Links
Below are some links you might find useful
These links were taken from the Citizenship Foundation's Young Citizen's Passport. For full details and to order a copy please visit: www.ycponline.co.uk
General
Life
HIV & AIDs
Drugs and addiction
Health
Safety
Education
Work and training
Money
Family
Home
Leisure
Travel and transport
Police and courts
Law, government and human rights
The European Union
Voluntary organisations
What Makes the Difference Development Partnership
Regional organisations
General
Childline
Childline offers a free 24hr helpline for any child in danger or distress (0800 111). If you live away from home (e.g. in foster care or at boarding school) there is a special helpline (0800 88 4444) open 3.30pm-9.30pm weekdays and 2.00pm-8.00pm weekends.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Usually known as the CAB, gives free, confidential and independent information and advice on all kinds of problems. For your nearest CAB see www.nacab.org.uk
Community Legal Service
Provides government information on legal services for the community. The website can help you find legal information and advice in your area.
Disability Law Services
Free legal advice for disabled people on benefits, education, empoyment, consumer issues, childre and community care.
Get Connected
Free confidential help for young people, website www.getconnected.org.uk
Free Representation Unit
This is a network of barristers and law students who will represent clients without charge at social security and employment tribunals. They only take cases referred to them by some solicitors, law centres and CABs, principally in the London area.
Law Centres Federation
Gives the name and address of your nearest Law Centre where free or low cost legal advice on a range of topics can be obtained.
Law Society
The website provides information on finding and using a solicitor and how to complain if you are dissatisfied with a solicitor's standard of service.
Liberty
A campaigning organisation able to answer questions from people who feel their civil liberties have been infringed.
National Youth Agency (NYA)
The NYA supports youth workers and young people's personal and social development.
The Government Ombudsman
If you have a problem with your local authority, a government department, the health service, and insurance company, a bank or building society or a legal service and are not happy with how your complaint has been dealt with, you can refer your case to the relevant Ombudsman. You must first, however, have done everything you can to sort things out yourself with the person or organisation concerned.
The Local Government Omudsman
Investigates complaints about most local government matters, including housing, planning, education and the council tax.
The National Leaving Care Advisory Service (NLCAS)
NLCAS at Rainer exists to improve the life chances of young people leaving care.
Youth Access
If you have a problem of any kind you would like to discuss confidentially, Youth Access can put you in touch with someone locally who may be able to help.
Life
Sex, contraception, pregnancy and abortion
AFLaGA
Can give advice an dsupport to serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces who are lesbian or gay.
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
Offer advice and information on adoption and fostering and can put you in touch with an office near you.
British Pregnancy and Advisory Service
Has over 40 centres nationawide able to provide preganacy test, consultation and emergency contraception, and undertake abortions.
Brook Advisory Centres
Offer free and confidential advice and counselling on sex and contraaception for young people under 25,, covering the whole of the UK.
fpa
Provides detailed information on contraception adn sexual health.
Marie Stopes International UK
Offers information on contraception, abortion, female sexual health and other services.
Maternity Alliance
Provides information on a wide range of issues, including antenatal care, employment rights and maternity benefits.
MIND
Is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales able to give information and advice on a range of mental health issues. Mindinfoline (0845 766 0163), Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.15pm.
Stonewall
Campaigns for equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals and can provide information on these issues.
HIV and AIDS
The 1990 Trust
Provides information for people of African, Asian and Caribbean extraction on a varitey of health and many other issues including HIV / AIDS.
Avert
An international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, providing education and information to communities throughout the world including the UK.
NAZ Project London
Providing advice and support on HIV, AIDS and sexual health for people from S Asian, Middle Estern, N African, Latin American and Horn of Africa communities.
Positively Women
Able to provide practical and emotional support for women with HIV and AIDS and their families.
Terrence Higgins Trust
Provides support and information for people affected with and by HIV and AIDS.
Drugs and addiction
Alcohol Concern
Provides information on all aspects of alcohol misuse, including details of local alcohol advice and counselling services.
Drugaid
Offering counselling, support and information for drug and alcohol users, their friends and family, in South Wales.
DrugScope
For information about drug advice agencies in your area.
FRANK
Providing advice and information on all types of drug taking for drug users, their family and friends.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
A confidential helpline (020 7730 0009) open 10.00am - 10.00pm, 7 days a week for those trying to recover from addiction.
Release
For information and legal advice on drug-related problems. A helpline (0845 4500 215) is open Mon-Fri 10.00am-5.30pm.
Health
MIND
Is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales able to give information and advice on a range of mental health issues. Mindinfoline (0845 766 0163), Mon-Fri 9.15am-5.15pm.
NHS Direct
A 24hr helpline proving confidential advice to anyone concerned about their health, or with questions about any aspect of the Health Service, tel (0845 4647).
Samaritans
Will talk to anyone feeling despereate, lonely or suicidal. A phoneline is also open 24hrs a day, all year (08457 90 90 90)
Sane
Provides information and advice to anyone suffering mental health problems. Can also give the names of solicitors prepared to give up to an hour's free advice and contacts of support in local areas.
