Dear Editor,

I thoroughly sympathise with your situation, I am a Mum in a very similar predicament except I can still walk albeit with a frame – my daughter supervises my activities, giving help when I need it. Ross is a lovely, friendly place for me and I have found a route that enables me to get round safely.

May I suggest bringing your Mum to Ross, park in the Corn Exchange Car park, if she isn’t a blue badge holder you may need to get her out of the car before you park the car on the top row. Take her along Pigs Alley or up through the King’s Head yard onto High St. Cross the road, look for dropped kerbs, and head for Gloucester Road; Cross the road opposite Edinburgh Woollen Mill then cross again to the bank, use dropped kerbs. There are plenty of little shop windows to look in.

When you get to Cantilupe Rd ,cross from near to the flower shop to the insurance office, then along towards the bus stops on the right is a lovely little café, Mandy Moo’s. There is plenty of room for wheel chairs and frames, the loo is very accessible and spotless, with plenty of room for you to help her.

After a cuppa take her across to the library complex to see the latest exhibition of art, to read local papers or down the slope or in the lift to look at the books. I use it as a pick up point for my daughter when she is ready to go home.

Include a call in at the Market House on the way back as there is a lift, or leave her at the library, and collect the car and drive round to the Library to collect her.

Another idea is to take her to Labels - good lift and loos with plenty of room for wheel chairs.

If your Mum hasn’t got a Blue Badge ask your GP or Practice Nurse to assess her them to get them to write a supporting letter and apply. Get yourself registered as an unpaid carer with local carers support and with your GP, both for your Mum and yourself.

If your Mum hasn’t got a mobile phone get her one there are plenty which are simple to learn to use, which have an alarm and a ICE app (in case of emergency) recognised by Ambulance staff and first responders

Jo, welcome to our world, you don’t have to be alone.

Ann Stoakes

Ross-on-Wye