Medical Support
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We provide information and support, improve care, fund research, and create lasting change for people affected by dementia. We provide support to people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their carers across Hampshire with a dementia advisor service and also Singing for the brain sessions in person or on Zoom.
Dementia-friendly Alton is a Queen’s Award winning Charity providing vital support to people living with dementia and their carers in Alton and the surrounding area. Offering support services for carers and those struggling with isolation, volunteering opportunities and a friendly place to visit. With weekly activities ranging from crafts to gardening, music, short walks, gentle yoga, tea dances, coffee mornings and luncheons – there’s something for everyone and everyone is welcome! Even if you don’t have Dementia yourself then you can still join in the fun by volunteering to help.
A directory of support services in East Hampshire to guide you through the first steps after a diagnosis of dementia.
HILS are a not-for-profit charitable social enterprise who provide the Hampshire County Council’s meals on wheels service, delivering hot meals across Hampshire, 365 days a year, whatever the weather. All our meals are nutritionally balanced, and we cater for everyone’s dietary requirements. They are delivered hot and ready to eat by our Community Team Members. Every visit includes delivery of a hot meal and dessert, along with a caring wellbeing check.
We may be called “Andover Mind”, but we actually provide services right across Hampshire, supporting people with mental ill health as well as adult carers and young carers aged 16+, who care for an adult with any illness, and people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Our Hampshire-wide service provides advice, information and support to all carers aged 18 and above who care for an adult. The service also supports people with dementia and memory problems. Our Referrals and Enquiries team can provide advice, information, signposting and support over the phone, via email and post. We also have a team of Dementia Advisors and Carer Support Workers who work out in the community and can offer additional support.
Autism
Autism Hampshire provides high quality services that meet the diverse needs of autistic people in Hampshire and the surrounding area.
Cancer Support
The Cardiac Rehab Centre offers specialist Cancer Rehabilitation to help those embarking on, going through and recovering from treatment for cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may find it helpful to talk to others who have been, or are in, a similar situation. Basingstoke Breast Cancer Self Help Group was established in 2003. We provide friendship and support to women who have had breast cancer. We meet as a group from 6pm to 8pm one Tuesday a month at the Ark Conference Centre, which is situated at the back of Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Our monthly meetings include informal discussions, as well as listening to talks from guest speakers on relevant topics to our members. Further details can be found on the News and Events section of our website.
The Blue Space is a branch of the Pink Place charity. We welcome Guests (men with a cancer diagnosis) to our Wellbeing sessions (in Alton) and run occasional evening meetings. Currently our Alton Wellbeing Session runs twice a month at The Maltings, Alton and welcomes men and women who are affected by any form of cancer. Contact us for detail
The Fountain Centre is located on level B within St Luke’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey Hospital. We provide emotional and holistic support, information and signposting, both online and face to face for you and your family.
Our services help provide a better end of life for more people, whatever the illness. Marie Curie is here to help with practical information and support on all aspects of life with terminal illness, dying and bereavement.
PCaSO is a charity for men diagnosed with prostate cancer run by patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. We know what you are going through and understand the pressures. You are not alone! When a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer his world stops. Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men. Each year in the UK over 47,000 men are diagnosed with it and about 11,000 men die of it. We are here to support and help you with group meetings, leaflets and much more.
Cancer support for women and men in and around North Hampshire. We are based at The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, and provide in-person support, Complementary therapies, Counselling, Mindfulness, Workshops and peer support from locations in Basingstoke and Alton. We also offer online and phone services.
Heartburn Cancer UK – providing information and supports people with and families of those with persistent heartburn, Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer.
Supporting you and your family through a cancer diagnosis. At any of your Cancer Support Centres, we can offer you practical and emotional support at a time when nothing seems to be in your control. All our Cancer Support Centres have been developed with your needs in mind; you can take as much time as you need. Our dedicated team is committed to offering free support for as long as you need it, away from a hospital environment. Family members can access all of our support services too, and there is no need for a Doctor’s referral. So just get in touch with your nearest Centre to make an appointment. We appreciate that visiting a Cancer Support Centre for the first time might be a little bit daunting, but you can be assured of a warm welcome and a safe, calm environment. Anything you wish to talk about will be held in complete confidence, whilst our trained staff and volunteers assist you in choosing which support will suit you best.
Cardiac Support
Alton Stroke Support Group offers friendship and support for all those directly and indirectly involved with a person who has experienced a stroke. Meeting each Tuesday 2pm-3.30pm at Cardiac Rehab Centre, Chawton Park Road, Alton, GU34 1RQ
The Cardiac Rehab Centre helps residents of north, east and mid Hampshire (and the surrounding areas) to recover and then maintain their health and fitness after heart attacks and heart operations. We also offer Staywell, under which GPs can refer to us people at risk of developing heart disease, for courses of exercise and health education. People can also self-refer to Staywell. The Centre also has a social side including a Walking Group, a Cycling Group, a Golfing Group and regular social events for attendees to meet up with others who have been through a cardiac event.
Carer Support
Carers Together has been working with and for unpaid carers in Hampshire for over 20 years. We are a carer-led charity – which means that most of our Trustees and staff have experience of being carers and we regularly consult carers about their needs and concerns. We provide a wide range of personal services, such as information and advice, advocacy, Direct Payments information and advice, groups, training, planning for emergencies and support planning – please see our ‘Services’ page for more details.
