Find local services or traders
We recognise that sometimes the biggest battle is knowing where to start looking for the information you need.
We have gathered together information about the trades, services and organisations we get asked about most often - to help you make informed decisions.
Find a trade or service
We have collated a list of searches and links below for a variety of trades, services and organisations - click on a heading to expand it.
We strongly suggest that you read our Choosing a Reputable Trader Guide when making any selections or decisions.
View or print our "Choosing a Reputable Trader" guide
If you have trouble using the list of searches and links below then please contact us and we will try to provide the information another way.
DISCLAIMER
The results that are produced by the following searches are for information only. Age UK Southampton does not recommend any of the trades or services that will appear in the searches below, nor do we recommend the search providers. If you follow a link you will be taken to an external website, the content of which Age UK Southampton is not responsible for.
Aids, Equipment and Technology
| List / Service | Suggested Search or Link | |
| Aids and equipment for independent living |
Did you know you can request a free assessment of your needs from your local authority's adult social care team? This could help by providing some aids and equipment for free, to help you manage more independently.
Personal Alarms/Lifeline providers - Age UK Southampton info sheet Stairlift providers (hire or purchase) - Age UK Southampton info sheet |
NRS Healthcare -Southampton Community Equipment Servicesprovide Southampton Council community aids and equipment and also have a retail arm for customers to purchase equipent privately. Tel: 03330 160 000 Disabled Living Foundation (Living Made Easy) - free independent online guidance on choosing aids including EquipMe tool NRS Healthcare provide the Handyperson service and registered Home Improvement Agency |
| Hearing and Vision aids for hire or purchase | ||
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Mobility aids and wheelchairs for short-term hire
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Southampton Shopmobility in Bargate provides manual and electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to people with limited mobility, enabling them to access the city centre and shop independently. The Shopmobility equipment includes a range of different mobility scooters (3 and 4 wheel), powerchairs and manual wheelchairs to suit individual needs. Tel: 023 8063 1263 |
Red Cross Mobility Aids for Hire- Offer equipment for hire and sometimes able to take 2nd hand equipment to re-use.
Disability Equipment Service is a free national website for buying and selling new and used disability equipment. |
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Donating/ disposal of mobility aids and equipment |
Local charity shops may take simple equipment but it is best to ring and check. Age UK charity shops are managed by Age UK national; you can find your nearest one here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/charity-shops/ Southampton City Council have a paid-for bulky item collection service for larger items. You could list the item on a free-to-list website such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace - it may be just what another local person is looking for! Southampton Community Equipment Service (part of NRS Healthcare) Tel: 03332 408 335 can advise you about drop-off, collection or other locations to which the equipment can be taken |
If the item was provided through the NHS, social services or another support agency then they may take them back. If the item was purchased privately the supplier may have their own refurbishment or recycling scheme. For stairlifts, some local stairlift companies remove and refurbish these - see our ‘Stairlift providers (hire or purchase)’ list above Red Cross Mobility Aids for Hire- Offer equipment for hire and sometimes able to take 2nd hand equipment to re-use. Disability Equipment Sent Overseas (DESO) - collect crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs to be sent overseas Disability Equipment Service is a free national website for buying and selling new and used disability equipment. If you're paying someone to remove items or rubbish ensure they have a waste carrier license. |
| You could be entitled to extra money called 'Attendance Allowance' from the government to help with the additional costs of having a long-term health problem or disability. This could be put towards purchasing of aids, equipment and services. | ||
| Technology and computer support / training |
Abilitynet - national charity offering free IT support at home for many types of technology. Also a number of useful factsheets on choosing tech for people with impairments e.g. mobile phones, computer aids. Tel: 0800 269545 Southampton City Council run computer clubs with partner agencies. Learn My Way - free user-friendly online training Southampton Blue Lamp Trust - Cyber Bobby- local charity currently offering free 'Stay safe online' training |
Have you asked your library or local college about computer classes? Your local library may offer help using computers or help from a Digital Champion – 023 8083 3007 University of the Third Age (U3As) is an organisation that promotes life-long learning and engagement. Your local branch may have an IT club you could join. Some banks have 'digital champions' for money-related issues e.g setting up online banking
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Health and Wellbeing
| List / Service | Suggested Search or Link |
| Chiropodist/ Podiatrist / nail cutting (incl. home visits) |
The College of Podiatry Tel: 020 7234 8620 Chiropodists, Podiatrists and Footcare Practitioners list - Age UK Southampton info sheet |
| Dentists | |
| Hairdressers- Mobile / Home visiting | The Hair Council tel: 020 8760 7010 – UK register of hairdressers |
| Opticians- Mobile / Home visiting | HousingCare.org - list of visiting opticians |
| Local lunch clubs, social opportunities and groups | Age UK Southampton list of local lunch clubs, day centres and friendship groups - coming soon! |
Housing, Care and Help at Home
| List / Service | Suggested Search or Link | |
| Did you know you can request a free assessment of your needs from your local authority's adult social care team? This could help by providing some aids and equipment for free, and potentially means-tested funding towards a care package. |
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| Sheltered Housing & Housing Options |
HousingCare.org - database of sheltered housing (select 'Housing' and type in postcode) Did you know most rented sheltered housing schemes are applied for through local council housing registers? Age UK info guide - Housing options EAC Housing Options for Older People tool (HOOP)- online questionnaire to guide you and provide further advice |
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| Care homes | NHS choices database of care homes (with CQC ratings)
Age UK info guide - Care homes
Age UK Factsheet - Finding, choosing and funding a care home |
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| Care at home / care agencies |
NHS choices database of Homecare agencies (with CQC ratings) Age UK info guide - Getting help at home Independent Lives provides support and advice for people with Direct Payments in Hampshire Shared Lives Southampton (helps people live as part of a family, within the carers home, where they receive the support or care that they need) SPECTRUM Centre for Independent Living - can provide support and advice if you have Direct Payments or Personal Budgets or if you are self-funding your own care and support. Our Advocacy and advice team can help with debt issues, housing and dealing with problems with services. Which? Cost of care and eligiblity checker tool - compare estimated costs of care agencies and care home fees by area. HomeCare Association |
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| Support for self-funders of care |
Care Home Selection - care agency and care home finders service (free and independent) Independent Living Centre - SPECTRUM - care support planning and brokerage, including for direct payments and self-funders |
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| Domestic help |
Domestic help can be tricky to find and, as with other services, we're not able to recommend any individuals or companies. Why not ask friends or neighbours locally for recommendations or check your local church or parish newsletter? |
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| Food and shopping options | ||
| Furniture charities, recycling and collection |
Southampton City Council bulk item waste collection(paid for service) You could offer your items online for free via Gumtree, Freecycle, Freegle or Preloved.
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Local Authorities
| Southampton City Council |
General enquiries tel 023 8083 3000 Adult social care team tel: 023 8083 3003 Email: adultsocialcareconnect@southampton.gov.uk For Adult Safeguarding contact the Southampton Council Social Care Help Desk on 023 8023 3344. If you are calling out of hours then please call the Emergency Duty Service
What to do if you're concerned about someone - Age UK national information |
Home Maintenance, Energy and Security
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Southampton Blue Lamp Trust - Bobby Scheme Offer free home security checks across Southampton for older people and those who are otherwise vulnerable or disadvantaged. They can also fit security equipment including keysafes. |
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Home Improvement Agency / Handihelp service NRS Healthcare provide the Handyperson service and registered Home Improvement Agency in Southampton |
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service Tel: 023 8062 6751 Offer free 'Safe and Well' home visits across Wiltshire to help you keep safe and healthy at home. Can check and fit smoke alarms where required. |
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Help with energy and winter warmth We produce a Spread the Warmth leaflet- information on local and national schemes relating to improving energy efficiency, extra money for heating costs and energy saving advice. |
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The Environment Centre https://environmentcentre.com/ Tel: 0800 804 8601 A local charity that specialise in energy efficiency advice. They can give you tips on how to save energy and reduce your bills, advice about approved installers and information about any grants or schemes available in your area. |
Trades and Services
Don't forget to read our "Choosing a Reputable Trader Guide"at the top of this page
Yell.com, Dentons.net are other information sources for many types of local businesses but are not checked or endorsed.
| List / Service | Suggested Searches | ||
| Builders and DIY (also see 'Home Maintenance' above) | |||
| Electricians | NICEIC register of electricians | ||
| Gardening Services |
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| Painters and Decorators | The Painting and Decorating Association | ||
| Plumbers | |||
| Plumbers (Heating engineers) | Find an APHC Installer | ||
Travel and Transport
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Blue Badge Scheme A concessionary parking scheme for people with severe mobility problems. Available from your local authority: Southampton City Council Tel: 023 8083 3748 |
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Public and Community Transport > Bus Pass and Taxi Vouchers schemes - A concessionary travel scheme for older people and people with significant mobility problems. Taxi vouchers may be available if you cannot make use of your bus pass. Contact Southampton City Council My Journey Southampton -a travel awareness website giving information and advice to people who are giving up driving, to help them get around more easily, using a range of travel choices and options. SCA Community Transport - Community transport provide transport for people who struggle to get out and about e.g. getting to medical appointments. Tel:023 8022 2033 Communicare Southampton offer a variety of neighbourly services including providing transport to medical appointments and social engagements, where taxis and public transport are not an option |
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Transport to hospital Non Emergency Patient Transport to hospital - (NEPTS) for those that require transport to/from hospital and are unable to get there themselves. Eligiblity criteria is set by the government and based on whether someone's medical condition prevents them from travelling by any other means. NHS volunteer responders (during COVID19) - Patient transport is available via a professional referrer such as GP or health professional. A local taxi service or ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ service may be an option if you are not eligible for other schemes or cannot use public transport because of your health. Accessible taxis may be available such as Southampton Council Directory Wheelchair accessible taxis Also see Link Schemes above and the individual hospital websites will usually have a 'Find us' or 'Travelling and directions' page. |
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Disabled access toilets in the community (Key scheme) Disability Rights UK – RADAR keys £5.00 (excl. VAT) with free delivery Tel: 020 7250 8191 Other places to try: Selected Scope charity shops, Independent Living Centre (Semington) and local town councils may have stocks. |
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RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Customers) The RiDChave a number of useful guides including: mobility scooters and scooter insurance choosing and using an adapted vehicle |
Money and Legal
| List / Service | Suggested Searches | ||
| Benefits and extra money |
Ask us for a free income maximisation check - we can check your eligibility for welfare benefits and explore other areas of financial support like help with health costs, grants and other schemes!
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Wiltshire Surviving Winter Grant Wessex Water Pension Credit discount Council Tax Discounts - non-means-tested. Including for certain carers and people with a disability– check with your local council |
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| Planning ahead |
Age UK 'Lifebook' - free downloadable booklet helps you to gather together useful information and contacts in one place |
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| Financial Advice (incl. for care planning) | |||
| Free Debt Advice |
Frontline Debt Advice |
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| Legal advice |
Association of Lifetime Lawyers (prev. Solicitors for the Elderly) Southampton Advice and Representation Centre - free legal advice for eligible customers |
Beacon (NHS CHC appeals and challenges) | |
| Wills |
Age UK info guide: Wills and estate planning Nationalfreewills.net - list of participating charities that offer free wills |
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| Powers of Attorney |
Office of the public guardian: Hints and tips to avoid common mistakes with forms |
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Our Resources
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Age UK Information Guides and Factsheets
Age UK produces free information guides and factsheets on a wide range of topics, including home adaptations, benefits, dementia, and advice for carers.
You can find a complete list of guides and factsheets on the Age UK national website.
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Little Book of Useful Information (Southampton)
This little guide has details of some of the most commonly asked questions about local services and organisations.
Can't find what you are looking for?
If you are looking for a trader in your local area you could also try the following:
- Word of mouth is often a good source of local information - friends, family or a neighbour may be able to recommend someone from their own experiences.
- If you are looking for a trader, you can try looking on the TrustMark government-endorsed tool to find tradespeople or Trading Standards - Buy With Confidence which is endorsed by local Trading Standards departments.
- Town, parish and church newsletters or websites often have current information about local traders and services.
- Yell.com, Dentons.net are information sources for local businesses but are not checked or endorsed.
Please help us be there for older people in need
By donating today, you could help us answer more calls to our advice line, provide volunteer support for older people struggling to manage on their own and provide regular friendship calls to people who are desperately lonely.