All together now! issue 76 october noivember 2017

DON’T LET THE FUN BACKFIRE

p10

p5

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2017

WIN£549HAMPER! WIN £549 HAMPER!

INSIDE

BOOST YOUR p24 BRAIN POWER

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ROBOT CARERS ON THE WAY? p12

ACTION MAN MALCOLM! p9

SKYPING IT UP p2

ZENA ,

98,

GOES DIGITAL

PLEASE HELP p6 MY SISTER

WE NEED YOUR HELP BACK PAGE

2

All Together NOW!

What’s inside

NEWS

October/Nobember 2017

p2-6

NEWS

KEYS TO A NEW WORLD: Zena Coffey with her tutor, Leah Rosindale

p7

MORGAN FOUNDATION

LORD MAYOR’S CHARITY APPEAL p8

FIRE ALARM

UNITED UTILITIES

CAREZONE

MOTORZONE

INDEPENDENT LIVING

p10

p11

p12-13

p14 -15 p16

CONTACT BOARD

LEGALZONE

p20

p21

SKILLZONE

p22-23

THEATREZONE

p28-29

HEALTH

BOOKS/HOROSCOPE

GARDENING

PUZZLEZONE

SPORT

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

p24-27 p30

p31

p32-33 p34-35

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

0151 230 0307

Editor: Tom Dowling

email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Zena goes digital at 98

F

ORGET pen and paper – it’s now emails and Skype for Zena Coffey, who’s just joined the digital age at the grand age of 98!

Her first email message was pinged to her son living in Australia – and minutes later she was all smiles after getting his reply.

Now she plans to harness the benefits of IT and keep in touch with her children and other relatives by email in future, as well as using Skype to talk face to face.

Zena attends Waterloo Park Day Centre in Merseyside, run by leading adult social care provider

New Directions. And it was the centre’s youngest member of staff, Leah Rosindale, who guided Zena through her training.

Centre manager James Walmsley said: “Zena has been one of our regulars for many years now and is very popular. She is renowned for her positive outlook on life, and for overcoming any setbacks she faces.”

The day service provided by the centre – which has places available – helps people to get out and about and socialise and to continue living independently, as well as providing respite care for their families. n Contact New Directions, tel 0151 934 3726

IN THE SWIM: Dave Perry with Kate Hill, left, and Sandra Thompson, right

Legal Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy editor: Steve McDermott

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 230 0307

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

NEXT EDITION

TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER, 2017

All Together NOW! is published

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

Swimathon Dave’s thanks

D

AVE Perry has been sending big thanks to all who supported his swimathon for his friends at Natural Breaks.

Dave, 53, planned to do 40 lengths of Everton Park Lifestyles pool, Liverpool, but kept going for another 10!

It was his way of acknowledging the help he has received from the charity which supports people in

the North West with learning disabilities, mental health issues, physical disabilities and acquired brain injury.

“They’ve done so much for me. I just want to give something back,” he said.

Three of the charity’s support workers Kate Hill, Jacqui Perry and Sandra Thompson also splashed in style – each swimming 80 lengths.

HALF A MILLION READERS . . .

Let’s get flexible at music venues

THE country’s smaller live music venues are set to welcome more deaf and disabled audiences and performers – just by using a little imagination.

Hundreds of small-scale independent venues are being encouraged to find creative – affordable – ways of becoming more accessible.

A new grassroots charter will allow venues to win accreditation even if they do not have an accessible toilet, by securing permission from local businesses to use their facilities and making sure that that information is available to disabled customers.

It will also allow venues without a lowered bar to sign up, by pledging that staff will serve wheelchairusers from in front of the bar.

Venues will also be able to secure accreditation if they provide a viewing area, rather than the viewing platform required by the main charter, for reasons of both space and money.

The new Grassroots Venue Charter of Best Practice focuses on lowcost access solutions, with an emphasis on “flexibility and creativity”.

Devised by the user-led Attitude is Everything campaign, it will support hundreds of locations with a capacity of 500 or less to make affordable changes. It is designed to complement AiE’s existing Charter of Best Practice, which has led to more than 130 larger venues and festivals securing accreditation.

AiE’s figures show that ticket sales to disabled fans at festivals and venues accredited through the main charter increased by 21% in 2016, an estimated economic boost of almost £8 million.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

A time for joy – and tears . . .

I

T’S getting cold out there, but there’s lots in this bumper autumn issue to warm the heart – and stir the blood!

Stories like 98-year-old Zena Coffey getting to grips with the Internet (p2); Mike Raynor’s efforts to help young carers (p13); and blind speed king Mike Newman smashing the world powerboat record (p35) are hugely inspiring.

EDITOR’S LETTER

treating disabled people (p21); and Manchester airport has been blasted for its poor access (p4).

It is also sad to report the death of Lorraine Gradwell MBE, one of the North West’s leading disability rights campaigners (p19).

Lorraine did so much for the people of Greater Manchester – and all over the UK. She will be sorely missed.

TOM DOWLING, editor LORRAINE GRADWELL MBE

It’s also great to highlight yet again the magnificent ways the Steve Morgan Foundation is helping so many disadvantaged people across the region (p7).

However, it’s not all rosy and there are also lots to sound off about.

Cuts to services continue to seriously affect so many people’s lives; the United Nations has slammed the Government over the way it is

PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING THIS AWARD-WINING NEWSPAPER

All Together NOW!

Dementia: free gas safety offer

FREE gas safety devices that cuts the risk of gas being turned on or left on unintentionally are being offered to Cadent customers living with dementia.

Engineers from the UK’s biggest gas network will fit for free a small valve somewhere near a customer’s cooker or hob.

A set of keys is given to a carer, who can then turn the gas to the appliance on and off as required. This reduces risk of gas being turned on, or left on, unintentionally.

Phil Burrows, who co-ordinates the scheme, said: “We are so delighted to be rolling this out and helping in this way. The locking cooker valve is a small device, but it can make a big difference.

It can help with preserving dignity and independence, yet offer peace of mind for family, friends and carers.” n Cadent, tel 0845 835 1111

This get our vote!

Alex shouts it from the hill tops

A

DVENTURER Alex Staniforth is urging young people to speak out about their mental health issues, tell someone they trust and seek help.

His advice follows the completion of an epic 72-day, 5,000 mile challenge – #ClimbtheUK, which involved him climbing the highest points in all of the UK’s 100 counties, finishing at the top of Moel Famau, Flintshire, to raise awareness of young people’s mental health.

His efforts also raised more than £22,000 for the mental health charity YoungMinds.

The adventure, which saw Alex, 22, travelling more than 5,000 miles on foot, by bike and in a kayak, stretched his limits physically and mentally.

But pushing his limits is now second

‘We’ve got to open up about mental health’ nature to Alex, who is also an ambassador for the Youth Hostels Association.

He has twice tried to climb Everest, only to be thwarted by avalanches, the second of which, in the Nepalese earthquake two years, ago, killed three of his Sherpa colleagues.

He’s also battled mental health issues since he was a boy.

“This latest adventure was my new Everest,” he said.

Alex, from Chester, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was nine and has also had to overcome a bad stammer, panic

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

attacks, anxiety, depression, low selfconfidence, bullying and low self-esteem and eating disorders which the condition triggered.

He said: “Mental illness is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with – far more difficult than climbing Everest. Everyone has their own mountain to climb and my big message over the last few months has been that if you’re suffering from mental health issues, please speak out, tell someone you trust, visit the Young Minds website and seek help – it’s not a sign of weakness. Talking about it is a sign of strength.”

YHA (England and Wales) provided Alex with accommodation at youth hostels throughout the challenge. n www.alexstaniforth.co.uk

Free Home Demonstrations

SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

3

VOTING will be easier for blind people, thanks to changes brought in by the Department of Health.

Chris Skidmore, Minister for the Constitution, said: “Our reform of the Certificate of Vision Impairment will mean that, for the first time, local authorities will be able to contact those who hold a CVI to ask whether they need any extra help or support when it comes to registering to vote, or participating in our elections.”

Fazilet Hadi, RNIB’s deputy chief executive, said: “This is a really important step forward for blind and partially sighted voters.”

New sight group

PEOPLE with sight problems in the east of the Liverpool can now get help and advice, thanks to a new support group that’s been set up in Knotty Ash. The Macular Society and Christopher Grange Visual Rehabilitation Centre has organised the group, which meet on the third Friday of the month, from 10.30am12.30pm, at Christopher Grange in Youens Way, Liverpool.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 600,000 people. n Macular Society helpline: 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org

Call Us On:

01744 602602 Also At:

0151 423 3738

4

All Together NOW!

NEWS

October/November 2017

A PROJECT that will trace and record the employment history of disabled workers across Merseyside over the past 150 years has been given a £74,000 boost.

Liverpool’s disabled-led Wicked Fish arts company will use the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to explore institutional work undertaken by people with learning difficulties and other disabilities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the ‘feeble-minded were kept occupied and useful’, and usually unpaid, in industrial schools, workshops, laundries, colonies, and hospitals. n Contact, 0151 227 5177

More papers, please

I REGULARLY pick up All Together NOW! at Minshulls Garden Centre, near Leighton hospital, and always find it excellent, informative, easy to read and understand.

I work at The Wishing Well, which aims to improve the health and well being of the local community in Crewe and wonder whether we could have a regular supply to distribute to our service users.

Pam Young, The Wishing Well Project.

All Together NOW! is a great way to get people more active – especially for those who, due to ill-health and other issues, find it difficult to do so. It’s full of tips and info, and we would be delighted to start distributing papers at all of our Wheels for All centres across the North West. Can you start sending copies to our HQ in Warrington?

Ian Tierney, Dierctor, Cycling Projects. n EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks Pam and Ian. Copies are on the way!

Join our search

ONE of Manchester’s oldest charities – Disabled Living – has been given £58,400 to record its 120-year history.

And they are looking for people to get involved in the project.

From Donkeys to Innovators will focus on how an organisation set up in the late 19th century to teach children to be kind to animals evolved into a leading charity working with disabled people to provide advice and information.

The charity’s stories will be preserved for the future by digitising all materials and depositing them in Manchester Central Libraries Archives.

A new exhibition will be permanently installed in the charity’s Redbank House building in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. n Contact: Tel. 0161 214 5959.

Moveable art project is a Charity step in the right direction targets young people

A

Merseyside’s race to dig up workers past

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

RT can inspire change – and open eyes to the everyday problems that some people face.

That’s what a group of disabled artists in St Helens believe, and they’ve been putting their skills to good effect.

Lead artist Michelle Wren said: “We started our Open the Door project with the idea of making a game about access in St Helens.

“But to even start making that game, we had to make the sessions accessible to everyone.

“We all have different ways of working and we needed to find the best way to work with everyone.”

The group identified about 20 spots where disabled people face difficulty in the town centre.

“When you start to look at it you notice things like a drop kerb on one side of the road, but not the other.”

The group made a number of ‘art drops’ around the town, taking large copies of their works depicting the positive and negative access qualities of venues.

They also handed letters to venue managers and business owners offering friendly suggestions or praise, along with an invitation to an end-of-project showcase event.

The artists worked with Heart of Glass, the Citadel Arts Centre and St Helens Council.

AIRPORT BLASTED OVER ACCESS by JOHN PRING

M

ANCHESTER Airport has been branded one of the worst for accessibility, after it failed to consult with disabled people about how it could improve its services.

Heathrow, East Midlands and Exeter were also among the four UK airports named by the Civil Aviation Authority as providing poor services to disabled passengers.

In its second annual review of accessibility at UK airports, CAA found six “very good” airports, and 20 “good” terminals.

But CAA said it was “unacceptable” for an airport the size of Manchester to fail to carry out any consultation at all with disability organisations in 2016-17.

Members of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People delivered a “damning” description of travelling through the airport.

One member had to make their own way to the departure gate after arriving early in the morning for their flight and finding no assistance staff on duty.

Another said there was never enough staff on duty or wheelchairs available.

Some staff were said to be “kind, courteous and understanding” but many were said to treat disabled people as “little better than cattle”.

Brian Hilton, GMCDP’s digital campaigns officer, said: “Disabled people are paying the same amount for flights as everyone else but are getting an inferior service at Manchester Airport.

“If Manchester Airport is serious

PLANE TRUTHS

n VERY GOOD: Birmingham; Glasgow Prestwick; Glasgow Humberside; Inverness; Norwich. n GOOD: Aberdeen; Belfast City; Belfast International; Bournemouth; Bristol; Cardiff; City of Derry; Doncaster; Sheffield; Edinburgh; Leeds Bradford; Liverpool; London City; London Gatwick; London Luton; London Southend; London Stansted; Newcastle; Cornwall Newquay; Southampton Sumburgh. n POOR: Manchester, East Midlands; Exeter; London Heathrow.

about promoting itself as the gateway to the north it needs to up its game. It needs to talk to and listen to disabled people.

“It needs to implement practices and procedures that ensure disabled people travel safely and in comfort and are not made to feel like second-class citizens.”

GMCDP is the longest-established disabled people’s organisation in the north-west of England.

But Mr Hilton said: “We have never had any contact from Manchester Airport.”

A spokesman for Manchester

Airport said their contractor OCS had recently recruited more than 100 new customer services staff to work with disabled passengers, and their initial training had included “hidden disability training”.

The airport has also launched a disability engagement programme, involving disability charities Stomawise, Support Dogs, Guide Dogs, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, Alzheimer’s Society, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Action on Hearing Loss and MS Society.

HALF A MILLION READERS . . .

THE new man in charge at Disability Rights UK has pledged to do more to involve young disabled people in their work.

Kamran Mallick said: “The thing I really want to do is ensure we remain relevant, and bring young disabled peoples’ voice into the work of DR UK so that they can influence what DR UK is about.”

His own schooling was a very mixed experience that he would not wish on anyone, he said.

Mr Mallick moved from being “looked after and almost cared for” at a special school to a mainstream school where he “enjoyed the challenge of learning” but faced bullying.

He wanted to study physics, but the physics lab was up a flight of stairs, so he had to take a bus to another school for his physics lessons.

He said: “My experience has helped form my belief in inclusive education as the right way to be educated at all ages.”

Benefit line

A NEW benefits advice service has been set up by national charity Shine to help people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

The service will range from supporting new parents looking after children with multiple needs, at home and at school, to young adults finding college, work or setting up a home, to people coping with issues later in life.

Shine has been supporting people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus for more than 50 years n Tel. 01733 555988.

WIN A £549 HAMPER!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

ENTRY FORM

THE first entry drawn out of the hat on Friday, November 10 will win the hamper. You can also send your answer on the back of a postcard to: n Park Hamper Competition,

NAME

All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP

n You can also enter online www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ADDRESS

C

HRISTMAS might seem a long way off – but a bit of early planning can make a big difference.

For 50 years Birkenhead-based Park Christmas Savings have been helping people to do just that!

Their high street vouchers and Christmas savings schemes have been real winners for hundreds of thousands of people all over the country.

Park have teamed up again with All Together NOW! to make this Christmas very special for one lucky reader.

This is your chance to win Park’s top-of-the-range Empire hamper, worth £549 – and it will be all yours

POSTCODE

TEL NO:

MOBILE NO: if you win our super prize draw.

It’s the SEVENTH successive year that Park has donated their monster hamper, which contains a huge range of Christmas food and drink to keep even the biggest family fed over the festive period.

Park CEO Chris Houghton said: “Our previous competitions in All Together NOW have all been extremely popular. We are confident that this one will attract even more interest.” n You can enter using the form on this page, or by visiting our website at: www.alltogethernow.org.uk n For more information about budgeting for Christmas, go to: www.getpark.co.uk/atn

EMAIL:

At least one telephone number is required

Where did you pick up this issue of All Together NOW! ?

Park Group would like to send you marketing material Yes please

No thanks

Third parties would like to send you marketing material Yes please

No thanks

. Park Group would like to

send you marketing material by email Yes please

No thanks

Yes please

No thanks

Park would like to send you marketing material by SMS

By entering you agree with Park’s terms and conditions – please see below

RULES: By entering the competition you confirm that you understand and agree that the information you provide will be held on a Park Group database and that it will be shared by all companies within the Park Group A full list of those companies is available by writing to the Data Controller, Park Group Plc, Valley Road, Birkenhead, CH41 7ED. Park Group plc shall be the data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 The information you provide will be used

by Park Group and any necessary third parties to provide you with the goods and services you request.

Companies within the Park Group may wish to contact you for customer care purposes or to keep you informed about the latest offers, promotions, prize draws, and competitions, using post, telephone, e-mail, SMS and any other appropriate means, including new technology.

If you wish to be contacted via email or SMS, please provide us with your e-mail address and/or your mobile telephone number as appropriate.

If you do not wish to be contacted by any member of the Park Group for marketing purposes, please indicate this on your entry. n The winning entry must agree to having a photograph taken for promotional purposes.

5

All Together NOW!

GREATER attention should be paid to the sexual and reproductive rights of disabled women, says The British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

Professor Claire de Than said: “Everyone has the right to sexual expression, to establish and develop relationships of their choosing, and to make their own decisions whenever possible about their private lives and healthcare, including how intimate their relationships are and whether they are linked to reproduction.

“But people with disabilities are often denied these rights because widespread assumptions are made about their needs, desires and sexual lives.

“Such assumptions deny evidence and violate fundamental human rights.

Attitudes, education and behaviour are at least as important as laws, since many such rights violations are caused by well-meaning but misguided policies, or by ignorance.

“The sexual expression and reproductive health needs and choices of people with disabilities are as diverse as those of everybody else, and policymakers, legislators and healthcare workers need to consider the rights and listen to the lived experiences of people with disabilities before making decisions which could infringe those rights.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Please help my sister NEWS

‘Disabled women have sexual rights as well’

October/November 2017

Broadcaster JO WHILEY asks readers to support Mencap’s fight to protect the vital sleep-in service for adults with a learning disability

n SLEEP-INS are widely used in the learning disability sector to provide essential care for vulnerable adults in their own homes, in the communities where they live. n For a person with a serious learning disability having someone stay overnight ‘at home’ makes the vital difference between ‘living a life’ and spending the rest of their life in a hospital setting.

T

WO years ago my family were in crisis. My sister, Frances, who has learning disabilities, had a breakdown and had to be ‘sectioned’.

We don’t know why, we don’t know what brought it on. We didn’t know what to do, we were absolutely desperate.

I wonder if it was a subconscious break-out for independence – that at the age of 47 she didn’t want to live with my parents anymore, she wanted to be allowed to grow up and live as an independent adult.

Why not have your

Christmas Celebration at

Choose the Garden Suite for your Christmas celebration.

