All Together NOW! Spring 2021 by All Together Now

YOUR PERFECT ‘PICK-ME-UP’ WE BA ’RE CK

BIGGER!

BETTER!

SPRING 2021

BRIGHTER !

Reaching NEW heights

TIME TO GET ON BOARD!

250,000 readers ‘ 70,000 copies in circulation

Thanks to everyone for making All Together NOW! the region’s BEST-READ newspaper

EDITOR: Tom Dowling

More than a newspaper – it’s the key to independence

‘

We will be changing lives for the p7 better for centuries to come

— STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION

OUT OF THIS WORLD! SPRING 2021

WANTED: Disabled astronauts for new space missions

SPRING 2021

What’s inside NEWS

p2-6

NEWS

STEVE MORGAN FOUNDATION

UNITED UTILITIES

p9/ 20

MOTORZONE

p14-15

NEWS

LIFE’S GAME CHANGERS CONTACT BOARD

HEALTHZONE

BOOKS/HOROSCOPE GARDENING

PUZZLEZONE SPORT

p10

p16-17

p18-19

p21-25

p26

p27

p28-29

p30-31

Can YOU help?

n All Together NOW! is a registered charity set up to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose life is affected by disability, long-term health condtions or age. n The charity – the only one of its kind in the UK – relies entirely on support from its sponsors, advertisers, subscriptions and donations.

0151 230 0307

Editor: Tom Dowling

email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner

Advertising/sponsorship Helen McLoughlin

email: helen@alltogethernow.org.uk IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd The Bradbury Centre Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387 Company No. 5096931

LOVE IS IN THE AIR! MAKE A DATE: Luv2meetU members Katie and Michael

NEW friendship and dating service with a difference is proving a real winner for people with learning disabilities.

Zoom dates, an online supper club and web-based karaoke are just some of the activities on offer at Luv2meetU Flintshire, which is run by national learning disabilities charity Hft. The service is now calling for adults with learning disabilities or autism to sign up to taster sessions and see if they might like to join. Karen England, Luv2meetU manager, said: “Now more than ever, people with disabilities need support to enable them to

continue to forge the social connections that are so crucial to everyone’s wellbeing and happiness. “While we may not be able to meet in person yet, we are very much open and are looking forward to welcoming lots of new faces to Luv2meetU.” The service was originally set up as a pilot in the Leeds and Wakefield area in 2007. The team now supports around 350 to 400 people with clubs in areas including Bradford, Kirklees, Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle, Cheshire and Leeds, and has enabled dozens of people to make friends and forge relationships. n www.luv2meetu.com

LIFE’S A SCREAM FOR NICKI

More help for Mersey charities

MEDICASH, known to many as Liverpool’s old ‘Penny in the Pound” healthcare scheme, is to give more money to Merseyside charities. The announcement comes as the organisation celebrates its 150th anniversary of helping people through its health cash plans. Chief executive Sue Weir, pictured, said: “Medicash has been committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of individuals since its foundation in 1871. “We will be marking our anniversary with a series of events and initiatives which we look forward to sharing.” Among those plans are extending the help they give to local charities. Over the last five years the company donated over £1.5m to charities, which included a grant to All Together NOW! Last year, over £500,000 was given to charities struggling with the impact of Covid-19 and another £110,000 went towards providing vital PPE to the NHS, North West Ambulance Service and local care homes. In 2018 Medicash was awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool for its longstanding commitment to healthcare and charitable giving.

The big drop

HOST BUSTER Nicki Cummings can’t wait for Covid restrictions to ease so that she can get back to doing what she loves.

Just before the winter lockdown, Nicki joined brother Chris and fellow investigator Adam Billing on a ghost hunt involving fairies, demonic voices and a thousandyear-old “haunted” oak. Nicki, 47, who was born with spina bifida and has spent her life in a wheelchair, took part in the first episode of a new YouTube channel, Haunted Scouse, following ghostly goings-on in and around Liverpool. Despite admitting at one point, “my heart’s racing”, she loved her first taste of ghost hunting in Calderstones Park. There, the trio’s investigations took them to the site of the Allerton Oak, thought to have been the meeting place for a medieval court and subject, according to Chris, to stories of pixies and fairies.

All Together NOW!

Chris said: ”Nicki was amazing. She loved every minute and will be back out with Haunted Scouse again in the future.” Meanwhile, Chris’s mission to show how anyone can enjoy an interest in the paranormal continues – he hopes to introduce daughter Grace,13, who has severe learning disabilities and is autistic, to ghost hunting on a junior episode of the show. He added: “Anybody can ghost hunt. All you need is a bit of courage and the ability to scream!” n www.youtube.com/channel/ UCzLE_HTPiNoPiC589HKTW8g

IT’S NOT just the big music festivals that have been given the green light this summer. The Liverpool Cathedral Abseil challenge is also set to go ahead on Saturday July 17 And among the first daredevils planning to take the plunge is Angela Lund, who wants to pay tribute to her dad, Albie Smart, who died at St Joseph’s hospice, Thornton, in 2019. Angela said: “Since my dad died, we have all been locked away in our homes staring at the same four walls so I felt this would be the perfect way to emerge from lockdown and take me out of my comfort zone.” n Want to help the hospice? Call 0151 932 6044 or email events@jospice.org.uk

All Together NOW!

A YEAR THAT’S BURSTING WITH HOPE

VERY warm welcome to this bumper spring issue of All Together NOW!

After the bleakest of winters, in which the Covid-19 pandemic continued to devastate so many lives and businesses, we are just so glad to be back in circulation and doing what we do best – bringing you a topquality newspaper that’s bursting with hope and inspiration. We’ve so many people and organisations to thank for getting us through it all – especially our main sponsors, the Steve Morgan Foundation and United Utilities. Like many other charities, Covid-19 seriously threatened our existence. Lockdown restrictions placed on our stockists led to us publishing only two of our usual six editions for the year, resulting in significant falls in advertising revenue. But help came flooding in. First, from the Metro Mayor of Liverpool’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund, and then from the National Lottery, whose grant kept our website up and running.

3 wheel walker Only £49 Red, Silver or Blue Includes FREE DELIVERY

In November, the Steve Morgan Foundation and the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport also gave us a fantastic early Christmas present! Their joint funding not only helped to offset some of the year’s losses, it also enabled us to appoint our first ever Development Officer, Helen McLoughlin.

n As regular readers will be aware, Liverpool-born businessman Steve Morgan, chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation, is a huge supporter of All Together NOW! Writing in our 15th anniversary edition, Mr Morgan said: “Organisations like the Steve Morgan Foundation and All Together NOW! are vital in making sure the vulnerable are supported. We’re delighted to continue backing this great community newspaper.” I hope you enjoy this edition. We’re back at the start of summer – Tuesday June 7 to be precise. See you then!

TOM DOWLING, editor

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

SPRING 2021

Thanks, Chris . . .

WINNER: Chris receiving an O2 Media Award, one of many he helped us to win over the years. With him is Ken Almond, our IT/graphics expert. RIGHT: on delivery duties . . .

HIS spring issue heralds the start of a new and exciting era for your free charity paper.

But we go into the future with one key member of our team missing . . . James Edward Christopher Groves – better known to thousands of readers and friends as “Chris” – was one of the small team that set up the paper in 2004. Born in Speke in 1946, Chris loved newspapers – and especially loved meeting and helping people. Chris started work at the Liverpool Echo in 1961, aged 15, and stayed there until 2003 when he joined our team. He was a font of knowledge and was able to turn his hand to anything – from helping with editorial, advertising, and administration, and even to delivering papers all over the region. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to

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make All Together NOW! such a big hit. Chris just enjoyed all the challenges of setting up a newspaper, and was a truly great ambassador for the charity. He loved all the positive feedback and took great pride in hearing from readers how the paper was helping them. Chris officially retired in 2011. However, he couldn’t resist the urge to stay involved with the paper, and for the past nine years he continued as a volunteer, again helping in a variety of roles. Sadly, in the summer of 2019, his wife, Christine, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. She died in February 2020. Four months later, Chris was told he had bowel cancer, and died at Marie Curie Hospice, Woolton, on Thursday October 22. He leaves three children – Matthew, Rachel and Kate – and many, many friends …

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SPRING 2021

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NEWS

Benefits rise has “left us lost for words”

BENEFITS for disabled people are to rise by just 0.5% – despite increasing costs and cuts to support many face as a result of the pandemic. Work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey’s announcement means someone in the work-related activity group of employment and support allowance will get 37p a week more from April. The Disability Benefits Consortium, which works for a fairer welfare system, said the 37p rise “has left us lost for words”. A 0.5% increase will also apply to personal independence payment and disability living allowance, but not state pensions, which will rise by 2.5%. The 0.5% increase comes even though many disabled people have faced extra costs as a result of the pandemic, including having to switch to more expensive online food deliveries, and paying for personal protective equipment for personal assistants and care workers, and extra cleaning products.

Disability trade union

A NEW ‘trade union’ for disabled people aims to influence Government policy. The Disability Union will first focus on providing a problem-solving service for disabled members facing issues in housing, benefits or social care. But it intends eventually to provide an authoritative voice for disabled people, capable of influencing policy-making at a local, regional and national level. The union is the idea of disabled campaigner George Baker. Among members and backers of the union are prominent disabled figures, including Martyn Sibley, co-founder of Disability Horizons, campaigners Fleur Perry and Ellie Tait, and Jane Hatton, director of the user-led disability employment social enterprise Evenbreak. Union membership is open to all those who self-identify as a disabled person, with the union’s work funded through these membership fees and funding for specific projects. The long-term aim is to run the organisation democratically, like a union or political party, with meetings and decisions taken by members. n Disability Union: Tel. 0333 050 8046

Anger over social care omission in Budget

CHARITIES are angry and dismayed after the Chancellor failed to mention social care reforms in his spring Budget. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “We are angry that no immediate or longer-term support for social care was announced. “Families have been under huge strain, with 81% of carers taking on more care than before the pandemic, placing a huge toll on their health and finances. They deserve to know what the Government is planning to do to address social care shortfalls now.” Kirsty Matthews, chief executive of learning disability charity Hft, said: “It is hugely disappointing that the Government failed yet again offer any kind of additional financial support to social care.

“There has never been a more appropriate time to bring forward the long-term funding proposals which have been promised on so many occasions.” Sense chief executive Richard Kramer said: “Immediate and long-term funding for social care must be addressed. “As we look ahead to the long road out of this pandemic, Government must not abandon disabled people again, but make sure they receive the care and support which meets their needs and allows them to live the life they want to lead.” n Three years ago, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he had an “over ready” plan for social care. Since then, ministers have said cross-party talks were taking place, which has been denied by Labour.

JUST 1p EXTRA FOR CARERS P

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EOPLE caring full time for loved ones will receive just 1p extra an hour when benefits rise in April.

Many will continue to face hardship

National charity Carers UK has repeatedly called for the incomes of people entitled to Carer’s Allowance, the main benefit for those caring for 35 hours or more each week, to be raised. They want the Chancellor to award a £20 a week supplement for carers entitled to Carer’s Allowance to match the increases awarded to those on Universal Credit. Instead, it was set to be increased by 35p per week to £67.60, leaving many continuing to face hardship, say campaigners. Carers UK chief Helen Walker said: “After everything carers have had to withstand during this pandemic, I know many will feel insulted that their Carer’s Allowance has increased by a paltry 35p a week. “Unpaid carers are taking on more care than ever and have been struggling with the increased costs, yet

Water firm’s help to pay bills

NORTH WEST water firm United Utilities is extending its financial support schemes to help more people struggling with their bill.

