6th Edition: August 2009
Disability Information Handbook Contents
Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID ............................. 6
Chapter 2 – Social Services.................................... 13
Chapter 3 – Health Services ................................... 21
Chapter 4 – Voluntary Care Groups, Social Groups
and Day Centres..................................................... 33
Chapter 5 – Advocacy and Advice .......................... 43
Chapter 6 – Carers ................................................. 47
Chapter 7 – Self Directed Support .......................... 50
Chapter 8 – Transport............................................. 55
Chapter 9 – Aids & Equipment................................ 70
Chapter 10 – Leisure & Entertainment .................... 78
1
Chapter 11 – Education, Employment and
Volunteering ........................................................... 97
Chapter 12 – Benefits, Grants & Concessions ...... 109
Chapter 13 – Homes, Housing & Homelessness .. 131
Chapter 14 –Recycling, Rubbish, Garden Waste and
the Environment ................................................... 139
Chapter 15 – Personal Issues............................... 158
Chapter 16 – Computers and Information Technology
............................................................................. 160
Chapter 17 – Local Groups & Organisations......... 163
Chapter 18 – National Organisations .................... 169
Index .................................................................... 180
2
This Handbook is written to be used by disabled
people and people with temporary or long-term health
conditions. It is also used by health and social care
professionals, carers and families.
Richmond AID produces this Handbook and
distributes it, and does not charge for this. However,
each Handbook costs over £2 to produce.
If you are able to contribute anything to help towards
covering costs for this Handbook this would make a
great difference. The more funds we receive, the
more Handbooks we can produce and distribute free
to those who need it.
Contact Richmond AID or visit the Disability Action &
Advice Centre, Teddington, for more information on
how you can contribute with a donation.
3
Introduction
This is the sixth edition of our Handbook, updated in August
2009. It provides a ‘signpost’ to services available for disabled
people, people with long-term and temporary health conditions
and for carers and professionals.
This edition includes up-to-date information about Self
Directed Support, benefits, where to find aids and equipment
and about transport, accessible leisure and inclusive sports.
We list national and local disability groups and voluntary
organisations for you to contact directly. If you can’t find what
you are looking for from the
4
Disability Information Handbook Contents page, please
consult the
5
Index at the back for a full list of services.
Some of the services and benefits we tell you about may
depend on you meeting detailed criteria or conditions. We
have not always been able to give these details in full –
contact our advisors for more information. If you need further
up-to-date information, please ring the Richmond AID Advice
Service on 020 8831 6070 or e-mail
advice@richmondaid.org.uk (see ‘Chapter 1 - About
Richmond AID’).
Richmond AID would be grateful to know of any errors,
omissions or changes, so that our information can be kept
up-to-date. This edition is correct at the time of writing to the
best of our knowledge. Visit our website
www.richmondaid.org.uk for more up-to-date information.
We would like to thank all our volunteers and staff who helped
research this guide, along with our colleagues in other local
organisations who gave their time freely.
Contacting Richmond AID:
Richmond AID
6
The Disability Action and Advice Centre (DAAC)
4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8HT
7
Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID
Richmond Advice and Information on Disability is an
organisation of and for disabled people. Our vision is of:
A barrier-free world with empowered disabled people
who have independence, fulfilment and a sense of
self-worth.
The Social Model of disability is at the centre of our beliefs
and values. This model shows that most problems faced by
disabled people are caused by living in a disabling
environment that is designed to suit people without physical,
sensory or other impairment.
Richmond AID’s Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers
contain a high proportion of disabled people and people with a
personal experience of disability and mental health concerns.
For over 20 years Richmond AID has provided specialist
advice and information to promote independence and equality
for disabled people in the London Borough of Richmond upon
Thames.
8
Advice Service:
We run a telephone, web, email and drop-in advice service,
staffed mainly by trained volunteers and providing up-to-date
information on all aspects of disability including welfare rights
and benefits, employment, housing, education, access,
transport, mobility, equipment, holidays and leisure.
The telephone advice line is open Monday to Friday between
11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Our clients include disabled people,
their friends, relatives, carers, students, professionals and
voluntary organisations.
A 24-hour answer phone is available for callers to leave
messages at all other times, and you can e-mail us at
advice@richmondaid.org.uk and find more information at
www.richmondaid.org.uk.
Drop in:
Visitors are welcome to drop in and see our advisors during
opening times at the Disability Action and Advice Centre, 4
Waldegrave Road, Teddington TW11 8HT, next door to
Teddington library. Parking is available.
9
Publications:
We publish a newsletter every 3 months, and other useful
factsheets. We produce reports, guides and this Disability
Information Handbook.
Richmond SPADE:
Richmond SPADE is a gardening service which Richmond AID
runs. This project provides basic gardening services for
disabled people. Call 020 8831 6415 between 1pm and 5pm,
Monday to Friday. Please leave a voicemail if you are calling
outside of these hours or if the line is busy.
Benefits Advice:
Richmond AID runs a Benefits Advice Project, which is part of
the ‘Richmond Community Partnership’. This service is there
to help disabled people and people with long-term or terminal
conditions get the benefits they are entitled to. Available by
appointment at the Disability Action and Advice Centre, or with
a visit to your home. Call 020 8831 6080.
10
Families Outreach Work:
Our Families Outreach Officer works with families affected by
disability to make sure they are getting the benefits and
services they are entitled to, and to help applying for grants for
equipment, furniture and more. Call 020 8831 6079.
Access Work:
Richmond AID has a dedicated Access Officer who provides
information and advice to individuals, businesses and
organisations on accessibility and the Disability Discrimination
Act. Our Access Officer also conducts Access Audits for
premises and services to make sure they are accessible to
disabled customers. Call 020 8831 6072 for more information.
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Disability Action and Advice Centre (DAAC):
Richmond AID runs the centre which also houses the following
agencies:
The Visually Impaired Society of Richmond (VISOR) –
offers information, support, training and social activities (on
Wednesdays)
Richmond Users Independent Living Scheme (RUILS) –
Information on Personal Budgets, Direct Payments, Advocacy
and PA Finder service
Richmond Crossroads Care – provides respite breaks for
carers
The Accessible Transport Unit – this is the section of
Richmond Council which administers Blue Badges, Disability
Freedom Passes, Taxi cards and Taxi Vouchers.
Richmond AID is a Registered Charity, No. 1074788, and is
affiliated to the National Association of Disability Information
and Advice Lines (DIAL UK). Richmond AID has obtained
DIAL UK’s Quality Standard, the Investors in People Quality
Mark, and the Two Tick ‘Positive About Disability’ standard.
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Our Patrons are Sir Trevor McDonald, Mat Fraser, Cllr Pat
Parsons, Sir Donald Gosling, Dr. Vince Cable MP and Susan
Kramer MP. Our main funders are Hampton Fuel Allotment
Charity, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, the
City Bridge Trust, the Big Lottery, Richmond Parish Lands
Charity, Barnes Workhouse Trust and Richmond and
Twickenham Primary Care Trust.
Richmond AID: The Strategic Lead for Physical Disability
Richmond AID is the Strategic Lead for physical disability
issues across the borough. As such, we aim to share
information with, and represent other groups and
organisations that work with people with disabilities in the
borough by working with the London Borough of Richmond
upon Thames and NHS Richmond on a number of strategic
partnerships (for example):

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Disability Equality Action Partnership (DEAP)

Joint Commissioning Group for Older People and
Disability and Long Term Conditions (JCG)

Community Safety Partnership (CSP)

Self-Directed Support Programme Board (SDSPB)

Richmond Community Partnership (RCP)
We also work with other Strategic Leads1 and Richmond
Council for Voluntary Service to promote work on the Compact
(a voluntary agreement between the statutory authorities and
the voluntary sector).
We have also hosted Network meetings with local groups and
we regularly send out information that we think is especially
relevant for the groups. If you are part of a group that works
with people with disabilities but do not receive anything from
us – let us know.
Our website hosts links to local groups – see
www.richmondaid.org.uk
1
Age Concern Richmond, Creating Opportunities in Richmond for people
with Learning Difficulties (CORLD), Richmond Crossroads and Carers
Centre, Richmond Environment Network (REN), Richmond Youth
Partnership, Richmond CAB
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Chapter 2 – Social Services
This chapter has information on Richmond Council’s Adult
Social Services. They provide social care and help at home,
occupational therapy, respite care, residential care and home
adaptations and other services. For information about day
centres and social groups, see ‘Chapter 4 – Voluntary Care
Groups, Social Groups and Day Centres’.
2.1. Social Care and Support Services
Care Assessment for Users and Carers:
If you think you may need any of these services, contact Adult
Social Services to assess your needs. Care Management
Teams (groups of social workers and support workers and
other professionals) are available to assess your needs and
will work closely with you, your family and with health service
workers, to agree a package of care. They will inform you
about your options for Self Directed Support, Personal
Budgets, and other options (see ‘Chapter 7 – Self Directed
Support’).
15
The assessment should be centred on your needs and
support requirements: you have a right to receive the
support that is correct for you. A Care Manager will then
co-ordinate the supply of services from Social Services,
Housing, the Health Service and from voluntary or private
sources.
Who can ask for help?
Anyone can ask for help and advice and a care assessment –
a relative, friend, neighbour, doctor, district nurse, hospital or
carer can ask for you.
How much will I have to pay?
Your assessment of needs, and the ongoing management of
services (if appropriate) by social services is free. Most other
services are low-cost or charged according to ability to pay.
Where do I start?
Contact your relevant care team (listed on the next page).
There will then be a ‘contact assessment’, and some basic
information about you will be taken. This will be followed by a
more detailed assessment of your needs called an ‘overview
assessment’. This should give you the opportunity for you to
16
discuss your needs, your history and any difficulties you may
have been having, or ideas for the future. The care or support
you require will then be recorded in a ‘Care Plan’: this plan will
contain essential information about you and your care and
support needs, and can be shared with the health and social
care professionals who support you.
Carer's Assessment
If you care for an adult, a Carer's Assessment can be done
either at the same time that the person you care for receives
an assessment from Social Services, or separately. During a
Carer's Assessment, a social worker or care manager will ask
you questions about your situation - what kind of support the
person you care for needs, whether you are able to give the
support they need and what help might improve your situation.
You can talk to them about financial worries, your own health,
you need practical help in the home and any concern you
have about your future needs.
As a carer you may be able to get help with:
17

Advice and information

Emergency planning

Financial support and advice

Help around the home

Introduction to support groups

Respite Care

Signposting to voluntary and health services
Contact Adult Social Services: 020 8891 7971
Text: 07800 002 439
Out of hours: 020 8744 2442 / 020 8831 6482
Email: adultsocialservices@richmond.gov.uk
Contact the Richmond Carers Centre:
Richmond Carers Centre, 5 Briar Road, Twickenham
TW2 6RB or call: 020 8867 2380
Email: info@richmondcarers.org
Care Management Teams and others:
Richmond Borough Adult Care Management
Tel: 020 8891 7971
Text: 07903738043
Email: adultsocialservices@richmond.gov.uk
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For emergency queries out of office hours, call the:
Emergency Duty Team
Tel: 020 8744 2442
Minicom: 0845 600 7752
Type Talk: 18001 020 8744 9414
Learning Disabilities
Tel: 020 8487 5315
Mental Health
Tel: 020 8940 3331
For more information on mental health support, see ‘
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Chapter 3 – Health Services’.
See ‘Chapter 7 – Self Directed Support’ which also gives
information about organisations which provide social- and
home-care and other services.
Specialist Teams:
Specialist Children’s Services
Tel: 020 8891 7500
Fax: 020 8891 7714
Minicom: 020 8891 7539
Disabled Children and Families Service – The Croft Centre
Tel: 020 8831 6048
Transition Co-ordinator
For advice concerning young disabled people from 16 to 18
years old.
Telephone: 020 8487 5317
HIV Services
Tel: 020 8831 6209
Drug and Alcohol Services
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Tel: 020 8772 5679
24-hour drug line: 0800 77 66 00
ASCAR - Addiction, Support Care Agency
Tel: 020 8940 1160
Sensory Services
This team offers support for people who are visually impaired,
or Deaf or hard of hearing.
Tel: 020 8487 1760
Minicom: 020 8487 1762
Text messages: 07903 738 043
Email: senservteam@richmond.gov.uk
Hospital to Community Teams:
These teams will help with rehabilitation and support after a
spell in hospital.
Kingston Hospital Team:
Tel: 020 8546 7711 Extension 3328
West Middlesex Hospital Team:
Tel: 020 8321 6523
Head Office
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Tel: 020 8891 7600
Outside Office Hours
Emergency Out of Hours Team: Tel: 020 8744 2442
Other Services
Signer Service if you are Deaf or Hearing
Impaired
If you would like to access any services and
your first or preferred language is British
Sign Language, a BSL interpreter can be arranged, but
advance notice is required. Let your appropriate care team
know.
Complaints
If you want to make a comment or have a complaint
contact:
Complaints Officer Social Services
42, York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BW
Tel: 020 8891 7937
Better Care, Higher Standards Charter 2004
22
This tells you what services and standards you can expect
from your local Health, Housing and Social Services. Copies
are available from the Civic Centre, GPs’ surgeries, libraries
etc.
23
Chapter 3 – Health Services
This chapter gives information about GPs, dentists and
hospitals, and other health services. It also shows you how to
complain about health services you have received.
Primary Care
Family Doctors
For a list of Doctors’ surgeries contact:
The Primary Care Support Service
187 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6AU
Tel: 020 8335 1400 or search the directory at:
The NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk
Dentists
It helps to be registered with one. NHS dentists can be hard to
locate. If you can't find one, request details from the Primary
Care Trust 020 8876 1426 or search at www.nhs.uk.
24
This listing also includes details on access. The Community
Dental Service (CDS) caters for people with disabilities who
cannot get to a dentist. Some dentists will make home visits.
Tel: 020 8546 7711 Ext. 2349
NHS Direct
This service gives you useful information on all areas of
health. It is staffed by qualified nurses and can sometimes
reassure and save you a trip to your GP. It also has a very
useful website for information and advice.
Tel: 0845 46 47 – open 24 hours
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Hospital Services
Accident and emergency
The main local general hospitals with 24 hour accident and
emergency services are:
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● West Middlesex, Isleworth
Tel: 020 8560 2121
● Kingston, Norbiton
Tel: 020 8546 7711
● Charing Cross, Hammersmith
Tel: 020 8846 1234
NHS Walk-in Centre
Seven days a week, every day of the year.
Mon-Fri: 8am - 10pm
Sat, Sun, Bank Holidays: 8am - 9pm
At Teddington Memorial Hospital,Hampton Rd. TW11 OJL
Tel: 020 8714 4004
Minor Injuries Unit:
At Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton Lane
8am - 7.30pm,
7 days a week. Does not treat children under 2 years or road
traffic victims. Tel: 020 8487 6999
Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
Offer a wide range of information about NHS services.
Kingston Hospital
Tel: 020 8934 3993
West Middlesex Hospital
Tel: 020 8321 6261
Richmond / Twickenham
Tel: 020 8973 3111
Therapy services
There are a range of services available including Chiropody,
Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology,
Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Ask
26
for further information at your GP surgery. You will normally
need a referral from your GP.
Mental Health Support
There are four Community Mental Health Teams in Richmond
upon Thames. To get help from your local Community Mental
Health Team you can visit your doctor (GP) who can refer you.
The Community Mental Health Teams offer support for people
with severe or long-term mental health needs. They work to
provide both health and social care support. The teams
include care managers, community support workers,
community psychiatric nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and
occupational therapists.
Having an assessment
Staff in the Community Mental Health Team will talk to you
and assess your needs, discuss your situation and any
support you may require. After this assessment a care plan
will be written up – this document will outline the support you
require and how that support will be given.
27
What if I don't want to go to official agencies?
Richmond Borough MIND offer support, information and
advice about mental health concerns and services.
Tel: 020 8772 5687 / 020 8898 7753
Email: info@rbmind.com Website: www.rbmind.com
The local voluntary group Still Building Bridges also offer
support in an understanding environment. Contact them
through RB MIND (see above).
Community Mental Health teams
Hampton Community Mental Health Team
The Maddison Centre, 140 Church Road, Teddington
Middlesex TW11 8QL.
Tel: 020 8977 3156
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Richmond East Community Mental Health Team
Richmond Royal Hospital
Kew Foot Road, Surrey TW9 2TE
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Tel: 0208 940 3331
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Richmond West Community Mental Health Team and
Twickenham Community Mental Health Team
These teams are also based at Richmond Royal. Please see
details above.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Richmond
Richmond Royal Hospital
Kew Foot Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2TE
Tel: 020 8772 5661
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Other Services
Respite Care
Doctors can sometimes arrange a FREE respite care bed at
local hospitals.
29
Hearing Aid Centres
Your doctor can refer you to one of these centres at the main
hospitals (or Teddington Memorial Hospital) to see if you need
a hearing aid. NHS hearing aids, repairs and batteries are
FREE.
Appliance Centres
Each of the main hospitals has a centre for FREE surgical
footwear, fabric supports, callipers etc. Your doctor can refer
you.
Wheelchairs
FREE if needed permanently. Queen Mary’s Hospital,
Roehampton, provides a service for the whole of the Borough.
Tel: 0208 487 6085/4
Continence Service
For advice on this service, speak to your GP.
Hydrotherapy Pool
Teddington swimming baths: Tel: 020 8977 9911
30
Rehabilitation Centre
At Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton: Tel: 0208 487 6042
Rehabilitation Clinic
At Evelyn Road, Richmond. Your GP can refer you.
Tel: (020) 8940 6456
Sexual Health, HIV & AIDS
The Roehampton Clinic
At Queen Mary’s Hospital, provides confidential advice and
care on sexual health, family planning and HIV/AIDS.
Tel: 0208 487 6862 / 6861
Specialist Nurses:
To speak to local specialist HIV nurses contact: Sheen Lane
Clinic: Tel: 020 8487 1600
Sexual Health Clinic:
West Middlesex Hospital has a sexual health clinic. They also
provide a benefits and debt advice session every Tuesday
morning from 10-12.
Tel: 020 8487 6861
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Well Woman / Well Man
Largely run at GP surgeries. Also there is one attached to the
Genito-Urinary Medicine clinic at the West Middlesex Hospital.
Family Planning Clinics
Based at Kingston, Queen Mary’s (Roehampton) and West
Middlesex Hospitals, No appointment necessary.
Richmond Community Drug and Alcohol Team
Richmond Royal Hospital, Kew Foot Road, Richmond,
Surrey, TW9 2TE. Tel: 020 8772 5679
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Eating Disorders
An outpatient team based at the Richmond Royal.
Tel: 020 8772 5688, Wednesdays 020 8682 6747
Transport to Health Services
There are various options available for people who may need
help with transport to health services.
NHS Hospitals provides non-emergency transport by
ambulance, mini-bus or taxi. Let your GP know when you
32
make the appointment and let the hospital know if they make
further appointments for you. Patients cannot book this service
for themselves.
The London Taxicard or voucher schemes are other options –
see ‘
33
Chapter 8 – Transport’ for details.
NHS Complaints
If you have a complaint about NHS health care – GPs,
dentists, pharmacists and opticians – you should first try to
take it to the surgery, practice or pharmacy involved, and
speak to the Practice Manager. The NHS calls this Local
Resolution.
If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of this process, you
can contact the Primary Care Trust and ask for an
Independent Review. This involves a panel of people
(including independent, or ‘lay people’) reviewing the
complaint you have made, how it was investigated, and
making suggestions as to how services can be improved.
Contact:
Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust
34
Caroline Cunliffe, Quality Manager
Tel: 020 8973 3097
Email: complaints@rtpct.nhs.uk
For advice and information:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service Manager (PALS)
Tel: 020 8973 3111
Email: pals@rtpct.nhs.uk
Or for complaints about the PCT you can write to:
Joan Mager, Chief Executive
Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust
Thames House, 180 High Street
Teddington, TW11 8HU
If you are still dissatisfied after trying for local resolution and
an Independent Review with the PCT, you can ask the
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to investigate
your case.
Contact: The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower, London, SW1P 4QP Tel: 0845 015 4033
For independent advice, contact Richmond AID, or The
Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS), who can
35
give advice on how to complain and help in making a
complaint:
ICAS South West London
Information about the Independent Complaints Advocacy
Service (ICAS), which offers advocacy support to people who
choose to pursue a formal complaint about the NHS.
POhWER services are free and confidential. There is no upper
age limit for POhWER services but a lower age limit may apply
for some services.
Tel: 0845 337 3063
Bracton House, 34-36 High Holborn
London, WC1V 6AE
Web: www.pohwer.net
Email: pohwericas@pohwericas.net
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Chapter 4 – Voluntary Care Groups,
Social Groups and Day Centres
This chapter gives information about local Voluntary Care
Groups, other social groups and day centres and services
available.
4.1 Local Voluntary Groups
The Borough's Voluntary Care Groups are there to provide
practical help to older and disabled people who are unable to
get help from family, friends or neighbours. This includes doorto-door transport to GP surgeries, clinics and hospitals,
prescription collection, transport to local shops or even doing
the shopping. Many groups can also help with everyday
household tasks such as putting up shelves or handrails, light
gardening and changing fuses in electric plugs etc. The
groups do not however undertake housework or cleaning.
The groups all operate in specific parts of the Borough, so
contact your local group using the information shown. (For an
37
online map showing the locations of the Voluntary Care
Groups' offices, click here).
Richmond Community Support Services Consortium
(RCSSC) is the consortium of all of the Voluntary Care Groups
and Social Clubs in Richmond upon Thames and can help
with enquiries if you are looking for a group to join. Contact
them at:
RCSSC, care of Elleray Hall, Teddington, TW11 0HG
Tel: 020 8943 1807
Email: info@richmondconsortium.org.uk
Web: www.richmondconsortium.org.uk
All the voluntary care groups always need volunteers to help
with driving, befriending and generally helping out older
people. If you have a few hours to spare, do get in touch with
one of them! Phone for details.
Contact the Elderly
24 Kilmorey Gardens, Twickenham TW1 1PY
Website: http://www.contact-the-elderly.org
Tel: 020 8892 7714
38
FiSH – Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen
Barnes Green Centre, Church Rd, Barnes SW13 9HE
Helpline tel: 020 8876 3414 (9am – 12pm weekdays)
Busline tel: 020 8876 3765
Office no: 020 8876 3335
Email: info@fishhelp.org.uk
Website: www.fishhelp.org.uk
Ham & Petersham SOS Scheme
Parish Room, St Richards Church, Ashburnham Rd,
Twickenham
Tel: 020 8948 1090 (10am -12pm, Mon-Fri)
Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group
The Greenwood Centre, 1A School Rd, Hampton Hill,
Twickenham.
The office hours are 9.30-4.30 Monday to Friday.
Tel: 020 8979 9662
Email: vcg@greenwoodcentre.co.uk
Website: www.greenwoodcentre.co.uk
Hampton St Raphael Club
All Saints Church Hall, The Avenue, Hampton TW12 3
Telephone: 020 8979 1312
39
Kew Neighbourhood Association
St Luke's House, 270 Sandycombe Rd, Kew TW9 3NP
Open Monday-Friday 10am-12noon.
Tel: 020 8948 8054
Email: mail@kna.org.uk
Website: www.kna.org.uk
Teddington and Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group
Methodist Church Hall, 1 Stanley Road, Teddington (also run
regular outings to local places of interest)
Methodist Church Hall, 1 Stanley Road, Teddington
Tel: 020 8943 3112 (9.30am-11.30am)
Twickenham Help a Neighbour in Distress Scheme
(HANDS) – (Twickenham and St. Margarets)
Bath House, The Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DX
Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Tel: 020 8891 3346
Richmond Good Neighbours
1 Princes St, Richmond TW9 1ED
Tel: 020 8332 9741 (9am-12pm Mon-Fri)
Email: rgn@talktalkbusiness.net
Whitton Network (Whitton and Heathfield)
40
1 Library Way, Twickenham. TW2 7AP
Monday-Friday 9.30 am-12 noon.
Tel: 020 8755 1336
4.2 Day Centres and Social Centres
There are lots of day centres and day services available that
can offer activities and classes, the opportunity to meet new
people, and days out. They also serve cooked food and
provide hairdressing and other services.

