Support the campaign for free county-wide bus travel in Cambridgeshire by
signing the online petition run by the Cambridge Evening News at
www.cambridge-news.co.uk

By providing these links we are not making any recommendations and  believe in providing you with a few shades of opinion.

  Seniors groups

Charities and Support organisations

Training oniented pages

Befriending groups

Leisure oriented groups

Grandparents

Trade Union Groups

Pensions watchdogs

  UK Government Web Sites

  N. Ireland Links

  Wales Links

  Scottish Links

Media Links

  European & International Links

International Social Security

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Seniors Groups

Seniors Web Sites  This site provides links to over 40 Seniors Web Sites and offers a platform for Pensioners Organisations, Groups, Elderly Forums and/or support groups, to display their own particular Aims - objectives - messages - details of meetings etc AND it is FREE!  The content of the web site is up to the individual group(s).  Just give them the details and they will add it to the site.

Wolverhampton Pensioners Action Group

London Older People’s Strategies Group (LOPSG) is an umbrella forum for older people’s organisations and individuals.

http://ukcarers.net  a group of people who receive carers allowance and want to change the insulting paltry amount AND get carers allowance paid alongside the state pension instead of it being stopped altogether. They feel that no organisation fully reflects carers views and needs so have set up an independent web site.

Links to Charities and Support organisations

Citizens Advice Bureaux - Provides free, independent advice on matters including benefits, pensions and child support.

The Motability site, about a charity that helps people of all ages get around by using the DLA Mobility Component or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.

Grandparents Apart   When grandparents first are denied contact to their grandchildren, they look for anyone who can give them help. They feel lost, alone and confused. This is a support group

Benefits Now Provides independent advice on Disability Living Allowance and a self assessment

Care Homes in UK  Search for the area of your choice and obtain a listing of all the available homes 

Commission for Social Care Inspection – www.csci.org.uk  Looking for a care home? Get free, independent reports on the quality of your local homes and care services to help you make an informed choice.

Research into Ageing is the only national medical research charity in the UK dedicated to understanding and challenging the diseases and disabilities which become more common in later life. Their  research aim is to establish a difference between healthy ageing and illness. Our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of later life for as many people as possible.

Age Concern Provide many leaflets and give advice and information on services such as transport, luncheon clubs, finance, housing etc  Astral House, 1268 London Road, Norbury, London, SW16 4ER   Tel:0208 6798000 
113 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DT  Tel:0131 2203345.
Age Concern Knowsley

Anchor Trust  Largest not-for-profit provider of housing, care and support for older people in England.

SSAFA Forces Help
The national charity helping serving and ex-Service men, women and their families in need.  They are committed to helping people in need, suffering or distress, regardless of age or condition.

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Counsel and Care is a registered national charity providing information and
advice for people over 60, their carers, friends and relatives and professionals on a range of subjects such as welfare benefits, accommodation, community care, hospital discharge, residential and nursing care. Our factsheets can be downloaded from our site.

The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 and is the nation's premier ex-service charity, dedicated to caring for men and women who have served in the armed forces - and their dependents.  Its objects include promoting the welfare of ex-service men or women and their dependents and relieving hardship among them where it exists; raising and distributing money for these purposes; assisting serving men and women in their return to civilian life; and promoting the interests of their dependents while they themselves are still serving.

Centre for Policy on Ageing  Promotes debate about issues, stimulates awareness and encourages good practice.

Contact the Elderly provides vital companionship for acutely isolated elderly people who live alone, by arranging monthly group outings for Sunday tea at the home of a volunteer host.   The charity's work is achieved through a network of volunteer drivers and hosts and is a free service. The site contains information on the various locations with a photo gallery and instructions on how to volunteer.

Trades Union Congress  the TUC gives some basic information on pensions.

Help the Aged  Produce many helpful leaflets on all aspects of elderly life.  
Help the Aged,  207-221 Pentonville Road,  LONDON,  N1 9UZ  Tel: 020 7278 1114,   Fax: 020 7278 1116
Email: info@helptheaged.org.uk 
Advice Line:0808 8006565 all calls are free of charge.
Senior Link - http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/Services/SeniorSafety/SeniorLink/default.htm

Novartis Foundation for Gerontology
Supports education and innovation in healthy ageing, geriatrics and in the care of elderly people.

DaRT is the organisation of disabled and older people in London who use - or need - accessible transport. They campaign for a public transport system that is genuinely accessible to all. Their website, www.transportforall.com , is designed to provide information about door-to-door services and other accessible public transport in London, as well as news and views about the campaign for accessible public transport in London and elsewhere dart@transportforall.com

Charity Choice - www.charitychoice.co.uk - provides 8,000 UK charities in a free searchable online database, and a Goodwill Gallery for companies and individuals to volunteer goods and services to charity.

UK Online Citizens' Portal
Service First - for older people

IndependentAge is a national charity providing friendship and financial support for older people on low incomes to help them remain independent in their own homes.
IndependentAge is the brand name of The Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association registered charity no 210729.

UBS - The Universal Beneficent Society - is a national charity which provides financial help to  people in the UK over the age of 70, who are desperately struggling to survive on very low incomes

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to Training oriented pages

•  Age Resource
  Age Resource is the part of Age Concern that promotes positive ageing. A number of computerized "Age Resource Desks" around the country provide information on local opportunities, and offer Internet taster sessions.
• The Employers' Forum on Age promotes good practice and works against age discrimination in the workplace.
• Hairnet - Computer training for the over 50s - operates in most areas of the UK.
• Life Long Learning
  Official government website with information about continuing education
• New Deal 50 +
  If you are either claiming benefits or paying National Insurance Contributions, you could be eligible for the New Deal. This government scheme contributes £60 a week to your benefits,
• NIACE The National Organisation for Adult Learning promotes the interests of all adult learners, including a programme aimed at the over-50s called "Older and Bolder".  and entitles you to £600 worth of training.
• U3A University of the Third Age   26 Harrison Street, London, WC1H 8JG Tel:0207 8378838   main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those no longer in full time gainful employment. Around the country groups of people organise themselves for the purpose of learning. Now in the UK there are more than 400 groups and total membership is some 85.000
• Association of Colleges Petition  The online petition covers the “Protecting Adult Learning” campaign.

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to Befriending Groups

Voluntary Friends for Older People  www.oldfriends.org.uk  information pages concerning the Voluntary Friends for Older People, a volunteer befriending scheme for older people operating in the Salford area of Greater Manchester. The organisation aims to combat depression and isolation, it has been in existence for six years.

to Leisure oniented groups

Wise Owls is run by, and for, the over 45s / 50s and is dedicated to tackling ageism

Age Net  an 'Age Friendly' information and entertainment site for the UK's Over 50s. particularly strong on reader's art and literature issues.

Ramblers Association  a look at how getting those boots muddy can help you cope with stress.  OR  If you've got the Tube strike blues they can show you how to take to your feet, avoid the rush hour crowds and get to work or your meeting feeling fit and healthy.

Association of Retired & Persons over 50  Britain’s largest campaigning and social membership organisation for people over 50.

Comic Relief   who support the Rural Development Programme of Strathclyde Elderly Forum.

IDF50 - I don't Feel 50 - Web site for the young at heart - with a Clubhouse, Forums, computers, competitions...

Len Knights Web Site Pensioner Power 

Mature Tymes  Website of the Mature Times

Seehowtheygrow  has been established to provide a guide to grandparenting 

Silver Surfers   a list of sites compiled by Sylvia Milne a retired librarian includes aches and pains, journals, travel and hobbies

seniority  launched June 1st 2000 for the 50 (ish!) online audience in the UK and beyond.

Silverhairs  Technical helpline for senior surfers.

Golden Age Media Group   a group of older learners in Clackmannanshire who have produced their own own newsletter

Oldie Magazine  Website of The Oldie magazine.

Seniority  An online community.

Technomum  for silver surfers - information about days out, pastimes and useful links

Vavo An online community.

VieNetwork  An online community.

A Full Life  this website publishes the stories and poems of older people living in residential nursing care in Sheffield (UK).  A companion website offering support www.scccc.co.uk.

Cyber Seniors Group - East Brighton  a gallant band of buccaneers sailing on the good Ship Endeavour, passing their years of retirement in the happy pursuit of Internet surfing. Please feel free to cruise along with them and to learn more about them.
        

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Grandparents

Trade Union Groups

GMB - Britain's General Union

UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians) www.ucatt.org.uk.

to Pension Watchdogs etc

Occupational Pensioners' Alliance
The OPA is a democratic, non-political organisation of occupational pensioners' associations in the UK. OPA was formed in October 2003 from a merger of the Confederation of Occupational Pensioners' Associations (COPAS) and the Alliance of Occupational Pensioners (AoP).  Together now, the OPA represents almost 1 million occupational pensioners from across the country and beyond. Speaking with one voice enables us more powerfully to engage with Government and Parliament on behalf of our members.

OPRA Occupational Pensions Regulating Authority  was established by the Pensions Act 1995 and supervises a range of legal requirements to protect people’s occupational pensions. Our responsibilities have been extended by the introduction of stakeholder pensions. It also looks into and can take action where there is carelessness or negligence that could put pension schemes at risk

Financial Services Authority (FSA)

OPAS - The Occupational Pensions Advisory Service

The Pensions Ombudsman

UK Government Sites

• CCTA Index of UK Government web sites
• http://www.tradingstandards.net/
• Charities Commission for England & Wales
• ChildcareLink
• Department for Education and Employment
• Department of Culture, Media and Sport
• Department of Health
• Department of Social Security
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Department of Work and Pensions
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Foresight UK
• Forestry Commission
• Health and Safety Executive
• Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
• HM Customs and Excise
• HMSO
• Home Office
• Millenium Commission
• Natural Environment Research Council
• New Deal
• Office for National Statistics (ONS)
• Office of Science and Technology
• Office of the Accountant in Bankruptcy
• Open Government 
• Planning Inspectorate
• Social Exclusion Unit (Cabinet Office)
• The Planning Inspectorate (England & Wales)
• UK Parliament
• UK Passport Agency

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N. Ireland Links:

• The Northern Ireland Assembly
• The Northern Ireland Social Security Agency
• The Northern Ireland Office
• Local Government - District Councils

Wales Links:

Contact the Elderly Wales 
Focus on Older people/Volunteering  To provide a service for isolated and housebound elderly people by providing regular outings and social gatherings.  Ms Michele Fitzsimmons  Welsh Development Officer:  Tel: 029 20 514996   PO Box 76, Penarth. CF64 4XN

Voluntary Action Cardiff hopes that their site will become the first point of call for volunteers, community sector organisations, and Assembly Members wishing to keep in touch with the voluntary sector. They have have included a members database.

Age Concern Cymru (Wales)  Age Concern Cymru is the national organisation for Wales. Its primary aim is to improve the quality of life of older people. It supports member groups throughout Wales.

Wales Council for Voluntary Action is the voice of the voluntary sector in Wales. It represents and campaigns for voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities in Wales.  Providing advice, information and training, 

The National Assembly for Wales

Welsh Books Council

Welsh European Funding Office

Wales European Information Centre

Wales Tourist Board

Welsh Development Agency

Welsh Local Government Association

Welsh Language Board

WalesTrade International

Wales World Nation

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Scottish Government & Public Bodies - Links:

• The Scottish Parliament
• HMSO - Scottish Legislation (including Acts and SI's)
• "Scot's Origins" (Genealogical Database run by GROS)
• Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations
• Accounts Commission for Scotland
• Audit Scotland
• Communities Scotland
• Criminal Records Bureau
• Fisheries Research Services
• General Register Office for Scotland (GROS)
• Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector
• Hannah Research Institute
• Historic Scotland
• National Archives of Scotland
• National Library of Scotland
• North of Scotland Water Authority
• Office of the Accountant in Bankruptcy
• Registers of Scotland
• Research Web
• Rowett Research Institute
• Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
• Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
• Rural Affairs and Natural Heritage
• Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
• Scottish Council for Research in Education
• Scottish Courts
• Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
• Scottish Devolution (History of)
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Law Commission
• Scottish Legal Aid Board
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Scottish Prison Service
• Scottish Screen
• Sustainability
• The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

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Media Links

• Daily Express 
• The Independent 
• Daily Mail
• Daily Mirror
• The Sun
• The Times
• The Guardian
• Daily Record
• Daily Star
• Daily Telegraph
• Evening Standard
• Financial Times
• Mirror
• Morning Star
• Times
• Private Eye 
• Economist
• London Evening Standard
• The Sunday Times
• Sunday Mirror
• People 
• News of the World

TV Media & News

• BBC
• ITN
• Sky News
• East Anglia
• Carlton
• Meridian
• HTV
• Channel 4 News

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International Links

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament  The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament is a National Organisation of Older People and is organised on a non-sectarian / non-political basis. The main aim of the Parliament is to give a voice to Senior Citizens in the issues, which affect the quality of their lives and to work for improvement in the living standards of Older People.

AGE  http://www.age-platform.be  aims to voice and promote the interests of older people in the European Union and to raise awareness of the issues that truly concern older people. Everyone in the European Union is increasingly affected by decisions taken by its institutions: the Council of Ministers, the Commission, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. Decisions that affect the daily lives of all its inhabitants - including older people.

http://www.seniorweb.nl/eu-pensions/EU-Pensions  is an electronic forum designed to help older people, older people's organizations and others concerned with ageing to influence this debate. It is coordinated by AGE, the European Older People's Platform, and hosted by SeniorWeb.

World Alliance of British Expatriate Pensioners is a world-wide alliance of autonomous pensioner organisations 

Just Watch me Grow   As the over 50s use the internet on a regular basis, Just Watch Me Grow hopes to be a bridge between families who live in different cities – or countries – but want to remain close.

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International Social Security Links

European Union site

Try these links - to learn a little about the Social Security of other countries

• The Irish Department of Social Community and Family Affairs
• The Austrian Social Security Site.
• The Belgium site of Public Affairs.
• The Denmark National Social Security Agency.
• The Finnish Central Pension Security Institute.
• Tyoelake.fi  information on the Finnish statutory earnings-related pensions in Finnish, Swedish and English
• The French National Old Age Pension Board.
• The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
• The Greek Social Insurance Institute.
• The Italian National Social Insurance Institute.
• The Luxembourg Ministry of Social Security.
• The Netherlands National Institute for Social Insurance.
• The Portugese Citizens' Interdepartmental Information System.
• The Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
• The Swedish National Social Insurance Board.
• The American Social Security Online's European Social Security

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