Previously customers had to be on certain benefits or tax credits and in arrears with their water bill to be eligible for debt assistance. Now United Utilities has updated its Back on Track scheme specifically to help the growing numbers of householders who have been financially affected by Covid-19. The criteria has now been extended to support customers with a household income of less than £21,000. Jane Haymes, affordability manager at United Utilities, said: “We hope this change encourages even more of our customers to get in touch and see if we can reduce their bill.” The scheme has a number of tiers and the amount customers pay depends on their existing income and expenditure.

‘Get in touch’

Find YOUR local Carers Centre – p19

they have received little targeted financial support to help them. “They have been essential in protecting our health and social care systems during the pandemic – to the detriment of their own health. “It can only be right that the Government gives back to carers. Without a significant uplift to Carer’s Allowance, many carers will continue to face hardship and suffering as they remain caring around the clock. The Government must act now to make Carer’s Allowance fairer.” In Scotland, unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance will also be entitled to a six-monthly Carer’s Allowance Supplement, which if uprated with inflation will be around £231.25 each six months, making them £462.50 better off this year. Last year, carers in Scotland received not only this supplement but an extra coronavirus payment, making them up to £690.30 better off. n Carers UK Helpline: 0808 808 7777

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Customers complete an affordability assessment as part of the application process and need to provide evidence their income has been affected by Covid-19, such as being furloughed or made redundant. Jane added: “We work closely with money advice services such as StepChange, Money Advice Trust and Turn2Us. “It’s really important that people know the support is out there if they ask for it and we would urge anyone with money worries to get in touch, either with us or with one of these services.” United Utilities is already helping more than 118,000 households across the North West with their water bills. In the five years up to 2025 the company has committed £71m into financial support schemes and is reducing bills for by an average of 13.5% n For help with your water bill: 0800 072 6765 See Pages 9 / 20

TO BOLDLY GO

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SPRING 2021

Your chance to be an astronaut

HE European Space Agency is encouraging applications from disabled people for its latest astronaut recruitment drive. The ESA is looking for four to six new recruits, and has asked the International Paralympic Committee to assist with selection. To be considered, you must have a master’s degree or higher in natural sciences, medicine, engineering, mathematics or computer sciences, or be qualified as an experimental test pilot, and must speak a second language fluently. The ESA say that people “with lower limb difference or restricted growth” who may not have been eligible to apply before should consider applying this time round. ESA Director Dr David

Parker said: “We’re not looking to hire a space tourist that happens also to have a disability. “This individual would do a meaningful space mission. “So they would need to do the science – they would need to participate in all the normal operations of the International Space Station.”

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Those selected would be part of a feasibility project to improve on safety and technical support, with the intention to make ‘para astronauts’ a future reality. Time to get your space boots on. Applications open from March 31. And remember to let us know if you get selected! n www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers

Asbestosis: alarm bells ring for military staff

A LACK of concern in the armed forces about the risks of exposure to asbestos is revealed in a new report. Researchers also found that some military veterans see inequalities between their experience of living with mesothelioma – a cancer mainly caused by breathing asbestos dust – and that of civilians. In the UK, 2,700 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed yearly. While the incidence among military veterans remains unknown, eight veterans a month claim war pensions due to a diagnosis of mesothelioma. National cancer charity Mesothelioma UK is calling on healthcare and legal professionals to act on their findings. Professor Angela Tod, who led the research at the University of Sheffield, said: “Research like this is vital if we are to provide all those living with mesothelioma with equitable access to first class care and treatment.”

Autism advice

THREE free advice sessions for people with autism are available from Merseyside charity Autism Together. The sessions, funded by the National Lottery, can be at the charity’s Oak House head office in Bromborough, Wirral, when it is safe to do so, or via an online video chat. n Tel, 0151 334 7510

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NEWS

More Changing Places toilets on the way

COUNCILS can now get funding to install Changing Places toilets in their leisure and tourism buildings to help disabled people who are unable to use standard accessible loos. Regional Growth Minister Luke Hall has announced a £30m fund, following changes to statutory guidance that came into effect in January that made the provision of Changing Places toilets compulsory in certain new buildings. More than 250,000 people across the country will benefit from the toilets, which are larger and fitted with hoists, changing benches and space for carers. Mr Hall said: “For too long, the lack of suitable toilet facilities has meant disabled people have faced major difficulties when they shop, go out, or travel and this should not be the case.” Robert Burley, director of campaigns at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “This is a big step towards tackling the exclusion that many disabled people experience when they are out and about.” There are currently around 1,200 Changing Places toilets in England.

Charities’ cash crisis

CHARITIES across the UK are suffering the effects of a £140m a month drop in donations – and more demands are being placed on them. Nearly one in three are giving less to deserving causes since the start of the coronavirus crisis while 8% of people are using charities more or for the first time since the pandemic began. The UK charity sector’s current financial state means 10% of them could soon close, says DSA Connect.

MS breakthrough

A VITAL step in the “mission to stop multiple sclerosis” has been taken by a team of UK researchers. They have discovered that a particular type of brain cell is damaged in people with MS. The team at the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research believe their findings could lead to new treatments that help prevent disability in those with the condition. Professor Anna Williams, who led the study at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Our research has shown that a specific type of neuron, called an inhibitory interneuron, is damaged in people with MS. “This is really important because it focuses our efforts on trying to stop the damage and death of these special cells. “Our next step is to convert this knowledge into new treatments that protect nerves and prevent neurodegeneration – and ultimately disability – in people living with MS.” Dr Emma Gray, from the MS Society, said: “We believe this study represents a vital step in our mission to stop MS.” Healthzone – p24

SPRING 2021

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Blue Badge parking spaces continue to be abused

ALARMING levels of abuse of the Blue Badge parking scheme are still being seen, say campaigners. A survey found an overwhelming 96% of people asked thought councils were not doing enough to tackle misuse of the scheme. And 87% found that Blue Badge bays in supermarket car parks were either “often or very often” abused. The poll, by the Disabled Motoring UK charity, also found that two-thirds of people had seen accessible spaces being redeployed because of the pandemic. Nearly 800 people took part in the annual Baywatch survey, which examined blue badge spaces controlled by both supermarkets and local councils.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Airports win praise but miss out on top rating for access

ORTH WEST airports have again missed out on being ranked among the country’s most accessible terminals.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s fifth annual report lists both Liverpool and Manchester airports in the “Good” category – with FIFTEEN others rated higher “Very Good”. But the report acknowledges the improvements made at most UK terminals over the past five years, and particularly at Manchester, which last year was told to do more after two consecutive years of being ranked “Poor”. The CAA report states: “Having been classified as ‘Poor’ in 2017/18, the airport committed to improve the assistance service. “We are pleased to see that significant progress has been made. “Arrivals’ waiting time targets and passenger satisfaction scores have improved compared to previous years. Additionally, we carried out an accessibility inspection at the airport where we noted many examples of good practice. “We were particularly impressed by how accessibility had been considered

The good – and the not so good . . .

VERY GOOD: Belfast City; Bournemouth; Bristol; Cardiff; City of Derry; Cornwall Newquay; Doncaster Sheffield; East Midlands; Exeter; Glasgow; Glasgow Prestwick; Humberside; Newcastle; Norwich; Sumburgh

GOOD: Birmingham; Belfast International; Edinburgh; Inverness; Leeds Bradford; Liverpool; London City; London Gatwick; London Heathrow; London Luton; London Stanstead; Manchester; Southampton NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Aberdeen; Kirkwell; London Southend

throughout the design of the new pier at Terminal 2. Passengers will greatly benefit from anincreased number of disabled toilets and more call points distributed throughout the pier where people can ask for assistance if needed.” Since 2015, there has been a significant rise in the number of passengers requesting assistance at UK airports, with four million requests in the latest year – almost double the amount recorded in 2015. In total, UK airports have received more than 10 million assistance requests in the past five years.

Paul Smith, Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “As the industry looks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and consumers plan their travel for 2021, we hope that passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities feel confident about the services they will receive. “It is great to see the level of progress made by UK airports over the last five years, but there are still areas that need further improvement as our ambition as a regulator is for the UK’s airports to be the best in the world for accessibility.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SPRING 2021

All Together NOW!

Making a difference . . .

HE Steve Morgan Foundation aims to make a real difference by changing the lives of thousands of people across the region.

Founded by Steve Morgan CBE in 2001, the Foundation supports projects that help children and families, people with physical or learning disabilities, the elderly, and the socially disadvantaged across North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire. More than £70m has so far been awarded to over 2,195 charities and organisations, and this number will increase dramatically over the coming years

after Steve committed £250m additional funding to the Foundation in 2017. Enable Funding for individuals was also introduced to provide grants for adults and children with disabilities in financial hardship, who require specialised equipment. There are three types of funding available: n Major grants and one-off capital funding for large projects; n Regional grant funding; n Enable Funding for specialised equipment, which includes the brand new Smiley Buses. The Foundation will be accepting applications for Regional grants from April.

‘We will be changing lives for centuries’

As the Steve Morgan Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary, its founder promises . . .

— STEVE MORGAN CBE chairman of the Steve Morgan Foundation

HE Steve Morgan Foundation will continue changing lives for “centuries to come”, says its founder and chairman, Steve Morgan CBE.

The founder of Redrow was talking on the Foundation’s 20th anniversary and says he is more determined than ever to keep helping improve the lives of vulnerable people in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. In 2020 the Steve Morgan Foundation handed out a record-breaking £27m to hundreds of charities struggling with the impact of Covid-19, helping more than 2.2 million people in the process.

‘Cometh the Foundation’

Mr Morgan said: “I’m incredibly proud that we’ve reached our 20th anniversary. The Steve Morgan Foundation is about the millions of people we’ve been helping for two decades and will continue to help for centuries to come. “2020 was the biggest year in our history

because of Covid-19 and I’d like to think it was a case of ‘cometh the hour, cometh the Foundation’.” In total the Foundation distributed a record-breaking £27m – including £10m from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport as part of the Community Match Challenge Fund – but Mr Morgan said it was the pace at which the money was distributed that was so crucial. “We allocated £20m to more than 125 charities in just 59 days. “I don’t think any other Foundation came close to giving away that amount of money so rapidly “It made a massive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in society when they needed help the most.” It was back in 2001 that Mr Morgan set up the Steve Morgan Foundation, soon after leaving Redrow for the first time. He recalls: “Before leaving Redrow I gave my last three years’ salary to the Alder Hey Hospital where they were raising funds for a children’s oncology unit.”

www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk

In 1998 he helped raise a further £365,000 for the appeal by leading a trek across the Pyrenees, attempting to be included in the Guinness Book of Records. One of the patients in the existing oncology ward was a four-year-old cancer patient named George who ended up changing the direction of his life. “On the day we were setting off for the Pyrenees a group of children came to Liverpool Airport to wave us off. The ward sister pulled me to one side and said, ‘I’m not sure that George is going to be with us by the time you get back’.

George – the inspiration

“On the second day of the walk it was driving a blizzard. It was freezing cold and it was thinking of George that took us through that day.” George tragically died but he was partly the inspiration behind the entrepreneur founding the Steve Morgan Foundation in 2001. Five years later, Mr Morgan was watching

Steve Morgan Foundation

the 2006 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when he had a tap on the shoulder. “I turned around and it was George’s dad. He said he was so proud of everything we’d done for George. That meant so much.” Since 2001 Mr Morgan has gifted over £300m to the Foundation to secure its long-term future. As well as helping thousands of charities, the Foundation is the biggest ever donor to the Type 1 diabetes charity JDRF, having donated £7m. The Foundation has also built a new Maggie’s Centre at Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral, and will build a second Maggie’s Centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital at a cost of more than £5m. “We’ve also funded over 90 minibuses which have enabled thousands of vulnerable people to get out and about. “Sometimes you look back and think how quickly the last 20 years have gone, but the Foundation is well-placed and well-funded to help those that need it for centuries to come.”

