All Together Now magazine - Issue 29 - February 2010 by All Together Now

YOUR AWARD-WINNING CHARITY MAGAZINE THAT’S BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS WIN! WIN! WIN! p7 What do the stars have in store for YOU?

p8-9

LOVE is in the air!

BELLES BELLES OF OF BEIJING BEIJING FEBRUARY, MARCH 2010

All Together Now! is supported by:

INSIDE

GO RUN A MILE SAYS SOPHIE p32

PARALYSED GEOFF SAILS ATLANTIC p3

GUIDE DOG BOOST FOR CHILDREN p4

GET INTO GEAR — p22-23 When you have finished reading this magazine please pass it on to a friend or neighbour

All Together NOW!

What’s inside NEWS:

p2-4

COVER STORY:

MERSEYTRAVEL:

GARDENING: Competition

THEATRE GUIDE:

LOVE HORROSCOPES:

p10-11

SKILLZONE:

p13-20

PUZZLEZONE:

p18-19

MOTORZONE:

p22-23

HEALTHZONE:

p24-27

CAREZONE:

p28-29

NOTICEBOARD:

p30

SPORTSZONE :

p31-32

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, longterm health condtions or age – and raises awareness about how people can overcome personal challenges. n The charity relies entirely on support from its patrons, advertisers and from general subscriptions and grants. n If YOU or YOUR organisation can help, we’d be delighted to hear from you!

0151 230 0307 Editorial Editor: Tom Dowling email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Advertising/sponsorship Chris Groves Gemma Tasker email: sales@alltogethernow.org.uk IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design

NEXT EDITION: Monday 29 March, 2010 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 Printed by Trinity Mirror NW2, Oldham

February/March 2010

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NEWS SMILES PLEASE: (Back left to right): Winifred Sidebottom and Leon Rae (New Openings); Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley and wife Delyse; Cllr Elaine Sherrington; Andrew Kilpatrick (assistant director for social care); John Rutherford (director of adult and community services) and Jeanette Smith (New Openings). (Front, left to right): Carlene Evans (BADGE); Terry Speake; Ian Cooper (BADGE); Louise Window (partnerships and access manager)

Disabled people to take control DISABLED adults are to get more choice and control over the state funding or services they receive.

Every picture tells a story VISITORS to Bolton’s Central Library have been treated to some stunning and though-provoking images of disability. Photographer Terry Speake, lecturer at the University of Bolton, was commissioned by the Office for Disability Issues to take photos for its image library. His work, which highlighted the great contribution that local disabled people are making to Bolton’s community, went on display to celebrate International Day for Disabled People. Councillor Rosa Kay, executive member for human resources, said: “It’s great that Bolton is acknowledging this internationally recognised day which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and gain support for the dignity, rights and well- SNAP HAPPY: Photographer Terry Speake with Bolton being of disabled people. mayor Norman Critchley “Terry’s work is very inspirational.”

Corrie’s Craig in loo campaign

O, this is not an All Together NOW! humorous caption competition – it’s a very serious matter! Last year, learning disability charity Mencap called on the government to legislate for special toilets to be included in all new large public places. The toilets, called Changing Places, are wheelchair accessible, with a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist and enough space for up to two carers. Adding his weight to the campaign actor Craig Kelly turned up at the Department for Communities and Local Government with a giant toilet roll – and a petition with 18,000 signatures. The Coronation Street star was accompanied by a group of people with learning disabilities. Craig said: “It’s really exciting to be a part of this important petition for the Changing Places campaign and I’ve added my signature to the thousands already collected. “The giant toilet roll is a great idea to deliver the message.” Building regulations minister Lord McKenzie said: “I was very happy to meet the delegation from Mencap to hear about their campaign on this important issue. “The government will listen carefully to their views when considering what future changes we can make to the building regulations.” For more information on the Changing Places campaign visit: www.changing-places.org

Through the Right to Control programme they will be given money to buy their own support services or equipment . Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, said: “Through our consultation, disabled people have told us they want better control over their lives and control over the services they use. “One example may be the way employment services are delivered. At present a disabled person requiring support from a specialist disability employment programme is given a limited choice about who will support them and how. “Through these changes, disabled people will be able to decide how they are provided with specialist employment support and who supports them. It’s these little choices that others may take for granted but build up to a bigger picture of everyday independence.” There will be no obligation on disabled people to buy their own support services or equipment through Right to Control. Individuals could choose to continue receiving the services arranged on their behalf if they prefer, or perhaps have a combination of the two options. The Right to Control programme will be tested later this year in around eight local authorities in England.

