Resources by issue: Disabilities & Health

Advicenow guides are easy-to-read and practical. They explain what you need to know, where you need to go, and what you need to do to solve your problem.

The country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.

Open Road

Helping families recover from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

Alzheimer’s Society

National and local Dementia Helplines.

BACP is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. We exist for one simple reason - counselling changes lives.

How care needs assessment works / do I have to pay for care services?

My Home Life Essex Community Association

Network of agents and volunteers who support older people and informal carers to find and develop independent living solutions from within their local community.

Support for families facing dementia

Local disability information and advice

Open Road

Helping families recover from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

General organisation run by and for the disabled people providing a wide range of support, information, advice and guideline services.

Offer a financial management service. Will take care of transactions if person no longer has capacity to do this. There is a cost of £640 to set up and then a further £600 per year if the person has > £16k or 3% of the total if a person has < £16k. Requires a local contact / neighbour to take care of daily spending money.

A charity providing holistic support to families of children with disabilities and special needs.

Bereavement service.

All other referrals to Farleigh to go via GP.

Heads Up (which in Essex is operated by Enable east) is a scheme that helps people with mental health issues into work.

Health in Mind offers a range of different options for supporting you including; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Guided Self-Help (GSH), counselling, workshops and courses. Your initial assessment will assist with identifying the most appropriate option for you.

Self referral for mental health issues.

Can help about:

• Health and care services near you.
• How to access the support and advice they need.
• What to do if you have a concern or complaint.
• How to share feedback about services.

Advice / support for various hearing aids and trial equipment loan.

Home improvement and handyperson service providers are local organisations dedicated to helping older people, people with disabilities, and vulnerable people to live in safety and with dignity in their own homes.

Offering regular friendly contact and a strong campaigning voice, Independent Age can provide you and your family with clear, free and impartial advice on the issues that matter: care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.
A charity founded over 150 years ago, we’re independent so you can be.

Dedicated to improving the emotional well-being and opportunities of young people and young adults with disabilities, primarily learning disabilities/difficulties and autism.

The Living Well website aims to help Essex people take care of their health and well-being, manage health conditions, and find information about support and services in the local area. We also provide information on benefits and finances, staying safe, and tips on staying healthy and active.

"Our vision is a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included"

For advice on a whole range of issues, social care, employment, housing, leisure, finances, personal support, support living services, wills and trusts and short breaks.

Mental health charity

Meadows Shop Mobility

Hire of mobility scooters and other aids to assist shopping in Chelmsford

Patient Experience Team

Confidential advice about how to use the NHS and how to complain.

Patient Advice & Liaison Department

Helping families recover from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

For temporary supply of equipment (walking aids / wheelchairs) – generally for 4 – 6 weeks then must return.

Red Cross Hardship fund (June 2020)

The Red Cross is administering a hardship fund which provides short term help for clients for up to a maximum of 3 months. After an initial misunderstanding over how to refer clients for help, we have now established that clients can contact the administrator, details provided by us, directly or with their consent we can pass their details on. Details of the fund are at https://hardshipfund.redcross.org.uk/

If you think this may be a suitable for a client, please see your supervisor.

Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, personality disorders

Research Institute for Consumer Affairs

Consumer research focussing specifically on issues of concern to disabled and older consumers. RICA was founded through Consumers Association, publishers of Which? but is now an independent charity.

Supporting people with sight loss.

They have an outreach in the library on Thursdays and offer advice in welfare benefits, debt, immigration, housing, discrimination, employment, and family law.

They also have connections with a deaf solicitor if a case needs further legal advice and the matter requires legal proceedings to be instigated.

Scope is a charity that exists to make this country a place where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Providing a range of dementia products, services and advice to improve the lives of those affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss.

Chelmsford City Council Emergency Planning.

To speed up processes, evacuation etc. in the event of an emergency.