Help and Contacts
Find contact details for help and support available in your local area
Cheshire
Navigating the outdoor areas around your home, including paths, steps and the garden, requires attention to safety.
Navigating the outdoor areas around your home, including paths, steps and the garden, requires attention to safety.
Here are some tips to help you identify hazards and outdoor areas of your home:
Are your paths clear of leaves and overgrown plants? Maintaining tidy outdoor areas, free of obstacles, is essential for safety. Regularly clear away leaves and trim overgrown plants to keep pathways clear.
Are your paving stones free of moss and algae? If not, this can become slippery when wet. Prune overhanging plants and branches to improve lighting. You can purchase products to remove algae or get help from someone to do it with a pressure washer.
Do you have any uneven or broken paving slabs? These can be trip hazards. Arrange for someone to replace or straighten them to make sure your walking surface is level.
Are your flower beds at ground level? They’ll be easier to access if they’re in containers or raised beds. When you are in the garden, avoid spending too much time in one position and be cautious when standing up from a bent-over position as this may cause dizziness.
Do you have steps to get in and out of the property? Consider installing an additional step, grab rails, or a ramp depending on your needs, to increase stability and safety. If you’re concerned about accessing your property, seek professional advice or assessment to help identify a solution.
If you use a walking aid, do you have an appropriate one for outdoor use? Wheeled zimmer frames are not safe for outdoor use. If a walking stick does not provide enough support, consider an outdoor walker such as a 3- or 4-wheeled walker. These are available for purchase from mobility shops or the Internet.
For adaptations and other solutions, consider speaking to organisations specialising in home or garden modifications or social services. Their expertise can help ensure your outdoor area is safe and functional.
To find a local handyman or gardener who can provide solutions or help with external areas around your home, contact your local council.
Please find below useful links, relevant resources and contact information. All links open in a new window and may include links to websites, videos, and PDF files for downloading and printing.
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Contact your local Handyperson Service for support with minor adaptations such as additional handrails:
Cheshire East Handyperson Service: Orbitas
Cheshire West and Chester Handyperson Service: Homekey+
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For further assessment, if you are struggling to manage around your home, request an assessment from Adult Social Care by calling 0300 123 5010.
For more information on Social Care Assessments, view social care assessments website
Visit the Choices for Care webpage to complete an online form and identify the support you may need
For information about Adult Social Care and eligibility, view the social care assessments website or telephone the Community Access Team on 0300 123 7034.
Complete a Self-Assessment to establish your support needs, and submit your answers to the Community Access Team for a callback. If you feel you are struggling to manage at home due to changes in your mobility, contact your GP surgery and ask to be referred for assessment for rehabilitation.
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To schedule a home fire safety check with Cheshire Fire & Rescue, complete an online request form.
Download the Cheshire Fire & Rescue Safe and Well Booklet for more information about reducing the risk of fire in your home at Cheshire Fire & Rescue Safe and Well Booklet
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Avoiding falls out and about - RoSPA
Home adaptations, care services and equipment - NHS
Preventing falls in your home: a room-by-room guide (video)
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Visit our Information and Advice section
Visit our Staying Active section
Visit our Home Safety section
Visit our Help and Contacts section
Start your online Self-Assessment
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Help and Contacts
Please note that the advice contained on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or other health professional