Essential Life Skills


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 and sleep related products and aids.
  • 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.
  • 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 
  • Purrli - Online cat purring generator 
  • 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

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
  • 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 
  • Viewpoint - Mental health service user involvement project in Hertfordshire offering opportunities to connect and recieve peer support, training and involvement opportunities
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Meal Matcher - 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
  • 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 - 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.

Getting Help

Hub of Hope - Comprehensive database of support services across the UK

Crisis Support
  • 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
  • Hertfordshire Nightlight - Hertfordshire mental health crisis service provided by local charities, Herts Mind Network working in partnership with statutory healthcare providers.
  • Calmzone - Mental health service aiming to reduce suicides across the UK.
Mental Health and Wellbeing (including Addiction Support)
  • 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
  • Recovery Warriors - Website offering helpful app (available for Apple and Android devices) to help overcome an eating disorder and develop healthy eating patterns   
  • Alcoholics Anonymous - International charity offering support to those seeking and in recovery for alcohol addiction
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • al health issues

  • 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)
  • 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.
  • Cruse - Service offering support to those affected by bereavement

Neurodivergence
  • 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
  • ADHD Girls - Information and support for women and girls with ADHD
  • ADD-vance - Service supporting families with neurodivergent children and young people, and professionals involved in their care
  • Neuminkind - An education and advocacy service supporting organisations and individuals to understand and create more inclusivity for neurodiverse individuals.
Learning Disabilities
Sensory Needs
  • 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

Physical Health
  • Terrance Higgins Trust - National charity offering information, advice and support to those effected by HIV and AIDS
  • Headway - Information and support for people affected by brain injury
  • 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

Carers

Family Support
  • Homestart - Free and confidential practical and emotional support to parents who are experiencing difficulties.
  • Family Lives - Information, advice and support to families experiencing difficulties.
  • Gingerbread - Advice and support for lone parents
  • 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. 

Older People
  • 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

Young People
  • 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.
  • 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 ill health
  • 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

Gender and Sexual Identity
  • 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

Advocacy
  • Citizens Advice - Advice and guidance around a selection of legal matters and help finding your local Citizens Advice Bureau
  • 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
  • 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. 

Relationships
  • Relate - Information and advice with relationships as well as help finding your local Relate branch.

Abuse
  • 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

Housing 

Pets 
  • Cinnamon Trust - National charity offering volunteer dog walking and pet care for the elderly or terminally ill
  • Paws to Listen - Cat's Protection League support service for people suffering from grief from the loss of a pet cat
  • Pets as Therapy - National charity offering animal therapy to groups and individuals



Managing Stress

Confidence Building
  • 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 
  • 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




Websites linked on this page above are reviewed regularly.  They were last reviewed in August 2025.
  


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)

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