Mobility
Compass Mendip Disability Forum
The Mendip Disability Forum meets four times a year at a venue in Mendip and provides an opportunity for disabled people and carers living in the area to be consulted and informed on a range of issues from different organisations. Speakers are invited to provide information on services giving members an opportunity to raise their views.
A hot meal is provided at a small cost to members. Transport is provided free for those unable to use their own or public transport. Care and Communication support can also be provided. If you are interested in attending their next meeting, please contact Shannon Tarr.
Compass Disability Network
The Compass Disability Network is a Network of disabled people, their carers and organisations that represent disabled people, which works to improve access and inclusion to services and facilities.
Members have an opportunity to give their views on a range of issues that are important to them by attending consultation events, discussion groups and forums or completing questionnaires. Views are fed back to organisations and agencies that develop services such as local authorities and health services.
It’s free to join and members can participate as much or as little as they like. You can participate in meetings and events or just receive our quarterly magazine The Networker to find out what’s going on in the Network. Being part of the Network is a great way to meet other people in a similar situation.
For further information or to join, visit their website or contact Compass by telephone on the number below.
Age UK Stay Strong Stay Steady
Stay Strong, Stay Steady sessions are special classes which help to reduce falls and improve balance, strength and confidence.
Individuals can refer themselves by calling Age UK on the number below. A short health questionnaire will need to be completed and, depending on the outcome, further information from your GP may be required to ensure that it is safe to participate. Alternatively, referrals are accepted from Healthcare Professionals.
Further information can be found by clicking the link below, including a referral form.
Cost: £4.00
Classes in Mendip:
Frome – Christchurch Parish Hall, Park Rd, BA11 1EU, Wednesdays 3.15pm – 4.15pm.
Wells – Town Hall, Market Place, BA5 2RB, Fridays 1.30pm – 2.30pm.
Somerset Independence Plus
Somerset Independence Plus can offer advice and financial assistance that covers a number of improvements, adaptations or repairs that might need to be carried out on your home. They can also give information on grants available for keeping your home warm, lowering bills, insulation costs etc.
The Home Maintenance Service is a subsidised service for small repairs and jobs around your house. The care and repair team works together with local authorities as well as the NHS in Somerset. The service also aims to reduce accidents and help make your home more secure.
Meniere’s Peer Support Group – Frome
Come along to this friendly, supportive Meniere’s peer support group and meet others who’ve been affected by this condition. Get support and support others. Friends and family members welcome.
When: Monday 2nd September Where: Frome Medical Practice BA11 2FH Time: 2:00pm-3.30pm Free
This group runs every three months- please call us for the next date if you miss the next one.
Frome Community Cars
Frome Community Cars – Do you find it difficult to get to medical appointments, visit loved ones or get the things you need? If so, Frome Community Cars may be able to help. We have a network of local volunteer drivers who provide lifts within Frome and beyond. Contribution to cover costs is requested. To see if you are eligible and join for free, or to volunteer as a driver, please contact Frome Community Cars.
Frome Area Leg Club
Frome Area Leg Club – open every Wednesday 9-12 noon at Frome Football Club. If you are a Frome Medical Practice patient you can drop in for Leg Ulcer treatment, refreshments and friendly advice. Leg ulcers, dry/wet legs, hosiery and Well Leg Advice.
Friends/family members and carers welcome to come with you too.
Mobile Library Service
Somerset Mobile Libraries provide a service to rural parts of the county where there is no static library. Wheelchair access is available on all vehicles, WRVS volunteers or the Good Neighbour Scheme can deliver. The mobile library driver will help you get on and off the vehicle. To use this service you just need to be a member of Somerset Libraries, membership is free. See the website or call for the complete list of routes/stops and the dates/times of each of visit for the current year.
HomeFirst Plus
Previously known as Somerset Care and Repair, HomeFirst Plus is a not for profit social enterprise providing a range of practical services and home adaptations designed to support elderly, disabled and vulnerable people and enable them to continue to live safe, warm and secure within their own homes. The service covers the whole of the Somerset (including Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset) and all of Bath and North East Somerset. For more information about the services available visit the website, email the office or phone the number below.
Tai Chi for Health
We teach people with health issues and we teach people that need exercise and relaxation. The Tai Chi we teach, Shibashi, can be done standing or sitting– for further information on the Tai Chi classes please contact the class instructor. List of classes correct as of April 2019:
Binegar: Tuesday 2.00pm – 3.00pm Binegar Village Hall. Contact: Jo on 07730 397396
Castle Cary: Friday 10.00am-11.00am Methodist Hall, Castle Cary. Contact: Jo on 07730 397396
Friday 11.30am – 12.30pm Caryford Hall, Castle Cary. Contact Jo.
Croscombe: Monday 10.30am-11.30am in Croscombe Village Hall, Wells BA5 3RA Contact: Jan on 01749 346774.
