South Yorkshire CentreEQUIPMENT and INDEPENDENT LIVING UNIT
The Kitchen is finished!!
The new kitchen in the Independent Living Unit is now in place.
SYCIL has spent the past 6 months working alongside ‘Howdens Joinery Co.’ and ‘Nottingham Rehab Supplies’, aiming at setting up a fully inclusive, working kitchen. With huge thanks, this mammoth task has now been completed and SYCIL are the proud owner’s of a kitchen with the following features:
- High-low 1 meter work surface
- Side opening oven door
- Pull out additional transfer work surface
- Various pull out shelving units
- Timer assisted electric hobs
Plus various other exciting adaptations to demonstrate.
Alongside the kitchen, over 80 NEW pieces of equipment have been installed and labeled for demonstration purposes.
The Independent Living Unit would like to offer their sincere thanks to ‘Howdens Joinery Co.’ for the generosity in installing a fully working kitchen and to ‘Nottingham Rehab Supplies’ for supplying small aids that assist with daily living. The unit has already been an invaluable tool and used for various cooking assessments by both SYCIL and other therapists.
If you would like to come and view the kitchen or make your appointment to complete an assessment, please phone 01302 892949 and ask for Cheryl Stowe.
The Independent Living Unit
The Independent Living Unit aims to provide impartial advice about equipment and practical aspects of daily living for disabled people, carers and professionals. Two state registered Occupational Therapists are available to provide equipment assessments and advice both in the unit and the wider community.
As an "Open Referral" policy is in operation, anyone can contact the Independent Living Unit for an assessment with the Occupational Therapist without a referral from a GP or other professional. If you are wanting to visit the unit, it is advisable to make contact first to ensure that the area of interest and the Occupational Therapist are available.
A range of equipment on display is available for demonstration, assessments and training.
The Display areas are:
- Bathroom: examples of level access showers, a variety of bathing equipment from standard board and seat to powered bath-lifts and toilet equipment
- Kitchen: a functional kitchen with a range of lightweight and easy to use cutlery, crockery, kettle tippers, tin/jar openers and more!
- Communication: a display of basic equipment with features to enhance use by people with hearing or visual impairments e.g. large buttons, amplified speech
- Bedroom: variable posture beds, pressure-relieving overlays, hoists and transfer equipment
- Seating: a range of high seat, easy riser, eclectic lift and recline chairs
- Mobility: walking appliances, manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters
- Stairs: three styles of stair lifts
- Telecare: examples of stand alone telecare equipment to enable a carer to respond to any alarm raised
- Examples of carer alert and central control alert equipment, from Chubb Attendo, to enable a carer or an outside control centre to respond to the alarm
If a piece of equipment is not currently available in the Unit, it is often possible to obtain products for "one off" assessments.
There is a comprehensive information service providing details of equipment, including where they can be purchased and their current cost. The unit does not supply equipment for purchase. An Independent Living Support Worker can assist where necessary.
Health and Social Care Therapists are able to bring their service users and carry out their own assessments in the different areas by appointment.
We Provide:
- Information in the form of brochures, leaflets and provide local suppliers and manufacturers details.
- New product training and demonstration days for Health and Social Care Professionals
- Exhibitions and Open Days for disabled people, cares and professionals
- Information and advice workshops offered to service users, carers and professionals
- Outreach sessions to community groups, offering advice on what our service is and how this could be beneficial
If you know someone who may benefit from this service please use this Referral Form to pass their details on to us.
Important Action Points:
This section will be regularly updated with any important news bulletins regarding issues such as groups and equipment.
All Class 3 scooters, these can be identified as the ones to only be used on the road, need a "Nil" Road Tax Disc available from the DVLA. The Road Tax Disc is issued free of charge but is required by law. If purchasing a new or reconditioned Class 3 scooter the supplier should provide you with the details, some provide you with the form, of how to apply to the DVLA. Existing Class 3 scooter owners should apply directly to the DVLA for the form.
Mobility Pass
Severely disabled people who are unable to travel on public transport without assistance can qualify for a special Mobility Pass that enables a carer to travel with them free of charge.
For further information you can contact one of these information centres
Doncaster District
01302 735336
Rotherham District
01709 382121 ext 4005
Barnsley District
01226 775656
Sheffield District
0114 273 4897
For more information about Equipment or the Independent Living Unit please contact:
Amanda Wilde Senior Occupational Therapist
Cheryl Stowe Independent Living Advisor (Aids and Equipment)