Information Page

This information page is designed to provide links to a variety of information sites in order to help you understand and find out more about your loved ones illness or disability. This page is continuously evolving and we would greatly apprecaite feedback from you on other sites that would be of use to others. Please contact me to let us know how we can improve or add to this page.

Arthritis

Arthritis Care is the UK's leading charity working with and for people with all forms of arthritis. We offer people with arthritis the information and support they need to make informed choices about managing their arthritis, to reach their potential in society and to fully participate in their communities. We believe that people with arthritis are entitled to receive the best available treatment and medication, and to have their voice heard in decisions affecting their health.

Brain

The Brain and Spine Foundation is a UK charity for people affected by neurological conditions. The Foundation runs a free telephone and email helpline staffed by neuroscience nurses, covering all neurological conditions, from the fairly common to the very rare, and can offer information and support on any medical or related social and emotional issues of concern. The Foundation also publishes patient information booklets and fact sheets on a range of neurological topics, which are written in plain English and designed especially for patients and carers.

 Cerebra is a unique national charity that strives to improve the lives of children with brain related conditions through research, education and direct support through a range of services including a postal lending library, stress helpline, grant scheme, speech therapy facility, a registered nurse to help with sleep problems and more. Cerebra also funds research into the problems arising from brain injury and disability in infants. This includes research carried out by institutions such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Leeds in partnership with others throughout the world, as well as in-house research tailored to the needs of those we aim to help.

Headway – the brain injury association is the UK's leading brain injury charity, helping support survivors, families and carers. We have a network of local Groups and Branches throughout the UK and Channel Islands offerering a wide range of services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care. The services available will vary, depending on local needs and resources.

Cancer

The Lymphoma Association provides free information and emotional support to anyone affected by lymphoma whether they are the patient, carer, friend, relative or health care professional

 Yes to Life directly support people with cancer in obtaining an integrative approach to treatment (the best of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) with orthodox approaches) to extend care, widen choice and improve results.

Yes to Life provides a help line, on-line directory of CAM treatments and practitioners, wellbeing workshops on non-toxic lifestyle choices, and help with setting up personal funding schemes

www.myutopia.co was set up by Simon Lyon who healed himself from cancer using an alkaline diet. Now he helps others that want advice do the same. After much research myutopia focuses on pinacle alternative treatments which may help to reverse all kinds of diseases, but also plans to go one further by educating and empowering people with the knowledge and cutting edge fully researched equipment on the market to create utopia for themselves. In essence although it seems hard to believe, a better life than you're leading now or led before is possible and with willingness and some effort it's acheivable. Simon works from the beauty clinic Natural Beauty by Chantal in Danbury and offers free consultations. If you would like to book you can contact him through his website at www.myutopia.co. 

Carers

Amicus is a site designed for carers offering peace of mind for carers 365 days of the Year

Best Care Home - Everything you need to know if you are looking for the best care in England. We provide information about the best care homes and agencies alongside personal recommendations from the people that know them best - residents, relatives, visitors and staff.

Carers Support West Wilts exists for any unpaid Carer living in West Wiltshire. We offer free and confidential one-to-one emotional support, information, social groups and many other services which could be beneficial to you as a Carer.

Carers In Wiltshire is a website representing all 4 Carers Support agencies in Wiltshire. It features caring-relevant news, a carers chat feature, law and legislation and lots of other useful information for Carers living in Wiltshire.

Parentchannel.tv is a new website that gives free, on-demand advice to parents and carers of 5-19 year olds; providing realistic and practical advice in a fast, easy and new format. The online resource has been tailor-made for parents and provides quality, short video clips packed with useful, down-to-earth guidance from parents, experts and children. Click here to view the carers video.

Professional Carers Association - Professional support organisation for qualified careworkers.

Children

WIPE AWAY THOSE TEARS has no cures to offer and all too often some of our wishes will end in sadness, but during desperate times when there seems to be no hope, we aim to WIPE AWAY THOSE TEARS and to bring a sparkle into needy children's lives no matter how big or small. A wish granted brings a time of magic and joy and the courage that these very special children show should inspire us all. Our aim is to help special deserving children in our local area. Wipe Away Those Tears only help children within the Essex area.

Chromosomes

Unique is a source of information and support to families and individuals affected by any rare chromosome disorder and to the professionals who work with them. Established in 1984, Unique is a UK-based charity (1110661) but welcomes members worldwide. Unique, offers contact with families with an affected member who has the same rare chromosome disorder or, who has similar symptoms or practical concerns, irrespective of specific chromosome disorder. It produces a comprehensive range of family-friendly, medically-verified information guides on a variety of rare chromosome disorders. There is a network of local contacts worldwide and Unique promotes awareness of rare chromosome disorders to the general public and professionals. It co-ordinates families to assist in research and has password-protected discussion forums for registered members, it also has social networking sites on facebook, twitter, etc. It publishes a magazine three times a year. Unique hosts occasional study weekends on individual disorders and a family conference weekend. Unique has over 7,000 affected families and many professionals as members worldwide in 77 countries.

Dementia

Dementia UK is a national charity, which is committed to improving quality of life for all people affected by dementia. The charity supports and develops Admiral Nurses, specialist dementia nurses working within community and other settings and runs the helpline Admiral Nursing DIRECT. In addition we coordinate Uniting Carers, a national network of carers, former carers, family and friends of people with dementia who use their experiences to make a difference and to raise awareness of dementia.

