If getting around your home is becoming difficult, Sandwell has a strong local offer around equipment, occupational therapy, community alarms and housing adaptations. This is one of the most useful parts of the local information and advice layer because residents often need practical help long before they need a full long-term care package.
Who can get help
Sandwell says you must live permanently in the borough to get help from the council’s equipment and adaptations services, but it does not matter whether you own your home, rent privately or rent from the council.
How to start
The normal route in is through Sandwell Enquiry on 0121 569 2266 or by email at sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk. Health and social care professionals can also refer you. If the case is suitable, Sandwell says an occupational therapy worker may visit you at home to look at how you manage and what would help.
What the Equipment and Adaptations Service can do
Sandwell’s published information says equipment can be loaned free of charge for as long as you need it. The council lists support with bathing, showering, toileting, walking, lifting, manual handling, sleeping and day-to-day living tasks. The service can also lend chairs and some equipment for children.
Adaptations can include replacing a bath with a walk-in shower, fitting rails, widening doors, installing a ramp or making other physical changes so that you can move around more safely.
Minor adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants
Sandwell says minor adaptations costing under £1,000 can be supplied and installed free of charge. Larger building work may be funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant and may involve a financial assessment.
The borough’s Home Improvement Agency supports residents through more complex adaptation work and can advise on grants, inspections and practical next steps.
- Home Improvement Agency / Housing Hub: 0121 368 1166
- Website: Sandwell Home Improvement Agency
Community alarms and telecare
Sandwell’s Community Alarms service runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is available to older, vulnerable and disabled residents across different housing tenures. The standard community alarm uses a pendant or wrist alarm linked to the control centre. The same local service also links in telecare sensors such as smoke, heat and flood detectors, fall detectors, door sensors and other monitoring devices.
At the time of research, Sandwell’s public page lists the following Community Alarms charges:
- installation / set-up fee: £30.60
- weekly charge: £5.30
- quarterly charge: £68.90
By contrast, Sandwell says many telecare devices are available free for Sandwell residents, regardless of financial circumstances, when the service decides they are appropriate.
- Community Alarms telephone: 0121 569 6800
- Email: community_alarms@sandwell.gov.uk
If the council cannot provide exactly what you need
Sandwell recommends using the Information Point directory to find local equipment suppliers and community organisations. The council also signposts residents to West Midlands Fire Service for Safe and Well advice where someone may be vulnerable at home.
Useful Sandwell links
- Alarms, adaptations and equipment
- Help from our Equipment and Adaptations Service
- Community Alarms
- Telecare alarms and equipment
- Home Improvement Agency
- Information Point directory
Last reviewed: 30 March 2026. Opening times, charges, referral routes, eligibility rules and commissioned services can change, so always use the linked Sandwell or NHS service before you travel, apply or rely on a phone number.
