Demand Responsive Transport is a service in Fife that helps people who have difficulty with transport. It is available for those who are elderly, frail and/ or have disabilities, as well as anyone who is unable to access public transport (all passengers under 18yrs of age must be escorted).

They have a number of drivers and offer help with transport to hospitals, doctors, health related appointments and social journeys.

You will be asked for the date and time of your journey, the pick-up arrangements, the destination address, the approximate waiting time for the driver and any special requirements. You need to book at least 24 hours ahead. This service also has wheelchair-accessible minibuses for hire.

Fife Council also offer concessionary travel in a variety of schemes.

For further information, and to find out if you are eligible for concessionary travel, please visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/.

Associated materials

• MyBus Information Leaflet
• MyBus Booking Form

For useful advice on choosing footwear for problems like swollen feet, arthritis, diabetes, odd sized feet or cold feet, please visit www.fifedirect.org.uk.

There is also lots of information on foot care available on the Society of Podiatrists and Chiropodists website, please visit cop.org.uk/.

Mobility shops in Fife stock a range of footwear to suit people with problems like oedema, corns, bunions and very wide feet. You can also find out more by contacting Fairprice Mobility on 01592 652244.

If you have a problem with your feet that you cannot address with self-help, please contact your doctor for medical advice.

People may lose interest in going out for a whole variety of reasons, including illness, bereavement or an unexpected life event.

If you are worried about this you can speak to your GP for advice and support. Your GP may also be able to find out if there are any local support groups in Fife.

You can also contact Alzheimer's Scotland for additional support and advice if you are concerned about your memory in particular.

Samaritans is a local service that promotes well-being by providing information or arranging a time to meet up and talk. If you would like to contact their national service, please use the information below.

Contact information
Website: Samaritans
Email: jo@samaritans.org

For more local support, please get in touch with the Samaritans office for your area.

Organisation: Samaritans Dunfermline
Phone: 01383 722222

Organisation: Samaritans Kirkcaldy
Phone: 01592 654242

To search for community groups, organisations, information and support in Fife please visit www.onyourdoorstepfife.org/.

Associated materials

• Worcestershire mental health services

The Upwards and Onwards film can be found on NHS Inform and explains several things to do with falling.

For example:

• How to get up from a fall.
• What to do if you can't get up.
• How to prevent falls.

You can either watch the whole film or a specific section.

Visit www.nhsinform.scot and search for 'What to do if you fall' to find the videos.

There is also a leaflet attached which describes how you can help someone if they fall.

Associated materials

• What to do if someone falls

For information about taxi services that are able to transport someone in a wheelchair, please contact Disability Network Fife using the information below.

Contact information
Website: Disabilities Fife
Phone: 01592 203993

Lifeline 24 is a telephone-based system which you can use to summon help, call assistance, or give you reassurance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The main role of the lifeline service is to obtain help for an elderly or disabled person when an emergency arises. The 'Lifeline' is connected to a control centre where there is always a control operator on duty to respond immediately. This operator is supported by a mobile warden service.

For more information, please use the following details.

Contact information
Website: Lifeline 24
Email: info@lifeline24.co.uk
Phone: 0800 999 0400 (Monday to Friday 8.30am -6pm, Saturday 9am -5pm)

Alternatively, the Fife Falls Response Team can be contacted by pressing Community Alarm, via your GP or NHS24 (Tel. 111).

Fife Council also provide a community alarm service. For further information call the Contact Centre on 03451 551503 to see whether you are eligible.

A commode can be used as an alternative if you are unable to get to your toilet safely.

There are different types of commodes available so it is important to consider these to ensure you get one that is suitable for you. Various commodes can be loaned to you or purchased following an assessment of your needs.

Age UK offer free, discrete delivery of your choice pf products and can be contacted using the information below.

Contact information
Phone: 0800 849 8032
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday - 8am to 6pm, Friday - 8am to 5:30pm, Saturday - 9am to 1pm

The Red Cross also offer commodes with free delivery, and can be contacted by phoning on 844 89 300 90 or 01904 202154.

You have indicated that you do not go out as much as you used to because you don’t feel as comfortable talking to people.

Often discussing this with an organisation, or with someone who understands this difficulty, can relieve your fears and give you advice on what to do.

Advocacy services are provided by Fife Council as a relaxed, informal resource for people asking about mental health and well-being issues at a local level. To find out more, please use the details below.

Contact information
Website: Circles Network
Email: info@circlesnetwork.org.uk
Phone: 01788 816 671

The Mood Cafe can give you access to self help guides. if this is something you'd be interested in, please visit their website by following the link here.

If you would prefer to speak to someone, Breathing Space also offer a free confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

If you'd like to get in touch, please use the following information.

Contact information
Website: Breathing Space
Phone: 0800 83 85 87

Associated materials

• Worcestershire mental health services

You have answered that you don’t go out as often as you used to as you don’t feel as steady or you cannot walk as far as you need to.

You may find a mobility service that provides scooters and wheelchairs helpful. Fife shop mobility have a range of mobility equipment, for more information please visit their website by following the link here.

WRVS Fife Good Neighbours scheme gives people with limited mobility the opportunity to access their town centre shops and leisure facilities with freedom and independence.

To find out more, please contact WRVS Fife using the information below.

Contact information
Website: Digital Fife
Phone: 01592 269654

The National Entitlement Card (Scotland) allows people aged over 60 years and people with a disability to free bus travel in Scotland on local or Scottish long distance buses. Contact your Local Authority for details on eligibility criteria and for an application form. Please visit www.entitlementcard.org.uk for more information.