Helpline celebrates 2nd birthday

6:30pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A POPULAR helpline for vulnerable people and their carers is celebrating its second birthday.

The Social Care help desk, run by Wiltshire County Council, is often the first point of contact for adults with care needs, older people, people with disabilities and carers.

The helpline receives about 4,000 calls each month and aims to help callers make informed decisions and choices about social care and support needs.

Advice and information is available about blue badges for disabled parking, advocacy and benefits, enabling services and provision of aids or equipment to help people in their own home along with many other things, all designed to keep people as independent as possible.

John Thomson, cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: "We get calls from family members who want advice about residential care for a loved one or just people asking about facilities in their communities.

"Not only can callers access a whole range of information with one call but we guarantee they will be answered by a friendly voice a real person not a machine." The helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.20pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.20pm and the number is 01225 713001.

Alternatively fax 01225 713355, or email socialcarehelpdesk@wiltshire.gov.uk For urgent help outside these hours call the Emergency Duty Service on 0845 60 70 888.