You don't have a group in my area. Are there any other organisations I might try that offer services and/or activities? For any general enquiries about leisure or social activities Expand Contact the Elderly is a national charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and social isolation among older people through face to face contact. It organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people, aged 75 and over, who live alone. Each older person is collected from their home by a volunteer driver and taken to a volunteer host’s home for the afternoon. You can find out more about them by calling 0800 716 543 or you can visit their website by clicking HERE The NHS Retirement Fellowship is an organisation open to former employees of the National Health Service. We share similar aims and objects and they operate a network of branches throughout England, Scotland and Wales that offer a wide range of leisure and social pursuits. You can find out more about them by visiting their website by clicking HERE The University of the Third Age runs a network of local groups of people in later life who organise information learning (and online courses). Find out more about their services and how to get involved by calling their national office on 020 8466 6139 or visiting their website by clicking HERE
I'm experiencing financial difficulties. Are there any organisations that I can go to for help? Advice for any financial queries Expand The Charity for Civil Servants offers help to civil servants, past and present, and their financial dependants. If you work for an organisation sponsored by a government department, you may also be eligible to apply for help. Please note: this doesn't include the Armed Forces, National Health Service or Local Authority employees. You can find out if you are eligible by calling their Freephone number on 0800 056 2424 or complete the online application form by clicking HERE The BT Benevolent Fund provides financial support to present BT Group employees, past BT Group employees, whether pensionable or not, present or future BT Group pensioners and the dependents of any of the previously listed groups. To contact them call 020 8726 2145 or visit their website by clicking HERE The Rowland Hill Fund offers financial aid to current employees of Royal Mail, pensioners and their families. You can contact them by calling their confidential helpline on 0800 688 8777 (Select Option 1, then Option 4) or visit their website by clicking HERE Other Organisations Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. You can find out more information about them by visiting their website by clicking HERE
I want some advice about Care. Who should I speak to? Advice for any care-related enquiries Expand The Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. They provide information and advice on a range of topics specific to care. You can call them on 0300 772 9600 or visit their website by clicking HERE The Charity for Civil Servants offers a whole range of services specific to caring. You can find full details of all of them online by clicking HERE or call 0800 056 2424 NHS Choices has produced an online guide for people who have care and support needs, their carers and people who are planning for their future care needs. You can access it online by clicking HERE Independent Age produces a number of guides specific to issues surrounding care. These include the Wise Owl Guide to Care Homes, How to Find the Right Care Home and Paying for Your Care. You can request hard copies of these guides by calling their helpline on 0800 319 6789 or view/download the guides by clicking on their titles. The Relatives & Residents Association is the national charity for older people in or needing care and the relatives and friends who help them cope. You can call their helpline on 020 7359 8136 or by visiting their website by clicking HERE
I have a Legal problem. Does the CSRF provide Legal Advice? Advice for anyone making a legal enquiry Expand Our legal partners McClures Solicitors offer advice and guidance on a whole range of later life issues such as Wills, Legacy Giving, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Care Costs, Probate Costs or Funeral Plans. You can call them on 0800 852 1999 or by emailing: [email protected]Please note: the telephone line is only operational between 9am and 5pm on weekdays only Find A Solicitor Run by the Law Society, Find a Solicitor is a free service for anyone looking for information about organisations or people providing legal services in England and Wales that are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Find a Solicitor takes data held by the SRA, which we adapt and add additional information to, and present through an easy-to-use search. While we try to ensure the accuracy of the information, the Law Society cannot accept any liability arising from your reliance upon it, or from the inclusion in it or omission from it of any data whatsoever. You can access the site by clicking HERE or you can call the Law Society on 020 7320 5650
I have recently lost my partner. Can you help me with bereavement advice? Advice for those with bereavement enquiries Expand Independent Age produce a whole range of guides on a range of topics including Bereavement. The guides contain helpful advice and telephone numbers that may prove helpful for you at this particularly difficult time of your life. You can call their helpline on 0800 319 6789 to request a copy or find out more by clicking HERE You can also read/download their guide to Coping with Bereavement OR their factsheet on What to Do When Someone Dies by clicking the titles of the guide you wish to see. AgeUK publishes guides covering both Funeral Planning and Bereavement. You can access these guides online by clicking HERE or call the AgeUK helpline on 0800 055 6112. You can also read/download their factsheet on Planning for a Funeral or their guide for When Someone Dies by clicking on the titles of the guide you wish to see.
I have a query about my Pension. Who do I call? For any enquiries relating to pensions Expand As a Cabinet Office Trusted Partner we appear in many of the leaflets produced by MyCSP (the organisation who provide administration services for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme). If you have a query regarding any aspect of your pension (payment calculation, notification of change of address or death of a partner) you need to contact MyCSP directly. You can call them on 0300 123 1040. For general pension advice Another very helpful organisation that offers impartial pension advice on any type of Pension is the Pensions Advisory Service and they are available on 0300 123 1047 or visit their website by clicking HERE Alternatively, the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance (a membership organisation that lobby for the best pension rights for retired CS Pensioners) have a wealth of knowledge and understanding about civil service pensions. You can contact them by calling 020 8688 8418 or visit www.cspa.co.uk
I am interested in home or motor insurance. Who should I call? For any enquiries regarding insurance Expand Our friends at the Civil Service Insurance Society provide highly competitive quotes for car, home and travel insurance. You can find out more by calling them directly on 01622 766960 or visit www.csis.co.uk/csrf