Organisations and websites
Diabetes and blindness
Miscarriages of justice
Suicide, bereavement and mental health issues
Help for carers
Books
Diabetes UK
10 Parkway
London NW1 7AA
Careline: 0845 120 2960 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Textphone: 020 7424 1031
Fax: 020 7424 1001
E-mail: careline@diabetes.org.uk
Website: www.diabetes.org.uk
Formerly the British Diabetic Association. Campaigns on behalf of people with diabetes, provides support and information and funds research. The careline has trained counsellors who can be contacted for support and current information on diabetes, but cannot give individual medical advice. The careline also operates an e-mail enquiry service.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
19 Angel Gate
City Road
London EC1V 2PT
Tel: 020 7713 2030 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm)
E-mail: info@jdrf.org.uk
Website: www.jdrf.org.uk
Funds research to find a cure for diabetes, and provides information on diabetes, new developments in treatment and research. Leaflets on living with diabetes and its complications are available free of charge to individuals living with diabetes and to healthcare professionals.
Diabetes control
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/
0-9/4health/body/ill_gly.html
An article from Channel 4's 4Health magazine.
Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)
105 Judd Street
London WC1H 9NE
Helpline: 0845 766 9999 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm)
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Fax: 020 7388 2034
E-mail: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Offers a wide range of services and support to anyone with a serious sight problem. Contact for information and advice on education and employment issues and for advocacy services. Extensive range of publications available.
Action for Blind People
14-16 Verney Road
London SE16 3DZ
National helpline: 0800 915 4666 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Tel: 020 7635 4800
Fax: 020 7635 4900
E-mail: info@afbp.org
Website: www.afbp.org
Enables blind and partially sighted people to transform their lives through work, housing, leisure and support. Offers wide range of services to visually impaired people, their families, advocates, professionals and the general public.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Burghfield Common
Reading RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 5555
E-mail: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk
Provides guide dogs and mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people.
MOJO Scotland
G MAC 3rd floor
34 Albion Street
Glasgow G1 1LH
Tel: 0141 564 1245
E-mail: mojoscotland@mac.com
Website: www.mojoscotland.com
The Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (MOJO) was set up to help those who have been wrongfully convicted for crimes they know nothing about. It aims to raise awareness of the treatment of innocent victims of the criminal justice system.
United Against Injustice
National Federation of Miscarriage of Justice Campaign and Support Organisations
E-mail: MAI5@lineone.net
Website: www.unitedagainstinjustice.org.uk
Association of largely independent member organisations, each of which meets regularly and actively supports two or more cases of injustice.
False Allegations Support Organisation
E-mail: support@fas.org.uk
Website: www.false-allegations.org.uk
Gives advice and support to anyone who has been falsely accused of a criminal charge.
Criminal Cases Review Commission
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Alpha Tower
Suffolk Street
Queensway
Birmingham B1 1TT
Tel: 0121 633 1800
Fax: 0121 633 1804/1823
E-mail: ccrc@gtnet.gov.uk
Website: www.ccrc.gov.uk
Scotland
Portland House
5th Floor
17 Renfield Street
Glasgow G2 5AH
Tel: 0141 270 7030
Fax: 0141 270 7040/7023
E-mail info@sccrc.org.uk
Website: www.sccrc.org.uk
Independent body responsible for investigating suspected miscarriages of criminal justice.
Howard League for Penal Reform
1 Ardleigh Road
London N1 4HS
Tel: 020 7249 7373
Fax: 020 7249 7788
E-mail: info@howardleague.org
Website: www.howardleague.org
Works for humane and rational reform of the penal system. Researches and comments on criminal justice policy and practice, holds conferences and debates, publishes books and reports. Also runs projects in schools and prisons.
INNOCENT
Dept 54
PO Box 282
Oldham OL1 3FY
E-mail: innocent@uk2.net
Website: www.innocent.org.uk
Manchester-based organisation that supports and campaigns for innocent people in prison. Made up of families, friends and supporters of prisoners, who have come together to help each other.
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
90 High Holborn
London WC1V 6BH
Tel: 08453 002 002 (local rate)
Fax: 020 7404 0430
E-mail: enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ipcc.gov.uk
Has teams of investigators to assist with the supervision and management of some police investigations. Also carries out independent investigations into serious incidents or allegations of misconduct by persons serving with the police.
Liberty
21 Tabard Street
London SE1 4LA
Tel: 020 7403 3888
Fax: 020 7407 5354
Helpline: 020 7378 8659 (Mon 6-8pm, Wed 12.30-2.30pm, Thurs 6-8pm)
E-mail: info@liberty-human-rights.org.uk
Website: www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk
Campaigns to improve prisoners' rights. Can advise on all aspects of the prison system, including treatment in prison.
Nacro
169 Clapham Road
London SW9 0PU
Tel: 020 7582 6500
Fax: 020 7735 4666
E-mail: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Website: www.nacro.org.uk
Wales
Nacro Cymru
35 Heathfield
Swansea SA1 6EJ
Tel: 01792 468 400
Fax: 01792 450 871
E-mail: info@nacrocymru.org.uk
Aims to make society safer by finding practical solutions to reducing crime. Works to give ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities the help they need to build a better future.
AvMA: Action against Medical Accidents
44 High Street
Croydon
Surrey CR0 1YB
Tel (admin): 020 8688 9555
Helpline: 0845 123 23 52 (Mon-Fri 10am-12noon, 2-4 pm)
Fax: 020 8667 9065
E-mail: admin@avma.org.uk
Website: www.avma.org.uk
Promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident. (A 'medical accident' is where unintended harm has been caused as a result of treatment or failure to treat appropriately.)
Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS)
Website: www.cppih.org/icas.html
Free, impartial and independent service for people who wish to make a formal complaint about the National Health Service. Check the website for local telephone numbers.
Samaritans
c/o Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
Provides confidential emotional support – 24 hours a day – to any person, irrespective of race, creed, age or status, who is in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. Can be contacted by e-mail, telephone or writing or by visiting one of over 200 local branches (details on the website).
SoBS: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Centre 88
Saner Street
Anlaby Road
Hull HU3 2TR
National helpline: 0870 241 3337 (daily 9am-9pm)
Textphone: 18002-01925 826204
Tel: 01482 610 728
Fax: 01482 210 287
E-mail: sobs.admin@care4free.net
Website: www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend by offering emotional and practical support. Network of local groups throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Bereaved by Suicide
Helpline: 01252 661002 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm)
Tel: 01252 661 002
E-mail: bereavedbysuicide@ntlworld.com
Web: www.bereavedbysuicide.org
Provides support to anyone bereaved by suicide. All volunteers who run the support line and meetings have personal experience of a suicide bereavement. This is a very small organisation so please be patient when trying to
contact them.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline: 0870 167 1677 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm)
E-mail: helpline@crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Runs a helpline and offers counselling and support to anyone who has been bereaved. Also runs the Youth Involvement Project, a website supporting young people (aged 12-18) after the death of someone close to them.
The Compassionate Friends (TCF)
53 North Street
Bristol BS3 1EN
Tel (national office): 08451 20 37 85
Helpline 08451 23 23 04 (daily 10am-4pm, 6.30-10.30pm)
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support, encouragement and information to others after the death of a child or children. Also offers support, advice and information to other relatives, friends and professionals who are helping such families.
SANE
1st floor, Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London E1 1EE
SANEline: 0845 767 8000 (daily 12noon-2am)
E-mail: sane@saneline.org
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Help for people with mental health problems and those who support them, including information on illnesses and symptoms, local and national mental health services, medication, treatments and therapies.
Zito Trust
16 Castle Street
Hay on Wye
Hereford HR3 5DF
Tel: 01497 82 00 11
E-mail: michaelvhowlett@msn.com
Website: www.zitotrust.co.uk
Information, advice and support to family and friends of people with severe mental health problems, particularly where treatment seems inadequate.
One in a Hundred
Information pack: 0800 587 1153
Website: www.janssen-cilag.co.uk/1in100
Information on many aspects of schizophrenia, including support groups, medication and causes. The information pack provides facts about schizophrenia, details of a range of treatments, and a list of questions to help individuals and their families have discussions with their doctors about the best treatment options for them. Website is sponsored by the drugs company Janssen-Cilag.
Schizophrenia
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/mind/wwr_schizophrenia.html
Depression
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/mind/wwr_depression.html
Articles from Channel 4's 4Health magazine, with useful contact information.
Carers UK
Ruth Pitter House
22-25 Glasshouse Yard
London EC1A 4JT
Tel: 020 7490 8818
Helpline: 0808 808 7777
Textphone: 020 7251 8969
Fax: 020 7490 8824
E-mail: info@ukcarers.org
Website: www.carersonline.org.uk
Wales
Carers UK (Wales)
River House
Ynys Bridge Court
Gwaelod y Garth CF15 9SS
Tel: 029 2081 1370
E-mail: info@carerswales.org.uk
website: www.wales.gov.uk/subisocialcarers/index.htm
Campaigns on behalf of carers and provides informative leaflets and phone information services about benefits and other carer issues.
Caring about Carers
www.carers.gov.uk
Department of Health website providing details of the services and benefits affecting carers. Has information on carers and health, work and money, young carers and parent carers, plus details of short-term breaks and other help.
A Special Scar: The experiences of people bereaved by suicide by Alison Wertheimer (Routledge, 2001)
Looks in detail at the stigma surrounding suicide and offers practical help for survivors, relatives and friends of people who have taken their own lives.
Night Falls Fast: Understanding suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison (Pan Macmillan, 2001)
An account of the third biggest, swiftest killer of young people in the Western world. Written by a survivor of a suicide attempt, this book, while exploring the causes, is a penetrating analysis of young suicide.
Surviving Schizophrenia: A family manual by Fuller E Torrey (HarperCollins, 2001)
Describes the nature, causes, symptoms, treatment and course of schizophrenia. It also explores living with the disease from both the patient's and the family's point of view.
Living with Diabetes: The Diabetes UK guide for those treated with insulin by J L Day (Wiley, 2002)
Explains all the latest recommendations for healthy eating, exercise and medical treatment, helping people with diabetes to maximise their lifestyles while minimising their difficulties.
On Blindness: Letters between Bryan Magee and Martin Milligan (Oxford University Press, 1995)
Opening the eyes of the sighted to the world as experienced by the blind, this book offers a unique opportunity to explore the challenges, frustrations, joys and extraordinary insights experienced in the everyday business of discovering the world without sight. Broadcaster Bryan Magee and Martin Milligan, activist and philosopher blind almost from birth, discuss the range of blind experience, from those born blind to those who become blind. It makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in sight and blindness from a personal, practical or philosophical point of view.
Miscarriages of Justice: A review of 'justice in error' edited by Clive Walker and Keir Starmer (Blackstone, 1999)
Examines the various steps within the British criminal justice system that have resulted in the conviction of the innocent, and suggests remedies as to how miscarriages might be avoided in the future.
Forever Lost, Forever Gone by Paddy Joe Hill (Bloomsbury, 1996)
In 1974, Paddy Joe Hill was condemned by false scientific evidence and charged alongside five other men with the Birmingham pub bombing. Finally released from the culture of violence in Britain's prison system, Hill offers constructive ideas about judicial and penal reform and an account of the pain of readjustment in the outside world.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.