People First Lambeth

People First Lambeth (at 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA) is a self-advocacy organisation for people with learning difficulties. For the past 25 years it has provided support, mainly through group work, to enable people to speak up for themselves, stand up for their rights and make appropriate choices. As a result of a very large cut in their funding from Lambeth Council, from 1st April 2011 they are currently unable to provide services. For further information about the situation at People First Lambeth please call the Manager, Rhys Price, on 020 7642 0042 or
Mencap Learning Disability Helpline

You can call the Learning Disability Helpline 24 hours a day on 0808 808 1111 for information on things like housing, jobs, benefits and local services. All calls are free and confidential. Or you can email: ; Minicom 0808 808 8181; Fax 0121 707 3019. Mencap have a new website that includes video, a forum for parents, and much more. Click here http://www.mencap.org.uk/
Lambeth Mencap

Lambeth Mencap is the borough’s leading provider of community-based support services to adults with learning disabilities and their family carers. Its main services include the Community Support Service, an Adult Placement Scheme, a Carers’ Development Project and a range of Leisure activities. More information is available at the Lambeth Mencap website.

Advocacy

Community Support Network (CSN)

CSN is a mental health service user-led charity that provides a range of free, confidential and independent mental health advocacy services - in patient, forensic and community advocacy - for residents of Lambeth. Contact CSN by ‘phone on 020 7737 6050 / 7274 4490 or email / .
PACE for LGBT community

PACE’s mental health advocacy service provides practical support, enabling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered people with mental health issues or who are in emotional distress to make informed choices, to represent themselves and to get the services they need. The services are free of charge and hospital visits can be arranged. For more information, phone Guillermo Llorca-Diaz on 020 7700 1323; or email ; or visit their website http://www.pacehealth.org.uk/mental_health_advocacy/
Voiceability

Voiceability (formerly Advocacy Partners) promotes the Rights, Voices and Choices of people with learning disabilities, older people, and people with physical disabilities or mental health needs. They provide independent advocacy to enable people to have control over their lives, make decisions, be treated fairly and participate fully in community life.
Contact them by tel: 020 8330 6644; ; or more info at http://www.advocacypartners.org.uk
Action for Advocacy

For details of further organisations offering advocacy services in Lambeth, please visit Action for Advocacy website at http://www.actionforadvocacy.org.uk/contactServlet?action=list&borough=22 or give them a ring on 020 7820 7868.
Stockwell Partnership

offer advocacy support, welfare benefits advice and general information - in Spanish, French, Arabic, Somali, Tigrinya, Amharic, Arabic and Lingala - to residents of Stockwell. Call them on 020 7735 5051. Their website is at http://www.stockwell.org.uk (Dec 2007).

Befriending

Community Support Network (CSN)

CSN is a growing mental health service user-led charity which has launched a befriending service for people in Lambeth with mental health issues. If you’re interested in aceesing the service or to volunteer as a befriender, contact Michael Edwards on 020 7274 4490/ 07942 201254 or email him on
Carers Befriending service

works to support carers over 55 who feel lonely, isolated or just need some company outside of their caring role. It relies on vetted, dedicated volunteers. To find out more, contact Age Uk Lambeth’s Befriending Service on 020 7346 6817.

Carers

Caring for the carers / Repaying the Kindness

Jamyang’s Repaying the Kindness team sets out to nurture, support and provide respite care for carers who live in Lambeth/Southwark, and who are themselves so kind to others. The friendly team aspire to:
* offer carers respite in a day.
* provide life-enhancing experiences for carers in a day
* strengthen carers’ sense of well-being and help to reduce stress levels through a range of activities.

For further information see the Repaying the Kindness website
Crossroads Care - South Thames (formerly Lambeth Crossroads)

They offer a care attendant scheme providing home respite care enabling carers of people who have a physical/sensory disability or suffer from dementia or mental health problems to take a break on a regular or occasional basis. They also provide holiday respite and overnight care.

