Useful organisations

Useful organisations

Other sources of information that may be helpful to you.

 

Acas

Information and advice on workplace issues, employment law and flexible working. 

Telephone: 0300 123 1100

www.acas.org.uk

 

Age UK

Information for older people on a range of subjects including health, finances and lifestyle.

Telephone: 0800 678 1602

www.ageuk.org.uk

 

Association of British Insurers (ABI)

Information about insurance cover, and what to think about when choosing a policy that is right for you. 

www.abi.org.uk

 

Be Part of Research

Information about clinical trials in the UK. Includes a database of current clinical trials and information on how to contact the trial team.

www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk 

 

Bladder and Bowel UK

Impartial information and advice about bladder and bowel problems.

Telephone: 0161 214 4591

www.bbuk.org.uk

 

British Acupuncture Council

Information about acupuncture and details of practitioners in your area. 

Telephone: 020 8735 0400

www.acupuncture.org.uk

 

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

Information about counselling and details of therapists in your area.

Telephone: 01455 883 300

www.bacp.co.uk

 

British Association of Urological Surgeons

Information about surgery for prostate problems. 

www.baus.org.uk

 

British Dietetic Association

Information about a healthy diet and how to find a registered dietitian. 

www.bda.uk.com

 

British Heart Foundation

Information about heart disease and eating for a healthy heart.

Telephone: 0300 330 3311

www.bhf.org.uk

 

British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA)

Explains insurance terms and helps you find your nearest broker.

Telephone: 0370 950 1790

www.biba.org.uk

 

British Medical Association (BMA)

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.

www.bma.org.uk

 

British Nutrition Foundation

Information on a healthy diet and how diet may be linked to cancer.

Telephone: 020 7557 7930

www.nutrition.org.uk

 

British Red Cross

A wide range of support and services, from medical equipment loans and home assistance to help with transport. Find your local Red Cross in the phonebook, or online.

www.redcross.org.uk

 

Cancer Black Care

Information and support for all people affected by cancer. Raises awareness of cancer in black and minority ethnic communities.

Telephone: 020 8961 4151

www.cancerblackcare.org.uk

 

Cancer Research UK

Information about prostate cancer, including a database of clinical trials.

Telephone: 0808 800 4040

www.cancerresearchuk.org

 

Cancer Support UK

Practical and emotional support for people with cancer. Services include telephone support groups and cancer kits which are free to order.

Telephone: 020 3983 7616

www.cancersupportuk.org

 

Carers Trust

Information and support for carers.

Telephone: 0300 772 9600

www.carers.org

 

Carers UK

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

Telephone: 0808 808 7777

www.carersuk.org

 

Change

Easy read information for people with learning disabilities, including information about palliative care.

Telephone: 0113 242 6619

www.changepeople.org

 

Citizens Advice

Advice on a range of issues including financial and legal matters.

Telephone: 0800 144 8848 (England), 0800 702 2020 (Wales)

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists

Information about sexual and relationship therapy, and details of therapists who meet national standards.

Telephone: 020 8106 9635

www.cosrt.org.uk

 

Compassion in Dying

Information on your rights to make choices about your end of life care. Free advance decision forms and support to complete one. 

Telephone: 0800 999 2434

www.compassionindying.org.uk

 

Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council

Details of complementary therapists who meet national standards.

Telephone: 020 3327 2720

www.cnhc.org.uk

 

Continence Product Advisor

Unbiased information on products for different continence problems, written by health professionals.

www.continenceproductadvisor.org

 

Cruse Bereavement Care

Support and information for people after the death of someone close. 

Telephone: 0808 808 1677

www.cruse.org.uk

 

Diabetes UK

Information about diabetes. 

Telephone: 0345 123 2399

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

Disability Rights UK

Practical information about disability rights and benefits, and keys for accessible toilets across the UK. 

Telephone: 0330 995 0400

www.disabilityrightsuk.org

 

The DLF (previously the Disabled Living Foundation)

Expert advice about equipment and aids to help people live as independently as possible. 

Telephone: 0300 999 0004

www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk 

 

Dying Matters

Information from Hospice UK about planning for the future and advice on talking about dying. 

www.dyingmatters.org

 

electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)

Information on UK-licensed medicines, including how to use your medicine, side effects, and how other medicines, food or alcohol may affect your medicine. 

www.medicines.org.uk

 

Fertility Network UK

Information and support for people with fertility problems.

Telephone: 01424 732 361

www.fertilitynetworkuk.org 

 

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Government travel advice, and details of foreign embassies and high commissions in the UK.

www.gov.uk/fcdo 

 

Fruit Fly Collective

Support for adults and children when a parent has cancer. Includes online information for adults, activity kits to order for children, and animated films to help parents talk to children about cancer.

www.fruitflycollective.com

 

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Information about the card and how to get one.

www.ghic.org.uk

 

 

 

GMFA - The gay men's health charity

Provides health information for gay men.

www.gmfa.org.uk

 

GOV.UK

Information about UK government services, including benefits, employment, and money matters. 

www.gov.uk

 

healthtalk.org

Watch, listen to or read personal experiences of men with prostate cancer and other health problems.

www.healthtalk.org

 

Home Office Drugs Branch

A list of controlled drugs and information about getting an export and import licence for your medicine.

Telephone: 020 7035 6330

www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs 

Hospice UK

Information about hospice care, including a database of hospice and palliative care providers. 

Telephone: 020 7520 8200

www.hospiceuk.org

LGBT Foundation

Information, advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, including a telephone helpline and email support service.

Telephone:  0345 330 30 30

https://lgbt.foundation/

 

Look Good Feel Better

Tips on how people can look after themselves during treatment, including videos and free skincare and grooming workshops for men.

Telephone: 01372 747 500

www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk

 

Lymphoedema Support Network

Information and support for people with lymphoedema, including details of support groups.

Telephone: 020 7351 4480

www.lymphoedema.org

 

Macmillan Cancer Support

Practical, financial and emotional support for people with cancer, their family and friends.

Telephone: 0808 808 0000

www.macmillan.org.uk

 

Maggie's 

Drop-in centres for cancer information and support, and an online support group.

Telephone: 0300 123 1801

www.maggies.org/

 

Malecare

American male cancer charity. Provides information and support for gay, bisexual and transgender people and men who have sex with men, including an online forum.

www.malecare.org

 

Marie Curie

Runs hospices throughout the UK and a free nursing service for people in their own home.

Telephone: 0800 090 2309

www.mariecurie.org.uk

 

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Advice about how to use herbal remedies safely. Also runs the Yellow Card Scheme, a system for reporting unusual side effects from any treatment, including herbal remedies.

Telephone: 020 3080 6000

www.mhra.gov.uk

 

Mind

Information and support for mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. 

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

www.mind.org.uk

 

National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE)

Guidelines for care and for the use of treatments and procedures on the NHS in England and Wales.

Telephone: 0300 323 0140

www.nice.org.uk

 

National Travel Health Network and Centre

Travel health information about every country, and a list of vaccinations you may need before you travel.

www.nathnac.net

 

NHS Direct Wales

Provides health advice 24 hours a day, and lists local health services in Wales, including GPs and dentists.

Telephone: 0845 46 47

www.111.wales.nhs.uk/

 

NHS Inform

Health information and details of NHS and other support services in Scotland.

Telephone: 0800 22 44 88

www.nhsinform.co.uk 

 

NHS Shared Decision Making

Decision aids to help people make difficult decisions about their healthcare. Includes a decision aid to help men decide whether to have a PSA test and to help them discuss this with their GP. 

www.england.nhs.uk/shared-decision-making/

 

NHS Smokefree

Information and support to help people stop smoking, including telephone support, an app, Quit Kit, email, text message and face-to-face guidance.

Telephone: 0300 123 1044

www.nhs.uk/smokefree

 

NHS website

Information about conditions, treatments and lifestyle. Support for carers and a directory of health services in England.

www.nhs.uk

 

nidirect

Information about government services in Northern Ireland, including health services.

www.nidirect.gov.uk

 

Oral Health Foundation

Information about the mouth and teeth, and a helpline for questions about dental health. 

Telephone: 01788 539 780 

www.dentalhealth.org

 

Pain Association Scotland

Runs groups in Scotland that help people manage their pain and improve their coping skills.

Telephone: 0800 783 6059

www.painassociation.com

 

Pain Concern

Information and support for people with pain and those who care for them. 

Telephone: 0300 123 0789

www.painconcern.org.uk

Patient UK

Information that's often used by GPs to help explain health problems to patients. Also has a directory of UK health websites.

www.patient.co.uk

 

Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP)

Details of private physiotherapists who specialise in continence problems.

http://pogp.csp.org.uk

 

Pelvic Radiation Disease Association

Support for men with long-term side effects of radiotherapy.

www.prda.org.uk

 

Penny Brohn UK

Runs courses and offers physical, emotional and spiritual support for people with cancer and those close to them.

Telephone: 0303 3000 118 

www.pennybrohn.org.uk

 

Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme

NHS information about the pros and cons of the PSA test for diagnosing prostate cancer. 

www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/prostate

 

Relate

Information, advice and relationship counselling and sex therapy. In Scotland, contact Relationships Scotland instead.

Telephone: 0300 003 2324

www.relate.org.uk

 

Relationships Scotland

Information, relationship counselling and sex therapy in Scotland. 

Telephone: 0345 119 2020

www.relationships-scotland.org.uk

 

Royal College of Radiologists

Interactive information on cancer treatment and scans. Includes descriptions from staff and patients. 

Telephone: 020 7405 1282

www.rcr.ac.uk

 

Royal Osteoporosis Society

Information and support for people with weak bones.

Telephone: 0808 800 0035

www.theros.org.uk

 

Samaritans

Confidential, judgement-free emotional support, 24 hours a day, by telephone, email, letter, or face to face.

Telephone: 116 123

www.samaritans.org

 

Sane

Information and support for anyone affected by mental health problems. 

Telephone: 0300 304 7000 

www.sane.org.uk

 

Self Management UK

Free self-management courses in England (and online in parts of Wales) to help you take control and manage your condition.

Telephone: 03333 445 840

www.selfmanagementuk.org

 

Sue Ryder 

Palliative care through homecare, hospice and residential care services.

Telephone: 0808 164 4572

www.sueryder.org 

 

SuperCarers

Help with finding a carer in your local area, and a free guide about caring for a family member available to download.

Telephone: 020 8629 1030

www.supercarers.com

 

Stonewall

Information about gay rights, and tips for using the NHS for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Telephone: 0800 050 20 20

www.stonewall.org.uk

 

Switchboard – LGBT+ helpline

Free and confidential support and information for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout the UK.

Telephone: 0300 330 0630 

www.switchboard.lgbt 

 

The Law Society 

Help finding a solicitor in England and Wales.

Telephone: 020 7242 1222

www.lawsociety.org.uk

 

The Law Society of Northern Ireland

Help finding a solicitor in Northern Ireland.

Telephone: 028 9023 1614

www.lawsoc-ni.org

 

The Law Society of Scotland

Help finding a solicitor in Scotland.

Telephone: 0131 226 7411

www.lawscot.org.uk

 

Turn2us

Help to access money that's available through benefits, grants and other help. 

Telephone: 0808 802 2000

www.turn2us.org.uk

 

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Information about types of psychotherapy and details of therapists in your area.

Telephone: 020 7014 9955

www.psychotherapy.org.uk

 

Winston's Wish

Practical support and guidance for bereaved children and their families. Information about helping children when a relative is ill.

Telephone: 08088 020 021

www.winstonswish.org

 

World Cancer Research Fund

Funds research and provides information on diet and exercise to reduce the risk of cancer.

Telephone:020 7343 4205

www.wcrf-uk.org

 

Updated: September 2022 | To be reviewed: September 2023