New Forest Disability Information Service

New Forest Disability Information Service is a registered charity providing free, impartial, confidential disability-related information, advice and guidance to anyone in the New Forest, of any age, who is affected by any disability.

Established in 1998, the charity operates out of an office in New Milton with a skeleton staff, assisted by a team of wonderful volunteers. Also at the office is a Mobility and Equipment Shop, stocking new and nearly new lightly used items. The office and shop are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Read more about the charity here.

Local Advice Hubs

The New Forest Disability Information Service Local Advice Hub 'pops up' in various locations across the New Forest each month, including:

• Lymington Community Centre Café, every other Monday from 10am to 12pm
• Ringwood Library, every other Tuesday from 10am to 12pm
• Testwood Baptist Church, every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am 
• Totton & Eling Community Centre, every Wednesday from 12pm to 2pm
• Hythe Library, every other Monday from 2pm to 4pm
• Lyndhurst Community Centre, every other Tuesday from 10am to 12pm

You are welcome to drop into the New Milton shop or any of the Local Advice Hubs for advice and guidance relating to disability.

If you would prefer to make an appointment for advice and assistance, New Forest Disability Information Service holds Local Appointments each week at The Grove in Hythe, at St Barbe Museum in Lymington and at Totton and Eling Community Centre, by appointment only. Please phone 01425 628750 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book an appointment.

Click here to view the full schedule of Local Advice Hubs.

Disability Information and Advice

The experienced advisors at New Forest Disability Information Service provide free information, advice and support across a range of disability-related topics. These include:

• Informed advice: Ask questions on just about anything associated with living with a disability or long-term health condition. The team aims to help you make informed choices.
• Support with welfare applications: the team can help you to apply for:
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Child Disability Living Allowance
  • Blue Badge
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
• Support with welfare application appeals, including what to do if your benefit application is refused, ceases, or you are not awarded the level of benefit you expected.
• Support going home from Lymington New Forest Hospital: in partnership with New Forest District Council, New Forest Disability Information Service can help to ensure all the necessary support is in place to enable you to feel safe and independent in your own home.
• Support with local authority services, including advice on eligibility and help you apply for housing applications, Disabled Facilities Grants, Council Tax reductions, and much more!
• Local information, including useful signposting and information about the New Forest area.
• Equipment and resources: the New Forest Disability shop sells a wide range of new and preloved mobility and disability related equipment and resources, to promote greater independence and improved quality of life. Products are excellent value, and any profit supports the charity.

Help NFDIS to support local families

As a small charity, New Forest Disability Information Service (NFDIS) depends hugely on the kindness of our local community to support its vital work. There are many ways you could support the charity:

• Make a donation: every donation helps to provide guidance and support for families living with disabilities. Click to donate.
• Help raise funds. Click for more information. 
• Leave a gift in your will. Click for more information.
• Play New Forest Community Lottery in support of New Forest Disability Information Service. Click for details.
• Become a volunteer. Click to find out more.
• Donate mobility equipment or disability-related living aids. Find out more.

New Forest Disability Information Service can be contacted by telephone 01425 628750 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here to visit the New Forest Disability Information Service website.