@stevemorganfdn

TIME TO SHOW US WE TRULY BELONG SPRING 2021

NEWS

Long-term ill and disabled living in extreme poverty

MORE than half of the people living in extreme poverty in the UK are disabled or in long-term ill health, it has been revealed. A major new report found Covid-19 related delays in processing DLA renewals and PIP claims and appeals were damaging both the material wellbeing and mental health of people receiving, or applying for, these benefits. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which works to solve poverty, is now making a series of recommendations to the Government after insisting it was “intolerable that so many people have experienced destitution” in the UK. A key recommendation is that the £20 weekly uplift in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit – introduced in response to the pandemic – should be made permanent and extended to those claiming legacy benefits (one of the six benefits being replaced by UC). The Foundation report says destitution “denotes the circumstances facing people who cannot afford to buy the absolute essentials that we all need to eat, stay warm and dry, and keep clean”.

Switch on!

BLIND and partially sighted people are less likely to have saved money by switching energy suppliers in the last year than the rest of the population, say the gas and electricity watchdog, Ofgem. Marc Powell, from the RNIB charity, said: “More needs to be done in empowering blind and partially sighted people to make informed decisions when it comes to their energy bills.”

Shock pension report

DISABLED people’s pensions pots total just 9% of the UK average, found a study by the Pension Policy Institute and workplace pensions provider NOW Pensions. The average UK pension pot is £80,690. Only 50% of disabled people are saving into a private pension. Disabled people’s private pensions average £7,450. Fazilet Hadi, Disability Rights UK’s head of policy, said: “This research is yet more evidence that far too many disabled people are unemployed, in low paid jobs and living in poverty. “Even though the finding that disabled people only have 9% of the average amount of private pension wealth is not surprising, it is still deeply shocking. It shows that not only will disabled people of working age be poor but they will continue to be poor in older age.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

HE Government’s muchanticipated national disability strategy must create a society in which disabled people “truly belong”, say leading charities.

A new report by Disability Rights UK follows a three-month engagement campaign aimed at discovering how disabled people want the country to change. Now it wants the Government to include recommendations from its We Belong report in its national disability strategy, to be published this spring. The report calls for a new public disability awareness campaign, and for disability equality to be included in the school curriculum. Other recommendations include reform of both the benefit and social care systems, action on accessible housing, and for national and local government and transport organisations to take action to make platforms, trains and ticketing accessible “at a more rapid pace”. DR UK also says there should be improved support for disabled people who experience domestic abuse, and stronger laws on disability hate crime. And the report calls for the Government to ensure every area has its own properlyfunded disabled people’s organisation (DPO),

alongside “meaningful” and “in-depth” engagement with DPOs at national and local levels. DR UK wants the Equality Act to be extended and made easier for disabled people to enforce, and for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to be incorporated into UK law. Kamran Mallick, DR UK’s chief executive, said: “We ask the Government to take bold and radical action to tackle the systemic discrimination and inequality which persist,

and to produce an ambitious groundbreaking strategy, which creates a society where we truly belong.” He added: “It is not enough to tinker with current policies and services, we need radical and ambitious change.” In January, the minister for disabled people, Justin Tomlinson, announced a new National Disability Survey, but gave disabled people just four weeks to respond if they wanted their views to influence the strategy.

Stamps spell out sad truth

SET of spoof ‘Second Class Stamps’ featuring personalities from the worlds of comedy, acting and sport highlights the inequality suffered by people who have cerebral palsy.

Emma Livingstone, from Adult Cerebral Palsy Hub, the charity behind the campaign, said: “Adults with CP are treated like second class citizens when it comes to healthcare. “We do not get joined-up healthcare like other adults with life-long conditions and there are no clear care pathways. “At the age of 18, we are basically just told to ‘get on with it’. “NICE guidelines have been developed recommending this is changed to provide joined-up healthcare with dedicated CP specialists, which is what happens for other long-term conditions. “However, the guidelines have yet to be adopted across the NHS. Our campaign aims to ‘stamp out’ this gap.” The mock stamps were designed by Eve Lacey. She said: “We’re

asking for something incredibly simple: Care Parity for CP. It can literally be written on the back of a stamp, it’s the world’s smallest petition. In simple terms it means: specialist services for adults with CP, adoption of the NICE guidelines and quality standards universally across all the NHS services. “This change will deliver a huge impact for adults living with CP and for the NHS and the economy. We believe an investment of £20m into joined-up healthcare for adults with CP could give £422m back to the economy in gross employment benefits.” The stamps feature comedians Rosie Jones and Francesca Martinez, actor James Moore, Britain’s Got Talent winner ‘Lost Voice Guy’ Lee Ridley, Paralympian David Smith and para-dressage rider Tegan VincentCooke – all who have cerebral palsy. n You can sign the charity’s petition at: www.you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/care-parity-for-adults-withcerebral-palsy and sign the charity’s petition.

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NEWS

SPRING 2021

Home grants’ boost

MORE money is being made available to pay for adaptations to disabled people’s homes. Managed by local government, the cash can be used towards facilities such as stairlifts, level access showers, wet rooms, winches, grab rails and ramps. The extra £68 million has been pledged by the Government to the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2021. It is in addition to £505 million paid to councils in May 2020, increasing the overall Government investment in the Disabled Facilities Grant to £573 million this year.

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Since the start of the pandemic, Sporting Memories – the charity which in “normal” times brings together older people across the UK at over 130 clubs for companionship and physical exercise – has developed ways of keeping people in touch with each other. Their #TalkAboutSport campaign – supported by many well-known sporting personalities – encouraged people to

use the power of sporting memories to tackle loneliness and depression, and spark positive memories for people living with dementia.

SUMMER’S COMING!

CONGRATULATIONS to the two winners of our hugely popular competition to win stylish watches, kindly supplied by our longstanding partners, Appreciate. Entries from Marie Kernon, from Everton, Liverpool, and Michael Bailey, from Wrexham, were the first names out of the hat.

That’s the message from the Sporting Memories Foundation as they deliver their free activity KITbags to older people. The KITbag pack includes exercise equipment, a DVD, reminiscence resources and record books.

n The charity’s Merseyside club meet at Southport FC. Contact: Darren Wildman, community@southportfc.net n www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com n Tel, Helen Johnston on 07845 430 219.

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The big turn off to going electric www.alltogethernow.org.uk

S the UK undergoes an electric car revolution, a new survey shows many disabled drivers experience difficulty with charging points.

Millions of zero-emission cars are set to appear on our roads, but the poll found charging points are a problem for one in three motorists with a disability. The research also suggests that far fewer disabled motorists are using electric vehicles, or EVs, than the general population – perhaps deterred by accessibility issues. Zap-Map, the UK’s leading EV mapping service, teamed up with disability charity Motability to question drivers on their experiences of using Britain’s charging network.

The survey found one third of disabled people had difficulties locating a suitable charger that could meet their needs, with one in seven having issues with the weight of the charging cables. Some users also experienced difficulties with the force required to attach the connector, the lack of dropped kerbs around charge points, and unsuitable parking arrangements. Dr Ben Lane, joint head of Zap-Map, said: “Businesses and charge point operators need to focus more effort on improving accessibility and designing charge points which will benefit everyone” “Many disabled people will be thinking about investing in an

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electric vehicle but could be put off by a lack of accessibility at public charge point locations.” Catherine Marris, from Motability, added: “We know that one in five people in the UK are disabled. Motability’s recent research estimates there will be 2.7 million disabled drivers or passengers by 2035, with 1.35 million expected to be partially or wholly reliant on public charging infrastructure. ““We hope to begin working with industry and Government to innovate solutions. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch.”

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Student Kate is helping children for life

PROSTHETIC arm that can grow as the child using it grows is one of a string of exciting new inventions which could see the lives of many disabled people transformed for the better.

Student engineer Kate Walker designed and manufactured a prosthetic that is unlike any other on the market. The 24-year-old founded ExpHand Prosthetics to provide affordable, lifechanging upper limb prosthetics that give children their independence back. Kate, from Loughborough, is one of five 2021 Young Innovators Award winners who will be helped to develop their ideas to provide disabled people with greater independence, control and dignity.

n ANDREW’s Phoenix AI wheelchair is an ultralightweight manual wheelchair made from carbon-fibre. n Using smart sensors the chair will configure itself to what the user is doing. n The sensors detect if the user is leaning forward or back. n Intelligent, lightweight power assist will make slopes easier to ascend while automatic braking will remove the need for users to grip the wheels to slow down. n The chair is expected to be available to buy within two years. Price will be about £5,000. n Phoenix Instinct: Tel 0139 221020

EXCITING: Kate with the prosthetic arm

n SEEING her daughter struggle with incontinence inspired Michelle Best to design and produce handmade disability clothing for children and teenagers with disabilities or medical conditions, which help remove some of the stigma of incontinence. Michelle, 28, founder of Blossom & Best, said: “I understand the challenges and pain faced by parents of children with disabilities. I applied to Young Innovators to help take my business to the next level and start manufacturing my products,” added Michelle, from Lincolnshire.

n ENAYBALL, a visual arts tool that attaches to a wheelchair or table and enables anyone with a physical disability – including those with paralysis – to draw, paint or create independently, was designed by Pete Barr, 25, from London.

n DIANA Kviatkovskaja, from Bristol, and the founder of Chisel Robotics, created a state-of-the-art wearable device and an app that can be used with any prosthetic leg for lower limb amputees.

n DISABILITY activist Lucy Watts, 27, is developing an e-learning platform to educate and empower disabled, unwell or caring individuals. Lucy, from Essex, will use people’s lived experience of illness, disability and care to help others navigate the system, including preparing for applications and reviews. In all, 64 young people aged 18 to 30 will receive awards, with each benefitting from a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching, and an allowance to cover living costs.

WINNER: A and Dr Jaku Rycerz, composites engineer at Phoenix Ins

Andrew’s amaz E

VER since breaking his back as a young teenager Andrew Slorance dreamed of designing a wheelchair that would change people’s perceptions.

Now 51-year-old Andrew is living that dream, thanks to winning a $1m (£740,000) competition. Andrew’s Phoenix Instinct company scooped the top prize in the Toyota Mobility Foundation’s $4m global challenge to find new ways of improving the mobility and independence of people with lower limb paralysis. “I broke my back after falling from a tree when I was 14,” says Andrew. “I remember lying in my hospital bed and an occupational therapist came in and she wheeled a wheelchair up to my bed. “She said, ‘Andrew, I’ve got your new wheelchair for you. I hope you will agree it’s rather a nice example’. “I looked at this thing and I thought: ‘You’ve got to be kidding, right?’ The first day I went

out in that wheelchair was without doubt the worst day of my life. “I felt completely immobilised because the thing was so big... I suddenly realised everybody was looking at me in a way people had never looked at me before.” Two years later, Andrew decided that one day he would design a chair that would change perceptions by using cutting edge materials and styling.

Remortgaged

In the meantime, he has been a TV producer for ITV, Channel 4 and Sky before becoming an inventor. He and wife Mary remortgaged their home to start his company. “I knew the next step beyond advanced materials has to be to make wheelchairs smart. “But that costs a huge amount of money in development. So, when I saw this Challenge, I thought here is the money to develop this technology. No-one else is going to do it. “No company is going to decide to spend

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SPRING 2021

Andrew ub

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half a million dollars on research and development to advance the manual wheelchair. “Why should they? As long as their competitor also doesn’t do it the status quo can continue with wheelchairs remaining much as they were 35 years ago.” His revolutionary Phoenix Ai wheelchair overcomes the primary cause of accidents for wheelchair-users – tipping over backwards. “This happens because the wheelchair has a ixed centre-of-gravity, but the user doesn’t,” Andrew explained. “If the user moves too far out of sync with the ixed position of the wheelchair, they’re going o fall over.” One way to deal with this is by having the axle to the back of the wheelchair and putting he user’s weight to the front of it – but this brings new challenges. When the weight is carried by the small ront wheels, this adds drag, making pushing and turning much more difficult, and introducing uncomfortable vibrations

that can cause pain and muscle spasms. Wheelchair designs have previously had to make a trade-off between agility and stability, but Andrew’s ultra-light, stable carbon fibre design allows the wheelchair to automatically change the weight distribution itself, keeping users balanced while also ensuring they’re as agile as possible.

