Support for older and vulnerable people

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 assessment of the disabled person’s needs. In most cases, Millbrook Healthcare, who deliver our adaptations service, can assess your needs quickly through Trained Assessors. However, if your needs as more complex, an Occupational Therapist will need to carry out the assessment.

If the wait for an Occupational Therapy assessment from Surrey County Council is very long, you may be able to obtain funding to pay for a private assessment. Speak to Millbrook Healthcare to find out more about getting an assessment on 0330 124 3758 (option 2).

To request an Occupational Therapy assessment directly, contact Surrey County Council on 0300 200 1005 and ask to speak to the duty Occupational Therapist.

A Disabled Facilities Grant can’t be used to pay for repairs or general improvement works. However, in some circumstances we can provide other financial help to address serious disrepair to make a disabled or vulnerable person's home safe and warm. This help is subject to funding availability and eligibility. Please contact Customer Services to find out more.

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

Grants for children are not means tested. This means, if you are applying for adaptations for a disabled child, your household income will not be taken into account.

Tandridge Council tenants can also apply for home adaptations. This is managed under a different policy although the process and principles are broadly the same. Council tenants start the process by requesting an assessment through Millbrook Healthcare or the Duty Occupational Therapist at Surrey County Council, if Millbrook can't help. The Aids and Adaptations in Council Homes Policy is on our website.

Surrey County Council also has information on applying for grants for disabled adaptations.

Watch our explainer video

Find out how Disabled Facilities Grants work, who qualifies and how to begin the process.
Click the play button to get started.

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 excluding 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 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, wellbeing, 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 5 days a week (Mon-Fri) and run a home delivery Meals on Wheels service for people living locally, also 5 days a week (Mon-Fri). Please contact the centre for more information.

Westway services
Our Hairdressers, Podiatrists and Ear Wax Removal 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.

What we can help with:

• Occasional shopping for people who are housebound or struggling with shopping.
• One off emergency food supply.
• Help to complete forms or apply for benefits, where applicable.
• Handyman service for small jobs around the home.
• Signposting to colleagues in Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), 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.

• Care and support for adults
• Connect to Support Surrey helps you find local care and support in your area to help you stay independent, health and connected to your community.
• Healthy Surrey