West Norfolk Disability information Service

Information

If you have any information that you would like to add to this page, please e-mail it to 

jt@wndis.org.uk

Meanwhile.....

The DRC has published two very useful anti-discrimination guides. One to do with employment, the other to do with access to goods and services. To find out more look at their website: www.drc-gb.org and click on the your rights button. Then choose either employment or access. If you don't want to download the guide, order a free paper copy from them.

For any fitness freaks out there try the excellent gym at Lynnsport, King's Lynn

Bodyworks Fitness Studio

Bodyworks is situated within Lynnsport & Leisure Park and is an IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative) accredited site. This has been achieved by making a range of improvements to access, equipment, staff training and marketing.

The instructors are trained to work with people who have a range of impairments such as Visual, Physical, Learning difficulties, Hearing and many others.

All members both disabled and non-disabled work out alongside one another with their personal exercise plans designed by one of the qualified instructors.

The instructors are always on hand to help out if required.

To find out more about Lynnsport visit

http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=21622&theme=default

To find out more about the Inclusive Fitness Initiative visit

http://www.inclusivefitness.org

Accessible transport in West Norfolk

There are a number of accessible bus services from King's Lynn bus station.

The Lynn - Hunstanton service (410, 411, 412, 413) run by First Eastern Counties will pick you up either at the bus station or in front of the railway station, connecting with the King's Cross train. It has a lowering floor and ramp and spaces for wheelchair-users.

The Lynn - Cromer service ( X98) run by the same company stops at Fakenham, Holt and Sheringham en route to Cromer.

If you would like a timetable or more detailed information, call 08456 020121.

The Lynn - Thetford service (28, 143, 144, 145) stops at Downham Market, Brandon and villages en route to Thetford.

Call 0845 3006116 for timetables or further information.

There is also a community-run Dialabus service operating in West Norfolk. This will take you door-to-door on a wide variety of routes. The village services are more sporadic but it's worth registering with them in order to be able to use the buses. The number to ring for all details is 01553 770310.

The Norfolk Green service is worth considering if you can manage a step up into the bus. It will stop and pick you up and drop you off wherever you wish as long as this is somewhere along a particular bus route, so you don't need to walk to the bus stop.

Their Wisbech to Lynn service (360/365) is accessible

Contact them on 01553 776980.

Norfolk Accessible Taxis and Minibuses

Aylsham

A1 Cabs                   01263 513371

Bluebird Travel                   01692 405091

NJE                   01692 404796  

Brandon

Gary  Border Cars    01842 814488      jenny@bordercars.com

Broads

Express                   01603 767626

Our Hire                   01493 752223

Stalham Mini-bus                   01692 582796

Tolver Taxis                   01603 712574

Bungay/Beccles

Glebe Coaches                   01502 677437

Cromer

A1 Cabs                   01263 513371

Cromer Travel                   01263 837013

Dereham

A Six Taxis                   01603 880666

Breckland Taxis                   01362 698000

Compass Cabs                   01362 695046

David Matthews                   01603 881051

Dereham Taxis                   01362 696161

United Taxis                   01603 300300

Fakenham

Cox Mini-bus                   01328 820801

Dougie Smith                   01328 838766

Framlingham Earl / Loddon

Chet Taxis                   01508 520705

Lawrence Casey                   01508 494007

Taxi-Link                   01603 270190

Great Yarmouth

AAA Travel                   01493 603082

Albies                   01493 331111

Anglia Taxis                   01493 855855

Grebe Coaches                   01502 677437

Lawrence DG                   01493 852120

Swift Taxis                   01493 330330

Hunstanton

Toms Cars                    01485 535582

Kings Lynn

A Bee Cars                    01953 772211

Airport Link                   01553 768528

Ken’s and Premier Cars                   01553 766166  

Simon Gibb                  07960 068457

Norwich

A Six Taxis                   01603 880666

ABC                   01703 630022

Arrow Taxis                   01603 788018

David Matthews                   01603 881051

Dolphin Autos                   01603 661407

Express                   01603 767626

Norwich Radio Taxis                   01603 300300

Phoenix                   01603 611222

Sapphire Chauffeurs                   01603 611222

Taxi-Link                   01603 666555

Tolver Taxis                   01603 712574

Swaffham

Home James                   01953 885966

United Taxis                   01603 300300

Thetford

Breckland Taxis                   01362 698000

Home James                   01953 885966

United Taxis                   01603 300300

West Norfolk

Cavalier Taxis                   01406 326518

G J Bishop                   01366 324307  

Interconnect 505: Spalding - King's Lynn: accessible buses with accessible minibus connecting with villages in Lincs. This service covers all of Lincs. Tel: 0845 2343344 for booking details.

As more of these accessible services come on line, I will update the site.

Messing about on the water!

