Ableworld Specialist Division Branches Out

This entry was posted in General February 15, 2019

Back in 2007 Ableworld set up the company’s Specialist Division, working hard to build up contacts, raise awareness and develop the necessary trust and reputation for professionals to refer cases to Ableworld. Today, our Ableworld Specialist Division operates from two centres, one in Hanley and a new larger premises in Crewe covering the Cheshire, North Wales, the Wirral and Shropshire areas. 

Our Specialist division provides bespoke mobility equipment for adults and children and are all highly trained. We provide a one to one service either in store or at the comfort of the customers own home and handle everything from assessment to handover, giving a personal service, training and advice. Through the years of experience, our Specialist Advisers have earned a deep level of trust from clients, their families and health care professionals. At Ableworld we are dedicated to helping people and use all major distributors of mobility equipment, to give as much choice as possible.

At Ableworld we are fully supportive of Franchise and Joint Venture stores that have decided to take on Specialist Training.  These include Franchisee, Donna Wilson from our Lincoln and Newark stores who has undertaken over 2 years of training with the Sunrise Medical steps training programme.  Courses involved seating and positioning, specialist Powerchair assessment and prescription and active user wheelchair assessment and prescription.  She is also looking to work with other suppliers.

Also enhancing the Ableworld Specialist Division is Mobility GB Director Barry Pearson. He entered into a joint venture with Ableworld in 2014 and during that time has launched five stores.  Barry has recently employed a fully qualified Occupational Therapist to expand the operation across the North West liaising with local professionals and carrying out formal assessments. Barry commented ‘The appointment of our own local Occupational Therapist is a key part of our strategy to ensure our customer service remains marketing leading and provides a vital link between the professional medical network and the retail sector’.

For more information visit www.ableworldspecialist.co.uk or call us on 0800 096 5465.

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Items to keep you warm this winter time

This entry was posted in General January 21, 2019

As the cold weather is upon us, it is important that we stay healthy and take care of ourselves and others around us. At Ableworld we have a superb range of products that are designed to keep you warm in the cold weather. We have items that are great for home use, and also ones that are ideal for use when out and about.

Heated Lap Blanket

Our Heated Lap blanket has been designed with a fleece touch material and dual temperature setting to keep the user warm and cosy during cold nights. It has been proven to improve circulation, and alleviate muscle pain and rebuild injured tissue. This blanket can be used in the car, or at home, as it is supplied with a mains and car adapter as standard. With rising energy costs the heated lap blanket has been specially designed to use 12w per hour, therefore offering peace of mind to the user when in use.

Hand Muff

Our Hand Muff is a great way to keep your hands warm when in your wheelchair or waiting for the bus. Made from thick showerproof material, this handcuff features a fleece effect lining and elasticated cuffs that are ideal for keeping the heat in and the cold out. It is ideal for everyday use in the winter, and is particularly suitable for wheelchair users.

Diabetic Socks

Our Diabetic socks work like regular socks, but have an incorporated stretch technology which gives 50% more stretch across the entire socks. They feature a soft easy top, flat toe seam and extra thermal properties to allow the feet to breath, but to stay warm also. These socks are suitable for people with Diabetes, and also people with Oedema or sensitive legs or feet also. Our Diabetic socks are available in either Cotton or Wool material. 

Full Finger Wheelchair Gloves

Our full hand wheelchair gloves are designed to help you maintain your independence by ensuring greater grip and support in wet weather. The gloves feature textured and padded palms which allow a better grip and protection. These gloves are ideal for wheelchair or scooter users throughout the winter to provide warmth against the cold weather.

Heated Massaging Seat Cushion

Our Heated Massaging Seat Cushion is a new product that we have brought in just in time for the colder weather. It features a soothing heat treatment cushion with an added 5 setting massage facility with varied speeds. The seat is perfect for use in the car or on a seat at home to reduce stress and everyday strain on your body.

