	top PRACTICAL SUPPORT

	For information about moving into Supported Living, Care Homes and Continuing Care Packages go to 'Planning for the Future' by clicking the button on the left RESPITE SERVICES RESPITE, HOLIDAY AND CARER BREAKS - click here for link to document DOMESTIC SERVICE PROVIDERS - Link to Document You would need to negotiate with individual providers the length of calls and the services you require CROSSROADS - 612499 - provide respite for Carers in the home PSS - 756850 - Family support service. This is provided in the form of Adult Placements, where a person goes to stay with a family in their own home, for breaks ranging in length and frequency. All placement families receive support from PSS and are fully screened and trained PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES - 611501 - Based at Lingholme Health Centre COALITION OF DISABLED PEOPLE - 757875 - Run a number of schemes which provide respite and services for Carers. See below for details of current schemes; ENABLING SCHEME - Support people with learning and/or physical disabilities to access community activities, thus enabling carer to have a break. Referral via Care Manager INTERLINK GROUP - Day Care support to ladies with a learning disability, thus enabling carer to have a break. Referral via Care Manager WEEKEND BREAK SCHEME - Supports people with learning disabilities to have a short break, thus providing respite for carer. Referral via Care Manager THE RESPITE ASSOCIATION - 01406 701779 - Provides assistance in the funding of appropriately qualified respite care for disabled, sick, elderly or terminally ill persons so that their regular carer can have a break. email - help@respiteassociation.org top of page AIDS and EQUIPMENT SERVICES AIDS AND EQUIPMENT Anyone who wishes to have aids and adaptations arranged, such as bath rails and seats, extra stair rails or kitchen aids can request an Occupational Therapy assessment by telephoning the Adult Social Care and Health Customer Services team on 01744 456600 (See 'Carer's Assessment' section for full details) Anyone who has equipment on loan and wishes to arrange its return can telephone the Equipment Store on 0151 289 6668. Please note lines are busy at times. AIDS TO LIVING - 0151 426 1239 - Range of equipment, available to try in the showroom. Warrington Road, Prescot BLUE BADGE SCHEME - 456789 - The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of on-street parking concessions to assist people with severe mobility problems, registered blind people and those with severe disabilities in both arms. If you or the person you care for are temporarily impaired when mobilising you may be able to obtain a Blue Badge on a temporary basis. Application forms are available at the Carer's Centre, our Carer Support Workers can assist anyone with completing the form. Alternatively, they are available by using the link below, or by telephoning the Main Contact Centre, 01744 456789, or by calling into Wesley House, Corporation Street Blue Badge Application Form CARE ABILITY - 451215 - Provide a library of manufacturers & suppliers of disability aids, equipment & vehicles CARE AT HOME - 01588 641911 - Service from Hospital Direct, suppliers of manual handling products to the NHS. Catalogue of products to help people remain independent and assist you with moving the person you care for www.careathome-uk.com CHANGING PLACE - There is now a Changing Place in the Liverpool One Centre. The facility has a large room with privacy, an adjustable height changing table, overhead ceiling track hoist, toilet and showering facility. Carers should take their own sling for the hoist. The Changing Place is adjacent to the Information Centre and available during Centre opening hours 10am -8pm weekdays. Tel 0151 232 3140 for more details CREATE - Registered charity that can provide electrical appliances at low cost to those in most need. Anyone wishing to apply must go through an agency such as the Carers Centre, and must have explored all other options such as the Social Fund. Please contact the Carers Centre to request an application DISABLED LIVING CENTRES - Provide free information about products which can increase choices about how to live at home. At Centre's, people can view and try out products. Warrington Centre for Independent Living (01925 638867). Liverpool Disabled Living Centre (0151 296 7742) www.liverpooldisabledlivingcentre.com. Manchester Disabled Living Centre (0870 777 4714) ENABLESELECT - www.enableselect.com - recommended by a Carer as a good website to purchase equipment such as bibs, incontinence products, feeding cups for people with cerebral palsy EQUIPMENT LOAN British Red Cross - 01925 229740. Operate