June july 2013 web by All Together Now

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NEWS

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Lord Mayor’s very special pledge FROM RAGS TO ROBES: Born and raised in the slums of Edinburgh, Councillor Gary Millar has overcome plenty of disadvantages. Now he is determined to ensure that more disabled people have better chances in life . . .

My £1m goal for disability charities . . .

IVERPOOL’s new Lord Mayor aims to raise £1m for disability charities during his term of office.

Councillor Millar said his decision to promote disability and special needs causes was prompted by the discovery, at five-years-old, that he had a younger brother who had been born severely disabled because of Thalidomide poisoning. “I went into hospital to have my adenoids out, and the nurse brought over this little bundle of a baby and said ‘here is your brother’. “He was incredibly ill and could not hear or speak. He had such a fragile skull he had to wear a crash helmet and bandages. I burst into tears when I saw him.” Because of his mother’s ill health, Cllr Millar spent time in

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and out of foster homes, but went from being what he described as the “dunce” at his primary school to being a high achiever at secondary school. He was also holding down an after-school job in a groceries market and keeping the family together, doing the cooking and cleaning when he got home. With the compensation paid out by the Distillers Corporation for their liability for the Thalidomide scandal, the family were able to move out of the Edinburgh council slums and into their own home. Cllr Millar was eventually to leave Scotland, going on to become an advisor to both Labour’s Hugh Brown and

Conservative Malcolm Rifkind. The former Liberal Democrat, who defected to Labour in 2011, said his targeted charities include the Michael Causer Foundation, set up in memory of the gay Liverpool teenager who was killed in 2009 in a gang attack. He will also be teaming up with Sir Paul McCartney’s eldest daughter, Mary, to work to raise money for the Linda McCartney cancer appeal. The Variety Club of Great Britain will also benefit from his support, as well as the Whitechapel centre for the homeless. One of his schemes for raising money includes being the first ever First Citizen to have a text message fundraising scheme, where people can send money by texting “LMAY13£” and an amount to 70070.

Fears grow over rail hate crime ONE in four disabled rail passengers has suffered a hate crime or abuse, according to the TUC’s Action for Rail campaign. The poll of 1,031 disabled people reveals that over a quarter (27 per cent) of disabled rail users have been targeted while at stations or on trains, with over two-fifths of wheelchair users (43 per cent) and travellers with visual impairments (41 per cent) reporting abuses. The survey, by pollsters Survation, comes as train operating companies prepare to embark upon a major programme of cuts that Action for Rail fears could see the loss of 7,000 train guards and 7,000 station staff over the next six years. The plans are deeply unpopular with disabled rail users, the poll reveals. Four-fifths (81 per cent) say reducing staff numbers will make train travel more difficult for them, with one in three (34 per cent) warning the cuts will deter them from making journeys, and in some cases make rail travel impossible. Action for Rail says the findings show why the Government should rethink its plans for the railways, which give train companies until 2019 to reduce staffing costs by £200million and close ticket offices at 650 stations. Linda Burnip, from Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC), said: “These alarming figures back up what we already know - abuse and hate crime is a growing threat faced by many disabled people. We need extra not fewer staff if we want to tackle this problem and this is yet another regressive step being proposed by this Government.”

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All Together NOW! is already reaching almost HALF A MILLION readers right across the great North West. Almost 10,000 copies of your free and favourite charity health paper are being picked up every week from supermarkets, health centres and visitor attractions. And the feedback we’ve been getting from you over these past eight years has been terrific! But we want to get even more news and information to even more people. Our action-packed website already attracts thousands of hits and is the perfect place for readers wanting specific info on all sorts of disability matters.

We are now hoping to get the funding to develop our whole social media programme! For starters, we believe an exciting and regular e-newsletter – bursting with news updates and opportunities – will be an invaluable help for thousands of people affected by disability and ill health. It might also be ideal for those of you who can’t wait to pick up the next print issue, and for relatives and friends who live in other parts of the UK and beyond! We also think a Facebook page will be extremely useful - as will a regular tweeting and twittering service! We’re convinced that all this will be great for readers AND it will also help our sponsors, partners and advertisers to get

their messages out to potentially millions of people. But to get the funding to launch the social media programme we need YOUR help. If you think a new online service will help you even more than the paper is currently doing then please send us your email address and home town (so that we can keep tabs on how farAll Together NOW! is reaching). Sharing other details with us will be also a big help with our funding bids. You can also email the details to: info@alltogethernow.org.uk To show our appreciation we will enter all email addresses into a prize draw to win a super Kindle reader.

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Minister blasts TUC in new benefit row DISABILITY Minister Esther McVey has dismissed criticisms from the TUC and disability rights campaigners about the new benefits system, which has started to take effect in the North West. “Suggestions from the TUC that we are cutting disability payments by 20% are untrue,” the minister said. The minister also dismissed claims made by Disability Rights UK that the Government was restricting the highest rate of Mobility payment for those who cannot walk 20 meters. “This is not true,” she said. “People will still be able to get the higher rate if they cannot walk this distance safely reliably and repeatedly in a timely fashion.” Disability Rights UK is hoping a Judicial Review in July, being taken by three disabled people against the new mobility test, will clarify the situation. www.gov.uk/pip-checker SOUNDING OFF: Sir Bert Massie p18

Student shocker ONE IN FIVE students consider themselves to have a mental health problem, according to new research by the National Union of Students. And almost one in eight have suicidal thoughts. But students are not seeking help because of the stigma surrounding mental health.

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Ignite your life! READERS affected by mental health issues are invited to the ‘Ignite Your Life’ event at Walton Gardens, Warrington on July 10 (12.30-4.30pm). Dave Thompson, assistant director of Inclusion & Partnerships of 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Whether you have questions about alternative therapy, exercise, healthy food choices, emotional support, or simply want to see what’s out there ‘Ignite Your Life’ is the event for you.” Contact Bernadette Fitzpatrick, tel 01925 664057.

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‘We want a Minister for sign language’ LEADING deafness charities have urged the Government to renew its efforts in supporting British Sign Language. Signature, the British Deaf Association and the Royal Association for Deaf People are calling for MPs to sign the Early Day Motion 1167 that proposes a responsible named minister for British Sign Language and a fresh report on the subject. The call to action comes ten years after the Government’s official recognition of BSL as a ‘language in its own right regularly used by a significant number of people’. Though there has been an improvement in support for BSL users over the last 10 years, the charities say that this has been uncoordinated. Research by the charities shows that BSL users still find it hard to access health, education and other services, as well as employment, due to a lack of public awareness and interpreters. There are 820,500 people in the UK who are severely or profoundly deaf.

Wheelchair satnav A NEW satnav system for the car and for personal use is set to streamline travel for people with mobility problems. The device will provide wheelchair users with a safe and reliable way of using road and pedestrian routes, says Navevo, the UK's leading navigation software specialists. Disabled parking bays, accessible car parks, toilets and leisure facilities are also incorporated. It also features a "carer alert" allowing the user to select the type of assistance they require at the press of a button. A message is then automatically sent to a service centre, and then relayed to a chosen carer, along with the user's location.

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Carers in dire need of help . . .

A WHEEL HERO: Claire with the bike that got her through her latest challenge

400 miles for a cure . . . PARALYSED mum Claire Lomas shocked the world by walking last year’s London Marathon in 17 days in a robotic suit. Now Claire, 33, has added another personal best to her CV by completing a gruelling 400-mile handbike ride. The Nottingham-to-London ride took three weeks, taking in 161 towns. Afterwards, Claire said: “This has been the toughest mental and physical challenge of

my life, a lot harder than last year’s London Marathon. “I’m relieved to have finished but so grateful to everyone that has text donated along the way, it’s what kept me going through the really hard days. “My cycle may be over but the search for a cure for paralysis isn’t, so after a few days of rest, I’ll start planning my next fundraising challenge.” During the cycle challenge Claire visited schools to raise awareness

about the work of Spinal Research and the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, for which she has so far raised £72,000. Six years ago Claire was left paralysed in a riding accident at the Osberton horse trials in Nottinghamshire. She collided with a tree, which resulted in fractures to her neck, back, and ribs. She was discharged from the unit after eight weeks – the shortest time anyone has ever spent in that hospital with her type of injury.

SUMMIT TO SING ABOUT: Karen and the team at the top of Cadair Idris

Autism-friendly Vue VUE Cinemas have joined ODEON and Cineworld to provide autism-friendly screenings of top films. Dimensions, a not-for-profit organisation for people with autism and learning disabilities, says that more than 38,000 visits have already been made to monthly screenings provided at 90 ODEON and 21 Cineworld venues. Vue’s new screenings start in 78 cinemas on June 30, and will be held on the last Sunday of each month. Cinema adjustments include eliminating adverts, leaving lighting on low and turning the sound down. One parent said: “This is such a blessing to us. We could not go to any other screenings with our two boys, one of whom has Aspergers.” n Dimensions, tel 0300 3733730 For details of all films and locations visit: www.dimensionsuk.org/autismfilms

Snowdonia: the hard way P

ARALYMPIAN Karen Darke became the first handcyclist to scale Cadair Idris, one of the highest mountains in Snowdonia. Karen, 25, was among a team of four disabled cyclists attempting g the gruelling challenge, organised by the ‘Challenge your Boundaries’ mountain bike project

based at the Coed y Brenin Trail centre.. It took Karen just six hours to reach the summit, with Adrian Disney’s team following on about an hour later. Keith Robinson and Paul Robinson also both exceeded their personal goals, reaching the 560m contour, and the pillow lava below the summit cone respectively. Graham O’Hanlon, who

coordinated the ride, was extremely happy with the event: “Two riders at the summit was a brilliant outcome. This has been a massively rewarding day for everyone involved.”.” The challenge has so far raised over £2,000 for Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team, Walking with the Wounded, Challenge your Boundaries, and Mawddach Rotary Club

MILLIONS of family carers are unnecessarily putting their health at risk – simply because they don’t know what support is available to them, says a leading disability charity. In response to a Royal College of General Practitioners’ report that found that 40% of carers were thought to be at risk of depression because of their caring role, the Vitalise charity say this may be just the tip of the iceberg. A recent study, in which Vitalise collated the findings of research conducted over the past five years, revealed that many carers don’t see themselves as carers because they are unpaid and/or see it as a family duty. As a result they don’t realise they are entitled to statutory support and may be putting their mental and physical wellbeing at risk. Chris Simmonds, the charity’s chief executive, said: “The RCGP report highlights the incredible physical and mental toll that caring for a loved one with a disability can take. “How many millions more may be struggling on at home, unaware that their caring role entitles them to support? “Clearly more needs to be done to reach out to this army of invisible carers across the UK.” n Vitalise, 0303 303 0145

Wigan’s day WIGAN’S first Independent Living Family Fun Day is attracting plenty of interest from right across the region. The event takes place on Saturday, June 29, at Pennington Flash Country Park and is organised by Apex Health + Social Care and the Wigan and Leigh Disability Partnership. n Contact Janine Yeates, tel 0845 600 30 401

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New pendant that recognises falls

WIN A TRIP TO IRELAND! Stena Line unveils new look ships for Liverpool-Belfast route

EADING ferry company Stena Line has teamed up with All Together NOW! to give one lucky reader – and THREE of their friends or family – the chance to enjoy a Supercruise across the Irish Sea in a cabin on their newly refurbished ships, the Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey.

With improved facilities – including spacious cabins with disabled access – customers can now enjoy the most relaxing way to travel from Liverpool to Belfast. Diane Poole, Stena’s head of PR and Communications, said: “Our customers now have the opportunity to travel in style and cruise across the Irish Sea.

“We have invested in new lounge areas, kids’ play area and in our food offering. We have also upgraded our Outside Cabins and Family Cabins and have introduced five new Comfort Class Cabins, which offer the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. “We also have free Wi-Fi and complimentary use of iMacs in our Pod Lounge. “The cabins are really the icing on the cake as our Family Cabins now offer a fridge with complimentary soft drinks, fruit bowl and a TV and DVD with a range of family films.” For your chance to win a sailing for a car and four passengers, simply answer this question: You can now enjoy a Supercruise with

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Stena Line sailing across which body of water between Liverpool and Belfast? A. Mediterranean Sea B. Irish Sea C. Red Sea Answers to: Stena Competition, All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. Please state which cabin you would like (subject to availability) and tell us what you think of All Together NOW! – and where you picked up your copy. You can also enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk Closing date, Friday July 25 The prize will be valid until October 31. n Stena Line: 08447 70 70 70 www.stenaline.co.uk.

A NEW personal alarm has been launched that automatically raises help if the wearer has a fall. One of the world’s most sophisticated alarms, it can immediately detect a fall. The pendant-style device, from the telehealthcare provider Tunstall, is likely to replace tens of thousands of the 1.7m “red button” pendants currently used in the UK. The alarm wirelessly connects with a base station in the home of the person using the system. Once the fall is detected, the base station dials the response centre and an operator uses the powerful loudspeaker in the home unit to talk to the person and arrange appropriate help. The pendant is also the only device that automatically notifies the telecare response centre if it has not registered movement for a period of time. Falls are the leading cause of death resulting from injury in people aged above 75 in the UK and a major cause of disability – 14,000 people die annually as a result of a hip fracture. Age UK says one-in-three people over 65 suffer a fall each year, costing the NHS an estimated £4.6m a day. n Telecarehealth Helpine: 0844 855 1564 n www.tunstall.com

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Top marks from parents

Calling all stores . .

PARENTS of children with multiple, complex health needs have given a massive thumbs up to LCH’s Children’s Community Matron Service.

A NEW way to help people with communication disabilities do their shopping is proving a big success. And LCH’s Speech & Language Therapy Team is now appealing to local supermarkets and shops throughout Liverpool to support the ‘Giving Voice’ campaign by increasing retail staff’s knowledge of how to support customers with aphasia and other communications disabilities. Anita Williams, Principal Speech and Language Therapist for LCH, said: “Feedback from our patients suggests that many simple, everyday activities such as having a conversation with a stranger or buying something in a shop can become a source of profound frustration and anxiety for a person who acquires aphasia. “This awareness campaign is all about helping people in frontline customer service roles know what to do when they meet someone who has a speech or language difficulty.” The team has created a “handy hints” style poster for supermarkets and shops to display among retail staff. The team is also offering to deliver tailored training sessions to retailers and businesses, and exploring the possibility of developing a Shoppers Charter. n Contact Liverpool’s Adult Speech and Language Therapy Department on 0151 296 7403.

Join the party!

