Mobility Aids & Disabled Services From The British Red Cross

Mandy53

While i was searching the internet for mobility equipment such as a rollator and other mobility aids ,i came across NHS Choices. There are a number of links directing to free mobility equipment providers, grants for adaptations,etc. I found The British Red Cross on the NHS Choices website and discovered that they offer a wide range (free) of mobility equipment/medical aids,etc for hire and they also provide free massages for hands,shoulders and arms for disabled people.. What a wonderful service ! I just wondered if anyone has tried this service or any other free services provided by The British Red Cross?

mrcol1000

They provided some mobility equipment for me to use at my Mum's house when I visit. It was one of those situations where I need something, can't afford it but no-one else is willing to help, as it was not for my house but My Mum didn't need it herself for her house.

Prinzessilein

They helped my Mum after she had a hip-replacement.

They loaned her various items to help her around the house when she came out of hospital(...I think it was items like a walker/frame...and a raised seat for the loo)...Very nice person came and assessed her before the hospital visit, then delivered the items and collected them when she was fully mobile again....Very useful as, at that time she didn't have any disability aids, and only needed these short-term.

On a less positive note, they also sent people to help her with a few things like putting on her support stockings. The people that were sent were less than skilled at their tasks...and on one occasion, someone came who on arrival, sked her if she was able to get into the kitchen so she could make him a cuppa - and then spent the allotted time moaning about their own health, complaining about the Red Cross and saying that they were all volunteers and really they deserved to be paid for this sort of work. (Mum reported this last visitor - especially as she felt they were all but asking her for money - they were never on the list to visit her again!)

I'm guessing that like all companies the volunteers will be a mixed bag - some lovely people, and some less charming.....but on the whole a very good scheme.