A guide to services in South Gloucestershire

Southmead Hospital

Phone: 0117 950 5050

North Bristol NHS Trust Outpatient Appointments

Phone: 0300 555 0103

South Gloucestershire Council Adult Social Care

Phone: 01454 868 007

If you need help with daily tasks like washing, dressing, eating, or moving around your home, this team can guide you to Social Services or a Community Occupational Therapist if needed.

Sirona Care and Health

Phone: 0300 125 6789
Email: sirch.southglosspa@nhs.net

Sirona provides community health and rehabilitation services. You will need to be referred by a healthcare professional.

Medequip

Phone: 0330 053 3655
Email: bnssg@medequip-uk.com

Medequip collect mobility aids and adaptions that you no longer need (if they were provided by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist). Or you can return equipment to a big blue bin outside the main entrance to the Brunel building, Southmead Hospital. The Move Maker volunteers can help you find them.

Southern Brooks

Southern Brooks supports South Gloucestershire residents returning home as part of the Going Home From Hospital service. They can connect you to a wide range of services in your community. A member of the team will visit you and help identify your goals to ensure a smooth discharge.

They can help you get support with:

• Housing.
• Financial support.
• Safety and security - key safes and pendant alarms.
• Carers support.
• Local activities.

For more information and to make an online referral Welcome Home – Southern Brooks Community Partnerships

British Red Cross

Phone: 01235 552 665
Website: The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity
Email: HealthandCareSouthciAdmin@redcross.org.uk

The Red Cross can provide short-term services for people who live alone, or whose family and friends are not able to assist. Services include help with everyday tasks such picking up prescriptions or shopping, or with transport for essential healthcare journeys following a hospital discharge/illness. Call them directly for more information.

Volunteers in South Gloucestershire

There are volunteer groups throughout the South Gloucestershire area which can help with activities such as shopping for groceries, collecting prescriptions, phone chats, or dog walking. Some groups may be able to assist with activities such as changing a light bulb or hanging pictures.

If you cannot get to the shops for food/groceries or to the chemist then there are several options for support.

Phone shopping services

There are companies who can take your shopping order over the phone and deliver it to your door. Payment is normally by debit or credit card over the phone. Contact your local retailer directly to find out if they offer this service.

Online shopping services

Many supermarkets offer online home delivery for shopping/ groceries. There is often a delivery charge and a minimum spend. Payment is by debit or credit card. Check out supermarket websites for more information. 

In addition to supermarket chains, there are also stand-alone grocery delivery services, such as Milk and More, which deliver direct from selected suppliers.

Website: Milk Delivery Near Me | Fresh Milk Delivered | Milk & More
Phone: 0345 606 3606

Chemists

Many local chemists can deliver prescriptions to your home. Speak to your chemist about this. There may be a charge.

Getting to your local supermarket, shopping centre, or chemist

Community Transport services help people with limited mobility to travel door-to-door for shopping trips, medical appointments, and days out. Please see below for details of community transport in your area:

Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport

Provides transport for the following areas: Almondsbury, Alveston, Aust, Bradley Stoke, Charfield, Cromhall, Falfield, Filton, Frampton Cotterell, Hallen, Hill, Oldbury on Severn, Olveston, Patchway, Pilning, Severn Beach, Rockhampton, Stoke Gifford, Thornbury, Tortworth, Tytherington and Winterbourne.

Phone: 01454 250 500 or 01454 250 510
Email: info@4tvl.org.uk

Green Community Travel

For residents of the Yate area – (includes a list of outings on the Facebook page)

Phone: 01454 228 706
Ring and ride service: 0845 241 0985
Website: Home - Green Community Travel
Email: admin@greencommunitytravel.co.uk

Hawkesbury Voluntary Transport

For residents of the Hawkesbury Parish area.

Enquiries and registration: 01454 238 788
Bookings (coordinator answerphone): 0797 206 5665

Kingswood Community Transport

For residents of the Kingswood area

Phone: 0117 9616 016
Website: Kingswood Community Transport | Transport for the Community
Email: info@kingswoodct.org.uk

Meals on Wheels

Website: Request community meals | BETA - South Gloucestershire Council
Phone: 01454 865 996 (Monday – Friday, 08.30 – 14:30)
Email: meals.community@southglos.gov.uk

South Gloucestershire Council community meals or ‘meals on wheels’ is run every day of the year for anyone unable to cook themselves. They prepare fresh hot meals each morning which can be delivered to you (priced per meal which includes a pudding). A light supper can also be provided.

The delivery driver will also check that you are safe and well. If the driver has any concerns about you, for example if you do not answer the door when they call, they will contact someone to check and make sure you are safe like a family member or neighbour, doctor, or emergency services.

The service is flexible, you can choose the days you have meals from them. Call the community meals team to place your order. All meals are paid for by direct debit and the community meals team can help you with any paperwork.

Frozen ready meals delivered to your door

Many companies can deliver meals to you. You can call or place orders online with a credit or debit card, but some companies allow you to pay the driver with cash. There is a wide range of foods available for different diets such as vegetarian or pureed meals.

