Check through regularly as you might be surprised at what new useful links you find.
Dangerous buildings or structures - here is a government page to help you report such structures to your local council
Data protection and personal information rights
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) services both individuals and businesses. It offers advice to individuals on how to find out what information others maintain on them, their information rights, dealing with spam calls and texts and how to get information from public bodies (including details on the Freedom of Information Act).
For businesses the ICO delivers guidance on what kind of information, including CCTV and personal data can be maintained in various situations, including how it must be safeguarded to protect the interests of third parties and also how it might have to be officially registered with them.
For both individuals and businesses the ICO also maintains a searchable register, currently of over 370,000 (non-exempt*) organisations, ranging from international corporations to sole traders, with details of the nature of the sensitive information on others they maintain.
As for which organisations are exempted from this register, what sensitive information they maintain and why, these are issues worthy of extensive debate elsewhere, but not here.
Note. See also the reference to Information Security, the work of getsafeonline.org, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and numerous other services listed here.
Deaf – See ‘Hearing’ for full listing
(National) Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Confidential help with debt problems and a downloadable advice pack. Tel 0808 808 4000 (M-F 9am – 9pm, Sat 9.30 – 1pm)
Directgov: www.direct.gov.uk
Main portal into all UK government services online
Disability Law Service: www.dls.org.uk
Provides free legal advice for all disabled people. Tel 020 7791 9800 (M-F 10am-5pm)
Drinkline: 0800 917 82 82 (24/7)
Confidential help and advice for people concerned about their own or friend or family drinking. See also Alcohol Concern @ www.alcoholconcern.org.uk & Alcoholics Anonymouos
Drugs (Sub-list)
DrugScope: www.drugscope.org.uk - information on drugs and drugs use. Also operates a dedicated site, ‘D-World’, targeted at younger people at www.drugscope-dworld.org.uk
FRANK: www.talktofrank.com – provides information on drug taking and operates a 24/7 confidential helpline for users at 0800 77 66 00
Narcotics Anonymous: www.ukna.org – offers information on addiction and a confidential 24/7 helpline at 0300 999 1212
Release: www.release.org.uk – offers information and legal advice on drug-related problems plus a part-time helpline at 0845 4500 215, M-F, 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Dumped illegally: fly tipped waste
Here is a government page offering some advice on what to do
Elderly and vulnerable adults (sub-list)
Probably the best resource for older people is Silverline (listed under S)
However, more needs to go here – recommendations please!
See for example www.myageingparent.com for a good collection of resources
Ageuk, although more of an advocacy organisation has an advice line at 0800 169 6565
See also as an example from a local authority, this resource from Oxfordshire Council
Electrical safety and emergency
Unlike with Gas, there are multiple grid distribution networks, each with their own emergency numbers and power cut information. For emergencies, see this site’s Power Cuts & Emergencies post. To check or find a competent electrician, either use the search facility at the Competent Persons Register, or review the more detailed notes at the bottom of this site’s post on Electricians and Electrical Work.
Environmental hazards and incident hotline (Environment Agency) 24/7 = 0800 80 70 60
Equality & Human Rights Commission
Works to make people aware of their rights and to eliminate unfair discrimination. Assorted information is available at www.equalityhumanrights.com. A helpline service in England is available M-F 8am to 6pm at 0845 6046610 (Wales at same times = 0845 6048810)
These listings are subject to revision according to feedback and periodic research.
Check through regularly as you might be surprised at what new useful links you find.
