Disability Advice Service - brilliant!

[Papayalady]

Hi ladies
I just wanted to recommend the Disability Advice Service. I'm recovering from a breakdown and now have suspected ME. Trying to claim benefits and just re-establish my life has been incredibly hard.
But after hitting brick walls with the local CAB and other mental health/ community support organisations, someone recommended I make an appointment with the local DAS to complete a PiP form and do a benefits check. I was feeling pretty negative about it all after going to the mill for the last 18 months, but they were fantastic. They understood my problems and worries without me having to go into long explanations. I actually had to defend myself to a volunteer at my local CAB recently she grilled me about my health and questioned my answers. It was horrible.The last thing anyone needs if they're suffering with depression/ anxiety.
The welfare system/ support groups are so far behind with mental health, it's scary.

Well this is good news, I have not deal with them before. Our nearest CAB is 12 miles away and no direct bus route.
Is that a local service to you Papayalady? Do you have a national link to them? I've been searching online but can only find local ones, but none near me.

I googled too and found some local services in different areas. I assumed it was a national service.

Just found this at Scope
www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/local/about

Thank you so much, that is really helpful.
So pleased for you that you got some great support. I've had some strange experiences too with local support re mental health. Good that there are some people about who " get it" without pushing too much for stuff that it is difficult to talk to strangers about sometimes.

Thanks again, and all good wishes. x