Information and Support

bibic is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children who have developmental difficulties. These include conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, brain injury and other conditions like dyslexia and Asperger’s syndrome that impact on learning and development. bibic therapists work closely with children, young people and their families to help them tackle challenges affecting their social, physical, communication and learning abilities.
Telephone: 01458 253344

Visit the bibic site


ADDERS promotes awareness of AD/HD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and to provide information and as much free practical help as possible to those affected by the condition, both adults and children, their families in the UK and around the World.

Visit the ADDERS site


ADDISS, the Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service, provides information and resources about ADHD to anyone who needs assistance - parents, sufferers, teachers or health professionals.
Phone 020 8952 2800

Visit the ADDISS site


The Hyperactive Children's Support Group is a registered charity, which offers a dietary approach to the problem of hyperactivity.

Visit The Hyperactive Children's Support Group


The Challenging Behaviour Foundation provides telephone and email support from a Family Support Worker on challenging behaviour associated with severe learning disabilities and related issues.
Free information sheets and DVDs are offered about providing good support for people who have a learning disability and behaviour described as challenging.
Phone: 0300 666 0126
Email: info@thecbf.org.uk

Visit The Challenging Behaviour Foundation site

The National Autistic Society is a UK charity providing information and support for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families.
Phone 0808 800 4104 (weekdays, 10am-4pm)

Visit The National Autistic Society site


Peach is a parent-led group aiming to encourage, support and inform parents of children with autism. Peach aims to give guidance on obtaining a diagnosis of autism and stresses the importance of early behavioural intervention.
Phone: 01344 88 22 48

Visit the Peach site


Autism Concern is a charity which provides support and options to people affected by all forms of autism in gaining independence and control of their lives.
Phone 0808 808 9090

Visit the Autism Concern site

Scottish Autism provides services for autism in Scotland, delivering a comprehensive range of expertise in care, support and education for people with autism, their families and carers.
Phone: 01259 222022

Visit the Scottish Autism site


Autism Northern Ireland aims to support the needs of people with Autism and their carers in Northern Ireland.
Phone: 028 9040 1729

Visit the Autism Northern Ireland site

The Brain and Spine Foundation offers information and support on all aspects of brain and spine disorders.
Phone 0808 808 1000 (Specialist nurses)

Visit the Brain and Spine Foundation site


The Spinal Injuries Association offers confidential advice, information and support to all spinal cord injured people (whether through injury or illness), as well as to family, partners and friends.
Phone: 0800 980 0501 (weekdays 9.30 - 4.30)

Visit the Spinal Injuries Association site


Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK offer free confidential information, emotional support, practical advice and guidance to anyone affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy who is living in the UK.
Phone: 01789 267520

Visit the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support UK site


The Scoliosis Association provides information about scoliosis, works to eliminate fear and stigma, and offer contacts for shared experiences.
Phone: 020 8964 1166

Visit The Scoliosis Association site


The Disabilities Trust is a national charity providing support for people with acquired brain injury, profound physical impairments, learning disabilities and for adults and children with autism; enabling them to live as independently as possible.
Phone: 01444 239123

Visit The Disabilities Trust site


The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust helps people regain the skills lost as a result of brain injury – whether caused by road accident, assault, stroke or illness- to enable them to live as independently as possible.

Visit The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust site


Headway provides help and support to people affected by brain injury, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care. Their website contains a postcode facility to search for local support.
Phone: 0808 800 2244

Visit the Headway site


Neurosupport provides up to date information on neurological conditions and on line resources.

Visit the Neurosupport site

The Child Brain Injury Trust is the charity that supports children, young people, their families and professionals and helps them come to terms with what has happened and how to deal with the uncertainty that the future may hold.
Phone 0303 303 2248

Visit the Child Brain Injury Trust site

BullyingUK is an anti-bullying charity in the UK. The charity provides practical information and advice to young people and their parents.
Phone: 0808 800 2222

Visit the BullyingUK site


The National Bullying Helpline is a voluntary organisation that can provide free, confidential help and support if you are being bullied at work, at home, in the community or in education.
Phone 0845 22 55 787 (9am, and 5pm daily)

Visit The National Bullying Helpline site


Stop Hate UK is a charity that provides independent and confidential support to people affected by hate crime, working to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. They provide confidential hate crime reporting services in various areas of the UK, including a 24 hour helpline.
Helpline: 0800 138 1625

Visit the Stop Hate UK site


True Vision is a police web facility that exists to provide information about hate crime or incidents and how to report them and provides information about other people and organisations that can help and support you if you’ve been a victim. Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Visit the True Vision site


Ann Craft Trust provides advice to anyone who has a query about the safeguarding of disabled children and vulnerable adults, including professionals, parents, carers and family members.
Phone: 0115 9515400

