Just Got Home service expands into Fordingbridge Hospital

Funds boost for Forest disability service

A charity’s work supporting disabled New Forest residents when they are discharged from hospital has won extra funding to expand one scheme and launch another.

The district council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness services, Cllr Jill Cleary, has decided to award New Forest Disability Information Service (NFDIS) an additional £10,000 per year for its Just Got Home programme at Lymington Hospital.

As well as the new annual total of £29,625 for the Lymington scheme, from April there will also be £9,750 provided to fund the Fordingbridge scheme for the remaining half of 2022/23 followed by a £19,500 annual hand-out.

Just Got Home involves NFDIS meeting with hospital patients getting ready to return home to give advice and information as well as help to co-ordinate services for a timely discharge.

The charity then works with New Forest District Council housing teams to secure any home adaptations that may be required.

Follow-up home visits are also offered as part of the free service, which can give information on social activities and befriending, sports activities, steady-and-strong classes, and transport.

Cllr Cleary said: “This funding will help people to stay living independently in their own homes, and it is so important we expand our support for this community service so help is provided when it is needed.

For more information about New Forest Disability Information Service’s Just Got Home programme, visit bit.ly/3CTpTJR