Support, information and advice
Useful places to go for information and advice to support you in your caring role
Carers Direct
This is a free, confidential advice and information service to help you as a carer. You can telephone the Carers Direct support line to speak to somebody about being a carer, or visit the website for information.
Information, advice and support for carers covering:
- Financial and legal advice;
- A guide to caring;
- Advice for young carers;
- Your wellbeing;
- Work and study;
- Carer's lives;
- Advice on Carer's Allowance; and
- A guide to the Carer's Assessment.
Visit the Carers Direct website
Useful contacts
Carers Direct
Phone: 0300 123 1053 (9am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays), 11am to 4pm at weekends)
Web: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
The Carers Direct support line is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday, and 11.00am to 4.00pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.
Useful Web Links for Carers
These are some useful links to national support services for carers. They can provide advice and information. Some of these organisations campaign nationally to get improved services for carers.
The National Careline
Web: www.thenationalcareline.org
Carers UK
Web: www.carersuk.org
Carerstrust
Web: www.carers.org
Gov.uk Carers Page
Web: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/index.htm
Carers support groups run by Havering Carers' Hub
The groups listed below can provide advice, support and information to all carers.
Mental Health Support Groups
For carers of someone with Mental Health issues.
Meet EVERY LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH in the evening at 6.30 at the Romford Baptist Church, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BL. For more information please call us on 01708 961111.
Carers Peer Support Group
All Carers Welcome. Meet EVERY WEDNESDAY from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Community Reach House, 32-34 The High Street, Romford RM1 1HR. For more information please call us on 01708 961111.
Carers'Turkish Support Group
Meet EVERY LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH from 11am to 12.30pm at the RAPHAEL'S RESTAURANT, 43 Main Road, Romford RM2 5EB. For more information please call us on 01708 961111.
Dementia Support Groups
For carers of someone with dementia, Alzheimer's or memory loss.
Meets every Friday afternoon from 1.30 to 3pm at Memory Lane Resource Centre, Porters Avenue, Dagenham RM8 2EQ.
Social evenings at Memory Lane
Social events for people caring for someone with dementia or memory loss. These fun filled evenings are held on the first Tuesday of the every month, 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Places need to be booked and the cost of £5 per person needs to be paid a week before the event. For more information or to book your place please call 020 8984 9940 and speak to Janet at Carers of Barking and Dagenham.
Remember – being a carer is really hard work. Getting in touch with a support group like these can really help you to feel supported in your caring role.
Other groups supported by organisations in the borough
Havering Dementia Carers Support Group
Meet EVERY MONDAY from 10:30am to 12pm at the 2A Newmarket Way, Hornchurch RM12 6DS. For more information please contact Pam Shippen on 07811344523 email: pam.shippen@gmail.com Or Pam Rossi 07803170560 email: pam.rossi@ntlworld.com.
Music for the Mind
Meet EVERY FRIDAY from 1pm to 3pm at Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR. For more information please contact Pam Shippen on 07811344523 email: pam.shippen@gmail.com Or Pam Rossi 07803170560 email: pam.rossi@ntlworld.com.
Havering Association for People with Disabilities (HAD)
Havering Association for People with Disabilities (H.A.D) provide a broad range of services and activities for People with Physical Disabilities and Carers in the London Borough of Havering with the object of improving their quality of life, promote independence and meet their physical, emotional and recreational needs. For more information about their services click HERE Or contact on 01708 476554 email: admin@hadhavering.co.uk
Tapestry
Tapestry has a wide range of support for Carers. For more information, please call 01708 796600 or email: hello@tapestry-uk.org Or visit their website by clicking HERE
Havering Asian Woman’s Association
Tel: 01708 522789 email: office@haswa.org.uk website: www.haswa.org
SCCP - Social Care Community Programme
Address: 40 Argyle Road, Ilford, Essex, IG11 3BG
Phone: 020 8554 3377
Attention Deficit Disorders Uniting Parents (ADD+UP)
Provides support and guidance to families of children with ADD/ADHD and associated disorders.
T: 01708 454 040 E: addup@addup.co.uk
Age UK East London
We offer a range of services to people in later life covering the continuum across changing needs as people age.
