Older Persons Useful Links
There are many organisations out there that offer help and advice for many different issues. Below is a list of some organisations that may be useful to you.
To find a link either type in a key word of browse through the list of documents.
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Action on Elder Abuse
Address: Astral House, 1268 London Road, Norbury, London SW16 4ER
Telephone: 0808 808 8141
Website: http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/
Information: Action on Elder Abuse works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults. Action on the Elder Abuse is one of the government’s Dignity Guardians.
Age UK
Address: Age Concern England, Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER
Telephone: 0800 009966 (Freephone)
Website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Derwentside District Contact: Barbara Webb (Manager)
Address: Derwentside Office 16c Betjeman Close East Stanley DH9 6UD
Telephone: 01207 280 119
Website: www.ageukcountydurham.org.uk
Information: Promoting healthy lifestyles for the over 50s offering weekly gentle physical exercise activities across the locality and have links with local walking groups. They also offer life long learning opportunities through a range of short courses held in the community. They are represented on a number of local planning forums so the voice of older people is heard & listened to.
Annfield Plain Family History Society
Telephone: 01207 230 983 Website; http://www.annfieldplainfhs.org.uk/
Information: They are a group of local people who are interested in their ancestry. Meetings held at Annfield Plain Library first Tuesday every month 13.30 to 15.30
Arthritis Care
National
Address: The Source, Arthritis Care, and 18 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD
Telephone: 0808 800 4050
Web Site: www.arthritiscare.org.uk
North of England Office
Address: Suite 1, Belle Vue Business Centre, Elm Tree Street, Wakefield, WF1 5EQ
Telephone: 01924 882150
Information: They provide high quality information & support also campaign on behalf of sufferers
Alzheimer’s Society
Address: Derwentside Branch, 4 Trafalgar Street, Consett, Co Durham, DH8 5AP
Telephone: 01207 505150
E-mail : alzheimers@derwentside.org.uk
Information: They provide a network of support and offer advice to people with Alzheimer’s & their carers.
Website: http://alzheimers.org.uk/
Bathing made Easy (Living made easy)
Telephone: 0845 130 9177
Website: www.dlf.org.uk/bathing
Information: Offers advice on daily living equipment .Has a directory of suppliers.
Blind Life in Durham (B.L.I.N.D)
Contact: Mr Jim Welch Chairman
Address: 8 Brookside Avenue, Crook, Co Durham, DL15 8LB
Telephone: 01388 763501
Website: http://www.blindlifeindurham.org.uk/
E-mail: blind@dsl.pipex.com
Information: A committee of visually impaired volunteers to help & support the blind & partially sighted. They meet each month, in Durham, to promote independence & quality of life through friendship.
British Telecom Services for Older and Disabled People
Telephone: 0800 91 95 91 (Freephone)
Text Direct: 18001 0800 919 591
Information: BT’s Age and Disability Advisors will be happy to help with any enquires about equipment or services for people who are older or disabled. Home visits are possible for housebound people.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Office Opening Hours
Stanley, Tommy Armstrong Centre, Clifford Road, Stanley, DH9 0XG
Monday & Tuesday 10am to 1pm
Wednesday & Thursday 10am to 3pm
Consett, Glenroyd House, Medomsley Road, Consett
Tuesday & Thursday 10am to 3pm
Telephone (01207) 218845 - 9am and 10am Monday to Friday
Money & Welfare advice
Address: Stanley Tommy Armstrong Centre, Clifford Road, Stanley, DH9 0XG
Opening Hours: 10.00am to 1.00pm Mon, Tues 10.00am to 3.00pm Wed, Thurs
Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Information: They offer advice on the following; Debt, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Consumer, Legal, Relationship, Education, Employment, Immigration
Counsel & Care
Address: Twyman House, 16 Bonny Streets, London, NW1 9PG
Telephone: 0845 300 7585 (local call) or : 020 7241 8555 Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00am to 4.00pm except Wed 10.00am to 1.00pm
Website: http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/
Information: Offering help and advice for older people, their families & carers.
County Durham Access Bus Scheme
Address: Travel Response Centre, Integrated Transport Unit, Environment,
County Hall, Durham DH1 5UQ
Telephone: 0191 383 5383
Text phone: 0191 372 5383
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=6010
Colostomy Association
Address: Head Office Colostomy Association, 2 London Court, East
Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4QL
Telephone: 0800 3284257
Website: www.colostomyassociation.org.uk
Information: Support and advice for colostomates, their families and their carers, email and 24hr telephone helpline, comprehensive advisory literature and quarterly magazine, visits for those who need it .
Disabled Living Foundation
Address: 380 –384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HUTelephone: 084501309177
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
Information: A charity that provides impartial advice, information & training for daily living aids.
Derwentside Tenant Support Service - Stonham Housing Association
Contact: L GardinerAddress: Unit 27a, Number One Industrial Estate, Consett, Co Durham DH8 6TJ
Telephone: 01207 585640
Website: www.homegroup.org.uk/stonham
Information: They offer support to homeless & people in their own homes to maintain their tenancy i.e. Budgeting, debt reduction, negotiating repairs, reduce social isolation.
Durham Support Group-National Osteoporosis Society
Contact: Colin Stephinson
Address: 34 St Barnabas, Bournmoor, Co Durham, DH4 6EU
Telephone: 0191 385 3708
Website: http://www.nos.org.uk
Information: The group meets the third Tuesday each month to offer support & information for anyone with or is interested in Osteoporosis.
