Adult Services


Chapter 7 Getting out and about

(Publication: Guide to Care at Home 2008-2009)

In this section of the Guide to Care at Home, you will find details of services and organisations that can offer you support in getting out and about and making the most out of life. This includes information on travel and transport, social and leisure activities and details of employment opportunities.


Driving yourself

Are you less confident about driving?

Hampshire County Council’s Road Safety Team offers an independent, confidential, driving assessment for older drivers which helps to prolong fitness to drive. The assessment, which costs £25, is not a test but offers help and advice. You get a comprehensive written report together with helpful tips about driving techniques. The assessment is done from your home, using your own car, on a route planned to suit your requirements.

The Road Safety Team  
tel 01962 874600
www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety

Motability Scheme

If you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (see Chapter 6), it is possible to use it to buy or lease a car that has been specially adapted for your use through the Motability Scheme. For more details contact:

Motability Operations, City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB
tel 0845 456 4566  textphone 0845 675 0009
www.motability.co.uk

If you do not qualify for this scheme you can make your own arrangements to have a car adapted by contacting a local car dealer who does motability work - search for a 'motability accredited' firm via the Yellow Pages website: www.yell.com

Advice for disabled drivers

Disabled drivers can get practical advice about driving, an assessment of their capabilities, and advice about car adaptations and/or choice of car from the Forum of Mobility Centres. They offer professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to individuals who are recovering from an accident or injury or who have a medical condition which may affect their ability to drive or access a motor vehicle.
tel 0800 559 3636
www.mobility-centres.org.uk

The centre in Hampshire is :

Southanpton Mobility Centre Unit 211, Solent Business Centre, Millbrook Road West, Millbrook, Southampton, SO15 0HW
Tel: 023 8051 2222

Blue badges

Parking permits for disabled people
Blue parking badges allow parking concessions for cars carrying people who have severe walking difficulties, severe upper limb disabilities or who are registered blind. The Blue Badge scheme is run by the Department for Transport, but badges are issued by Hampshire County Council.

The badge belongs to the disabled person who qualifies for it (who may or may not be a car driver) and can be used in any vehicle they are travelling in. Parents of a disabled child over two and under 16 can apply for a badge on their child's behalf. The badge can be used anywhere in the EU.

Hampshire
Blue Badge Unit, Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester SO23 8UH
tel 0845 603 5633
www.hants.gov.uk/adult-services/bluebadge

Residents living in Portsmouth and Southampton should contact their nearest Adult Services office - see Chapter 9.

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Public and Community Transport

Hampshire County Council’s Passenger Transport Group website www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport gives useful information about public, community and voluntary transport around the county. To contact the Passenger Transport Group, call 01962 846992 or email ptgenquiries@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council’s ‘Getting About Guides’ aim to help older and/or disabled people use the transport services in their area more easily.

Guides are available for

  • Basingstoke & Deane
  • East Hampshire
  • Eastleigh
  • Fareham and Gosport
  • Havant
  • Rushmoor and Hart
  • New Forest
  • Test Valley
  • Winchester

The guides are also available in large print and on audio cassette. Call 01962 847042 or use the online order form at www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport

'Travel Guides' from Hampshire County Council, provide details of all bus, train, coach and ferry services in the following areas:

  • Alton and Alresford
  • Andover
  • Basingstoke (map)
  • Bordon, Whitehill and Liphook
  • Camberley, Farnborough and Yateley
  • Fleet and Odiham
  • Havant
  • Meon Valley
  • New Forest (map)
  • Petersfield
  • Romsey
  • Tadley
  • Winchester

For copies, phone the Passenger Transport Group on 01962 846992 or order online at www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport

You can also check out public transport information and plan your journey on the Traveline website at www.traveline.info or ring the traveline number on 0871 200 22 33.

‘Cango’ public bus services

Cango is a demand-responsive public bus service, so the buses do not have fixed routes. They have timed, regular stops, but can also pick up and drop passengers at stopping points that must be booked in advance.

All Cango buses have easy access low floor doors, are wheelchair accessible, and can pick up people who have mobility problems near their home. Cango buses operate around Alton, Andover, Burghclere and parts of the New Forest.  For more information call 0845 602 4135, Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am-4.30pm, or visit http://cango.hants.gov.uk

Call & Go

Call & Go services operate in the New Forest, Hart, Havant, and parts of East Hampshire.  It’s a flexible bus service which can take you anywhere you need to go. Anyone whose travel needs are not met by public bus services can use Call & Go. To arrange a journey or find out more about the service in the New Forest, please contact 0845 602 4326 for all other areas listed, please contact the travel centre on 0845 602 4135.

Dial a Ride

Local Dial a Ride services provide transport - usually to local shopping centres - for people who find it difficult or impossible to use public transport because they are frail or disabled. Once registered with your local service, you can make bookings.  There is a standard charge per distance travelled and you should book well in advance because the service is very popular. Fares are similar to bus fares. You pay the driver, just as you would on a normal bus or taxi. To find out more about Dial a Ride services in your area, call 01962 847042 or order a leaflet online at www.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport

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Concessions and discounts

‘Hampshire Farepass’

District and Borough Councils work with Hampshire County Council to provide a choice of concessionary fare schemes in Hampshire. These take the form of ‘Hampshire Farepass’, travel tokens or vouchers.  Since April 2006, Farepass holders have been able to travel for free on local bus services. Concessionary fares are available to people aged 60 or over and to those people who meet the disability criteria. For further information and/or an application form, contact your local district council (see Chapter 9).

Train travel discounts

If you are aged 60 or over, you are eligible for a Senior Citizen’s Railcard, which entitles you to a third off the price of most first class and standard rail fares. The card costs £24* and is valid for one year. Application forms are available from your local rail station. Completed forms need to be handed in at the rail station with proof of age and a passport-sized photograph. For more information
tel 08457 484950
Website: www.senior-railcard.co.uk

A Disabled Person’s Railcard costs £18* and is valid for one year, it entitles you to a third off the price of most off-peak fares and if you are accompanied by another adult, they can also travel at the same discounted fare. Application forms are available from rail stations and main post offices. For further information contact the Disabled Person’s Railcard Helpline tel 0845 605 0525, textphone 0845 601 0132
Website: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

* Prices correct at time of printing.

Discount Coach Card

National Express offer concessionary fares for over 60’s and those who are registered disabled. The concessionary fares entitle the traveller to half-price travel on most National Express coach services. Guide dogs travel free of charge on all National Express services.

Bookings tel 08705 808 080
Disabled Persons Travel Helpline 08717 818 179
Textphone 0121 455 0086
Website: www.nationalexpress.com

Individual transport to medical appointments

If you need help getting to appointments at your surgery or at the hospital, speak to the surgery or hospital staff where the appointment is, or phone the Passenger Transport Group on 01962 847042 for details of local transport schemes.

Some local 'Good Neighbour' schemes can provide volunteer drivers for essential journeys, such as to hospital appointments. Contact your local Council of Community Services or the Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups Advisory Services to find out if there is a Good Neighbour group in your area tel 01962 737318, or www.neighbourcare.org.uk

Voluntary Organisations which offer transport

Most voluntary organisations which provide transport for individuals rely on volunteer drivers who are reimbursed a mileage rate when using their own car. Passengers will generally be asked to contribute towards the cost of this transport at about 40p per mile, although rates will vary between organisations.

If you qualify for their help and they have enough volunteer drivers to meet your request, then the following organisations may be able to provide you with transport.

  • If you are a vulnerable member of the community and cannot use public transport and need to travel, the British Red Cross could help you. They run both a minibus and ambulance service, which is operated by volunteers. They can only provide journeys for one-off trips. Charges apply to both services.
    tel 01962 867309 www.redcross.org.uk
  • Some Councils of Voluntary Service (CVS) run local transport schemes. Phone your local CVS to see if there is anything in your area - see Chapter 9.

