Chronic pain, disability or mental anguish is extremely common in our community.  No two disabilities are quite the same but there are many similarities common to each disability.  

Disability can have a detrimental effect on physical health, daily activity, psychological health and wellbeing.  If you have a disability then you may face difficulty working, be facing future uncertainty and find difficulty in performing everyday tasks.

Get connected with other people

There are numerous organisations available to provide help and support and through their intervention they can help you cope and manage your situation.  In Merseyside alone there are over hundreds of voluntary, community and faith groups dedicated to working with and formed by disabled people.

The Merseyside Disability Federation is an umbrella group that can put you in touch with member organisations.

0151 236 6674 or 0151 227 4898 text phone  www.merseydisability.org.uk

Services, information and advice

In Liverpool the City Council and the local NHS provide information, advice and services to support people to be as safe and independent as possible. Liverpool Lifehouse provide services for disabled and older people.

0151 296 7733  www.liverpoollifehouse.org

0151 296 7765 wheelchair provision
0151 296 7742 daily living equipment information, assessment and advice
0151 296 7750 advice for disabled people and career on moving and handling people
0151 296 7408 assessment and provision of communication aids
0151 296 7757 adaptations to assist people in managing in their own home
0151 296 7769 practical advice and assessment for people who have fallen
0151 296 7782 advice, assessment and installation of tele-care equipment

Caring for someone

Taking on a caring role is a challenge and can mean juggling the care with work or personal life.  It can feel like a lonely aspect of life and if you are a carer you need support.

Carers need access to information; financial support and breaks in caring.  Some young people are carers carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would normally be taken by an adult.

Carers.org and the Liverpool Local Solutions Carers Project is a support service for carers.

0151 709 0990  www.carers.org/local/north-west/liverpool

Young Carers

Barnardo's Action with Young Carers Project was set up to support young carers living in Liverpool. Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide care to another family member who has a physical illness/disability including mental health, sensory disability or has a problematic use of drugs or alcohol.

This project also provides opportunities for young carers to meet and socialise with other young carers, and take a break from their care duties.

0151 708 7323  www.barnardos.org.uk/youngcarersnorthwest

Disability Benefits Advice

Disabled people share the same general rights of access to health and social care as other people, but there are also some additional provisions under the Disability Discrimination Act and in terms of benefits available.

For benefit advice consult Direct Gov and Benefits Now who provide a benefits and health information service.

www.direct.gov.uk

www.benefitsnow.co.uk