Supporting Content
Blue-green algae
For more information, click here.Crash for Cash
For more information on Cash for Cash fraud see here.Financial Abuse
For information and support, click here.NHS Healthy Start Scheme & Scotland's Best Start Foods Scheme
NHS Healthy Start Scheme
England, Wales & Northern Ireland:
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
Scotland - Best Start Foods Scheme:
https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foodsHousehold Support Fund
For more information, click here.Dame Deborah James & Bowel Cancer
For more information, click here.Reporting Scams
For information on how to report scams, click here.Passport and DLVA Information
For more information on passport and driving licences:Smart Meter Installer Schedule
For more information visit; https://recportal.co.uk/en/smisFurther information on reporting a Council Tax Rebate scam
If you have been the victim of a Council Tax Rebate scam, report it to:- Action Line either online or by calling 0300 123 2040 (England or Wales)
- Police Scotland either online or by calling 101 (Scotland)
- report@phishing.gov.uk (emails)
- 7726 (texts)
- GOV.UK (England or Wales)
- Scottish Assessors website (Scotland)
Osteoporosis
The Royal Osteoporosis Society have a free helpline for tailored information and support about Osteoporosis and bone health
The Helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00.
Get in touch by calling 0808 800 0035 or emailing nurses@theros.org.uk
(If you are calling from outside the UK and unable to use the freephone number please call +44 1761 472721)
More information can be found on their website - https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/free-osteoporosis-helpline/
Dementia organisations fly the flag for music as new study gets underway
Alzheimer’s Research UK is looking for volunteers to sign up to the Join Dementia Research service to take part in a music-related dementia research study, to investigate whether personalised music listening could improve behaviour and psychological symptoms. Through collecting examples and evidence of the ways music helps, the team want to look at how personalised music can be used a standard part of dementia care in the UK.
Volunteers must have dementia or be a carer for someone with dementia. Involvement in the study will last up to three months and will be conducted entirely online, meaning it can be done from the comfort of home.
To sign up and register an interest in taking part in the studies, ring Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or visit the Join Dementia Research website
More details about the study can be found here https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-organisations-fly-the-flag-for-music-as-new-study-gets-underway/
Dr James Greenwood - Saving money with pets
HELP WITH VET COSTS
The PDSA have an eligibility checker here to check whether you qualify for their free or low-cost services. You could receive help if you are on benefits and live near one of their Pet Hospitals or Pet Care Practices.
Blue Cross have animal hospitals and pet care clinics that provide veterinary treatment to sick and injured pets when their owners can't afford private veterinary fees. They have an eligibility checker online - see here for more information.
The Dogs Trust's Hope Project veterinary scheme provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing homelessness or in housing crisis. See here for more information.
Cat's Protection offer free and low-cost neutering schemes throughout the UK - see here.
The RSPCA's primary focus is to rescue and rehabilitate animals, but they may be able to provide low-cost vet care for pet owners that need their help the most. Check with your local RSPCA to see if you are eligible. If they don't offer veterinary services in your area, they may be able to provide financial assistance. At the very least, they will advice you of your options and try to help. See here for more information.
PET FOOD BANKS
The Blue Cross are building a network of pet food banks across the UK to support pet owners. See here for more information.
The RSPCA also sometimes work with some food banks to help provide pet food.
BUYING PET MEDICINE ONLINE
You can buy pet medicines from online pharmacies, but as Dr James warned, you need to be careful of some websites. You can check if a retailer is part of the Accredited Internet retailer Scheme (AIRS) here, which is a voluntary scheme. An accredited seller means that they must prescribe the most appropriate medicine for the animal and advise customers how to use the medicine safely.
Prepayment Meters and Support for Paying Bills
For support if you have been victim to prepayment meter scams visit:For advice and support on paying bills visit:Dr Sophie Farooque - Antihistamine tips
The most commonly used first generation antihistamine in the UK to avoid is Chlorpheniramine. Dr Sophie recommends 2nd or 3rd generation antihistamines such as Loratadine, Cetirizine, Fexofenadine. When buying an antihistamine, look at the name of the active drug, not the brand name. Sometimes the antihistamine will be marketed under several different brand names, but as long as the drug is the same, you won’t go wrong.You can watch the full episode of Morning Live on the BBC iPlayer.
Blood, organ and stem cell donation item
For information on organ blood and plasma and stem cell donation please visit the NHS blood and transplant page.
Loan Sharks and Financial Support
Search the Financial Services Register for companies and individuals authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
To report a loan shark, visit the Report A Loan Shark government website and find contact details for your region.
For additional support, visit the Action Line website.
Countryfile's Plant Britain by the Sea
For more information, visit the Countryfile website and the Plant Britain interactive mapHMRC Scams
Forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599
Forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Report tax scam phone calls on GOV.UK.Brain Fog
For more information on brain fog, please visit the following:Financial Support For You
For Financial Advice please visit - BBC Action Line
Financial Websites to help you:
Benefit’s Calculator - Click Here
Citizen’s Advice - Click Here
AgeUK - Click Here
Turn2Us - Click Here
National Debt Helpline - Click Here
Check Your Council Tax Band:
England and Wales - Click Here
Scotland - Click Here
Northern Ireland - Click Here
To find out more about grandparent pension credits - Click Here
...further information and support
Organisations offering further information and support with issues raised in the programme:
Lost dogs:
- Gov. UK & councils: https://www.gov.uk/check-council-missing-dog
- CrimeStoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
- Dog Lost: https://www.doglost.co.uk/
- Animal Wardens: https://www.animalwardens.co.uk/
- Blue Cross: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/what-do-if-your-cat-lost
Housing/Homelessness:
- Shelter: https://www.shelter.org.uk/
- Crisis: https://www.crisis.org.uk/
Premature babies:
- Bliss: https://www.bliss.org.uk/
- Tommy's: https://www.tommys.org/
- Sands: https://www.sands.org.uk/
For support on further issues raised in the programme.
How to appeal a driving fine for a vehicle you do not own
Following the film that featured on Morning Live on 7th March 2022, if you have received a driving fine or letter for a vehicle you do not own you can find out the steps you need to follow here.
Helplines
For guidance on with readily available helplines and contacts, click here.Addiction Support
For support, click here.Mental Health Support
For support, click here.Rentals and Evictions Support
For more support on rentals and evictions see below.Citizens Advice EnglandCitizens Advice Northern IrelandCitizens Advice ScotlandCitizens Advice WalesShelter EnglandShelter ScotlandShelter CymruCrisis
Flight Compensation Advice
If you need flight compensation advice, you can visit the links below.Citizens AdviceUK Civil Aviation AuthorityWhich