Barnes Green Social Centre
Church Road, Barnes, London SW13 9HE
Tel: 020 8876 2377

Hampton: Linden Hall Social Club
Linden Road, Hampton, TW12 2JG
Tel: 020 8941 2373
Email: linden.hall@btopenworld.com
Social club for people over 60 in the Richmond area.
41

Kew: Avenue Club
Kew Community Trust, St Luke's in The Avenue, Kew,
TW9 2AJ Tel: 020 8948 8807
Web: www.kewcommunitytrust.org.uk

Richmond: Meadows Hall Social Centre
Church Road, Richmond, TW10 6LN
Tel: 020 8940 1008
Email: info@acrut.org.uk
An activity centre for people aged over 50.

Sheen Lane Day Group
Sheen Lane Centre, Sheen Lane SW14 8LP
Tel: 020 8876 1706

Teddington: Elleray Hall Social Club
Elleray Road, Teddington TW11 0HG
Tel: 020 8977 0549
Email: elleraydaycentre@btconnect.com
A Social Centre for people over 60.

Minority Ethnic Elders Group, Whitton
Whitton Social Centre,
42
111a Kneller Road, Whitton, TW2 7DT
Tel: 020 8893 9555

Whitton Social Centre
111a Kneller Road, Whitton, TW2 7DT
Tel: 020 8894 4963
A social centre for the over 50s.
Other Social Centres
Ham:

Ham Friends Club
The Little House, Ham Close, Ham TW10 7NY
Tel: 020 8332 7404
Open access Drop-in Centre for people with mental
health support needs
Hampton Hill:

White House Community Association of Hampton
Hill
45 The Avenue, Hampton TW12 3RN
Tel: 020 8979 1884
Open access Drop-in Centre for people with mental
health support needs.
43

Hampton Hill Old Peoples Welfare
The Greenwood Centre, School Rd, Hampton Hill,
TW12 1QL
Tel: 020 8979 9662
Hampton Wick:

Hampton Wick And South Teddington Old Peoples
Welfare
Bullen Hall, Bennett Close, Hampton Wick KT1 4AT
Tel: 020 8977 5176
Richmond:

Vineyard Project (Part of RBMIND)
Congregational Church Crypt, The Vineyard, Richmond
TW10 6AQ
Tel: 020 8940 2965
Over 16s, the elderly, all are welcome.

Richmond Synagogue Day Centre
Richmond Synagogue, Lichfield Gardens, Richmond,
TW9 1AP
Tel: 020 8940 3526
44
Twickenham:

Centre 32 (MIND)
32 Hampton Rd, Twickenham TW2 5QB
Tel: 020 8898 7753
Open access drop-in service for people with mental
health support needs.

Crane Community Centre
The Meadway, Twickenham TW2 6PG
Tel: 020 8898 8236

Etna Community Centre
13 Rosslyn Rd, Twickenham TW1 2AR
Tel: 020 8892 3676

All Hallows Social Club
The Long Room, All Hallows, Erncroft Way,
Twickenham TW1 1DA Tel: 020 8894 7573

St Stephens Church Lunch Club for the Elderly
The Crossway Centre, Richmond Road, Twickenham
TW1 2PD. Tel: 020 8843 7041
45
Whitton:

Whitton Community Resource Centre
1 Britannia Lane, Whitton TW2 7JX
Tel: 020 8898 4949

Whitton Community Association
Percy Road, Whitton TW2 6JL
Tel: 020 8894 4452

Whitton Access Project
111a Kneller Road, Whitton, TW2 7DT
Tel: 020 8898 3858
If you are under 65 and have a disability, then this
Centre can offer you a full and varied programme of
interesting social activities.
46
Chapter 5 – Advocacy and Advice
Advocacy is speaking and / or acting on behalf of people to
secure the services they need and the rights to which they are
entitled. Advocacy aims to make sure that people's opinions,
wishes or needs are expressed and listened to. Here are
some local advocacy organisations:
Advocacy Partners is leading the development and delivery
of independent advocacy services in London and the South
East. They enable people with learning disabilities, older
people and people with mental health needs or physical
impairments to have rights that are respected, voices that are
heard and real control over life decisions. They support people
to be treated fairly and to participate fully in community life.
Advocacy Partners
55-61 Heath Road, Twickenham, TW1 4AW
Tel: 020 8892 6559
Kingston and Richmond Advocacy Group (KAG) help
vulnerable people have a say in decisions that affect them,
and how they live their lives. They do this by providing
47
independent advocacy support to individuals at no direct cost
to them. Advocacy is provided by our specialist employed staff
and trained volunteers. Contact:
Richmond:
Richmond Advocacy for Mental Health
13 Rosslyn Road, Twickenham,TW1 2AR
Tel: 0208 744 9251
Email: richmond@kag.org.uk
Kingston:
Kingston Advocacy
Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, Kingston
KT2 6LX
Tel: 0208 549 1028
Email: rights@kag.org.uk
Age Concern Advocacy
Age Concern Richmond Advocacy provides one to one
support for anyone living in residential and nursing care, and
for people living in the community with dementia and/or
memory loss. They also work to support and protect people
who may be experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse.
Tel: 0845 601 1149
48
Community Legal Advice
Legal help and information about benefits, debt, education and
whether you qualify for Legal Aid. Tel: 0845 345 4345
Richmond Legal Advice Service
Provides initial legal advice on problems, provided free of
charge by legally qualified volunteers.
1st Floor, 1 Princes Street, Richmond, TW9 1ED.
Tel: 020 8891 2105
Web: www.rias.org.uk
Ethnic Minorities Advocacy Group
Provides advice and support for black and ethnic minority
residents of all ages who face racial harrassment,
discrimination or other issues.
111a Kneller Road, Twickenham, TW2 7DT
Tel: 020 8893 9444
Web: www.emaguk.net
Richmond Counselling and Psychotherapy Service
Provides low cost one-to-one counselling from volunteer
counsellors and psychotherapists for those seeking support or
advice.
49
Raleigh Road United Church, Raleigh Road, Richmond TW9
2DX.
Tel: 020 8948 7881
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate
The Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy service was
created in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. An IMCA is someone
appointed to support and represent a person who lacks
capacity, possibly because of dementia, a brain injury, a
learning disability or mental health needs, who is also faced
with certain decisions about serious medical treatment and
long term care moves.
For example, a person with a severe brain injury who has no
friends or family and who cannot communicate through
language will have an IMCA to make representations about
their wishes, feelings, beliefs and values. The IMCA will bring
to the attention of the decision-makers all factors that are
relevant to their decision. IMCAs will also be able to challenge
the decision-maker if appropriate. Contact KAG (see above,
0208 549 1028) for more information about IMCA.
50
Chapter 6 – Carers
Useful Organisations:
Richmond Carers Centre – Helps carers by providing
information, support and social activities for carers. For more
information contact:
5 Briar Road, Twickenham, TW2 6RB
Tel: 020 88672380
Email: info@richmondcarers.org
Website: www.carers.org/richmond
CORLD Carers Support Worker – based at the Carers
Centre, see contact above.
Crossroads Caring for Carers – if you are caring for a
relative, partner or friend of any age who has a health problem
or a disability, Richmond Crossroads offers carers the
opportunity to take a break, while their relative or partner can
be cared for at home. The support service includes all
aspects of personal care. Any carer who is in the London
51
Borough of Richmond upon Thames and lives under the same
roof as the person for whom they care, may apply for help.
Contact:
Richmond Crossroads Care
4 Waldegrave Road,Teddington, TW11 8HT
Tel: 020 8831 6088
Email: richmonduponthames@crossroads.org.uk
Website: (national) www.crossroads.org.uk
Downs Syndrome Association – support on all aspects of
living successfully with Down’s syndrome. Provide information
and support for people with Down’s syndrome, their families
and carers, and professionals.
Contact:
The Langdon Down Centre
2A Langdon Park, Teddington, TW11 9PS
Tel: 0845 230 0372
Fax: 0845 230 0373
Email: info@downs-syndrome.org.uk
Website: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Social Services – All carers have the right to ask for a carer’s
needs assessment from social services (for details of your
local social service teams see ‘Chapter 2 – Social Services’).
Carers UK (Carersline) - this is a free national helpline.
52
Contact:
20-25 Glasshouse Yard, London, EC1A 4JT
Tel: 0808 808 7777 (free advice Wed. and Thurs. 10am to
12pm and 2pm to 4pm)
Email: info@carersuk.org Website: www.carersuk.org
RUILS – for information on employing a Personal Assistant
(PA) contact Karen Block or Sarah Woodford at RUILS PA
Finder service.
Tel: 020 8831 6084
Email: pafinder@ruils.co.uk
Carers Benefits
Carers Allowance (CA) – This is a taxable benefit for informal
carers. You can apply for it if you:

Spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
who gets Attendance Allowance or Disability Living
Allowance at middle or higher rate for the care
component.

Are aged 16 +

Are not working or only earning a limited amount
(current limit is £95 a week)
For more information contact the Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800
88 22 00, or contact Richmond AID on 020 8831 6080.
53
Chapter 7 – Self Directed Support
Self Directed Support (SDS) is the way in which the Council
supports people with social care needs to live as
independently as possible in the community. It enables
greater choice and control over the services and support they
receive. It means that people are at the centre of assessing
their own needs and allows them to make decisions as to how,
within the available resources, support is provided.
Everybody who qualifies for support from Social Services will
be allocated a cash amount, called a Personal Budget. This
puts people in control of how their money gets spent and at
the centre of planning the support which determines how the
money is spent to meet the persons needs. This means
somebody can employ their own staff, choose daytime
activities, get help with the garden or household tasks just to
give a few examples.
You write a support plan that explains to the council how you
are going to spend this money to meet your needs.
54
Once you have agreed your individual Support Plan with
Social Services, you can take the Personal Budget money
either as:

A Direct Payment (manage the money yourself) or

Social Services can manage the money on your behalf
or

Through an Individual Service Fund (a 3rd party – e.g.
a provider holding the money on your behalf and helps
you to arrange support) or

A combination of these.
There is help available for all of this process. As well as
getting help from family and friends to manage a Personal
Budget, support is also available from a range of sources
including:

a local organisation like RUILS

a Social Services Care Manager

an independent person called a ‘Support Broker’ or
advocate

an agency that may also provide you with the actual
service you buy.
55
Richmond Users Independent Living Scheme (RUILS)
RUILS is the independent voice of local disabled people,
individuals with social care needs and who use Direct
Payments and other means to achieve independence. RUILS
is a self-help group that informs, represents and supports its
members in their efforts to have real choice about the way in
which they live their lives. RUILS:

Keeps members informed by publishing a Newsletter
and holding meetings

Regularly talks to its members in order to gather their
opinions and experiences

Represents members at meetings with the Council and
other service providers

Publicises and promotes the benefits of Direct
Payments, Self Directed Support and Independent
Living

