Over the years we have reviewed thousands of websites which we thought might be of help or interest to those groups of people that we aim to assist. We do not necessarily agree with all the information provided by those websites and you will have to exercise your own judgment if you refer to them.
We have grouped the sites into those we think are of General interest and those we think will appeal mainly to one of the five categories of people that we aim to support:
General interest
Disabled people and carers
Low income workers
Migrants
Pensioners
Students
Increasingly websites are becoming country specific to one of the four countries of the UK so do take care if you are looking for information that is likely to be relevant to a particular country.
Adjudicator's Office
For complaints about HMRC, including the National Insurance Contributions Office, Customs and the Valuation Office Agency.
Advicenow
Advicenow is an independent, not-for-profit website providing accurate, up-to-date information on rights and legal issues
CEMVO
Works to extend opportunities to people from the most disadvantaged communities in the UK
Citizens Advice - Northern Ireland
Largest advice charity in Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice Centres (NACAB)
Offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a range of issues
Community Legal Advice
For help with a legal problem in England or Wales
DirectGov
Produced by the Central Office of Information, Directgov provides information from across UK Government departments on topics ranging from travel safety and parental leave to special educational needs and local NHS services
Equality and Human Rights Commission
For information on discrimination
Ethnic Minority Foundation
EMF works to identify and meet the needs of minority ethnic communities
Fool.co.uk
The site is intended to help people redefine the way they think about and interact with money
H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Access to Revenue leaflets/forms and online facility for self assessment returns
Moneyfacts
Website which lets you compare different investments, pensions, loans etc.
Money Advice Service
Website to help you make the most of your money
National Savings and Investments (NS&I)
User friendly site with details of NS&I products. There is also a table of the latest interest rates.
Office of Fair Trading
Includes financial information and advice on being in debt.
Parliamentary Ombudsman
The Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Health Service Ombudsman undertake independent investigations into complaints about government departments, a range of other public bodies, and the National Health Service.
Post Office Internet Buddy Guide
Provides help if you are trying to understand the Internet or if you are teaching someone to use it
ProbonoUK.net
This site guides you to lawyers who give their time free of charge to members of the public on a low income to help solve legal problems
TaxAid
TaxAid is a UK charity providing free tax advice to people who cannot afford to pay a professional adviser. The service is independent and confidential.
YourRights
This site aims to provide an easily understood guide to the Human Rights Act 1998
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Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID)
Action on Hearing Loss is the largest charity representing the deaf and those with partial hearing in the UK. Various factsheets are available covering all aspects of deafness and a shop where you can buy their publications.
A-Z of Care Homes
Provides an A-Z list of Care Homes in the UK.
Anchor Trust
This is apparently the largest not for profit provider of housing, care and support for older people in England.
Benefits and Work
The site provides information about incapacity and disability benefits
Contact a Family
Contact a Family is a national charity who specifically offers advice, support and information to parents of all disabled children.
Digital Unite
Provides computer and internet training on a one to one basis for the over 50s.
Directgov has a dedicated section for disabled people giving information on the support available and rights of disabled people.
Disability Alliance (Disability Rights UK from 1 Jan 2012)
A comprehensive source of disability information and advice on social security benefits, tax credits and social care.
Dyslexic
Informative site with a feature on the Disabled Students Allowance
Mencap
Mencap supports those with a learning disability and have factsheets and guidance on benefits and other sources of help
MIND
MIND is a leading mental health charity in England and Wales. It offers information and helplines and also has a special section on managing on benefits.
Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB)
Offers practical support and advice to anyone with a sight problem. Large number of information sources/factsheets available and additionally Webpals to help people with sight problems make new friends worldwide via e mail.
Scope
Scope is the leading national charity supporting disabled children and adults with cerebral palsy. On its website it gives information on many disability issues and links to other sources of help.
Skill
Skill is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.
YCNet
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers runs this website as a source of online community support for young carers as well as offering advice from qualified youth workers.
Young Carers Initiative
The Children’s Society runs the National Young Carers Initiative and this special section of their website gives plenty of information on issues facing a young carer’s life and local support groups.
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Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
Information on employment rights and work issues generally, together with a confidential helpline.
BIS - Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (formerly BERR)
Useful information on a wide range of issues affecting people at work.