Awesome

“The wheelchair as we know it has been technologically unchanged for decades. “Your wheelchair is the world’s first perception of you. If that thing looks awesome and hi-tech, that puts forward a positive perception. “We live in a time when our fridge freezer can be smart, it can tell us the milk we put in has gone out of date. “Yet the wheelchair is the thing you actually need every day of your life... and it’s still got the technology from 1984. This is a game changer.” Other finalists in the Toyota Challenge

include a powered exoskeleton walking device called Quix, designed by researchers from the US. Another American team reached the finals with their Evowalk simulator, which is worn below the knee and uses AI to support users’ muscles and help people going through rehabilitation for walking. A third finalist called Qolo (Quality of Life with Locomotion), from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, is a standing mobility device that integrates exoskeleton and wheelchair functions, supporting users to stand and sit with a passive assist mechanism for people with lower limb paralysis. Around the world, millions of people are living with lower-limb paralysis (the most common causes being strokes, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis). While there are no statistics on paralysis worldwide, the World Health Organisation estimates there are 250,000-500,000 new cases of spinal cord injury globally every year.

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SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM . Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 710144 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 WIDNES: 0151 511 8833 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827

SPRING 2021

Books galore

OVER 8,000 audiobooks are now available from the Listening Books charity for people who have difficulties reading – or holding – a book due to an illness, disability, mental health condition or learning difficulty. Annual memberships start at £20 for those who can afford it. n Contact: Tel. 020 7234 0522 www.listening-books.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Shopmobility goes into overdrive

SHOPMOBILITY, the scheme that provides scooters for disabled shoppers, is now being operated by Driving Mobility, the charity that runs the UK’s independent driving and mobility assessment centres. As a charity supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility’s 70 locations (including at St Helens and Chester) support over 20,000 clients each year. Driving Mobility chief Edward

Trewhella said: “We believe that managing the successful Shopmobility scheme will complement our strengths and future aims. “Through our unique sector knowledge and contacts, it will open up provision of loan mobility equipment to more disabled people so levels of safety and independence can increase – critical during these challenging times.” n www.drivingmobility.org.uk

Tanni’s out of patience

ARALYMPICS legend Tanni Grey-Thompson has threatened to scream at the next person who tells her ‘London 2012’ changed the world for disabled people.

Baroness Grey-Thompson told a BBC event marking the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act that it was right to celebrate the DDA, which was “amazing” and “a moment in time”. But she said she had turned 50 last year and was now “slightly over being patient”. The peer said that was partly due to the failure to ensure all trains would be accessible by January 1, 2020, as the DDA had promised. She revealed that a key moment for her came when a representative of the public transport regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, told her: “You just need to be a bit more patient”. She said: “The next person who

BBC Two’s quiz show Mas termind wants to h e ar from anyone o ver 18 wh o would like to be considere d for the next serie s which is to be filmed in Belfast – with Covid-19 social dis tancing measures in place. Deadline for applic ations is Monda y Ma mastermin y 24. d.hth@ hattrick.c om

tells me that 2012 and the Paralympics changed the world for disabled people, I’m just going to scream in their face. “My frustration for where we are now is that being a Paralympian is pretty much the only route disabled people are given as a career option.” Her fellow disabled crossbench peer, Baroness Jane Campbell, said the DDA was a watershed FRUSTRAT ED: Baroness Grey-Thompson moment for disabled people. She said: “I remember the time when I was turned away from pubs, clubs, restaurants, in fact any DURING public venue, on the grounds the BBC show, Baroness Jane that I was in a wheelchair. Campbell also revealed that she had been talking “After the DDA, people to Baroness Grey-Thompson in a House of Lords corridor like me felt personally last year when a male peer came up to the two wheelchairliberated because users and said: “Oh, are you having a little race?” the state had When they told him they were just talking, he said, “Oh, that’s finally recognised that really nice,” and patted Baroness Campbell on the head. we were systematically She said: “I had not been patted on the head for probably discriminated against by 20 years. For once in both our lives we couldn’t society.” speak, we were absolutely speechless.”

SPEECHLESS

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n ANGLESEY: TARAN Tel 01407 721933 n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420

HOT SEA T

n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. 0151 263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076. n ACSIL (Amputees and Carers), Tel, 0151 261 1166 n THE BRAIN CHARITY Tel 0151 298 2999

n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association. Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863. Text 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability

Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365

n Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 n STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 n WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 n WEST MIDS Amputee

Group. 07891 794733; 07585 958322; 07557 228154

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TV star Liz in the firing line

ACTOR Lizz Carr has won many admirers for her TV work, including hit TV show Silent Witness, but her latest role has caused a stir among disabled activitists. In the BBC drama, The Real Deal, Carr’s character is seen spying on her neighbour who she suspects of exaggerating his impairment in order to qualify for PIP. Activists, who have spent years highlighting and fighting against the efforts of Tory ministers to paint disabled people as benefit frauds, fakers and scroungers, were horrified by the film. Disabled People Against Cuts said

Carr’s monologue “not only replicated Government rhetoric on scroungers, it reinforced the idea of the deserving (‘real deal’) and undeserving poor”. Carr, herself a disability activist, said: “I knew the piece was controversial in having a disabled person report another disabled person – rather than suggest this as acceptable, my hope was that this would illustrate how deeply entrenched the ideology of individualism and competition are in all of us – even disabled people. “I consider the roles I accept very carefully and feel those of us with a profile have a responsibility to challenge.”

Action man Hassan CAUSING

iz Carr A STIR: L

ASSAN Hayat knows more than most about overcoming obstacles.

The 25-year-old tackles mountains and medical conditions with the same nothing’s-going-to-stop-me attitude. Over the last few years he has completed two 130-mile coast-tocoast tandem cycle rides, climbing two of Britain’s highest peaks and tackling numerous fundraising events for charity. That would be tough enough for most people, but for Hassan, who is registered blind and lives with a rare degenerative genetic condition, it’s nothing short of inspirational. Hassan has Alstrom Syndrome, a degenerative disorder characterised by vision and hearing loss, obesity and diabetes. He lost his sight when he was about 13 but has not allowed that to hinder him. Winner of a Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers Awards, he said: “I’m a fighter. I don’t like to let anything hold me back and I want to show other people what can be done. “I have climbed Snowdon and Pen-y-ghent and am planning to do

VISUAL PROBLEMS n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507

Student swaps ills for hills with can-do attitude

Ben Nevis next year. I enjoy cycling and the walks are great fun too.” When not in training for major challenges, Hassan also plays goalball, blind cricket, practises karate and trains (both himself and others) in the gym, and has even managed to fit in several podcasts for Bradford University’s radio station, RamAir. The University of Bradford student added: ”I think you have to fight for yourself, to challenge obstacles and overcome barriers. What I would say to other people like me is, don’t say you cannot do something, say yes you can. We’re all believers.” His next challenge – other than the little matter of Ben Nevis – will involve cycling from Bradford to Hull and then INSPIRA TION: Ha travelling via ferry to cycle ssan Pictu re: Univer sity of B around Holland and Belgium. rad

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 n CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 n GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 234 or 0151 708 7055

n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West)

Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877 HEARING ISSUES n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180

ford

n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre. Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks. Tel 0161 941 4549. Text 18001 0161 941 4549 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n SOUTHPORT Centre for the Deaf Tel 01704 537001 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902

CARERS’ CENTRES

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 nCUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON Helpline:0300 102 0008 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON (WIRED) Tel 01925 633 492 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 705959 / 486923 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE

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Urine test for prostate cancer may be on way

WITHIN five years urine tests could spare many men from unnecessary biopsy tests for prostate cancer. Researchers have developed ways to identify signs of the disease using urine samples. Last year, the same team at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School unveiled an experimental new test called PUR (Prostate Urine Risk) which diagnoses aggressive prostate cancer and predicts whether patients will require treatment up to five years earlier than standard clinical methods. The latest research combines information from two different components in urine, which further improves its use for diagnosis. The team developed the ExoMeth test by studying samples collected from 197 patients. Dr Daniel Brewer, who led the study, said: “It’s still very early days for this research, but if ExoMeth were validated in a future study with many more patients, we could see an approximate 60% reduction in unnecessary biopsies in around five years.” n Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. n Currently, the most commonly used tests include blood tests, a physical examination known as a digital rectal examination, an MRI scan or a biopsy.

Long road ahead

BOUT one in 20 people diagnosed with Covid-19 experience the ‘debilitating’ effects of long-term symptoms – commonly known as Long Covid.

People are said to have Long Covid, when symptoms continue for more than 12 weeks after a Covid-19 infection and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Sufferers commonly experience generalised pain, fatigue, persisting high temperature and mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety or depression. Many other symptoms have also been reported. Mark Griffiths, 47, from Liverpool, first contracted Covid-19 in March last year. He said: “I first thought I had a cold, then maybe flu, but as my symptoms got worse, I had a test and found out I had Covid-19. “I didn’t develop a cough until around six weeks later. I then developed a whole range of

Sadly, for some, Covid-19 is just the start . . .

isymptoms such as fatigue, constant headaches, concentration and short-term memory problems, joint and muscle pain, and breathing difficulties. “As time went on, I became very frustrated. I was wondering how long I would feel like this? How long will it take until I can live normally again and go back to work? “After a while, I started to improve slowly – week by week – before returning to work full-time in September. However, my heart still races, and I still live with ongoing fatigue and headaches. “People need to be aware that Covid-19 poses

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a greater risk to your health than they may think. “Simply being cautious and following the advice can save people going through what I went through – and potentially save lives.” Dr Andrew Furber, regional director for Public Health England and NHS Public Health in the North West, said: “People often assume that if you’re young, fit and healthy Covid-19 will be a short-lived, minor illness for a couple of weeks and then you’ll be back to normal. “This isn’t always the case and may develop into something more long-term and severely impact your quality of life. “That’s why it’s still so important to follow the advice closely. It’s not worth taking risks.” Dr Furber added: “We advise anyone suffering with the long-term effects of this disease to contact NHS 111 online or by phone in the first instance.” n www.yourcovid recovery.nhs.uk

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Without my painting there would be no purpose

MEDICAL NOTES

Ten reasons to try the ‘sunshine vitamin’

n VITAMIN D is all over the news, with medical studies taking place worldwide to determine the extent of its effect on Covid-19 patients. n SIMON BANDY, at natural health specialists Veganicity, gives us his top 10 reasons why we really should be stocking up the “sunshine vitamin”.

It can reduce depression: Vitamin D can play a vital role in regulating our mood and warding off depression. It can boost weight loss: It’s thought that the extra calcium the body gets from taking vitamin D supplements can have appetite-suppressing effects. It can benefit those bones: Vitamin D ensures the body can absorb calcium, potassium and magnesium, all which help to keep bones and teeth strong. It can help support lung function and reduce respiratory illnesses: Many researchers have already shown that having low levels of vitamin D in the body correlates with illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, and symptoms including wheezing and chest tightness. It can help regulate the body’s insulin levels: According to Diabetes.co.uk, vitamin D is believed to help improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin. It can help promote a healthy pregnancy: Vitamin D is especially important in pregnancy as it helps babies’ bones, teeth, kidneys, heart and nervous system to develop. It can help prevent falls: Vitamin D is essential for bone development and can improve muscle strength and neural functionality too, thus reducing the risk of falls. It could reduce the risk of getting cancer: While the UK medical profession is still sceptical about this claim, a study in Japan did show that higher levels of vitamin D are linked to a lower risk of cancer, especially liver cancer. It can help us avoid catching the common cold or flu: Another study suggested that vitamin D supplements could reduce the chances of catching seasonal flu. It can give you a boost of energy: Constantly feeling tired, especially during the winter months, is one of the leading symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency. Simon says: “The dosage everyone should take will depend on their age, skin colour, descent and living conditions, but the average for those over one year old is 10 micrograms a day. “You should always check with your doctor if you are unsure or think you have a severe deficiency.”

