Princess Royal’s praise for Council’s work with people with disabilities

The Princess Royal has praised the work of Cheshire East Council and its occupational therapy staff who assist people with problems in daily living.

In her role as patron of the College of Occupational Therapists, the Princess Royal met local people who were accessing the services at the Wilmslow-based Independent Living Centre in Dean Row for help in how to manage in their own home.

Edward Slater told the royal visitor that he had primary progressive multiple sclerosis, but because of the help and guidance given to him at the centre, he had discovered ways of staying mobile, using a wheeled walking device.

He said: “She was very interested in my situation. I showed her how I use my walking chair, which I can also sit on when I need to have a rest.”

Edith Lundy, another wheelchair user, showed the Princess how she manages in her kitchen at home because of low-level appliances and work surfaces shown to her by therapists using the centre’s own demonstration kitchen.

The centre assists around 4,500 people and professionals a year with information and advice to carry out routine tasks and stay safe at home.

Its 28 staff include occupational therapists, social care assessors and referral advice experts.

Service users are shown a wide range of equipment to help them with bathing, showering, getting in and out of bed, using the stairs and cooking.

After unveiling a plaque to commemorate her visit, the Princess Royal told an audience of VIPs and guests how impressed she was with the centre and its work with various partner agencies, including the East Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, AgeUK and specialist providers.

She said: “It is pleasing to see a living centre like this, which in the past have been so few and far between.

“Hopefully, this will raise the profile of the centre,  which is a really good use of space and time so that individuals really do benefit from coming here.

“Technology advances at a very fast rate but there are many more things which are more about understanding life’s needs.”

Cheshire East Council Leader Michael Jones told the royal guest: “We are very proud of this centre.

“These services make a real difference to people’s lives, giving them the independence and freedom they would not otherwise enjoy.”

Dr Patricia McClure, chairman of the College of the British Association of Occupational Therapists, said the focus of occupational therapy was changing.

She said: “This early intervention by occupational therapists supports people to live independently in their own homes, avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital and the need for long-term care.

“The centre is an excellent example of a front-line service that enables people to choose and have easy access to the help they need.”

After watching a short film showcasing the work of the independent living centre, the Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Cabinet member for adult social care, said afterwards: “We are so pleased the Princess Royal has chosen to come here to witness at first hand the invaluable work that we do here to help people to enjoy their independence.

“She spent a lot of time chatting to staff and is clearly very interested in the work that we do. We have an ageing population and the more we can do to avoid hospital stays or the need for long-term care the better.”

People of all ages including children who have mobility problems and special needs, are able to access the service.  They are shown how to use stairlifts, kitchen appliances, walking aids, orthopaedic beds, walk-in showers and a range of other assistive equipment and technology to help them live independently and safely at home.