Restricted mobility aid launch Service will loan out a wheelchair
A NEW service which will provide short-term loans of wheelchairs to people
living in Colchester is to be launched early next month.. Those who will be
able to benefit will include adults and children with leg fractures, ankle
sprains and people with restricted mobility needing a wheelchair for a special
event, such as a wedding, weekend away or holiday. The League of Friends' Short-Term
Wheelchair Loan Service will become operational on July 3 and involves five
main partner organisations such as Colchester Council, Colchester Catalyst
Charity, Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends Essex Rivers Healthcare
NHS Trust, which runs the North East Essex Wheelchair Service, and Essex Equip¬ment
Service, which is part of Essex County Council are also involved. Initially,
a total of 31 wheelchairs will be available for loan periods of between one
day and three months which, if necessary, can be extended. The service will
be free, although a deposit of £40 will be required for each wheelchair.
This will be refunded in full on con¬dition that equipment is returned in good
working order. The new service will help those who had previously borrowed wheelchairs
from Red Cross House, a British Red Cross medical loan centre in East Stockwell
Street, Colchester, which the Evening Gazette revealed had closed earlier this
year. It will be based at Catalyst House as part of the Independent Living Centre
(ILC) in Newcomen Way on Colchester Business Park. For further information contact
the Independent Living Centre on 01206 518888.
Free bus travel
Just to remind you that since 1 April 2006 disabled people and everyone over the age of 60 have been able to travel free on public buses, as long as their journey starts after 9.30am.
(Extract from ECDP Magazine-Spring 2006)
Mobile Optician
(visits the house) Mr Bowser 07977 260211
Independent Community Physiotherapy Service
