We have gathered together a collection of useful links and resources for other charities and organisations which offer information, advice and support for adults, young people and their families and carers.
GOV.UK
For benefits information regarding Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carers Allowance, Income Support and other available benefits.
CITIZENS ADVICE
It's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to. Citizens Advice website can give you information on benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits
TURN2US
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
DISABILITY GRANTS
This is a directory and search tool to find appropriate grants for families and individuals.
THE MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
Charitable grants for ill or disabled people. A grant is a financial donation that you don’t have to repay. Many UK charities and trusts provide grants to help with the extra costs of ill health or disability. Find out what grants are available and how to apply.
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/charitable-grants-for-ill-or-disabled-people
GO HENRY
The goHenry pocket money card is a safe way for your child or young person to learn money management. For children aged 6-18 years.
IT BUDDY
Available across the country in local libraries to help support with the completion of online and paper forms. Contact your local council or library for more information and to make an appointment.
GENETIC ALLIANCE UK
Genetic Alliance UK work on a variety of issues that families and individuals with genetic conditions face. They provide information, support families and influence the services needed by these patients.
RARE DISEASE UK
Rare Disease UK (RDUK) provides a united voice for the rare disease community by capturing the experiences of patients and families. They work with their supporters to raise the profile of rare diseases across the UK. They seek to bring about lasting change offering better health and quality of life for individuals and families affected by rare diseases.
NATIONAL KIDNEY FEDERATION
NKF is the largest kidney patient charity in the UK. Run by kidney patients, for kidney patients.
BRITISH KIDNEY PATIENT FEDERATION
Is a leading kidney patient support charity providing advice, support and financial assistance to thousands every year.
DIABETES UK
Can offer information and support to those affected by diabetes. Their wide range of products and services are designed to help you manage your diabetes, whatever support you need, whether you're looking for insurance, information, or just someone to talk to.
ACTION FOR BLIND PEOPLE
Action has merged with RNIB. On 1 April 2017, Action for Blind People merged with RNIB. This allows them to help more blind and partially sighted people by combining their services, knowledge and expertise within one charity. Action’s vital work will continue through RNIB.
RNIB
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK’s leading charity supporting blind and partially sighted people. They offer practical and emotional support to those that need them, so they can continue living life to the full.
RSBC
The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) believes in a better life for blind children. Their mission is to make sure every single blind child has the self-belief and skills to fulfill the potential they’ve got. Through their services, they’ll learn new skills, make friends and experience moments that will give them the confidence to believe they can achieve.
THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION
Aim to provide people with sight loss with the support they need to be able to move around safely and confidently, to get out of their homes and be able to live life the way they choose. They are best known for achieving this through their world-famous guide dogs. I recent years they have extended their work to other areas to help people with sight loss tackle obstacles they face on a daily basis.
VICTA
VICTA supports children and young people who are blind or partially sighted and their families across the UK. If you are the parent of a blind or partially sighted child or young person or you are visually impaired yourself and under the age of 29 then VICTA can help.
LOOK-UK
LOOK-UK supports young people and families living with vision impairment.
SIGHT SUPPORT DERBYSHIRE
A charity providing services, support, advice and information to around 9,500 local people who are registered blind or partially sighted. Sight Support Derbyshire offer a range of support to adults and children, through a range of services, including: Hospital Services, Sight Loss Information Sessions, Low Vision Aid Services, Rehabilitation Services, Resource Centres, Sports and Leisure Activities, and Children and Young Peoples Services.
www.sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk
ACCESS CARD
The Access Card is printed with symbols to show your disability and to highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need, so you don’t need to keep explaining. Based on your rights under the Equality Act and providers’ responsibilities, the card informs providers quickly and discreetly about the support you need and may gain you access to things like concessionary ticket prices and complex reasonable adjustments without having to go into loads of personal detail. The card costs £15 for three years.
THE MAYPOLE PROJECT
The Maypole Project provide a lifeline of support for children with complex and life threatening illnesses and their whole family. They provide a range of support to parents from diagnosis through treatment and beyond and provide emotional support to the whole family including siblings and grandparents. Tel: 01689 889 889 helpline@themaypoleproject.co.uk https://www.themaypoleproject.co.uk/
CONTACT - FOR FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN
Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. They support families with the best possible guidance and information and bring families together to support each other.
SENSE
Sense is a national charity that supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs, to enjoy more independent lives.
GOV.UK - DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES
This link will take you to the government website that has all the main documents to support families with children/YP that have medical needs/and/or special educational needs.
The third document link on the website takes you to the new government guidance for a multitude of things, including the new Disability Code of Practice and Early Years guidance. This is a good starting point.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3
GOV.UK - IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE SEN & DISABILITY SUPPORT SYSTEM
A series of leaflets explaining important changes to the SEN and disability support system, for children and young people. These changes start on 1 September 2014. The leaflets cover the following areas: making decisions about your support; the local offer; education, health and care (EHC) plans; post-16 options for support.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/sen-and-disability-support-changes-information-for-young-people
INDEPENDENT PARENTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVICE
Independent Parental Special Education Advice (known as IPSEA) is a registered charity (number 327691). IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
INFORMATION, ADVICE & SUPPORT SERVICES NETWORK
The Information, Advice and Support Services Network (IASS Network) supports and promotes the work of Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Services across England. They are based at the Council for Disabled Children.
