Useful Contacts and Organisations

Listed below are a number of organisations that will be able to give you more advice about meeting your requirements. This is by no means an exhaustive list and you may find that there are local organisations who can tell you more about the services on offer in your area.

If you are living in Scotland or Wales, you are advised to read our Scottish or Welsh edition of the Regaining Your Independence Guide as many of the organisations listed below have a dedicated Scottish or Welsh branch, and different rules, regulations and legislation may apply.

Age UK
For lifeline schemes (emergency alarm systems), details of Age UK groups, factsheets and briefing documents on matters concerning older people.
7th Floor, One America Square, 7 Crosswall, London, EC3N 2LB
Advice Line Tel: 0800 678 1602
7am - 8pm every day, 365 days a year
Email via the online contact form
www.ageuk.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society
Information and support for people with dementia, their families and carers.
Write to us at Alzheimers Society, Suite 2, 1st Floor East Wing, Plumer House, Tilyour Road, Okymouth, PL6 5FS
Fundraising and General Enquiries Tel: 0330 333 0804 8am-10pm every 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 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).
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
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 vai the online contact form
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
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
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
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.
20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX
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 65,000 chartered physiotherapists, associates and physio students.
Tel: 020 7306 6666 Mon -Fri 8.30am - 5pm
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
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.
Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR
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
Visit Diabeties UK website for more information

Foundations
National body for disabled facilities grants and home improvement agencies across England
Email via the online contact form
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.
Email: info@foundations.uk.com
www.foundation.uk.com
www.twitter.com/FoundationsHIA

Homecare Association
The Homecare Association is the UKs 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.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
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.
34-44 Britannia Street, London, WC1X 9JG
Tel: 020 7520 8200
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.hospiceuk.org

Independent Age
We provide information, advice and support for thousands of older people, their carers and families.
18 Avonmore Road, London W14 8RR
Tel: 020 7605 4200 Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm
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

Living Made Easy
Impartial help, advice and information about daily living equipment, disability equipment, mobility and independent living aids for older people , disabled adults or children, their family and carers
www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk

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

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

The Macular Society
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.
Post: PO Box 1870, Andover SP10 9AD
Helpline: 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

Mind - The Mental Health Charity
For support, referral to local organisations for counselling, self-help groups and drop-in centres in your area.
Write to us at: 2 Redman Place London, E20 1JQ
Mind Info Line 0300 123 3393 Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm (Except Bank Holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk

NHS
call 999 (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
For advice on patients' rights, complaints procedures and access to health service and self-help groups.
PO Box 935, c/o Aspire Business Partners, 32 Byran Hill Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3YJ
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)
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)
Supporting people with sight loss
Helpline: 0303 123 9999
Email: via the online enquiry form
www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for Deaf (RNID)
RNID work with communities and partners across health, employment, research, government and more to change life for the better

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
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.
Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RP
Visit the website for more information
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.royalvoluntaryservice.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

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
Information for visually and hearing impaired people.
Freepost RRXE TREX GEUR
Tel: 0300 330 9252
Email: via the online enquiry form at www.sense.org.uk

Shop Mobility UK
Shopmobility schemes loan wheelchairs and scooters to enable disabled people to shop independently.
c/o Driving Mobility, The Old Carriage Works, Moresk Road, Truro, TR1 1DG
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 123 104 Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat & Sun 11am - 4pm
www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

Solicitors' Regulation Authority
SRA can provide details of solicitors in your area, including those who specialise in wills and probate.
The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RN
Contact Centre 0370 606 2555
Ethics Helpline 0370 606 2577
www.sra.org.uk

Stroke Association
At the Stroke Association we believe in life after a stroke. We support stroke survivors to make the best recovery they can.
Stroke Association House 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR
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

Versus Arthritis
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.
Copeman House, St Mary's Court, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, S41 5TD
Helpline 0800 5200 520 Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm
Email: enquiries@versusarthritis.org
www.versusarthritis.org.uk

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.

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!