T: 01708 724 187 E: info@ageukeastlondon.org.uk
Asian woman’s Association of Havering
Supports Asian women and their children where English is not their first language. Arranges trips and celebrates Asian and Muslim festivals.
T: 01708 444 732
British Red Cross – Help not Hospital
The Help Not Hospital Service is to assist people with low to moderate needs, for up to 6 weeks, to improve their quality of life and increase their confidence and independence, whilst enhancing their personal dignity and safety.
T: 07950 915 708
Carers Trust EHHR
Provides a range of services both for children and adults including services which provide respite for carers of people with varying disabilities, chronic and life-limiting illness provided at home or in the local community.
T: 01708 757242 E: info@carerstrustehhr.org
www.carerstrustcrossroadsehhr.org
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Havering Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent local charity. The information and advice service covers all areas of advice, ranging from debt, benefits, housing and employment.
T: 01708 763531 E: advice@haveringcab.org.uk
DABD (UK)
Provides wheelchairs for occasional usage or short-term loan to assist people with broken limbs or who have just been discharged from hospital. It is a dial a wheelchair service.
T: 0208 592 8603 E: info@dabd.org.uk
Diabetes UK Havering support group
The aim of the Havering Group is to promote the work of Diabetes UK in our local area and to provide help and support to those people living with Diabetes, along with their families and carers. If you are a person with Diabetes or carer and need help, then you are invited to any of our meetings. T: 01708 473314 E: debbie.broom@tesco.net
Di’s Diamonds
We are a group of men and women living in Havering, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham, from all walks of life and backgrounds, single or partnered, aged 50+, who want to meet people and make friends and get out and about.
M: 07724 508 967 T: 020 8220 6000
E: disdiamonds@ageukrbh.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk/redbridgebarkinghavering
Family Information Group (FIG)
Support to families in Havering including a play scheme where children and young people are allocated places for during the summer. Transport is provided. Trips and on site activities are based on the needs of the children and young people.
T: 01708 378141 E: office@familyinformationgroup.co.uk
http://familyinformationgroup.co.uk
Family Mosaic
Family Mosaic provide an intensive floating support service in Havering and other area's to support customers to sustain their tenancies, access housing and help with any budgeting issues
T: 01708 776 770/790 E: haveringfloatingsupport@familymosaic.co.uk
First Step
Provides a range of services for preschool children aged 0-4 years who have special needs and/or disabilities.
T: 01708 556355 E: enquiries@firststep.org.uk
Hard of Hearing Group
A self-help group that meets at Yew Tree Resource Centre, Romford to share experiences and tips for communication.
T: 01708 724067
Havering Alzheimer’s Society
Provides a range of support services for people with dementia, their families and carers. Services include a monthly dementia cafe, social inclusion projects plus support & activities group.
T: 01708 739 293
Havering Asian Woman’s Association
Promotes a social culture integration and awareness along with the provision of facilities for recreation including yoga, Sahara carer’s group, lunch clubs, social and cultural events.
T: 01708 522789 E: office@haswa.org.uk
Havering Association for People with Disabilities (HAD)
Havering Association for People with Disabilities provide a broad range of services and activities for People with Disabilities & Carers in the London Borough of Havering with the object of improving quality of life, promote independence & meet their physical, emotional & recreational needs
T: 01708 476554 E: admin@hadhavering.co.uk
Havering Association for the Support of People with Learning Disabilities and their Carers
Promotes the welfare and best interests of people with learning disabilities, their carers and family members living in Havering.
T: 01708 769993
Havering Dementia Action Alliance
The Dementia Action Alliance is a movement with one simple aim: to bring about a society-wide response to dementia. It encourages and supports communities and organisations across England to take practical actions to enable people to live well with dementia and reduce the risk of costly crisis intervention.
Havering & Brentwood Bereavement Service
Provides one-to-one counselling for adults and children to support with bereavement.
T: 01708 476912
E: enquiries@hbbs.counselling.org
Havering Community Transport
The service provides low-cost, accessible transport within the borough, exclusively serving elderly and disabled members of the community, member organisations and statutory authorities.
Havering Disabled Sports Association
The service provides sporting activities for all disabled people including bowls, darts, archery and snooker.
T: 01708 746246
Havering Family Diabetes Group
Providing advice and support to people suffering with diabetes, their families, friends and carers.
