Helpful organisations & websites

Age Concern England
Free information and advice about community care, benefits, and legal matters. Local branches may provide day centres, benefit advice, advocacy and/or handyman services. Information line: 0808 808 6060. Fact sheet: 0800 00 99 66.

Age Positive
The Age Positive campaign (officially supported by Consultus) promotes the benefits of employing a mixed-age workforce.

Alzheimer’s Society
The UK’s “leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers”. Helpline: 0845 300 0336.

Alzheimer’s Scotland
Action on Dementia 24 hour helpline: 0808 808 3000.

Arthritis Care
Help for sufferers. Tel: 020 7380 6500

BBC Health
Library of knowledge on health-related matters.

The Benefits Agency
Find out your entitlement for aid towards long-term care: 0800 88 22 00. Attendance Allowance (AA); Carer's Allowance; Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Other Benefits for the over 50s and the Disabled.

The Bladder and Bowel Foundation
For confidential advice on bladder problems. Tel. 01536 533255.

British Association of Occupational Therapists
Information on UK occupational therapists. Tel. 020 7357 6480.

British Heart Foundation
Topics include all aspects of heart disease and treatment, dietary and lifestyle guides. Tel. 020 7935 0185.

Care Directions
A guide to care and the rights of older people.

Commission for Social Care Inspection
(CSCI): Regulator of care providers and social services. Tel. 0845 015 0120.

Community Care
A guide to homecare services.

Colitis and Crohn’s Disease National Association: Tel. (01727) 844296

Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB): All care workers in England and Wales must now undergo a compulsory CRB check before they can gain employment in this field.

Cruse Bereavement Care.
Counselling for bereaved people. Tel. 020 8939 9530.

Dementia:
Facing dementia, articles from the Alzheimer's Society.

Diabetes UK
Leading charity working for people with diabetes.

Department of Work and Pensions website.

Disability Law Service Adviceline: Offering free, confidential legal advice & representation to disabled people. 020 7791 9800.

Disabled Living Foundation
A charity in support of people with disabilities and older people. Tel. 020 7289 6111.

GSCC
Ensuring a trained and trusted social care workforce.

Guide2Care
Supporting the people that care for friends and relatives.

Headway
Promotes understanding of brain injury; information and support. Tel. (0115) 924 0800

Health authorities
The management bodies for local NHS services. Listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Health Authorities and Services’.

Help the Aged
Advice and information: 0808 800 6565.

Huntington's Disease Association
News and information about Huntington's Disease for people affected, their families & friends and health care professionals.

Independent financial advisers
IFA’s can help you to plan for long-term healthcare costs. Ring 0117 971 1177 for the names of local advisers.

Insurers who specialise in care fees planning: Please see ‘Insurance Companies’ in the Yellow Pages or try searching the Internet for “Care Insurance”.

The Law Society of England and Wales can refer you to solicitors specialising in mental health, family, and other matters Phone: 020 7242 1222.

Local Authorities
City Councils, Metropolitan or Borough Councils and Unitary Authorities Social Services: listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Local Government’. If you qualify for free or subsidised help from the social services don’t forget to ask about ‘Direct Payments’ – money that will enable you to choose your own home care agency. Direct Payments in Scotland click here.

Mencap
Information and support services to fulfil the lives of people with learning disabilities. Phone: 020 7454 0454.

Mind
The Mental Health Charity: provides advice and information service including fact sheets, publications, helpline and legal advice services related to mental health issues Infoline: 0345 660 163.

Motor Neurone Disease Association Tel. 08457 626262.

Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tel: 020 8438 0700

Muscular Dystrophy Society
The causes, treatments and cures for muscle-wasting conditions. Tel. (020) 7720 8055.

National Centre for Independent Living
Aresource on independent living and Direct Payments for disabled people.

National Osteoporosis Society. Tel. (01761) 471771.

NHS Continuing Care
NHFA advice which may determine whether you qualify for state funded home care. Alternatively, see Support After Leaving Hospital (Government advice) or Consultus's own introduction to Continuing Care funding.

NHS Direct
Information about the NHS and care services; immediate information on illnesses and disabilities from a registered nurse; benefits; documents and procedures associated with health and social care services. Phone: 0845 4647.

Parkinson’s Disease Society
HelpLine: 0808 800 0303. Text Phone Number 0207 963 9380.

Patients Association Helpline: 020 8423 8999.

Protection of Vulnerable Adults scheme
(POVA): A new, countrywide check for recruiters that provides a greater level of protection for vulnerable adults.

Public Trust Office and Court of Protection
Enduring Power of Attorney Helpline: 020 7664 7327. Principal of Protection Division Phone: 020 7664 7101. Director of Mental Health Services Phone: 020 7664 7274

Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)
The professional body of recruitment agencies and employment businesses.

Royal National Institute for the Blind
Information, support and advice for anyone with a serious sight problem. Helpline: 0845-766 99 99. Textphone: Typetalk 0800-51 51 52.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People
Phone: 020 7296 8000 Textphone: 020 7296 8001.

SANE
Information and support services related to mental illness. Phone: 020 7375 1002.

State Assistance and Long-Term Care
NHFA advice which covers many questions you may have about state funding of care.

The Stroke Association
400 local groups nationwide. Helpline: 0845 303 3100.

UK 250
Association for retired persons and people over 50.

United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA)
Professional association of homecare providers.. Help line: 020 8288 1551

War Pensions Veterans Service
Comprehensive advice and support for anyone who was injured or disabled as a result of service in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, or for their widows/ers. Tel. 0800 1692277.