Business Gateway (Scotland)
Practical help for people wanting to run a business
Business Link (England)
Practical help for people wanting to run a business
Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
Flexible Support for Business (Wales)
Practical help for people wanting to run a business
Health and Safety Executive
Health and safety issues for those in work.
NIBusinessinfo.co.uk (N Ireland)
Practical help for people wanting to run a business
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British Council
The UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations and is represented over 100 countries worldwide.
Evelyn Oldfield Unit
Developing and supporting the organisations that in turn support migrants.
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority regulates those who supply labour or use workers to provide services in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging. Useful information on workers’ rights.
Health and Safety Executive
Government body enforcing health and safety legislation in respect of workers from overseas.
Migrants Resource Centre
Advice on a range of issues for migrants, primarily in London.
Migrants Rights Network
Promoting the rights of all migrants, regardless of where they are from, where they live and why they are here.
The Refugee Council
The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They not only give help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
TUC
The Trade Union organisation provides useful information on migrant worker rights.
UKCISA
The UK Council for International Student Affairs provides advice and information to international students studying in the UK and to UK students studying abroad.
United Kingdom Border Agency
The government body responsible for controlling migration to the UK. They consider applications for permission to enter or stay in the UK, and for citizenship and asylum.
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Age UK
The Age UK Group works to improve later life for everyone by providing life-enhancing services and vital support.
Digital Unite
Provides computer and internet training on a one to one basis for the over 50s.
Elderly Accommodation Council
Charity offering advice and information about all forms of accommodation for older people.
National Pensioners Convention
NPC calls itself the voice of the pensioners movement. They organise campaigns on issues that affect pensioners. Membership is mainly pensioner groups but individuals can also join. They produce various useful publications and overall this is a site well worth browsing.
Pensions Advisory Service
Independent non-profit organisation providing free information, advice and guidance on pensions, including state, company, personal and stakeholder schemes.
Retirement Expert
The site contains various articles and tips for retired people
Saga
Website for the over 50s
Seniority
Online community
Seniors Network UK
This website is intended to provide information to pensioners about various issues but particularly computers and the internet. They link with NPC for campaigns. You can also subscribe to a free newsletter and there are various discussion groups and forums to which you can contribute.
Silver Surfers
Provides a large list of topics from A-Z that you might be interested in and by using the links you can locate various websites on that particular subject.
TaxHelp for Older People (TOP)
TaxHelp for Older People is a charitable service to provide free advice on personal tax to older people on low incomes who could not otherwise afford professional help. If this applies to you and you need some help with your tax, you can phone the helpline on 0845 601 3321.
University of the Third Age/Third Age Trust
Encourages people of retirement age to carry on learning. Various groups around the country organise themselves for the purpose of learning and there are also online courses.
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Aimhigher
Directgov's university and higher education pages provide information on what uni can do for you, getting into higher education, student life and more
British Council
The UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations and is represented in over 100 countries worldwide.
CPAG in Scotland Benefits for Students Project
Benefits information for students in Scotland, including a free online handbook for 2009/10
Department of Education Northern Ireland
Student section of the Department of Education Northern Ireland website.
InterStudent
Includes articles offering advice
National Youth Agency – Youth Information
Advice for young people on a range of issues.
NUS Online
The National Union of Students website offering a selection of personal tools like free e-mail and personal webpage.
Open University
An excellent website - provides degree, diploma, certificate or just for interest courses for all ages.
Prospects
'The UK's official graduate careers website' - and includes work experience
Push
An independent guide to finding the right university
Skill
Skill is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of disability in post-16 education, training and employment across the UK.
STA Travel
Student and Youth travel specialists.
Student Finance - students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
This Directgov page provides links to student finance information for students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Student Finance England
This Directgov page has been designed to provide students from England with help and guidance in applying for Student Financial Support.
Student Loans Company
Administrators of student loans
Student Loan Repayments
The Student Loan Company’s site providing information on paying back your loan
Student tax advice
Directgov’s student tax page including an online tax calculator
StudentUK
Includes a shopping link and it rates the various shops
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience
Exchange visits
TheSite
Information for young people on a range of issues.
UCAS
The official processing/clearing house for applications for university
UKCISA
The UK Council for International Student Affairs provides advice and information to international students studying in the UK and to UK students studying abroad.
Work experience and volunteering
Directgov information on volunteering and work placements, including gap years, for young people.
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