Community hubs

Cross Keys Homes provide activities, support and events to bring people together, help you stay fit, and enjoy time with the family.

Throughout the year they offer:

• Sports and fitness activities for all ages

• Advice drop-in sessions

• Kids activities (in school holidays).

They welcome community groups in all of their hubs, if you’d like to get in touch about holding an event or activity, contact their Communities team 01733 396404.

You can also view much more detailed information on their Community Hubs webpage including calendar of events for each hub:

• Westwood Community Hub
• Scalford Drive Wellbeing Hub
• South Bretton Family and Community Centre

All their sessions are also advertised on their Facebook page.

Keeping active

Physical activity and exercise can help you stay healthy, energetic, and independent as you get older.  Many adults aged 65 and over spend, on average, 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group.

There are a range of activities listed on these pages, from gentle exercise to days out and arts and crafts.  You can search through activities on the list of categories.

You can also find lots of interesting events on the Visit Peterborough website.

H.A.Y activities in Peterborough

H.A.Y. (How are you) Peterborough are bringing together everything in Peterborough that promotes positive mental health. From a friendly ‘how are you’, to activity groups and much more.

Visit the How Are You Peterborough website for more information

Stay fit to stay independent

It’s never too early or too late to take steps to ensure that you remain fit and independent for as long as possible. A combination of strengthening exercises at least twice a week and 150 minutes of aerobic exercise is best to build, or maintain fitness. (Find out more about exercising - www.nhs.uk.) 

Doing the right type of strengthening exercises is important.  You can find out more on our Stronger for Longer page.

Vivacity Leisure

Vivacity venues and services

You can find the latest information regarding Vivacity's venues and services on their website - Vivacity Leisure 

Getting help

You may find it difficult to get out and about due to disability, frailty or illness. If you feel you have this difficulty, you might wish to consider some of the following options:

• you could ask friends or relatives for help

• try shopping online and have your groceries delivered to your home

• there are care providers that can help with shopping which can be found on the categories list

• Shopmobility is available at Queensgate shopping centre.

Sunflower Lanyard - for people with a hidden disability

Sainsbury's are also recognising the Sunflower Lanyard.

If you wear the lanyard they will know you may like extra support with your shopping.

• You can tell them if there is anything they can do
• They may ask what they can do to assist you

If you would like a lanyard or more information ask any member of staff in store.

Assisted Shopping Service

Sainsburys offer a useful Assisted Shopping Service. The service, available to customers in all stores at any time, provides assistance to those who find shopping difficult, from help with pushing a customer’s trolley to packing their bags and taking it to the car.

They have also recently adapted all supermarket accessible toilets to be both stoma and dementia friendly.  You can find more information here. 

Locations

There are various disabled toilets across the city centre. Their locations are listed below:

• Car Haven car park, Bishop's Road, PE1 1YX
• Peterborough Railway, Station Approach, PE1 1QL
• Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough, PE1 1NT
• Rivergate Shopping Centre, Viersen Platz, PE1 1EL

Find a Changing Places toilet quickly and easily!

When you are in the website you can type in the city, town, village, street or postcode, then press the find button to search for a Changing Places toilet close to that location. When your map appears please select and click on any of the pins to display a photograph and full details of all the facilities provided within that unit. 

The results for Peterborough are: 

• Car Haven car park, Bishop's Road, PE1 1YX

• Mencap Business Support Centre, Cyrus Way, PE7 8HP

Radar National Key Scheme - offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets across the country. Around 10,000 toilets are fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks and can now be found in locations such as shopping centres, pubs, bus and train stations and many more. Radar keys can only be purchased with proof of disability in order to prevent them from being misused or left in an unsuitable manner.

Shopmobility sells radar keys for £4 and accept cash only. They are based in Queensgate Shopping Centre, Floor 11. Opening times Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2.30 – 3pm. Phone 01733 311666 option 3 or direct 01733 313133.

You can also conduct an online search for ‘radar keys’ to find more information and sources.

What discounts can you get?

Many sports and leisure activities offer discounts to older people or people with disabilities.  For example, some theatres offer discounted tickets for disabled people. Some also reserve seats for wheelchair users and allow carers in for free.  Check with the theatre when you’re booking tickets to find out what they offer.

A copy of your award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions showing that you are eligible for disability benefits is normally accepted as proof that you’re disabled if you are ever asked.  Alternatively you could show a copy of your Blue Badge or your disabled bus pass.

Day services

The Peterborough City Council Older People's Day Service offers a safe and friendly environment for older people who might be finding it difficult to get out and about, and need a bit of help and support.

Coming to the Day Service can help you to stay independent, keep well, and remain living in your own home for as long as possible. It offers a chance to enjoy some friendship while being well cared for. Attending the Day Service can also provide a much needed break for carers who live at home, and help to reduce and prevent falls.

The Peterborough Older People's Day Service is based at the Cresset, Bretton Centre - but is also provided at the Mellows Close (Eastfield) Sheltered Scheme and Copeland (Bretton) Sheltered Scheme. Door to door transport with carers is provided as standard.

The Service is provided in safe, relaxed and comfortable surroundings by well trained staff. The Day Service is well equipped to help you if you find it difficult to get around and need support with your personal care needs. This will be undertaken with respect and sensitivity. The Service is able to support people who suffer from dementia or other life-limiting illnesses.

More information can be found on our website Peterborough City Council Older People's Day Service

What is the NHS wheelchair service?

The wheelchair service is for residents currently registered with a GP in the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough areas, and who meet the NHS Eligibility criteria for the provision of wheelchairs.

AJM Healthcare is the appointed NHS Wheelchair Service Provider.

The service will provide you with all NHS wheelchair services, including:

◦ clinical assessments

◦ specialist seating

◦ delivery

◦ repairs and maintenance

◦ collection when the wheelchair is no longer required

You can self-refer into the service if you are already in the system, or be referred by a qualified healthcare professional, who will send you a letter or call you to let you know if you meet the NHS eligibility criteria for a wheelchair assessment.

A wheelchair assessment establishes your clinical needs and a prescription is made for the right wheelchair for you.

Your assessment will take place at our wheelchair clinic in Huntingdon, or at home or another appropriate location, i.e. school or health care setting.