E: haveringfamilydiabetesgroup@btinternet.com
www.haveringfamilydiabetesgroup.org.uk
Havering Islamic Cultural Centre
Provides classes in Arabic, Urdu and computing. Service users also have access to a Library and the centre for events.
E: hicc@btinternet.com or enquiry@haveirngislamiccentre.co.uk
www.haveringislamiccentre.co.uk
Havering mind
Provides information, support and advice for carers of people with mental health conditions, including befriending, and referral enablement pathway services.
T: 01708 457040
Email: reach.us@haveringmind.org.uk
Hindu Cultural Society of Havering: Support & Access for Vulnerable Adults
Provides support to vulnerable adults, including carers, with information about local support services and an opportunity to meet and receive professional advice.
Email: fis@havering.gov.uk
Hindu Welfare Association of Essex
The services provided include:
• Advancement of Hindu tradition
• Support to the Hindi community
• Hindu cultural centre
T: 01708 347628/01708 443569
E: hinduawelfare@googlemail.com
hinduwa.org.uk
Home Start Havering
Provides support to families who are struggling to cope with postnatal illness, a child’s disability, family breakdown or bereavement or feel isolated and unable to connect with their local community.
T: 01708 455551
E: info@homestarthavering.co.uk
Imago – Havering young carers
Imago Young Carers will enable Young Carers aged 8-18 to receive some respite from their caring responsibilities, socialise with their peers and receive tailored support and information. We provide social groups for Young Carers - Chill Clubs. T: 0300 111 1110 E: hello@haveringyoungcarers.org.uk www.imago.community
Macular Disease Society - Havering
Provides social inclusion and peer support.
Contact Glenda on:
T: 07903 379 499
Multiple Sclerosis Society
A support service for those affected by multiple sclerosis. Meetings are held at the Yew Tree Resource Centre, Romford RM7 9AA on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Transport is available for members to attend meetings.
Parkinsons Disease Society
Members meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday monthly at Langtons Social Hall, between 2pm and 4pm.
T: 0808 800 0303
Partially Sighted Society
Provides advice and information for visually impaired people to help them socialise with each other and encourage independent living by holding demonstrations of specialist equipment.
Positive Parents
Positive parents provide for parent/ carers of young people with learning disabilities, information and advice to influence decisions that affect them and their families and to contribute to developing services that meet their needs.
E: info@positiveparentshavering.org.uk
www.positiveparentshavering.org.uk
Realistic Opportunities for Supported Employment
The programme aims to secure paid work placements for students with learning difficulties, to gain confidence and life skills.
E: rose@havering-college.ac.uk
Relate North East London
This service offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone or website.
E: enquiries@relatelondonnortheast.org.uk
Romford Autistic Group Support (RAGS)
This service is managed by parents of children with Autism/Aspergers Syndrome. They provide information, guidance and support as well as many opportunities for parents and carers to get together in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.
T: 01708 564 871 E: info@rags-havering.org.uk
Samaritans of Havering
Samaritans provide confidential nonjudgmental support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia
Support Group of bdh
Supports people with either sickle cell
or thalassaemia conditions. They hold
awareness promotions, focus groups,
befriending, home/hospitals visits, advice on
seeking welfare benefits, advocacy and social
events.
T: 01708 769 864 E: bdh02@msn.com
Sight Action - Havering
Provides a telephone befriending service for housebound, sight impaired residents.
Email: enquiries@sightaction.org.uk
www.sightactionhavering.org.uk
St Francis Hospice
Saint Francis Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist care to anyone affected by a life-limiting illness either through its own services or via education and training of other care providers
T: 01708 753319 Email: mail@sfh.org.uk
Sycamore Trust
Support for families in Havering living with autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties. They offer a range of support groups and activities for all the family.
T:0208 517 9317/0208 262 5330 Email: autismhub@sycamoretrust.org.uk
Talking Therapies
Everyday life can be tough for anyone. Our talking therapies for Havering are free, confidential NHS services that can help with a range of problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, bereavement and relationship problems.
T 0300 300 1554 (option 2)
Email: haveringtakingtherapies@nhs.net
Tapestry
Provides a ‘one-stop shop’ service for older people and their carers, with information on services, practical support like form-filling and signposting to other organisations.