Other local transport


Road Safety

When you are out and about, whether on foot, in a wheelchair, or scooter, you must be visible to others to stay safe. If you wear light coloured clothing, drivers can see you more easily. You can order reflective/fluorescent bands, belts and waistcoats from Hampshire County Council’s Road Safety Team’s online shop at www.hants.gov.uk/roadsafety or trlephone 01962 874600.

Travel further afield

  • Many coach companies do day excursions and trips to places of interest, with various pick up points throughout the county. See the Yellow Pages under ‘Coach holidays and Coach hire’.
  • A guide to ‘Rail Travel for Disabled Travellers’ is available free from train stations.
  • For information about sea and air travel for frail or disabled passengers, you should contact individual ferries and airlines.
  • For information about holidays, see Holidays.

Getting around London

If you are planning a trip to the capital, the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has useful information about travel around and across London on its website at www.dptac.gov.uk/door-to-door.

The Tube Access Guide gives you information about London Underground stations that makes it easier to plan your journey.  The free leaflet highlights stations with alternatives to stairs or escalators, and tells you the height of the step from platform to train.  You can get a copy from underground stations or from the website at www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/maps.

For more detailed information on tube access and on other forms of transport, such as wheelchair accessible low floor buses, phone a travel advisor on 020 7222 1234 or textphone 020 7918 3015.

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Shopping

If you are able to get out and do your own shopping, Shopmobility can make this easier.

Shopmobility

You do not have to be registered disabled to use Shopmobility schemes. They provide disabled or frail people with manual or powered wheelchairs and powered scooters so that they can easily get around town to shop or sightsee. The schemes are either free or have a nominal charge and can be used by anyone either permanently or temporarily disabled.

The National Federation of Shopmobility publishes a booklet (a small price is charged) that gives details of schemes throughout the UK. Contact them for details:

National Federation of Shopmobility, PO Box 6641, Christchurch, BH23 9DQ
tel 08456 442446
www.shopmobilityuk.org

Shopmobility schemes in and around Hampshire

Andover Bus Station, West Street
Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm
tel 01264 352000

Basingstoke Church Street
Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm, Saturday 9am-4pm Sunday 11am-4pm
tel 01256 476066
www.shopmobilitybasingstoke.org

Camberley Ian Goodchild Centre, Knoll Road
Monday to Friday 10am-4pm
tel 01276 707676
email community-services@surreyheath.gov.uk

Eastleigh Unit 2, Swan Centre, Wells Place
Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 9.30am-4pm
tel 023 8090 2402

Fareham Multistorey Car Park, Osborne Road
Monday to Saturday 9am-4.30pm
tel 01329 282929
www.farehamaction.org.uk

Farnborough Kingsmead Shopping Centre
Monday to Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday 7am-6pm; Sunday 10am-4pm
tel 01252 515266

Guildford Bedford Road Car Park (level 3)
Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm
tel 01483 453993

Havant 47 Market Parade
Monday to Wednesday and Friday 10am-2pm
tel 023 9245 5444
email shopmobility@havantccs.org.uk

Newbury 1 Bolton Place, Northbrook Street
Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am-4pm
tel 01635 523854
email newbury@volunteerbureau141.fsnet.co.uk

Portsmouth 56 Arundel Street
Monday to Saturday 8.30am-5pm, Sunday open during summer season
tel 023 9281 6973
email: mshop@portsmouthccs.org.ukk

Salisbury 3b Priory Square, The Maltings Car Park
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-4pm (5pm from May-end September)
tel 01722 328068
email shopmobility@salisbury.gov.uk

Southampton
Bargate, Car Park, 7 Castle Way
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-4.45pm (not open bank holidays)
tel 023 8063 1263
www.southamptonvs.org.uk/shopmob.htm

West Quay
Monday to Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday 9am-6pm, Thurs 9am-8pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
tel 023 8063 6100
email: shopmobility@west-quay.co.uk

Winchester The Brooks Centre, upper parking level
Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm
tel 01962 842626
email winchestershopmobility@waca.org.uk

Key Scheme Access to toilets for disabled people

There are around 4,000 public toilets for disabled people throughout the country which are usually kept locked.

