This is an alphabetical list of other websites that you may find useful

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Useful Websites

This is an alphabetical list of other websites that you may find useful. Click on the link to take you to the site you require.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

A - Z of Services from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Abbeyfield Society is a uk wide charity providing housing with care to older people.
Access Able provides access information for mature and disabled travelers
Age Concern is a national network of more than 400 independent charities providing high-quality help and care for older people (over 50)
Age Concern Cymru the local branch providing local services
Alcohol Concern the national agency on alcohol misuse
All Wales Unit an all Wales website to encourage information sharing between social services departments
Alzheimer’s Society provides advice and support for people with dementia and their carers
Anabledd Cymru Disability Wales) is the national association of disability groups working to promote the rights, inclusion, equality, and support of all disabled people in Wales
Arthritis Care in Wales website provides information about arthritis and details of their work
Association for Real Change or ARC - an umbrella organisation which brings together those who provide services for people with a learning disability
Association of the Directors of Social Services represents all the directors of social services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Audit Commission - an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively.
Awares - the All Wales Autism Resource

B

Benefits Agency (now part of the Department for Work and Pensions) is responsible for delivering support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
Bettercaring - for care home information
The Blue Badge Network - assists all disabled people, and their families, of all ages to integrate more effectively with society through the European Union, by co-operation, to overcome access and mobility problems
British Association of Social Workers advice and representation for professional social care workers
British Council of Disabled People the UK's national organisation of the worldwide Disabled People's Movement
British Deaf Association the UK’s largest national organisation run by deaf people, for deaf people
British Dyslexia Association is the voice of dyslexic people
British Institute of Learning Disabilities works to improve the quality of life of all people with a learning disability, providing information, publications and training and consultancy services for organisations and individuals
British Red Cross helps people in crisis, suffering the consequences of war, earthquakes, terrorism and floods as well as providing local services

C.A.L.L. (Community Advice and Listening Line) offers emotional support and information/literature on mental health and related matters to the people of Wales	C.A.L.L. (*Community Advice & Listening Line*)
Care and Repair improves housing conditions and home environment for vulnerable people
CareAware is an online guide to long term care for the elderly
Care Council for Wales works to secure higher standards of conduct, practice and training across the social care workforce in Wales - replacing the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) and the Training Organisation for the Personal Social Services (TOPSS)
Care Forum Wales a not-for-profit organisation representing all independent sector providers of health and social care services for adults and children throughout Wales
Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales is the government body that makes sure that care homes meet the regulations and standards expected of them.
Cartrefi Cymru provides support to all sorts of people with learning disabilities throughout Wales
Centre for Independent Living - Rhondda Cynon Taf supports disabled people’s rights to choice and control in developing their own independent lifestyle
Citizens Advice Bureaux offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice including debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, and immigration
Community Information Database contains details of many local community groups and organisations
Community Living supports the rights of people with a learning disablility
Community Service Volunteers works to provide opportunities for people to play an active part in their communities through volunteering, training, education and the media
Contact a Family website provides information on over 1,000 rare syndromes and disorders
Contact the Elderly organise gatherings for frail, elderly people who live alone
Crossroads the largest charity in the world providing 'in-the-home' care.
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free information, advice and counselling to anyone who has been affected by a death