‘

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The future is bright!

HOPE: Artist Jenny Ferguson says the thought of new treatments provide great comfort

EOPLE with advanced multiple sclerosis could benefit from new trials aimed at protecting movement in their arms.

The ChariotMS trial – the first ever to include people with multiple sclerosis who have difficulty walking – will test whether cladribine tablets (Mavenclad®), already licensed for highly active relapsing MS, can slow the rate of upper limb disability progression in people with advanced MS. To date, trials for MS have not included people who are reliant on a wheelchair, and drugs have only been licensed if they improve walking ability. This means there are currently no disease modifying therapies (DMTs) available for the 35-40% of people with MS who need significant help walking. If successful, ChariotMS could lead to the first MS drug licensed that protects upper limb function. Professor Klaus Schmierer, from Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust, is leading the trial. He said: “Finding ways to maintain people’s upper limb function is essential to their quality of life, but until now walking ability has been the only official

measurement of whether or not an MS treatment is effective. “This has excluded people who depend on a wheelchair from taking part in trials and, as a result, from accessing effective treatment that will help maintain their hand and arm function.” There are three main types of MS that are diagnosed – relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive. Thanks to research, there are over a dozen licensed DMTs for people with relapsing MS, and two for “active” progressive MS (where new lesions are visible on an MRI). But tens of thousands of people with MS remain without effective treatment. While cladribine tablets are a highly effective treatment for people with relapsing MS, early data suggest the drug could also be effective in those with advanced MS. Dr Emma Gray, assistant director of research at the MS Society, says: “Preserving hand and arm function would unquestionably improve the quality of life of people with MS, helping them to live more independent lives. That’s why we’re so thrilled to help make this important trial a reality.” n MS Society helpline: 0808 800 8000

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ARTIST Jenny Ferguson is hoping new trials for multiple sclerosis will enable her to continue her painting for years to come. Jenny, 63, has secondary progressive MS – and fears one day she may lose the use of both her arms. She was first diagnosed with the relapsing form of MS in 1994, aged 37. The former midwife became reliant on a wheelchair around seven years ago, and today her only limb function is in her right arm and hand. Jenny said: “Only one of my four limbs actually works – my right arm. “My left leg and right leg are very heavy and have to be moved for me. My left side is now virtually redundant “ I need help with basic things like getting on and off the toilet, getting dressed and out of bed, and having my food made for me. “I worry a lot about losing the use of my right hand – having a fall and fracturing it, for instance. “When MS meant I had to stop working, I started painting to save my sanity, and I’m grateful I can still enjoy that. “I think without painting there would be virtually no purpose to my day at all. “I have sometimes felt that people like me, with advanced MS, are not seen as important “ Being excluded from treatment and trials, and then being told there is nothing for you is very discouraging. “If you can’t use your arms you are completely left behind. Having a treatment that could preserve the use of my hand would make such a tremendous difference to my life – it would be huge.”

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SPRING 2021

New ways to help carers spot illness

MEDICAL NOTES

Covid leads to new mental health crisis

WAYS to help carers recognise early signs of ill health in people with learning disabilities and autism are being developed. People with learning disabilities are more prone to chronic health problems than the rest of the population and often more susceptible to acute conditions. A report by Public Health England also found they are four times more likely to die from Covid-19. Now a team from Northumbria University and regional NHS Trusts are working on how best to help carers spot early warning signs of illness. Dr Jane Greaves, leading the project, said: “Carers often have really good instincts about changes in the person they care for, but it can be difficult to describe those changes in words and know how to express their concerns effectively when seeking professional help. “If we can understand the experiences of carers in seeking medical help and explore the impact of using early warning tools and education, we will hope to shape the future of health outcomes for many people with a learning disability or autism who become suddenly ill”.

Tailor-made route to recovery

APID new blood tests are being offered to help people decide what type of cancer treatment suits them best.

While most patients undergoing chemotherapy do not suffer severe side effects, a small number taking certain drugs called fluoropyrimidines (5-FU and capecitabine) can suffer nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathlessness and severe skin reactions. In rare cases, the reaction can be fatal. As many as 40% of those who get tested are expected to benefit from starting on a lower dose, or have a different treatment altogether. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England national clinical director for cancer, said: “Cancer survival rates are at a record high but the condition still causes huge suffering for millions of patients and their loved ones every year. “This latest innovation is another important tool to ensure people get the best possible treatment.”

The test, which was only previously available at a small number of hospitals, will now be funded across the country. It is the latest in a series of ground-breaking innovations and genomic discoveries adopted by the NHS to deliver world-leading personalised cancer care. Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England and senior responsible officer for genomics in NHS England, said: “This marks an important moment for how genomics can help tailor treatments to make them safer for patients with cancer.

Personalised treatments

“As our understanding of the role our DNA plays in disease grows, we will be able to use this approach to help develop personalised treatments for other conditions and embed genomics into routine care.” John McGuire, 71, is undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. As a result of being tested, he was put on a lower dose. He said: “I’m delighted with the treatment I have received and have had little to no side-effects.”

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NEW research has sparked fears of a mental health crisis facing disabled people. A survey by national charity Sense reveals almost two thirds say they are experiencing ‘chronic loneliness’, feeling lonely ‘always’ or ‘often’, rising to 7 in 10 of young disabled people, aged 16 to 24. There are 14.1 million disabled people in the UK, and while loneliness has risen across the whole population in the last year, it has increased by a quarter for those with a disability. The research is further evidence of the disproportionate impact the virus has had on the lives of disabled people. According to the Office for National Statistics, disabled people account for almost six in 10 of all deaths involving coronavirus, while making up 22% of the population.

Nasal spray vaccine

HUMAN trials on a new nasal spray vaccine against Covid-19 are expected to take place in Finland in the next few months. Professor of Virology Kalle Saksela, from the University of Helsinki, said: “Our vaccine already takes into account the most important variants, i.e. the South African, Brazilian and the UK one. There will certainly be a demand for this type of vaccine.” Researchers say their method can also be used to develop vaccines against other viruses.

Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said: “The national roll-out of this test is a welcome step towards ensuring that everyone being treated for cancer with chemotherapy is given the most appropriate and kindest treatment based on their genetic makeup. “Fluoropyrimidines are used to treat some breast cancer tumours, and we look forward to this test being available to provide insight on the side effects of these drugs for certain women so that they and their healthcare team can make the most informed decisions about their treatment.” Introductions of the test follows the announcement of a new course of testing and treatment that target tumours based on changes in people’s DNA. The NHS also secured a landmark £160m deal for Covid-friendly cancer drugs which do not hit patients’ immune systems so hard or reduce the number of hospital trips they need to make for treatment.

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Helping deaf patients

A NEW educational kit gives GPs tips on how to communicate during face to face and remote appointments. A recent survey by deaf charity RNID found that more than 70% of respondents “did not feel confident that their communication needs would be met during a remote appointment”. Over half said they had put off seeking advice from their GP because of remote care, putting them at risk of missing out on vital medical care. Ayla Ozmen, head of research and policy at RNID, said: “Unmanaged hearing loss can have a major impact on daily functioning and quality of life. “It can affect communication, social interactions and work, increasing the chances of experiencing loneliness, emotional distress and depression.” n RNID helpline: 0808 808 0123

Tel 0151 230 0307

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MEDICAL NOTES

Joined-up thinking will aid epilepsy treatment

SPRING 2021

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Eye test boost for diabetes

NNUAL screening for diabetic eye disease could become a thing of the past.

NEW guidance to improve epilepsy treatment for people with learning disabilities has been launched by the Royal Society of Medicine. Two out of every five people with epilepsy also have a learning disability and are significantly more likely to die prematurely than the general population. Dr Rohit Shankar, consultant neuropsychiatrist and project lead for the Step Together report, said: “This guidance should enable commissioners and providers of care to recognise what is currently available to people and what could or should be available if their needs are going to be fully and satisfactorily met. “It is clear more collaborative working between all health services is needed.” Angie Pullen, at Epilepsy Action, said: “People with epilepsy and learning disabilities, their carers and families have told us that they need services to work better together. Too often they have difficulty understanding how to access the support they need. “People found that no one was listening to their concerns or taking action to put things right. This guidance adopts the principles of ‘Ask Listen Do’ which are used by Epilepsy Action and promoted by NHS England. “The launch of Step Together marks the start towards improving the experiences of people with epilepsy and a learning disability and working together for better care and support.” The principles set out in the guidance also apply to people with autism who also have epilepsy but not necessarily a learning disability. n Epilepsy Action Helpline: 0808 800 5050

A new personalised approach to screening those with diabetic retinopathy – being pioneered in Liverpool – could mean two-yearly tests will be enough for most patients. The major study, carried out over seven years, found 82% of those who underwent an innovative screening method were deemed low risk patients, and therefore did not need to be screened every year, which is the current approach in most countries. The trial, the biggest of its kind in the world, involving 4,500 volunteers, showed 43.2% fewer appointments were required. It is hoped the new individualised approach could transform diabetic eye screening around the world. People with diabetes may only need eye tests every two years Diabetic retinopathy is one of the commonest causes of visual loss in the money travelling to and from clinics and free on the research, said: “Attending lots of world. up much needed funds for the NHS.” clinics each year is a huge problem for It usually takes several years to reach a The trial, carried out at St Paul’s Eye Unit, people with diabetes, especially as many are stage where it could threaten people’s sight. Liverpool University Hospital NHS working. Prompt laser treatment, injections of drugs Foundation Trust and the University of “This study shows how introducing new into the eye or complex eye surgery are Liverpool, was funded by the National digital technologies can improve routine often required to limit the damage. Institute for Health Research, the NHS healthcare. We can more effectively monitor Professor Simon Harding, chief investigator the eyes of people with diabetes, save them Research and Development body.

Spray a game changer for mouth pain

SPRAY for treating severely painful mouth blisters in people with a rare genetic skin condition is being developed.

The spray is designed for patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a condition that causes the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. Around 5,000 people in the UK are currently living with EB, which is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Symptoms include open wounds and sores where fragile skin is damaged and severe scarring where wounds heal. EB can be particularly painful when internal linings such as inside the mouth are damaged, making eating and teeth brushing extremely difficult. Scarring inside the mouth can also affect the development of muscles and other tissue. Researchers at the University of Birmingham are working alongside experts in

dermatology and dentistry to formulate an oral spray designed to alleviate some of these symptoms. Over the next two years the team will work closely with clinicians and patient groups to

design the spray so that it can be delivered directly into the cheek cavity. It will contain anti-fibrotic molecules to both treat the blisters and prevent them from scarring. Adrian Heagerty, honorary professor of dermatology at the university, said: “Developing an oral spray that will help patients to eat and maintain oral hygiene could be a game changer. “We regularly see patients who are unable to eat properly because of pain and discomfort in their mouths. “Even brushing their teeth can be painful and damaging, leading to extremely poor dental health.” The work has been funded by DEBRA, the UK charity dedicated to finding a cure for the condition. The charity’ director of research, Caroline Collins, said: “This could be a giant step forward in helping to alleviate the constant pain and discomfort sufferers experience.” n DEBRA: Tel. 01344 771961

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Crohn’s – so vital we talk about it

YOUNG people who experience severe Crohn’s and colitis symptoms are more likely to experience poor mental health and need extra support, new research has found. A team led by Professor Pam Qualter, from the University of Manchester, and Professor Bernie Carter, from Edge Hill University, asked 130 young people who suffer from one of the diseases of the bowel about their feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, friendship quality, and embarrassment. The study found that experiencing more severe symptoms, such as stomach pain, was related to developing mental health problems. An unpredictable bout of disease activity – such as a flare – causes anxiety and embarrassment about symptoms like pain, belly noises, incontinence and/or need to rush to the toilet.

