Services for Older People
Introduction
Welwyn & Hatfield Council has produced an excellent booklet called 'Services for older people in Welwyn & Hatfield. I have reproduced this book for Lemsfordonline to provide you with information about services available in the Borough for older people, their families and carers.
This book is also available in hard copy form from Welwyn & Hatfield Council.
Please remember when exiting this page to click on navigation buttons on the left or to go back to previous page click on Go to Caring Index DO NOT EXIT by the red X in the top right hand corner.
Advice and Information
Health
Help in and around the Home
Housing
Leisure and Learning
Safety
Transport
ADVICE AND INFORMATION
Age Concern Advocacy Service
Age Concern Countrywide Information Line
Benifits
Citizens Advice Bureau
Herts Action on Disability
Isabel Hospice
library Service
Pensions Service
winter Warmth Advice Line
There are many agencies that offer free advice, some on subjects and others on more general matters.
Age Concern Advocacy Service
A free, confidential service offered by age concern Hertfordshire, providing a listening ear, helping to get difficult situations clarified and supporting older people to speak up for themselves to secure their rights. The service cannot give advice on financial or legal matters but can signpost other agencies offering the necessary expertise.
01462 420911
. www.acherts.org.uk
Age concern country wide information line
Age concern Hertfordshire offers a country- wide telephone information service, which holds a wide range of information about issues affecting older people.
0845 6013446 (local call rates)
Email: info@acherts.org.uk
www.acherts.org.uk
Welwyn Hatfield council administers housing and council tax benefits will give advice on what you are entitled to. Visiting officers can come to your home to help with the form filling and give general advice
01707 357941
Email: n.wright@welhat.gov.uk
www.welhat.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Free confidential and independent advice on a wide range of topics including benefits, housing, employment, debt, consumer and legal issues.
01707 262607
www.adviceguide.org.uk
HAD works closely with other local organisations to provide up to date information on disabled people’s rights benefits, transport options, equipment and mobility. In partnership with age concern, HAD also gives pensions advice to people who visit their mobile vehicle”Ivanhoe”
01707 324581
Email: info@hadnet.org.uk
www.hadnet.org.uk
Isabel Hospice
Information on all aspects of cancer for people with the illness and those who care for them.
01707 330686
Email: jenny.malec@isobelhospice.org.uk
www.isabelhospice.org.uk
Library Service
Reference collections, information on your local community and free access to the internet are all available from your local library as well as books, audio books,dvds, music and much more. For details of libraries, opening times etc
01438 737333
www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure/libraries
Pension Services
A home visiting service offering advice on pensions, housing benefits and council tax and help with filling in forms.
01438 206560
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Winter Warmth Advice Line
Advice on keeping warm and healthy, home improvement grants, heating your home and help with bills is available from:
0800 08457000
www.dh.gov.uk/socialcare.
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HEALTH
Age Concern Hospital Discharge Scheme
Alzheimers society
Chiropody
Counselling Services
Crossroad Care
Dentists
Doctors
Falls Prevention Service
Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service
Isabel Hospice
NHS Direct
Optician/Optometrist
Parkinsons Dissease Society
Primary Care trust
QE2 Hospital
Smoking Cessation Service
The stroke Information Service
Age concern Hospital discharge scheme
This is a free scheme to support an older person who has recently been discharged from hospital to help them readjust to living independently again.
01707 323272
Alzheimers Society
Provides information and support to people with dementia, their families and carers.
01707 265326
Email: alzwelhat@tiscali.co.uk
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Chiropody
The NHS Chiropody service aims to promote foot health and provide services for people with foot health problems (this does not include toe nail cutting)
01992 445265
Counselling Services
“Cruse Bereavement Care” offers free confidential support counselling, advice and information for those who would like to talk to someone about a bereavement or loss.
01707 278389 or 08701671677
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Herts action on Disability
Herts action on Disability also runs a counselling service for disabled people, carers, friends and family
01707 324581
Email: info@hadnet.org.uk
www.hadnet.org
Crossroads provides trained support workers to enable carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities
01707 372588
www.crossroads.org.uk
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Dentists
To find and register with a local NHS Dentist contact the NHS practitioner Services unit for a list.
01707 376826
Doctors
The NHS Practitioner service can help you find a local GP practice.
