Useful Links
Below are some websites offering information, guidance and help around the following key areas.
Website suggestions
Please note that due to a high workload I am not adding any further websites to the directory. Thank you for your understanding.
Building Structure Into your Day
Sleep
- National Sleep Foundation - US site offering advice and guidance on sleep
- The Complete Guide to Insomnia and How to Manage It - information and suggestions on how to manage a spell of insomnia.
- The Impact of Sleep on the Body - article on the impact of sleep on the body with tips on how to improve your sleep.
- A Comprehensive Guide to Sleep Deprivation - a guide on the causes, symptoms and treatments for sleep deprivation.
- How Money Issues Impact on Sleep - review of research on correlation between sleep and money issues.
- Sleep With Me Podcasts - A podcast series which aims to improve sleep patterns by use of a series of meandering stories which aim to distract the listener from their worries and soothe them off to sleep. The podcasts broadcaster also offers a Facebook group for users to share sleep strategies and problem solve issues around insomnia.
- Sleepbot - An online radio station playing ambient tunes aimed at relaxing you and helping you sleep
- Raining.fm - An online radio playing the sound of rain. It is also available in ap form and has several settings so that you can tailor the sound to suit your needs.
- Birdsong.fm - An online radio playing the sound of birdsong
- Ambient mixer - free online ambient sound mixes
Planning and Organising
- Google Calendar - Free online calendar with reminders
- Remember the Milk - Free online task manager with reminders
- Epic Win - Useful ap for iphones, ipods and ipads that helps manage tasks with reminders
- Calendarpedia - website with a full range of free calendars in pdf, Word and Excel formats
- Eggtimer - Online eggtimer which you can set with your chosen time period or use one of the preset timers such as a pomodoro timer (25 mins plus 5 mins break)
Learning
- Coursera - Free online training courses on an enormous range of subjects and levels
- Khan Academy - Free online training courses on a wide range of subjects and levels
- Future Learn - Free online training course on a wide range of subjects and levels
- Learn Direct - UK site with information on training courses
- WEA - Low cost training opportunities on a wide range of subjects
- New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College - Hertfordshire college offering courses to support people to improve their wellbeing
- Step2Skills - Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning Service website to find courses running throughout Hertfordshire.
- University of the Third Age - Low cost training and leisure opportunities for people no longer of working age
- Oaklands College - College in Hertfordshire with campuses in St Albans and Welwyn Garden City
- West Herts College - College in Hertfordshire with campuses in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley
- University of Hertfordshire - University with it's campus in Hatfield
- Open University - Distance learning on a wide range of subject from universities around the UK
- Tutor Hunt - UK based service that links tutors with students.
- Librivox - Free audiobooks on a wide variety of subjects
- Open Culture - Free cultural and educational material on a wide variety of subjects
- Duolingo - Website offering free online training in other world languages
- Classic Cinema Online - Free internet classic movie streaming site
- Google Arts and Culture - Virtual tours of art galleries around the world
- Virtual Field Trips - Virtual tours around Zoos, Parks and even Mars
- 10 Free Creative Online Courses - A list of 10 courses to help you develop your creativity
- The Royal Institution - Watch The Royal Institutions Christmas Lectures and more
- National Geographic - Website for the National Geographic
- Learn My Way - Free training courses showing skills for beginners using digital technology and using the internet.
Activities
- Time Bank - Sign up and learn about volunteering opportunities in your local area. Time bank works by crediting your one hour of volunteer support for every hour you give volunteering.
- Hertfordshire Directory - Directory of services, activities and places to visit in the Hertfordshire area
- Do It - Sign up and learn about volunteering opportunities in your local area
- Becoming a Volunteer: Diverse Benefits of Volunteering - article from US based blog on the benefits of volunteering and some of the services and organisations that utilise volunteers
- Meet Up - Find local groups and activities running in your area
- Creative Hertfordshire - Information on creative activities available across Hertfordshire
- Hospital Rooms - A Project creating art for mental health hospitals and runs online art classes.
