Contacts & Links

Listed is some information that might be useful to you, your carer and your family. If you need further information on any of these points please telephone the helpline on 0333 366 1045.

For clubs and support groups in the Thurrock area visit www.thurrock.gov.uk

For organisations, groups and tradesman in Thurrock go to Stronger Together

For clubs and support groups in the Basildon area visit www.basildon.gov.uk

To complete a benefit check to see if you are receiving the correct benefits or to see if you can claim any benefits visit  www.entitledto.co.uk

For information for disabled people on benefits, employment, independent living, disability rights, health & support and much more visit www.gov.uk/disability

For information for carers on support services and assessments, carers rights, working and caring, Carers Allowance, etc visit www.gov.uk/carers  or Carers UK on 0808 808 7777 or at www.carersuk.org or by email advice@carersuk.org or Carers Direct on 0300 123 1053 or at www.nhs.uk/carersdirect or Essex Carers Support/Supporting Carers in Essex 0300 770 8090 or 01255 474410

Would you like to know sources of funding for installing a stairlift in your home or some help towards the cost of other adaptation.  DFG Finder tool shows the Disabled Facilities Grant contact information for every council. Also included is information about other sources of funding for adults and children with disabilities.  Visit http://www.stairliftsreviews.co.uk/grants/ for more information.

Do you use a wheelchair or know someone who does?  Have a look at the following link which is a home safety checklist and provides helpful tips, advice and other helpful resources: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=/home-safety-checklist-wheelchair-users 

Holidays and breaks for Special Educational Needs (SEN) for children and adults contact Break Charity on 01603 670100 or www.break-charity.org. Email: office@break-charity.org

The Essential Guide to Travelling with a Medical Condition visit http://www.insurancewith.com/travelling-with-a-medical-condition/

For health advice call NHS 111 or www.nhs.uk

For sight tests in your own home contact Specsavers Healthcall on 0800 198 1132 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk

To gain discounted rail travel for disabled people enquire at your local station or Tel: 0345 605 0525 or visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.

For your local Social Care Department call; For Essex 0345 603 7630 or www.essex.gov.uk  for Thurrock 01375 652652 www.thurrock.gov.uk and Southend on 01702 215008 www.southend.gov.uk

For access to Essex and Southend Care Services Directory 

For an online Self OT assessment and advice on equipment and adaptation visit www.asksara.org.uk or Tel: 0300 999 0004

For any problems relating to older people contact Age UK on 0800 678 1174 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk or Independent Age 0800 319 6789

For expert care and emotional support for cancer patients contact Macmillan Tel: 0808 808 0000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk

For advice and information on issues relating to disabled children contact SNAP. Telephone 01277 211300 or visit www.snapcharity.org

Families in Focus will help with any issue facing families with disabled children in Essex (not Thurrock or Southend).  Tel 01245 353575 or visit www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk

For various information relating to motoring for disabled people including information on reporting medical conditions to DVLA, purchasing vehicles, road tax exemption, etc contact Disabled Motoring UK at info@disabledmotoring.org or by telephone on 01508 489449.

As electric vehicle sales continue to surge, it’s important for people with disabilities to understand the new opportunities they unlock, as well as the potential challenges.  View the full guide here at https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/electric/ev-drivers-with-disabilities where they take readers through

  1. the driving gap between adults with and without a disability
  2. the benefits of and barriers to driving an EV for someone with a disability
  3. how to make EVs more accessible
  4. support that’s currently available for disabled EV drivers

Looking for a Motability Vehicle have a chat with Rates Ford at Hogg Lane, Grays, RM17 5QL  Tel: 01375 391234 or visit https://www.ratesgroup.co.uk/ford/motability/

Looking for Insurance for your mobility scooter or wheelchair visit www.bluebadgemobilityinsurance.co.uk  or telephone 01730 233101 to see if they can help.

If there are problems with sleeping have a look at the Mattress Advisor site at www.mattressadvisor.com.  Find below some direct links to helpful resources:

– Helping Your Child with Autism Sleep
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/autism-and-sleep/

– Sleep Deprivation and ADHD
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/adhd-and-sleep-deprivation/

– Our Guide to Sleep After Trauma
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/sleep-after-trauma/

– How to Make a Bedroom Accessible for Disabilities
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/how-to-make-a-bedroom-accessible-for-disabilities/

– The Connection Between Sleep and Learning
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/sleep-and-learning/

Do you wonder – Helping Your Child with Autism Sleep
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/autism-and-sleep/

– Sleep Deprivation and ADHD
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/adhd-and-sleep-deprivation/

– Our Guide to Sleep After Trauma
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/sleep-after-trauma/

– How to Make a Bedroom Accessible for Disabilities
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/how-to-make-a-bedroom-accessible-for-disabilities/

– The Connection Between Sleep and Learning
https://www.mattressadvisor.com/sleep-and-learning/

Do you have a child with a disability?  Please find below some helpful links in relation to entertaining children with disabilities, holiday destinations and playground tips:

Backyard Camping for Kids with Disabilities

Playground Tips for Children with Special Needs

Teaching Swimming to Children with Disabilities: Benefits & Safety Precautions

Accessible Entertaining: Making Sure Your Disabled Guests Feel Safe and Welcome in Your Home

The Best Bikes for Special Needs Kids

Finding the Right Hotel for Your Child with Special Needs

32 Vacation Destinations for Individuals with Special Needs

4 top tips for communicating with deaf children

How to Childproof Your Home When Your Little One Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Interacting With Children Who Are Visually Impaired

Choosing Toys for Children with Vision Loss

How to Create the Ultimate Playroom for a Child with Autism

Food Allergy 411 for Babysitters

Babysitting: Caring for Kids With Medical Conditions

Youth Group Games for Disabled Children

Mobility Scooter Safety guide – how to use a mobility scooter safely, with a guide and tips within it and also a free downloadable pdf.  Visit https://www.surewise.com/mobility-scooter-insurance/articles/mobility-scooter-safety-guide/

Angel Vehicle Hire – provide the hire of wheelchair accessible vehicles and specially adapted cars for disabled drivers nationwide. For more information, please visit https://www.angelvehiclehire.co.uk/

Greetings from Advatech Healthcare Europe trading as Hippo (www.hippocabs.co.uk)
Hippo is the UK’s best technology driven wheelchair access transportation services for disabled people and non-emergency patients.
They offer a personalised punctual and cost-effective transportation service for the disabled (physical and medical) aged community and persons with restricted mobility.