D

Department of Health works to improve people's health and well-being
Department for Transport is responsible for the mobility of the nation.
Department for Work and Pensions (formerly the Benefits Agency) is responsible for delivering support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people. Click here to link to an online consultation forum on delivering equality for disabled people. It covers two of the major changes in the Government's planned Disability Discrimination Bill. These changes are the prohibition of discrimination in the exercise of public functions and the introduction of a duty to promote equality for disabled people.
Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people affected by depression
Diabetes UK is the leading charity working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people to live with the condition
Direct Payments (part of the Department of Health's web site) are cash payments made in lieu of social service provisions, to individuals who have been assessed as needing services. They can be made to disabled people aged 16 or over, to people with parental responsibility for disabled children, and to carers aged 16 or over in respect of carer services
Disability is a Government web site managed by the Disability Unit in the Department for Work and Pensions and provides a source of information for people with disabilities
Disability Rights Commission is an independent body, established by Act of Parliament to eliminate discrimination against disabled people and promote equality of opportunity
Disability Wales (Anabledd Cymru) is the national association of disability groups working to promote the rights, inclusion, equality, and support of all disabled people in Wales
Disabled Drivers' Association is a self help organisation run for disabled people by disabled people, and concerns itself with the needs of disabled people primarily by encouraging greater independence through enhanced mobility.
Disabled Drivers' Motor Club has been the voice of disabled motorists since 1922, starting as a small club of a few dozen members and growing into an organization of over 15000 from all walks of life and in every part of the United Kingdom, as well as many other parts of the world	Disabled Drivers' Motor Club
DisabledGo empowers disabled people by promoting detailed access information about public venues
Disabled Motorcyclists' Association aims to support all disabled riders both past and present by providing practical help and support to all those who ride a motorbike, scooter, moped, trike or are considering riding for the first time
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee advises the UK Government on access for disabled people to transport and on the built environment
Down's Syndrome Association helps people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives

E

Elder Abuse is a multi-disciplinary membership organisation it aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information
eQuipForLife is a web site dedicated to helping disabled people and their families buy and sell used disabled equipment

F

Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities researches learning disability issues

G

General Medical Council exercise legal powers designed to maintain the standards the public have a right to expect of doctors in order to protect patients

H

Health of Wales Information Service is a seamless service bringing together information sources about the health and lifestyle of the population of Wales into a simple, electronic-based service
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is managed by the EAGA Partnership. Householders may be able to claim a grant under the scheme, which allows for a range of energy efficiency measures to be carried out.
Help the Aged campaigns on behalf of older people

I

Independent Living Funds were set up as a national resource dedicated to the financial support of disabled people to enable them to choose to live in the community rather than in residential care

Joseph Rowntree Foundation is one of the largest independent social policy research and development charities in the UK. It supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy

Joseph Rowntree Foundation website

K

Keep Able is an online catalogue offering mobility and life style ideas.
Keep Well this Winter is an annual campaign designed to help people aged 65 and over to stay well during the winter months with three key themes - Keep Well, Keep Warm, and Keep Safe

L

Learning Disability Web Site provides education information for people with learning disabilities, their carers, advocates, friends, professional carers, social and health care workers, students and those who have an active interest in promoting equality of opportunity for people with learning disabilities
Local Health Board (Rhondda Cynon Taf) works together with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council in partnership with other local organisations such as the NHS Trusts, Community Health Councils and voluntary sector, to provide a local focus for the development of strategies for the improvement of health, well being and social care in the area

M

Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers to fight for equal rights, campaign for greater opportunities, challenge attitudes and prejudice and provide advice and support to meet people's needs throughout their lives
Mental Health Foundation works in mental health and learning disabilities
Mind is a mental health charity, operating in England and Wales
Motability gives access to the Motability car scheme for disabled people.
Mobility and Inclusion Unit (at the Department for Transport) works to make transport more accessible and affordable to promote social inclusion

