Independent Living Centre

The Independent Living Centre (ILC) is a demonstration and resource centre that aims to promote independent living for adults; enabling choice, control and easy access to a range of services. Providing a range of equipment specially designed to make life easier and maintain independence in the home, information to carers and professionals, and anyone concerned with disability, the move from upstairs premises in Witney to a prestigious ground floor space in Abingdon means Guideposts are able to offer a “one stop shop” which will achieve maximum quality for customers and increasing ability to offer a bigger and better range of services under one roof. The Independent Living Centre, which has assisted a huge number of older people and people with disabilities and their carers across Oxfordshire, was based in Witney for four years and has recently re-located to Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre (ARC) on Audlett Drive.

At the ILC, customers can view and try out examples of equipment or adaptations for the kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom as well as Telecare products such as fall detectors that can facilitate independent living and support family carers. There will be two part-time registered Occupational Therapists and two Trusted Assessors on hand for personal and confidential consultation as well as special equipment training days. We have fantastic information resources about specialist equipment such as stair-lifts, bath-lifts, scooters, walk-in showers and assistive technology solutions as well as accessible holidays in the UK and abroad, leisure activities, car adaptation to enable people to continue to drive and much more. People can also drop in to the ARC café, have a great cup of coffee a cake or light snack and find out about pottery, arts and crafts and other opportunities available.

Guideposts believe it’s extremely important to provide people with the means to lead a full and independent life as far as possible and both the Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre andtheIndependent Living Centre aim to support people to do just that. Pauline Krasson ARC manager said, “We have an exciting team joining us and look forward to meeting new customers and continuing our relationship with existing customers.
I am incredibly excited about the potential of this new location. This expansion will enable us to meet increasing demand and help people to access more key community resources under one roof.” The move signals a new and exciting time for the Independent Living Centre working with Abingdon Resource and Wellbeing Centre as Guideposts look forward to continuing their countywide service and reaching more people than ever before.

The Centres will be launching their partnership with an open day in September 2012 so watch this space!

Find out more by contacting the Information line on 01993 899985 or visiting www.guidepostsilc.org.uk