Bury Council 

Bury consists of six towns: Bury, Prestwich, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington and Whitefield.

Official Council Wesbite

About Bury Council Page

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

The current borough came into existence on 1 April 1974 and currently comprises the area of the old County Borough of Bolton and the townships of Farnworth, Kearsley, Horwich, Blackrod, Westhoughton, Little Lever and South Turton.

Official Council Website

About Bolton Council Page

Bolton Council’s One Stop Shop Drop-In Centres for service enquiries

Map of Services is a fairly comprehensive, interactive map with a menu of filters that will display everything from Bolton town centre’s disabled parking bays, to the various health care services across the borough, down to where all the grit bins are located.

Bolton and Bury ME/CFS Service

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Referral is via your GP

ME/CFS Clinic
Long-Term Conditions
Breightmet Health Centre
Breightmet Fold Lane
Bolton
BL2 6NT

General Number: 01204 463366
Breightmet Health Centre Webpage
Neurology Long-term Conditions Webpage

Team consists of: Lead clinician to be appointed shortly*, Occupational Therapist (for Lifestyle Management course), Physiotherapist. Updated: September 2024
Referral is via your GP for initial diagnostic assessment, and for update assessment following relapse.
* Consultant Neurologist Dr. Gaber fully retired in early 2025
 

Ashton, Leigh and Wigan ME/CFS Service

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist ME/CFS multidisciplinary team lead by a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine (Neurology)
Referral is via your GP

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service
Golborne Clinic
Lowton Road
Golborne
WA3 3EG

0300 707 1541
0161 701 4516
wwl-tr.cfsme.service@nhs.net
Website

The Salford Chronic Fatigue Service

Referral is via your GP

Clinical Health Psychology
Salford Royal Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD

Main Switchboard: 0161 789 7373
Dept. Tel.: 0161 206 5588

psychology.referrals@nca.nhs.uk

Important Note: Please be advised that the BBME provide information about the Salford service for informational purposes only.
 

Bolton

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Referral is via your GP

Rheumatology
Bolton One
Moor Lane
Bolton
BL3 5BN

Main Switchboard: 01204 463779
Department Tel: 01204 462722
Website

Bury

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Referral is via your GP

Bury Integrated Pain Service
Radcliffe Primary Care Centre
Ground Floor
Flower Suite
69 Church Street West
Radcliffe
Manchester
M26 2SP

0161 724 2168
Website

Bolton and Bury

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Referral is via your GP

Long-COVID Clinic
Long-Term Conditions
Breightmet Health Centre
Breightmet Fold Lane
Bolton
BL2 6NT

General Number: 01204 463366
Breightmet Health Centre Webpage
Neurology Long-term Conditions Webpage

Team consists of: Lead clinician to be appointed shortly*, Occupational Therapist (for Lifestyle Management course), Physiotherapist. Updated: September 2024
* Consultant Neurologist Dr. Gaber fully retired in early 2025

Bury

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Referral is via your GP

Post COVID Syndrome Service
Address Information Pending

0161 271 0190
pcs@gmmh.nhs.uk
Website

Team consists of: of psychological wellbeing practitioners, CBTs (Cognitive Behavioural Therapists) and psychological therapists, clinical health psychologist and pharmacist who work alongside your GP. You can self-refer or request GP referral. Pathway consists of: Assessment - advice options - treatment plan.

Ashton, Leigh and Wigan

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist ME/CFS multidisciplinary team lead by a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine (Neurology)
Referral is via your GP

The Ashton Leigh and Wigan CFS/ME Service run a separate service for those referred with Long-COVID from within the:

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Service
Golborne Clinic
Lowton Road
Golborne
WA3 3EG

0300 707 1541
0161 701 4516
Website

Modified Yoga

BBME Yoga Classes

Please see the page called Our Yoga Classes in our Join Us section. 

Hydrotherapy

Bolton Neuro Voices

“BNV Hydrotherapy programme is a successful venture which includes an annual course for new users and on-going group-based programmes for those able to continue safely without the constant presence of the physiotherapist. The University of Bolton Physiotherapy Department is the new partner in this unique service.

“Bolton Neuro Voices, a local registered charity, worked with a team of neuro-physiotherapists from SP Therapy Services in Bury to provide group-based hydrotherapy.