TAKE ME HOME!

TOILET CAMPAIGNER: Craig makes his point

To advertise call us NOW! 0151 230 0307

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February/March 2010

NEWS

Let’s hope it’s a happy new era for everyone

NEW year, a new decade . . . and let’s hope a new era filled with new opportunities for EVERYONE. Remarkably, despite all the economic doom and gloom, we are now into our sixth year at the Bradbury Centre. It’s been a real roller coaster ride, all right, but we are still here, still smiling, and still making plans to get even more copies of All Together NOW! out on to the streets. But our success is very much down to the fantastic and ongoing support from our sponsors and regular advertisers. Without their backing we would simply not be around. It’s particularly good, therefore, to report that two of our staunch supporters – Peter Johnson’s Birkenhead-based Park Group and Liverpool Primary Care Trust – have signed up for another year! This is really great news – a terrific

opportunities for people in the city. We’re now hoping that some of our other PCTs and hospital trusts across the region will also team up with us to spread news of their excellent work . . .

Sponsors maintain support

start to 2010. From April onwards Liverpool PCT will have its own branded page in All Together NOW! that will include all sorts of innovative health initiatives and

Geoff’s dream voyage P

ARALYSED yachtsman Geoff Holt has become the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic. Geoff, who broke his neck while diving into shallow waters 25 years ago, said: “Disability need not be a barrier to achieving your dream. It’s about believing in yourself and being prepared to fail on the journey.” Geoff single-handedly completed the 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic on a 60ft purpose-built catamaran named ‘Impossible Dream’.

Peter Johnson

HERE’S another piece of good news: Plans are taking shape for a fundraising golf day at Upton Golf Course, Chester, in memory of one of our trustees who died in November. Tony Owens’ daughter, Alex, says the event is scheduled for September and will raise money for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, where Tony spent his final days. We’ll keep you posted! In the meantime, thanks for all the positive feedback and hope you enjoy this info-packed edition. We are back again in spring – March 29 to be precise – just before Easter!

— TOM DOWLING, editor

‘Can you help our little boy, Jack . . ?’ A FUNDRAISING dinner/disco night is being planned to help pay the costs of special treatment in America for a six-year-old autistic boy. Natalie and Mark Armstrong, from Kingsley, Cheshire, are trying to raise £25,000 to send their son, Jack, for an intense Son-Rise therapy programme. Natalie said: “Jack was a happy and normal baby, although his speech was delayed and at the age of two and half started speech therapy. “Aged three and a half, when returning from holiday, Jack regressed overnight: he no longer played with his toys, he pulled at long grass and string, forgot all the words he had learnt, no longer made eye contact – and didn’t want to be near people.” When Jack was five his parents learnt about the Son-Rise programme and converted their garage into a play therapy room, and recruited a team of volunteers. “Jack,” says Natalie, “now has great eye-contact and is making huge strides with his speech and contact. The aim now is to attend a Son-Rise intensive course in America to ensure that Jack’s development continues.” n The dinner dance, featuring singer Daniel James, takes place at Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham, on March 19. Tickets, £15. Call Natalie on 01928 788246. Email: natalienell@aol.com

Breakthrough awards ON THE CREST OF A WAVE: paralysed sailor Geoff Holt

Accomanied by his carer, Susana, he set off from Lanzarote in December, arriving 28 days later in Cane Garden Bay where he revisited the place of his accident. It was Geoff’s fourth Atlantic crossing, but the first since the life changing accident which left him paralysed from the chest down. Engine problems just three days into his latest voyage meant an essential stop to the Cape Verde Islands. Unexpected light prevailing winds also made progress frustratingly slow.

In 2007 Geoff sailed single-handedly around Britain. He is also a founding trustee of RYA Sailability, an organisation which helps disabled people go sailing. Debbie Blachford manager of RYA Sailability said: “Geoff is truly an inspiration. He has shown that it is possible for disabled people to live a challenging life and that with hard work and determination we can hope to achieve our dream, whatever it is.”

