CarersLine 0808 808 7777
- CarersLine is Carers UK's free advice line for carers. It is open on Wednesday and Thursday each week between 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm. Telephone 0808 808 7777
Benefits and finances
- Directgov - information for disabled people and carers
Directgov provides a single point of online access to government services and information - including employment, financial support, rights, education, independent living and much more.
Carers website including claiming carers allowance online www.direct.gov.uk/carers
Disability site is www.direct.gov.uk/disability
- Carers Allowance Unit Telephone: 01253 856 123
The Carer's Allowance Unit can send you a claim form or answer questions about your claim for carers allowance.
- Benefits Enquiry Form Completion Service For help completing a benefit form 0800 441 144. For callers using a textphone 0800 24 33 55
- Independent Living Funds Financial support of disabled people enabling them to choose to live in the community rather than residential care.
Training programmes for carers
- Caring with Confidence An England wide programme, backed by Carers UK, that offers support and help with caring through local group training sessions. The programme will also provide self-study packs and online resources.
Carer Organisations
- Princess Royal Trust for Carers The national network of over 113 Carers Centres provide information, support and practical help to carers.
- Crossroads Caring for Carers National network of Crossroads Schemes give carers time to be themselves and have a break from their caring responsibilities. Trained carer support workers provide practical help usually in the home.
- Carerwatch Campaign group run by carers to highlight the underfunding of the care system.
Respite Organisations
- Vitalise A national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services for disabled people and carers.
- The Kiloran Trust is an organisation that runs a large house in west London where carers from across the UK can go for a holiday / supportive break
- Saga Respite for Carers Trust Charity providing breaks for carers over 50.
General Information and Advice Links
- Adviceguide is the CAB online service with information on benefits, employment and housing and help on debt, credit and legal issues.
- Law Centres provide a free and independent professional legal service to people who live or work in their catchment areas.
- Action for Advocacy includes an online map of advocacy services for England and Wales
- Commission for Social Care Inspection inspects and reports on social care services to help improve quality for people who use services.
- Public Guardianship Office provide help for people looking after the finances of anyone who is not mentally capable to do so on their own.
- Carers World Radio is an audio service for carers providing a 30 minute programme each month including stories and features from around the globe.
Older people
Disabilities
- Alzheimer's Society - The UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers
- Arthritis Care has a dedicated website for carers
- British Heart Foundation
- Carers and brain tumours practical information and support for carers of people with a malignant brain tumour
- Connect, the Communication Disability Network - for people living with stroke and aphasia.
- Epilepsy Action
- Fibromyalgia Support Net Information for Fibromyalgia sufferers and their carers
- Headway - the brain injury association. A network of local Groups and Branches throughout the UK offers a wide range of services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social reintegration, community outreach and respite care. Also offer a free, confidential helpline for brain injury survivors and carers.
- Help the Hospices : Website for carers of people with terminal illness
- Action for M.E. is the leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by M.E.
- Motor Neurone Disease Association
- MS Society
- MS Trust - a national charity offering information to anyone affected by MS - people with the condition themselves, family, friends and those professionals who work with them.
- Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
- Parkinson's Disease Society The leading charity dedicated to supporting all people with Parkinson's, their families, friends and carers.
- The PSP Association The only charity in the UK supporting patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, their carers, families and professionals within the health service.
- The Stroke Association
(The Stroke Helpline is open between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100)
Learning disabilities
Mental Health
Sensory Impairment
Children
Young carers
Cancer
Drugs and Alchohol
- Adfam. Families Drugs and Alchohol - supporting families affected by substance use
General Disability Links
- Disability Information Service. Impartial and independent disability information to, from and across the UK
- National Centre for Independent Living Promoting independent living; and promoting and supporting the use of direct payments to enable independent living.
- Disabled Living Foundation Provides free, impartial advice about all types of equipment for older and disabled people, from jar openers to tap turners, stairlifts to walk-in baths.
- RADAR Advocating for, informing and supporting disabled people.
- Tourism for All UK National charity that provides holiday and travel information to older and disabled people.
- Holiday Homes for the Handicapped A charity providing holiday accommodation for disabled people.
- Disabled Access Holidays features holiday destinations that are suitable for disabled travellers in a number of different countries.
- Equipment Direct A free service providing information to improve independent living for older people and those with an impairment.
- Good Access Guide The UK's leading directory of services for disabled people.
Technology and telecare
- At Dementia user-friendly information about assistive technology for people with dementia.
- Ricability advice on products and services of value to older and disabled people.
- Telecare Services Association links to regional and local community social alarm services.
Page Last Modified: 17/03/2009
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