Prices from £17.50 (inc. VAT) per person includes 3 course meal and coffee.

Bistro open daily 9am-2pm All welcome Christmas Dinner week 18th December Booking recommended Limited availability

Telephone: 0151 221 0888 info@bradburyfields.org.uk

The Bradbury Centre,Youens Way, Liverpool, L14 2EP

turn with whatever she could, vomit, urine, faeces. Her room was a battle zone.

She moved to a residential home where everyone worked tirelessly on her sleep issues. To no avail. At one point she managed to break open a window and climb out. The first staff knew about it was when she walked in with a broken hip asking for a cup of tea!

Thirty years on and Frances is older and wiser but still has issues with sleep. After her breakdown, when she was sectioned, she moved into a Mencap house where they have helped her settle.

She often refuses to go to bed and will prefer to sleep downstairs rather than in her own bed. She’s strong and loud and it’s impossible to placate her when her mind is made up about where she wants to sleep.

The only way Frances is able to live in her new home rather than with my parents is because she is cared for by Mencap staff who sleep in overnight.

If they weren’t there, she would simply escape from the house and who knows what would happen? She everything in between. has little road awareness To stand a chance of and would disappear into winning a pair of tickets the night and into danger. just tell us the name of the I can’t emphasise enough astronaut in Bowie’s smash how crucial sleep-in care hit Space Oddity. staff are to Frances’ safety Answers please on the and wellbeing. It’s been a back of an envelope to: long painful journey for all Live On Mars, All Together to get her to where she is NOW! The Bradbury Centre, today – living independently Youens Way, Liverpool – but happily and safely.

L14 2EP. n Please support the n You can also enter via Royal Mencap Society’s email: #StopSleepInCrisis competition@alltogether Campaign and sign our now.org.uk on-line petition. Mencap Please insert LiveOnMars Direct: 0808 808 1111 in the subject line, and include your telephone number. n Closing date Wednesday, October 18.

Frances has always had sleep issues. For as long as I can remember she simply hasn’t wanted to go to bed and could go for days and nights without sleep, which is fine, it’s just that she wouldn’t let anyone else sleep either.

We used to tell her stories all night long. If you dared to fall asleep you’d be woken with a hefty smack to the head. We tried everything - but she was pretty destructive.

She tore up curtains, wallpaper and bedcovers – overturned her bed so we had to nail it to the floor. She’d paste the walls in -

WIN TICKETS FOR CITY ‘BOWIE’ SPECTACULAR

ONE of the world’s best David Bowie tribute acts comes to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Wednesday October 25 – and we have TWO PAIRS of tickets to be won.

Influenced by Bowie’s legendary concert performances, LIVE ON MARS fuses sound and vision to portray the essence of Bowie.

Featuring the electrifying vocals and uncanny likeness of singer and lifelong Bowie fan Alex Thomas, with a hand picked world-class band, the show covers the Bowie back-catalogue from Space Oddity to Let’s Dance and

HALF A MILLION READERS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Making a difference T

AWARDS totaling £570,000 were agreed at the latest meeting of the trustees of the Steve Morgan Foundation.

HE Steve Morgan Foundation wants to help organisations who share our philosophy . . .

Making a Difference!

Welcome on board to: Edge Hill Youth & Community Centre; The Independence Initiative; Knowsley Dementia Support; Prestatyn and Meliden Pop In Centre; Swan Women's Centre; Wellchild; Clwyd Special Riding School; Crosby High School (Smiley Bus) Welcome back to: YKids and WHISC

WE’RE CHANGING LIVES! Created in 2001 by businessman Steve Morgan CBE – founder and non-executive Chairman of Redrow plc, and chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies – the Steve Morgan Foundation supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire.

Our aim is to provide funding for small to medium-sized

Our Enable fund is a massive hit

T

HE Steve Morgan Foundation’s Enable funding programme has only been operating a few months – but we’ve already handed out £100,000 worth of specialist equipment that’s changing lives for the better!

Our funding provides grants to help disabled people in financial hardship to get specialist equipment that cannot be supplied by the NHS or Social Services.

Over the past three months we’ve helped people to get all kinds of products that help improve their quality of life, including an electric wheelchair, a variable height bath, a specialist seat, two walkers, and an eye-gazer – and that was just in three days!

Steve Morgan CBE, founder of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “There are many people who need life-changing equipment such as wheelchairs, buggies, communication aids, special beds – all the things that can make a huge difference to the quality of lives for these families.

“This why we are so excited and extremely proud to of our Enable programme.

“We are certain it will prove to be very popular, and will benefit so many families and individuals.”

organisations who are addressing specific needs in our region.

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. n Contact us on 01829 782808

Coolest kid on the block

PROUD mum Cheryl Woodfin was delighted with the support we were able to give to her son, Jack.

Cheryl wrote: “Thank you for doing this for our son, Jack. I now feel safe knowing he will be comfortable in his state-ofthe-art wheels.

He is now the coolest kid on the block! I am overwhelmed.”

A huge step forward

ONE of our largest grants to date has been for the purchase of new premises for the Wirral-based charity Stick ‘n’ Step to expand their conductive education services to Cheshire.

Tudor Hall in Runcorn has undergone an extensive refurbishment and is now open to provide support to children and young people with cerebral palsy and their families. Exciting times!

Help at the end of the rainbow .

Steve Morgan Foundation trustee Vincent Fairclough, left, presenting the cheque to Bill Ainscough, president of Rainbow House

www.stevemorganfoundation.org.uk Tel 01829 782808

CHILDREN in Warrington are to benefit from a grant of £96,624 from the Steve Morgan Foundation.

A cash boost has been presented to Rainbow House in Ormskirk, which provides support for youngsters across the north west living with cerebral palsy, brain injuries, stroke and MS. Bill Ainscough, the charity’s president, said: “We are delighted that the Steve Morgan Foundation recognises the impact of our work and the difference our services make to the lives of our service users and their families.”

Steve Morgan Foundation

@stevemorganfdn

7

8

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Search is on for role models

Masons to fund new sign language videos

A RANGE of 240 sign-language videos to help deaf people access vital services ranging from health matters through to legal and financial advice are being made following a grant of £60,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The British Deaf Association (BDA) will be producing the videos and distributing them online to more than 20,000 deaf people who are part of the estimated 87,000 people who use British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK. Trevor Koschalka, from London Freemasons, said: “We are very pleased to be able to help the British Deaf Association with these videos which will help many thousands of deaf people overcome the widespread barriers to accessing services they experience in their everyday lives.”

Many deaf people have poor literacy skills and surveys show overwhelming support for the use of BSL as the preferred way to access information.

City’s helping hand

A POT of £300,000 is to be made available across Liverpool over the next year for community organisations to help people that are struggling to make ends meet.

The Mayoral Hardship Fund – which totals £2 million over the next three years – has been established by Mayor Joe Anderson in response to growing pressures on low income households.

The funding, which is new money set aside in the council’s budget, is in addition to Discretionary Housing Payments and the Liverpool Citizen Support Scheme which already pay out over £5 million each year in rent top ups and emergency payments.

Each of the 30 wards in the city will be allocated £10,000 to be spent by next April.

Street safety, please

CAMPAIGNERS from across the country gathered outside Parliament to call for an end to unsafe “shared space” street designs, which risk turning public spaces into ‘no go zones’ for many disabled and older people.

They later delivered a letter to the prime minister at Number 10, calling for an end to all shared space street developments.

Shared space schemes usually remove kerbs and controlled crossings, encouraging vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to share the same space, but posing greater risks for partially-sighted and blind people, as well as other disabled people.

The Department for Transport said it is working with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on a review of shared space.

Magical musical memories

A

DRAMA group of older and disabled performers received standing ovations for their two-night Musical Memories spectacular, which took audiences on an 80year musical journey from the 1940s to the present day.

Hairspray and Beauty and the Beast.

Director Denise Airey said: “This was another outstanding success for the members of our group, who were absolutely delighted at the enthusiastic response they received from the audiences on both evenings.

“The show was the result of many weeks of hard work and commitment, and I am extremely proud of every single one of them.”

The group is supported by adult social care provider, New Directions. n Contact 0151 934 3726

900,000 set to lose £50 a week

A cast of around 50 performers from Sefton’s New Centre Stage group sang and danced their way through more than 15 hit musicals ranging from South Pacific, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and The King and I to present-day hits like Jersey Boys,

A

BOUT 900,000 disabled people will see their weekly incomes fall by at least £50 a week by 2020, because of the continuing impact of the Government’s welfare reforms, according to a new study.

The research by the consultancy Policy in Practice found that, of 7.2 million working-age, low-income households, more than two-fifths of those containing a working-age disabled person would lose at least £50 a week, compared with November 2016.

The report, The Cumulative Impact Of Welfare Reform: A National Picture, says the impact of measures introduced after November 2016 will see the average low-income household containing a working-age disabled person lose £51.47 a week by 2020, compared with an average loss of £35.82 for households not containing a disabled person.

This will come on top of an average weekly loss of more than £20 for low-income households containing a working-age disabled

person as a result of welfare reforms introduced pre-November 2016 – such as the benefit cap, cuts to housing benefit and the bedroom tax – although this figure does not take account of rising living costs.

More than a fifth of low-income households containing a workingage disabled person will lose between £20 and £50 a week by 2020, more than a quarter will lose less than £20 and just 8.6% will be better off, according to the analysis.

The research looks at the impact of the continued roll-out of universal credit, and other reforms such as reducing employment and support allowance payments to new claimants placed in the workrelated activity group by nearly £30 a week, the continued freezing of most benefit rates, and cuts to housing benefit, as well as expected inflation and rent increases.

The figures calculated in the report take account of the impact of mitigating measures introduced by the Government, such as the

introduction of the national living wage and increases to the personal tax allowance.

The research is particularly significant because the founder of Policy in Practice, Deven Ghelani, helped develop universal credit when he was at Iain Duncan Smith’s Centre for Social Justice.

A DWP spokeswoman said: “This report assumes that people won’t make any attempt to change and improve their lives.

“But our welfare reforms incentivise work and, for the first time, universal credit helps working people progress and earn more, so they can eventually stop claiming benefits altogether.

“Under universal credit, people are finding a job faster and staying in it longer than under the old system, and since the benefit cap was introduced, 34,000 households have moved off the cap and into work.”

No-one moving onto universal credit from existing benefits or tax credits will lose out in cash terms, although this does not apply if and when their circumstances change.

Sign up for your FREE e-newsletter – www.alltogethernow.org.uk

A NEW campaign aims to highlight the achievements of deaf and disabled women in Wales, and provide role models for disabled girls.

Disability Wales (DW) – the national association of disabled people’s organisations in Wales – has been awarded funding for its Embolden campaign as part of the celebrations that will mark next year’s centenary of women in Britain obtaining the vote in March 1918.

DW is also looking for women from recent or distant history who have made a contribution to disability rights or have been allies of disabled women.

Their stories and pictures will be used to create a campaign aimed at challenging myths and stereotypes about disability and highlighting them as role models.

Diversity

Dr Natasha Hirst, at Disability Wales, said: “We have our Paralympic athletes, but not everybody can aspire to become elite athletes.

“There are other ways in which disabled women make important contributions – through their local communities, to academia, in their careers or setting up successful businesses.

“We want to show the diversity of disabled women in Wales.”

The grant comes from funding charity Spirit of 2012 – set up by the Big Lottery Fund – and the women’s rights charity the Fawcett Society.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

‘

All Together NOW!

I want to raise lots of money for my charities – and raise the profile of the excellent work they do . . .

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor

THE Lord Mayor’s four supported charities . . .

ACTION MAN MALCOLM! A

BSEILING Liverpool Cathedral or swashbuckling with a motley crew of pirates – it’s all just part of the job for Liverpool’s action-man Lord Mayor Malcolm Kennedy.

“And it’s a very, very important part as far as I am concerned,” he says.

“I’m determined to raise as much money as I can for the four charities I am supporting this year.

“And if it means me having to take on challenges that take me out of my comfort zone then that’s ok – bring them on!”

The Cathedral challenge was Malcolm’s first ever abseil.

“I was absolutely terrified,” he said, “but once I started my nerves soon settled and it was the Lady Mayoress who was more anxious about me being up in the air, secured by just a rope harness!”

IF YOUR organisation can help raise money for The Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal please contact Liverpool Town Hall on 0151 233 4651 or email town.hall@liverpool.gov.uk

THE Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal committee is planning a year of fundraising events – including a sponsored walk, supper clubs, pub quiz, family fun day, Christmas carol concert, gala concert at St George’s Hall, and the annual Lord Mayor’s Ball.

Watch this space for more events . . .

YOU CAN donate to the Lord Mayor’s Charity by texting LMAY17 £1, LMAY17 £5 or LMAY17 £10 depending on the amount you want to give.

10

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Dress up – but please take care . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

BEFORE

I

F YOU are thinking of dressing up for Halloween this year then make sure you take care and don’t give yourself a real life fright.

Wearing a Halloween costume is great fun but remember the outfit you have on could easily catch fire from naked flames you may be near such as candles, fires, lighters and matches.

This is especially important with fancy dress costumes, as many are currently not manufactured to the same safety standards as normal clothing.

This can cause them to ignite almost instantly and burn far faster.

It is crucial, therefore, to make sure children wearing costumes are kept well away from naked

. . . AFTER

flames and other sources of heat at all times.

If you are using pumpkins you should take extra care in lighting them and ensure that no loose clothing is near them at any time, particularly when they are being moved or carried.

If you are putting up decorations make sure they are placed well away from naked flames or heat sources.

Also make sure that children are never left alone with candles and if using an open fire during Halloween festivities always use a fireguard.

If at all possible always make sure you use an LED battery operated tea light, which do not have a live flame, as opposed to normal tea lights and candles.

DON’T LET ALL THE FUN

BACKFIRE! 8dciVXi jh/

LZWh^iZ/ bZghZn[^gZ#\dk#j` Il^iiZg/ il^iiZg#Xdb$bZghZn[^gZ ;VXZWdd`/ [VXZWdd`#Xdb$bZghZn[^gZ NdjijWZ/ ndjijWZ#Xdb$bZghZn[^gZ =dbZ ;^gZ HV[Zin 8]ZX`h/ %-%% ,(& *.*<ZcZgVa :cfj^g^Zh/ %&*& '.+ )%%% HdX^Va bZY^V VcY djg lZWh^iZ VgZ cdi bdc^idgZY ')$," ^c Vc ZbZg\ZcXn ValVnh Y^Va/

...

B

ONFIRE night is always an exciting time for children and families – but it can also be very dangerous. It is vitally important that we all take the right steps to stay safe.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is working closely with the police, local authorities and other

partner organisations to help keep us all safe and ensure incidents of anti-social behaviour are kept to a minimum.

We all want to have fun during the Bonfire night period, but taking a few simple steps can make sure we also remain safe.

TOP TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE

n Only attend an organised fireworks display in your local area. You can find more details on the displays close to you by visiting the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Website at www.merseyfire.gov.uk. Also look for Merseyfire on Twitter and Facebook. n Only buy fireworks from reputable retailers who hold a licence or registration to store fireworks. Fireworks must be displayed in locked cabinets, cases or cupboards. n Always light fireworks at arm’s length and never give a sparkler to a child. If using sparklers, always wear gloves or mittens and have a bucket of water to immediately put the hot wire into when the sparkler is finished.

n Bonfires are only allowed on private land with the owner’s permission and must be supervised by an adult at all times. n Keep water handy and make sure the bonfire is completely out before you leave it. n Never put petrol or any other flammable liquid on a bonfire. n Do not give anyone, especially children, combustible or flammable materials that could be used to start illegal bonfires. n Remember any fire engine that is called out to a bonfire or rubbish fire will be kept from responding to other emergencies. n Wheelie bins can become easy targets during the bonfire period. Only

put your bin out on collection day and bring it back in immediately afterwards.

Keep your wheelie bin away from windows and doors. n Pets can be easily frightened by fireworks and should be kept indoors if possible. n Organised events are always the safest way to enjoy Bonfire night so always seek out an official firework display or bonfire event if you possibly can.

n If you spot an unsafe bonfire report it by calling Merseyside and Rescue Service on 0800 731 5958.If it is outside office hours, please leave a message with your details and a contact number

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Help when you need it most The United Utilities Priority Services scheme is free to all our customers who need a bit of extra help with their water services. This could be GXH WR DJH LOO KHDOWK GLVDELOLW\ PHQWDO KHDOWK SUREOHPV Ç&#x2021;QDQFLDO worries or language barriers.

Amanda Phillips from United Utilities said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;By registering for Priority Services, customers have access to a specialist team who can provide tailored support for as long as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needed. Whether a customer is in debt, struggling to cope with an unexpected OLIH HYHQW RU KDV VSHFLÇ&#x2021;F PHQWDO RU physical health needs, we can help.â&#x20AC;?

forever grateful for Susanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help (at United Utilities). Over the years I have had to deal with a number of people in GLÇ&#x201E;HUHQW RUJDQLVDWLRQV DQG WKLV LV WKH Ç&#x2021;UVW WLPH WKDW , KDYH EHHQ FRPSHOOHG to report just how fantastic they have been.â&#x20AC;?

His carer said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The support weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve received has unburdened him of a huge amount of worry and we will both be

customers with a caring service when they call us.â&#x20AC;?

Customers who register for Priority Services are looked after by a team who More than 36,000 customers have now have received specialist training from a registered for Priority Services and are number of charitable organisations such EHQHÇ&#x2021;WWLQJ IURP WKLV DGGLWLRQDO VXSSRUW as Mind, Age UK and Macmillan.

Our nominee scheme for example, Said Amanda: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that has allowed us to help a carerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family our team understands the issues that member who had mental health issues our customers face and we work in without putting them through any partnership with a number of charitable additional stress or worry. organisations so we can provide our

To register for Priority Services, please call us on 0345 072 6093 or visit unitedutilities.com/priorityservices

What help is available when you register?

Our customers have access to a range of additional services when they register for Priority Services including: â&#x20AC;˘ Braille, large print, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;talkingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bills DQG OHDÇ&#x2C6;HWV â&#x20AC;˘ Nominate a carer, family member or friend to speak to us on your behalf â&#x20AC;˘ Knock and wait service. If you tell us you have mobility needs and we have to call at your home, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wait after knocking to allow enough time for you to answer the door â&#x20AC;˘ Protection from bogus callers with a password protection scheme â&#x20AC;˘ Alternative water supplies if your ZDWHU LV OLNHO\ WR EH RÇ&#x201E; IRU PRUH than 12 hours â&#x20AC;˘ Support for dialysis patients â&#x20AC;˘ Notice of interruptions to your water supply â&#x20AC;˘ Text relay service 09/17/SD/7615

12

We should all be working together

All Together NOW!