a medical loan service, whereby items of medical equipment such as wheelchairs, commodes, backrests and bed cradles can be picked up from Newton Le Willows office for a small refundable deposit Home Loans Service - 0151 289 6668 - Referral would be required from a District Nurse, Macmillan nurse, Physiotherapist, OT or Social Care, requests can be faxed. Waiting list for wheelchairs at times SHOPMOBILITY - 613388 - Wheelchairs and Scooters available to loan for use in the Town Centre, and some long term loans subject to availability. Open Mon to Sat 09:30am to 4:00pm. You need two forms of ID to join the scheme, £ 10 membership and £ 3 per hire www.shopmobilitysthelens.org.uk top of page INCONTINENCE SERVICES - 01744 626718. District Nurses carry out assessment of level of incontinence and type and quantity of products that can be provided. The service can be accessed by telephone or by referral from a GP ALBION STREET CLINIC - 750401 - Open to the public alternate Tuesdays 2-4pm for the purchase of incontinence products at a reduced cost. COMMODE HIRE - Red Cross - 01925 229740 - £ 20 Deposit, £ 5 for pan. Open Mon, Wed, Fri for collection. Maximum one month hire. Need proof of address when collecting items NUGENT CARE PARCELS SERVICE - 0151 261 2000 - Provide bedding, crockery, cutlery SWIMFRIENDS - 01332 842685 - Specialist swimming products for disabled adults and children www.swimfriends.co.uk TANGO PROJECT - 01744 607388/07708 883568 Local project to support vulnerable families by providing donated household items and clothing and by holding group meetings. Aim to give people hope and assist them to make a fresh start. Based in Haydock, there is a cafe, shop and storage facility for donations. Volunteers run cafe area, and have groups meet there, including Vulnerable Adults day service users. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with household items on sale every Thursday. Telephone callers at other times will be asked to leave a message. WHEELCHAIRS - Manual wheelchairs are provided on permanent loan via prescription, therefore the first point of contact is the GP. A referral is made to the NHS Wheelchair service for assessment by a therapist. Electric wheelchairs may also be provided on loan by the NHS, dependant on eligibility criteria. There is also a voucher scheme, which aims to give more choice by providing a voucher towards the cost of a more expensive Wheelchair . The voucher has a value equivalent to that of a standard wheelchair, which can be used by individuals to purchase a chair which is more expensive than that which the NHS think is clinically necessary for the user. WHEELCHAIR LOANS - British Red Cross 01925 229740, Shopmobility 01744 613388, Aides to Living 0151 426 1239 WHEELCHAIR WALKS - walkswithwheelchairs.com - a website which provides free information on around 40 routes suitable for wheelchair users throughout the UK. Download walk descriptions and OS Maps www.independentliving.co.uk - news and information on products for elderly and disabled people and their Carers top of page SERVICES ACCESSIBLE HOUSING - www.johngrooms.org.uk - provide advice and information on their services and links to many other organisations who provide housing services for wheelchair users and disabled people AGE CONCERN INFORMATION AND ADVICE - 01744 755877 (50+) Advice sessions by telephone. Appointments for specialist help or lengthy interviews can be made. www.ageconcern.org.uk ART AND CRAFT GROUPS - 735436, Citadel St.Helens. Various art groups, some specifically for disabled people. Drama, creative writing and art club. £ 4 per session/£ 2 concessions. Contact Citadel for times and further details BRITISH LEGION - 08457 725 725 - www.britishlegion.org.uk Run the 'START HERE' Scheme, which provides information for ex forces personnel seeking assistance due to a disability CARE AND REPAIR - 456237 - A service provided in conjunction with St.Helens Council. It is aimed at promoting safety and independence by providing advice and help to home owners and private tenants who are older, disabled or vulnerable. Helps with repairs, improvements and adaptations. Major jobs are not covered, but Care and Repair will put you in touch with approved contractors, to ensure peace of mind. Handyperson Scheme - 01744 671679 - Carry out small day to day jobs such as changing light bulbs and minor joinery jobs CARERS CENTRES - Halton:- 01928 580182 (Runcorn) 0151 257 7767 (Widnes) Knowsley 0151 549 1412 Liverpool 0151 709 0990 Sefton 0151 288 6060 Warrington 01925 644212 West Lancs 01695 711243 Wigan 01942 606086 top of page CLINICAL WASTE DISPOSAL - This service can be arranged by contacting the Council on 01744 456000, and requesting an application form. Services for picking up waste such as soiled dressings and incontinence pads can then be arranged. Carer Support Workers will obtain these forms at your request DASH - provide names and addresses of a whole range of companies providing aids and equipment, see www.merseyworld.com/dash DENTAL EMERGENCIES - 01744 731395 (daytime). 