Visit the Ann Craft Trust site


Victim Support
If you’ve been a victim or witness of any crime you can get emotional and practical help from Victim Support, whether or not it has been reported to the police.
Phone: 08 08 16 89 111

Visit the Victim Support site


Victim Support Scotland offers emotional and practical support to all victims and witnesses of crime across Scotland.
Supportline: 0845 603 9213

Visit the Victim Support Scotland site


Victim Support NI offers emotional and practical support to all victims and witnesses of crime across Northern Ireland.
Phone: 028 9024 3133

Visit the Victim Support NI site

Down's Syndrome Association Northern Ireland provides information and support on all aspects of living with Down’s syndrome, including workshops for young people and residential events.
Phone: 02890 665 260 (Mon-Fri 9-5)

Visit the Down's Syndrome Association Northern Ireland site


The Down's Syndrome Association provides advice on best practice for supporting people with Down's syndrome at every stage of life. They have a comprehensive range of resources and targeted support services for people with Down's syndrome, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them.
Phone: 0333 1212 300 Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm.
Email: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk

Visit The Down's Syndrome Association site

Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. The charity specialises in assessments, teaching, training and consultancy.
Phone: 01784 222 300

Visit the Dyslexia Action site


Dyslexia Scotland is a Scottish national charity with a network of volunteer-led branches around Scotland. They encourage and enable people with dyslexia, regardless of their age and abilities, to reach their potential, through offering services to people with dyslexia and those who support them.
Phone: 0844 800 8484

Visit the Dyslexia Scotland site

The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
Phone: 03000 616161

Visit The Care Quality Commission site


The Care Inspectorate regulate and inspect care services and carry out social work and child protection inspections in Scotland.
Enquiries: 0345 600 9527

Visit The Care Inspectorate website

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales’ core role is to review and inspect NHS and independent healthcare organisations in Wales, to provide independent assurance for patients, the public, the Welsh Government and healthcare providers that services are safe and good quality.

It also protects the interests of people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act. They regulate and register independent healthcare providers to ensure that they are qualified to carry out their work and that they meet the standards for quality and safety set out in law.
Phone: 0300 062 8163

Visit the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales site


The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority is the independent health and social care regulatory body for Northern Ireland.
Phone: 028 9051 7500

Visit The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority site


The General Medical Council registers doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Their purpose is to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.

Visit The General Medical Council site


Equality Advisory and Support Service provides information and advice about discrimination and human rights issues.
Telephone: 0808 800 0082
Textphone: 0808 800 0084
Mon - Fri, 9am to 8pm, Sat 10am to 2pm

Visit the Equality Advisory and Support Service site


Disability Law Service provides telephone or written community care law advice. This is free to disabled people, their family and carers, by appointment. DLS is able to provide advice in Disability Discrimination as it relates to Employment and Goods and Services, and Social Welfare Law as it relates to Community Care and Welfare Benefits.
Phone: 020 7791 9800

Visit the Disability Law Service site


Disability Rights UK works to create a society where everyone with lived experience of disability or health conditions can participate equally as full citizens.
Phone 020 7250 3222

Visit the Disability Rights UK site

The Disabilities Trust is a national charity providing support for people with acquired brain injury, profound physical impairments, learning disabilities and for adults and children with autism; enabling them to live as independently as possible.
Phone: 01444 239123

Visit The Disabilities Trust site


The Disabled Living Foundation is a national charity that provides impartial advice, information and training on daily living aids.
Phone 0300 999 0004

Visit The Disabled Living Foundation site


Mencap work in partnership with people with a learning disability in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and provide services to support people to live life as they choose.
Phone: 0808 808 1111

Visit the Mencap site


ENABLE Scotland provides a wide range of support services for people who have learning disabilities and their families.
Phone: 0300 0200 101

Visit the ENABLE Scotland site


Scope works with disabled people, of all ages, and their families, across England and Wales.
They offer practical, everyday support that can change lives. Their vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Phone: 0808 800 3333

Visit the Scope site


Leonard Cheshire Disability offers a wide range of services for disabled people including accommodation services, personalised care and support services, education and leisure services. A search facility is available to find services locally.