IAS Services have a duty to provide information, advice and support to disabled children and young people, and those with SEN, and their parents. They are a statutory service which mean there has to be one in every local authority.
www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk
PROSPECT PARENT PARTNERSHIP
Parent partnership gives free information, advice and support to parents of children with Special Educational Needs enabling parents to make informed decisions.
IPSEA - https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ IPSEA advises families whose children have all types of SEN/disability, including behavioural problems, communication difficulties, learning disabilities and autism. IPSEA often helps families before their child has even been diagnosed. IPSEA's legally based advice gives parents the confidence to exercise their rights. IPSEA’s advice is free and independent.
AMAZE
Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
Are the leading UK charity for autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) and their families. They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for autistic people.
DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION
The Dyspraxia Foundation is a country-wide charity and is committed to making the teaching and medical professions more aware of dyspraxia and to spread understanding of how those who have the condition can be helped.
www.cdyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
I CAN
I CAN Help is a range of information services that provide help and advice to parents and practitioners about speech, language and communication. It includes a free call-back service with a speech and language therapist, Talking Point - the website dedicated to speech and language, and I CAN's assessment services.
TALKING POINT
Talking Point is a website all about children’s speech, language and communication. It is designed for parents, people that work with children and children and young people themselves. It contains everything you need to know about supporting children’s speech and language development.
AFASIC
Afasic supports parents and carers with children and young people who have difficulties with listening, talking and understanding others.
THE MAKATON CHARITY
The Makaton Charity exists to ensure that everyone living with learning or communication difficulties has the tools and resources they need to communicate.
Covid-19 and what it means for children and young people returning to schools and colleges We have provided below some of the official Covid-19 information we know of relevance to families who have members with special educational needs and disabilities. Government Guidance (in England) Risk Assessments: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-send-risk-assessment-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-send-risk-assessment-guidance - Information and guidance about supporting children and young people with SEND returning to schools and colleges in September particularly as there have been changes to SEND law and Education and Health Care plans during the pandemic. Returning to School – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-in-the-autumn-term Information for parents and carers about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term. Government Guidance (in Scotland) https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-preparing-start-new-school-term-august-2020/ Government Guidance (in Wales) https://gov.wales/education-coronavirusRENAISSANCE LEGAL
Specialises in working with families and carers of disabled and vulnerable individuals; helping them plan effectively for the future with Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection applications and Inheritance Tax Planning. Renaissance Legal has an unrivalled reputation for their work in the disabled and vulnerable community. The growing team prides itself on truly understanding the unique needs of families and disabled individuals – all of whom are dealing with complex, often challenging lives, where it’s vital that they understand their options.
BRITISH BLIND SPORTS
The work of the charity enables blind and partially sighted people to have the same opportunities as sighted people to access and enjoy sport and recreational activities in the UK.
BRITISH BLIND SPORT – ARCHERY
PARASPORT
Identify which sport is right for you and where you can go to play it!
DISABILITY SPORT WALES
Disability Sport Wales provides over a million opportunities for disabled people to get involved in sport and physical activity.
DISABILITY SPORT FINDER
Find fun and engaging activities to suit all ages and abilities in your local area.
www.disabilitysportfinder.org.uk
SCOPE
Useful links to sport
ACTIVITY ALLIANCE – DISABILITY INCLUSION SPORT
Inclusive Gym search
Find Events and classes - If you are looking for an activity in your area
ENGLAND ATHLETICS
Find an athletics club
Lists governing bodies and contacts for these sports
FA
From grassroots to the elite game – take part in disability football.
METRO BLIND SPORT
Metro is a London-based charity; our aim is to open doors to sport for all vision impaired people, regardless of age or sporting ability.
TENNIS FOUNDATION
Tennis Foundation is UK wide and is governing body for vi tennis. It sets out all the venues that can be located nearby.
BLIND CRICKET ENGLAND & WALES
BCEW have been working in partnership with British Blind Sport and the England and Wales Cricket Board since 2006 to deliver competitive cricket for those who are blind or partially sighted, running national and international competitions.
MERLIN’S MAGIC WAND
Merlin's Magic Wand is a children's charity that supports children facing challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity around the world. The Charity provide tickets and fund travel grants to families to enjoy their day at a Merlin Entertainments’ attractions, such as Legoland theme parks, Sea Life Centres, and Madame Tussauds.
MAX CARD
A discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs. Families simply show their Max card upon entry to a venue in order to obtain free or discounted admission. Email hello@mymaxcard.co.uk or phone 01133 947 951 or see your Local Offer.
PHAB
PHAB’s mission is to inspire and support children, young people and adults with and without disabilities to make more of life together - breaking down community barriers, reducing social isolation, and creating opportunities for disabled people to enjoy the same activities and challenges as, and alongside, those without a disability.
CEA CARD
A national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
CALIBRE AUDIO
Calibre Audio have a collection of over 13,000 audiobooks. You can hear more about what they do here: Calibre Audio.mp3