Creating custom equipment to help disabled people overcome everyday challenges was the topic of a recent talk given by charity, REMAP, to members of the Isle of Wight Oddfellows friendship group at its hall in Newport on Tuesday 30 April.
REMAP is the UK’s only charity providing custom-made equipment, free of charge, for disabled people.
Two of its local volunteers, Anne Robinson and Doug Fenna, shared some of their recent inventions, which included a way to make hanging out washing on a line easier for a woman with one arm by fixing two pegs together, and a chute that sits on the side of a wheelchair to dispense treats during assistance dog training.
“It brings us so much joy to support those who are struggling”
Retired Occupational Therapist, Anne, from Cowes, who is also an Oddfellows member, began volunteering for the charity’s Isle of Wight Branch around eight years ago. She said,
“We love being able to share what we do in the hope that more people will find out about how we can help them and that they’ll get in touch.
“It brings us so much joy to support those who are struggling with everyday tasks to overcome them – be it around mobility, managing personal care or enjoying sports or hobbies. The small things matter. It’s important for people to feel and be more independent.
“When there’s no commercially-available product, we love nothing better than putting our heads together to come up with a practical and custom solution to their particular problem.
“We work for free and what we provide is always checked over by either expert engineers, carpenters, technicians or occupational therapists.”
Heap: It’s such an incredible and unique service
Maretta Heap, Branch Secretary for the Oddfellows on the Isle of Wight, said,
“The talk was fascinating. How REMAP’s team of volunteers can think through and solve problems is inspirational.
“It’s such an incredible and unique service they offer.”
To find out more about REMAP’s Isle of Wight Branch and its services, or to make a referral, call 07935 980545, email [email protected] or visit the website.
To learn more about future talks and events run by the Oddfellows on the Isle of Wight, call Maretta Heap on 01983 523115, email [email protected] or visit the website.
News shared by Maretta on behalf of Oddfellows Isle of Wight. Ed
