Other sources of support

Bladder and Bowel Foundation (B&BF)

Bladder and Bowel Foundation provides information and support for all types of bladder and bowel related problems, for patients, their families, carers and healthcare professionals.

Helpline on 0845 345 0165 (24 hour answer phone service).

http://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org

British Medical Association (BMA)

Produces information for the public on healthcare services, including common queries, how to raise concerns about your care, and links to sources of healthcare information and support.

http://www.bma.org.uk/

College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)

Provides information on sexual and relationship therapy, including a list of therapists.

www.cosrt.org.uk

Cancer Black Care

Provides information and support to people from black and minority ethnic communities who are affected by cancer.

www.cancerblackcare.org.uk

Cancer Support Scotland (Tak Tent)

Cancer Support Scotland (Tak Tent) provides talking therapies, complementary therapies and a network of support groups for anyone affected by cancer including friends, family, carers and healthcare professionals.

http://www.cancersupportscotland.org/

Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission is the new health and social care regulator for England. Their aim is to ensure better care for everyone in hospital, in a care home and at home.

Although they are not able to investigate an individual complaint, they provide information on how to go about raising concerns about your care. They also provide links to organisations able to help.

http://www.cqc.org.uk/contactus/howtoraiseaconcernorcomplaint/complainaboutthenhs.cfm

Carers UK

Carers UK is the voice of carers and the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation for carers.

CarersLine: 0808 808 7777 (10am-12pm & 2-4pm, Wed & Thurs)

http://www.carersuk.org

Citizens Advice Bureau/ Citizens Advice Scotland

Citizens Advice Bureau / Citizens Advice Scotland provide free, confidential, independent advice on a variety of issues including financial, legal, housing and employment

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care offers help to people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever their age, nationality or belief. Free counselling service. Opportunities for contact with others through bereavement support groups and advice. Nearly 200 local branches and a wide range of publications.

Helpline: 0870 167 1677

www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Dealing With Cancer

Dealing With Cancer was developed by Omagh Independent Advice Services to help with the financial impact of illness and provides information on money matters like mortgages, loans and insurance to cancer patients at a time when it is needed most. The website also gives information on government benefits such as statutory sick pay and details of other organisations and charities that can offer help and support.

http://www.dealingwithcancer.co.uk/

Healthtalkonline

Lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. You can watch or listen to videos of the interviews, read about people's experiences and find reliable information about conditions, treatment choices and support.

http://www.healthtalkonline.org/

Health with Pride

An online health resource for lesbian, gay and bisexual patients. Their website has information on cancer issues and erectile dysfunction for gay men.

http://www.healthwithpride.nhs.uk/

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan cancer support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. They provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

Helpline 0808 808 0000

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres

Provide information and support to anyone affected by cancer. Their website holds a list of centres across the UK and has an online support group.

http://www.maggiescentres.org/

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Marie Curie run hospice centres throughout the UK and provide a nursing service for patients in their own home day and night, free of charge.

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

National Association of Widows

The NAW believes that what most widows and widowers need is to feel that they are not alone, that there are others who do understand how they feel and will offer unconditional, non-judgemental support.

http://www.nawidows.org.uk/

NHS Choices

Provides information to support you in making decisions about your own health, including an A-Z of treatments and conditions, and information on NHS health services in your local area.

www.nhs.uk

Orchid

Formed in 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne, Orchid is the only UK registered cancer charity to focus entirely on the male-specific cancers; prostate, penile and testicular. They offer support and information to people affected by or interested in male cancer through a dedicated medical research programme, education and awareness campaigns and a range of support services.

http://www.orchid-cancer.org.uk/262/Home

Pain Concern

Provides information and support for people in pain, their family and friends, including telephone contact with others who have experience of pain.

http://www.painconcern.org.uk/

Penny Brohn Cancer Care

Offers support using complementary therapies and self-help techniques to people affected by cancer. Their approach is designed to work hand-in-hand with medical treatment.

www.pennybrohncancercare.org

Prostate Cancer Support Federation

An organisation of UK patient-led prostate cancer support groups. It can help you find a support group near you and provides a national helpline support service run by volunteers who have been affected by prostate cancer.

http://www.prostatecancerfederation.org.uk/

Relate

Relationship counselling and sex therapy for individuals and couples.

www.relate.org.uk

riprap

riprap is a web site that can help young people 12-16 year olds cope when a parent has cancer. It provides information and tips to help young people understand and deal with what is going on in your family.

http://www.riprap.org.uk/index.html

Samaritans

Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, by telephone, email, letter, or face to face.

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

SANE

SANE was established in 1986 to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. They provide care and support for people with mental health problems, their families and carers.

http://www.sane.org.uk/

Scottish Cancer Support

Offering support for cancer sufferers and their families in Scotland by way of essential items for the home and financial assistance in genuine cases of hardship. Holiday accommodation is offered free to cancer sufferers to help speed their recovery, or in some cases as respite for the family. Patient Transport is also offered.

http://www.scottishcancersupport.org.uk/

Sexual Advice Association

Provides a helpline service for advice and information about erectile dysfunction.

www.sda.uk.net

Tenovus Cancer Information Centre (Wales)

Information and support for patients, their families, carers and health professionals in Wales. Freephone helpline. Individual counselling service and free literature available.

www.tenovus.org.uk

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

Provides details of complementary therapy practitioners who meet national standards of competence and practice.

www.cnhc.org.uk

Prostate Cancer Risk Management

There is no organised screening programme for prostate cancer but an informed choice programme, Prostate Cancer Risk Management, has been introduced. Information about the Risk Management Programme is available on the NHS cancer screening website.

http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (Northern Ireland)

Providing information, counselling, and support . Patient-to-patient home and hospital visits are available. Support services for patients include art therapy and a resource centre. Support groups are also available for different types of cancer throughout the province. Professional counsellors available for patients and their families in the cancer centre and each of the cancer units. Resource and information centre is available.

Freephone helpline: 0800 783 3339 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

www.ulstercancer.org

Turn 2 Us

A charitable service which helps people access the money available to them - through welfare benefits, grants and other help.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Holds a national register of psychotherapists and counsellors and provides information to help you choose a therapist.

http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/