Care and support for adults in Bristol

We recognise that sometimes adults need support to live independently. Support can come in many different forms and you can access this yourself or with our help.

We can offer you support if you live in Bristol and have:

• a disability or a long-term illness
• a learning difficulty
• mental health needs
• age related health issues
• any other social care needs that impact your independence

Or if you are:

• an unpaid carer (taking care of a family member or a friend)
• concerned about someone you know

We can support you to prevent, reduce or delay the need for longer term care. We want to make sure you can live independently and in your home for as long as possible.

We like to promote adults' independence, choice and ability to make decisions about the care and support they receive.

Below is a list of services and information points where you might find the help you are looking for- without the need to contact us. 

• Well Aware provides information on a wide range of organisations; support groups, community groups, events and activities that can help improve your health and wellbeing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Visit the website or email info@wellaware.org.uk
• Home Adaptations and Equipment
  Here you can find information on lots of accessories that you can buy, which can help you to carry on living independently at home.
• Money and Legal Matters
  Information on benefits and financial support you may be entitled to.
• Support for Unpaid Carers
  Unpaid carers are people who are supporting family members or someone they are living with. The Carer's Support Centre Go to https://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/ (opens new window)website has lots of information.
• Transport
  • Transport and mobility: Information on community transport, disabled parking blue badges, concessionary bus pass
  • Travel West: Plan journeys by bus, MetroBus, Park and Ride, rail, car, motorcycle, bike, and on foot
• Citizen's Advice Bureau
  Bristol gives free, independent, impartial and confidential advice about benefits, debt and money, relationships, housing, healthcare, and many other issues.
• Health Care Go to https://www.nhs.uk (opens new window)
  If you have any non-urgent concerns for your health, you might find the information you are looking for on the NHS choices website.
• Help with meals
  Find out what you can do if you find it difficult to prepare a hot main meal for yourself.
• Housing options for older people
  Find information about care homes, supported housing, extra care housing and retirement houses to rent and buy.
• Occupational therapy
  Occupational Therapy can help you to regain lost skills and can arrange for aids and adaptations you need in your home.
• Physical activity referral programmes for people with health conditions
  The aim of these programmes is for people with specific health conditions to achieve the Department of Health's recommended 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week. 

If you find it difficult to do a number of things that seriously affect your wellbeing and content in the Adult Care section does not provide the information you need, you can contact us.

We want to give you as much choice and control as possible about the support that might be helpful to you.

When you contact us, we'll talk about:

• keeping you independent or helping you to become more independent
• any personal care needs you may have
• your mobility
• keeping your home safe
• being able to carry on working or volunteering
• being part of your community
• being able to meet your friends
• any short-term support that you can remain living  the way you used to live your life or become more independent
• what support you may need if you are a carer

If you can't find what you need on our website or think you need to contact someone about your situation call us on 0117 922 2700. This is the direct phone number to Care Direct, the main way to contact adult social services in Bristol

If you prefer to contact us online, you can fill in an Adult care referral which can help us to find out what your needs are. It helps us to find out about the care and support that can help you to live independently and may lead to a detailed assessment.

You can:

• Fill in an Adult care referral form yourself
• Ask your carer, a friend or a family member to help you fill in the Adult care referral form or do it on your behalf
• Work with an independent advocate who can help you fill in the Adult care referral form or do it on your behalf

If you complete and submit an Adult Care referral form without speaking to Social Care first then an advisor will contact you to find out more about your needs.

If you're already receiving care and support from us, you can still talk to us about this.

When we get the online form, Care Direct will usually contact you to go over the information and discuss how your needs can be met both within adult care and from other sources.

If we are not able to find support within your community that can meet your needs and improve your wellbeing, we may refer you to a fuller assessment.

The assessment of your care needs will help us to understand if you are eligible for support from us.

See  Eligibility guidance

If we think that we can help, and you are eligible, then we'll work with you to agree on the right Care and Support Plan to meet your needs.

