	top SERVICE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

	Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided to Carers, St.Helens Carers Centre do not undertake any liability for any error or omission. The products and services listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by St.Helens Carers Centre (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY) A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z ADHD NORTHWEST REGION - 01524 822887. Nearest support group is in Warrington, contact Dorian Child 01925 852544 www.adders.org.uk ADDICTION See substance misuse AIRWAYS DISEASE BREATHE EASY SUPPORT GROUP - www.britishlungfoundation.org/north-west-touch.asp - Local group for patients and Carers living with airways disease. Meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 1.30pm, in the St Ann's Millennium Centre, View Road, Rainhill 0151 493 9350 COPD HEALTH FORECASTING - St Helens PCT Scheme. All people with diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are eligible to join. They receive twice weekly messages about local weather conditions, service availability in A&E, arrangements with rota for extra cover for patients with COPD, arrange prescriptions, shopping if going out would increase risk of exacerbation (on a particular day only), outbreaks of flu. Aim to reduce exacerbations of illness and admission to hospital. Can self refer. Contact PCT, 457277 for further details ALZHEIMER'S ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE SOCIETY - LOCAL BRANCH - 24/28 Claughton Street, St Helens. 01744 732290/07725 768838. Barry Fox, Manager (email alzsoc.sthelens@virgin.net). Now holding Carers meeting at Stewart Unit, Peasley Cross Hospital on the first Tuesday of each month, and Alzheimer's Cafes at Moss Bank Care home on the second Wednesday of the month, and Kershaw Centre on the last Thursday of each month - contact Barry for details of dates and times ALZHEIMER'S HELPLINE - 0845 300 0336 www.alzheimers.org.uk - Useful site for information about the illness, and information sheets to give practical support to those caring for someone with dementia. Links to Alzheimer's Society nationally and locally DEMENTIA CARE GUIDELINES - Click here for link to document. Kindly supplied by Stewart Day Ward. PSS DEMENTIA CAFE - www.dementiacafe.com - You can register then log in to chat to other Carers, post questions and have discussions to receive information and support PSS SERVICES - 0151 702 5565/5534 - Home Safety equipment, Dementia Support. www.pss.org.uk PSS ADULT PLACEMENT - 609553 - This service places people with dementia with a family, who have been trained and supported by PSS, for a short break. Currently no families in St. Helens, but have them in Prescot, Runcorn and Penketh. Initial visit from Manager of the service allows them to identify your needs, and those of the person you care for. They then try and match these needs to a family placement provider WHO CARES? - Information and support book for carers of confused people. Available in the Carers Centre ARTHRITIS SUPPORT GROUP - 01924 882150 - Meets 2^nd Thursday each month at Windle Pilkington house - contact is Northern Office of Arthritis Care www.arthritiscare.org.uk - News and information about arthritis ASTHMA www.asthma.org.uk - Information on coping with asthma, including smoking and drinking. X-hale, magazine for young people with asthma can be downloaded from this site top of page ATAXIA Ataxia UK 0207 582 1444 - Information on cerebellar ataxias, diagnosis, treatment and support available. (see sections on MS or Cerebral Palsy if ataxia is part of these illnesses) See also www.ataxia.org.uk AUTISM /ASPERGERS ASPERGER'S SOCIAL GROUP - Meet fortnightly on a Sunday at Peter Street Community Centre. Range of activities available. £ 2 charge per session. Registration forms available at the Carers Centre. For further information email aspergersthelens@hotmail.co.uk NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY - Helpline 0845 070 4004 - www.nas.org.uk - excellent site for gaining understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Asperger's Syndrome. Also have Information Centre, a database of 17,000+ books, articles and multimedia information about autism AUTISM SERVICES DIRECTORY - www.autism.org.uk/autismdirectory - online database provided by the National Autistic Society. Holds details of autism services and support networks locally ACTION FOR ASD - 01282 412021 - Lancashire support and action group, affiliated to the National Autistic Society. Offers advice and support for those affected and their families. Offices based in Burnley. www.actionasd.org.uk WASPS - 01925 822282 - Warrington Aspergers Society. Run monthly Support group HAFS - 01928 711412 - Halton Autism Family Support. Run monthly Support Group BEREAVEMENT ST HELENS BEREAVEMENT SERVICES AND BEFRIENDERS - 451793 - emotional and social support to people who have suffered loss BEREAVEMENT GROUP - 07960 718583/07808 182631 - Support group for those affected by the loss of a child. Meet at the Gamble Library, dates by arrangement with group CRUSE - Helpline 0161 236 8103 - see also www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk - tips on what is bereavement, and ways to manage BLIND/PARTIALLY SIGHTED ACTION FOR BLIND PEOPLE - 0151 708 9008 - Provide employment/deployment opportunities for those wishing to go into work or retain their job. Work in partnership with other organisations to meet individual needs of the blind/partially sighted person ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND - www.rnib.org.uk - specialist advice, local support groups, helpline, telephone support groups, information on talking books, telephone book clubs BRAIN INJURY AND DISEASE CHILD BRAIN INJURY TRUST (cbit) - 01869 341075 - UK wide charity offering support, information and training on acquired brain injury in children www.cbituk.org HEADWAY - 0808 800 2244 - National Organisation for Patients and Carers. www.headway.org.uk CANCER ST HELENS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP - 884097 Millennium Centre, St Helens. Hold Drop in sessions each Friday afternoon, and hold a Social Meeting on the last Monday each month, 7.30pm HELLO AND HOW ARE YOU? - Handbook for carers of those with cancer, available at the Carers Centre MACMILLAN CANCER LINE – Free phone 0808 808 2020 - Helps people living with Cancer, their Carers, family and friends. Trained advisers offer information and emotional support MACMILLAN BENEFITS HELPLINE - 0808 801 0304 -Offers free, confidential advice and help to access benefits and other kinds of financial support MACMILLAN GRANTS - 0808 808 2020 - One off payments for people with cancer to cover a range of practical needs such as transport costs, laundry and household items and heating bills. Income and savings are assessed before a decision is made MACMILLAN CANCER RELIEF - www.macmillan.org.uk PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE - 611501 - Based at Lingholme Health Centre. Provide Care workers in the home to assist Carers and give respite COLITIS & CROHN'S DISEASE www.nacc.org.uk - You can obtain fact sheets, details of Support Groups (dates, times, venues) & contact persons, and latest news. Local group held in Warrington, Contact Barry Gundry 01925 826192 top of page DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING DEAFNESS RESOURCE CENTRE - 23887 - Provide environmental aids and equipment to support deaf people in their homes. Also have an advocate for the deaf, referrals to specialist Social Worker for the deaf, and access to communication services such as lip speakers and interpreters. Run a social club for the deaf, and social events. Signed church services also run in the chapel next door LISTENING BOOKS - 020 7407 9417 - www.listening-books.org.uk - Loan equipment and provide audio books by post. Cost £ 70/year, this covers all costs including postage DIABETES www.changingdiabetes.co.uk - website with information on diet, exercise, how to monitor condition Diabetes UK - 0151 480 0821 - St Helens Branch DOWN'S SYNDROME www.downs-syndrome.org.uk - Information on all aspects of Down's, including education and leaving home DRUGS - see substance misuse DYSLEXIA ST HELENS DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION - 0151 426 9989 - Provides individual advice, help and support for parents of children who have, or may have dyslexia, and also for adult dyslexics. Drop in sessions are held at the STAR Centre College Street at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, starting 21st Feb 2006 DYSPHASIA ST HELENS & KNOWSLEY DYSPHASIA SUPPORT - 01744 458349 - Support given by The Stroke Association, Kurtz Ward, St Helens Hospital, Marshalls Cross Road, St Helens, WA9 3DA. Hold regular Group meeting at Haven Village Hall, Mansion House. Information available on www.speakability.org.uk EMERGENCY SERVICES POLICE - St. Helens Police 0151 777 6050 - Help desk AMBULANCE SERVICE - 0151 2605220 - Mersey Regional Ambulance Service FIRE SERVICE - 0151 2274466 Merseyside Fire Service (admin calls) Hatton Gardens 01744 29126 St. Helens District Safety Command, Parr Stocks Road HOSPITALS St. Helens Hospital 01744 26633 Whiston Hospital 0151 426 1600 Newton Community Hospital 01925 222731 EPILEPSY LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP - Meet 2^nd Tuesday each month at Windle Pilkington House. EPILEPSY ACTION - National Charity provide information and services for patients and Carers. Useful fact sheets on the website www.epilepsy.org.uk top of page GRANDPARENTS GRANDPARENTS PLUS - www.grandparentsplus.org.uk - raise awareness of the valuable role that grandparents have in extended families and support those grandparents who take on parental responsibility for their grandchild CONTACT A FAMILY - Have a factsheet for grandparents at www.cafamily.org.uk/grandparents FALSE MEMORY 01225 868 682 - Information, advice & support. FAMILY