Bromley Social Services launches a new telephone information line today (5 September) for people with a physical disability or sensory impairment (PDSI) and their carers. The help line will supply signposting information about specialist services provided by the London Borough of Bromley, the Primary Care Trust and Bromley Hospitals, as well as other services offered by the voluntary sector, nationally and within the borough.
“The aim is to empower people with disabilities or sensory impairment and their carers to make informed decisions, by providing them with timely and accurate information on local services,” explains Sheila Porter, Principal Service Manager for Bromley Social Services Direct (BSSD), the team that will run the help line.
To make the contact numbers for the service really stick, the team will be distributing 1,000 fridge magnets.
Bromley Council has set up the information service as a response to the findings of a survey of local people with sensory impairments, which revealed a pressing need for the help line.
“Our customers with disabilities told us they didn’t always get information in a form that was easy for them to use,” declares Project Officer, Joanna Frizelle. “By bringing together information particularly relevant for these clients, and providing it in a wide range of formats, we’ve acted on their priorities.”
“My friends with disabilities and I have always said it would be wonderful to have an information line like this,” reports Jill McIntyre, a wheelchair user who is active in Bromley Ablement. “It can save you so much time, if you’re trying to get back into the real world after an accident or an illness, and it really boosts your self confidence to be able to find out the information yourself. It’s also an excellent resource for relatives.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Helpline opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Helpline contact details:
Telephone : 020 8461 7777
Fax: 020 8313 4261
Text phone : 020 8464 7350
SMS : 07908 715749
- Bromley Social Services Direct (BSSD) is an information and advice point, based at Bromley Civic Centre, for local residents who have questions about social care. The helpline for people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments (PDSI) has brought together a wider range of information for people with disabilities. It will also make BSSD accessible to people who have problems using a traditional telephone helpline, including people with problems seeing, hearing or speaking. The helpline team will answer enquiries using text phone, SMS (text messages) and fax, as well as telephone. Where callers have special communications needs, the team can supply information in a range of formats and languages, on request.
For media enquiries, please contact Cecilia Yardley, Planning and Development Officer (Communications), 020 8464 3333 ext 3024, mobile 078 555 88 741, E-mail cecilia.yardley@bromley.gov.uk.