PARTY TIME: Groups are invited to highlight their services to disabled people at the fun event in July

Come and tell parents about your charity

Once the initiative launches, many young wheelchair users across the city will be able to be clinically assessed and provided with a new wheelchair, all on the same day. The fun day takes place at the Lifehouse centre from 10am-2pm on Friday, July 5, and will be attended by children with disabilities from special schools across Liverpool, their teachers and parents. And it will be a chance for them to take part in a wide range of

wheelchair-based sports, games and fun activities. The event will also provide a ‘market stall’ area where they can pick up health information and advice, and find out more about the some of the many different leisure activities, sports teams, and interest groups available in their area. Christine McGhee, Service Manager for Liverpool Wheelchair Service which is run by Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust said: “The Children’s Wheelchair in a

IVERPOOL’S Wheelchair Service is hosting a community fun day to celebrate the launch of its new Children’s Wheelchair in a Day scheme – and want other local organisations to get involved.

Day scheme is a fantastic new initiative that will totally transform the way wheelchairs are provided to children and their families. “This event is all about celebrating this exciting new development with our young service users, and inspiring them about the many different opportunities which are available to them.” The Liverpool Wheelchair Service is delivered by Liverpool Community Health, and is based at the Lifehouse centre on Summers Road at Brunswick Business Park. n To find out more about getting involved the event, contact the Communications Team on 0151 295 3179 or email: LCH.Communications@ liverpoolch.nhs.uk

Highlights from a recent patient satisfaction survey revealed: n 100% of parents surveyed said they were treated with high levels of dignity and respect, and had high levels of confidence and trust in the staff treating their child. n 100% of parents said that they completely understood when the health professional explained their child’s treatment to them, and felt as involved as they wanted to be in decisions about their child’s care. n 100% also said that they were extremely likely to recommend this service to their friends, family or work colleagues, rating the service either as “Excellent”, “Very Good’ or “Good”. Sheila Dalby, Divisional Manager of Children’s Services for Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, said: “We are really delighted with the findings of the survey, and the very positive parent feedback highlighted through it. “Our Children’s Community Matrons have a strong track record for providing high standards of care to children with multiple, complex health needs, and these latest results are a huge credit to their ongoing commitment and hard work.”

Doing us proud!

To find out more, visit . . .

FOR the fourth consecutive year, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust will be official partner to Liverpool Pride, the festival celebrating the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture. Bernie Cuthel, chief executive at LCH, said, “We are proud to be official partners of Liverpool Pride again this year, underlining our commitment to supporting our communities. “The Trust is committed to providing high quality community healthcare services, which are inclusive to all, easily accessible and effectively represent and support the diverse range of communities that we serve across Liverpool, Sefton and Merseyside.” The Trust was recently placed

second nationally for its engagement with LGBT communities and is also one of Stonewall’s Top 100 Healthcare Employers. During Liverpool Pride, members of the LCH team will be distributing free health advice and encouraging people to sign up to become members of the NHS Trust in order to have a greater say in how their local health services are run. LCH provides a number of services aimed at the LGBT community, including Armistead, a health initiative that has been providing holistic support around sexual health and wellbeing for over 20 years. n Liverpool Pride – August 3, www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

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New guide

Alison is here to provide vital support CHILDREN with brain injuries can often struggle with memory or behaviour – while parents simply don’t know how to help them. Now The Children’s Trust, Tadworth, a charity that helps rehabilitate children with an acquired brain injury, has created a new role providing valuable help and support. Based at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, Tadworth brain injury coordinator Alison Fletcher will give children who have suffered a brain injury through accident or illness access to specialist support.

Physiotherapist Alison said: “Many children who have had a mild or moderate brain injury are left with problems that too often get overlooked and a child might struggle to cope in the subsequent weeks as they try to settle back in at home or school.” Denise Bluck, the mother of a 14year-old who suffered a traumatic brain injury from a gymnastics accident, said: “What a relief it was when Alison made contact with our family! “Alison liaised with the consultant and school and has visited us as a

Who’ll look after our children . . ?

ARENTS of children with learning disabilities need more help planning for the future – including what will happen when they are no longer there.

That was the message from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities at the launch of its new campaign, Thinking Ahead, which aims to highlight the distress felt by parents over who will care for their son or daughter when they die. The campaign will also call attention to the need for a national and local policy to support families in making plans for the future. The number of adults with learning disabilities in England over the age of 65 is

family and explained what was and wasn’t realistic in terms of activity levels, particularly as our daughter was extremely keen to start going back to her gymnastic training in some limited capacity.” The post has been funded entirely through donations and follows the success of the award-winning Tadworth brain injury co-ordinator post at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, established in 2011. n The Children’s Trust, Tadworth. Tel. 01737 365000. www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk SUPPORT: Alison

Top marks!

NATIONAL charity Contact a Family has welcomed the Children’s Commissioner for England’s report into illegal exclusions, Always Someone Else’s Problem. A spokesman said: “We welcome the fact that the Children’s Commissioner’s report highlights that children with SEN are more likely to be illegally excluded from school. “This mirrors our own research, Falling Through The Net, that revealed disabled predicted to double in the next two decades. children being routinely illegally With 60% living with their families, and a excluded from school – third of these with a family carer over 70, the sometimes on a daily or weekly need to plan for a future without parental care basis. is becoming increasingly important. “For disabled children who But local authorities are not required to already need more support than provide support for such planning. their peers, this withdrawal of Christine Towers, research manager at the education is having a FPLD, said: “Given the anxiety felt by these devastating impact on their families, it cannot be right that there is no progress and attainment, as requirement for local authorities to have a well as their mental health. clear system for planning the future.” “In addition, parent carers of The Foundation is launching its own guide, disabled children told us that designed with help from families and carers. illegal exclusions mean they are n FPLD, 020 7803 1100. unable to work or are forced to www.learningdisabilities.org.uk HOT SEAT: Azaria in her TravelChair with mum Caroline take a lot of time off work.”

Personal Independence Payment has arrived Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16-64 is being replaced by a new benefit, the Personal Independence Payment. Over 2 million people will be affected. The next two years will also see the biggest changes to the benefits system since the introduction of the welfare state.

Stay informed – know your rights

All benefits explained in one book

A NEW guide to help parents of disabled young people under 16 find out more about the support that’s available is available from Cerebra, the national charity for brain injured children and young people. It is available free as a PDF on the charity’s website: www.cerebra.org.uk n Cerebra Helpline: 0800 328 1159 www.cerebra.org.uk

In this period of unprecedented change and benefits cuts, keeping up with the new benefit rules is crucial. The new edition of our Handbook, fully updated for 2013, provides in-depth information on the entire benefits system and comprehensive guidance on these critical changes.

Information and advice you can trust £29.99 including P&P £15.00 for people claiming benefits

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TravelChair makes plane sense! CHILDREN’S disability charity MERU is on a high after hearing that their aircraft travel seat has won a second top award. The TravelChair scooped the Crystal Cabin Award at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Its designer, Graham Race, said: “As the father of a disabled child, I understand the importance of air travel, but many children were unable to use this mode of transport as their needs on the aircraft were not being met. “The TravelChair not only offers a unique solution but meets the necessary regulations to enable any airline to purchase it.”

The portable seat provides firm, postural support suitable for severely disabled children between the ages of three and 11, depending on height and weight. It was developed with advice and support from the Civil Aviation Authority, the European Aviation Safety Association, and leading airlines. Last year it won a British Healthcare Trades Association award. The TravelChair costs £2,500 and is available to hire. n Details: 020 8770 1151 TAKE ME HOME! www.tryb4ufly.org.uk

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How we can help . . .

ERE at the Morgan Foundation we want to help organisations who share our philosophy – Making a

Difference. Over the past decade we have helped hundreds of organisations across the region, committing over £10 million. This year we will be giving away a whopping £1.5 MILLION to good causes. Created in 2001 by

businessman Steve Morgan OBE, founder and chairman of Redrow plc, chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the Morgan Foundation supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire. Our aim is to provide funding for small to medium-sized organisations who are addressing specific needs in these regions.

We are particularly keen to support those who have already begun to make an impact, but need a helping hand to expand their work and increase their effectiveness. We focus our help mainly on those who work directly with children and families but we recognise that many wider issues may also affect their welfare, so we are interested in any project which contributes to the quality of life in our region.

That top of the world feeling C

LIMBING group OnThisROC have only been around for two years – but they are already scaling the heights. “We believe that climbing can help so many people with so many problems,” says former church youth worker Andy Coltart, who originally set up the group to divert young people away from anti-social or criminal activity and encourage a stronger community spirit. “Climbing involves teamwork, communication, concentration, management and problem solving skills. It also instils trust, confidence, patience and respect. “Since opening our doors we have taught more than 200 people to climb and have helped 45 young people to get certificates in the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme.” Apart from OnThisROC’s innovative projects for young offenders, the group

work with people with mental health conditions and acquired brain injuries, as well as young carers who have been supported by Action for Children. They have also created a visually impaired climbing section that is winning admiration from all over the UK. Now a Morgan Foundation grant is going to help them make an even bigger impact across the region over the next three years! “This support from The Morgan Foundation is fantastic,” says Andy, “and will mean that I can now work full time and develop the Visually Impaired Climbing Club, the Crime2Climb project with ex offenders and our drug rehab project, Climb Clean.” n OnThisROC are based at Awesome Walls Climbing Centre, Athol Street, Liverpool. Tel, 07850 344144 www.onthisroc.co.uk

ON THE UP AND UP: visually impaired climbers at OnthisROC

THE Morgan Foundation also runs a programme to provide minibuses to eligible organisations. The vehicles are supplied either as standard, or fully adapted for use by physically disabled passengers if required. Recipients are carefully consulted on their needs to ensure the correct adaptations are achieved and all buses are finished with the Morgan Foundation Smiley bus logo and the receiving organisation’s name, logo and contact details.

Fair prize for FareShare CONGRATULATIONS to our supported charity FareShare, winners of the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority & Veoila Environmental Services Waste Prevention Award in the Echo Environmental Awards 2013. For the past three years FareShare Merseyside – one of 14 regional centres across the UK – has been providing emergency food supplies to people facing hard times. The charity’s Speke-based depot acts as a hub for the collection and re-distribution of quality food that would otherwise have been wasted by the food industry, including fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, milk, fruit juice and ambient products, such as cereals, bread and pasta. n FareShare Merseyside, tel 0151 486 1139 www.fareshare.org.uk

WINNING SMILES: Charlene Spencer, left, and Sharon Gregson

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800

GETTING ON . . .

All Together NOW!

WISE WINNIE . . . helps to solve some of the problems faced by older people

SINCE my wife died I have been lucky in that my only child, a daughter who lives nearby, has been a close companion to me as well as doing my shopping and taking me to the doctor and hospital when necessary. But eight months ago my granddaughter, who lives in Scotland, had a lovely baby girl ands I feel things between my daughter and I have changed. She still asks if I need any shopping doing and gets concerned about my blood pressure, but her main interest in life is her little grandchild. I understand that but it seems the old companionship has gone. I can’t help feeling lonely and left out when she and her husband go up to Scotland to see the baby, as they often do. The lady next door says I should count my blessings and stop feeling sorry for myself. Am I being selfish?

THE fact that your daughter still takes care of your practical needs is sure evidence of her loving concern for you but the coming of a baby does change family priorities, especially when the parents live some distance away. Your daughter’s loyalties are divided. She has a natural desire to go and help her daughter, who may be struggling with her first baby far from home, but she is also worried about you, too, and don’t forget, she has a husband to think about. When your grand-daughter moved north it must have left a gap in your daughter’s life so if you could find some way of tactfully, or even jokingly, letting her realise you are missing her the chances are she would understand that you feel a bit left out. It may result in a trip to Scotland for you, too! Whatever you do, don’t antagonise her by making her feel more guilty than she probably does already. That’s a sure way of being labelled “selfish”. So make sure she knows how much this new addition to the family means to you and how much a little great granddaughter would have meant to your wife. Could it be that your lonely feeling has something to do with old friends having passed on? This is a sad fact of old age and all the more reason for you being determined to keep a good relationship with your daughter.

June/July 2013

OMG

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Life is fragile, handle with care . . .

You’ve got to

MONEY MATTERS with GORDON VINER

LOL! by MIRIAM DODDS

EXT speak like LOL, 2moro and LUV U may drive many of Luddites mad, but it doesn’t mean youngsters are any worse at English. In fact, it may even help! That’s according to two studies which indicate that young English students – whether from the UK or abroad – do not struggle with grammar or spelling just because they use the abbreviations common to text messaging and social media. In the latest research, among teenagers learning English at Kaplan International Colleges, more than three out of every five did not believe using text speak was damaging their grasp of grammar or spelling. That’s despite five per cent of those surveyed saying they use text speak when writing essays and three per cent admitting they use it during exams. The students’ confidence is supported by a recent study of primary and secondary school children which found no evidence of a detrimental relationship between the use of texting slang and literacy abilities.

“In fact it seemed to be adding value to the children’s conventional spelling abilities, because of the highly phonetic nature of the text abbreviations which are most commonly used,” said Dr Clare Wood, leader of a Coventry University research team. “They seem to enable children to rehearse their understanding of how speech sounds map onto printed characters in a way that benefits their normal literacy development.” Anna Robinson, of Kaplan, said: “While we would never recommend using text speak in formal written work, students on our junior English courses are proficient in the latest mobile devices so it is natural that they use it in everyday life. And she adds: “Technology is a

really useful aid to language learning.” The Kaplan survey found that 71% use text speak when texting on phones, 64% use it online and 14% actually use it while speaking out loud. OMG! (Which is text speak for “blimey!”) Other survey results include: n 77% use text speak because: “It is faster than writing full words.” n 15% use text speak because: “Everybody else does it.” n 3% use text speak because: “My parents cannot read it.” n LOL and THX were the most used text speak acronyms by English learners. n 66% use LOL and THX. n 63% use OMG. n 26% use 2MORO. n 21% use GR8. n 12% use YOLO.