Loneliness

This leads to not wanting to take part in social activities and can result in loneliness and poor mental health. Prof Carter said: “Our findings shine a light on aspects of Crohn’s and colitis that are of importance to young people, but which may be overlooked in clinic visits. “Typically, consultations do not address young people’s feelings, mental health, or the challenges that these conditions can create for sustaining friendships and connectedness. “While the focus on physical symptoms is important, our study reveals the importance of creating opportunities for talking about well-being and mental health.” n Crohn’s & Colitis UK Helpline: 0300 222 5700

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New ways to help people with Parkinson’s

Walking on with hope

ONE STEP AT A TIME

NEW approach to treating walking problems in people with Parkinson’s disease is being developed in the north of England.

Problems such as slow and short steps are very common in Parkinson’s disease. They lead to increased risks of falling, as well as reduced mobility and quality of life. There is no medication that can completely restore walking ability in people with Parkinson’s, so physiotherapy is needed. Existing techniques do help improve walking – but they have not changed in decades. Dr Sam Stuart, from Northumbria University, Newcastle, says research needs to establish why they work because not all patients benefit from the “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Personalised

His study, funded by a prestigious Clinical Research Award from the Parkinson’s Foundation, will use state-of-the-art digital technology to measure walking and brain activity changes among patients when given various prompts. Dr Stuart said: “Numerous physiotherapy strategies have been used, such as stepping over lines on the floor or stepping in time to a metronome beat to improve walking. “However, these interventions haven’t changed in decades and we don’t know why walking improves

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OLDER people should spread their protein intake more evenly across the day if they are to maintain important muscle mass and stop their bones from getting weaker or thinner. And consuming more protein like milk and eggs for breakfast for lunch could help. That’s the conclusion of a study into people’s dietary intake. Researchers at the University of Birmingham’s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences say that while the majority of those taking part in the study across all age groups met or exceeded the recommended daily protein intake, the distribution across meals and snacks were very varied. Most noticeably, older people were more likely than young and middle aged individuals to eat a lower-quality protein source, such as bread, at lunchtime. Dr Benoit Smeuninx, who led the study, said: “Simply saying older people should eat more protein isn’t really enough either. “We need a more individualised approach that can help people understand when and how much protein to consume to support muscle mass.”

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with these techniques. This has led to not all patients benefiting and only short-term walking improvements being seen.” “By activating specific brain regions, and analysing brain activity in response to these physiotherapy strategies using the latest digital technology, our aim is to see a change in patients’ response at different stages of Parkinson’s disease.” According to Dr Stuart, finally understanding the reasons why people benefit from physiotherapy, and who benefits most from specific interventions, will enable doctors to provide more timely and efficient treatment. “The physiotherapy strategies we currently provide don’t work for everybody,” he said. “We need more targeted and personalised interventions if we’re going to see a real improvement in walking ability among patients. “By developing a better understanding of why these strategies work, we can also develop more effective interventions in the future to further improve walking.”

n Parkinson’s is the largest growing neurological disorder in the world, with one in 37 people at risk of developing the disease in their lifetime. n Parkinson’s UK Helpline: 0808 800 0303

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MEDICAL NOTES Spreda your daily protein to keep bones strong

Call me NOW!

Helen McLoughlin 0151 929 3912 helen@alltogethernow.org.uk

Brain app for memory loss?

A NEW app might help improve life for people living with Parkinson’s disease. People who used the MyCognition app regularly for 24 weeks reversed the decline in their ability to concentrate, make decisions, learn new things, and their memory. The study, carried out in the Netherlands, involved Parkinson’s patients with an average age of 64. Professor Bas Bloem, from Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, said: “These results, while promising, should be regarded as preliminary as we did not reach the anticipated sample size for this study. “We hope to confirm these findings in future larger studies, with a longer follow-up.”

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Books

My disability was kept from me for 46 years

n Cerebral Palsy: A Story: Finding the Calm After the Storm, by Ilana Estelle, RedDoor Press, priced £8.19

ILANA Estelle knew she was different, but for all the wrong reasons. Ilana was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in her 40s, and autism in her 50s. A remarkable memoir of self-acceptance and growth, the book charts Ilana’s journey from an often-confused child to a courageous woman. A child of the 60s, and the second of premature twins born an hour apart, she spent most of her life coping with a disability and symptoms she didn’t understand. Her struggles made her feel solated, misunderstood and alone – and it wasn’t until her CP diagnosis at the age of 46 and her autism diagnosis 10 years afterwards that she began to understand herself and her life.

Women on the run

n Marathon Mum: How One Woman’s Fight for Mental Health Inspired a Running Revolution, by Rachel Brown with Warren FitzGerald, £8.99

IN the late 1980s, Rachel Brown was having a great time travelling the world as a professional dancer. Fast forward several years and she’s back in Wirral, married, with the kids she always dreamed of, but the body she always dreaded. Rachel blames herself, spiralling into depression – until she discovers running. Other local women, struggling and vulnerable in their own ways, join her and together they form Mums to Marathons. M2Ms quickly became more than a running club – it became a social club, a support network and a sisterhood. Now, M2Ms is an inspirational community of more than 800 runners who have raised over £500,000 for charity. As well running in 10km races, halfmarathons and marathons, the women have trekked the Sahara, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and cycled from Vietnam to Cambodia.

SPRING 2021

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ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

the 28th could bring a shocking secret to light. It’s possible you’ll discover that a loved one has been struggling with an addiction. Pouring your energy into a fitness regimen will be a great use of your time at the beginning of April, and you could find yourself enjoyably immersed in a romantic relationship. If you’re single, ignore your family’s input and pursue the object of your desire. Follow a selfish impulse on the 26th, when the Full Moon shines its light on you.

An energetic pursuit of knowledge will characterise the opening days of March. This is a great time to attend an online class in a subject that has always fascinated you. Your charisma will shoot through the roof during the second half of the month; use it to open doors and win favours. An argument with your business or romantic partner could erupt on the 28th, due to a contentious Full Moon. You’re brimming with great ideas and can easily attract a loyal audience for them during the first half of April. Clashes with authority could occur in the middle of the month; don’t overestimate your power. The Full Moon on the 26th could put strain on an intimate relationship. Resist the urge to put so much emphasis on the physical part of your union.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

Neither a lender nor a borrower be during the second half of March; mixing friendship with finance could be disastrous. The Full Moon on the 28th could bring an end to a job. Secretly, you might be delighted. Although you’ll miss the regular income, it will be a relief to escape the company of odious colleagues. Onward and upward. Solitude is bliss during the opening days of April. Take this opportunity to daydream, develop creative projects and connect with your spiritual side. Your charisma will skyrocket in mid-April; use it to attract romantic, financial and creative opportunities. On the 26th, the Full Moon warns against making whimsical demands on your partner, or a breakup could be imminent.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st) A fabulous offer will be made near the 13th, courtesy of a lucky New Moon. Getting a highprofile position at an artistic, cultural, or charitable organisation is a distinct possibility. Beware of losing your heart to an irreverent charmer on the 28th, when the Full Moon could tempt you to steer a friendship into romantic waters. Your social side will be in full evidence at the start of April. Video conferences and online chats will keep your spirits high and creativity flowing. Don’t feel compelled to convert other people to your belief system, though; it’s best to adopt a live and let live approach to work relationships. The Full Moon on the 26th may prompt you to leave a job that bothers your conscience.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) Working behind the scenes is the best strategy in early March. The New Moon on the 13th could find you gaining admittance to an academic, cultural, or spiritual institution. Domestic troubles could surface on or around the 28th. That’s when the Full Moon will nudge you to find a place that feeds your needs instead of saps your energy. Occupying the spotlight will be a good use of your charisma at the start of April. Stop worrying so much about making a good impression and just be yourself. Your social life should sparkle during the middle of the month. On the 26th, the Full Moon will prompt you to abandon a romance or creative project that no longer thrills you. LEO (July 24th-August 23rd) Your allure is very strong throughout the first half of March. Use it to win favours and influence people. Money from a partnership or business alliance could arrive on the 13th, courtesy of an enriching New Moon. Spend this windfall on some luxury items that are near and dear to your heart. Mid-month

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

is good for attending to legal matters. April begins with a powerful desire to expand your horizons. On the 12th, the New Moon could prompt you to embark on a spiritual journey. a family reunion in mid-April will be lots more fun than expected. Don’t despair of a career path dries up on the 26th; the Full Moon will connect you with bigger and better professional opportunities.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

Be aggressive about pursuing career opportunities during the first half of March. The early bird will get the worm. The New Moon on the 13th could mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Striking a healthy work/life balance may be challenging during the middle of the month. On the 28th, the Full Moon could mark the end of a source of income. Passions will be running high at the beginning of April. The New Moon on the 12th could attract a financial windfall. A wonderful chance to expand your horizons will arrive soon; let an accomplished teacher take you under their wing.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

Promoting a political or social cause could make the opening days of March highly stimulating. The New Moon on the 13th could prompt you to embark on a health regimen. Making more time for rest and relaxation can improve your wellbeing. An intimate relationship will assume increasing importance during the middle of the month. A close relationship will be a profound source of pleasure at the start of April. The New Moon on the 12th is ideal for signing a contract, exchanging vows, or entering a creative collaboration. Your finances could pick up during the second half of the month, thanks to an inheritance or legal settlement. A crisis of conscience could occur on the 26th, due to a conflicted Full Moon.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Romance will play a big part in your life during the first half of the month. But work takes over! If you’re looking for a new job, you could find a good one during this period. The Full Moon on

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st) An energetic partnership will bring a smile to your face early in the month. Prepare to discover some hidden talents. Mid-March has romance written all over it. If you’re looking for love, you could find it with a competitor. Are you already in a relationship? It may feel like you’re enjoying a second honeymoon. The Full Moon on the 28th may prompt you to leave a group that no longer interests you. Love, romance and adventure will characterise the first half of April. Put responsibility on the back burner and take a few risks; you could use a few thrills. On the 12th, the New Moon will urge you to start a creative project that speaks to your heart. The Full Moon on the 26th may bring a shocking secret to light; brace yourself.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

A fitness regimen will be your focus at the start of March. Keeping active will allow you to release stress and remain productive. That will be helpful on the 13th, when the New Moon heaps additional responsibilities on your plate. The Full Moon on the 28th warns against accepting a career opportunity that sounds too good to be true. Sticking close to home will make you feel grounded at the beginning of April. Resist the temptation to work overtime during this period; your nearest and dearest need you more. The New Moon on the 12th could prompt you to launch a renovation project. By the time the Full Moon rises on the 26th, you may grow tired of a social group and leave its ranks.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

Working on a creative project could consume most of your time at the beginning of March. The New Moon on the 13th could drop a financial opportunity in your lap. Mid-month will find you spending more time on the domestic front. On the 28th, the Full Moon will bring an end to a legal matter. You might not be happy with the decision, but you will be relieved this situation has come to an end. Don’t be so quick to turn a casual romance into a serious commitment at the start of the month. It’s best to develop this relationship slowly. Turn a deaf ear to your inner critic during the middle of the month; you don’t want to talk yourself out of a marvellous plan.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

Your ability to blend in with the crowd will serve you well in the early days of the month. If you’ve ever wanted to become a social influencer, this is your time to try. The Full Moon on the 28th could put strain on your bank account. Paying off a big bill might be challenging. Opportunities to increase your income will abound at the beginning of April. Landing a job or contract with a university, hospital, or government agency is a strong possibility. If you’d like to start your own business, the New Moon on the 12th is an ideal time to do so. The Full Moon on the 26th may bring disappointing news; look for the silver lining to this cloud.

