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Focus Birmingham | Charity for sight loss and complex needs

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  1. How we help
  2. Other sources of help

Other sources of help

Are you looking for specialist advice or support for a particular issue?  

Check out the below links on a range of topics: 

Attendance allowance - https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance 

Pension credit - https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

PIP - https://www.gov.uk/pip

Universal Credit - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

ESA - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance-detailed-guide

Carers Allowance - https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance 

Disability living allowance - https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit

Tax allowances and disabled student allowances - https://www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer-advice-and-support-services/tax-advice-service 

Benefit Calculators -

Government benefit calculator - https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

RNIB benefit calculator - https://rnib.entitledto.co.uk/

Age UK benefit calculator - https://benefitscheck.ageuk.org.uk/Home/Start/

Disability Resource Centre - https://www.disability.co.uk/personal-and-life-skills-development/

CEA card - https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ 

British wireless for the blind - https://blind.org.uk/about/

Tv License - https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/cs/pay-for-your-tv-licence/blind/index.app

Royal mail free postage - https://www.royalmail.com/sending/articles-blind

Free directory enquiries - https://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-benefits-and-concessions-concessions/free-directory-enquiries-195

Food bank information - https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

Advocacy Services

Advocate services - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/someone-to-speak-up-for-you-advocate/

The advocacy people - https://www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk/

Pohwer - https://www.pohwer.net

Age UK - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Voiceability -  https://www.voiceability.org/

Power of attorney - https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Rights at work 

GOV UK -  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

Adjustments for disabled workers - https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers

Access to work - https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

IAG for employment - https://www.sense.org.uk/get-support/information-and-advice/employment/

Looking for work - https://www.gov.uk/looking-for-work-if-disabled/applying-for-a-job

Consumer advice 

Citizens advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/ 

Priority services register - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register

Voting - https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/democratic-engagement-resources/information-voters-sight-loss

Education

Studee - https://studee.com/discover/study-abroad-disability/  

Digital Skills Training Over 65 - https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info/digital-skills-training-people-over-65 

Mental Health Organizations 

Anxiety UK - www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK - www.bipolaruk.org.uk

CALM for Men - https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Mens health forum - www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation - www.mentalhealth.org.uk 

MIND - www.mind.org.uk

No Panic - www.nopanic.org.uk

OCD Action - www.ocdaction.org.uk

OCD UK - www.ocduk.org.uk

Okay Rehab - https://www.okrehab.org

Papyrus - www.papyrus-uk.org

Rethink Mental Illness - www.rethink.org

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/

SANE - www.sane.org.uk

Youngminds - www.youngminds.org.uk

RNIB Counselling - https://www.rnib.org.uk/online-counselling-form

Macular Society Counselling - https://www.macularsociety.org/counselling

Guiding Information 

Guide Dogs - https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/-/media/Project/GuideDogs/GuideDogsDotOrg/Files/FAQs/guide-dog-application-eligibility-criteria.pdf

My Guide - https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/services-we-provide/my-guide

Canes - https://www.rnib.org.uk/cane-explained 

Disabled Railcard - https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/

Sighted Asssitance - https://orr.gov.uk/info-for-the-public/passengers-with-disabilities

Disabled persons free travel pass - https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/tickets-and-passes/disabled-persons-pass/

Blue Badge - https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge

Ring and ride - https://ringandride.org/index.html

Driving with Poor Eyesight: A Safety Guide for Drivers Who Need to Wear Glasses or Contact Lenses: https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/driving-with-poor-eyesight/

Inclusive travel: What travellers with disabilities need to know about their rights - https://www.skyscanner.net/news/inclusive-travel-rights-for-disabled-people

General Information 

RNIB - https://www.rnib.org.uk/

Sense - https://www.sense.org.uk/

Macular Society - https://www.macularsociety.org/

Glaucoma - https://glaucoma.uk/ 

Diabetic Eye Screening - https://www.retinalscreening.co.uk/ 

Advice

Safe Independent Living for Seniors - https://www.comparethemarket.com/life-insurance/content/safe-independent-living-for-seniors

Published: 17th March, 2020

Updated: 10th April, 2025

Author:

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Registered Office
48-62 Woodville Road
Harborne
Birmingham
B17 9AT

+44 (0)121 393 4849
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