Independent living centre in Telford launches virtual tour

The venue, located near Telford shopping centre, is set to assist people with care and support needs to try out aids and equipment helping them live independently.

The centre recreates the home environment so that experts can safely assess people’s everyday needs and recommend equipment and adaptations to their homes.

In addition to this physical centre, people with care and support needs can take a virtual tour around a house equipped with occupational therapy, assistive technology and sensory impairment equipment, aids and gadgets.

The virtual house tour can be accessed 24/7 from the council’s website at www.telford.gov.uk/info/20792/independent_living_centre_ilc_and_virtual_house/5264/virtual_house_tour

On the virtual tour, people can select the piece of equipment they are interested in from its hotspot.

This will give them more information about the equipment, so they can evaluate whether it meets their needs and find out where to buy it.

Some of the hotspots also have links to more information about similar pieces of equipment.

'Invaluable'

Following the virtual tour, people might decide to buy certain equipment, or if they are unsure, they can visit the independent living centre site to trial the equipment and get advice before purchasing.

They can also be assessed for equipment to match their needs.

Councillor Andy Burford, Telford and Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, said: “The independent living centre is a really exciting and innovative project, providing the right support to our borough residents with care and support needs.

“In addition to providing a centrally-located site for assessments and equipment trial, we have used innovative technology to develop a virtual house for them.

“From the comfort of their own homes, people can easily take a tour and learn about useful aids and gadgets that can be installed within a family setting to help them or their loved ones live as independently as possible.

“The independent living centre becomes as such a joined-up offer for everyone’s independent living needs, accessible both online and offline.

“Thank you to Telford & Wrekin CVS as well as to all community partners and Experts by Experience who help us make the centre such an invaluable community resource."

The independent living centre project is part of the council’s wider strategy of supporting people to keep well and independent in their own homes, to make informed choices about their own care and positively contribute to their local communities.