Safety
Personal safety
Commission for Racial Equality
For information on the law relating to racial harassment and the phone number of your local racial equality council.
Kidscape
Provides free information and advice on keeping safe, including bullying and how to cope with it.
Rape Crisis Federation England and Wales
Runs Rape Crisis support Groups throughout Britan offering confidential advice to any woman or girl who has been raped or sexually assaulted. also provides information on support agencies for men.
Survivors
Gives advice and information to men who are victis of sexual violence. Tel (0845 122 1201), Tues and Thurs, 7.00pm-10.00pm.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Gives practical information, guidance, training and resources on personal safety in all situations.
Victims and compensation
The Court Service
Information on the location of, and contact details for local courts through the UK.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Provides compensation for victims of crimes of violence.
Victim Support
Support for victims of crime. Helpline (0845 30 30 900) Mon-Fri 09.00am-09.00pm, Sat-Sun 09.00am-7.00pm and 09.00am-5.00pm bank holidays.
Education
The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)
An independent centre for parents, offering information and free telephone advice on many subjects including exlusion, bullying, special educational needs and school admission.
Children's Legal Centre
Offers advice about how to deal with conflict in schools and LEAs on matters such as bullying and exclusion.
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
For information about the law relating to education.
Education Otherwise
Provides information and advice for people choosing to educate their children out of school.
Independent Schools Council
For information on education in the independent sector.
Work and training
ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
Runs a helpline giving information on a wide range of employment issues. Tel (08457 47 47 47).
Commission for Racial Equality
For information on the law relating to racial harassment and the phone number of your local racial equality council.
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
For information about the law relating to education.
Department of Trade and Industry
For information on employment law.
Equal Opportunities Commission
For information on a wide range of sex discrimination and gender issues.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Is responsible for checking health and safety at work throughout England and Wales. They can send information explaining the law and can tell you whom to contact if you have a health and safety problem.
The National Minimum Wage Helpline
Provides information about the National Minimum Wage and can be used to make a complaint about an employer who is suspected of not paying the minimum wage. Tel (0845 6000 678), Mon-Fri 8.00am-6.00pm.
Maternity Alliance
Provides information on a wide range of issues, including antenatal care, employment rights and maternity benefits.
Money
Association of British Insurers
For leaflets and further information about insurance.
Job Centre Plus
For information about jobs and benefits contact your local Jobcentre Plus.
Inland Revenue
for free information leaflets and general enquiries.
National Debtline
For confidential help with debt problems and advice. tel (0808 8084000) Mon-Fri 9.00am-9.00pm, Sat 9.30am-1.00pm.
Office of Fair Trading
The official watchdog protecting consumer's interests.
Trading Standards Offices
Are in almost every town and city and give free advice on a wide range of consumer problems.
Family
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
Offer advice and information on adoption and fostering and can put you in touch with an office near you.
CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
CAFCASS looks after the interests of children involved in family proceedings.
Carers UK
Looks after the intersts of all carers, including young people.
Childline
Childline offers a free 24hr helpline for any child in danger or distress (0800 111). If you live away from home (e.g. in foster care or at boarding school) there is a special helpline (0800 88 4444) open 3.30pm-9.30pm weekdays and 2.00pm-8.00pm weekends.
Kidscape
Provides free information and advice on keeping safe, including bullying and how to cope with it.
Law Society Children Panel
Can put you in touch with a local solicitor who can advise and represent you in matters concerning parental and family relationships.
Message Home Helpline
A confidential service allowing someone who has run away from home to leave a message for family and friends to let them know that they are alive and well. If you are under 19, tel (0808 800 7070) and over 18 (0800 700740).
National Council for One-Parent Families
Provides free information for lone parents on many subjects, including benefits, tax, legal rights and divorce. A lone parent helpline is open (0800 018 5026) Mon-Fri, 9.00am-5.00pm.
National Missing Persons Helpline
Provides help, information and advice to families of missing people. Tel (0500 700 700) free, 24hrs.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
Runs a free 24hr child protection helpine for children and young people, parents and anyone concerned about young people at risk. Tel (0808 800 5000) free, 24hrs.
NORCAP
Provides advice and support for adopted people and their birth relatives who wish to get in touch.
Parentline Plus
Has eleven offices in the UK working with parents, children and young people providing information and support for families. Tel (0800 800 2222) free, 24hr.
Runaway
Provides a free helpline, tel (0808 800 7070) free for young people under 18 who have run away or been forced to leave home or care.
Women's Aid
Gives information, supoort and advice for women experiencing domestic violence in the home. For 24hr helpline, tel (0808 2000 247).
Home
Centrepoint
A youth homeless charity able to advise those who have arrived in London with nowhere to stay.
Crisis
Provides advice and assistance to homeless people.
The Foyer Federation
A UK-wide youth homeless charity providing accommodation, education and training opportunities for people between 16-25 with housing needs.
Homelessuk.org
An online search resource for homeless persons in England with links to, hostels, housing associations & homeless charities.
Shelter
Campaigns to improve the housing conditions and rights of private tenants. Shelter also has a network of housing aid centres across the country and runs Shelter helpline (0808 800 4444) a free, 24hr national housing helpline.
Leisure
Citizencard
Can provide photo-ID cards and proof of age costing £5 for under 18's and £9 for over 18s.
Proof of Age Card Scheme
If you're 18 or over you can get a Proof of Age Card from the Portman Group for £5.
Travel and transport
ABTA (The Association of British Travel Agents)
For information and advice over problems with package holidays.
DVLA
For enquiries about driving licences, tax discs or the registrtion details of a particular vehicle.
Euro<26 Card
A card for those between 12 and 25 which is accepted by over 100,000 outlets in ovre 42 countries, providng access to discount schemes. the card costs £7 for a year.
National Express Ltd
For information on coach travel and cheap tickets.
Young Persons Railcard
Available to 16-25 year olds at a cost of £20 per year. Provides a 30% discount on many UK rail journeys (and some bus and boat links).
Police and courts
The Court Service
Publishes the Courts' Charter explaining how the court system works.
The Criminal Justice System online
Provides information about the criminal justice system for victims, witnesses, jurors or those accused or convicted of a crime.
Community Legal Service (CLS)
Ensures thea people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of everyday problems in the legal field.
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)
Is the body overseeing complaints against the police.
Law, government and human rights
Political parties
Conservative Party
Green Party
Labour Party
Liberal Democrats
Plaid Cymru
General
House of Commons Information Office
A public information service on the working an proceedings of Parliament.
Human Rights Act
The Information Commissioner's Office
Has responsibility for overseeing the workings of the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.
The European Union
The Council of Europe
An organisation with a strong interest in human rights, which works to find solutions to some fo the problems facing European society.
European Commission
European Parliament Information Office
A free information service on the European Parliament.
European Youth Forum (EYF)
Represents youth organisations from all over Europe.
Organising Bureau of School Students Unions
Coordinates national organisations of schools and provides European representation for school students.
Voluntary organisations
Rainer
The national charity for under-supported young people. Rainer is WMTD's lead partner.
The Princes Trust
The UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working, through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance.
Shelter
The national charity campaigning for housing and homeless
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The social policy, research and development charity seeking to better understand the causes of social difficulties and explore ways of overcoming them.
Refugee Council
The largest refugee agency in the UK, providing advice to asylum seekers and refugees.
Barnardo's
UK children's charity offering a wide range of support services for children, young people and their families.
RESET
RESET is a Rainer project with over 50 partners that aims to improve the resettlement process for young offenders.
Voice
Is a national charity committed to empowering children and young pepole in public care and campiagning for change to improve their lives. Voice offers advocacy support to care leavers, freephone: 0800 8005792
International Child & Youth Care
An online discussion forum for anyone who is involved in Child & Youth Care Work
Kibble
The Kibble Centre is the largest multi-service centre in the United Kingdom specialising in work with young people at risk. It provides community outreach, residential care, secondary education, intensive fostering, secure care and employment training for care leavers delivered through a portfolio of social enterprises. Young people come here because they need specialist support and stability.
Social Enterprise Podcasts
The site will house a mix of podcasts with a social enterprise focus. You should find something of interest whether you are already involved in social enterprise, interested in setting up some activity or simply curious.
What Makes the Difference Development Partnership
Rainer
The national charity for under-supported young people. Rainer is WMTD's lead partner.
A National Voice (ANV)
A national organisation run by and for young people from Care.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Gloucestershire County Council
HM Prison Service
Information about the work carried out in prisons throughout England and Wales.
London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) Leaving Care Service
Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
Responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16 year olds in England.
The National Children's Service (NCS)
The National Children's Bureau (NCB)
A charitable organisation that acts as an umbrella body for organisations working with children and young people in England and Northern Ireland.
The Social Exclusion Unit
Surrey 16plus Service
Rainer Surrey 16plus Service works with 16 - 21 year olds in and leaving care.
The Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is the UK's leading charity for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering.
The Frank Buttle Trust
The Frank Buttle Trust is the largest UK charity providing grant aid to individual children and young people in desperate need.
The Thomas Coram Research Unit
Part of the Coram Family charity that aims to develop and promote best practice in the care of vulnerable children and their families.
The University of York, Social Work Research and Development Unit (SWRDU)
The SWRDU includes research, dissemination, consultancy and service development in the areas of social work and associated services for children and young people.
The Who Cares? Trust
A national charity working to improve public care for children and young people who are separated from their families and living in residential or foster care.
Who Cares? Xtra
A site for young people in care managed by The Who Cares? Trust.
Voice
A charity undertaking research with children and young people.
Wandsworth Independent Living Scheme (WILS)
Rainer WILS provides an assessment, preparation and supported accomodation service to young people who have been looked after by London Borough of Wandsworth social services department.
Regional organisations
Target Leaving Care website (Redcar & Cleveland)
A reference site for care leavers and children who may be entering the care leaving stage, to introduce the services on offer at Target Leaving Care services. Created with the help of Target users and constantly updated with new material.