01744 451252 (evening and weekend) - The Rota Service is triaging calls for this service. Anyone requiring emergency dental treatment should ring after 6pm. The call will go through to the Rota service who will triage the patient. Depending on their findings they may pass on the number for the emergency dentist. The emergency dentist will also triage the patient, (by phone), before making a decision as to the treatment required. Anyone with issues about dental services can telephone the PALS service on 0800 849 7088 CENTRAL DENTAL CLINIC - Operates a drop-in for dental emergencies. Times are 09:30-11:30 weekends and Bank Holidays FAMILY WELFARE ASSOCIATION - www.fwa.org.uk - A family charity, supporting families to cope with complex issues including domestic abuse, parents with mental illness, learning disabled parents and severe financial hardship FOOD/SHOPPING DELIVERY SERVICES HOME SHOPPING DELIVERY SERVICE - 0151 493 9115 (Quality Home Foods, Prescot based company) - Purchase and deliver a range of fresh and frozen food, fruit and veg, household cleaning, pet food and stationary goods. All staff CRB checked. Will take orders over the phone, and will put shopping away for clients. Deliver weekly, fortnightly or monthly WILTSHIRE FARM FOODS - 0800 773 773 to request brochure which contains telephone order details, or www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com to shop on line. Service which delivers meals straight to the door. Individually frozen, can be prepared in a microwave. Cater for diabetic, low fat, gluten free and other specific diets top of page GARDENING SERVICES - Click Gardening Services for list of providers HEALTH COSTS ADVICE LINE - 0845 850 1166 - Provide information on who may be eligible to help with costs such as prescriptions, glasses, travel to and from hospital. See also 'Help with health costs' document HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME - Click on Activity Guide for list of activities and venues across the Borough HOME VISITING OPTICIAN SERVICES - Able to diagnose conditions such as Cataract, Glaucoma and Diabetic eye problems, as well as complete eye test and spectacle delivery service Eye Visits - 07707 210777 - 374 Church Road, Haydock www.eyevisits.co.uk The Outside Clinic - 0500 295 245 - National Services www.outsideclinic.com HOME-START ST HELENS - 737400 - www.home-start.org.uk Based in Peter Street Community Centre. Charity that match Volunteer Visitors with local families, aiming to increase confidence and independence by visiting at home. Offer support, friendship and practical assistance HOUSEBOUND LIBRARY SERVICES - 01744 677898. Free to Carers and those they care for who are confined to the house. Will conduct initial visit to establish your needs and preferences, and will then visit regularly. Have range of books, large print and talking books and magazines top of page MEDICATION REVIEW SERVICE - 01744 457244 - Service provided by Halton and St Helens PCT. The Medicines Management Team will review medication and look for any conflicting tablets, or tablets which may be causing unwanted symptoms. They are particularly keen to review anyone who has fallen recently, takes eight or more different medications or anyone with questions about their medication. Ask your GP for a referral or telephone for more information MOTABILITY and VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY EXEMPTION - MOTABILITY - 0845 456 4566 - www.motability.co.uk - Eligibility depends on person who is applying being in receipt of higher rate mobility component of DLA or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. No qualification for those on AA. Enables disabled people to use mobility allowance to hire or buy a car or wheelchair. If they cannot drive, they can nominate up to two drivers who may be friends or relatives, and parents and Carers can apply on behalf of a child aged three years and upwards. Special terms arranged with car and wheelchair manufacturers. Also have grants available for people eligible for Motability, but require further help to purchase cars or make adaptations to cars. Variety of schemes. A Carer has recommended a company in Southport who are a supplier of Motability vehicles - www.aspectconversions.co.uk EXEMPTION FROM ROAD TAX is available if person receives higher rate mobility