Lochaber Community Care Forum
Tel - 01397 700311
This is a Voluntary Group which provides three services
Voluntary Car Service (nominal fare)
With 2 days’ notice, you can ask for a car to take you (or a friend/neighbour) where you need to go if you can’t get there by public transport (eg medical or social appointments). This service costs min. £3 to max. £10 return, payable to the driver. Drivers get expenses paid less the fare.
Handypersons Scheme (free by referral)
This service covers care in the home eg if you need grab rails (supplied free) installed or small joinery jobs done eg putting up a curtain rail. You can also get a Key Safe (supplied free) fitted outside your door, to which a neighbour or home help will have the code.
This service needs more volunteers in our area – if you are interested, please phone the number above!
Crossroads
Tel - 01397 701020
This is a Charity funded through Social Work Department.
Provides these services:
- Up to an hour per day respite to carers on a daily basis
- One to one social experience, putting client in touch with the appropriate volunteer
- Taking client for an outing
- Reading to a client
- Also group activities which can be done in a local community centre if there are enough clients in the area
Referral can be from the Social Work Dept., the GP or the carer.
The service can be paid for out of the carer’s attendance allowance.
Lochaber Hope
www.lochaberhope.org.uk
Tel: 01397 701418
In May 2009 we moved to larger premises and we established a confidential counselling service for all the community.
The project provides a Life Skills Centre for all Lochaber people; the Centre houses our ‘drop in’ room, mentor meeting rooms, woodworking workshop, our administration offices and it will be the base for our waste timber Recycling service. We will promote and encourage social, communication, employability and employment skills. We will support people to manage change, make informed decisions, make best use of the wide range of services and expertise that is already available in Lochaber and support people to take responsibility for their own lives.
Lochaber Hope is for everyone; unemployed, employed, retired, people with a disability, a mental health need, in recovery from substance misuse or an addiction, skilled or unskilled, or anyone who has low confidence, low self esteem or feels isolated. Lochaber Hope will allow people to rebuild a sense of value and belonging to the community.
Lochaber Hope welcomes you to join us and share the fun and learning. Have a chat and a cuppa in our HOPE Drop In room, read, chat, meet people, paint a watercolour, use the craft materials.
"It's good to talk" ....... Try us...
Social Work Dept.
Tel - 01397 707025
Works closely with Lochaber Community Care Forum
Provides these services:
- Occupational Therapy to assess the patient’s needs for care in the home (grab rails/ramps etc.)
- Personal care/feeding/medication as required (up to three visits a day if necessary)
If you are over 65 your personal care needs are free. If you are under 65 you may be eligible for a disability living allowance. If, through being a carer, your earnings are restricted, you may be eligible for a Carer’s Allowance.
Referral can be from the hospital, GP, Crossroads or by self-referral.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel - 01397 705311
This is a Voluntary group
Services include:
- Free advice and help with filling out forms related to allowances
If you are unable to travel to Fort William, the C.A.B. offers a free home service for this. The Fort William office is open from 10-2 weekdays except Wednesday when it is open 3-6.
Leaflets concerning much of the above information are available in the Community Hall
Age Concern Scotland and Help the Aged in Scotland
Contact Joe Cowan
Development Officer, Age Concern and Help the Aged In Scotland
PO Box 7050
Fort William
PH33 9AF
Tel. 01855 821 809
Mob. 07801 500422
Tel - 0845 833 0200
www.ageconcernandhelptheagedscotland.org.uk
These two organizations have joined together to form a single new charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.
Through its substantial grants programme for older people’s forums and groupings and its team of fieldwork staff across Scotland, the organisation aims to support and build strong, local older people’s groups, forums and communities.
Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland also develop and sell products and services appropriate to the needs of older people to raise money for its charity work.
Scottish Helpline for Older People 0845 125 9732
(funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland) This offers an independent, confidential and impartial telephone-based information service to people aged 50 and over and those associated with them such as their carers and families.
Alzheimer Scotland
Tel - 0808 808 3000
This is a national charity.
http://www.alzscot.org/ helps people with dementia, their carers and families. Members include carers, relatives, people with dementia, professionals, groups and organisations.
Their 24 hour, freephone Dementia Helplineprovides information and emotional support for people with dementia, those who care for them and anyone with a concern or query regarding dementia. (telephone number as above)
Alzheimer Scotland’s Lochaber Branch works with the national organisation, Alzheimer Scotland’s Highland Carer Services and local care providers to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers by:
- raising public awareness of dementia
- providing information and support
- signposting people to appropriate help
- fundraising to facilitate practical assistance
- supporting local dementia information line 01397 708948 which
- provides information on local services
- supporting Way Ahead Group: a group for people with dementia
- supporting Lochaber Dementia Carers' Group
- resourcing a Dementia Carers' Library
You can contact the local branch by e-mail on lochaberbranch@alzscot.org , by phone 07801 500 422 (Branch Secretary, Jo Cowan), by letter to Jo Cowan, Branch Secretary, Alzheimer Scotland Lochaber Branch, An Cala, Bail Ur, North Ballachulish, Onich, Fort William PH33 6SB
Alzheimer Scotland Highland Carer Services hold 2 drop-in sessions a month in Lochaber at The In Place( A drop-in dementia café). Providing refreshments for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers. The ‘in place’ for information,to meet others and to relax with a cup of tea. Open 10.30 – 12.30. (also open 4pm-6pm by appointment) The first Wednesday of each month.
The Montrose Centre
Inverlochy
Open 10.30 – 12.30
They also support Lochaber Dementia Carers’ Support Group which meets on the first Wednesday of the month between 1.30 and 3.30 in the Montrose Centre, Inverlochy
In addition, they provide on-line or telephone support for carers.
For more details contact:
Alzheimer Scotland Highland Carer Services 01463 711707
Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E
Having this illness, or caring for someone with it, can be a horribly isolating experience. But it doesn’t have to be…Join Lochaber PVFS/CFS/M.E. Support Network - It’s free! To join or find out more, e-mail m.e.lochaber@googlemail.com Or leave a voice or text message on the Support Network’s mobile: 07786 590 450 and someone will get back to you soon.
Other useful contacts
Couple Counselling Argyll 01631 563 297
Childline 0800 1111
Lorn Counselling Service 01631 566 666
Parkinsons Helpline 0808 808 3000
Cancer backup 0808 800 1234
Drugs Helpline 01631 564 482
Women’s Aid 0131 475 2372
Argyll and Bute Women’s Aid 01369 706 036
British Red Cross Society 01631 562 485
National Eczema Society 0870 241 3604
Teen Aid 01631 570 555
Samaritans 0845 790 9090
Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555
Oban Council on Alcohol 01631 566090
Carers and Family Support Group 0141 221 8100
Aids Helpline 0800 567 123
Crossroads North Argyll 016311 562 277
PORT APPIN SURGERY 01631 730 271
Consultation times:
Monday 9-10.30
Tuesday 9-10.30, 4-5.30
Wednesday 9-10.30
Thursday 9-9.30 (emergencies only), 4-5.30
Friday 9-10.30