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"The unit has a multi-skilled team of dedicated professionals whose goal is to support clients into recovery. The aim of the unit is to develop staff to ensure they can provide evidence based techniques/therapies in managing people with substance misuse problems. We aim to treat clients holistically and build into our care plans any other problems such as depression, poor mobility and housing/financial issues as these problems can sometimes be at the root of a client’s addiction."
Jacqui McLoughlin
Clinical Lead, The Huntercombe Centre - Sunderland
The alphabetical list below provides a summary of the useful support groups and links to further information. Click on the titles to reveal the contact and website details of each one.
Addiction Recovery Foundation provides both professionals and those in recovery with free information resources.
Tel: 020 7233 5333
www.addictiontoday.org
The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is a national charity that provides support, advice and information to parents and carers on a wide range of school based issues including exclusion, admissions, special education needs, bullying and attendance.
Tel: 0808 800 5793
www.ace-ed.org.uk
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems. It is a registered charity.
Tel: 020 7264 0510
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience and strength that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Tel: 01904 644026
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Anorexia and Bulimia Care is a registered charity offering encouragement, advice and support for sufferers of eating disorders and their family members.
Tel: 01934 713789
www.anorexiabulimiacare.co.uk
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is a not-for-profit organisation, which exists to fight for the rights of injured people. APIL offer information, guidance and support for those injured as a result of someone else's negligence and can direct you to a personal injury lawyer in your area.
Tel: 0115 958 0585
www.apil.org.uk
Beat is the UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families, providing information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association.
Tel: 01603 619090
www.b-eat.co.uk
Brainwave is a national children's charity working with children, from six months to 12 years, who have a brain injury, chromosome or genetic condition resulting in disability, and developmental delay. They also support families with children who have Autism.
Tel: 01823 433591
www.brainwave.org.uk
The British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM) is a professional association established to promote the development of case management in the field of acquired brain injury. It represents the professional interests and concerns of case managers who work with those who have suffered an acquired brain injury or other complex condition that requires co-ordinated rehabilitation, care and support.
Tel: 07002 222426
www.babicm.org
The British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC) is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, developmental delay, traumatic and acquired brain injury and specific learning difficulties such as attention deficits hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Tel: 01278 684060
www.bibic.org.uk
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) is a national charity committed to improving the quality of life for people in the UK with a learning disability. They achieve this by influencing policy-makers and other decision-makers, encouraging good practice among practitioners and helping people with a learning disability take charge of their own lives and become part of an inclusive society.
Tel: 01562 723010
www.bild.org.uk
The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) is a charity providing support to children and families affected by brain injuries that happen after birth (acquired brain injuries).
Tel: 01869 341075
www.cbituk.org
Childline is a free and confidential helpline for children and young adults offering help and advice on a wide range of issues.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Depression Alliance is the UK charity for people affected by depression.
Tel: 0845 123 23 20
www.depressionalliance.org
Different Strokes is a registered charity providing a free service to younger stroke survivors in the UK. The charity is run by stroke survivors and offers self-help and mutual support to enable stroke survivors of working age to optimise their recovery, take control of their own lives and regain as much independence as possible.
Tel: 0845 130 7172
www.differentstrokes.co.uk
Disability Alliance is a national registered charity which works to relieve the poverty and improve the living standards of disabled people.
Tel: 020 7247 8776
www.disabilityalliance.org
Drinkaware, a UK-wide charity, promotes responsible drinking and finds innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.
Tel: 020 7766 9900
www.drinkaware.co.uk
Drugscope is a charity which provides quality drug information, promotes effective responses to drug use, undertakes research, advises on policy-making and good practice, encourages informed debate and speaks for its members working in drug treatment, education and prevention.
Tel: 020 7520 7550
www.drugscope.org.uk
Epilepsy Action is a UK member-led epilepsy organisation, which acts as the voice of people with epilepsy, their friends, families and health professionals. As well as campaigning to improve epilepsy services, they also offer support and assistance.
Tel: 0808 800 5050
www.epilepsy.org.uk
An independent, international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving treatment and understanding of the causes and effects of bipolar disorder ("manic depression")
FRANK is a website providing a 24/7 free helpline offering advice on drugs, a forum to share drug-related stories and information on drugs.
Tel: 0800 77 66 00
www.talktofrank.com
Headway is a charity that provides help and support to people affected by brain injury both locally and nationally. A network of local groups throughout the UK and Channel Islands offer a wide range of services, including rehabilitation programmes, carer support, social re-integration, community outreach and respite care. Nationally, Headway helps to deliver high quality services through guidance on policies, procedures, standards and training.
Tel: 0808 800 2244
www.headway.org.uk
The Huntington's Disease Association supports people affected by the disease and provides information and advice to professionals whose task it is to support Huntington's disease families.
