ChoicesUseful organisations This leaflet contains contact details of some of the organisations that support anyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Everyone experiences MS differently, whether you are a person with MS, a family member, a friend or work colleague, you may require different types of support at different times.

This list is not exhaustive, but contains details of the main organisations that you may need in your journey with MS.

If you would rather speak to someone about an issue that is concerning you, then please contact our MS-UK Helpline on 0800 783 0518.

Aids, adaptations and equipment

Canine Partners

Mill Lane, HeyshottNr MidhurstWest Sussex, GY29 0EDCall 0845 658 0480www.caninepartners.org.uk

Assisting people with disabilities to enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life, by providing specially trained assistance dogs.

Calibre Audio Library

AylesburyBucks, HP22 5XQCall 01296 432339Email enquiries@calibre.org.uk www.calibre.org.uk

Cailbre Audio Library is a national charity providing a subscription-free service of unabridged audio books for adults and children with sight problems, dyslexia and other disabilities, who cannot read print.

Disabled Living Foundation

Unit 1, 34 Chatfield RoadWandsworthLondon, SW11 3SECall 0300 999 0004Email info@dlf.org.uk www.dlf.org.uk

Provides free impartial advice on all types of equipment for disabled people.

Listening Books

FREEPOST12 Lant StreetLondon, SE1 1QHCall 0207 407 9417Email info@listening-books.org.uk www.listening-books.org.uk

Provides a postal and internet based audio book service to over 50,000 members who find it difficult to read printed work in the usual way.

Benefits

Benefits and Work

Benefits & Work Publishing PO Box 4352Warminster, BA12 2AFwww.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Benefits and Work provides independent and accurate information about how to claim and keep your benefits. Benefits and Work was launched in 2002 by advice worker turned barrister Holiday Whitehead and benefits writer and trainer Steve Donnison, to provide just such information.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

Benefits Enquiry LineCall 0345 608 8545For Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Call 0845 850 3322

A free helpline for Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

Disability Rights UK

Ground FloorCAN Mezzanine49-51 East RoadLondon, N1 6AHCall 020 7250 8181 (Please note that there is a charge per minute for using this service. Please see the website for details) Email enquiries@disabilityrightsuk.org www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Authors of the Disability Rights Handbook and supplier of the RADAR KeyThe easy turn genuine RADAR Key opens over 10,000 locked public disabled toilets. These keys are available on-line from lots of reputable suppliers.

Turn2us

www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.

Care and carers

Adult Social Care www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services

Adult Social Care Services at your local council are the first step towards getting the help and support you need. They have a duty to assess your needs and also those of your family carer, if you request it. A health and social care assessment is carried out by social services to find out

what help and support you need - like healthcare, equipment, help in your home or residential care. Visit the website to apply for an assessment in your area.

Carers UK

20 Great Dover StreetLondon, SE1 4LXCall 020 7378 4999Advice line 0808 808 7777Email info@carersuk.org www.carersuk.org

Carers UK provides help and advice to all carers across the UK.

Carers Wales

Unit 5 Ynys bridge CourtCardiff, CF15 9SSCall 029 2081 1370Email Info@carerswales.org

Organisation for carers and their families to help with advice and information.

Carers Scotland

The Cottage21 Pearce StreetGlasgow, G51 3UTCall 01414 453070Email info@carerscotland.org

Organisation for carers and their families to help with advice and information.

Carers Trust

32-36 Loman StreetLondon, SE1 0EHCall 0300 772 9600Email info@carers.orgwww.carers.org

www.carers.org/about-us/about-young-carers (For young carers)

Carers Trust believes in a world where the role and contribution of unpaid carers is recognised and they have access to the quality support and services they need to live their own lives.

Care Choices

Call 0800 389 2077

www.carechoices.co.uk

A resource for social care services in your area. Care Choices has 20 years of experience in the care sector and is the largest publisher of official care directories for local authorities in England.

Care Quality Commission

CQC National Customer Service CentreCitygateGallowgateNewcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PACall 0300 061 6161www.cqc.org.uk

The CQC is an independent regulator of health and social care in England. It monitors, inspects and regulates health and social care services. It also publishes what it finds, including ratings to help people choose care.

Include Programme for Young Carers (The Childrens Society)

Unit 4 Calford HouseWessex Business ParkWessex WayColden CommonSO21 1WP Call 01962 711511Email include@childrenssociety.org.uk www.youngcarer.com

Grants

Disability Grants UK

Email contact@disability-grants.orgwww.disability-grants.org

This website provides information on charities and trusts who provide grants in the UK. Disability Grants does not award funding or have any money for grants.

Turn2us

www.turn2us.org.uk

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.

Housing

Own your own home

www.ownyourhome.gov.uk

Government site committed to helping working people buy a home of their own and to increasing the supply of affordable homes to buy.

Information and education

Ability Net

Call 0800 269545Email enquiries@abilitynet.org.ukwww.abilitynet.org.uk

A UK based charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.