N

National Assembly for Wales consists of the sixty elected Assembly Members with responsibility for developing legislation that guides local governments in their delivery of services
National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice including debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, and immigration
National Association for Bikers with a Disability help to adapt motorcycles, trikes and sidecar outfits so that they can be ridden by people with disabilities
National Association for Down's Syndrome was founded by parents of children with Down syndrome who felt a need to create a better environment and bring about understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome
National Autistic Society web site includes information about autism and Asperger syndrome, and about the support and services available in the UK
National Centre for Independent Living promotes independence in people with disabilities, particularly through the use of Direct Payments
National Development Team develops new opportunities and inclusion in ordinary life for all people with learning disabilities
National Home Fees Agency provides older people, their family and carers with advice and information on obtaining and paying for all types of care
NHS Direct Online for health information on the internet
NHS Direct Wales provides accurate information on a range of topics from GP's, Dental Services and Support Groups to Pharmacies and Opticians and is designed to complement the NHS Direct Wales telephone based service
NHS Lifehouse is a research and development project that examines key issues around the development and use of electronic records. The project is now focused on how it can support the NHS National Implementation Programme
Norah Fry Research Centre is part of the University of Bristol's Department of Mental Health. Its principal interests are the evaluation and development of services for people with learning difficulties
North Glamorgan NHS Trust provides acute, community and mental health services to the people primarily in the Merthyr, Cynon and upper Rhymney valleys

Pain Support provides information on pain control and pain relief
Paradigm is a consultancy and development agency formed by people with a wealth of real current experience in inclusion, health, social services, community care and organisational development
Person to Person Citizen Advocacy provide people to speak up for people with learning difficulties who, through isolation and vulnerability, are often unable to speak up for their rights
Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS Trust provides acute, community and mental health services to the people primarily in the Taff Ely and Rhondda valleys areas
Promoting Health and Well Being in Wales This is the new website to support the promotion of health and well being in Wales. It replaces the Health Promotion in Wales website
Public Guardianship Office is responsible for providing services which promote the financial and social well being of people with mental incapacity

Review of Health and Social Care in Wales is on the HOWIS site and has been created to bring together all the work and progress on the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Centre for Independent Living supports disabled people’s rights to choice and control in developing their own independent lifestyle
Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Health Board works together with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council in partnership with other local organisations such as the NHS Trusts, Community Health Councils and voluntary sector, to provide a local focus for the development of strategies for the improvement of health, well being and social care in the area.
Royal National Institute for the Blind provide services as effectively as possible to blind and partially sighted people across Wales
Royal National Institute for the Deaf represents the 9m. deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK

S

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health aims is to improve the quality of life for people with severe mental health problems by enabling the development of excellent mental health services, which are valued by users, carers and professionals
Social Services Inspectorate in Wales promotes the provision by social services authorities in Wales of high quality services to service users and carers

T

Tizard Centre is a UK academic group, working in learning disability, mental health and services for older people.
Together : Working for Wellbeing is a leading national charity working for wellbeing: that means we support people with mental health needs to get what they want from life and to feel happier.
Traveline provides information about bus, coach, train, ferry and flight information for national and international journeys
Turning Point is a social care organisation working with individuals and their communities across England and Wales in the areas of drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and learning disabilities
Tripscope provides travel advice and transport information for people who are disabled or have difficulty getting around

U

UK Online is run by the Office of the e-Envoy (part of the Cabinet Office). The website provides an easy way to central and local government information and services on line
UK Self Help lists links to self help groups’ web sites.
United Response works through local services to support people with learning difficulties and mental health problems to have the things they want and need in their lives

V

Valuing People Support Team is an England only group that works to make the changes in Valuing People happen by working with local people, health boards and government departments

W

Wales Council for the Blind promotes the welfare of blind and partially sighted people through empowerment
Wales Council for Voluntary Action supports voluntary organisations and voluntary action in Wales
Wales Office works on behalf of the Secretary of State for Wales - the minister responsible for working with the National Assembly Government
Wales Tourist Board promotes tourism in Wales. Advises on accessibility for disabled tourists
Wales Wide Web - Health Authorities and Resources provides information on health services throughout Wales
Welsh Local Government Association represents the interests of local authorities in Wales
W.R.V.S. involves volunteers in delivering services dedicated to tackling social isolation or deprivation in communities throughout England, Scotland and Wales

X

Y

Youreable provides information to disabled people on benefits, home and equipment, motoring, parents, travel, sport and leisure, relationships and Work.
yourlevelbest has 4000 UK pubs and restaurants listed that are wheelchair accessible - including toilet. Use it and add your own recommendations too.