Give something back this Christmas – including your unused crutches!

PEOPLE are being urged to give something back this Christmas – including any unused crutches, walking frames and wheelchairs they may have been loaned by the health and social care services.

Carmarthenshire’s Integrated Community Equipment Service is teaming up with the Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) to hold an Equipment Amnesty during the first week of December.

From Monday, December 5, to Friday, December 9, members of the public will be able to drop off any equipment they no longer require at one of four collection points – the Bigyn Communities First office in John Street, Llanelli; Communities First Llwynhendy in Pemberton Road; Felinfoel Communtiies First at the Community Resource Centre off Ynyswen Road; and Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First in Inkerman Street.

People are also welcome to drop items off directly at the CICES base on the Dafen Industrial Estate, or call to arrange having items collected.

Martin Figg, Operational Manager of the service, said: “We understand that people’s circumstances change, which mean that they will no longer require equipment which may have been loaned to them.

“During the amnesty, we are encouraging members of the public to look in their own homes, or to check with their relatives, to see if there is any equipment which could be returned to us – these may be crutches, walking frames, wheelchairs, perching stools, commodes or toilet frames.

“All we ask is that the items are returned clean. They will then be sterilised, checked and reissued to someone who will benefit from them.”

The Integrated Community Equipment Service – a joint venture by Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board – currently supplies equipment to over 5,000 service users.

Since its launch in October 2009, over 20,000 items of community equipment have been loaned out, and around 7,000 items returned.

Cllr Pat Jones, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to have a quick check at any equipment they may have, and to return it and clear a little more space in their homes, just in time for Christmas!”