Support for individuals who have specific needs

Here is an easy way to search for the support that is available for people with different support needs.

  • Speech language and communication needs

    • The Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS) forms part of the continuum of provision to meet the needs of children and young people with communication and interaction difficulties in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The CIAS supports children whose primary Special Educational Needs (SEN) arises out of communication and interaction difficulties, including Autism and speech language and communication needs.

  • Visual impairment 

    • Sensory Support Service Hearing & Vision service is a specialist peripatetic service supporting children with sensory impairments, from the age of detection to leaving full time education. They work with children and young people aged between 0 and 19 in the home, pre-school and mainstream and special school settings.
    • The Guernsey Blind Association offers support and advice for individuals and families with Visual Impairment, providing up to date equipment and practical advice to help maintain and encourage independent living skills. The vision Support Services Officer can help with technology, mobile phones, computer software, ipads etc.
    • The Guernsey branch of the UK Guide Dogs for the Blind Association was formed to provide guide dogs to enable blind people to have greater mobility and independence, thus enriching their lives. Besides providing its owner with freedom and companionship, the dog gives a feeling of being needed, as it is the owner's responsibility to see that the dog has the utmost care and attention.
    • The Guernsey Macular Society

  • Hearing impairment

    • Sensory Support Service Hearing & Vision service is a specialist peripatetic service supporting children with sensory impairments, from the age of detection to leaving full time education. They work with children and young people aged between 0 and 19 in the home, pre-school and mainstream and special school settings.
    • Guernsey Hard of Hearing association is an organisation formed to give help and support to deaf and hard of hearing adults in the Bailiwick. 
    • Guernsey Deaf Childrens Society is a charity established to support children with any level of hearing impairment, and their families. They do this primarily through organising a variety of events and activities to give the children an opportunity to have fun in the company of other children in a similar situation.

  • Autism

    • Autism is a lifelong condition and affects people in different ways.  Everyone on the autism spectrum is different. It affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.  Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people.  Autism is not an illness or disease. Being autistic is a fundamental aspect of an individual's identity. For information about autism please follow the link Autism.
    • The Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS) forms part of the  provision to meet the needs of children and young people with communication and interaction difficulties. The CIAS supports children whose primary Special Educational Needs (SEN) arises out of communication and interaction difficulties, including Autism and speech language and communication needs. for more information follow the link to the CIAS website.
    • Education events for parents and carers. The States of Guernsey's Educational Psychology Service and Communication, Interaction and Autism Service have been working in liaison with the Autism Diagnostic Service and Autism Guernsey in order to address the needs of parents and carers whose children may have an autism spectrum disorder. A set of information and discussion  sessions has been planned for parents and carers - seeking to address key topics of concern and interest. For more information see Education event.
    • Adult Disability Service is available to adults over the age of 18 who have significant difficulty with intellectual functioning, communication and/or daily living skills. Referrals can be made by your GP, family or Health Care professional.  Telephone 01481 224110 
    • Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy Service work with children and young people with a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties. Moe information is on the website Speech and Language Therapy or you can contact them on 01481 227760
    • Autism Guernsey provide a range of services, clubs and social groups for adults and children on the spectrum and their families or carers. Please look on the website for more information.Autism Guernsey  You can contact the on 01481 232879 or office@autismguernsey.org.gg.
    • Autism and me is a support group for parents and carers of children with autism. You can contact them through their facebook page.

  • Dementia

    • Older Adult Mental Health Services team are a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals who specialise in assessment, diagnosing and treating mental health problems in older age. They receive referrals primarily from GP's and arrange to see people in their own homes or in an out-patient setting at Oberlands. 
    • Dementia Friendly Guernsey aims to raise awareness of dementia in the community and to find ways to improve the quality of life for those who live in Guernsey or visit our island and who have dementia.
    • The Guernsey Alzheimers Association hold regular social activities to help support carers of people with dementia.
    • Alzheimer's Society, Guernsey Office Tel: 01481 213367, michael.nicholls@alzheimers.org.uk
    • Both the Society and Association provide support, advice, education and social activity for people with dementia and their carers. Activities delivered by both groups include music sessions, lunches, talks from professionals as well as peer support. They can sometimes provide financial help to people in a caring role

