What is social support?

We all get support from friends, family and our community. When we have support, we can do more for ourselves. We can live more independent and healthy lives.

Sometimes your friends, family, or community cannot give you as much support as you need. This might be because of illness, frailty, disability or health.

Community: This can be your neighbours and other people who live near by. It can also be people who have similar interests to you – for example your religious community, or a hobby group that you belong to.

How do you know if you are not getting enough support?

You may need some extra support if:

• You are struggling with everyday tasks such as bathing, cooking and walking.

• You cannot spend time with your friends and family or cannot do activities such as hobbies, learning or work because of your situation.

• You cannot make your own choices (someone is taking your freedom to choose away from you or you do not have the capacity to make choices).

• You might become unwell or unsafe because of your situation (you cannot look after yourself or someone is neglecting or abusing you).

If you need some extra support, you may be able to arrange this yourself – the next section tells you how to go about this. If you are not sure about doing this, then go to the bottom of page 15.

Disabled Living has equipment, information and expert advice for anyone with long or short- term mobility problems or other disabilities.

The centre can be used by: 

people with short-term mobility problems ( such as broken legs) people recovering from illness or hospital stays older people and disabled people

people with an older or disabled relative staying with them

The centre is open Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 4.30pm and Friday 10.30am to 4.30pm Call us on 0161 607 8200 or visit www.disabledliving.co.uk