Who do I ask…? Here is a selection of useful organisations providing information, help and advice.This information has kindly been supplied by the British Polio Fellowship and was printed in their July/September 2013 issues of "The Bulletin" magazine. Welfare Rights, Benefits and Legal Advicenow Website: www.advicenow.org.uk Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues for England and Wales. Search the site by topic, or download one of the Adviceguides. Disability Law Service National Adviceline: Tel: 020 7791 9800 ( Mon-Fri 10.00am -5.00pm) Website: www.dls.org.uk DLS is a n ational charity providing free, confidential legal advice for disabled adults, their families and carers. The DLS also operates a casework service and provides an employment law legal help drop-in service. Disability Rights UK Website: www.disabilityrightsuk.org Formed through a unification of Disability Alliance, Radar and National Centre for Independent Living, Disability Rights UK aims to be the largest pan-disability organisation led by disabled people. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)Tax Credit Helpline: Tel: 0345 300 3900 ( 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturday, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day). Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk HMRC pays and administers Child Benefit, Child Trust Fund and Tax Credits. Pension Credit HelplineTel: 0800 99 1234 (8.00am-8.00pm Mon-Fri) The Pension ServiceTel: 0845 60 60 265 (8.00am-8.00pm Mon-Fri) Publications request line: Tel: 0845 731 3233 (8.00am-8.00pm Mon-Fri, 9.00am-5.00pm Sat and Sun, answerphone out of hours). Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/index.htm Part of the Department for Work and Pensions, the Pension Service provides information about pensions and other pensioner benefits in the UK. The Pensions Advisory ServiceTel: 0845 601 2923 Website: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk The Pensions Advisory Service is an independent, non-profit organisation providing information and guidance on pensions (state, occupational, personal and stakeholder). It also may help with problems, complaints or disputes with occupational or private pensions. Other Advice & Information Age UKTel: 0800 169 6565 Website: www.ageuk.org.uk Age UK's services include national information and advice lines, local services, factsheets and support on issues including caring, consumer rights, health, housing, income and pensions and leisure. Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)See your local phone book for details Websites: www.citizensadvice.org.uk CABs provide services to help people sort out benefits, rights, legal, money and other problems. Free, independent and confidential advice is provided face-to-face and by telephone, with some branches offering home visits and e-mail advice. DIAL UKTel: 01302 310 123 Website: https://www.dialuk.info/ DIAL is a national network of approximately 120 local Disability Information and Advice Line services run by and for disabled people. Advice may include help with disability related benefits and appeals. DisabledGoWebsite: www.disabledgo.com DisabledGo provides free detailed access information for disabled people across the UK and Ireland. Search from a variety of goods and services, including accessible hotels, restaurants, banks and parking facilities in over 50 UK towns, cities and London boroughs. GOV.UKWebsite: www.gov.uk A government website providing information on a range of government services and benefits, including for motorists, parents and disabled people, plus Britons living abroad and the over 50s. Other Health Matters Action for Blind PeopleRNIB Helpline: Tel: 0303 123 9999 Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk Action for Blind People is a national charity with local reach, providing practical help and support to partially sighted people of all ages.
Action on Hearing LossInformation Line: Tel: 0808 808 0123 Tinnitus Information Line: Tel: 0808 808 6666 Website: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk Action on Hearing Loss aims to make life better for deaf and hard of hearing people, by providing information and support on all aspects of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus, services including residential care, communication support, assistive equipment, campaigning and involvement in biomedical, scientific and technical research.
Arthritis CareTel: 0808 800 4050 (10.00am-4.00pm, Mon-Fri) Website: www.arthritiscare.org.uk Arthritis Care is a UK-wide voluntary organisation for people with arthritis.
Asthma UKAdviceline: Tel: 0800 121 62 44 Website: www.asthma.org.uk Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the 5.4 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
The Bladder and Bowel FoundationHelpline: Tel: 0845 345 0165 Website: www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org The Bladder and Bowel Foundation is the UK's leading charity providing information and support for people with bladder and bowel control problems, their carers, families and healthcare professionals.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)Website: www.bacp.co.uk
The BACP website includes lists of local counsellors and psychotherapists, factsheets and other publications as well as information about training, supervision and conferences.
British Complementary Medicine AssociationTel: 0845 345 5977 Website: www.bcma.co.uk
The BCMA website provides information on different complementary/alternative therapies, a directory of registered practitioners, events and links.
Department of HealthWebsite: www.dh.gov.uk
The Department of Health website contains information related to health issues, NHS and patient care.
Diabetes UKDiabetes UK Careline: Tel: 0845 120 2960 (Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) Website: www.diabetes.org.uk Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes. Dr FosterWebsite: www.drfosterhealth.co.uk Dr Foster is the UK's leading provider of comparative information on health and social care services. Search the database for information on health conditions and treatments, hospitals, consultants and complementary practitioners or download the Hospital Guide.
Fibromyalgia Association UKHelpline: Tel: 0844 887 2444 (Mon-Fri, 10.00am-4.00pm).
Website: www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org Fibromyalgia Association UK is a registered charity that provides information, advice and support to people with the condition, their families and medical professionals.
IBS NetworkTel: 0114 272 3253 Website: www.theibsnetwork.org The IBS Network is the national charity for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The website includes information about campaigns, research and support groups. lnstitute for Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM)Tel: 020 7922 7980 Website: www.i-c-m.org.uk The ICNM provides the public with information about complementary medicine, administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners and promotes good practice and research in the field.
Limbless AssociationHelpline: Tel: 0800 644 0186 Website: www.limbless-association.org The Limbless Association provides information, advice and support for people who are without one or more limbs. The website includes information about products and resources, including orthotics, grants and funding and assistive technology.
Macmillan Cancer SupportTel: 0808 808 00 00 Website: www.macmillan.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical and financial support to those affected by cancer.
MINDTel: 0300 123 3393 (Mind info Line) Website: www.mind.org.uk MIND is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Services include a confidential helpline, support network, counselling, befriending, advocacy, consultancy and training as well as campaigns and publications.
National Osteoporosis SocietyOsteoporosis Helpline: Tel: 0845 450 0230 (Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) Website: www.nos.org.uk The National Osteoporosis Society is the only national charity dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. The website has downloadable information sheets, details of other publications, research and support groups. NHS ChoicesWebsite: www.nhs.uk
NHS Choices provides information and advice on healthy lifestyle choices, has a Health A-Z listing more than 800 conditions and treatments and enables visitors to access individual hospital facts and figures and patient opinions.
The Patients AssociationHelpline: Tel: 0845 608 4455 Website: www.patients-association.com The Patients Association is an independent charity that highlights the concerns and needs of patients. It aims to reduce health inequalities by helping patients to be better informed and by campaigning for them to have the right to be involved in decision-making.
Relate (England and Wales)Tel: 0300 100 1234 Website: www.relate.org.uk RLS-UK/Ekbom Syndrome Association Helpline: Tel: 01634 260483 (Mon and Thurs, 9.00am-11.00am) Website: www.rls-uk.org. RLS-UK provides information and support for those with Ekbom (Restless Leg) Syndrome and their families and raises awareness of the condition amongst the medical profession. The site includes diagnostic information and details of research.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)Helpline: Tel: 0303 123 9999 Website: www.rnib.org.uk
RNIB is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss.
SamaritansTel: 08457 90 90 90 Website: https://www.samaritans.org/ Samaritans provides 24-hour confidential emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide.
Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK)Helpline: Tel: 020 8964 1166 Website: www.sauk.org.uk SAUK is an independent support group for people with scoliosis in the UK, providing information and support though its helpline. It offers contacts for shared experiences and aims to educate the public about treatments and research.
The Stroke AssociationStroke Helpline: Tel: 0303 3033 100 (Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm) Website: www.stroke.org.uk The Stroke Association is the only UK-wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation, and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its Rehabilitation and Support Services.
Employment, Leisure & Interests ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)ACAS Helpline/Advisory Service: Tel: 08457 474747 (Monday-Friday, 8.00am-8.00pm, Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm) Website: www.acas.org.uk ACAS aims to improve organisations and working life in England, Scotland and Wales through better employment relations.
British Wheel of Yoga (BWY)Tel: 01529 306851 Website: https://www.bwy.org.uk/ The BWY is a registered charity, the largest yoga organisation in the country and the national Governing Body for yoga. Search the site for local classes, training information and FAQs.
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS)Tel: 01509 227750 Website: www.efds.net EFDS is the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England. National Association of Swimming Clubs for the Handicapped (NASCH)Tel: 01329 833689 Website: http://www.nasch.btck.co.uk/ NASCH encourages the development of swimming clubs, runs swimming galas and training courses and an awards scheme to encourage safe swimming practices.
National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)General and Membership enquiries: Tel: 0844 800 1895 Access for All office/ Admit One card enquiries: Tel: 01793 817634 Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/accessforall Open College of the ArtsWebsite: www.oca-uk.com
The Open College of the Arts is an educational charity dedicated to widening participation in arts education. Around 3,000 students each year study creative and visual arts by open and distance learning.
Open University- Services for disabled studentsWebsite: http://www.open.ac.uk/disability These webpages give advice and guidance for OU students with a disability. ParasportTel: 020 7842 5789 Website: www.parasport.org.uk Parasport aims to make it easier for members of the public to take up disability sport by providing information about sports and sporting opportunities in local areas. Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled PeopleTel: 01372 841100Website: https://qef.org.uk/ Queen Elizabeth's Foundation is a charity working to equip disabled people with skills to increase independence, mobility, and help them into employment.
RemployTel: 0845 155 2700 (General enquiries) Website: www.remploy.co.uk
Remploy finds jobs for disabled people in major organisations, as well as its own manufacturing and service businesses.
Shaw Trust (England, Scotland and Wales)Tel: 01225 716300 Website: www.shaw-trust.org.uk Shaw Trust is a national charity providing training and work opportunities for people who are disabled or have health difficulties.
Trade Unions If the company or organisation you work for has a union, you can ask the union representative about joining. Contact details for your union “rep” may be included in your company handbook or intranet site or displayed on a union noticeboard at your place of work. You can find a list of trade unions on the Certification Officer website at the following link: http://www.certoffice.org/Nav/Trade-Unions/Active.aspx
Yoga for Health and Education TrustWebsite: www.yoga-health-education.org.uk The Yoga for Health and Education Trust is a not-for-profit company and charity dedicated to bringing yoga to all, whether fit and well or disabled. Search the site for information on remedial yoga and for local classes.
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