RESOURCES

Search thousands of charitable grants by your circumstances, such as caring, illness, disability, age or job. Free and takes about 5 minutes.

Check which benefits you could claim, including Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit. Anonymous, free and takes about 10 minutes.

Grants for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child, for things like white goods, computers, sensory toys and family breaks.

Grants for essential household items such as beds, cookers and fridges. Applications are made by a support worker on your behalf.

Grants for children and young people in crisis, including essential items and support to help them stay in education.

Help if you are homeless or at risk of losing your home, including advice and emergency housing.

Hackney residents on a low income can apply to reduce their Council Tax bill.

Free help with debt, budgeting and making your money go further.

Free, confidential debt advice and online budgeting tools from a national debt charity.

Advice on housing rights, eviction, repairs and homelessness, plus an emergency helpline.

Free home visits and energy-saving advice to help you keep warm and cut your bills.

Expert energy advisers who help low-income households with bills, debt with suppliers and keeping warm at home.

A yearly £150 discount on your electricity bill if you get certain benefits or have a low income. Paid through your energy supplier.

Up to 50% off your water bill if your household income is low.

Emergency food parcels for people in crisis. Ask CHCC for a foodbank voucher.

Call 111 or go online for urgent medical help that is not a life-threatening emergency. Available 24 hours a day.

Free, confidential emotional support any time of day or night. Call 116 123.

Report concerns or get advice if you are worried about a child in Hackney.

Free advice, emotional support, counselling, wellbeing activities and the Carers Card for unpaid carers in Hackney and the City of London.

Ask for a carer's assessment, respite and support planning for the person you care for.

Free local advice on benefits, housing, debt and employment.

Free immigration and housing advice and casework, advocacy and community wellbeing activities.

Support for older people and their carers, including advocacy and benefits advice.

National advice on benefits, debt, housing, work and legal problems.

National advice for carers, online forums and a free helpline.

National information, grants and advocacy for unpaid carers of all ages.

Free legal advice on benefits, housing, immigration and employment.

Free legal advice for disabled people and their carers.

Free legal information for parents and carers on family and education law.

Free employment and training support for Hackney residents, including help to find flexible work.

Free, confidential counselling and emotional support for carers.

Free NHS talking therapy for anxiety, depression and stress. You can refer yourself.

Mental health support groups and advocacy.

Community wellbeing support and group activities, run by Mind CHWF.

Free activities, relaxation sessions and trips for carers.

Free or low-cost local fitness and physical activities.

Free 15-minute interactive CPR training from the British Heart Foundation. All you need is a cushion or bag and a phone, tablet or computer. You will learn to spot a cardiac arrest, make a practice emergency call, practise CPR and use a defibrillator, and get a CPR certificate at the end.

Free app with simple step-by-step guides to 20 first aid skills, including choking, burns, heart attacks, asthma attacks and seizures. Works without internet. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Practical and emotional support for people living with cancer and those who care for them, including personalised cancer care.

Mental health and psychosocial support for people affected by cancer.

Prehabilitation services to help people prepare their body and mind for cancer treatment.

Find out about NHS bowel, breast, cervical and lung cancer screening in North East London.

Know the signs and symptoms of cancer and simple tips to lower your risk.

A podcast series with practical advice and real stories about cancer.

Free short hotel breaks for unpaid carers. You only pay a small admin fee.

Respite holidays for disabled people and their carers.

Grants towards UK respite breaks, holidays, day trips and travel costs.

Guides, toolkits and information gathered by Hackney parent carers for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Directory of every service in Hackney for children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND and their families.

Information on nurseries, childminders, local activities and SEND updates.

The official government guidance on SEND for children and young people aged 0–25. Key reading for parent carers.

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at your child's school is the first person to talk to about SEND at school. Contact them through the school office.

Specialist NHS centre for children with SEND and their families.

Free, independent advice for parents and carers of children with SEND. Usually the first place to go for SEND advice in Hackney. They are busy, so replies can take time.

Free independent legal advice and information on SEND, including SEN support, EHCPs and appeals.

SEND legal advice and support. Capacity is limited and they rarely represent families at tribunal hearings.

Legal support for families of children with SEND. Referrals are made by Citizens Advice on behalf of Family Foundations and Parenting Plus services in Children and Families Hubs.

Advocacy, mentoring and family support for children aged 8–19.

Specialist SEND advocacy and mediation for families dealing with education issues.

Specialist SEND solicitors who also run workshops with IPSEA and other organisations.

Private and legal-aid support on education and SEND, depending on eligibility and the case.

Hackney-based specialists in SEND and education law.

Activities and short breaks for disabled children, giving parent carers a rest. Usually for children getting middle or higher rate DLA – check the eligibility rules.

Free and low-cost sport for children and young people.

Practical family support for parents of children with additional needs.

National charity offering family advice, autism education and Autism Central support.

Free advice sessions with Hackney educational psychologists.

NHS mental health support for children, young people and their families in City and Hackney, including parent carer groups.

Workshops and advocacy for fathers in Hackney communities.

Supported housing for young people aged 17–25 with additional needs.

Autism support and family intervention from a specialist based in Hackney.

Guidance and training for families caring for someone with a severe learning disability.

Support for healthy parenting and family lifestyle in City and Hackney.

Information, training and guidance for families of autistic people.

A forum led by parents to improve local SEND services. Join to share your views and meet other parent carers.

A wellbeing and self-care programme for parent carers, run jointly by CHCC and the Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum.

Peer educators who support parents and carers of autistic people.

National charity for brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults.

Local baby essentials bank. A professional must refer you.

Platform for requesting white goods such as fridges and washing machines. A professional must refer you.

Help with furniture and decorating children's spaces for low-income families.

Supported internships helping young people aged 16–24 with SEND get ready for work.

Education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs.

Advice, breaks and support for young carers under 18 who look after someone at home.

Support for young adult carers aged 16–25, with wellbeing activities and peer support.

Support for children aged 6–19 who help look after a family member, including breaks and activities. Also for siblings of disabled children.

Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support for young people.

Mental health information and support for children and young people, and for parents worried about a child.

Activities, mentoring and training for young people.

A directory of local youth services and support in Hackney.