National and Local Community Support and Projects

Mental Health

• Samaritans. Every seven seconds, they respond to a call for help. No judgement. No pressure. They’re there for anyone who needs someone. In addition to their website, you can call them on 116 123.
• Mind. Mind are a specialist mental health charity that provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. In addition to their website, you can call their helpline on 0300 123 3393 or 86463 via text.
• NHS. The NHS website gives information to support a variety of mental health issues, as well as information on talking therapies and counselling, and wellbeing tools. The NHS also has National Hubs. NHS Hubs support all health and social care staff across the UK.
• LjB Coach Consultancy Ltd. is an independent Consultancy established to provide support and guidance to individuals and businesses so that they can achieve and celebrate their goals. They specialise in coaching health and care related services both in the public and private sector with the purpose of improving care quality outcomes.

Support for Unpaid Carers

• The Carers Trust: Find carer support services in your area. If you would like to know what local support is available in your area for unpaid carers, Carers Trust has a directory of the carer support services in its network across England, Scotland and Wales. This can be found at Carer Services Near Me | Carers Trust Local Carer Centres
• Forward Carers We’re an award-winning, not-for-profit, Community Interest Company and have been empowering unpaid Carers to live fulfilling lives since 2014. We’re on a mission to create Carer Friendly Communities nationally, places that understand, value and support unpaid Carers, so Carers can thrive in all areas of life and work. We deliver innovative, solutions-focussed, place-based supported digitally and in person, to create Carer Friendly Communities across the country.
• Birmingham Carers Hub Caring for a family member or friend? If you support someone in Birmingham who needs your help due to a disability, serious illness, frailty or addiction, we’re here to help YOU. Whatever your unpaid  caring role, you’ve come to the right place. We’re a partnership of local not-for-profits who have come together as Birmingham Carers Hub to provide a wide range of free support to help you in your caring role. Birmingham Carers Hub is funded and commissioned by Birmingham City Council and BSOL Integrated Care Board.
• Meet Bridgit your Carers Virtual Assistant …. Birmingham Carers Hub in your pocket. Caring for someone can be hard, and it’s tough to find the help you need when you’re busy. There’s so much information available that it’s confusing to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve created a special tool that gives you the information you need when you need it, customised for the needs of carers. Access Bridgit Online Carer Support (bridgit.care)
• Walsall Carers Hub Caring for a family member or friend in Walsall? If you support someone in Walsall who needs your help due to a disability, serious illness, frailty or addiction, we’re here to help YOU. Whatever your unpaid caring role, you’ve come to the right place. We’re a partnership between Forward Carers, a not-for-profit organisation, and the regional charity Midland Mencap to deliver Walsall Carers Hub to provide a wide range of free support to help you in your caring role.

Support for People Living with Dementia (Local to Lichfield)

• Alzheimer’s Society South Staffordshire Dementia Advisor Service Local advisors provide information, practical support and knowledge about dementia. 01543 573936 staffordshire@alzheimers.org.uk
• Memory Café – Lichfield Every Thursday 10.30-12.30 (full) 1.30 – 3.30 Methodist Church, Tamworth Street, Lichfield WS13 6JJ. Relaxed environment to meet other people living with dementia, receive support and information, weekly quizzes, activities and entertainment. Contact Home Instead for more information 01827 431002
• Carers Group – Lichfield Meets on the last Tuesday of the month 11am – 12:30 in Lichfield City Centre contact for venue information. The group is open to all dementia caregivers regardless of whether your loved one is at home or in residential care. Join us for a chat in a relaxed environment, with fellow carers over a cup of coffee and tea. Contact Angela Brookes for more information on 07477 660774 or email angela.brookes@dementiacaring.org.uk
• Love to Move – Lichfield Every Monday 11am – 12noon Methodist Community Centre, Backcester Lane, Lichfield WS13 6JH. Chair based exercises. Contact MHA Communities South Staffs, southstaffs@mha.org.uk 01543 674257
• Driving Miss Daisy – Lichfield Accessible vehicles for appointments and trips with companion drivers. Pre-booked service. Companion drivers can support at appointments. Dementia trained drivers. Contact Leigh for more information on 07742 906526 lichfield@drivingmissdaisy.co.uk
• Singing For The Brain – Lichfield Singing can improve your brain activity, wellbeing and mood. You don’t need to be a good singer to benefit. Join us for fun vocal warm-ups and sing a wide variety of familiar and new songs in a supported environment. Runs in 6-week blocks contact Alzheimer’s Society for more information 01543 573936 staffordshire@alzheimers.org.uk
• Lunch Club – Curborough Wednesday and Thursday Curborough Community Centre, 37 Reynolds Close, Lichfield WS13 7NY. Run by MHA Communities South Staffs, requires membership, not dementia specific. Contact southstaffs@mha.org.uk 01543 674257
• Dementia Group – Burntwood Daycare provided by MHA Communities South Staffs in Burntwood, 10am – 2pm, Wednesday and Friday, transport available, chargeable and subject to availability. Contact southstaffs@mha.org.uk 01543 674257
• Magnolia Friends – Burntwood Every Thursday 11am – 1pm and 1.30 – 3.30pm, Burntwood Memorial Hall. A friendship group that helps combat isolation, supports carers and loved ones with signs of memory loss, everyone is welcome. For more information contact Karen on 07396 182357.
• Time Out Club – Elford Every Wednesday 10am – 1pm, Elford Village Hall, subject to availability. A chance to meet others living with dementia in a relaxed fun environment, variety of activities from puzzles, crafting, games, mini golf, singing, chair-based exercise, team games.  Contact Angela 07477 660774 contact@dementiacaring.org.uk for more information.
• Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning – Alrewas First and third Tuesday of the month 10.30 – 12.30 The British Legion, Rykneld Street, Alrewas. A chance to relax and talk to others and feel supported. Contact Maureen 01283 790381 for more information.
• Forget Me Knots – Barton Under Needwood Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month in Barton Village Hall. A morning social for people living with dementia and their carers. No charge but donations are welcome. For more information contact Colin on 01283 296229 bnvvolunteers@gmail.com

Support for People with Additional Needs 

• Cerebral Palsy Midlands, a charity and adult day service provider uplift the lives of adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through one-to-one and two-to-one support, enabling them to engage in enriching activities like music lessons, tai-chi, pottery, horse riding, swimming, and more. They host community events based in the West Midlands, click here to find out more.
• Wheels and Wheelchairs are a group of wheelchair users and skaters who go out together to enjoy the sensory rush of speed and accessible sport. Wheelchair users are pushed by skaters. They meet on Saturdays in Battersea Park, London, with the Easy Saturday Skate group. They skate three laps (five miles), with the wheelchairs setting the pace. This is a great way for beginners to get to know the sport. Regular Street Strolls are the next step up. They’re faster and start in Hyde Park, then follow carefully chosen routes, past the capital’s major landmarks (about 10 miles). These are led by the London Friday Night Skate & Sunday Stroll. The best way to contact them is through their Facebook page, which can be found here: Wheels and Wheelchairs on Facebook