Princess Royal to Visit Cheshire East

Council's vital service to the disabled to host royal visit

Cheshire East Council's vital service for adults and children with mobility needs will host a visit from HRH the Princess Royal.

The event, during 'National Occupational Therapy' week in November, will highlight the profession and service's important role in improving lives.

The Princess Royal has been patron of the College of Occupational Therapists for nearly 30 years and her visit to the independent living centre in Wilmslow, will showcase the excellent work taking place to assist people to live independently at home for as long as possible.
The Dean Row centre provides information and impartial advice about equipment and services to help people with disabilities to carry out daily tasks. It also provides advice to carers and professionals who work with them, including occupational therapists.

The 28 staff includes occupational therapists, social care assessors, the community and equipment and referral advice experts. All are on hand to support more than 4,500 people each year.

Residents can access a wide range of essential equipment, assistive technology and information, which helps to prevent or delay long-term residential care or hospital stays.

Advice is given on adaptations to living accommodation and kitchen layout, also security and safety in the home. Residents also receive help with applications for major adaptions, such as stair lifts and walk-in showers. An on-site shop offers an extensive range of equipment, literature and guidance.

Cheshire East Council Leader Michael Jones said: "We feel privileged to host this royal visit and delighted that the Princess Royal has chosen to come to this particular centre in Cheshire East.
"Our teams at the independent living centre carry out extremely important work with residents who have experienced life-changing mobility and health problems that impact on their physical capabilities and daily routines.

"As an authority we wish to put in place all the support mechanisms that disabled people and children require so that they can lead as full a life as possible in their own homes."

Cllr Janet Clowes, Cabinet member for adult social care and wellbeing, said: "The occupational therapy referral and advice team is the first point of contact for residents, carers and professionals, offering support, advice and equipment where appropriate.
"Early intervention and prevention are key principles in the way we deliver services to the residents of Cheshire East.

"We wish to support people to live in their own home as independently as possible. We know that this has a long-term beneficial result in that it delays the need for residential or nursing home care or admission to hospital.

"The occupational therapy service has a number of very experienced staff that provide specialist advice in relation to the safe handling of adults and children with very complex needs. This advice is of great value to families and carers.

"We are delighted that the Princess Royal, in her capacity as patron of the College of Occupational Therapists, has chosen to visit us, to witness at first hand the work that we do and meet with our excellent staff and some of our service users."

Dr Patricia McClure, Chairman of Council, College of Occupational Therapists said: "Occupational therapy plays an invaluable role supporting people to live independently in their own home, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and the need for long-term care. 
"This independent living centre, Dean Row, is an exemplary frontline occupational therapy service. 
"It allows people to choose and have easy access to the type of help they need, when they need it; to receive preventative advice and get the right support before they become socially isolated, or risk physical or mental health deterioration."
The visit by the Princess Royal takes place on November 4th, 2015. She will be accompanied by the Vice Lord Lieutenant Joelle Warren.

The College of Occupational Therapists

The College of Occupational Therapists is the professional body for 29,000 occupational therapists and support staff in the UK. It champions the vital work of occupational therapy staff, promoting value, excellence and innovation across the profession.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy considers all aspects – physical, psychological, social and environmental – helping to increase people's independence and enabling people to live life their way.

Occupational Therapy provides practical support to people with physical and mental illness, disability, long-term conditions, or those experiencing the effects of ageing, enabling them to do the things they need or want to do. It helps people of all ages to carry out practical and purposeful activities (often referred to as "occupation"). This could be essential day to day tasks – such as dressing, cooking, going shopping, to the things that make us who we are – our job, interests, hobbies and relationships.

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