Three new homes to ease bed blocking

NEW residential care homes for people with dementia and other long-term needs are to built by Liverpool city council and Shaw Healthcare.

The three, 50-bed flexible homes will open by the end of 2019, providing stateof-the art care and accommodation for people living with dementia, as well as those with other long term residential and nursing care needs.

They will help reduce the number of people unnecessarily delayed in hospital after NHS treatment and improve their experience of health and social care services by driving up quality standards.

The first centre will be at the Venmore Rehabilitation Hub in Anfield, with the existing stroke services relocated to a new site in Townsend Lane.

A second will be on disused playing fields at the former Parklands High School, close to Speke district centre.

The council is currently considering a number of sites for a third centre in the north of the city.

There are presently 94 care homes in the city registered with the Care Quality Commission.

They provide 3,725 places – the highest number in the Liverpool City Region and fourth highest in the North West of England.

October/November 2017

Find Find your your local local Carers Carers Centre Centre Page 20 20 –– Page

Fancy being looked after by a robot?

It’s time the NHS started seeing care homes as partners and not problems, says a major new study

M

N

ANY of us worry about the need to be cared for in the future. And more than

EW research says the NHS and care homes should work better together to deliver high quality, cost-effective healthcare to the half million people in residential care.

Healthcare provision to residents in care homes across England is often ‘erratic and inequitable’, a major threeyear study has found.

The Optimal study found a narrow focus by NHS decision makers on care homes as a drain on resources, rather than as a solution, can result in shortterm interventions that compromise relationships between NHS and care home staff, and affect care home staff confidence in being able to meet residents’ health needs.

The study, involving seven UK universities, analysed the impact of different approaches by the NHS in providing healthcare to people living in care homes across England and identified several examples of successful partnership working.

However, it concluded that high quality healthcare provision to care homes can only be achieved nationwide if close collaboration between the NHS and care homes becomes part of the “landscape of care”.

This means ensuring, through targeted investment, that visiting healthcare professionals and care home staff are given the opportunity to work closely together to identify, plan and implement care protocols.

Professor Claire Goodman, of the University of Hertfordshire, who led the research, said: “It is essential that residents in care homes – some of the oldest and frailest in society – have access to healthcare that is equitable and equivalent to those received by older people living at home.

“The Optimal study shows what needs to be in place for this to happen and found many examples

www.alltogethernow.org

half would consider being looked after for by a robot, according to a study.

The research, which sought the views of 2,000 people, showed that many respondents were open to new ideas on how their care needs could be better met. n 63% were open to the idea of robots assisting with some element of their care. n 61% said robots should be used to help improve safety e.g. detecting hazards. n 60% would consider the use of robots to aid mobility. n 59% are happy for robots to assist with physical needs e.g. helping to lift.

While people are open to the use of robotics for physical assistance, only 27% would accept their use to provide companionship and just 20% to help make decisions on their behalf.

Tony Pilkington, managing director, Younifi, a solution provider for local authority adult social care departments, said: “This research shows that people are worried about their future care needs.

“And this concern comes from the public’s perceptions of how care is funded, managed and delivered in the UK. “Clearly, there is a need for these concerns to be addressed and for people to approach retirement age confident that their care needs will be met in a way that they are happy with.”

of effective integrated working. Across England, however, access to healthcare for care home residents continues to be highly unpredictable.”

Prof Goodman, a NIHR Senior Investigator, added: “There is an unrelentingly negative narrative in the public consciousness around bad care in care homes. With 460,000 people in UK care homes, occupying three times the number of NHS hospital beds, care homes should be seen as an integral and important part of the health and social care system.

“Just as we talk about improving’ and ‘outstanding’ schools, we need to develop a

positive vision for what a good care home looks like and the Optimal study has sought to support this.

“If we see care homes as part of the landscape of care – as a solution not a problem – then we have a real opportunity to get the delivery of healthcare in care homes right.” n The Opitmal study, funded by NIHR, involved seven UK partner universities – the University of Hertfordshire (lead), University of Nottingham, University of Surrey, Brunel University, Kings College London, University College London and City, University of London.

HALF A MILLION READERS – AND GROWING – 0151 230 0307

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Dementia friendly home on the way

HELPING HANDS: Mike Raynor has created a new website and online booklet for young carers.

RIGHT: Mike with his daughter, Beth

Make a noise, kids!

F

ORMER army officer Mike Raynor knows what it’s like to be a young carer.

He was just 12 year old when his father committed suicide, leaving him to be the sole carer for his mother who suffered with chronic mental health problems.

There was no support from family members or social and medical professionals, and for the remainder of his childhood, and large parts of his adult life, Mike had to provide care for his mother, often under very difficult circumstances.

“From the age of 12 onwards, I was a child in a house with a very unwell adult who wasn’t

SENIOR MOMENTS

really capable of being a parent,” Mike recalls.

“I kept my situation hidden, which I now wish I had not done.”

Mike, 43, is now hoping that his experiences will resonate with the estimated 700,000 young people caring for family members in the UK. His new Guidebook for Young Carers is available FREE to read online – and he has also just created a website that is already attracting hits from all over the world.

“Like I did, a lot of young carers carry on in silence,” says Mike. “One of the purposes of the book and website is to encourage them to ask for help.

“Hopefully, children will find it encouraging

that I’ve been through these tough experiences but I am now happy.

“When you’re a young carer it can be difficult to see any light at the end of the tunnel, but I want to give hope and encouragement to young carers.”

Despite all his childhood pressures, Mike was able to pursue his profession and now has a wife, Helen, and daughter, Beth, two.

He attended university, served for five years as an officer in The King’s Regiment (which used to be the infantry regiment for Liverpool and Manchester), completed a Masters degree, and then worked abroad for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a Ceasefire Monitor in Sudan, Kenya, Georgia and South Sudan.

Returning to the UK, he worked in management consultancy, before setting his own Manchester-based business, Raynor Bid Consultancy, five years ago.

Mike adds: “Some of the existing guidance for young carers has been written by adults who have never been a young carer.

“My book is the first autobiographical account of being a young carer, which is why I hope that children will connect with the advice I give.”

. . . with FRANK HARRIS

n www.youngcarer.info

HALF A MILLION READERS – AND GROWING – 0151 230 0307

CONSTRUCTION of a “dementia friendly” home – using guidance from academics at Liverpool John Moores University – starts this autumn.

The Victorian terraced house in Watford is based on the “design for dementia principals” developed by Dr Rob McDonald and Bill Halsall at Liverpool John Moores University.

Once complete, it will act as a show home and give developers, care providers and families an opportunity to learn about better ways to equip a home to help people with dementia.

Academics will also study how the features are used with a view to further improving ways to support homeowners with dementia.

The converted building’s features will include: n Clear lines of sight and colourcoded paths through the home. n Increased natural lighting.

Noise reduction features. n Simple switches and heating controls, and safety sensors in high risks areas such as the kitchen.

Professor Jacqui Glass, of Loughborough’s School of Civil and Building Engineering, said: “We want to show how design solutions can be easily integrated within most current homes and communities to improve people’s lives.”

Dr David Kelly, director of BRE Innovation Parks, where the home is situated, said: “Currently, the average cost of state care is between £30,000 to £40,000 per annum. Creating environments which allow people to live independently at home for longer could save a significant amount.”

Dementia care costs families around £18 billion a year and affects about 850,000 people in the UK. The figure is expected to rise to more than one million in the UK by 2025.

13

14

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Baywatch winners

S

AINSBURY’S came top in a survey that highlighted best practice for Blue Badge parking for disabled shoppers at leading supermarkets.

The Baywatch survey, which has been carried out every two years by the Disabled Motoring UK charity since 2002, showed the lowest levels of parking abuse occurred at Sainsbury’s over the past year.

Disabled parking abuse was reported in 18.5% of all of the supermarkets surveyed.

Where enforcement was used this figure fell to 15.6%. Where no enforcement was evident the overall level of abuse rose to 21.5%.

Sainsbury’s had a level of 8%.

Tesco had by far the largest number of surveys returned with an average of disabled bay abuse at 23.2%.

A spokesperson for DMUK said: “However, they are the only supermarket which is currently looking to work with DMUK to improve their facilities by embracing our Disabled Parking Accreditation (DPA).

0800 916 3028

NEW

NEARLY NEW

USED

HIRE

www.alliedmobility.com

PEUGEOT PARTNER HORIZON ™

Lowest Peugeot WAV

Now with FREE BLUETOOTH®

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

£995

Easy-clean lowered floor Unique EasyGlide™ pull-out ramp Original Peugeot seating throughout*

*RS model

Certified for larger & heavier wheelchairs Easy-use electric winch and parking sensors PLUS air conditioning, privacy glass and new Bluetooth® connectivity

FORD TOURNEO INDEPENDENCETM Brand new & exclusive > Personalised seating layouts > Lightweight EasyFold™ ramp > Bluetooth® connectivity > Front & rear air conditioning > Lowered floor option > Privacy glass New auto option > Parking sensors available > Assist winch > Certified for larger & heavier wheelchairs

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

£3,495

FORD CONNECT FREEDOMTM Accessible, comfort & first class safety

> Easy-clean, lowered floor > Unique EasyGlide™ pull-out ramp > Original Ford seating throughout* > Easy-use electric winch and parking sensors > Air conditioning > Grand Freedom with extra seating now available > Certified for larger & heavier wheelchairs *RS model

Lowest Ford WAV

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

£2,095

Free UK-wide home demonstrations

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

TALKING cars are what we need next!

A

LL CARS will need to be able to ‘talk’ to each other to gain the full safety benefits of driverless cars, says the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity.

Until then, IAM RoadSmart believes that the human mind holds the edge, until such point that connected cars actually communicate with each other and predict what is happening over the horizon.

Neil Greig, the charity’s director of policy and research, said: “The ultimate win-win situation is a place where information from each vehicle is shared with the vehicles around it. Add that to human experience born from a lifetime of ‘trial and error’ and you have the ideal double-act to spot crashes before they happen.”

Mr Greig’s views are backed by a white paper from Brandon Schottle from the University of Michigan called Sensor Fusion: A Comparison of Sensing Capabilities of Human Drivers and Highly Automated Vehicles.

Mr Schottle said in his report: “Machines/computers are generally well suited to perform tasks like driving, especially in regard to reaction time (speed), power output and control, consistency, and multichannel information processing.

“Human drivers still generally maintain an advantage in terms of reasoning, perception, and sensing when driving.”

He added: “While no single sensor completely equals human sensing capabilities, some offer capabilities not

possible for a human driver.

“In the short to medium term AV [autonomous vehicle] sensing systems will still be critical for detection of any road user or roadway obstacle that is not detected and shared by connected vehicles which is where the human brain comes in.”

Mr Schottle pointed out a number of circumstances in which both human capabilty and a connected vehicle’s perception can be compromised – thus increasing the need for each party to work together – such as extreme weather, excessive dirt or physical obstructions, darkness or low illumination, large physical obstructions and dense traffic.

The report also pointed out where the human brain wins out over a vehicle’s ‘brain’.

It said in the areas of memory, reasoning,

All Together NOW!

15

sensing and perception, human involvement is both desirable and advantageous.

Back in March, IAM RoadSmart warned that cars with growing levels of autonomy could make motorists lazy and over reliant on gadgets – with far reaching implications for the potential reduction of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: The future? echoed this view, stating: “Autonomous cars could have negative implications for drivers’ competence, making drivers complacent and overly reliant on technology. This is of particular concern in emergency situations, where a driver may react slowly to taking back control of a vehicle.”

16

FLASHBACK All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Ken’s rolling back the years . . .

L

OCAL historian, lecturer and and broadcaster Ken Pye has joined the All Together NOW! team to tell entertaining and truly fascinating tales of Merseyside’s past.

Stand by for lots of great tales IN FUTURE features in All Together NOW! I will tell tales about old Liverpool and from across the city region.

But for now I will tell you that, although the castle was pulled down in the early 18th century, part of its great moat still survives as the deep cellars under some of the buildings that overlook modern Derby Square.

There is even a secret passage, big enough (it is said) for a man on horseback to ride along, that runs from one of these cellars down to the river, under James Street.

So, you can see that there is so much more to tell you about but, if you cannot wait, then take a look at my website where you can read and listen to many more stories, and find out more about my books, CDs, DVDs, and fact sheets. n www.discoverliverpool.com

n Contact Ken on: 0151 427 2717 or 07808 870 614 or at ken.pye@discoverliverpool.com

KEN and wife, Jackie

Passionate about all things Liverpool, Ken’s historical knowledge is second to none.

For 12 years he has run his Discover Liverpool company, which champions the city’s great heritage.

Now writing for All Together NOW! he’s spreading the word even further.

“I love this newspaper!and all it stands for,” says Ken. “It’s a great way to

STEEPED IN HISTORY: The former Liverpool Castle

spread positive messages about health and wellbeing – and something I was especially delighted to read when I was suddenly taken ill.”

Last September Ken was struck down by sepsis – a life-threatening blood infection.

“Every one of my vital systems began to shut down,” he recalls.

While on the high-dependency unit at the Liverpool Royal hospital, he also suffered two attacks of pneumonia.

He was sent home just before last Christmas, and spent the first half of this year rebuilding his health and strength.

Ken says: “My recovery is a genuine

T

At that time, ‘Leverpul’ was only a tiny, insignificant fishing hamlet, but it sat on the shore of a wide and deep tidal inlet, known as ‘The Pool’, off the River Mersey.

This was perfect for John, who built a great fleet using timber he cut down from the nearby, 3,000 acre Stochestede Forest – we now call this area Toxteth!

From the Pool he sailed to invade Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Mann.

To build, supply, and service his ships, and his soldiers and sailors, the King needed a port and a town.

So, in 1207, he issued his Letters Patent (Charter) and created the new Borough of ‘Leverpul’.

Soon, the population of the new town began to grow, as people moved into ‘Leverpul’ from miles around to start a new life or business in what

miracle. But thanks to five teams of amazing doctors, and especially the love and care of my wife and children, I pulled through.

“I now intend to carry on celebrating my life, family and friends, and especially my wonderful home city and region, and its even more wonderful people.”

Ken is a Fellow of Liverpool Hope University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He is also the author of 11 local history books, and currently writing a new book, which will be published in time for Christmas.

King John issues his charter to create the Borough, Town and Port of ‘Leverpul’

HE STORY of Liverpool begins in the early years of the 13th century, when that nasty and belligerent monarch King John (1166-1216) wanted a north-west port to launch warships from.

Tel 0151 230 0307

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

would soon become a thriving community.

When he founded the town, King John ordered that seven streets be laid out, in an ‘H’ formation, with an extended central cross.

Six streets were initially laid out on the high

news@alltogehernow.org.uk

sandstone ridge that then overlooked the river and the Pool.

The seventh street, Castle Street, was probably laid out last, following the building of Liverpool Castle sometime around 1237.

This huge bastion had enormous towers at three of its corners, and a massive barbican and drawbridge, across the wide moat, at its fourth.

This all covered what we now know as Derby Square, and a plaque on the side of Queen Victoria’s monument commemorates this.

The King’s first streets still exist in exactly the same positions that they were laid out, over 800 years ago.

They are: n Whiteacre Street (now Old Hall Street); n Moore Street (Tithebarn Street); n Juggler Street (High Street, and on which the Town Hall stands); n Bank Street (Water Street); and

nChapel Street; n Dale Street, and n Castle Street, which have their original names.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

INDEPENDENT LIVING

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

All Together NOW!

MONEY MATTERS

3D pen for blind

B

LIND people can now “see” their drawings, thanks to a new 3D printing pen.

Daniel Cowen, president of the 3Doodler company that produces the pens, said: “We got so many requests from people with sight loss and teachers of blind students, we started calling up organisations to explore how we could make our 3D pen work better.”

The feedback they received led to specific changes to the pens – such as lower heat and tactile buttons – to make them easier and safer to use.

Now it’s got the thumbs up from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, which awards its “RNIB Approved” quality assurance to products it identifies as “easyto-use” for those blind or partially sighted.

The 3Doodler can draw in the air and on

surfaces, and allows the user to produce complex three-dimensional shapes.

One user, Margaret Wilson-Hinds, said: “I’ve always felt that if I could see I would enjoy painting but I haven’t had the opportunity. 3Doodler is a totally different thing altogether and I really enjoyed using it.”

Maths teacher, Julia Weston, from a specialist school for blind and partiallysighted children in Birmingham, said: “It’s the best thing since sliced bread.

3Doodler’s pens are not only a really nice art tool but an important teaching aid that we can pick up and use on the spot, without any pre-planning.

“It is making subjects and topics far more accessible, especially in maths where shape and space can be particularly difficult to

grasp for blind and partially sighted students.

“It helps me to establish their level of understanding so we can fill in the gaps and ensure they can use tactile diagrams instantly and effectively.”

Max Bogue, CEO and co-creator of 3Doodler, said: “We envision a world where every person, from children to grandparents, regardless of ability, can use a 3Doodler 3D pen to unlock their creativity and bring their ideas to life.”

3Doodler’s 3D printing pens are already used by more than 3,000 teachers in classrooms across the globe and by artists, creators and hobbyists from young to old.

They are sold in more than 60 countries at UK retailers including Amazon, Maplin and Currys. Prices from about £35 to £200. n www.the3doodler.com

Looking after your best interests IN MY last column I talked about always trying to reduce your insurance premiums on renewal.

Just after the article was published I received the renewal for my wife’s car and it was £375 as against last year’s premium of £275.

I telephoned the insurance company to be told premiums had risen.

I argued that 36% was a steep rise and was somewhat more than inflation.

They reluctantly knocked 5% off. So, back to the internet and 30 minutes later I had renewed for exactly the same cover, with a top company for £275. So, if you are connected to the internet, please do the same!

Now, we all know that interest rates are very low, and that if you can get over 1% p.a. on your money you are doing well.

However, if you have a modest sum to invest, perhaps saving for a car, holidays or the like, of say about £7,000, it is possible to get 3.7% p.a.

Nationwide Flexdirect are offering 5% up to £2,500 and TSB Classic are offering 3% up to £1,500 and maybe up to £120 cash back on spending.

Tesco Bank is also giving 3% on up to £3,000.

So, instead of receiving about 1% on £7,000 (about £70), you could get up to £260 or 3.7%.

Terms and conditions may apply and these offers may change. If any are not available I suggest you search on line to find next best.

