ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) (E, W)
Clifton House
83 Euston Road
London NW1 2RB
(020) 7396 5100
www.acas.org.uk
Advice on time off for antenatal care and on maternity rights, parental leave and matters like unfair dismissal. For your nearest office, look in the phone book or ask at your local library or citizens advice bureau.*

Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC)
82-84 Pinner Road
Harrow
Middx HA1 4HZ
(020) 8427 4217 (helpline 10am-1pm Mon-Fri)
National charity offering support and information about pre-eclampsia via its helpline and newsletters. Provides a befriender service.*

Active Birth Centre
25 Bickerton Road
London N19 5JT
(020) 7482 5554
www.activebirthcentre.com
Promotes a holistic approach to childbirth. Antenatal and postnatal classes (fee payable). Publishes list of UK active birth teachers.*

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
PO Box 207
Bridgewater
Somerset TA6 7YT
(020) 7813 1481 (recorded information)
Telephone advice service for breastfeeding mothers. Local support groups.*

Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS)
2 Bacon Lane
Hayling Island
Hampshire PO11 0DN
(01753) 652 781
Voluntary pressure group which aims for improvements in maternity services. Support and advice about parents' rights, complaints procedures and choices within maternity care, including home birth.*

Caesarean Support Network
55 Cooil Drive
Douglas
Isle of Man IN2 2HF
(01624) 661 269 (after 6pm Mon-Fri and weekends)
Offers emotional support and practical advice to mothers who have had or may need a Caesarean delivery. Can put you in touch with a local mother who has undergone a Caesarean and understands the problems.*

Child
Charter House
43 St Leonards Road
Bexhill-on-Sea
E. Sussex TN40 1JA
(01424) 732361
www.infertilitynetworkuk.com
Self-help organisation offering information and support to people coping with problems of infertility and childlessness. May be able to put you in touch with a local contact group.*

Child Poverty Action Group
94 White Lion Street
London N1 9PF
(020) 7837 7979
www.cpag.org.uk
Campaigns on behalf of low-income families. Information and advice for parents on benefits, housing, welfare rights etc.

Child Safe Wales (W)
Llandough Hospital
Penlan Road
Penarth CF65 2XX
(029) 2071 6933
Provides information on safety products and sources of literature.

Citizens Advice Bureaux
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
Myddleton House
115-123 Pentonville Road
London N1 9LZ
(020) 7833 2181 (call for telephone number of your local office)
www.ncab.org.uk

Community Health Councils
CHCs exist to help users of the NHS. They advise on where and how to get the service you need, and can help if you've got a complaint.

In Northern Ireland CHCs are called Health and Social Services Councils. For your local CHC/HSSC, look in your phone book under the name of your district health authority or local Health and Social Services Council.

Commission for Racial Equality
10-12 Allington Street
London SW1E 5EH
(020) 7828 7022
www.cre.gov.uk

In Wales:
Race Equality First
Friary Centre
Cardiff CF10 3FA
(029) 2022 4097
Encourages good relations between people from different racial backgrounds, the elimination of racial discrimination and promotion of equal opportunities.

Community Relations Council
6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
(028) 9022 7500
www.community-relations.org.uk
Provides advice and support for those working in Northern Ireland to develop a society free from sectarianism.

Diabetes UK
10 Queen Anne Street
London W1M 0BD
(020) 7323 1531 (admin)
(020) 7636 6112 (helpline)
www.diabetes.org.uk

In Northern Ireland:
John Gibson House
257 Lisburn Road
Belfast BT9 7EN
(028) 9066 6646

In Wales:
Diabetes UK Cymru
Quebec House
Castlebridge
Cowbridge Road East
Cardiff CF11 9AB
(029) 2066 8276
Information and support for all people with diabetes.*

Equal Opportunities Commission
Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester M4 3EQ
(0161) 833 9244
www.eoc.org.uk

In Northern Ireland:
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Andras House
60 Great Victoria Street
Belfast BT2 7BB
(028) 9050 0600
www.equalityni.org

In Wales:
Windsor House
Windsor Lane
Cardiff CF10 3GE
(029) 2034 3552
Information and advice on issues of discrimination and equal opportunities.*

Family Welfare Association
501-505 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AU
(020) 7254 6251
National charity providing free social work services and support for children and families. Provides financial support for families in need throughout the UK.*

Housing Rights Service (NI)
72 North Street
Belfast BT1 1LD
(028) 9024 5640
Helpline for people with housing problems. Offers advice and information on homelessness, housing debt, the private rented sector and Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Independent Midwives Association
1 The Great Quarry
Guildford
Surrey GU1 3XN
(01483) 821104
www.independentmidwives.org.uk
Free advice to women thinking about a home birth. Offers full care to women who book with them for home births. They also have their own birthing centres. Fees vary. Send an A5 SAE for information.*

Institute for Complementary Medicine
PO Box 194
London SE16 7QZ
(020) 7237 5165
www.icmedicine.co.uk
Charity providing information on complementary medicine and referrals to qualified practitioners or helpful organisations.*

La Lèche League
(Great Britain)
BM 3424
London WC1N 3XX
(020) 7242 1278 (helpline)
www.laleche.org.uk
Help and information for women who want to breastfeed. Personal counselling. Local groups. Write with SAE for details of your nearest counsellor/group.*

Labour Relations Agency (NI)
2-8 Gordon Street
Belfast BT1 2LG
(028) 9032 1442
www.lra.org.uk
Advice on maternity rights in Northern Ireland.*

Life
Life House
Newbold Terrace
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire CV32 4EA
(01926) 421587
(01926) 311511 (helpline 9am-9pm)
www.lifeuk.org
Charity offering information and advice on pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and post-abortion counselling.