- The Trestle Theatre - St Albans based arts project offering live music, art and theatre productions
- Womens Institute - Information on your local Women's Institute and how to join up
- Roller Coaster - A monthly peer support group for people living in the Dacorum/St Albans area and living with Bi-Polar Disorder
- Ascend - Hertfordshire organisation based in South Oxhey that supports people in the local community with issues such as unemployment, social deprivation and learning disabilities
- Guideposts Trust - UK charity providing support and day opportunities to people with a variety of support needs including mental health, learning disabilities and dementia
- Trinity Community Project - St Albans based community based services for people with learning disabilities and mental health challenges
- Mind in Mid Herts - Local branches of the national mental health charity, Mind, with branches in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage and Hertford
- Herts Mind Network - Local branches of the national mental health charity, Mind, with branches in Watford, Bishop Stortford, Borehamwood, Hemel Hempstead, South Oxhey, Waltham Cross and Ware
- Sparks Community Cafe & Hub - Community based 'pay what you can' cafe based in Hatfield run by addiction charity, Resolve.
- Earthworks - St Albans based charity offering horticultural training to people with learning disabilities
- Electric Umbrella - Hertfordshire service offering musical opportunities to people with learning disabilities
- Sunnyside Rural Trust - Hertfordshire charity offering horticultural training for people with learning disabilities
- DRUM - Hertfordshire community based project for adults with physical and sensory disabilities
- CVSS - Hertfordshire sailing club for people with disabilities
- Para Dance UK - Information on wheelchair friendly sport and dance activities
- Hertfordshire Health Walks - Details on health walks going on around Hertfordshire
- Active Together - Information on exercise, dance and fitness classes for adults living in Hertfordshire
- Parks Herts - Information guide of parks and open spaces around Hertfordshire
- Playing Cards - play virtual card and board games with friends or join games with others online
Organising Paperwork
- Simplify 101 - US website offering a range of tips and free printable worksheets to help you get more organised
- Mail Preference Service - Free service allowing you to reduce the amount of unsolicited, junk mail you receive
Taking Care of You
- Embody - Find accredited complementary therapists and beauticians in your local area
Taking Care of Your Home
Clutter
- The Unclutterer - US website with information and tips on decluttering your home and life
- The Life Hacker - US website offering tips on home care and other related subjects.
- Clutter - Website with advice and tips on tackling clutter
- Kon Mari - Website of tidying expert, Marie Kondo
Meal Preparation
- Ingredients Pairing - Search engine that allows you to search for recipes based on ingredients you have to hand
Recycling
- Zero Waste - Information and tips of reducing waste and recycling
- Recycling Guide - Information and advice on how to reduce waste and reuse or recycle unwanted items
- Recycling Factory - UK based service that buys and recycles printer cartridges.
- Terra Cycle - UK database of information on recycling collection points throughout the country
Furniture
- Remap - Charity offering custom made equipment or adaptations for people with disabilities
- Spruse - Furniture recycling scheme based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire
- Trustmark - Service providing a register of government endorsed tradespeople
- Trust a Trader - Service providing a register of trusted tradespeople.
- Nine Lives Furniture - Hertfordshire furniture recycling charity based in Rickmansworth
- Emmaus St Albans - St Albans branch of international organisation offering furniture recycling scheme and community living project for homeless people
Living Within a Budget
Getting Help- Money Saving Expert - British site offering information and guidance on financial matters and living on a budget
- Entitled To - Online benefits calculator where you fill in a questionnaire and the results tell you if and what benefits you may be entitled to
- Advice Local - A website that allows you to look up local advice agencies in your area.
- Benefits and Work - website explaining benefits available to people living in the UK and guidance on how to complete benefits forms
- UK Benefits Guide - information, advice and guidance on the benefits available to people living in the UK.
- Household Quotes: UK Benefits Guide - Information on the welfare benefits available to people in the UK.
- UK Benefits Guide - Website offering information on UK benefits.
- Turn2us - Service offering people in financial need access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and financial help.
- National Debt Line - Free, independent and confidential advice on debt
- Money Advice Trust - Advice on tackling debt and managing money
- Christians Against Poverty - UK Charity offering debt counselling
- Herts Savers Credit Union - St Albans based savings and loans co-operative for people living or working within Hertfordshire
- Watford Credit Union - Watford based savings and loans co-operative for people living or working within the Watford area.
- Freecycle - International network linking people who want to donate or request items for free. Organised into local groups so check the website to find your nearest group.
- The Trussell Trust - UK Charity offering assistance to those experience poverty including information on how to find your nearest food bank.
