contactafamily

Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children – no matter what their condition or diagnosis. Last year we helped over a quarter of a million families with disabled children.

We lobby government to get a better deal for families with disabled children. We offer a range of services including a freephone helpline, practical guides around caring for a disabled child, specialist welfare benefits advice,... more…

Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children – no matter what their condition or diagnosis. Last year we helped over a quarter of a million families with disabled children.

We lobby government to get a better deal for families with disabled children. We offer a range of services including a freephone helpline, practical guides around caring for a disabled child, specialist welfare benefits advice, local family events and outings, newsletters, and opportunities for parents to make contact and share experiences. We have a number of offices, staff and volunteers around the UK, and are in touch with a wide network of local and disability support groups.

We also empower parents to influence services on a local and national level.

Across the UK, a child is born or diagnosed with a severe disability every 25 minutes. The overwhelming majority are cared for at home by their families, with little or no outside help.

Often parents with disabled children find they don’t know anyone else facing the same difficulties as they do. Most want contact with another family who have been through similar experiences. Research shows that many live in poverty and in housing which is unsuitable for their needs. Most go years before learning about the support that is available to them. And without support, these families can reach breaking point. collapse »