Tel: 0151 298 3298
www.hda.org.uk
The Kent Acquired Brain Injury Forum is a group of brain injury survivors, carers, front-line professionals and policy makers who wish to advance issues concerning acquired brain injury across Kent. KABIF works with the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) in setting common aims, encouraging sharing of information and co-ordination of group work.
The Long Term Conditions Alliance (LTCA) is an independent Scottish charity which campaigns and influences policy; supports and improves practice, supports voluntary and community organisations and tackles health inequalities for people in Scotland with long-term conditions.
Tel: 020 7813 3637
www.ltca.org.uk
Mencap is an individual membership organisation for people with learning disabilities. They provide support for people with a learning disability and their families and carers. Their work includes providing services that allow people to live as independently as possible, providing advice and campaigning for changes that their members want.
Tel: 020 7454 0454
www.mencap.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems.
Tel: 020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mental Health Matters is an UK charity which provides services for people with mental health needs. The services provided cover every aspect of service users’ lives, from employment to housing to community support and psychological services.
Tel: 0191 516 3500
www.mentalhealthmatters.com
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is an independent organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of people with a mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder.
Tel: 0131 313 8777
www.mwcscot.org.uk
MIND is the mental health charity for England and Wales that helps people take control of their mental health. They provide information to help promote understanding of mental health and campaign to create a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all.
Tel: 020 8519 2122
www.mind.org.uk
Momentum is a not-for-profit organisation assisting disabled and excluded people throughout the country by delivering a range of innovative programmes, which benefit a wide range of individuals in the following areas: brain injury, mental health, employment and training, job retention, pan-disability, care and supported living and community rehabilitation.
Tel: 0141 419 5299
www.momentumscotland.org
The Motor Neurone Disease Association is a national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to the support of people with Motor Neurone Disease and those who care for them by helping them secure the care and support they need, while promoting research into causes, treatments and a cure.
Tel: 01604 250505
www.mndassociation.org
Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund is a UK charity which supports people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). They provide practical advice and information and offer a range of services to help people whose lives have been affected by MS to understand and cope with the condition. They also provide a grants service available to groups and individuals to fund items or services that may fall outside the scope of statutory bodies.
Tel: 01670 505829
www.ms-researchandrelief.org
The Multiple Sclerosis Society is a membership organisation for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). The society funds MS research, runs respite care centres, provides grants, education and training on MS and also produces publications on MS and runs a specialist helpline.
Tel: 020 8438 0700
www.mssociety.org.uk
The Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland is a membership organisation for people in Scotland affected by multiple sclerosis. The Society has a network of local branches across Scotland and is part of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Tel: 0131 335 4050
www.mssocietyscotland.org.uk
The Multiple Sclerosis Trust is a UK charity, which provides information for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, offers education programmes to health professionals, funds practical research and campaigns for specialist multiple sclerosis services.
Tel: 01462 476700
www.mstrust.org.uk
The National Autistic Society is a UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger's Sydrome) and their families. They provide information, support and services and campaign for a better world for people with autism.
Tel: 020 7833 2299
www.autism.org.uk
NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.
Tel: 0845 003 7780
www.nice.org.uk
The National Society for Epilepsy is a national medical charity working for everyone affected by epilepsy, through research, awareness campaigns and expert care.
Tel: 01494 601400
www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
The National Treatment Agency (NTA) is a National Health Service special health authority, established to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of drug treatment in England.
Tel: 020 7972 1999
www.nta.nhs.uk
The Neurological Alliance is a campaigning organisation – the collective voice of over 50 brain and spine charities and other key stakeholders in England. They work with their member organisations to campaign locally and nationally for people with a neurological condition.
Tel: 020 7584 6457
www.neural.org.uk
Information from the National Health Service on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living.
NHS National Services Scotland is a non departmental public body which provides national strategic support services and expert advice to NHS Scotland.
Tel: 0131 275 6000
www.nhsnss.org
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland helps NHS Scotland improve the quality of care received by every patient in Scotland every time they access healthcare.
Tel: 0131 623 4300
www.nhsheathquality.org
The Northern Acquired Brain Injury Forum (NABIF) is a group of individuals and organisations who have an interest in acquired brain injury (ABI) or who provide services to individuals with ABI and their families. NABIF works with the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) in setting common aims, encouraging sharing of information and co-ordination of group work.
Tel: 0191 259 6150
www.nabif.org
OCD Action is a UK national charity focussing on obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). They provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD and work to raise awareness of the disorder.
Tel: 0845 390 6232
www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK is a national charity, independently working with and for people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This is a completely service user led charity providing support services for people with OCD and campaigning for improved access and treatment.
Tel: 0845 120 3778
www.ocduk.org
Papyrus is a UK charity committed to suicide prevention, focusing predominantly on the emotional well-being of children, teenagers and young adults. They provide resources and support to help prevent suicide and improve mental health in young people.
Tel: 0800 068 4141
www.papyrus-uk.org
Patient UK is a website which provides good quality information about health and disease.
Rethink is a national mental health membership charity, which works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. They provide their members with services, support groups and information on mental health problems and they also carry out research which informs national mental health policy.
Tel: 020 7566 0116
www.rethink.org
The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) is a national network of disability organisations and disabled people who represent their members by fast-tracking opinions and concerns to policy-makers and by launching their own campaigns to promote equality for all disabled people.
Tel: 020 7566 0116
www.radar.org.uk
SANE is a registered UK charity for people with a mental illness. They provide care and support for people with mental health problems, their families and carers. They initiate research into the causes and treatments of serious mental illnesses and they raise awareness and combat stigma through education and campaigning.
Tel: 0845 767 8000
www.sane.org.uk
Scope is the UK disability charity for children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy. They work with disabled people to raise awareness, change attitudes and influence government policy. They provide help and information and offer a range of services, such as education and training, short breaks and employment and training.
Tel: 0808 800 3333
www.scope.org.uk
The Scotland Head Injury Forum (SHIF) is a national umbrella organisation within Scotland that represents the interests of survivors of brain injuries, their families and those who work with them. SHIF works with the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) in setting common aims, encouraging sharing of information and co-ordination of group work.
Tel: 01382 423196
www.shif.org.uk
The Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group (SEDIG) is a network of NHS and private professionals and enthusiasts from voluntary and self-help groups from all over the country with an interest in eating disorders.
The Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA) is a small charity established by families living with Huntington’s Disease which provides specialist family support services and a network of specialist services.
Tel: 0141 848 0308
www.hdscotland.org
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service in Scotland which reduce variation in practice and outcome.
Tel: 0131 623 4720
www.sign.ac.uk
The Scottish National Managed Clinical Network for Acquired Brain Injury aims to improve access to and the quality of services for children and adults with acquired brain injury (ABI).
Advocacy Partners Speaking Up provide advocacy services, self advocacy based projects and resources for people with learning difficulties, mental health issues and physical disabilities.
Tel: 01223 555800
www.speakingup.org
The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is a national charity for spinal cord injured people. They are a user-led organisation that offers support and assistance from the time of injury; that provides services to increase quality of life and that campaigns for the best medical and social care.
Tel: 08456 786633
www.spinal.co.uk
The Stroke Association is a UK charity concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. They fund research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and help stroke patients and their families by providing information, advice and support and life after stroke grants.
Tel: 0845 3033100
www.stroke.org.uk
The Brain and Spine Foundation is a charitable organisation which provides information and support for adults and children affected by neurological conditions, and helps to develop training and tools for medical and educational professionals.
Tel: 020 7793 5900
www.brainandspine.org.uk
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation exists to demonstrate that individuals with severe learning disabilities who are described as having challenging behaviour can enjoy normal life opportunities when their behaviour is properly understood and they receive appropriate individualised support. The foundation supports families, professionals and other stakeholders through education, information, research and partnership working.
Tel: 0845 602 7885
www.thecbf.org.uk
The Encephalitis Society is a UK based charity set up by people affected by encephalitis. They offer support and information to adults and children affected by encephalitis, produce evidence-based information on all aspects of the condition, raise awareness about the condition and conduct research into the condition.
Tel: 01653 699599
www.encephalitis.info
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is part of the Mental Health Foundation, a national charity which works to promote the rights, quality of life and opportunities for people with learning disabilities and their families. They provide information; carry out research and work to improve services.
Tel: 020 7803 1100
www.learningdisabilities.org.uk
The Meningitis Trust provides support and aftercare services for people whose lives are affected by meningitis. Services include counselling, art therapy, home/ hospital visits and family days.
Tel: 0800 028 1828
www.meningitis-trust.org
The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) is a UK charity providing children’s rights and socio-legal services. They offer information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to children and young people up the age of 25 years. NYAS is also a community legal service.
Tel: 0800 616101
www.nyas.net
Together is a national charity working alongside people with mental health issues. They provide a range of services including accommodation, day and community services, advocacy and they also work in courts and probation services.
Tel: 020 7780 7300
www.together-uk.org
The UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) is a member organisation and charity which aims to promote the understanding of all aspects of acquired brain injury. The organisation was formed by a coalition of organisations working in the field of acquired brain injury who wished to improve awareness through education and information and who wished to campaign for better services in the UK. There are regional acquired brain injury groups throughout the UK.
Tel: 01752 601318
www.ukabif.org.uk
Wellchild is a UK charity that helps sick children and their families to manage the consequences of serious illness and complex health conditions through a programme of care, support and research.
Tel: 0845 458 8171
www.wellchild.org.uk
Wired In is an online community which brings people together to help them tackle drug and alcohol use problems.
Young Minds is a UK charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of all children and young people.
Tel: 020 7336 8445
www.youngminds.org.uk
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