These centres around the UK aim to increase opportunities for people to live independently. They offer disabled people the chance to see and try out a wide range of products to find those that suit their needs.

They offer free and independent advice about what is available, how much it costs and where to get it. Many centres also arrange training on a variety of topics of interest to disabled people, carers and professionals, for which there is generally a fee.

The centres vary in size, scope and opening hours, so it is best to telephone before visiting.

The phone numbers are:

Buckinghamshire: Aylesbury Tel: 01296 315066

Cambridgeshire: Papworth Everard Tel: 01480 830495

Cheshire; Macclesfield Tel: 01625 661710; Stockport Tel: 0161 414 4476

Cleveland: Middlesborough Tel: 01642 827471

Devon: Exeter Tel: 01392 59260

East Sussex: Lewes Tel: 01273 472860

Essex: Colchester Tel: 01206 853535, ext. 2172 or 2173

Greater London: Westminster Tel: 0207 289 6111; fax: 0207 266 2922; Bromley

Tel: 0208 663 3345; Hillingdon Tel: 01895 233691

Greater Manchester: Tel: 0161 832 3678

Hampshire: Portsmouth Tel: 02392 737 174; Southampton: Tel: 02380 796631

Hertfordshire: Welwyn Garden City Tel: 01707 324581

Humberside: Hull Tel: 01482 225034

Leicestershire: Leicester Tel: 0116 254 4547

Liverpool: Tel: 0151 298 2055

Nottinghamshire: Nottingham Tel: 0115 942 0391

Shropshire: Shrewsbury Tel: 01743 344599

Suffolk: Lowestoft Tel: 01502 538571

Tyne & Wear: Newcastle upon Tyne Tel: 0191 284 0480

West Midlands: Birmingham Tel: 0121 643 0980

West Yorkshire: Huddersfield Tel: 01484 453000; Leeds Tel: 0113 279 3140

Wiltshire: Semington Tel: 01380 871007; Swindon Tel: 01793 643966

Scotland

Falkirk: Grangemouth Tel: 01324 504311

Elgin: Tel: 01343 551339

Highlands: Inverness Tel: 01463 704000

Lothian: Edinburgh Tel: 0131 537 9190

Strathclyde: Paisley Tel: 0141 887 0597

Wales

North Wales: Bodelwyddan Tel: 01745 583910 ext. 4525

South Wales: Caerphilly Tel: 02920 887325; Cardiff Tel: 02920 566281 ext. 3751;

Swansea Tel: 01792 580161

The Disabled Living Centres Council (DLCC), the national organisation for DLCs, can give you up to date information about your nearest centre.

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