SUPPORT FAMILY WELFARE ASSOCIATION - www.fwa.org.uk - A family charity, supporting families to cope with complex issues including domestic abuse, parents with mental illness, learning disabled parents and severe financial hardship HEAD INJURY HEAD INJURY SUPPORT SERVICES (HISS) - 0808 202 2252. Based in Deansgate, Manchester. Charitable organisation who provide support for head injury victims, their Carers and family HEALTH SERVICES HOSPITALS - website has links to information on all services and updates on current moves of department due to rebuilding of all sites www.sthk.nhs.uk Whiston Hospital 0151 426 1600 St Helens Hospital 01744 26633 Newton Hospital 01925 222731 PRIMARY CARE SERVICES - website has links to information about local services in the community, including nursing services such as incontinence assessments, management of long term conditions and palliative care services www.haltonandsthelenspct.nhs.uk PCT head office 01928 593600 Cowley Hill site 01744 457221 PATIENT ADVICE AND LIAISON (PALS) Whiston Hospital 0151 430 1144 St Helens Hospital 01744 458507 Primary Care Trust 0800 849 7188 PATIENT OPINION - www.patientopinion.org.uk - national initiative for sharing healthcare experiences and providing feedback to NHS Managers and policy makers. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk HEALTHY LIVING VARIOUS SERVICES - 697432 - LINK TO ACTIVITY GUIDE Borough wide initiative aiming to improve physical and mental health. Wide range of activities, small cost for some of them HEART SUPPORT GROUP ST HELENS HEARTBEAT - contact Ernie Beeston 01744 811348 or Elsie Challenor 01744 739535 - For Carers and cared for person. Group meets on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at the Unison Club, Bishop Road, St Helens. HIV/AIDS SAHIR HOUSE - 0151 708 9080 A multi-cultural support and information centre on Merseyside www.sahir.uk.com TERRANCE HIGGINS TRUST - National charity www.tht.org.uk Book of Support Organisations throughout UK (North West)available for reference at the Carers Centre HOUSING UnderOneRoof - 01744 636363 - ask for a membership pack. In this pack there will be an application form and some leaflets on how to become a member of the scheme. Scheme is a partnership between St Helens Council and Helena Housing Association as well as all other Housing Associations. Members are assessed on need and banded (Band A is for most urgent housing need e.g. people who are homeless though to Band D which is no housing need e.g. people who want to move for social reasons). Helena Housing Association manages UnderOneRoof and all Helena Housing Association properties that become available will be advertised through UnderOneRoof, along with properties from other associations. Members then bid for a property, and after closing date the person in the highest band will be offered the property. If someone has applied to another housing association then they can keep their details on those waiting lists but may also want to consider joining UnderOneRoof to ensure that they have maximum opportunities for housing that becomes available If previously applied for housing with Helena Housing Association and have responded to indicate that they still need a home then people will automatically become a member of the UnderOneRoof scheme and points will transfer into a banding. HOUSING ADVICE - 01744675150 - Millennium Centre, Corporation Street. If homeless, or threatened with homelessness. The Housing Advice Centre will be able to provide advice and assistance and can provide details on how to access housing, both in emergencies and for the longer term HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE LOCAL SUPPORT available via CMHT at Vista Road 01925 291094, and Merseyside regional office of Huntington's Disease Society 0151 353 8099 www.had.org.uk - Fact Sheets available, and news and info on disease LESBIAN, GAY AND BI-SEXUAL ST. HELENS HELPLINE - 01744 454823 MILEPOST - Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Trans Gender Support Group. Meet on the last Monday of each month, 6 - 8 pm in Central Library. Contact Alison 07833 322140 top of page MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (M.E.) www.meassociation.org.uk - Information on support services, treatments. www.afme.org.uk - Action for M.E. , national charity. Have publications to download, support group info www.nmec.org.uk - National M.E. Centre website MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP - 01942 712740 (Contact Ted Pierce, 12 Langholme Road, Garswood) - South Lancs Branch of National Association, meet monthly at Waterside Hotel, East Lancs Road HELPLINE FOR PATIENTS AND CARERS - 08457 626262 RESOURCE PACK - available from Motor Neurone Disease Association, see Carer info in Centre for example NATIONAL ORGANISATION - www.mndassociation.org - information about the illness, information on support available for patient and Carer MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS www.mssociety.org.uk - links to regional societies and info on illness MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN (St. Helens Branch) - 01744 25261 OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER OCD ACTION - 0845 390 6232 - www.ocdaction.org.uk - Help and information about services. Information pack available online. National guidelines on treatment, may help those seeking services. Message boards including specific space for Carers www.rcpsych.ac.uk/PDF/Checklist_parents.pdf PARKINSON'S DISEASE NATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP - 020 7931 8080 - Information for patients and Carers www.parkinsons.org.uk LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP - 736633 RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE SUPPORT CENTRE St Helens branch - 01925 221546 - Offer advice and support for both recently raped/abused, and those who require support with past abuse. Counselling, support through a report of rape or abuse, male and female clients www.rapecentre.org SURVIVORS - 020 7357 6677 - www.survivorsuk.co.uk helpline and information for males who have suffered sexual abuse and rape RENAL ILLNESS www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk - have details of treatments, support groups. Provide emotional support and have section for Carers SCHIZOPHRENIA NATIONAL SCHIZOPHRENIA FELLOWSHIP - 01704 531019 SELF HARM Series of information books available from MIND - Understanding Self Harm (click title for link to documents) www.selfharm.org - this site shares information about young people who self harm. Please take care when accessing the site as it contains sensitive material No Secrets - www.sthnosecrets.org.uk - Two Local Support Groups set up by a Carer, and her daughter. The Carer's Group meets monthly at the Carer's Centre, telephone us for details of next meeting, or contact by email: mf.nosecrets@googlemail.com. The group for those who self injure meets every fortnight at the Millennium Centre - 01744 627429 for details of next meeting or email: kj.nosecrets@googlemail.com SEXUAL HEALTH COMMUNITY SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS - 0845 155 0156 - For information about contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and smears TEENAGE PREGNANCY/SEXUAL HEALTH TEAM - based in The Beacon, 25 College Street SKIN DISORDERS SKIN CAMOUFLAGE CLINIC - 01925 229740 - British Red Cross hold free monthly clinics at their Newton Le Willows Office. Provide advice on the selection and application of appropriate cover creams, and a prescription request to take to their GP SMOKING SUPPORT ST HELENS 'SUPPORT' - NHS STOP SMOKING SERVICE - 01744 814837 - No appointment needed. Sessions held in venues across the borough, lasting for approx 30-45mins. Other venues are available by appointment. Offer advice and help to quit, make plans to quit, advice to help with cravings. Provide vouchers for replacement therapy, to be used at local pharmacies. See www.sthksupport.co.uk for full details NHS SMOKING HELPLINE - 0800169 0169 STOMA Local support group based at Fazakerly hospital, contact - Barbara 0151 529 2842 www.colostomyassociation.org.uk - can obtain leaflets, access a 24 hour helpline and specific services for young people STROKE (ALSO KNOWN AS CVA) STROKE COORDINATORS - 458471 - Based at St Helens Hospital. Maintain a stroke register, run a rapid access TIA clinic, GP’S can refer to this clinic if they see a patient with symptoms of TIA. Also, if GP has concerns about a patient and they are refusing to go into hospital, the Stroke Coordinators will do home visits. Also run Post Stroke clinics where patients and Carers can access reviews and support, and the Dysphasia support group (see under 'Dysphasia') STROKE SUPPORT WORKERS - Based in same service as above. Contact patients whilst in hospital, and visit them after discharge to review them, and the Carer. Will visit people who have not been through hospital, referral by GP. THE STROKE ASSOCIATION - National Stroke Helpline 0845 30 33 100 - www.stroke.org.uk THE STROKE ASSOCIATION ST. HELENS - 01744 458306 LOCAL FAMILY SUPPORT WORKERS - 01744 458306 ST HELENS STROKE CLUB - 732989 - meet 4^th Tuesday each month at Windle Pilkington House top of page SUBSTANCE MISUSE Local Services - St Helens Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) - Work with partners to look at public health, community safety, and to commission drug services for St. Helens. Treatment services in St Helens are the Lighthouse Project for Adults using drugs - 730072 , and similar service for Newton based at Vista Road, 01925 221234 (see below for more information), the St Helens Community Alcohol Service, for people whose lives are affected by their own or someone else's alcohol use - 762380, the Lifestyles Team (see below), and the Young Peoples Drug and Alcohol Team - 675605 COMMUNITY ALCOHOL SAFETY EDUCATION SERVICES (CASES) - 01744 697433 - PCT service which offers free, confidential screening, education