Local advice agencies
There may be a number of helpful local advice agencies in your district offering general advice on a range of topics, like benefits, debts and consumer problems, or specialising in one area such as law or housing. To find out what exists ask at your library or town hall.

Local health authorities
If you're new to an area they can give you a list of local doctors including those with a special interest in pregnancy and childbirth. If you have difficulty in finding a GP to take you on contact the LHA. Look in the phone book under the name of your local health authority/health board.

In Northern Ireland:
Contact your local Health and Social Services Board/Trust or the Central Services Agency for Health and Personal Social Services (CSA)
25 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8FH
(028) 9032 4431

Minority Ethnic Community Health and Social Wellbeing Project (NI)
Multi-Cultural Resource Centre (MCRC)
12 Upper Crescent
Belfast BT7 1NT
(028) 9024 4639
www.mcrc.co.uk
As part of MCRC, promotes two-way communication between minority ethnic groups and health service providers. Provides translation and interpreting services, multilingual materials and a reference library.

The Multiple Births Foundation
Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital
Goldhawk Road
London W6 0XG
(020) 8383 3519
For professional support of families with twins and multiple births.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
Alexandra House
Oldham Terrace
London W3 6NH
0870 444 8707 (9am-5pm Mon-Thur, 9am-4pm Fri)
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
Information and support for mothers, including breastfeeding information, antenatal classes, postnatal groups. Write for details of your nearest branch and information pack.*

NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
42 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3NH
(020) 7825 2500
0800 800500 (24-hour national helpline)
www.nspcc.org.uk

In Northern Ireland:
Jennymount Court
North Derby Street
Belfast BT15 3HN
(028) 9035 1135

In Wales:
Capitol Tower
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff CF10 3AG
(029) 2026 7000
Aims to prevent all forms of child abuse. Look in the phone book for the number of your nearest NSPCC office if you need help.*

NHS Direct 0845 4647
24 hour nurse-led helpline providing health information and advice.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NI)
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8PB
(028) 9024 0588
www.nihe.gov.uk
Advice and information on all aspects of housing.

Patients' Association
PO Box 935
Harrow
Middx HA1 3YJ
(020) 8423 8999
Advice service for patients who have difficulties with their doctor.*

Public libraries
Useful starting points for finding out addresses of national and local organisations.

RELATE (National Marriage Guidance)
Herbert Gray College
Little Church Street
Rugby CV21 3AP
(01788) 573241
www.relate.org.uk

In Northern Ireland:
74-76 Dublin Road
Belfast BT2 7HP
(028) 9032 3454

In Wales:
The Lodge
1 Penlan Road
Camarthen SA31 1DN
(01267) 236737
Confidential counselling on relationship problems of any kind. To find your local branch look under RELATE or Marriage Guidance in the phone book or contact the above addresses.

Shelter
88 Old Street
London EC1V 9HU
(020) 7505 4699
0808 800 4444 (helpline)
www.shelter.org.uk

In Northern Ireland:
1-5 Coyles Place
Belfast BT7 1EL
(028) 9024 7752

In Wales:
25 Walter Road
Swansea SA1 5NN
(01792) 469400
Help for those who are homeless and advice on any kind of housing problem.*

Social security: local offices
For general advice on all social security benefits, pensions and National Insurance, including maternity benefits and Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, telephone, write or call in to your local social security office. The address will be in the phone book under 'social security'. Hours are usually 9.30am to 3.30pm. In busy offices there may be a very long wait if you call in.

Social Services
A social worker at your local social services office will give you information on topics including benefits, housing, financial difficulties, employment, relationship problems, childcare and useful organisations. Look up social services in the phone book under the name of your local authority or, in Northern Ireland, your Local Health and Social Services Board/Trust or ask at your local library. Phone, write or call in. There may also be a social worker based at the hospital to whom you could talk either during your antenatal care or when you or your baby are in hospital. Ask your midwife or other hospital staff to put you in contact.

Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA)
Harnott House
309 Chester Road
Little Sutton
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire CH66 1QQ
(0870) 121 4000 or
(0151) 348 0020 (9am-2pm Mon-Fri)
(01732) 868000 (helpline 7pm-11pm Mon-Fri, 10am-11pm weekends)
www.tamba.org.uk
Information and support for parents of multiples. Network of local Twins Clubs.*

Welsh Language Board
Market Chambers
5-7 St Mary Street
Cardiff CF10 1AT
(029) 2087 8000
0845 607 6070 (enquiry line)
www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
Information on playgroups, Welsh education and leaflets about the benefits of bilingualism.