Health organisations

Cancer (including type-specific support)

General cancer support

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

Provides care and support for people with cancer and their families. Offers counselling, group support and transport to hospital services.
NurseLine: 0800 783 3339
cancerfocusni.org  

Cancer Research UK

Provides information for anyone affected by any kind of cancer.
Nurse Helpline: 0808 800 4040
cancerresearchuk.org  

Cancer Hair Care

Offers advice and support on all aspects of hair loss, hair loss prevention (scalp cooling) and hair care, before, during and after cancer treatments.
Cancer Hair Care Advisor or Specialist line: 01438 311 322
cancerhaircare.co.uk  

Look Good Feel Better

Provides practical support for women struggling with side effects from treatment. Offers free skincare and make-up workshops.
General queries: 01372 747 500
lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk  

Macmillan Cancer Support

Provides information and support for people living with cancer in the UK.
Support line: 0808 808 00 00
macmillan.org.uk  

Maggie's

Offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and the people important to them.
General queries: 0300 123 1801
maggies.org  

Tenovus

Provides treatment, emotional support and practical advice to people affected by cancer. Has mobile support units bringing cancer treatment into homes and communities.
Support Line: 0808 808 1010
tenovuscancercare.org.uk  

Blood or haematological cancers

Blood Cancer UK

Provides practical and emotional support to anyone affected by blood cancer.
Support line: 0808 2080 888
Email: support@bloodcancer.org.uk
bloodcancer.org.uk  

Leukaemia Care

Provides emotional support, advice and help to anyone affected by a blood cancer.
Helpline: 08088 010 444
leukaemiacare.org.uk  

Myeloma UK

Offers information and support to people affected by myeloma.
infoline: 0800 980 3332
myeloma.org.uk  

Bone or musculoskeletal cancers

Bone Cancer Research Trust

Raises awareness of primary bone cancer and funds research, as well as providing information and support.
Support & Information Line: 0800 111 4855
bcrt.org.uk  

Sarcoma UK

Offers information and support for people living with sarcoma, including support groups and a helpline.
Helpline: 0808 801 0401
sarcoma.org.uk  

Breast cancer

Breast Cancer Now

Provides care, information and support to people affected by breast cancer.
Helpline: 0808 800 6000
breastcancernow.org  

Children and young people

RipRap

Provides information and support for teenagers who have a parent with cancer. Showcases real stories of other young people's experiences.
riprap.org.uk  

Teenage Cancer Trust

Improves the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer, with support and specialist services around the UK.
teenagecancertrust.org  

Young Lives vs Cancer

Offers information and support to children and young people affected by cancer, as well as their families and those important to them.
Helpline: 0300 303 5220
Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk
younglivesvscancer.org.uk  

The Youth Cancer Trust

Provides support and free, activity-based holidays for young people aged 14 to 30 with cancer or any malignant disease in the UK and Irish Republic, or who are patients of any UK hospital. Also offers holidays to those who have been in remission for up to five years, or are living with the late effects of having had cancer as a teenager.
General queries or to book holidays: 01202 763 591
youthcancertrust.org  

Digestive or gastrointestinal cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

Provides information and support for people affected by bowel cancer.
Email: nurse@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
bowelcanceruk.org.uk  

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Provides expert, personalised support to people affected by pancreatic cancer via a Support Line and information. Has an online forum and provides local face to face support.
Support Line: 0808 801 0707
pancreaticcancer.org.uk  

Eye cancers

OcuMel UK

Provides information and emotional support for those affected by ocular melanoma via a website, helpline and online forums.
Helpline: 0300 790 0512
Email: helpline@omuk.info
ocumeluk.org  

Genitourinary cancers

Kidney Cancer UK

Offers information and support for people affected by kidney cancer, including a counselling service.
Support line: 0800 002 9002
Counselling service: 0300 102 0101
kcuk.org.uk  

Orchid

Promotes awareness and provides support for those affected by penile, testicular and prostate cancer.
Helpline: 0808 802 0010
orchid-cancer.org.uk  

