End of life care

For more information, visit www.hants.gov.uk (search ‘Hampshire Futures’).

Volunteering

Volunteering can be a great way of undertaking training and learning transferrable skills for future employment opportunities. See page 29 for more information about volunteering in Hampshire.

Computer equipment for disabled people

The use of specialist equipment can make it easier for disabled people to use a computer for work or educational activities.

The Disabled Living Foundation’s website Living Made Easy has information about computers and other equipment to assist you. Call 0300 999 0004 or visit www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk and select ‘Communicating’. AbilityNet is a national charity that helps disabled people to use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology. It also has a set of guides ‘My Computer My Way’ for setting up adapted modes (such as text to speech, large print and switch access). For more information, call 0800 048 7642 or visit https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk

Everyone Can provides free and impartial advice and support on technology for disabled people. Call 0808 800 0009 or visit www.everyonecan.org.uk for more information. Some equipment may qualify for VAT relief. The supplier will be able to tell you.

Other job sites:

• Council jobs in Hampshire (www.hants.gov.uk/jobs ).

• Jobs in education in Hampshire (www.hants.gov.uk/jobs/education-jobs ).

• Apprenticeships (www.hants.gov.uk/jobs/apprenticeships ).

The NHS website has an end of life guide for people who are approaching the end of their life (www.nhs.uk – search ‘end of life care’). This includes how and where you want to be cared for, financial issues, planning ahead and searching for local hospices (www.nhs.uk – search ‘hospice care’). Some parts of it may also be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their end of life care.

You can also find information about your rights and choices, including refusing treatment, setting down your wishes for your future treatment and how to give someone the legal right to make decisions for you if you are no longer capable. The guide also contains information about talking to your family and carers about dying and about your wishes.

End of life support

Connect to Support Hampshire’s Community Directory contains details of many local and national organisations providing end of life support services. Visit www.connecttosupporthampshire.org.uk/ directories (select ‘Choose your category’ then ‘Specific needs’ and ‘End of life’).

In addition, many of the home care agencies listed in this Guide, beginning on page 51, may be able to offer end of life or ‘palliative’ care.

Useful contacts

Macmillan Cancer Support

Offers information and support to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers. If you need to talk, call the free helpline. Tel: 0808 808 0000 Web: www.macmillan.org.uk

Macmillan in Hampshire

Offers practical and financial support locally. This includes Information and Support Centres at Southampton General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital which provide complimentary treatments, advice and information and volunteers to lend a listening ear. Web: www.macmillan.org.uk (search ‘local support’).