Archive Website of the UK government

Age UK

A large national charity, Age UK combines Help the Aged and Age Concern. Age UK has local branches and offers a wide range of services and social activities.

Services vary from place to place but those available in your area may include:

• lunch clubs
• exercise classes
• emotional support services like counselling and visiting services
• practical support at home like home help and help with gardening
• activities outside the home like outings
• computer training and internet use
• information and advice

The Age UK free national information line is 0800 169 6565. It can provide general information and advice from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm, every day of the year.

There is also an immediate response personal alarm service called Aid-Call. Aid-Call is available to everyone with no means testing but most people will have to pay for the service.

To find out more, you can call the Aid-Call enquiry line on 0800 772 266 from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

• Find your nearest Age UK or Age Concern Opens new window

• Aid-Call personal alarms website Opens new window

• Age UK information and fact sheets Opens new window

Citizens Advice Bureau

You can get free, independent advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), regardless of your age.

Citizens Advice Bureaux are staffed by trained volunteers, who can give you advice on a wide range of matters, including:

The CAB also provides advice online through the Adviceguide website. The website contains independent advice on your rights and directs you to other sources of specialist advice if you need more help.

• Find your local CAB Opens new window

• CAB advice guide Opens new window

Other local charities

Local charities may offer help with specific circumstances or a concern personal to you.

There are too many smaller, regional charities to list, but the Charitynet website brings together the websites of non-profit organisations across the world. There are clear instructions on how to use the website to find the information you need.

• Charitynet Opens new window

The Charity Commission

The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. If you're concerned about using a charity's services or making a donation, you can check that a charity has legal status (by registering with the commission). Or perhaps you are interested in becoming a charity trustee? The website will give you useful information.

• Charity Commission Opens new window

First Stop Care Advice

First Stop Care Advice is a service providing information and advice about care and housing in later life. To learn more, call the organisation’s free advice line on freecall 0800 377 7070 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

First Stop is a joint collaboration between Counsel and Care, Elderly Accommodation Counsel, Help the Aged and NHFA Ltd.

• First Stop Care Advice (useful contacts section)

More useful links

• Contacts for organisations and charities (caring for someone section)

• Contacts for organisations and charities (disabled people section)

Useful contacts

• Retirement contacts

• Over 50s contacts