A Message from Emily Galton, the Community Health Engagement Officer (CHEO) for West Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight:

A big part of my role here has been engaging with many providers and teams of accessible sports and activities, with having been involved in planning the very first Wheelfest too with attendance from the Mayor of Southampton at the time!

From making local connections, and talking with wheelchair users, learning of the various inclusive and accessible activities that are available in West Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight and the surrounding areas.

I’d like to introduce our new newsletter specifically dedicated to inclusive sports and activities that are equipped to suit many ages and abilities.

So, if you’re looking for a new hobby, or to just try something new, I’m certain you’ll find something here!

This free event is for everyone affected by Parkinson's. 

Enjoy presentations from your Parkinson's nurse specialist, Parkinson's UK Research and your local support team.

🗓️ Friday 16 October
📍 at The Riverside Centre, Newport PO30 2QR
🕙 10.30am-4pm

Eligible disabled people across England will get free bus travel all day, every day, after the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday 18 August, that the government will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes.

Are you a wheelchair user, carer, or family member of a wheelchair user? Would you like to help shape better services?

Our Community Health Engagement Officer (CHEO), Emily, chairs a quarterly service user engagement and improvement board meeting for service users, their relatives and carers, stakeholders, external professionals and organisations and anyone in the wider community who has an interest in the local NHS wheelchair and repair service. 

🗓️  Wednesday 7th October 12pm – 1pm
📍  Online via Teams 

Supporting our Communities

We are pleased to share the good news that we have proudly donated a wheelchair to Wetwheels Hamble CIC to help with transferring passengers on and off the Wetwheels boat, who may struggle with their mobility and accessing the boat.

Community Engagement: Accessible Boating Trip with Wetwheels Hamble and Wetwheels Solent

For many wheelchair users, access to the sea and the freedom, excitement, and wellbeing it brings, can feel out of reach. Wetwheels Hamble and Wetwheels Solent have changed all that, offering fully accessible powerboat experiences designed so that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the water safely, confidently, and without barriers.

We are pleased to display our new feedback posters in both our Hampshire and Isle of Wight service centres, with a QR code option, as well as options to provide feedback via our website, WhatsApp, telephone, email and in person or by writing to us with our full postal address displayed. We are pleased to offer various channels to provide your feedback, allowing for inclusivity and accessibility for all. These posters were co-designed with service users who attend the Ross Care wheelchair service user forum in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. A big thank you to those who took part and helped us to provide new feedback posters to all wheelchair users, relatives, carers and professionals who visit our service.

Are you a young person aged 18 – 25yrs and a wheelchair user? Do you know someone who is, and would be interested in sharing feedback? Tell us about your recent experience of Ross Care NHS Wheelchair & Repairs service in West Hampshire, Southampton & Isle of Wight!

NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight is running a survey to understand the experiences of wheelchair users who are currently using services.

What will the survey do?

• Gather insights on wheelchair users' experiences.
• The findings from this survey will help inform the commissioning of services as we begin the procurement process for wheelchair services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight later this year.

Provide an opportunity to be involved further to help shape the service in the short and longer term.

Veterans Outreach Support are inviting spouses, carers, and parents of veterans to join their Family Focus Feedback Session.

📅 Wednesday 24th June
🕙 11:00 – 15:00
📍 The Riverside Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QR