The Spinal Injuries Association is a national charity for assisting people with spinal cord injuries, and they aim to provide a pathway of support by being there for a newly injured person and supporting them throughout their life. Services are provided by spinal cord injured people, all of whom can offer their lived experiences of spinal cord injury. Their helpline (0800 980 0501) can provide general information, telephone counselling, an advocacy service and they also run a peer-advice service at the Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport.
Aspire offer services to new patients in the NHS Spinal Cord Injury Centres, to those who have just been discharged from hospital and to people who have been living with their injuries for years. Aspire’s primary aim is to help people live independently, and can offer grants to people to buy equipment, short-term housing and an Independent Living Adviser service.
The Back Up Trust is a charity that helps people transform their lives after spinal cord injuries by providing a telephone support service (020 8875 1805), a mentoring scheme, training (e.g. how to use a wheelchair) and activity courses, as well as help and support in getting back to work/education after an injury.
The Brain and Spine Foundation is a charity that helps people affected by brain and spine conditions. Their helpline (0808 808 1000) is run by neuroscience nurses and offers information and support on any medical or related social/emotion issues of concern. See also: International Spinal Cord Society.
Spina Bifida
ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus) is a community of 75,000 individuals, families, friends and professionals sharing achievements, challenges and information on living with hydrocephalus, spina bifida and related issues. They have an area adviser service, a helpline (0845 450 7755) and lots of general information on their website. The nearest local branch to St Helens operates from Warrington.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Jennifer Trust is a national charity that provide a range of information and support to families and professionals who would like to know more about spinal muscular atrophy. They run a helpline (0800 975 3100) for those newly diagnosed or in crisis, an outreach service that visits families to offer personalised support, and also peer support, a befriending service and social activities/events.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK’s only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis. Their helpline (0300 373 1000) provides information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of CF along with details about day to day living with the illness. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust can also provide emotional and financial support through their Patient Advisers and welfare grants fund.
The Scope website has plenty of information about cerebral palsy and associated disabilities. They have a dedicated ‘response team’ that provides free, impartial and expert information, advice and support to disabled people, their families, Carers and professionals – the Scope Response Team can be contacted by phone (0808 800 3333), e-mail ([email protected]), text, textphone or post.
Further information can also be found within the International Cerebral Palsy Society and Living with Cerebral Palsy websites.
Below is a list of links to websites for other types of learning disabilities not listed as a separate FAQ in the learning disabilities section of this site:
- Dyspraxia – Dyspraxia Foundation (helpline 01462 454 986)
- Fragile X – Fragile X Society (helpline 01371 875 100)
- Stammering – British Stammering Association (helpline 0845 603 2001)
If you still cannot find the information that you are looking for then please contact us and we will do our best to help.
Afasic England help families with speech and language impairments. They run a local support group for St Helens and Knowsley and a national helpline (0845 355 5577).
ARCOS is a national charity that works with children and adults who have communication and eating difficulties – they can provide information and advice through their helpline (0845 122 8697). Speakability offers impartial information and support through its helpline (0808 808 9572) and lots of info on their website – they also run an aphasia self-help group from Warrington.
St Helens Dyslexia Association is an affiliate of the British Dyslexia Association, offering a monthly drop-in meeting and a befriending service to people with dyslexia in the St Helens area. The British Dyslexia Association also have a national helpline (0845 251 9002) for information and support.
Other more national sources of information for dyslexia include Dyslexia Action and Adult Dyslexia Organisation.
Mencap is one of the biggest charities to provide support and services for people with learning disabilities in the UK. Their local office is in Liverpool however they have a lot of services that can be provided in St Helens; these include an employment programme, independent living assistance and care, housing support services and leisure/learning opportunities. They also have a national helpline (0300 333 1111) which is an advice and information service.
St Helens People’s Choice is run for, and by, people with learning disabilities – campaigning for rights and encouraging self-advocacy; empowering people to have their say about the things that are important to them. They run a weekly activity group every Friday, run for and by people with learning disabilities. Activities include crafts, karaoke and day trips out.
MOWLL (Moving on with Life and Learning) is a charity based in Liverpool that helps adults with learning disabilities, meantal health conditions or brain injuries. They offer a variety of short programmes and courses, person centred planning and peer-mentor support for people who have been met with exclusion in education, training, employment and community life.
Other national charities and organisations that can provide help and assistance for people with learning disabilities include the British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Netbuddy and People First.
For Carers
The Family Carers Network links groups and organisations that support families that include an adult with a learning disability.
DASH (or Disability Advice and information in St Helens) provides information and advice on a wide range of subjects to anyone with an interest in a disability related subject such as employment, welfare, discrimination, care, leisure, transport, equipment and education. They can be contacted by phone, e-mail or popping in to see them at Chalon Way.
Other local charities specialising in people with disabilities, such as the Coalition of Disabled People, Deafness Resource Centre, St Helens People’s Choice and Shopmobility, are also very helpful in providing information and assistance to the local community. On a national scale the following websites are also a great source of general information: DirectGov, Scope, Disability Alliance UK and Disabled Living Foundation.
Other useful resources:
- If you are a disabled parent, the Disabled Parent’s Network offers peer support and professional support (0300 3300 639)
- Ricability is an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for disabled people and older people
Please also navigate around some of the other disability FAQs for assistance around benefits, mobility aids, transport etc
The ADHD Foundation, based in Liverpool, works in partnership with other agencies to help children, adults and families affected by ADHD across the Merseyside region, helping them to recognise their abilities and build a positive foundation for life. Please contact the ADHD Foundation by phone/e-mail to find out more about the services that they can offer.
On a national level, the Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (helpline 020 8952 2800) and AADD-UK provide general support and information for people with ADHD.
For parents/Carers of people with ADHD please click here.
Down Syndrome Liverpool is a registered charity seeking to enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome in the city of Liverpool and surrounding areas. They provide general information, parent/carer & toddler groups and social activities.
The Down Syndrome Association is a national charity that can provide general information, leaflets and answers to frequently asked questions around benefits, education, health, speech and language – they also have a helpline (0845 230 0372). The Down’s Heart Group and Down Syndrome Research Foundation can also provide related information to Down’s Syndrome.
There is a Down Syndrome Support Group in St Helens that provides information and support for families of those with children who have Down Syndrome.
