AgeUK
AgeUK are a registered charity that can provide a wide variety of advice & support for older people: specific services include information & advice, health & care guidance, information regarding 'wellbeing' etc. Their web site is the best place to start with respect to accessing their services. [ page opens in a new browser window ]
AgeUK have a UK-wide Advice Line: 0800 678 1602. Free to call 8.00 am - 7.00 pm 365 days a year.
AgeUK also have a well-ordered local support structure covering Bournemouth, Poole & East Dorset (BPED). Contact them as under:
01202 530 530 ( main telephone number )
01202 523 300 ( Information & advice line )
[ Both open 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, Monday - Friday: out of hours (and public holidays), you'll get an answering machine. ]
Or email enquiries@ageukbped.org.uk
Citizens Advice (East Dorset and Purbeck)
The East Dorset and Purbeck branch of Citizens Advice
operates from offices in Wimborne & Wareham - but personal visits can only be made by prior appointment. There is also an 'outreach'
centre at Ferndown Library ( by appointment ). Citizens Advice can give you advice on benefits,
employment law, debt, housing rights, consumer affairs and family
relationships. You can contact them by telephone - the Dorset central
contact number ( office hours only ) is 0344 245 1291 or email them using the contact form on their web site.
Other contact telephone numbers are - 0800 144 8848 ( National Freephone service ), 0800 144 8884 ( Textphone ) and 0344 411 1444 ( local call rates ).
Community transport in Dorset
The Community Transport Directory
is maintained by Dorset Council. Community Transport can get you where
you need to be and help you to make essential journeys, if you do not
have access or the finance to provide this yourself. Via this source you
can search for schemes by area, day of the week and type of transport.
Sedcat (South-East Dorset Community Accessible Transport)
is a charity dedicated to meeting the transport needs of people with
mobility issues to prevent social isolation and loneliness. Much more
information is contained on their website, which opens in a new window.
If you cannot access this web facility telephone them on 01202 534 027 (general enquiries) or 01202 309 433 (booking enquiries - Monday to Friday, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm).
" Linking Dorset
", operated by Morebus, aims to provide advice on an array of
transport opportunities, including local bus services, community-based
minibus schemes, community car schemes, dial-a-ride. The advice line is
only open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm on weekdays ( not Public Holidays
). Once armed with the information, the users of the service will be
able to contact local schemes themselves for further information and to
make a booking - where required. The telephone number is: 01202 586 055
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The Coronavirus
pandemic, that has affected the UK from February 2020, has now dictated
the actions of all of us: for this reason, there is a specific page on this web site
[ opens in a new browser window ], which collects together sources of
information and help/advice. It can be accessed by using the "
Covid-19 " entry in the main index ( top of page ).
GoodNeighbour (volunteer-led assistance for small, 'one-off' tasks)
East Dorset
GoodNeighbours (supported by PramaLIFE): this is a group of volunteers who can help older people
with small one-off tasks they can no longer do themselves. Do you need
help to change a lightbulb, re-tune a television, take rubbish to the
tip, post a letter, walk a dog, fill in a form etc? You will be asked
for a small donation for every job carried out. All volunteers are
DBS checked.
Telephone 01202 804 003 [Monday-Friday, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm] (this number changed recently) to talk to someone who can advise you what is available. Alternatively, email them.
[ A leaflet advertising this service can be viewed and/or downloaded from this web site ... and another asking for volunteers to assist with the service: these were provided to us in September 2021. They will open in a new browser window. ]
Help & Care (charity providing information, advice & support)
Help and Care is a
registered charity that supports people and communities to live the
lives they choose. They are able to provide information, advice and
support to take control of your life, make decisions and find support
that is appropriate. The web site for Help & Care
has much more information: if you find it difficult to navigate and/or
use this site, telephone them on 0300 111 3303, Monday - Friday, 10 am
to 4 pm.
Family Information & Social Care Services
Dorset is blessed
with a wealth of on-line services that can inform & advise on a wide
range of family matters - for all age groups and requirements.
The Dorset Family Information Service
is a central resource covering education & learning, early years
& childcare, health & well-being and young peoples service. It
is hosted on the Dorset Council web site, with a search facility to make
it easy to find the help you need. Should you have difficulty with
accessing the web site, they have a telephone number: 01305 221 066
(office hours only).
For help specific to adults,
regarding such topics as abuse, care & support, paying for care,
health and well-being and much more, then use the Dorset Council: Care and support for adults web page.
For help
specific to children & young people, such as schools, childcare,
Special Educational Needs (SEN), concern about apparent abuse,
activities and much more, then use the Dorset Council: Children and families web page.
If
you have difficulty accessing the links above, or interpreting the
information on the web pages, call this telephone number . . . 01202 228 760, which is the contact point for the east Dorset area of Dorset Council, or the main switchboard for Dorset Council . . . 01305 221 000
[ Links, information etc., on this web page checked January 2022 ]