Keep living the life you want – new events to support independent living
Residents in Oxfordshire are being invited to find out more about how they can live independently and prepare for any potential care needs, by taking part in activities this March.
In partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West NHS Integrated Care Board, Oxfordshire County Council will be joining digital café sessions to offer support with online skills for people looking to find out more about organisations in their local area, through the Live Well Oxfordshire directory.
At the same events, the councils blue badge team will be available to offer face to face support for people to apply for disabled parking permits, complete the assessment and if approved, take payment and submit the badge for printing.
Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to enable people to live well and independently within their own communities. A large part of that is supporting people to find groups in their local area to help people to feel connected and active.
“Our Live Well Oxfordshire digital guide is a brilliant resource. Residents can type in their postcode and discover what’s available in their local area. But we know not everyone is confident with using online services, so our teams are heading out into the community to support people to find out more.”
The council’s Live Well Oxfordshire champions will be on hand to help residents to use the directory. Alongside them will be community link workers for Age UK Oxfordshire, helping residents to tap into support in the local area as well as offering further advice on the services they provide.
For the first time, the council’s disabled parking team will also be heading into communities to help people apply for their own blue badge. The pilot programme is designed with independence in mind, by providing blue badges to residents who may need additional support to travel around the county.
Cllr Bearder continued: “Residents who have their own disabled parking badge can use it in any vehicle they are travelling in. From driving themselves, to being a passenger in a private vehicle or community bus, the badge gives them real flexibility and independence to choose the best solution for them.”
The in-person sessions are taking place at the same time as established digital cafes, run by the local NHS to support people to better understand and use the NHS App. They will be happening at:
- Westgate Library – Monday 3 March, 2pm to 4pm
- Cowley Library – Monday 17 March, 10am to 12 noon
- Faringdon White Horse Surgery - Thursday 20 March, 10am to 12 noon - (the blue badge team will not be attending this session).
- The Health Centre, Wantage – Friday 28 March, 10am to 11.30am – (the blue badge team will not be attending this session).
Residents hoping to apply for a blue badge will need to bring with them the following information:
- proof of identity
- proof of address
- any relevant medical documents
- £10 cash or a check book for the administration fee.
In addition to these sessions, Oxfordshire County Council is collaborating with other local authorities in the south east, to hold a ‘planning for your future’ awareness event.
The online webinar is taking place on Tuesday 11 March at 7pm and will be hosted by Surrey County Council and Age UK Surrey.
The free session is designed to help residents to understand what support is available and what to plan for in the future, at a time when some people may need a little more help. Information will be provided on options for local support, typical costs, staying independent, powers of attorney, support for carers and more.
Oxfordshire residents can book their place on the webinar online on the Age UK Surrey website.
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