The meals can usually be heated in the oven or a microwave and come with full instructions. If you find the instructions difficult to read, your delivery driver can re-label your meals to make this easier to understand.

Oakhouse Foods

Website: Ready Meals | Home Delivered Meals and Desserts | Oakhouse Foods
Phone: 0333 370 6700

Meals must be stored in a freezer.

Parsley Box – minimum order value

Website: Parsley Box | Homepage
Phone: 0131 326 0131

Meals do not need fridge or freezer storage.

Delivery to front door only.

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Website: www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com
Phone: 0800 0773 100

Meals must be stored in a freezer.

Celestine Home Adaptations Centre

Phone: 01454 868126
Email: psechousing@southglos.gov.uk

South Gloucestershire Council have adapted a house in Yate called the Celestine Home Adaptations Centre, where you can view and trial equipment and adaptations in a home setting. Their team can help you find the best aids for you, and advise where you can get them (if not provided by the NHS).

You can be referred by a health professional or call directly and make an appointment for free.

Aids and adaptations include:

• Stair lifts.
• Automatic toilets.
• High/low kitchen units
• Telecare.
• Level access showers.
• Steps, ramps, and door entry systems.

The HandyVan Service

Phone: 01454 863 857
Website: HandyVan service | BETA - South Gloucestershire Council
Email: handyvan@southglos.gov.uk

The HandyVan services are available to all residents of South Gloucestershire with discounts for people over 60 and/or registered disabled. You can self-refer or be referred by a healthcare professional.

Services offered:

• Plumbing repairs and maintenance.
• Carpentry – stair rail fitting.
• Painting and decorating; tiling and grouting.
• Curtain poles and blinds.
• Shelves and flat pack furniture building.
• Minor electrical work.
• Window and door repairs; security checks.

We Care Home Improvements

Phone: 0300 323 0700
Website: We Care Home Improvements
Email: info@wecr.org.uk

In South Gloucestershire We Care provide a chargeable handyman and home adaptation service. These services include:

• Installing grab rails.
• Supplying and fitting a keysafe.
• Fixing a leaky toilet.
• Repairing window handles.
• Gutter clearing.
• Fixing taps.
• Basic gardening.
• Bathroom and kitchen adaptations.
• ‘Making space’ service with peer support group.
• Home Independence Centre (by appointment only).

Several shops in the area sell or hire aids and equipment to increase independence around the home. These may be available second hand.

If you are unsure what you need, speak to your Occupational Therapist.

British Red Cross Wheelchair Hire

Phone: 0300 456 1914
Email: wheelchaircollections@redcross.org.uk

Bush Health Care – Yate Shopping Centre

Phone: 01454 506 001
Website: Bush Healthcare Mobility Products, Stairlifts, Bathrooms, Scooters, Wheelchairs
Email: yate@bushhealthcare.co.uk

Sell a selection of small and large aids for independence, beds and chairs, mobility aids, scooters, and wheelchairs.

Elite Mobility – Staple Hill

Phone: 0117 956 9955 
Freephone 0800 169 5910
Website: Free Mobility Home Demonstrations Across the UK | Elite Mobility Bristol

Sell new and secondhand equipment including beds, chairs, stairlifts, alongside mobility aids, scooters, and wheelchairs for sale or hire.

Marks Mobility - Henbury

Phone: 0117 9155 253 or 07875 499 960
Website: marksmobility - Home

Sell a wide variety of daily living aids, mobility aids, scooters, wheelchairs and stairlifts.

Pearce Brothers Mobility – Yate

Phone: 0800 5420 210 or 01454 323 147
Website: Mobility Equipment for all your needs - Pearce Bros Mobility

Sell and hire a variety of daily-living aids, mobility aids, scooters, powerchairs, wheelchairs, beds, chairs, and stair lifts.

ShopMobility – Yate shopping centre

Phone: 01454 868 718 or 07999 574 474
Website: Shopmobility Yate - MyYate

Short and long-term hire of mobility aids, wheelchairs, and scooters. Book in advance. Scooter or wheelchair is delivered to you at Yate shopping centre. Membership scheme available or pay per booking.

Secondhand furniture shops

You may have been advised that you need alternative furniture to manage at home, and secondhand furniture shops may have what you need. You will need to visit the shops to see what they currently have available.

British Heart Foundation

Website: Buy furniture and items for your home | BHF - 
Phone: 0117 321 5023
Shop: 

• Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8LE
• Horsefair, Bristol, BS1 3J

Odds and Todds

Website: www.oddsandtoddsbristol.co.uk
Shop: Hanham, Bristol, BS15 8PR
Phone: 0117 961 2166

You may have been advised that you need alternative furniture to manage at home, and secondhand furniture shops may have what you need. You will need to visit the shops to see what they currently have available.

