Disability Support Groups UK: Where to Find Help and Community
By the RightfulUK team • • 5 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
Living with a disability can be isolating. But you don't have to navigate it alone. Thousands of support groups, charities, and communities exist across the UK to help.
Here's where to find them.
National Disability Organisations
Scope — Leading disability equality charity. Helpline, online community, and local services.
Disability Rights UK — Benefits advice, fact sheets, and campaigns.
Citizens Advice — Free, confidential advice on benefits, housing, employment, and rights.
Mind — Mental health support, helpline, and local groups.
Mencap — Support for people with learning disabilities.
RNIB — Support for blind and partially sighted people.
Action on Hearing Loss — Support for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Macmillan Cancer Support — For people affected by cancer.
All offer free support and most have local branches.
Condition-Specific Charities
Almost every condition has a dedicated charity:
- Arthritis Action and Versus Arthritis — For arthritis - MS Society — For multiple sclerosis - Fibromyalgia Action UK — For fibromyalgia - ME Association — For ME/CFS - Parkinson's UK — For Parkinson's disease - Epilepsy Action — For epilepsy - National Autistic Society — For autism - ADHD Foundation — For ADHD - Endometriosis UK — For endometriosis - Crohn's & Colitis UK — For inflammatory bowel disease
Search for your condition + 'UK charity' to find specialist support.
Online Communities
If you can't leave the house or prefer online support:
Benefits and Work — Forum for help with benefits claims and appeals.
Reddit r/DWPhelp — Active community for UK benefits questions.
Facebook Groups — Search for your condition + 'UK support group.' There are thousands.
RightfulUK Community — Our online community for PIP and benefit support.
HealthUnlocked — Online health community with condition-specific forums.
Online communities are available 24/7 and you can participate from bed on your worst days.
Local Support Services
Your local council — Many offer: - Welfare rights advice - Disability information services - Social care assessments - Day centres and activities - Transport services
Local Citizens Advice Bureau — Find your nearest at citizensadvice.org.uk.
Local disability organisations — Search 'disability support [your town].' Many areas have independent disability charities.
Peer support groups — Check local community centres, libraries, and health centres for meetups.
Getting the Most from Support Groups
Tips for engaging with support:
1. Start online if going out is hard — Many groups have Facebook or WhatsApp options 2. Be honest about your needs — Groups are there to help, not judge 3. Share your experiences — Others learn from your journey too 4. Ask about benefits — Other members often know the system inside out 5. Don't compare — Everyone's disability is different and valid
You deserve support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Related Articles
- Government Help for Disabled People UK: Every Scheme & Support Available (2026) — 6 min read
- PIP Help UK: Free Help With Your PIP Claim, Appeal & Tribunal (2026) — 6 min read
- Free Welfare Rights Advice: Where to Get Expert Help With Benefits — 4 min read
- Disability Benefits UK: Complete Guide to Every Benefit You Can Claim (2026) — 7 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition