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Citizens Advice, 20e Waltheof Gardens N17 7DN 10.00 – 12.00 and 2pm to 4pm

Reach and Connect – short term advice and social worker help , based in Tottenham Town Hall. Phone 020 3196 1905 or see their web site, where you can type in a message: https://reachandconnect.net/

Connected Communities: A council-run service to find you the right kind of advice and help; https://www.haringey.gov.uk/community/connected-communities. They deal with benefits, other kinds of financial issues, housing, and mental health support. You can also drop in and see them at certain libraries at certain times. See https://www.haringey.gov.uk/community/connected-communities/timetable-and-locations for more details.

Independent Age is a very useful national organisation. Lots of advice guides and factsheets on its web site at www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets. Also a telephone helpline; 0800 319 6789.

Concerns about safety in care homes: If you think you or someone you know is being mistreated in a care home, or elsewhere, ring the Safeguarding Adults Referral and Advice Line on 0208 489 1400 (office hours) or 0208 489 0000 (out of hours).

Transport:

Freedom Pass – for queries phone the Council’s Concessionary Travel Team on 0208 489 1000. If you’ve moved, make sure to tell London Councils on 0845 275 7054 to ensure you can renew on time.

A Senior Rail Card gets national rail discounts for the over 60s. Buy it online or at staffed railway stations. Take your birth certificate and your passport (any nationality) or a UK driving licence. For about £30 you get 1/3 of most off-peak National Rail journeys for a year.

A Senior Coachcard gets discounts for over 60s on most National Express coach services in England and Wales. Buy it from Victoria Coach Station 7 days before you travel, or phone 0871 781 8181.

Dial-a-Ride – a free minibus taxi service – is available to people over 85 and others who get some kinds of disability benefit, or go through an application process via their doctor about not being able to use public transport. Phone 0343 222 7777 to find out more.

Getting meals delivered:

The Council no longer provides ‘meals on wheels’, although help with meals sometimes comes as part of a home care package. But you can get frozen meals delivered, or get a hot meal from several voluntary organisations that provide this service from £4.50 to £7 per meal. In some cases you need to be ‘referred’ for example by a GP or nurse, but ask first because some allow you to refer yourself. Lunch clubs at various community centres are another option if you can get out. Numerous restaurants around Haringey will bring cooked food to your door – and the portions are often quite large, so you may get two meals for the price of one. But beware the high salt, fat and starch content of many takeaway foods – go for salads and stir-fries if you can.

Don’t forget ordinary supermarkets do home deliveries too. Do it online if you can, but some have a phone shopping service as well. For example Ocado (0345 656 1234).

Getting a visiting carer:

You may get care free, but lots of people now have to pay because the Council is so short of funds. You’ll need to have an assessment in order to determine whether you are eligible for support from the Council. Phone 0208 489 1400 to start the assessment process. Or ask your GP to refer you. The amount of money the council will pay for this is called a personal budget. It is either paid to you as a direct payment, or the council arranges services for you which cost this amount. The council will assess how much you would need to contribute to this.

‘Home from Hospital’ support.

This service provides support to patients aged over 50 to return home safely from hospital on discharge and provides up to three home visits for up to four weeks after discharge. Clients can be referred into the service through a number of routes; by the hospital on discharge, or as part of a period of reablement, GPs, social services or community health services. You can also contact them yourself directly. Tel. 0208 442 7651. E-mail HARCCG.homefromhospital@nhs.net Website www.bridgerenewaltrust.org.uk/news/bridge-home-from-hospital-service-2/

Support for carers who look after family members or friends without pay:

Carers FIRST supports unpaid carers living in Haringey, by providing information, advice and guidance. training, looking holistically on all aspects of you as a carer and an individual. Contact the Carers Hub on 0300 303 1555 or e-mail info@carersfirst.org.uk

A useful Carers Coffee Morning is at the Abide Church, Priory Road, N 8 (near the swimming pool) Contact Suehessel@hotmail.com Open to all carers and run by amazing volunteers, a pleasant space where carers can enjoy talking amongst themselves and supporting each other.