Chesham-Guide-To-Services.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
To request a FREE copy to be posted to you, please telephone: 01494 732103 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email: [email protected] A4 or A5 copies available. A guide to services for older people living in Chesham & surrounding villages FREE OF CHARGE Edition 1 1 2014 Dear Reader, I am delighted to present this guide to services for older people living in Chesham and the surrounding villages. It has been designed by Chiltern District Council to act as a signpost; to highlight some of the many sources of help and information available in the local area, offered by voluntary and charitable organisations. This guide has come about as a result of requests from local organisations working with older people, and I would especially like to thank Chesham Over 50s Positive Action Group (COPAG) and Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau for leading the calls for a printed directory. We are blessed in the Chiltern District to have many organisations working together for the benefit of older people, and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this directory is correct at the time of printing. It is impossible to capture all of the local organisations but we hope that the directory does provide a good starting point for many enquiries. I hope you will find this directory helpful and will keep it handy to use time and time again. Councillor Peter Hudson Cabinet Member for Community & Leisure at Chiltern District Council Ward Member for St Mary’s and Waterside in Chesham 2 Information Contained in this Directory are mainly voluntary and charitable organisations. There are also a couple of commercial organisations listed. Not all services within this directory are free of charge so please ensure you check to see if there are any costs for the service you enquire about. This directory can also be found on the website by visiting: www.cheshamopag.org.uk. Printed copies are available at Chesham Library, free of charge. If you would like a copy in bold print, or an A4 sized printed directory please contact Barbara Richardson (details on the back page of this directory). Again, it is free of charge. We will be pleased to receive any new or updated information and also any comments you have to improve the directory via the feedback form on the last page. This directory is totally free of charge thanks to funding by Chesham & Chiltern Villages Local Area Forum (with money devolved from Buckinghamshire County Council). 3 Index For alphabetical list of organisations contained within this Directory see pages 57-59. Page 1. Bereavement ........................................................... 6 2. Carers / Caring ........................................................ 7 3. Community Associations / Action Groups .......... 8-10 4. Community Transport Schemes ....................... 11-12 5. Consumer Advice ............................................. 13-14 6. Council Tax, Benefits and Pension Advice ....... 15-16 7. Councils ........................................................... 17-19 8. Counselling / Mental Health / Befriending Schemes / Support ............................................ 20-26 9. Crisis / Debt ..................................................... 27-29 10. Eyesight / Hearing ........................................... 30-32 11. Fitness & Falls Prevention ............................... 33-36 12. Home Energy Efficiency (warmth, heating, insulation) ........................................................ 37-38 13. Home Assistance ............................................ 39-40 4 14. Home Maintenance, Repairs and ........ Improvements .................................................. 41-42 15. Home / Personal Safety ................................... 43-46 16. Learning / Training / Reading........................... 47-49 17. Meals on Wheels .................................................. 50 18. Medical Advice – NHS .......................................... 51 19. Social / Clubs .................................................. 52-53 20. Wheelchair & Medical Equipment Hire / Aids for daily living / Assistive Technology ...... 54-56 Organisation Index .................................................. 57-59 Feedback / Contact Us ................................................. 60 Emergency Numbers Gas (if you smell gas) 0800 111 999 Electricity 0800 783 8838 Water 0845 782 3333 Police/Fire/Medical 999 Police (non emergency) 101 NHS Direct 111 Social Services (out of hours) 0800 999 7677 5 1. Bereavement Name CRUSE Buckinghamshire Telephone 01494 766455 Website www.crusebucks.org.uk Brief The death of someone we love, who matters Description to us, is a devastating experience. of Service CRUSE offers a caring and understanding person for you to talk with, in complete confidence: On a one-to-one basis In your own home or in a counselling room For as long as you need. Group Support CRUSE social groups help people to take the first steps towards making new friends in a safe and comfortable environment, with others who have been through similar experiences. 