Directory of Support:

Action for Children www.actionforchildren.org.uk

Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK break through injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential.

Action for Sick Children www.actionforsickchildren.org

A leading childrens healthcare charity, specially formed to ensure that sick children always receive the highest standard of care

Action on pre-Eclampsia www.aspec.org.uk

To educate, inform and advise about the prevalence, nature and risks of pre-eclampsia

Active Birth Centre www.activebirthcentre.com

Provides information on the active birth programme with regard to waterbirths, pregnancy and professional training

ADAPT www.prembabies.co.uk
Support network for mums and families of premature and poorly babies

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder www.addiss.co.uk
Provides people friendly information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for parents, sufferers, teachers and health professionals

Afasic www.afasic.org.uk
Provides help children and young people with speech and language impairments and their families.

Aims www.aims.org.uk
Provides independent support and information regarding maternity choices, raises awareness of current research on childbirth and relates issues

Antenatal Results and Choices www.arc-uk.org
A national charity which provides non directive support and information to parents throughout the antenatal testing process

Association for Postnatal Illness www.apni-org
Provides a telephone help line, information leaflets for sufferers and healthcare professionals as well as a network of volunteers who themselves have experienced postnatal illness

Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus www.asbah.org
A leading UK charity providing information and advice about spina bifida and hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers www.abm.me.uk
Provides support and information for breastfeeding mothers

Baby Milk Action www.babymilkaction.org
Non profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding.

Baby Care Tens www.babycaretens.com
Quality TENS machines to hire or buy

Birth Choice UK www.birthchoiceuk.com
Helps you choose where to have your baby and whom you choose to look after you in labour and how it will affect the type of birth you have and the care you receive.

Birth Trauma Association www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Ran by mothers who wish to support other women who have suffered difficult births, offering advice and support to all women who are finding it hard to cope with their childbirth experience.

BLISS www.bliss.org.uk
A special care baby charity, providing vital support and care to premature and sick babies across the UK and offers parents guidance and information at a critical time in their families' lives.

British Doula Association www.topnotchnannies.com
British Doula Association specialise in supporting mums during birth or during the first weeks after birth and match top notch nannies, mothers helps, maternity nurses and babysitters

British Homeopathic Association www.trusthomeopathy.org
The British Homeopathic Association exists to promote homeopathy practised by doctors and other healthcare professionals.

British Institute for Brain Injured Children www.bibic.org.uk
A national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, developmental delay, traumatic and acquired brain injury and specific learning difficulties such as ADDhD, dyslexia and dyspraxia

British Wheel of Yoga www.bwy.org.uk
A registered charity and the largest yoga organisation in the UK. Has a network of over 3,000 qualified teachers

Beyond Bullying www.beyondbullying.com

Provides an online information service for young people, parents and professionals seeking guidance on bullying

Chickenpox in Pregnancy www.rcog.org.uk
Information on Chicken pox from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Child Accident Prevention Trust www.capt.org.uk
The Child Accident Prevention Trust is the UK's leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents.

Child Bereavement Trust www.childbereavement.org.uk
Provides specialist support, information and training to all those affected both when a child dies, and when a child is bereaved of someone important in their lives

Child Death Helpline www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
A helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from prebirth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago.

Child Trust Fund www.childtrustfund.gov.uk
Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a savings and investment account for children. Children born on or after 1 September 2002 will receive a £250 voucher to start their account. The account belongs to the child and can't be touched until they turn 18, so that children have some money behind them to start their adult life

The Childrens Society www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Network of projects which helps over 50,000 children and their families each year. Through pioneering research and influential campaigning, they defend, safeguard and protect the childhood of all children

Cleft Lip and Palate Association www.clapa.com
CLAPA is a partnership between parents and health professionals. It provides support for new parents and for people with the condition and their families from infancy to adulthood

Compassionate Friends www.tcf.org.uk
An organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child

Contact a Family www.cafamily.org.uk
A child is diagnosed with a severe disability every 25 minutes. Although some children need hospital care, 98% of disabled children live at home with a parent or other family member who may not have expected to be in this position but who has quickly had to become an expert

COTS - Surrogacy in the UK www.surrogacy.org.uk
COTS provide advice, help and support to surrogates and intended parents

Council of Disabled Children www.ncb.org.uk
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) is the umbrella body for the disabled children's sector in England, with links to the other UK nations.

Cry-sis www.cry-sis.org.uk
Cry-sis offers support for families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust www.cftrust.org.uk
A national charity dedicated to all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We fund research to treat and cure CF and aim to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with Cystic Fibrosis

Daycare Trust www.daycaretrust.org.uk
Daycare Trust is a national childcare charity who work to promote high quality affordable childcare for all. Advise on how to make the right childcare decision for your child

Depression Alliance www.depressionalliance.org
Provide information and support services to relieve and prevent this treatable condition. They also campaign to raise awareness amongst the general public about the realities of depression.