SENIOR MOMENTS . . . with FRANK HARRIS

A FEW thoughts about ISAs - Individual Savings Accounts. The maximum an individual can put into an ISA is £11,520, of which a maximum of half, £5,760, can be put in a cash ISA, and up to £11,520 into a stocks and shares ISA. But no more than £11,520 in total. A cash ISA can be had from most banks and building societies and the current tax-free rates of interest are very low - for one year fix about 2% to 2.30% and for two years fix 2.30% to 2.55%. For a 20% taxpayer, 2.30% net is worth 2.875% gross, still not a very good return. When opening a cash ISA look out for withdrawal options in case you need the money, and also whether you can transfer into your new ISA money from maturing cash ISAs from previous tax years. Also remember when a cash ISA matures it will have a much reduced interest rate so move it as soon as possible. Stocks and Shares ISAs can be opened with most stockbrokers and there are some with minimum charges if managed online, e.g. Interactive Investor. You can invest in equities, bonds and commercial property and any gains and all dividends are tax free also. There are shares which will give you a dividend yield of over 4% net in the FTSE 250 and there are corporate bonds which will give you even more income of five to six per cent net, but do remember all these assets can go down in value as well as up and would not be covered by any Government financial measures. Take professional advice before investing. It is possible to transfer maturing cash ISAs from previous years into a stocks and shares ISA where using bonds you can more than double your income. n Gordon Viner FCA CTA gordonviner@aol.com

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

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United Utilities is calling on all customers to protect themselves from doorstep criminals. Statistics show that around 20 bogus caller crimes are committed every day in the UK, but this might only be 10% of the total that actually take place as victims often feel too embarrassed to report it to the police. Bogus callers will often call at your door claiming there is an issue with the water and they need to check your taps; they will use this as an opportunity to trick themselves into your home claiming to be from United Utilities or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the water boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Once inside, they will distract you while they or an accomplice help themselves to money and valuables. Genuine United Utilitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; employees always carry an ID card and are happy to show this to you. They will never put pressure on you to enter your home and will be happy for you to phone United Utilities to check their identity. And our employees wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t refer to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the water boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as this hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t existed for more than 30 years! Bogus callers can be very persuasive, but our advice is to never feel under pressure to let someone into your home.

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To help you, we operate a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;password protectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scheme. Joining our password scheme is easy. It takes just one call to 0845 746 1100. We simply need your details and your choice of password. Then, whenever someone claiming to be from United Utilities calls at your home, you can ask them for your password. Only a genuine visitor from United Utilities will know what it is. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple deterrent that really does work and will give you the confidence to turn people away from your door. Most gas, electricity and telephone companies will operate a similar scheme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; see a recent bill for further details and contact numbers.

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To find out more call 0845 746 1100. If you have hearing or speech difficulties and use a textphone, please dial 18001 followed by the number you require. 03/13/SD/5631

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

All Together NOW!

June/July 2013

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NORTH WEST DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY . . .

T’S ALL systems go for the North West’s 22nd annual Disability Awareness Day with an actionpacked programme that’s guaranteed to attract tens of thousands of people.

WELCOME BREATHER: Dave Thompson, chair and founder of Warrington Disability Partnership. Twelve years ago Dave was awarded an MBE for his work for disabled people. In 2006 he was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire

Now believed to be Europe’s and possibly the world’s largest voluntary-led pan disability event, it’s the perfect way to find out about help available to enable disabled people to remain independent and to have lots of fun, too! But staging the event is a costly business and the show goes on only thanks to the support of its sponsors, led this year by Your Housing Group and the tremendous fundraising efforts of volunteers from Warrington Disability Partnership, affectionately known as DAD’s Army! For the third year running, founder and event co-ordinator Dave Thompson has led the fundraising with the Going the Extra Mile Scuba Challenge, which raised over £6,000 towards the bill. Dave, paralysed 24 years ago in an American football game, completed the 64 lengths dive in just less than two hours, using a Poseidon Rebreathing system designed for NASA space adventures. Dave was joined by more than 30 divers, including Terry Wood and members of Cheshire Scuba Academy. “It was a really tough challenge,” said a jubilant Dave, who has limited use in his left arm and none in his right arm or legs.

n DONATIONS to the Going the

Extra Mile Scuba Challenge can still be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/scuba2013 email info@disabilitypartnership.org.uk WDP, tel 01925 240064

EASY DOES IT: Dave in the pool at last year’s Disability Awareness Day Not that it has stopped him from pursuing the love of his life. “I’ve been scuba diving for only five years - during which time I have logged over 80 dives in the warm waters of the Red Sea at Sharm El-Sheikh,” he says. “The feeling I get when I am in the water is absolutely fantastic. There are no barriers, just space to explore and see sea life close up. Brilliant! “But I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help from my wife Pam, my diving buddy, fellow WDP Trustee

Dave Williams, and lots of support from the dive crew.” Dave’s even dived with the sharks at the Blue Planet Aquarium at Ellesmere Port and gained qualifications including a PADI Advanced Open Water Certification. “It’s an inclusive sport and visitors to our disability day will again have the chance to experience scuba diving as it is just one of many activities planned for the day in the Sports Zone.” And there will be a full programme of entertainment in the ever-popular Arts Marquee, with some of the very best disabled performers in the country. “But the main aim of the day,” says Dave, “is to provide people with information to help them get on with their lives, and with over 250 exhibitors promoting independence housed in 12 huge marquees there will be plenty to see. “During the past 21 years organisations in Gibraltar, Sweden, Denmark, India and more recently Cameroon have been inspired to run similar events. All share in the philosophy of promoting a ‘can do’ culture focussing on ‘what disabled people can do’. “And this is something all of us at Warrington Disability Partnership are extremely proud”. n FOR DETAILS about transport, including a free Park & Ride service, and onsite service including BSL support and wheelchair loans visit www.disabilityaware nessday.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

. . . Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington, Sunday July 14

Photographs Photographs and and memories memories .. .. .. PICTURES by Dave Molyneux, Tom Horton, Tony Newens, Gavin Thompson and Warrington Camera Club

WHAT A WEEK! WARRINGTON Disability Partnership is lining up a great week of events in the run up to DAD. Sat July 6: (10.30-4.30) Launch of DAD at the Old Market Place, Golden Square Warrington. Tues July 9: (6.30-10) Frogtastic in the Park, Walton Gardens. Ticket Only £3. Tel 01925 240064 Wed July 10: (10-12) 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Annual Members Meeting, Walton Gardens. Booking required. Contact Lesley Pennington. 01925 664869 Ignite Your Life (12-4) Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops & Exhibition, Walton Gardens. Free Admission. Contact Adrian Barrowdale 01925 664425 Theatre in the Park, (7-10) Walton Gardens. Live performance of Bram Stoker’s Dracula from the Heartbreak Theatre Company. Contact 01926 430307 Thurs July 11: (1-4) Tea in the Tent, Walton Gardens. Carers event. Booking required. Contact Roz Coleman 01925 644212. Party in the Park (5-8.30) Walton Gardens. Children’s event. Contact Rachael Hanlon 01925 240064. Fri July 12 (7-11.30) DAD Mega Pub Quiz & Barbecue, Walton Gardens. Tickets, £7.50. Contact 01925 240064 Sun July 14 (10-5) Disability Awareness Day in Walton Gardens.

SPEAK UP, PLEASE! All Together NOW!

MERSEYTRAVEL

ERSEYTRAVEL wants to hear YOUR views about public transport – and especially accessibility.

And they are going that extra mile to ensure as many commuters as possible get the chance to sound off about the region’s bus and train services. As well as a series of afternoon Customer Transport Forums planned for a week in July, travel bosses have lined up an evening event, in Liverpool, especially for people who have daytime work or caring commitments. “Since relaunching the forums last year, they have gone from strength to strength,” said Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel. “Introducing an evening event in Liverpool gives people who may not be able to attend the afternoon forums the opportunity to come along and have their say.” added Cllr Robinson, who also chairs the Liverpool Customer Transport Forum. Councillors, representatives from Merseytravel, Merseyside Police, British Transport Police and transport operators including Arriva, Stagecoach, Northern

June/July 2013

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

WIN A DAY WITH THE DALEKS DALEKS

Rail and Merseyrail will be at the events taking place in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. There will also be a Travel Surgery at each forum offering one-to-one advice and information, followed by the full meeting.

THE DALEKS are BACK! And they’re causing plenty of excitement on the banks of the Mersey!

MAKE A DATE (Transport Surgeries start at 1pm followed by the main forum at 2pm) Mon July 15: No 1 Mann Island, Liverpool (evening event, 5.30pm7.30pm). Tue July 16: Maghull Town Hall, Sefton. Wed July 17: Lauries Centre, Claughton Road, Birkenhead. Thurs July 18: Huyton Suite Civic Way, Knowsley. Fri July 19: Peter Street Community Centre, St Helens.

n For more information contact Paulette Lappin or Marie Conway on 0151 330 1200 – email paulette.lappin@merseytravel.gov.uk, marie.conway@merseytravel.gov.uk or write to them at PO Box 1976, Liverpool L69 3HN.

We care about the accessibility of our buildings, vehicles and information. All of our staff are trained to be courteous and considerate, particularly when our customers have special requirements.

Merseytravel is making sure that Public Transport on Merseyside is easy for everyone to use

Whether it be automatic door openers in our head office, availability of textphones for main points of contact, or producing timetables in large print, we want to make public transport easier for everyone to use. Among our services and facilities are: U Àii V ViÃÃ >ÀÞ ÌÀ>Ûi v À ÛiÀ {n]äää «i « iÊ with disabilities U ìÀ ] Ü y À] >VViÃÃ L i LÕÃiÃ Ü V >ÀiÊ developed in partnership with our local authorities and bus companies U v À >Ì > Û>À iÌÞ v v À >ÌÃ V Õ` } Ì iÊ iÀÃiÞÌÀ>Ûi VViÃÃ Õ ì q V Ì> } >VViÃÃÊ ÊÊÊìÌ> ÃÊv ÀÊ> ÊLÕÃÊ> `ÊÀ> ÊÃÌ>Ì ÃÊ Ê iÀÃiÞÃ ì Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a text relay assisted call

0871 200 22 33 Calls costs 10p per minute from land lines, mobiles may vary

The creatures are just part of a whole bunch of Time Travellers that have landed at Spaceport, the Seacombebased tourist attraction – and here’s your chance to win a day with them, PLUS a fabulous river cruise. In this super summer competition, FIVE lucky All Together NOW! readers will win a Spaceport AND River Explorer family pass. The Time Travellers exhibition, in association with Hyde Fundraisers, features favourites including life size Daleks, Cybermen, a TARDIS display, a Sontaran and K9 – plus prop weapons and an activity area. Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel, which owns and operates Spaceport, said: “Spaceport is the ideal home for this exciting new exhibition, which ideally complements the fascinating factual displays about the moon, our solar system and the history of space exploration.” Hyde Fundraisers are a voluntary organisation who create replica characters from Dr Who, Star Wars and other sci-fi programmes to raise funds for BBC Children In Need and other charities. For your chance to win the competition simply answer the following question: Name the actor who currently plays Dr Who in the BBC TV series. Entries please to: Spaceport Competition, All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. You can also enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk. Please tell us where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! and what you think of the paper. Closing date: Friday July 26. n Time Travellers runs from until September 1. Prices: Adult - £8 Child - £4.50 (5-15 yrs) Family - £20.50 ( 2 adults & 3 children) Concession - £5.50

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2013

REVVING UP ROADSHOW!

All Together NOW!

CLASSY!

FOR THE 30TH

VER since he can remember, all Aaron Morgan has wanted to do is race.

The youngest ever disabled person to be awarded a National B racing licence is now hoping to enthuse others with his love of all things motoring. As one of the Mobility Roadshow ambassadors Aaron, 22, will be passing on tips and advice about motoring. He says: “Starting motocross at the age of seven gave me my first taste of racing. I raced very successfully for eight years until an accident whilst practising left me

paralysed from the waist down.” “However, when I was in hospital I quickly realised that there was a huge amount I could achieve in life and was determined not to let my disability hold me back. “I briefly took up wheelchair tennis, but after passing my driving test aged 16 I quickly realised motorsport was where my passion lied.” He went on to graduate from Brunel University with a degree in Sports Science, but it was motorsport he wanted to pursue. Continued P16-17

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HOT SEAT: Aaron Morgan will be at the Roadshow

A SOUTHPORT-based company is specialising in providing high-end luxury vehicles for wheelchair users. Graham Lloyd, Steve Truesdale and Jo Carroll have more than 40 years’ experience in the industry between them and believe there is a need of some unashamed luxury and pizzazz. Mr Lloyd says: “There are 10,000 wheelchair accessible vehicles sold in the UK each year and we saw a market for people who want to buy something different. “Just because you use a wheelchair doesn’t mean you’re not interested in cars.” The company has also just launched its new stylish website: www.accessiblevehicles.co.uk Tel. 01704 512 437

• New vehicles from £264.00 per month • Selection of high quality pre-owned • Vehicle hire service • Motability Contract Hire • Motability Nearly New • Up-front travel vehicle specialists • Indoor showroom • Friendly no-pressure advice • Home demonstrations • Vehicles always in stock At Accessible Vehicles we pride ourselves in offering truly different service. From low cost pre-owned models to helping you realise your dream bespoke vehicle, we’re here to listen and offer advice every step of the way. With access to a huge range of vehicles to suit your individual budget and requirements our aim is to make the buying experience as enjoyable as possible. At our new showroom in Southport we’re always happy to welcome you where you can try out our range of vehicles or just come in for a tea or coffee and a friendly no hassle chat. Demand different, ask for more.

T: 01704 570566

accessiblevehicles.co.uk

All roads lead to TELFORD! All Together NOW!

June/July 2013

30th annual Mobility Roadshow Telford International Centre, June 27-29

HE UK’S oldest town crier has some words of wisdom for visitors to this year’s Mobility Roadshow!

“If you want to stay active – use the mobility aids that are available to help you! And there will be hundreds of items on show at the Roadshow.” That’s the message from Percy Simmonds, 90, who still drives and who only last year swapped his motorbike for a motor scooter! Percy is one of a list of special guests at the Roadshow, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in his home town of All together now_Mar13_Half.e$S:Layout 1 25/03/2013 09:56 Page 1 Telford.

