There are a number of groups and organisations, both local and national, that provide advice and support to different sections of the community. Below are just some of the organisations set up to assist. All links lead to external websites.
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Resources for voluntary groups
Carers:
Derbyshire Carers
Children:
Childline
Provids a telephone counselling service for children and young people in danger and distress.
Tel 0800 1111 (24 hour Freefone)
NSPCC
Works to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Tel 0800 800 5000 (24 hour child protection helpline)
Crime:
Crimestoppers
Provides an anonymous freefone number for callers who have information about a crime in the UK.
Tel 0800 555111 (Freefone)
50+ and Older People:
The Swadlincote District 50+ Forum - A voluntary group who collect and disperse information throughout South Derbyshire, working closely with the Anti Social Behaviour Team, Police, Council and local Hospitals.
Age Concern -The UK's leading charities concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people.
Tel 0800 009966 (freefone helpline)
Age Positive -Age positive is a government initiative which tackles age discrimination and promotes age diversity in the workplace
Alzheimer's Society -The Alzheimer's Society provides advice and support to people with dementia and their carers.
Carers - For 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.
Independant Age (RUKBA ) - IndependentAge helps older people on low incomes to live with dignity and peace of mind
Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender:
Derbyshire Friend - a voluntary agency offering free confidential advice, information and supportive listening for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, including their families and friends.
Disabled People:
AbilityNet -are 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 -is 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.
British Council for Disabled People (BCODP) -was 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 -DIAL 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) -The Epilepsy Action helpline 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) -is 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 -Working with people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.
MIND
Provides services for people with mental health problems.
Tel 0845 766 0163 (National Help Line)
Rethink -Helping everyone affected by severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, to recover a better quality of life.
National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) -is 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.
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship) - provides respite for carers, and holidays for people with severe physical disabilities.
Marriage / Divorce
The Divorce Bureau - provides free assistance to those of all walks of life facing divorce. Can also be contacted on a national freefone helpline on 0800 731 9831.
Housing:
Shelter Charity
Providing advice and assistance to people in housing need.
Tel 0808 800 4444 (Freefone Helpline)
Race:
Commission for Racial Equality
A non-governmental body set up to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.
Tel 0207 828 7022
General Advice:
South Derbyshire Citizens Advice Bureau
Provides free and confidential advice through local offices.
Tel 01283 210107
The Samaritans
Provides 24 hour support for people feeling depressed, isolated or in despair
Tel 08457 909090
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk Enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs.
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