Gordon Viner FCA CTA

17

18

HAPPY HOLS?

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Two surveys paint very different pictures about holidays for people with mobility issues T RAVEL companies are getting better at holidays for people with disabilities – but holiday accommodation in the UK still presents major problems.

They are the rather mixed conclusions of two new surveys of travellers with limited mobility.

More than half of 1,000 holidaymakers with accessibility issues – polled by North West company Travel Counsellors – believe travel companies have become more understanding of their needs.

And an encouraging 38% say they go on holiday a lot more now that places have become more accessible.

Those with accessibility issues can benefit in more ways than one from a break in their routine.

Almost half of people surveyed (49%) said they get away to improve their health and wellbeing, and a further third (33%) felt that going on holiday gave them a better standard of living.

The 18 to 24-year-old age group is the most likely to travel to gain more independence,

whereas respondents aged 55 and over are travelling to have more life experiences.

On the downside, a significant number of people surveyed still found travelling with their accessibility issues tiresome.

More than a quarter of people (29%) had experienced companies that were unaware of how to deal with certain disabilities, both in the UK and abroad.

Almost one in three (30%) found issues with accessibility at tourist attractions in the UK, compared to just 23% whilst abroad.

And the UK comes in for severe criticism is a survey commissioned by Leonard Cheshire Disability.

The charity found eight in 10 disabled people faced barriers and difficulties staying at UK hotels and resorts.

Over 70% flagged issues finding accessible rooms and 50% identified issues with access to bars, restaurants or other facilities.

This was despite significant demand, with a third

Irton House Farm

HAPPY HO LID AWARD 2 AY 012!

A warm welcome is waiting for you at our superbly scenic, fully accessible self catering cottages in the Lake District.

www.alltogether

Playtime in the parks

A NEW access guide to the UK’s 15 national parks is available to download.

The guide highlights various activities available at each park including: n Miles without Stiles: Country trails that are accessible for wheelchair or with limited mobility to move around safely. n Easy access beaches. n Hire of all-terrain vehicles and specially adapted cycles. n Opportunities to learn to sail, canoe or kayak on accessible

saying they use UK hotels or resorts more than once a year.

Costs of accessible accommodation are a common barrier to taking a break for around six in 10, with accessible rooms often seen as more expensive.

One of those polled said: “Disabled accessible rooms are the more expensive deluxe or superior rooms, adding up to £30 per night to the cost of a standard room. This has prevented me from taking more frequent breaks in the UK.” Disabled people who travel as part of a family faced specific challenges, including lack of disabled friendly family rooms.

One said: “I end up booking two separate rooms, one disabled and one family room, but this means that I end up staying separate from the rest of the family and usually on a different floor or different part of the hotel complex!”

In some cases, lack of appropriate accessibility meant people were missing out on a break altogether and provision of specific equipment,

boats.n www.nrshealthcare.c

EUROPE’S leading spa agenc says it has seen a 17% rise in searches for accessible spas Abi Wright, founder of Spabreaks.com, said: “Our mission is to offer ‘Spa All’, regardless of physical or medical requirements and we have worked tirelessly to introduce the concept to our s partners.” n Spabreaks.com, tel 0800 04 6600

including hoists for wheelchair users, appe vary widely in hotels.

Leonard Cheshire CEO Neil Heslop said encouraging to see from our contact with U hotels and resorts that they want to accom disabled customers. However, based on w disabled people tell us, the UK holiday indu a whole could do a lot better.

Richard Thompson, accessible worldwide organiser at Travel Counsellors, said: “The industry is much more geared up to service requirements of those with mobility, sensor cognitive requirements. That’s not to say th aren’t a ‘lot of dots’ to be joined up to make journeys easier.”

But he insists: “Whatever your additional requirements might be, decide where you want to go and follow your dreams. Have b exciting and challenging horizons. And nev accept ‘it can’t be done’ – because in my w usually can!“

Messing about on the rivers

T

HOSE wonderful sunnny days may already be a distant memory. But there’s still the chance to grab a memorable autumn break – even a day or two on some of the UK’s great rivers.

The free online Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is packed with tips for those wanting to sample the waterways.

Steamship Sir Walter Scott in Loch Katrine gets a special mention. Turn back the clock and board the Victorian, steam-powered ship as the family marvels at Scotland’s stunning scenery.

Set among the majestic mountains of the Trossachs and only an hour from Glasgow, the short river cruise travels through the ten-kilometre length of Loch Katrine which has been a source of Glasgow’s drinking water for over a hundred years.

Take in London’s classic sights while traveling along the Thames on a Greenwich to Westminster River Trip.

Board one of MBNA Thames Clippers’ accessible boats to Westminster Pier for a great sight-seeing day, passing The Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and The London Eye.

With frequent services and easy wheel-on access betwe platforms and street level, the unforgettable boat trip is a r treat.

Think also about gliding through Chichester via The Sola Heritage, a solar-powered boat.

The knowledgeable crew will point passengers to historic points and wildlife while passing through Roman settlemen After the boat trip, you can spend the afternoon building sandcastles on the beach and visiting the 11 mile Salterns cycle and wheelchair accessible path to Chichester.

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain has been develop association with Motability Operations Ltd, the company th operates the Motability Scheme for disabled people.

The online reviews contain all the must-have accessibilit information needed to enjoy a great day out.

The website also features the Days Out Blog which has f person experiences of accessible days out across the cou written by disability experts, tourism professionals and Ro Guide to Accessible Britain fans. n www.accessibleguide.co.uk

ADVERTISE WITH US AND WE’LL GET YOUR MESSAGES TO HALF A MILLION READ

www.irtonhousefarm.com 017687 76380

rnow.org.uk

s

co.uk

cy n .

a for r e

spa

43

eared to

: “It’s UK mmodate what ustry as

e travel e e the ry and here e

really broad, ver world it

een real

ar

cal nts.

LORRAINE SUSAN GRADWELL MBE born 24 July 1953; died 3 September 2017

Play a big part in this paper’s future — BACK PAGE

We need YOUR support

s Way

ped in hat y

firstntry, ugh

A true fighter for all October/November 2017

DERS . . . 0151 230 0307

A

CTIVISTS, family and friends are mourning the death of Lorraine Susan Gradwell, who had an “immeasurable” impact on the rights and lives of other disabled people over more than 30 years of campaigning.

Disabled activists paid tribute to her tenacity, vision, kindness, and passionate commitment to disability rights and the social model of disability.

Her husband, Tony Baldwinson, said that she died peacefully on 3 September, surrounded by her family. She also leaves two children, Jenny and John.

In the early 1980s, Lorainel joined the Manchester group of the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS), and she was later a founding member (and chair) of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), and also its first development worker, and a council member of the British Council of Disabled People (BCODP).

She went on to found Breakthrough UK, which supports disabled people to live and work independently, and which she served as chief executive for nearly 15 years, between 1998 and 2013, developing it into an organisation with an annual income of more than £1 million and 40 staff, 70 per cent of whom were disabled people.

She was also a member of the Small Business Council for four years, and was one of the many leading disabled activists who have achieved an MA in disability studies after studying at the University of Leeds.

For more than 20 years, she was also a successful consultant and trainer on disability, diversity, and other issues.

Born in 1953, Lorraine had been a keen swimmer, and maintained close involvement over more than 30 years with Manchester Disabled Athletes, until its closure.

All Together NOW!

Tributes and tears for a leader who did so much

She also competed as a wheelchair athlete and swimmer in the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in New Zealand.

In a statement, GMCDP said she was “a major figure, not only within GMCDP, but the disabled people’s movement as a whole.

“Lorraine’s ability to articulate, challenge and persuade made her a formidable advocate of disability rights.

“She will be sorely missed; not only as a comrade and leader but also a friend, supporter and confidante to a lot of people.”

Breakthrough UK said she was “a great woman whose impact on the rights and lives of disabled people locally and nationally is immeasurable.

“Through Lorraine’s vision, her unquestioning belief in the need to join forces with other disabled people and ability to influence the most resistant of ‘officials’, Lorraine first and foremost empowered disabled people and put Manchester on the map, as a leader on disabled people’s issues.

“Respected by all, Lorraine had an instinctive ability to translate the personal into the political, bringing meaning to disabled people and gently

leading, chiding and changing the many people fortunate to cross her path.”

Baroness [Jane] Campbell said: “She taught us all how to democratise our campaigning organisations, so that all disabled people would feel involved and would be given the ingredients to throw off the shackles of dependency.

“The slogan ‘nothing about us without us’ was never as well established as it was in Manchester where Lorraine’s insight and campaign methodology was embraced wholeheartedly.

“The movement has lost a great warrior and so many of us have lost a very important friend. In my eyes she is our Angel of the North!”

Another friend, Martin Pagel, the disabled former deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Lorraine had an immense range of skills which were central to the development of disabled people’s organisations in Manchester, across the country and internationally.”

Liverpool city councillor Pam Thomas said she remembered fighting for rights together in the 1990s and working with Lorraine at national level in the trade union UNISON. She said: “Lorraine was also a pragmatist working with national and local politicians and civil servants to bring about change.

“Lorraine had a good sense of what would work and what would not, she could sum up situations very neatly.”

She saw her friend for the last time two weeks ago. “We talked about our childhood recollections of contracting polio as young children and being in hospital where our families were allowed hardly any contact.

“We also talked about how, along with other disabled people, in the 1990s we fought for equality and rights and how it had mostly been swept away by government of the past seven years and set us back decades.”

19

20

All Together NOW!

SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 n WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel 01902 556021

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Thanks for the coverage LETTER TO THE EDITOR

OUR summer issue reported on the exciting overland adventure to Mongolia being undertaken by Heather and Colin Maddox, owners of Aline Mobility. Here’s Heather’s letter . . .

THANKS so much the great coverage about our Mongolia adventure in All Together NOW! Colin and I really appreciate what the newspaper has done for us in raising the awareness for our trip – and for Claire House Children’s Hospice, which we are supporting.

To see our story on the front page was brilliant! Everyone I speak to – friends and customers – keep mentioning that they have seen your newspaper, and seen Betty on the front.

I’m back in the office now. Colin’s dad flew

out to Ulan Bator and took over my share of the driving, but our wonderful VW Beetle, Betty, went from bad to worse.

She had quite a few problems when I was with her, but after I left, they thought the gearbox had gone on her – while in Siberia!

It turned out to be a brake drum – the teeth had totally gone. We shipped parts out, which set them back a week, and she then needed more parts while they waited in Kiev.

Betty’s speed has been limited to 40mph, as her poor little 1200cc engine was really struggling and she was burning lots of oil.

She will definitely need lots of TLC when she gets home.

Heather Maddox, Aline Mobility, Widnes and St Helens (see their advert on Page 3)

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 THE BRAIN CHARITY Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863.

Textphone 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064

n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053

MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 n Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 n STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 n WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552

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 872 234 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 nCUMBRIA Carlisle.

Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal.

Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON Helpline:0300 102 0008 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON (WIRED) Tel 01925 633 492 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 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 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE

‘

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

We have been overwhelmed by the response we have received since teaming up with this fantastic charity newspaper – John Howell, director at Harvey Howell

Taxman probes payments to personal assistants A LARM bells are ringing at news that the taxman is pursuing disabled people over payments to personal assistants.

As well as large service providers, HMRC has admitted it is investigating individuals for failing to pay their PAs the minimum wage during overnight “sleep-in” shifts.

Following a high-profile tribunal ruling involving the charity Mencap, the Government has publicly warned that many care workers should have been paid at least the minimum wage for the hours when they were sleeping on an overnight shift.

Many of them should now be able to claim for up to six years back-pay.

But the revelation that individual disabled people who use PAs are also being pursued

by HMRC for years of back-pay is now beginning to cause alarm.

In April, an employment appeal tribunal ruled against Mencap and said the charity should have been paying care workers at least the minimum wage for “sleep-ins”.

Mencap is appealing against the ruling.

The Government took some action to try to calm fears about the impact on the care industry by temporarily suspending enforcement activity by HMRC – until October 2 – and scrapping fines for those who failed to pay sleep-in staff the minimum wage before 26 July, 2017.

But the Government statement made it clear it was committed to ensuring “workers in this sector would receive the back-pay they are legally entitled to”.

And HMRC has confirmed it has been taking enforcement action against some individual disabled employers for allegedly failing to pay their PAs the minimum wage on “sleep-ins”.

Sue Bott, deputy chief executive of Disability Rights UK, said the tribunal appeal ruling could have far-reaching consequences if it was confirmed by the court of appeal.

She said: “I do think it’s right that PAs are paid the national minimum wage for each hour.”

But she added: “People just don’t receive enough money in their personal budgets to be able to pay national minimum wage for every overnight hour.”

A Government spokesman said they were aware that people who have used their direct payments to fund sleep-in shifts could be personally liable for back-pay.

He said: “These people are themselves extremely vulnerable, and the Government is committed to doing all it can to prevent those individuals from suffering financial difficulties as a result of this issue.”

UK slammed over disability rights T

HE Government has been told by a United Nations committee to make more than 80 improvements to the ways its laws and policies affect disabled people’s human rights.

And it must produce an annual progress report on how it is implementing the recommendations of a damning inquiry that found it guilty of “grave and systematic violations” of key parts of the disability convention.

In its “concluding observations” on the progress the UK has made in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the committee raised concerns and made recommendations on all but three of the 33 treaty articles it could have breached.

It was, said the committee, the highest number of recommendations it has ever produced for a country undergoing the review process.

The section highlighting the committee’s “principal areas of concern and recommendations” was more than 6,500 words long, compared with a “positive aspects” section of less than 120 words, which mostly related to actions carried out by the Welsh and Scottish governments.

Among its recommendations, the committee – made up of 18 disabled human rights experts from across Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, Australasia and the Middle East – called on the Government to incorporate the convention into UK law, and

UK going backwards on independent living, says UN committee

to carry out a comprehensive crosscutting review of its laws and policies, to address what it described as the “uneven” implementation of the convention and “discriminatory” laws, regulations, and practices.

The committee also said the Government should recognise disabled people’s right to live independently, and called for a comprehensive plan – addressing education, childcare, transport, housing, employment and social security – that should be aimed at removing disabled people from institutions and instead developing homes for them in community-based independent living schemes.

Stig Langvad, the CRPD member who led the UK examination, said: “Persons with disabilities are in our view not able to choose where to live, with whom to live and how to live… [they] are still facing the risk of institutionalisation and not being able to live within the community.”

He said the UK was “going backwards” on independent living and that disabled people were still being faced with living in either

families or institutions against their will.

The committee also called for Government action – in close consultation with disabled people’s organisations – to prevent any “negative consequences” caused by Brexit, and for it to implement the remaining sections of the Equality Act 2010.

A DWP spokeswoman said: “We are disappointed that this report fails to recognise all the progress we’ve made to empower disabled people in all aspects of their lives, and our ongoing commitment to furthering the rights of disabled people.

“Almost 600,000 disabled people have moved into work over the last four years and we spend over £50 billion a year to support disabled people and those with health conditions – more than ever before, and the second highest in the G7*.

“The UK is a recognised world leader in disability rights and equality, which is why we supported the development of the UN convention.

“The UK has some of the strongest equalities legislation in the world, including the Equality Act 2010, and we will continue to make sure that these rights are protected.

“This Government believes that a disability or health condition should not dictate the path a person is able to take in life – or in the workplace.

“This forms the foundation of our reforms to help disabled people realise their potential in the labour market and wider society.” *The other G7 countries are the USA, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada

All Together NOW!

21

BRIEFINGS:

Government made to pay back tribunal fees

THE Government broke the law by charging disabled people and others who take cases for discrimination or other illegal or unfair treatment to employment tribunals.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the fees of up to £1,200 to take a case against an employer to an employment tribunal, in July 2013, was unlawful under UK and European Union law because it “effectively prevents access to justice”.

And the introduction of the fees by the Government also discriminated against women, the court found.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that it will scrap the fees and provide “full refunds” to those who have paid tribunal fees since 2013, but implied that it could reintroduce fees at a different level.

It pointed to the statement by one of the Supreme Court justices that fees “can, in principle, reasonably be considered to be a justifiable way of making resources available for the justice system and so securing access to justice”.

The case against the Lord Chancellor had been taken by the union UNISON, which said the landmark victory – following a four-year legal battle – meant that anyone treated illegally or unfairly at work would no longer have to pay to take their employer to court.

And it said the Government would now have to refund more than £27 million to the thousands of people charged for taking claims to tribunals since they were introduced by Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling in July 2013.

Hate crime protest

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for change after six court cases involving violent attacks on disabled people were not treated as disability hate crimes.

The Disability Hate Crime Network has asked solicitor general Robert Buckland to create tighter and clear guidance, and to pressure the system to comply with the rules on disability hate crime.

In a letter to the minister, Stephen Brookes, a co-ordinator of the network, says the way the courts deal with disability hate crime is “still a mockery”.

Section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act makes hostility based on disability a basis for an increase in sentence.

But in the letter Mr Brookes says even if Section 146 is mentioned by prosecutors “too many of the judiciary just don’t get it, or don’t want the complication”.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office said: “We will be responding fully in due course.”

Meanwhile, the Home Office is seeking applications for new funding from antihate crime groups in England and Wales.

The Community Demonstration Project Fund supports schemes working to prevent hate crime, improve support for victims, and increase the reporting of hate crime.

PROMOTE YOUR LEGAL SERVICES TO HALF A MILLION READERS . . . Tel 0151 230 0307

22

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Sky’s the limit for children’s Badger charity

NEWS UPDATE

Students fears over universal credit

DISABLED students could find themselves shut out of higher education because of the Government’s new universal credit.

MPs and peers are now calling on the employment minister Damian Hinds to change the new benefit rules.

At present, disabled full-time students who receive either PIP or DLA are automatically treated as having “limited capability for work” and so can receive both employment and support allowance (ESA) and housing benefit during studies.

ESA can be particularly useful during summer vacations when disabled students are often unable to secure employment.

But the same rules do not apply to universal credit, which is slowly replacing several means-tested benefits, including income-related ESA and housing benefit.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that only disabled students who receive DLA or PIP and have undergone a work capability assessment (WCA) are eligible for universal credit.

But DWP rules also bar disabled students in a universal credit area from undergoing a WCA to determine whether they have limited capability for work.

This means if a student has not yet had a WCA, even if they are currently receiving ESA, and move to an area where universal credit has been introduced, they will not receive support from universal credit at university.

Hidden disability

THE Government’s vision for the future of British industry does not contain a single mention of disability.

And a top civil servant has admitted the Tory industrial strategy will not be “fit for purpose” unless it corrects that failure.