- Food Cycle - Charity that makes use of surplus food and spare kitchen space to create nutritious meals for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation
- Consumer Affairs - A guide for buyers displaying consumer reviews on a broad range of products, some US brands but many global brands available worldwide.
- Get Safe Online - Government-backed website that gives free advice and tips on using the internet securely
- CIFAS - UK Fraud Prevention Community. Provides a registration service to protect people whose details have been stolen or are considered vulnerable.
- Samaritans - Info, advice and support to those in crisis plus contact details of your local branch
- Papyrus - Support and advice for young people who feel suicidal or at risk of harming themselves
- Mind - Offering info on all aspects of mental ill health
- Sane - Offering info and support to those experiencing mental ill health
- Rethink - Offering info and support to those experiencing mental ill health
- OCD Action UK - Advice and guidance identifying and managing the symptoms of OCD
- Anxiety UK - Advice, support and guidance on anxiety related issues
- No Panic - Advice, support and guidance on anxiety related issues
- National Self Harm Network - Online forums supporting people who intentionally self harm
- Beat - Information, advice and support for people living with or caring for someone with an eating disorder
- Alcoholics Anonymous - International charity offering support to those seeking and in recovery for alcohol addiction
- Rehab4Addiction - UK based service offering rehab facilities and advice for those seeking recovery from a wide range of addictions.
- Alcohol Rehab Help - US based organisation offering information on addictions, treatment options and the links between mental ill health and addiction.
- Combat Stress - Military charity specialising in supporting veterans who are experiencing distress and mental ill health
- Housing and Financial Guide for Veterans - Information on services and support available to UK veterans
- TogetherAll - UK website offering information, advice and support to people suffering with mental health issues. Please note that free access to the site is restricted to certain geographic locations and to members of the British armed forces but the site does offer information how to sign up and costings if you are outside one of these areas.
- Young Minds - Information and advice for young people on mental health issues
- Mind Ed - Information, guidance and online training on supporting a child or young person with mental health issues
- NHS Live Well - NHS website offering information and advice to young people experiencing mental health issues
- Youth Talk - Free young persons counselling service for people living in the St Albans district
- Kooth - Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
- Hertfordshire Nightlight - Hertfordshire mental health crisis service provided by local charities, Herts Mind Network working in partnership with statutory healthcare providers.
- Its Good To Talk - Offering info and guidance for those considering talking therapies. This site is run by the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists)
- Cruse - Service offering support to those affected by bereavement
- Paws to Listen - Cat's Protection League support service for people suffering from grief from the loss of a pet cat
- Relate - Information and advice with relationships as well as help finding your local Relate branch.
- National Autistic Society - Information and advice for people living with or caring for someone with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Very Well Health Autism - US website with information on the challenges faced by people on the autistic spectrum and their family
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities - Information and advice on issues affecting people with learning disabilities
- British Sign - Information and online training to learn British Sign Language
- Herts Vision Loss - Hertfordshire based service supporting people with visual impairments and vision loss
- RNIB - National Charity supporting people with visual impairments and vision loss
- Headway - Information and support for people affected by brain injury
- Disability Rights - Information and guidance on your rights if you have a disability
- PohWER - Advocacy and advice service for people living in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
- Carers In Herts - Support and advice for carers across Hertfordshire
- Herts Sunflower - Hertfordshire service offering help and support for those experiencing domestic violence
- National Domestic Violence Helpline - Help and support for those experiencing domestic violence
- Herts Rape Crisis - Hertfordshire service offering support and advice to women who have been victims of rape or sexual assault
- Homestart - Free and confidential practical and emotional support to parents who are experiencing difficulties.
- Family Lives - Information, advice and support to families experiencing difficulties.
- Moshi Kids - Information, teaching guides and articles for parents on a range of issues. Childrens app available but please note that this is not free beyond the trial period.
- A Guide for Support a Teen with Their Mental Health - Info and suggestions on supporting a teenager with their menta wellbeing, especially exam anxiety, bullying and issues with body confidence.
- Silver Line - Advice, friendship and a listening ear for older people
- Age UK - Information and advice on a range of issues effecting older people
- Independent Age - Support and Advice service for older people
- Cinnamon Trust - National charity offering volunteer dog walking and pet care for the elderly or terminally ill
- Shelter - Information and advice on housing and homelessness
- Homeless UK - Database of services available for homeless people
- The Crescent - St Albans based charity offering support and advice for those effected by HIV and AIDS.
