Useful Contacts Information and Advice Directory
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Useful contacts Information and advice directory Travel & lifestyle AgeUKIG10 Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. With almost 120 years of combined history to draw on, we are bringing together our talents, services and solutions to do more to enrich the lives of people in later life. The Age UK family includes Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland. There are also more than 150 local Age UKs. This information guide has been prepared by Age UK and contains general advice only, which we hope will be useful. Nothing in this guide should be construed as specific advice and it should not be relied on as a basis for any decision or action. The Age UK Group does not accept any liability arising from its use. We aim to ensure that the information is as up to date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that certain areas are subject to change from time to time. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, companies, products, services or publications in this information guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the Age UK Group. This guide was printed in April 2010 and updated in June 2011. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this guide is correct. However, things do change, so it is always a good idea to seek expert advice on your personal situation. Date of publication: June 2011 © Age UK 2011 Contents Introduction 2 What Age UK can do for you 3 General help 6 Consumer issues 8 Employment and rights at work 12 Social care 15 Health 23 Housing and crime 31 Legal issues 36 Money matters 39 Leisure and travel 45 End-of-life support 51 1 Useful contacts Introduction Knowing where to go for information and advice can be the turning point in solving a problem. But how do you know where to go and whether the advice offered is reliable and up-to-date? We have put together this handy directory to help. It covers: • consumer issues • employment and rights at work • social care • health • housing and crime • legal issues • money matters • leisure and learning • end-of-life support. We have also highlighted how we can help with information and advice and with products (including commercial products) and services. This guide is applicable across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 2 Useful contacts What Age UK can do for you Our information and advice services Age UK is the leading charity for people in later life. We provide advice and information for people in later life through helplines‚ publications and online. We publish over 40 information guides and 70 detailed factsheets on a variety of topics, including social care, housing, benefits and money, employment, consumer issues and health. Call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 65 65 to order any of our publications or to seek advice. Lines are open 8am–7pm, 365 days a year. You can also download the information guides and factsheets from our website at www.ageuk.org.uk. Age Cymru and Age Scotland publish some factsheets with a focus on Wales and Scotland. Age UK Tavis House 1–6 Tavis House London WC1H 9NA Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65 www.ageuk.org.uk 3 Useful contacts Age Cymru Tŷ John Pathy 13/14 Neptune Court Vanguard Way Cardiff CF24 5PJ Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65 www.agecymru.org.uk Age NI 3 Lower Crescent Belfast BT7 1NR Tel: 0808 808 7575 www.ageni.org Age Scotland Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Tel: 0845 125 9732 www.agescotland.org.uk Note Calls to 0845 numbers are charged at local rate and may be recorded to improve customer service. 4 Useful contacts Your local Age UK, Age Cymru, Age NI or Age Scotland may also be able to provide you with direct support. We all offer a range of services which vary from charity to charity but include, for example: • help at home • bereavement support groups • information and advice • befriending schemes • handyperson schemes • advocacy services • nail-cutting service • transport schemes • help with claiming benefits • exercise classes • day centres. To find your local Age UK/Age Concern* call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 65 65. *Many of our local partners will remain Age Concern for a while yet. 5 Useful contacts General help Some organisations can help with a variety of issues. If you’re not sure where to begin, one of these might be a good place to start. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. To find details of your nearest CAB in: England or Wales, go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk Northern Ireland, go to www.citizensadvice.co.uk CAB provides information on the law and your rights at www.adviceguide.org.uk Directgov The official government website, providing information on public services such as benefits, jobs, pensions and health services. www.direct.gov.uk In Northern Ireland, visit NI Direct at nidirect.gov.uk 6 Useful contacts Stonewall Works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. Provides a range of publications on topics such as hate crime, health, housing and bullying. Tower Building York Road London SE1 7NX Info line: 08000 50 20 20 Textphone: 020 7633 0759 www.stonewall.org.uk In Wales, contact Stonewall Cymru 3rd Floor, Transport House 1 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9SB www.stonewallcymru.org.uk 7 Useful contacts Consumer issues It’s important to know your consumer rights, from what to do if your energy company sends you a wrong bill, to what action to take if you are mis-sold a product on the doorstep. Age UK We publish a range of resources on consumer issues, from our information guides Your consumer rights and Avoiding scams to detailed factsheets on how to complain. Tel: 0800 169 65 65 www.ageuk.org.uk Consumer Council Represents consumers in Northern Ireland on a wide variety of issues. 116 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 1NY Tel: 028 9067 2488 www.consumercouncil.org.uk Consumer Council for Water Independent voice for customers of water and sewerage companies. It provides advice on making a complaint against the service providers and its website has answers to frequently asked questions. 1st Floor Victoria Square House Victoria Square Birmingham B2 4AJ Tel: 0845 039 2837 Email: [email protected] www.ccwater.org.uk 8 Useful contacts In Wales, contact Consumer Council for Water Wales Room 140, Caradog House 1–6 St Andrew’s Place Cardiff CF10 3BE Tel: 08457 078 267 Email: [email protected] Consumer Direct Provides clear, practical consumer advice on all types of consumer issues, such as faulty household equipment and problems with energy companies. Tel: 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Consumer Focus Champions consumer interests and provides information on its website. Tel: 020 7799 7900 www.consumerfocus.org.uk Consumer Line Consumer information for Northern Ireland. Tel: 0300 123 6262 www.consumerline.org Energy Ombudsman Investigates complaints about gas or electricity companies. Tel: 0330 440 1624 www.ombudsman-services.org 9 Useful contacts Mailing Preference Service (MPS) Free service funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from lists used by the industry. DMA House 70 Margaret Street London W1W 8SS Tel: 0845 703 4599 Email: [email protected] www.mpsonline.org.uk Ofcom Independent organisation that regulates broadcasting, telecommunications and wireless services in the UK. Can investigate unfair practice and take action to protect consumers. Riverside House 2a Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HA Tel: 020 7981 3000 Email: [email protected] www.ofcom.org.uk Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Encourages businesses to comply with competition and consumer law. Enquiries and Reporting Centre Office of Fair Trading Fleetbank House 2–6 Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX 10 Useful contacts Tel: 020 7211 8000 Email: [email protected] www.oft.gov.uk In Northern Ireland, contact the Department of Consumer Affairs www.detini.gov.uk/deti-consumer-index.htm Ricability National research charity providing independent information to disabled and older consumers about useful products. Unit G03, The Wenlock Business Centre 50–52 Wharf Road London N1 7EU Tel: 020 7427 2460 Textphone: 020 7427 2469 www.ricability.org.uk Telephone Preference Service (TPS) A central opt-out register where individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. DMA House 70 Margaret Street London W1W 8SS TPS registration line: 0845 070 0707 Fax: 020 7323 4226 Email: [email protected] www.tpsonline.org.uk 11 Useful contacts Employment and rights at work There are lots of services offering advice on employment, from how to find work or training to information on your rights at work. Age UK We publish a range of resources on employment issues, from our information guides Working past retirement and Your rights at work to detailed factsheets on age discrimination law. Tel: 0800 169 65 65 www.ageuk.org.uk Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) Information and advice on rights at work and help with resolving employment disputes. It doesn’t provide face-to-face advice but can provide details of your nearest regional office. Helpline: 08457 47 47 47 www.acas.org.uk Business Link Provides advice and training on setting up a business. Call the number below to be connected to your local Business Link. Tel: 0845 600 9006 www.businesslink.gov.uk 12 Useful contacts Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Website containing information on redundancy and employment rights.