OYEZ, OYEZ: Town crier Percy Simmonds

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ROADSHOW AMBASSADOR: Aaron Morgan raring for glory! Aaro

Others include Falklands’ war veteran Simon Weston and Paralympians Martine Wright and Rik Waddon. Award-winning paraplegic microlight pilot and adventurer Dave Sykes will also be with the Aerobility charity, talking about his record breaking solo flight from England to Australia and his subsequent book. The Red Wheelies scooter formation display team, which holds the Guinness World Record for ‘the greatest distance covered in 24hrs by a motorised wheelchair or mobility scooter’ will be performing each day. As well as the vast showcase of everything to aid mobility and

independent living - and the opportunity to test-drive the latest cars fitted with adaptations – there will be activities for all the family throughout the show. Over the years, Saturday has become accepted as ‘family day’. And organisers are determined to make it a day to remember! There’s the chance to line up with the men’s and women’s GB wheelchair basketball teams or you can even try scaling the giant climbing wall in the Sports Arena. Other fun activities include a giant Scalextric, trying your hand with remotecontrol cars, a ‘wheel-up’ race car simulator, a giant digital graffiti art wall,

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and several vintage and specialist car displays. You can even float above the clouds with Aerobility’s flight simulator and admire the skill of the Mouth and Foot painters. n The Mobility Roadshow is the UK’s premier consumer mobility event, attracting thousands of visitors from across the UK, Europe and beyond. n The event runs at Telford International Centre from Thursday June 27 to Saturday June 29 n For free tickets, test drives and to keep abreast of developments visit www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk

Continued from P15 “Fortunately, I was offered a motorsport sponsorship from a family friend to begin competing in the Production BMW (Championship.” But there were still hurdles to overcome. “To be able to compete I needed to gain a motorsport licence,” Aaron explains. “After completing ten months of testing in 2008/2009 I became, and still am, the youngest ever disabled person to be awarded a National B racing licence. “2011 was my debut season in the PBMW championship and despite some setbacks during the year, I became the first ever disabled competitor to score points in the championship on my way to finishing 47th in the championship out of 74 drivers. “I improved last year to finish 31st despite missing two championship rounds. This year I have big hopes of regularly challenging for top ten positions. “I hope I can continue to show disabled young people that the sky is the limit, and they can achieve anything to which they put their minds.” This season sees Aaron competing against 32 other drivers. Upcoming races include Outlon Park (June 15-16), Cadwell Park (Jul 21-22), Silverstone Arena GP (Aug 17-18), Donington Park (Sep 28-29) and Castle Coombe (Oct 5-6). n You can find out more about Aaron’s racing at www.aaronmorganracing.com

June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

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June/July 2013

READERS’ LETTERS . . . OPINION . . . COMMENT . . .

These trusts can help pay your debts . . . REGARDING Gordon Viner’s Money Tips (All Together NOW! April-May issue). I would like to inform readers of the help available for people in financial hardship. Our Bureau is one of 14 organisations across the UK to receive funding from the British Gas Energy Trust and I help clients apply to the Trust for grants to clear their debts and to purchase essential household items. Grants which can be applied for include gas and electric arrears, funeral expenses, telephone debts (where there is a social or medical need for the line to remain connected), boiler repairs/replacements, bankruptcy and Debt Relief Order deposits and essential household items. Clients can apply online at www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk or they can telephone the Trust who will post an application form to them. The United Utilities Trust Fund also provides grants to clear water arrears and has an essential household item budget, www.uutf.org.uk The Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances provides free grants to single women living alone who are struggling financially, www.salrc.org Michael Egan, St Helens Citizens Advice Bureau, Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, St. Helens. Tel. 01744 751380.

Ban the Minister! WITH regard to your article about benefit cuts to disabled people – £28 BILLION pounds over the next five years. This is a truly despicable act by this Tory Government. How low can they go? But on the opposite page is a picture of Esther McVey, Minister for the Disabled People, with a big smug grin as if everything in the garden was rosy. Well I suppose it is if you are a rich Tory or one of our millionaire cabinet members. I can’t believe you’ve given publicity to this woman. I don’t suppose she made a donation to your charity? Peter Browne, St Helens (by email) I WAS disgusted to see Esther McVey in your newspaper. She is the enemy of disabled people and should be lambasted NOT praised. I will never support your newspaper again. Jon Hughes (by email)

EDITOR’S REPLY: It is only right and fair that we publish comments and views of the Minister for Disabled People. In this case Esther McVey was actually heaping praise on our paper and our sponsors, without which All Together NOW! would simply not exist. That said, these pages frequently carry criticism of the current Government and the way its policies affect disabled people.

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Follow the social care debate IT’S two years before the General Election and social care is going to be a big player. Changes have already been announced about limiting the charges that disabled people will be expected to pay. But to incur any charges it is necessary to qualify for help – and the criteria gets tighter each year. One option being considered is to merge social care with health care. This will enable the NHS budget to be used to fund social care. It is thought that with better social care people can be discharged from hospital more quickly and this will ease bed blocking. But there are a number of issues that need to be addressed.

Health care is free. Social care is means tested. If the NHS starts paying for social care will it charge for it? If it does, could this lead to charges slowly being introduced for some aspects of health care? Since the 1970s disabled people have developed the social model of disability, which favours improved access to the environment and to people’s civil and human rights rather than seeing cures. If health becomes the lead service could we see less emphasis on the social factors that affect the lives of disabled people in favour of a more medical model? Disabled people need to watch closely the political debate on the future of social care.

SOUNDING OFF!

with Sir BERT MASSIE

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Drop this ill-conceived policy – build more homes!

We We should should all all learn learn from from this this I WAS shocked to read a new report that highlighted how much abuse against people with learning disabilities takes place in their own homes or in care settings. The report, Loneliness and Cruelty: People with learning disabilities and their experience of harassment, abuse and related crime in the community, written by Carwyn Gravell, paints a very worrying picture. But perhaps this should not be a surprise after the revelations at the Winterbourne care home. The report draws out how low-level bullying is part of the everyday life of people with learning disabilities. It highlights the limited social contacts they have and how lonely many are. A few decades ago people with learning disabilities were locked away in institutions. When they closed it was claimed that they would receive care in the community. The recent cuts in social care budgets have made it difficult for even the most humane directors of adult social care to provide the services they would like to offer. In a society in which selfachievement is the means by which we measure ourselves, we must move out of our comfort zones and do more to support people with learning disabilities and involve them in our lives. But part of the way forward must be for all of us to extend to people with learning disabilities the respect we expect to receive.

Bedroom tax mess W

HETHER we call it the spare room subsidy or the bedroom tax, the Government’s decision to withdraw benefits from social landlord tenants who are deemed to have a spare bedroom makes no sense. The measure should be dropped.

The Government has given two reasons for the bedroom tax. The first is that people who under occupy homes are using space that could be given to larger families. The second is that the housing benefit bill is too high and people with a spare bedroom should not receive benefits for rooms they do not need. A moment’s thought is all that is needed to reveal how ill-conceived this measure is. In countries such as the USA homes are valued not on how many rooms or bedrooms they have but on square footage. By valuing property on the number of bedrooms we run into the question of what is a bedroom? Is it a room in which there is TAKE ME HOME! a bed? Is it a room in which a bed could be placed? Is it a

room that is not a room for other purposes which the Government believes a home should have, such as a kitchen, bathroom or lounge? In this case, are all other rooms bedrooms? For many years I was a trustee of a national housing association. A quarter of our homes were rented to disabled people and it was our policy to underlet. It was recognised that disabled people need extra space for a range of reasons. These included, space to store spare wheelchairs or other disability equipment. People might have medical equipment to enable them to cope with an illness. Some needed special beds and could not share the marital bed. Sometimes members of the family need to stay overnight so they an assist a disabled person. They need somewhere to sleep. All these needs remain as true to day as they were then. The policy will fail because housing associations lack one-bedroom dwellings to which to transfer people. People deemed to be under-occupying will have their benefits cut and will accumulate rent arrears. Are they to live in the park or in expensive hostels?

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This mess is the result of a decision made by the Major Government in the mid-1990s when it was decided to move funding from the building of houses to the payment of housing benefit. Housing associations had to borrow commercial funds to build houses and then had to recover their costs. As a result rents began to rise. This led directly to a rise in the housing benefit bill and the shortage of social housing encouraged private landlords into the market, who also needed to make a profit and up went the rent and the cost again. Disabled people and those who face losing their home are the victims of measures taken almost 20 years ago. However, if the policy worked and people could move, so their old homes could be occupied by people with larger families, we would have an increase in the number of families living in social housing and claiming housing benefit. The total housing benefit bill would rise. People do need homes large enough for their families. The answer is to build more homes rather than impose a bedroom tax.

and GROWING FAST

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ANY of us feel the need for a caffeine kick at some point in our day.

A cup of tea or coffee can give us better concentration, focus and coordination. But a lot of people drink far more caffeine than is good for them and suffer the consequences. Sweating, headaches, breathlessness, anxiety, fever, increased thirst, jitteriness, irregular heartbeat, irritability, hallucination, diarrhoea and gastro intestinal problems can all result from too much tea, coffee, cola or chocolate. Caffeine causes chemical reactions in the body that tell our adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, giving us a rush of energy and putting us in “fight or flight mode”. When this happens we enter a high-alert state, as if under threat of attack. This reaction triggers the same stress response that our prehistoric ancestors experienced when defending themselves against tigers and bears. As the effects of the caffeine wear off we start to feel lethargic and often

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June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

Time to ease up on the caffeine . . ?

reach for another hit, and so the cycle continues. The problem with this is that we end up building a tolerance to caffeine and therefore need more of it to gain the same effect. Constant caffeine consumption forces our adrenal glands to produce more and more adrenaline, eventually exhausting them and causing burnout. So, how much caffeine is too much caffeine? Guidelines from the Department of Health suggest limiting

yourself to 400mg of caffeine per day or 200mg if you are pregnant. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate as well as in several cold medicines and energy drinks. One cup of coffee is equivalent to around two cups of tea. An average cup of filter coffee contains approximately 140mg of caffeine, but due to large variations in how much caffeine our high street coffee cups contain, it can be hard to tell just how much we are taking. How much you are affected by

BEAT BEAT THE THE URGE!

caffeine also depends on how sensitive you are to its properties. Different people are able to tolerate different amounts. More than half of all adults in the UK suffer with insomnia and it is thought that caffeine consumption is the primary culprit. Have a go at reducing your caffeine intake to one cup of tea or coffee or one cola or chocolate bar per day and if you experience withdrawal symptoms at first, try drinking decaffeinated versions.

SEVEN great ways to energise without caffeine: 1. Eat an egg followed by whole grain cereal for breakfast. 2. Snack on soya beans. 3. If you feel sluggish, go for a 10-minute walk in the fresh air. 4. Drink more water. 5. Eat quinoa for lunch instead of bread. 6. Take a power nap after lunch. 7. Try a liquid goji berry shot in the afternoon.

NEW MENTAL HEALTH ZONE?

OR the past eight years All Together NOW! has been providing a first class news and information service for readers affected by disability. By highlighting opportunities in employment, leisure and sport, your FREE charity paper has helped huge numbers of readers to lead more fulfilled lives. It has also led to the charity scooping a string of prestigious awards – from the media industry and from communities across the North West. But we’ve only been able to achieve

We need YOUR views

this success thanks to our sponsors, advertisers – and YOU, our readers, who are helping to guide the paper’s content. Now we want to make All Together NOW! even better – by adding new sections that would help greater numbers of readers. One of those new sections could be a comprehensive and positive Mental Health Zone.

Mental health/illness can, of course, be as disabling as physical disability – 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year. We think there is a real need for such a section in All Together NOW! A Mental Health Zone that incorporates a mix of news, advice and opportunities could help tens of thousands of readers.

PLEASE TICK ALL RELEVANT BOXES – AND CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk of this new Mental Health Zone? more news and information about 1. What are the main day to day mental health issues? problems faced by those with No mental illness? Yes Increase awareness Isolation Discrimination

3. What kind of articles and features would you like to see in the new section? Personal stories

Reduce stigma/discrimination Reduced isolation Access to opportunities

Stigma News relating to mental health Anxiety Work/training opportunities

It could also help raise awareness and combat stigma and discrimination. But before we start to put any plans into action – and explore the funding opportunities to cover the costs of the new section – we want to be absolutely certain that YOU feel the same way, too. We would be very grateful if you will complete the short questionnaire below. We want to know how useful you would find a Mental Health section in All Together NOW!

– Thank You!

We are also looking for readers (especially those who have had mental health issues) who might like to be considered for a small group that will give us views on the direction and content of a new Mental Health Zone. If you want to be part of the group please complete the coupon.

NAME ADDRESS

Improved health/confidence/ quality of life

Lack of public understanding Research and treatments Other

Lack of news/information Help and advice available Other 2. Do you think there is a need for

Other

4. What do you think would be the benefit

Email Phone

Please send to: MENTAL HEALTH ZONE, All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP

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June/July 2013

Heart concerns

Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS I WOULD like to pick up where I left off in my last column when I wrote about the fantastic response we had to our public consultation - and news from the Treasury that we had approval for our new mental health facility at the former Walton Hospital site in North Liverpool. Here at Mersey Care we continue to listen and respond to all our stakeholders and have just embarked on a series of staff engagement events called Mega Conversations. These are an opportunity for our staff to talk about what is important to them, and importantly, for us to listen to what everyone has to say. At the heart of this new Your Voice Your Change campaign is real ambition to empower staff, enabling them to bring about change, which improves how we do things, our services and the patient experience. I believe this is so relevant following the Francis Report into what went wrong in Mid-Staffordshire, where an organisational culture accepted poor hospital care as the norm, resulting in neglect and death. We are committed to working with everyone who works in, or uses mental health, learning disability or addiction services, to ensure that quality of care remains our priority and the lessons from Francis are learned.

PROVIDING dignity and privacy to people needing a stay in hospital is really important. New buildings like our Clock View unit at Walton are essential in meeting these needs by offering private bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms. In mental health care it’s also important that a safe therapeutic environment supports recovery. So I was delighted that last month I unveiled the Clock View sign with Walton MP Steve Rotheram to mark the official start of construction on our new £25 million facility. It was a wonderful occasion and a great reminder that Liverpool now has three major hospital new-builds in the pipeline namely at the Royal Liverpool University and Alder Hey Hospitals, and now at Clock View Walton for mental health. But it’s about much more than just bricks and mortar. By improving our services through campaigns such as Your Voice Your Change and ensuring quality of care is never compromised as featured in the Francis Report, we can all help build a better future.

THE medical profession is systematically failing to diagnose heart disease in people with schizophrenia, new research shows. And the findings may be a clue to why schizophrenia sufferers die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the rest of the population, with the most common cause of death being cardiovascular disease. Researchers at The University of Glasgow’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing looked at the primary care records of almost 1.8 million people and found those with schizophrenia also have multiple physical health problems, such as diabetes and hepatitis – but they are less likely than the general population to have a recorded diagnosis of heart disease. The findings suggest a systematic failure within the health service to adequately detect, record and treat cardiovascular disease in people with schizophrenia and provide integrated services aimed at improving their physical health, quality of life and life expectancy.