01707 369097
Falls prevention service
Advice on falls prevention and assessment at home or at a clinic for older people who have had a fall
01707 369097
Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory service
An independent charity that provides free practical help and advice to people who have hearing difficulties. A mobile facility visits 30 locations throughout the country offering free support to anyone affected by hearing loss. This includes basic NHS hearing aid maintenance, battery exchange and a display of amplifying and alerting equipment suitable for home of someone who is hard of hearing.
01707 324582
Email: hhasatwgc@aol.com
www.hhas.org.uk
Isabel Hospice
A complete range of services including home nursing , day hospice, bereavement counselling and pain management for people suffering from cancer and their families.
01707 330686`
Email: jenny.malec@isobelhospice.org.uk
www.isabelhospice.org.uk
NHS Direct
NHS Direct is a confidential 24 hour telephone information service for advice on non emergency health matters. Health related information is also available on line.
0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Optician/Optometrist
The NHS Practitioner Service can help you find an Optician or Optometrist
01707 376826
Parkinsons Disease Society
Support and information fo sufferers, carers and their families.
01707895551
Email: ba.russell@ntlworld.com
www.parkinsons.org
Primary Care Trust
The primary care trust coordinates the services of local GP practices and manages the Danesbury and QVM hospitals in Welwyn. It also provides a range of community
Health services including ditrict nursing, school nursing and health visitors.
01707 361204
QE2 Hospital 01707 328111
Smoking Cessation Service
For advice on how to stop smoking
0800 3893998
The Stroke Information Service
Support for people who have had a stroke
0845 3033100
email: info@stroke.org.uk
www.stroke.org.uk
HELP IN AND AROUND THE HOME
Age Concern Home Matters
Age Concern Home Visiting Scheme
Aids and Adaptations
Anchor Staying Put
Emergency Alarms
Energy Efficency Assistance
Furniture Scheme
Gardening
Home Care
Home Shopping
Meals on Meals
Warm Front
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Age concern home matters
A free service which aims to enable older people to remain independent for as long as possible. It helps users organise and manage their personal finances and other aspects of home management
01462 420911
Age Concern Home Visiting scheme
A free service, providing friendship to older people. Visits are made by volunteers, usually for an hour or so, once a week.There is also a “Telephone Club” where a volunteer telephones the older person for a chat.
01707 323272
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Aids and Adaptations
BORROWING EQUIPMENT
A variety of agencies will lend pieces of equipment to older people to help them remain independent and at home
Wheelchairs are available from:
Herts Action on Disability 01707 384260
Shopmobility 01707 262731
British red cross 01992586609
The Hertfordshire Equipment Service and Hertfordshire wheelchair service can also provide a range of equipment following a referral from a district nurse, social worker, therapist or hospital staff.
The ‘fastest’ scheme at the HAD Terry Stevens centre, WGC is an adult care fast track equipment service. They take GP, occupational Therapists, adult care client services and self referrals for smaller items of equipment.
01438 737400 or to self refer 01707 384267
BUYING EQUIPMENT
There are a number of local retailers who sell a wide range of gadgets and appliances to help make life easier around the home. Yellow pages list these under “Mobility and Access Equipment” or “Disability Information”Herts Action on Disability hosts an exhibition at its premises ( The Terry Stevens Centre) in the Commons WGC where many pieces of equipment can be viewed and purchased.
01707 324581
Email: exhibition@hadnet.org.uk
www.hadnet.co.uk
Herts Action on Disability also provides a mobile “Easier living centre” service called “Ivanhoe” that travels to venues throughout the county providing advice, information and products to people unable to visit the WGC centre
01707 384260
Email: exhibition@hadnet.org.uk
www.hadnet.co.uk
DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT (DFG)
Disabled home owners or tenants may be eligible for a grant towards costs of installing a chair lift, providing a ramp, widing doors, adapting a bathroom etc. To apply you need HCC Adult care services to arrange for an assessment. They will then contact Enviromental Health about applying for a grant.
01438 737400
Email: hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk
www.hertsdirect.org
HELP FOR COUNCIL TENANTS
Grab rails and handrails needed inside the home can be ordered by contacting the council repairs service
01707 357800 or ordered on line www.welhat.gov.uk
If a council tenant feels they need any other aids or adaptations to help them remain in their home they should contact Adult care services to request an assessment. They mat then recommend to the council what work needs to be carried out and the council will consider the request.
