Services available from Council

Handy Van service: The Derbyshire Handy Van Network provides practical support to help older and vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes. You can phone and ask for a free visit to your home by your local handy van for the following:  home fire safety checks  smoke alarms provided and installed  home security checks  security equipment provided and installed  energy efficiency advice  falls prevention advice  practical DIY tasks − for example: o changing light bulbs o securing carpets and rugs o removing and hanging curtains o checking stair rails are secure and appropriate o path and door access clearance  and other tasks, as appropriate. The service will also, with your permission, make referrals to our partners for additional services that may help you to live independently. For more information call your local provider as below: • Chesterfield - 01246 345748 • Derbyshire Dales and High Peak − 01298 23970 • - 01246 217700 Community Transport Services Community Transport forms an integral part of the public transport system of Derbyshire. It provides an important supplementary service to that already provided by mainstream operators. Shopping Buses (Dial A Bus): A door-to-door accessible transport is available six days per week (Monday to Saturday) bringing passengers into town. The service operates on a regular timetable. The cost for Gold Card holders is £1 per journey, non-Gold Card holders will be charged equivalent to the fare on public transport. Tel: Freephone 0800 0195513 Individual journeys: active travel is for people who have difficulty using public transport either because they have restricted mobility or where their transport needs cannot be met by the existing transport network. • For enquiries in Chesterfield and , tel: 01246 209668 • For enquiries in Clowne, tel: 01246 573040 • For enquiries in High Peak and , tel: 01629 641920

Adult Social care services To support the wellbeing of local people, Derbyshire Adult Care provides a range of universal services that are available for all. These include: • Information and advice • Signposting to other services • Welfare benefits support • Access to a brokerage service that can help you find local services to meet your needs • An assessment of your social care needs. For information, telephone Call Derbyshire 01629 533190 (9am to 5pm)

We provide an emergency out-of-hours countywide social care support between 5pm Friday and 9am Monday, including bank holidays. This service is available for the public and agencies to access a range of social care staff for adults or children in need of social care. If you use these numbers in an emergency, there is also the option to speak to an out-of-hours worker. Tel: 01629 532600

Welfare benefits We can help with advice and can take on any representation that you may need. We deal with welfare benefits and tax credits, sometimes referred to as social security. We can give advice over the phone about which benefits to claim and how to claim them. We can send out claim forms and advise on how to challenge decisions by the benefits authorities. We can assist with benefits appeals, including representing Derbyshire claimants at tribunal hearings. If you disagree with a benefits decision you only have one month in which to challenge the decision, so you need to seek advice right away. Contact us: Email: [email protected] or phone our benefits helpline, 11am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday, on 01629 531535. If you need help filling in benefit claim forms, your local Citizens Advice Bureau can help. Citizens Advice Bureau contacts: North East Derbyshire: Karen Stewart 01246 828852 Chesterfield: 01246 209164 Dales (Matlock) advice line - 0844 375 2712 or 0300 456 8390 High Peak advice line - 0844 375 2712 from a landline / 0300 456 8390 from a mobile Equipment to help you There is a vast range of equipment designed to help people live safely at home. We can provide support with many of these but many items can also be bought independently and at low cost

Telecare Telecare uses a range of non-intrusive sensors to help people manage risks in the home 24 hours a day. As this equipment is usually connected to a remote monitoring service there is a usually a service charge which is the responsibility of the user (estimated £2.50/week). There are a range of different Telecare sensors available to meet different needs, for example to alert when you have had a fall or when smoke or gas is detected. How does Telecare work? A device called a lifeline unit is plugged into your telephone line and also needs a mains socket. Sensors are then fitted around the home or worn by the service user. Most of the telecare sensors are wireless and battery powered. Sensors can detect if there is a problem, for example, a property exit sensor can detect if someone has left the home and send a signal to a lifeline unit. The lifeline unit then automatically dials the response centre. Specially trained staff can speak to the user via the speaker on the lifeline unit and arrange appropriate support. This may involve calling a carer, a mobile warden or the emergency services. If your care needs are complex and are affecting your ability to maintain your personal hygiene safely, or access vital facilities within your home, then your request will be referred to an occupational therapist (OT) who will arrange to visit you at home. How to access the service: If you think a piece of equipment would assist you or a family member with daily living please Call Derbyshire tel: 01629 533190.

Red Cross The Red Cross operates a volunteer-led medical equipment service that provides wheelchair hire and short-term loans of equipment. The service helps people return to their own homes after a hospital stay.

Local telephone numbers: • Matlock: 01629 593320 • Ripley: 01773 742108 • Chesterfield: 01246 470571

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Ref no. 03/2016/SADC V1 Review date: March 2018