HILS are a not-for-profit charitable social enterprise who provide the Hampshire County Council’s meals on wheels service, delivering hot meals across Hampshire, 365 days a year, whatever the weather. All our meals are nutritionally balanced, and we cater for everyone’s dietary requirements. They are delivered hot and ready to eat by our Community Team Members. Every visit includes delivery of a hot meal and dessert, along with a caring wellbeing check.
Our focus is on giving carers accurate and up-to-date information on anything from disability aids to benefits claims as well as emotional support. We provide an Emergency Planning Service – where emergency care support may be available free of charge for up to 48 hours. We also run special support groups, coffee mornings, act as carers’ advocates, liaise with Social Services, GPs, hospitals and the Benefits Agency amongst others and offer free counselling to carers by way of qualified voluntary counsellors.
We provide services right across Hampshire, supporting people with mental ill health as well as adult carers, who care for an adult, and people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Our Referrals and Enquiries team can provide advice, information, signposting and support over the phone, via email and post. We also have a team of Dementia Advisors and Carer Support Workers who work out in the community and can offer additional support.
Disability and Learning Disability
We help people with learning disabilities to lead better lives through leisure, social activities and meaningful occupation. By offering a safe, fun and caring environment, we encourage our learning-disabled community to have a voice, keep active and achieve greater independence. Visit our service area pages through the links below to find out how we can help you.
At Challengers, we break down the barriers to play and make it possible for every disabled child and young person to play and have fun, without limits. We support children and young people aged 2 – 18 at our range of services, located across the South East of England.
Hard of Hearing (All Saints) Group
The group aims to provide a relaxed, friendly meeting place for those with a hearing impairment. A meeting is held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2pm – usually in All Saints Church Hall, Queens Road Alton. We have a programme of talks and entertainment, as well as quizzes and raffles. Plus there is a monthly craft afternoon (see under Knitters Anonymous). On the 1st Tuesday of the month, a qualified tutor provides Lip Reading classes.
Helen Arkell removes barriers to learning, employment and life for people with dyslexia by providing expert, personal and life-changing support.
We support adults with learning disabilities and autism from our inclusive community centre. People with disabilities coming to Kingsley Centre are supported to be independent, working towards their own personal goals and contributing to the day-to-day running of our centre including our Village shop, Post Office and coffee shop. We also have groups and activities that are open to all to attend including Chatty Crafters, Parent and Carers Support Group.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse is group open to adults with special needs who would like to join with others, make new friends and learn about God’s love.
Support for Visually disabled people including a social club that meets monthly on the third Monday at All Saints Church Hall and advise and help with equipment and benefits and a magazine from Head Office.
Open Sight Hampshire provides a range of services to help people to adapt and manage their lives which have been affected by any form of sight loss, including unbiased information, advice and guidance, home based personalised low vision aids assessments, help in applying for sight loss related benefits, specialist aids and equipment, smart technology tutorials, family support service and friendly and supportive social clubs.
Every 1st Tuesday of the month from 2.00pm – 3:30pm. Come along to our book group supporting people with sight loss. All titles chosen are available in large print and audio. Get together and have a friendly discussion. For further information please contact the library.
Illness and Injury Support
We are a charity providing information, support, training, and advice for adults with acquired/traumatic brain injury, their carer(s) and family members.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, we’re here to help. Find out how we support you and get information about different cancer types.
When a child or young adult is diagnosed with a life limiting condition, Naomi House & Jacksplace becomes their home from home. Our nursing, care, play and family support teams are experts in delivering the crucial emotional, spiritual, developmental, clinical and holistic care that children and young adults with some of the most complex medical needs require. We offer vital respite support, giving families the chance to recharge their batteries and regroup in a calm, fun and welcoming environment. In times of emergency we’re there, giving families the help they need through difficult times. And at the end of a child or young adult’s life, we pull out all the stops to give them a peaceful and dignified end, surrounded by loved ones.
St. Michael’s Hospice is an independent charity based in Basingstoke, supporting people across North Hampshire who have a life-limiting illness, are facing the end of life or experiencing bereavement. Our dedicated team of nurses, doctors, and therapists deliver free, high quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients, their families and carers.
Multiple Sclerosis (M.S)
Meeting up with Group members for a catch up. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided but please bring your own lunch. We hold a meeting on the first Wednesday in the month at The Maltings, Alton. We’re here to support you and your loved ones to live well with MS. Whether you have MS, or care about someone who does, join our group to connect with other people from the community and share experiences. We don’t want anyone to face MS alone. From information on local services to opportunities to meet others in the area and more, our group is part of a large network of MS Society groups across the UK. We hope to meet you soon!
Parkinson’s
Local group meetings are regular get togethers where you’ll be able to meet other people affected by Parkinson’s. Join us at our friendly group meeting and meet friends old and new over a cup of tea and a piece of cake (for which there is a small charge) . We meet monthly on the third Wednesday of the month at Orchard House, Alton. We often have a speaker and also arrange lunches and a Christmas get together. Please phone Ginny Frith for more details.