01438 737400
HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE GRANT
This grant is for older home owners who need to make small scale essential repairs or adaptations to their house to enable them to stay living at home.
01707 357242
Email: E.Health@welhat.gov.uk
www.welhat.gov.uk
HOUSE RENOVATION GRANT
When larger scale works are required to make a house fit for habitation older owner occupiers may be entitled to a grant for or towards the cost of the work.
01707 357242
Email: E.Health@welhat.gov.uk
www.welhat.gov.uk
ANCHOR STAYING PUT
“Staying put” is a non-profit organisation to help older homeowners who need repairs, improvements or adaptations to their property. They can advise on the work to be done, obtain quotations, advise on funding options, recommend contractors and supervise the work.
01707 255710
www.anchor.org.uk
Emergency Alarms
These are provided in all of the councils sheltered accommodation and similar equipment
Called a “Lifeline” can also be installed for tenants living in council or private housing and for homeowners.
Alarms are linked to the council’s communication centre which is staffed 24 hours a day, and so provides assurance that help is always available in an emergency. A weekly charge is made for all new users of this service.
01707 357779
01707 357791
Energy Efficiency Assistance
If you are a home-owner or tenant, aged 75 + or on a means tested benefit you may be entititled to help with the costs of insulation and or heating repairs/replacement
01707 357242
Email: E.Health@welhat.gov.uk
www.welhat.gov.uk
Furniture Scheme
The Council for voluntary services will collect good quality furniture and household items, free of charge, However they cannot take gas appliances or upholstered furniture that does not have a fire and saftety regulations label. Items are then redistributed to people on low incomes for a small delivery charge.
01707 395635
Email: info@whcvs.org.uk
www.whcvs.org.uk
GARDENING
GARDENING WELFARE SCHEME
This scheme is only for council tenants who can no longer manage to cut their grass or hedges. The service is free and can be arranged by your housing officer
01707 357000
Volunteer Gardeners
The council for voluntary Service may be able to find a volunteer to do gardening for older people who find it difficult coping with the garden
01707 274861
Home Care
People who find they need help to manage daily living may be eligible for Home Care Services. Herts County Council, though Adult Care Services, can arrange an assessment of need and eligibility
01438 737400
For those who are not eligible for help through Adult Care Services there are many agencies that will provide carers for shopping, cleaning and personal care. These are listed in yellow pages under the section ”Nurses Agencies and care” A list of HCC approved agencies can be found on the county Council Website
www.hertsdirect.org/preventive.
HOME SHOPPING
HOME DELIVERIES OF FROZEN FOODS
There are several companies that will deliver frozen food to your home. At Iceland you go to the shop and choose what you want to buy and then they deliver it to your house later that day.
Other companies sell a range of frozen ready –meals and puddings which you order over the phone or on the internet and they are delivered in bulk to go straight into your freezer
Flow Foods 0845 6063924
Home Farm Foods 0800 0836064
Wiltshire Farm Foods 0800 773773
www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com
INTERNET SHOPPING
The major supermarkets all provide on line shopping where you can order all your groceries/frozen food on the internet and it is delivered at a time of your choice. You pay for the delivery
Asda: www.asda.com
Sainsbury: www.sainsbury.co.uk
Tesco: www.tesco.com
Waitrose: www.waitrosedeliver.com
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Meals on wheels
Hot midday meals can be delivered 7 days a week to anyone who is unable to prepare their own meals and nobody else that can help them.
Diabetic, Vegetarian, low fat and ethnic diets can be catered for. Clients must be reffered to the service by their GP, hospital, social worker or warden.
01707 357128
www.welhat.gov.uk
Warm Front
If you need help paying for heating and insulation improvements in your privately owned or rented home you may be eligible to assistance from this government scheme
0800 3166017
Housing
Housing associations
Residential/Nursing Homes
Sheltered Accomodation
Supporting People
Housing Associations
There are a number of housing Associations in the area that have accommodation for older people to rent. A booklet with details of these organisations is available from the council
01707 357624
Residential/nursing Homes
Residential care homes provide personal care and social support for people who are not able to manage living in their own homes.
Depending on a person’s financial circumstances Adult Care Services may be able to help towards the costs.
Adult care services produces booklets called “Care Choices” which gives valuable information on local homes and “finding the right home-things you need to consider” which advises on things to be considered when choosing what would be right for you.