Food & Health 

Polly Noble is a holistic health coach who shares through her website her tips and insights on how to create health and wellness in everyday life. She gives people the knowledge to make better food choices to help them boost their energy and vitality levels. Polly's philosophy is all about making small changes which make the big difference. Polly became passionate about health back in 2005 when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She began to research various different diets in order to discover the best way to nutritionally support her body and help boost her immune-system and all-round health. For health information, recipes or health coaching, visit www.pollynoble.com

Hypnotherapy for Pain

 Hypnotherapy Directory - Find out more information about how hypnotherapy can help manage pain, as well as how hypnosis can help in many other areas. You can also search the directory to find a hypnotherapist in your area.

IVF Treatment and Support

IVF Support Services offers Support, Guidance and Advice to all those investigating, embarking upon or experiencing fertility treatment and all treatments associated with it. 

Learning Disabilities

Netbuddy - Find over 700 great tips from other parents, teachers and therapists - people with everyday experience of learning disability.

Mental Health

Find help and support with the Counselling Directory. The site lists professional counsellors and psychotherapists from all over the UK. You can search by postcode, town or county to find help in your local area. This is a free and confidential service for all

SANE works to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness, and ensure individual levels of treatment, care and compassion. SANE offers specialist help 365 days a year: SERVICES: Providing emotional support, care and information for people impacted by mental health problems through dedicated, practical Services: SANEline; SANEmail & askTheSite; Discussion Board; Caller Care. RESEARCH: Investigating the causes, nature and impact of mental health problems through neuroscientific, psychological and social research. CAMPAIGNING: Raising awareness; combating stigma; educating and working to improve mental health services.

The website of the Mental Health Foundation outlines the charity's work in research, policy, service development and service user involvement. The site offers information and publications to download on research, good practice in services and on mental health problems and key issues. It provides a daily mental health news service and directories of organisations, websites and events. Website visitors can use forums and bulletin boards, join a mailing list and find out how to support the organisation.

Multiple Sclerosis

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) is a proactive and innovative charity, passionately committed to supporting anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis through access to unbiased information and advice. Our approach is to encourage individuals to make choices that are appropriate to their daily lives, empowering them to maximise their potential. 

Shift.ms is a community for young people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Users can share, support and interact with each other throughout the site. Shift.ms is a web-based charity for young people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We recognize that one size doesn't fit all, so our aim is to provide MS'ers with a platform to share their experiences with others in similar situations to help you get to grips with MS. 

The Berkshire MS Therapy Centre provides a centre of excellence for the provision of therapies, information and practical and emotional support for people with multiple sclerosis, their carers and families in Berkshire and surrounding area. We offer physical therapies in a comfortable and friendly environment to aid symptom management, promoting and enabling independence to improve well being and quality of life. Working closely with the NHS and other Healthcare Professionals we provide long-term, individual support.

Products

Homecare Products - If you or someone you care for has a condition that makes everyday tasks difficult you can still enjoy life to the full and remain at home with our wide range of innovative products. We have products for: Getting out & about; Around your home; Your comfort; Personal care; Eating & drinking; Enjoying life If you have any questions at all you can talk to our Occupational Therapist when you visit our website at www.homecare-products.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call our friendly, helpful, Wiltshire based customer service team who will be able to assist you in taking your order and answering any questions that you may have

Sight

VICTA was set up by parents of blind and partially sighted children who were struggling to meet the needs of their children. VICTA now supports visually impaired children and young people nationally by providing funding for equipment and offering advice and encouragement to parents.
More information about VICTA can be found on our website

The Spine

The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) - Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury, and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone. Most spinal cord injuries result in paralysis, and the impact of an injury can turn lives upside down. With the right support and information, people can still enjoy a full and independent life after injury. The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA): • Support spinal cord injured individuals and their families from the moment their injury occurs for the rest of their lives, • Provide services and publications that enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives • Campaign for improved medical and social care for spinal cord injury.

Special Needs

AllAboutSpecialNeeds.com - If you are involved with special needs or disability – in whatever capacity – then our aim is that you might find some "useful stuff" here, or indeed contribute some "useful stuff", to help make your life, or somebody else's, a little easier. 

The LIME Magazine is a resource/support mechanism for parents and carers of children with all special needs.

Technology

MedicAlert is the only non-profit making, registered charity providing a life-saving identification system for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. This takes the form of body-worn bracelets or necklets (known as MedicAlert Emblems) bearing the MedicAlert symbol on the disc and supported by a 24 hour emergency telephone service. Each member receives an Emblem that is engraved with the wearer's main medical condition(s) or vital details, a personal ID number and a 24 hour emergency telephone number which accepts reverse charge calls that allows emergency and medical professionals to access their details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages. 

Trusts

Cairn Trust Management is a company that manages trusts for people with impaired capacity or who are in receipt of means-tested benefits or community care. They provide advice and assistance to families and professionals on 'planning for the future'. They combine trust experience with an understanding of the benefits systems, social work responsibilities and community care. They have strong connections with the voluntary sector and can offer a rounded approach bringing together services and support from a range of voluntary, statutory and private sources to meet the needs of an individual. They work with families to create a personal management and spending plan for the trust with the overarching aim of using all resources available to improve the beneficiary's life.