The Minster Practice, Lichfield

There are many organisations providing support and information. Please e-mail us for information about contacts for any medical condition. When we locate such support we may respond by e-mail or display the details on this site in order to inform others.
0800 & 0808 numbers are usually free. 0845 numbers are usually at local rate. Check details with your telephone service provider in case the numbers are treated differently.

Please let us know (feedback@minster.org.uk) if you use a group not listed here so that we can add the group to this list in order to provide the information for others.

Acromegaly The Pituitary Foundation, PO Box 1944, Bristol BS99 2UB 0117 923 8070

Adoptees National Organisation for the Counselling of Adoptees and Parents offers help and counselling for adoptees wishing to trace their birth parents. Under 18s must have adopted parents' permission. 01865 875000

Age Concern 0800 00 99 66 (M-F 7-7)
For the over 60s: Falls advice & guidance for those who have fallen or are afraid they may fall and also support in the community to prevent hospital admission or provide support after hospital discharge Age Concern 0121 378 6213 or 01543 414555 extension 2445

Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 (M-F 9-4)

AIDS & HIV helpline 0800 567 123

Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) 07071 781 899 and Al-Anon family groups (including Al-Anon and Alateen) 0207 403 0888 provide understanding, strength and hope to anyone who is or has been affected by someone else's drinking.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) offers information, advice and support to children of alcoholics. 0800 358 3456 - 0800 calls do not appear on itemised phone bills.

Alzheimer's Disease Society  0845 3000 336 (8am - 6pm)

National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society: 01435 873 527

Anorexia and Bulimia Eating Disorders Association offers information for sufferers families and carers 01603 621414 (Mon-Fri 9am-6.30pm) Youth helpline for under18s 01603 765050 (Mon-Fri 4-6pm)

Anxiety & Obsessive Compulsion Disorder First Steps to Freedom 01926 851608

Asthma Campaign help line staffed by specialist asthma nurses Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 0845 7 01 02 03

National Autistic Society 020 7903 3555  

Bedwetting, constipation & soiling The Enuresis Research & Information Centre
0117 960 3060

Behaviour towards children: Lucy Faithfull Foundation runs Stop It Now which promotes public education & aims to prevent child sexual abuse. If you are worried about your own or others' behaviour towards children: 0808 100 0900

Bereaved recently? CRUSE offers counselling, advice on practical matters and opportunities for social support. For free leaflet or mail order catalogue send SAE to CRUSE Cruse House 126 Sheen Road Richmond surrey TW9 1UR.
Helpline 01543 433479 or 0845 758 5565
National Association of Bereavement Services provides support to those dying or bereaved. Helpline offers information and support including information about local support groups. 020 7709 9090
Child Death Helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child. Provides local contacts 0800 282 986
Compassionate Friends provides support for immediate family when a child dies and offer specialised help for brothers and sisters of the child 0117 953 9639
Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths 020 7233 2090
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) 020 7436 5881

Blood donation Almost anyone aged 17 to 60 years and in general good health can give blood. For information and to join the NHS Blood Donor Register phone 0845 7 711 711

Breastfeeding. National Childbirth Trust local counsellor. 01543 672221 Also counsellors at the La Leche League 020 7242 1278

Bullying at school Kidscape 020 7730 3300

Cancer For these support groups see our Cancer section 

Carers National Association 0808 808 7777 (M-F 10-12, 2-4)
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers 020 7480 7788

 National Childbirth Trust   020 8992 8637 Also see pregnancy links below

ChildcareLink provides information about local childcare facilities
08000 96 02 96  

Childhood disability: Early Support is a family focused initiative designed to improve services for families of children under age 3 with a disability. It brings together education, social care, health services and the voluntary sector working in partnership with parents  0845 602 2260

ChildLine 0800 1111. This number does not appear on itemised telephone bills. It is the UKs free national 24 hour helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger 
National Association for Children of Alcoholics provides advice 0800 289 061
Alateen provides a 24 hour helpline for 12 to 20 year olds who have someone in their lives with a drink problem 020 7403 0888
National Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Free child protection helpline offering advice to adults concerned about children 
0808 800 5000