- Terrance Higgins Trust - National charity offering information, advice and support to those effected by HIV and AIDS
- Citizens Advice - Advice and guidance around a selection of legal matters and help finding your local Citizens Advice Bureau
- Stonewall - Information and advice on a variety of issues affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community
- Beaumont Society - Information and advice on issues surrounding gender identity and the transgender community
- GIRES - Information and support for people who identify as transgender or who identify as belonging to a non-binary gender information and training for professionals working within the caring professions.
- Mermaids - Support and information for young people who identify as transgender and their families
- Know Your Human Rights - Online tool designed by the British Institute of Human Rights to help you understand your human rights and identify when these may have been breached.
- ADHD Explained - US resource sharing diagnostic traits and treatments. Please note that the service provider of this resource is based in the US.
Managing Stress
- The Stress Management Society - Offering information and advice on managing stress
- Smiling Mind - Website and App with mindfulness exercises and techniques.
- Mental Health Foundation - Offering info on all aspects of mental ill health
- Hearing Voices Network - Information and support for people who hear voices, see visions or experience any other unusual perceptions
- The IRC Village - A mental health internet chat room where people with mental health issues can seek support, share coping strategies and chat with others who face similar barriers.
- Seven Cups of Tea - Online service offering free, anonymous and confidential listening to anyone needing someone to chat to. The site also offers lots of useful self help resources.
- Change Grow Live - National charity offering support, advice and assistance to people with alcohol or substance misuse issues
- Smokefree NHS - NHS website offering information, support and guidance for smokers who are considering quitting
- Gingerbread - Advice and support for lone parents
- The Challenging Behaviour Foundation - Information and support for parents of children with severe learning disabilities
- National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome - Information and guidance on PMS with option of signing up to use free online symptom tracker
- Free Mindfulness - Website with information and lots of free guided, mindful meditations
- Get Some Headspace - Useful website which teaches the techniques involved in mindful meditation. The site is offering a free 10 day trial that introduces you to mindfulness through a series of ten 10 minute guided meditations. There is a charge if you want to continue beyond these initial 10 days
- Heath and Safety Executive - Link to HSE Stress at Work site offering advice and guidance on managing work related stress
- ACAS - Independent advice and guidance on employment related issues
- Working from Home and Maintaining Mental Wellbeing - Information and guidance on impact of remote and home working and steps you can take to remain in good mental health.
- Sensory Processing Disorder - Article giving information and guidance on managing these types of conditions.
- Reach Out North Herts - A project for people living in the North Herts/Stevenage area linking people who have recently been discharged from hospital with volunteers to help reduce isolation and loneliness.
Confidence Building
- Recovery Warriors - Website offering helpful app (available for Apple and Android devices) to help overcome an eating disorder and develop healthy eating patterns
- Viewpoint - Mental health service user involvement project in Hertfordshire offering training and involvement opportunities
- Action for Happiness - Information on actions you can make to improve your happiness. Also links to groups that can be accessed to support making changes.
- Motability - Scheme set up to assist people with physical disabilities in using their mobility payments for adapted transport
- Pets as Therapy - National charity offering animal therapy to groups and individuals
- Medicalert - Service providing medicalert jewellery for people with life limiting or life threatening conditions
- Dementia Shop - Online store selling aids especially designed to assist in the care of someone with dementia
- Work Solutions - Hertfordshire County Councils service offering training and support to disabled adults who need assistance finding work
- Shaw Trust - Support for disabled and disadvantaged adults seeking employment
- Access to Work - Employment support for people with disabilities or health conditions
- Travelline - Website that offers assistance with planning a journey by public transport
USA based services/links
I'm adding this as I get a lot of link suggestions from people outside of the UK and based in the US so I thought I would add this section. The links are down the bottom as I am UK based and most of my site users are too.
Websites linked on this page above are reviewed regularly. They were last reviewed in March 2023.
Service Suggestions
If you would like to suggest a service or website please complete the form here.To view the additional resources suggested by others visiting this site please click here. (This will open up a spreadsheet with all of the information shared by others using the form above. Please note that the services listed on this additional spreadsheet have not been vetted so please exercise caution)