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Docs in dark MOST doctors have devices for detecting lung disease but don’t know how to use them properly. That’s the astonishing conclusion of a study into the late or misdiagnosis of the disease. Although the rate of diagnosis is improving, the 2010 Health Survey of England in 2010 revealed that about three million people have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – one of the most common lung diseases – of whom less than a third have actually been diagnosed. But with better training of doctors and nurses in using equipment to detect the disease, late diagnosis could be dramatically reduced, improving and extending lives and saving money on costly treatment, say researchers at London’s Institute of Education. Most GP surgeries have Spirometers, the devices used to test for lung disease and other respiratory problems, like asthma. The problem is that medical staff have often not been trained to use the equipment properly and therefore lack confidence in using it.

Morning smoke? PEOPLE who reach for a morning cigarette are doubling their risk of developing lung and mouth cancer. That’s according to new research that suggests people who smoke within five minutes of waking up are more at risk from the harmful effects of tobacco compared to those who waited for at least one hour. The time it takes for a person to light up is also an indicator of their addiction to smoking. With tobacco use still the biggest cause of mouth cancer and up to half of all smokers eventually dying of a tobacco-related illness, the research presents a clear warning to morning smokers. Given that mouth cancer is one of the few cancers predicted to rise over the next decade, British Dental Health Foundation chief, Dr Nigel Carter, hopes smokers will heed the warning. He said: “Mouth cancer is a very real problem but despite the predicted rise in cases, there is not always a great deal of publicity surrounding the disease.”

Seeing in HD! P

AUL Fenwick had suffered a lifetime of eye troubles before he underwent surgery. The 57-year-old’s problems included short sightedness caused by bigger than average eyeballs, a stretched retina, and years spent constantly adjusting his glasses to achieve the right focus for his inspection work. The last straw was when he developed cataracts – a condition that does not usually affect people until they are in their seventies. Now, after advanced refractive cataract surgery, Paul has thrown away every pair of spectacles he owns and is seeing the world like a 21year-old. A keen photographer, from Grimsby, Paul was given groundbreaking treatment at eye surgeon Milind Pande’s Vision Surgery and Research Centre in Hull. There, his natural lenses were replaced with a combination of bespoke, super-powerful lenses. Paul said the effect was “incredible”, adding: “I can only describe the results as seeing in HD – my vision had deteriorated over time so I didn’t realise that the colours I could see were dull and lifeless. “Since my eye surgery, colours are so vibrant and crystal clear. I can see better than I have ever done in my life and, for me, it has been truly life-changing.” Key to success in Paul’s case was the crucial vision measurement carried out prior

Cataract op gives Paul sight of a 21-year-old to surgery. His sight was measured using Panfocal Vision, a precise measurement pioneered by Mr Pande. This includes measuring a patient’s vision at distances needed for a range of everyday tasks from reading a newspaper to using an ipad to watching TV and driving.

No more cataracts As a result, he is able to measure the patient’s lifestyle requirements exactly and recommend a customised combination of lenses to achieve seamless vision from close to far. A bonus for Paul is that because the natural lenses in his eye have been removed, be

cannot develop any further cataracts. Mr Pande has recently lectured on the new measurement technique to some of the most senior ophthalmic consultants in Europe and the United States. Father of two Paul is a cereal pathologist whose work includes inspecting wheat and barley for signs of disease. He said: “I was sick of sliding my glasses up and down my nose to achieve the right focus. This is no longer necessary and I can see all that I need to without wearing any specs! Paul’s other passion, photography, has also been reignited since his vision surgery. He said: “I don’t know why I waited so long. “ n www.visionsurgery.co.uk

The perfect tonic . . . almost HALF A MILLION

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Drinking system works wonders DEYHDRATION in patients is a big and growing worry – with two deaths every day. The new, award-winning Hydrant device, made by Bristol-based company Hydrate for Health, is one way to help people unable to drink from a cup. The Hydrant simply clips, hangs or hooks on beds, chairs, wheelchairs and in many other locations. This removes the problem of reaching, lifting, or holding drinks and so gives easy access to fluids at all times. It is already being used by thousands of people in hospitals, care homes and at home. n Hydrate for Health: 07813 013779.

MALNUTRITION also continues to be a major cause and consequence of poor

health with older people particularly vulnerable - 33% of people over 65 are currently malnourished or at risk of malnutrition on admission to hospital. Now guidance has been published to help hospitals and care homes improve their standards of nutrition and hydration care. Dianne Jeffrey, chairman of the Malnutrition Task Force, said: “Whilst there is good practice in many hospitals, there is still some way to go before older people can be confident of the good nutritional care they deserve.” The Hospital Guide Preventing Malnutrition in Later Life: Best Practice Principles & Implementation Guide can be downloaded from n www.malnutritiontaskforce.org.uk

Hope on horizon BORN TO RUN: Jimmy Hawkes, left, Bev Blis and Andy McCabe have some special marathons in mind this year

BIG breakthrough in treating a particularly deadly form of cancer could be just around the corner.

Pancreatic cancer has the worst survival rate of any common cancer – with only three per cent of those diagnosed living for five years. But it is hoped the survival rate may double over the next few years with the help of six exciting new research projects funded entirely from donations. The projects have received awards totalling just under £1 million from the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, thanks to the tireless fundraising of the charity’s supporters across the UK. Maggie Blanks, head and founder of the PCRF, said: “To be able to invest £1 million in a single funding round is phenomenal, and I hope all our supporters who’ve fundraised for us understand what an amazing achievement they’ve enabled through their hard work.”

New techniques With non-specific symptoms only generally presenting when the cancer is already advanced, up to 90% of patients are diagnosed too late for surgery, which is the only potential cure. Professor Nick Lemoine, chairman of the PCRF’s scientific advisory panel: “I am genuinely optimistic about the progress being made in pancreatic cancer research. “We have much new knowledge and many new technologies at our disposal that we didn’t have just a few years ago. “I believe it is possible to achieve the goal of doubling the survival rate for patients with this cancer within the next few years, and the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund is enabling the UK to play a significant role in this.”

MEDICAL NOTES How are hospital staff treating YOU? HOSPITALS, and the way patients are treated by staff, are to come under closer scrutiny by the Care Quality Commission under a new three-year plan. Inspectors will ask patients’ views on whether they believe that services are safe, effective, caring and well led, and do they respond to people’s needs? Commission chief executive David Behan said: “We have looked closely at what we do and listened to what others have told us, to make sure we focus on what matters to them.” The CQC’s three-year plan also includes a more thorough test for organisations applying to provide care services.

Why we love this paper We are very impressed with how All Together NOW! is getting our health messages to people across the region.The paper is having a tremendously positive impact on people’s wellbeing, especially those affected by disability and age.” James Brown, Head of Communications Liverpool Community Health

Throat cancer help A NEW radiotherapy technique is helping relieve some of the worst side effects of treating throat cancer. Patients with oropharyngeal cancer often suffer the severe symptoms that come with dryness of the mouth as a result of radiation damage to salivary glands. But researchers at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, Holland, applied the new irradiation technique, called intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), in 102 patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Dr Chris Terhaard, a radiotherapist at UMC, said: “IMRT currently enables us to keep the radiation dose low enough in 50 percent of our patients so that saliva production is retained.”

Easing the pressure

The 2013-mile ‘fun’ run . . . THREE friends are planning to run an incredible 2013 miles in 2013 to help a hospital. The firm friends – all keen but very much amateur runners – agreed to take up the energy-sapping challenge for the Royal Liverpool University Hospital after each had a family member affected by cancer. The ‘Kielder 3’ - Jimmy Hawkes, 35, Andy McCabe, 35, and Bev Ellis, 29 – took part in their first marathon together at Kielder Water in Northumberland last year. They were so inspired by their success that they took on their massive new challenge to raise funds for the Royal’s ‘R’ Charity and Macmillan Cancer Support. Bev’s uncle received stem cell treatment

at the Royal last year, which is why the group is so keen to see money raised go towards the cancer unit there. The Royal provides the largest range of cancer services in Merseyside and Cheshire. Bev said: “We are not professional runners by any stretch of the imagination, but knowing we are supporting two such worthwhile causes will definitely help us to forget our aches and pains over the next 12 months.” The group will run every mile together in events such as Newcastle’s Great North Run in September, the Chester Marathon in October, and the inaugural Kielder 3 24Hour Relay in October.

people are reading these pages . . .

PRESSURE sores, often caused by being confined to bed for long periods, could become a thing of the past for hospital patients. Research shows significant improvement in the prevention of pressure ulcers with the use of the firstever continuous bedside pressure monitoring system. The study, presented at the annual conference of the Tissue Viability Society, showed that no new hospitalacquired pressure ulcers developed in patients using the new system in six months of care at Walsall Manor Hospital and TAKE ME HOME! three months at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.

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June/July 2013

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Fab treats at Cavern

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .

Job help scheme expands MORE people with mental health conditions than ever before have been supported at or into work by the Government’ Access To Work employment scheme. New statistics reveal that almost half of all people with mental health conditions using Access to Work last year did so for the first time. Access to Work provides financial help towards the extra costs faced by disabled people at work, such as support workers, travel costs and specially adapted equipment. Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey said: “Access to Work is unique as support goes to the individual, so that disabled people can have the same choice of jobs as everyone else - in every sector, from hairdressing to engineering and everything in between. “I’m encouraged by the figures, but we know many more disabled people could benefit, so I’d urge them to see how the scheme might help them get or stay in work.” The new figures relate to claims between April and December 2012 and show that 27,610 people were helped for the part year, up from 27,420 over the same time period the previous year. 7,750 claims came from people new to the scheme, which compares with 7,370 the previous year. More than 30,000 people have been helped by Access to Work in England, Scotland and Wales in 2011/12. The numbers of new and existing claims from people with mental health conditions has increased by almost 30 percent when compared with the same time period the previous year. Businesses with up to 49 employees no longer pay a contribution towards the extra costs faced by disabled people in work, saving up to £2,300 per employee who uses the fund. Disabled jobseekers who want to set up their own business through the New Enterprise Allowance are now eligible for Access to Work funding from day one of receiving Job Seekers Allowance; and Access to Work advisers will be given more flexibility in deciding which equipment is funded through the scheme.

TUDENTS gave shoppers a real treat when they took over one of the region’s best known major shopping centres.

For five days the students from Liverpool Community College showcased their skills and talents in areas from fashion to media production, from music to catering. They even staged a spectacular fashion catwalkat the Cavern Walks Shopping Centre Mathew Street It was all part of the college’s Diversity event, which gave shoppers and prospective students an insight into the wide range of courses and training opportunities available at LCC. Daily interactive workshops included T-shirt printing, accessory making and vinyl logo design. Jan Schofield, Head of School for Fashion, Art and Design, said: “The students put on a very professional display and their hard work and commitment was unmistakable. They have gained some fantastic live work experience and I hope we can host similar events in the future.” Stan Yarker, centre manager at Cavern Walks, said; “Our shoppers loved the displays of student work and the fashion shows were a definite highlight of the five-day event.”

Room for everyone A NORTH Wales hotel has landed an award for actively recruiting long-term unemployed people with disabilities. The Whitehouse Hotel in Llandudno scooped the Employability Related Services Association’s (ERSA) Small or Medium Employer of the Year award. Over the last year, the hotel has given ten disabled people work experience opportunities, of which seven have been taken on as permanent staff members. All have either physical disabilities or mental health conditions, including Tourette’s Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome and autism.

Tell our 450,000 readers

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June/July 2013

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. . . EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . . EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .

TAKE ME HOME!

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GREAT PAPER, GREAT BRAND

Win a £50K boost for YOUR business

ESTHER McVEY, MINISTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

STAIRWAY TO SUCCESS: Fashion students showing off their designs at Caven Walks, Liverpool

ISABLED entrepreneurs are being given the chance to win £50,000.

Entries are being inviited for this year’s Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK. The prize recognises the outstanding achievements of people who have overcome challenges to set up their own businesses. The award is jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire Disability, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, said: “I am passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship, and the previous winners of this award offer proof that there are many highly talented disabled entrepreneurs out there. “Removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential. For far too long disability has been associated solely with benefits and welfare. “I hope the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs will change that by highlighting their achievements and contribution to society.

SUPPORT: Sir Stelios “We want to hear from talented disabled entrepreneurs who are able to show they have got what it takes to run a successful business and meet a real need in the market.” Clare Pelham, chief executive of Leonard Cheshire Disability, added: “Each one of our previous winners is an example of the drive and determination that

characterises entrepreneurs; and a role model for young disabled people of the range of possibilities that lie ahead of them. There are no limits to what they can achieve. “I know there are many more talented and successful disabled entrepreneurs out there - I urge them to take advantage of this unique opportunity and apply.” The winner of the award, now in its seventh year, will be presented with the cash prize at a special ceremony in London later this year. Last year’s winners, Cyclone Technologies’ David Hawkins and Stuart Dunne, beat a strong field supplying bespoke mobility and fitness equipment to paraplegic users. n To download an application form visit www.lcdisability.org/stelios or call 0845 671 7173. Alternative formats are available on request and Leonard Cheshire Disability can also support applicants to fill in the form over the phone.

about your courses . . .

Bosses’ attitudes the main barrier EMPLOYERS’ attitudes towards disability are the biggest barrier in the workplace for disabled people, a survey shows. The Let Me Work work survey revealed that 62% of those asked cited employers’ attitudes as the main issue. Meanwhile, just one per cent thought a disabled person’s ability to do a job could prove problematic. Almost half those taking part in the poll claimed they had never worked with anyone disabled. Current employment statistics show that disabled people are far less likely to be in work than non-disabled people. Only 7.5% of people with a learning disability are in a paid job in England. Christian disability charity Livability conducted the survey in association with nfpSynergy.

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THIS NEWSPAPER IS MAKING A HUGELY IMPORTANT SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

STEVE MORGAN, CHAIRMAN, THE MORGAN FOUNDATION

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B BO OO OK KS S n Hannah Same Both Ways, £8.99, Indepenpress HANNAH Rose remembers only too clearly the day she pulled on jeans and hoodie in her bedroom like any normal teenager – before her life changed forever. That day, aged 15, was the last time she was able to walk down a flight of stairs. Hannah developed a pain in her back, went into hospital, was completely paralysed within days from the neck down. Despite severe disability and periods of dark depression, Hannah gained a degree, found a job with the police, and has an active social life. This is her remarkable story. n Miracle, by Phillpa Vincent, £7.99, Indepenpress VERY little fiction has people with disabilities at the heart of it. So this is a welcome addition to the young adult novel market. It’s the story of Orianna Stewart, a bright and ambitious sixth form student, who has cerebral palsy. One day she meets a gorgeous boy called Ashley. He’s adorable, handsome and, she believes, way out of her league. But just as things are looking up, events take a turn for the worse, and Orianna finds herself wishing for a miracle to save her.

