Further help and advice

Carers Trust (National)
Network of over 140 carers centers, provides information on money, benefits, respite care, employment, holidays, transport, and bereavement.

Carers UK (National)
Provides information, advice, and connects carers. Campaigns for change and offers an online forum for carers.

NHS Social Care and Support Guide (National)
Practical information for carers including financial help, breaks from caring, employment, home adaptations, and more.

Marie Curie (Local)
Care and support at the end of life. Provides nursing and hospice care, support line, and information on dying, death, and bereavement.

South Glos Parent Carers (Local)
Parents and carers in South Gloucestershire supporting children with disabilities and special needs. Provides advice and works with service providers.

Family Action (National)
Support for parents and carers.

Citizens Advice (Local)
Provides free, impartial advice on employment, housing, and debt. Comprehensive information on benefits and debt.

• Bristol Citizens Advice
• South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice

North Bristol Advice Centre (Local)
Free and independent advice in North Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Support via phone, email, and face-to-face appointments.

One Stop Shops South Gloucestershire (Local)
Information and advice clinics in Patchway, Yate, and Kingswood.

Wellaware (Local)
Database of health, wellbeing, and community services in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset. Managed by the Care Forum.

General

National

The Care Forum
National – Promotes health and well-being, challenges inequalities, and enables choices in health and social care. Provides an advocacy service.

NHS Health A to Z
National – Guide to conditions, symptoms, treatments, and when to get help.

ADHD

Local

Adult ADHD service - Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS TrustSpecialist service is exclusively for adults who have ADHD or who are seeking a new ADHD diagnosis. 

National

ADHD UK
ADHD UK was established in 2020 with a mission to support everyone affected by ADHD—whether they live with the condition themselves or are family members, friends, colleagues, or employers seeking to better understand and assist.

AADD-UK
AADD-UK aims to raise awareness of adult ADHD, improve public and professional education, ensure fair access to services, and support research across the UK.

Alzheimer's and Dementia

Local

Bristol Dementia Action Alliance
Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) is a volunteer-led, community-based organisation working to make Bristol a more dementia-aware city. As part of a wider UK network, BDAA promotes understanding, challenges stigma, and supports people with dementia to live well and stay connected to their communities. Through awareness sessions, memory cafés, and inclusive projects, they help ensure that people affected by dementia can continue to engage and contribute for as long as they wish.

Dementia Connect
Directory of services for anyone affected by dementia, run by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Southern Brooks Dementia Information & Support
Southern Brooks offers a comprehensive Dementia Project aimed at making South Gloucestershire more inclusive and accessible for people affected by dementia. Their services include:

• Dementia Awareness Sessions: 45-minute sessions available in person or online for individuals, organisations, and businesses.
• Dementia-Friendly Audits: Assessments of environments and buildings to improve accessibility.
• Memory Café: A welcoming space for people with dementia and their families to connect and share experiences.
• Resources & Guides: Practical advice for after diagnosis and directories of dementia-inclusive services and groups.
• Volunteering Toolkit: Support for those interested in volunteering with dementia-related initiatives.

Delivered in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council and the local ICB.

National

Alzheimer's Society
Support services for people caring for someone with dementia. Includes carers’ support groups, social drop-ins, befriending, advice, and information.

Carers Trust – Caring for Someone with Dementia
This page offers practical advice, emotional support, and links to resources for anyone caring for a person with dementia. It covers topics such as managing medication, accessing carer assessments, planning for legal and financial matters, and maintaining your own wellbeing. The site also signposts to national organisations like Dementia UK and Alzheimer’s Society, and encourages carers to connect with local services for tailored support. A downloadable guide is available, offering insights for carers at all stages, including those supporting someone with young onset dementia.

Autism

Local

Autism Central
National centralised support for parents and carers of autistic children and adults with local hubs. Bristol Autism Support is the Southwest regional hub.

The Hive
Local – Supports adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults across Bristol and South Gloucestershire to lead more independent, connected, and fulfilling lives.