Barts MS Blog

www.ms-res.org

The aim of this Blog is for the Barts and The London Neuroimmunology Group to update you on the latest research in MS with an emphasis on the research we are involved in.

British Red Cross

UK Office, 44 Moorfields London, EC2Y 9ALCall 0344 871 11 11 (+ 44 207 138 7900 from abroad)Text 020 7562 2050 www.redcross.org.uk/en/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care

One of the many ways in which the British Red Cross works to help others is to provide support at home, transport and mobility aids to people when they face a crisis in their daily lives.

Changing Places

In England, Wales and Northern IrelandCall 020 7696 6019Email ChangingPlaces@mencap.org.ukIn ScotlandCall 01382 385 154Email PamisChangingPlaces@dundee.ac.uk www.changing-places.org

Changing Places campaign for fully accessible toilets.

Citizens Advice

Consumer HelplineCall (England) 03454 040506Call (Wales) 03454 040505(Please note there is a charge per minute for using this service. Please see the website for details)www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Helps people resolve legal, financial and other problems by providing help and advice.

Dial UK – part of Scope Information and Advice Services

Scope6 Market RoadLondon, N7 9PWCall 0800 800 3333Email helpline@scope.org.uk www.scope.org.uk/dial

An independent network of local disability information and advice services run by and for disabled people.

Focus On Disability

Email info@focusondisability.org.ukwww.focusondisability.org.uk

The mobile-friendly website providing online support, information and products for disabled people, the elderly and their carers in the UK.

MS International Federation

3rd Floor Skyline HouseUnion StreetLondon, SE1 0LXCall 0207 620 1911www.msif.org

Independent information from MS professionals worldwide.

Independent living support

Home Improvement Agencies

The Old Co-op Building11 Railway street,GlossopDerbyshire, SK13 7ACall 0300 124 0315Email info@foundations.uk.comwww.findmyhia.org.uk

Home Improvement Agencies are local, trusted organisations that help older, disabled and vulnerable people to live a good life for longer. They offer reliable information and advice and support people to make modifications to their homes as their health and needs change through later years especially.

There are nearly 200 HIAs in England, covering 82% of local authorities.

Living Made Easy

Call 0300 999 0004Opening time 10am - 4pm (Tue, Wed and Thu)www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk

Provides independent advice about independent living for disabled adults and children, older people, their carers and families.

UKHCA

Sutton Business CentreRestmor WayWallingtonSurrey, SM6 7AHCall 020 8661 8188Email enquiries@ukhca.co.uk www.ukhca.co.uk

United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is the professional association of home care providers in the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit sector.

Symptom support

The Bladder and Bowel Community

7 The CourtHolywell Business ParkNorthfields RoadSoutham, CV47 0FSCall 01926 357220 Freephone 0800 031 5412 (medical help line)Email help@bladderandbowelcommunity.org www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org

Provides information and support for people with bladder and bowel disorders, their carers, families and healthcare professionals.

Bladder and Bowel UK (formerly PromoCon)

Call 01616 078 219Email bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk www.bladderandboweluk.co.uk

Helping to improve the life of all people with bladder and/or bowel problems by offering impartial advice and product information, and practical solutions to both professionals and the general public. They offer the National Confidential Bladder and Bowel UK helpline for individuals and healthcare professionals.

The British Pain Society

Third FloorChurchill House35 Red Lion SquareLondon, WC1R 4SGCall 0207 269 7840Email info@britishpainsociety.org www.britishpainsociety.org

Advice on self-help pain management programmes for those with chronic, persistent pain.

MS Decisions – MS Trust

www.mstrust.org.uk/understanding-ms/ms-symptoms-and-treatments/ms-decisions

This tool kit, devised by the MS Trust, is a guide to the disease modifying drugs approved for treating relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in the UK.

Each drug offers a different combination of benefits and risks. These webpages will help you explore your options and help you discuss starting or switching between one of the drugs with your MS team.

The Pain Tool Kit

www.paintoolkit.org

The Pain Toolkit is for people who live with persistent pain and healthcare teams who support them.

Legal

ACAS

Call 0300 123 1100www.acas.org.uk

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. This service supports good relationships between employers and employees which underpin business success. But when things go wrong it helps by providing conciliation to resolve workplace problems.

Disability Law Service

39-45 Cavell StreetLondon, E1 2BPCall 0207 791 9800Email advice@dls.org.uk www.dls.org.uk

Provides free legal advice to people with disabilities and their carers to ensure that they have access to their rights and justice.

Equality & Human Rights Commission

Equality Advisory Support ServicesFREEPOST EASS Helpline FPN6521Call 0808 800 0082www.equalityadvisoryservices.com

For advice and support about discrimination and human rights.

Law Centres Network

www.lawcentres.org.uk

Law Centres offer legal advice, casework and representation to individuals and groups. Spotting local trends and issues in the course of their work, they highlight them to bring about necessary policy changes and to prevent future problems. Law Centres also help build capacity within local communities by training and supporting local groups and educating people about the law and their rights.