St Omers Trust Fully accessible caravan for disabled people and their families at Marton Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool. Marton Mere is a Haven site, with full entertainment and leisure facilities. Features include: access ramp and veranda wide access doors gas central heating large wet room and toilet adapted for disabled use Passes to Funwork Complex included

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June/July 2013

ARIES March 21st - April 20th Your unorthodox opinions will win you lots of romantic attention. Trust your instincts when it comes to one of the family or a neighbour and don’t believe all you’re told or shown. A flirtatious newcomer might put a spring in your step in early June, but you should think long and hard before you respond or react. Love and money are like chalk and cheese in early July. There’s an even greater gulf growing between your world of work and your private life. Prepare for some romance at the end of the month. This coupled with a special aura of success and confidence glowing around a team effort or joint endeavour will ease your financial situation and make you the centre of some very flattering attention. TAURUS April 21st - May 21st Working behind the scenes gives you a great deal of creative fulfilment. When you’re left to your own devices, it’s easy to put imaginative touches on stale traditions. Fortunately, the powers that be will be impressed by your efforts, and give you bigger and better assignments as a reward. July opens with a battle of epic proportions between a relative and a lover. Mid-July is ideal for a taking an overseas vacation. If you’re single, you’ll meet someone special on this trip. Don’t worry if there’s a big age difference involved; this will only add spice to your union. You’ll feel torn between your public and private lives in the days surrounding the 22nd. GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st Treat yourself to some eye-catching clothes and accessories. The more distinctive your appearance, the more popular you’ll be. Money from an inheritance, refund, or legal settlement is awarded near the 23rd. And more moneymaking opportunities will arrive as June turns to July. Good news arrives on the financial front near the 8th. Use your money to put a down payment on a house or buy some new furniture. Make some changes to your daily routine. Fixing nutritious meals and taking more exercise will be burdensome at first, but you’ll soon feel the benefits. CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd Working in seclusion helps you develop a brilliant idea at the beginning of June. Doors that have always been closed to you will fly open in the final days of June. Take this opportunity to travel, write and study. If you don’t have the money to expand your horizons, apply for a scholarship or grant. The early days of July are perfect for revamping your look. An argument over money will erupt as July moves into August. You’re tired of someone holding their hand out every time you have a little extra cash in your pocket. It’s time to draw some stricter boundaries in this relationship. LEO July 24th - August 23rd Joining a cultural, religious, or educational institution will widen your social circle. The opportunity to realise a childhood dream arrives on or around the 8th. A wellrespected friend will provide you with the emotional and financial support you need to achieve success. Family matters will be tense throughout the first days of July. The second half of the month will force you to act as mediator between your family and romantic partner. The sooner you establish

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By the time the 8th arrives, you’ll be given a marvellous opportunity to advance your education. Family won’t be very supportive of your dreams toward the end of the month. Turn a deaf ear to their predictions of gloom and doom. If you continue to have faith in your abilities, you’ll reach great heights and silence your detractors.

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . . healthier boundaries between you and your relatives, the happier you will be. Single? It may be because you allow your family to interfere with your personal life too much. VIRGO August 24th - Sept 23rd A casual flirtation takes a serious turn around the 23rd. Suddenly you’ll realise just how deep your feelings are for an attractive playmate. If you’re already in a relationship, the two of you will decide to take a romantic vacation together. As June turns to July, you’ll find more time for social pursuits. July opens with an unpleasant secret coming to light. Mid-month brings a welcome relief from stress, when you’re able to go on a fun vacation with a group of your favourite people. Beware of overdoing it with food and drink. The end of July stimulates your creative instincts. Start work on a writing project. LIBRA September 24th - Oct 23rd The spotlight will be trained on you throughout the first half of June. If you want a high profile job, now is the time to apply for it – you’ll make an excellent impression on an employer. Selling or buying property will go well around the 23rd. The final days of June bring you fame and acclaim. Neither a lender nor a borrower be during the first days of July. A career opportunity will arrive on or around the 8th, helping you make money from your intellectual abilities. Mid-July finds you making more time for creative pursuits. Playing music, painting, and writing are all activities you will enjoy. Don’t be afraid to try a new medium; you have raw talent in virtually every artistic field. SCORPIO October 24th - Nov 22nd Early June will be one of the most romantic times of the year, when a bold flirt makes their way into your life. If you’re single, you could meet someone special while vacationing abroad. Substance trumps style at the beginning of July. Don’t try to charm an authority figure with a stunning appearance. Instead, win their loyalty with an impressive mastery of facts and figures.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23rd - Dec 21st A romantic liaison gets June off to a wonderful start but romance and finance do not mix at mid-month. Get ready to refuse a lover’s request for a loan. You shouldn’t feel compelled to share your hard earned cash with anyone. July opens with an aggressive admirer trying to win your heart. Trust your instincts regarding your latest fan. It’s better to keep them at arm’s length than give them encouragement. Disappointing news regarding a friend will reach your ears near the 22nd. Developing a new creative talent would be a good idea at this time. Alternately, you may decide to get a pet. Whatever you decide, don’t let depression drag you down. Change is inevitable; you might as well embrace it. CAPRICORN Dec 22nd - Jan 20th Your mind, body, and soul are intimately tied at the beginning of June. Go to the gym when depression rears its ugly head. The more active you are, the better you will feel. Fame and acclaim will be yours on the 23rd, when word spreads of your incredible talent. You will meet some very influential people. An exciting business partnership is scheduled around July 8. Having a like-minded sidekick will help you focus on your area of expertise. The 22nd brings an abrupt end to a source of income. You’ll have to find another way to generate funds. Unfortunately, friends may not be in the position to help this time around. AQUARIUS Jan 21st - Feb 19th Take a bold risk in June. Enter a contest, make an investment, or submit your creative work for review. The results will be exhilarating. You’ll have a rare opportunity to rest and relax near the 23rd. Step up your exercise routine toward the end of June. If you stick to your routine, you’ll get in the best shape of your life. Resist the urge to push a loved one around at the beginning of July. By mid-July, you’ll be able to revisit one of your favourite vacation spots. The 22nd warns against challenging an executive’s authority. As much as you want to be a free agent, you need the protection of a powerful organisation. A passionate affair helps your wounded pride to heal as July turns to August. PISCES Feb 20th - March 20th Your family provides much needed financial support in early June. A relative will join your household at mid-month. Fortunately, you’ll enjoy their company. Your creativity will soar in the closing days of June. Beware of overindulging in food and drink in the first half of July. It’s vital to take care of your health, as you’ll want to be in good form for all the vacations and parties ahead. An embarrassing secret will come to light on or around the 22nd. If you don’t have the experience or education you pretend, now is the time to rectify the problem.

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June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

Five classic guides to be won EVERYTHING you’ve ever wanted to know about horticulture is available in the new fourth edition of the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening – and we have FIVE copies, each worth £35, to give away in this competition. Twenty years after publication of the first edition, the classic gardening guide and reference book – published by Dorling Kindersley – has been fully revised and updated. Its 1,200-plus pages and over 400 new images cover every imaginable gardening topic, from long-term favourites such as flowering shrubs and water gardening,

to the benefits of the latest plant research. New themes reflect current trends, including living roofs and walls, growing vegetables in containers and planting to encourage pollinators. Based on the experience of 50 specialist contributors and fully revised by Royal Horticultural Society experts under the editorship of eminent horticulturalist Christopher Brickell, the book introduces new concepts and techniques, gives step-bystep guidance on everything from planting to pruning and propagation. To enter, answer this question: How many editions of

the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening have been published? Send your entry with your name and address on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW!, to RHS Encyclopedia Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday July 28, or enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk. Please also tell us what you think about All Together NOW! n For the full range of Dorling Kindersley gardening books, go to www.dk.co.uk

Grow for it! H

ERE’S a question for gardeners with ambition: Do you want to grow your own vegetables, herbs and fruit but think your garden is too small?

Don’t worry – it can be done. A fresh supply of delicious produce can be grown in a small space and look decorative. If you don’t feel confident to sow from seed, start by buying young plants. Garden centres stock an increasing range and even more are available by mail order from reputable firms such as Suttons, Thompson & Morgan and Mr Fothergill’s. Either way, growing your own vegetables gives you advantages over buying them. You can choose the best varieties for flavour or colour, save money and eat the crop absolutely fresh – you’ll taste the difference, believe me. Then there’s the question of using chemical pesticides. Many vegetables in the shops have been sprayed many times but, if you decide to treat against pests, you can limit the number of treatments to SMALL IS BOUNTIFUL: Even tiny gardens can produce a fresh supply of delicious produce what you consider essential. bed really thoroughly ground now. They rarely suffer pests or Some of the easiest produce and leave it overnight diseases – except perhaps for the odd blackfly to grow remains costly in the before sowing or – and they produce a delicious crop of up to shops right through summer planting. 4.5kg (10lb) to the yard that would be despite the fact that they Most low-growing expensive to buy in the shops. proliferate in gardens, crops like lettuces French beans come in climbing and dwarf including such colourful crops and carrots are sown varieties. Dwarf kinds are sown along 20cm as red-stemmed chard and gourmet veg like in V-shaped lines called drills that can be as (8in) wide rows and left to grow into a low courgettes and French beans. close as 20cm (8in). Water along the drills hedge 30cm (1ft) or so tall. The individual If space is restricted to just a few square feet, before sowing at the depth indicated on the beans are smaller but they are ready earlier. you can still grow herbs, salads, carrots and a seed packet. Other crops need more space. Climbers are treated like runner beans and few strawberry plants. Allow an 80cm-90cm square (nearly a square trained up poles. Vegetables are easier to grow than most yard) for a single courgette or marrow plant, or Sowing seeds of spring onions and lettuce flowers. They ask for just the basics of life – for a dozen runner beans trained up a wigwam every fortnight in short rows provides a light, food and water. Given those, you can, if of six 2.4m (8ft) bamboo canes. Water all of the continuous supply for summer salads. necessary, grow a lettuce in a flower pot. crops generously in dry weather. Several herbs grow readily from seed. Chives, Choose an area that is sunny for at least half Plants of outdoor tomatoes, French and parsley, coriander, rocket and dill can all be of the day and not shaded by nearby walls or runner beans, courgettes, marrows and leeks sown outdoors in early June. overhanging branches. Prepare the soil by are best planted out in early June. Strawberries bought as young plants can be removing weeds, forking in a general fertiliser Climbing French beans and runner beans are planted at any time during the next few months such as Growmore or blood, fish and for fruiting next year. bonemeal, and raking level. If it’s dry drench the among the most prolific crops to get in the

CHECKLIST

FLOWERS: Spend a few minutes every day dead-heading container flowers and sweet peas. Make sure the compost in containers does not dry out and give a liquid feed once a week. SHRUBS: When roses start to fade, remove the fading flowers of roses, pruning the heads back to an outward-facing leaf joint to encourage a second flowering in appropriate varieties. When trimming evergreen hedges, shape it so the base is wider than the top, allowing light to reach the lower leaves and avoid dieback. LAWNS: Grass in which spring bulbs have been grown can be cut lightly. Lawns suffering from dryness will benefit if the mower setting is raised. PONDS: Tackle blanketweed and other invasive plants in ponds. Blanketweed can often be controlled for several weeks at a time by removing as much as possible and treating with a proprietary anti-blanketweed product. FRUIT: Check gooseberry bushes for mildew. Trim off affected shoots and, if the problem seems serious, spray with a fungicide. The taste of fruits coated in mildew is not affected - they can be cleaned up and cooked. VEGETABLES: If you are not sure when to sow seeds, check out a new Vegetable Planting Guide iPhone(r) app from Mr Fothergill’s Seeds which predicts the best times for sowing each type of seed in any part of the UK. For a crop of late vegetables, sow quick-maturing varieties and water them thoroughly until wellestablished. Sow pea Kelvedon Wonder or Cavalier, lettuce Little Gem and carrot Amsterdam Forcing. 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. GREENHOUSE: Pinch out the sideshoots of tomatoes, tie in the main stem as it continues to grow and pinch out the growing tip once five or six trusses of flowers have set fruit. Cherry tomato types can be allowed to grow taller. WILDLIFE: Clean bird tables and feeders. Scour off decaying food, which can attract disease, then scrub with a mild solution of bleach. Wash thoroughly with clean water, dry off and then put out fresh food. HOUSEPLANTS: Repot if roots are showing through the base holes in the pot or on the compost surface. Replant in a pot at least 2.5cm (1in) wider and deeper.

All Together NOW!

One advert goes a long, long way

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E! E HOM TAKE M

BOX OFFICE SENSATION!

June/July 2013

Until Jun 15: Dirty Dancing. Palace Theatre. Manchester. Signed performance Jun 12. Until Jun 15: Piaf. Bolton Octogon. Musical drama about the life of Edith Piaf. Audio Described Jun 13. Jun 3-Jul 8: Soul Sister. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Musical inspired by Tina Turner. Jun 3-15: Ghost. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jun 7: The Houghton Weavers. The Brindley, Runcorn. Folk music comedy band. Jun 7: The Johnny Cash Story. Liverpool Empire. Jun 7: How Sweet It Is. Rhyl Pavilion. Motown’s greatest hits. Jun 7: An Evening Of Psychic Mediumship: Tony Stockwell. Southport Floral Hall. Jun 7: Celebrity Cook-off Live. St Helens Theatre Royal. Jun 8: Let’s Hang On. The Brindley, Runcorn. Franke Valli Tribute. Jun 8: An Evening of Burlesque. Floral Pavilion. Jun 8: The Bohemians: A Night of Queen. Rhyl Pavilion. Jun 8: Poisoned Electrik Head. St Helens Citadel. Jun 8: A Vision of Elvis. St Helens Theatre Royal. Jun 8-9: Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom. Blackpool Grand. Jun 8-Jul 6: Manchester Sound - The Massacre. Manchester Library. Unique show comparing two of Manchester’s most iconic eras - 1819 and the 1980s. Jun 10-15: The 39 Steps. Floral Pavilion. Jun 10-15: Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Jun 11: One night of Queen. Liverpool Empire. Jun 11-15: Scottish Opera & D’Oyly Carte’s The Pirates of Penzance. Manchester Opera House. Jun 12: The Dreamboys: Fit and Famous Tour. Liverpool Empire. Male glamour show, (18+). Jun 12-13: Bill Bailey, Qualmpeddler. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Stand-up comedy and music. Jul 12-13: Reginald D Hunter - In The Midst Of Crackers. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Stand-up comedy. Jun 12-15: The Fiddler on the Roof. Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Jun 13: Write Now... Share Later. The Brindley, Runcorn. Event for local writers. Jun 13: The Billy Fury Story. Liverpool Empire. Jun 13-Jul 6: The Kit Runner. Liverpool Playhouse. Audio described Jun 20. Captioned Jul 6 (mat). Jun 14: Jimmy Carr. Preston Guild Hall. Stand-up. Jun 14: Being Tommy Cooper. Rhyl Pavilion. Jun 14: Alice: An Extraordinary Adventure. Sale Waterside Centre. Jun 14: The Drifters 60th Anniversary Tour. Southport Floral Hall. Jun 14-Jul 13: Ladies Day. Liverpool Royal Court. Comedy from Amanda Whittington. Jun 15: Tubular Bells for Two. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jun 15: Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise. Preston Charter Theatre. Jun 15: Henning When. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. German comedian.