Directgov www.dwp.gov.uk
Government information on maternity leave and entitlements

Directgov - Paternity Leave www.dwp.gov.uk
Government information on Paternity leave

Disabled Parents Network www.disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk
A national organisation of and for disabled people who are parents or who hope to become parents, and their families, friends and supporters.

Downs Syndrome Assocation www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Help for parents of children with down's syndrome

Ectopic Pregnancy Trust www.ectopic.org.uk
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust raises awareness and provides information regarding ectopic pregnancies amongst women of childbearing age, the medical profession and the general public.

Family Fund www.familyfund.org.uk
The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy ordinary life.

They give grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, hospital visiting costs, computers and holidays.

Family Planning Association www.fpa.org.uk
Family Planning Association is the UK's leading sexual health charity. Their purpose is to enable people in the UK to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health

Fathers Direct www.fathersdirect.com
A national information centre on fatherhood providing news, training information, policy updates, research summaries and guides for supporting fathers and their families.

Foundation for the study of infant deaths www.sids.org.uk
Funds research, supports bereaved families, and promotes information to health professionals and the public on how to reduce the risk of cot death. Aims to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and promotes infant health

General Osteopathic Council www.osteopathy.org.uk
Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.

Genetic Interest Group www.gig.org.uk
Information service for individuals, family members with or at risk of genetic conditions

Gingerbread www.opfs.org.uk
Gingerbread and One Parent Families have now merged to provide better support and a bigger voice to lone parents and their children throughout England and Wales

Guild of Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Instructors www.postnatalexercise.co.uk
The Guild is a non-profit making organisation based in the UK to promote the teaching of specialised exercise courses for mothers during the childbearing years and to offer support and training to exercise instructors

Handling Teenagers www.yourteenager.co.uk
The teenage years are renowned for being a potentially turbulent time for both teens themselves and their parents. It's an important time for youngsters, as they go through various key stages of development, both physically, socially and emotionally and they may start to re-evaluate the people and beliefs that are important to them.

Home Birth www.homebirth.org.uk
The aim of this site is not to persuade you to choose home birth but to provide information about home birth, for parents who think that it might be the right choice for them, and for health professionals looking for facts and ideas

Home Dad www.homedad.org.uk
HomeDad, the only support group for stay-at-home dads

Home Start www.home-start.org.uk
A network of more than 15,000 trained parent volunteers who help to support thousands of parents who are struggling to cope

Hornsey Trust www.hornseytrust.org.uk/
A registered charity, supporting children with cerebral palsy, their families and professionals

Independent Midwives Association www.independentmidwives.org.uk
Independent Midwives are fully qualified midwives who, in order to practice the midwife's role to its fullest extent, have chosen to work outside the NHS in a self employed capacity

Infertility Network UK www.infertilitynetworkuk.com
A UK leading infertility support network, to offer information and support to anyone affected by fertility problems.

Informed Parent www.informedparent.co.uk
More and more parents are looking into the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. Greater knowledge enables parents to have the confidence to exercise their right to an informed choice

International Baby Food Action Network www.ibfan.org
The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) consists of public interest groups working around the world to reduce infant and young child morbidity and mortality. It aims to improve the health and well-being of babies and young children, their mothers and their families through the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices.

International Childbirth Education Assocation www.icea.org
ICEA is an organization of over 4,000 members from throughout the United States and 42 countries who believe in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care

Internet safety www.bbc.co.uk/chatguide/children
Good site for internet safety, anti social behaviour and socialising for children and teenagers

La Leche League www.laleche.org.uk
Friendly mother to mother breastfeeding support from pregnancy through to weaning.

Maternity Care Working Party www.appg-maternity.org.uk
The Maternity Care Working Party (MCWP)acts as an expert advisory body to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on

Maternity issues

Medact www.medact.org

A global health charity tackling issues at the centre of international policy debates. Led by its health professional membership it undertakes education, research and advocacy on the health implications of conflict, development and environmental change, with a special focus on the developing world

Mencap www.mencap.org.uk
UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers

MIDIRS www.midirs.org
MIDIRS aims to be the leading international information resource relating to childbirth and infancy, disseminating this information as widely as possible to assist in the improvement of maternity care

Miscarriage Association www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Provides support and information for those suffering the effects of pregnancy loss.

MMR www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk
The MMR website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR

Multiple Births Foundation www.multiplebirths.org.uk
An independent charity based at Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital in West London. A vital resource to professionals and families alike, it aims to improve the care and support of multiple birth families through the education of all relevant professionals

National Autistic Society www.nas.org.uk

Provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives

National Childminding Association www.ncma.org.uk
Promotes quality home based childcare for the benefit of children, families and communities

National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations www.childrenengland.org.uk
Ensures the well-being and safeguarding of children by promoting the voluntary sector's contribution to the provision of services

National Portage Assocation www.portage.org.uk
Portage is a home-visiting educational service for pre-school children with additional support needs and their families

National Society for Epilepsy www.epilepsynse.org.uk
Provides information and support to people with epilepsy, their families, friends and professionals

