Alternative suppliers of equipment & services

• Disabled Living Foundation
• Research Institute for Disabled Consumers
• Centre for Accessible Environments
• The National Register of Access Consultants
• Nicholls & Clarke
• Shops and suppliers
• Mail order purchasing
• Buying second hand equipment
• Mobility equipment and walking aids

Tower Hamlets Council strongly recommends that professional advice is sought before purchasing expensive equipment. The Disability Living Foundation is a source of expert advice.

We will not reimburse you for any equipment you purchase privately. We are not responsible for repairing, servicing or replacing any equipment, which is purchased privately. All privately purchased equipment is used at your own risk.

You may wish to approach the organisations below if you are not eligible for our service or do not wish to remain on the waiting list. Please remember to shop around to compare prices and look for the best quality and value.

Equipment that has been designed or adapted for people with disabilities is exempt from VAT. Your supplier should give you a form to say you have a disability.

Disabled Living Foundation

Disabled Living Centres (DLC’s) offer a free service. They do not sell products; they provide demonstrations of equipment and give independent advice. You need to make an appointment to make sure someone is there to help you. There are over forty DLC’s throughout the UK.

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has an extensive range of equipment on display and therapists who give advice, you will need to make an appointment to visit. The DLF also has a national information service; you can write for advice and detailed equipment lists.

Disabled Living Foundation
380 – 384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU

Tel: 020 7289 6111

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RIDC

RIDC is an independent charity that researches and publishes unbiased information on products to enable older and disabled people to live more independently.

Research Institute for Disabled Consumers

Ground floor, Unit 10,

Bleinham Court,

62 Brewery Road,

London,

N7 9NY

Tel: 020 7427 2460
Email: mail@ridc.org.uk

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Centre for Accessible Environments

If you, a builder or an architect needs advice about making your home easier to get into or move around in, the Centre for Accessible Environments has information on adaptations and building work.

Centre for Accessible Environment
70 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL

Tel: 020 7840 0125
Fax: 020 78405811

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The National Register of Access Consultants

The National Register of Access Consultants has a list of specialist architects.

National Register of Access Consultants
70 South Lambeth Road
London SW8 1RL

Tel: 020 7735 7845
Fax: 020 7840 5811
SMS: 07921 700 089
Email: info@nrac.org.uk.

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Nicholls & Clarke

Nicholls & Clarke is a local supplier of products used in adaptations. An accessible showroom displays the widely used Phlexicare range.

Nicholls & Clarke
41-57 Freshwater Road
Chadwell Heath
Romford Essex
RM8 1SP

Tel: 020 8586 4600

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Shops and suppliers

There are specialist shops in and around London. To check in your local area look under ‘disability equipment’ in the Yellow Pages.

Keep Able

Keep Able is a large shop and there are therapists who will advise you.

Keep Able - London North
615-619 Watford Way
Mill Hill
NW7

Tel: 020 8201 0810

Keep Able – Southern Region
11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines
TW18 4QX

Tel: 01784 440044

Some chemists also sell easier living aids and Boots Chemist has a mail order catalogue, which is free and can be found in larger stores.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd

Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd offers free no obligation advice and support about all aspects of mobility equipment including helping individuals and families to access grants.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd
88 Hatton Garden London,
London
EC1N

Tel: 020 7717 9797

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Mail order purchasing

Mail order companies will send you catalogues free of charge, the advantage of purchasing by mail order means you can shop at home and compare prices but you will not be able to get advice, see the equipment or try it first before purchasing.

• remember to get independent advice first – try the Disabled Living Foundation
• ask if they will make a refund if the product does not suit you
• check the postage charges and delivery times

Equipment to buy 

Care and mobility
440 Cranbrook Road
Gants Hill
Ilford
1G2 6LL

Tel: 020 8518 3458

RNID – for hearing impaired people
1 Haddonbrook
Orton
Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6XH

Tel: 01733 232607
Text: 01733 238020
Visit RNID's website

Mobility World Ltd
78 – 80 Station Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 2RX

Tel: 0870 7407782

Keep Able
Flemming Close
Park Farm
Wellingborough
Northants
NN8 3UF

Tel: 01933 679426

British Red Cross
113 Clarenden Park Road
Leicester
LE2 3AH

Tel: 0116 270 1462

Nottingham Rehab
Ways and Means Catalogue
Findel logistics centre
Victoria Business Park
Pintail close
Netherfield
NG4 2SG