Campaigns and lobbies on behalf of members

Supports individuals to plan and and manage their
Personal Budgets

Supports individuals to find and employ their own
Personal Assistants

56
Provides skills training and peer support
Contact:
RUILS, DAAC, 4 Waldegrave Rd
Teddington, TW11 8HT
Tel: 020 8831 6083 / 6084
Email: info@ruils.co.uk
Website: www.ruils.co.uk
Richmond Independent Brokerage Service (RIBS)
RIBS is a consortium of voluntary sector organisations that are
working together to provide information, advice and a support
planning and brokerage service to individuals with social care
needs and carers accessing Self Directed Support in the
London Borough of Richmond.
Support Brokers can assist you to write and set up your
Support Plan, which enables you to get your Personal Budget
working for you.
Contact:
RUILS
Disability Action & Advice Centre (DAAC)
4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8HT
Tel: 020 8831 6083
Email: info@ruils.co.uk
Website: www.ruils.co.uk
57
Home Care Agencies for Direct Payment Employers:
Enara –
Tel: 020 8943 1400
Supporta –
Tel: 020 8987 2353
Goldsborough –
Tel: 020 8685 1112
Care UK –
Tel: 020 8741 6396
Home Care Direct – Tel: 0845 061 9000
Bluebird –
Tel: 020 8744 9948
United Response – provides a range of services for people
with learning disabilities or mental health needs, including 24hour support for people with complex needs, job coaching and
outreach support.
Contact:
Head Office, 113 Upper Richmond Road
London, SW15 2TL
Tel: 020 8246 5200
Fax: 020 8780 9538
Minicom: 020 8785 1706
Email: info@unitedresponse.org.uk
Owl Housing –support for people with learning disabilities.
Tel: 020 8569 9131
58
Chapter 8 – Transport
8.1 Accessible Transport Providers:
DIAL- A - RIDE
This is an accessible minibus, which takes individuals where
they want to go in the borough. You need to be a member.
Contact: London Dial-a-ride Customer Liaison Unit
Management Control Centre
Progress House, Mandela House
London, SE1 5SS
Tel: 020 7027 5823 or 5824
Fax: 020 7027 5801
Email: enquire@tfl.gov.uk
RaKAT (Richmond & Kingston
Accessible Transport)
Low cost accessible transport for groups:
North Kingston Centre,Richmond Rd, Kingston, KT2 5PE
Tel: 020 8481 0031
Email: info@rakat.org.uk
59
Hampton Enterprise
A door-to-door accessible transport scheme for the residents
of the Hamptons. The Hamptons mini-bus service travels
anywhere within the Hamptons and into adjacent areas of the
Borough – Teddington, Hampton Wick, Twickenham and
Whitton.
Operating hours are between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm all days of
the week. To arrange particular date, time & passenger
details.
Contact: Mrs F. Brennan Director
The Greenwood Centre
1a School Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1QL
Tel: 020 8979 9662
Fax: 020 9411 348
Black Taxis
Richmond AID is happy to send out copies of known
accessible black cabs operating locally.
Hospital Treatment
Your Doctor will arrange transport for you to go to hospital for
out-patient treatment, if you need it for medical reasons. But
be sure to explain your transport needs when the appointment
is made.
60
Hospital Bus Service
Accessible buses serve Barnes, Queen Mary’s, Roehampton,
West Middlesex and Teddington Memorial Hospitals. Bus
timetables and route maps are available from libraries.
Trips to Day Centres and Colleges
The Council can arrange door-to-door transport for people
attending Day Centres, Adult Education classes and Voluntary
club activities.
Contact Accessible Transport Unit. Tel: 020 8831 6312
Shopmobility
A centre which will let you have a wheelchair to go round the
shops. Electric wheelchairs, electric scooters and manual
wheelchairs are all available.
Kingston Shopmobility
Level 2, Eden Car Park, Union St. Tel: 020 8547 1255
Hounslow Shopmobility
Blenheim Centre, Prince Regent Road, Hounslow
Tel: 020 8570 3343
61
8.3 Public Transport
Bus Travel
All buses in the borough have a low floor and
have a wheelchair ramp.
Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (Information bus &
coach operators). Tel: 020 7240 3131
Email: admin@cpt-uk.org
Rail Travel
Assisted Travel:
Most train operating companies
have a separate department that deals with assisted travel.
When planning a journey you can ring National Rail Enquiries
on Tel: 08457 48 49 50
They will advise which operating company run any given route
and the telephone numbers of the assisted travel teams that
cover your journey. Journey’s can also be planned on the
National Rail Enquiries Website at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
62
The three main rail operating companies serving the SW
London area each have separate assisted travel on their
trains. Where certain stations are not accessible, they will
advise the nearest suitable one.
Southern Railway Assisted Travel
Tel: 0800 138 1016
Text phone: 0800 138 1016
Email: myjourney@southernrailway.com
Southwest Trains Assisted Travel- 48 hour notice preferred.
Tel: 0845 6000 650
Text phone: 0800 692 0792
Website: www.southwesttrains.co.uk
Taking a Taxi from the Station:
A taxi may be the best way to go from the
station to your final destination. The
Traintaxi Guide lists taxi ranks and
operators serving all trains, tram, metro and underground
stations in Great Britain, and is on sale at WH Smith. See
their website: www.traintaxi.co.uk
63
8.4 Public Transport – concessions
Disabled Persons Railcard
This allows you to buy discounted rail tickets. If another adult
is travelling with you, they can also travel at the same
discounted fare. The Railcard costs £18 and is valid for 12
months. A three year card is also available for £48. To be
eligible you must fall into one or more of the following
categories:











Registered as visually impaired
Registered Deaf
Have epilepsy
Receive Attendance Allowance
Receive Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility
component OR middle / higher rate care)
Receive Severe Disablement Allowance
Receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80%
or more disability
Receive Long Term Incapacity Benefit
Are the driver of a vehicle provided under the pre –
1976 Inland Vehicle Scheme
Are buying or leasing a vehicle through the ‘Motability’
scheme.
For an application form ask at main stations or write to:
64
Rail Travel Made Easy, PO Box 11631, Laurencekirk
AB30 9AA Tel: 0845 605 0525 Text Phone: 0845 601 0132
Or download from: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
Email: disability@atoc.org / enquiry@atoc.org
Reserved Parking Bays
If you are disabled and need regular parking space outside
your home, you may be able to get a reserved parking bay
marked on the road if you meet the following criteria:

You must be a registered disabled driver/passenger
and a Blue Badge holder.

You must have severe difficulty in walking and should
obtain the support of their GP to confirm this.

You must not already have a garage or other off -street
parking within the grounds of their property

You must experience regular severe difficulty finding a
place to park outside / adjacent to their property.

You must require the use of the bay at regular times
during the day.
Contact: Richmond Borough Council: 0208 487 5303
Text Phone: 020 8392 5241
Email: tps@richmond.gov.uk
Road Tax Exemption
65
If you get the higher rate mobility component of DLA, War
Pensioners’ Mobility supplement or you drive a trike, you don’t
have to pay the annual road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty). Details
are available from Richmond AID.
Blue Badges
If you have permanent and severe walking
difficulties, the Blue Badge Scheme allows you to
park close to places you wish to visit in the UK and in Europe.
The current charge for a badge is £2.00 (payable by cheque
or postal order only), which is valid for three years. Contact
the Accessible Transport Unit. Tel: 020 8831 6096
The qualifying criteria are as follows:
Automatic qualifying criteria:
Non Automatic criteria:
BLUE BADGES
(requiring GP
(not requiring GP
confirmation)
confirmation)

Registered blind

In receipt of DLA Higher
permanent and
Rate Mobility component
substantial disability
In receipt of vehicle from
which causes

66

If you have a


DWP
inability to walk, or
In receipt of government
very considerable
grant towards vehicle
difficulty in walking at
In receipt of War
all times.
Pensioners’ Mobility
supplement
Disability Freedom Pass
Some disabled people can get free travel on London’s buses,
underground and over-ground rail services throughout Greater
London. For further information contact:
Accessible Transport Unit (ATU) Tel: 020 8831 6094
The qualifying criteria are as follows:
Automatic qualifying
Non Automatic criteria:
criteria: FREEDOM PASS
67

Blind or partially sighted


Profoundly / severely
suffered an injury
Deaf
which has a

Without speech
substantial and long-

In receipt of DLA Higher
term adverse effect on
Rate Mobility
ability to walk
Has a disability or has



component

Discretionary Criteria:
In receipt of War

If you have a mental
Pensioners’ Mobility
health need and you
supplement
meet the criteria
Has no arms / lost use
agreed by the
of arms
Community Mental
Has substantial learning
Health Team.
disability

Would be refused a
driving licence due to
lack of physical fitness.
Taxi card
If you have a permanent serious mobility
impairment and have difficulty using public
transport. This scheme enables you to call a
cab and make a set number of trips at a much cheaper rate.
Contact the Accessible Transport Unit on 020 8831 6096 /
6312.
The qualifying criteria are as follows:
68
Automatic
Non Automatic
Ineligible
qualifying criteria:
criteria:
Groups:

If you have a

Car drivers
blind
permanent

Those with
In receipt of
and
temporary
DLA Higher
substantial
disabilities
Rate Mobility
difficulty
component.
which
In receipt of
causes
War
inability to
Pensioners’
walk, or very
Mobility
considerable
supplement
difficulty in
TAXICARD



Registered

Children
under 2
walking at all
times
Voucher Scheme
Offers door to door service by listed approved taxi / mini-cab
firms, who will accept vouchers. It is designed for people who
are unable to access public transport due to a temporary
disability and the Taxicard scheme is inappropriate.
Contact Accessible Transport Unit on 020 8831 6092
69
The qualifying criteria are as follows:
Qualifying Criteria:
VOUCHER SCHEME


Inability to use public transport due
Note: Your GP /
to mobility problems, with identified
Care Manager
transport needs relating to
has to fill in and
appointments
sign part of the
Temporarily unable to use public
application.
transport

People whose physical disability
prevents them from using public
transport when carrying heavy
shopping

Car drivers who for medical reasons
cannot drive for 3 months + and
cannot use public transport
8.5 Motoring
70
Motability
Motability is a registered charity, which offers different
schemes to help you obtain a vehicle. If you get the higher
rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
this scheme can help you buy or lease a car, wheelchair or
electric scooter. For more details contact:
Motability Car Scheme:
Motability Operations, City Gate House
22 Southwark Bridge Road, London. SE1 9HB
Tel: 0845 456 4566
Text phone: 0845 675 0009
Website: www.motability.co.uk
There is also the wheelchair and scooter scheme:
Motability Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme
Route2Mobility, Montgomery House
Enham Alamein, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 6JS
Tel: 0845 6076260
Forum of Mobility Centres
71
The Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS)
has closed. For information, advice or an assessment, contact
the Forum of Mobility Centres. Tel: 0800 559 3636
Mobility Centre
A Centre providing outdoor mobility information,
demonstration, assessment & training for disabled people and
professionals.
For more details contact:
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation
Mobility Centre
Damson Way, Foundation Drive, Carshalton, SM5 4NR
Tel: 020 8770 1151
Fax: 020 8770 1211
Email:info@mobilty.ge.org
Website: www.qefd.org/mobilitycentre
8.6 Other Useful Contacts
Care in the Air – Guide for Disabled Passengers
ATUC, CAA House
45-59 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TE
Tel: 020 7240 6061
72
Fax: 020 7240 7071
Website: www.auc.org.uk
Transport for London, Access and Mobility (Bus / Tube
enquiries)
Tel: 020 7222 1234
Congestion Charging in Central London
Those whose cars are exempt from road tax
are automatically exempt from congestion charges. Other
Blue Badge holders can obtain exemption by paying a £10
registration fee. Exemption from the congestion charge is also
possible if you are required to attend a hospital within the area
for regular treatment or kidney dialysis. Ask for a form at your
hospital.
Tel: 0845 900 1234
Minicom: 020 7649 9123
Website: www.cclondon.com
73
Chapter 9 – Aids & Equipment
9.1 Aids for Daily Living
Available FREE on loan from Social Services or the Health
Service. If you want to buy, there are three stores in the
locality:
Additional Aids – 80 High St, Whitton, TW2 7LS
Tel: 020 8755 0022
Email: aamobility@btconnect.com
Opt 4 Mobility –
9/11 The Causeway, Teddington,
TW11 OHA Tel: 0800 1955 803
Keep Able –
11/17 Kingston Road, Staines, TW18 4QX
Tel: 01784 44 00 44
9.2 NHS Wheelchairs
Main switch-Tel: 0208 487 6000 (Queen Mary’s Hospital)
74
Both manual and powered chairs for long term use are
available on the NHS. Ask your doctor or therapist to refer
you to the Wheelchair Service at Queen Mary’s Hospital,
Roehampton Lane, Tel: 0208 487 6084/6085
If you want to buy a special chair costing more than the
standard issue, you can get a NHS Voucher covering the cost
of a standard chair.
9.3 Buying wheelchairs or scooters
Available at the three shops listed above in 9.1. and at:
ALL Handling –
492 Kingston Road, Raynes Park, SW20
8DX
Tel: 020 8542 2217 (Sales)
020 8542 1021 (Service)
GBL –
Unit 12, Mount Rd, Industrial Estate,
Hanworth, TW13 6AR Tel: 020 8867 2461
And wheel chairs only at:
C.F. Hewerdine Ltd. –
194, Thorpe Lea Road, Egham,
Surrey, TW20 8HA
75
Tel: 01784 451 258
Email: sales@hewerdine.co.uk
Website: www.hewerdine.co.uk
Second hand wheelchairs and scooters are sometimes
available from these sources.
9.4 Hiring wheelchairs and scooters
Most of the above have wheelchairs (but not scooters) for hire.
In addition, there are four places doing hire or rental only of
both wheelchairs and scooters;
Direct Mobility Hire -
Mobility and other equipment,
Warren House, 201a Bury Street,
Edmonton, London N9 9JE
Tel: 0800 092 9322
Email: info@directmobility.co.uk
Website: www.directmobility.co.uk
Your Freedom- Short and Long term rental and service
Tel: 0800 281 831 (John Morrison)
76
Shopmobility
Kingston
Level 2 Eden Walk Car Park
Tel: 020 8547 1255
Hounslow
Blenheim Centre
Prince Regent Road, Hounslow, Middlesex
TW3 1NL
Tel: 020 8570 3343
Website:
www.hounslowcommunity.uk.org
Richmond AID has two manual wheelchairs that are available
for short-term hire (generally 1 to 2 weeks): contact 020 8831
6070, Monday to Friday between 11am and 4pm to book.
There is no charge for this service but there is a suggested
donation of £5 minimum.
6.5 Insurance
Fish Insurance Services, 2-4 Riversway Business Village,
Navigation Way, Preston, PR2 2YP
Tel: 01772 724 442
Email: admin@fishinsurance.co.uk
Website: www.fishadministration.co.uk
77
The website www.wheelchairusers.org.uk has more
information on insurance, as well as wheelchair related topics.
9.6 Buying & Selling Second Hand Equipment
Local contacts:
Richmond AID (see ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID’): We
produce a free newsletter 4 times a year and accept adverts
for 2nd hand equipment free of charge. We also display
adverts in reception at the DAAC.
Website: www.richmondaid.org.uk
Kingston Centre for Independent Living (KCIL)
River Reach, 31-35 High St, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1LF.
Tel: 020 8546 9603
Web site: www.kcil.org.uk
KCIL produces a quarterly newsletter that includes small
adverts for which there is no charge. They also have a
computer “sale board” which contains details of equipment for
sale.
78
National Contacts
Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
380 – 384 Harrow Road, London, W9 2HU
Equipment Help-line: 0845 130 9177
Text phone: 020 7432 8009
Email: advice@dlf.org.uk
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
DLF regularly updates a database that holds details of 2 nd
hand equipment for sale. This is a free service, not available
by telephone. Please write in with your request.
Disability Now
6 Market Road, London N7 9PW
Tel: 0207 619 7323
Website: www.disabilitynow.org.uk
Informative monthly magazine that has a small advert section
for which there is a charge.
Exchange & Mart
Exchange Enterprises, Newsquest Media, Richmond Hill
Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6HH
Tel: 0844 499 3949
Fax: 0845 313 9314
Website: www.exchangeandmart.co.uk
Email: customersupport@exchangeandmart.co.uk
79
The Disability Equipment Register
4 Chatterton Rd, Yate, Bristol, BS37 4BJ
Tel: 01454 318818
Email: disabreg@blueyonder.co.uk
Website: www.disabilityequipment.org.uk
An internet-based service, which contains details of equipment
for sale. Updated daily. There is a charge for this service.
9.7 Other Information
VAT Exemption
Disabled people generally don’t have to pay VAT on specially
designed equipment or adaptations.
Tel: 0845 302 0203
Text phone: 0845 000 0200
Email: charities@hmrc.gov.uk
Website: www.customs.hmrc.gov.uk
For wheelchair users, VAT exemption also applies to adapted
cars.
80
Ricability – This organisation offers independent information
on television and electrical equipment needs. (excellent
information sheets on aids and equipment.)
Contact: 30 Angel Gate, City Road, London, EC1V 2PT
Tel: 020 7427 2460
Text phone: 020 7427 2469
Email: mail@ricability.org.uk
Website: www.rictability.org.uk www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk
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Chapter 10 – Leisure & Entertainment
This chapter has information on inclusive sports, arts and
entertainment, parks, libraries and holidays.
10.1 Sport and Inclusive Activities
Actionnaires - Actionnaires clubs provide opportunities for
blind and partially sighted children of school age to participate
in sports in a safe, structured and fun environment. They meet
on the first and third Saturday of the month from 10am until
12pm at: St Mary's University College, Waldegrave Road,
Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX.
For more details on Actionnaires visit the Action For Blind
People website.
Boccia - sessions at Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, Park
Avenue, East Sheen, SW14 8RG.For people of any age on
Thursdays from 4.15 - 5.15pm, cost is £2.90/£2.70 with leisure
card. Please contact the Sports Development Team (020 8831
6134, contact information below) for more information or come
along to the session.
82
Dance - Fusion Dance and Drama, project for disabled young
people aged 9-16 years and their siblings. Sessions include
physical activities which will improve flexibility, fitness,
creativity and team building through drama games, dance
routines and vocal exercises. Runs for 10 weeks (not including
bank holidays) at Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre. Course
costs £20 and £10 for siblings. Please contact the Sports
Development Team for more information and to book a place.
Football - Football sessions at Shene Sports & Fitness Centre
for those ages 6-16 years. The sessions run 9.30-10.30am in
term time and are run by Brentford Community Sports Trust.
For more details please contact the sports centre on 020 8878
7578.
Summer camp -for secondary school aged pupils with an
SEN (Special Educational Needs) statement. At Shene Sports
and Fitness Centre, in August. For more information or to book
a place contact the Sports Development Team.
Swimming - Sessions for children with special needs at Pools
on the Park, Richmond. Tuesdays 6pm-7pm. £3 per child and
carer plus £1 per sibling. No booking required, just turn up.
These sessions are great for all children, but especially those
83
new to swimming, who find other open sessions stressful or
lack confidence in the water. Enables children with special
needs to access a pool in a more relaxed setting.
Trampolining - Trampolining courses run at Whitton Sports &
Fitness Centre on Saturdays in term time. You must contact
the centre directly on 020 8898 7795 to book onto a course.
Contact the Sports Development Team
For any further information on RISE, inclusive and disability
specific inclusive sport and exercise activities please contact
the Sports Development Team.
Telephone: 020 8831 6134
Email: lizzy.walne@richmond.gov.uk
Minicom: 020 8891 7539
Douglas Bader Sports Centre
Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton Lane London SW15 5PN
The Douglas Bader Sports Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital is
purpose built for disabled people, with a sports hall and gym.
Tel: 020 8487 6040
84
Email: comms@swlondon.nhs.uk
Barnfield Riding School
Is a purpose-built centre that caters for disabled riders.
Parkfields Road, Kingston, KT2 5LL.
Tel: 020 8546 3616
Companion Cycling
Is a scheme which enables people who are unable to ride
"solo" cycles for whatever reason, to enjoy the pleasure of
cycling with a companion in the delightful and traffic free
surroundings of Bushy Park, adjacent to Hampton Court. For
general enquiries & bookings Tel: 07961 344545
Queen Mary Sailability
Provides supervised sailing for disabled people.
Queen Mary Sailing Club, Ashford Road, Ashford, TW15 1UA
Tel: 01784 243 219
Phabsail
Inclusive sailing on Sunday afternoons April-October at:
Littleton Sailing Club, Littleton Lane, Shepperton, Surrey. The
first and third Sunday of each month 2pm-5pm. Beginners and
experienced sailors welcome.
Littleton Sailing Club, Littleton Lane, Shepperton, Surrey
Tel: 01784 251318
85
Email: rossail@aol.com
Guided / Health Walks
Free organised walks led by trained volunteers for people who
are currently not very active but would like to do more. These
gentle walks take place in groups and provide a safe and
social atmosphere, generally between 45-70 minutes long.
Shorter and slower walks are also available for beginners and
those with limiting health conditions.
Contact: the Health Improvement Team
Tel: 020 8891 7445
Email: health@richmond.gov.uk
See also Walks with Wheelchairs online, at
www.walkswithwheelchairs.com for useful information.
Other Local Sports Information
Information about sporting events and venues is available at
libraries or from the Sports Development Team,
Department of Education, Arts and Leisure,
1st Floor, Regal House,London Rd, Twickenham, TW1 3QB
Tel: 020 8831 6133
Email: leisure@richmond.gov.uk
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Leisure Card
The Council’s Leisure Card provides discounts and special
offers at a variety of shops, cafes, sports facilities and places
of entertainment. The card is half-price for disabled people,
and is available from libraries, swimming pools or council
offices. Leisure Card office, Tel: 020 8831 6106
Swimming
Everyone over 60 can swim for free at:



Teddington Pools & Fitness Centre
Pools on the Park
Hampton Pool
You need to obtain a free Leisure Card to swim for free.
There are two outdoor and two indoor swimming pools in the
Borough which have some facilities for people with disabilities.
If regular swimming would benefit your health you may be able
to get a Swimming Pass. Contact the Council’s Sports
Development Team for an application form. (See above.)
Venue
87
Wheelchair
Accessible
Access
Toilet
Comments
Pools on the
No
Park
wheelchair
Richmond
Yes
Yes
access to
(Indoor &
fitness room
Outdoor
& dance
Pool)
studio.
Tel: 020 8940
0561
Teddington
Dedicated
Pool &
changing
Gymnasium
area & staff
(includes
Yes
Yes
operated
Hydrotherapy
hoist for pool
pool)
access.
Tel: 020 8977
Induction
9911
Loop at
reception.
Hampton Pool
Ramp up to
(Outdoor)
reception&
Tel: 020 8255
1116
88
Yes
Yes
pool
Other Sports Facilities
Many have improved their facilities and access:
Venue
Teddington
Wheelchair
Accessible
Access
Toilet
Limited
Yes
Yes
No
Comments
Sports Centre
Tel: 020 8977
9911
Whitton
No
Sports
wheelchair
Centre
access to
Tel: 020 8898
fitness suite
7795
Marble Hill
Yes
Yes
Equipment
Park
for children
Adventure
with
Playground
disabilities
Tel: 0208 891
0641
Amida Golf
Tel: 020 8783
1698
89
Yes
Yes
Palewell Pitch
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
&
Putt
Tel: 020 8876
3357
Sheen Sports
Changing
Centre
and shower
Tel: 020 8878
facilities
7578
within
disabled
toilets
Clubs & Organisations
Brentford Football Club – runs courses for kids 6 to 16 with
disabilities at Sheen Sports Centre. Tel: 08453 456 442
London Sports Forum – develops sport for all including
people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, visual
impairments and Deaf people.
Tel: 020 7717 1699 Email: info@londonsportsforum.org.uk
90
PHAB – Hounslow Youth Centre, Thursday nights. For more
information, contact:
Tel: 0208 667 9443
Email: info@phab.org.uk
Fax: 0208 681 1399
Website: www.phab.org.uk
Interact Hampton Hill, Friday evenings 4pm-6.30pm. For more
information call Mike McNulty. Tel: 07939 208 234
Endeavour Club – St James Church, St James Rd, Hampton
Hill. For more information.
Tel: 020 8979 2069
The 2000 Club – Sports and social club for disabled people.
Heston Community Sports Hall.
Tel: 020 8568 2825 or 020 8232 8199 (Secretary) Janet
Day Centres (See also ‘Chapter 4 – Voluntary Care Groups,
Social Groups and Day Centres’)
The Access Project – If you are under 65 and have a
disability, then this Centre can offer you a full and varied
programme of interesting social activities.
At Whitton Day Centre.
91
Tel: 020 8898 3858
Referrals are through Social Services (see ‘Chapter 2 – Social
Services’)
Day Centres for Older People – There are a number of Day
Centres in the Borough, which offer many leisure activities.
Transport may be provided if you have difficulties due to your
disability. Contact Adult Social Services (see ‘Chapter 2 –
Social Services’).
10.2 Arts & Entertainment
The borough has many cinemas, museums and galleries.
Recently altered buildings have some facilities for disabled
visitors.
Name
Tel:
Access Seating
Disabled
Loop
toilet
System
Yes
Infra red
6 spaces for
Richmond
08712
Screen wheelchairs
Odeon
24
4
4007
92
system
Removable
Cine-world 08712
Feltham
All
chairs for
00
alternative
2000
seating
Yes
Loop
System
2 spaces for
Odeon
08712
Screen wheel-
Studio
24
2
Yes
chairs
Infra red
system
4007
4 spaces for
Richmond
08700
Theatre
606
All
wheel-
Yes
chairs
Loop
system
651
Orange
020
Tree
8940
Theatre
3633
9 spaces for
All
wheelchairs
Yes
Infrared
system
For information on concessions, call the individual cinema /
theatre. Useful email addresses:
Richmond Theatre: richmondboxoffice@theambassadors.com
Orange Tree Theatre: boxoffice@orange-tree.demon.co.uk
93
Online booking:
Richmond Theatre:
www.theambassadors.com/richmond/index.html
Orange Tree Theatre: www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
Entertainment Elsewhere in London
Artsline - Disability access information service. Offer
information on all aspects of arts and entertainment, including
venue accessibility.
Email: admin@artsline.org.uk
Web: www.artsline.org.uk
Shape – enables access to the arts for disabled people. They
can arrange reduced ticket prices for a range of events in
London, and drivers or escorts.
Tel: 0845 521 3457
Email: info@shapearts.org.uk
Web: www.shapearts.org.uk
The Victoria and Albert Museum – has an ongoing
programme for people with sensory impairments.
Bookings: Tel: 020 7942 2211 Text phone: 020 7942 2002
Email: bookings.office@vam.ac.uk
To receive the events programme by email
Email: disability@vam.ac.uk
94
Tate Britain and Tate Modern – offer a number of
programmes and services for disabled visitors.
Tel: 020 7887 8888
Website: www.tate.org.uk
Email:visiting.britain@tate.org.uk or
visiting.modern@tate.org.uk
Parks and open spaces
Richmond has a large number of historic buildings including
gardens and open parkland. However, the level of provision
varies so do check facilities before you visit. Call the Parks
and Open Spaces Team – Tel: 08456 122 660
Fax: 020 8891 7787
Email: parks@richmond.gov.uk
Barnes Wetland Centre – this interesting conservation area
offers concessions and has excellent facilities for all.
Tel: 020 8409 4400 Fax: 020 8409 4401
Email: info@london@wwf.org.uk
River Thames Boat Project – is a registered charity that
owns the specially adapted barge Richmond Venturer. It
provides community groups with the opportunity to discover
the environment and ecology of the river.
95
Tel: 020 8940 3509 Mobile: 07889 272985
Email: info@thamesboatproject.org
Accessible Thames – is published by Thames Landscape
Strategy and includes ten easy accessible walks by the
Thames in West London. They are also suitable for
wheelchair users. For a free copy contact Richmond AID.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew – has a wheelchair accessible
‘Discovery Bus’ which travels around the gardens, and
wheelchairs and scooters available on loan. Call first to ensure
equipment is available.
Tel: 020 8332 5655
Email: info@kew.org.uk
General tourist information - Including some details about
facilities for disabled people in local restaurants and hotels, is
available from Richmond Community and Visitor Information
Centre (Old Town Hall) Tel: 020 8940 9125
10.3 Public Libraries
All libraries in the Borough are wheelchair accessible and
most have a selection of large print books, music, ‘talking
books’, cassettes, CD’s and internet access. Braille may also
96
be available in some libraries. Most have Wheelchair access
and some have accessible toilets but call the individual library
for more details (telephone numbers listed below).
A computerised local information service, called Linkline, is
available and the Central Lending Library, Richmond, has a
small selection of subtitled videos. Contact:
Richmond Reference Library
Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue
Richmond. TW9 1TP
Tel: 020 8940 5529
East Sheen.............020 8876 8801
Teddington..............020 8977 1284 or 020 8734 3304
Whitton....................020 8894 9828
Hampton..................020 8979 5110
Ham.........................020 8940 8703
Kew.........................020 8876 8654
Heathfield................020 8894 1017
Hampton Hill............020 8979 3705
Hampton Wick.........020 8977 1559
Twickenham............020 8892 8091
Castelnau................020 8748 3837
97
10.4 Home Entertainment
Television and Radio – You may be able to get help from
Social Services towards the cost of putting in and/or renting a
TV. Registered blind people can get the free loan of a stereo
radio/cassette recorder provided by the British Wireless for the
Blind Fund. Contact: Adult Social Services: 020 8891 7971
Richmond Talking Newspaper – Blind or partially sighted
people can obtain free weekly, postal delivery of tape cassette
readings from local newspapers.
Contact: 020 8890 3437
The Disability Resource Team – is a local company which
will translate any information you require onto Tape, Braille,
Large Print and Diskette.
Tel: 020 8943 0022
Fax: 020 8943 5162
Email: mauricepress@enterprise.net
Website: www.disabilityresourceteam.com
98
10.5 Holidays
There is lots more information available on holidays in
Richmond AID’s Holidays factsheet. Contact us or visit our
website for this.
Tourism For All
Tourism for All UK is the UK Voice for Accessible Tourism.
Provides information to disabled and older people on where
their specific access needs can be met so that they can fully
participate in travel and leisure.
c/o Vitalise, Shap Road Industrial Estate,
Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6NZ
Tel: 0845 124 9971
Minicom: 0845 124 9976
Fax: 01539 735567
Email: info@tourismforall.org.uk
Website: http://www.tourismforall.org.uk/
Richmond Homes for Life leisure breakway – offers small
groups a stay away from the family home.
Tel: 0202 8977 5447
99
Mencap Holidays
Richmond Mencap Holidays provide seasonal holidays to
popular destinations tailored to individual needs. The holidays
they provide are for adults with a learning disability living
independently within the local community (this also includes
adults who live with family carers, young adults aged 18 - 32+,
and adults with additional needs who live with parents/family
carers).
Tel: 020 8744 1923
Fax: 020 8891 1921
Website: http://www.richmondmencap.org
Email: richmondmencap@btopenworld.com.
London Borough of Richmond Respite Care at Edgerton
Road – available for short breaks or overnight stays for adults
with learning disabilities. Contact a Care Manager. Tel: 020
8487 5315
100
Chapter 11 – Education, Employment
and Volunteering
11.1 Education
Local Education Providers:
Richmond upon Thames College - This is a very accessible
6th form and further education college which welcomes people
with disabilities of all kinds. There is a Supported Learning
Co-ordinator who gives advice and support for ‘discrete
courses’, Patsy Golding:
Tel: 020 8607 8230
Email: patsyg@rutc.ac.uk
For ‘mainstream courses’ contact Chris Hope-Evans:
Tel: 020 8607 8424
Email: chope-evans@rutc.ac.uk
Richmond Adult & Community College at Clifden Road,
Twickenham and Parkshot, Richmond, welcomes disabled
people. The annual prospectus is available from libraries.
There are reduced fees for those on low incomes.
101
Tel: 020 8891 5907 (Jenny Lawrence/Teresa May)
Email: info@racc.ac.uk (course enquiries)
Learn English At Home-LEAH
Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road,
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 6LX
This organisation provides free English lessons to people
from minority ethnic groups, living in the Boroughs of
Kingston and Richmond, who are unable to attend a class.
Tel. 020 8255 6144
Fax: 020 8255 6488
Email: info@leah.org.uk Website: www.leah.org.uk
Vocational Training Colleges – There are several residential
colleges that offer job training or re-training to people who
have a physical disability or a sensory impairment. Contact
the Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) at your local
Jobcentre Tel: 020 8250 4621
Education Benefits:
Disabled Students Allowance – Degree level students (and
sometimes others) can get this non means-tested allowance to
meet extra studying costs arising from their disability.
102
This includes equipment, paid helpers, or extra heating.
Contact the Council’s Education Department for current
information on Maximum allowance rates. Tel: 020 8891 7531.
This service will change from local authority provision to The
Student Loans Company for the 2009/2010 academic year.
Contact:
The Student Loans Company
100 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 7JD
Tel: 0141 243 3704 or 0141 306 2109
Fax: 0141 243 3003
Useful Organisations
Open University – The Open University offers a wide range
of courses. They welcome students with disabilities and offer
them support as required. They ensure that all learning
materials are accessible.
Contact: Student Registration and Enquiry Service
The Open University, PO Box 197
Milton Keynes, MK7 6BJ
Tel: 0845 300 6090
Fax: 01908 654 914
Email: general-enquiries@open.ac.uk
103
SKILL - Most universities and colleges include details of
facilities for disabled students in their prospectus. Many have
a tutor with special responsibility for disabled people. For
further information contact:
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Head Office, Chapter House,
18 – 20 Crucifix House, London, SE1 3JW
Tel/ Minicom: 020 7450 0620
Fax: 020 7450 0650
Email: skill@skill.org.uk / info@skill.org.uk
Website: www.skill.org.uk
11.2. Employment
Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) - Disabled people can
get help in finding a job, contact the local DEA for information
(in Twickenham on Tuesdays and Kingston on Thursdays).
Twickenham Job Centre,
Kingston Job Centre
59 – 63 London Road,
Eve House,
Twickenham, TW1 3SZ
Adam Court, Kingston
Tel: 0208 4813000
104
Employment Support:
Access to Work – this provides advice to help overcome
obstacles from disability, and grants towards extra
employment costs, including:

