Getting out and about with a disability or sensory loss
What’s available?
Practical support can be available to help people with a learning or physical disability, or with sight or hearing loss, to become more involved and use the amenities in the local community.
Support can include trained staff helping people learn how to use public transport by themselves and build their independent living skills. Mobility training, rehabilitation and orientation can support people with sight loss to ensure they are able to move about more safely.
Advice, guidance or support is also available to enable people with disabilities to get out and about, attend day centres, colleges, libraries or other recreational activities.
You can find further information in our Getting around with a Disability or Sensory Loss section.
Who’s eligible for support?
People over the age of 18, who live in Richmond and need practical help due to sight or hearing loss, physical or learning disabilities, frailty or illness.
After an assessment, support is also available for up to 6 weeks following a period of illness or disability, or a time when you may have lost some confidence and it’s free. We aim to make sure you’re supported in the best possible way to meet your needs and to live independently.
After this temporary period, however, in order to work out how much further help you might need to make life easier for you, we do need to carry out an assessment for Self Directed Support to look at any ongoing needs you might have.
After the assessment we’ll discuss the support available to you and whether you qualify for any financial help from Adult Social Care, which we call a Personal Budget.
If you don't qualify for financial help from us, you could arrange to employ a Personal Care Assistant directly to support you. Hestia a local organisation, can help you to find someone or you could contact a private home care agency, but remember to take care to choose one that’s registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Visit their website, call 03000 616161or email enquiries@cqc.org.uk. You can also check out the list of registered care agencies.
How much does it cost?
You may have to contribute towards the cost of your support, depending on your level of savings, income and expenses.
Can I get help with the cost?
It’s possible. We’ll help you to fill out a financial assessment form to see if you qualify for help. To get a rough idea of costs and how much you’ll pay, you can carry out a quick, confidential financial self assessment online.
More about Personal Budgets
A Personal Budget is the amount of money that you’re entitled to, following an assessment, to support you to live as independently as possible in your own home and community. You can look after the money yourself and use it to arrange your own support, or you can ask the Council to hold the money and help you to find the support you need.
How to get in touch
The Adult Social Care Access Team is the first point of contact for all referrals and general enquiries.
When you contact us, we'll discuss your situation over the phone, check that we've got all our facts straight, then follow this up with a visit to your home to talk about your personal and practical needs and to discuss what help is available.
Please contact me about this service
If you’re still unsure you can contact the Adult Social Care Access Team