Warm and Well

Phone: 0800 500 3076
Website: Warm and Well | a fitter home for a healthy future

Free energy-efficiency advice to help you stay warmer and healthier in your home. Advice ranges from simple changes, to helping you access grants for insulation or providing information about renewable technologies. They can help you reduce your energy bills, switch your energy tariff or supplier, or find local installers and tradespeople. They may be able to offer you a free home energy visit.

Avon Fire and Rescue Home Safety Checks

Phone: 0117 926 2061
Website: Home fire safety - Avon Fire and Rescue Service

They offer a free pre-arranged visit to your home to do a fire safety assessment and give you advice on how to stay safe from fire (for example what to do in the event of a fire, planning an escape route), cooking, and electrical safety.

They fit smoke alarms and replace faulty ones free of charge. They can offer additional fire safety equipment or referral to other organisations for further support.

Those who are eligible:

• Aged 65 years or over.
• Have sight and/or hearing loss.
• Have mobility concerns.
• Have mental health concerns.
• Have memory concerns.
• Are unable to escape unaided if there is a fire.
• Are a family with children under the age of 5.

Southern Brooks

A member of the team will visit you and help you identify their goals, and connect you to services in your community. They support people aged 50 and over to get back on their feet following hospital discharge, feel more confident and live independently. For more information and to make an online referral: Welcome Home – Southern Brooks Community Partnerships

Services the can direct you to include:

• Housing.
• Financial support.
• Safety and security - keysafes and pendant alarms.
• Carers support.
• Local activities.

Priority Services Register

If you are vulnerable or disabled and living at home, you may be able to join your energy supplier’s Priority Service register – contact your supplier to see if you are eligible. Being on the register ensures you get:

• Advance notice of planned power cuts.
• Priority support in an emergency.
• Access to the Identification Scheme. This is to reassure you that callers, for example meter readers, are genuine.
• Priority support when calling your network operator
• Access to the Nominee Scheme. Customers can ask their supplier to send communications (such as account statements or bills) to someone you have nominated, instead of you.
• Prepayment meter support.
• Meter reading services at appropriate intervals.
• Account and bill information in an accessible format, for example in larger print or braille.

Being well is not just about physical health - we all need support and companionship, especially after being unwell. There are various organisations which can support you:

Well Aware

Phone: 0808 808 5252
Website: wellaware.org.uk

Well Aware provides information on a wide range of organisations, support groups, community groups, events and activities that can help improve your health and wellbeing. If you do not have access to the internet, give them a call and an advisor will search the database and send you the information. This is a free service.

One You

Phone: 01454 865 337
Website: Home | One You South Gloucestershire

Helps residents aged 18 years and over improve their health and wellbeing. You can refer yourself by phone or by completing an online form.

VitaMinds

Phone: 0333 200 1893
Website: Vita Health Group - NHS, Corporate & Private Health Services

VitaMinds offers a free, confidential service on behalf of the NHS. They provide various psychological therapies for conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Support is face-to-face, by phone, online, or in a group setting. You can refer yourself by giving them a call or by filling in the online form.

Befriending

This is where a volunteer can either visit or give you a regular call to offer support, company, and conversation. It especially helps people who are feeling isolated and lonely. There is not normally a charge for this service.

Age UK

Phone: 01454 411 707
Website: Age UK South GLoucestershire Our Services
Email: befriending@ageuksouthglos.org.uk

Memory Services

If you have noticed your memory getting worse, then please contact your GP for appropriate follow-up and support. If this is affecting how you are coping at home, please contact Adult Social Care for a free Occupational Therapy assessment.

If you already have a diagnosis, then these services opposite may useful:

South Gloucestershire Memory/Dementia Cafes

These provide a friendly and supportive environment for people living with Dementia, and their carers. The cafes are run throughout the South Gloucestershire area and provide an opportunity to socialise in a relaxed environment and to take part in activities. They can also provide practical support and information. For details about your local memory cafe contact the Alzheimer’s society.

Alzheimer’s Society

Phone: 0117 961 0693 or 0333 150 3456
Website: Find support near you | Alzheimer's Society
Email: southgloucestershire@alzheimers.org.uk

Provide support and information to people with Dementia, and their carers, including:

• Carer support groups.
• Art groups.
• Social activity groups.
• Singing for the Brain.

A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. Carers also need to look after themselves, and there are some organisations in South Gloucestershire which can provide advice and support for you.

Carers’ Support Centre

Phone: 0117 965 2200
Website: Carers Support Bristol and South Gloucestershire

This charity offers a range of free services for carers in South Gloucestershire: a confidential advice line, one-to-one casework support, benefit application support, carers’ groups, activities for carers to take time out, regular breaks (sitting service), training courses, and the carer’s ‘Emergency Card’ (to alert other people about the person you care for if you become unwell).

Swan Advocacy

Phone: 0333 447928
Website: Home - South West Advocacy Network
Email: reception@swanadvocacy.org.uk

Swan advocacy offers a free independent advocacy service for residents of the South Gloucestershire area. They provide support for many areas including guidance through the care assessment process.