Dinder: Tuesday 10.00am-11.00am Class at Dinder Village Hall, North of Church. BA5 3PE. Contact: John on 01749 676738.
Dinder: Tuesday 11.30am-12.30pm Class at Dinder Village Hall, north of Church BA5 3PE. Contact Paul on 01749 346774.
Ditcheat: Monday 10.30am-11.30am Class at Ditcheat Village Hall, Ditcheat. BA4 6RB. Contact: Richard on 01749 880308.
Frome: Friday 2.00pm-3.00pm at Frome Cricket Club, 30 Rodden Road, BA11 2AH. Contact: Denise on 07941 796635.
Frome: Thursday 4.00pm-5.00pm at . Frome Cricket Club, 30 Rodden Road, BA11 2AH. Contact Denise on 07941 796635.
Glastonbury: Tuesday 10.00am-11.00am at Red Brick Building, Glastonbury, BA6 9FT. Contact Beith on 01458 898997.
Henton: Thursday 10.30am-11.45am at Henton Village Hall, Henton, BA5 1PD. Contact: Beith on 01458 898997.
Shepton Mallet: Thursday 12.30pm- 1.30pm at St Michaels Church, Park Road, Shepton Mallet. Contact: Ruth on 01749 342508.
South Horrington: Friday 11.00am-12.00pm at Heads Up, Upper Breach, BA5 3QG.
Wells: Friday 2.30pm – 3.30pm Class at Connect Centre Portway, BA5 2BE. Contact Mike on 01749 677277.
Cost: Classes from £3.50 per session. Contact the instructor to confirm for each class.
Blue Badge Scheme for disabled people
The Blue Badge Scheme provides national parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers. The scheme is also for people who are severely sight impaired. People who have a blue badge can park close to their destination in on-street parking and car parks. The form can either be filled in online or you can call Somerset County Council. A paper application form can be found under the ‘downloads’ section on the website below.
The cost of a blue badge is £10. The badge can only be used with the person who owns the badge in the car at the time of parking, as a photograph is used on the badge, for identification. Badges take approximately a month to arrive.
Motability Scheme
If you are disabled, you may be able to exchange your mobility allowance to get a vehicle that suits your needs. What’s more you don’t even need to drive. Family, friends or carers can drive on your behalf.
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair by exchanging their Government funded mobility allowance . If you receive either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA), the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) , the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.
Disabled Facilities Grant
If you or someone in your property is disabled you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This would help towards the cost of providing major adaptations and facilities that would help the person to live in their home. The applicant of the grant must be either the owner of the property or a tenant.
The landlord of the property may also apply and a tenant must have the permission of the landlord. There are conditions attached please ask on application. To apply contact Adult Social Care on the number below and ask for an Occupational Therapist Assessment or visit website for more information.
Red Cross Mobility Aids Service
For the hire of mobility aids including wheelchairs. Delivery costs £10 and Pick up £10 as well as donation for the hire depending on the item. Cost no barrier for those not able to donate.
Hospital Car Service
Mendip Community Transport. This service provides transport to hospitals outside the Mendip Area for patients who are unable to use conventional public transport. There is limited availability within Mendip area ie not Frome address to Frome Hospital. Passengers are advised to book as soon as an appointment is received. Cost 60p per mile with small reduction if a Bus Pass is held.
All passengers must complete a registration form which is available on request from MCT.
IT Help at Home
IT Help at Home provides IT training for people in Somerset who find it difficult to access formal IT classes, at no cost to the learner. Our learners are people who are unable to leave their home through physical disability, such as illness, being elderly, having problems with their hearing or eyesight. We also support home carers and those that are isolated in rural areas and not easily able to travel to public courses.
We provide 12 sessions of free computer tuition on a one-to-one basis in a learner’s home. Typically, each session lasts 1-2 hours and is spread over a 12 week period, although this is flexible. Tutoring is provided by volunteers and is tailored to suit each learner’s existing computing knowledge and the aspects they wish to explore. Learners range from complete novices to more advanced users. If the learner does not own a computer they can be lent a laptop for the duration of the course, but they will need access to the internet.
Mendip Community Transport
Mendip Community Transport, Slinky Service – This service provides transport for Senior citizens, those with disabilities & socially excluded persons (i.e. no access to local bus routes). It is a first come, first served service so passengers are advised to give as much notice as possible. Please phone the booking Line for details of cost and availability – Bus Passes are accepted.
Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE)
For information on disabled access, wheelchair walks, easy access for all, mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles and buggy walks visit the ACE website.
This site also provides information regarding taxi companies with disabled friendly taxis, along with wheelchair and scooter hire.
Disabled Persons Railcard
You may be able to apply for a disabled person’s rail card, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, are visually impaired or registered as deaf, please see website for details, the card will allow you a third off rail travel and costs £20.00 a year.