Visit the Leonard Cheshire Disability site

Epilepsy Action can provide information and advice on all aspects of epilepsy (including misdiagnosis) to support anyone affected by epilepsy.
Phone on 0808 800 5050

Visit the Epilepsy Action site


Epilepsy Society is a medical charity offering information and support to everyone affected by epilepsy. And undertakes research into the treatments and causes of epilepsy, and delivers specialist medical care and support.
Phone 01494 601400 (Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm, Wed 9am -8pm)

Visit the Epilepsy Society site


Young Epilepsy is a national charity supporting children and young people aged 25 and under living in the UK with epilepsy.
Phone 01342 831342

Visit the Young Epilepsy site


Epilepsy Wales aims to help people with epilepsy in Wales, their families and carers.
Phone on 0800 228 9016

Visit the Epilepsy Wales site


Epilepsy Scotland provides a helpline and information service to anyone affected by epilepsy, their families as well as for employers and teachers.
Phone 0808 800 2200

Visit the Epilepsy Scotland site

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope round the clock, every single day of the year. They provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90

Visit the Samaritans site


Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737, or text "help" to 81066.

Visit the Community Advice & Listening Line site


Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. They are there in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and information.
Phone 0800 83 85 87 (6pm til 2am Monday to Thursday and 24 hours at the weekend).
A BSL service is also available via the website.

Visit the Breathing Space site


Lifeline is a crisis response counselling helpline for people suffering distress or despair in Northern Ireland. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.
Phone: 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day)

Visit the Lifeline site

Changing Faces supports and represents people who have disfigurements to the face, hand or body from any cause.

Phone 0300 012 0275

Visit the Changing Faces site


Let’s Face It aims to offer help and support to those affected by facial disfigurement.

Visit the Let's Face It site

Sibs is a UK charity providing information and support on sibling issues for young siblings, adult siblings and parents who are growing up with or who have grown up with a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness or life limiting condition.
Phone: 01535 645453

Visit the Sibs site


Benefit Enquiry Line provides Information relating to benefits for people with disabilities
ww.direct.gov.uk/disability-money
Disability Information Scotland provides Information on local and specialist support and advice agencies in Scotland.
Phone: 0300 323 9961

Visit the Benefit Enquiry Line site


SupportLine offers confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults on a wide range of subjects, including disabilities.
Phone 01708 765200.

Visit the SupportLine site


Home-Start is a national family support charity which helps families with young children to build better lives for their children. They provide support in a variety of situations including isolation, mental ill health, depression and disability.
Phone: 0800 068 63 68

Visit the Home-Start site


The Challenging Behaviour Foundation provides telephone and email support from a Family Support Worker on challenging behaviour associated with severe learning disabilities and related issues.
Free information sheets and DVDs are offered about providing good support for people who have a learning disability and behaviour described as challenging.
Phone: 0300 666 0126
Email: info@thecbf.org.uk

Visit The Challenging Behaviour Foundation site


Contact a Family is a UK-wide charity providing support, advice and information to families with disabled children, no matter what their disability or health condition. They can also put families in contact with others whose child has the same condition.
Helpline: 0808 808 3555.

Visit the Contact a Family site


Carers UK is a charity set up to support the millions of people who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend, providing support, information and advice about caring and campaigning to make life better for carers.
Phone: 0808 808 7777 (weekdays 10am-4pm)

Visit the Carers UK site


Carers Trust provides comprehensive support services for carers, young adult carers and young carers, through a unique network of independently managed carers centres, schemes and interactive online services.
Phone: 0844 800 4361

Visit the Carers Trust site (all carers)

Visit the Young Carers Matter site (16-25 year olds)

Visit the Young Carers site (up to 18 year olds)


The Disability Grants website contains information about funding available towards the high cost of disability equipment, holidays, housing, or anything above and beyond the normal costs of everyday living.

Visit The Disability Grants site

Action on Hearing Loss provide support for people with hearing loss and tinnitus, day-to-day care for people who are deaf and have additional needs, and offer practical advice to help people protect their hearing.
Phone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000

Visit the Action on Hearing Loss site


The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) is a charity that supports all deaf children and young people, from birth to independence, regardless of their level of deafness or communication approach and offers expert advice and information to families on entitlements, education, health and technology for deaf children, and much more.
Phone: 0808 800 8880
Minicom: 020 7490 8656

Visit The National Deaf Children’s Society site

Dimensions supports people with learning disabilities and autism in England and Wales. Their aim is to enable people to be part of the community and make their own choices and decisions about their life. Their services include support for people living in their own homes or in shared housing, find and maintain suitable accommodation, help individuals and their families with a personal budget, transition support for young people leaving school or college and opportunities for learning, employment and participating in the community.
Phone 0300 303 9001 (weekdays from 9am until 5pm)

Visit the Dimensions site

CerebralPalsy.org.uk supports children, adults and their families affected by Cerebral Palsy.

Visit the CerebralPalsy.org.uk site


PWSA (Prader-Willi Syndrome Association UK) is dedicated to supporting people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), their families, carers and professionals.
Phone: 01332 365676

Visit the PWSA site

Neurofibromatosis
The Neuro Foundation provides information, support and advice to improve the lives of those affected by Neurofibromatosis.

