Useful Links
Explore our curated collection of the websites you should know about if you’re supporting an elder parent or relative in the UK.
General
Age UK
Age UK is a renowned charitable organisation that focuses on supporting older adults, particularly those in vulnerable situations or facing challenges associated with ageing. With a strong emphasis on social welfare, the charity provides an extensive range of vital resources and assistance in areas such as healthcare, housing, finance, and legal matters. Additionally, Age UK offers a variety of charitable initiatives, including befriending services, social activities, and community engagement programmes, to combat social isolation and promote a sense of belonging among older adults. You can contact your parent’s local Age UK and find out about services they provide using this link.
Age UK also provide The Silver Line, a free, confidential telephone helpline for older people.
Independent Age
Independent Age is another established UK charity that is dedicated to supporting older people and their families. Running for over 150 years, Independent Age offers a wide range of services and initiatives, including advice and information on health, welfare and financial matters, as well as befriending services that provide companionship and emotional support to older people who may be feeling isolated.
Care & Living Arrangements
HomeCare Association
The Homecare Association is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers (companies that provide care for people in their own home). Although the organisation does not provide care themselves, it can sign-post you to Homecare Association members in your area who all abide by the associations Code of Practice.
Care Home
Care Home is a leading online platform that provides a comprehensive, user-friendly directory of care homes in the UK. The site offers detailed information and user reviews on care homes, which can help you and your family make informed decisions about your elder parent or relative’s care.
Lottie
Lottie is a digital platform that helps people search for the best care homes and retirement communities according to their needs, preferences and location. The online system aims to make the search for a suitable care community simpler, less time-consuming and more affordable, and to help people avoid making bad care decisions. The care homes and retirement communities listed on Lottie are handpicked and have been vetted by a team of care experts based on their care quality, home culture and ethical practices. The company also ensures users get market rates and fair resident contracts.
Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and ensuring the quality and safety of health and social care services in the United Kingdom. Their primary goal is to protect and promote the well-being of individuals receiving care. The CQC conducts inspections and assessments of various care providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies, to assess their compliance with essential standards of quality and safety. You can check the most recent CQC rating and report of a care home or care provider using the search function on the site.
Care Rights UK
Care Rights UK is a non-profit organisation that advocates for the rights and well-being of individuals receiving care in the UK. They provide valuable information, support, and guidance on navigating the complex landscape of care services including understanding legal rights, accessing appropriate services, and navigating the social care system. They also have a free helpline for anyone confused about or having problems with care.
Live-in Care Hub
The Live-in Care Hub is a not-for-profit organisation, that focuses on promoting and facilitating live-in care options so that people have the opportunity to be cared for at home versus going into a care home. Founded in 2013, the Live-in Care Hub provides valuable resources, including informative articles, expert advice, and a directory of reputable live-in care agencies. All care providers featured on the site are members of the United Kingdom Homecare Association.
Share and Care Homeshare
Share and Care Homeshare is Community Interest Company, established in 2006, that facilitates mutually beneficial homesharing arrangements across the UK. The company carefully matches individuals seeking affordable housing (often younger people or students) with older householders who have a spare room and would like companionship or support. In exchange for reduced rent, sharers offer 15 hours of low-level practical help and company to the householder per week. Watch this video to learn more.
HomeShare
Homeshare UK is an organisation that connects individuals seeking affordable accommodation (such as students and young people) with those who have a spare room and could benefit from companionship or practical support. This can be a great option for older adults who don’t require complex care, but could use some company and help with basic household tasks. By facilitating these mutually beneficial living arrangements, Homeshare UK aims to address housing affordability and social isolation, and create a safer and more connected environment for elderly people living alone. Watch this video to learn more.
Helpful Housemates
Helpful Housemates is a service from‘Unity Living’ – the sister company of Share and Care Homeshare. Helpful Housemates facilitates supportive and mutually beneficial, intergenerational homesharing arrangements between older people who have a spare room and younger people who need more affordable accommodation. A Helpful Housemate pays a reduced rent to the Householder in exchange for an agreed level of very low-level support and friendship of up to 5 hours per week. The service is a available in Greater London, as well as other cities and towns across the UK.
Finance & Legal
Tax Volunteers
Tax Volunteers is a charity with a service called Tax Help for Older People is a service from Tax which provides free, independent and expert advice and help for older people on lower incomes (£20,000 gross a year or less). Their national network of 420 tax volunteers across the UK give their time and expertise free of charge because they recognise how difficult the tax system can be for older people who can’t afford professional advice, and they want to use their skills to benefit the community; most of them are currently practising or retired tax professionals, including retired HM Revenue and Customs staff.
Money Helper
MoneyHelper is a free service provided by the Money and Pensions Service, which is an ‘arm’s-length’ body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. Open to everyone, the service aims to ensure that people throughout the UK have guidance and access to the information they need to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime. Online, over the phone or face-to-face, Money Helper provides free, impartial advice to help people make informed decisions about their finances, covering a wide range of topics, including budgeting, debt management, entitlements, savings, pensions, and other financial aspects.
Solicitors for the Elderly
Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is a professional membership organisation of legal professionals in the UK are Ireland who are specialised in providing legal support to elderly individuals and their families.
SFE has a strict membership policy – all members must be fully qualified, regulated and insured solicitors, barristers or chartered legal executives who spend at least 50% of their time working with older and vulnerable clients. SFE members are specifically trained to provide legal services to and support people with dementia, Parkinson’s and other degenerative diseases, as well as people who may have problems with the hearing, sight, mobility and capacity. Members are also trained to spot signs of neglect, abuse and coercion. Use this link to find an SFE lawyer near you.
