Shopping

If you are able to go out to do your own shopping, Shopmobility may help. They provide manual or powered wheelchairs or powered scooters to people who are disabled or frail so that they can get easily around town to shop or sightsee.

You do not need to be registered disabled to use Shopmobility schemes. They are either free or have a nominal charge and can be used by anyone who is either permanently or temporarily disabled.

Shopmobility schemes are available in

Andover   Basingstoke    Eastleigh    Fareham     Petersfield    Portsmouth    Southampton   

Southampton - West Quay   Winchester

You can order almost anything on the internet and have it delivered to your home. This includes food, clothes and equipment. All of the major supermarkets now do home food deliveries. You can also set ‘favourites’ and save shopping lists.

• If you are new to the internet, here is a guide to shopping online
• Computers are available free of charge to library card holders in Hampshire libraries. Some libraries run internet courses for beginners.
• Portsmouth libraries and Southampton libraries also offer help with computers.

Hampshire Superfast Broadband - If your property is not included in the current superfast broadband programme and you can only access a speed of 2Mbps or less, there is a government schemein place to help you access better broadband.

• AccessAble has access guides for retail and shopping venues throughout Hampshire.

• Morrisons has introduced a 'Quieter Hour' in all their stores every Saturday for those who struggle with music and other noise. The National Autistic Society is encouraging other retailers and businesses to introduce a quiet hour.
  
  
•  The RADAR National Key Scheme gives you independent access to over 9,000 accessible toilets in the UK.

• The Changing Places toilet map lets you search for accessible toilets in any area. Click on the individual listings for full details of facilities available.
  
  

• If you have a bladder or bowel condition which affects their ability to get to the toilet on time, a Just can’t wait card may help.  Some shops and public places have signed up to the scheme which means you can access their toilet when showing the card.

If friends, relatives or neighbours are unable to help you with managing your shopping, you could:

• Contact Age Concern Hampshire for assistance with finding local voluntary organisations that could help you with shopping.

• Search the Good Neighbours network directory (Hampshire, including Portsmouth) to see if there are local volunteers who can help.
  
  
• Communicare Southampton may be able to help with shopping.

• Go to our Community directory and search under the 'Transport' category for community transport options in your area.