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PLANT OF THE SEASON:

HERE are 120 species of anemone flowering at different times of year, from striking blue Anemone blanda, sometimes opening in February, to tall, colourful Japanese hybrids for late-summer borders.

Some of the most intensely rich colours, mainly shades of scarlet and purple, belong to the De Caen and St Brigid groups of Anemone coronaria, which produce eye-catching displays from an unpropitious start of small, knobbly tubers. The single flowers of De Caen types are elegantly cup-shaped with rounded petals like a poppy. They are 5cm (2in) in diameter, with a large purple to black corona. Anemones in the St Brigid group have double or

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SPRING 2021

Anemone Coronaria

nicknamed windflowers – from the Greek anemos, meaning wind. Both groups should be planted in a sunny position in light soil – sandy, if possible – that dries out in summer after the anemones have flowered to give them a dry period of dormancy. They need generous mulching to protect the tubers through winter. The tubers are best planted in late spring for first full flowering the following year, though autumn planting is possible in sunny, sheltered positions. Anemones are perennials but coronaria may not continue to flourish and flower for more than four or five springs. Pests and diseases rarely attack the plants but mildew occasionally infects leaves and young shoots can be eaten by slugs and snails.

SUMMER STUNNERS! semi-double flowers, often in more restrained shades. Both kinds have a ruff of foliage beneath each flower, on 15cm-22cm (6in-9in) stems that make them good for cutting. Anemone coronaria originated in the Mediterranean region. Anemones in general are

WOW FACTOR: Gloriosa superba, Gladiolus ‘Prins Claus’, the purple Allium ‘Globemaster’ and the distinctive Zantedeschia ‘Zwartzwalder’ ANISH coronavirus blues by planting bulbs that will add a wow factor to borders and patio pots this summer.

If not sold in your local garden centre, all can be bought online. Get them planted before the end of April. Some have tongue-twisting names but their flowers are colourful, spectacular – and different. Choose from these stunners for the border: Ornamental onions, such as Allium ‘Globemaster’ (pictured) for a ball of purple a metre high and 15cm (6in) in diameter. Liatris spicata is nicknamed gayfeather because it produces fluffy-looking spikes, pinkish-purple or white. They are 60cm (2ft) long and bloom from the top in July and August. Many kinds of lily are fabulous and fragrant in borders or large pots. Among the best is sweetscented Lilium auratum, the golden-rayed lily. There is a huge choice of colourful gladioli, such

as Gladiolus ‘Prins Claus’ (pictured), which has elegant white flowers with splashes of deep pink on 70cm (28in) stems. This, like most varieties, is half-hardy – left in the ground, it tolerates temperatures down to freezing point or a little lower if given a protective mulch before winter. However, the tall Gladiolus papilio (yellow flowers with purple markings) is hardier and Gladiolus imbricatus, with red blooms on tall stems in late spring, is completely hardy. Plants in this next bunch are less hardy than the border bulbs above so are best grown in pots and protected in winter. They include the “pineapple

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flower”, Eucomis bicolour, which has a tuft of leaves on top of 50cm (1ft 8in) spikes packed with starry white or green flowers. Eucomis grow well in containers and a pot of three look especially impressive from July to October. Gloriosa superba, the glory lily (pictured), is really a conservatory variety but can be potgrown and moved to a sheltered, south-facing wall in June. It is a vine climbing to 2m (6ft 4in) and producing spectacular flowers with scarlet, sweptback petals, yellow at the base, and long curving stamens. Any part of the plant can be highly toxic if eaten. Even handling the tubers without gloves may irritate the skin. Zantedeschias, the arum lilies, last from spring into autumn and are long-flowering. Zantedeschia ‘Zwartzwalder’ (pictured) is a fine hybrid with spotted leaves and deep purple, funnel-shaped spathes on 20cm (8in) stems.

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CHECKLIST

FLOWERS: Trim lightly over aubrieta after flowering and give a generous liquid feed of high-potash fertiliser. Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as colchicum. In late April, sow lupin seeds in a nursery bed, 1.5cm (0.5in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart, for planting out in October and flowering next year. SHRUBS AND TREES: Overgrown forsythia shrubs can be cut back hard as soon as they have finished flowering. Remove the oldest stems to the ground to encourage new shoots. Trim winter-flowering heathers lightly when blooming ends. Do not prune shrubs and trees which have still to flower this year. LAWNS: If the lawn is in poor condition, April is the best time to apply a spring lawn feed, mosskiller or selective lawn weedkiller. PONDS: Reduce blanketweed by removing as much as possible and applying a proprietary treatment. FRUIT: Watch for the welldisguised green caterpillars of sawflies on gooseberries and for aphids on currants. Squash them or spray with a contact insecticide. Keep the soil round fruit plants free from grass and weeds. VEGETABLES: In April, sow easy veg like lettuce, radish, beetroot and carrot and, if you are more ambitious, cabbages, cauliflowers, sprouting broccoli, leeks, parsnips, spinach and peas. HERBS: Take cuttings of shrubby herbs such as sage, rosemary, thyme and cotton lavender. Take cuttings under a leaf joint, strip off all but two or three topmost leaves and set them in pots in cutting compost in a shady position. GLASS: Reduce the risk of plants rotting by opening greenhouses and cold frames on sunny days, closing them again by mid-afternoon. HOUSEPLANTS: Spring is a good time to take cuttings of many houseplants – cacti, succulents and plants with soft growth. Leave cuttings of woody houseplants until summer.

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The Accumulator Quiz

STARSPOT CROSSWORD Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this Starspot Crossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way then make a note of the letters contained in all the squares which are marked with shaded stars. These letters will make an anagram of the name you are looking for. 1

★

14 16

18 19

★

23 26

★

25 29

★ DOWN

1. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 17. 20. 24. 25. 26. 29.

Regulated (9) Motor coach (3) Reveal (7) Beauty parlour (5) Essence (4) Cook in hot fat (3) Ring (4) Attempt to deceive (inf.) (3-2) Part of the eye (6) Abduct (6) Heavenly messenger (5) Method (4) Mountain pass (3) Notable actor (4) Adroitness (5) Whale spear (7) Groove (3) Waterproof sheet (9)

A lumberjack A fish fryer A carpenter A computer engineer

A B C D

Buckingham Palace The Royal Mint Bank of England The Tower of London

Winnie-the-Pooh Paddington Bear Bagpuss Snoopy

A B C D

Beagle Dalmatian Boxer Labrador

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Arrecife Airport serves which holiday island? A B C D

Lanzarote Corfu Malta Ibiza

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: How many protruding ‘teeth’ does a standard beer bottle crown cap have? A B C D

12 15 18 21

A B C D

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: The ankh symbol is associated with which ancient civilisation?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Food writer Nigella Lawson brought out her first cookery book in 1998 entitled what? A B C D

Simply Nigella How to Eat Nigella Bites Nigella Christmas

A B C D

Round Robin Yankee Union Jack Tricast

A B C D

Sound frequency Resistance Magnetism Radiation

Lake Geneva Lake Constance Lake Lucerne Lake Neuchâtel

A B C D

Greek Roman Aztec Egyptian

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, was born in 1769 in which country?

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What name is given to a combination bet of six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold accumulator?

A B C D

Ireland France Belgium Germany

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: What, in 1607, became the first permanent English settlement in North America?

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: What is measured in hertz?

A B C D

Boston Jamestown Norfolk Richmond

KAKURO

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not have to guess.

EASY

Ernest Hemingway V.S. Naipaul William Faulkner Joseph Conrad

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Which lake is on the border of France and Switzerland?

Food writer Nigella Lawson. See Question 7

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: In the Wallace and Gromit films, which breed of dog is Gromit?

Wet earth (3) Ship’s hoist (5) Regulation (4) Hypothesis (6) Bowl (4) Inflatable bag (7) Wading bird (9) Heart regulator (9) Old French currency (5) Bumpkin (5) Beverage (3) Zero (3) Shining (7) Ground squirrel (6) Goblin (5) Short sketch (4) Operatic song (4) Religious woman (3)

A B C D

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: Which of the following characters has a passion for marmalade? A B C D

Dog Rat Monkey Cat

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Who wrote the novel Heart of Darkness?

SUDOKU

6 1 5

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: In Erwin Schrodinger’s thought experiment, which animal is said to be both dead and alive?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Where are the Crown Jewels held?

★

ACROSS

16. 18. 19. 21. 22. 23. 27. 28. 30. 31.

★

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

A B C D

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: Which of the following workers would be called a chippy?

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DIFFICULT

5 7 2 1 3 8

3 4

1 5

1 4 2 9 3 5 7 2 1 8 4 2 7 6 9 3 6

7 2

8 6 7

8 8

5 1 1 4 4 5

1 3

7 4 6 8 5

Fill in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it. Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners. You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

MEDIUM 16

20 6

11 22 18 6

17 21

22 7 16

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

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Telephone dialling pads combine several letters on one key. Here we have encoded several sets of words or items by using numbers rather than letters. Then we have divided them into groups of three characters and run all the names one after another to make your task a little more difficult. Can you crack the codes?

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

1 []’–

PETER

–––

PIPE

POISON

–––

LEAGUE

SCHOOL

––––

HOUSE

KEY

––––

LET

WITH

––––––––

FREE

––––––

ABLE

photographers 3. famous past and present 232 451 232 866 132 843 122 453 914 844 123 245 126 643 154 326 848 912 784 871 339 273 713 742 146 754 641 567 317 669 336 126 735 123 267

4. freshwater fish 737 241 762 241 836 241 322 312 482 192 633 717 842 553 222 514 834 366 174 531 472 954 641 227 235 122 771 276 961 876 881 253 251 646 669

5. girls’ first names 324 791 523 313 248 417 274 714 673 147 223 127 745 126 725 165 483 173 275 124 377 914 663 912 623 715 863 178 291 545 917 366 912 797 825

6. items used in the kitchen 772 885 219 663 361 776 661 246 774 641 262 731 226 167 363 717 682 861 627 437 142 754 217 737 712 433 731 472 837 134 741 754 231 743 83

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 18 rooms and parts of a house.

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 00?

O N

W E

U M O O

S F

E F

C O

A T

WORD WIZARD Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

M B O

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out a type of meal.

2. procedures 858 727 686 312 566 318 726 738 746 617 546 147 238 172 346 843 727 917 446 675 278 912 656 786 691 447 173 752 236 368 142 787 421 297 277

PATHWORDS

MISSING LINK

operations and hospital

1. Doctor Who villains 647 715 495 381 473 281 468 355 443 623 182 748 216 372 321 229 672 256 331 677 144 559 356 937 122 582 927 152 639 162 612 646 871 328 767

B E D

PUTEAL

1) A flat-

bottomed boat

E M T

In which year did all three of these significant historical events take place?

1. US astronauts undertake a spacewalk to free jammed solar panels and resurrect the Skylab project.

U N G E D O M N TRANSFORMER

O R

MAKE A DATE

2. Princess Anne marries Captain Phillips in Westminster Abbey.

propelled by a paddle; 2) A wall round the top of a well;

Mark

3) A fine-bristled

3. Liam Cosgrave becomes Irish prime minister in a coalition between the Fine Gael and Labour parties.

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word.

Clue: Cross borne first by family.

brush used for painting

WAS IT? a) 1969; b) 1971; c) 1973; d) 1975; e) 1977.

