Article: Adult social care support groups and organisations Article Body There are a number of local and national groups and organisations that provide advice and support to people who have social care needs. Below are some of the organisations that may be able to offer you support and services. National Organisations Older People: Age Concern - The UK's leading charities concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people. Age Positive - Age positive is a government initiative, which tackles age discrimination and promotes age diversity in the workplace. Alzheimer's Society - The Alzheimer's Society provides advice and support to people with dementia and their carers. Association of Retired and Persons over 50 - A social organisation for people aged 50 and up. Carers - For carers, voluntary organisations and others, related to the national strategy for Caring about carers, and providing useful links. Contact the Elderly - Seeks to reduce the isolation for older people who live alone, by providing social occasions such as monthly tea parties. Dementia Research Group - One of the UK's centres for clinical research into dementia. Help the Aged - A leading national charity for older people. RUKBA - A philanthropic organisation providing financial support and friendship for older people. Disabled People: Ability Net - are a charity that offers advice to people with disabilities on all aspects of computer usage for employment, communication, education, or just for fun. Action for Blind People - is a national charity which aims to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy equal opportunities in every aspect of their lives through work, leisure, housing and support. British Council for Disabled People (BCODP) - was set up by disabled people in 1981 to promote full equality and participation within society. They are an umbrella organisation that represents some 130 organisations run and controlled by disabled people. DIAL Barnsley - DIAL provides a link to information for people with disabilities, and to advice providers. Disability Sport England - creates opportunities for participation in sport for people with all disabilities. Epilepsy Action (British Epilepsy Association) - The Epilepsy Action helpline provides advice and information on all aspects of living with epilepsy. They aim to reply to helpline queries by email within 48 hours. The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) - is an organisation of parents, families and carers which exists to support parents in enabling their child to maximise their skills and abilities. Headway - Promotes understanding of all aspects of all aspects of brain injury; and provides information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers. Keep Able - Provides mobility and lifestyle ideas. MENCAP - working with people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. Rethink - Helping everyone affected by serve mental illness, including schizophrenia, to recover a better quality of life. National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) - is the largest UK medical charity for epilepsy. The website offers information about epilepsy and about the NSE, frequently asked questions, personal accounts of living with epilepsy, a message board and more. Royal Association in Aid of Deaf people (RAD) - strives to meet the individual needs of deaf children and adults and deaf blind people through the provision of services and the use of RAD Centres for Deaf People. Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) - If you need to register as blind, contact the RNIB. Scope - helps people with cerebral palsy to achieve equality in society. See Ability (Royal School for the Blind) - works with adults who are blind or partially sighted, and have a range of additional disabilities. The charity works to encourage people's independence and to enhance their quality of life. They are also involved in research projects and training courses for professionals who work with people who are blind or partially sighted. Vitalise - provides respite for carers, and holidays for people with severe physical disabilities. Voluntary Action Barnsley - is Barnsleys Council for Voluntary Service and has supported and developed Barnsleys third sector organisations who, in turn, work for the benefit of Barnsley. Local Voluntary Organisations Age UK 36a Queens Road Barnsley S71 1AR (01226) 776820 Blind & Partially Sighted Assn 22 Regent Street South Barnsley S70 2HT (01226) 200618 Stay Put Thurnscoe Business Centre Princess Drive Thurnscoe, Rotherham, S63 0BL (0845) 607 6438 Barnsley Talking Newspaper Modern House, Summer Lane Barnsley S70 2NP (01226) 298408 Victim Support Barnsley 2 Eldon Street Barnsley S70 2JB (01226) 243761 Making Space 1 Princess Street Barnsley (01226) 288772 The Richmond Fellowship 3 Regent Street Barnsley S70 2EG (01226) 218900 Together For Wellbeing Priory Campus Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 5NP (01226) 770895 Crossroads (Caring for Carers) Maple House, Maple Estate Stocks Lane, Barnsley S75 2BL (01226) 731094 Mind in Barnsley Arcadia House 72 Market Street, Barnsley S70 1SN (01226)211188 Citizens Advice Bureau 1 Shambles Street Barnsley S70 2SQ (01226) 206492 Community Health Council Kiosk 4, New Street Barnsley S70 1AW (01226) 203112 Barnsley Hospice Bereavement 104-106 Church Street Gawber, Barnsley S75 2RL (01226) 244244 There are many community support groups who work with local people who have health and social care needs, providing advice, information and social opportunities. For a list of these community groups you can go online at www.vabarnsley.org.uk