Financial Support

For further help in applying for benefits, you could contact your nearest Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Some Bureaux offer help via email or telephone to save you having to travel to see them in person. www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Your local hospice is an extremely useful resource for all sorts of services, often including help with applying for benefits. The link below also contains useful information about many related topics that may be of use to you. https://www.hospiceuk.org

Turn2Us is a charitable service which helps you access the money available to you – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.
Their free, accessible website has been designed to help you find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on your particular needs and circumstances. www.turn2us.org.uk

Access to Work Scheme

Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.

Money Advice Service

Useful information about long term sickness and benefits available, how savings can affect your benefits and what you can claim, if you’re self-employed and can’t work because of illness.
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

GP Exercise Referral Scheme

If you are suffering from mild depression or anxiety and feel that exercise would help, you can get free personal training by being “prescribed” exercise by your GP. There are around 1,300 schemes of this type in the UK.

Once the patient or carer has been referred by their GP, the scheme organizers will make contact with him or her, and arrange an initial consultation with an exercise professional. Referral officers understand that many patients being referred will not be used to exercise, and will make sure the plan is appropriate for their fitness levels.

The patient will then be given free or discounted access to a range of leisure facilities for a period of time (usually 3 or 6 months). These facilities may include a gym, swimming pool, exercise classes or even options such as yoga, archery or belly-dancing.