Slipper & Neck Warmer Set

Our Slipper and neck warmer set is designed to promote warmth and comfort. Both the slippers and neck warmer can be heated in the microwave and feature pouches that hold the heat for a long time afterwards. A soft fabric design makes this slipper and neck warmer set comfortable to wear, the neck warmer is flexible and can be wrapped around the neck or other parts of the body. Our set includes a pair of plush slipper boots and a neck warmer, providing heat where you need it to relax any tense muscles and sooth aching legs.

The majority of our Hot and Cold range is available in all stores, making it easy and accessible to shop.  We also have the range available to view and purchase on our website here. Our delivery is available for home delivery, or alternatively you can Reserve an item to collect from your local store.

We hope our product recommendations will help you to stay warm and cosy in this colder weather.

For any further information or if you have any queries then please get in touch with us.

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Ableworld Elderly Shoebox Appeal all wrapped up and delivered

This entry was posted in General December 19, 2018

A big 'Thank you' to all our customers, staff, family and friends who very kindly made donations towards our 2019 Elderly Shoebox Appeal. The kind donations enabled us to deliver over 100 shoeboxes, all bursting with goodies, to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford ready in time for Christmas Day.

Ableworld stores and Head Office were used as drop-off points for many staff, customers and organisations who wanted to ensure their gifts reached the Hospitals before Christmas. Once collected together we were more than happy to oblige when it came to delivering them all to the Hospital, which all went very smoothly.

Andrew James from the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said “A great big thank you to Ableworld. We have started giving out their shoe box filled presents to patients around the hospital. For many of our patients the gifts inside the box will make a real difference to their Christmas, one lady immediately put the hat and scarf on, she had tears of emotion as she said thank you. Acts of such kindness as demonstrated by Ableworld is the essence of Christmas".

We are really pleased that we were able to support two great local hospitals in making an elderly persons Christmas Day in hospital a special day, and happy to hear that the boxes are already going down well!

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Can you help with the Ableworld Elderly Shoebox Appeal this Christmas?

This entry was posted in General November 15, 2018

This year Ableworld will be teaming up with both the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, to help make Christmas Day in hospital a special day.  Nearly 1,000 elderly people will be in a bed at the hospital on Christmas Day, many without close family members who are able to visit them, so a small present to open can make a huge difference.

Ableworld have been involved in a similar initiative for the last 2 years and have collected well over 100 shoeboxes each time, so we are aiming to see if we can make it even bigger and better this year.

How can you help?

We are appealing to the public this Christmas to fill a shoe box with small things which we may all take for granted, but that an elderly person would appreciate. Ideas include puzzle books, hot chocolate, biscuits, warm socks, gloves, slippers, scarfs, hats, tins of soup, toiletries, confectionary, pens,  puzzle books or handmade gifts -  the list is endless, but please no alcohol.

These can then be taken to our Ableworld stores in; Birkenhead, Burton, Chester, Congleton, Crewe, Hanley, Llandudno, Nantwich, Newport, Northwich, Oswestry, Reading, Rhyl, Shrewsbury, Stockport, Wrexham and the Ableworld Head Office in Nantwich before 17th December.

We will then ensure that all donations will be delivered directly to both hospitals before the big day.

Where can you drop them off?

Ableworld Birkenhead, 2 Park Road North, Birkenhead, CH41 4EZ

Ableworld Burton, Second Avenue, Centrum One Hundred, Burton-upon-Trent, DE14 2WF

Ableworld Chester, 3 St David’s Retail Park, Saltney, Chester, CH4 8SN

Ableworld Congleton, 58 Mill Street, Congleton, CW12 1AG

Ableworld Crewe, 1 Valley Brook Business Centre, Mill Street, Crewe, CW2 7DT

Ableworld Hanley, 430 Leek Road, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, ST1 3HU

Ableworld Llandudno, 16 Mostyn Broadway, Llandudno, LL30 1YL

Ableworld Nantwich, 39 Beam Street, Nantwich, CW5 5NF

Ableworld Newport, Audley Avenue Business Park, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7BX

Ableworld Northwich, 41 London Road, Northwich, CW9 5HQ

Ableworld Oswestry, Main entrance, RJ&AH Orthopaedic Hosp., Gobowen, Oswestry, SY10 7AG

