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The listed services and links to websites maintained by other organisations are included on here to assist you and are provided in good faith. Some may incur costs. Their inclusion does not imply that the Leicestershire Partnership Trust endorses or supports them, nor does the absence of a service imply that we do not support them
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Benefits and Finance
AccessAva - Free legal information about your rights to social care
Getting help with social care – AccessAva chatbot
The National Autistic Society has teamed up with Access Social Care, a charity that specialises in legal advice for people in England with social care needs, to help autistic people and their families access easy-to-understand health and social care information at the click of a button.
The AccessAva chatbot can:
- provide you with guidance on social care issues, rights and entitlements
- guide you through a specific situation and generate a letter that can help in resolving your issue or challenge
- be accessed at any time
AccessAva is designed to be simple to use and understand, but we know that navigating social care can be complicated. Wherever possible, Easy Read documents are available.
AccessAva is powered AI technology and trained by legal experts, ensuring that the information you receive is as accurate and reliable as possible.
Confidentiality and security: Access Social Care’s encryption and security measures safeguard your sensitive information, providing you with a safe and confidential service.
UK Government information on financial help for disabled people and their carers
For information about financial help for disabled people
click the following link: www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled
For information about financial help for carers,
click the following link: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability
For information about disability equipment and transport,
click the following link: www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/equipment
UK Government endorsed benefits calculators,
for finding out what benefits you could get, how to claim and how your benefits could be affected if you start to work;
click this link to find out more: www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Mencap advice on benefits for people with a learning disability
Mencap advice on benefits for people with a learning disability
To find out more, including Easy Read version, click the following link:
www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-people-learning-disability
Disability Support Project (DSP UK)
Disability Support Project (DSP UK)
• Not-for-profit organisation
• Offers support with PIP applications and appeals
• Accepts voluntary donations
• Helps people across England and Wales
Website: dspuk.org.uk/pip-personal-independence-payment-help
Phone: 01527 351021
Email: info@dspuk.org.uk
PIPP Advocacy Ltd
PIPP Advocacy Ltd
• Non-profit legal support organisation
• Specialises in PIP, ESA, UC and ADP appeals
• Offers online support and tribunal representation
Website: pipps.co.uk/about-us-2/
Tribune Legal Practice
Tribune Legal Practice
• Paralegal law firm offering legal advice and representation
• Specialises in welfare benefit appeals
• Offers no-win, no-fee support
Website: tribunelegalpractice.co.uk/
Help With My Benefit Appeal
Help With My Benefit Appeal
• Offers legal support and representation
• Free initial case assessment
• No-win, no-fee model
Website: helpwithmybenefitappeal.co.uk/pip-appeals
Managing Money - online course by MoneySuperMarket,com, in association with National Autistic Society
Managing Money Online Course
A free online learning module offered by MoneySuperMarket.com in association with the National Autistic Society. It can be completed all in one go – or section by section over as many times as needed.
It covers a wide range of money-related topics, including: how to manage money, set up a bank account, use a cashpoint, and so on. Some of this information may vary depending on the bank you are accessing.
Click here to access the course
View a PDF with further details on all the charities and organisations listed above.
The Money Charity
For over 25 years, The Money Charity has been helping people of all ages to manage their money well and increase their Financial Wellbeing.
Citizens Advice
Citizen’s Advice offer advice on a range of issues including debt and money, benefits (including applications and appeals), housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration and consumer advice.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Website for people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland: citizensadviceleicestershire.org/leicester/
Phone: 0808 278 7970
Money Helper
Providing money advice and support along with online tools and calculators to help keep track of finances and plan.
Money Saving Expert
Money Saving Expert offers lots of practical advice, money saving tips and comparisons.
Unbiased
Unbiased is a website that shows you how you can get free financial advice, including giving you a list of financial advisers in your area.
Step Change
Step Change provides the UK’s most comprehensive debt advice service, helping people with debt problems take back control of their finances and their lives.
National Debtline
National Debtline provides debt advice, support with budgeting and guidance about how to deal with debt. Helpful debt management videos are also provided on the website.
National Advice Foundation
A specialist debt charity offering free, confidential advice on any aspect of debt.
Pay Plan
Pay Plan provides debt advice and debt solutions including Debt Management Plans (DMPs), Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), bankruptcy, settlements and trust deeds.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) provide debt support, money management, budgeting and support to pay outstanding bills through a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) plan.
Turn2us
Turn2Us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support service, and their website includes a free online benefits checker.
Entitled to
Entitled to provides a benefits calculator that which check which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to.
Mental Health and Money Advice
Mental Health and Money Advice provides help and support for people to understand, manage and improve their money and mental health issues. They offer a savings calculator, budget planner, debt health checker and universal credit money management.
