Social Care and Support

First Contact Plus Self Referral

First Contact Plus is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place.

The initiative allows residents who require help with one or a number of issues to access a catalogue of information, advice, help and support for the following:

• Money, debt and benefits
• Improving your health
• Falls
• Work, learning and volunteering
• Feeling safe
• Families and relationships
• Living independently
• Your home

Information and resources on housing, health, living independently, money advice, work, security and other topics that assist the county’s residents can be found on this site.

First Contact Plus is delivered by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with GPs, the police, health organisations, voluntary groups and social care departments, district & borough councils who are helping adults across the county by working together to make access to services much easier.

To explore the resources available to Leicestershire residents visit First Contact Plus website

T: 0116 3054286
E: firstcontact@leics.gov.uk
W: www.firstcontactplus.org.uk

Social Services

Click here: Leicestershire Adult Social Care

Leicestershire County Council Social Care Services. Includes help and support on:

• Safeguarding adults/children
• Transport for older and disabled people
• Mental health support
• Living independently at home: including minor and major home adaptions
• Supported accommodation/care home
• Paying for care and support
• Assessment for care and support
• Blue Badge applications

T: 0116 3050004
W: www.leicestershire.gov.uk

ChatAutism

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) has launched a new text messaging advice and support service for autistic people.

ChatAutism is a free service run by the Trust’s Specialist Autism Team (SAT) and is open to anyone living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland who is aged 14 years old and over (including adults) with an autism diagnosis – as well as their families and/or carers.

Those who contact the service will receive confidential advice and support directly from a qualified health professional from SAT. The service can help with things such as:

• Emotional wellbeing
• How to have a healthy lifestyle
• How to have healthy relationships
• Advice on drugs, alcohol and smoking
• Support with understanding autism
• Signposting to helpful resources

The service is safe and easy to use. It is the first and only service in the United Kingdom offering text-based healthcare for autistic people.

If you know anyone who may benefit from ChatAutism, please encourage them to get in touch with the service by texting 07312277097.

W: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk

VASL – Voluntary Action South Leicestershire

VASL is a local charity based in Market Harborough, providing services and projects to improve the lives of people in our community. These include support for family carers, young carers, older people who are lonely and isolated, providing volunteer transport to get people out and about, and activities and information to increase mental well-being. We are a volunteer-involving organisation and most of our work is delivered by trained volunteers.

A few of the things VASL do:

• Wellbeing befriending service
• My Mind Matters project
• Community champions
• Support for carers in Leicestershire
• Young carers project
• VASL car scheme

T: 01858 433232
E: admin@vasl.org.uk
W: www.vasl.org.uk

CLASP – Carers of Leicestershire Advocacy Support Project

CLASP are a well known charity, dedicated to supporting unpaid carers across the diverse populations and communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The Carers Centre Leicestershire and Rutland stated aims are to:

• Enhance the quality of life of carers and their families
• Empower carers to maximise their rights and entitlements
• Raise public awareness of carers and their needs
• Raise awareness of the value of carers and their contribution to society
• Become a recognised centre of excellence

CLASP provides a wide range of services and support for carers, working closely with local and national partners to ensure carers have a dedicated place to turn to for help and assistance they need. They recognise that caring affects every part of a carers life and can have a devastating negative impact on health, wellbeing, finance and future life outcomes.

T: 0116 251 0999
E: enquiries@thecarerscentre.org.uk
W: www.claspthecarerscentre.org.uk

Citizens Advice

We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice they believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. Their network of independent charities offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.

Citizens advice can help with:

• Benefits
• Work
• Debt and money
• Consumer
• Housing
• Family
• Law and court
• Immigration
• Health

T: 0800 144 8848 or Charnwood Citizens Advice: 01509 649605
W: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or Charnwood Citizens Advice: www.charnwoodcab.org.uk

SPA (Single Point of Access) – District Nursing TeamS

Our integrated teams of community nurses and community therapists look after people who need clinical care in the community. We provide support for people until they are clinically well enough to be discharged based on a personalised assessment of their needs.

T: 0300 300 777

Joy – Social Prescribing

Joy helps you to find groups, activities and support offers near you. From walking to debt advise, its about what matters to you.

W: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/mental-health/resources/conditions/joy-social-prescribing/