Alex Williams was twice forced to acknowledge to the all party parliamentary group for disability – APPGD – that the Government would need to address disability and equality issues before it publishes a green paper consultation document later this year.

Despite the equality duty, there is not a single mention of disability or disabled people, or even equality, in the 132-page Building Our Industrial Strategy green paper, while there is just one mention of disability (relating to investment in special educational needs) and no mention of equality in the 113-page 2016 National Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

THE children’s charity Sky Badger has scooped two top gongs at the annual Tech4Good Awards, which highlights how technology benefits communities.

Over the last five years, Sky Badger has supported more than one million disabled children and their families, with almost one billion visits to its website.

WINNING SMILES: Kate Russell with Naomi Marek and Gina Inman (Sky All the charity’s staff are either parents Badger), Ian Caveney (BT) and Mark Walker (AbilityNet) of disabled children or disabled themselves.

Naomi Marek set up the charity with three other mothers. She said: “When your child gets diagnosed with a medical condition or disability, it can feel like the loneliest place to be.

“You don’t know what to do, you don’t know where to turn. Sky Badger was created to give power back to families, so they know how to help their children to have the brightest futures.

“We are here to empower other parents to connect. Technology has allowed us to share tools, to make a real difference that continues to be shared 24 hours a day in every corner of the UK. “We hope to collaborate with parents and teachers to volunteer to grow our games and lesson plans for primary schools.

We’re trying to reduce the shocking rates of bullying of children with special needs.”

Sky Badger won the BT Connected Society Award, and the overall Winner of Winners award.

Other winners included: AbilityNet Accessibility tremendously exciting to be commissioned by IBBI Groves has overcome all sorts of Award: Bristol Braille Open Eye Gallery. I have so enjoyed getting to obstacles on her way to becoming a Technology who are know the children and their families. photographer. building a revolutionary “Disability awareness is much better now than Living with cerebral palsy, she’s had more than and affordable Braille ewhen I was growing up, but it is still so important to her fair share of challenges. reader for blind people recognise the value of integration and the Now, through a superb collection of images of called Canute, designed importance of breaking down barriers so that no disabled children, she’s hoping her work will with and by the blind one is isolated by a disability.” highlight just what people can achieve. community.

They aim to Sarah Smithson, operations manager at Stick ‘n’ Libbi, 25, graduated from Hugh Baird College, sell it for the price of a Step, added: “Libbi has produced some stunning Merseyside, with a first class degree in Perkins typewriter or photography, and was commissioned by Liverpool’s images of our children, which give a real insight iPhone. This would make into what we are working to achieve here.

Open Eye Gallery to take part in their ‘Open 3: it 20 times cheaper than “It is wonderful for the children and their parents Affecting Change’ exhibition. existing digital Braille to chat to her and see that someone just like them Her stunning images encapsulate the fighting devices. can have a flourishing career and realise their spirit of Wirral-based chaity Stick ‘n’ Step’s work potential as Libbi has. She is a fantastic role with children who have cerebral palsy. n Sky Badger: Tel. 0845 model.”

Libbi, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, said: “It was 609 1256.

EYE-OPENER Libbi’s images are changing perceptions

L

REACH HALF A MILLION READERS . . . 0151 230 0307

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

‘Public relations agencies are failing us’

T

HE shocking lack of disabled people working in public relations has been exposed by an industry insider.

One UK PR company with more than 300 employees has admitted it does not have a single disabled member of staff.

And the latest industry survey found that just 2% of people who work in the sector said they were disabled.

Now Ashley Phillips, who worked in PR in the UK and US with an invisible disability, says the industry “needs to confront failure to employ disabled people”.

Ashley has written about the issue as part of a masters degree in public relations and advertising.

Amazingly, she had never seen a single person with a visible impairment among the hundreds of professionals she had come across in her five years working in PR. Phillips, who has type one diabetes, said

. . . but TV bosses are getting their acts together

the only person she met in that time who said they had an impairment was another woman with diabetes who she had seen using an insulin pump.

Of about 83,000 people employed in the industry in 2016, 2%– less than 1,700 people – said they were disabled, according to the PR Census carried out by the Public Relations and Communications Association.

As recently as 2013, PRCA’s census did not even mention disability or disabled people.

And when Ashley approached some of the best-known PR companies in the UK, only one was willing to say how many disabled people it employed.

This company said none of its 300-plus employees was disabled, and told her: “This is something we are looking into. It is a problem.”

Phillips said she realised there probably were some disabled people who worked at

this company but that they were just not willing to disclose their status to their employer.

And she hoped her research would “open the conversation” on disability within the industry.

She said: “I think disability is considered a large taboo and people don’t know how to handle it, so they don’t.

“I haven’t looked into other industries but I do feel [members of the PR industry] are behind in regards to how the world is moving.”

When contacted about Phillips’ research, PRCA accepted that there was “a general lack of understanding of disability in the industry”.

But they said the 2016 census also revealed that 78% of respondents suggested there were no significant obstacles to their organisation employing disabled people.

SHINING LIGHTS M

ORE disabled performers in the nation’s TV shows and dramas is the aim of a new BBC scheme.

TALENT: Liam Bairstow got his big break in Coronation Street last year

Campaigners have welcomed the move by the Corporation to “shine a light” on disabled performers.

The Class Act development programme, which gets under way in October, is aimed at both experienced disabled performers and up-and-coming talent.

It will include an intensive three-day workshop and an opportunity to build contacts and showcase talents to professionals across the industry.

Performers will be tutored in audition and camera technique, acting and business skills, and script and character work, and will have the chance to work with directors on scenes.

The Class Act programme is part of BBC’s efforts to support and raise the profile of disabled actors but is also part of wider

BBC puts disabled talent centre stage

efforts to increase the number of disabled people working across the BBC. BBC bosses say their target is for 8% of on-screen roles – including “some” lead roles – to portray or represent a disabled person by 2020. Current figures will not be released until later this year.

Three years ago, only 1.2% of roles on screen portrayed or represented disabled people.

Natalie Amber is a member of the deaf and disabled members committee of the performers’ union Equity, and her roles include ITV thriller Paranoid and BBC One drama Doctors.

She said the BBC scheme was “a big step in the right direction”. Natalie said previous schemes, such as holding open auditions,

had not helped disabled actors build up their skills, which the new programme should do.

Natalie had been forced to take five years out of the industry after she became disabled, and said she had since found it very difficult to find anywhere to practice acting to camera from a wheelchair.

She said she hoped the programme would not be a one-off, and that future workshops would take place outside London.

ITV held a similar, but shorter, development workshop for disabled actors earlier this summer, based around its soap Emmerdale.

And Coronation Street cast the disabled actor Liam Bairstow in 2015, after he was spotted through ITV’s Breaking Through Talent disability workshop.

Piers Wenger, controller of BBC drama, said: “This exciting new initiative will provide disabled actors with some of the finest training the BBC has to offer and give them the best possible chance to compete for opportunities.”

All Together NOW!

NEWS UPDATE

Disabled journalist wins exam battle

EXAMINERS have created a new course after telling a disabled teenager he would fail existing training because he was physically unable to write shorthand.

Kyle Gunn had expressed a desire to complete a diploma in Practical Journalism at a Glasgow college but was told his inability to write shorthand – a result of his cerebral palsy – would stop him passing.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said that it would review its assessment criteria after speaking with UK journalism training body the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

And it now says it will offer two qualifications at higher national certificate/diploma (HNC/D) level for Practical Journalism, one with shorthand and one without, the Press Gazette reports.

A spokesperson said: “This means that candidates who are unable to learn shorthand or do not wish to learn shorthand can achieve an SQA qualification at HNC and HND level in journalism.

“Journalism students at HNC and HND level will be able to decide whether shorthand is relevant to the particular form of journalism that they intend to pursue.”

The new qualifications will be available from spring 2018.

The NCTJ stopped shorthand being a mandatory part of its level three Diploma in Journalism last October.

But, it still demands that the shorthand module is completed for journalists who wish to go on to take the senior National Qualification in Journalism.

‘Push the positive’

A GOVERNMENT adviser has criticised the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and parts of the disability movement for failing to do enough to highlight “disabled achievers”.

The criticism comes in a new report which was co-authored by the Government’s disability employment adviser, Professor Francis Davis.

In the report, A Sector Deal For Disability,, Davis and his co-author Liam Booth-Smith say that parts of the disability movement have treated “leadership”, “role models” and advocating social mobility with “caution”.

As a result, they say, disabled people are being marginalised and excluded from positive initiatives supported by the Government.

They say there is also either no mention of disabled achievers in EHRC’s published strategies.

. . . REACH HALF A MILLION READERS . . . CALL US NOW 0151 230 0307

23

24

All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES

Meningitis test that could save lives

TIME is of the essence when it comes to treating meningitis.

Most people make a good recovery if treated early enough but without treatment, many will die.

Meningococcal septicaemia can also be difficult to detect, with many patients only identified as infected when a visible rash develops, which is often too late.

And traditional laboratory diagnostic tests are slow, taking up to 48 hours.

Researchers are now developing a test that produces results within an hour.

In tests, patients underwent the standard NHS and the LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) tests. The LAMP test proved to be as efficient as the standard test in returning accurate diagnosis – but in a fraction of the time.

The study was carried out by Queen’s University Belfast and The Belfast Trust. Its leader, Dr James McKenna, said: “The LAMP test enables doctors to efficiently diagnose meningococcal septicaemia within an hour.”

Dr Tom Waterfield added: “We know the test is effective but we now need the evidence base to confirm whether it is feasible for clinicians to carry out this test as part of their role before an informed decision can be taken.”

A two-year study will involve clinicians in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children using the LAMP test in the emergency department.

Stemming baldness

BALDNESS in men and women could be treatable in the UK within a few years, a top UK stem cell company says.

And it will be far cheaper than had been previously expected, said Mark Hall, of StemProtect.co.uk Advances in stem cell medicine are “of tremendous hope to sufferers of immune deficiency alopecia, and also to several other types of baldness,” said Mr Hall.

In Japan giant steps are being taken using stem cell technologies. The Riken company is at the head of several attempts to bring regenerative medicine to the masses by the end of the decade.

New stem cell treatments mean that stem cells can be harvested and replicated from a patient, then turned into new hair follicles.

“The great news about stem cell therapies for baldness is that it will be far cheaper than expected,” added Mr Hall.

The Japanese treatments will cost less than £700. Mr Hall said: “Stem cell medicine isn’t for elites, it’s for everybody.”

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Five ways that you can give your brain a boost . .

Vitamin D – are you getting the best?

with Dr Hilary Jones

M

MIND GAINS

EMORY blips are natural as we get older, but keeping your mind active and challenged will help to keep your brain younger than your years!

Ensure you’re firing on all cylinders with my top tips for looking after your brain health.

1. Lights out Night owls take note! Research shows that sleeping less than seven hours a night is linked to poor brain health and memory loss, with studies showing that chemicals released during the deeper stages of sleep are vital for repairing the whole body, including the brain!

Make sure you’re getting plenty of shut-eye by starting your bedtime routine an hour earlier and leaving your phone and tablets out of the bedroom to avoid distractions that will hinder sleep.

2. Take a challenge Whenever we do something for the first time our brain builds new connections that keep it active and stimulated.

A study with London cab drivers found that as they learnt The Knowledge – the huge task of memorising the 25,000 streets and landmarks in central London from memory – the cabbies experienced a significant increase in the area of the brain that looks after memory and learning called the hippocampus.

Taking up a new hobby could boost your brain health so why not learn a new language or take up a game like chess to keep your brain challenged.

3. Hearing is believing Did you know your hearing is not just down to your ears, it’s everything in between your ears too!

Our hearing naturally declines over time, and studies show that straining to hear forces the brain to work harder. Over time, this effort can take its toll and hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of dementia.

Going for regular hearing checks is therefore crucial to

ensuring your hearing is taken care of and you enjoy the pleasure of sound for a lifetime.

4. Healthy heart, healthy brain Exercise affects the brain in lots of positive ways – increasing the brain’s oxygen levels and supporting the release of hormones that help to create a healthy environment for the growth of brain cells.

Exercise also helps to maintain the brain’s “plasticity” – its ability to change and reorganise itself throughout life by forming new connections between brain cells.

Boost your activity levels by looking for an exercise that is good for co-ordination and gets your heart rate up, such as a dance class. Or if you prefer the gym, go for a circuits class which will not only give you a good cardiovascular work-out but keep your brain processing the next challenge too.

5. Food for thought!

We all know that a good, clean diet rich in fruit and vegetables will improve all areas of your health, but eating healthily is also linked to slowing mental health decline too. Topping the list of brain-boosting foods are avocados which are packed with vitamin K and folate, a type of vitamin B which helps to prevent blood clots in the brain (protecting against stroke) as well as helping to improve cognitive function, especially memory and concentration.

Beetroot, blueberries, leafy green vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and salmon are all brimming with powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols that not only improve learning and memory, but also reverse age-related changes.

VITAMIN D is vital for us all – but so is getting the right SORT of vitamin D. A ground-breaking UK study shows that vitamin D3 is TWICE as effective as vitamin D2 in boosting our levels of the essential nutrients.

And that “turns current thinking on its head”, according to Dr Laura Tripkovic, who led the investigation.

Now she is urging world health authorities to rethink official guidance around vitamin D. Until now, it has been assumed that vitamin D2 and D3 had the same nutritional value.

Dr Tripkovic, from the University of Surrey, said: “The importance of vitamin D in our bodies is not to be underestimated, but living in the UK it is very difficult to get sufficient levels of it from the sun, so we know it has to be supplemented through our diet.

“However, our findings show that vitamin D3 is twice as effective as D2 in raising vitamin D levels.

“Those who consume D3 through fish, eggs or vitamin D3 containing supplements are twice as likely to raise their vitamin D status than when consuming vitamin D2 rich foods such as mushrooms, vitamin D2 fortified bread or vitamin D2 containing supplements, helping to improve their health.”

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, rickets and increased risk of cardio vascular disease.

Public Health England has increased the recommended intake of the vitamin to 10 micrograms per day, throughout the year, for everyone aged 4 and older.

Professor Susan Lanham-New, head of the department of nutritional sciences at the University of Surrey, said: “This is a very exciting discovery.”

Sign up for your FREE and regular e-newsletter – www.alltogethernow.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

Older dog walkers leading the way

THE results of research into dog walking has amazed the team studying its benefits.

It turns out that older people with dogs are more active even when it’s cold and wet than people without dogs are when it’s warm and sunny!

And the research showed older dog owners are much more active than people taking part in group activities especially aimed at keeping them on the move.

“We know that physical activity levels decline as we age, but we’re less sure about the most effective things we can do to help people maintain their activity as they get older,” said Dr Yu-Tzu Wu, of the University of Cambridge.

“We found that dog walkers were much more physically active and spent less time sitting overall.

Surprisng results

“We expected this, but when we looked at how the amount of physical activity participants undertook each day varied by weather conditions, we were really surprised at the size of the differences between those who walked dogs and the rest of the study participants,” added Dr Wu. The team found that on shorter days and those that were colder and wetter, everyone tended to be less physically active and spend more time sitting.

But the poor conditions had a lot less impact on the dog walkers.

Prof Andy Jones, from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich School of Medicine, said: “We were amazed to find that dog walkers were on average more physically active and spent less time sitting on the coldest, wettest, and darkest days than non-dog owners were on long, sunny, and warm summer days.”

All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES

Cheshire cheer for cancer patients

Don’t lose it!

WALKIES: Researchers were amazed at how much more active dog owners are

E

YESIGHT is the sense most of us treasure more than any – but millions risk losing it unnecessarily.

Brits ignore sight tests at our peril

When asked which sense they would least like to lose, 83% of Brits named sight the one most precious to them.

However, the Generation Eye Report revealed that three quarters of respondents admitted they had suffered poor eye health in the last 12 months and more than one in five say this had restricted or impaired their daily life.

And it isn’t just the older generation who are feeling the strain.

Those aged 18-24 (the ‘Unseen Generation’) were the group whose quality of vision or state of eye health had most restricted or impaired their daily life (36%).

The state of this ‘Unseen Generation’s’ eye health is affecting every element of life from sporting activities, reading, texting, surfing the internet and even applying their make-up.

Perhaps unsurprising when you consider their attitude to healthcare – more than a third haven’t had a sight test in last two years, as recommended.

According to the Office of National Statistics, a quarter of our ‘Unseen Generation’ are smokers, who are up to four times more likely to lose their sight than non-smokers and are more likely to suffer conditions such as Dry Eye. Dry, tired, sore and red eyes were all symptoms

commonly reported by 18 to 24 year olds.

Encouragingly though, the research found two-thirds of 18 to 24 year olds who smoke would be encouraged to quit if they knew it put their sight at risk.

For the middle aged, the ‘New Presbyopes’, the 45-54 age group were worried about the visual affects of ageing with almost one in three worried about losing their teeth, one in five concerned about putting on weight and one in seven fretting about wrinkles.

Four out of five of this age group had experienced problems with their eye health in the last year.

This brings us onto the ‘Low-Vis Generation, the over 65s’ . . .

Worryingly, the NHS’ General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) figures reveal that the number of sight tests conducted among the over-60s has steadily declined over recent years.

Almost a third of the over 65s surveyed didn’t know that wearing glasses or contact lenses with the wrong prescription could affect their eyesight.

The older generation also wasn’t aware that wearing the wrong glasses could lead to vertigo, dizziness, or blurred vision.

Yet research shows that more than a quarter of people over 75 who experience vision impairment merely need a new prescription for their glasses or contact lenses and a similar number have easily treatable cataracts.

PEOPLE in and around Cheshire are being seen and treated for suspected cancer faster than the national average, new NHS figures show.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe – has been named one of the country’s best Trusts for cancer patients seen and treated in the expected time frames.

In the first three months of 2017/18 (April-June), 96.65% of patients who were referred to hospital by their GP with suspected cancer were seen, diagnosed and started to receive treatment within 62 days. he national average for the same period was 81.5% against an NHS England expectation of 85%.

The Trust, which also manages Victoria Infirmary in Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, has also scored better than the national average in a recent cancer patient survey.

Light sleepers

SCIENTISTS looking for reasons why people are sleeping less have ruled out one part of modern life out as a possible cause.

Life in towns and cities with electricity does not shorten the amount of sleep we get, a study has found.

Many believe we are in the midst of a sleep deprivation epidemic.

Some scientists suggest that people with electricity stay up later, but do not always get up later to make up for it.

But UK researchers studied two communities in the south-east African country of Mozambique – one a town with electricity, the other a village without it.