Resources and services related to fraud and keeping safe online
Action Fraud – information about cybercrime and fraud
Action Fraud is the UK national fraud and cyber-crime centre
To find out more information and / or to report a fraud or cybercrime visit their website or call their helpline.
Phone: 0300 123 2040.
Website: www.reportfraud.police.uk
Take Five to Stop Fraud
Take Five to Stop Fraud – national campaign to help people protect themselves against fraud
For more information, click the following link:
BeScamAware Resources Hub
For downloadable materials to promote and inform about scams awareness, click this link:
UK Government information on online media literacy
For information on how to safely and confidently use the internet, websites, messages, and online tools, click this link:
Victim support
An independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Citizens Advice Consumer Service can help you check of something is a scam. They also offer support if you or someone you know has been scammed and provide advice on what to do next.
Click this link to help you work out if something might be a scam: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/
Click this link for more help about a consumer issue: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/
Phone: 0808 223 1133
Phone for Welsh speaking people: 0808 223 1144
Stop! Think Fraud – how to spot a fake website
UK Government campaign including a checklist of what to look for and advice on what to do if you suspect fraud
Website: stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/how-to-spot-fraud/how-to-spot-a-fake-website/
Support for LGBTQIA+ people
Nationally available support for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people
For a list of local support, for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people, click this link:
National Autistic Society – LGBTQIA+ online branch
An online community for autistic LGBTQIA+ adults. People can meet others, share experiences, and access peer support.
Website: autism.org.uk
LGBT Foundation – autistic and neurodivergent programme
Runs accessible social spaces and support for LGBTQIA+ autistic and neurodivergent people, shaped by lived experience. Some support is online.
Website: lgbt.foundation
Stonewall – disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ support
Information and links to peer groups, rights, education, and wellbeing support for disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people.
Website: stonewall.org.uk
Ambitious about Autism – LGBTQ+ resources
Resources created with autistic LGBTQIA+ young people, focused on understanding identity and feeling included.
Website: ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
Nationally available support for LGBTQIA+ people
For a list of local support for LGBTQIA+ people, click this link:
Stonewall
A human rights charity fighting for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer+ equality.
Website: www.stonewall.org.uk
Stonewall Housing
Supporting LGBTQIA+ people facing homelessness or living in an unsafe home.
Website: stonewallhousing.org
LGBT Foundation
A national charity aiming to improve LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing
Website: lgbt.foundation
Switchboard
A free national LGBTQIA+ support line. For any questions related to sexuality and / or gender identity. Staffed by volunteers who all identify as LGBTQIA+. Speak to them by phone or email. They also run a text based support service. Visit their website to access this.
Website: switchboard.lgbt
Phone: 0800 0119100
Email: hello@switchboard.lgbt
Galop
UK wide support and resources for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse or violence. A helpline and online community for LGBTQI+ people. Professionals can access the helpline too.
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Helpline: 0800 9995428
Email: help@galop.org.uk
Mind out
A range of information and support to help take care of the mental health of the UK’s LGBTQIA+ community. This includes a live text service accessible via the website.
Website: mindout.org.uk
Consortium
A UK charity supporting LGBTQIA+ organisations and groups
Website: www.consortium.lgbt
FFLAG – Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
A UK voluntary organisation supporting the families and friends of LGBTQI+ people
Website: fflag.org.uk
Helpline: 03006880368
AKT
A UK charity whose mission is to ensure every LGBTQIA+ 16-25 year old facing homelessness or a hostile living environment has a safe place to live.
For more information including a live chat option, visit the website here:
Website: www.akt.org.uk
Organisation Intersex International – Europe
The umbrella organisation of European human rights based and intersex-led organisations. Working to protect the human rights of intersex people.
Website: www.oiieurope.org
ICON (Interconnected) UK
Charity supporting intersex people to be self-accepting and self-advocating. They offer: peer support, a safe space for people with I/VSC (intersex traits/variations of sex characteristics) and their loved ones to connect, share their experiences and learn from each other; awareness raising.
Website: www.interconnecteduk.net
Asexual Visibility and Education Network
AVEN hosts the world’s largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality. It strives to create open, honest discussion about asexuality among sexual and asexual people alike.
Website: www.asexuality.org
Terrence Higgins Trust
Supporting people living with HIV. Ensuring their voices are heard; providing testing services for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections – and helping people to achieve good sexual health.
Website: test.tht.org.uk
African Rainbow Family
Advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seeker in the UK – helping them to access legal advice and support.
Website: africanrainbowfamily.org
Black Beetle Health
Dedicated to promoting health, wellbeing and equality for LGBTQIA+ people in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities in the UK. Fighting racism, stigma and misinformation.
