Help to access support

AccessAva

In the first instance, we recommend that you try AccessAva.

It is a free digital service that helps you navigate the complexities of health and social care in England. Available 24/7, it offers clear, straightforward legal information and guidance so you can understand your rights and get the support you need. AccessAva delivers legal information about social care to older or disabled people, their families, and carers. Click the purple icon on the right hand side of every page on this website to chat with AccessAva, and access our factsheets and template letters to suit your situation.

Further Support

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on AccessAva we can signpost you to other organisations, who may be able to help your directly. The list below includes our members who may refer you to us if you need more specialist legal advice

Unfortunately, we do not currently take referrals directly from the public. We are a small organisation and support other organisations (including helplines) to provide specialist legal advice. Our member organisations pay us a fee so that their clients and families can access our service. A full list of our members can be found on our member’s page.

A list of support organisations and helplines, including some of our members, can be found in the table below.

Links to other helpful organisations

  • Age UK

    Older people, Families/Carers

    Age UK provides older people (and their families/carers) with free, reliable advice on money, benefits, housing, health and legal issues. Their national Advice Line (0800 678 1602) is open every day.

  • Beacon CHC

    Adults, Families/Carers

    Beacon CHC offers expert, independent support to individuals and families in England. They run a free advice service, funded by the NHS, where expert advisers help you understand eligibility, assessments, and appeals.

  • Carers UK

    Carers/Families

    Carers UK offers expert advice, information, and support for unpaid carers. They provide guidance on benefits, carers’ rights, assessments, and managing care.

  • CASCAIDr CIC

    Adults/Disabled People

    CASCAIDr CIC (Centre for Adults’ Social Care Advice, Information & Dispute Resolution) provides expert, independent information and analysis about legal rights in adult social care and health funding.

  • Citizens Advice

    Everyone in England and Wales

    Citizens Advice provides free, independent, and confidential advice online, by phone, and in person for people across England and Wales.

  • Down’s Syndrome Association

    People with Down Syndrome/Families/Carers

    Down’s Syndrome 
    Association     offers free, expert support and information for people with Down’s syndrome, plus their families, carers, and the professionals who work with them.

  • Epilepsy Society

    People with Epilepsy

    Epilepsy Society is a UK charity that supports everyone affected by epilepsy through research, advocacy, and specialist care. They run a confidential helpline (phone, webchat, email)

  • Independent Age

    Older people

    Independent Age supports older people by offering free, impartial advice on issues like benefits, housing, care, and staying independent at home. They run a helpline, create easy‑to‑use guides, host webinars and telephone groups.

  • Law Centres Network

    People who can’t afford a laywer

    Law Centres Network champions a fairer UK by supporting a network of local Law Centres, which provide free, specialist legal help to people who can’t afford a lawyer.

  • Mencap

    People with learning disabilities

    Mencap provides free, accessible advice and information for people with a learning disability, as well as their families, carers, and professionals. As an Access Social Care member, Mencap can refer cases to us.

  • Mind

    People with mental health issues

    Mind is a leading mental‑health charity that supports anyone with mental health problems through helplines, legal advice, local Minds, crisis support, and online peer communities.

  • National Autistic Society

    People with autism/Families/Carers

    National Autistic Society provides free, in‑depth guidance for autistic people, their families, and professionals on issues from diagnosis and sensory needs to education, employment, mental health, and social care. As an Access Social Care member, they can refer cases to us.

  • RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)

    Blind and partially sighted people

    RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) supports blind and partially sighted people by guiding them to social care services that help them live independently, including rehabilitation, mobility training, and daily‑living skills.

  • Scope - Equality for Disabled People

    Disabled people/Families/Carers

    Scope - Equality for Disabled People provides free, impartial advice and information to disabled people and their families on benefits, social care, housing, work, and assistive technology. They also run a helpline staffed by advisers.

  • Sense

    Deafblind people/People with Disabilities

    Sense supports children and adults who are deafblind or have complex disabilities. They help with communication, independent living, and community participation. As an Access Social Care member, they can refer cases to us.

  • Shelter

    People who are homeless/Housing Tenants

    Shelter is a UK housing and homelessness charity. They provide free, expert advice on housing law, evictions, disrepair, homelessness, and more — including a free helpline (0808 800 4444) and online guidance.

  • StepChange

    People with debt/Money Issues

    StepChange is a UK debt‑charity offering free, expert, and non‑judgmental support for people struggling with money worries.

  • Turn2Us

    People experiencing financial hardship

    Turn2Us supports people facing financial hardship through tools like a Benefits Calculator, Grants Search, and PIP Helper, plus a helpline.