Ableworld Reading, 221 Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 8HA

Ableworld Rhyl, 1 Westbourne Avenue, Rhyl, LL18 1EE

Ableworld Shrewsbury, Heathgates Bank, Ditherington, Shrewsbury, SY1 4BB

Ableworld Stockport, 315 Buxton Road, Great Moor, Stockport, SK2 7NL

Ableworld Wrexham, 17 St George Crescent, Wrexham, LL13 8DA

Ableworld Head Office, Stapeley Technology Park, London Road, Nantwich, CW5 7JW 

 

We highly appreciate any donations and support recieved! For more information or if you have any queries please feel free to contact us.

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Lighting products for dark winter days

This entry was posted in General November 9, 2018

Now that we are fully into Autumn, and the colder days are approaching, the days have become much shorter and the mornings and evenings have become extremely dark. At home there are often times where a simple ceiling light bulb is not the most effective solution to lighting up a dark room, or maybe not the most accessible option. At Ableworld we have a great range of lighting products that can help in different situations to light up your home on the darkest of Winter days.  We have products varying from small reading lights, to a medically approved therapy lamp, and all of which are suitable for households. In this article we have picked a small selection of our Lighting products.

SAD Light Therapy Lamp

As we know winter is a very dark season, and there is often not a lot of hours of sunlight throughout the day due to the dark mornings and evenings. The lack of sunlight can sometimes cause some individuals to a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as SAD. SAD is related to changes in seasons, and is most commonly heard of around the autumn and winter months. Our Sad Light Therapy Lamp is a medically proven light treatment device that is designed to treat the root cause of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Our SAD Light works by supplementing your daily intake of light in order to achieve the recommended daily dose of lux. It employs an LED panel for illumination, which benefits from extended life and reduced power consumption. This light is great for daily use and to use when sitting down reading, knitting or doing craft work. Our Sad Light features a modern shaping and a simple design, which takes inspiration from the sun. It features a 10 stage dimming and 4 stage timer, all controlled from three simple buttons to ensure that it is easy to use. This light is a great product that is ideal for brightening up the dull and dark winter months.

Nitesafe Sensor

The majority of us have more than once woken up in the middle of the night, or on a dark morning, and have bumped into something whilst trying to reach the light switch. At Ableworld our Nitesafe Sensor can help avoid these situations and provide a safe and secure means of light. When our Nitesafe Sensor is plugged into the wall it features a motion sensor detector that turns on the light as soon as movement is detected in the dark area. Ideal for plugging into your bedroom for a sensor light when most needed, and to avoid trips or falls in the dark. It is also is a highly useful emergency torch as it is always charged and ready to use.

Floor Standing Lamp

At Ableworld we have a varied range of both desk and floor lamps that make the ideal companions for everyday activities such as writing, reading, and more specific duties such as craft hobby work. Our Floor standing lamp is great for everyday general room lighting purposes, but is also adjustable and easily manoeuvrable to give light to a specific and preferred location for the user. It emits natural daylight levels, at 6,500k, and is also an economically friendly option, using just 27W energy saving lightbulbs. This lamp is ideal for placing beside a chair or sofa to give a bright light for general purposes, which can be adjusted closer for when reading.

2 Way Light Wand

For a practical and portable light, our 2 Way Light Wand is a great option. With a life of 10 times longer than a normal bulb, this 2-way light wand is a convenient super bright LED lamp which can be used anywhere with the multi-function stand. Ultimately versatile, the wand features a one-touch power button and is supplied with a 2-way stand for surface or wall mounting.  This portable wand is ideal for moving around the house and is a great tool for lighting up cupboards and dark corners. Suitable for keeping near your bedside table, or in the car glove box for use at the most convenient times.

All of our Lighting products are available to view on our website here, or alternatively visit your local Ableworld store to view our range. For any queries or for more details please contact us further.

