Useful links

Listed below is a list of national organisations which focus on disability and/or education which students may find useful. The majority of the organisations have a variety of useful information which may help you with some aspects of education and university life. Wherever we can, we have also listed the different ways of contacting the organisations to try and suit every individual.

Organisations for support with disabilities

Action for ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

Statement	Action for M.E. is the UK's leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with M.E. We've been at the forefront of the campaign for more research, better treatments and services since 1987, and we provide information and support to people affected by M.E.
Website	www.afme.org.uk
Address	Action for M.E. PO Box 2778, Bristol, BS1 9DJ
Telephone	0845 123 2314
Fax	0117 9279552
E-mail	admin@afme.org.uk
Notes	Telephone support Monday to Friday 11am - 1pm

Arthritis Care

Statement	Empowering people with Arthritis
Website	www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Address	Arthritis Care, 18 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
Telephone	020 7380 6500
E-mail	Info@arthritiscare.org.uk
Notes	If you would like an information pack about Arthritis Care and the services we offer, ring the 24-hour information line. Tel: 0845 600 6868

ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus)

Statement	ASBAH is the leading UK registered charity providing information and advice about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
Website	www.asbah.org
Address	ASBAH, 42 Park Road, Peterborough, PE1 2UQ
Telephone	0845 450 7755
Fax	(01733) 555985
E-mail	helpline@asbah.org

British Polio Fellowship

Statement	The British Polio Fellowship seeks to empower and support all people in the UK living with the effects of polio and Post Polio Syndrome.
Website	www.britishpolio.org.uk
Address	The British Polio Fellowship, The Xchange, Wilmington Close, Watford WD18 0FQ
Telephone	FREEPHONE 0800 018 0586 (Provided by MCI Worldcom)
Fax	020 8842 0555
E-mail	infobenefits@britishpolio.org.uk info@britishpolio.org.uk

Deafblind UK

Statement	Deafblind UK is a national charity offering specialist services and human support to deafblind people and those who have progressive sight and hearing loss acquired throughout their lives.
Website	www.deafblind.org.uk
Address	Deafblind UK, National Centre for Deafblindness, John and Lucille van Geest Place, Cygnet Road, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8FD
Telephone	01733 358 100 (Voice/Text)
Textphone	01733 358 100 (Voice/Text)
Fax	01733 358 356
E-mail	info@deafblind.org.uk
Notes	Information and Advice Line: 0800 132 320

CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth)

Statement	Working to support those who are affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, also known as Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy or Peroneal Muscular Atrophy.
Website	www.cmt.org.uk
Address	CMT United Kingdom, PO Box 5089, Christchurch, BH23 7ZX, UK
Telephone	0800 6526316
E-mail	secretary@cmt.org.uk

Clinical-Depression

Statement	Understand it, treat it, beat it!
Website	www.clinical-depression.co.uk
Address	Uncommon Knowledge Ltd, Queens Building, Oban, UK, PA34 5SB
Telephone	+44(0)1273 776770
Fax	+44(0)1273 774427

Depression UK

Statement	To help anyone who is troubled by depression and to provide support for their carers.
Website	www.depressionuk.org
Address	Depression UK, c/o Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EG
E-mail	info@depressionuk.org
Notes	We respond to enquiries by sending you a pack of information, by post, under plain cover. This site also contains external links to depression related help bodies.

Down's Syndrome Association

Statement	Information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers, and the professionals who work with them.
Website	www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Address	Down's Syndrome Association, Langdon Down Centre, 2a Langdon Park Teddington TW11 9PS
Telephone	0845 230 0372
Fax	0845 230 0373
E-mail	info@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Notes	The helpline (0845 230 0372) is open Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dyslexia Action

Statement	Dyslexia Action is a national charity and the UK's leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.
Website	www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Address	Park House, Wick Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HH
Telephone	01784 222300
Fax	01784 222333
E-mail	info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

Epilepsy Action

Statement	Taking action to meet the identified needs and aspirations of all people with epilepsy and those with an interest in the condition.
Website	www.epilepsy.org.uk
Address	New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive, Yeadon, LEEDS, LS19 7XY, UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone	0808 800 5050
Textphone	07797 805 390
Fax	0113 391 0300
E-mail	helpline@epilepsy.org.uk epilepsy@epilepsy.org.uk
Notes	The helpline is open from: 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.

LA (Limbless Association)

Statement	Providing information, advice and support to UK amputees and the limb-loss community.
Website	www.limbless-association.org
Address	The Limbless Association, Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
Telephone	020 8788 1777
Fax	020 8788 3444
E-mail	enquiries@limbless-association.org
Notes	Help Bureau: 0845 230 0025

MENCAP (Mental Handicap)

Statement	Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
Website	www.mencap.org.uk
Telephone	0808 8808 1111

Mental health

One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health difficulty at some point in their lives (source: Mind).