BUSINESSES that go the extra mile for disabled people are to be rewarded at the third National Independent Living Awards. Categories in this year’s awards – set up by Manchester-based Breakthrough UK – include good practice in employing disabled people; accessible public transport; and the provision of accessible, useful, and timely information. For a full list of categories and how to enter visit the website: www.breakthrough-uk.co.uk Closing date, March 19

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February/March 2010

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NEWS

What we think about growing old . . . SEVEN out of ten of the British public – of all ages – think that Britain isn’t doing enough for the elderly in their retirement. And three-quarters of us think there should be a substantial increase in the basic state pension. These are the key findings of a nationwide study by Club Vita, the longevity experts for private and public sector pension schemes. But we are gradually beginning to understand the impact of increased longevity on the funding of retirement income, whether by the state or via our own savings. Half of the respondents want to carry on working after they reach their formal retirement age, either by keeping their current job or switching careers. And those just starting out seem to be the most accepting about the need to work for as long as possible. Over three quarters (77%) of 16 to 24-year-olds said that they would be prepared to work past the official retirement age, compared with under half of those over 55. Other findings: n Nearly half (47%) of all respondents don’t think that the younger generation should help their parents financially in their retirement. n 70% think that the younger generation will be unable to look after their parents. n Almost 40% of 16-24 year-olds thought that the younger generation should provide financial support to their retired parents. n 35% think that their generation will live eight or more years longer than their parents’ generation. n www.clubvita.co.uk

STEP forward for your MBE, Sue

KEY TO FREEDOM: Good news for Britain’s 18,000 blind children:

Guide dog boost A

LL of Britain’s 18,000 blind children can now apply for their own guide

dog. The move follows a report by the Guide Dogs’ charity that revealed blind and partially-sighted children and young people are often left feeling lonely, isolated, unable to make friends and fearful of the future. Guide Dogs research shows Government failure to provide national guidelines and standards leads to patchy provision by local councils with 30% – around 6,000 youngsters – receiving no mobility training and 9,000 without support in daily living. Eight out of 10 parents also say they have not received the support they need to help their children develop these skills. The research shows: n Two-thirds have most of their social life within their families. n One-third are bullied over sight loss at school.

Young lives to be transformed

Forty per cent make most of their friends online as they lack the confidence and social skills to make friends with classmates. One in 10 never go out with friends. Guide Dogs chief executive Bridget Warr said: “It’s a failure by society and the state at both national and local level. This lack of support means we are raising a generation of young people who may not be able to make a valuable contribution to society. “The picture that emerges from our research is shocking. Children are being conditioned to expect to under-achieve for the rest of their lives, when, in fact, sight loss is no barrier to actively contributing to society when the right support is in place. “These young people end up

SUE Banton, founder of national charity STEPS, received an MBE in the New Year Honours list in recognition of the groundbreaking work she has carried out over the past 30 years. In 1980 when Sue’s son, Daniel, was

isolated, excluded and unable to imagine anything but a bleak future for themselves. Two out of three have most of their social life within their own family. Imagine that if you are a teenager.” One 12-year-old told the researchers: ‘I would have liked to have learnt to walk with a cane sooner, making me more independent. I was still holding mum’s hand at 11.’ Researchers found that visually impaired youngsters are significantly more socially excluded than those with cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and epilepsy. Guide Dogs operations director Stephen Kirk said: “Mobility and daily life skills training are a critical part of the services we provide children and young people. “We believe every blind and partially-sighted child should have access to these life-transforming services.” www.guidedogs.org.uk

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

born with club feet, the frustration and isolation she faced motivated her to set up the STEPS selfhelp group. Seven years later, the group became a national registered charity that today supports over 2,000 families a year who are affected by a lower limb condition (including Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) and Club Foot) and would otherwise have nowhere to turn. Sue lives in Lymm, Cheshire. n www.stepscharity.org.uk,

. . . GO INDEPENDENT

Easy does it! G

o Independent is pleased to announce the launch of their New Chrome Shower Door Collection. The new range can turn an average bathroom installation into a modern, stylish showering solution that gives the elderly, less able and the rest of the family an enjoyable showering experience without looking clinical. The Highgrove Easycare, used in conjunction with a rotating

powered seat, is a bath that can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button, enabling carers to work at a comfortable height and avoid back strain problems. It’s ideal for homes with multi-use bathers who may require help when bathing. Go Independent is an independent company that has been providing an unbeatable range of bathing products, backed by a uniquely personal service, to clients throughout the UK for

over 20 years. It has built its reputation on choice, care and expert knowledge. The company offers site surveys, following which the most suitable products can be delivered – either on a supply only basis, or with fitting by Go Independent’s own installation teams. n For further information about Go Independent’s product range or installation service, please call the team on 0151 922 4455

BELLES OF BEIJING!