And the University of Surrey team found that although the people in the town retired to bed on average one hour later, they did not sleep less than the people in the village without electricity, because they also rose one hour later in the morning.

Dr Andrew Beale said: “There is an intense debate going on right now on how our ancestors might have slept, and how this was changed by industrialisation.”

Professor Malcolm von Schantz added: “If indeed people do sleep less in industrialised countries, we can’t just blame electrification.

“The step from delayed to shortened sleep seems to require more changes in behaviours.”

Sign up for your FREE and regular e-newsletter – www.alltogethernow.org.uk

25

26

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Pills may increase head injuries

MEDICAL NOTES Deafness ‘biggest risk for dementia’

HEARING loss tops the list of risk factors for people developing dementia, according to a report in the medical bible, The Lancet.

The study says that eliminating hearing loss is highly relevant to reducing new cases of dementia “The report acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to understand exactly why hearing loss can lead to dementia,” said Paul Surridge, chairman of the British and Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA).

“It suggests that it might add to the cognitive load of a vulnerable brain leading to changes in the brain, or lead to social disengagement or depression and accelerated atrophy, all of which could contribute to accelerated cognitive decline.

“Most significantly for our members, the report concedes that there is a lack of research into the role of hearing technology in the prevention of dementia: ‘it is not yet established’, it says, ‘whether correction, such as hearing aids, can prevent or delay the onset’.”

Dementia affects about 47 million people globally, a figure projected to triple by 2050.

The Lancet report is available at: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/a rticle/PIIS0140-6736(17)31363-6/fulltext

Hospital staff plan

DEMENTIA awareness training on its own will not improve dementia care in hospitals or help patients, says a new study.

The research, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society, found that it is important for senior team members with specific expertise in dementia care to work closely with hospital staff.

Melanie Handley, lead author of the report, from the University of Hertfordshire, said: “We have highlighted six propositions which can help deliver comprehensive care and positive patient outcomes.”

Dr Doug Brown, director of research at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The next step is to get hospitals to commit to providing appropriate dementia training for all staff and senior dementia specialists within hospital trusts.

“We hope to achieve this through Dementia Action Alliance DementiaFriendly Hospital Charter, which already has over 100 hospitals signed up.”

ON THEIR MARKS: Dr Appolinaire Etoundi and Paralympian Andy Lewis

Stand by for super knee

A

UK researcher is working on a “smart” knee joint he hopes will be as good as the real thing.

Dr Appolinaire Etoundi is turning to nature to develop a prototype joint for prosethetic lower limbs.

Current mechanisms in prosthetic knees have a straightforward pin joint with ball bearings that does not have anything like the sophisticated range of motion and stability of the human knee with its cruciate ligaments.

Dr Etoundi says: “I have spent years designing knee joints for humanoid robots, but the human knee has evolved over millions of years and is incredibly successful.

“It is a very complex joint with ligaments, which guide the motion of the knee, and bones that perform the motion.”

Looking for inspiration in nature, Dr Etoundi will examine how the human knee works, as well as looking closely at the design of knee replacements used in surgery and at current knee joints in prosthetic limbs.

These three areas of knowledge will be used to design a knee that could give greater, more responsive movement, while

UK expert’s

robot joint to be inspired by nature

offering the control and intelligence that comes from robotics.

Nature provides a growing area in robotics known as Bio-mimicry, combining curiosity about how biological systems work with solving complex engineering problems, in order to develop a prototype smart knee joint for prosthetics.

Andy Lewis, a Paralympic triathlon gold medallist at the Rio Games, who wears a lower limb prosthetic, will try out the new joint once developed, to compare its energy consumption and gait efficiency to current prosthetics.

There are currently approximately 100,000 knee replacement operations performed every year in the UK. Lower limb amputation has a

The perfect tonic . . .

profound effect on daily life, and prosthesis must be comfortable and adapted to people so they can maintain daily activities such as walking and running.

Based at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Dr Etoundi said: “The complex interaction between the soft tissue and the bones in the knee joint is an area that has yet to be replicated in prosthetics.

“We need to understand this better in order to provide a better knee joint for people to use. I will study the different mechanisms within the knee joint and look for ways to translate its beneficial functionalities into a design concept for prosthetics.

“I want to create a prosthetic knee that will give the greatest range of motion with the least friction, enabling walking, climbing stairs, squatting and stability, while also offering important attributes of current prosthetics and the benefits of robotic technology.”

Andy, who will try out Dr Etoundi’s nature-inspired design says: “I was pleased when Appo approached me. He understands the importance of a good prosthetic for sports people. I look forward to seeing his early designs next year and trying them out.”

ANITDEPRESSANTS are associated with an increased risk of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries among people with Alzheimer’s disease.

They are the findings of a new study from the University of Eastern Finland.

It has previously been linked with an increased risk of falls and hip fractures, but the risk of head injuries has not been studied before.

Head injuries are more common among older people than younger ones, and they are usually caused by falling.

As antidepressant use has previously been associated with an increased risk of falling, the researchers were not surprised that the use of antidepressants also increased the risk of head injuries.

“However, our findings give cause for concern because persons with Alzheimer’s disease frequently use antidepressants, which have been considered a safer alternative to, for example, benzodiazepines,” says Heidi Taipale from the University of Eastern Finland.

“Our study population consisted of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but it is likely that the risk is similar also in other older persons without Alzheimer’s disease.

This is something we will be studying in the future.”

The results were published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy.

Researchers at the university also found that the use of proton pump inhibitors does not increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Proton pump inhibitors are a type of antiulcer drug commonly used among older people.

HALF A MILLION people

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

All Together NOW!

Top model: ‘size doesn’t matter’

T

OP model Marciel Hopkins is developing a revolutionary course for young women to teach body acceptance, holistic health and mental wellness.

The former Miss South Africa finalist, who has just been signed

by London-based MOT Models, said: “It is not worth fighting a daily battle with your food and body.

“Bodies are different and we can’t all look the same. We are spoon-fed images of unrealistic body goals where people are airbrushed to perfection.

“Social media has influenced the way people want to look and this is dangerous for those of a younger generation as this could influence their health for the rest of their lives.”

Marciel, who has appeared in plus-size campaigns for leading

MEDICAL NOTES

Four in 5 happy with their doctor

brands across Europe, added: “Too many young girls think they have to be skinny and slim in order to be healthy.

“People instead need to strive towards being the healthiest and happiest version of themselves whatever their natural shape.

“I’m happy and healthy as a natural size 14.

“I haven’t weighed myself since the Miss South Africa pageant, to stay away from ‘negative voices’.

Weight does not determine anyone’s worth.

“I want to encourage people to embrace who they are and realise that a healthy body can take many forms.

“I work as a life coach and there is nothing better than seeing the transformation of someone who has been fighting with body issues.”

Child health crisis

M

ORE children than ever are being treated for a type of diabetes normally only seen in the over 40s.

The continued rise in cases of Type 2 diabetes – up 14% in a year – has been described as a “hugely disturbing trend” by the Local Government Association, which represents over 370 councils in England and Wales.

And the Association warned the figures were an important reminder of one of the biggest public health challenges facing the country.

Ahead of the anniversary of the Tories publishing their childhood obesity plan, the LGA called on the Government to – at the very least – reverse the £531million cuts to councils’ public health budgets.

While not every case of Type 2 diabetes is as a result of being overweight and obese, it is the single greatest risk factor.

According to figures for 2015/16 from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 621 children and young people under the age of 25 received care for Type 2 diabetes from Paediatric Diabetes Units in

‘Devastating consequences of obesity . . .’

England and Wales, of which 78.5% were also obese. Fifteen children with Type 2 were aged between five and nine.

However, as these figures only relate to those treated in paediatric practice, and not for example, primary care, the actual number of young people with Type 2 diabetes is likely to be even higher.

The LGA says this emphasises the urgency of stepping up efforts to tackle child obesity, with the “devastating consequences” already being seen at an early age.

A cut of nearly 10% to public health budgets over a five-year period has hit councils’ ability to tackle childhood obesity and prevent related conditions like diabetes, the Association says.

are reading these pages

Councils also say more needs to be done to reach out to black and minority ethnic groups, where there is a disproportionately higher number of children and young people with Type 2 diabetes.

Nearly half of those receiving care for the condition from Paediatric Diabetes Units were black or Asian.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is largely preventable and is closely linked to lifestyle, such as unhealthy eating or lack of exercise.

The first cases of Type 2 diabetes in children were diagnosed in overweight girls of Asian ethnic origin in 2000 and first reported in white adolescents in 2002.

Data from the National Child Measurement Programme, carried out in schools and funded by councils, shows one in 10 of reception children and one in five of those in year 6 were obese in 2015/16.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “It is vital that the measures in the childhood obesity plan improve the health of young people, and can help parents make more informed choices about the eating habits and lifestyles of their children.”

tel 0151 230 0307

FOUR out of five people are happy with the service they get from their GP practice.

The GP Patient Survey, which shows how people feel about their GP practice, found that: n 85% described the overall experience of their GP surgery as good. n 73% of patients rated their overall experience of making a GP appointment as good. n 84% of patients said they were able to get an appointment the last time they tried, and of those, 92% said their appointment was fairly or very convenient. n 92% of patients said they had confidence and trust in the last GP they saw.

The GP Patient Survey can be found at: www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/2017/07/05/g p-patient-survey-2017/

Lung cancer hope

SCIENTISTS from over 60 countries are attending the 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Yokohama, Japan (October 15-18).

“Our conference is unique because we are solely dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, featuring research from the best and brightest minds in the field from across all disciplines,” said Fred R. Hirsch, Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and School of Medicine.

“This collaborative spirit is critical to conquering lung cancer around the world.”

Help with your hols

PLANNING an exotic holiday? Then it’s worth you getting hold of a new free leaflet from The British Liver Trust that highlights the common causes of hepatitis A - a highly infectious virus that causes swelling and tenderness.

Top tips: n Practise good hygiene. n Avoid drinking untreated water including ice cubes, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. n Avoid unpasteurised milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products. n Avoid any pre-prepared or under cooked foods. n Have safer sex. n Never share needles or snorting equipment for drugs/steroids.

Helpline, 0800 652 7330 www.britishliver trust.org.uk

27

28

All Together NOW!

Until Oct 14: The Tin Drum.

Everyman, Liverpool. Captioned, Thurs Oct 12. Audio described, Sat Oct 14.

Until Oct 28: YNWA. Royal Court, Liverpool. The show that brings the history of LFC to life using the songs from the terraces.

Until Oct 14: Uncle Vanya. Theatre Clwyd. Chechov’s poignant comedy.

Audio described, Oct 7, 2.45pm; Oct 12, 7.45pm. Captioned, Oct 7, 2.45pm. Relaxed, Oct 10, 7.45pm.

Oct 4-7: The Suitcase. Playhouse, Liverpool. Based on a true story and set in 1950s South Africa.

Oct 5-28: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Theatre Clwyd. Jim Cartwright’s play about mothers, daughters and finding a voice of your own. Audio described Oct 21, 2.30pm; Oct 27, 7.30pm. Captioned, Oct 21, 2.30pm. Relaxed, Oct 24, 7.30pm.

Oct 9: David Starkey - Henry VIII The First Brexiteer. The Brindley.

Oct 10-14: Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Playhouse, Liverpool. Vivid portrait of teenage girls caught between a butal childhood and hungry for adult adventure.

Oct 10-14: Son of a Preacher Man. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Musical featuring songs of Dusty Springfield.

Oct 11-14: English National Opera: Song of the Earth/La Sylphide.

Palace, Manchester.

Oct 12-Nov 4: The Threepenny Opera. Octagon, Bolton. Darkly comic and thrilling musical drama set during the reign of King Charles III. Captioned, Oct 31, 7.30pm. Audio described, Nov 1, 7.30pm. BSL, Nov 2, 7.30pm.

Oct 14: The Dame Shirley Bassey Story - Thank You For The Years Show. The Brindley. Tribute story.

Oct 15: Prince Revelation. The Brindley. Tribute show.

Oct 15: Sir Ken Dodd’s Happiness Show. Grand, Blackpool.

Oct 15: All About the Music: Lulu. Venue Cymru.

Oct 16: Russian National Ballet.

The Nutcracker. Rhyl Pavilion.

Oct 17-21: STOMP. Grand, Blackpool. Unique belend of comedy, dance and pure rhythm.

Oct 17-21: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Palace, Manchester. Joe McElderry dons the coveted coat.

Oct 18-Nov 4: Heroine. Theatre Clwyd. Explosive drama. Audio described, Noiv 2, 7.45; Nov 4, 2.45pm. Captioned, Oct 28, 2.45pm.

Relaxed, Oct 31, 7.45pm Oct 18: John Mayall in Concert.

Venue Cymru. Godfather of British blues.

Oct 19 – Sat Oct 21: Into The Woods. The Brindley. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim bring everyone’s favourite storybook characters together for a timeless and

October/November 2017

BOX OFFICE CONTAC BOX OFFICE CONTACTS TS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 CREWE Lyceum: 01270 368 242 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Unity 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000 MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000

Palace: 0870 401 3000 SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000 PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012 RHYL: Pavilion: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000 STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Cult musical ready to raise our spirits

F

EELING cheerful? If not, there’s not need to worry . . . help is on the way!

Cult musical Reasons To Be Cheerful has just started a new autumn tour – and is on its way to Liverpool.

Part gig, part play, the musical celebrates the infectious punk music of Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

Make no mistake: this show is loud, bold and jubilant. First seen in 2010, Reasons to be Cheerful has gone on to play at theatres and festivals across the UK, and in stadiums around the world.

The parallels with the show’s 1979 setting are clear: Labour had just lost the General Election to the Tories. Strikes rocked the nation and Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3) was climbing the charts.

Die-hard fans Vinnie and Colin are on a mission to see Ian Dury and the Blockheads play Hammersmith Odeon.

With no tickets to a sold-out gig their journey throws more at them than they could have ever expected . . .

Today, as nationwide cuts continue to impact on the lives of d/Deaf and disabled people, the disabled-led theatre company Graeae puts them centre stage.

Chaz Jankel, original Blockhead and co-writer of many songs in the show, added; “It is amazing to think that 37 years after Ian and I wrote Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3), the song still has such an impact and sounds so fresh.

“The Graeae production has added a whole new lease of life to the song and legacy of Ian Dury.

“If Ian were alive I am sure he would be laughing his head off and applauding the bravura of this very talented ensemble.”

As a prominent disabled activist, Ian Dury was a patron and staunch supporter of Graeae.

He died aged 57 in 2000 from liver cancer. n All performances include British Sign Language, audio description and creative captioning. n Tues Oct 17-21, Liverpool Everyman.

IT’S TIME TO BE

a rare modern classic.

Oct 17-21: Reasons to be Cheerful.

Everyman, Liverpool. Celebrating the music of Ian Dury and The Blockheads.

Oct 18-21: Golem. Playhouse, Liverpool. Dystopian fable for the 21st century which asks who or what is in control of our technologies?

Oct 20: The Story of the Beach Boys. Lyceum, Crewe.

Oct 21: Victor Michael: A Night at the Theatre. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Special guests: The 3 Sopranos.

Oct 21: Eclipse. The Pink Floyd Experience. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 21: ELO Again. Rhyl Pavilion.

Tribute show.

Oct 21-29: Sleeping Beauty.

Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Claire Sweeney stars.

Oct 22: Sir Ken Dodd’s Happiness Show. Grand, Blackpool.

Oct 22: The Waterboys. Opera House, Manchester.

Oct 22: The Bay City Rollers with Les McKeown. Lyceum, Crewe.

Oct 23-Nov 4: Sunset Bouleyvard.

Palace, Manchester. Adrew LloydWebber musical starring Ria Jones.

Oct 23: Michael Portillo – Life. A Game of Two Halves. The Brindley.

Oct 24: Hazel O’ Connor & Cormac De Barra. The Brindley.

Oct 24-28: Vincent and Flavia – Tango Moderno. Grand, Blackpool.

Oct 24-28: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Joe McElderry dons the coveted coat.

Oct 24-28: Welsh National Opera.

Venue Cymru.

Oct 24-26: The Wizard of Oz. Southport Theatre.

Oct 24-28: Legally Blonde: The Musical. Rhyl Pavilion.

Oct 24: Jimmy Carr.

Lyceum, Crewe Oct 25-28: Man to Man. Everyman, Liverpool. The story of Ella, a woman forced to adopt the identity of her dead husband in order to survive Nazi Germany.

Oct 25-26: That’ll Be The Day. Lyceum, Crewe.

Oct 25: Jason Donovan and his Amazing Midlife Crisis. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 25: Midge Ure, The Christians, Altered Images. Opera House, Manchester.

Wed Oct 25: Dirty Dusting.

The Brindley. Starring Crissy Rock.

Oct 26: The Blues Band. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 26: The Nutcracker - Russian National Ballet. The Brindley.

Oct 26: Living Spit present The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The Brindley.

Oct 26: Fastlove – A Tribute to George Michael. Opera House, Manchester.

Oct 27: The Magic of Motown.

Opera House, Manchester.

Oct 27: The Fireflys - We are 10 Birthday celebrations! The Brindley.

Oct 27-28: Around the World in 80 days.

Playhouse, Liverpool. Highspeed, globe-trotting comedy.

Oct 27: Fastlove – A Tribute to George Michael. Southport Theatre.

Oct 27: That’ll Be The Day. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Music, laughter and non-stop nostalgia.

Oct 27: Morbid Curiosities. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Allow the ghouls of the 19th century to crawl from the crypts . . .

Oct 29: Dr Hook starring Dennis Locorriere. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 29: Sixties Gold. Venue Cymru.

Gerry And The Pacemakers (farewell tour), The Searchers, Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Steve Ellis, and Vanity Fare.

Oct 29: Macca: The Concert - The Brindley. Tribute show.

Oct 30: Billy & Wally’s Pop Golden Oldies Show. The Brindley.

Oct 31-Nov 1: Songs for the End of the World.

Everyman, Liverpool.

When the apocalypse arrives, astronaut Jim Walters is left in orbit, broadcasting his songs to a silent Earth.

Oct 30-Nov 4: Footloose. Royal Court, Liverpool. Starring Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan.

HOW YOU CAN PLAY A STARRING ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF THIS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

All Together NOW!

MIND WEEK AT UNITY

CHEERFUL!

Oct 30-31: The Wizard of Oz. Rhyl Pavilion.

Oct 31-Nov 4: The Wipers Times.

Opera House, Manchester. The true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme.

Nov 1: Doug Scott Mountaineering Lecture. Rhyl Pavilion.

Nov 1: Shalamar. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 1: John Mayall in Concert.

Southport Theatre. The godfather of British blues.

Nov 2: Elaine Paige. Venue Cymru.

Nov 2: The Bob Dylan Story. The Brindley. Tribute show.

Nov 3: Pink Floyd’s The Wall Live.

The Brindley. Tribute show.

Nov 3: Rick Wakeman: The Piano Portraits Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 4: Stand By Me featuring the songs of Ben E King & The Drifters.

The Brindley.

Nov 4: The Chicago Blues Brothers – Back in Black Tour. Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Nov 4: Midge Ure, The Christians, Altered Images. Southport Theatre.

Nov 6: Professor Robert Winston.

The Brindley.

Nov 6-11: A Judgement in Stone.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Ruth Rendell mystery.

Nov 7-11: Cabaret. The Lowry. Will Young.

Nov 7-11: Spamalot. Palace, Manchester.

Nov 8: Buddy Holly: A Legend Reborn. Octagon, Bolton.

Nov 8-12: The Snowman. Opera House, Manchester.

Nov 8: Memories Are Made of This.

The Brindley. Songs of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Nov 8: Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. The Brindley.

Nov 9: The Billy Joel Songbook performed by Elio Pace & his Band.

The Brindley.

Nov 9-11: Oliver. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Nov 9: One Night of Queen.

Southport Theatre. Triubute show.

Nov 9: Lefty Scum. Everyman, Liverpool. Riotous evening with Josie

UNIQUE CHARITY NEWSPAPER

Long, Grace Petrie and Jonny & The Baptists Nov 9: The Magic of the Beatles.

Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Nov 9: Rick Wakeman Piano Portraits. Rhyl Pavilion.

Nov 9: Jasper Carrott.

Venue Cymru.

Nov 10: The Bowie Experience. Venue Cymru. Tribute show.

Nov 10: The Billy Joel Songbook performed by Elio Pace. Rhyl Pavilion.

Nov 11: Bowie Experience – The Golden Years. Southport Theatre.

Tribute show.

Nov 11: Nearly Dan in Concert.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. The spirit and sound of Steely Dan. Nov 12: Nathan Carter and his Band. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 12: Islands in the Stream.

Regent Theatre, Stoke. The music of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Nov 12: John Mayall in Concert.

Grand, Blackpool. The Godfather of British Blues.

Nov 13-18: A Judgement in Stone.

A WEEK of events that explore the role the arts has in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing goes ahead at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool.

Claire Stevens, development manager of Liverpool Mental Health Consortium, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Unity Theatre to keep mental health, and mental distress, on the public radar.

“The State of Mind programme provides an excellent opportunity to bring people together, challenge assumptions, find inspiration and feel less isolated.

“We’re also honoured that the wonderful (Danish comic) Sofie Hagen has agreed to be Liverpool Mental Health Festival Patron.

We’re big fans of the honesty, creativity, passion and humour which she brings to the public debate about mental health.”

Tue Oct 10, 7.30pm: Sofie Hagen.

Wed-Thurs Oct 11/12, 8pm: My Beautiful Black Dog by Brigitte Aphrodite.

Thurs Oct 12, 6pm & 9.30pm: Alaska by Cheryl Martin, directed

by Darren Pritchard.

Fri Oct 13, 8pm: Live Before You Die by Byron Vincent and Dave McGinn.

Sat Oct 14, 2pm and 4pm: Umbrelephant.

Opera House, Manchester. Ruth Rendell mystery.

Nov 14-18: People, Places & Things. Playhouse, Liverpool. When intoxication feels like the only way to survive in the modern world, how can Emma ever sober up?

Nov 14-25: The Band (Touring).

Venue Cymru. New musical about what it’s like to grow up with a boyband. Music from Take That.

Nov 14-18: White Christmas. The Brindley. Timeless tale of joy and goodwill. Based on the 1954 film.

Nov 15: Formby. The Brindley Ewan Wardrop in the role of George Formby.

Nov 17-Jan 13: A Christmas Carol.

Octagon, Bolton. The traditional Dicken’s tale full of joy, song and magic. Audio described, Dec 1, 7pm. BSL, Dec 8, 7pm. Captioned, Dec 15, 7pm. Relaxed, Jan 11, 11am and 7pm.

Nov 17: Dr Hook starring Dennis Locorriere. Rhyl Pavilion.

Nov 18: After Miss Julie. The Brindley. July 26th 1945.

Nov 18: Dr Hook featuring Dennis

Locorriere. Southport Theatre.

Nov 20: Billy & Wally – Hold Your Plums. The Brindley.

Nov 21-25: For Love or Money. Playhouse, Liverpool. It’s the 1920s in a small Yorkshire town.

A love triangle, then a wicked tale of rivalry and greed.

Nov 21-25: Cilla. Palace, Manchester. The heart-warming story of Liverpool celebrity Cilla Black.

Nov 21-25: Cats. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Musical.

Nov 22: Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters, Seth Lakeman. Venue Cymru.

Nov 22: All About the Music: Lulu.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. This is one show that you will want to shout about!

Nov 22-23: Desperate Scousewives. The Brindley.

They’re Back! Actress and writer Lynne Fitzgerald returns with her hit comedy.

Nov 23: Swan Lake. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Russian State Ballet.

Nov 23: Islands in the Stream.

Southport Theatre. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute show.

Nov 24: The Roy Orbison Story – Barry Steele & Friends. The Brindley. Tribute show.

Nov 24-Jan 13: The Scouse Nativity. Royal Court, Liverpool.

Nov 24-Jan 20: Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto. Theatre Clwyd.

Audio described, Dec 16, 2pm. Captioned, Jan 13, 2pm. BSL, Jan 6, 2pm. Relaxed, Jan 16, 6pm Nov 25-Jan 20: The Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto: The Little Mermaid.

Everyman, Liverpool. BSL performance, Mon Jan 8.

Captioned, Sat Jan 13. Relaxed, Mon Jan 15. Audio described, Thurs Jan 18.

Nov 25: Sir Ken Dodd’s Happiness Show.

Southport Theatre.

Nov 26: Buddy Holly and the Cricketers. Lyceum, Crewe.

Nov 28-Dec 2: Crazy for You. Opera House, Manchester. Feel-good musical.

Nov 28-29: The Band. Regent Theatre, Stoke. New musical celebrating the music of Take That.

Nov 28: Romeo and Juliet. Venue Cymru. Russian State Ballet and Opera House.

Nov 29-Dec 3: Nativity! The Musical. Palace, Manchester. Perfect seasonal comedy for all the family.

Opera House, Manchester.

Dec 1-Jan 14: Sleeping Beauty. The Brindley.

Starring Crissy Rock. BSL performance, Fri Dec 29 at 5pm, and a Relaxed Performance on Sun Jan 7 at 1pm.

. . . SEE BACK PAGE FOR DETAILS

29

30

All Together NOW!

Books

Haseeb’s long road to glory

From Blindman to Ironman, by Haseeb Ahmad, Matador, £12.99

THE remarkable true story of how Haseeb Ahmad overcame his blindness to set the World Record for the fastest Blind Ironman Triathlon.

“My story is about triumph over adversity,” explains Haseeb. “From becoming blind in my teens I would never have dreamt that almost 35 years later I would break the World Blind Ironman Record.”

Haseeb was just 10 when he started to lose his sight. As his eyesight continued to rapidly deteriorate he struggled to come to grips with what was happening to him – and there were no answers for several years.

He received no help at school and home life proved tough, too.

After being registered totally blind at the age of 17, Haseeb faced more than his fair share of personal challenges.

Many years later, at the age of 38, Haseeb found himself applying to join the GB Paratriathlon squad, medalling at national and international competitions and then breaking the World Blind Ironman record.

Breaking the rules

White Lies, by Ellie Holmes, Amazon, £9.99

THE day after author Ellie Holmes was diagnosed with cancer her father died. During chemo Ellie was physically sick – in the hospital, in the car coming home, and for the rest of her life.

On the recommendation of a nurse, Ellie went to a local hypnotherapist.

The hypnotherapy was transformative and almost completely cured her nausea.

Much of Ellie’s new novel takes place in a hospital after a terrible accident – a medical world inspired by her own experiences.

Sam Davenport is a woman who lives her life by the rules. When her husband Neil breaks those rules one too many times, Sam is left wondering not only if he is still the man for her but also if it’s time to break a few rules of her own.

Actions, however, have consequences as Sam soon discovers when what starts out as an innocent white lie threatens to send her world spiralling out of control.

White Lies is a warm, engaging read about love, deceit, betrayal and hope.

October/November 2017

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

great. The New Moon on the 19th will create some difficulties with a bureaucratic matter.

Your star power will attract opportunities for love, adventure and fun in the beginning of November. On the 4th, the Full Moon will prompt you to pay an affectionate tribute to someone special. The New Moon on the 18th will encourage you to change your look in one way or another as you feel you need an image and style that reflects your ideas and ambitions.

Thanks to your efforts, productivity will soar at the beginning of October. Toward the middle of the month, you’ll notice your sensual desires growing stronger. This is a great time to devote more time and attention to your partner. The New Moon on the 19th will find you bending over backwards to get someone’s attention.

Instead of making a spectacle of yourself, it would be better to adopt a nonchalant attitude.

Playing hard to get will pay off. Devoting yourself to cultural pursuits will be good for you at the start of November. Dive into a good book, listen to beautiful music and enjoy a movie marathon or a box set night in. On the 18th, the New Moon will mark an exciting turning point in a close relationship.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

Early in the month, traveling could put you on the path of romance. Be ready to own up to your mistakes, apologise and make amends. A close relationship will give you added strength at the middle of the month. On the 19th, the New Moon will disrupt your regular routine. You may have to change your diet and exercise routine to accommodate a health issue. Don’t hesitate to lean on your best friend or romantic partner for extra support as October turns into November. Enjoy the good things that come along with your world of work at the beginning of November. On the 4th, the Full Moon will put you squarely in the spotlight. A legal matter could go against you at the approach of December.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

You could find an ideal living situation in the early days of October. Employment prospects will improve toward the middle of the month.

The New Moon on the 19th warns against falling for an unconventional newcomer. Bigger and better opportunities will arrive as November approaches. The Full Moon on the 4th will bring a welcome opportunity to rest, relax and reflect. Clear your schedule of responsibility and give yourself permission to daydream. At the middle of the month, you’ll get tremendous moral support from a capable partner. Let your best friend, lover or business associate encourage you to pursue an unusual dream. As the month draws to a close, your expenses are bound to rise.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

A close and loving ambiance at the beginning of the month will make you feel as if you can move mountains. Take this opportunity to tackle a project that used to daunt and intimidate you.

Taking a gamble will be good for you. On the 19th, the New Moon will put strain on your domestic life. You’ll notice your priorities will undergo a radical change as October draws to a close. Find a way to spend more time on the things you love. Use the opening days of November to satisfy your wanderlust. Whether you go on a spiritual pilgrimage, visit a bustling metropolis or enjoy some armchair travel is immaterial. The important thing is to enjoy the sights, sounds and sensations of another culture.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

Finances are looking good in the first few days of October making this is a great time to land a new and better paid job, ask for a rise or increase your fees. You’ll get an exciting chance to embark on your dream career toward the middle of the month. The New Moon on the 19th will darken your normally sunny outlook.

Try not to feel too gloomy. As October turns to November, you’ll get a chance to improve your work conditions. Confront a colleague who has been saying unpleasant things behind your back. It’s time to clear the air. Spend the

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

opening days of November catching up with your nearest and dearest. The New Moon on the 18th is perfect for buying or selling a piece of property. As November draws to a close, you’ll be attending a bewildering array of parties.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

A love affair will put a special spring in your step that’s impossible to ignore in early October. Your schedule will become much more manageable in the middle of the month. Take this opportunity to get on with doing those things that bring you the most pleasure. The New Moon on the 19th will bring more demoralising news about a money matter. As November approaches, you’ll get some positive feedback. An intimate relationship will be a profound source of comfort at the beginning of November. You could get a generous gift from a relative at the middle of the month. Don’t worry; there will be no strings attached to this tribute. .

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

The Full Moon on the 5th will draw your attention to a close relationship. Be more attentive to your best friend, romantic partner or workaday colleagues. You’ve been wrapped up in your own affairs; taking the focus off yourself will strengthen this bond. There will be plenty of ways to make money in the middle of the month. On the 19th, the New Moon will tempt you to change your image. Don’t do anything radically that will permanently alter your appearance. There will be a market for your impeccable taste at the beginning of November.

The Full Moon on the 4th brings an impressive windfall in the form of a work bonus, inheritance or legal settlement. An unusual partnership will open doors for you at the middle of the month.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Your social life will scintillate with excitement at the start of October. Have a great time attending parties and catching up with friends.

Don’t be surprised when your star begins to rise in the middle of the month. Suddenly, you’ll be surrounded by people who think you are

You have the potential to reach new heights in your career at the beginning of the month.

Don’t hesitate to apply for a promotion or a better paid position during this golden period.

On the 19th, the New Moon will mark the start of a creative project. Conserve your resources at the end of October. You’ll want to have some money in reserve to cover unexpected expenses in November. The Full Moon on the 4th brings the successful conclusion to a demanding job. People will be so impressed with your work that you will be offered a chance to take on a more influential role. On the 18th, the New Moon will prompt you to spend more time on solitary pursuits.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

Don’t be shy about sharing your expertise in the early days of the month. The New Moon on the 19th could bring some unwanted attention.

It may be necessary to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. Your gracious attitude will earn the respect of both your peers and superiors. Your personal life will be a welcome haven from professional pressure with the approach of November.

November’s Full Moon marks the end of an incredibly busy period, allowing you to take a long trip for pleasure. At the middle of the month, you’ll get some surprising news from a relative that sparks a string of celebrations.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

October begins on a romantic note. Spending quality time with your amour will strengthen your mutual devotion. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own business, this will be the ideal time to try. On the 19th, the New Moon could create legal troubles. As the month winds down, you’ll be able to take leadership of a troubled division. Your innovative leadership style will reveal hidden talents in several members of the team. A money-making opportunity that is both financially and spiritually rewarding will arrive at the start of the November. The Full Moon on the 4th brings your attention to the home front. You’ll be relieved and delighted by a friend’s bill of clean health.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

A close partnership will help you get through a period of profound transformation. Cast your fears aside and take the first step towards a bold dream. You’re on the way to a landmark success. On the 5th, the Full Moon will put a strain on your budget. The New Moon on the 19th will cause an argument to break out between you and a business or romantic partner. If you are going to maintain ties, it will be necessary to make compromises on the financial front. Your idealism will be rewarded in the opening days of November.

Don’t compromise your principles when it comes to art, romance and the finer things of life

HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE READING THESE PAGES

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

All Together NOW!

Five super tulip packs to be won

G

IVE your garden an artistic boost next spring with these fabulous Rembrandt tulips from Suttons. We have five £15 packs of 30 bulbs of these amazing flowers to be won.

Rembrandt, the famous Dutch painter, lived and worked in Holland when tulips were all the rage there, particularly those with streaks and stripes of colour.

These types of tulip changed hands for huge sums of money during the “tulipomania” craze 400 years ago.

Now multi-coloured forms of the flower are named after Rembrandt because they look as if they have been painted by a master.

Create your own masterpiece with our prize collection – six bulbs each of five stunning bicolour

tulips with splashes and streaks in shades of purple, red and yellow.

Planted 10cm (4in) deep and 15cm (6in) apart in late October or November, they will produce dazzling flowers from March to May, growing 45cm (18in) tall, and will bloom year after year.

To enter the competition, answer this question: What country is renowned for its tulips?

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 Rembrandt Tulips Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Monday, October 16, or you can enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk For the full range of Suttons bulbs, seeds and plants, AMAZING – the Rembrandt tulips go to www.suttons.co.uk

SWEET AND LOVELY: Sweet pea Kingfisher and dwarf oriental lilies

BEST SMELLERS

M

Y APPROACH to gardening these days is simple – only grow it if it smells good or tastes good.

This year’s warm, wet summer has inspired a wide range of fabulous fragrances and flavours from roses to lilies and tomatoes to melons.

Here are some that have given me special pleasure and others that look promising for next year: Sweet pea Kingfisher sounds bright blue and some of its blooms were just that, as my picture shows, but others opened in shades of pink and cream to create a stunning mixture. The plants, started easily from seed, climbed quickly to 1.5m (5ft), gave off a knock-out scent and, best of all, flowered prolifically for longer than any sweet pea I have grown.

Wisteria Amethyst Falls, from North America, is more compact than Chinese forms and has shorter racemes of lilac-blue blossoms but they emit a delectable fragrance. The plant can be grown in a large pot so it is suitable for patios.

In the garden, the perfume of lilies elevates a good summer day to a great one. Grow the classic

regal lily or one of the dwarf oriental types in the ground or in large pots (pictured) on the patio to get the full charm of their fragrance.

For crepuscular perfume, two old favourites grow easily from seed – night-scented stocks, with lilac blooms, and nicotiana, the ornamental tobacco plant, which is available in many forms – from tall, white and elegant to dwarf, and brightly-coloured.

All are superbly scented.

In the kitchen garden, several new varieties have impressed. The tomato Sweet Aperitif, with clusters of small cherry-type fruits, must be the sweetest tomato ever. The runner bean Firestorm was prolific, early-cropping and delicious, and for salad lovers I recommend the F1 hybrid spring

onion Feast – appetisingly tangy without being incendiary.

Club-root, the fungal disease that can ruin a crop of any kind of brassica, has become a problem in my garden. It has been partially countered by the recent introduction of a series of cabbages with the prefix “Kil” such as Kilaton and Kilaxy.

Now I am celebrating 100% resistance with the latest variety, Kilazol, which produces crisp, white cabbages that are excellent cooked or as coleslaw.

Brussels sprouts are another popular brassica – and, despite the jokes about them, they are delicious when freshly picked and not over-cooked.

I have grown 20 different varieties over the years but only now, with the relatively new kinds Crispus and Maximus, have I found good resistance to club-root in my garden.

Another common problem, the pesky carrot-fly, lays eggs from which grubs emerge to devastate the crop from midsummer onwards.

But this pest makes no impression on the F1 hybrid variety Yellowstone, which produces very large orange-yellow carrots with a mild flavour, ready in late summer and early autumn.

Sign up for your FREE e-newsletter . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

31

CHECKLIST

FLOWERS: Plant out wallflowers before the end of October and pinch out the tips of any long shoots to encourage bushy growth and more flowers. Plant spring bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and hyacinths in October. Do not plant tulips until late October or November.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Plant new shrubs and trees.

