Planning Ahead for Housing in Later Life | Home Repairs | Home Adaptations | Moving Home
Care & Repair England does not offer a telephone or email advice service as there are national and local specialists who already do this.
Below we list a number of organisations who may be able to help you.
If you are looking for advice about housing, care or related finance for yourself, a relative or friend, FirstStop Housing Care Advice [details below] offers free, impartial, independent information & advice.
If you are looking for a local Care & Repair or similar agency (often called a Home Improvement Agency) which offers help with carrying out home repairs or adaptations, their national body Foundations lists all accredited schemes on their website [details below].
For other information and advice we list a number of useful organisations below who are all independent, impartial and not-for-profit providers.
Who to turn to
Housing & Care Options Information & Advice
EAC FirstStop
www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk
info@firststopadvice.org.uk
EAC FirstStop Advice is an independent, impartial and free service provided by the national charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC). The service is for older people, their families and carers. It aims to help people to get the help or care they need to live as independently and comfortably as possible. Whether you want to remain living where you are now, or are thinking about moving to somewhere that suits you better, they are there to discuss your options.
Help with Home Repairs & Adaptations
‘Home improvement agencies’ (sometimes called Care & Repair, but with many other local names) may be able to help you to organise, carry out and/or find funds for home repairs, adaptations, odd jobs, safety or security work.
To find out if there is a home improvement agency in your area contact their national organisation Foundations. You can put in your postcode and find out if there is an agency near you on their website – www.foundations.uk.com – or contact 0300 1240315 Email: info@foundations.uk.com
IMPORTANT NOTE – Care & Repair England does not operate any local services. All organisations calling themselves Care & Repair are legally separate and we have no control over use of the name ‘Care & Repair’.
Home Adaptations Information
Disabled Living Foundation
http://www.dlf.org.uk
0300 999 0004
Provide independent information and advice about equipment, adaptations & services to make living independently at home safer.
Finding Builders
Your local Trading Standards (part of the local council), home improvement agency or AgeUK may run a local ‘Trusted Trader’ scheme
The Consumer organisation Which? offers a Trusted Trader scheme http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/
TrustMark is a government endorsed Trusted Trader scheme http://www.trustmark.org.uk/
Energy Advice
The Energy Saving Trust
0300 123 1234 or 0800 512 012
Provides advice and information on energy efficiency programmes and financial support.
Neighbourhood Energy Action
http://www.nea.org.uk/
Aims to eradicate fuel poverty. Range of practical information available on website.
Money Advice
The Money Advice Service
http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
Advice Line: 0800 138 7777
An independent organisation, giving free and unbiased money guidance online to help members of the public better understand and manage their financial affairs.
Turn 2 Us
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
Advice Line: 0808 802 2000
Help people to access welfare benefits, charitable grants & financial help online, or by phone via partners.
General Advice for Older People
AgeUK
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Advice Line: 0800 169 6565
Offer a wide range of free information via Tel Advice, website, factsheets and deliver help via local AgeUK groups.
Independent Age
http://www.independentage.org/
Advice Line: 0800 319 6789 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
advice@independentage.org
Provide advice for older people, their families & carers on benefits and entitlements, getting a care assessment, moving into a care home, paying for care, being discharged from hospital and much more.
Citizens Advice
Provide free advice on wide range of subjects via their website On-line Advice Guide: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ and through the local bureau (search for your area here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk)
Which? Elderly Care
A source of free and independent information and advice on care choices for older people across the UK http://www.which.co.uk/elderly-care