Focusing on older adults and people with disabilities, the Isle of Wight council’s recommissioned independent living advice and guidance offer aims to help people to live as independently as possible in their own homes.
Led by the Isle of Wight council’s award-winning Living Well and Early Help Service, free, impartial support is available on a wide range of daily living equipment and aids.
Helping residents choose the right product for their needs
Staff and volunteers will aim to help residents choose the right product for their needs — offering advice about specific disability aids, equipment and services over the phone, by email or in-person at one of its Independent Living Support Clinics held across the Island.
Residents have the opportunity to try items before committing to buying or hiring, such as:
- walking frames;
- perching stools;
- kitchen equipment;
- household gadgets;
- bath boards;
- telecare equipment;
- sensory support products.
Staff can also advise people on grants and discounts they may be entitled to, or ways to make energy saving changes to their home to reduce bills.
Gaudion: Changes fully aligned to what Island residents have told us they want
Laura Gaudion, the council’s director of adult social care and housing needs, said,
“The changes in the way we offer support to local people is fully aligned to what Island residents have told us that they want.
“The excellent service provided historically by People Matter IW at the Independent Living Centre has created a strong foundation on which we have been able to build a new offer based in our local communities.
“We are grateful to People Matter IW for their support and look forward to this further evolution of the nationally recognised Living Well and Early Help offer.”
Partners
The Living Well and Early Help Service is delivered by Aspire Ryde with community partners such as Pan Together, Ventnor Town Council and West Wight Sports and Community Centre.
The service recently won ‘gold’ in the transformation in health and social care category at a national awards ceremony.
Find out more
For further information and to contact the service, visit the Website.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: annie spratt under CC BY 2.0
