Signposting page

Other support and useful information

Welcome to our Signposting page

Organisations are listed alphabetically according to National or Regional areas, with generalised support separate from specific areas of need.
Please check the information on websites to determine individual circumstances where support is available.

Regional

South Gloucestershire

Click to access document

Bristol

Click to access document

Gloucestershire

Click to access document

Bath and N.E Somerset

Click to access document

National – General Support

The Brain Charity

Practical help, emotional support, and support and social activities for anyone with a neurological condition in the UK and their family, friends, and carers.

www.thebraincharity.org.uk

Brandon Trust

Playlink scheme, mentoring, supported living, enterprises and employment projects.

www.brandontrust.org

Carers Card UK

Wellbeing hub, carers circle tool, discounts, guides, QR code enabling accessible carers plan.

www.carerscarduk.co.uk

Cerebra

Book and toy library. Targeted advice, guidance, template letters and downloadable booklets on education and transport, DLA and accessing public services, sleep, toilet training and continence, behaviour, legal, financial, and social advice.

www.cerebra.org.uk

Contact

Information, signposting, support, helpline, shop for aids, equipment and clothes for variety of disabilities.

www.contact.org.uk

ERIC


Dedicated to improving children’s bladder and bowel health and reducing the impact on children and their families. Helpline, shop, training, resources and support.

www.eric.org.uk

Family Fund

Providing grants for families with children with disabilities on low incomes. Information and news on wider support.

www.familyfund.org.uk

Freeways

Supporting 18–25-year-olds with learning disabilities and/or autism to develop skills and confidence to access the community and activities.

www.freeways.org.uk

IPSEA Independent Provider of Special Educational Needs Advice

Legal advice, training, helpline, template letters.

www.ipsea.org.uk

Mencap

Range of activities and clubs for children, young people, and adults

www.mencap.org.uk

NHS

General descriptions of conditions, assessment options, treatments, prognosis and other information and links for support.

www.nhs.uk/conditions

The School Exclusion Project

Providing free legal advice and representation for children facing permanent exclusion.

www.schoolexclusionproject.com

Scope

Advice and support, online community, Helpline, employment support services.

www.scope.org.uk

Sense

Supporting people with complex disabilities. Providing advice and support, local groups, virtual buddying, short breaks, education and work, sibling and carer support, MSI specialists.

www.sense.org.uk

Sibs

For the support of siblings of disabled people.

www.sibs.org.uk

The Sleep Charity

Information and support for sleep difficulties in children and adults. Helpline. 

www.thesleepcharity.org.uk

SOSSEN

Helping you secure the right SEN provision for your child.

www.sossen.org.uk

Wellchild

Making it possible for children and young people with exceptional health needs to be cared for in their own home wherever possible.

www.wellchild.org.uk

National – Specific Areas

Autism

The Autism Page

Information, support, free resources, and a shop.

www.theautismpage.com

National Autistic Society

Services directory, online community, advice and guidance, diagnostic services, support in the community through local branches.

www.autism.org.uk

The PDA Society (Pathological Demand Avoidance)

Information, training and support for PDA people, parents and carers, and professionals.

www.pdasociety.org.uk

Wecil

Offering a range of services depending on where you live to support families ranging through youth programmes, play programmes, short breaks, 1:1 support, holiday playschemes and befriending.

www.wecil.org.uk

ADHD

ADDitude

Information, advice and support for people with ADHD and related conditions. Tests, treatments, parenting tips, and webinars.

www.additudemag.com

ADHD UK

Podcasts, advice and support around screening, diagnosis, and the education system.

www.adhd.co.uk

ADHD Foundation

Training, private assessment, events, webinars, and information for educators, healthcare professionals, adults, and families.

www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

Specific Learning Difficulties

Dyscalculia Information Centre

Information, resources, and signposting.

www.dyscalculia.me.uk

The Dyslexia Association

Support and services for dyslexic children, adults, their parents/families, educators and communities.

www.dyslexia.uk.net

Sensory Disabilities

Afasic

Written information, videos, online courses, and helpline www.afasic.org.uk

Deafblind UK

Helpline, textline, information, and support for families experiencing deaf blindness.

www.deafblind.org.uk

Guide Dogs

Information, support, customised books in larger or dyslexia friendly font (Custom Eyes Books), Helpline. 

www.guidedogs.org.uk

I CAN

Free resources and information. Speech and language therapists.

www.icancharity.org.uk

Royal National Institute for Deaf People

Helpline, shop, specialised radio station, social events, Facebook group, advice and support.

www.rnid.org.uk

Sensory Support Service

Providing support and advice to children and young people with sensory impairment aged 0-25, their families, and educational settings across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bristol and North East Somerset.

www.bristol.gov.uk-sensory support service

Sight Support West of England

Information, advice, events and exhibitions, resource centres, magazine and social events.

www.sightsupportwest.org.uk

Speech and Language UK

Information on signs and symptoms, ages and stages, and a progress checker. Resource library. Speech and language therapist advice line and webinars.

www.speechandlanguage.org.uk

Mental Health

Beating Eating Disorders

Helpline, webchat or email. Support for sufferer and family/friends.

www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Happy Maps

Support and advice for children of all ages. Helpline, ability to email for advice. 1:1 counselling and BSL interpreter available.

www.happymaps.co.uk

KOOTH

Free, safe and anonymous support. 1:1 professional online support and monitored online forums, and podcasts.

www.kooth.com

MIND

Information and advice, online peer support, helpline.

www.mind.org.uk

Genetic Conditions

Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Helpline, WhatsApp chat, forum peer support, information, grants.

www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk

Downs Syndrome Association

Helpline, support and information.

www.downsyndromeuk.co.uk

Genetic Alliance UK

Support, information, and resources.

www.geneticalliance.org.uk

Klinefelter Syndrome Association

Helpline, support, library, and events.

www.ksa-uk.net

Muscle Help Foundation

Delivering transformational interventions, experiences, or moments-in-time across the U.K. for vulnerable children, young people, or young adults aged 8-28 years with Muscular Dystrophy and their families.

www.musclehelp.com

Muscular Dystrophy UK

Helpline, What’s app support groups, support, information, peer support.

www.musculardystrophyuk.org

Turner Syndrome Support Society

Helpline, localised friendship groups, information and resources.

www.tss.org.uk

Movement and Neurological Disorders

Cerebral Palsy

Support, information, and signposting.

www.cerebralpalsy.org.uk

Dystonia UK

Information and support, webinars, podcasts, local support groups.

www.dystonia.org.uk

Epilepsy Action

Helpline, befriending, support, information, and training.

www.epilepsy.org.uk

Epilepsy Society

Helpline, information and support.

www.epilepsysociety.org.uk

Hypermobility Syndrome Association

Helpline, events, information on connective tissue disorders including hypermobility syndrome and EDS.

www.hypermobility.org

Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus – Shine.

Regional support groups, events, network of peers, help and advice, twice yearly magazine.

www.shinecharity.org.uk

Tourettes Action

Helpdesk, support groups, events, information, resources.

www.tourettes-action.org.uk

Young Epilepsy

Support, information, resources, and training for children, young people, carers/parents, and professionals impacted by epilepsy.

www.youngepilepsy.org.uk

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