We all want to have fun, enjoy our hobbies, follow our interests, relax with friends or go out for a day trip. On these pages you will find useful information about travelling safely, disability related discounts and things to do locally and nationally.
There is legislation that requires all new buildings, including dwellings, together with alterations and extensions to have disabled access.
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:
All their sessions are also advertised on their Facebook page.
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.
How Are You? - are bringing together everything in Peterborough that promotes positive mental health. From a friendly ‘how are you’, to activity groups and much more – it’s all taking care of our mental wellbeing.
Mental health isn’t something that is good or bad; it’s a continuum, a sliding scale, a constantly shifting state for each and every one of us.
We all have mental health and so we all need to take care of our mental health – we don’t wait until we’re physically under the weather to do things we know are good for keeping us physically healthy and the same should be true of our mental health.
H.A.Y. Peterborough put a spotlight on all those things going on in the community that are good for our mental wellbeing.
Visit the How Are You Peterborough? website for more information
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.
Sainsbury's are also recognising the Sunflower Lanyard.
If you wear the lanyard they will know you may like extra support with your shopping.
If you would like a lanyard or more information ask any member of staff in store.
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 also have an app with the not-for-profit organisation - fuelService - to enable drivers to pre-book assistance when refuelling their cars at over 300 of their petrol stations. You can find out more about FuelService here:
They have also recently adapted all supermarket accessible toilets to be both stoma and dementia friendly. You can find more information here.
Every Tuesday 9am - 11am, the Queensgate Centre is hosting a weekly 2-hour quiet and calm shopping experience for people that find shopping in busy Centre’s difficult The Centre's occupiers are on board and together they aim to ensure:
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.
There are various disabled toilets across the city centre. Their locations are listed below:
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.
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.
Radar Keys are available to purchase from the Visitor Information Centre Monday to Saturday, 9.30am - 5pm. Proof of disability will be required.
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.
The National Trust give free entry to companions or carers of disabled visitors. The disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee or membership. To save having to ask for free entry at a National Trust property, you can apply for an ‘Access for All Admit One Card’ in advance.
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.
Stagecoach produce Journey Assistance Cards for you to use if you need a bit more
help when using the bus. They make it easier for you to let their bus drivers know
what extra help you need. You can use your cards any time of the day, seven days
a week, on any of their bus services.
You can apply for Journey Assistance Cards if you have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communication, special educational needs or if English is not your
first language. Or maybe you just need extra time or help to find a seat.
Types of Journey Assistance Cards
Their Journey Assistance Cards have been developed with their trade body, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
The cards available are:
Buss pass information for new applicants and renewals is available on the Visit Peterborough website. You can also contact them by:
email - buspassoffice@peterborough.gov.uk
Telephone 01733 317936/452336
Visitor Information Centre
41 Bridge Street
Peterborough
PE1 1HA
If you're travelling around by National Rail, you can plan your train journey using the information provided for disabled passengers at National Rail Enquiries
To book assistance you only need to contact one train company and they will organise assistance for your whole journey. You can book assistance by phone or online with the company directly or centrally by telephoning 0800 022 3720. You can find some Frequently Asked Questions here.
Access information for our local train companies can be found below:
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
You can also apply for a senior railcard or a disabled persons railcard for reduced rates train travel.
Trainline
Trainline is Europe’s leading train and coach app. They work with 270 rail and coach companies to offer our customers travel to thousands of destinations in and across 45 countries in Europe. Their aim is to bring together all rail, coach and other travel services into one simple experience so people can get the best prices and smart, real-time travel info on the go.
Trainline also offers information on accessibility on trains and how to book travel assistance.
You may be eligible for the Motability Scheme which can provide disabled people with safe, reliable and affordable cars, powered wheelchairs or scooters. You can find more information on the Motability website.
Peterborough City Council operates a Blue Badge Scheme which allows people with disabilities to park in designated parking zones. For more information or to apply, please visit the council’s Blue Badge Parking webpage.
The Department for Transport has introduced new criteria for non-visible (hidden) conditions for Blue Badge applications in England.
Due to the nature of non-visible (hidden) conditions, applications will be assessed by looking at an applicant's needs. Having a certain condition or disability does not automatically make an applicant eligible for a Blue Badge.
Please consider applying for a Blue Badge if the applicant has a non-visible (hidden) condition, causing them to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and a destination, and either:
You can contact the Royal Voluntary Service Volunteer Driver scheme who have volunteers who help you stay independent and involved with your community
Sainsbury's petrol station colleagues are happy to help disabled or older customers fill up with fuel on the forecourt when needed.
They are proud to be the first supermarket to enable their customers to request assistance via FuelService. FuelService is an app which can be downloaded to your phone, or you can call to ask for help when you arrive at the forecourt. Just look out for the FuelService stickers on the forecourt giving you the number.
To find out if this service is available in your local Sainsbury's petrol station, click here to use our Store Locator.
