National helplines

 Motor Neurone Disease Association Offers support if you are caring for someone with motor neurone disease. Tel: 01604 250505 MND Connect helpline: 0808 802 6262 Email: mndconnect@mndassociation.org Web: mndassociation.org

RNID

Offers community support services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Information line: 0808 808 0123 Textphone: 0808 808 9000 SMS: 0780 000 0360 Email: information@rnid.org.uk Web: rnid.org.uk

Support with Confidence

Helps to find a wide range of care and support services from people and organisations that have been approved in terms of quality, safety and staff training.

East Sussex

Tel: 01323 463440 • Web: eastsussex.gov.uk/swc

Brighton & Hove

Tel: 01273 292494 • Web:

brighton-hove.gov.uk/supportwithconfidence

Terrence Higgins Trust

Offers support if you are living with HIV, know someone who is, or think you might have put yourself at risk of getting HIV. Tel: 01273 764200 Email: info@tht.org.uk • Web: tht.org.uk

Together Co

A registered local charity which supports people who feel lonely or isolated because of age, disability or poor physical or mental health. Together Co can offer befriending, advocacy and social prescribing. Tel: 01273 229386 • Web: togetherco.org.uk

Al-Anon Family Groups

Worried about someone’s drinking? Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics. Helpline: 0800 008 6811 (10.00am to 10.00pm). Email: helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk Web: al-anonuk.org.uk

Carers Trust

A charity for carers offering practical help, information and advice. Tel: 0300 772 9600 Email: info@carers.org Web: carers.org

Anxiety UK Helpline

the largest national charity dealing with anxiety in the UK. Tel: 03444 775774 Web: anxietyuk.org.uk

Carers Direct Helpline

If you are a carer, the helpline advisers can give you information to help make decisions about your personal support needs and the needs of the person you’re looking after. Tel: 0300 123 1053 (9.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday; and 11.00am to 4.00pm at weekends). Web: nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-

guide/pages/carers-direct-helpline.aspx Carers UK

A charity providing information, advice and support for carers. Adviceline: 0808 808 7777 (9.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday). Email: info@carersuk.org • Web: carersuk.org

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

The fire service offers a fire safety for carers course. The course lasts for one hour and will offer advice on General Fire Safety, Bedtime routines and escape plans. The East Sussex Fire & Rescue also conducts home safety visits. Tel: 01323 462333 Email: enquiries@esfrs.org • Web: esfrs.org

FirstStop Advice

Advice and information on all aspects of care, accommodation, housing, finance and rights for older people. Firststop Advice Service: 0800 377 7070 Email: info@firststopcareadvice.org Web: firststopcareadvice.org.uk

Independent Age

A national information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, particularly around social care. • Tel: 0800 319 6789 Email: advice@independentage.org Web: independentage.org

My Care My Home

Offers a comprehensive range of services including assessment and advice on how to meet your care and support needs, and signposting to financial or legal advice. Tel: 0800 731 8470 • Web: mycaremyhome.co.uk

NHS 111

111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. Tel: 111 • Web: nhs.uk/111

NHS website, The

Offers an online directory of CQC regulated care services information in addition to lots of information on health and wellbeing. Web: nhs.uk

Samaritans, The

Provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. Tel: 116 123 Web: samaritans.org

Silver Line, The

A free, confidential helpline for older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Launched by Dame Esther Rantzen, The Silver Line aims to combat loneliness in the over-65s by providing friendship, information and advice through calls to trained volunteers. Tel: 0800 470 8090 Web: thesilverline.org.uk

Veterans’ Gateway

The first point of contact for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families seeking information about employability, finances, personal relationships, befriending and more. Tel: 0808 802 1212 Web: veteransgateway.org.uk

The lifestyle site for parents and carers of children with additional needs and those who support them.

www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk

hello@myfamilyourneeds.co.uk @WeAreMFON • Birth to adulthood • Real life blogs • Directory • Ask the experts • Monthly columnist

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