IDEAL FOR ALL

The 'Drop in' Equipment Service is a service providing Sandwell residents with access to a limited range of equipment to improve and maintain independence from the Independent Living Centre. The service is available to permanent residents of Sandwell. Assessments are open to people of any age, ethnicity and ability. The individual requiring the equipment must be present for the assessment. The service is a 'drop in' service, so appointments are not necessary. It is available from Monday to Friday, between 10.00am and 11.45am. Due to the nature of the service, if you arrive after 11.45am, or if there are a lot of people waiting when you arrive, it is possible that you will be asked to return on another day. The Officer is unable to see people after 12.00 noon. On rare occasions, the service may have to be temporarily suspended.

Ideal for All (IFA) is a not for profit company and registered charity run by and for disabled people in the borough (district) of Sandwell. It provides a range of social and health care services to support disabled people, carers and disadvantaged groups, to learn new skills and live as independently as possible. Ideal For All to be managed and controlled by disabled people themselves was a blue sky thinking, yet daring concept in early 1990’s, the era when disabled people were still being confined to the Day Centres culture and be looked after by social care agencies. It also posed a challenge to many health and social care professionals, who viewed disabled people either as ill or unable to look after their own affairs. The journey of IFA has been challenging and difficult yet the outcome has been remarkably worthy. Disabled people in Sandwell and generally in the UK now stand much better chances of achieving their goals and live a fulfilling life. Yet we feel there is a lot still to be achieved.