78% of university students experienced mental health difficulties in the academic year 2014-15 (source: Complete University Guide).

This documentary is about four students who have various mental health difficulties such as depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and personality disorder. It explores elements of their lives such as the support received from family and friends, different types of treatment (e.g. medication) and what a bad day is like for them.

Their stories are told by themselves with little input from the makers to show a true representation of their experiences. Two of the students in the film were *AccessAbility Ambassadors (one achieved a 2:1 and the other achieved a First Class degree).

The documentary was made by four third-year students, studying Digital Television and Interactive Media as part of their third-year projects. Two of these students have specific learning difficulties themselves.

One of the film makers, Fran, is dyslexic and was also an *AccessAbility Ambassador for the university. As she was such a star ambassador, she is one of only five ambassadors to be retained after graduation to work as an *AccessAbility Graduate. Fran selected this particular course as it was coursework-based which she preferred due to being able to spend more time checking and completing work and not stressing under examination conditions.

All those involved have been to university, and have now all graduated, showing that mental health difficulties do not necessarily stop you from reaching your goals.

References

NUS, 2013

If you have a mental health difficulty yourself and are a prospective student or an existing student at the University of Greenwich, it is worth considering informing the disability and dyslexia team (wellbeing@gre.ac.uk) as there may be support available to assist you with your studies.

MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association)

Statement	The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is the only national organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to the support of people with MND and those who care for them.
Website	www.mndassociation.org
Address	Motor Neurone Disease Association, PO Box 246, Northampton, NN1 2PR
Telephone	01604 250505
Fax	01604 624726/638289
E-mail	enquiries@mndassociation.org
Notes	MND Connect offers advice, practical and emotional support and directing to other services and agencies. The service is for people living with MND, carers, family members, Health and Social Care Professionals and Association staff and volunteers who directly support people with MND. 08457 626 262 - Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5pm.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Statement	The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign leads the fight against muscle disease.
Website	www.muscular-dystrophy.org
Address	Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, 61 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HL
Telephone	020 7803 4800
E-mail	info@muscular-dystrophy.org
Notes	Phone and e-mail information service is here weekdays 9am - 5pm to address any of your concerns about muscle disease. Contact on freephone support number 0800 652 6352 (freephone) and via email.

MS Society (Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Statement	The MS Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) - about 100,000 people in the UK.
Website	www.mssociety.org.uk
Website	https://www.mssociety.org.uk/near-me
Address	MS Society, MS National Centre, 372 Edgware Road, London, NW2 6ND
Telephone	020 8438 0700
Fax	020 8438 0701
Notes	E-mail contact available via the website

The National Autistic Society

Statement	To champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.
Website	www.nas.org.uk
Address	The National Autistic Society, 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, UK
Minicom	0845 070 4003
Telephone	0845 070 4004
Fax	+44 (0)20 7833 9666
E-mail	nas@nas.org.uk
Notes	Helpline open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Reply to all e-mail and written enquiries within 14 working days.

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)

Statement	A UK charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people in the UK with sight loss.
Website	www.rnib.org
Address	Royal National Institute of Blind People, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE
Telephone	020 7388 1266
Fax	020 7388 2034
E-mail	helpline@rnib.org.uk
Notes	The helpline (telephone 0303 123 9999) offers an immediate, expert and confidential service. Many of the helpline staff have sight problems themselves. They are trained to listen and to give reassurance and advice.

RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People)

Statement	The largest charity working to change the world for the UK's 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people.
Website	www.rnid.org.uk
Address	19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone	0808 808 0123 (freephone)
Textphone	0808 808 9000 (freephone)
Fax	020 7296 8199
SMS	07800 000360
E-mail	informationline@rnid.org.uk
Notes	Whichever way you choose to make contact, please include your full postal address as information is often only sent via the postal service. Expect a response within 15 working days for all enquiries.

Samaritans

Statement	Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up.
Website	www.samaritans.org
Address	Chris, P.O. Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Telephone	08457 90 90 90
E-mail	jo@samaritans.org
Notes	Emails are always answered by real human volunteers, there are no "automatic" responses. If you email we try our hardest to get back to you within 24 hours. If you need immediate support you can pick up the telephone at any point and speak to a Samaritans volunteer.

SCOPE

Name	SCOPE
Statement	About cerebral palsy ? for disabled people achieving equality
Website	www.scope.org.uk
Address	Scope, 6 Market Road, London, N7 9PW, England, UK
Telephone	0808 800 3333
SMS	80039
E-mail	response@scope.org.uk
Notes	If you would like more information on Scope's services, cerebral palsy or any aspect of living with disability, you can call Scope Response, which offers confidential advice and information on 0808 800 3333, 9am-5pm weekdays, closed weekends and Bank Holidays. You can also email response@scope.org.uk or text SCOPE, plus your message to 80039.