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BOX OFFICE NUMBERS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190. BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661. LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999. Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776. Royal Court: 0870 787 1866. LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000. MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565.

MANCHESTER Library Theatre: The Lowry: 0843 208 6000. Opera House: 0870 401 9000. Palace Theatre: 0870 401 3000. NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000. PORT SUNLIGHT: Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757. PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012. RHYL: Pavilion Theatre: 01745 330 000.

RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360. SALE: Waterside Arts Centre: 0161 912 5616. STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627. SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380. ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000. Citadel: 01744 735436. WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre: 01902 429212.

Make it a night to remember

Jun 15: Lisa Stansfield. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Jun 15: Jimmy Carr. Southport Floral Hall. Stand-up. Jun 15: The Blockheads. St Helens Citadel. Jun 16: Reginald D Hunter - In The Midst Of Crackers. Blackpool Grand. Jun 16: Tubular Bells for Two. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jun 16: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. St Helens Theatre Royal. Jun 16: Buddy Holly: A legend reborn. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jun 17: We’ll Meet Again. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jun 17-19: Dance Fever 2013. Floral Pavilion. Jun 17-22: Noises Off. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Backstage comedy show. Signed performance Jun 20. Jun 17-22: Rocky Horror Show. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Jun 18: The Immortal Swan. The Brindley, Runcorn. Dance production. Jun 18: Rainy Days & Mondays. Regent Theatre, Stoke. The Carpenters Greatest Hits. Jun 19: Being Tommy Cooper. Regent

Theatre, Stoke. Jun 19-22: Oliver. Preston Charter Theatre. Jun 19-22: Miss Nightingale. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Burlesque musical. Jun 19-22: Grandpa in my Pocket. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jun 20: Oliver. St Helens Citadel. Jun 21: Dennis Locorriere. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jun 21: The Billy Fury Story. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jun 21-22: An Enchanted Adventure Barbara Simons School of Dance. Floral Pavilion. Jun 22: ELO Experience-Mr Blue Sky. The Brindley, Runcorn. Tribute band. Jun 22: Bonnie Rait. Liverpool Empire. Jun 22: Prom Praise. Llandudno Venue Cymru. All souls orchestra. Jun 22: An Evening of Burlesque. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Jun 22: Geno Washington. St Helens Citadel. Jun 23: Tubular Bells for Two. Blackpool Grand. Jun 23: My Brother the Robot. Sale Waterside Centre. Jun 24: Steve Winwood. Manchester

Promote your shows here . . .

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June/July 2013

All Together NOW!

TWO FILMS definitely worth catching this summer... Come As You Are is a road trip with a difference. Three guys in their twenties love wine and women but they are still virgins. Under the guise of a wine tour they embark on a journey to Spain hoping to have their first sexual experience. Jozef is blind, Philip is paralysed from the neck down and Lars is in a wheelchair with a brain tumour, but they’re not going to let anything stand in their way. It’s a story about love, unconditional friendship and is based around the real-life experiences of Asta Philpot, who is a British disability rights advocate (based in Leeds). Born with the neuro-musculo-skeletal disorder arthrogryposis, Asta undertook a similar trip to find love and intimacy along with two disabled friends. WITHIN a year, Neil Platt goes from being a healthy young father to becoming paralysed from the neck down. As his body fails, due to motor neurone THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN: Come As You Are opens in cinemas in June disease, he tries to make sense of his life in order to communicate who he is in a letter to his oneyear-old son. MUSICIAN, photographer – and BIG fan of All Together NOW! – I Am Breathing is a Mike McCartney is backing the Everyone for the Everyman documentary about the fundraising appeal by donating a print of a Scaffold poster thin space between life signed by him and his Beatle brother Sir Paul McCartney. and death. The appeal is raising money for Liverpool’s new Everyman “It’s amazing how Theatre building and to assist new generations of artists. Mike adaptable we are when said: “This poster of Scaffold at the Everyman in 1966 – on my we have to be,” says Neil. “It’s what separates birthday! – was painted on by my big cheeky! older brother. It was later signed by me and our kid – a RARE occurrence – to us and defines us as raise money for the Everyman, where I started with The Liverpool human beings.” Knowing he only has a One Fat Lady Non-Electric show, which became Scaffold.” Mike was one third of The Scaffold with Roger McGough and few months left to live, and while he still has the John Gorman, and performed under the name Mike McGear. ability to speak, Neil puts n The limited edition prints of the 1966 Scaffold poster are available together a letter and for £30 each (unframed) from Rennies on Bold Street or by contacting memory box for his baby the Everyone for the Everyman office on 0151 706 9124. son, Oscar. Or email donate@everymanplayhouse.com

McCartney brothers help Everyman

Lowry: Lyric theatre. Jun 24-29: Evita. Liverpool Empire. Jun 24-27: Wider Opportunities Concerts. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. School performances. Jun 25: Brian May & Kerry Ellis in Concert. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Jun 25-29: Sherlock Holmes: The Best Kept Secret. Manchester Opera House. Jun 26: The Performance 2013 Liverpool Theatre School. Floral Pavilion. Jun 26: Inscape Summer Festival. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Music performed by Special Educational Needs schools in Greater Manchester. Jun 26-30: Bouncers. St Helens Theatre Royal. Adult drama/comedy. Jun 27-29: Aquaria. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. The story of Aquaria, the Goddess of the Deep. Jun 27-29: The Man Who Woke Up Dead. Sale Waterside Centre. Jun 28: Verve 2013. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jun 28-29: Starstruck 2013. Port

Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Children’s variety show. Jun 29: Brian May & Kerry Ellis in Concert. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jun 29: Broken Youth. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. (18+) Jun 29: Robin Hood and His Merry Men. Sale Waterside Centre. Jun 29: The Smiths Ltd. St Helens Citadel. Music act. Jun 29-30: Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom. Floral Pavilion. Jun 30: Rainy Days and Mondays. Blackpool Grand. The Carpenters greatest hits. Jun 30: An Afternoon At The Circus. The Brindley, Runcorn. Dance act. Jun 30: Helen Barton 2013. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Annual Dance recital. Jul 1: Blackmore’s Night Dancer and the Moon Tour. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jul 1-2: Let’s Dance 19. Floral Pavilion. Jul 1-3: Sofia National Ballet Triple Bill. Liverpool Empire. Jul 2: Oliver. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jul 2-20: Ghost. Manchester Opera

House. Signed performance Jul 10. Audio described Jul 16. Jul 4: The Dreamboys: Fit and Famous Tour. Southport Floral Hall. Jul 4: Simon McBride. St Helens Citadel. Irish blues guitarist. Jul 4-7: The Old Woman. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Political story written in 1930s Russia. Jul 5: Lancashire Hotpots. Blackpool Grand. Folk music act. Jul 5-6: The Wiz - Starlight Youth Theatre. Floral Pavilion. Jul 5: The Doors Alive: Perception. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Doors Tribute band. Jul 6: The Drifters 60th Anniversary Tour. Blackpool Grand. Jul 6: Back to Broadway. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jul 6: Siegfried. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. German Opera (English titles). Jul 6: Lancashire Hotpots. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jul 6: Dance Fusion. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 6: Hugh Cornwell. St Helens Citadel. Live music. Jul 7: The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Floral Pavilion.

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Jul 8: Dance and Dazzle. Floral Pavilion. Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre. Jul 8: That’ll Be The Day. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jul 8-13: Soul Sister. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Jul 8-14: Strictly Confidential. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Starring BBC’s Strictly stars. Jul 10: The Ladyboys of Bangkok. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 12: Buddy & The Killer. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 12-14: Dora the Explorer. Liverpool Empire. Jul 12-14: Sofia National Ballet Triple Bill. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jul 13: Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jul 13: WAPA Performance 2013. Floral Pavilion. Jul 13: Cor Meibion Maelgwn Male Voice Choir. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jul 13: The Ken Dodd Happiness Show. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 13: The Wind in the Willows.

Sale Waterside Centre. Jul 14: Raymond Froggatt. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 14: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Jul 15-16: Cissie and Ada. Blackpool Grand. Les Dawson’s characters back on stage. Jul 16: Sioe Igam Ogam. Rhyl Pavilion. Jul 17: Peter Howarth Unplugged. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jul 17: Daniel O’Connel: Daniel O’Donnell Tribute Show. St Helens Theatre Royal. Jul 19: The Twist. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Feel-good show with 50s/60s music. Jul 19-20: ALOHA From New Brighton with James Burton. Floral Pavilion. Jul 19-Aug 17: One night in Istanbul. Liverpool Royal Court. Jul 20: The Sound of Musicals. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Jul 20: The All Stars of Comedy: The Real McCoy Part 2. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jul 20: Paul Young’s Los Pacaminos. St Helens Citadel. Tex/Mex music. Jul 21: Nights on Broadway, The Bee Gees Story. Floral Pavilion. Jul 21: RIOT Offspring. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Dance production. Jul 21: Platinum Celebration Concert. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Three Midlands choirs share their 70th anniversary on stage. Jul 22-24: Sofia National Ballet Triple Bill. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Jul 23-27: Les Miserables - Schools Edition. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jul 23-27. Midnight Tango. Manchester Opera House. Dance drama. Jul 24: Happy Days Are Here Again. Floral Pavilion. Jul 25: Momentous Musicals. Palace Theatre Manchester. Jul 25-27: Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Roadshow. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Jul 26: Mama – All Era Genesis. St Helens Citadel.Tribute act. Jul 26-27: The Space Inside. Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Dance production. Jul 27: Geno Washington. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Soul and Motown night. Jul 27: Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown. Southport Floral Hall. Jul 27-28: Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom. Palace Theatre Manchester. Jul 28: An Evening of Dirty Dancing. Blackpool Grand. Jul 28: Dance Fest. The Brindley, Runcorn. Jul 28: Burlesque! Manchester Lowry: Quays theatre. Jul 29-Aug 10: Evita. Manchester Lowry: Lyric theatre. Jul 30-Aug 3: Dolly Parton 9-5 the musical. Liverpool Empire. Aug 2: Jimmy Carr. Llandudno Venue Cymru. TAKE ME HOME! Stand-up

0151 230 0307

All Together NOW!

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

★ ★

★ 23

19 21

20 22

★

★ 30

24 25 29

★

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Boat with twin hulls (9) 6. Attach firmly (3) 8. Tarry substance (7) 9. Lawful (5) 10. Need (4) 11. Pear-shaped fruit (3) 13. Sob (4) 14. Paddled (5) 16. Became invalid (6) 18. Military display (6) 19. Allure, entrap (5) 21. Weak (4) 22. Greyish-brown (3) 23. Skin condition (4) 27. Dance in triple time (5) 28. Soft and limp (7) 30. Boy’s name (3) 31. Profitable (9)

1. Rounded loaf (3) 2. Taint (anag.) (5) 3. Operatic heroine (4) 4. Rotten (6) 5. African river (4) 6. Fabrication (7) 7. Percussion instrument (9) 10. Self-control (9) 11. Lost colour (5) 12. Progress (3,2) 14. Marry (3) 15. Period of light (3) 17. Forfeit (7) 20. Ban on people being outdoors (6) 24. Spiny plants (5) 25. Russian emperor (4) 26. Den (4) 29. Canine animal (3)

June/July 2013

The Accumulator Quiz Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120. QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: In which children’s TV series was Great Uncle Bulgaria a character? A The Magic Roundabout B The Wombles C The Clangers D Bagpuss

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Musician and TV presenter Jools Holland was a founder member of which 1970s band?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: What is the profession of the Master of the Rolls? A Chauffeur B Baker C Accountant D Lawyer

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: The island of Sardinia is part of which European country?

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: What is a shillelagh? A A folk song B A fishing boat C A drum D A cudgel

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: In the first three series of the TV show Being Human who played werewolf George Sands?

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: What was the name of the TV production company of which Prince Edward was a director until 2009? A Argent B Ardent C Archant D Argos QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Which of the following is a type of dress material from the Victorian era? A Bombazine B Crewel C Lisle D Gaberdine QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: To which fish family does the European anchovy belong? A Mackerel B Cod C Herring D Pollack

SUDOKU

A B C D

Musician Jools Holland. See Question 10.

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: In the clothing care labelling system what does the symbol of a triangle with a cross over it represent? A B C D

Spain France Italy Portugal

Damien Molony Aidan Turner Michael Socha Russell Tovey

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Who might be described as a sophomore? A B C D

Do not bleach Do not spin dry Do not tumble dry Hand wash only

A musician A student A vicar An author

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which British jazz band leader had a chart hit with Petite Fleur?

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: In which port is the Britannia Naval College? A B C D

Squeeze Dr Feelgood The Specials The Blockheads

A B C D

Plymouth Portsmouth Dartmouth Chatham

Chris Barber Acker Bilk Dave Holland John Dankworth

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: What is the nickname of the Royal East Kent Regiment?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Which metallic element has the highest melting point?

A B C D

The Blues The Greys The Greens The Buffs

Molybdenum Titanium Tungsten Chromium

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

DIFFICULT

5 7 8 3 2 1 9 3

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

3 9

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

9 30 24

12 15 9

9 16 27

35 5 10 10

21 7

SAY THAT AGAIN . . .

‘

Living is easy with eyes closed — John Lennon (Strawberry Fields)

‘

THE things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy - Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

‘

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving — Albert Einstein

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June/July 2013

14 3

4 20

23 25

22 21

17 20

14 6

24 17

15 12

17 17

13 21

20 6

14 11

17 8

11 17

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.

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?

8 14

14 6

16 14

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE 8

All Together NOW!

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.

2. Fish 765 314 312 732 373 517 666 917 817 622

744 267 132 712 164

4. Professions 746 753 373 715 427 261 226 537 176 542 617 878 396 716 877 724 483 281 832 243 368 478 136 446 337 542 486 7

377 464 175 618 768 816 372 413 679 256 661 425 417 452 427 568 633 7

5. Languages 767 884 837 317 162 529 143 762 426 148 254 261 414 463 412 446 362 412 364 254 218 738

274 362 312 713 176

377 617 364 373 127

PATHWORDS

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 grammatical terms.