01438 737400
www.hertsdirect.org/acs
Sheltered Accommodation
The council provides self-contained, sheltered accommodation in flats and bungalows, where the residents remain independent but have the added support and reassurance of a scheme manager (Warden) and an out of hours warden in emergencies. Some schemes have facilities including a communal hall, laundry room and guest room.
The scheme Manager’s role is to enable residents to live independently and to arrange any necessary help and care.
All sheltered homes have an alarm call system, which can summon help 24 hours a day and the scheme manager can call residents at least once a week to make sure all is well.
01707 357780 or 01707 357791
Also see “Housing Associations”
Supporting People
This is a government programme related to housing. Which offers people the opportunity to improve their quality of life through greater independence. It promotes support services that are cost effective and reliable The support may be offered by a support worker or scheme manager (warden) and is available to people who live in sheltered housing or in their own home. Depending on individual circumstances there may be a charge for this service.
For further details 01438 737400
LEISURE AND LEARNING
Cinema Matinees
Computers
Day Centres
Exercise and Sport
Home Libray Service
Libraries
Lunch Clubs
talking Newspaper
U3A
Volunteering
What can I join
Cinema Matinees
Campus West, WGC offers a great deal on Wednesday afternoon “cuppaboard” film matinees. Not only are the tickets greatly discounted but you also get a free cuppa!
01707 357117
Computers
Learn Direct
A government funded organisation that offers short taster sessions to introduce people of all ages to computers
0800 100900
Library Service
Local Libaries offer free use of computers for word processing and internet access
01438 737333
Silver Surfers
Free computer training and Email access, specifically for older people at the Jim McDonald centre in Hatfield and Douglas Tilbe House in WGC
01707 323272
Day Centres
There is always something going on or someone to talk to at a day centre. Activities vary and may include bingo,dances, exercise classes, carpet bowls entertainment, outings, holidays, hot lunches and more. Free wheelchair accessible transport is available.
Douglas Tilbe House, Hall Grove WGC
01707 334564
Freindship House Wellfield Road, Hatfield
01707 268961
Jimmy Macs Macdonald Court, Hatfield
01707 270068
Exercise and Sport
Bounce beyond 50
This useful booklet lists the many different exercise class that take place throughout the Borough. It was produced by the NHS and is available by calling
01707 369097
Fit in mind and body
A variety of organised exercise, dance, sport and social activities take place each week at Campus West ans Vineyard Barn, WGC
01707 357117
Gosling Sports Park (WGC)
A veriety of activities for the over 50’s including badminton fitness aerobics tennis carpet bowls and sking are on offer throughout the week
01707 384305 or 331056
Email: Claire@goslingsports.co.uk
www.goslingsports.co.uk
Hatfield Leisure Centre
Keep fit Badmington and coffee.
Mornings for the over 50s
01707 737333
Home library Service
The home library Service can deliver books and recordings to your home free of charge if you are unable to visit your local library
01438 737333
Libraries
Hertfordshire Libraries offer a range of services for people with visual impairment, including large print books, books on audio tape and CD, electronic magnifiers and books in Braille.
01438 737333 email hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk
Lunch Clubs
Asian Outreach and day centre service
Meeting on a Thursday at Douglas Tilbe House, WGC this club offers Asian Older People the chance to meet together, socialise and share a lunch of authentic asian food. Free wheelchair accessible transport is available
01707 334564
Birchwood old Peoples Club
Lunch and social gathering on Thursday at St Michaels Church, Birchwood, Hatfield. Free Wheelchair accessible transport is available.
01707 274684
Day Centres
Three Day Centres in the borough offr freshly prepared hot midday lunches for older people to enjoy. Free wheelchair accessilble transport is available.
For further details telephone the day centre directly
Freindship House, Wellfield Road, Hatfield
01707 268961
Jimmy Macs, Hilltop, Hatfield
01707 270068
Douglas Tilbe House, Hall Grove, WGC
01707 334564
Hatfield Mitre Club
A lunch club for retired business and professional men that meets on the first Tuesday of the month in a local hotel. Talks by guest speakers
01707 656232
School Lunch Clubs
Several local primary schools welcome older people to join the children for lunch during term time. Free transport is provided
01707 357124
Talking Newspaper
Free audio tapes of local news from the Welwyn Hatfield Times for people with visual impairment
01438 717806
Email wmb.123@lycos.com
University of the Third Age (U3A)
U3A is a learning co-operative for older people that offers daytime educational, creative and leisure activities for retired people. Weekly meetings take place in Hatfield and WGC and there are also over 40 stdy groups covering a wide range of academic, arts, crafts and recreational activities.