You can buy a key to open these toilets from RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) who run the non-profit making National Key Scheme. Keys cost £3.50 each.

RADAR
tel 020 7250 3222 Monday to Friday 10am-4pm textphone 020 7250 4119
or order on-line at www.radar.org.uk

Libraries

Hampshire County Council Library Service

  • Arrangements can usually be made for books and other library materials to be delivered to the homes of housebound people on a regular basis.
    Ask about the Home Library Service, the Good Neighbour Scheme, the Mobile Library Service and Community Library Link.
  • Every branch library has large print books and audio books on tape and CD. Audio described videos and DVDs can also be obtained.
  • For details of your local branch see the Phone book, call 0845 6035631 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/library

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Day activities

Day activities refers to organised activities that you can join in with outside your home during the day. You may want to meet up with others socially, to enjoy a hobby or just to get out of the home into a different environment.

Activities are run by a range of different organisations across the voluntary sector and private sectors, as well as by the Health Service and by Hampshire County Council Adult Services. Some day services are only offered to people referred through Adult Services and some are open to anyone.

The types of activity available are wide-ranging and can vary in provision. However, all encourage the strong essential social interaction that every individual needs. Opportunities include crafts, gardening, games such as dominoes, cards, bingo, draughts and chess, quizzes and exercises. Many provide regular outings into the community and offer access to college courses.

Some have programmes that teach physically disabled people skills they will need in the workplace and help those who have a recent disability to return to work. Some organisations also offer services such as laundry, chiropody, hairdressing but may charge extra for this. Often transport can be arranged to get you to or from a centre.

Day centres

There are some organisations that offer day activities for people with very specific needs such as for those with dementia, or people who have particular physical or learning disability. Contact your local Adult Services office for more information.

e.volve

You can find out about organisations offering day activities near you by visiting www.e.volve.org.uk, an online directory of voluntary and community organisations within Hampshire.

Freephone 0800 028 0888 from within Hampshire or 01962 874513 from elsewhere in the country. You can use e.volve to search for:

  • Older people’s clubs/societies
  • Lunch clubs for older people
  • Disability clubs and support groups
  • Retirement clubs
  • Sports clubs

Luncheon clubs and social clubs

Lunch clubs provide a hot meal for older people in the middle of the day at a reasonable cost. The clubs vary considerably in terms of how long they meet and how often and  what they can provide. They are run by a variety of organisations including Age Concern. Tel 0800 328 7154.

Brendoncare runs Club Hampshire which are a mix of lunch and social clubs. They give older people the opportunity to meet new friends, be entertained by a variety of speakers and enjoy club outings. There are currently 52 clubs throughout the county.
tel 01962 877772
email: clubhampshire@brendoncare.org.uk
www.brendoncare.co.uk

Contact the Elderly

Contact the Elderly organises tea and companionship for older people in small groups. Groups are run in Ash, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Fleet, Portsmouth, Rushmoor, Southampton, Yateley and Alton.
Freephone 0800 716543
email info@contact-the-elderly.org.uk
www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk

Day activities in Care Homes

The Guide to Residential Care tells you which care homes run day centres for non-residents.
Some homes are happy to take non-residents for all or part of the day so that they can participate in activities with residents.
The Guide is published annually by Hampshire County Council. Copies are available from your local Adult Services office or by phoning 0845 603 5638.

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Leisure Activities

Accessible Countryside

Hampshire County Council has produced a guide detailing countryside attractions that can support less mobile visitors. For a copy of Accessible Countryside in Hampshire, call 0845 603 5638, textphone 0808 100 2484 or visit www.hants.gov.uk/countryside to view the information online.

Country Parks

The County Council runs country parks throughout Hampshire, and some have areas that are adapted for disabled people of all ages. At Royal Victoria Country Park, for example, there is a sensory garden and a wheelchair accessible play area. For more information contact the County Council’s Information Centres. Tel: 0845 603 5638. www.hants.gov.uk/countryside

Parkmobility is an initiative by Eastleigh Shopmobility to encourage people with walking difficulties to visit country parks. A four-wheeled scooter and manual wheelchair are currently available at no cost from Lakeside Country Park, Southampton Road, Eastleigh. For further details phone the Park Manager at Lakeside on 023 8061 7882.

Cinema Concessions Card

The Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) offers a card to disabled people which gives a free ticket to the carer who accompanies them. The card is available to people receiving disability or attendance allowance, registered blind or holding a disabled person’s railcard.  A processing fee of £5.50 is chargeable per card. You can apply on-line at www.ceacard.co.uk or contact:

CEACARD, PO Box 199, Deeside, CH5 9BW
tel 0845 123 1292  textphone 0845 123 1297

Apollo Cinema Club

The Apollo Cinema Club in Fareham is for adults with learning disabilities and their friends and carers. It is currently held on the second Thursday of each month.

For learning disability and autism-friendly screenings, the soundtrack is turned down a little and low lights are left on in the auditorium. If anybody needs to make a noise or move around then that’s fine.

For more information call 01329 827626 or to book seats call the ticket hotline on 0871 220 6000.

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Sport

There are many national and local sports organisations, clubs and groups that cater for people of all ages, with all kinds of disabilities.  There are also organisations that are specifically for people with specific disabilities, eg, amputees.

National organisations

British Blind Sport
tel 01926 424247
www.britishblindsport.org.uk
BBS aims to encourage as many blind and partially sighted people to take part in sport at all levels, from grassroots to Paralympics.

Disability Sport Events
Belle Vue Centre, Pink Bank Lane, Manchester M12 5GL
tel 0161 953 2499
www.disabilitysport.org.uk
They provide opportunities for people with any disability to take part in more or less any sport – from people who want to ‘have a go’ to paralympians.

Mencap Sport
6a Calder Vale Road, Wakefield, WF1 5PE
tel 01924 234912
www.mencap.org.uk/sport
Mencap Sport works with Special Olympics and other organisations to promote opportunities in sport at all levels for people with a learning disability.

WheelPower
Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttman Road, Stoke Mandeville, Bucks HP21 9PP
tel 01296 395995
www.wheelpower.org.uk

Local organisations

Andover and District Disabled Sports Association
tel 01264 359277
Sports club catering for everyone with special needs regardless of age or disability, in Andover and the surrounding area.

Basingstoke Dis-Sport Beavers
tel 01256 322658
This organisation meets on Tuesdays for various sporting events for disabled people and their helpers. The group is for people with all disabilities.

Mencap Gateway
tel 01329 826422
This organisation runs recreation and leisure clubs all over Hampshire.

Disability Snowsport UK

This organisation aims to get anyone and everyone skiing regardless of their disability. Working with trained guides, those with visual impairment, deafness and learning difficulties can all enjoy taking to the slopes.

Local contact for Aldershot is Jill Holiday - Tel 01252 726089 or email jholliday@ukgateway.net.
Website www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk

Southern Ski Club for the Disabled

Operating from both Southampton Alpine Centre and Knockhatch Ski Centre in Hailsham. For more information call Chris Babbs on 07940 856416, Lis Canton on 07940 879781 or email sscdsolent@otsystems.co.uk. Website: www.sscd.org.uk


Finding sports clubs in your area

  • A free Sports Guide, produced by Hampshire County Council, lists all the sports clubs (including those mentioned above) in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The Guide also lists which clubs are accessible for disabled people, which already have disabled members and which welcome over 50s. The Guide is updated each March. To obtain a free copy of this guide, call freephone 0800 028 0888.This information is also available online at www.sporthampshireiow.co.uk You can also contact Hampshire County Council's Disability Sport Development Officer, Peter Hull, who organises sports events and works with partners to establish new clubs. Tel: 01962 846021
  • e.volve can also give you details of various specialist sports clubs near you. Visit www.e.volve.org.uk and use the ‘search’ facility to bring up a list.
  • Your local recreation/leisure centre can tell you about clubs and facilities in your area.
  • If you are registered as disabled by Adult Services (see Chapter 4) you may qualify for reduced entrance fees at Recreation Centres. Ask locally for details.