Fix new trees to a short stake to hold the roots firmly in the ground until they are established.

PATIOS: Move pots into the sunniest position and raise them on bricks or pot feet so they do not stand in puddles after autumn rains.

LAWNS: Damp or mossy lawns should be spiked 10cm (4in) deep and the same distance apart, ideally with a hollow-tined aerator, otherwise with a garden fork. Make a 50:50 mixture of gritty sand and good soil and brush this into the holes then treat with a moss-killer such as lawnsand.

PONDS: Keep ponds clear of debris by cutting back dead foliage of aquatic plants, removing any blanketweed and clearing fallen leaves regularly with a net.

VEGETABLES: Plant overwintering crops – the broad bean Aquadulce, onion sets such as the variety Radar and shallot sets such as Jermor. Split rhubarb plants more than four years old and plant young sections from the edge of the root, each with a strong shoot showing.

FRUIT: Tie the new canes of summer-fruiting raspberries to support wires. Prune gooseberry bushes, thinning the branches and trimming sideshoots back to three or four buds.

HERBS: Split wellestablished clumps of perennial herbs such as tarragon, chives and mint.

HOUSEPLANTS: Those that flowered earlier in the year require just enough water to keep the compost slightly moist. Plants that are still to bloom, like Christmas cactus and cyclamen, need food and water regularly.

All Together NOW!

32

October/November 2017

The Accumulator Quiz

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

1

2

★

3

4

5

5

6

7

8 9

10

★ 10

11

12

13

★ 15

17

16

18

19 22

★ 24

14

20

21

★

23

★

25

26

27

28

★ 29

30

32

★

★

33

ACROSS

DOWN

1.

5.

8.

9.

10.

11.

13.

15.

17.

19.

22.

24.

26.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

12.

14.

16.

17.

18.

20.

21.

23.

25.

Fervent (7) In areas (5) Vegetable (3) Mistake (7) Nitre (anag.) (5) Communion table (5) Cut a tooth (7) Lecherous look (4) Soft breeze (6) Squalid (6) Necessity (4) Disconcerted (inf.) (7) Distributed cards (5) Insinuate (5) Playhouse (7) Jeer at (3) Having pluck (inf.) (5) Rodent catcher (3-4)

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: Where in the human body are the biceps?

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: What type of Italian food is Bel Paese?

A The wrist B The lower leg C The upper arm D The buttocks QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: According to the saying, which of the following is a dangerous thing?

A B C D

A A little knowledge B Too much money C Absolute power D Not enough patience QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: Sussex, Mini Lion Lop and Angora are varieties of which animal?

A B C D

African animal (5) Grown-up (5) Disciplined (7) Goblin (6) African country (5) Nicked (7) Mocked (7) Fib (3) Gaelic (4) Sea-eagle (4) Adjusting to nought (7) Sound of steps (7) Left-over (7) Unwell (3) Senior journalist (6) Stopping-place beside main road (3-2) 27. Out of bed (5) 28. Fool (inf.) (5)

A Lee Harvey Oswald B Mark David Chapman C John Wilkes Booth D James Earl Ray QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: What flavour does the drink Pernod have?

Vanilla Juniper Peach Aniseed

SUDOKU

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

A B C D Entertainer Cliff Richard. See Question 4

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: David Bowie did a duet of Dancing in the Street for Live Aid with which other singer?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: In which area of London is Carnaby Street, popular for fashion in the 1960s?

A B C D

A B C D

Marble Arch Knightsbridge King’s Road, Chelsea Soho

Freddie Mercury Lou Reed Bing Crosby Mick Jagger

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Sir Bernard Miles founded which London theatre?

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What is a mnemonic?

A B C D

William Golding Jack Kerouac J.D. Salinger Harper Lee

A B C D

A memory device A minor scale in music The arm of a sundial The vibrating core of a loudspeaker

The Globe The Apollo The Mermaid The Lyric

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Ferdinand Marcos was once the president of which country?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: In which year was the prohibition of alcohol in the United States repealed?

A B C D

A B C D

Philippines Thailand Malaysia Argentina

1933 1934 1935 1936

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

Sunil Gavaskar Greg Chappell David Gower Viv Richards

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Who wrote the novel The Catcher in the Rye?

A Hong Kong B India C Australia D Singapore QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Who assassinated John Lennon in New York in 1980?

A B C D

Bread Pasta Cured ham Cheese

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Who was the first cricketer to score 10,000 runs in Test matches?

A Rabbit B Guinea pig C Goat D Sheep QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: In which country was entertainer Cliff Richard born in 1940?

31

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

DIFFICULT

9 6 1 3

9 3 8

7 4

8 6

3

5 4

4

REACH 500,000 READERS

2 1 4

7 6

3 1

8 6 8 5 3 9

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 7

27

17

11

24

4

20

12

5

21

16

20

9

20 17 22 13

10

4

10

15

20

4

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

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?

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.

*

$

5

ELASTIC

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

TOFFEE

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

BRAZIL

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

PEN

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

DUCK

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

TIMER

FRIED

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

PAPER

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

3. fruits 732 712 775 317 322 417 277 237 791 733 287 726 812 522 523 779 127 742 681 787 292 377 917 482 272 175 861 285 522 313 441 252 252 877 268

4. Roald Dahl books 843 164 674 671 843 189 487 152 637 126 318 431 442 681 732 241 843 147 365 467 132 682 784 216 713 691 843 123 416 284 532 184 319 482 437

5. Royal Navy ships 468 737 431 278 883 126 868 918 748 674 123 245 313 638 726 231 842 867 912 751 769 251 826 482 731 468 462 425 313 633 286 871 627 917 673

6. types of film 362 863 682 791 687 422 513 726 217 662 623 184 745 537 126 462 846 613 268 279 127 463 122 846 612 663 391 467 767 193 783 761 238 368 873

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 12 holiday problems.

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 15?

R

N

U

I

Y

E

D

H

T

A

K

T

S

S

N

A

L

T

E

R

E

A

E

S

T

E

S

E

G

H

A

D W

B

O

I

B

T

C

I

L

B

G

I

M P

S

E

A

G

E

F

T

H

L

A

U

N

T

G

O

S

E

D

F

C

H

O

I

G

L

T

S

S

I

O E

L

T N

S

O

L U

S

A

S

O

E

T

P

S

I

R

D

A W T

J

G

A

O

P

T

A

Y

D

E

4

5

6

BROCARD 1) A small metal skewer for holding food together while cooking;

F

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

L

T

D

N M

E

R

3

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

MAKE A DATE

S

L E E T L TRANSFORMER

WORD WIZARD

2

C

T

L

CRUMBLE GRINDER

3 DEF

starring Jennifer 2. films Aniston 843 179 482 412 253 184 312 732 518 719 317 318 431 645 537 715 683 142 773 671 587 814 619 484 148 184 314 663 144 751 467 742 531 267 737

O

STAND CUTLET

2 ABC

1. Whitney Houston songs 394 253 141 945 512 592 971 568 319 681 419 266 213 262 319 484 176 632 639 147 328 378 156 831 631 255 172 846 412 551 691 568 313 671 968

1

MISSING LINK Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DOOR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out a card game.

1 []â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

33

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

2) A small south American deer with short unbranched horns;

1. UN peacekeeping forces arrive in Cyprus after fierce clashes between Greek and Turkish communities.

2. The BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new television channel, BBC2, begins broadcasting.

H

3) An elementary law or principle.

3. Tanganyika and Zanzibar unite to form the country of Tanzania.

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

Clue: Subject gets a line around the world.

WAS IT? a) 1953; b) 1958; c) 1961; d) 1964; e) 1967.

_____ +R=_R____

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords lost luggage; flight delay; insect bite; sunstroke; stomach upset; noise; stolen wallet; jet lag; lost passport; dehydration; missed flight; bad weather.

2 1 6 7 4 9 5 8 3

9 8 4 3 5 2 7 6 1

5 7 3 8 1 6 9 2 4

7 6 2 1 9 8 4 3 5

SUDOKU EASY

4 9 5 2 6 3 8 1 7

1 3 8 4 7 5 6 9 2

6 4 1 9 2 7 3 5 8

3 5 7 6 8 1 2 4 9

8 2 9 5 3 4 1 7 6

9 4 3 1 7 5 2 8 6

6 7 2 8 4 3 5 9 1

1 8 5 6 9 2 3 7 4

5 6 7 9 3 8 1 4 2

%

'

* 0 2 +

,

.

6

&

=

$

-

3

1 4

7

/

<

)

5 : 8

;

(

9

CROSS CODE

4 2 1 7 5 6 9 3 8

8 3 9 2 1 4 6 5 7

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

7 9 8 3 2 1 4 6 5

2 5 6 4 8 9 7 1 3

3 1 4 5 6 7 8 2 9

20 10

8

9

2

4 13

3 1 4

10

22 17 12 4 11 7

7 8

4

3

1

9

2

4

3

15

9

3

8

2

20 5 20 24

27

KAKURO MEDIUM

1 4 7 17

3

1

9

6

8 20

2 9

4 9 8 21

7 9 16

Accumulator Quiz 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; B; 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; B; 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A. Starspot Crossword Across â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Zealous; 5 Zoned; 8 Pea; 9 Blunder; 10 Inter; 11 Altar; 13 Teethed; 15 Leer; 17 Zephyr; 19 Sordid; 22 Need; 24 Rattled; 26 Dealt; 29 Imply; 30 Theatre; 31 Boo; 32 Gutsy; 33 Rat-trap.

Down â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Zebra; 2 Adult; 3 Orderly; 4 Sprite; 5 Zaire; 6 Notched; 7 Derided; 12 Lie; 14 Erse; 16 Erne; 17 Zeroing; 18 Pitapat; 20 Oddment; 21 Ill; 23 Editor; 25 Layby; 27 Astir; 28 Twerp.

Star Name: LIZ HURLEY

Word Wizard No 3 is correct. A brocard is a principle.

Dialling Codes 1. Exhale; I Will Always Love You; I Wanna Dance With Somebody; Greatest Love of All; Saving All My Love For You. 2. The Switch; Cake; The Break-Up; Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re The Millers; Love Happens; Just Go With It; The Good Girl; Horrible Bosses.

3. pear; apple; peach; raspberry; redcurrant; blackberry; apricot; strawberry; rhubarb; plum; bullace; fig; blackcurrant.

4. The Minpins; The Twits; James and the Giant Peach; The Gremlins; Fantastic Mr Fox; The BFG; Matilda;

The Witches.

5. Intrepid; Astute; Bounty; Triumph; Beagle; Endurance; Victory; Ark Royal; Vanguard; Invincible; Endeavour; Mary Rose.

6. documentary; musical; drama; romance; thriller; animation; fantasy; crime; action; comedy; horror; western; adventure.

Spot Check A = 2; B = 6; C = 4; D = 3; E = 1; F = 5.

Missing Link band; apple; nut; knife; egg; rice.

Card game: banker.

Make a Date The year was 1964.

Transformer Topic + R = Tropic.

REACH 500,000 READERS

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

34

All Together NOW!

October/November 2017

Kevin wins Open golf thriller by a whisker

SUBSCRIBE!

NAME

ADDRESS

Please send this coupon and a cheque payable to All Together NOW! to: Subscriptions Dept., All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP — THANKS!

KEVIN Harmison scooped the 2017 English Disability Open title, winning on countback from George Groves after two great days of golf.

Harmison (Newbiggin) and Groves (Copthorne) tied on 151 gross after two rounds on the Earls and Kings Courses at The Warwickshire Golf Club.

But Harmison secured victory thanks to his superior score over the last three holes.

Harmison, who was part of the English Disabled Golf team that won the bronze medal at the European Team Championships for disabled golfers in Portugal in August, said: “I played with two

fantastic groups over the weekend and it is a pity that someone had to lose. I’m really pleased to have won the title but was pushed all the way to the last shot on the final hole.”

Other winners were: Category 1 (handicaps up to 9.4), Ashley Harris (Merrist Wood), net 140 Category 2 (handicaps up to 18.4), Ben Bowen (Holsworthy), net 147 Category 3 (handicaps above 18.5), Richard Saunders (Hintlesham), 59 Stableford points. n www.getintogolf.org n www.englandgolf.org/ disabilitygolf n email: inclusiveclub@ englandgolf.org

WORLD’S HOT SHOTS CHAMPION FEELING: Kevin Harmison.

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 £15 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Leaderboard Photography

S

Food for sport

OME of the world’s top wheelchair tennis players are gearing up for the last major tournament of the year.

The elite field for the 2017 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will feature the top eight men, top eight women and top six quad players in the world rankings.

And based on current rankings, British Paralympic medallists Gordon Reid, Alfie Hewett, Lucy Shuker and Andy Lapthorne will all be in line to take part.

The tournament takes place at Loughborough University from November 29 until December 3.

n FOOTBALLERS and tennis players involved with the Down’s Syndrome Association’s sports programme are to get nutrition advice, thanks to an £18,000 grant from Simplyhealth. n DSActive gives children and adults with Down’s syndrome a tailor-made opportunity to get involved in sport, with an emphasis on tennis and football. n Carol Boys, chief executive of the DSA, said: “DSActive’s nutrition campaign is a significant development for the project.

The football and tennis programmes have certainly made a difference to the fitness levels of participants. n “But this grant will allow the team to develop more far reaching healthy living messages and education.”

A nutrition-themed app will also be developed in co-operation with Middlesex University. n DSA Helpline: 0333 1212 300

n As part of a community outreach programme, special arrangements are in place for schools and community groups that want to attend the tournament.

Any formally organised groups of people such as clubs, societies, voluntary organisations and charities are invited – groups can register their interest by emailing info@tennisfoundation.org.uk www.tennisfoundation.org.uk

American dream for Hewett, Reid and Lapthorne BRITAIN’S wheelchair tennis players stole the show at the US Open championships.

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won the wheelchair doubles title with victory over top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.

And Andy Lapthorne teamed up

with American David Wagner to take the wheelchair quad doubles title.

Hewett also came close to pulling off a sensational victory in the singles final, missing out to France’s Stephane Houdet, 62, 4-6, 6-3.

A day earlier, the 19-year-old, who won his maiden Grand Slam singles title at the

French Open this summer, beat compatriot Reid in a three-hour semi-final before teaming up with the Scot to defeat 46-yearold Houdet and Nicolas Peifer in the doubles final.

The second seeds, who beat the same French duo to retain their Wimbledon title in July, triumphed 7-5 6-4.

stay ahead of the game . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

All Together NOW!

35

Plans to put more people on the water

SPEED KING MIKE

Guinness World record smashed – now it’s YOUR turn . . .

Sport history

B

LIND speed king Mike Newman blasted his way into the record books again – and immediately announced he wants to help other disabled people experience the thrill of speed.

And while he can’t promise to get everyone recording speeds of 105mph in a powerboat, he can defintely help to get them behind the wheel of a car . . . even if they are blind!

Mike, 56, who re-wrote the Guinness World Record books on the open waters out of Torquay Harbour, was born blind, but hasn’t let that stop him from pursuing and fulfilling his dreams.

“I have wanted to do this since I was a boy,” he said.

“Going over those six-foot waves was a fantastic experience. I just love it. I always wanted to race cars and boats.”

Mike holds a string of speed records on land and sea. He has taken a car over the 200mph mark, a truck over 120mph, a motorbike to the brink of 90mph and an aeroplane through more loop-the-loops than the human body should be able to stomach.

Now the ex-bank manager from Ashton-onMersey, Gtr Manchester, wants to recruit

A NEW powerboat certification scheme for disabled people will soon to be available across the country.

The Royal Yachting Association and disability charity The Wheelyboat Trust launched the scheme at Southampton Boat Show.

Joff McGill, RYA Sailability manager, said: “This fantastic scheme will provide many disabled people the opportunity to develop their powerboating skills and track their progress.

“It dovetails into the internationally recognised RYA training schemes and is a great stepping stone that increases accessibility.”

Andy Beadsley, director of The Wheelyboat Trust, said: “For people with a disability, it’s not just about getting on and off the boat that’s important but being able to have to have full control.

“We’re delighted to be able to support the RYA to roll out this important scheme to a large number of organisations operating Wheelyboats across the UK.” The Wheelyboat Trust works to help venues and organisations acquire accessible boats for disabled people, so that everyone can enjoy waterbased activities. n RYA Sailability, tel 0844 556 9550. n The Wheelyboat Trust, tel 01798.

thrill-seekers for the next two motoring events being organised by his charity, Speed of Sight, which he helped set up four years ago.

Mike, 56, said: “We have two track events arranged in the West Midlands and at the Trafford Centre, and we are keen to hear from any blind or disabled people wanting to get behind the wheel.”

Mike was supported at Torquay by co-pilot Drew Langdon, who also loaned his 43ft outer-limits powerboat ‘Silverline’ for the challenge.

. . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Pictures by TIM TAPPING

SPEED of Sight hosts driving days for disabled people across the UK.

n Sat, Nov 25: West Midlands NAEC Track Event. n Thurs, Dec 7: Trafford Centre Track Day. n Speed of Sight: Tel 0161 714 4567.

Tel 0151 230 0307

THE story of how Britain came to produce many of the world’s greatest Paralympians is to be told at a new £1m heritage centre.

Celebrating the history of the Paralympic movement, the centre is to be created at the place where it all began.

The first ever dedicated display is to be built at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, birthplace of the Paralympics.

A nationwide programme of regional exhibitions will also be rolled out in Norwich, Manchester, Bradford, Bath, and London to share this unique story with new and wider audiences.

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust has been awarded a grant of just over £1million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to make its dream of creating a heritage centre a reality.

It will focus on the history of the development of the Paralympic movement from its founder, Dr Ludwig Guttmann, who organised the first Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 through to stories of more recent Paralympic Games.

The exhibitions will feature some unique items capturing the history of the British Paralympic movement.

36

WILL YOU FUNDRAISE FOR US? All Together NOW!

Y

OUR FREE and favourite All Together NOW! charity newspaper is helping hundreds of thousands of people.

But we could do with a bit of help, too . . .

If you are taking part in a fun run – or ANY fundraiser – please consider doing it for All Together NOW! and we’ll feature your efforts.

You can also help by making a charitable a donation to All Together NOW! You can either send us a cheque, text a donation on your mobile phone (DONATE ATNOW 88802), or commit to a regular monthly donation via the Charity Checkout link on our website www.alltogethernow.org.uk All Together NOW! is the only paper of its kind in the UK. Together we can secure the newspaper’s future – and make it even bigger and better for EVERYONE! Thank you TOM DOWLING, EDITOR All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No: 1106387 n Tel 0151 230 0307 n info@alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk