Support Groups and Organisations

Below is a list of recognised groups and organisations that provide advice and support for those who may be in need of community care such as older people, those with disabilities including learning disabilities -

Older people

• Age Concern The UK's leading charities concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people.
• Age Positive A government initiative which tackles age discrimination and promotes age diversity in the workplace
• Alzheimer's Society Provides advice and support to people with dementia and their carers.
• Carers Voluntary organisations and others, related to the national strategy for Caring about Carers, and providing useful links.
• Contact the Elderly Seeks to reduce the isolation for older people who live alone, by providing social occasions such as monthly tea parties.
• Dementia Research Group One of the UK's leading centres for clinical research into dementia.
• Help the Aged A leading national charity for older people.
• Independent Age A philanthropic organisation providing financial support and friendship for older people.
• Supporting People A partnership of agencies and service users to provide housing-related services for vulnerable people.

People with disabilities

• AbilityNet A charity that offers advice to people with disabilities on all aspects of computer usage for employment, communication, education, or just for fun.
• Action for Blind People A national charity which aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives through work, leisure, housing and support.
• United Kingdom's Disabled People's Council (UKDPC). Set up by disabled people in 1981 to promote full equality and participation within society. They are an umbrella organisation that represents some 130 organisations run and controlled by disabled people.
• Disabled Information Advice Line (DIAL) UK. Provides a link to information for people with disabilities, and to advice providers.
• Disability Sport England-creates opportunities for participation in sport for people with all disabilities.
• Epilepsy Action (British Epilepsy Association) Helpline which provides advice and information on all aspects of living with epilepsy. They aim to reply to helpline queries by email within 48 hours.
• The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) An organisation of parents, families and carers which exists to support parents in enabling their child to maximise their skills and abilities.
• Headway Promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury; and provides information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.
• Keep Able Provides mobility and lifestyle ideas.
  MENCAP Works with people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.
• Rethink Helps everyone affected by severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, to recover a better quality of life.
• National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) The largest UK medical charity for epilepsy. The website offers information about epilepsy and about the NSE, frequently asked questions, personal accounts of living with epilepsy, a message board and more.
• Royal Association in Aid of Deaf people (RAD) Strives to meet the individual needs of deaf children and adults and deafblind people through the provision of services and the use of RAD Centres for Deaf People.
• Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) If you need to register as blind, contact the RNIB.
• Scope Helps people with cerebral palsy to achieve equality in society.
• SeeAbility (Royal School for the Blind) Works with adults who are blind or partially sighted, and have a range of additional disabilities. The charity works to encourage people's independence and to enhance their quality of life. They are also involved in research projects and training courses for professionals who work with people who are blind or partially sighted.
• Supporting People A partnership of agencies and service users to provide housing-related services for vulnerable people.
• Vitalise Essential services for people disabilities (including visual impairment) and carers.

Other local contracted partner names

• Carers' grant providers
• Claudia Jones Organisation
• Ezer Leyoldos for children and families
• Hackney Family Backup
• Home Start Hackney
• NCH Young Carers
• Off Centre - Hackney Young People's Counselling
• Voluntary sector providing counselling

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Page updated: 24 Jul 2008