Useful Links
We have collected a large number of links to local and national organisations and bodies that we consider could be useful. They have been divided into sections – click on one in the list below to view. You can also search for a particular key word by entering a term in the search box
Local Voluntary Organisations
Carers UK
A support and advice giving organisation, assistance is for the carer for the family of an adult, whose life is in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone with a long term illness, disability, mental health difficulties, drug and alcohol abuse, etc. Can sometimes help for additional child care costs, i.e., for playgroup for under 3s for both disabled child or sibling, to enable the carer to have a short break. For siblings at school, funding can sometime be applied for, towards a school trip/break, help for costs of overnight trips, etc. Also runs a ‘Carers Forum Group’, contact for further details. To be eligible, you must have a family member who has additional needs/requirements. Contact organisation direct by phone to arrange a meeting.
Carers Bromley, Caritas House, Tregony Road, Orpington, BR6 0DGTel: 01689 898289 Fax: 01689 890850 Freephone: 0800 015 7700
Email: help@carersbromley.org.uk
Young Carers Bromley
Young Carers are young people whose lives are in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone in their family with a long-term illness, disability, mental health difficulties, etc. Runs alongside ‘Carers UK’.
- The service aims to provide:
- Support to young carers in Bromley, including their families
- Offers one-to-one key worker involvement
- Offers practical support (e.g. short breaks)
- Holds regular health and information sessions
- Provides activities in the school holidays
- Freephone helpline
- Regular newsletters
- Young carers’ forum
The service is for children and young people aged 4-18. Both professional and self-referrals are taken (preferably with family consent).
Caritas House, Tregony Road, Orpington, BR6 0DGTelephone: 0800 015 7700 Freephone for carers: 01689 898289
Email: help@carersbromley.org.uk
Bromley Family Link
Runs an inclusive Saturday Club for 5–19 year olds and a holiday play scheme for 4 – 19 year olds, with a physical disability. The aim is to give children and young people an opportunity to meet up with friends and socialise during the long summer holidays and to give parents a break. There is a full daily programme of activities, entertainments and outings. The service is for disabled children and young people aged between 4 -19. Open Monday – Thursday, 9am – 2.30pm (Answer phone in operation out of hours). Self-referral and professional referrals.
2 North Street Bromley BR1 1SBTelephone: 020 8466 6644
Email: link@btconnect.com
Bromley Mencap
Bromley Mencap has developed a range of services to support people with learning and physical disabilities, including their carers. Can help with advice, on a wide range of subjects surrounding disability issues. Can also assist with ‘form filling’ regarding benefits for children with disabilities. The service is collectively called “Family Services”, they include childcare and short break projects, support groups, social events and advocacy. They also work with individual families, offering information and support. Their mission statement encourages choice, opportunity and respect on all aspects of the disabilities spectrum. Services and activities include: information and advocacy for families, telephone helpline and support group for families and ‘The Bromley Mencap Childminding Network’, which can offer trained and registered childminders for children with learning disabilities up to 16 years of age. Also offers training courses for registered childminders wanting to work with disabled children. ‘Network Plus’ can support families of children with more severe and complex needs on a one-to-one basis. Contact organisation for further details.
ADCARE – Adcare provides grants to people with a learning disability, who want to go on holiday both within the UK and abroad. Adcare is part of the Royal Mencap Society. The grant could pay for a carer or supporter to assist someone with a learning disability on holiday. The grant is awarded to those who find it hard to pay for a holiday themselves and who have the greatest needs. The maximum grant that can be applied for is £500. Contact for further details and an application form on: Tel: 01923 776 729 Email: adcare@mencap.org.uk.
Rutland House, 44 Masons Hill, Bromley. Kent, BR2 9JGTel: 0208 466 0790 Fax: 0208 466 7102
Email: enquiries@bromleymencap.org
Bromley Autistic Trust
Information and advice service for parents and professionals. The organisation is committed to improving the quality of life for people of all ages on the Autistic Spectrum and for those who care for them. Additional services include; group support, information to carers about other organisations, liaison with other organisations on behalf of carers, one-to-one support, skills training/awareness raising for carers, telephone support and welfare benefits advice to carers. Runs swimming sessions once a month at Darrick Wood and soft play sessions on the first Sunday of each month at Adventure Kingdom between 4.30 – 6.30. Pre-booking for swimming sessions is advised.
Tel: 020 8464 2897 or bat-org@netcomuk.co.uk
Bromley Autistic Trust Youth Club
Age range 18-25 years. Every Wednesday evening 7-9pm at the student common room at Bromley College, Bromley Common for young people with Aspergers. Providing a social club with discussion on various topics, computers, board games, pool (tables) and outings during the school holiday period and much more. Transport is not provided.