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 9?

242 225 164 428 313

3. Spices 227 326 661 446 437 782 731 336 847 335 646 172 774 521 622 886 341 255 774 231 455 212 568 371 887 421 229 366 3

168 128 316 826 637

426 877 547 137 224

6. Car manufacturers 648 782 474 413 239 869 682 173 843 681 233 371 466 321 756 342 816 477 261 782 149 863 241 767 724 293 2

661 637 321 278 317

WORD WIZARD

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

A MAKE A DATE

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

OFF

1. Queen Victoria is declared Empress of India.

1 []’–

1. US cities 244 224 617 488 728 172 613 726 247 261 866 163 916 753 267 552 717 328 853 156 643 537 163 919 675 663 276 547

MISSING LINK 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 country.

––––

WARM

––

STAGE

STRIP

––––

DOWN

CRAB

–––––

JUICE

F F I E N TRANSFORMER

FALL

–––

PAST

–––––

WILL UP

OVER

CHAMPAK 1) An East Indian tree of the magnolia family, with heavily scented yellow flowers; 2) The shell of a mollusc, which is sliced into bangles for Hindu women; 3) A goat-like antelope found in high mountains in southern and central Europe.

2. The first sardine canning factory is opened at Eastport, Maine. 3. Alexander Graham Bell patents the first telephone system.

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word. Clue: Foreign woman can become a cheat.

WAS IT? a) 1866; b) 1871; c) 1876; d) 1881; e) 1886.

____ +D=____D

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords: verb; declension; subject; prefix; noun; clause; tense; case; adverb; suffix; sentence; article; adjective; paragraph; participle; dative; phrase; singular.

4 3 2 7 6 5 1 9 8

7 9 1 4 3 8 6 5 2

2 5 3 6 4 7 9 8 1

6 1 4 8 9 2 5 7 3

8 7 9 3 5 1 4 2 6

1 4 7 9 2 3 8 6 5

3 6 8 5 7 4 2 1 9

9 2 5 1 8 6 7 3 4

5 7 2 3 1 6 4 9 8

8 1 6 2 4 9 5 7 3

4 3 9 5 8 7 1 6 2

2 6 3 1 7 5 8 4 9

Q V

15 2

16 3

17 4

P W A

18 5

19 6

20 7

C O

N M F

21 8

22 9

SUDOKU EASY

23 10

24 11

H U

CROSS CODE

1 4 7 8 9 2 3 5 6

9 8 5 6 3 4 7 2 1

7 5 8 9 2 1 6 3 4

6 9 1 4 5 3 2 8 7

3 2 4 7 6 8 9 1 5

35 8

20 27 9

1 7

9 9

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

9 12

9 39

KAKURO MEDIUM

4 5

9 6

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

5 8 6 2 1 9 3 4 7

8 30

4 7

8 14

6 9 6 15

Accumulator Quiz 1 – B; 2 – D; 3 – D; 4 – B; 5 – A; 6 – C; 7 – A; 8 – C; 9 – D; 10 – A; 11 – C; 12 – D; 13 – B; 14 – A; 15 – C. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Catamaran; 6 Fix; 8 Bitumen; 9 Legal; 10 Want; 11 Fig; 13 Weep; 14 Waded; 16 Lapsed; 18 Tattoo; 19 Decoy; 21 Puny; 22 Dun; 23 Acne; 27 Waltz; 28 Flaccid; 30 Roy; 31 Rewarding. Down – 1 Cob; 2 Titan; 3 Mimi; 4 Rancid; 5 Nile; 6 Figment; 7 Xylophone; 10 Willpower; 11 Faded; 12 Get on; 14 Wed; 15 Day; 17 Penalty; 20 Curfew; 24 Cacti; 25 Czar; 26 Lair; 29 Dog. Star Name: TIM HENMAN

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. Champak is a tree. Dialling Codes 1. Chicago; Pittsburgh; San Francisco; Boston; New Orleans; Dallas; Seattle; Los Angeles; New York; Minneapolis. 2. sole; herring; plaice; bream; trout; mackerel; perch; dory; minnow; salmon; halibut; roach; pilchard; flounder. 3. cardamom; ginger; mustard; fenugreek; cumin; paprika; mace; nutmeg; allspice; vanilla; cloves; turmeric; cayenne. 4. shopkeeper; librarian; banker; policeman; surveyor; nurse; architect; teacher; dentist; engineer; solicitor.

5. Portuguese; Persian; Malay; German; Russian; Italian; English; Hindi; Chinese; French; Bengali; Arabic; Urdu. 6. Mitsubishi; Daewoo; Toyota; Peugeot; Mercedes; Honda; Skoda; Fiat; Nissan; Subaru; Hyundai; Porsche; Mazda. Spot Check A = 4; B = 1; C = 2; D = 6; E = 5; F = 3. Missing Link kill; up; wash; apple; ill; tense. Country: Kuwait. Make a Date The year was 1876. Transformer Frau + D = Fraud.

REACH 450,000 READERS . . .

TAKE ME HOME!

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June/July 2013

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Our lucky apple tree winners THE THREE lucky winners of our competition to win a Coronet Apple Tree were: Mrs Mavis Chesworth, Coronation House, Mill Lane, Greasby, Wirral. Mrs Rose Winstanley, Overpool Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port. Mrs H Wilkinson, Cranbourne Drive, Church, Accrington.

Sixteen of the very best! WERE YOU one of the 16 winners of our competition to win a superb collection of chrysanthemum seeds, produced by top specialists Woolmans? Geraldine Higgins, Walsingham Road, Liverpool. Andrew Kay, The Willows, Mawdesley, Ormskirk. Mrs Christine Mason, Dudlow Lane, Liverpool. Mrs J Fairhurst, Heysham Road, Orrell, Wigan. Mr Graham Holroyd, Mythop Road, Lytham St Annes. Mrs M Jones, Bempton Road, Liverpool. Mrs Anna Jameson,

Sandpiper Close, Upton, Wirral. C Power, Wrenbury Walk, Sale, Cheshire. Mrs Brenda Butler, Lime Court, Skelmersdale. Tony Nuttall, Canberra Avenue, St Helens. E Whitmarsh, Moorhouse Avenue, Alsager, Stoke on Trent. Mrs Wendy Simons, The Crescent, Waterloo, Liverpool. Miss C.Boston, Mallee Crescent, Southport. Ann Knowles, Wallasey Village, Wallasey. Mrs M Lockhart, Thirlmere Court, Liverpool. Mrs Anne Gannon, Dingle Road, Upholland

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 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. Tel 0151 263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076 n MERSEYSIDE Coalition of Inclusive Living. Tel 0151 260 4001 n NEUROSUPPORT Centre 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. Textphone 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability

Partnership. 01925 240064 WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053 n WREXHAM Tel 01978 262955 MIDLANDS BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 n WIRRAL

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND 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 n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 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 1234 Tel 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 ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF 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 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 ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902 420904 n N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

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 n CUMBRIA 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 Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 n LIVERPOOL 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 456 2808 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 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 n DOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM: NEWCIS, Tel: 01978 310414.

Email your news to us at news@allltogethernow.org .uk

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June/July 2013

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Shooters on target G

REAT Britain’s shooters returned from the IPC Shooting World Cup in Turkey with two gold medals and one bronze.

The event, which took place in Antalya, drew in competitors from 18 nations, also saw Britons set two new world records. Double Paralympic medallist Matt Skelhon won GB’s first gold, shooting 631.5 in the qualification round of the R3 10m Air Rifle Prone Mixed SH1 to qualify for the finals in third place. In the finals the London 2012 silver medallist shot a superb final score of 211.7 to set a world record and take the gold. GB’s second gold went to Ryan Cockbill in the R4 10m Air Rifle Standing Mixed SH2. Cockbill shot 629.8 to qualify for the finals in top spot. He then retained the position, shooting a world record 210.6 in the finals to take the top podium place. The third GB medal went to North Wales shooter Owen

Burke in the R1 10m Air Rifle Standing Men SH1. Burke shot 605.4 in the qualification round to qualify for the finals in eighth position. He then shot a fantastic final round and was eliminated after the 18th shot, claiming bronze with a final score of 182.3. Earlier this year the team won two golds at the International Shooting Competition in Hannover - and four medals at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Poland. Paralympic shooter Karen Butler won the first gold for GB. She took the top spot in the R6 50m Rifle Prone Mixed SH1 competition. The GB team of Karen, Ben Jesson and Stephen Robertson went on to claim the team gold. Meanwhile, the squad of eight for the Polish tournament, including Skelhon and Bevis and wheelchair basketballerturned-shooter Ann Wild, returned with individual silver and bronze medals and a team silver and team bronze. There were also two medals for Britain in the team competitions.

WHAT A FEST!

HOT SHOTS: Owen Burke, Ryan Cockbill and Matt Skelhon

Adrian’s Rio nightmare

Climbing champ, Rad

WHEELCHAIR fencer Adrian Derbyshire has been forced to abandon his dreams of competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympics games after burglars stole £25,000 worth of vital equipment. Thieves made off with swords and training gear from his garage in Leicester Street, Warrington. Adrian, 38, said the challenge of replacing the equipment in time to compete in enough events to qualify for Rio was too much to take on. Adrian said: “I will now be concentrating on coaching children and promoting a ‘can do’ attitude.” Adrian, who lost the use of his legs after suffering a brain tumour in 2008, is also planning to write a book about his life and to develop his career as a motivational speaker. “This is not the end I wanted for my career,” he said, “but it is inevitable given the obstacles I would face.”

CLIMBER Rad Breeze, of OnThisROC’s visually impaired climbing club, is the new British Paraclimbing Champion – and is the third member of the club to be offered a place in the GB Paraclimbing Team. More good news from the club – Andy Coltart, founder of OnThisROC and assistant manager of the GB Paraclimbing Team, has been elected President of the International Paraclimbing Commission. His new role will involve leading a team that develops the sport for disabled people a cross the world. Andy said: “We are very proud of all our visually impaired climbers especially Rad for doing so well in the British Championships. We are also thrilled to be involved in the development of disabled climbing at international level.” n Tel 07850 344144 www.onthisroc.co.uk

Pure GOLD ,say say Paralympians

HE second ParalympicsGB Sports Fest was hailed a “fantastic success” by Paralympians Hannah Cockroft and Jody Cundy. More than 700 people attended the two-day event in Sheffield to try out over 20 different Paralympic sports and meet Paralympian athletes. Double Paralympic medallist Hannah said: “Sports Fest has been a fantastic success. It has been just amazing to see so many people of all ages, disabilities and sporting backgrounds under one roof wanting to find out more about how they can

Stay ahead of the game

get involved in sport. “Throughout Sports Fest I’ve been surrounded by people who want to see my medals, get their photo taken and get an autograph, so it’s great to know that they have been inspired by London 2012. “As an athlete you don’t always realise what an impact you have on people but this has shown me that my performance in London has had a direct influence on some of the people here, and that’s incredible.” Cycling’s multi-medallist Jody Cundy experienced a similar feelgood factor. He said: “To see so

many young people who have been inspired by London and now have had the opportunity to meet their heroes and have a go themselves has been fantastic and, to be honest, quite emotional.” Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association, said: “We have had over 700 people come along. “Be it school kids or adults trying a sport for the first time, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we know we have found some individuals with genuine potential across a range of sports.”

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June/July 2013

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LEFT: POWERFUL STUFF: Alex Waring (left, Saint Francis Xavier) and Marcus Harrison (Broadgreen) RIGHT: HANDBALL STARS: Liverpool Greenbank (black shirts), winners of the Handball tournament, and Liverpool Handball Club (green shirts)

POWERED FOR ACTION

OWER hockey, the new sport for young people using powered wheelchairs, is catching on fast.

And to showcase the players’ quality and skills, the sport was included in last week’s inaugural Disability Sports Regional Games, held at Liverpool’s Greenbank Sports Academy. Liverpool’s Broadgreen school beat St Francis Xavier school 2-0 in the final. Developed at Greenbank, power hockey gives severely disabled

children the chance to play a fast, contact sport – often for the first time. The game is played using specially designed electric wheelchairs that have been developed in partnership with the North West Training Council. More than 250 disabled athletes took part in seven sports at the Games. Organiser Steve Hoskins said: “The Games were a big success –- everyone who took part really enjoyed it. Next year we’ll be back but bigger and better!”

RESULTS POWER HOCKEY Gold – Broadgreen School Silver – Saint Francis Xavier School POWERLIFTING 60kg – 82kg Gold – Abdul Ahmady (Stockport Arnies) Silver – Connor Johnstone (Greenbank) Bronze – Abdul Aljabali (Greenbank) 81kg – 90kg Gold – Dave Gibson

(Stockport Arnies) Silver – Kurt Shoutt (Stockport Arnies) Bronze – Matt Green (Cross Fitness) 91kg – 100kg+ Gold – Tim Toner (Greenbank) Silver – Bruce Lacey (Cross Fitness) WOMEN’S EVENT Gold – Lyndsey Philips (Cross Fitness) BOCCIA Gold – Stockport 1 Silver – Greenbank

Giants Bronze – Greenbank Gorillas TABLE TENNIS Gold – Mark Palmer, Greenbank Table Tennis Club Silver – David Jones, Rhuddlan, Denbighshire Bronze – Mark Swift, Greenbank Table Tennis Club HANDBALL Gold – Greenbank. Silver – Liverpool Handball Club

Help us to keep spreading the news – subscribe NOW All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people whose lives are affected by disability. But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books. You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £12 donation (or more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

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Natalie throws in the towel MANCHESTER’s mulitParalympic medallist Natalie Jones has retired from swimming after more than 13 years at the top of the sport. Natalie has competed in four Paralympic Games and made her debut on the international scene at just 15-years old. The highlight of her career came at the Athens Games in 2004 when she won the SM6 200m Individual Medley and also won gold in the 4x50m Medley Relay (20pts). “I have had a fantastic 13 years at the top of the sport,” she said. “I have won five Paralympic medals which is a big achievement and one I am very proud of but it was getting to the point where my mind was saying yes let’s do this and my body was saying no.”

New Academy A 10-year search for a new home for the nationally renowned Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts in Crewe came to a welcome conclusion with the lighting of the ‘Flame of Hope’ by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. The ‘lighting of the flame’ heralded the beginning of a hour-long tour of the Academy by the Prince, at its new home in the former Broad Street Infant School in Broads Street, Crewe.

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