6 2. Carers / Caring Name Crossroads Care Central & South Bucks Telephone 01494 868107 Website www.buckscrossroads.org Brief Provides a respite care scheme in peoples Description own homes by means of a Care Attendant. of Service This allows carers a much needed break. Support can vary from a visit once every few months to a daily visit where required. Name Carers Bucks Telephone 0300 777 2722 (calls charged at local rate) Website www.carersbucks.org Brief Are you looking after someone who cannot Description manage without you because they are ill, of Service frail or have a disability? Then you are a carer and Carers Bucks can help you. See also:- In-Touch for Carers – see Page 53. 7 3. Community Associations / Action Groups Name Waterside Community Association Telephone 07557 819732 Website www.wcassoc.co.uk Brief The aim of the association is to represent the Description residents and community of Waterside, in of Service order to face and resolve issues faced by the community and make Waterside a pleasant, desirable place to live. Name Pond Park Community Association Telephone 01494 775731 Website www.pondparkca.org.uk Brief A volunteer organisation based in the Pond Description Park / Ridgeway area of Chesham, working of Service on behalf of all the residents of the area. 8 Name Victoria Road Residents Association Telephone 01494 785 456 Brief The Association is open to all residents of Description Victoria Road and the surrounding area, of Service including Gladstone Road, Upper Gladstone and Franchise Road, who want to come together to raise and address issues of concern. Name The Hilltop Villages Good Neighbours Group Telephone 01494 758890 Website www.cholesbury.com/goodneighbours Brief The Good Neighbours Group started as a Description result of the acknowledgement of the of Service willingness of local people to lend a hand when needed. Projects include a Pub Lunch Club, Extreme Weather 4 x 4 car Scheme (Tel: 08458 735737) and a Community Services Directory. 9 Name The Ashley Green Community Association Website www.ashleygreen.org.uk Brief The Ashley Green Community Association Description exists to foster a community spirit. of Service Name COPAG (Chesham Over 50’s Positive Action Group) Website www.cheshamopag.org.uk Brief A ‘louder’ voice for the people in Chesham. Description The website contains newsletters and of Service information on local meetings and events. Name Bucks 50 plus Forum Telephone 01296 622 122 Website www.bucks50plus.org Brief Aims to ensure that the voices of older Description people (50+) in Buckinghamshire are heard of Service and that they influence the way in which services are planned and delivered. 10 4. Community Transport Schemes Name Chiltern Dial-A-Ride Telephone 01494 766123 Website www.chiltern-dial-a-ride.net Brief Chiltern Dial-a-Ride is a not-for-profit Description organisation dedicated to providing an of Service affordable, accessible and safe transport service for people living in Chiltern District. Name Chesham Voluntary Hospital Car Service Telephone 01494 785249 / 01494 776200 Website - Brief Service provided to transport clients to Description hospital and medical appointments. of Service Referrals via GP’s. 72 hours notice required. 11 Name Community Transport Hub Telephone 0800 085 8480 Website - Brief The Community Transport Hub is a one stop Description shop for information, advice and guidance of Service on community transport providers. Name CHAV (Chesham Action Volunteers) Telephone 01494 261951 Brief CHAV’s aim is to ensure that normal life Description continues in the town as best as it can in an of Service emergency situation. See also: Hilltop Villages Good Neighbours Group Severe Weather Car scheme – see Page 9. Age Concern Good Neighbours – see Page 20. 12 5. Consumer Advice & Information Name Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline (front desk of Trading Standards) Telephone 08454 040506 (3p per minute from landlines) Website www.adviceguide.org.uk/england Brief In partnership with Citizens Advice Bureau Description and Trading Standards we provide free of Service consumer advice and information on: Shopping problems Contract problems Food labelling Complicated credit contracts High pressure selling Doorstop selling Contract laws i.e. faulty goods Distance selling (i.e. phone or internet) Scams Items wrongly described. 13 Name Citizens Advice Bureau, Chiltern Telephone 01494 545991 / 0844 2451289 Website www.chilterncab.org.uk Brief Our service is free, confidential