From 5th May 2015 Shetland Islands Council’s Independent Living Centre (ILC) welcomes Voluntary Action Shetland’s Carer Support service into the building. The ILC is a purpose built facility at Gremista in Lerwick providing a unique showroom environment for members of the public to view and try a wide range of disability products. Services based at the Centre include Community Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy, Support@Home (Central Area), and the Continence Nurse Advisor. The ILC also houses the Community Equipment Store.

The Carer Support Service will now be providing a regular service at the centre on the first Tuesday of every month from 10am-1pm, so that any carers can drop in and look round the centre to see the equipment available and find information about services available to them.

Jo McPherson of Voluntary Action Shetland: “This is a great example of the voluntary sector and the Council working together to provide a service that should make it easier for carers to get the information and support they need all at the same time, and in the same place. This is the second project that we have worked on together - our first was the production of a video about the Independent Living Centre which should make it easier for carers and their cared-for people who can’t make it along to Lerwick to see what the ILC has to offer.”

Simon Bokor-Ingram is the SIC’s Director of Community Health and Social Care: “I am really pleased that through collaborative working between the Council and the Voluntary Sector we can provide a more joined up service to our residents. Integration of health and social care services includes us working much more closely with the voluntary sector, and more examples of this joined up approach will emerge as we progress with Integration.”

The Independent Living Centre is open from 9.30am – 1pm and from 2-4pm, Monday to Friday. No appointments are needed to visit but please call on 01595 743923 if you wish visit at a specific time or need help with transport.