Relationships

Outsiders is a nationwide, self-help community helping physically and socially disabled people to find partners. Please send a stamped addressed envelope for more information.

The Outsiders, BCM Box Outsiders, London WC1N 3XX
Tel 020 7354 8291 answerphone run by volunteers, always answered on Thursdays 1pm-5pm.
Helpline 0707 499 3527 Monday to Friday 11am-7pm
www.outsiders.org.uk

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Holidays

Many kinds of holiday are organised specifically for disabled people including accessible hotels and B&Bs which can accommodate people in wheelchairs and where there are helpers and nurses available.

You can get information from the specialist publications and organisations listed in this section of the Guide or you can talk to your local travel agent about your options. It’s also worthwhile contacting disability organisations to ask whether they run any adapted holiday accommodation.

Accessibility

National standards for disabled access and facilities in hotels and other holiday accommodation have been drawn up, with input from the Tourist Board and disability organisations. Travel agents and tour operators can give you details about the accommodation they deal with.

When making your holiday arrangements you should also ask how easy it is to get to the amenities you wish to visit, perhaps the beach, tourist attractions, local shops or the town centre, from where you will be staying.

The Gowrings Mobility UK Road Atlas is a new definitive UK atlas customised for Blue Badge holders incorporating a street atlas of 65 major UK cities showing locations of all Blue Badge parking, car parks, petrol stations, accessible toilets and concessions for Blue Badge holders. To find out the current price and to order a copy write to:
Gowrings Mobility Ltd, Bone Lane, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5UE
tel 0845 608 8020
www.gowringsmobility.co.uk

Easy Access Europe by Rick Steves (Avalon Travel Publishing) focuses on accessible sights, tours, accommodation, parking and lavatories in London, Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam and along the Rhine.

Pauline Hephaistos Survey Projects (PHSP) have produced:

  • Access in London (2003)
  • Access in Paris (2006)  
  • Access in Israel and the Palestinian Authority (2000)
  • Access to Football Grounds (Premiership and First Division) (2003)

Website: www.accessproject-phsp.org

You can order a copy of the guides by sending your address to gordon.couch@virgin.net or to:

Access Project, 39 Bradley Gardens, West Ealing, London W13 8HE
The guides are distributed without charge, but they ask for a donation of £10 to help with the cost of research, printing and postage. Cheques are payable to Access Project.


Information about specialist holidays

The online directory e.volve lists organisations that offer holidays for specialist groups. www.e.volve.org.uk

Other providers include:
Tourism for All
Shap Road Industrial Estate, Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6NZ
tel 0845 124 9974
www.tourismforall.org.uk
Information packs about travel and holiday accommodation for people with disabilities and older people.

Phab is a national charity which promotes the meeting, on equal terms, of disabled and non-disabled people. Phab produces an annual holiday guide for those wanting to book holidays as a family or as individuals.
tel 020 8667 9443
www.phabengland.org.uk

RADAR
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, 12 City Forum, 250 City Road London ECIV 8AF
tel 020 7250 3222
www.radar.org.uk
RADAR is a campaigning organisation for disabled people of all ages, but also provides publications and ‘fact packs’ on a range of topics, including travel and holidays. Phone for a current list of publications.

Specialist Travel Agents

Some travel agents specialise in holidays for disabled people both in the UK and abroad. These include:


Specialist holidays for visually impaired people

Open Sight organises leisure activities (for examples, gardening days, ‘walks and talks’) and organises holiday in the UK and abroad. tel 023 8064 1244
www.opensight.org.uk

RNIB
The RNIB has seaside hotels, which run special ‘activity weeks’, for example, organised rambling or cultural holidays.
Helpline 0845 766 9999 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (Wednesdays until 4pm)
www.rnib.org.uk

Specialist holidays for disabled people

3H Fund (registered charity)
147a Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2RA
tel 01892 547474
www.3hfund.org.uk
Subsidised group holidays with volunteer helpers for physically disabled children and adults.

