Welcome to Kernow Directory. Organisations supporting adults across Cornwall are continuing to add their details. If you are an organisation, please visit one of our directories and click “Add a listing.”
Our information, advice and guidance pages are co-produced with people who have lived experience and will continue to grow.
For some people, their own home is the best place for them to live, but they need a little help to manage. There is a wide range of equipment and electronic gadgets that can help them:
carry out tasks
get around
keep them safe
alert them to danger
and much more
These can be useful for many people, whether they have:
physical disabilities
sensory loss
learning disabilities or mental health difficulties
or are older and more frail
There is a huge range of equipment available, covering every aspect of daily life, and every disability or difficulty. Some can be arranged as short-term community equipment loans, to support you after a hospital stay, for example. See our Home from Hospital page for more in-depth information.
There is also information about arranging hand rails, and opportunity to discuss larger adaptations to your home.
You may be eligible for social care support if:
you find some areas of daily living becoming difficult
believe you have a condition you need help with
If eligible, a trained person will carry out an assessment and advise on what equipment can be prescribed on loan. If you are currently in hospital, speak to the staff there about arranging your discharge. They can liaise with our staff to ensure that your home is safe for you to return to.
Medequip is commissioned by Cornwall Council to provide community equipment across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This is usually larger equipment such as: walkers, bed frames, wheelchairs, shower seats, commodes, etc
Often it is not practical for people to purchase their own equipment, or they may only need it for a short time, when they come home from hospital.
Medequip will deliver community loan equipment to individual people who have been assessed as needing it. They will also service and repair equipment, and collect it when it is no longer needed.
If you have any questions:
- about recently delivered equipment
- equipment that requires repair
please call 01726 210477
or email cornwall@medequip-uk.com
All of our loaned equipment should have a Medequip label on it. This shows the Medequip customer service telephone number.
If your equipment was loaned before 1 October 2024, Medequip will also accept equipment with a Community Equipment Loan Store label.
If your equipment is no longer required and ready to be returned, please call 01726 210477
or email cornwall@medequip-uk.com
You can also return equipment yourself directly to Medequip at:
Roche Service Centre Depot
Medequip
Unit 12
Victoria Business Park
Victoria
Roche
St Austell
PL26 8LX
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 6.00pm
Medequip also has a shop, where anyone can buy things they need. They have a huge variety of small and larger items, from adapted cutlery, plates and cups, to tap turners, specialist cushions, and more. Medequip has a helpline and online chat where you can discuss what you need.
Cornwall Mobility have a walk-in showroom on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site in Truro, showcasing equipment and Technology Enabled Care products. You can try out mobility equipment, wheelchairs and other products that support daily living. They can also advise on the best solutions, including around driving and vehicle adaptations. They have expanded their existing showroom to include the services previously provided by Tremorvah Industries.
The showroom is open Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.00pm.
No appointment is needed. People are free to walk in, browse and get expert advice and guidance in choosing the right equipment.
Contact Information:
Address: North Buildings, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LQ
Telephone: 01872 672318
Email: info@cornwallmobility.co.uk
Website: www.cornwallmobility.co.uk
You can find disability-related support equipment in a number of major retailers, and online, with a variety of products and prices. Please beware of rogue traders, and places selling cheaply-produced equipment that is not of high quality. Items may look suitable, but may cause longer-term damage due to unsuitability. Cornwall Council cannot be held responsible for any issues caused by disability support products or equipment that has been purchased from a third-party supplier.
AskSara is an online self-help guide providing expert advice and information and products on equipment for people to live more independently. The online tool requires you to go through and answer questions on different subject areas. This will then generate a free personalised report providing:
clear, tailored advice written by experts on ways to help with daily activities and staying independent in your home
an impartial list of products and equipment with information on where to get them
further help and contacts for information
an option to save your report and share with family, friends and care workers
It is a self-help tool that anyone can access free of charge.
There is a wide range of gadgets that can be used to support a person to live more independently in their own home. These can include things that are in use in many homes, such as Alexa, and voice-activated switches. There are also specialist items such as sensors and alarms, and more. If you care for a friend or family member, then you might find that there is equipment, and especially TEC that can help you in your caring role. You can find out more about these on our TEC page.