GELS lends equipment free of charge, ranging from hospital beds and wheelchairs to crutches and perching stools, allowing residents to recover at home or maintain independence.

Each month, around £500,000 worth of equipment is returned, enabling the service to help more people. However, the council thinks there could be even more equipment and daily living aids in people’s homes that need returning.

The new electric vans, which will help the council meet its net zero targets while also generating cost savings, feature livery reminding residents to return unused equipment and providing contact details for collection.

Cllr Dr Kate Usmar highlighted the importance of returning items, noting that GELS cleans, refurbishes, and recycles equipment to ensure it benefits others in the community.

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