Durham County Council Welfare Rights Team
Telephone: 0191 3708787
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=189
Information: Durham County Council’s welfare right’s team can help claimants to gain better accesss to Social Security benefits by providing advice and information, checking people’s eligibility and representing claimants to appeal tribunals.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Website: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Information: The Equality and Human Rights Commission give advice and information about the laws and rights we have in this country about:
- age
- disability
- gender (male, female and transgender)
- race
- religion and belief
- being lesbian, gay and bisexual
Home Independence shops
The Bradbury Centre, 154 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland
Telephone 01388 451 381
Abbey Day Centre, Abbey Road, Pity Me Durham
Telephone 0191 384 6726
Peterlee Day Centre, Essington Way, Peterlee
Telephone 0191 5183870
Stanley Day Centre, Wear Road, Stanley
Telephone 01207 290 581
Pioneering Care Centre, Cobblers Hall, Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe
Telephone 01325 327 467
Specialist equipment for people with hearing loss
Spennymoor Day Centre, Barnfield Road, Spennymoor
Telephone 01388 813 450
Voice to Text phone 18002 03188 813450
Housing & Council Tax Benefit
Telephone: 01207 693 000
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/ContentPage.aspx?DCCId=db2ee1b0-40d1-41cf-b059-bd3af9a74e2a
Macmillan Information & Support Centres 
North Durham
Address: East Wing Corridor, University Hospital of North Durham, North Road, Durham DH1 5TW
Telephone: 0191 3332815
National
Address: Head office, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
Telephone: 0808 808 0000
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Information: They provide practical, medical & financial support for cancer sufferers, family & carers.
Telephone: 0845 46 47
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Information: Confidential healthcare advice and information 24-hours a day
Open Arms
Contact: Ms Sandra Brown
Address: Leadgate Methodist Church Hall (just off Tyne Ave), Consett, DH8 6EL
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed 9.00am to 2.00pm
Telephone 01207 593666
Information: Pop-in centre offering support for people with various health needs & vulnerable adults. They also provide a main meal at £2.30 + 70p for dessert. A pick up mini bus service available £2.00 each way
Parkinson’s UK
Address: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 6ND
Telephone: 0808 800 0303
(Available weekdays 09:30am to 09:00pm and Saturday 09:30am to 5:30pm)
Website: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
Information: The Parkinson’s Helpline is one of the main sources of information and contact for people with Parkinson’s, whether they have just been diagnosed or have had the condition for a number of years. The nurses running it are able to reassure, offer advice, information and support to anyone affected by Parkinson’s giving people the confidence to manage the condition.
Pension Credit
Claim & helpline 0800 991 234
Textphone 0800 169 0133 - if you have speech or hearing difficulties
8 am to 8 pm Monday – Friday
9 am to 1 pm Saturday
Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/PensionCredit/DG_10018692
Pleural Mesothelioma Center
Email: webmaster@pleuralmesothelioma.com
Website: http://www.pleuralmesothelioma.com/
Information: Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the lungs. It is almost solely caused by exposure to asbestos, which was used in everything in children's toys, house-hold insulation, and naval carriers. This website has the most up to date and comprehensive information about Pleural Mesothelioma on the web today.
Registered Traders Scheme
Telephone: 0191 383 3589
Email: rts@durham.gov.uk
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=1127
Information: Durham County Council's Trading Standards Service has set up the Registered Trader Scheme, in association with the County’s Community Safety Team, the police and other voluntary, public and private sector agencies. The scheme helps you to make an informed choice if you need the services of a trader. It also supports and recognises those businesses which are committed to high standards of trading.
Retirement Matters
Telephone:01273 74990
Website: www.retirement-matters.co.uk
Information: A website pointing you towards information for the over fifties including holidays, finance, interest groups,care services Etc.
Return To Learn - Derwentside Area
Address: Return to Learn Centre, Front Street, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 0ST
Telephone: 01207 230521
Website: www.durham.gov.uk
Information: They help people, over the age of 16, to get back into education or simple training to enhance basic skills.
SAGA
Address: The SAGA building, Middleburg Square, Folkstone Kent CT20 1AZ
Telephone: 01303 771111 Lines open 8.30am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday
Website: www.saga.co.uk
Information: They offer various products aimed at the over 50s such as holidays, insurance and financial packages.
SSAFA (soldiers,sailors & airmens’ family association)-NE
Contact: Mr William Hutchinson
Address: SSAFA Forces Help, R.F.C.A. 53 Old Elvert, Durham, DH1 3JJ
Telephone: 0191 3839452
Website: www.ssafa.org.uk
Information: We help and support those who serve in our Armed Forces and those who used to serve - even if it was only for a single day. We also care for the families of both.
State Pension
First claim: 0800 731 7898
National Helpline: 08456 060 265
Textphone: 0800 731 7013 - if you have speech or hearing difficulties
8 am to 8 pm Monday - Friday
The Royal British Legion
Address: 199 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1AA
Telephone: 08457 725 725 General Enquiries Mon-Fri 10.00am to 4.00pm
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Information: They safeguard the welfare, interests & memory of those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces offering help & advice.
Veterans UK & Veterans Agency
Address: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Norcross, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP.
Telephone: Freephone 0800 169 22 77 (UK only)
Website: http://www.veterans-uk.info/
Information: The Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA) provides pay, pension and support services to both Military Personnel and the Veterans Community. For the first time, the MOD is able to deliver through-life service support functions direct to around 900,000 personnel. SPVA is currently situated over four sites from Glasgow in the north to Gosport on the south coast.
Welfare Rights
0191 3708787
