The county council’s Community Equipment Service is appealing for people to return equipment such as commodes, toilet frames, bed levers, over-the-bed tables and shower chairs. This is due to supply issues related to the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit leaving some people struggling to access the equipment they need.
Cumbria County Council's Community Equipment Service provides free equipment across Cumbria to support people with their mobility and to help with normal daily tasks. This helps people stay independent in their own homes, and the service desperately needs returns of equipment no longer in use.
You may have forgotten about no longer needed equipment, or not know what to do with it, either way you can free up some space by returning the equipment easily and conveniently through local Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The Community Equipment Service will then collect the equipment, professionally clean and service it ready for reuse by others in need.
Kate Vernon, Service Manager for the Community Equipment Service said:
“People across the country are facing shortages of the essential equipment they need to stay as active and independent as possible. By creating an easy way for people to return equipment that is no longer needed such as commodes, shower stools and over-bed tables, in a good, clean condition to HWRCs we will be able to help many more people continue to live in their own homes.”
You can find your nearest HWRC at cumbria.gov.uk/recycling
Walking aids should still be returned to your local hospital. Details of how to do this can be found here.