 Your intrepid correspondent recently investigated four boatyards on the Norfolk Broads who claimed that they provided an accessible service.

 Three do. One doesn't.

 First, the good news: 

e mail: kingline@norfolk-broads.co.uk  

Web: www.norfolk-broads.co.uk   

(They also have some lovely accessible holiday homes in Horning). 

And the not so good news?

Accessible accommodation

Eastern County Accessible Accommodation website address is www.eastofenglandtouristboard.com  

As we are all doubtless well aware, there is a severe shortage of pleasant places to stay so it's worth highlighting those that have made an effort. Here are some good ones that have been tried and tested, in Norfolk first of all, then farther afield...

Berwick Cottage, East Harling, Norfolk

A lovely spot. Really well equipped with gear to help you get about.

Contact details:  info@thelinberwicktrust.org.uk  

                          www.thelinberwicktrust.org.uk

                          tel/fax: 01787 372343

Also....Denis Duncan House, Dirleton, East Lothian, Scotland (see later section).  

Briarfields Hotel

Main St, Titchwell, 

King's Lynn, 

Norfolk 

PE31 8BB. 

01485 210742. 

e mail  briarfields@norfolk-hotels.co.uk  

Lovely spot on the North Norfolk coast near Bird Reserve. Good ground floor bedroom.   

Broom Hall Country Hotel,

Saham Toney, 

(near Watton) 

Norfolk 

IP25 7EX. 

Tel: 01953 882125   

Fax: 01953 885325  

e mail: enquiries@broomhallhotel.co.uk  website: www.broomhallhotel.co.uk

A  very pleasant small, rural hotel. New Coach House has two fully accessible rooms.  

Ffolkes Arms Hotel  

Lynn Road

Hillington

Kings Lynn

Norfolk, PE31 6BJ

Tel: 01485 600210

Accommodation is accessible to wheelchair users travelling with assistance and for those whose mobility is limited but able to walk a few paces.  

Greenbank Country Hotel and Restaurant

Outside East Dereham (right in the centre of Norfolk, just off the A47) is lovely. Converted farm buildings, all fully accessible and very well furnished. Fishing lakes with handy jetties. A wonderful restaurant. Perfect for getting away from it all

Swaffham Road,

Wendling, 

Norfolk 

NR19 2AB 

Tel: 01362 687742  

High Cotts B&B, Congham, Norfolk  

Very pleasant place to stay. Handy for Sandringham. Walk in shower.

Contact details: Highcottsbandb@aol.com

Tel: 01485 601358/07787 912096

King Line Cottages

Ferry Road

Horning

Norwich, NR12 8PS

Tel: 01692 630297 (phone and fax)

Tel: 01692 630030 (evenings)

Email:   kingline@norfolk-broads.co.uk

Website: www.norfolk-broads.co.uk

Lady Lodge – Sleeps 4 (twin bedroom with large single beds and en-suite walk in, king size double bedroom has a large en-suite bathroom with bidet, shower and bath unit. Bed linen and towels are included.

Horning Lodges

1.   Sleeps 4 – 2 toilets and showers en-suite

2.   Sleeps 6 – shared toilet and shower; 1 toilet and shower en-suite

3.   Sleeps 6 – 1 shower and 1 toilet

These lodges have a shared large lawn and 75ft of river frontage. There is a new exterior ramp and wide interior doors. All lodges have a wheel-in shower.

Kate’s Lodge – Sleeps 4 (1 double and 1 twin bedroom), lounge/dining area, fully fitted kitchen.

All five Lodges enjoy a superb location overlooking one of the most picturesque parts of the River Bure in Horning.

Also available is an electric day boat, designed for wheelchair travellers.  

Lodge Hotel

Old Hunstanton, 

Norfolk 

PE36 6HX. 

01485 532896. 

e mail: thelodge@norfolk-hotels.co.uk 

www.norfolk-hotels.co.uk

Well laid out family hotel in pretty village on West Norfolk coast. Good ground floor bedroom.

Nar Valley Holiday Cottages

Great Ketlam Farm

Low Road

Pentney

Kings Lynn

Norfolk, PE32 1JF

Tel: 01760 338797

Nar Valley is a barn conversion with 230 acres of land with ponies, horses and peacocks, riverside walks and fishing.

8 miles from Kings Lynn and 8 miles from Swaffham.

Nar Valley View – Sleeps 7-8 - 3 bedrooms (1 double and 1 twin with ensuite shower room), lounge/diner with piano, kitchen/diner, bathroom with bath and toilet, air bath and overhead shower, chair bed.

Threshing Barn – Sleeps 7 – 3 bedrooms (1 double with extra single bed with en-suite wheel-in shower room), open plan lounge/diner/kitchen.

Gig House – Sleeps 4/5 – 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 triple with en-suite shower room and toilet), bathroom with extra large spa bath and toilet.  

