Soapbox: A hidden secret on Harrow Road

Forty years ago the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), now based on the Harrow Road, was formed when Lady Hamilton discovered how little was known about what equipment was available to help older and disabled people.

Awareness and attitudes towards disability have certainly come a long way since the 1970s, however, a lot of work still needs to be done so people know where they can go to for trusted information and advice on equipment to help with daily living.

At DLF we have been delighted to recently welcome visitors from as far afield as China, Korea and Mexico.

However, what we really want is to make sure that people from the local community know that we exist and what services we can offer them.

We know people pass our Equipment Demonstration centre daily and just don't know that they have access to the largest such centre in London and the South-east.

We know there is a need for our services and this will only grow as a nation we all become older.

Our challenge now is not to just attract international and national recognition but to encourage the local community, of which we're a part, to use our services and help spread the word amongst their friends and family who may need gadgets to help them live a fuller life.

Members of the public can make an appointment to meet a qualified occupational therapist and receive free impartial advice and information about what equipment is available by calling 0845 130 9177 (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm).