Does it cost anything?

Our help is given freely. If anything ever has a cost, it is said clearly before you commit.

Do I have to be referred?

No. Get in touch yourself, or ask somebody to do it for you.

Yes. If there is ever a situation where we must pass something on, we will tell you what and why.

The accounts and the yearly report are published, and we will tell you plainly what a given amount pays for.

Yes, and we need people. Tell us what time you have and what you are good at.

Often, yes. There is a list of what is actually needed, which is more useful than a cupboard of things nobody asked for.

What we do, who it is for and how to reach us. If you would like to help instead, there is a way to do that further down.

Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels

01Help and supportSomebody to talk to, and practical help where we can give it.
02Information and adviceStraight answers, and help understanding letters, forms and decisions.
03Groups and meetingsRegular times to come along, with no need to book or explain yourself.
04ActivitiesThings to do, for people who want company as much as anything else.
05Helping you get elsewhereReferrals and introductions to people who do what we do not.
06VolunteeringReal jobs for people with time, with training, an agreement setting out what each side expects, and hours that suit you.
07DonationsMoney, and the things we can use directly — the list of what is needed this month is on our page.
08MembershipFor people who want to belong to it rather than only give to it, with a say in how it is run.
09ProjectsFunded pieces of work with a start, an end and a report at the end of them.
10Speaking upRaising the things that keep coming up with the people who can change them.
11Working with othersWith local services and groups, so nobody falls between them.

Does it cost anything?
Our help is given freely. If anything ever has a cost, it is said clearly before you commit.
Do I have to be referred?
No. Get in touch yourself, or ask somebody to do it for you.
Will what I say be private?
Yes. If there is ever a situation where we must pass something on, we will tell you what and why.
Where does the money actually go?
The accounts and the yearly report are published, and we will tell you plainly what a given amount pays for.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, and we need people. Tell us what time you have and what you are good at.
Can I give something other than money?
Often, yes. There is a list of what is actually needed, which is more useful than a cupboard of things nobody asked for.

What happens when you contact us.

Step 1
Get in touch
Call, write or come in. You do not need a referral and you do not have to explain everything first.
Step 2
We listen
In private, at your pace, and without a form to fill in before anybody talks to you.
Step 3
We work out what helps
Our own support, or somebody better placed — and we will make the introduction rather than hand you a number.
Step 4
We stay in touch
Until things are settled, or for as long as you want us to.

Photo: Khaya Motsa / Pexels

Photo: Berna / Pexels

Our work and the people doing it, shown with everybody's permission.

Open to anyone
If you are not sure whether we are the right people, ask. We will point you somewhere if we are not.
Run by people here
Local, with a committee that meets and members who can vote it out.
Where money goes
Accounts and a yearly report, published rather than summarised, and a plain answer about what a donation pays for.
Confidential
What you tell us stays with us, and we will say clearly if that ever cannot hold.

Time, skills or money — all three keep this going, and the first two are needed most.