Flagship Walsall centre taking shape
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- Category: Walsall Council
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Work is progressing well on Walsall's flagship Independent Living Centre which is being created within three units at Tesco's town centre store.
Contractors Mitie started on site last month on the development which is a £300,000 social care and health investment.
The Independent Living Centre (ILC) will also incorporate Shopmobility Town Centre Walsall and will showcase the equipment, technology and aids that can support disabled, older and vulnerable adults to continue to live safely and independently at home.
Work is being carried out seven days a week and out of hours and the centre is due to open before the end of this year.
Shopmobility Town Centre Walsall, which moved out of the Saddlers Shopping Centre on Saturday 29 October, will be moving into the new centre before the end of November.
The Independent Living Centre will improve upon the former Centre for Independent Living in Bridge Street and will offer people the chance to see equipment such as talking microwaves, wheelchair accessible hobs, bath lifts, riser chairs and curtain openers in proper room settings and the opportunity to try things out for themselves.
There will also be support from sensory support staff, occupational therapists and other professionals who will be able to provide advice, guidance, signpost to other services and shops and undertake assessments.
Telecare and Telehealth systems which can transform the lives of people with long term conditions such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes and dementia, will be demonstrated.
These are also useful for people with a range of physical and learning disabilities.
Advice and information on everything from employment to health issues and workshops and drop-in sessions will also continue to be provided.
Councillor Barbara McCracken, Walsall Council cabinet member for social care and health, visited the site today (Tuesday 8 November) to see for herself how it is taking shape.
She said: "The new centre will make a world of difference to our residents who will be have all the advice, information and support they need under one roof.
"They will be able to try out equipment for themselves to gain a much better idea of its suitability for their needs as well as talk to professionals about a range of issues.
"I am impressed at how well the work is coming along and look forward to seeing the end result."
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