Contact A Family (Contact A Family)

Member Name: dunner7

Product:	Contact A Family
Date:	09/09/08 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic organisation with great resources

Disadvantages: None

I used the service Contact A Family, when I worked as an advice worker and worked with people with disabilities and their families.

I first became aware of Contact A Family in 2004; however, they have been in existence since 1979. Their aim is to give support, advice and guidance to families with disabled children.

They have offices in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They can be contacted on their free phone helpline number (08088083555) or via text phone (08088083556). They also have an email address: helpline@cafamily.org.uk

Their opening hours are:
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm
They are also open from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on a Monday evening. Contact A Family deal with enquiries re:

o Benefits
o Diagnosis
o Grants
o Respite/holidays
o Local support groups

When I was working with families and young people with disabilities I found the best thing Contact A Family provided was their fact sheets, especially their financial fact sheets. Some of the fact sheets are:

A Guide to claiming Disability Living Allowance for children
Benefits, tax guides and other financial assistance

Contact A Family also runs local support groups and an online linking service for families. They also encourage parents to become empowered and to participate in the service.

I would highly recommend using this service if you have a child with a disability, know someone whose child has a disability, or are a professional who wants to know where to signpost families.

Every contact I had with Contact A Family was a positive one. They were extremely courteous, friendly and professional at all times.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/

Summary: Brilliant advice organisation for parents of children with a disability