component of the DLA or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. If they are not a driver they can nominate Carer, but the vehicle must be registered to them or the Carer, only be used for their benefit, and be insured for the Carer to drive. The Carer's car can be nominated but it must be used only for the purposes of supporting the person receiving the benefit. Exemption from road tax will not affect other benefits. If on DLA, an exemption certificate can be obtained from the Disability Benefits Unit - 0845 712 3456, if on War Pensioners benefit, the certificate is available from the Veterans Agency - 0800 169 2277. This certificate is then used when applying for a tax disc. NATIONAL TRUST ACCESS GUIDE - click here for copy National Trust allow free access to those accompanying someone with a disability. They also allow free admission for a severely disabled adult or child who is accompanying a visitor to their sites NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAVEL TEAM - 01744 21132 - Project operated by St Helens Community Transport, St Helens Chamber and Merseytravel. Provide travel advice, assist in making travel plans and identify gaps in services top of page PAMS (Physical Activity Mentoring Scheme) - 01744 697432 - A scheme that provides volunteer mentors who support anyone who needs help accessing and using recreation, dance and exercise activities. May be an elderly person, or someone with a Learning Disability. Can provide one-to-one support and information on other activity classes PERENNIAL - 01757 229474 - www.perennial.org.uk - Charity dedicated to supporting those who work or have worked in the horticultural industry. Also support partners and spouse RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE - 620378 - Delivered by the Reablement team. Service for 18 years or older. Available if a person has experienced a crisis or sudden onset of illness at home and they need support to avoid admission to hospital. Also available if main Carer becomes ill suddenly. Also if Cared For person requires information or assessment to prevent falls. Aim to respond to referrals within 2 hours and maintain service for 7 days SHOPMOBILITY - 613388 - open Mon to Sat. £10 to join, £3 per hire session. Need two forms of ID to hire equipment. Also do long term loan subject to availability www.shopmobilitysthelens.org.uk SSAFA - (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) 0845 1300 975 - www.ssafa.org.uk - have a welfare department which will carry out assessment of ex forces personnel with a view to providing services and funding ST. HELENS COUNCIL - 01744 456000 ST.HELENS COLLEGE - 01744 733766. Have a Learner Support Department, to offer advice and support to anyone with a learning difficulty, physical disability, visual impairment or communication difficulty. Contact Eric Gorse, Head of Learner Support on ext 3326. Also have Cop/Fire Shop were students can receive prevention advice about their personal, home and property safety, and can report incidents ST. HELENS FEDERATION OF TENANTS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS - 01744 758002 ST. HELENS HOUSING ASSOCIATION (General Office) - 01744 739370 ST. HELENS TRADING STANDARDS (Consumer Advice)01744 456306 SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE - 21814/21826 - Service provided by St.Helens Council. Promote employment opportunities for disabled people and provide practical support to assist disabled adults into employment TANGO - 01744 607388 - Based in Park Street, Haydock. Local community project to support and provide resources for families. They collect quality furniture and household equipment and clothing, and then sell it at generous prices to those in need. They also run a community cafe, and several groups meet at the venue TRANSPORT - 22221 - St Helens Community Transport, (also referred to as SHIFT - St Helens initiative for transport). Registered Charity which provides accessible vehicles for booked journeys at reasonable cost 818516 - Caremore Travel and Cars. One of several businesses which have accessible vehicles for group hire. see www.caremorecars.co.uk 0845 148 1733 - Ambulance Patient Transport service. Non emergency transport to clinic appointments. Patients have to have a medical and/or mobility condition that prevents them from using other forms of transport. Bookings need to be made one full week in advance of an appointment top of page Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided to Carers, St.Helens Carers Centre do not undertake any liability for any error or omission. The products and services listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by St.Helens Carers Centre