Society of Later Life Advisors
The Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA) is a non-profit membership organisation of financial advisors who are specialised in providing expert advice and support for individuals in later life. SOLLA members are specially trained and accredited professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the complexities of later life planning. They offer comprehensive advice on areas such as retirement planning, long-term care options, estate planning, and financial management. SOLLA aims to ensure that individuals receive reliable and tailored advice to make informed decisions about their later life needs, regardless of their financial circumstances. Use this link to find a SOLLA-accredited advisor near you.
Dementia
Dementia UK
Dementia UK is a specialist dementia nurse charity that provides support and care for individuals living with dementia and their families. Dementia UK’s nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, are highly trained professionals who offer emotional support, guidance, and practical tailored strategies to help individuals and their families cope with the challenges of dementia via Dementia UK’s helpline.
Dementia Pathfinders
Dementia Pathfinders is not-for-profit social enterprise that provides innovative training, resources and community services to help people with dementia and their families live well. The resources and activities they provide empower people with dementia to live more fulfilling lives while supporting their caregivers and families. They offer expert-led online programmes and workshops that can equip caregivers with practical skills, knowledge, and strategies to care well for someone with dementia.
Join Dementia Research
Join Dementia Research is website where you can register your interest in taking part in vital research studies and clinical trials related to dementia. When you sign up, the information you provide is used to match you to studies you may be able to take part in, both online, nationally and in your local area. You can review your study matches once you register and then it’s your decision whether to take part. Join Dementia Research plays a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding of dementia and facilitating the development of new treatments and interventions.
Tide
Tide (Together in Dementia Everyday) is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by dementia. The organisation provides a supportive community where people can connect, share experiences, and find practical guidance. This includes valuable information on dementia-related topics, including caregiving strategies, communication techniques, and navigating the healthcare system.
Staying Engaged
Grand Nanny
Grandnanny is a childcare service that was established in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need for alternative caregiving options and the distance many families live from grandparents, Grandnanny set out to create a new model that connects families with “grandparent-like” care provided by midlife and older individuals seeking fulfilling childcare jobs. Their mission is to foster age-integrated communities, support the underemployed, and offer reliable childcare for working families. With a growing community of over 3,000 people and partnerships with Job Centres, re-employment organizations, and charities, Grandnanny is actively working to support older people in finding rewarding childcare jobs with local families.
Reengage
Reengage is a charity that aims to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Originally known as Contact the Elderly, Reengage helps to create a sense of community and connection for isolated individuals. Through their various programs and initiatives, including regular social gatherings and befriending services, Reengage provides older adults with opportunities to engage with others, form meaningful relationships, and combat feelings of loneliness.
Friends of the Elderly
Friends of the Elderly is a charity that focuses on enhancing the well-being and quality of life for older people. They provide companionship through volunteer befriending, social activities, and community support. They also run care homes, day care services and grant giving programmes for older people living on low incomes throughout England.
Rest Less
Launched in 2018, Rest Less has rapidly expanded to become one of the UK’s leading digital communities for people aged 50 and above. Rest Less provides a platform for members to access employment opportunities, career advice, volunteering options, financial guidance, and lifestyle content tailored to their stage in life. Through their inclusive and supportive digital space, Rest Less aims to empower and inspire the over 50s, promoting active and fulfilling lifestyles while fostering a sense of community among its members.
University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is an educational movement that provides opportunities for lifelong learning, social engagement, and personal development for individuals in their “third age” of life, typically after they have retired. U3A offers a wide range of interest-based courses, study groups, and activities led by members themselves, who share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with others. There are 1,035 u3as with nearly 400,000 members; membership costs less than £20 on average per year and is open to everyone who’s not working full-time.
Create Academy
Create Academy is an innovative online learning platform that aims to inspire and empower individuals to unleash their creativity. With a focus on food, interiors, gardening, and craft, Create Academy offers a wide range of beautifully curated video courses. These courses provide unprecedented access to the knowledge and expertise of renowned experts in their respective fields. By offering flexible and accessible learning opportunities, Create Academy allows individuals to enhance their creative skills with experts from the comfort of their own home – where that’s learning new culinary skills, exploring interior design techniques, developing a green thumb in gardening, or taking up a new craft.
Gransnet
Gransnet is a popular online community and social platform designed specifically for grandparents in the UK. It provides a space for grandparents to connect, share experiences, seek advice, and engage in discussions on a wide range of topics. Gransnet offers a supportive and inclusive environment where members can connect with others who are going through similar life stages. It covers various areas of interest, including family, relationships, health, hobbies, and current affairs. With a wealth of information and resources, Gransnet serves as a valuable resource for grandparents to seek support, share wisdom, and build meaningful connections with others in their community.
Relationships & Self Care
Carers UK
Carers UK is a national charity that focuses on supporting and advocating for unpaid carers across the United Kingdom. The charity offers a range of services and resources to help family caregivers, including practical advice, information, and guidance on navigating the healthcare system, accessing benefits and financial support, and managing the emotional and physical well-being of both the carer and the person they care for. Carers UK also campaigns for policy changes and works to raise awareness about the vital role of carers in society. You can become a member of Carers UK to receive their newsletter and support here.
MindEd for Families
MindEd for Families is an organization dedicated to providing valuable mental health information and support to families and carers. With a focus on promoting well-being and resilience, MindEd for Families offers a wide range of resources, tools, and guidance to help families understand and navigate mental health challenges. The site has a dedicated section providing mental health advice and resources for older people and those who care for them.
Relate
Relate is the largest charitable provider of relationship support in England and Wales, aimed at helping people navigate and strengthen their most important relationships. With centres located throughout England and Wales, as well as a network of licensed local counsellors, Relate offers a range of counselling options, including in-person sessions, telephone counselling, and online support. They also provide a wealth of self-help resources to support individuals who may not be ready to speak with someone directly.