Motoring

Disabled Motoring UK

National HeadquartersAshwellthorpeNorwich, NR16 1EXCall 01508 489449Email info@disabledmotoring.org www.disabledmotoring.org

Information for disabled motorists and their carers.

Driving Mobility

Call 0800 559 3636Email info@drivingmobility.org.uk www.drivingmobility.org.uk

A network of centres which offer high-quality information, assessment and advice about mobility.

Motability Car Scheme

Call 0845 456 4566www.motability.co.uk

Enables disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowances to obtain a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter.

RDAC – Regional Driving Assessment Centre

Unit 11, Network Park, Duddeston Mill Road, Saltley Birmingham, B8 1AUCall 0300 300 2240 or 01213 594 222Email info@rdac.co.uk www.rdac.co.uk

Miscellaneous

Blue Badge

These parking permits allow disabled drivers and passengers to park nearer to where they're going - find out more about Blue Badges from your local council.

To find your local council go to www.gov.uk/blue-badge-scheme-information-council

Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International (DPPI)

The London Fashion Centre89-93 Fonthill RoadLondon, N4 3JHCall 0800 018 4730www.dppi.org.uk

Supports pregnancy and parenthood for people with disabilities.

MASIS

Mobility and Support Information ServiceEmail info@masis.org.ukwww.masis.org.uk

Address methods to help boost self-esteem and wellbeing of disabled people (and individuals with long-term health conditions) enabling them to play as active roles in society as possible. MASIS cannot address all issues, but as a result of links established with numerous charities as well as government departments and organisations, MASIS knows the people who can provide expert disability information and support.

NHS Choices

Call 111 for non-emergency medical advicewww.nhs.uk

Therapists in MS (TIMS)

Call 01462 476704Email therapists@mstrust.org.ukwww.therapistsinms.org.uk

An initiative which brings together allied health professionals who share a special interest in multiple sclerosis.

UKMSSNA

PO Box 63Little MarcleLedburyHerefordshire, HR8 1LCall 01531 670481Email admin@ukmssna.org.ukwww.ukmssna.org.uk

The United Kingdom Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse Association (UKMSSNA) is the professional membership organisation for Clinical Nurse Specialists in MS and for other health and social care professionals with an interest in the care of people with MS in the United Kingdom.

RICA – Research Institute for Consumer Affairs

G03, The Wenlock50-52 Wharf RoadLondon, N1 7EUCall 0207 427 2460Email mail@rica.org.ukwww.rica.org.uk

They focus specifically on issues of concern to disabled and older consumers. RICA was founded through the Consumers Association, publishers of Which? but is now an independent charity.

National MS charities

MS-UK

Unsworth HouseHythe QuayColchesterEssex, CO7 8JFCall 01206 226500Helpline 0800 783 0518Email info@ms-uk.orgwww.ms-uk.org

MS-UK was established in 1993, and is a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis to make the most of today, and live life to the full.

We put people affected by MS at the heart of our work. We provide high quality, professional services to support people living with multiple sclerosis, and we listen to people affected by MS.

Multiple Sclerosis Society

327 Edgware RoadLondon, NW2 6NDCall 0208 438 0700Helpline 0808 800 8000Email info@mssociety.org.ukwww.mssociety.org.uk

This organisation has a focus on research and better treatments. They have invested nearly £6 million in MS nurses since 1999 and award 2,000 grants every year. The MS Society has an online community on their website used by 20,000 people affected by MS. They publish the MS Matters magazine three times per year.

MS Trust

Spirella BuildingBridge RoadLetchworth Garden CityHertfordshire, SG6 4ETCall 01462 476700Freephone 0800 032 3839

Email info@mstrust.org.ukwww.mstrust.org.uk

The MS Trust is a UK charity that believes that no one should have to manage MS alone. They produce MS information you can trust and support the MS specialist health professionals. They fund a small number of NHS MS nurses and create business cases for the NHS to continue to fund them.

Mutual Support

Call 0789 421 5584Email support-team@mutual-support.org.ukwww.mutual-support.org.uk

Mutual Support exists for serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and Reserves, their dependents and carers affected by multiple sclerosis.

MS National Therapy Centres (MSNTC)

PO Box 2199Buckingham, MK18 8ARCall 01296 711699Email info@msntc.org.ukwww.msntc.org.uk

MS National Therapy Centres (MSNTC) is an MS charity providing support to people living with multiple sclerosis in the UK. You can find an MS therapy centre near you on their website.

National MS Society – United States

www.nationalmssociety.org

The most recent news about MS from the Society and across the globe - from research and treatments to activism to fundraising and philanthropy - and more.

Shift.ms

www.shift.ms

This is a social network for people with MS. An online community of people connecting about their experiences and offering peer support. They have over 13,000 registered members and receive

35,000 monthly visitors to their site. Shift MS helps people with MS to acknowledge and actively manage their condition by creating a self-sustaining community organisation, run by its members.

Updated August 2017