Useful Links and Contacts

Finding correct and accurate information can be difficult enough, and when you’re caring the last thing you want to do is search through different websites for the piece of information you need. However, we’ve created this page so you can quickly and easily find the most important pieces of information you need.

If you would like to link your website to this page, or you have any other feedback regarding this page, please email CarersCentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and put “website enquiry” in the subject line or contact the Carers Centre on 023 9285 1864.

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Carers Support Organisations

Carers UK- National organisation to support carers and lobby for carers rights.

Carers UK Portsmouth- Local branch of the national organisation.

Caring for someone- direct.gov.uk- The government’s website, providing information around varoius topics, including benefits, carers assessments, and more.

NHS Carers Direct- The NHS website for carers, providing information and carers stories.

Carers Together- Hampshire based organisation, that provides support to carers in Hampshire.

National Carers Strategy- The national strategy to ensure that carers are supported and recognised.

Portsmouth Carers Strategy- The local strategy to support and recognise carers in Portsmouth.  

Carers Trust- National charity supporting carers in a variety of ways. It is a result of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care merging.

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Health and Social Care- Useful links to health and social care contacts, locally and nationally

Portsmouth City Council Health Improvement and Development Service- The Health Improvement and Development Service (HIDS) aims to promote good physical and mental health and well being.

Portsmouth City Council Adult Social Care- Adult social care are committed to protecting and supporting vulnerable individuals, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles.

Social Care in Portsmouth (SCiP)- Portsmouth City Council’s social care hub of online information.

Portsmouth Local Involvement Network (LINk)- Makes it easier for communities to have their say about healthcare services in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth NHS- Commissions healthcare services in the Portsmouth area.

Solent NHS- Provide a range of community services across Portsmouth, Southampton and some areas of Hampshire.

Portsmouth GP surgeries- A list of all the GP surgeries and contact details in Portsmouth.

NHS direct- Provides expert health advice and information via telephone and their website.

Portsmouth Day Services- Day services are available across the city, to meet the needs of many groups of people, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health and more.

Sensory Impairment Services- Promoting independence and community involvement for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, vision impaired or dual loss.    

Children and Families- Childrens and families are committed to supporting families and protecting children in Portsmouth.

Occupational Therapy- May provide adaptations and equipment, to support individuals live at home for a s long as possible.

Health Visitors- Supports and advises new parents and lasts until 16 years old (19 for disabled children). 

Making Contact- Social network for parents with a disabled child to connect with other parents.  

Ask Sherlock- Search for child minders in Portsmouth.

Financial Assessments and Benefits (FAB) Team- Portsmouth City Council service to work out contributions toward sthe cost of care services.

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Legal and Safety- Advice around legal and safety issues concerning carers and caring

Power of Attorney- Information regarding Power of Attorney, and the process of applying for it.

Court of Protection- Information regarding what the court of protection is, and if it applies to your situation.

The Law Society- Finding a solicitor- Search for a solicitor based on you location and need.

Care Quality Commission- The national regulator of care agencies, residential and nursing homes, and also social care departments by council.

SEAP Advocacy- Local advocacy service, providing support for various groups of people, regarding a variety of topics.

Safeguarding Children- Department committed to protecting all children in Portsmouth.

Safeguarding Adults- Department committed to protecting the most vulnerable adults in Portsmouth.

Diversities and Equalities- Service within Portsmouth City Council to ensure all groups in society are recognised and treated fairly.

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Money and Finances- Support on how to get the correct benefits and save money

Carers Benefits- direct.gov.uk- Information around carers benefits, including those for the person you care for.

Carers Benefits- Carers UK- Information around carers benefits, and advice about how to claim.

Road Tax Exemptions- Information around how to claim road tax exemptions.

Council Tax Exemptions- Information around entitlement for council tax reductiosn and exemptions.

Money Saving Ideas- Martin Lewis’ website with lots of information about how to save money, inlcuding vouchers, budget sheets and more.

Family Fund- Charity providing grants for families with a disabled child to access holidays and other forms of respite.