Accessible Boating Association
tel 01252 622520
www.accessibleboating.org.uk
Holiday boats adapted for people with disabilities: hydraulic lifts for wheelchairs and hoists. Boats are available at Fleet and Odiham on the Basingstoke Canal.

The Bendrigg Trust
tel 01539 723766
www.bendrigg.org.uk
Based in the Lake District, this organisation specialises in outdoor activities for young disabled people.

The Calvert Trust Exmoor
tel 01598 763221

The Calvert Trust Keswick
tel 017687 72255

The Calvert Trust Kielder
tel 01434 250232
www.calvert-trust.org.uk
Provides challenging activities specifically for disabled people, their families and friends including climbing, sailing, canoeing, swimming, archery or horse riding.

Grooms Holidays
John Grooms, 50 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4XQ
tel 020 7452 2000
www.groomsholidays.org.uk


Holiday hotels and self-catering accommodation, all wheelchair accessible, run by the John Grooms Charity, which promotes independence for disabled people.

Tall Ships Adventure Sailing Holidays
The Jubilee Sailing Trust, Hazel Road,Woolston, Southampton SO19 7GB
tel 0870 4435 781
www.jst.org.uk
The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) owns two specially designed tall ships, the Lord Nelson and the Tenacious. On each adventure holiday voyage everyone on board plays an active part in crewing the ship. There is a professional crew of 10, and a voyage crew of 40, of whom 20 are able bodied and 20 are disabled people (including wheelchair users).The cost of a holiday varies between £650 and £950, depending on the time of year and the length of the voyage, and the JST can give you information and advice about raising money through sponsorship.

Wings On Wheels
8, Cornfields, Church Lane,Tydd, St Giles, Wisbech PE13 5LX
tel 01945 871111
www.wingsonwheels.co.uk
Specialists in arranging UK, European and worldwide holidays for disabled people, their carers, relatives and friends.

Respite care for people with disabilities

Forresters Respite Centre
2 Southampton Road, Hythe SO45 5GQ
tel 023 8084 3042
www.rethink.org
Forresters Centre, on the edge of the New Forest, is run by Rethink (formerly the National Schizophrenia Society), and offers short stay respite care for people with mental health problems aged 18-70.

Vitalise
12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF
tel 0845 345 1970
www.vitalise.org.uk
Vitalise is a national charity providing essential breaks for disabled people and carers. Vitalise also runs holidays for visually impaired people.

Netley Waterside House
Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey, Southampton SO31 5FA
tel 023 8045 3686
www.vitalise.org.uk
Netley Waterside House is run by Vitalise and offers holidays for people who are physically disabled.

Holiday activities in Hampshire

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre
Manor Farm Country Park, Pylands Lane, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 1BH
tel 023 8040 4844
Website: www.qe2activitycentre.co.uk
Day and residential activity courses for disabled people of all ages, including canoeing, climbing, archery and horse riding. Courses run from 9am-5pm and cater for all abilities.

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Training and employment

Your physical or learning disabilities need not prevent your finding a rewarding job. There are various organisations which can provide you with practical support in identifying training and employment opportunities.