Website: www.blackbeetlehealth.co.uk
Traveller Pride
Run by group of Travellers who are LGBTQIA+ – acting as a network to provide information, guidance and support to make life easier for LGBTQIA+ Travellers. Also providing services, meet-up spaces and collaborating with other organisations to make them more aware and welcoming.
Website: lgbttravellerpride.com
Faith Groups
OneBodyOneFaith
A charity advocating for change within the church. Campaigning for LGBTQIA+ for to be accepted and understood throughout all churches and for them to be able to thrive not just survive.
Website: onebodyonefaith.org.uk
Hidayah LGBTQI+
The UK’s leading queer Muslim charity. Offering a range of services including a virtual safe space, a mentoring programme, in-person and virtual events, educational workshops, emotional support, safeguarding and signposting.
Website: hidayahlgbt.com
KeshetUK
Education and training charity with a mission to ensure Jewish LGBTQIA+ people and their families are included throughout Jewish life in the UK.
Website: www.keshetuk.org
Sarbat
Providing awareness, conversations, social support and resources about the Sikh perspective on LGBTQIA+ issues. Tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – and building bridges in communities
Website: www.sarbat.net
Nationally available support for trans people
For a list of local support for trans people, click this link:
National NHS information
For people of all ages, click the following link:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/how-get-help-and-support
For parents, click the following link:
www.nhs.uk/live-well/think-your-child-might-be-trans-or-non-binary
NHS Gender Dysphoria Clinics (GDCs)
Information for people of all ages
How to find a gender identity clinic
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/how-to-find-an-nhs-gender-identity-clinic
Information for young people and their parents/carers – and for professionals
National Children and Young People’s Gender Support Service.
www.genderreferralservice.nhs.uk
Gendered Intelligence
A trans‑led UK charity offering information, resources and support to trans people, their families – and for organisations and professionals.
Website: genderedintelligence.co.uk
TransActual
National advocacy and education organisation focussed specifically on working for trans adults in the UK. They have a particular focus on health care and the law in relation to trans people. They seek to raise the voices of trans people and raise awareness of trans people’s lived experiences.
Website: transactual.org.uk
Mermaids
A long‑established UK charity supporting trans and gender‑diverse children, young people, and their families. Offers helplines, online groups, and information for parents, carers, and professionals.
Website: mermaidsuk.org.uk
GIRES (Gender Identity Research & Education Society) – TranzWiki
Provides a national directory of non‑commercial trans support groups, including local peer support, family groups, and social groups. Good for finding safe, verified community support.
Website: www.gires.org.uk/tranzwiki
Transparent Change
Support for trans parents
Website: transparentchange.co.uk
TransUnite
A comprehensive UK directory listing verified trans support groups, both local and online. Includes groups offering peer support, coming‑out support, social meet‑ups, and community activities.
Website: www.transunite.co.uk
Mindline Trans+
A UK wide, confidential, emotional support helpline available to trans, non‑binary and gender‑diverse people, and their families and friends. Delivered by Bristol Mind and Mind in Taunton and West Somerset.
Phone: 0300 330 5468
Email: mindline@bristolmind.org.uk
Website: bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-counselling/mindline-transplus
The Beaumont Society
A long‑running UK‑wide self‑help organisation offering information and support for trans people and their families or partners.
Website: beaumontsociety.org
Not A Phase
A national, trans‑led charity supporting trans adults through wellbeing programmes, peer support groups and community projects.
Website: notaphase.org
Nationally available support for employment and work
There are a range of resources for autistic people who are looking for employment or in employment
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism have advice and tips for autistic people looking for employment.
They also have links to other initiatives to help people with neurodevelopmental conditions enter the workplace.
Ambitious about Autism – Transition to employment for an autistic young person
Ambitious about Autism help young autistic people realise their ambitions and offer employment opportunities, access to a range of toolkits and resources.
The tools will help more autistic young people access sustainable and meaningful opportunities.
I am an autistic young person | Ambitious about Autism
The toolkits and resources are also relevant for:
- autistic young people
- their parents/ carers
- teachers
- other relevant professionals
Offering practical help and tools to employers, post-16 professionals and young people every step of the way, from preparing an employee profile to post-placement evaluation.
Click here to download the tool kits
The National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society (NAS)
The National Autistic Society provide a range of resources for employees and job seekers. These include information on:
- how to find a job that’s right for you
- getting support and reasonable adjustments at work
- deciding whether or not to tell employers you are autistic
- what support is available if you are unable to work
There is also an e-learning module available to help you find employment, where you can learn about:
- the steps involved in applying for a job
- understanding your own strengths and abilities
- choosing a role
- tips on writing a CV and/or cover letter
- interview skills
- starting work and reasonable adjustments
Click here to find the National Autistic Society’s resources for employees and job seekers
The National Autistic Society also provides information and resources for employers looking to support their autistic employees and to benefit from hiring a more diverse workforce.