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HE may be both deaf and blind – but that didn’t stop Janet Salt from completing a gruelling walk along the Great Wall of China. Janet, 52, originally planned to tackle the walk – which included treks of up to nine hours at a time – with husband Mike, but sadly he died before he could make the journey. Instead, she undertook the challenge in tribute to Mike, even coping when her guide Glynis Howard was ruled out for a day with an injured leg. In total, Janet, from Marple Bridge, Stockport, walked nearly 70 kilometres of the wall, raising £5,000 money for Henshaws Society for Blind People.

All Together NOW!

February/March 2010

Deafblind Janet wows Chinese hosts with her fighting spirit Janet said: “We were walking on unconstructed parts of the wall, at quite a height. In one four-hour session we had to pass 30 watchtowers, which meant climbing up onto the wall, and up and down the watchtower, which was really tough.” The Chinese guides who accompanied the group were shocked that someone blind was

COVER STORY

STRIDING OUT: Janet, left, and Glynis on the Great Wall

even attempting the challenge – and the news spread like wild fire in Beijing. “I was something of a phenomenon,” said Janet. “I think they thought she had a death wish!” added Glynis. “But they were amazed by the achievement. At the end of the trek she was presented with a caddy of tea by the leader of the

local guides – they said they were full of admiration for her.” The challenge got tough for the duo on the fourth day when Glynis hurt her leg. “A Chinese guide took over guiding me. She had never guided a blind person before and considering the language barrier, she did a fantastic job.” And not having sight did have

its advantages, says Janet. “We did a huge zip wire from the top of the wall over a reservoir. The others told me it was pretty high, but it was good I couldn’t tell!” While in China, Janet visited the Terracotta Army and was able to have a ‘touch tour’ “I’m now looking for my next challenge,” said Janet. “Watch this space!”

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Will YOU YOU be be Will a Travel Champion?

ALL ABOARD: Merseytravel want to help more people to use public transport services

ERSEYTRAVEL are looking to recruit 100 Travel Champion volunteers who will be trained to offer guidance and support to people who are wary about using public transport. The training, which forms part of Merseytravel’s TO GO project, is open to parents, carers, volunteers and residents across Merseyside and will carry an accredited National Open College Network (NOCN) Train

the Trainer qualification. Once qualified, the Travel Champions can then pass on their skills to friends – expanding the number of people across the region who have the ability to provide buddy support and training for people using public transport. Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel said: “Our objective is to provide a public transport network that is accessible to

everyone – and that includes people who for one reason or another lack the confidence to travel alone. This scheme is designed to help them gain that confidence.” Lila Bennett, director of Transform (in the community) CIC, who are delivering the training, added: “It is important both from an economic and social inclusion point that people are encouraged and supported to travel independently, to open

up their travel horizons and help them to access, jobs services and educational opportunities.” Many people aren’t confident when using public transport for a variety of reasons, from reading and understanding timetables and bus stop signs to a fear of crime or anti-social behaviour. Other issues such as a disability or long term illness, general lack of confidence and low motivation can also have a major impact on a person’s

ability to use public transport independently. The To Go programme was developed by Merseytravel’s Corporate Partnerships Department for the European Year for Disabled People and supports organisations providing services to help people to travel independently. n For further details contact 0151 546 5514 or email lila@transformcic.org.uk or info@transformcic.org.uk

Merseytravel is making sure that Public Transport on Merseyside is easy for everyone to use. We care about the accessibility of our buildings, vehicles and information. All of our staff are trained to be courteous and considerate, particularly when our customers have special requirements. Whether it be automatic door-openers in our head office, availability of textphones for main points of contact, or producing timetables in large print, we want to make public transport easier for everyone to use.

Among our services and facilities are: UÊÊ Merseylink – a door to door fully accessible transport service for people who are mobility impaired. UÊÊ ree concessionary travel for over 48,000 people with disabilities. U Modern, low floor, fully accessible buses, which are developed in partnership with local authorities and bus companies. UÊÊ Information in a variety of formats, including the Merseytravel Access Guide – containing access details for all bus and rail stations on Merseyside.

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

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Love apples bursting with health

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All Together NOW!