Most people have to contribute towards the cost of their care and support.

The amount you may have to pay is determined by a financial assessment during which we try to work out how much you can afford to pay towards the care and support you need. It involves looking at your income, savings and individual circumstances-  this is also known as means tested.

If you're eligible for a Care and Support Plan then we'll talk to you about your finances including your income, savings and individual circumstances.

Read more about Financial assessment.

If you have more money in your savings than the amount in What you may have to pay for your care and support, you may have pay for all your care and support. This is known as being a self funder.

When people are self-funders and are looking for long term care we often suggest that they arrange care privately. This is because it may be quicker and allow for more flexibility and more choice. You can ask us to arrange the care but we charge an administration fee to set it up and an annual fee in respect of care for self funders in their own home.

You can find care agencies who provide services on the Care Quality Commission website Go to https://www.cqc.org.uk/ (opens new window) and information about how they performed in their most recent inspection.

Some short term services and occupational therapy may still be available to self funders. If you need help, call us on 0117 922 2700. Our short term service includes reablement which works with people to help them  regain independence. Some of these services have parts that may be free, and some become chargeable. For example, if we find part way through that the adult needs longer term support. 

There are exceptions, such as carer's assessments, so if you're not sure call us on 0117 922 2700.

If your needs change and you feel you may need more support, please contact us to discuss this on 0117 922 2700 or complete a new Adult care referral form.

We work in partnership with agencies who work with Bristol people who need help. This might be help with things like:

• maintaining or securing accommodation or tenancy
• managing physical health and wellbeing
• managing mental health and wellbeing
• reducing debts or finding paid work
• preventing loneliness and isolation
• staying safe

You can refer yourself and this might be quicker than going through adult care. If you need support to do this or are not sure which service you need, call us on 0117 922 2700. 

Service details, who they support and how to contact them

Keyring

For people who live independently with learning difficulties or an autism spectrum condition. Keyring covers south, central and east Bristol.

Website: KeyRing Networks Supported Independent Living Services

Email: tier2referrals@keyring.org

Call: 07951721703 or 07970466598

Supported Independence

For people who live with learning difficulties, an autism spectrum condition or mental health difficulties. Supported Independence covers south, central and east Bristol.

Website: Outreach support | Supported Living

Email: tier2referrals@sisw.co.uk

Call: 07736 952 461

Support for Independent Living (SiLS)

For people who live with learning difficulties, an autism spectrum condition or mental health difficulties. SiLS covers north Bristol.

Website: Support for Independent Living

Email: tier2referrals@mysils.co.uk

Call: 0117 960 8855

Second Step

Support for people who need help with their mental health. Second Step covers BS1 to 4 and BS13 to 15 postcodes.

Website: Second Step

Email: helpwhenyouneedit@second-step.co.uk

Call: 0117 909 6630

St Mungo's

Support for people who need help with their mental health. St Mungo's covers BS5 to 11 and BS16 postcodes.

Website: St Mungo's

Email: enquiriesbristolmhfs@mungos.org

Email: 0117 954 2951

Missing Link

Support for women who need help with their mental health. Missing Link covers all of Bristol.

Website: Help When You Need It service Missing Link

Email: helpwhenyouneedit@missinglinkhousing.co.uk

Call: 0117 925 1811 and extension 2201

Brigstowe

Support for people who live with HIV and AIDS. Brigstowe covers all of Bristol.

Website: Brigstowe

Email: info@brigstowe.org

Call: 0117 955 5038

Brunelcare

For people aged over 55.

Website: Help When You Need It - Brunelcare

Email: hwynireferrals@brunelcare.org.uk

Call: 0117 428 1274

Rethink

Support in the community for people who need help with their mental health.

Website: Bristol Community Support Services

For the community service:

• email bristolservices@rethink.org
• call 0117 903 1801

For the carer's service:

• email bristolcarers@rethink.org
• call 0117 903 1803