Christian Against Poverty- Christian organisation providing support for individuals to get out of debt and support with other financial difficulties.  

Advice Portsmouth- Debt, benefits and other financial support available from the YOU trust.

Age UK Portsmouth- Charity providing advice around benefits, support with form completion, and other areas such as power of attorney and insurance.

Benefit Enquiry Line- Free confidential hotline offering support around benefits for carers, service users and representatives. 

Carers Direct- Free hotline offering support around benefits, and other financial information.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS)- Free, anonymous debt support via the internet or telephone.

Debt Advice Foundation- Free confidential debt advice from a UK charity.

Debt Support Trust- Free debt support from a charity.

Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL)- Advice service for disabled people regarding benefits and other financial support.

Enable Ability- Advocacy and benefits support service for disabled people in Portsmouth.

Personal Choice- Independent charity providing advice and support to elderly  people regarding benefits, costs toward care and other financial areas.

Independent Age- Advice and support around varioushealth and social care issues for elderly clients.

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Work and Employment- Advice around rights for carers in employment

Carers and Working- direct.gov.uk- Information regarding carers and their employment rights.

The Right to Flexible working - The Princess Royal Trust pages regarding carers and work.

Your work and career- Carers UK- More information rergarding carers and maintaining a career.

Support for carers at work- Carers Direct- Information from the NHS regarding carers and work.

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Adult Mental Health

Adult Mental Health in Portsmouth- Thinking Ahead- Local website regarding support for service users and carers.

Mind- National charity supporting individuals with a vareity of mental health conditions and their carers.

Sane- National charity supporting and campaigning for individuals with a mental health condition.

Rethink- National charity providing support and information for individuals with a mental health condition.

Mental Health Foundation- National charity providing support and information for individuals with a mental health condition.

Mental Health- NHS Choices- Information from the NHS regarding mental health conditions, treatments, and stories from individuals.

Mental Health Care- Information for individuals diagnosed with psychosis, and their carers.

Interaction- Portsmouth City Council- Information regarding a social inclusion service for individuals with a mental health condition.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists- Information rgearding a variety of mental health diagnoses and treatments available.

The Richmond Fellowship- Local service provider offering one to one support for individuals under secondary services.

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Young Carers

Princess Royal Trust Young Carers Project - Charity providing information for young carers. 

The Children’s Society Young Carers Initiative- Charity providing information for young carers and professionals.

NHS Direct- Young Carers- NHS information regarding young carers.

Barnardo’s Young Carers Project- Support and information about young carers.

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Transport

Motability Scheme- Information for those claiming the high rate of mobility from the Disability Living Allowance.

Blue Badges and Disabled Parking- Information from Portsmouth City Council about blue badges and disabled parking across the city.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme- NHS information for reimbursing travel costs.

Companion Bus Pass for Carers- Information regarding the companion bus pass for carers.

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Community Organisations and Charities

Age UK- Information regarding a variety of support services for people over 65 years old.

Salvation Army Portsmouth- Information about the support which is available across the city.

Portsmouth Disability Forum- Campaigning and support group for disabled people in Portsmouth.

DIAL- Disability Information Advice Line- Support line for disbaled people in Portsmouth.

Chicks- Residentials for young carers.

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Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Communities (BAME)

PRENO- Portsmouth Race Equality Network Organisation- Information and support for BAME communities and individuals.

Princess Royal Trust BME Support- Carers support for BAME communities.

Friendship House- Various support projects for BAME communities in the local area.

Multicultural groups and organisations in Portsmouth- Information about the various groups in Portsmouth and Hampshire for BAME individuals.

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Entertainment

Cinema discounts for Carers- Information on how to apply for the cinema discount card for carers.

What’s on?- Visit Portsmouth- News about events on in the city throughout the year.

Community Venue Guide- Portsmouth City Council- Contact details for all the community centres and venues in the city.

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Miscellaneous

Disabled toilet access- Information regarding toilets across the country which provide disabled facilities.

Counselling directory- Directory of counsellors in the local area and nationwide.

DisabledGo- Guide to venues in your local area that are accessible to those who are disabled.