February/March 2010

CHECKLIST

OMATOES . . . they look good, taste good – and do you good. A single fruit supplies 35% of your daily vitamin C requirement, but the lycopene in tomatoes also helps fight cancer.

Research shows that the higher the lycopene level in the blood, the less likely the individual is to suffer from cancer. MOUTH-WATERING: Cherry tomato Sakura And we all have the ancient Incas and Aztecs to thank. They were the first to cultivate and refine the plant which eventually reached Europe around the start of the 17th century. It was originally known as pomme d’oro (golden apple), which became TURN your back on winter, corrupted to pomme open Thompson & Morgan’s d’amour, meaning love seed catalogue and settle down apple. to plan a summer wonderland There’s no evidence that full of colourful flowers and they are a spectacular n Allspice Mixed, a spectacular delicious produce – absolutely aphrodisiac but you’re trailing viola for tubs and baskets, FREE if you are one of the welcome to carry out your in a range of colours - scented, winners of this competition. own research . . .

WIN! WIN! WIN! Your very own summer wonderland

The first plants grown in Britain had small, cherrylike fruits. People thought the tomato was poisonous – it is in fact botanically related to deadly nightshade – and years later cookery writers were still advising folk to cook them for at least three hours to kill off the poisons. Now, as well as being a favourite vegetable for gardens, the tomato is grown commercially in a multi-million-pound business.

Our FIVE winners will each receive £30 worth if vouchers which can be exchanged for any items in T&M’s current mail order catalogue or online before June 30 this year. Here are just a few of the delights to be found in the 204page catalogue: n New, exclusive sweet pea Heirloom Bicolour Mix – a blend of highly fragrant, old-fashioned kinds in shades of red, pink, purple, blue and white. n The first red-flowered rudbeckia, Cherry Brandy, a longflowering bedder also suitable for cutting.

To meet the all-year demand, growers use vast glasshouses where light, heating, watering and feeding are controlled by sophisticated computers. Growth is boosted in winter by pumping carbon dioxide into the glasshouses.So, which varieties should you choose? The easiest to manage are cordon (indeterminate) types that should be trained up a cane and have the sideshoots removed as

HELP . . .

too. n Top-quality vegetables such as salad leaves Speedy Mix - ready in only 25 days, beetroot Red Ace, new carrot Sweet Candle and award-winning runner bean St George, with red and white flowers and long succulent pods. Our winners will receive a copy of Thompson & Morgan’s catalogue. Free copies are available to everyone online at www.thompson-morgan.com or by phone on 0844 573 1818. To enter the competition, answer this question: What is the first red-flowered rudbeckia? Send your entry with your name

they appear. Pinch out the leading shoot when four to six trusses of fruit have set, or up to eight on cherry tomatoes. For the largest fruits, choose beefsteak types, all of which have a rich flavour for cooking and are also good for slicing into sandwiches. The varieties Beefeater and Country Taste are among the best. Good medium-to-large fruits include Stupice, a Czech-bred type,

and address on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! to: T&M Competition, All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday, March 21. Or you can enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk Please also tell us what you think (good and maybe not so good!) about All Together NOW!

which tolerates colder conditions than most and ripens early; Ferline, for which blight resistance is claimed; and the popular old variety Shirley. For tasty medium-sized kinds, grow Horn of Andes (aka Andine Cornue), with tasty, long, pointed fruits – great for soup; Alicante; and Ailsa Craig. Among the best small kinds including cherry tomatoes are Sakura, a fine-flavoured Japanese

variety; Merlot; Sun Baby, a yellowfruited cherry; Gardeners’ Delight, which is the oldest popular variety of cherry tomato, and Suncherry Premium, one of the newest. If you are a beginner, buy young plants. The best range is to be found online through leading firms such as Thompson & Morgan, which lists 20 TAKE ME HOME! different types.

Disabled and need advice on gardening? Contact national charity THRIVE. Tel, 0118 988 5688. www.thrive.org.uk or www.carryongardening.org.uk

FLOWERS: If your snowdrops or winter aconites have grown into congested clumps, wait until their flowers fade then divide the clumps while the leaves are still green. SHRUBS: Prune winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, when the yellow star-like flowers die. Cut back all the side shoots which have flowered, leaving just 3cm-4cm (about 1.5in) of shoot. Towards the end of March, prune the butterfly bush, buddleia, down to 30cm (12in) from the ground. