AbilityNet
A 'one-stop-shop' for assistive technology needs. The company has centres in various locations in the UK.
AbilityNet Central England, PO Box 94, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 5WS
Helpline: 0800 269 545
Fax: 01926 407 425
Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
www.abilitynet.org.uk
Minicom: 01926 312 847
Age UK (formerly Age concern and Help the Aged)
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA
Tel 0800 169 6565
Email: via online enquiry form
www.ageuk.org.uk
Alzheimer's Society
Devon House, 58 St Katherine's Way, London E1W 1LB
Helpline: 0845 300 0336
Tel: 020 7423 3500
Email: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk www.alzheimers.org.uk
Benefit Enquiry Line
Advice on Social Security benefits.
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Email: bel-customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
www.dwp.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk
bettercaring.com
Advice and information on finding care homes and meeting fees.
Pavilion, 9/10 Oasis Park, Stanton Harcourt Road, Eynsham, OX29 4TP
Tel: 0845 414 6370
Email: info@bettercaring.com
www.bettercaring.com
British Gas
'here to HELP' free insulation scheme for customers. Apply before July 2012
Helpline: 0800 077 3717
www.britishgas-savings.co.uk/energy-efficiency/insulation/here-to-help/
British Red Cross
UK Office, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL
Tel: 0844 871 1111
Email: information@redcross.org.uk
www.redcross.org.uk
Care Quality Commission
Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PA
Tel: 03000 616161
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
www.cqc.org.uk
Carers Allowance Unit
Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HB
Tel: 0845 608 4321
Textphone: 0845 604 5312
You can claim Carers Allowance online at www.dwp.gov.uk/carersallowance
Email: cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gove.uk
Carers Direct
Helpline: 0808 802 0202
Carers UK
Advice and support for carers.
20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX
Tel: 020 7378 4999
Carers line: 0808 808 7777 (Wed and Thurs, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm)
Email: info@carersuk.org
www.carersuk.org
Carillion plc
Energy saving advice and Warm Front Grants are now administered by Carillion plc.
Tel: Request a call back on the website
Email: enquiry@carillionplc.com
www.carillionplc.com
Centre for Accessible Environments
70 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL
Tel: 020 7840 0125
Email: info@cae.org.uk
www.cae.org.uk
The Cinnamon Trust
10 Market Square, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HE
Tel: 01736 757 900
Email: admin@cinnamon.org.uk
www.cinnamon.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
The service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.
To find your local citizens advice bureau please visit there website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Communication Matters
National charitable organisation concerned with supporting people with complex communication needs.
Catchpell House, Carpet Lane, Edinburgh EH6 6SP
Tel: 0845 456 8211
Email: admin@communicationmatters.org.uk
www.communicationmatters.org.uk
Court of Protection
Office of the Public Guardian, PO Box 16185 Birmingham B2 2WH
Tel: 0300 456 0300 (Lines open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Fax: 0870 739 5780
Textphone: 0115 934 2778
Email: custserv@guardianship.gsi.gov.uk
www.publicguardian.gov.uk
Crossroads Caring for Carers
Crossroads schemes provide respite care to allow carers a much-needed break (there may be a small charge for this service). Crossroad Caring for Carers England and Wales
10 Regent Place, Rugby, CV21 2PN
Tel: 0845 450 0350
www.crossroads.org.uk
Email: online form
Department of Health
A number of useful factsheets and leaflets can be found online in the Publications Library on the Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk
To obtain hard copies of Department of Health publications, write to: DH Publications Orderline: TSO Publications Centre, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1EN
Tel: 0870 600 55 22
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.
Various phone numbers apply to order hard copies but many leaflets can be downloaded from the website at: www.dwp.gov.uk
You can call the Pension Service on 0845 60 60 265
www.direct.gov.uk/thepensionsservice
Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk
Disability Rights UK
Campaigning and advisory body run for, and by, disabled people
12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF
Tel: 020 7250 3222
Fax: 020 7250 0212
Minicom: 020 7250 4119
Email: radar@radar.org.uk
www.radar.org.uk
Elderly Accommodation Counsel
Advice and information on all types of accommodation for older people.
3rd floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP
Advice line: 020 7820 1343
Email: enquiries@eac.org.uk
www.eac.org
Energy Action Grants Agency
For information on Warm Front grants please see entry under Carillion plc.
Energy Saving Trust
For advice on heating your home efficiently.
21 Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BP
Tel: 0800 512 012
Email: info@est.co.uk
www.est.org.uk
First Stop Advice
This website offers information about housing care. Its co-operates with Counsel and Care and Aged UK.
www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk
info@firststopadvice.org.uk
Tel: 0800 377 70 700
Home Energy Care (British Gas)
Tel: 0800 072 8625
Textphone: 18001 955 5202
Home Heat Helpline
The Home Heat Helpline is a free, central phone number offering practical energy advice for people concerned about paying their energy bills.
Helpline: 0800 33 66 99
Minicom: 0800 027 2122
www.homeheathelpline.org
Email: online enquiry form
Independent Age
Advice and help for older people and their carers.
6 Avonmore Road, London W14 8RL
Tel: 020 7605 4200 (Admin line)
Advice line: 0800 319 6789
Email: advice@independentage.org
www.independentage.org
NAPA (National Association for the Providers of Activities for Older People)
Bondway Commercial Centre, Unit 5.12, 71 Bondway, London, SW8 1SQ
Tel: 020 7078 9375
Email: info@napa-activities.co.uk
www.napa-activities.co.uk
NHS Direct
24-hour health information and advice
Tel: 0845 46 47
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Textphone: 0845 606 4647
Parkinsons UK
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EJ
Helpline: 0808 800 0303
Textphone: 18001 0808 800 0303
Email: online equiry form www.parkinsons.org.uk
Registered Nursing Home Association
John Hewitt House, Tunnel Lane, Off Lifford Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B30 3JN
Tel: 0121 451 1088
Freephone: 0800 074 0194
Email: website contact form
www.rnha.co.uk
The Relatives & Residents Association
1 The Ivories, 6-18 Northampton Street, London, N1 2HY
Tel: 020 7359 8136 (Advice Line)
Email: info@relres.org
www.relres.org
Social Services
To get in touch with your local social service office please visit your local council website via www.direct.gov.uk
Stroke Association
240 City Road, London, EC1V 2PR
Helpline: 0845 30 33 100
Email: info@stroke.org.uk www.stroke.org.uk
Textphone: 020 7251 9096
Useful websites
www.nhs.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
United Kingdom Home Care Association Ltd.
Group House, 2nd Floor, 52 Sutton Court Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 4SL
Helpline: 020 8861 8188
Email: helpline@ukhca.co.uk
www.ukhca.co.uk
Volunteer Bureaux
Your local volunteer bureaux may offer a range of services such as shopping, visiting and gardening. Contact the address below to find out more about schemes in your area.
Volunteering England, Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL
Tel: 020 7520 8900
Email: volunteering@volunteeringengland.org www.volunteering.org.uk
Warm Front Team
For information on Warm Front grants please see entry under Carillion plc.
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. How to contact Well Aware:
Log on to www.wellaware.org.uk today and try it yourself!
Email info@wellaware.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 5252. This call is FREE.
The Well Aware Team at The Care Forum will search for information for you.
Winter Fuel Payments Helpline
Tel: 0845 915 1515
Textphone: 0845 601 5613
www.dwp.gov.uk
WRVS
WRVS offers a range of voluntary services to support older people and those who might otherwise be isolated - these services include home visits, shopping, community transport, meal deliveries and social activities.
WRVS, Cardiff Gate, Beck Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CP23 8RP
Tel: 0845 607 6524
Coping with the weather
Care in your own home
Retirement housing and sheltered housing
Finding a care home
Legal and financial matters for the elderly
The Cinammon Trust
Advice & Information for the elderly