How do I find these services?

There are probably quite a few people in your community who know about local services and groups to get involved in. However, it is likely that none of them know about every service or group on offer, so you’ll need to ask quite a few people if you are going to find the service you want.
Good people to try are:

  • Your CPN, if you have one
  • Your key-worker, if you have one
  • Members of the local Rethink group, if there is one. Call 0845 456 0455, email info@rethink.org.  Or look up Our support groups online (NB: the list on this website includes user groups).
  • Your GP surgery
  • A local social worker
  • Other service user or carer groups in the area. Contact NHS Direct for details of other groups on 0845 46 47.
  • Rethink Advice Line. Tel: 020 8974 6814(open Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm), write to Rethink Advice, 28 Castle Street, Kingston upon Thames, SURREY KT1 1SS or email advice@rethink.org
  • MDF, the bi-polar organisation: Tel: 08456 340 540, write to: MDF – the bi polar organisation, Castle Works, 21 St. George's Road, London SE1 6ES, email: mdf@mdf.org.uk or through their website at www.mdf.org.uk.
  • Open Up: www.openuptoolkit.net, which has a search facility for groups in different areas in the UK.

If there are no services in your area, you may need to campaign to get some provided (see What if no services exist?).

Your local library should have details of local clubs, like walking or cycling clubs. Remember that most libraries provide free internet access. Your local tourist information bureau should also have details of local events.

The Ramblers Association has over 500 walking clubs across the country. To walk with the Ramblers Association on a regular basis, you will need to join (cost is approximately £14 per year for those unable to pay more), but you can try out two or three walks with them for free. Phone them on 020 7339 8500, write to Ramblers' Association main office, 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW, or look at www.ramblers.org.uk to find a group close to you.

There are a number of courses that you might like to do, whether in academic subjects that interest you, like history, or more practical skills. Your local council will have information about adult education classes. If you don’t want to attend a course, but you would like to learn about a particular subject, you could investigate distance learning. Phone Learndirect for more information: 0800 100 900, 7 days a week, 8am -10pm or look at their website: www.learndirect.co.uk.

The Open University runs a number of courses in all kinds of subjects like Business, Education & Teaching, Environmental studies , Languages, Law, Psychology and Science and Technology. They have a range of ‘Openings’ and Short Courses to give you a taste of study at entry level. There are no entry requirements for these, or for undergraduate degrees or
certificates. You can apply for a grant towards your fees for undergraduate courses (Levels 1 to 3) and, depending on certain eligibility criteria, you could get an award if you are receiving certain benefits, if you are unemployed or if you have a household income of below £14,970 per year. Contact the Open University by ‘phoning 01908 653231, emailing general- enquiries@open.ac.uk or writing to: The Open University, PO Box 724, Milton Keynes MK7 6ZS or look at their website: www.open.ac.uk. 

To find out about volunteering opportunities
across the country, contact Community Service Volunteers (CSV Head Office, 237 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ, 020 7278 6601 or www.csv.org.uk).