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Advice on purchasing a Riser Recliner Chair

This entry was posted in General October 18, 2018

If you are living with mobility problems and find that you are sitting down for long periods of time whilst at home, a Riser Recliner can really help you. Many customers tell us that they cannot get comfortable in a chair or they are suffering with aches and pains due to age or illness and it may be that their chair isn’t helping them, which is why we want to help and offer everyone free advice to help you make an informed decision

If you think you might benefit from a Riser Recliner here are some recommendations that we would suggest you check before making a purchase.

Do you understand the different types of Riser Recliner Chairs?

Riser Recliners are separated into 2 main mechanical categories, single motor and dual motor.

A single motor chair uses one motor to raise the footrest and recline the backrest in one smooth motion, this will then return users to the seated position and continue to raise them to their feet. As there is only one motor, this type of chair has a simple 2 button handset, one button to recline and one button to raise.

Dual Motor chairs have 2 motors, one which controls the seat recline and rise option and the other motor controls the footrest. This enables users to find the ideal position for their needs, ensuring comfort and adaptability.

Both types of chair are readily available and in a wide range of styles and colours to match your home surroundings. 

What type of Rise Recliner Design would suit me best?

The design and style of the chair will depend on the user and mainly comes down to which one you feel more comfortable in. Ableworld provide Riser Recliners with a variety of comfortable seating options some with standard padding and some models also have an availability to come with a button back or waterfall back.

The button back tends to be a firmer and flatter back that has a traditional look and tends to be overall more popular with our customers.  

The Waterfall back is usually a combination of 3 padded cushions that create a waterfall effect. These cushions are adjustable, ensuring you can find a comfortable configuration, and ideal for users who may suffer with a spine curvature.

What size chair do I need?

When you choose a Riser Recliner it is really important that you are measured for a chair that fits. This applies to all Riser Recliners, whether you choose to purchase second hand or a new chair, please ensure the chairs fits your needs as well as your budget. There are some critical measurements that should be considered to ensure your Riser Recliner helps you rather than cause other problems later down the line. Riser Recliner Chairs come in a range of sizes from petite to grand, so it is important you find one the right size for your needs.

Seat Height:

It is important to consider the length of your lower leg to ensure when you rise or recline your calf is fully supported and your Achilles muscle in your ankle rests on the edge of the footrest.

To measure the correct seat height: When seated ensure your bottom is right at the back of the chair so it is fully supported and ensure you can put both feet flat on the floor. If you can’t reach the floor you will need a smaller chair.

Seat Depth:

Your upper legs are the main point of body contact when seated in a Chair so you must ensure they are also fully supported in the correct position.

With your bottom still at the back of the seat your knees should easily form a 90 degree angle, with your upper legs parallel to the floor. You should also have a 1 inch gap (enough space for 2 fingers) between the back of your knee and the edge of the chair.

Seat Width:

As with the other measurements you need to ensure you have enough space in the seat without the ability to slouch to one side.

To measure the correct seat width: Continue to sit in the chair with your bottom well supported at the back and you should be able to fit both hands, either side of your body between yourself and the armrests.

Seat Back Height:

Your chair should fully support your spine and head ensuring you don’t slouch forward or tilt your neck backwards.

The back rest should be at least the same height as the top of your head.

 

All of our store staff are fully trained to measure customers for chairs as well as other mobility equipment and an assessment can be carried out in a matter of minutes. We offer customers the opportunity to come into any of our stores to have an assessment and try out a number of possibilities in store. Our stores stock over 11 models of Riser Recliner chairs to ensure we have a good range of sizes and styles for you to look at.

Visit your local Ableworld store today, or view our range of Riser Recliner chairs online here.

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Purchasing In Store vs Purchasing Online

This entry was posted in General September 27, 2018

At Ableworld we have a strong ethical selling policy that works in hand with our honest and caring approach to selling mobility products. Across our 34 UK stores our friendly staff are happy to help you find the right product to meet your individual mobility needs. However, we feel that recently many of our customers are becoming influenced by purchasing mobility products online, often being persuaded by the price. We are aware of the limitations and benefits to purchasing in store and online, particularly in regards to the mobility aids sector. We have highlighted some important factors for our customers to consider.

