Links


Local and National Links Please click on a category name below to view relevant links to external websites*
	Abuse Addictions Advocacy, Brokerage and Counselling Aids and adaptations Black and Minority Ethnic communities Carers Council services - Redcar & Cleveland Direct payments and Individual budgets Disability Movement Employment and Training Gender and Sexuality Health Services HIV/AIDS Housing, Heating and Energy Inspection bodies Learning Disabilities Legal and Welfare Rights Lifestyle, Leisure and Sport Mental Health Services Older People Physical Disability Police and Fire Services Sensory Loss Transport Volunteering Young People
*Disclaimer: This site provides links to web sites provided by others. The web sites referred to have been visited by the site editors, but no responsibility is or will be accepted for the content or accuracy of external sites.

Abuse	Return to Top
www.womensaid.org.uk National	Women's Aid Federation Women's aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.
www.napac.org.uk National	The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) NAPAC is the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. We are a registered charity which provides support and information for people abused in childhood.
www.elderabuse.org.uk National	Action on Elder Abuse Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) works to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older adults.
www.rcwa.org.uk Local	Redcar & Cleveland Women's Aid Redcar and Cleveland Women's Aid is a voluntary organisation which is a confidential service developed, managed and staffed by women for women of all ages and their children to end domestic abuse.
Addictions	Return to Top
www.addaction.org.uk National	Addaction Addaction helps individuals and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk National	Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk National	Gamblers Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.
www.talktofrank.com National	Talk To Frank Worried that someone you know might be on drugs? Visit the Talk to Frank website.
Advocacy, Brokerage and Counselling	Return to Top
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk National	Consumer Direct Consumer Direct's regionally based advisors are specially trained to give practical advice on all kinds of consumer issues - from problems with cars to faulty household appliances.
www.stamprevisited.com Local	Stamp - St Lukes Hospital Stamp Revisited exists to provide free, independent and confidential advocacy to people with mental health issues/problems, supporting them and empowering them to put forward their own views.
Aids and adaptations	Return to Top
www.ricability.org.uk National	Ricability Ricability is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (RICA). We are a national research charity dedicated to providing independent information of value to disabled and older consumers.
www.assist-uk.org National	Assist UK Assist UK leads a UK wide network of local Disabled Living Centres. Each centre has a permanent exhibition of products for easier living.
www.dlf.org.uk National	Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) The DLF provides comprehensive information about equipment and where to get them.
Black and Minority Ethnic communities	Return to Top
www.myh.org.uk National	Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) Muslim Youth Helpline is a registered charity that provides faith and culturally sensitive support services to Muslim Youth in the UK.
www.ethnicminorityfund.org.uk National	The Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) The Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF) works tirelessly to identify and meet the needs of the country's most diverse, deprived and disadvantaged individuals and groups.
Carers	Return to Top
www.carers-together.co.uk Local	Carers Together If you need help, support, information, why not contact Carers Together. You can talk confidentially to someone who understands your situation as a carer.
www.carersuk.org National	Carers UK At Carers UK we want carers to be recognised for the contribution they make to society. We are an organisation of carers fighting to end the financial hardship, ill health and discrimination faced by carers as a direct consequence of caring.
www.crossroads.org.uk National	CrossRoads Crossroads promotes, offers, supports and delivers high quality service for carers and people with care needs.
Council services - Redcar & Cleveland	Return to Top
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Local	Redcar and Cleveland Council Services The website for local council services, geographical area, community links, business and industrial, press releases and recruitment opportunities.
www.teesvalley-jsu.gov.uk Local	Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit The Joint Strategy Unit provides an information and forecasting service to the Tees Valley region, inclusive of Redcar and Cleveland.
Direct payments and Individual budgets	Return to Top
www.necil.org.uk Local	North East Centre for Independent Living (N.E.C.I.L) NECIL are experienced in all aspects of technical and practical support aspects of assisting people to operate and maximise their Direct Payments.
www.dwp.gov.uk National	Department for Work and Pensions We are promoting work as the best form of welfare, helping more people into work and supporting those who can't work.
www.nationaldebtline.co.uk National	National Debt Line Free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
Disability Movement	Return to Top
www.radar.org.uk National	RADAR RADAR is a national network of disability organisations and disabled people.
www.daa.org.uk National	Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) Disability Awareness in Action (DAA) is an international human rights network, run for and by disabled people.
www.peoplefirstltd.com	People First People First is an organisation run by and for people with learning difficulties to raise awareness of and campaign for the rights of people with learning difficulties and to support self advocacy groups across the country.
www.bbc.co.uk/ouch National	Ouch Ouch is a website from the BBC that reflects the lives and experiences of disabled people.
www.disabilityalliance.org National	Disability Alliance Disability Alliance is a national registered charity with the principle aim of relieving the poverty and improving the living standards of disabled people.
Employment and Training	Return to Top
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk National	Job Centre Plus Job Centre Plus is a government agency supporting people of working age from welfare into work, and helping employers to fill their vacancies.
Gender and Sexuality	Return to Top
www.mesmacnortheast.com Local	MESMAC Northeast We are a gay/bisexual men's health project, offering 1 hour HIV tests, advice and information on many different health issues including PEP, counselling, GUM, STI's. We also provide services such as groups help-line and drop-in service.
www.beaumontsociety.org.uk National	Beaumont Society We are the largest and longest established transgendered support group in the UK, and have developed a support network which has been at the forefront of the transgender, transvestite, transsexual and crossdressing community since 1966!
Health Services	Return to Top
www.redcarclevelandpct.nhs.uk Local	Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust Providing healthcare services to Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Guisborough, Skelton, Brotton and Loftus areas.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk National	NHS Direct NHS Direct is at the forefront of 24-hour health care - delivering telephone and e-health information services day and night direct to the public.
www.dh.gov.uk National	Department of Health (DH) The aim of the Department of Health (DH) is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople National	Directgov Public services all in one place
HIV/AIDS	Return to Top
www.thewellproject.org National	The Well Project These articles are especially helpful for those who are newly diagnosed or just beginning to look for information on HIV.
www.tht.org.uk National	Terrence Higgins Trust Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV and AIDS charity in the UK, and the largest in Europe.
Housing, Heating and Energy	Return to Top
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/TVES Local	Tees Valley Energy Savers (TVES) TVES is a partnership between local authorities, local businesses and local communities promoting the benefits of energy efficiency.
www.cch-online.org.uk Local	Coast and Country Housing Coast and Country Housing was set up in 2001 to take over the ownership and management of the housing stock and ancillary housing assets from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council under a Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Initiative (LSVT).
Inspection bodies	Return to Top
www.audit-commission.gov.uk	The Audit Commission We are an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively, to achieve high-quality local services for the public. Our work covers local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services.
www.csci.org.uk	Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) We inspect and report on care services and councils. We are independent but set up by Government to improve social care and stamp out bad practice. We look at the whole picture of adult social care in England. This includes social services teams at councils, care homes and care agencies. We regulate, inspect and review all social care services in the public, private and voluntary sectors in England. We give a star rating to councils and, from 2008, a quality rating to care services.
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk	The Healthcare Commission The Healthcare Commission is the independent inspection body for both the NHS and independent healthcare. It is also responsible for reviewing complaints about the NHS or independent healthcare services in England that have not been resolved locally.
Learning Disabilities	Return to Top
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/upsallhall Local	Upsall Hall We are part of Redcar & Cleveland Health and Adult and Children's Services, Learning Disability Service, providing a range of services and opportunities in: education work skill training employment opportunities
www.middlesbroughmencap.org.uk Local	Middlesbrough Mencap Middlesbrough Mencap Society is a support organisation for people with learning disabilities and their carers.
www.middlesbrough????? Local	Middlesbrough Gateway Club Middlesbrough Gateway Club is a youth and community organisation for people with a learning disability aged over 14 years, and a leisure, recreation and social education resource.
Legal and Welfare Rights	Return to Top
www.equalityhumanrights.com National	Equality and Human Rights Commission The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/Welfare Local	Welfare Rights - Redcar Redcar Welfare Rights provide free, independent, and confidential advice and information about all Social Security benefits and Tax Credits.
www.legalservices.gov.uk National	The Legal Services Commission The Legal Services Commission (LSC) runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. We work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide information, advice and legal representation to people in need.
www.redcar-cab.fsnet.co.uk Local	Citizens Advice Bureau (Redcar) The Citizens Advice Bureau's approach is one of empowering local clients to deal with their problems through providing accurate and current information and advice.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk National	The Citizens Advice Bureau The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,000 locations, and by influencing policymakers.
Lifestyle, Leisure and Sport	Return to Top
www.tourismforall.org.uk National	Tourism for All UK Tourism for All UK is a national registered charity which provides information to people with disabilities and older people in relation to accessible accommodation and other tourism services.
www.holidaycare.org.uk National	Holiday Care If you are a disabled or older person with an interest in travel and holidays, this is the site for you.
www.ablemagazine.co.uk National	Able Magazine UK Able Magazine is the UK's most widely distributed lifestyle magazine for disabled people. Published every two months, Able is a lively, full colour publication, which focuses on what people can do, not what they can't.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/WebSearch.nsf/Search?ReadForm=&query=disability&s=1&e=50 Local	Redcar and Cleveland Council Disability Services A sign posting web page which allows you to locate all of Redcar and Cleveland council's disability services.
Mental Health Services	Return to Top
www.mentalhealthmatters.com National	Mental Health Matters Mental Health Matters is a leading UK mental health charity serving in excess of 1000 people every day.
www.randcmind.org Local	Redcar and Cleveland Mind We are a mental health voluntary organisation affiliated to Mind (National Association for Mental Health). This site tells you more about our local organisation including our values and aims, how we run and what services we provide.
www.tewv.nhs.uk Local	Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust Supports the 1.4 million people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley and North East Yorkshire with a range of mental health, learning disability and addictive behaviour services.
www.mind.org.uk National	Mind Mind's vision is of a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and that treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively, and with respect.
Older People	Return to Top
www.ageconcern.org.uk National	Age Concern The UK's largest charity working with and for older people.
www.ac-teesside.com Local	Age Concern (Teesside) Enabling older people locally to go forward with confidence.
www.alzheimers.org.uk National	Alzheimers Society The UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers.
www.helptheaged.org.uk National	Help the Aged We have a wide range of advice leaflets for older people to help with topics such as healthcare, making a will, housing or leisure.
Physical Disability	Return to Top
www.outsiders.org.uk National	The Outsiders The Outsiders is a self-help group for people with physical and social disabilities. We offer members the chance to contact others, gain more confidence, make new friends and perhaps find a partner.
www.scope.org.uk National	Scope A disability organisation in England and Wales whose focus is people with cerebral palsy.
www.lunguk.org National	British Lung Foundation One person in seven in the UK is affected by a lung disease. Whether it is mild asthma or lung cancer, the British Lung Foundation is here for every one of them.
www.diabetes.org.uk National	Diabetes UK Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.
www.epilepsy.org.uk National	Epilepsy Action We want to live in a society where everyone understands epilepsy and where attitudes are based on fact not fiction.
www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org National	The Fibromyalgia Association UK (FMA UK) The FMA UK is a non-profit making organisation working towards raising awareness of fibromyalgia (FM) in the UK.
www.headwayteesside.org.uk Local	Headway The brain injury association is a registered charity in England. Its aims are to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury and to provide information, support and services to people who have suffered a head injury, their family and carers.
www.bhf.org.uk National	British Heart Foundation Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease.
www.muscular-dystrophy.org National	Muscular Dystrophy Campaign This is the only UK charity focusing on all muscular dystrophies and allied disorders.
www.meassociation.org.uk National	Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) We benefit people with ME (myalgic encephalopathy)/CFS (chronic fatigue symdrome), professionals and all others interested in the illness.
www.mssociety.org.uk National	Multiple Sclerosis (MS) The MS Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
www.parkinsons.org.uk National	Parkinson's Disease Society The Parkinson's Disease Society is the leading charity dedicated to supporting all people with Parkinson's disease, their families, friends and carers.
www.asbah.org National	Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus ASBAH is the leading UK registered charity providing information and advice about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers.
www.spinal.co.uk National	Spinal Injuries Association The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) was set up in 1974 in order to support people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
www.stroke.org.uk National	Strokes Working for a world where there are fewer strokes and all those touched by stroke get the help they need.