Their Young Carers Project is for people aged 5-18 years and supporting relatives with a disability. The Project offers support, advocacy and casework. A youth club operates during school holidays offering social contact with other young carers, outings and fun!

Crossroads can be contacted from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday at:
Laburnum Court, Barstow Crescent, Palace Road, London SW2 3NS. There is limited wheelchair access and have adapted toilets.
Phone: 020 8671 6188 Crossroads; 020 8678 5605 Young Carers
Email: - Crossroads; - Young Carers Project.
Carers’ Hub Lambeth

Carers’ Hub Lambeth provides a wide range of services for all carers. Find out more at Carers Hub Lambeth website
Lambeth Council website

Lambeth Council’s website has useful information on services for carers.
Carers UK

Carers UK’s website is an important resource for carers and has information, advice, campaigning news and carers’ forums. Its free telephone advice line is avaialble on Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am - 12noon and 2pm - 4pm on 0808 808 7777.
Carers Trust

The Carers Trust was recently formed by the merger of two national carers’ charities - The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care.
NHS Carers Direct

NHS Carers Direct provides a wide range of information, advice and resources to support carers.
Direct Gov

Direct Gov, the UK Government’s website for citizens, has valuable information for carers about issues such as benefits and pensions, legal rights and community care.

Deaf and hearing impaired people

RAD legal advice for deaf BSL users

The Royal Association for Deaf People has started a pioneering service for deaf BSL users to receive legal advice by webcam over a broadband connection. Advice is available on welfare benefits, employment, housing and, from March 2009, on debt. Find out more at RAD online advice
From October 2011 RAD is also providing advice casework to BSL users in Lambeth as part of the Lambeth Resolve service

Domestic Violence

Free phone 24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline

Also information service, including safety planning and translation facilities. Tel: 0808 2000 247 email: or Web: http://www.womensaid.org.uk or http://www.refuge.org.uk
Gaia Centre

free confidential emotional support and referrals for counselling, legal advice, housing and benefits advice, and immigration advice to support women affected by domestic violence. All staff in the GAIA centre are female. Services available in English, Portuguese and Turkish and interpreters can be provided. Tel: 020 7733 8724 Email: Address: PO Box 51952 Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am - 4pm. Tuesday 1pm - 4pm All visits are by appointment only, to book please ring first.
Lambeth Refuge

Lambeth Refuge’s network of safe houses, emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need. Tel no: 020 7274 7750 email: web: http://www.refuge.org.uk
Lambeth Domestic Violence Floating Support Service

Provides user specific support to women and their children who have been affected by domestic violence and are living in their own homes within Lambeth. They focus on preventing homelessness through the provision of practical and emotional support. Tel: 020 7582 7737 Fax: 020 7587 1346 Email:
Broken Rainbow

Broken Rainbow helpline is a UK wide service for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people who experience domestic violence. It is a confidential listening, information and signposting helpline service. Tel no: 0845 260 4460 Email: web: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk, J414, Tower Bridge Business Complex, 100 Clements Rd London, SE16 4DG, Monday 2-8pm, Wednesday 10am-1pm, Thursday, 2-8pm
Lambeth Council’s domestic violence Services information

Lambeth Council’s Domestic Violence website

Education

Independent Panel for Special Education Advice

This is a useful website that offers helpline numbers around education and disability matters in London and wider UK. It also includes information on how to ask for statutory assessments for your child’s special education needs, how to appeal if you are refused, outlines the complain procedures and what to do if you feel your disabled child is being discriminated against at in school. Please visit this website on: http://www.ipsea.org.uk/helplines.htm

Employment and training

Business Link London

offer advice and information on self-employment and setting up your own business. Please click on this link
Business_Link_London.doc for further details or you may contact their Business support helpline on 0845 6000 787 or their business support website at http://www.bllondon.co.uk
SHARE Community

SHARE Community provide vocational training and educational opportunities for disabled people and those facing health-related barriers to employment. Courses include Business Adminsistration, Information Technology and Horticulture. Please ring 020 7326 5460 for more details or take a look at our website http://www.sharecommunity.org.uk
Mosaic Clubhouse employment and education (E&E) unit

Mosaic Clubhouse E&E unit offer a Job Club every Monday 2-5pm where people with mental health problems can get support with CVs, job applications, practice interview skills, look for work. Every Tues from 5-7pm is E&E eve where support is available for any employment or eduication issue.