Training

  • Your local Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre can give you details of training opportunities. Details of these can be found in the phone book under ‘employment service’ or by visiting www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
  • RNIB or RNID can provide training and employment information if you have any sensory impairment (see Chapter 4 for details).
  • The Learning and Skills Council brings together training opportunities for over 16s, including adult and community learning courses and work-based training such as modern apprenticeships.
    Hampshire & Isle of Wight branch tel 0845 019 4182.
  • Nextstep is a partnership of learning organisations based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It offers guidance, courses, advice on job hunting, as well as upskilling and learning within the workplace. tel 01329 234665
    www.nextstephampshire-iow.org.uk
  • Connexions offers guidance, training and employment for under 20s. It provides advice specifically for people with disabilities. tel 01489 566990
    www.connexions-southcentral.org
  • Learndirect details hundreds of online courses that can be undertaken at a time or place to suit your needs. www.learndirect.co.uk
  • Skill is a national bureau which promotes opportunities for  young people and adults with disabilities who wish to undertake post-16 education, training and employment.
    Freephone 0800 328 5050 textphone 0800 068 2422
    www.skill.org.uk
  • The Beneficial Foundation offers training schemes to prepare people for employment. tel 023 9273 3822
    www.beneficial.org.uk
  • Enabling Partnership (Enham) providing learning, training and access to work for people with disabilities.
    tel 01264 345800
    www.enham.org.uk
  • The Shaw Trust also provides training and work opportunities. tel 01225 716300 www.shaw-trust.org.uk
  • SECTOR (The Social Enterprise Centre and Training Organisation) provides training and employment opportunities for those with mental health problems. It aims to teach basic skills of employment such as good time-keeping and can help build a ‘going to work’ routine. They also run a ‘Vocational Access Certificate’ which teaches students about health and safety, working in teams and developing communication skills.
    tel 023 8023 2544
    www.sectorservices.co.uk
  • The Adult and Community Learning Unit at Hampshire County Council secures learning opportunities for people in Hampshire. Their website lists courses that are provided by colleges and higher education providers in Hampshire. www.hants.gov.uk/education/adult-learning.htm
  • Your Adult Services department can help prepare for work through training-related day activities which they organise. Contact your local Adult Services office.

Employment

  • Your local Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre, details of which can be found in the phone book under ‘employment service’ or by visiting www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
  • Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) at your local Jobcentre can provide specialist support if you are recently disabled or if you are having difficulty getting a job because of your disability. They can make an assessment of how your disability affects what work you want do to and can arrange a period of work preparation, which is tailored to your needs. They can also give you information about the WORKSTEP programme run by Enham.
  • WORKSTEP helps find supported job opportunities for people recovering from a long term illness or who have disability.
    tel 0808 100 3134
    www.enham.org.uk
  • The Valuing People Support Team have produced some straightforward guides on how to get a job. Copies are available by emailing valuing.people.info@doh.gsi.gov.uk
  • Yateley industries provides supported training and employment for those with various disabilities. The work is specialised packing, which includes machine shrink wrapping, including boxing and bar coding. It also consists of light assembly and hand packing work as well as screen printing.
    tel 01252 872 337
    www.yateleyindustries.co.uk
  • SECTOR (The Social Enterprise Centre and Training Organisation) train and employ people with mental health problems. Work includes mailing, packing and computer and office work.
    tel 023 8023 2544
    www.sectorservices.co.uk

Age Discrimination

In October 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into force. The regulations mean that age discrimination in terms of recruitment, promotion and training is banned in the workplace.
www.dti.gov.uk

Computer equipment for disabled people

The use of specialist equipment can make it easier for those with disabilities to use a computer for work, educational and social activities.

Ability Net South East
c/o Microsoft Ltd, Microsoft Campus Thames Valley Park, Reading RG6 1WG
tel 0870 240 4455. advice line 0800 269545
www.abilitynet.co.uk
Independent advice about computers for use by disabled people at home and at work.

CELT (Centre for Enabling and Learning Technologies)
Student Service Centre, University of Southampton, Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ
tel 023 8059 7233
www.soton.ac.uk/studentsupport/celt
Individual computer advice and training for people with disabilities, including training on voice recognition software. They can give disabled students an assessment of what they need for their studies.

Help with the internet

The internet is a great way to find out information, do your shopping and track down old friends. For older people who are less familiar with today’s technology and the internet, How to be a silver surfer: A beginner’s guide to the Internet (Emma Aldridge, Age Concern England, 2nd edition 2003, ISBN: 0862423791) is just one of the many books that can teach you all about using the world wide web effectively. Once you have mastered the basics, visit www.hants.gov.uk/silversurfers for further information on training events run by Hampshire County Council.

Remember: If you don’t have a computer, you can access the internet at your local library or Discovery Centre!

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