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 Age Concern Age Concern supports all people over 50 in the UK, ensuring that they get the most from life. Advicenow Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues. . 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 Alliance Disability Alliance (DA), publisher of the Disability Rights Handbook, is regarded as the leading authority on social security benefits for disabled people. Enabledisable Provides unbiased impartial advice to disabled people and those who care. Family Fund The Family Fund provides timely grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children, based on families' views and needs. Family Welfare Association Since 1869, FWA has provided support to some of the poorest families in the country. They provide grants as well as social work support to people of all ages, working with them to help them solve their own problems. 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. Help the Aged Help the Aged is fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation and neglect. 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. Nisus Scotland Nisus Scotland, based in Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh, offers accessible information technology and computer training One Parent Families One Parent Families believes we can build a fairer society for all families, in which lone parents and their children are not disadvantaged and do not suffer from poverty, isolation, or social exclusion. 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. RNID RNID campaigns in many ways to make daily life better for deaf and hard of hearing people. 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. The Dyscovery Centre The Dyscovery Centre provides a specialist and high quality service with an inter-disciplinary team helping individuals with living and learning difficulties. 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. Veterans Agency The Veterans Agency delivers modern, high-quality, customer-focused services to war disablement pensioners, war widows, their dependants and carers, and other veterans and in-Service beneficiaries of AFCS; and to deliver them consistently, efficiently and effectively in recognition of the many extraordinary and unique personal sacrifices made in defence of the nation.