For Cancer help  see our cancer pages 

Continence Association: Confidential advice on all problems relating to bladder and bowel control 020 7831 9831

Crime: Victim of crime? Lichfield & Tamworth Victim Support Scheme
01543 30 1000  (National 0845 303 0900) Domestic Violence click here

Debts: National Debtline service for those with multiple debts; free independent advice        0808 808  4000

Divorce and separation National Family Mediation provides help for couples in the process of separation and divorce focussing on the arrangements for children
020 7383 5993

Depression Alliance 020 7633 0557
Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous 01702 433 838

British Diabetic Association    020 7462 2791  
Think you are at risk of Diabetes? Take the risk test http://www.diabetes.org/ada/risktest.asp 
or ring the Diabetic Association 0800 013 4443
or make an appointment at the Well Man or Well Woman Clinics.

Disabled Living Foundation Advice on aids and equipment 0870 603 9177 (M-F 10-4)

Domestic violence See onsite information.

Down's Syndrome Association 020 8682 4001

Drug Abuse - help for users plus families and friends of users 
Narcotics Anonymous is a self help organisation for drug users 020 7730 0009
National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00
Release - the National Drugs and Legal Helpline. Advisory service Mon - Fri 10am-6pm 020 7729 9904. For people arrested for drug offences 24 hour service every day 020 7603 8654
Re-Solv Information for anyone associated with solvent abuse and telephone support network for parents 0808 800 2345
Standing Conference on Drug Abuse (SCODA) produces lists of drug services available for users and their families 020 7928 9500
Families Anonymous provides help for families and friends of drug users
020 7498 4680
South Staffordshire Druglines Confidential information advice & counselling on drugs or drug problems 01785 22 52 66
Treatment Works is a campaign (launched Sept 2003) aiming to give drug users, their families and friends the facts about treatment, to encourage more people into taking the first steps in dealing with their drug use. 0800 77 66 00
Narcotics Anonymous (020 7251 4007) also helps set up local support groups for people who have a problem with drugs.

British Dyslexia Association 0118 966 8271

Eating Disorder National Helpline: 020 8959 2330

Eczema Information Line   020 7388 3444  

Epilepsy See on site information: Epilepsy

Endometriosis Society  020 7222 2776

Gamblers Anonymous 020 7384 3040 (24hr helpline)

Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 0121 622 6589

National Association for Gifted Children 01908 673677 (Youthline 01908 692660)

British Heart Foundation     020 7935 0185

Children's Heart Federation for families of children with heart disorders, the helpline on 0808 808 5000  is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 9.30pm

Junk mail, intrusive phone calls, spam e-mails: Call Mailing Preference Service 0345 034599 and Telephone Preference Service 0845 0700 707. http://www.e-mps.org regarding spamming

Kidneys National Kidney Help Line : Advice about all aspects of kidney problems   0845 300 1499

Learning Disabilities Enable 0141 226 4541
    Mencap learning disability helpline. 24hr answering but manned Mon-Fri 10-4 0808 808 1111

Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 0121 622 6589

Live At Home Schemes offer support services aimed at continued independent living within the local community 01543 415020

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis or encephalopathy) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Action for ME national charity 01749 670799 also ME Association 01375 642466

Mental Health (National Association: MIND) 08457 660 163

Minimum Income Guarantee (This became Pension Credit in October 2003 and still involves claiming) Not enough eligible elderly are aware of this addition to the basic pension. Anybody with no other income is almost certainly eligible but it has to be claimed. The Government helpline is on 0800 028 1111

Miscarriage Association 01924 200 799  More information available on the site

Missing persons helpline 0500 700 700

Mothers of young children Meet a Mum Association is a self help group for mothers with small children    020 8768 0123 Also see parenting below

Motor Neurone Disease: The Motor Neurone Disease Association helpline for patients and families    08457 626 262

Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre    0800 783 0518
Multiple Sclerosis Society: MS National Centre 0808 800 8000 Also see site information

Myasthenia Gravis Association    0800 919922 (Fax 01332 293641)

International Myeloma Foundation 0800 980 3332

NHS Direct          0845 45 46 47  
The NHS Direct Healthcare Guide works in conjunction with the 24 hour telephone advice service and provides information about the commonest queries received. Unfortunately the Government has changed its mind about free provision of the guide to every household. This means that those most most likely to benefit from the guide may not be able to afford it.
The practice has its own Minor Illness Booklet (free) which advises about appropriate self management of common conditions. Ask at the subwaiting reception if you want your own copy of our booklet.  

NSPCC See above below ChildLine

National Osteoporosis Society helpline manned by a trained nurse 0845 450 0230

Panic attacks and Phobias No Panic 0800 783 1531

Parenting
Parentline Plus provides telephone support and counselling for anyone parenting a child 0808 800 2222
National Council for One Parent Families 0800 018 5026
Contact a Family is a group providing support for families and carers of children with any kind of special needs. Especially good for rare medical conditions.
020 7383 3555
Gingerbread is a self help association for one parent families 0800 018 4318

Parkinson’s Disease Society Helpline    0808 800 0303  

The Pituitary Foundation, PO Box 1944, Bristol BS99 2UB    0117 923 8070

British Pregnancy Advisory Service for pregnancy advice 08457 304 030 or 0345 304030
Brook Advisory Centres provide confidential counselling service on contraception and pregnancy 0800 018 5023

National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome 01732 760 012

Postnatal depression Association for postnatal illness helps women share their experiences    020 7386 0868

Prader-Willi Syndrome Association 01332 365676

Prostate: Prostate Research Campaign UK, 36 The Drive, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1HP and Prostate Help Association, Langworth, Lincoln, LN3 5DF

Rape Crisis Centre 0121 233 3818 or 020 7837 1600 (24hr service)

The Samaritans    01827 54 222 or 01922 624000 or 0845 90 90 90 or via text messaging 07725 90 90 90 (reply sent within 10 minutes)

Seasonal Affective Disorder Association. SAE for free information leaflet PO Box 989 Steyning BN44 3HG

Sexwise Advice and counselling on safe sex, sexuality and pregnancy for 12 - 18 year olds 0800 282 930

National Schizophrenia Fellowship advice service 10am-3pm 020 8974 6814
Schizophrenia - A national emergency (SANE) Helpline 12pm-2am 0345 678000

Sleep advice service sponsored by the Sleep Council Monday to Friday and Sunday evenings 6pm to 10pm 020 8994 9874

Giving up Smoking Official NHS helpline for free advice and support 
0800 1690169

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) 020 7436 5881

The Stroke Association provides practical support for those who have had strokes, their families and carers 020 7490  7999 . The local family support organiser (Helen Vaughan) can be contacted on her mobile 07799 436030 or by fax 0121 250 5569. Linda Eades is based at Queens Hospital Burton tel & fax 01283 593169

"Telegrams" from The Queen for 60th, 65th & 70th wedding anniversaries. Application form available from Anniversaries Office, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

British Tinnitus Association 0800 018 0527
RNID Tinnitus Helpline 0808 808 6666

Tourette Syndrome (UK) Association 01892 669151

For travel help see our travel pages

Victim Support drop-in Centre: Bore Street, Lichfield. Appointments 01543 301000

National Waiting List Helpline    020 8983 1133

Weight Watchers UK Locate nearest meeting 0345 123 000

Women's Health Information and advice about various women's problems
020 7251 6580
Well Being: Medical research charity offering advice on women's health
020 7262 5337

Young people age 13 to 19 or 25 if any disability: Advice about jobs, education, health, housing, leisure and other things that matter to young people: Connexions 0808 1000 434

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Copyright © 1997-2007 Dr Michael Causer Click here for full copyright notice & site warning.
Homepage last modified: August 25, 2008.