Support for older and vulnerable people

There are a number of services for older and vulnerable people living in this area.

If you are disabled or a disabled person lives with you, you may be eligible to apply for help with paying for major adaptions with a means tested grant called a Disabled Facility Grant. 

Adaptions like a flush floor shower, stairlift or ramps can help you to continue living independently in your own home for as long as you want to and they can also make it safer and easier for you to care for someone else.

Before you apply for a grant, you’ll need to arrange for an Occupational Therapist to carry out an assessment of the disabled person’s needs. To request an assessment, contact Surrey County Council on 0300 200 1005 and ask to speak to the duty Occupational Therapist.

A Disabled Facility Grant can’t be used to pay for repairs or improvement works.  We can in some circumstances provide other financial help to address serious disrepair to make a disabled or vulnerable persons home safe and warm. This financial help is subject to the budget available, so it is not always possible to help in this way.  To find out more, please contact customer services.

Our policy, which explains how Disabled Facility Grants and other forms of financial help are provided is available to view on our website.

Tandridge Council tenants access help with adaptations under a different policy.  This policy can also be viewed on our website.

We work with Millbrook Healthcare Ltd to provide a Handyperson service to residents. 

The service carries out minor repairs, small improvements and adaptions to the home and garden which are too small for general contractors to price but are too difficult for older or disabled residents to tackle on their own.

The service can provide a wide range of minor repairs, such as:

  • Plumbing.
  • Fitting shelves and curtain rails.
  • Installing grab rails and key safes.
  • Minor garden safety works such like levelling paving slabs or a small amount of fencing and more.

The service cannot do any electrical repairs or installations which require certification.

The Handyperson is fully trained, DBS checked and can also offer advice on home safety and security options.

There is an hourly labour charge of £20.00 including VAT, plus the cost of materials.

Once the work has been completed, you will be invoiced by Millbrook Healthcare Ltd. Most jobs, on average, take around two hours or less to complete. 

This is a very popular service, so Millbrook cannot offer a same day service. Priority will be given to urgent cases where health and safety is an issue. If the job is too large, Millbrook Healthcare will refer it to us and Council staff will help find another solution.

For more information, please contact Millbrook Healthcare Ltd, please e-mail  eastsurreyHIA@Millbrookhealthcare.co.uk, or call 03301 243758 and select option 2 for the Home Improvement Agency

Mole Valley Life (who are operated by Mole Valley District Council) provide the Lifeline Alarm and Technology Enabled Care service for the Tandridge district.

Mole Valley Life offer a range of easy to use, lifeline alarm and technology enabled care solutions to vulnerable and older residents who may require assistance in their everyday lives; providing them with independence, security and peace of mind at the touch of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For enquiries, please e-mail mvlife@molevalley.gov.uk or call 01372 204500.

The Wellbeing Prescription service provides free support and advice to help improve the health and wellbeing of East Surrey residents aged 18 or over. This includes a specialist service that supports housebound residents with more complex health and social care needs, who may be older and more vulnerable.

Across the course of up to three appointments, your Wellbeing Advisor will talk through your needs, offer advice and direct you to services to help you feel happier and healthier.

Your Wellbeing Advisor will offer support and advice on a variety of issues, including: loneliness, carers support, local community groups and activities, remaining independent at home, meeting new people, emotional wellbeing support and much more.

To learn more or to book a free appointment, visit the Wellbeing Prescription website or call the team on 01883 732787.

Wellbeing Prescription is delivered in partnership with Tandridge District Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, working closely with NHS East Surrey ICP and Surrey County Council Adult Social Care and Public Health.

The Westway is an inclusive community centre in Caterham. We aim to work with local people and volunteers offering a range of activities and services.

Westway activities

The Westway has a programme of activities Monday to Friday and some weekends - social groups, leisure, exercise, live music and creative sessions are available most mornings and afternoons. 

Sessions are open to everyone.

We also have sessions run by others:
Action 4 carers support groups, Age UK and Salvation army tea and chat groups, sessions for people with anxiety or depression, for those learning English as a second language etc. Please call for more details.

Westway food
We serve freshly cooked lunches on-site on Monday, Tuesday and Friday (re-starting end of Feb 2022) and run a home delivery Meals on Wheels service for people living locally – all meals are £5 and they are available to people of all ages.

Westway services
Our Hairdressers and Podiatrists are onsite most weeks – call to arrange an appointment. Services are available to people of all ages at a subsidised rate. 

Westway Outreach
Our outreach team support individuals who are lonely or isolated, and families who are more vulnerable. 
Throughout Covid the Westway Outreach Team of volunteers, led by Nick and Mary have supported hundreds of people in the North Tandridge area.

What we can help with:

  • Occasional shopping for people stuck at home (without access to online ordering) or prescription collections for individuals and families with Covid or unable to get out (and help to apply for on-going medication delivery).
  • One off Emergency food / clothes / finance.
  • Help to find used furniture and other items.
  • Help to complete forms or apply for benefits.
  • Help to get things organised – minor repairs, trips - hospital, rubbish removed, emergency gardening, help to get online or make phone calls.
  • Signposting to colleagues in CAB, Tandridge Wellbeing, East Surrey Dial a Ride and other services.
  • Support - try new activities and meet new people.

Hire
We are able to offer space to people wishing to book the centre for functions – eg. talks, events and birthday parties (for younger children or older people).

For more information e-mail info@thewestway.org or visit www.thewestway.org.

For information about Surrey Choices please call 01483 806650.