Email: hello@tapestry-uk.org
Victim Support Group
Victim Support is a national charity who supports victims and witnesses of crime, regardless of whether the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened. They offer free emotional and practical support and advocacy with other agencies.
T: 020 8550 2410
Volunteer Centre
The Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC) is a local charity that will help you find the perfect volunteering opportunity. We need volunteers for a wide variety of non-profit organisations and groups across the London Borough of Havering.
T: 01708 922 214
E: volunteering@haveringvc.org.uk
Wize Up
We’re a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for young people aged between 10 and 18. We won’t judge and we won’t tell you what to do. We are here to listen and to support you to make the positive changes that you want.
T: 01708 434545
M: 07909097621 / 07730529052
www.changegrowlive.org/young-people
Yew Tree Day Reablement Service
Provides the opportunity for people with physical and sensory disabilities to access a variety of training activities to help them regain optimum independence, choices and control over their lives.
T: 01708 434 566
YMCA (Romford)
Provides exercise groups for people with special needs, including stroke rehabilitation, Boccia and a fully equipped gym with accessibility for wheelchairs.
T: 01708 766211 E: info.romford@ymcatg.org
National Organisations
Alzheimer’s Association
T: 0300 222 1122
British Heart Foundation
T: 0300 330 3322
Carers Direct
T: 0300 123 1053
Carers Trust
T: 0844 800 4361
Email: info@carers.org
www. carers.org
Carers UK
T: 0808 808 7777
Childline
T: 0800 1111
Citizens Advice Bureau
T: 03444 111 444
Cruse Bereavement Care
T: 0808 808 1677
Department of Work and Pensions – Benefits/Pension Advice
0800 121 4600
Diabetes UK
T: 0345 123 2399
Disability Rights UK
T: 0330 995 0400
Email: enquiries@disabilityrightsuk.org
Family Fund
T: 01904 550055
HM Revenue and Customs – N.I. Enquiries
T: 0300 200 3500
MIND
T: 0300 123 3393
Multiple Sclerosis Society
T: 0300 500 8084
Email: supportercare@mssociety.org.uk
National Autistic Society
T: 0808 800 4104
Email: supportercare@nas.org.uk.
Samaritans
T: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Silver line
T: 0800 470 8090
Email: info@thesilverline.org.uk
Stroke Association
T: 0303 303 3100
Email: info@stroke.org.uk
Victim Support
T: 0808 168 9291
Working Families
T: 020 7253 7243
Young Minds
T: 0808 802 5544
youngminds.org.uk
Other key local contacts and services
The Public Advice and Service Centre (PASC)
The Council has a Public Advice and Service
Centre (PASC) where you can access information on a range of local services. This is located in Romford’s Liberty Shopping Centre. Lifts and stairs to the PASC are located via the walkway between H&M and NEXT shops, opposite the parking ticket machines
T: 01708 434 590
Healthwatch Havering
Giving people a powerful voice to help and shape services for the future:
T: 01708 303 300
E: enquiries@healthwatchhavering.co.uk
NELFT Mental Health Direct
North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) provides an extensive range of mental health and community health services for people living in the London boroughs of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge, Waltham Forest and
South West Essex (community health services).
T: 0300 555 1200 Emergency: 0300 555 1000
Havering Shop Mobility
Havering Shop Mobility operates a wheelchair loan service, providing a choice of manual wheelchairs and powered scooters. This service is based in The Liberty Shopping Mall and The Brewery Site in Romford
T: 01708 722 570
Dial a ride
If you are disabled and cannot use public
transport, try Dial-a-Ride. It is free, door-to-door, and great for getting out and about.
Use Dial-A-Ride for shopping, visiting friends
and family, travelling to recreational activities such as the theatre. Do not use Dial-a-Ride for hospital appointments, getting to and from work, travelling from Council day centres and school. If you need help for these journeys contact your GP, Jobcentre Plus, the day centre manager or school administrator
T: 0343 222 7777
SEND Information and Advice Support Service (SENDIASS)
This service offers Independent Information, Advice and Support for parents, carers, young people and children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or disabilities about education, health and social care.
T: 01708 433 885
Havering SEND Local Offer
The service will ensure that information is made available to all users in a variety of formats.
