Finding Services and Support

 

On this page:

Advice services | Community support | Counselling and emotional support | Health services | Social care services

Advice services

If you are

• recovering from a stay in hospital

• living with a long term health condition or disability

• finding it harder to cope as you get older

you can get practical advice on a wide range of topics, including benefits, health costs, debts, pensions and making a will.

To make sure you are choosing a high quality advice service, look for agencies with the Advice Quality Standard.  You can search for local accredited advice agencies here on the AQS website.

If you need advice about your health, you should always talk to your doctor or nurse. You can also call NHS 111 for health advice and reassurance 24 hours a day.

Website	What can you find on this site?
Age UK	You can get information, advice and support tailored for older people. There are also local information and advice services in Bradford and district, Lancashire and North Craven. You can visit a drop-in centre, get help by telephone or arrange a home visit.
Citizens Advice Bureau	You can get information and advice on benefits, money, work, housing and legal issues. You can get advice online, by telephone or by visiting your local office: - Bradford and Airedale Citizens Advice Bureau - Colne Citizens Advice Bureau - Craven and Harrogate Districts Citizens Advice Bureau There are also face-to-face advice sessions in health centres, children's centres and community centres across the local area. You can get advice in various languages.
Community Advice Network Bradford district	This is a network of local advice charities that give free, independent, confidential advice and information. You can search the website for services in your area. You can get help with problems about a wide range of benefits, money, work, housing and legal issues.
GOV.UK	You can get easy access to government information and services. You can get advice on a wide range of topics including: - Benefits - Working, jobs and pensions - Disabled people
NHS: Health costs	You can find out about help with dental costs, eye care charges, prescriptions, travel costs, wigs and fabric supports.

Community support

Are you looking for lunch clubs or exercise classes, craft groups or stop smoking support?

If you want to find health and wellbeing support in your local community, there are some new ways of getting help that you can try.

If you are living with a long term health condition, you can also find national health charities offering local support groups and branches.

Website	What can you find on this site?
Community Health Maps	This is a directory of local health and wellbeing services for Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. You can search for many kinds of activities, groups and services.
North Yorkshire Connect	This is a directory of local community groups, services, support and activities. It covers North Yorkshire (including Craven).
Wellbeing Directory	This is a directory of local health and wellbeing services for Lancashire. You can search for many kinds of activities, groups and services.

Counselling and emotional support

If you are feeling low or in distress and need support, there are counsellors, life coaches, helplines and support services to help you deal with a whole range of issues including:

• anger

• bereavement

• cancer

• depression

• eating disorders

• relationships

• stress

Many health charities have specialist helplines and can offer emotional support for living with specific conditions. Look for a health condition here and then check the websites listed.  You can also look under M for mental health in our health A-Z.  If you need help, get in touch.

Website	What can you find on this site?
NHS: Moodzone	You can search for a wide range of counselling, emotional support and mental health services in your area. You can also find out about dealing with low mood, depression, anxiety, stress and other common problems.
NHS: Youth Wellbeing Directory	You can search for mental health support services for young people in your area
Books on Prescription	Self help book scheme, available through local libraries, covering topics from anger through to worrying. Find your local library here: - Bradford and district - North Yorkshire - East Lancashire
Counselling Directory	You can search for counsellors and psychotherapists in your area who meet your needs. You can also find out about the types of therapy and support available, and read useful articles by counsellors and psychotherapists.
Life Coach Directory	You can search for life coaches in your area who meet your needs. You can also find out about the types of coaching available, and read useful articles by life coaches.
Mind	You can find out about the helplines, support groups, and wellbeing activities run by Mind in your area: - Mind in Bradford - Craven Mind
Samaritans	You can get in touch for confidential emotional support. Ring 08457 909090 or email jo@samaritans.org
Therapy Directory	You can search for complementary and alternative therapists in your area who meet your needs. You can also find out about the types of therapy available, and read useful articles by therapists.

Health services

These websites will help you find and choose the health services that are right for you.

For information about the services offered by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, search our A-Z of services.

Find out about what to expect from your doctor and questions to ask at your appointment.

Website	What can you find on this site?
NHS: Health services near you	You can search for GPs; accident and emergency, minor injury and walk-in centres; hospitals and consultants; dentists; pharmacists; opticians; services for carers; and specialist services. You can find, compare and choose services that meet your needs.
NHS: Choice in the NHS	This guide will help you take control of your health and treatment. You can get advice about choosing a GP; treatment options; making decisions; your rights as a patient under the NHS Constitution; and much more.
Healthwatch	You can get involved in Healthwatch to have your say on health and social care services in your area. You can also get help to find the best health and social care services for you. - Healthwatch Bradford and district - Healthwatch Lancashire - Healthwatch North Yorkshire
The NHS in England	You can find out here about the structure of the NHS. These new bodies plan and fund health services in your area: - Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group - Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group - Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group - East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group

Social care services

If you are

• recovering from a stay in hospital

• living with a long term health condition or disability

• finding it harder to cope as you get older

you can get extra help to make life easier.

There is a whole range of care and support available to meet your needs and help you live as independently and safely as possible. There is also special help if you are caring for someone.

You may be able to get help towards the cost of some services. You can contact your local authority to ask for your needs to be assessed and to find out more about what there is in your area.

Website	What can you find on this site?
NHS: Care and support	This guide gives information and advice about care and support options, and how to fund care. You can search for care and support services across England. You can find out if a service meets national standards. You can also review and rate services. You can call the Carers Direct helpline for further advice on 0300 123 1053.
Age UK: Home and care	These guides give advice about housing options; care homes; help at home; home safety and security; adapting your home; and self-directed support.
Bradford Care Services Directory	This is a directory of care homes and home care agencies. There is also advice on choosing and paying for care. To get a printed copy, ring 01274 435400.
Care Quality Commission	You can search for registered care homes and home care agencies. You can read inspection reports which check on essential standards of quality and safety. You can find out if a service meets these standards.
Connect to Support Bradford district	This is an online directory of local care and support services. If you are arranging and paying for your own care, you can find what you need here.
Healthwatch	You can get involved in Healthwatch to have your say on health and social care services in your area. You can also get help to find the best health and social care services for you. - Healthwatch Bradford and district - Healthwatch Lancashire - Healthwatch North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Care Services Directory	This is a directory of care homes and home care agencies. There is also advice on choosing and paying for care. To get a printed copy, ring 0845 8 72 73 74.
Social Care Jargon Buster	This is a Plain English guide to the most commonly used social care words and phrases.