Useful Links
Here is a curated list of useful links and resources which offer further support and advice to individuals affected by a disability.
Carers
Carer’s Direct – www.nhs.uk/Carersdirect
Information, advice and support for carers.
Carer’s UK – www.carersuk.org
The voice of carers, provides information, advice and support.
Counselling for carers in Somerset – CARE FIRST Tel: 0800 1974516
Young Carers – www.youngcarers.net
Information and advice for young carers/siblings of disabled children.
Financial
Benefit Advice – www.direct.gov.uk
For benefit advice. Blue Badge Advice. Council Tax Reduction for disabled people. VAT relief on products and services for disabled people
Travel Vouchers / Concessionary – www.somerset.gov.uk
If your child receives DLA then you may be entitled.
Energy Costs – www.gov.uk energy help
General advice for getting help with energy costs if in receipt of certain benefits.
Turn2Us – www.turn2us.org.uk
To help people find appropriate sources of financial support, grants and benefits available.
Family Fund – www.familyfund.org.uk
Grants available for disabled children.
Advice
Citizens Advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
For free, independent and confidential advice.
Compass Disability Services – www.compassdisability.org.uk
An innovative, enlightened and positive organisation. Its mission is ‘to enable disabled people to have equality of opportunity’.
Contact a Family – www.cafamily.org.uk
Provides advice, information and support for families with disabled children. Tel: 0808 8083556
DIAL UK (Disability Information and Advice Line) – Tel: 0808 800 3333 (free)
Information and advice for disabled people. Supported by Scope. Can also email dialnetwork@scope.org.uk
Special Needs Kids – www.special-needs-kids.co.uk
Information on products and services.
Newlife Foundation – www.newlifecharity.co.uk
Helps disabled children in the UK
Disabilty Living Foundation – www.dlf.org.uk
National charity that provides advice, information and training on daily living aids. Helpline 0845 1309177
Barnardos – www.barnardos.org.uk
Offers help to disabled children.
Condition Specific
MENCAP – www.mencap.org.uk
Leading UK charity for people with learning disabilities.
Local branch of Mencap – www.tauntonmencap.co.uk
National Autistic Society – www.autism.org
UK charity for people with autistic Spectrum Disorders.
Taunton Autism Support Group – www.tauntonasg.co.uk
Epilepsy Society – www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
National charity working with people with epilepsy.
SCOPE – www.scope.org.uk
About Cerebral Palsy
Action on Hearing Loss – www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk / Tel: 0808 808 0123 (free)
Was RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf).
RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) – www.rnib.org.uk / Tel 0845 7669999
ADHD/ADD support – www.ukadhd.com
Help for ADHD, ADD + AD/HD
Education
Parent partnership – www.somersetparentpartnership.org.uk
Provides free impartial information, advice and guidance to all parents/carers of children with special educational needs (SEN)
Mobility Issues
Whizz Kids – www.whizz-kidz.org.uk
A charity about giving disabled children the chance to lead a more independent life. Can give grants.
GM Coach Works – www.gmcoachworks.co.uk
For wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptations
Motability – www.motability.co.uk
For people on high rate mobility DLA to exchange for a new car.
Leisure
SASP (Somerset Activity and Sports partnership) – www.sasp.co.uk
Opportunities for disability sport in Somerset.
Holidays
Accessible Travel – www.accessibletravel.co.uk
For advice on holidays.
Accessible Accomodation – www.accessibleaccommodation.com
Walks with Wheelchairs- www.walkswithwheelchairs.com
Walking routes suitable for wheelchairs.
Cinema
CEA Card – www.ceacard.co.uk
Entitles the holder to have someone to accompany them to the cinema free of charge.