Welfare benefits advice and support services:
Are you living with a hard to manage mental or physical condition?
Do you need some help to cope?
A Specialist Caseworker can visit you at home, offer a full welfare benefits eligibility check, and help you to access other relevant support services within your community.
Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau if you:
• Are under 60 years old, and
• Live in West Oxfordshire, and
• Have limited ability to get around on your own, and
• Need support to continue to live independently To discuss your requirements in complete confidence, please leave a message with your name and contact number for Lynn on: 01608 646990.
Accessible Self-drive Hire
Oxfordshire based, Accessible Motor Company, tells us they have just launched a NEW Self-drive Hire service for disabled wheelchair users.
The cars are converted to take a wheelchair user riding safely in the back and you get in & out via a short ramp. There are various models to choose from to suit all wheelchair sizes. Vehicles are available for hire for a day, a week or longer term. Just call the friendly people at Accessible Motor Company for more details on 01865 300361.
The Guideposts Trusts Independent Living Centre
The Guideposts Trust Independent Living Centre, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, provides information on products and organisations to assist people with disabilities and older people to increase and maintain their independence.
The Centre, based in Witney, provides this service to any adult residing in Oxfordshire. The Centre has a showroom with equipment for the kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom. Two Occupational Therapists are available for personal and confidential consultations, by appointment. There is also an Information Line available 01993 899985.
The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line
The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line is a new resource for the County. It is a telephone service that can give information to people who have dementia, their carers, social and health care professionals – in fact anyone seeking information about dementia and local dementia resources within Oxfordshire. There is also an accompanying website www.dementiaweboxfordshire.org.uk
The service is contracted to Guideposts Trust by Oxfordshire County Council and will be answered by a rota of volunteers under the guidance of our professional staff. We are extremely keen to promote this valuable service to as wide a range of individuals as possible.
Oxfordshire is currently estimated to have 7,500 people aged over 65, and 160 younger people under the age of 65, who have dementia. Not everyone who has dementia has a diagnosis. Not everyone has sufficient information about dementia or local resources. The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line staff will guide callers to seek the appropriate input from health and social care as well as point towards other resources such as support groups, clubs etc.
The service can make a real difference to people. It will contribute to increasing awareness and understanding of dementia; break down barriers of fear, misunderstanding and stigma about dementia and be a valued local resource
We are currently looking to recruit, train and support volunteers to take calls on The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line. There are also administration and networking opportunities around Oxfordshire to increase the awareness of our new service. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer. We would like to hear from anyone who may be able to make a commitment of a few hours a week to provide this very important service.
Please contact us if there is something you would like to know about dementia or the resources available in Oxfordshire – no question is too small or insignificant.
For more information, please contact The Dementia Information Line 01993 700061