Information and support

Samaritans

Call free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (emails can take up to 24 hours to be answered).  You can also go into a local office and speak to someone face to face https://www.samaritans.org/branches or write a letter to  Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA. The Samaritans’ branches are closed due to Covid 19 but you can still phone, email or write.

Access Mental Health

NHS service offering a 24 hour helpline and face-to-face support at the Retreat in Bournemouth and Dorchester and Community Front Rooms in Bridport, Shaftesbury and Wareham for anyone experiencing mental distress. (Face to face support not currently available due to Covid-19 but you can still use the 24 hour helpline on 0300 123 5440).
www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access-mental-health

Saneline

Mental health helpline offering emotional support 0300 304 7000 between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day of the year. Not currently available due to Covid-19 but there are online sources of support on their website.
www.sane.org.uk

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

CALM works to prevent male suicide. Their helpline is available to all people on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm – midnight. There’s also a webchat facility on their website. (Still open during the lockdown).
https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Carers in Crisis

Provides emergency respite for carers in Dorset. You need to have registered to access this.
www.mylifemycare.com/carers-in-crisis

Helplines Partnership

Lists a variety of UK helplines.
https://helplines.org/helplines/

Access Dorset – Crisis Advocacy Service

Provides advocacy and case work support to disabled people facing extreme financial/housing hardship. Contact them to make a referral.
http://accessdorset.org.uk/

Dorset Advocacy

Offers various advocacy services:

• Care Act and general advocacy for people receiving services from Dorset and BCP Councils.
• Advocacy for carers in the BCP Council area.
• Support for people getting Direct Payments from Dorset Council.
• Appropriate Adults for vulnerable adults who have been arrested.

They don’t help with benefits, employment or housing issues. Most advocacy offered by phone due to Covid-19 https://www.dorsetadvocacy.co.uk

Dorset Mental Health Forum Advocacy Service

Advocacy for people detained under the Mental Health Act or under a Community Treatment Order and their carers. Also offers general advocacy for people who have mental health problems.
http://www.dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk/advocacy.html

The Advocacy People – NHS Complaints Advocacy

Offers support and advocacy to help you make a complaint about NHS services in Dorset.
www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk/nhs-complaints-advocacy

Autistic UK

UK wide organisation run by autistic people promoting neurodiversity and autistic rights. “Nothing about autism without autistics”. Very comprehensive Covid-19 information on their website.
https://autisticuk.org                   

Community Adult Autism Service (CAAS)      

NHS service offering diagnostic assessments, post-diagnostic support and specialist interventions including sensory integration therapy. Locations in Poole and Dorchester.      
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health/adult-autism

Autism Unlimited

Autism Unlimited exists to support and empower autistic children, adults and their families. They partner with them to find solutions and provide educational and life skills training.

https://www.autism-unlimited.org
Tel: 01202 483360
Email: info@autism-unlimited.org

Autscape

Autscape is a conference with a difference. Rather than talking to a primarily non-autistic audience about autism, this conference is specifically by and for autistic people.  Currently runs once a year in the summer. It is not known yet whether it is going ahead this year due to Covid-19 but check their website.
http://www.autscape.org/

Curly Hair Project

Founded by Alis Rowe, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s aged 22, the Curly Hair Project offers training and workshops throughout the country, including in Dorset. Currently all their workshops are taking place online.
https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/

National Autistic Society

Help, support and information for autistic people, their families and carers and professionals.

Helpline: 0808 800 4104 or use their web contact form
NB During the coronavirus pandemic, you can only contact them by webform.
www.autism.org.uk

The Spectrum magazine

Magazine produced by and for autistic people. Download for free or you can subscribe to receive a paper copy. (Formerly known as Asperger United)
https://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/resources/the-spectrum.aspx

Access Dorset

Offers benefits and financial advice as well as advice on rights and discrimination, benefits and financial advice, Independent Living, aids and adaptations in the home, social and leisure activities, community and personal safety and transport. Provided by staff and volunteers with lived experience of the barriers faced by disabled people.
http://accessdorset.org.uk/

Benefits and Work

Site offering comprehensive guides which take you through the process of claiming disability benefits and appealing wrong decisions. Site also has a support forum There is an annual subscription of £19.95 to access the guides and the site. If you can afford it, it is very helpful.
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Citizens Advice

Offering advice and support on all benefits and help with filling forms and the appeals process.
Dorset Citizens Advice Bureaux (Only providing advice by phone and email during Covid-19 crisis)
Online information about benefits

Diverse Abilities Dorset

Benefits advice. They do make a small charge for their services. Services are still running and appointments are offered over the phone.
https://diverseabilities.org.uk/advice/

Gov.uk – Claim Disability Benefits

The main government website giving information about disability benefits and how to claim.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability

Money Advice Service

Free and impartial money advice funded by the government.