Prostate Cancer UK

Offers information and support for those affected by prostate cancer.
Specialist Nurse line: 0800 074 8383
prostatecanceruk.org  

Gynaecological cancers

The Eve Appeal

Provides information about gynaecological cancers, as well as support services.
Ask Eve Information Service: 020 7605 0100
Email: nurse@eveappeal.org.uk
eveappeal.org.uk  

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

Offers information and support for people affected by cervical cancer or cell changes (abnormal cells), including an online Ask the Expert service.
Helpline: 0808 802 8000
jostrust.org.uk  

Ovacome

Provides information and support for anyone affected by ovarian cancer
Support line: 0800 008 7054
ovacome.org.uk  

Target Ovarian Cancer

Supports those affected by ovarian cancer, including via a nurse-led support line.
Support line: 020 7923 5475
targetovariancancer.org.uk  

Lung and respiratory cancers

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Information and support for people affected by lung cancer, including an Ask the Nurse service.
Ask the Nurse helpline: 0333 323 7200
roycastle.org  

Dementia

Alzheimer Scotland

Offers information, support and community-based services for people affected by dementia in Scotland.
Dementia Helpline: 0808 808 3000
alzscot.org  

Alzheimer's Society

Provides guidance on diagnosis, symptoms and care for people living with Alzheimer's, as well as information about local services and support groups.
Dementia Support Line: 0333 150 3456
alzheimers.org.uk  

Dementia Carers Count

Offers free services for family carers to help them understand more about dementia and give them the chance to connect with others in a similar situation.
Support line: 0800 652 1102
dementiacarers.org.uk  

Dementia UK

Provides information about dementia, including practical and emotional matters, as well as phone and face-to-face support from Admiral Nurses.
Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
dementiauk.org  

Disability

Disability Rights UK

Provides information, products and services developed by and for disabled people, including benefits information.
General queries: 0330 995 0400
disabilityrightsuk.org  

Mencap

Supports people with a learning disability and their families in England and Scotland.
Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk
mencap.org.uk  

Mencap Cymru

Supports people with a learning disability and their families in Wales.
Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk
wales.mencap.org.uk  

Mencap Northern Ireland

Supports people with a learning disability and their families in Northern Ireland.
Learning Disability Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk
northernireland.mencap.org.uk  

Scope

Provides practical information and emotional support for anyone with a learning disability or physical impairment.
Helpline: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
scope.org.uk  

Motor neurone disease (MND)

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Covers care, research, campaigning and information about motor neurone disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Offers guidance on getting support.
MND Connect Helpline: 0808 802 6262
mndassociation.org  

Motor Neurone Disease Scotland

Provides care and support to people affected by motor neurone disease in Scotland, including online support groups and counselling.
General queries: 0141 332 3903
mndscotland.org.uk  

Other health conditions

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Provides information and support about living with pulmonary fibrosis.
Support line: 01223 785725
actionpf.org  

Asthma and Lung UK

Runs support groups and provides information for anyone affected by a lung disease or breathing difficulties, incluing links to national services.
03000 222 5800
asthmaandlung.org.uk  

Ataxia

Offers information and support for people living with ataxia, as well as raising awareness about the condition.
Helpline: 0800 995 6037
ataxia.org.uk  

Bladder & Bowel UK

Provides information and support to people with bladder and bowel problems, including the 'Just Can't Wait' toilet card.
Helpline: 0161 214 4591
bbuk.org.uk  

Brainstrust

Supports people who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour by offering information and support.
Helpline: 01983 292 405
brainstrust.org.uk  

The Brain Tumour Charity

Provides information and support for people affected by brain tumours, as well as funding relevant research.
Support and Information Line: 0808 800 0004
Email: support@thebraintumourcharity.org
thebraintumourcharity.org  

Brainwaves NI

Funds research and provides support to people affected by brain tumours.
Office number: 028 9335 3995
brainwaves-ni.org  

British Heart Foundation

Offers information and support for people with a heart condition or heart disease.
Heart Helpline: 0300 330 3311
bhf.org.uk  

