Self-funder support

Prevention and community services

We provide a variety of preventative services that can support you when providing for the care needs of a family, friend or neighbour.

We can provide support with advice, equipment and specialist equipment, minor adaptations and major adaptations of the environment where care is given.

Our Community Therapy Services can provide an assessment free of charge. You may find through the assessment that you are eligible for free support for equipment or adaptations around your home.

If you have to self-purchase equipment or minor adaptations, you may find advice to support you in deciding what to buy.

The Specialist Moving and Handling Team (SMHT) can provide a free assessment for the moving and handling needs of a person you are providing care and support to. 

The SMHT are experts with moving and handling of people and can advise and teach moving and handling techniques, providing free equipment where needs are identified. 

They use the latest equipment and technologies such as bed management systems and ceiling track hoists to make caring for a person as easy as possible. This service is available for both the informal carer and formal carer.

Getting help with small home adaptations

Home adaptations are changes you can make to your home. These make it safer and easier to move around and do everyday tasks. The council will pay for each adaptation that costs less than £1,000.

This usually includes things such as:

• grab rails
• a concrete ramp or steps
• lights that come on when someone is at your front door

We offer a service that assesses your home and recommends changes to help. Having a home assessment is free.

Community health and support services

Community health and support services offer assessments and recommendations for adults, along with additional support and advice. 

For more information, see our community therapy services.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is a free service available to self-funders at the point of assessment. This team helps with any issues and finds technology solutions to make caring for someone easier. They offer advice and support when buying technology equipment and may let you try equipment before purchasing it.

Technology can support people through active or passive home monitoring, with alerts for increased risks or dangers to prevent crises. 

These systems allow carers to leave the person they care for at home, enabling activities like shopping or socialising without worry. Night-time monitoring can also be set up, ensuring carers get restful sleep, knowing they will be alerted if needed.

Contact our technology team for assistance. The Assistive technology service also supports with sensory and hearing equipment.

Visual impairment

Our Visual Impairment Service offers free assessments and advice to anyone.

We support people in West Northamptonshire with visual impairments. Our team provides advice, support and training in all areas affected by sight loss. The senior practitioner is also a qualified Specialist Deafblind assessor.

You do not need to be registered as sight-impaired to use this service. You may be in the early stages of sight deterioration, however the early intervention and training we offer can help prepare you to live your best life.

After an assessment, we create a plan to meet your needs. This can include daily living activities, communication, technology, lighting and mobility. We provide some equipment for free and help with grant applications for other equipment.

Blue Badges

Not all disabilities or conditions result in eligibility for a Blue Badge.

Disabilities and health conditions can be very varied, and the day-to-day impact can range from mild to very severe, occasional to constant.

A diagnosis of a particular condition on its own may not be sufficient to confirm eligibility for a Blue Badge - we may require further information about how much and how often a condition affects your ability to undertake a journey.

Find out more about Blue Badges, including eligibility and how to apply.

Wellbeing Service

Our Wellbeing Service is here to help adults aged 18 and over stay well, active and connected.

If you are starting to feel less independent or facing challenges with your physical or emotional health, we offer up to 12 weeks of free, one-to-one support tailored just for you.

We focus on early support and prevention, helping you stay on track before things get more difficult. Our friendly team will work with you to understand your needs and create a personalised plan to improve your quality of life.

We can offer:

• Walk and Talk sessions with a Wellbeing Advisor to boost your activity levels and reduce loneliness
• help finding local social activities, clubs or volunteering opportunities that match your interests
• support with daily life challenges like housing, money advice or accessing other services
• guidance for low-level mental health concerns, including emotional wellbeing and behaviour support
• practical advice on healthy living, including nutrition, smoking and alcohol use
• referrals to other helpful services like memory clinics, continence support or community pharmacies

We are here to help you feel more confident, connected and in control of your wellbeing.

Find out more about the Wellbeing Service.

Last updated 28 November 2025