• Advice and guides to help improve your finances
• Tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead
• Support over the phone and online

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Money Matters – My Life My Care

Information about welfare benefits as well as paying for care and managing your money for people living in Dorset.
https://www.mylifemycare.com/Financial-help-and-advice

National Autistic Society

Information about benefits for autistic people. http://www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits.aspx

Carers Direct

• Call 0300 123 1053
• Ask your question using webchat
• Helpline and webchat open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm and weekends, 11am to 4pm
• Get help by email
• Ask if you need a translator

Carers UK

National charity offering support and championing the rights of carers. Offers an advice line, support forum and useful information.
https://www.carersuk.org/         

CRISP (Carers Resource Information & Support Programme) 

Works with Bournemouth and Poole councils and the NHS to offer a range of support for people caring for someone who lives in Bournemouth and Poole. Join the Carer’s Information Service here.

https://www.crispweb.org              

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support/carers-direct-helpline/

Dorset Advocacy                         

Advocacy project for all carers in the BCP Council area. In addition offers a project to support parents of people with learning disabilities to have their voice heard.
http://www.dorsetadvocacy.co.uk/advocacy/support-for-carers/

Disability Law Service

Offer telephone and written advice on Community Care law, employment and discrimination law and benefits.
http://dls.org.uk/free-advice/by-phone-or-in-writing/

Access Mental Health

NHS service offering a 24 hour helpline and face-to-face support at the Retreat in Bournemouth and Dorchester and Community Front Rooms in Bridport, Shaftesbury and Wareham for anyone experiencing mental distress. (Face to face support not currently available due to Covid-19 but you can still use the 24 hour helpline on 0300 123 5440).
www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access-mental-health

Anxiety UK

Offers a helpline as well as information on anxiety related conditions. The helpline is still open during the coronavirus pandemic. Joining gives you reduced cost access to therapy for anxiety.
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Beat Eating Disorders

Helpline and online support groups for people with eating disorders. Still operating during the Covid-19 crisis.
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Blurt Foundation (Depression support)

Information and understanding for those with depression.
https://www.blurtitout.org/

Counselling Directory

Search for a counsellor near you. You can search for counsellors with knowledge of Asperger’s and autism. All counsellors have to be registered and/or accredited by a relevant professional body in order to list their details on this site. Many counsellors are offering phone and video consultations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk

Dorset Mental Health Forum

Offers peer support, advocacy, employment support, sports and social groups for people with experience of mental distress. Has a recovery focused approach and runs the Dorset Recovery Education Centre with Dorset University NHS Trust. Currently (30/03/2020) working to provide virtual options for their services during the Covid-19 crisis.
http://www.dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk

Dorset Mind

Offers various support groups (including women, LGBT and for anxiety disorders) and a befriending service. Their services are currently being provided via telephone and videolink.
http://dorsetmind.uk/  

NHS Mental Health Services

A list of all services provided by Dorset University NHS Trust.
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health

OCD Dorset Support Group

Monthly peer-led group for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Body Dysmorphia Disorder or Hoarding Disorder and their carers. Meets in Poole. Contact them for information about meetings.
https://dorsetocd.wixsite.com/supportgroup

OCD Action

National charity for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/

Steps 2 Wellbeing

The Steps 2 Wellbeing Service is a free, confidential, NHS service for to people aged 18+ for people registered at either a Dorset or Southampton GP surgery. You can self-refer online or your GP can refer you. Offers counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). During the Covid-19 crisis they are offering telephone and videolink assessment and support but this may be limited due to staff availability.
http://www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk/

Actually Autistic Blogs List

A huge list of blogs written by people who identify as autistic.  A browse through this will give you an idea of the breadth and variety of autistic experience.
https://anautismobserver.wordpress.com/

Aspie Daddy

Gillan Drew’s blog about being a dad with Asperger’s. Gillan is based in Dorset and has spoken about his experiences at DAAS meetings.
https://asdaddy.com/ 

Autism and Expectations

This beautifully written blog written by Rhi, a late-diagnosed mother, aims to demystify autism.
https://autistrhi.com/

Musings of an Aspie

Cynthia Kim’s blog. This is no longer updated but it covers a lot of ground and is well worth a read. She also has written two books.
https://musingsofanaspie.com/

Steve’s Aspie Adventures

Blog written by Steve Thornton, a DAAS member. Steve isn’t currently updating it, but his old posts are still worth reading.
http://stevesaspieadventures.blogspot.co.uk/