The Centre for Social and Communication Disorders
A voluntary organisation (affiliated to the National Autistic Society). This is a diagnostic centre only and carries out diagnosis and makes recommendations, including Autism and Aspergers Syndrome.
Elliot House, 113 Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9HTTel: 020 8466 0098
Email: elliot.house@nas.org.uk
BATH (Bromley Association of People with Disabilities)
This organisation seeks to improve the lives of disabled people of all ages, through upholding their rights, their dignity and their equality and through creating awareness and integration within the local community. It provides services and information to help meet the present and future needs of disabled people and of member organisations. Not a grant funding organisation. Non-profit making and provides services to disabled and older people. Offering a door to door transport service, professional advice for living at home and short break holiday schemes. Also able to help with disputed ‘blue badge’ applications. Contact organisation for further details.
Lewis House, 30 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR4 4LSTel: 020 8663 3345 Fax:020 8663 1442
Email: info@bath-disability.org
Bexley and Bromley Advocacy
An independent advocacy project for young people with a learning disability. Working in partnership with people with a learning disability to make their own decisions, communicate their decisions and opinions and take part in community life through self-advocacy and active involvement. Support for ages 14-18.
Person Centred Planning Co-Coordinator to support and develop independence for individuals through planning for future choices. Tel: 020 8300 9666 Email: pcp@bbadvocacy.org
241 Main Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6QSTel: 020 8300 9666
Email: young@bbadvocacy.org
Home-Start (Bromley)
For families with at least one child under 5 years of age. Helps parents through difficult times, including:
- relationship problems
- loneliness and isolation
- coping with twins, triplets or several pre-school children
- ill health, disability or additional needs
- lone parenting
- first-time parenthood or new babies
- postnatal illness
The Home-start service is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families with children under 5 years old. Helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown, also emphasising the pleasures of family life. The volunteer will regularly visit and offer:
- friendly support through difficult times
- understanding that when bringing up children, problems are not unusual
- reassurance that you are not alone
- a listening ear and someone to talk to
- an extra pair of hands to help you cope with everyday situations
- practical help with activities like playing, story time or getting out into the local community.
Tel: 020 8857 7128
Email: homestart.bromley@talk21.com
Bromley Welcare
A voluntary agency offering non-statutory social work and family support, helping families in need. Offers one-to-one support. Ages 0-18 supported.
2 North Street, Bromley, BR1 1SBTel: 020 8466 0399 Fax: 020 8464 0325
Email: office@bromleywelcare.org.uk
Bromley Scope
Advocacy for carers. Information for carers about other organisations. Helpline and one-to-one support, including advice about benefits.
16 Benedict Close, Orpington, BR6 9TUTel: 0808 800 3333
Email: response@scope.org.uk
Orpington Epilepsy Support Group
Counselling, support and advice to people with epilepsy, their families, carers and friends. The group arranges meetings with speakers in the field of epilepsy. Meetings held on the third Thursday of each month. Provides telephone and one-to-one support. All age ranges supported. Tel: 01689 600068 Mob: 07950 120080
Petts Wood Playgroup
Petts Wood is a voluntary sector playgroup for pre-school children with a wide range of specialist needs. The group is based in Petts Wood and has access to speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and educational psychology. Referrals are made through the pre-school panel. Transport can be provided. Tel: 01689 872853
Maypole Project
Provides emotional support to children and young people with complex medical needs including life shortening or life threatening illnesses and their families. Support for professionals working with these families.
Tel: 01689 898910
Email: info@themaypoleproject.co.uk
Kent Association for the Blind
The KAB aims to provide a quality service sensitive to the individual needs of those who are visually impaired at any age, helping them to attain the highest level of independence. The KAB helps their staff and volunteers to fulfil their aims by appropriate support and placement. Tel: 020 8464 8406 Email: enquiry@kab.org.uk
Deaf Access
Support, information and advice to deaf and hard of hearing people, including advocacy service, equipment demonstrations and advice. Parent and toddler group and play scheme. All ages supported.
Community House, South Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1RHTel: 020 8315 2550 Fax: 020 8315 2554 SMS: 07751 244 853
The Dyslexia Association of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham
Support for all ages, for families and carers with specialist and additional needs.
Community House, South Street, Bromley, BR1 1RHTel: 020 8315 2526/0700 050 5055
Email: info@dyslexia.co.uk
Bromley Y
An agency offering free confidential counselling for young people in the London Borough of Bromley. Age range 11-23 supported.
17 Ethelbert Road, Bromley, BR1 1JATel: 020 8464 9033
Email: info@bromley-y.org.uk