Free Home Safety Checks in Wigan Are Here With Step Ahead Wigan
Our new project with Age UK Wigan Borough helps local people stay safe and independent at home, and we couldn’t be happier to share it
Home should be the one place you feel completely safe. But for a lot of older and disabled people in Wigan, a slippery bathroom, a tricky step or a toilet that’s hard to get up from can quietly take that away.
So we’re made up to share some news. This Tuesday 27 October 2026, World Occupational Therapy Day, we’re launching Step Ahead Wigan with Age UK Wigan Borough.
The message is simple. Don’t wait for a fall.
What is Step Ahead Wigan?
Step Ahead Wigan helps older and disabled residents across Wigan Borough stay safe and independent in their own homes.
It offers:
Free Home Safety Checks
Practical advice
Guidance on suitable home adaptations, from grab rails to bathroom changes
Information about extra support and next steps
Age UK Wigan Borough looks after all enquiries and Home Safety Checks. They know the borough and the people in it, which is exactly why we wanted to work with them.
What’s free, and what isn’t
The Home Safety Check and the initial advice are free.
If any products or adaptations are recommended, they may involve a cost. Age UK Wigan Borough can talk you through the options and what support might be available, so there are no surprises.
It’s also worth knowing that a Home Safety Check isn’t the same as a formal occupational therapy assessment. It’s a practical look at everyday safety around the home, spotting risks and ways to make things easier. If someone needs a more specialist assessment, Age UK Wigan Borough can point you towards the right next step.
Why we wanted to do this
We’re a Wigan business, and we’ve been here since 2001. This is our home too.
For 25 years we’ve been supplying and manufacturing wetrooms, accessible bathrooms and adapted kitchens, helping people across the UK live more safely and independently. But we wanted to do something closer to home.
Not every fall can be prevented, but there’s often something we can do to make a home safer. A well placed grab rail. A safer way to get in and out of the shower. A bit of practical advice before something goes wrong.
That’s the thinking behind Step Ahead Wigan. Help earlier, before a fall, not after one.
It also comes in our 25th anniversary year, just after our Social Impact Award win at the North West Family Business Awards. We’re proud of that, but what matters most is putting what we’ve learned to good use in our own community.
Why grab rails make such a difference
We make and supply a lot of accessible bathroom products, so we’re a bit biased, but grab rails really do matter.
A rail in the right place gives you extra support getting in and out of the bath or shower, or standing up from the toilet. It’s a small change that can make everyday tasks feel easier and more manageable.
And they don’t have to look like something from a hospital. Our Invisible Creations range includes grab rails that double up as everyday things like towel rails, toilet roll holders and corner shelves. It’s support that fits in with the rest of your bathroom.
Of course, where a rail goes, and whether it’s right for you, depends on you and your home. That’s why good advice matters. If you’re wondering what might help, Age UK Wigan Borough can talk you through the options available through Step Ahead Wigan.
Some products or adaptations may need to be bought, and any installation arrangements or costs should be confirmed before you go ahead.
Who should get in touch?
Anyone living in Wigan Borough who’d like a bit of help to stay safe at home, whether you’re in Wigan town centre, Standish, Hindley, Ince, Leigh or anywhere in between.
That includes:
Older residents who’d like a free Home Safety Check
Disabled residents wanting advice about everyday difficulties at home
People who’ve had a fall or a near miss
Anyone finding bathroom access, steps or everyday tasks harder
Family, friends and neighbours who are worried about someone they care about
People who simply want to plan ahead
There’s no need to have had a fall, or to know exactly what you need. A friendly conversation is a good place to start.
How to book your free Home Safety Check
Age UK Wigan Borough manages all enquiries and Home Safety Checks, so please get in touch with their team directly.
Telephone: 01942 615880
You can also read more on our own page: Step Ahead Wigan | Free Home Safety Check
PROCare supports the initiative with specialist knowledge of accessible bathrooms, adaptations and inclusive products, but we don’t arrange the checks ourselves. If you contact us, we’ll happily point you in the right direction.
Common questions about Step Ahead Wigan
What is Step Ahead Wigan? A community initiative from PROCare and Age UK Wigan Borough, helping older and disabled residents stay safe and independent at home through free Home Safety Checks and practical advice.
Who carries out the Home Safety Checks? Age UK Wigan Borough manages the service, including enquiries and checks. PROCare supports with specialist product knowledge and accessible living solutions.
Is the Home Safety Check free? Yes. The Home Safety Check and initial advice are free.
Are grab rails and home adaptations free too? Not necessarily. Some recommended products or adaptations may involve a cost. Age UK Wigan Borough can explain the options and any support that may be available.
Is this an occupational therapy assessment? No. A Home Safety Check is a practical review of risks around the home, not a formal occupational therapy assessment. If your needs are more complex, Age UK Wigan Borough can advise on the right next step.
Can I get Invisible Creations grab rails through Step Ahead Wigan? Selected Invisible Creations products are available through the initiative. Age UK Wigan Borough can explain what’s available, whether it suits your circumstances and any costs involved.
A big thank you
Thank you to Age UK Wigan Borough for being such brilliant partners, and to everyone in Wigan who helps spread the word.
If you know someone who could use a hand, please pass this on. It might be the nudge that helps someone stay safe in the home they love.
01942 206004