Independent Review Service  for the Social Fund   External Contacts & Links    Homepage     External Contacts and Links Below are a selection of links to other organisations. The list is divided into Non-Government and Government organisations. These organisations give support, advice and information covering a range of subjects and social groups. These are relevant to our work but the Independent Review Service is not responsible for the content of external websites. Non-Government Organisations A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z Action on Hearing Loss Action on Hearing Loss campaigns in many ways to make daily life better for deaf and hard of hearing people. Advicenow Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues. . Age UK Age UK believe that age needs respect. It needs kindness. Sometimes it needs help. Because there is strength in numbers, Age Concern and Help the Aged have joined forces to become Age UK - so that they can be there for everyone in later life. Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is the umbrella body for all Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) in Scotland. CAS, itself, does not give advice to the public, but will help you find a CAB who will. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from nearly 3,400 locations and by influencing policymakers. Child Poverty Action Group CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of poverty among children and young people in the UK and for the improvement of the lives of low-income families. Disability Rights UK Disability Rights UK, publisher of the Disability Rights Handbook, is regarded as the leading authority on welfare benefits for disabled people. Family Fund The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children and young people aged 17 and under to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life. The Fund is a registered charity, helping around 55,000 families on the lowest of incomes across the UK. We provide grants to families totalling £33 million pounds a year. Family Action Since 1869, Family Action(formerly Family Welfare Association) has provided support to some of the poorest families in the country. We work with whole families to help them find solutions to problems, no matter how difficult, so that they become safer, stronger and more optimistic about their future. Focus on Disability This site provides a wide range of information for disabled people and their carers in the UK. Gingerbread Gingerbread is an organisation for Lone Parent Families. It is the leading and largest charity providing help for 3.5 million lone parents and their children nationally. Link Group Link's vision is to be the provider of choice of a package of socially inclusive regeneration, housing and support services to a range of customers, primarily in the central belt of Scotland. MENCAP Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. MIND Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Poverty Alliance The Poverty Alliance aims to combat poverty by effecting change in the policies, practices and beliefs of communities, policy makers, professionals and the general public. Refugee Council The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They not only give help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed. Scottish Pensioners' Forum The Scottish Pensioners' Forum aims to advance pensioners’ rights and welfare and to educate and unite Scottish pensioners, in order to present a collective voice to Government and other authorities, on matters affecting retired people. Scottish Refugee Council Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity dedicated to providing advice, information and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland. Shelter Shelter knows that bad housing wrecks lives, so we're working hard to ensure everyone has a home. We help 100,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet and find and keep a home. Terrence Higgins Trust Terrence Higgins Trust was one of the first charities to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic and has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS ever since. Woman's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) WRVS volunteers and employees work together to help people maintain their independence and dignity in their homes and communities, particularly in later life. Government Organisations Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) The Department for Work and Pensions is here to promote opportunity and independence for all through modern, customer-focused services. We help people to achieve their potential through employment, so that they are able to provide for their children and to work and save for secure retirement. Directgov Directgov provides a first entry point to UK public sector information on the Internet. Stop Loan Sharks Stop Loan sharks advises and supports people who have borrowed from an unlicensed money lender. This site includes details of their confidential telephone numbers and confidential text messaging services. Veterans UK There are many organisations that provide help and support to UK veterans, both from Government and the voluntary sector. This can at times be confusing for those seeking help as they are unsure about which organisations provides what services. Veterans-UK(formerly Veterans Agency) is the first stop for veterans seeking help and advice. Please see our IRS Privacy Policy page for details on how we collect your information in connection with the Inspector's Review and how this information is used.