Click here to find the National Autistic Society’s information for employers of autistic people.
Access to work grant
Access to work grant
The Government website has information about the Access to Work grant. Access to Work can provide practical and financial support to help you overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job, if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.
This includes:
- Who can get help
- What you may get
- How to claim
- How to ask for your case to be reviewed
Click here to find out more about the Access to Work grant.
Click here to visit the Disability Rights UK website which also has a detailed factsheet dedicated to Access to Work and how it could help you secure and maintain employment.
Exceptional Individuals
Exceptional Individuals
Exceptional Individuals is a neurodiverse social enterprise that provides consulting, recruitment and employment support to employers and individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism.
“As a neurodiverse social enterprise, it is our desire and responsibility to reflect what we encourage in our own business, which is why we ensure we have a richly diverse and neurodiverse team.
Out of the team of eighteen, over half are neurodiverse, and we believe this adds different perspectives, more creativity and social satisfaction to our working lives.”
The job support they offer for neurodivergent people includes CV support, free job coaching, online workshops, a neurodiverse jobs board and more.
For more information, click this link: exceptionalindividuals.com/candidates
Disability Confident is an employment scheme
Disability Confident Employment Scheme
Disability Confident is an employment scheme that supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled and neurodivergent people can bring to their workplaces.
The scheme has a list of inclusive employers that can be downloaded here.
Autism plus
Autism Plus
Autism Plus
Autism Plus supports and help employers create inclusive, neurodiversity‑friendly workplaces where people can build meaningful careers, confidence and independence.
Website: autismplus.co.uk/
Offering specialist care and support for adults and young people with neurodivergent conditions, learning disabilities and related conditions. This includes in work support for employees and apprentices.
Employment autism charity
Employment Autism
A registered charity with the mission statement:
To support autistic people to have fulfilling and productive working relationships in inclusive and positive environments. We do this by:
- Enabling autistic people to find and be successful in suitable work
- Encouraging providers of work to employ autistic people and recognise the benefits they can bring to the workplace
Support and resources for organisations and employers interested in hiring a more diverse workforce.
The National Autistic Society- Autism at Work Programme
The National Autistic Society- Autism at Work Programme
The National Autistic Society has an Inclusive Employer development programme. This includes an Understanding autism in the workplace free online module, a more in-depth course course – and the Neuroinclusive Employer Award.
For more information click this link: www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/employment
Exceptional Individuals
Exceptional Individuals
This organisation provides neurodiversity consulting, recruitment and employment support to employers and individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia
They support employers to become disability confident, offering services such as neurodiversity workshops, recruitment services, neurodiversity audits and more
For more information, click this link: exceptionalindividuals.com/employers
Ambitious About Autism resources for employers
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitions About Autism have a freely downloadable toolkit you can use to learn more about autism and information forms you can use when employing an autistic person. Supported by the Department for Education this excellent resource will support you to ensure your hiring process is autism friendly.
Click here to view the employers toolkit.
The Ambitious About Autism Employ Autism programme for young people – for more information click this link:
Autism plus
Autism Plus
Autism Plus
Autism Plus supports and help employers create inclusive, neurodiversity‑friendly workplaces where people can build meaningful careers, confidence and independence.
Website: autismplus.co.uk/
How to make meetings accessible for autistic people
Making meetings accessible
NHS England have a fantastic article on how to make meetings accessible including a section on making meetings accessible for autistic people.
A checklist to help make workplaces and meetings comfortable and accessible
Reasonable adjustments checklist
Cheshire and Wirral NHS Trust have designed a checklist to help make employment workplaces and meetings comfortable and accessible for neurodivergent people.
The checklist focuses on five main areas:
- Communication
- Health
- Environment
- Change
- Knowledge
Click here to view and download the checklist.
Work colleague profile
Work Colleague Profile
One idea to try is to circulate a template for a work colleague profile (printable template below). This is an optional ‘about me’ worksheet which all employees can use to share information about themselves regardless of whether they are neurotypical or neurodiverse. It’s a lovely way for everyone to share and learn more about each other in a friendly, non-judgemental format. It’s important to note that all questions are optional, and we encourage the employers to also fill one out for inclusivity.
Click here to view or download this graphic as an accessible pdf
Click here to download a Microsoft word version of this graphic
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The Leicestershire Partnership Trust cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy on linked sites or pages. The Leicestershire Partnership Trust cannot control and is not responsible for the privacy practices of any site to which a link is provided. It is recommended that you read the privacy policy of any site you visit, particularly if you are asked to give personal data.