British Liver Trust

Provides information and support for people with liver conditions.
Helpline: 0800 652 7330
britishlivertrust.org.uk  

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

Offers support, advice and information for people with chest, heart and stroke conditions. Has stroke specialist nurses, rehabilitation support service, health information and peer support groups.
CHSS Advice Line: 0808 801 0899
chss.org.uk  

Diabetes UK

Provides information and support for people with diabetes, as well as their friends, family, carers and healthcare professionals. Has information about local support groups.
Helpline: 0345 123 2399
diabetes.org.uk  

Epilepsy Action

Offers information and advice about epilepsy.
Helpline: 0808 800 5050
epilepsy.org.uk  

Fibromyalgia Action UK

Provides support to people affected by fibromyalgia and raises awareness of the condition.
Helpline: 0300 999 3333
Welfare Benefits Helpline: 0300 999 0055
fmauk.org  

Huntington's Disease Association

Provides advice, support and information about Huntington's disease. Has a specialist advisory service and youth engagement service.
Helpline: 0151 331 5444
hda.org.uk  

Kidney Care UK

Offers information, support and financial grants to kidney patients.
Helpline: 01420 541 424
kidneycareuk.org  

Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN)

Provides information for people who live with lymphoedema.
Information and Support line: 020 7351 4480
lymphoedema.org  

Multiple Sclerosis Society

Provides information, support and financial grants to people affected by multiple sclerosis.
MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000
mssociety.org.uk  

Multiple System Atrophy Trust

Supports people affected by multiple system atrophy (MSA) by providing information and support.
Helpline: 0333 323 4591
msatrust.org.uk  

National Autistic Society

Provides confidential expert advice and support on autism for autistic people and the people important to them. Has different helplines to support with various topics, including education rights and mental health.
Find the helpline you need: autism.org.uk/help-and-support  
autism.org.uk  

Rare Disease UK

Supports people with rare diseases to find out more about their condition.
raredisease.org.uk  

Parkinson's UK

Provides information and support to people living with Parkinson's disease through its website and helpline.
Helpline: 0808 800 0303
parkinsons.org.uk  

Stroke Association

Offers up-to-date information in different formats for people who have had a stroke, as well as the people important to them. Has a directory of local services on its website.
Helpline: 0303 3033 100
Supporter Relations line: 0300 330 740
stroke.org.uk  

Terrence Higgins Trust

Provides HIV and sexual health services and support across the UK.
THT Direct: 0808 802 1221
tht.org.uk  

The UK Sepsis Trust

Supports people with sepsis by providing information and support.
Helpline: 0800 389 6252
sepsistrust.org  

General health

Health and wellbeing

British Nutrition Foundation

Offers healthy eating and hydration guidance.
General queries: 020 7557 7930
nutrition.org.uk  

Healthtalk

Has information on a range of illnesses, with a focus on people's real-life experiences. Includes videos on people's personal experiences with illness.
healthtalk.org  

HealthUnlocked

Social network of health communities, including illness and symptom-specific groups. Discuss your concerns with and get support from others going through similar experiences.
healthunlocked.com  

Patient.info

Has over 4,000 health information leaflets, a wellbeing centre, a free health check, and forums to discuss experiences with others.
patient.info  

NHS and government websites

NHS

Provides information about health and social care including conditions, treatment and service information in England.
nhs.uk  

NHS Inform (Scotland)

Provides health and care information for people in Scotland, as well as a search function for local health services.
nhsinform.scot  

NHS Wales

Provides information on what the NHS in Wales does, including how to access its services.
nhs.wales  

nidirect

Provides health and care information for people in Northern Ireland, including about relevant services.
nidirect.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing  

Pain

British Pain Society

Provides resources on understanding and managing pain, including downloadable leaflets, FAQs and a glossary of symptoms.
General queries: 020 7269 7840
britishpainsociety.org  

Pain Concern

Offers support and information about pain and pain management in the UK, online and by telephone. Includes a forum and podcasts with real stories.
Helpline: 0300 123 0789
Email: help@painconcern.org.uk
painconcern.org.uk