Police and Fire Services	Return to Top
www.cleveland.police.uk Local	Cleveland Police Welcome to the website of Cleveland Police, United Kingdom.
www.clevelandfire.gov.uk Local	Cleveland Fire Brigade Serving the local Authority areas of Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland.
Victim Support Teesside Website Local	Victim Support Teesside Victim Support Teesside helps local residents cope with the effects of crime.
Sensory Loss	Return to Top
www.rnib.org.uk National	Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) We are the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss.
www.rnid.org.uk National	Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people.
www.guidedogs.org.uk National	The Guide dogs for the blind Association Our work has been transforming the lives of many thousands of blind and partially sighted people on a daily basis for over 75 years.
www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk National	Action for Blind People Action for Blind People is an expert national organisation, ensuring blind and partially sighted people receive practical support in all aspects of their lives.
www.deafblind.org.uk National	Deafblind UK Offers support and specialist services to over 2.6 million people in the UK who are deafblind or living with a combined loss of sight and hearing, enabling them to lead as fulfilled and independent lives as possible.
www.sense.org.uk National	Sense Sense is the UK's largest organisation for children and adults who are deafblind or have associated disabilities.
Transport	Return to Top
www.traveline.org.uk National	Traveline - Public Travel Information A website for impartial information on planning your journey, by bus, coach or train.
www.arrivabus.co.uk Local	Arriva Bus Service This website will provide you with information on your local Arriva bus service.
www.stagecoachbus.com Local/National	Stagecoach Bus Service Stagecoach UK Bus is part of the Stagecoach Group and is one of the bus operators in the UK, both locally and nationally.
www.directenquiries.com National	Direct Enquiries For information on businesses throughout the UK that are accessible.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/Living1.nsf/dialaride?ReadForm Local	Dial A Ride Redcar and Cleveland Dial-A-Ride service is for residents of the Borough who have permanent and substantial disability and are unable to use existing public transport.
www.froguk.org Local	Frog website soon.....
Volunteering	Return to Top
www.volunteer.org.uk National	Volunteering England Volunteering England works to support and increase in the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England.
www.rcvda.org.uk Local	Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) RCDVA exists to support, promote and develop volunteering and the voluntary sector in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland.
www.voluntees.co.uk Local	Voluntees Voluntees helps organisations to promote volunteering opportunities for university staff and students.
Young People	Return to Top
www.nspcc.org.uk National	National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) The aim is to protect children from cruelty, support vulnerable families, campaign for changes to the law and raise awareness about abuse and end cruelty to children.
www.childline.org.uk National	Childline Childline is the free helpline for children and young people in the UK. Children and young people can call on 0800 1111 to talk about any problem - counsellors are always here to help you.
www.kidscape.org.uk National	Kidscape Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse.
www.lifebytes.gov.uk National	LifeBytes LifeBytes is a new website which gives young people aged 11 - 14 facts about health in a fun and interesting way.
www.brook.org.uk National	Brook Advisory Centres Brook Advisory Centres - commonly known just as Brook - is the only national voluntary sector provider of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25.
www.getconnected.org.uk National	Get Connected Free, confidential advice for young people under 25 years old.
www.parentlineplus.org.uk National	Parentline Plus Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for, and with, parents.
www.thejunctionredcar.com Local	The Junction The Junction values and respects the rights of all young people to make informed choices and to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
www.futuresteps.co.uk Local	Connexions - Tees Valley Connexions Tees Valley is a free information and advice service for all 13-19 year olds, offering help and support with a wide range of issues including education, careers, health, housing, personal issues and life choices.
www.gingerbread.org.uk National	Gingerbread Gingerbread and One Parent Families have now merged to provide better support and a bigger voice to 1.8 million lone parents and their children throughout England and Wales.
www.rizer.org.uk National	Rizer An innovative website for young people which aims to inform about the criminal justice system and reducing offending.