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The Living Better Lives Resource Centre (previously known as the STAR centre) is a community equipment service within Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

It supplies different types of equipment on loan to help people of all ages to live independently at home.

How to get equipment

If you think you may need equipment, you need to be referred by the Let's Talk team or your GP.

For more information on how to get equipment contact the Let's Talk team.

Equipment includes:

• Personal care equipment such as commodes, shower chairs, bath lifts and more.
• Specialised equipment such as pressure care mattresses, cushions and ceiling track hoists.
• Walking aids such as walking frames and rollators.
• Palliative care such as beds, mattresses pressure equipment and chairs.

There are demonstration areas in the centre where you can try out equipment in the types of setting it would usually be used in.

For example, there is a bathing assessment area where you can try out the bathing equipment.

To use and view these demonstration areas, a health care professional will need to book an appointment for you. For more information, see .

Returning equipment

If you or someone you care for has equipment from the Living Better Lives Resource Centre and it is not needed anymore, you can ring 0191 423 0200 for collection.

You can also go to the centre to return the equipment in person. A family member, friend or carer can also do this on your behalf.

Arranging a repair or replacement

If your equipment is broken or not working, you can ring 0191 423 0200 to arrange a repair or replacement.

Arranging re-delivery

If you are waiting for equipment and you are out or don't hear the delivery, you will get a card from the Living Better Lives Resource Centre saying that delivery was attempted but there was no answer.

You need to call 0191 423 0200 to arrange re-delivery of your equipment to a day that suits you.

All equipment will be delivered or collected between 9am and 4pm.

Emergency equipment, can be delivered or repaired on the same day that it is ordered, depending on what kind of equipment it is and what the service can do to repair it.

New address

The Living Better Lives Resource Centre (previously the STAR Centre) is now located at: 

22 Royal Industrial Estate
Jarrow
NE32 3HR