and advice about alcohol and its risks. Work with people of all ages in both group and one to one settings www.cases-sthelens.co.uk ALCOHOL SERVICES CIC - 0151 481 0776 - Venues throughout St Helens. One to one counselling for problem drinkers, partners and family members COMMUNITY LINK -121 Church Street, St.Helens - 612411 www.c-i-c.co.uk - An assertive outreach project supporting heavy drinkers, drug users and those addicted to gambling. Offering befriending, support, advocacy, harm reduction, 1:1 counselling, and alternative therapies. Project also supports families and Carers, even if the person you care for does not access the service 5 BOROUGHS SPECIALIST COMMUNITY DRUG AND ALCOHOL TEAMS - Contact Centre referral 456600 - Support people with substance misuse by giving them opportunity to improve health, well-being and social function. Also work with families and friends of people with problems FOOTSTEPS - Tontine House - 457110 - Support Group for parents, families and carers of people with drug misuse issues www.footstepsforfamilies.org THE LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT - 01744 730072 Self Referral or by GP. Provide counselling, help and advice, therapies, substitute prescribing and needle exchange, access to detox and rehab and basic skills training. Have bases in St Helens and Earlstown, and Community teams THE LIFESTYLES TEAM - 2nd Floor, Eccleston Centre, St.Helens Hospital, Marshall's Cross Road - 458364. Offer brief intervention clinics, community detoxification and hospital liaison services for alcohol users. People can self refer, or GP can also contact the team LIFELINE (Drugs Advice) - 01925 653261 PARENTS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE (PADA) - 451267 Support Group in Parr, for parents, families and Carers of people with drug misuse issues THE WINDSOR CLINIC - University Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Aintree, L9 7AL - 0151 529 2450 - GP referral or referral from other services, such as CMHT. Offers medical treatment for alcohol abusers, including residential detox if required. The staff of the Windsor Clinic enter into a partnership with any client who wants help with a drinking problem. They aim to negotiate appropriate treatment for each individual. Offer a range of treatments to assist the client to achieve a suitable goal. Also committed to offering long-term support in order that clients may maintain successful behaviour change. Satellite clinic held at Millennium Centre on Tuesday afternoons, run by clinic staff Access by GP referral They hold weekly evening support groups on Tuesdays at 6pm and 7.30pm in the Millennium Centre, Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens MERSEYSIDE DRUGS COUNCIL - 01744 730072 National Organisations - DRINKLINE - 0800 917 8282 - Confidential information and advice ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - 0845 769 7555 -www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk - National website www.aa-gb.org.uk /northwest/sthelens-aa-meetings - can link to full list of locations and times of meetings in St Helens AL-ANON www.al-anonuk.org.uk Website has link to listings of group details, nearest local group meet in Whiston. Al-Anon and Alateen offer support for family and friends of problems drinkers. Alateen is specifically designed for people aged 12-20 who want support and advice NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS (NACOA) www.nacoa.org.uk - Offer advice and support to people of any age affected by parental drinking FRANK - www.talktofrank.com - 0800 776600 - Confidential and free (from a landline) helpline for information and advice about drug issues NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE - 0800 776600 TOURETTE'S SYNDROME NATIONAL ASSOCIATION - Helpline 0845 458 1252. Nothing held locally. Information and support at www.tsa.org.uk VICTIM SUPPORT 0151 480 9704 - From June 2007 the St Helens and Knowsley branches of Victim Support are relocated to The Old School House, St Johns Road, Huyton, Merseyside WOMEN'S SERVICES - see emotional support YOUNG CARERS PSS YOUNG CARERS - 454802 - Based in Wolverhampton House, St. Helens (above the Raven pub). Provide support services for young Carers YMCA 01744 22529 - Facilities & services available include HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION for male and female residents, MOVE ON accommodation for people who are ready to take on more independence FOYER PROJECT to provide work experience, job training and education opportunities designed to give participants greater control of their lives. The YMCA also have a Training Centre, provide childcare facilities and have a sport and fitness suite top of page Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided to Carers, St.Helens Carers Centre do not undertake any liability for any error or omission. The products and services listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by St.Helens Carers Centre