Visit the Neurofibromatosis site


The Limbless Association provides information and support to individuals of any age, whether they are about to have an amputation or are already living with congenital or acquired limb-loss - and to carers, family members and friends
Phone: 0800 644 0185

Visit the The Limbless Association site

Steps is a national charity supporting children and adults affected by a lower limb condition such as clubfoot or a hip condition.
Phone: 0 1925 750271

Visit the Steps site


Reach support Parents, Children and Young People who are affected by Upper Limb Deficiency.
Phone: 0845 1306 225

Visit the Reach site


Whizz-Kidz supports young disabled people with the right wheelchair - and skills training - for them.

Visit the Whizz-Kidz site

Meningitis Now provides support, counselling, art, play and music therapy, one-to-one contacts, financial grants and community support.
Phone 0808 80 10 388 (24 hours)

Visit the Meningitis Now site

Meningitis Research Foundation funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected via the helpline on 080 8800 3344

Visit the Meningitis Research Foundation site

Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. The Mind infoline provides information on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy. They are also able to provide details of local help and support.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am - 6pm)

Visit the Mind site


YoungMinds is a children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing charity. Visit their website for information, support and advice. Concerned parents can also contact the Parents' Helpline, which offers free confidential support to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Parents’ Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday –Friday, 9.30am - 4pm)

Visit the YoungMinds site


Mental Health Foundation is a UK mental health research, policy and service improvement charity. They are committed to reducing the suffering caused by mental ill health and to help everyone lead mentally healthier lives. They help people to survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems.

Visit the Mental Health Foundation site


Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that can provide practical advice and information about issues such as therapy and medication, benefits, debt, criminal justice and your rights under the Mental Health Act, as well as operating support groups across England.
Phone 0300 5000 927

Visit the Rethink Mental Illness site


SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness. Their services are confidential and whatever your problems or concerns, you will receive non-judgemental emotional support.
Phone: 0300 304 7000 (6pm – 11pm daily)

Visit the SANE site


Niamh Mental Wellbeing (Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health) provides local services to support the mental health and wellbeing of people across Northern Ireland.
Phone: 028 9032 8474

Visit the Niamh Mental Wellbeing site


Support in Mind Scotland is a national mental health charity providing information, emotional support, practical support and specialist guidance relating to mental health legislation as it affects individuals and families.
Phone - 0131 662 4359

Visit the Support in Mind Scotland site

The MS Trust is dedicated to making life better for people living with multiple sclerosis by providing free information to everyone affected by MS and by supporting the health professionals who work with multiple sclerosis
Phone 0800 032 38 39

Visit The MS Trust site


MS-UK is a national UK charity dedicated to giving support and Phone : 0800 783 0518 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

Visit the MS-UK site


MS Society works to improve treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives.
Phone 0808 800 8000 (weekdays 9am-9pm)

Visit the MS Society site

Stars in the Sky is a dating and friendship service for adults with learning difficulties with branches and affiliated projects around England.
A membership fee applies.
Phone: 020 8275 6552

Visit the Stars in the Sky site


Dates ‘n’ Mates is a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with learning disabilities in Scotland.
A membership fee applies.
Phone: 0141 427 2957

Visit the Dates ‘n’ Mates site

The Brake helpline offers emotional support and practical information and help if you have been bereaved or seriously injured by a road crash, or if you are supporting someone affected in that way.
Phone: 0808 8000 401 (Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm)

Visit The Brake site


RoadPeace is a leading UK charity working for people bereaved and injured on our roads.
Phone: 0845 4500 355 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)

Visit the RoadPeace site


SCARD - Support and Care After Road Death and Injury, provides support to anyone who has been affected following a road incident.
Phone: 0845 123 5542

Visit the SCARD site

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is a charity offering information, support and advice to people with sight loss. If you or a loved one has a sight problem, they have practical ways to help you live with sight loss, advice to help you travel, shop and manage your money and finances independently, as well as advice on technology for blind and partially sighted people.
Phone: 0303 123 9999

Visit the Royal National Institute of Blind People site


SeeAbility encourages people who are blind or partially sighted and have other multiple disabilities to achieve their full potential and enhance their quality of life.
Phone: 01372 755000

Visit the SeeAbility site


Blind Children UK delivers services to children and young people with sight loss, including support, information and advice, family events, mobility and life skills training, access to grants for technology and equipment, and the production of large print books.
Phone 0800 781 144

Visit the Blind Children UK site


RP Fighting Blindness provides Information & Support services to people with Retinitis Pigmentosa and their families.
Phone 0845 123 2354

Visit the RP Fighting Blindness site