Useful contacts for witnesses
Legal advice and support
A charity that provides accurate, practical information on rights and the law in England and Wales.
Matches applicants with deserving cases with barristers who are willing to provide their services for free. They only assist those who are unable to obtain legal aid and cannot afford to pay.
Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
Information Commissioner’s Office
The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK's independent body for information rights. It can provide advice on accessing your personal dental records.
Services for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
A hub for pro bono charities across the legal sector. It is not able to provide legal advice but may be able to point you in the direction of those who can.
Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Service
Free legal advice for people with a court case in the civil or family courts in England and Wales.
Scottish Information Commissioner (Scotland only)
The independent public official responsible for promoting and enforcing Scotland's freedom of information law.
A charity providing emotional and practical support to individuals going through court proceedings.
Provides a free service for anyone looking for information about organisations or people providing legal services in England and Wales.
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
AvMA is an independent charity providing free specialist advice on complaints about public and private healthcare.
Financial advice and practical support
Charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially.
Charity working with single parent families providing expert advice, practical support, and campaigns for single parents.
Charity that provides advice, and support to carers in the UK.
Mental health support
Providing advice on advocacy for people with mental health issues.
Mental Health Services NHS (NHS employees only)
Access to NHS mental health services and where to get urgent help.
Charity providing support to those who experience mental illness and whose who care for them.
National out of hours mental health helpline, offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness.
Charity providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.
Support for those who’re struggling to cope and need to talk.
Charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.
Charity which provides support to young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
Public sector support
Community Health Councils in Wales
A statutory body responsible for ensuring that the local Community Health Councils are fulfilling their roles.
Independent public body providing an impartial and free examination of complaints about a range of public services.
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (England only)
The Ombudsman conducts independent investigations into complaints made about the NHS in England, and UK government departments and their agencies in England.
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
The Ombudsman has legal powers to investigate complaints about public services and independent care providers in Wales.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is the final stage for complaints about most devolved public services in Scotland including the health service.
NHS Patient Advocacy
National advocacy service that supporting people who want to make a complaint about NHS care or treatment.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in England
PALS offers confidential advice, support and information on health related matters. You can contact them by phoning your local hospital, clinic, GP surgery or health centre.
Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) in Scotland
PASS provides independent advice and support for patients of the NHS in Scotland.
Other help
The Clinic for Boundaries Studies
UK wide organisation providing advice and support on all aspects of professional boundaries (limitations) and works to prevent people from breaking those boundaries.
Supports those living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals, at home, work or in education.