01707 887364
Email: sanddb@globalnet.co.uk
www.u3awelhat.org.uk
Volunteering
There are many Volunteering opportunities for those with some time to spare. Not only is volunteering a way of doing some good for the community but it is also an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. The council for Voluntary Service Volunteer Bureau matches volunteers with organisations looking for volunteers.
01707 274861
Email: Info@whcvs.org.uk
www.whcvs.org.uk or www.volunteeringherts.org
What can I join
Welwyn Hatfield Council publishes a very useful booklet called “What can I join” which lists many of the clubs, societies and churches that exist in the area
The booklets are available from reception areas at council buildings or can be sent to you.
The information is also available on the councils website under the section “Community and Living” listed as clubs, organisations and societies
01707 357000
Safety
Bogus Callers
Fire Safety
Neighbourhood watch
Safer Homes Project
Street Wardens
Victim Support
Bogus Callers
Burglars who try to trick or con their way into your home often pick on older people for their victims. The local crime prevention officer can give more advice on security devices to make your home safer.
01707 638739
Fire safety
Hertfordshire fire and rescue service offers a free home fire safety check. A fireman from your local fire station will arrange to visit your home, give advice and fit a smoke alarm. If you already have one he will check that its working.
0800 5873347 (Freephone)
www.hertsdirect.org/fire
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Neighbourhood watch
Neighbourhood watch is a community-based project where residents, the local authority and police work together to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
01707 638735
Email: WGChatfieldCSU@herts.pnn.police.uk
Safer Homes project
Anchor Staying put will carry out a security survey of your home and install devices such as smoke alarms, door chains and window locks to give you peace of mind in your own home
01707 255710
Email: stayingput.stalbans@anchor.org
Street Wardens
Working in partnership with a number of agencies, street wardens provide a reassuring presence, promote community safety, tackle anti-social behaviour and improve the street environment
01707 357420
www.welhat.gov.uk
Victim Support
A national charity which offers free and confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime
01707 354626
Email central@victimsupportherts.org.uk
Transport
Bus Passes
Dial A Ride
Disabled parking
Driving Assessment
Hert Action on Disability
Hospital Transport
Motability
Shopmobility
Shopper Hopper
Bus Passes
Any permanent resident over 60 can apply for a bus pass that entitles them to free travel within Hertfordshire.
01707 357000
www.welhat.gov.uk
Dial a ride
Door to door, wheelchair accessible transport for those who find public transport difficult. You need register as a member before you can use the service.
01923 443388 (membership-pm only)
01923 443388 (Bookings)
Email: hertsar@btconnect.com
www.hertsdirect.org
Disabled Parking (Blue Badges)
To apply for a blue badge 01438 737400
Driving Assessment
HAD can assess a persons ability to drive following a stroke or other illness and also gives driving lssons for adapted vehicles.
01707 324582
www.hadnet.org.uk
Herts Action on Disability
HAD run a fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles that are available to take disabled people wherever they want to go. 24 hours a day
01707 375159
Email: transport@hadnet.org.uk
www.hadnet.org.uk
Hospital Tranport
Health shuttle
Door to door transport to the Lister hospital for patients and visitors
01438 726219 www.irts.org.uk
Volunteer Car Scheme
Organised by the council for voluntary service this scheme matches volunteers with older people who need to get to medical and other appointments but are unable to use public transport. Users pay the driver a milage rate to cover their expenses.
01707 273875
Motability
Anyone who receives higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance or a war pensioners Mobility Supplement may apply for a mobility Allowance that enables them to get a new car or powered scooter.
01279 635999
www.motability.co.uk
Shopmobility
Free use of motorised scooters to help people with mobility difficulties shop in local facilities
There are Shopmobility units at the:
Bill Salmon Centre Hatfield
Galleria Shopping Centre Hatfield
Howard Centre, WGC
Wheelchairs can also be borrowed on a short or longer term.
01707 262731
01707 336688
www.welhat.gov.uk
Shopper Hopper
Door to door, wheelchair accessible transport to local supermarkets for older people who have difficulty using public transport.
01707 357124
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