Mosaic Clubhouse is at 126 Atkins Rd, Balham, Tel: 020 8674 2349, email: or see their website.
Training courses in Lambeth

See Lambeth Council’s website training pages for more information on local providers and opportunities.

Fuel Poverty

Warm front and Coldbusters grants

A range of grant and loan schemes are available from Lambeth or the Government that cover the cost of heating, heating controls, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and draught proofing measures. To be eligilble to apply you must meet the criteria.

Warm front scheme: 0800 316 2805 or visit the website

Information about other grants is available on Lambeth Council’s website

General advice sources

Advice Sources

This DASL factsheet lists sources of advice - Lambeth_Advice_Centres__May_09.pdf
Focus on Disability

http://www.focusondisability.org.uk This site has a wide range of information for disabled people and their carers in the UK. For a comprehensive list of topics view the Main Index or use the Search Facility. If you do not find the information directly the site has reference to many organizations and agencies who may be able to help you.
Scope Response

Scope Response is an information, advice and support service to disabled people and their families. For information on cerebral palsy and general disability issues call Freephone 0808 800 3333, email: or Text: SCOPE, plus your message to 80039 or visit the SCOPE website
AskSARA

for advice on daily living equipment call Disabled Living Foundation 0845 470 7272 (Textphone: 020 7432 8009) or access their website at http://www.asksara.org.uk to do a self-assessment.

Health Services

NHS Lambeth - the health services provider

NHS Lambeth is responsible for primary and community health services across the borough in places such as GP surgeries, clinics, health centres, schools, children’s centres, patients’ homes and intermediate care centres. See the NHS Lambeth website for further details.

Housing

Housing

Shelter can provide advice. If it’s urgent call them on 0808 800 4444 or check the Shelter website .
Housing Benefit

Housing benefit is a means tested benefit which is paid to people who pay rent for their home. They may have a low income, or receive Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support. For further information on new and current housing benefit claims, appeals, over-payments, reviews, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs), the Rent Service (TRS). Link to Lambeth Council’s website
Lambeth Tenancy Support Service

For individual housing related support and advice for people (18+) who need additional help to live independently in Lambeth, ring 0800 707 6615, email , or check out their website at http://www.onehousinggroup.co.uk

Leisure and Sport

The Disabled Photographer’s Society

Technical Support and help for disabled photographers, http://www.disabledphotographers.co.uk, help with modifications and advise on or supply supports so that you can use cameras and take photographs. Information on all aspects of photography for people with disabilities. Promote photography for people with disabilities, or their carers, or groups or anyone with an interest in helping the disabled. They collect and modify photographic equipment which they loan to members, such as camera supports, in exchange of an annual subscription.
SHAPE Arts

Shape is a disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people, provide skills, opportunities and support for disabled artists to profile and promote your work, access commissioning and contact of employers, deaf arts schemes and support. Also discounted tickets for arts and entertainment in whole of London and accompaniment to event by volunteers/befrienders who attend the event with you and can take you to the event and back home. , train cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and run participatory arts and development programmes.
Website: http://www.shapearts.org.uk
Wheels for Wellbeing

Wheels for Wellbeing is a Brixton-based charity which provides a range of cycling opportunities for disabled people and others who face barriers to cycling. They operate in Lambeth (weekly sessions in Brockwell Park), Croydon and Southwark. Ring them on 020 7346 48442, or visit their website