Ethical Selling Policy

At Ableworld we are an ethical mobility retailer that strongly believes that before purchasing some items of mobility equipment customers should be correctly assessed and advised which product fits their needs best. This ensures both us and our customers that the correct product is chosen with the customers’ needs and health in mind, rather than just selecting the most expensive mobility aid. We believe that the wrong product sold over the internet without a proper assessment could lead to added complications for a person’s condition. Due to this we have an assessment and demonstration policy whereby there are several ranges of products which we will not sell online, these include Riser Recliner chairs, Scooters, Powerchairs and Wheelchairs. This policy differs to purchasing online, as in store we consider the customer’s needs for their own well-being, not merely just for an online order.

Interaction

In all of our Ableworld stores you will be looked after from start to finish by our friendly and well trained staff that are on hand to help with any mobility queries. Our staff will spend as much time as needed with you, and give advice when needed. When comparing to online, there is only the written text information that can be assessed, without any demonstration or advice. This can often lead to misinterpretation and customers selecting the wrong products for their needs, and making the whole process even more stressful.

In store we will provide our advice and guidance to all customers then follow with our demonstration and assessment policy. Online there is no social interaction with a real person, only computerised form filling that can be extremely repetitive and confusing. This is an aspect that we want our customers to avoid at Ableworld, as we want to ensure our customers feel comfortable and confident in their overall purchase.

Security

Often when shopping online many customers feel unsafe about the security and reliance of the order purchase being completed. There is a limitation of frequently having to pay on either a credit card or through a PayPal account online, something which some people do not own, or would prefer not to use. As you hear through the local press, some websites cannot be trusted, therefore are you happy giving your credit card details and personal data to an unknown source? In store there is always the great advantage of using cash or either credit or debit card as means of a secure payment through trusted till systems. At Ableworld we also promise that we will never sell your data onto Third parties, another security aspect that cannot be fully guaranteed online.

Returns & Exchange Process

Although the convenience of shopping online is often seemed to be greater and more accessible, it can also however become a longer and more drawn out process. The items you see online cannot be checked for the condition, and you would not know if the item you are buying is new or used. At Ableworld we only sell brand new items in our stores, unless clearly stated otherwise. Our in store returns process for purchased items is extremely straightforward as all of our stores are open either 6 or 7 days a week, and can be returned in store for free. When ordering products online there are often additional costs to return and ship goods back to the sender, and also a delayed time for the refund payment to be processed. This delay could mean weeks without a replacement mobility aid, where for some people it will be urgently needed. In our Ableworld stores a refund is generated at the time of return, or an exchange is made promptly so that the customer is not left unaided.

Price

Although it is renowned for customers shopping online because products are ‘cheaper’, this is quite often not always the option with mobility products. The price you see in store at Ableworld includes demonstration, set up and 6 months free insurance on selected items, plus of course full warranty. Online there is the query that you may have to pay additional costs for delivery, set up and insurance, on top of the displayed price for the product itself. The cost online often increases after the initial purchase has been made, and then ‘add-ons’ are suggested- some that you cannot do without.

Engineering

At Ableworld we have a large team of engineers based across the UK that are fully trained to service and repair selected products. If you have purchased your products from us in store there are preferential rates for your mobility services in the future. From stores our experienced engineers can install, repair and service a great selection of mobility aids, including wheelchairs, stairlifts and mobility scooters. When comparing to purchases online there is the question of how you will get your products serviced when there is no physical store to visit. The care and maintenance of any mobility products is important for the long term upkeep of the product, something that could easily be forgotten, or more difficult and expensive to source.

Although we are fully aware that there are limitations and advantages to purchasing both in store and online, we feel that the benefits of buying mobility aids in store comes at a longer term advantage for the customer. At Ableworld we are a company that genuinely cares about the customer’s well-being, and although we pride ourselves on not pressure selling items, we are aware that there are many companies that do this, particularly online. We want to reiterate that finding the cheapest price for a product is not always the cheapest or most suitable solution for the long term.

For additional advice or information please contact us. Furthermore to find your local store please click here.

 

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