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.

www.britishpolio.org.uk

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 Helpline

Tel: 0800 99 1234 (8.00am-8.00pm Mon-Fri)

 

The Pension Service

Tel: 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 Service

Tel: 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 UK

Tel: 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 UK

Tel: 01302 310 123

Website: www.scope.org.uk/dial

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.

DisabledGo

Website: 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.UK

Website: 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 People

RNIB 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 Loss

Information 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 Care

Tel: 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 UK

Adviceline:

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 Foundation

Helpline:

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 Association

Tel: 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 Health

Website: www.dh.gov.uk

 

The Department of Health website contains information related to health issues, NHS and patient care.

 

Diabetes UK

Diabetes 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 Foster

Website: 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 UK

Helpline:

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 Network

Tel: 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 Association

Helpline:

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 Support

Tel: 0808 808 00 00

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support provides practical, medical and financial support to those affected by cancer.

 

MIND

Tel: 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 Society

Osteoporosis 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 Choices

Website: 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 Association

Helpline:

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.

 

Samaritans

Tel: 08457 90 90 90

Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

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 Association

Stroke 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: 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: www.nasch.org.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 Arts

Website: 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 students

Website: http://www.open.ac.uk/disability

These webpages give advice and guidance for OU students with a disability.

 

Parasport

Tel: 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 People

Tel: 01372 841100

Website: www.qefd.org

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation is a charity working to equip disabled people with skills to increase independence, mobility, and help them into employment.

 

Remploy

Tel: 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 Trust

Website: 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.