  • Learning disability

    • The Adult Disablity Service supports those adults over the age of 18 who have significant difficulty with intellectual functioning, communication and/or daily living skills.
    • Guernsey mencap is affiliated to National MENCAP whose aim is to increase public knowledge and awareness of the problems that people with learning disabilities and and their families face.
    • The Gateway club provides social and leisure activity for adults with a learning disability in Guernsey.
    • Guernsey Marlins Special Swimmers Club is a swimming club for children (aged 14+) and adults with a Learning Disability.
    • Active is the Guernsey society for holidays and activities for adults with learning disability. For further information please follow this link
    • Grow Ltd provide training and sheltered work for people with a learning disability in horticulture and related craft industries. Tel. (01481) 721865 or email managergrowltd@cwgsy.net.
    • Special Olympics Guernsey aims to provide sporting opportunities (training and competition) to people with a learning disability.
    • For more information follow this link or contact Matt Mason on (01481) 724905
    • Wigwam Support Group is based in Guernsey and offers friendship, support and advice to local parents, families and friends who have, or are involved with, children and young people with a special needs. For more information please see Wigwam. Or telephone 521678.

  • People with mental health needs

    • GSF Mental Health Fellowship help and support sufferers from mental illness, together with their carers and families.
    • For more information, tel. (01481) 723308 or email gsfmentalhealth@cwgsy.net.
    • L'Vair Project is run by Mental Health Service users for the benefit of all adults with mental health problems in Guernsey. We draw on our personal experiences of mental health problems and skills we have learned to help support and advise people in the community.
    • For more information email lvairproject@gmail.com.
    • Guernsey Mind provide a service that promotes positive mental health for the community. We campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and encourage understanding.
    • For more information, tel. (01481) 722959 or email info@guernseymind.org.gg.

  • Fibromyalgia

    • Guernsey Fibromyalgia Support Group provide support and information for people with Fibromyalgia, their friends and family.
    • For more information email fibrosupport@cwgsy.net.

  • Motor neurone disease

    • The Guernsey Motor Neurone charity offers care and support for people with Motor Neurone Disease, their carers and families living within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. For more information follow the link Guernsey Motor Neurone.

  • Parkinson's disease

    • Parkinson's UK - Guernsey Branch aims to help patients and their relatives with the problems arising from Parkinson's Disease.
    • For more information visit Parkinson's Guernsey or tel. Mrs Penny Sarchett (Hon. Secretary) (01481) 241118 or email pennyandphil@cwgsy.net

  • Multiple Sclerosis 

  • People with physical disabilities

    • Guernsey Cheshire Home provide individual care and support for adults living with severe physical disabilities.
    • For more information, tel. (01481) 720578 or email info@guernseycheshirehome.com.
    • UnLtd is run by a local charity called "Ron Short Centre LBG".  It is an inclusive members' organisation committed to supporting people with physical and sensory disabilities.
    • They hosts a Social Enterprise Programme providing assisted employment and work rehabilitation for people with disabilities.  It also runs a varied Well-Being Programme, including social activities at the Ron Short Centre (Beau Sejour) and off-site.
    • UnLtd runs a grocery shopping bus service from door to shop and back.  It also endeavours to provide transport to its events for those who cannot access public transport.
    • For more information, telephone 01481 724333 or e-mail Hello@UnLtd.gg.

  • People with a respiratory problem

    • Lungevity, the Guernsey Lung Support Group, provides support to those affected by lung disease and provide the opportunity to spend time with others who are having similar experiences.
    • For more information, tel. (01481) 725241, extension 4900.

  • People with a disfigurement

    • Changing Faces (Guernsey) supports and represents people throughout the Channel Islands who have disfigurements of the face or body, from any cause. The charity works closely with Changing Faces (UK) which provides a disfigurement life skills programme for children, young people and adults. 
    • For further information please see Changing faces or ring Jill Clark (Chairman) on 07781444868.

  • People with a brain injury

    • Guernsey Stroke Association is a voluntary organisation for Stroke Patients and their families, based in, and serving mainly Guernsey, but help is also offered to the other islands of the Bailiwick.
    • For more information, tel. (01481) 265046 or email drandmrssmith@icloud.com
    • Headway Guernsey is a local charity supporting islanders and their families who are living with the long-term effects of a brain injury. We provide a range of services that bring people together in a supportive environment helping them on their road to recovery to a life back into the community.
    • For more information email serviceofficerHG@yahoo.co.uk or fundraisingHG@yahoo.co.uk.