Support in communities across Suffolk

There are many organisations that provide practical support to people across the county, of which only a small proportion are listed below. If the type of support you require is not mentioned on this webpage, please search the Suffolk County Infolink website, or if you require help with shopping/prescriptions etc please follow this link to our page on local support in town and villages. If you have discovered additional organisations that you have found helpful, please contact us so that we can make the information available to others.

You may also wish to follow this link to our page “Equipping your Home”

Suffolk-wide support | Finding Care Services in Suffolk | Hometouch (live-in carers) | Customer First (Adult Social Care) | Citizens Advice | Aspect Living (Meals on Wheels) | Wiltshire Farm Foods | Red Cross | Warm Homes Healthy People | Winter support information

Suffolk-wide: Information on support organisations across the county

Suffolk County Council operates Suffolk Infolink. This is a searchable directory of providers of services in the county, both county-wide and local. The website contains a huge amount of information on organisations that provide help and support, for example, regarding help to stay at home.

If you need help with personal care or maintaining independence you can visit the Living Well pages on the Suffolk County Council website. Here you will find information on remaining independent, on using digital or other kinds of equipment to support you in your home and information on finding care whether you are paying privately or eligible for council funded support. Find out more at www.suffolk.gov.uk/livingwell.

Additionally, Suffolk County Council published a list of major support organisations in the county in response to the closure of Age UK Suffolk in July 2020. This provides links to information covering support previously provided by Age UK Suffolk such as befriending, help at home and support with shopping.

Suffolk-wide: Guide to Care Services in Suffolk

Hometouch (live-in carers)

Hometouch is a company that provides carers to support people in their own homes from just a few days to long-term durations. Care can be arranged to commence within 24 hours if needed.

Hometouch website, tel: 0203 870 4220, email: hello@myhometouch.com

Suffolk-wide: Customer First (Adult Social Care in Suffolk)

The preferred method of contact is via a webchat on the Customer First website (link above).

Customer First provides adult social care in Suffolk, care and support assessments, housing support, care homes, and much more. The website provides a self-assessment tool to allow people to discover what support is available to be accessed to suit their circumstances.

Suffolk-wide: Citizens Advice

Ipswich, Tel: 0808 278 7867., e-mail: via enquiry form (“contact” link on website).

Mid Suffolk, Tel: 01449 676060, e-mail: via enquiry form (“contact” link on website).

East Suffolk, Tel: 0808 278 7866, e-mail: via enquiry form (“contact” link on website). Offices offering appointments in Felixstowe, Leiston, Beccles and Lowestoft, drop-in sessions in several libraries in the East Suffolk Council area.

Bury St Edmunds, tel: 0808 278 7868, e-mail: via enquiry form (“get advice” link on website)

Citizens Advice offer independent, confidential and impartial advice and support across a wide range of issues: legal, debt, housing, benefits, employment, family and consumer. The aim is to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward.

Suffolk-wide: Aspect Living (Meals on Wheels)

Tel: 01473 749927, e-mail: enquiries@aspectliving.org.uk or contact via website

Suffolk Meals on Wheels covers the majority of the Suffolk area 365 days a year. There is a daily set menu of a hot main meal and either hot or cold dessert. There is a wide selection of vegetarian, diabetic, gluten free and soft meal choices.

Suffolk-wide: Wiltshire Farm Foods (Meals delivered to your home)

Wiltshire Farm Foods provide a range of frozen meals for delivery to your home. The meals are nutritionally balanced and there are options for many diet and portion preferences.

Tel: 0800 077 3100, e-mail via web form at this link

Suffolk-wide: Red Cross

Tel: 0345 054 7171, e-mail: admincentral@redcross.org.uk

If you are returning home from hospital, Red Cross can provide a range of help and assistance for up to 12 weeks depending on the level of support required. Please see the Red Cross website for further details.

Suffolk-wide: Red Cross Wheelchair loan/hire service

To discuss requirements and arrange for a wheelchair loan/ hire, a family member or carer should contact the Red Cross service on the number below. The wheelchair will be couriered to the patient’s home address.

Tel: 0300 456 1914

Warm Homes Healthy People

Contact Warm Homes Healthy People for support about keeping warm in winter and help for older people with accessing winter fuel payments.

Suffolk's Warm Homes Healthy People is a project designed to help vulnerable people and families make their homes cheaper to heat. 

Tel: 03456 037 686 or e=mail: whhp@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

For further information please follow this link to a page on the Suffolk County Council website and view the video below:

If you are having cancer treatment, you may find you are at home more. You may need to turn up the heating to cope with side effects, such as weight loss, hair loss and tiredness. This means your energy bills can increase at a time when you may be unable to work or have a reduced income.

Follow this link (or click the image above) to download a leaflet which covers topics such as guidance on financial support, energy saving, and local support schemes.