Special aids and equipment for employment

Adaptations to premises and existing equipment

Help with travel to work if public transport cannot be
used

A support worker to provide help in the workplace

A communicator for support at interviews
Contact the DEA at the local Job Centre.
Workstep – Job support to disabled people who face more
complex barriers to finding a job. A variety of different job
opportunities are offered through Workstep. Contact the DEA
at your local Job Centre.
Reed in Partnership (Pathways to Work). Reed in
Partnership have the contract for Jobcentre Plus to deliver the
Pathways to Work (P2W) service within Richmond and some
neighbouring boroughs. There are two routes to Pathways to
Work who offer support and jobsearch / training search to help
105
people with ill health and disabilities get back into work. For
those on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) there is a
requirement to attend appointments, but others who are on a
benefit (for example DLA) because of their health or disability
can volunteer for Pathways to Work. The Jobcentre will expect
people to travel to their mandatory (required) work focused
interviews with Pathways to Work at their office in Raynes
Park. If physical disability or mental ill health would make this
too difficult, then it is possible to ask for the initial interview to
be held at the Twickenham Jobcentre. However, all the useful
condition management programmes that Pathways to Work
have are held at their offices in Raynes Park.
Contact: Reed in Partnership, Pathways to Work
1st Floor, Durham House, 1B Amity Grove, Raynes
Park, London SW20 0lQ
Tel: 020 8944 4110
Fax 020 8944 4119
Email: jenny.woodrow@reed.co.uk
New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) - Job brokers will
help you become ready for work, find and keep a job and
advise you on in-work benefits. The New Deal is voluntary
and available to anyone on incapacity - related benefit.
Tel: 0800 137 177
106
Text phone: 0800 435 550
Other schemes exist such as Work Preparation and Job
Introduction Scheme. For details contact the DEA at your local
Job Centre.
Local Organisations:
Power Employment – A specialist employment support
service for jobseekers with learning disabilities or difficulties.
Contact:
Power Employment
6th Floor, Regal House,
London Road, Twickenham, TW1 9RR
Tel: 0208 487 5253
Stepping on Out – a group of people with learning disabilities
who run their own business, making greeting cards. To find
out more about them and about running a small business,
please contact them at:
35 Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QE
Tel: 020 8744 8440
Email: office@steppingonout.org.uk
Employment advice and support is also available for mental
health service users, through the The Maddison Centre, 140
107
Church Road, Teddington Middlesex TW11 8QL. Referrals
only. Tel: 020 8977 3156
11.3 Volunteering
Volunteering can be a good way to meet new people, learn
new skills and gain useful experience. The range of
opportunities is huge: whatever skills and experiences you
have, there will be something useful you can do. Most
organisations will cover your expenses and offer training and
support. Here are some useful contacts:
Richmond Council for Voluntary Services (RCVS)
Contact:
The Volunteer Centre,
1 Princes St, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1ED.
Tel: 020 8255 8190 (Rosemary Gooder)
Email: volunteer@richmondcvs.org.uk
Website: www.richmondcvs.org.uk
Richmond upon Thames Borough Volunteer Centre runs
projects for disabled people who are looking to volunteer: the
Contact: 0208 4010069 or 0845 675 1234
108
Richmond AID – is always looking for volunteers to get
involved in advice work, gardening and general administration.
We offer a fully accessible building and friendly atmosphere
(see ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID’). Tel: 020 8831 6070
Richmond Local Involvement Network (LINks)
A network of local individuals and organisations who want the
borough of Richmond residents to receive the care and
support which best serves their needs.
LINk Service Manager,1 Princes Street, Richmond, TW9 1ED
Tele: 020 8255 8500
Email:info@richmondlink.org.uk
Website: www.richmondlink.org.uk
National Organisations:
Do-It – a national database of volunteering opportunities.
First Floor, 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT
Tel: 020 7250 5700 Fax: 020 7250 3695
Website: http://www.do-it.org.uk/
Reach – a service which brings organisations and skilled
volunteers together. They recruit skilled career people who are
willing to donate their time, and find them placements in
voluntary sector roles where their skills are urgantly needed.
109
89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7582 6543
Fax: 020 7582 2423
Email: mail@reach-online.org.uk
Volunteering England – offers a range of services designed
to assist anyone who works with volunteers or who has an
interest in volunteering.
Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL
Tel: 0845 305 6979
Fax: 020 7520 8910
Email: volunteering@volunteeringengland.org
RNID – The Royal National Institute for the Deaf offer
volunteering opportunities.
Tel: 0808 8080 123
Text phone: 0808 808 9000
Email: volunteering@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk
RNIB – The Royal National Institute for Blind People also
offers volunteering opportunities.
Tel: 0845 603 0575
Email: volunteering@rnib.org.uk Website: www.rnib.org.uk
110
Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities –
This organisation works directly with people to assist them into
meaningful employment.
Tel: 020 7448 5420
Email: info@eopps.org (stating your nearest large city)
Website: www.opportunities.org.uk
Shaw Trust – A national organisation offering an employment
service to people with disabilities using government
sponsorship scheme funds.
Tel: 01225 716 300
Minicom: 08457 697 288
Website: www.shaw-trust.org.uk
Key Employment Benefits:
Permitted Earnings – You can work below 16 hours and earn
up to £92 a week, for 52 weeks without affecting your
Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance
(ESA), provided you notify your personal adviser at the
Jobcentre that you want to do this. This is because you need
to make sure that the type of work you are planning to do
doesn’t raise questions about your continuing entitlement to
incapacity based benefit. You can also earn up to £20 per
week for an unlimited period of time without affecting your
111
benefits. Permitted earnings will affect means-tested benefits,
so be sure to contact your local Jobcentre first. If you can
meet the rules for supported permitted work you can work
for below 16 hours a week and earn up to £92 a week while
you get Incapacity Benefit or ESA without time limit.
DLA – Disability Living Allowance is paid whether you work or
not.
Contact Richmond AID’s specialist Benefits Advisors for
information and support on permitted earnings and benefits.
Tel: 020 8831 6080 (see also ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond
AID’)
112
Chapter 12 – Benefits, Grants &
Concessions
12.1 Cash Benefits, Concessions and Free
Services for Disabled People and Carers
There are many benefits and concessions available to
disabled people. Brief outlines of each benefit are given in the
following tables, but this is only a summary. Details can be
complex and are not the same between benefits. If in doubt,
contact Richmond AID for an appointment with one of our
Benefits Advisors (see ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID’).
Cash Benefits
Disability
For those with care needs or who are
Living
terminally ill aged 0 but under 65; and
Allowance
with mobility needs aged 3 to 64. Paid
(DLA)
on top of all other income and can
increase the amount of other benefits
you may get.
Contact Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
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Attendance
For those with care needs who claim
Allowance (AA)
from or after age 65. Paid on top of all
(AA)
other income and can increase the
amount of other benefits you may get.
Contact Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
Statutory Sick
For the first 28 weeks of sickness
Pay (SSP)
Contact your employer
Employment and
For those unable to work from age 16.
Support
For those aged 20 and over, you can get
Allowance (ESA)
contributory ESA if you have enough
This has replaced
National Insurance (NI)
Incapacity Benefit
Contributions. There is also income-
for new claims from related ESA for those without enough NI
27th October 2008
contributions or who have other costs
such as a mortgage. Paid when SSP
(above) ends or immediately if you have
no employer. New claims are made via
the call centre and your first interview
will be at your local Job Centre.
Twickenham Job Centre Plus, 63
London Road, Twickenham
114
Tel: 020 8250 4600
New Claims number: 0800 055 66 88
Carers
For those who do not work or earn below
Allowance
£95 a week who spend at least 35 hours
(CA)
a week looking after someone getting
AA or Middle or Higher Care component
of DLA. The claim can be backdated up
to 3 qualifying months. Not meanstested.
Contact the Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
Disability
Extra paid with some benefits such as
Premiums
housing and council tax benefit and
(adults
income-based Job Seekers Allowance if
and
you get DLA (care) or AA. Contact Job
children)
Centre Plus or Pension Credit.
If eligible for Housing/ Council Tax
Benefit, Contact Richmond Council’s
Housing Benefit Department:
Tel: 020 8891 7724
Access to
Help with Support worker, travel to work
Work
and other work costs if you are
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employed or self-employed.
Tel: 020 8426 3110
Housing Benefit
Help towards rent, Council Tax and
and Council Tax
some service charges. Whether you can
Benefit
receive these benefits depends on a
number of things: your income from
earnings or benefits and savings, the
people in your family, whether you are
disabled and how much you pay in rent
and Council Tax. If you receive Income
Support, income-based Job-Seekers
Allowance or income-related ESA you
will normally be entitled to full help with
rent and Council Tax. If you are a couple
and one of you gets ESA, get advice as
to who should claim HB/CTB. Contact
Richmond Council’s Housing Benefit
Department. Tel: 020 8891 7724
Residential
Means-tested help with costs.
And Nursing
Contact Social Services
Home Care
Tel: 020 8891 7971
Industrial
For those injured while working for an
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Injuries
employer, Contact Employer and
Disablement
Jobcentre Plus or the Benefits
Benefit
Enquiry Line.
Criminal
Lump sums. Contact Police for referral
Injuries
to Criminal Injuries Compensation
Compensation
Authority(there is a time limit for claims)
Road
If driver is un-traceable or un-insured.
Accident
Contact Police and Motor Insurers’
Compensation
Bureau. Tel: 08702 416 732
Vaccine
Lump sums paid. Contact Vaccine
Damage
Damage Payments Unit of DWP.
Payments
Get leaflet HB3 and a claim form by
writing to the Vaccine Damage
Payments Unit, Palatine House,
Lancaster Rd, Preston, PR1 1HB.
Tel: 01772 899 944
Text phone: 0177 256 2202
Independent
Discretionary means tested top-up for
Living
large care packages.
Fund
Contact Social Services
Tel: 020 8891 7600
Home Repair
117
For those on low incomes. Contact
Grants &
Council’s Housing Department
Renovation
Tel: 020 8891 7494 / 7495 / 7438
Grants
Refund of
For those on Income Support, income-
fares to &
based JSA and income-related ESA or
from hospital for
low income.
outpatient visits
Contact Hospital Reception
Family
Lump sums to meet care needs of
Fund
disabled children. Contact Family Fund
Trust
Trust at Unit 4, Alpha Court, Monks
Cross Drive, Huntington, York, YO32
9WN.
Tel: 0845 130 4542
Text phone: 01904 658085
Email: info@familyfund.org.uk
Disabled
To meet extra studying costs due to
Students
disability. Contact the Council’s
Allowance
Education Department on 020 8891
7508. Note that this will change from
2009/10 academic year so get advice.
Social Fund:
A CCG is a lump sum grant for those on
Community Care
Income Support, income-based JSA and
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Grants (CCG)
income-related ESA to meet special
costs on leaving hospital or residential
care or to help someone remain in the
community; priority for disabled people.
A budgeting loan is for people who have
Budgeting loans
been on one of these benefits for a
minimum period and who need help for
certain items for them or a member of
their family.
Contact Social Fund office in Balham
on 0845 608 8661.
Crisis loans may be paid in emergency
Crisis loans
such as fire, flood, lost/stolen benefit.
Contact Crisis Loans Direct on 0800
032 7952
The postal address for the Social Fund
is Balham Delivery Centre, Irene House,
218 Balham High Road, London SW12
9BX.
Warm Front Grant
Grants to improve home insulation and
heating equipment if on a disability
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benefit or a means-tested benefit.
Contact EAGA Partnership
Tel: 0800 316 6011
Email: enquiry@eaga.com
Disabled
Means-tested grants to meet cost of
Facilities Grant
home adaptations. Contact Social
Services
Tel: 020 8891 7436
Concessions and Free Services
Travel Permits
Free local travel for those with mobility
restrictions (and for those aged 60+)
Contact the Council’s Accessible
Transport Unit on 020 8831 6094
Disabled
One third discount on rail fares. Costs
person’s rail
£18 for a year or £48 for 3 years .
card
Contact Richmond AID for an
application form
Taxi Cards
Large discounts for black cabs only
Contact Council’s Accessible
Transport Unit Tel: 020 8831 6312
Taxi Vouchers
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Limited issue to those unable to use
public transport and that do not drive a
car. Contact Council’s Accessible
Transport Unit: Tel: 020 8831 6312
Blue Badge
Free parking at metres and designated
Scheme
areas; limited parking on yellow lines
Contact Council’s Accessible
Transport Unit. Tel: 020 8831 6096
Road Tax
Exempt for those getting higher rate
(VED)
DLA mobility allowances.
Exemption
Contact the Benefits Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 88 22 00 for an exemption
certificate, then apply to DVLA:
Tel: 08702 400010
TV Licences
50% discount for those registered blind
(free for everyone aged 75+)
Contact TV License Helpline
Tel: 08705 763 763
Low Vision
Free for anyone registered partially
Aids
sighted from a low vision clinic
Contact your GP
Personal Tax
Additional tax allowance for those
Allowance
registered blind (£1890 for the 2009/10
121
(blind persons
tax year).
allowance)
Contact your Tax Enquiry Office
Permitted
You can work below 16 hours and earn
Work
up to £92 a week without losing
Incapacity Benefit, ESA or SDA – but it
will affect any means-tested benefits
you are receiving so do get advice first.
You may also want to speak to your
Personal Adviser at the Job Centre or
Pathways to Work about this.
Council Tax
Someone living alone who is “severely
Exemption &
mentally impaired” with a disability
Discounts
benefit is exempt. If living with one
other adult, they get a 25% discount,
as does a severely disabled person
living with a carer who is not their
partner. Contact Council Tax office
Tel: 020 8891 7724
Council Tax
Tax band reduced one step where
Band
there is a disabled person who uses a
Reduction
wheelchair indoors or there are major
Scheme
adaptations or an additional room set
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aside for their use. Contact Council
Tax Office (see above)
VAT
Aids, equipment and services specially
Exemption
designed for disabled people are “zero
rated”: you will have to sign a VAT
exemption form and state your
disability. Contact the supplier
Prescriptions
Free for people whose disability
prevents them going out on their own,
people with specified health conditions,
people on low incomes and all aged
60+: check if you have to get an
exemption certificate. Contact your
pharmacist
Eye Tests
Free for children and all aged 60+
Contact your optician
Hearing Aids
Free for everyone needing one
Contact your GP
Special
Two or more pairs free if needed
Footwear
because of disability
Contact your GP
Wheelchairs
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Contact NHS if needed permanently. A
voucher scheme enables you to pay
the extra to get a non-standard chair.
Contact your GP or Occupational
Therapist
Radios and
Free permanent loan for those
CD Players
registered blind under the British
Wireless for the Blind Fund.
Contact Sensory Services
Tel: 020 8487 1760
Fax: 02084871761
Minicom: 020 8487 1762
Text: 07903738043
Email: senservteam@richmond.gov.uk
Postage on
Postage is free for Braille and non-
“Articles for
personal tape recordings. Mark
the Blind”
envelope: “Articles for the Blind”
Council’s
Gives discounts at many places, is half
Leisure Card
price for disabled people.
Available at libraries, swimming
pools and council offices
Directory
Free service for those unable to use a
Enquiries
directory. Contact Directory Enquiry
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Service. Tel: 118 500
Gas Safety
Free annual check if you are disabled
(or aged 60+) from your gas supplier
only. Contact your gas supplier
Entertainment
Many places give concessions to
people who are registered disabled
and/or a free place for their carer
Contact relevant box office
Accessible
From RADAR at: 12 City Forum
Toilet Key
250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF
Send cheque for £3.50 and a note
saying “key is for use of a disabled
person”. Tel: 020 7250 3222
Text phone: 020 7250 4119
Email: radar@radar.org.uk
Swimming
Free with GP recommendation if it
Pass
helps your condition (or if you are
60+from April 2009 apply for the leisure
card). Contact Council’s Sports
Development Team: 020 8831 6133
Injury
Half an hour’s free advice from a
Compensation
solicitor. Contact ‘Accident Line’
125
Freephone 0800 19 29 39
Motability
Enables you to get a car on contract
hire in return for the higher rate mobility
component of DLA. Contact Motability
Tel: 0845 456 4566
Text phone: 0845 675 0009
Richmond AID Benefits Advice Project
Richmond AID has a team of specialist Benefits Advisors who
provide benefits checks, help with form-filling and support on
making claims and appeals. Contact Richmond AID at 020
8831 6070 or e-mail benefits@richmondaid.org.uk for an
appointment (see also ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID).
Benefits or Concessions for individuals and their families
who are getting Income Support / Income Based Job
Seekers Allowance / Income-Related Employment and
Support Allowance or Pension Credit:
● Local Authority Benefits –
● Free School Meals
● Maximum Housing Benefit
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● Maximum Council Tax Benefit
● Free Home Care Service
● Free Residential or Nursing Home Costs
● Free Home Repair Grants.
NHS Benefits – Helpline 0845 337 3063 - Health Costs
● Free Prescriptions
● Free dental treatment & dentures
● Free sight tests & vouchers for glasses
● Free NHS wigs & fabric support
● Refund of fares to & from Hospital
● Free healthy start vouchers for milk, fruit and vitamins
(if pregnant or has a child under 5)
All, except the free prescriptions and healthy start vouchers
are also available to people with an income higher than the
basic Income Support level. Apply on form HC1, available
from GP’s, hospitals, dentists and opticians.
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Social Security / Benefits
● Payment of mortgage Interest (after a waiting period)
but only for those who qualify for Income Support,
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and incomerelated Employment and Support Allowance.
● Funeral Payments (for those on a qualifying benefit
such as housing or council tax benefit)
● Cold Weather Payments (limited to certain
children/disabled adults on specific benefits)
● Winter Fuel Payments (for people aged 60 or over by
the third week of September).
● Community Care Grants (limited to those on specific
means-tested benefits)
● Budgeting Loans (limited to those on specific meanstested benefits)
● Crisis Loans
● Sure Start Maternity Grant (if on tax credits/meanstested benefits)
Benefit Agency Helplines:
Pension credit:
0800 99 12 34
Disability:
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0800 88 22 00
Richmond Citizens Advice Bureaux Service (CAB)
The CAB can offer help with form-filling and any specialist
benefits advice.
Ham Extension Bureau
The Health Centre, Ashburnham Road, Ham, TW10 7NS
Appointments only Weds. 10.30-12.30.
Hampton
White House Community Centre, The Avenue, Hampton,
TW12 3RN. Telephone: 020 8941 8330
Open door (walk-in sessions): Mon, Weds 10am- 12 noon.
North Barnes Extension Bureau
Castelnau Youth Centre Stillingfleet Road, London, SW13
Open door (walk-in sessions): Tues and Fri 10am – 12 noon.
Richmond
Linfield House, 26 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NA.
Tel/Minicom: 020 8940 2501
Open door (walk-in sessions): Mon – Thurs 11am – 1pm.
129
Sheen
Sheen Lane Centre, Sheen Lane, London, SW14 8LP.
Tel: 020 8876 1513
Open door (walk-in sessions): Mon, Wed, Fri 10am – 12 noon.
Twickenham
The Advice Centre, 61 Heath Road, Twickenham, TW1 4AW.
Tel: 020 8892 5917
Open door (walk-in sessions): Mon – Thurs 10am – 12 noon.
E-mail advice available at www.rcabs.org.uk.
12.2 Local Grants
There are a number of local charitable trusts and funds who
issue grants to people with disabilities. Amounts vary between
£10 and £350. The majority require you to be referred by a
recognised local agency such as Social Services, Richmond
AID, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, your GP or a local
organisation like Spear, the Vineyard Project, Age Concern,
Victim Support etc. Not all agencies are always fully aware of
what is available, so you may need to prompt them to make a
130
The following section aims to arm you with the information you
need.
Barnes Workhouse Fund
Eligibility:
People in need who live in Barnes SW13. Also
to provide for leisure or educational activities. Grants are oneoff.
Size: Up to £350 in one year. Cumulative grants over three
years may be awarded to a maximum of £1000.
Applications to:
The Barnes Workhouse Fund
Miss M Ibbetson
P O Box 665, Richmond, TW10 6YL
Tel: 020 8241 3994
Email: barnesworkhousefund@tiscali.co.uk
Must be referred by a recognised agency, e.g.: social worker,
CAB, health visitor, GP or local charity such as Richmond AID.
Hampton Fuel Allotment Trust
Eligibility:
Residents of Hampton, Hampton Wick,
Teddington, Twickenham and the Butts Farm and Edgar Rd.
Estates.
Details:
Grants for help towards fuel bills, essential items
of equipment / furniture, essential items of medical equipment,
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Careline telephones, electric wheelchairs / scooters and
support for children with disabilities.
Size: Maximum grant £400. Freezers and washing machines
supplied in cases of severe disabilities. Cookers provided from
suppliers. Individuals can apply for a grant directly.
Applications to:
The Clerk
15 High St, Hampton,TW12 2SA
(application form required)
Tel: 020 8941 7866
Hampton Wick United Charity
Eligibility:
People in need who live in Hampton Wick and
South Teddington, especially the parishes of St. John the
Baptist (Hampton Wick) and St. Mark (S Teddington).
Size: Grants are for approximately £100.
Applications to:
The Clerk
241 Kingston Rd,
Teddington.TW11 9JJ
Tel: 020 8977 1322
Applications in writing – there are no application forms.
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Richmond Parish Lands Charity
Eligibility:
Assistance for people in Richmond, Kew, North
Sheen, East Sheen, Ham, Barnes and Petersham. Grants are
given for education, heating vouchers for the elderly and small
one-off grants to individuals who are in urgent need of
financial help.
Size: Small one-off grants are up to a maximum of £250.
Applications to:
The Director,
The Vestry House, 21 Paradise Rd
Richmond. TW9 1SA
Tel: 020 8948 5701
Applications are preferred through nominated welfare
organisations Social Services, Spear, Richmond AID,
Vineyard Project, Age Concern, Victim Support.
The Henry Smith Charity
Eligibility:
People in need who live in Richmond, Kew,
Petersham and Ham. Must be agency referrals.
Size: £3,000 per annum is allocated in grants up to approx
£350.
Applications to:
The Clerk
8 The Green, Richmond, TW9 1PL
Tel: 020 8948 4188
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Richmond aid in Sickness
Eligibility:
Assistance for people who are unwell, or
recovering from illness. Must be agency referrals.
Size: Maximum grants of approximately £300.
Applications to:
The Clerk
8 The Green, Richmond, TW9 1PL
Tel: 020 8948 4188
12.3 Debt
If you are in debt, it is best to seek advice sooner rather than
later on how to deal with it. The National Debtline is a free,
confidential and independent advice service on how to deal
with debt problems.
Tel: 0808 808 4000
Fax: 0121 410 6230
Web: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
Claims management companies: There are lots of
companies out there who say they can get your debts written
off for you, or get compensation for you by claiming that your
credit agreements are unenforceable. Be very careful! Call
the National Debtline before signing up with one of these
companies.
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Chapter 13 – Homes, Housing &
Homelessness
Social Housing:
If you have special housing needs due to a physical or
sensory disability, you may get extra points when applying to
rent (or transfer between) social housing. The Council has a
legal duty to ensure that vulnerable people are housed in
accomodation that will provide a safe and secure environment.
Contact:
Housing Needs Department, Ground Floor
Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham
TW1 3BZ
Telephone: 020 8891 7872 / 020 8831 6444 /
020 8487 5227
Email: housingallocations@richmond.gov.uk
Website: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/housing
Richmond Housing Partnership Ltd
Is the largest social housing provider in Richmond upon
Thames. Contact: Head Office, First Floor, Premier House
52, London Rd, Twickenham,TW1 3RS
135
Tel: 0800 0322 433
Typetalk: 18001 0800 0322 433
Fax: 020 8404 5506
Website: www.rhp.org.uk
Owl Housing – Housing and floating support for people with
learning disabilities.
Tel: 020 8569 9131
Adult Placement Scheme
This scheme is for adults aged 18 years and over and who live
in Richmond upon Thames. In an Adult Placement, you share
your carer’s home in your local community. Adult Placement
Carers will help you to:

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

Look after yourself
Keep healthy and active
Learn new skills
Meet people
Enjoy hobbies and support you with activities
Manage your Money
Share domestic tasks like cooking and cleaning
The Adult Placement Carer gives you support and you will
share daily life with them. There can be different types of
placement, offering a home, a short break (respite) or support
with an activity. Contact: 020 8487 5315
136
Homelessness Prevention
Richmond Council’s ‘Housing Options Team’ provide advice to
residents of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
who:





Are threatened with eviction
Are unable to pay their rent or mortgage
Have problems with a landlord
Have problems with a member of their household
Are fleeing domestic violence
They offer confidential advice and can mediate between
disagreeing parties to try and address problems. Contact:
Tel: 020 8891 1411
Fax: 020 8891 7717
Emergency temporary housing
Richmond Council has a duty to provide people with
accommodation if they are homeless, and provide bed and
breakfast, hostel, and short-term let accomodation. Contact
the Council (number above) for more information. A guide for
people in Temporary Accomodation in Richmond upon
Thames is available online, here:
http://www.richmond.gov.uk/temporary_accomodation_guide_r
ichmond_2009-10.pdf
137
Spear –support & information on housing and homelessness.
55 Heath Road, Twickenham, TW1 4AW
Tel: 020 8288 6506
Email: spear@spearlondon.org
Website: www.spearlondon.org
Rough Sleepers’ Helpline – Tel: 020 8404 1481
Shelter – Tel: 0808 800 4444
Repairs to Your Home:
If you or your partner is disabled or on a low income, you may
be able to get a means-tested Home Grant to help pay for
small repairs or improvements. Disabled residents on a very
low income are the first priority for council assistance.
Contact:
Residential Services.
Tel: 020 8487 5123
Email: residentialeh@richmond.gov.uk
For small repairs, try the Handy Person Scheme –
The Handyperson Service supports residents of Richmond
upon Thames who are over 60 years of age or have a
disability. They assist with any practical job that helps an older
or disabled person, such as:
138
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

repairing a curtain rail
replacing broken light switches
fitting new or replacement locks
changing a light bulb if you are not confident on a pair
of steps
changing tap washers
putting up a shelf if it would help clear your floor space
replace or re-secure a toilet seat
fit a key safe (available to buy from Handyperson)
garden tidy up service
safety & security check
Tel: 020 8876 0620
Email: handyperson@richmond.gov.uk
There is a charge for this service of £20 for a 2-hour visit or
£40 for a 4-hour visit. If the job cannot be completed for any
reason there will be no charge for the visit. All materials are
charged at cost price except for materials that have been
donated to us, which are supplied free of charge.
Improvements to Your Home:
Wandsworth and Richmond Home Improvements Agency
Contact:
First Floor, Civic Centre, 44 York Street,
Twickenham, TW1 3BX
Tel: 020 8891 7436
Email: hia@richmond.gov.uk
139
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme / Warm Front Grant:
Anyone in your house who is getting a disability or means
tested benefit can get a grant to meet most of the cost of
insulating and upgrading the heating in your home. For an
application form contact EAGA partnership:
Tel: 0800 316 6011
Email: enquiry@eaga.com
Adapting Your Home
You can get a Disabled Facilities Grant via Social Services
to pay for major adaptations to your home depending on your
income. Contact Richmond AID for a leaflet and application
form (See ‘Chapter 1 - About Richmond AID’) or, contact Adult
Social Services: 020 8891 7971
Appeals: You can appeal if you are not satisfied with the
assistance offered by the council. Ask for an appeal form from
Residential Services or the Civic Centre.
Safety and Security at Home:
Telephones – If you have substantial disability and are on a
low income, Social Services may pay for some or all of the
cost of installing and renting a telephone. Contact Social
Services Care Teams (see ‘Chapter 2 – Social Services’).
140
Directory Enquiries
If you have difficulty using a directory, BT provides a Directory
Enquiry Service Tel: 0800 587 0195
Deaf callers can access this service via Typetalk (below).
Hearing or Visual Impairments
If you have a hearing impairment and use a minicom or text
phone, then you can use the telephone network to make
contact with any hearing person. Just ring the following codes
before the full telephone number, including code. This service
is provided by Typetalk.
From a Textphone to a phone: 18001 + full tel. number
From a phone to a Textphone: 18002 + full tel. number
Text Users Emergency Service
Gives textphone access to the emergency services.
Textphone: 18 000
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Careline: the Community Alarm Service
Careline is a Council alarm service linked to a control centre
providing a 24 hour response service for disabled or elderly
people.
Contact:
Careline Control Centre
Tel: 0845 600 7413
Gas Safety Checks
If you are disabled or over 60, you can get an annual free
safety check of your gas appliances. Contact your gas
provider.
142
Chapter 14 –Recycling, Rubbish,
Garden Waste and the Environment
For general information, see the Richmond Council website
www.richmond.gov.uk. Telephone: 08456 122 660.
Weekly rubbish collections
The Council will collect rubbish from every house once a
week. This will be on the same day every week, except for
weeks with Bank Holidays, when collections will be a day late.
You should be told if there are going to be any changes to the
collection, and the rubbish collectors should put bins back
inside your gate / boundary and replace the lids. If your
collection has been missed you can report it by telephone:
08456 122 660.
Assisted collections
Assistance is provided for disabled people or people with
special medical conditions, and elderly residents who cannot
carry their bins or recycling containers to the edge of their
143
property. Your bins and recycling containers will be collected
from your doorstep and returned to you once they have been
emptied.
To request an assisted collection:
Email: recycling@richmond.gov.uk
Tel: 08456 122 660
Recycling is collected every week at the same time as the
rubbish collection.
Recycling Boxes
Blue Box
Yes please:
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Paper
Magazines
Newspapers
Flattened cardboard (If it doesn't fit please place
alongside)
Phone directories
Junk mail
Envelopes
No thanks:

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Juice cartons, i.e. Tetra pak
Plastic bags
Other waste
Black box
Yes please:

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Glass bottles and jars
Food and drinks cans
Plastic bottles
Aerosols
Foil
No thanks:
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Other plastic (food trays, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs
etc)
Cardboard
Plastic bags
Textiles
Other waste
Food waste recycling scheme
How to use this service:

To arrange delivery of
recycling containers, please
telephone 08456 122 660.
This is a free service.

Your food waste will be
collected weekly, on the
same day as your Black Box and Blue Box.

Liners for the storage bins can be ordered online and
purchased from all local libraries for £1.75 per pack of
20.

For more information on using this scheme, please
telephone 08456 122 660 or

email recycling@richmond.gov.uk.
What food can be recycled in this scheme?
If it grows and you can eat it, we can recycle it!
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Yes Please
No Thanks
Meat, fish and bones
Food cans and jars
Bread, pasta and rice
Garden waste
Vegetable and fruit waste
Plastic bags - please don't use them
as liners
Eggs and cheese
Pet faeces
Tea bags
Human faeces
All cooked and raw foods Nappies
Coffee grounds with
paper filters
Plastic/synthetic coffee filters
To ensure your food waste is collected please leave recycling:
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

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Out for collection on the same day as your Black Box
and Blue Box.
Out by 6am. The collections start early and pick up
times may vary.
At the edge of your property, by the pavement. We
cannot collect it if it is in a porch, side access, or behind
a wall.
Out for collection in the large storage bin, not in the
small kitchen caddie, as the caddie is not securable
against animals.

Do not use a plastic bag as a liner. Plastic cannot be
composted.
Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre
Townmead Road in Kew offers facilities for recycling a wide
variety of materials.
Also there is sometimes free woodchip to give away to
residents. Visit:
Townmead Road, Richmond (off Mortlake Rd, Kew), TW9 4EL
Tel: 020 8876 3281
Open to the public from April to October 8am to 6pm and
November to March 8am to 5pm. Sundays and public holidays
throughout the year 9am to 4pm.
Bulky items: sofas, wardrobes, boxes
The Council provides a collection service from residential
properties for bulky items or other household waste which is
not suitable to be collected as part of the weekly household
refuse collection.
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This includes items which are in a box, bag or bundle, or large
items (for example a sofa or wardrobe).
It does not include fridges or freezers (for this, see below).
They will collect up to five items for £30* (VAT free); each
additional item is £3.10*. (See below for discounted rates).
* Shows the current prices, but these may change.
Discounted rates

Over 60 years discount to £15*

Low income (in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance,
Income Support or Housing Benefit) discount to £0*

Discounts apply for up to four collections per household
per year. Additional collections will be charged at full
price.

A collection includes up to five items, additional items
will be charged at full price (£3.10* per item).
If you qualify for a discount you may be required to provide
evidence of your eligibility and your application must be made
through the call centre 08456 122 660.
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You can fill in application forms for this service on the
Council’s website or order a form by telephone: 08456 122
660.
Fridges and Freezers
The Council provides a fridge and freezer collection service
from residential properties. It is important that fridges and
freezers are disposed of correctly as they contain gases and
materials that are harmful to the environment.
Discounted rates

Over 60 years discount to £15 (VAT free)

Low income (in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance,
Income Support or Housing Benefit) discount to £0

Discounts apply for up to four collections per household
per year. Additional collections will be charged at full
price.

If you think you are eligible for a discount please apply
by phoning the call centre, 08456 122 660. You may be
required to provide evidence of eligibility for the
discount.
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You can fill in an application form on the Council’s website or
order a form by telephone: 08456 122 660.
Garden waste collection service
The Council offers an opt-in fortnightly
collection service of household garden
waste from outside your home. To be
eligible for the service, garden waste needs to be contained in
either of the council containers shown above (a compostable
sack or a green-wheeled bin). There is a choice of container
so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. This
service is available to every household in the borough that
receives the regular Black Box and Blue Box collection.
Please register your address by telephone 08456 122 660.
Addresses are automatically registered when the bins are
hired or if sacks are ordered through the mail order system.
Composting – You can help to reduce, reuse and recycle,
creating your own nutrient rich compost by using your kitchen
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and garden waste. You may be interested in creating a
wormery. These steps can help to maintain a clean and green
environment.
What you can use to make compost:
Fruit and vegetable peelings, scrunched up cardboard,
teabags and eggshells, soft garden waste such as garden
prunings, grass cuttings, leaves, twigs, hedge trimmings,
weeds, plants, flowers.
The Council works in partnership with a supplier of compost
bins (WRAP) and has secured reduced rates for residents of
the borough. Please call 0845 076 0223. They will let you
know which bins are available, the cost, take payment and
arrange delivery. There are also compost bins from £5
available for purchase from the Reuse and Recycling Centre
at Townmead Road.
14.2. Energy Use
There are services and organisations in
Richmond upon Thames which aim to
make energy-saving and recycling
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accessible to all. Some sources of advice and information are
given below, with information about assisted collection
services, adaptive equipment, grants for housing adaptations
and re-use schemes. Visit the Disability Action and Advice
Centre for free energy-saving bulbs and other devices.
Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre - For advice on how to
reduce your carbon footprint, call the Advice Centre for free.
They’ll be able to answer all your queries and let you know
about grants and offers available for insulation and other
home energy improvements.
Contact: 0800 512 012 Email advice@est-london.org.uk
Warm Front Grant – Anyone in your house who is getting a
disability- or means-tested benefit can get a grant to meet the
cost of insulating and upgrading the heating in your home.
For an application form contact EAGA partnership:
Contact EAGA Freephone: 0800 316 2814
Energy Supplier – As part of the government’s energy
efficiency drive, under CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction
Target) all energy suppliers are required to promote carbon
reductions for households. This includes installing free energy
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efficiency measures for people on low incomes and elderly
people. Contact: Look on the back of your electricity bill for
your supplier’s number.
Adapting Your Home – You can get a Disabled Facilities
Grant via Social Services to pay for major adaptations to your
home, depending on your income. Contact Richmond AID for
a leaflet and application form (See ‘Chapter 1 - About
Richmond AID’) or alternatively:
Contact Adult Social Services: 020 8891 7971
British Gas Home Insulation Scheme – To help you make
your house more energy efficient, Richmond upon Thames
Council has teamed up with British Gas to offer residents loft
and cavity wall insulation by British Gas at a substantially
reduced price and £100 off your next Council Tax bill for the
first 1,000 residents who take up the offer and £50 thereafter.
Contact British Gas: 0845 971 7731
0800111999 to report a gas emergency
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Free Energy Saving Goodies – Energy saving light bulbs last
up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb and could save you
around £60 before they need replacing. Richmond AID users
can pick one up from the DAAC for free, and also available are
Power Down plugs which help to save energy by automatically
switching appliances off standby.
Contact Richmond AID: 020 8831 6080
For more information on what you can do to help tackle
climate change, visit www.richmond.gov.uk/sustainability or
contact the Council’s Sustainability Unit on 020 8891 7302
Email: sustainability@richmond.gov.uk.
14.3. Re-Use
A number of schemes in the borough accept or collect
unwanted items so that they can be re-used elsewhere:
The Scrapstore collects donated card, paper, circuit boards,
books, tiles and fabric and makes them available free to scrap
art projects involving people who live or work in the Borough.
Email: eco@richmond.gov.uk
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Tel: 08456 122 660
RePaint Scheme
The RePaint scheme is run from the Central Depot in
Twickenham and collects unwanted but usable paint for
redistribution free of charge to community groups and
individuals in receipt of benefits.
Tel: 0208 487 5240
Email: recycling@richmond.gov.uk (please put RePaint in the
subject heading) to make an appointment to pick up paint or
for more information.
Furniture Scheme
All residents can use the Furniture Scheme. The Furniture
Scheme is a charitable organisation which collects donated
furniture and household items in good condition in and around
the Richmond borough area. This project supplies furniture at
low cost to people who could not otherwise afford it. By
recycling unwanted furniture to the scheme you will help:


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The environment by re-using and reducing waste going
to landfill
The community, by giving furniture to those who need
it.
For more information on how to donate furniture,or to make an
appointment to view available furniture please contact:
Tel: 020 8755 4665 Email: furniture.scheme@ukgateway.net
Website: www.furniture.scheme.ukgateway.net
Address: Furniture Scheme, Richmond upon Thames
1a Fortescue Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 5LS.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10.00 to 15.00 and the
first Saturday of every month 10.00 to 12.00.
Richmond Environment Network (REN)
REN is an umbrella body or hub that brings together the
environmental and sustainability voluntary and community
sector (groups, organisations and schools working on
environmental projects) within the London Borough of
Richmond upon Thames, promoting information about them,
their activities and events while also providing a support and
development role. In addition REN has its own projects and
subgroups to increase environmental activity, biological
diversity and sustainable thinking and practice in the borough.
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Address: 6 Upper Deck, Phoenix Wharf, Eel Pie Island
Twickenham, TW1 3DY
Tel: 020 8892 0590
The Zero Waste Initiative (ZWIN) is part of REN (Richmond
Environment Network):
ZWIN is run entirely by volunteers. It aims to help
organisations in the London Borough of Richmond upon
Thames to develop sound environmental policies in order to
reduce energy and water consumption, reduce waste
production, encourage recycling and the efficient use of
resources. This is achieved through free environmental
assessments, which are carried out on-site by trained
volunteers.
ZWIN is based at REN's office. Address: 6 Phoenix Wharf,
Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, TW1 3DY.
Unwanted Mail
The average household receives 224 pieces of junk mail each
year. Half a million tonnes of unwanted mail is generated in
the UK and it takes 3,300,000 trees to produce it.
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Follow these easy steps to help the environment and reduce
the amount of unwanted mail that comes through your door:
Step 1 - Reduce addressed unwanted mail
Register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to
remove your name from mailing lists. Contact:
Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London,W1W 8SS
MPS Registration line - 0845 703 4599
Email: mpsa@dma.org.uk Website: www.mpsonline.org.uk
You can also opt out of receiving unaddressed mail through
Royal Mail by registering with the Door to door opt outs
scheme. Address:
Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt
Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX
Email: optout@royalmail.com
Step 2 - Stop flyers and unwanted leaflets: order your free
"No junk mail" sticker
The Council has produced "No commercial leaflets"
stickers that can be placed above or on your letterbox.
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To order your free sticker phone the environmental contact
centre on 08456 122 660 or email your name and address to
recycling@richmond.gov.uk.
Step 3 - Avoid joining new mailing lists
When completing consumer related forms, always tick the box
to show you do not wish to receive further correspondence
from these companies or other related companies.
Other useful contacts
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It
is the official central opt out register on which you can record
your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing
calls.
Address: Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS
Tel: TPS Registration line - 0845 070 0707
Email: tps@dma.org.uk
Website: www.tpsonline.org.uk
The Fax Preference Service (FPS) is a free service primarily
for businesses, but can also be used by individuals.
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To register to avoid unsolicited mail by fax:
Tel: 0845 070 0707
Website: www.fpsonline.org.uk
.
Direct Marketing Association
You can ask distribution companies to stop the delivery of
unaddressed mail to your home. Contact the DMA and ask for
details of the Your Choice Preference Service for
Unaddressed Mail.
Your Choice Preference Scheme
Direct Marketing Association (UK) Ltd
DMA House, 70, Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS
Tel: 020 7291 3300
Fax: 020 7323 4165
Email: yourchoice@dma.org.uk
If any unwanted mail does come through your door, don’t
forget to recycle it.
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Chapter 15 – Personal Issues
15.1 Personal Appearance
Hairdressers – Some hairdressers will visit you in your own
home. They advertise as “mobile hairdressers” in the
hairdressers section of the Yellow Pages (also www.yell.com)
and Thompson Local.
15.2 Personal Hygiene
Continence Service – For details of the NHS continence
service, ask your GP or speak to the Community Health
Services at Teddington Memorial Hospital.
Tel: 020 8408 8210.
The Disabled Living Foundation can also give advice on
continence problems.
Tel: 0845 130 9177
Text phone: 020 7432 8009
Email: advice@dlf.org.uk Website: www.dlf.org.uk
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15.3 Counselling and Support Services
Confidential Listening Services – If you are worried or
anxious a personal and confidential service is available by
telephone, letter or in person at one of the following centres.
Samaritans, Kingston Branch:
Samaritans, Putney Branch:
Samaritans, Croydon Branch:
Tel: 020 8399 6676
Tel: (020) 8789 9121
Tel: 020 8789 9121
General Counselling – Trained counsellors may help you to
face your difficulties. Your GP can make referrals if
appropriate, as can Social Services.
Personal Relationships: RELATE
1 Princes Street, Richmond, TW9 1ED
Tel: 020 8940 8578 Website: www.relate.org.uk
Relate can help with relationship problems, including
marriage, separation and sexual difficulties.
Bereavement - If you have lost a relative or a friend and need
support, you can contact Cruse Bereavement Care:
Cruse House, 126 Sheen Rd, Richmond TW9 1UR
Tel: 020 8876 0417
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Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Chapter 16 – Computers and
Information Technology
Useful Organisations:
Leonard Cheshire Workability
Leonard Cheshire Workability offers training which aims to
break down barriers and provide disabled people with the
skills and support needed to gain employment. The project is
aimed at disabled people aged between 19 and 50 whose
disability has hindered their attempts to work.
Entry Criteria:




