National organisations

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

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.

Princess Royal Trust for Carers The national network of over 113 Carers Centres provide information, support and practical help to carers.
Crossroads 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.

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.

Adviceguide Adviceguide is the CAB online service with information on benefits, employment and housing and help on debt, credit and legal issues.
Law Centres 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 Help for people looking after the finances of anyone who is not mentally capable to do so on their own.

Age Concern
Help the Aged
Independent Age helps older people on low incomes to live with dignity and peace of mind
The Relatives & Residents Association exists for older people needing, or living in, residential care and the families and friends left behind.
Action on Elder Abuse

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
Help the Hospices : Website for carers of people with terminal illness
M.E. Support is a friendly, informal ‘online community’ bringing awareness to chronic fatiguing illnesses.
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)

Contact a Family
Barnado's
National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS)
NCH Action for Children
ADDISS : Information and Support Service for parents, carers and sufferers of ADHD.
Parentline Plus is a UK registered charity which offers support to anyone parenting a child.

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 Centres Council aim to improve disabled and older people's access to accurate, reliable and impartial information and advice about products and equipment for easier 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 oder 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.

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: 12/06/2008