“All sessions (divided into 30-minute slots) are on Wednesdays between 12 noon and 3pm and take place in the purpose-built hydrotherapy pool at the Sir Jason Kenny Leisure Centre at Bolton One, Moor Lane, Bolton. The pool has fully accessible changing facilities.”

There are limited spaces on the course and there is a waiting list. For full details of how to apply please refer to the BNV website.

Adult Social Care, Bury Council
0161 253 5151
adultcareservices@bury.gov.uk
Website

Office Hours: 8:45am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, not on Bank Holidays
Urgent, Out of Hours Number: 0161 253 6606

Accessibility:
If you have accessibility needs, make initial contact with Adult Social Care via one of the  above methods and request the communication assistance you need i.e. Textphone service, BSL, Language interpretation, and they will do their best to accommodate you.

Early Intervention Team*, Bolton Borough Council
01204 337860 or 01204 336079
EITTeam@bolton.gov.uk
Website

The office operates from 8:45am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, not on Bank Holidays
Out of Hours: Emergency Duty Social Worker from Adult Care Services: 01204 337777
Hours: 6pm-9:30am Monday – Friday; 9:30am – 6pm Weekends & Bank Holidays

* Not to be confused with the Bolton Early Intervention Service, which deals with child school absenteeism; nor the EIT - Early Intervention Psychosis Team, Greater Manchester Mental Health Service.

Accessibility:
Bolton Council have access to a range of accessible communication aids, including RelayUK, Textphone service, BSL service, and language interpreter services. In-house staff members also speak a number of languages.
If you have communication accessibility needs, make initial contact with the EIT Team using one of the above methods and request the communication assistance you need so that it can be arranged for you.

The Government's DWP website covers all the financial help they offer, including benefits, available to people in the UK who are disabled or have a health condition.

“This is the starting point for all information regarding benefits and entitlements for anyone in the UK, young or old, with a disability.”

Help
The website includes information on how to obtain help from them directly when completing a new claim application.

A printable version of their whole guide is available here

Benefits Calculators

The government backs a range of three independent benefits calculators to help you see, in advance, what benefits you may be eligible for.

Types of Benefits

We have grouped the following benefits into 3 categories, based upon where you apply for them.

Government Benefits: Financial help if you’re disabled

Application for these benefits is via the Government, DWP (Department of Works and Pensions).

Benefit Names and Abbreviations:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA)

• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit (UC)

• Carers Allowance

• Carers Credit

• Attendance Allowance (AA) - For people already of state pensionable age who are newly applying, this benefit is paid to the person requiring the Carer instead of PIP

For the most up to date links and information from the DWP on these benefits visit this government website which provides information specifically on benefits available to people in the UK who are disabled or have a health condition.

While this government website lists a wider range of funds and additional benefits available relating in some way to disability.

Local Council Benefits: Housing and Council Tax Benefits

Application for these benefits is via your local Council.

Benefit Names and Abbreviations:

• Housing Benefit (HB)

• Council Tax Support (CT)

Bury Council
Housing Benefit webpage
Council Tax Support webpage

Bolton Council
Housing Benefit webpage
Council Tax Support webpage

Help
If you have problems completing your application, you can call into:

The Town Hall One Stop Shop
Victoria Square
Bolton
BL1 1RU

or call Bolton Borough Council on 01204 333333

Important Note: (Update Written: April 2025) The Government is working its way through transitioning people receiving ESA and Housing Benefit to Universal Credit.  Therefore, when you begin your application process, you should be guided to the correct benefits by the Government or Local Council representative handling your application.

Utilities - Warm Homes Discount Scheme

Warm Homes Discount Scheme

The WHD is a government funded scheme that pays a lump sum to your electricity provider to offset the cost of your energy bills, though you may be able to have it applied to your gas bill if your supplier provides both your gas and electricity. You can receive the payment as a voucher if you are on a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter.

The scheme runs from October, but you can expect the payment to appear on your bill/statement anywhere up to March of the following year.

In 2024, the amount was £150

You do not need to apply or register for the scheme, it is automatically applied if you are in receipt of certain income-based benefits.

However, not all energy suppliers are part of the scheme.

To see if you are eligible, and if your energy provider is part of the scheme, check the government’s WHD page.

A printable version of their whole guide is available here

TV License

Free TV License:
Individuals aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free TV license. 

Visit TV Licensing’s page for more information.