Disabled
Aged between 19 and 50 years
Literate and numerate to GCSE level or equivalent
Available for and actively seeking work
For further information please contact:
Leonard Cheshire Workability
Tel: 020 3242 0200
Email: info@lcdisability.org Website: www.lcdisability.org
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U Can Do IT – Computer training for blind, Deaf and disabled
people at home, living in any London borough. People will be
visited at home for a Preliminary Assessment Session to
establish suitability to benefit from the course. For those on
incomes of less than £100 per week the course is £1 per
lesson, increasing according to income.
Address:
4 Woodfall Street, London, SW3 4DJ
Tel/ Minicom: 020 7730 7766
Email: info@ucandoit.org.uk
Website: www.ucandoit.org.uk
AbilityNet – Provides a full programme of courses to spread
awareness of ‘adaptive technology’, and assessment service
for those at home, in education and in the workplace. They
advise on technology and supply free support via a helpline
and further home visits if necessary.
Address:
PO Box 94,
Warwick, CV34 5WS
Tel/ Text phone: 01926 312847
Helpline: 0800 269545
Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
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Queen Elizabeth Training College – Offer courses which
permit students to follow individual training programmes
designed to meet their specific requirements. Apply through
your nearest DEA. For further information contact:
Queen Elizabeth Training College,
Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 OBN
Tel: 01372 841 100
Minicom: 01372 843 483
Fax: 01372 844 156
Website: www.qef.org.uk
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Chapter 17 – Local Groups &
Organisations
Access Project Whitton (care of Whitton Day Centre)
Tel: 020 8898 3858
Age Concern Richmond
Tel: 0845 601 1149
Alzheimer’s Society (South West London)
Richmond Office
Tel: 020 8877 0033
British Heart Foundation
Twickenham branch
Tel: 0208 892 7226
Crossroads Caring for Carers - Richmond
Tel: 020 8831 6088
Family Planning Services – South West London
Call the number below to find your nearest clinic.
Tel: 020 8700 0423 (Tooting based)
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FiSH – Neighbourhood Care Group Barnes, Mortlake & Sheen
Tel: 020 8876 3414
Furniture Scheme - Richmond upon Thames
Tel: 020 8755 4665
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Tel: 01483 510 960
Fax: 01483 510 979
Email: surrey.wsussex@guidedogs.org.uk
Ham and Petersham SOS Scheme
Good neighbour scheme
Tel: 020 8948 1090
Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group
Good neighbour scheme – befriending, transport,
volunteering, social/ leisure activities, support groups
Tel: 020 8979 9662
HANDS– Help a Neighbour in Distress Scheme
Twickenham & St Margaret’s
Handy Person Service
Tel: 020 8876 0620
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Tel: 020 8891 3346
Integrated Neurological Services (INS)
Offers help and support for people who have had a
stroke/alzheimers
Tel: 0208 8940 1126
Kew Neighbourhood Association
Tel: 020 8948 8054
Local Involvement Network, Richmond (LINks)
A network of local individuals and organisations who want the
borough of Richmond residents to receive the care and
support which best serves their needs.
LINk Service Manager, 1 Princes Street, Richmond, TW9 1ED
Email:info@richmondlink.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8255 8500
Me, Too and Co.
Offers support and activities to families affected by disability
Tel: 07946 646033
MENCAP ( Richmond)
Tel: 020 8744 1923
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MIND (Richmond Association for Mental Health)
Tel: 020 8772 5687
Email: info@rbmind.com
Website: www.rbmind.com
MS Society – Richmond Branch
Tel: 07905099080
Parkinson’s Disease Society
Tel: 0207 931 8080
Pension Service (for Richmond)
Tel: 020 8481 3109
Fax: 02084813110
Richmond & Kingston Accessible Transport (RaKAT)
Accessible Transport Group only
Tel: 020 8481 0031
Richmond Advocacy for Mental Health
Tel: 020 8744 9251
Richmond Backpain
Tel: 020 8979 7626
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Richmond Borough MIND (Centre 32)
Tel: 020 8898 7753
Richmond Carer’s Centre
Tel: 020 8867 2380
Richmond Counselling Service (Offers low cost service)
Tel: 020 8948 7881 (answering machine service)
Richmond Dyslexia Association
Tel: 020 8892 4259 Helpline: 020 8940 4626
Richmond Good Neighbours
Tel: 020 8332 9741
Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association
Tel: 020 8449 0475
National: 01733 421 311/
Stroke Association
Tel: 0845 303 3100
Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group
Good neighbour scheme.
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Tel: 020 8943 3112
The Middlesex Association for the Blind
Tel: 0845 838 0480
Three Wings Trust
Works with children and families affected by disability
Tel: 020 8831 6175
Twickenham Blind Club
Tel: 020 8423 5141
London Disability Arts Forum
Tel: Peter Kinkead 07811 352289
Whitton Network
Good neighbour scheme: Tel: 020 8755 1336
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Chapter 18 – National Organisations
AbilityNet Makes computer technology accessible to
disabled people. Tel/ Text phone: 01926 312 847
Helpline: 0800 269 545 Website: www.abilitynet.org.uk
Age Concern England Tel: 020 8765 7200
Helpline: 0800 00 99 66 Website: www.ageconcern.org.uk
Arthritis Care
Freephone: 0808 800 4050 (weekdays 12-4)
Tel: 020 7380 6555 (weekdays 10-4)
Email: helpline@arthritiscare.org.uk
Website: www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Autistic Society ( National)
Helpline: 0845 070 4004 (Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00)
Tel: 020 7833 2299 Fax: 020 7833 9666
Website: www.nas.org.uk
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Backcare
Tel: 0845 130 2704
Website: www.backcare.org.uk
Benefits Enquiry Line (DWP)
Tel: 0800 88 22 00
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk
Blind People (The Royal National Institute for the Blind)
Helpline: 0845 766 9999
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Deaf People (The British Deaf Association) London/South
East Text phone: 02476 550 393
Tel: 02476 550 936
Website: www.bda.org.uk
Cancer Bacup
Tel: 0808 800 1234
Website: www.cancerbacup.org.uk
Carers UK
Tel. advice line: 0808 808 7777
Head office: 020 7922 8000 Fax: 020 7378 9781
Email: info@carersuk.org
Website: www.carersuk.org
Children’s Legal Centre Tel: 01206 872 466
Fax: 01206 874 026 Website: www.childrenslegalcentre.com
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Citizens Advice For advice on a range of topics from
benefits, debt, housing, employment, transport, marital etc.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Community Legal Service Direct Tel: 0845 345 4345
Website: www.clsdirect.org.uk for information and local legal
advice details.
Computers for disabled people (see AbilityNet)
Community Service Volunteers (NAVCA)
(National Association for Voluntary & Community Action)
Tel: 0114 278 6636 Text phone: 0114 278 7025
Website: www.navca.org.uk
Continence Foundation
Helpline: 0845 345 0165 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-1:00pm)
Tel: 020 7404 6875 Fax: 020 7404 6876
Email: continence-help@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.continence-foundation.org.uk
Crossroads – Caring for Carers Tel: 0845 450 0350
Website: www.crossroads.org.uk
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Deaf children (The National Deaf Children’s Society)
Tel: 0808 800 8880
Website: www.ndcs.org.uk
Deaf people (Royal National Institute for Deaf people
RNID)
Tel: 0808 808 0123
Text phone: 0808 808 9000
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk Website: www.rnid.org.uk
Deaf Plus Tel: 020 7790 6147 Text phone: 020 7790 6147
Fax: 020 7790 6147
Email: info@deafplus.org Website: www.deafplus.org
Disability Law Service Disabled people and their families,
carers and advocates, are all welcome to get in touch with our
helpline for advice.
Tel: 020 7791 9800 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-5pm)
Fax: 020 7791 9802
Email: advice@dls.org.uk
Text phone: 1800 1020 7791 9800
Website: www.dls.org.uk
DirectGov– A very useful government website for everyone
including disabled people. It brings together information on
central and local government services and benefits. It has a
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wide range of information with good links across the site.
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople
Disabled Living Foundation
A national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all
types of daily living equipment for disabled adults and
children, older people, their carers and families.
Tel: 0845 130 9177
Website: www.dlf.org.uk
Environment (Centre for Accessible Environments)
Tel: 020 7840 0125
Fax: 020 7840 5811
Email: info@cae.org.uk
Website: www.cae.org.uk
Epilepsy (National Society for Epilepsy)
Tel: 01494 601400
Website: www.epilepsynse.org.uk
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
EHRC replaces the previous equalities commissions on
disability, race and sex and additionally covers other areas
such as age discrimination.
Tel: 08457 622 633
Fax: 08457 778 878
Text phone: 08457 622 644
Tel: 08456046610
Fax: 0845606620
Text phone: 0845 6046630
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Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Fish Insurance Provides insurance for mobility equipment,
cars and aids. Tel:01772 724442 Fax: 01772 733773
General enquiries: admin@fishinsurance.co.uk
Website: www.fishinsurance.co.uk
Holiday Care Service (now Tourism for All)
Tel: 0845 124 9971 Fax: 01539 735567
Email: info@tourismforall.org.uk
Website: www.holidaycare.org.uk
IBS network (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Network) / Gut Trust
Tel: 0114 272 3253 (answerphone)
Fax: 0114 201 1112
Email: info@theguttrust.org Website: www.theguttrust.org
HELP THE AGED (England)
Freephone seniorline: 0808 800 65 65 (free advice)
Tel: 020 7278 1114 : 020 7278 1116
Minicom/textphone: 0800 26 96 26
Email: info@helptheaged.org.uk
Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk
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I CAN– educational charity for children with speech and
language difficulties.
0845 225 4071 – Switchboard
Fax: 0845 225 4072
0845 225 4073 – Information
Website: www.ican.org.uk
Independent Living (National Centre for Independent
Living) - They have a website as a resource on independent
living, direct payments and individual budgets for disabled
people and others working in the field who may find it useful.
Tel: 0207 587 1663 Fax: 020 7582 2469
Textphone: 020 7587 1177
Email: info@ncil.org.uk
Website: www.ncil.org.uk
Independent Living Fund Provides cash payments to over
21,000 disabled people across the UK, allowing the choice to
live inclusive and independent lives in their communities rather
than residential care. Tel: 0845 601 8815
Fax: 0115 945 0945
Website: www.ilf.org.uk
Independent Panel for Special Education Advice
Tel: 0800 018 4016 Tribunal helpline: 0845 602 9579
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Leonard Cheshire – support services for disabled people
Tel: 0203 242 0200
Fax: 0203 242 0250
Email: info@lcdisability.org Web: www.leonard-cheshire.org
Limbless Association
Tel: 020 8487 6032
ME Association
Website: www.limbless-association.org
Tel: 0870 444 1836
Email: meconnect@meassocation.org.uk
Website: www.meassociation.org.uk
MENCAP (England)
Tel: 020 7454 0454
Fax: 020 7608 3254
Email: information@mencap.org.uk
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Mobilise (formerly Disabled Drivers Association)
Tel: 01508 489 449
Fax: 01508 488 173
Email: enquiries@mobilise.info Website: www.mobilise.info
Motability Car Scheme
Tel: 0845 456 4566
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Minicom: 0845 675 0009
Motability Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme
Tel: 0845 607 6260 Fax: 01264 384 482
Website: www.motability.co.uk
MS Society Tel: 020 8438 0700
Helpline: 0808 800 8000
Website: www.mssociety.org.uk
Outsiders Support on all aspects of relationships for disabled
people (weekdays 11am to 7pm)
Tel: 0707 499 3527
Email: sexdis@outsiders.org.uk
Website: www.outsiders.org.uk
National Debtline
The National Debtline is a free, confidential and independent
advice service on how to deal with debt problems.
Tel: 0808 808 4000
Fax: 0121 410 6230
Web: www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
RADAR (Royal Association for Disability & Rehabilitation)
Tel: 020 7250 3222
Minicom: 020 7250 4119
Fax: 0870 141 0337
Email: radar@radar.org.uk
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Website: www.radar.org.uk
REMAP (equipment solutions for disabled people)
Tel: 0845 130 0456
Fax: 0845 130 0789
Website: www.remap.org.uk Email: data@remap.org.uk
RICABILITY (independent research for disabled consumers)
Tel: 020 7427 2460 Text phone: 020 7427 2469
Email: mail@ricability.org.uk Website: www.ricability.org.uk
River Thames Boat Project
Tel: 020 8940 3509
Website: www.thamesboatprojectt.org
Email: info@thamesboatproject.org
SCOPE (cerebral palsy)
Tel: 0808 800 3333
Email: response@scope.org.uk Website: www.scope.org.uk
SKILL – National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Promotes opportunities for people with any kind of impairment
in post-16 education, training and employment. The
helpline will be open on Tuesdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Tel: 0800 328 5050 (information service)
Tel: 020 7450 0620 Fax: 020 7450 0650
Email: skill@skill.org.uk
182
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Spinal Injuries Association
Tel: 0800 980 0501 (9.30am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri)
Website: www.spinal.co.uk
Stroke Association
Tel: 0845 303 3100
Email: info@stroke.org.uk Website: www.stroke.org.uk
Talking Newspaper
National: 01435 866102
Typetalk (National phone relay service for hearing & speech
impaired people)
Tel: 0800 7311 888 Text phone: 18001 0800 500 888
Email: helpline@rnid-typetalk.org.uk
Website: www.rnid-typetalk.org.uk
United Kingdom Disabled People’s Council
Tel: 01332 295 551 / 01773 746 698
Minicom: 01332 295581
Email: general@UKSDPC.org
Website: www.bcodp.org.uk
VITALISE (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust)
Respite care for carers
Email: info@vitalise.org.uk
183
Tel: 0845 345 1972
Website: www.vitalise.org.uk
Index
2000 Club, Sports ................................................................. 87
AbilityNet, IT ................................................................ 161, 169
Access Project, Whitton ................................................ 87, 163
Access to Work ................................................... 101, 111, 112
Access Work, Richmond AID .................................................. 9
Accessible Toilet Key .......................................................... 121
Accident and emergency ....................................................... 22
Actionnaires, Sport for visually impaired people ................... 78
Addiction, Support Care Agency ........................................... 18
Additional Aids ...................................................................... 70
Adult Placement Scheme .................................................... 132
Adult Social Services ............................................................ 16
Advice Service, Richmond AID ............................................... 7
Advocacy .............................................................................. 43
Advocacy for Mental Health, Richmond .............................. 166
Advocacy Partners ................................................................ 43
Age Concern ....................................................................... 163
Age Concern Advocacy ......................................................... 44
Age Concern England ......................................................... 169
Aids, Equipment .................................................................... 70
184
All Hallows Social Club ......................................................... 41
Alzheimer’s Society (South West London) .......................... 163
Arthritis Care ....................................................................... 169
Articles for the Blind ............................................................ 120
Arts........................................................................................ 88
Artsline .................................................................................. 90
Assisted collections ............................................................. 139
Attendance Allowance ......................................................... 110
Autistic Society, National ..................................................... 169
Backcare ............................................................................. 170
Barnes Green Social Centre ................................................. 37
Barnes Wetland Centre ......................................................... 91
Barnes Workhouse Fund .................................................... 127
Barnfield Riding School ......................................................... 81
Benefit Agency Helplines .................................................... 124
Benefit Enquiry Line ............................................................ 170
Benefits ............................................................................... 109
Benefits Advice Project, Richmond AID .................................. 8
Black Taxis ............................................................................ 56
Blind People, the National Institute for ................................ 170
Blue Badge Scheme ........................................................... 117
Blue Badges .......................................................................... 62
Bluebird (home care)............................................................. 54
185
Boccia, inclusive sport........................................................... 78
British Gas Home Insulation Scheme.................................. 150
British Heart Foundation ..................................................... 163
Brokerage, Social Care ......................................................... 53
Bulky items collection .......................................................... 144
Bus Travel ............................................................................. 58
CAB..................................................................................... 125
Cancerbacup ....................................................................... 170
Care in the Air – Guide for Disabled Passengers .................. 68
Care Management Teams .................................................... 16
Care UK (home care) ............................................................ 54
Careline ............................................................................... 138
Carers ................................................................................... 47
Carers Allowance (CA) .................................................. 49, 111
Carers Assessment ............................................................... 15
Carers UK ..................................................................... 48, 170
Carers’ Centre, Richmond ..................................................... 47
Carers’ Support Worker, CORLD .......................................... 47
Centre 32 (MIND) .................................................................. 41
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Richmond .......................................................................... 26
Children’s Legal Centre ....................................................... 170
Children's and Families' Service ........................................... 18
186
Children's Services ............................................................... 17
Citizens Advice Bureaux ..................................................... 125
Citizen's Advice, National .................................................... 171
Clubs & Organisations ......................................................... 86
Community Care Grants ..................................................... 114
Community Legal Advice ...................................................... 45
Community Legal Service Direct ......................................... 171
Community Mental Health Team ........................................... 24
Companion Cycling ............................................................... 81
Complaints ............................................................................ 20
Composting ......................................................................... 147
Computers and IT ............................................................... 160
Concessions ....................................................................... 109
Congestion Charging ............................................................ 69
Contact the Elderly ................................................................ 34
Continence Foundation ....................................................... 171
Continence Service ....................................................... 27, 158
Council Tax Band Reduction Scheme................................. 118
Council Tax Exemption & Discounts ................................... 118
Counselling ......................................................................... 159
Counselling Service, Richmond .......................................... 167
Crane Community Centre ..................................................... 41
Criminal Injuries Compensation .......................................... 113
187
Croft Centre, the.................................................................... 18
Crossroads Caring for Carers ....................................... 47, 163
Crossroads Caring for Carers, National .............................. 171
Cruse Bereavement Care ................................................... 159
Day Centres .................................................................... 37, 87
Deaf Association,British ...................................................... 170
Deaf Children's Society, the National .................................. 172
Deaf Plus ............................................................................ 172
Debt .................................................................................... 130
Debtline, National ................................................................ 130
Dental Service, Community ................................................... 22
Dentists ................................................................................. 21
DIAL-A-RIDE ......................................................................... 55
Directory Enquiries ...................................................... 120, 137
Disability Action and Advice Centre ...................................... 10
Disability Equipment Register ............................................... 76
Disability Law Service ......................................................... 172
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) ........................................ 109
Disability Now........................................................................ 75
Disability Premiums (Adults and Children) .......................... 111
Disability Resource Team ..................................................... 94
Disabled Drivers' Association .............................................. 176
Disabled Facilities Grant ..................................... 116, 136, 150
188
Disabled Living Foundation ........................................... 75, 173
Disabled Persons Railcard .................................................... 60
Disabled Students Allowance ........................................ 98, 114
Disablement Employment Advisor (DEA) ............................ 100
Doctors.................................................................................. 21
Do-It, Volunteering .............................................................. 105
Douglas Bader Sports Centre ............................................... 80
Downs Syndrome Association .............................................. 48
Drug and Alcohol Services .................................................... 18
Eating Disorders.................................................................... 29
Education .............................................................................. 97
Education Benefits ................................................................ 98
Elleray Hall Social Club ......................................................... 38
Emergency Out of Hours Team............................................. 19
Emergency temporary housing ........................................... 133
Employment ........................................................................ 100
Employment Benefits .......................................................... 107
Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities ....... 107
Employment Support........................................................... 101
Employment Support Allowance ......................................... 110
Enara (home care) ................................................................ 54
Energy Saving ..................................................................... 151
Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre .................................... 149
189
Entertainment ................................................................ 78, 121
Environments, Centre for Accessible .................................. 173
Epilepsy, National Society of ............................................... 173
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)............... 173
Ethnic Minorities Advocacy Group ........................................ 45
Etna Community Centre ........................................................ 41
Exchange & Mart................................................................... 75
Eye Tests ............................................................................ 119
Families Outreach, Richmond AID .......................................... 9
Family Fund Trusts ............................................................. 114
Family Planning Clinics ......................................................... 29
Family Planning Services – South West London................. 163
FISH .............................................................................. 35, 164
Fish Insurance..................................................................... 174
Footwear ............................................................................. 119
Freedom Pass ....................................................................... 63
Furniture Scheme................................................................ 152
Furniture Scheme - Richmond upon Thames ..................... 164
Garden waste collection ...................................................... 147
Gardening service, Richmond SPADE .................................... 8
Gas Safety .......................................................................... 121
Gas Safety Checks ............................................................. 138
Goldsborough (home care) ................................................... 54
190
GPs ....................................................................................... 21
Grants ................................................................................. 109
Guide Dogs for the Blind ..................................................... 164
Hairdressers ........................................................................ 158
Ham & Petersham SOS Scheme .................................. 35, 164
Ham Friends Club ................................................................. 39
Hampton & Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group ................... 35
Hampton and Hampton Hill Voluntary Care Group ............. 164
Hampton Enterprise .............................................................. 56
Hampton Fuel Allotment Trust............................................. 127
Hampton Hill Old Peoples Welfare ........................................ 40
Hampton St Raphael Club .................................................... 35
Hampton Wick And South Teddington Old Peoples Welfare 40
Hampton Wick United Charity ............................................. 128
HANDS ................................................................................. 36
HANDS – Help A Neighbour in Distress Scheme................ 164
Handy Person Service ................................................ 134, 164
Health Services ..................................................................... 21
Hearing Aid Centres .............................................................. 27
Hearing Aids ....................................................................... 119
Help the Aged (England) ..................................................... 174
HIV & AIDS ........................................................................... 28
HIV Services ......................................................................... 18
191
Holiday Care Service .......................................................... 174
Holidays ................................................................................ 95
Holidays, Mencap.................................................................. 96
Home Care Agencies ............................................................ 54
Home Care Direct ................................................................. 54
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme ........................................ 136
Home Entertainment ............................................................. 94
Home Improvements Agency .............................................. 135
Home Repair Grants ........................................................... 113
Home repairs....................................................................... 134
Homelessness..................................................................... 131
Homelessness Prevention .................................................. 133
Hospital Bus Service ............................................................. 57
Hospital Services .................................................................. 22
Hospital to Community Teams .............................................. 19
Hounslow Shopmobility ......................................................... 57
Housing ............................................................................... 131
Hydrotherapy Pool ................................................................ 27
I Can (education)................................................................. 175
IBS Network (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Network) ............... 174
Income Support ................................................................... 122
Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) .............. 32
192
Independent Living (National Centre for Independent Living)
......................................................................................... 175
Independent Living Fund ............................................. 113, 175
Independent Mental Capacity Advocate ................................ 46
Independent Panel for Special Education Advice ............... 175
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit ................................ 112
Injury Compensation ........................................................... 121
Insurance .............................................................................. 73
Integrated Neurological Service (INS) ................................. 165
Job Seekers Allowance ....................................................... 122
Keep Able ............................................................................. 70
Kew Avenue Club.................................................................. 38
Kew Gardens ........................................................................ 92
Kew Neighbourhood Association .................................. 36, 165
Kingston Advocacy................................................................ 44
Kingston and Richmond Advocacy Group (KAG ................... 43
Kingston Centre for Independent Living (KCIL) ..................... 74
Kingston Shopmobility........................................................... 57
Learn English At Home ......................................................... 98
Learning Disabilities .............................................................. 17
Leisure .................................................................................. 78
Leisure breakway, Richmond Homes for Life ........................ 95
Leisure Card ................................................................. 83, 120
193
Leonard Cheshire................................................................ 176
Libraries ................................................................................ 92
Limbless Association........................................................... 176
Linden Hall Social Club ......................................................... 37
Local Grants ........................................................................ 126
Local Groups & Organisations ............................................ 163
Local Involvement Network, Richmond (LINks)................... 165
London Disability Arts Forum .............................................. 168
London Sports Forum ........................................................... 86
Low Vision Aids ................................................................... 117
Mailing Preference Service ................................................. 155
ME Association, The ........................................................... 176
Me, Too and Co. ................................................................. 165
Meadows Hall Social Centre ................................................. 38
Mencap (Richmond) ............................................................ 165
Mencap England ................................................................. 176
Mencap Holidays................................................................... 96
Mental Health ........................................................................ 17
Mental Health Support .......................................................... 24
Middlesex Assocation for the Blind ..................................... 168
MIND ................................................................................... 166
Minor Injuries Unit ................................................................. 23
Minority Ethnic Elders Group ................................................ 38
194
Mobility Centre ...................................................................... 68
Mobility Centres .................................................................... 67
Motability ....................................................................... 67, 122
Motability Car Scheme ........................................................ 176
Motability Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme ........................ 177
Motoring ................................................................................ 67
MS Society .......................................................................... 177
MS Society Richmond branch ............................................. 166
National Association for Voluntary & Community Action ..... 171
National Debtline ......................................................... 130, 177
National Organisations ........................................................ 169
Neighbourhood Care Group Barnes, Mortlake & Sheen ..... 164
New Deal for Disabled People ............................................ 102
NHS Benefits....................................................................... 123
NHS Complaints.................................................................... 30
NHS Direct ............................................................................ 22
Open University..................................................................... 99
Opt 4 Mobility ........................................................................ 70
Orange Tree Theatre ............................................................ 89
Outsiders (relationships) ..................................................... 177
Owl Housing .................................................................. 54, 132
PA Finder service, RUILS ..................................................... 49
Parking Bays ......................................................................... 61
195
Parkinson's Disease Society ............................................... 166
Parks and open spaces ......................................................... 91
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman ................... 31
Patient Advice and Liaison Service Manager (PALS) ........... 31
Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) ......................... 23
Pension Credit..................................................................... 122
Pension Service .................................................................. 166
Permitted Work ................................................................... 118
Personal Hygiene ................................................................ 158
Personal Issues................................................................... 158
Personal Tax Allowance ...................................................... 117
PHAB, relationships .............................................................. 87
Phabsail ................................................................................ 81
Power Employment ............................................................. 103
Prescriptions ....................................................................... 119
Public Transport .................................................................... 58
Queen Elizabeth Training College ....................................... 162
Queen Mary Sailability .......................................................... 81
RADAR ....................................................................... 121, 177
Radios and CD Players ....................................................... 120
Rail Cards ........................................................................... 116
Rail Travel ............................................................................. 58
RaKAT (Richmond & Kingston Accessible Transport) .......... 55
196
RB MIND ............................................................................... 25
Reach, Volunteering............................................................ 105
Recycling and Re-Use ........................................................ 139
Rehabilitation Centre............................................................. 28
Rehabilitation Clinic............................................................... 28
RELATE .............................................................................. 159
REMAP (Equipment for disabled people) ............................ 178
RePaint Scheme ................................................................. 152
Residential and Nursing Home Care ................................... 112
Respite Care ......................................................................... 26
Respite Care at Edgerton Road ............................................ 96
Ricability .............................................................................. 178
Ricability, Equipment............................................................. 77
Richmond Adult & Community College ................................. 97
Richmond Advocacy for Mental Health ......................... 44, 166
Richmond AID ......................................................................... 6
Richmond aid in Sickness ................................................... 130
Richmond and Kingston Accessible Transport (RaKAT) ..... 166
Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust ................... 31
Richmond Association for Mental Health) ........................... 166
Richmond Backpain Group ................................................. 166
Richmond Borough Mind ..................................................... 167
Richmond Carer's Centre .................................................... 167
197
Richmond Carers’ Centre ...................................................... 16
Richmond Community Drug and Alcohol Team .................... 29
Richmond Community Support Services Consortium (RCSSC)
.......................................................................................... 34
Richmond Council for Voluntary Services, RCVS ............... 104
Richmond Counselling and Psychotherapy Service .............. 45
Richmond Dyslexia Association .......................................... 167
Richmond Environment Network (REN) .............................. 153
Richmond Good Neighbours ................................................. 36
Richmond Good Neighbours Scheme ................................. 167
Richmond Housing Partnership........................................... 131
Richmond Independent Brokerage Service (RIBS) ............... 53
Richmond Legal Advice Service............................................ 45
Richmond Local Involvement Network (LINks) ................... 105
Richmond Parish Lands Charity .......................................... 129
Richmond Royal Hospital ...................................................... 25
Richmond SPADE ................................................................... 8
Richmond Synagogue Day Centre ........................................ 40
Richmond Theatre................................................................. 89
Richmond upon Thames College .......................................... 97
Richmond Users Independent Living Scheme (RUILS) ........ 52
River Thames Boat Project ........................................... 91, 178
RNIB ................................................................................... 106
198
RNID ................................................................................... 106
Road Accident Compensation ............................................. 113
Road Tax (VED) Exemption ................................................ 117
Road Tax Exemption............................................................. 61
Roehampton Clinic ................................................................ 28
Rough Sleepers’ Helpline .................................................... 134
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew ................................................. 92
Royal National Institute for Deaf people RNID .................... 172
Rubbish collections ............................................................. 139
RUILS ................................................................................... 51
SCOPE ............................................................................... 178
Scrapstore ........................................................................... 151
Second Hand Equipment ...................................................... 74
Self Directed Support ............................................................ 50
Sensory Services .................................................................. 18
Sexual Health ........................................................................ 28
Sexual Health Clinic .............................................................. 28
Shape.................................................................................... 90
Shaw Trust .......................................................................... 107
Sheen Lane Day Group ........................................................ 38
Shelter................................................................................. 134
Shopmobility ......................................................................... 57
Short-term hire, wheelchairs ................................................. 73
199
Signer Service ....................................................................... 19
SKILL .................................................................................. 100
SKILL – National Bureau for Students with Disabilities ....... 178
Social Centres ....................................................................... 37
Social Enterprise, Stepping on Out ..................................... 103
Social Housing .................................................................... 131
Social Model of disability ......................................................... 6
Social Security .................................................................... 124
Social Services...................................................................... 13
Southern Railway Assisted Travel......................................... 59
Southwest Trains Assisted Travel ......................................... 59
Spear (Homelessness)........................................................ 134
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association ...................... 167
Spinal Injuries Association .................................................. 179
Sport, Inclusive...................................................................... 78
Sports Development Team ................................................... 82
St Stephens Church Lunch Club for the Elderly .................... 41
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) .................................................... 110
Stepping on Out .................................................................. 103
Stroke Association ...................................................... 167, 179
Supporta (home care) ........................................................... 54
Swimming ....................................................................... 79, 83
Swimming Pass................................................................... 121
200
Talking Newspaper, national ............................................... 179
Talking Newspapers, Richmond upon Thames ..................... 94
Taxi ....................................................................................... 59
Taxi Card ...................................................................... 64, 116
Taxi Vouchers ..................................................................... 116
Teddington and Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group . 36, 167
Telephone Preference Service ............................................ 156
Telephones ......................................................................... 136
Text Users Emergency Service ........................................... 137
The Henry Smith Charity ..................................................... 129
The Maddison Centre.................................................... 25, 103
Therapy services ................................................................... 23
Three Wings Trust............................................................... 168
Tourism For All ...................................................................... 95
Tourist information ................................................................ 92
Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre ................. 144
Trampolining ......................................................................... 80
Transition, Richmond Council ............................................... 18
Transport ............................................................................... 55
Transport for London, Access and Mobility ........................... 69
Transport to Health Services ................................................. 29
Travel Permits ..................................................................... 116
TV Licences ........................................................................ 117
201
Twickenham Blind Club ....................................................... 168
Twickenham Help a Neighbour in Distress Scheme ............. 36
Typetalk ...................................................................... 137, 179
U Can Do It ......................................................................... 161
United Kingdom Disabled People's Council ........................ 179
United Response................................................................... 54
Vaccine Damage Payments ................................................ 113
VAT Exemption ............................................................. 76, 119
Victoria and Albert Museum .................................................. 90
Vineyard Project .................................................................... 40
Visually Impaired Society of Richmond (VISOR) .................. 10
Vitalise .......................................................................... 95, 179
Voluntary Care Groups ......................................................... 33
Volunteer Centre Richmond ................................................ 104
Volunteering ........................................................................ 104
Volunteering England .......................................................... 106
Volunteering, Do It .............................................................. 105
Volunteering, Reach............................................................ 105
Voucher Scheme, Taxi .......................................................... 65
Walks with Wheelchairs ........................................................ 82
Walks, Guided ....................................................................... 82
Warm Front Grant ............................................... 115, 136, 149
Wheelchairs ............................................................ 27, 70, 119
202
Wheelchairs, short-term hire ................................................. 73
White House Community Association of Hampton Hill .......... 39
Whitton Access Project ......................................................... 42
Whitton Community Association............................................ 42
Whitton Community Resource Centre ................................... 42
Whitton Network Good Neighbour Scheme .................. 37, 168
Whitton Social Centre ........................................................... 39
Workability .......................................................................... 160
Workstep ............................................................................. 101
203