Brain Injury

Local

Headway
Local – Information, support, and services to survivors of brain injury, their families, and carers.

Cancer

Local

Macmillan
Local cancer information centers offering benefits advice and counseling. Helpline available 7 days a week.

NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre – North Bristol NHS Trust
Located at Southmead Hospital, the NGS Macmillan Wellbeing Centre offers free information, advice, and emotional support for people affected by cancer, including their families and carers. Services include drop-in sessions, one-to-one support, help with finances and benefits, and guidance on diet, exercise, and wellbeing. A warm, welcoming space with refreshments and quiet rooms is available.

Penny Brohn UK
Support and courses for people with cancer and their supporters.

St Peter’s Hospice – Groups and Drop-In Sessions
St Peter’s Hospice offers a variety of supportive groups and drop-in sessions for patients, carers, and families. These include emotional support, bereavement groups, art and craft sessions, and programmes like Living Well and Fatigue & Breathlessness support. Some sessions are open to all, while others require a referral.

Disability

Local

Bristol Disability Equality Forum
An organization of, and for, disabled people.

WECIL
User-led organisation supporting disabled people. Services include advice, information, advocacy, social opportunities, and employment help.

National

SCOPE
Free, independent, and impartial advice and support for disabled people and their families.

Drugs and Alcohol

Local

South Gloucestershire Drug and Alcohol Service
Free and confidential help for anyone struggling with drugs or alcohol.

National

Rehab4Addiction
National – Advisory and referral service for alcohol, drug, and behavioural addiction.

Huntington's

National

Huntington’s Disease Association
Advice, support, information, and specialist services for people with Huntington’s Disease and their families.Condition:

Learning disabilities

Local

The Hive
Supports people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers. Provides healthcare, education, housing, leisure, and benefits support.

National

Home Farm Trust
Local – National charity providing local support for people with learning difficulties.

Mencap
National – Advice and information service for people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers.

Multiple Sclerosis 

Local

Multiple Sclerosis People’s Help
Free support to people with MS in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset including general DIY in garden and home.

Parkinson's

Local

Bristol Parkinson’s Society
Information, friendship, and support to local people with Parkinson’s, their families, and carers.

Parkinson’s Face2Face
Confidential support and information to anyone living with Parkinson’s or Parkinsonisms, including family, friends, and carers.

PSP

National

PSPA
Support and information for people with PSP and CBD, and their families and carers.

SEND

Local

Bristol Parent Carers
Volunteer parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), work with local SEND services. Supported by Carers Support Centre.

Special Needs

Local

Nothing Special
Promotes fun, fitness, and friendships for people with additional needs through groups and events.

Stroke

Local

Bristol After Stroke
Social, emotional, and practical support for stroke-affected individuals and their carers.

Tourette syndrome

National

Tourettes Action
Tourettes Action is the UK’s only national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families.

Visual Impairment

Local

Sight Support West of England
Advice, guidance, training, events, and social opportunities for visually impaired people and their families.

Bristol Community Arts (Local)
Educational opportunities promoting well-being and community participation.

Bristol Mind (Local)
Information about mental health and local services. Has a confidential freephone helpline.

Bristol Wellbeing College (Local)
Offers free, supportive workshops and courses designed to help carers look after their own mental health and wellbeing. Whether you're feeling stretched, need space to reflect, or want to build confidence and resilience, the college provides a safe and welcoming environment to explore self-care. With flexible, easy-to-join sessions—both online and in person—you can choose what works best for you, with no referral needed.

The Harbour (Local)
Counselling for those facing death, dying, and bereavement. Individual and couples sessions.

The Mindful Life helps Carers cope with stress and difficult emotions using mindfulness-based approaches, running taster sessions, introductory mindfulness programmes and ongoing weekly meditations. Free to participants.

Rethink Carers Service (Local)
Help for carers supporting mental well-being. Includes one-to-one meetings, telephone support, educational seminars, group support, and hospital liaison service.

Let’s Talk About Loss (National)
Safe space for young people to talk about losing someone close.

Next Link (National)
Domestic abuse support, women's mental health support, and rape/sexual abuse victim support.

Samaritans (National)
24/7 helpline for those needing someone to talk to.

Wellspring Healthy Living Centre offers low-cost health, fitness and well-being classes in Bristol.

Alive Activities 
Alive is a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of older people and their carers. 

Age UK Bristol (Local)
Information and advice, advocacy service for people moving into care homes, telephone befriending, activities, and computer learning.

Age UK South Glos (Local)
Information and advice, Day Services (including activity clubs for respite days), nail cutting, befriending, gardening, and insurance services.

Bristol Grandparents Support Group (BGSG)
BGSG offers understanding and support to grandparents who are estranged from their grandchildren. The group provides a listening ear, resources like the I Will Survive self-help booklet, and opportunities to connect with others facing similar challenges. Their compassionate, non-judgmental approach helps grandparents feel less alone.

Independent Age (National)
Free, impartial advice to older people and their families on care, support, money, benefits, health, mobility, and loneliness.

OPAAL  (National)
A charity promoting resources to help older people and their carers speak up for themselves, while supporting and championing independent advocacy services and providers.

Relatives and Residents Association (National)
Information, advice, and support for older people and their families/friends. Includes a telephone advice line and online chat service.

Bristol Black Carers (Local)
Information and advice, training, carers support group, support to black carers.

Bristol Multi Faith Forum (Local)
Acts as an agency for inter-faith and intercultural community cohesion and social harmony.

Bristol Somali Resource Centre (Local)
Supports socially and economically disadvantaged people, particularly of Somali origin, living/working in Bristol.

Carers Connected
A Christian Zoom group offering emotional and prayer support for unpaid carers of adults. Run by the charity Embracing Age, it provides a space to chat, reflect, and pray with others who share faith and understanding. 

Chinese Community Wellbeing Society (Local)
Assistance and services to improve quality of life for Chinese women. Operates the Chinese Lantern Project helpline.

Dhek Bhal (South Asian Carers’ Support) (Local)
Respite for carers of South Asian elders through sitting service, day center, outreach support, and carer support group.

Refugee Women of Bristol (Local)
Multi-ethnic, multi-faith organization targeting refugee women’s needs in Bristol.

Access Social Care (National) Access Social Care provides free legal advice to people with social care needs, helping to achieve a better quality of life.

Bristol Law Centre (Local)
Free legal advice and advocacy for unwaged and low-paid people, and those experiencing unlawful discrimination.

Bristol Refugee Rights (Local)
Upholds and champions the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

Talking Money (Local)
Free, independent, specialist money advice. Includes debt, energy debt, benefits, and income maximization.

Turn2us (National)
Practical help for those struggling financially, including benefits calculators, financial information, and a helpline.

Bristol Community Transport (Local)
Accessible vehicles for hire by not-for-profit organizations.

Driving and Mobility Centre, West of England (Local)
Assessments for driver and passenger needs with fully adapted cars and wheelchair/scooter advice.

Green Community Travel (Local)
Volunteer drivers for essential travel in South Gloucestershire.

Four Towns and Vale Community Transport (Local)
Essential travel and social trips in South Gloucestershire for Diamond Travel Card holders.

Kingswood Community Transport (Local)
Accessible vehicles for those unable to use public transport, including a doctor's shuttle and shopping trips.

Warmley Wheelers (Local)
Adapted bikes for people with disabilities, health conditions, and supported needs.

One Front Door (Local)
Support available for employment, training, or volunteering opportunities in Bristol.

We Care and Repair (Local)
Home improvement and repair services for those over 60, people with disabilities, low income, or coming out of hospital.

Royal British Legion (National)
Support for serving and ex-serving personnel, their families, and carers.

SSAFA (National)
Practical, financial, and emotional support for service personnel, veterans, and their families.