Mental health

SANEline 0845 767 8000 - out of hours helpline

SANEline is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems. Its open from 1 to 11 pm every day of the year. The cost from a landline is the same as for a local call. You can call for confidential support and information if you’re worried about your own mental health or concerned about a family member, friend or professional. Email support is available via their website at http://www.sane.org.uk or to .SANEmail is NOT a crisis service - emails will normally be responded to within 5 working days.
Lambeth Mind

Lambeth Mind is run by mental health service users and survivors. Their information line is open Mondays 1-4 pm, Wednesdays 10am-1pm and Thursdays 1-4pm - call 020 7501 9203. Their website http://www.lambethmind.org.uk also enables people with experience of mental distress, and their allies, to access useful services and support and to make informed choices.
South London & Maudsley Mental Health Trust (SLaM)

Contact SLaM for help, advice and information. The PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) can be contacted on 0800 7312864 or visit the SLaM website

For people experiencing a mental health crisis there is a 24 hour information line on 020 3228 6000.
Community Support Network (CSN)

CSN provides a full in-patient advocacy service, forensic and community advocacy services, and some community befriending services. For further information, contact CSN by phone 020 7737 6050 or by email to

Money

Free debt management advice

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) can provide you with free confidential advice and support. For immediate
help, visit their website by clicking here - http://www.cccs.co.uk/ - for debt advice to suit your individual circumstances.

Payplan offer a full range of free debt solutions. You may call them on 0800 917 7823 or complete an online form on their website at http://www.payplan.com/

National Debtline also provide free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.
You can contact them by FREEPHONE: 0808 808 4000 Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm. They have 24-hour voicemail to leave a message to request an information pack or factsheet. Or you can complete a form on their website at http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/contact_us.php
turn2us - free access to information on benefits and grants

turn2us is a new charity launching an online service to help millions of people in need in the UK. People can access information on all benefits and grants available to them from both statutory and voluntary organisations, at no cost. In many cases, applications for support can be made directly from the website. You can also use the simple calculator on their website http://www.turn2us.org.uk to assess whether you are claiming all of the state benefits you are entitled to.
Every Pound Counts

Every Pound Counts is Lambeth Council’s welfare benefits take up service.

The campaign aims to maximise income for:
. older people
. disabled adults ( including people with learning disabilities)
. adults experiencing long term health problems including mental ill health
. carers
. people caring for a disabled child or child with significant long term ill health

The service does this by ensuring they claim all the welfare benefits and tax credits they are entitled to receive.

If you are a person in one of the categories above and want a free benefits check and advice contact Every Pound Counts on 020 7926 5555 or email You can also find out more at the Every Pound Counts website

If you are from an organisation and wish to refer a person or a family to the service please complete the referral form and email it to or call 020 7926 5555 to make the referral (an adviser will complete the referral form with you over the phone). You can download copies of the referral form from the Every Pound Counts website
Free debt and money advice services

This is a list of Lambeth and National based agencies that offer wide and specialist support and advice on how to manage and deal with debt and financial problems. Helpline numbers and more information on Debt_Factsheet.doc

Transport and Mobility

Disabled Motoring UK

DMUK campaigns for and support disabled drivers, passengers, scooter and wheelchair users, families and carers.

Their information team provide specialist information and advice on various subjects including disabled parking bays, access, Blue Badge scheme, public transport, returning to driving after becoming disabled, adapted vehicles and mobility aids.

You can contact them on 01508 489 449, , or visit their website.
Transport for All

TfA can help with all your general enquiries regarding accessible transport in London. Contact their Transport Helpline Monday Friday 10am - 1pm and 2-5pm on 020 7737 2339, or visit the TfA website
Accessible Transport services

Visit Lambeth Council’s Accessible Transport website for information on:
Disabled Person’s and Older Person’s Freedom Passes
Taxicard and Capital Call
Blue Badge
Dial a Ride
Community Transport
Motability
Disabled Person’s Parking Permit
Transport for London services

TfL provides information and advice on transport access for disabled and older people travelling in London.

Ring the 24 hour travel information helpline on 0843 222 1234 or visit the TfL website