____ +B=B____

pottery.

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords - attic; conservatory; garage; basement; kitchen; lounge; bedroom; pantry; study; porch; larder; en suite; oﬃce; bathroom; wardrobe; nursery; hall; playroom.

9 1 3 2 7 6 5 4 8

6 5 7 1 8 4 3 2 9

8 4 2 3 5 9 7 1 6

5 6 1 8 2 3 9 7 4

SUDOKU EASY

7 9 4 5 6 1 2 8 3

2 3 8 4 9 7 1 6 5

3 8 5 6 1 2 4 9 7

1 7 6 9 4 5 8 3 2

4 2 9 7 3 8 6 5 1

4 7 1 3 2 6 8 5 9

3 2 5 9 4 8 6 7 1

6 9 8 1 7 5 3 2 4

8 3 2 7 6 4 9 1 5

)

; 0 6

9 : <

7 * ' + &

2 (

CROSS CODE

7 6 9 2 5 1 4 3 8

5 1 4 8 9 3 2 6 7

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

1 4 6 5 3 9 7 8 2

2 8 3 4 1 7 5 9 6

9 5 7 6 8 2 1 4 3

16 7 22 4

1 6 18

22 8

8 21 17

5 8

7 16

4 1 5

1 2 8 4 22 11

6 20

KAKURO MEDIUM

1 9 6

8 27

3 6

7 9 16

Accumulator Quiz 1 – C; 2 – D; 3 – B; 4 – A; 5 – A; 6 – D; 7 – B; 8 – B; 9 – A; 10 – D; 11 – D; 12 – A; 13 – D; 14 – A; 15 – B. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Moderated; 6 Bus; 8 Divulge; 9 Salon; 10 Pith; 11 Fry; 13 Hoop; 14 Try-on; 16 Cornea; 18 Kidnap; 19 Angel; 21 Mode; 22 Col; 23 Star; 27 Knack; 28 Harpoon; 30 Rut; 31 Tarpaulin. Down – 1 Mud; 2 Davit; 3 Rule; 4 Theory; 5 Dish; 6 Balloon; 7 Sandpiper; 10 Pacemaker; 11 Franc; 12 Yokel; 14 Tea; 15 Nil; 17 Radiant; 20 Gopher; 24 Troll; 25 Skit; 26 Aria; 29 Nun. Star Name: HAROLD PINTER

Word Wizard No 2 is correct. A puteal is a wall. Dialling Codes 1. Miss Kizlet; Great Intelligence; Vashta Nerada; Abzorbaloﬀ; Mrs Gillyﬂower; Baltazar; Kandy Man; Animus; Davros. 2. ultrasound; blood transfusion; skin graft; radiotherapy; rhinoplasty; colostomy; hip replacement; gastric bypass. 3. Cecil Beaton; David Bailey; Hugh Cecil; Annie Liebovitz; Arthur Edwards; Eric Hosking; Lord Snowden; Ansel Adams. 4. perch; roach; tench; dace; chub; zander; stickleback; gudgeon; pike; grayling; barbel; carp; brown trout; bleak; minnow.

5. Daisy; Jade; Faith; Paris; Hope; Grace; April; Coral; Olive; Pearl; Cherry; Honey; Amber; June; Ruby; Lily; Penny; Crystal. 6. spatula; wooden spoon; chopping board; can opener; potato masher; garlic press; cheese grater; ﬁsh slice; sieve. Spot Check A = 3; B = 6; C = 1; D = 4; E = 2; F = 5. Missing Link pan; ivy; cook; note; interest; credit. Meal: picnic. Make a Date The year was 1973. Transformer Rood + B = Brood.

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A whole new ball game for blind GIVING BACK: Wheelchair basketball star Sophie Carrigill has become a new patron of the Back Up charity

Sophie — the ideal Back Up T

HE woman who helped the GB wheelchair basketball squad to its greatest Paralympic success has now joined the team that launched her journey to the top. Sophie Carrigill has become a patron of the Back Up charity – ten years after she learned first-hand the value of the national spinal cord injury charity. Now 26, and looking forward to competing in the postponed Tokyo Paralympics, Sophie was a regular user of the Back Up activities aftersustaining a spinal cord injury in a car accident. Sophie, who co-captained Great Britain’s wheelchair basketball team to fourth place at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, said: “I’m thrilled to join the Back Up team. “Before I was injured I hadn’t considered living life with a disability, and I didn’t think I would be able to continue playing sport, let alone at the Paralympic level. “I know first-hand how important

stay ahead of the game . . .

Back Up’s services are to rebuilding your confidence and independence. With their support, I was able to try new things I hadn’t thought possible, like abseiling and canoeing. They helped me regain my competitive nature and understand that I could still live an active life.”

Full life

Back Up’s chief executive Abigail Lock said: “Sophie’s joined us on a number of courses, taken part in fundraising challenges, and recently shared her injury journey with others in our online forum. “She’s showing that it is possible to live a full life after spinal cord injury – demonstrating our core values of fun and challenge down to a tee.”

n Back Up provides practical services that challenge the perceptions of what’s possible after spinal cord injury and supports people to live the lives they want. Tel. 020 8875 1805

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A RANGE of new sports equipment has been launched to help blind people get into sport. Footballs approved by the International Blind Sports Association, basketballs, and a running tether for people who enjoy running with a guide are among the new items. Supplied by the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the balls make a rattling sound when in motion. A limited number of footballs carry the signature of RNIB services director David Clarke who had a football career spanning 17 years and has been part of Great Britain’s squad in three Paralympics. David said: “Playing football has been a major part of my life so I am delighted that this great range of accessible sports equipment is available.

Brilliant

“RNIB works to make the world a more inclusive place for people with sight loss and this equipment is a brilliant way of ensuring they can enjoy playing sport just like anybody else.” Mikey Poulli, 10, lost his sight at the age of seven due to rod cone dystrophy. An up and coming football star, Mikey said: “I love playing with RNIB’s Blue Flame football – its sound is amazing, and it has made the game even more enjoyable for me. “I’ve always loved playing football. My dream is to one day play for England. n RNIB Helpline: 0303 123 9999

Tel 0151 230 0307

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SPRING 2021

Tokyo is now in their sights . . .

HE first members of the ParalympicsGB squad have been named for the rescheduled Tokyo Games. Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “We are heartened by the confidence shown by the Tokyo 2020 organising committee and the International Paralympic Committee that the Games will take place safely and securely this summer.” Paralympic medallists Matt Skelhon and James Bevis, alongside fellow rifle shooters Tim Jeffery, Ryan Cockbill, Lorraine Lambert and pistol shooter Issy Bailey are the first confirmed members of an anticipated ParalympicsGB team of around 240 athletes from 19 sports. Ms Briscoe said: “This is a memorable moment for ParalympicsGB on our journey to Tokyo as we welcome the first members of the team. “We recognise these are incredibly challenging times for all of us and athletes’ health and wellbeing has

stay ahead of the game . . .

been at the heart of all our preparation and planning. “In securing their places, all six athletes have demonstrated they have what it takes to compete on the biggest stage of all and I look forward to closely following their progress both in the coming months and in Tokyo.” All six athletes have Paralympic Games experience under their belts. For Skelhon and Bevis, Tokyo 2020 will be their fourth Games and another opportunity to add to their medal collection.

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Reigning double world champion Skelhon said: “In such tough times, the Games are a massive thing to look forward to. I feel extremely privileged to be part of such an amazing team. ”We are so lucky to have a strong support team behind us that have worked very hard to give us the opportunity to continue to train and prepare safely and securely. “I feel very proud and excited.” Duncan Tunbridge, British Shooting’s

Paralympic Team Leader, said: “Being the first athletes selected to ParalympicsGB gives this experienced group time to prepare fully for the Games. “The athletes and staff have shown incredible resilience over the past year as competitions have been cancelled and they have spent considerable time training in their home environments. “I am confident that the hard work they have continued to put in under such difficult circumstances will stand them in good stead for Tokyo.” ParalympicsGB captured the imagination of the British public at London 2012 winning 120 medals in front of sell-out crowds with countless memorable performances. The team eclipsed that performance at Rio 2016 winning an outstanding 147 medals including 64 golds to finish second in the overall medal table.

n The rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be staged from August 24 to September 5.

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Tel 0151 230 0307

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COST-EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING More than a newspaper – the key to independence

All Together NOW! has been a real help to us. We’ve been involved with the paper since its launch in 2004 and always get a great response to our adverts. Here’s wishing the paper every success — Steve Curran, co-director, DaVinci Mobility “OF ALL the marketing that United Utilities puts into the community, nothing generates as much feedback and response as All Together NOW! It is a great platform that’s helping us to get our messages to our vulnerable customers.” — Louise Beardmore, Customer Services Director United Utilities

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“WE HAVE supported All Together NOW! for the past 14 years and are proud to be one of the charity’s main sponsors – recognition for the way in which the newspaper helps bring together so many people and organisations. There is no doubting the importance of this excellent publication. We know from the number of telephone calls we receive from people who have read the paper that distribution is on the increase and is reaching the right audience.” — Steve Morgan OBE, chairman Steve Morgan Foundation

www.alltogethernow.org.uk Registered Charity: 1106387

MEET THE TEAM

‘I’m looking forward to working with so many organisations’

EET Helen McLoughlin . . . All Together NOW!’s first ever Development Officer. Thanks to some fantastic funding from the Government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Steve Morgan Foundation, Helen is now responsible for all advertising, sponsorships and funding opportunities. Helen said: “I’ve been fortunate to have had a long and rewarding career

with the Liverpool Echo, Trinity and Reach. “My goal now is to ensure that All Together NOW! becomes an even

— HELEN McLOUGHLIN

better publication that can help even more people and organisations across the region.” One of Helen’s first aims is to forge more relationships with public sector bodies. “All Together NOW! is perfectly placed to help health trusts and councils get vital messages to huge numbers of readers who are faced with disability and long-term health issues,” she said.

Ex-Echo and Reach boss is our new trustee

E ARE also delighted to welcome former top newspaper executive Carl Wood to our Board of Trustees.

Carl has 28 years’ experience in the media industry. Before joining us, he was Regional Managing Director of Reach plc North West, North Wales and West Yorkshire, which included responsibility for the Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News and Reach Sport UK print and digital businesses. Carl said: “I’m really delighted to join the team. All Together NOW! is a terrific charity that’s helping huge numbers of people all over the region — and beyond. “The newspaper has become a lifeline for countless numbers of readers, and I’m really looking forward to working with our other trustees so that we can make it even better for everyone.” Previously, Carl was also chief executive and

trustee of ‘In Their Name - The Halo’ antislavery charity based in Liverpool; a member of the Merseyside Leadership Board for Business in the Community (BITC); a board member on the University of Chester Business Advisory Council, and a director of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he is a non-exec director of Cockbain & Associates Wealth Management Company; a director on the executive board of the Liverpool BID Company; a consultant for SOG Ltd on the Liverpool City Region’s beacon project ‘Heath Park’, and an advisory board member on Liverpool Hope University’s Business School SEARCH project.

n All Together NOW! ’s other trustees are Andy Churchill, Mark Hancock, Joel Jelen, Jim Parkinson and Phil Wellings. Sadly, during the past year Eileen Eastwood and Nancy James died. They were great supporters and are deeply missed.

NEW TRUSTEE: Carl Wood

TRUSTEES: From left, Andy Churchill, Mark Hancock, Jim Parkinson, Phil Wellings, and Joel Jelen

OUR PROUD PARTNERS

All Together NOW! was established in 2004 with funding from the former North West Development Agency, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, and a number of other grants. Since then the charity has gone from strength to strength, winning a string of community and media awards, and attracting funding from a number of charitable trusts.

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