50% Discounted TV License (Blind/Severely Sight-Impaired):
If you are registered blind or severely sight-impaired, you can get a 50% discount on your TV license. This also applies if you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight-impaired, and the license is in their name. You’ll need to get a certificate from your local authority or ophthalmologist stating that you are registered blind or severely sight impaired.  If you are partially sighted (sight impaired) you are not eligible.

Visit TV Licensing’s page to watch a short informational video, and to apply or renew this type of license.

Reduced-Fee TV License (Care Homes/Sheltered Housing):
If you live in a care home, supported housing, or sheltered accommodation and are either over 60 and retired, or disabled, you may be eligible for a reduced-fee license. This type of license costs £7.50 and you can apply for this license by contacting your care home manager or housing warden.

No Discount for Reduced Income or Benefits:
Sadly, TV Licensing does not offer discounts or financial help to individuals who are on benefits or Universal Credit at this time.

Bury

At this time we do not have any information about where to seek this kind of help in the Bury area, other than individuals asking your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau for signposting.

Bolton

If you prefer not to utilise the national and local government services for help completing your benefits form, you can ask Bolton Council’s Early Intervention Team* to signpost you to independent help. Or you can ask your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau to signpost you.

* Not to be confused with the Bolton Early Intervention Service, which deals with child school absenteeism; not the EIT - Early Intervention Psychosis Team, Greater Manchester Mental Health Service.

Bury & Bolton Citizen's Advice Bureau - Universal Credit Help to Claim Service

The CAB Help to Claim service is for help making a claim for Universal Credit only. They have a range of ways to contact them for this support via their Help to Claim contact page which includes:

• a freephone number

• Relay UK service for people who cannot hear or speak on the phone

• BSL service

• Live Webchat

Benefits and Work (Guides)

A membership funded private company founded by advice worker turned barrister Holiday Whitehead and benefits writer and trainer Steve Donnison: Benefits and Works provides comprehensive information about PIP, UC, ESA, DLA, and AA and how best to make your application.

You can pay for these guides, but the BBME has a membership, so BBME members can request any of their guides, for free, direct from us. Once you're a member you'll be able to find out the procedureto contact our dedicated volunteer who will email the requested guides back to you as soon as they are able.

Scope (Online Guides)

Scope, a national disability charity, have a section on their website dedicated to helping you identify and understand the benefits, the application process, and how to complete the forms.

For information about other free, subsidised or discounted services, see our Mobility & Travel section below.

Turn2Us

Turn2Us is "a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity", and one of the independent organisations whose benefits calculators are listed on the government website linked above.

They also have a Grants Search tool which offers to "match you to grants for which you may be eligible."

A range of mobility equipment, as well as home adaptations, are available though a combination of local government services. These include things such as walking sticks, rollators and wheelchairs, ramps, grabrails for the stairs and in the bathroom, perching stools, wheeled trollies, bath steps and bath seats.

A range of mobility equipment, as well as home adaptations, are available though a combination of local government services. These include things such as walking sticks, rollators and wheelchairs, ramps, grabrails for the stairs and in the bathroom, perching stools, wheeled trollies, bath steps and bath seats.

Please see our Beginning Your Care & Support Journey page in the About... section for how to begin this process.

BBME Support Group-Equipment Hire

BBME Members are welcome to borrow our:

• Manual wheelchair - rental cost of £10 for up to 2 months

• Smart Crutches - rental cost of £10 for up to 2 months

• Mobility scooter (purchased late 2024)- rental cost of £10 per week

In all cases, we ask for a refundable deposit of £20

Our Mobility Scooter:

Our Livewell Jaunt Mobility Scooter is almost identical to a Pride Go Go, and dismantles into manageable parts, the heaviest being 15.9kg. Ideal for days out or holidays. The max. user weight is 21 stone.

Check out a short video about it on YouTube

Members who wish to borrow any of these items, please phone our Chair person, Maria, details on our Contact Us page.

Shopmobility, Bury

Shopmoblility provides scooters & wheelchairs for a fee.

Bury Shopmobility
34 Minden Parade
Bury
BL9 0QG

Tel: 0161 764 9966
Email: buryshopmobility@gmail.com
Facebook
Website

Note: They are a cash only business.

The disabled Blue Badge parking scheme facilitates free municipal parking throughout Greater Manchester (always check nearby signs nonetheless!). 

Also, if travelling outside of Greater Manchester, check on the respective local council’s website to see what free parking is available to you in their area, as the rules may differ.