NCT - National Childbirth Trust www.nct.org.uk

The NCT (also known as the National Childbirth Trust) is UK's leading charity for parents. Every year they support thousands of people through the incredible life changing experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Becoming a parent is a life-enhancing experience, but it can also be challenging and sometimes stressful. They help you through this transition, offering relevant information, reassurance and mutual support

NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NHS Direct is at the forefront of 24-hour health care - delivering telephone and e-health information services day and night direct to the public.
Telephone Number 0845 4647

NICE - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence www.nice.org.uk
Provides information for monitoring your baby's heartbeat in labour

NICMA www.nicma.org
NICMA, the Northern Ireland Childminding Association, works to support and develop registered home-based childcare

NIPPA www.nippa.org
Works in partnership with the community, voluntary, independent and statutory sectors to promote the development of high quality early years services for all children

NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk
The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children

One Parent Families www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
Information for One Parent Families, building a fairer society for all families, in which lone parents and their children are not disadvantaged and do not suffer from poverty, isolation, or social exclusion.

Oxfam www.Oxfam.org.uk
Responds in emergencies to save lives; works with people to improve their lives and prospects through longer term development programmes; and campaigns on issues to achieve lasting change and an end to poverty.

Parentline Plus www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Offers help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible, responsive services - shaped by parents for parents

Parent Partnership Service www.parentpartnership.org.uk
Supports all parent partnership services across England. NPPN works under the aegis of the Council for Disabled Children and is funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES

Parents at Work www.workingfamilies.org.uk
Contains information for working families and details of employment rights, childcare and flexible working

Pelvic Partnership www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk
Created by people who have experienced SPD personally and is intended to benefit others who might be affected by the condition now.

Perinatal Illness UK www.pni-uk.com
A registered charity set up to help and support woman and their families affected by postnatal illness. Provides women and their families the information and support they need to help them recover.

Pilates Foundation www.pilatesfoundation.com
The only not-for-profit professional Pilates organisation in the UK dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of certification training, continuing education and code of conduct

Positively Women www.positivelywomen.org.uk
A national charity working to improve the quality of life of women and families affected by HIV

Pre School Learning Alliance www.pre-school.org.uk
A leading educational charity specialising in the early years, provides practical support to over 15,000 early years settings and make a positive contribution to the care and education of over 800,000 young children and their families each year.

REACH www.reach.org.uk
Formed by parents of children who were missing part of their arm or a hand.

Royal College of Midwives www.rcm.org.uk
The RCM is the only professional organisation and trade union run by midwives for midwives. It is the voice of midwifery, providing excellence in professional leadership, education, influence and representation for and on behalf of midwives

Samaritans www.samaritans.org
Provides confidential non-judgemental support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide

Save the Children www.savethechildren.org.uk
Leaders in transforming attitudes toward children and on some issues have completely changed what is accepted as the norm for children in the world today.

SCOPE www.scope.org.uk
Supports and helps disabled people achieve equality: a society in which they are as valued and have the same human and civil rights as everyone else.

Sickle Cell Society www.sicklecellsociety.org
The Society provides a wide range of services from information, advice and counselling, to financial help, holidays, briefings, seminars and training

Society of Teachers of the Alexandra Technique (Soft) www.alexandertechnique.com
SoftUK provides support for families affected by Patau's Syndrome (Trisomy 13), Edward's Syndrome (Trisomy 18), partial Trisomy, mosaicism, rings, translocation, deletion, and related disorders.

Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus www.asbah.org
Provides information and advice about spina bifida and hydrcephalus to individuals, families and carers.

Stillbirth and Neonatal Death www.uk-sands.org
Supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies lives

Sure Start www.surestart.gov.uk
A Government programme to deliver the best start in life for every child, brining together, early education, childcare, health and family support.

Surrogacy UK www.surrogacy.org.uk
Supports and informs anyone with an interest in surrogacy within the UK

TAMBA www.tamba.org.uk
Twins and Multiple Births Association is a nationwide UK charity providing information and mutual support networks for families of twins, triplets and more.

Teenage Pregnancy www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
Information guidance and help for teenagers and their parents

Teenage Safety www.kidscape.org.uk
Information and advice on helping teenagers keep themselves safe

Tommys www.tommys.org
Tommy's exists to save babies' lives through funding research into and providing information on the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

Unicef www.unicef.org.uk
Unicef helps children receive the support, health care and education they need to survive the threats of childhood poverty - such as preventable disease or malnutrition - and grow up to become healthy adults.

Womens Health Information www.womens-health.co.uk
Pregnancy, Infertility, PCOS, Fibroids and More!

Womens Aid www.womensaid.org.uk
A national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.

Womens Institute www.thewi.org.uk
National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI), the largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK with 211,000 members in England, Wales and the Islands

Young Mindswww.youngminds.org.uk
Campaigns about the importance of children's mental health; the importance of recognising when a child is troubled and providing adequate support for these children before their problems escalate out of control