Links to Useful Websites

Support for older and disabled people

• Older People - North Cumbria Health website
• Department for Transport - information about car badges for disabled people (blue badges)
• Directgov - Disabled People section
• Counselling Directory is a comprehensive database of UK counsellors and psychotherapists with information on their training and experience, fees and contact details
• The National Careline - information about care and support for older people, their carers and their families
• RNID - information to deaf and hard of hearing people, their families and professionals

Health and healthy living

• NHS Cumbria website
• Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website
• Benzodiazepine Co-operation Not Confrontation (BCNC) - Advice for people dependent on prescription benzodiazepines
• Hypnotherapy Directory - Lists qualified/registered hypnotherapists
• Morecambe Bay Cancer Information Guide - A new directory of services and resources related to cancer for the Morecambe Bay area for use by patients, carers, professionals and the public

Social Care Services

Care Quality Commission  - The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.  Its aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that’s in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or elsewhere.

• Care Quality Commission website

DeafVision  - provide services for people of all ages with hearing impairments under contract with Cumbria County Council.

• DeafVision

Equalities issues

Cumbria County Council works closely with partner agencies on equalities issues.  These partners are:

• Cumbria Equality Resource Centre (CERC)
• Cumbria Disability Network - a voice for disabled people in Cumbria
• OutREACH Cumbria is a new strategic LGBT partner, working with the statutory and voluntary sector around lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender equality issues
• AWAZ (Cumbria) - the voice of BME people and communities in Cumbria

Advice on Disabled Access

• AIDIS - helpline giving straightforward, non-techie advice on computers and adaptations to people with disabilities
• Direct Enquiries - website giving information about venues which are accessible to people with disabilities
• Parkat - Airport guide for people with disabilities and reduced mobility

Benefits and Discounts

• Cinema Exhibitors Association Card - card offering free tickets to carers accompanying disabled people visiting the cinema
• Seniors Discounts - website offering discounts and news for older people

Other sources of help

• Community Legal Advice
• Energy Saving Trust
• Tunstall - Cumbria County Council`s partner providing Telecare equipment