Tel: 0845 121 81111

Cosyfeet – footwear specialists
The Tanyard
Leigh Road
Street
Somerset
BA16 OHR

Smith & Nephew
UK sales
Sigings Road
Low Moor Estate
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Notts
NG2 6HD

Tel: 01623 757955

Promedics
Moorgate Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB2 4PB

Tel: 01254 619000
Visit the Promedics website

Partially Sighted Society
Tel: 01302 323132

RNIB – for visually impaired people
Bakewell Road
Orton Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6XU

Tel: 0845 7023153
Text: 0845 7585691
Visit RNIB's website

Ashdale Healthcare Marketing
FREEPOST NEA 7044
Bridgehouse
HD6 IJE

Comfy Products
Dale House
Armytage Road
Bridgehouse
HD6 IDT

Tel: 0800 555825

Capability Shop
Innervation Centre
211 Porter Bellow
Sheffield
S14 DP

Tel: 01433 631170

Millercare
Unit 24
The Wenta Business Centre
Colne Way
Watford
Herts
WD2 4ND

Tel: 01923 232440

Equipment for hire

The Red Cross
Dalston Lane
Hackney
E8

Tel: 020 7254 7029

Direct Mobility Hire
201A Bury Street
Edmington
N9 9JE

Tel: 020 8807 9830
Fax: 020 8807 4213

British Red Cross Society
Wimbledon Branch
Tuition House
3rd Floor
5 – 6 Francis Grove
London
SW19 4DT

Tel: 020 8542 6016

Home Care Equipment Hire
93 Northcote Road
Clapham
London
SW1

Tel: 020 7924 4058

All Handling Mobility Ltd
492 Kingston Road
Raynes Park
London
SW20 BDX

Tel: 020 8542 2217

Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
Watt Close
East Portway
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 3SD

Tel: 0800 715 455

Visit the Stannah stairlifts website.

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Buying second hand equipment

If you can’t find what you need… If you have a problem and no equipment exists to help you can contact REMAP; they are professional engineers who may be able to design, manufacture and supply a technical aid.

REMAP GB
D9 Chaucer Business Park
Kemsing Seven
TN15 6YU

Tel: 0845 130 0456

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Mobility equipment & walking aids

Walking aids

Occupational therapy does not supply walking aids. Your GP will refer you to a physiotherapist for a mobility assessment if appropriate.

You could also contact:

Walking Aid Clinic

Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London
E1 4DE

Tel: 020 7377 8846

Wheelchair Suppliers

Occupational Therapy does not supply wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are available in a wide variety of designs and with various accessories. Referrals should be made to the Tower Hamlets wheelchair service by your GP.

The wheelchair service supplies wheelchairs and special seating for people with long term and life long needs only. They can also provide advice and information on organisations offering help for users requiring wheelchairs for short-term or occasional use.

Tower Hamlets Wheelchair Service
Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London
E1 4DG

Tel: 020 8223 8842

Electric scooter suppliers

Electric scooters are not provided by occupational therapy. These are purchased privately. If you receive disability living allowance or mobility allowance you can use this to help pay for the scooter.

You may also use the motability scheme, which could provide the finance for you to purchase a scooter. For more information contact:

Motability
Route 2 Mobility
Newbury Road
Enham Alamein
Andover
Hampshire
SP11 6JS

Tel: 0845 607 6260
Text: 0126 438 4482

Many companies now sell scooters. They also have showroom facilities and informed staff to allow you to try them. Some companies will bring scooters to your home to ensure the suitability for your environment and terrain where it will be used and enable you to choose a scooter that meets your needs.

Points to remember

• A scooter is expensive. A new scooter could cost £1,400.
• Where will you store your scooter and is there good lighting?
• Can you easily get to and from the scooter and in and out of your property? – It may not be possible for Occupational Therapy to install a ramp to your home.
• Are there any electric points to charge the scooter batteries? – They are expensive and need to be maintained.
• Do you have Insurance? – Take advice on insuring your scooter in case of accidents and consider joining a breakdown service.
• After service – check what follow up services the supplier can provide and the cost.

Please note the occupational therapy service is not obliged to assist with storage, charging, or creating access for your scooter.

Normal eligibility criteria would apply.

These are a few suppliers for Electric Scooters

GBL Wheelchair Services
Unit 12 Mount Road
Hanworth
Middlesex
TW13 6AR

Tel: 020 8867 2461

Keep Able Centre
11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines
Middlesex
TW1 4QK

Tel: 01748 440044

Lifelong
215 Kingston Road
Ewell
KG19 0AB

Tel: 020 8394 0444

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