BA2 3BH
General Enquiries Tel: 01761 471771
Helpline: 0808 800 0035
Mon - Thur 9am - 4.30pm, Fri 9am - 4pm
Email: info@theros.org.uk
www.theros.org.uk

Royal Voluntary Service

Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RP

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.

Tel: 0330 555 0310
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Self Help Groups

If you feel isolated and would like to talk to others who share a similar experience, ask your hospital about self-help groups in your area. Ask where you can obtain a directory of self-help groups, or for information on how to go about forming a new self-help group for understanding and support from people who share similar problems or life situations.

Sense

101 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LG

Information for visually and hearing impaired people.

Tel: 0300 330 9252 Email: via the online enquiry form at www.sense.org.uk

Shop Mobility UK

c/o Driving Mobility, The Old Carriage Works, Moresk Road, Truro, TR1 1DG

Shopmobility schemes loan wheelchairs and scooters to enable disabled people to shop independently. If you wish to hire mobility equipment, contact us via our website at www.shopmobilityuk.org

Smokefree NHS

Talk to a trained advisor for advice and support Tel: 0300 123 1044 Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat & Sun 11am - 4pm www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

Solicitors' Regulation Authority

The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RN

SRA can provide details of solicitors in your area, including those who specialise in wills and probate.

Contact Centre 0370 606 2555 Ethics Helpline 0370 606 2577 www.sra.org.uk

Stroke Association

Stroke Association House 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR

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

Supporter Relations Team Tel: 0300 3300 740 Email: supporter.relations@stroke.org.uk Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100 Email: helpline@stroke.org.uk www.stroke.org.uk

Samaritans

Freepost, SAMARITANS LETTERS National Helpline: 116 123 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Email: jo@samaritans.org www.samaritans.org

Versus Arthritis

Copeman House, St Mary's Court, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, S41 5TD

We offer a range of support and services to help you manage your arthritis and connect with other people who share a similar experience. We can offer support in person, online or on the phone and we can connect you with other people with arthritis.

Helpline 0800 5200 520 Email: enquiries@versusarthritis.org www.versusarthritis.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!

Wheelchair Provision

To find out about obtaining a temporary wheelchair, you might want to contact your local NHS Wheelchair Service, your local British Red Cross or your local Shopmobility Scheme.