Many people with a disability drive. There are various modifications that can be designed to help make your driving or travelling experience as comfortable as possible, depending on your needs.
If you are looking to start learning to drive, the disability driving instructors website has an online register of specialist driving instructors for people with physical disabilities, special educational needs and those with hearing difficulties. The website also has advice on how to start to learn to drive, how to return to driving after an accident or illness and how to keep driving safely.who need advice about driving. You can find out more on www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com
The following vehicles are approved by the council (the Licensing Authority) to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles:
Vehicles offered for Hackney Carriage are constructed in a way as to allow the carriage of disabled persons and will accommodate as a minimum a disabled person.
Hackney Vehicles can be accessed from the taxi ranks which can be viewed on the city centre map. Private hire companies also operate non designated wheelchair accessible vehicles.
From 6 April 2017 drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles designated by the local licensing authority as being wheelchair accessible must comply with the requirements of Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010, unless they have been issued with an exemption certificate (see below).
You can read the statutory guidance on access for wheelchair users to taxis and private hire vehicles on the government website.
If you have any questions or for more information contact customer services.
The Equality Act allows for exemptions from the duties on medical grounds or if the driver's physical condition makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for him or her to comply with these duties.
It is the responsibility of drivers who require an exemption to apply for one by contacting for an application form to be sent to you.
When submitting your completed form, you will be required to provide evidence from your Medical Practitioner supporting your application and substantiating the medical reasons applicable to your request.
Based on the evidence provided we will determine if a you should be exempted from these duties. If approved, we will issue you with an Exemption Certificate, and an Exemption Notice to display prominently in the vehicle.
Your application will be determined by the Licensing Manager, and if successful you will be issued with the relevant Exemption Certificate and the Exemption Notice to display within the vehicle.
You can appeal to the magistrates' court within 28 days if we decide not to issue you with an Exemption Certificate.
How to request special assistance if you're travelling from or into London Stansted Airport
Departing from London Stansted Airport
Information about your departure from the airport.
If you need extra assistance while you're at the airport, we have a dedicated team to help you.
Facilities and services available for those requiring assistance when travelling through the airport.
Enjoying a smooth journey through the airport when you arrive back at London Stansted Airport.
Supporting passengers who may have hidden or invisible disabilities.
We welcome your feedback about your experience of special assistance at the airport.
Options for travelling to the airport by public transport if you require assistance.
London Stansted is pleased to be one of a number of UK Airports using the Sunflower scheme. By wearing our Airport Awareness Sunflower lanyard or floret, it will discreetly indicate to our staff that you have a hidden disability and would like additional support. Our staff have been specially trained to recognise these identifiers and act accordingly by providing you with extra help you may need during your journey through the terminal. To pick up a lanyard or floret at London Stansted Airport, please go to either our Information Desk located in the International Arrivals or the assistance desk in zone A. Alternatively, you can use your Sunflower lanyard obtained from one of the UK airports in the scheme.
London Luton Airport is fully committed to ensuring that it's Persons od reduced mobility customers have the best possible experience when travelling.
We are working in partnership with The Disability Resource Centre Dunstable, The National Autism Society (Hertfordshire Branch), the RNIB, the Phoenix Group, Luton Dementia Action Alliance and independent disability advocates & travellers to help us do this.
Follow this link to find out all the information you need to know
In collaboration with the National Autistic Society, we’ve put together some advice to help you and your companions get around the airport.
For information on bus times please use the Travel line website www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33
If your query is in relation to concessionary fares please call 01733 747474 or email buses@peterborough.gov.uk
If you would like to contact the Travelchoice team please email us at
travelchoice@peterborough.gov.uk or call us on 01733 747474.
Community Link is Peterborough City Council’s urban door-to-door service. It is a wheelchair accessible service for anyone who lives in the urban area of Peterborough and experiences difficulty using standard public transport or who has no access to public transport.
The service will collect you from your home, drop you off in the city centre (four days a week) or a supermarket (once a week) and pick you up again for your return journey approximately two and a half hours later.Additional trips may also be organised on an ad hoc basis. Membership costs £5 per person or £7.50 for a couple per year. The additional payment is your fare – similar to a standard bus fare. Concessionary bus passes are accepted on this service.
For a registration form or to make a booking, call 01733 425400– the line is open from 9am – 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
At other times, please email community.transport@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk or leave a message on the answer phone.Community Link currently require 48 hours notice of booking.
The Peterborough City Council’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 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's Day 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.
You can find the latest information regarding Vivacity's venues and services on their website - Vivacity Leisure
Living Sport is a local charity with an objective of improving the health and wellbeing of people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. One area of our focus is supporting people with disabilities, additional needs and long term health conditions to participate in sport and physical activity.
There are lots of activities locally that can offer people a great experience whether that is a disability specific opportunity or a mainstream activity which is inclusive and accessible. More information can be found at: www.livingsport.co.uk