Useful Advice - Mobility
Consider getting about safely
Getting about is more difficult if your sight is poor. The KAB has specially trained mobility instructors to help. They give advice and train people to travel independently or simply to find their way in their own home and garden with confidence. It is possible to overcome difficulties by making simple changes or by learning new techniques.
These ideas might make walking and gardening easier:-
Light the porch, steps and pathways. Paint the edges of the steps white or yellow and add a hand-rail. Cut back the greenery when it encroaches over the path. Use brightly coloured gardens tools and furniture.
Carry a white cane or walking stick. This will indicate to friends, pedestrians and drivers that you have poor sight. Use it to check the depth and position of steps and kerbs.
Wear a cap, eyeshade or tinted glasses to reduce glare. Use a distance viewing aid to see bus numbers and street names.
Hold your companion's arm just above the elbow. This will give you control over your walking speed and make you feel safer and more confident. Ask for the leaflet 'How to Guide' which gives further advice.
If your sight is very poor consider applying for a guide dog, training to walk using a long cane, or just talk your concerns over with us. We will help you find solutions. Guide Dogs for the Blind Association have a local office at Nina Frigenti House, 46 Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5LP Telephone 01622 695503.
Remember if you are a driving licence holder:
It is an offence to drive a vehicle on the road if you cannot pass the number plate test. You must also be able to see clearly out of the corner of your eyes. You must not have double vision. You must be able to see clearly at night.
If you notice a change in your eyesight you should consult your Optometrist.
Help with Transport
The Kent Karrier Service contact no County wide has now changed to 01622 605349, this is to apply for membership to the service and general information.
The Kent Karrier is a fully accessible dial-a-ride service which takes its members directly from their door to the nearest town centre.
Membership is £5 per year, with a small fee payable for each journey
Once membership has been paid a local telephone number is given for bookings – Clients are urged to give at least 24 hours notice with bookings
The TBC hotline is no longer available – all enquiries regarding trains, buses and coaches need to be made to Traveline no. 0871 200 22 33 – web. www.traveline.info or www.traveline.org.uk
Rail Enquiries are still 08457 48 49 50
The Blue Badge Scheme contact details for Maidstone: Contact Centre Invicta House Maidstone Kent ME14 1XX 01622 605020
Additional Information on Transport services
Brighter Futures
Offer Transport, befriending, exercise classes, assisted shopping, outings, Support and information
Current operating project sectors and contact numbers:
Ashford – information, Advice & befriending ONLY – 01233 665535 or 01233 758122
Maidstone 01622 762403
Sevenoaks 01732 469000
Ton/Malling 01732 843977
Tun/Wells 01892 510200
Volunteer Bureaus throughout Kent:
Sevenoaks:
34 Buckhurst Ave Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1LZ
01732 454785
Assisted Shopping, social outings - £10 per year administration fee plus 50p per mile from drivers home and return, minimum charge of £4
Dartford
33 Essex Rd Dartford DA1 2AU
01322 272476
Hospitals, doctors, opticians etc.
No admin charge – 40p per mile from drivers home.
Gravesend:
45 The Ark Windmill St Gravesend Kent DA12 1BA
01474 322729
Medical appointments only £2.00 administration plus 40p per mile from drivers home.
Ashford:
Berwick House 8 Elwick Rd Ashford Kent TN23 1PF
01233 665535 – 01233 633219 – Tenterden 01580 765819
£1 admin plus 40p per mile from drivers home minimum charge of £4 – medical trips and outings
Canterbury & Herne Bay:
Beach House Beach St Herne Bay Kent CT6 5PT
01227 366992
Anywhere – assisted shopping trips if required, £5 per year, £2.00 plus 40p per mile from drivers home and return, minimum charge of £6.00
Dover:
26 Victoria Rd Deal Kent CT14 7BJ
01304 380513
For use anywhere 45p per mile from drivers home and back No registration fee.
Gillingham:
Cranford House 24a Longley Rd Rainham Kent ME8 7RU
01634 362119
Medical appointments are priority - £1.00 administration 43p per mile from drivers home and return.
Voluntary Transport Service Maidstone:
Marsham St Maidstone
0871 200 22 33 - 01622 677337
Booking charge within maidstone area £2.50 + 40p per mile from drivers home to client, then onto their destination, and then the drivers return journey home
Malling:
18 Twisten Rd East Malling Kent ME19 6SA
01732 843346
Anywhere, £10 per year registration plus 50p per mile from driver’s home and return
Rochester:
Under1roof 5a New Rd Avenue Chatham Kent ME4 6BB
01634 830371
Medical appointments are priority, £1 admin cost plus 40p per mile from drivers home and return.
Shepway:
The United Reform Church Castle Hill Ave Folkestone Kent CT20 5QL 01303 259007
Anywhere, £5 registration plus 40p per mile from drivers home and return.
Swale:
Central House Central Ave Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4NU
01795 473828
Medical appointments are priority, assisted shopping trips, anywhere, registration £10 plus 40p per mile from drivers home minimum of £4
Swanley:
Library & Information Centre London Rd Swanley Kent BR8 7AE 01322 669292
Medical appointments are priority, shopping trips – £1 administration plus 40 per mile from driver’s home and return
Tonbridge and local area.
3 St Mary’s Rd Tonbridge TN9 2LD
01732 357978
Assisted shopping trips – flat fee £5 – pick up client, take and assist them and carry shopping into house.
Doctor’s, hospital and hair appointments – 50p per mile calculated from driver’s home
Tunbridge Wells
Wood House Wood St Tunbridge Wells TN1 2QS
01892 540131
Pick up from T/W and district council area and take anywhere.
No Booking charge 55p per mile from driver’s home to client, then onto their destination, and then the drivers return journey home.
Thanet:
Foresters Hall Meeting St Ramsgate Kent CT11 9RT
01843 590935
Medical appointments only, £7 per year Registration plus 40p per mile from drivers home and return
Whitstable:
St Mary’s Hall Oxford St Whitstable Kent CT5 1DD
01227 772248
Anywhere but medical appointments are priority, assisted shopping trips, £5 per year, £1 administration plus 40p per mile from drivers home and return