Helpful websites

Welcome to the useful links area of the website. Whether you are struggling with debt, looking for advice, hoping to save money or trying to find your local council's contact details then this page can help.

 

If you can't find the website or the help you are looking for, please contact us so that we can add it to our database.

 

In this section:

Please select the type of website you are looking for below:

• General information - websites that offer general information for customers of housing associations. These include links to regulators, advice organisations and charities
• Local services - websites that offer information and provide local goods and services to our customers
• Health and family information - websites that offer advice and information on health and family issues
• Financial help and support - websites for organisations that can help you manage your money better

 

Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone over the phone rather than visit a webspage, please visit our section on useful phone numbers.

 

General information

• Age Concern - Age Concern is the UK's largest organisation working with and for older people. Its mission is to promote the wellbeing of all older people and to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience
• The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) – The CIH is the professional body for people involved in housing and communities and aims to maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the wellbeing of communities
• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) - The CAB helps people to resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice
• Communities and Local Government, Housing - The aim of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister’s (ODPM) Housing Department is to provide everyone with a decent home at a price they can afford, whether they own or rent it. Other initiatives include help with homeownership, reducing homelessness and tackling anti social behaviour
• Crisis - Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people
• Equality and Human Rights Commission - The EHRC aims to create a fairer Britain by promoting human rights
• The Foyer Federation - The Foyer Federation develops and encourages new approaches to supporting young people at risk
• Homes And Communities Agency (HCA) - The HCA's role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. They provide funding for affordable housing, bring land back into productive use and improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment
• The Housing Diversity Network - The Housing Diversity Network is a flexible resource for organisations seeking to make progress in the areas of equality and diversity
• Housing Justice - Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action in the field of housing and homelessness
• The Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS) – The HOS deals with disputes between landlords and tenants in England. It works with its members and other parties to promote the values, successes and the vital future role of the social housing sector
• Inside Housing – The Web site of the weekly housing magazine, it also features a searchable archive
• The National Conversation  - The National Conversation is the largest ever consultation exercise with tenants and providers of social housing
• The National Housing Federation (NHF) – The NHF represents 1,200 not-for-profit housing associations in England and campaigns for better housing and neighbourhoods
• Project Sentinel - Project Sentinel is a non-profit agency providing services to help people resolve their housing problems
• Shelter - Shelter is the UK’s leading housing and homelessness charity. It provides advice on homelessness, private renting, home ownership, eviction, repossession and other housing issues
• The Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) - TPAS aims to extend the reach and quality of tenant influence by working with social housing residents and landlords to develop successful partnerships and supporting tenants and community groups to take on a more representative role.
• The Tenant Services Authority - The TSA is the regulator for social housing.

 

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Local Services

 

Local Councils:

(Essex)

• Essex County Council
• Basildon District Council   
• Braintree District Council
• Brentwood Borough Council
• Castle Point Borough Council
• Chelmsford Borough Council
• Colchester Borough Council
• Epping Forest Distrcit Council
• Harlow Council
• Maldon District Council
• Rochford District Council

 

(Norfolk) 

• Norfolk County Council
• Breckland Council
• Broadland District Council
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council
• King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council
• North Norfolk District Council
• Norwich City Council
• South Norfolk District Council

 

(Suffolk)

• Suffolk County Council
• Babergh District Council
• Forest Heath District Council
• Ipswich Borough Council
• Mid Suffolk District Council
• St Edmundsbury Borough Council
• Suffolk Coastal District Council
• Waveney District Council

 

Tourism

• Visit Essex - The official guide for visitors to Essex
• Visit Norwich - The official guide for visitors to Norwich and Norfolk
• Visit Suffolk - The official guide for visitors to Suffolk
• The AA- Provides services for motorists, as well as a useful route planner
• National Rail Enquiries - Find out train times and fares
• TheTrainline.com - Find out train timetables, book tickets and reserve seats online for all train operators in mainland UK.

 

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Health and family information

 

• Childline - Childline s the UK's free and confidential, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger
• Connexions - Offers advice on education, careers, housing, money, health and relationships for 13-19 year olds in the UK
• NHS Direct - NHS Direct is the UK's national healthline, offering a 24-hour medical assistance
• NSPCC- The NSPCC is a national charity that wants to stamp out cruelty to children
• PRESET - PRESET Charitable Trust aims to help young people achieve their potential
• Samaritans - The Samaritans provides confidential emotional support to those experiencing despair, distress or suicidal feelings
• Turning Point - Turning Point is provides services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and those with a learning disability.

 

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Financial help and support

 

Dealing with debt

We are committed to helping our customers who may be struggling with their finances and have put together a list of helpful websites. Have you seen our section on managing your money?

• Advice Guide - Online money help from the Citizens Advice Bureau 
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCS) - CCCS is a registered charity offering free, confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about debt
• HM Revenue & Customs - Find out more about the tax credits and benefits you may be entitled to
• EntitledTo - Find out exactly what tax credits and benefits you are entitled to by filling in this online form
• Money Made Clear - Provides impartial information on all aspects of financial products and services
• National Debtline - Free debt advice and support for people with money worries and debt problems
• Now Lets Talk Money - Contains useful advice on how to manage your money and plan your way out of debt
• Credit Action - Credit Action is a national money education charity which aims to help people handle their money well
• Cash Questions - Contains lots of helpful questions and answers about money.
• Money Survival Kit - a comprehensive guide to help single parents make the most of their income and spending.

 

Financial tips, advice and guides

• Moneysavingexpert.com - Martin Lewis' website containing lots of tips and advice on everyday ways to save money 
• Moneywise.co.uk - Moneywise contains lots of useful articles and detailed guides on how to best manage your money
• Money Magpie - Jasmine Birtles gives her tips on easy ways to make money
• Lovemoney.com - Previously the Motley Fool, Lovemoney.com gives a more personalised approach to money advice.

 

Price comparison websites

These websites compare a range of financial products and services - whether you're looking for a savings account, insurance policy, credit card or new energy supplier these websites can help you find the best deal. But remember, always try and use as many as possible when searching for a product or financial service to make sure you get the best deal.

• Comparethemarket.com
• Moneysupermarket.com
• Moneyfacts.co.uk
• Moneynet.co.uk
• uSwitch
• Gocompare.com
• Confused.com
• Billscutter

 

If you're looking for the best deal on the high street, these websites can help you track it down.

• My Supermarket- Find the best possible price for your groceries
• Petrol Prices- Find the lowest UK petrol price in your area
• Doo Yoo- Impartial reviews and products price comparison website
• Kelkoo - Features online shopping guides and user reviews

 

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Last updated: 26 January 2010