Norfolk Cottages  

Malthouse Farm Holiday Cottages

Gissing

Norfolk

IP22 5UT

Tel: 01379 651177

Fax: 01379 651170

Email: bookings@norfolkcottages.net

Website: www.norfolkcottages.net

Rose Cottage – Sleeps 7 (1 double room and a single room) has bedrooms on two levels, large fitted kitchen/diner.

Primrose Cottage – Sleep 2 (1 double bedroom), fitted kitchen with a low level electric hob and sink.

Bluebell Cottage – Sleeps 2 (spacious double bedroom), large living room, fitted kitchen low level electric hob.  

Honeysuckle Cottage - sleeps 6 or 8. Has bedrooms on two levels. Large living/dining room.

There is also a heated swimming pool, sauna and fitness room located in a purpose built complex. There is a local pub that serves lunches and dinners.

The designers have developed the entire complex with disabled guests in mind and therefore, most things are accessible. It must be noted that all guests have different requirements and guests should phone to confirm anything that is not clear before making their booking.  

Norfolk Disabled-Friendly Cottages. 

Church Farm, 

Bircham Newton, 

King's Lynn, 

Norfolk PE31 6QZ.  

Tel: 01485 578603

e mail: bennion@paston.co.uk   

website : www.norfolkdisabled-friendlycottages.co.uk

Wonderful self-catering cottages, converted from farm buildings in a beautiful setting. Perfect !

Park House Hotel, Sandringham  

On the Royal estate. Handy for Sandringham House and the coast. Lovely rooms. Good food. Everything fully accessible. Care available.

Tel: 01485 543000    Fax: 01485 540663   parkinfo@Lc-uk.org

Rose & Crown Inn, Snettisham, Norfolk  

Lovely old pub. Good food and excellent Adnams. Two new fully accessible bedrooms. Very stylish.

Contact details:    info@roseandcrownsnettisham.co.uk

                            www.roseandcrownsnettisham.co.uk

                            tel: 01485 541382

Lovely places to stay elsewhere in the UK...

DENE HOUSE FARM COTTAGES  

Longframlington

Morpeth

Northumberland, NE65 8EE

Tel: 01655 570 549

Dene House Farm Cottages won an award in 1995 as the winner of the “Holiday Care Award”.

Those that have stayed at Dene House Farm Cottages say what a wonderful time they had and how lovely the accommodation was.

Self-catering accommodation has 2 bedrooms, one with a double bed and single bed and another with two single beds.

Denis Duncan House, Dirleton, East Lothian Scotland  

A new cottage owned by the Lin Berwick Trust. Looks brilliant.

Contact details:    info@thelinberwicktrust.org.uk

                            www.thelinberwicktrust.org.uk

                            tel/fax: 01787 372343

GREENBANK  

4 Halistra

Waternish

Isle of Skye, IV55 8GL

Tel: 01470 592369

This accommodation has been specially built for wheelchair users, disabled people and elderly people.

There are stunning views over a large sea-loch and to the Outer Hebrides.

The accommodation is fully equipped with two en suite bedrooms one with a double bed and one with two twin beds, fitted kitchen, furnished living room, and a private patio to absorb the beautiful scenery.

THE COURTYARD B&B and RESTAURANT

Eaglesfield

By Lockerbie

Dumfrieshire, DG11 3PQ

Tel: 01461 500215

The garage has been converted into one twin bedroom and two double bedrooms with a shower room, TV and kettle. All rooms are fully accessible.

In the restaurant you will find a range of fresh food on the menu with steaks as the speciality.  The homemade sweets are a must too.

Cyprus

For some wonderful apartments in Cyprus that are fully accessible and come with personal endorsement of people who have visited them, look at www.ca-tourist-apts.com.cy

France

www.ineedaholidaytoo.com A lovely fully accessible gite in Brittany, with all sorts of useful gear to hand, set up by an English couple.

Breaks Away Scheme

Opportunities for people living in Norfolk who need a respite break.

What is the Breaks Away Scheme?

The Breaks Away scheme is about being able to arrange a planned respite break in a place of your choice.

You might decide to go away on your own, with family or friends, or choose to join a group of people.

Who is the scheme for?

The scheme is for adults who have any kind of impairment, and who have been assessed by Norfolk Social Services as needing a break away. You must be willing and able to make your own plans and decisions.

Will anyone be able to help me arrange a break?

Yes – you can ask someone that you trust to help you. In addition, Independent Living Norfolk can advise you on which organisations to contact to help you plan your break.

Will Social Services help towards the cost?

Norfolk Social Services may be able to help towards the cost of your break away.

Some charities may also be able to help you.

To find out more please phone Independent Living Norfolk on 01508 491222. or email: iln@ncodp.org.uk  or fax 01603 785239.

Useful numbers

Local organisations contact details

National organisations contact details