The application for your Blue Badge is processed by your local council, but is now (as of 2024) approved, and your badge sent out, by the DWP.

Transport for Greater Manchester: If you are disabled, you may qualify for either a travel pass (which is free) providing free and low-cost travel across Greater Manchester and England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Alternatively you may wish to purchase books of vouchers for discounted travel in taxis and community transport if you cannot use ordinary buses due to blindness or severe walking disabilities. You can only apply for one scheme, not both.

TfGM’s information about the above two schemes:

TfGM Information Pages about Discounted and Free Travel

TfGM'S Terms and Conditions

Disabled Person's Travel Pass

Within Manchester & Greater Manchester:

• free travel on all buses and trains 9.30am - midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays. 

• Add tram travel for an annual charge

Nationally:

• free travel on all local buses throughout England 9.30am – 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays. 

Notes and Exclusions:

• Assistance dogs are allowed to travel when accompanying a disabled person on buses, trains and Metrolink trams.

• For all localities, to travel outside of these stated times, you will instead need to pay a concessionary or full adult fare.

• The pass does not cover the travel of carers or companions.

If you are disabled, you can buy a Disabled Railcard for only £20 or £54.  With it you'll save 1/3 on Standard and First Class rail fares valid for you and one adult companion.  You will also be entitled to redeem offers and rewards with their partners.  

Website

Railcard Terms & Conditions

News & Offers

Ring & Ride provides a door-to-door, accessible minibus service for people of all ages who find it very difficult to use ordinary public transport. You must register before you are able to book journeys. 

Operating Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 8am - 10.45pm

Sunday: 8am - 10.25pm

Your journeys are restricted to a 6 mile radius, with exceptions being considered for hospital appointments and journeys to accessible transport facilities, as long as the destination is within Greater Manchester.

Customer Contact Centre: 0161 244 1000 and select option 2 for Ring and Ride “and our staff will be happy to help.”

Wesbite

Register for Ring & Ride

The government’s Vehicles and Transport page covers much of the above, plus the following:

• Tax Discounts and Adapted Vehicles

• Vehicle tax exemption

• Vehicle tax reduction

• The Motability Scheme (help leasing a powered wheelchair or scooter, a car - including wheelchair accessible vehicles and adaptations for other cars, and VAT Relief for those vehicles)

BBME Support Group Library

A comprehensive library with books and CDs to borrow. For the list of inventory, and to arrange item loans, email our Chair Person, Maria via our Contact Us page.

Scope Helpline

Scope's helpline provides free, independent and impartial advice and support on issues that matter to disabled people and their families.  

Tel: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333
Trialing Live Web Chat

Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles.

Opening Times:

• Monday - Friday: 9am to 6pm

• Saturday: 10am to 6pm

• Most bank holidays

All Helpline Information and platform access

Bury & Bolton Citizens Advice

A not-for-profit charity organisation providing "free, confidential, independent and impartial advice" and information on a range of issues, including benefits and welfare rights.

Website with content available in a wide range of languages, powered by Google translate.

Adviceline (freephone):
0808 278 7804
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm

Out of Hours Service:
0161 850 5053
7 Days a Week 6pm - 9pm

In-Person Drop-Ins:

Bury CAB

Castle Buildings
1st Floor
5-10 Market Place
Bury
BL9 0LD

Opening Hours:

Tuesday 10am - 3pm

Reception Open:

Monday & Tuesday 10-3 (closed for lunch 12-12:45)

Bolton CAB

1 Victoria Plaza
Oxford Street
Bolton
BL1 1RD

Opening Hours:

Thursday 10am - 3pm

Reception Open:

Thursday & Friday 10-3, closed for lunch 12-12:45

"Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity."

Use their online Advice Finder to locate various advice services available in your area.

If you are deaf, have hearing or speech difficulties, Relay UK is a free service from BT that can help you communicate by phone.

You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no charge to use the service. 

Watch this short video that explains how the service works.

Then find out more on the Relay UK website.

AccessAble (formerly DisabledGo) is a website that gives free, detailed information to help you work out if a place is going to be accessible to you, and are "100% facts, figures and photographs."

Website

Made by the company called Adobe, .pdf (Portable Document Format) documents were designed to be viewable on any device regardless of their operating system i.e. Windows, macOS, iOS or Android.

If your devide doesn't automatically open pdfs, then all you need to do is download the official, safe, free app to view this type of document file, choose one of the following: