You want to live at home but are worried you will feel bored and lonely. You have ways to stay in touch with loved ones and talk to more people.
Hear from loved ones easily
Speak to loved ones more easily and often – even if you do not like computers or mobiles.
Find out about making simpler phone or video calls by:
- seeing a review of easy-to-use mobile phones
- reading reviews of simple tablet computers
- learning about different ways of making video calls
- viewing our guide to one-button video calls with the Komp
- asking for help to use mobiles, tablets and computers from our volunteers, 'digital champions'
- looking at devices and asking questions about them. We have devices to show and will update this page with how to book to see them
Talk to and see more people
If you are feeling lonely, there are things you can do – some without leaving home.
You can meet new people like you in groups online. You can have conversations with people who are there to help people feeling lonely.
You can:
- meet people by having a meal or go to Age UK’s coffee mornings using video calls
- go to online meetings for people with learning disabilities, call People First Dorset on 01305 257600
- get friendship and support by calling Silverline for free on 0800 470 80 90, 24 hours a day
- see our list of ‘befriending’ volunteers who can phone you or visit you
- assess your mood with an NHS tool
Get out more and meet more people
If you find it harder to get out to meet people, get help to get about yourself safely.
Get help from the NHS and mobility shops, or get a lift from people you know, volunteers, a community bus or social group.
To get out, you can:
- find out what walking sticks and other mobility aids the NHS might help you with
- look at walking sticks and frames and see wheelchair and scooter options our partner Medequip offers for sale and call on 01706 572 460
- find out how to get a lift into town from your door
- if you have a disability, get a key to use public toilets for you (Disability Rights UK)
- if you need more help than disabled toilets give, find out about toilets with extra help, find one near you and fill in and give us a form to use them
- go to a mobility shop to see what can help:
- The Mobility Shop & Mobility Scooters UK, Wimborne on 01202 798942
- The Mobility Shop, Wimborne on 01202 882056
- Active Mobility, Dorchester on 01305 213141
- Dorchester Mobility on 01305 267662
- Casterbridge Care & Mobility Ltd, Yeovil (near Sherborne) on 01935 414882
- Purbeck Mobility Centre, Wareham on 01929 552623
- Poole Mobility on 01202 676865
- Freedom Mobility UK Ltd, Shaftesbury, on 01747 829549
- Bridport Mobility on 01308 424266
- Weymouth Mobility on 01305 760575
- find out what might help, if you find your mood stops you from going out