The Brandon Trust exists to enable children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism to live life in the way they choose, by providing high-quality, individualised support that focuses on enabling people to achieve their dreams and truly live free.

Services are available in various locations across the UK, including Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Glos, B&NES, North Somerset, and Wiltshire.

Brandon Trust are a member of the Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Service.

Brandon Trust website

Brigstowe work to support people with long-term health conditions, including HIV and AIDS, with a range of advice services and peer support. Dedicated services are also available for migrants and asylum seekers living with HIV.

Brigstowe website

Bristol City Council provide care and support in the community to adults who live in Bristol and have a disability, long term illness, mental health needs, learning difficulties, age-related health issues, or any other social care needs impacting independence.

Bristol City Council – Care and Support for Adults website

The Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service delivers a personalised package of dementia support to patients across Bristol. This includes healthcare, social and activity groups, practical support, and services for carers.

Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service website

Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services offer a free and confidential support service to victims of hate crime, including emotional support, support through the legal process, and support making complaints.

Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Services Partnership website

Headway Bristol is a local charity which offers a variety of services for survivors of brain injuries and their carers. They provide information, support and services including assistance to support and access to other services.

Headway Bristol website

North Somerset People First now also run some services in Bristol. They promote and encourage people with a learning disability, difficulty and/or autism to speak up for themselves, empowering them to be in control of their own lives, now and in the future.

NSPF’s self advocacy services support individuals from the age of 16 to speak up for themselves, be more confident and aware of their rights. These services include Speaking Up Groups, Consultations, Person Centred Planning and Advocacy, and Training Programmes.

North Somerset People First website

POhWER provides a range of advocacy services in Bristol:

• Community / Outreach Advocacy, for adults with learning disabilities and/or mental health needs who need support with a particular issue
• Citizen Advocacy, for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, physical/sensory impairment, and/or older people who need support with health and wellbeing issues
• BAME advocacy for people from BAME communities with a mental health issue, including inpatients on psychiatric wards and people living in the community experiencing serious mental or emotional distress.

POhWER – Bristol Advocacy Services website

Ride Out Ride On – RORO for short – is an inclusive and adaptable cycle service for adults and children based in Bristol. RORO offer sessions to disabled people and people with long-term health conditions who would otherwise be unable to experience riding.

Ride Out Ride On website

SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) offer a range of advocacy services in Bristol:

• VOCAS (Victims of Crime Advocacy Service), allowing adult victims of crime to access advocacy and practical and emotional support to cope, recover, and engage with the criminal justice system.
• Independent Care Act Advocacy, for individuals with a substantial difficulty going through a care act process without an appropriate person they would like to support them.
• Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), providing advocacy to individuals under the Mental Health Act
• Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA), providing advocacy to vulnerable adults who lack the ability to make important decisions and do not have family or friends to help them.

SWAN advocacy – Bristol Services website

SWAN (South West Advocacy Network) offer a range of advocacy services in South Gloucestershire:

• VOCAS (Victims of Crime Advocacy Service), allowing adult victims of crime to access advocacy and practical and emotional support to cope, recover, and engage with the criminal justice system.
• Independent Care Act Advocacy, for individuals with a substantial difficulty going through a care act process without an appropriate person they would like to support them.
• Independent Mental Health Act Advocacy (IMHA), providing advocacy to individuals under the Mental Health Act
• Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocacy (IMCA), providing advocacy to vulnerable adults who lack the ability to make important decisions and do not have family or friends to help them.
• Generic Advocacy, issue-based and time limited advocacy for adults.

SWAN Advocacy – South Gloucestershire Services website

WECIL is a charity run by and for disabled people in Bristol and the surrounding areas. Services include helplines and employment support.

In B&NES, WECIL provides services for disabled children and young people, including volunteer befriending and activities.

WECIL website

Age UK Bristol

Age UK Bristol and Linkage provide a number of services for older adults, including advice, social and community groups, befriending, and practical support. Advice is also available for carers and family.

Age UK Bristol website

Alzheimer’s Society – Bristol

Alzheimer’s Society is a charity that campaigns for change in dementia care, funds research towards a cure, and provides support to people currently living with dementia. They offer a Dementia Support Line to put people in touch with local dementia services and offer advice. They also provide the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service.

Alzheimer’s Society – Bristol website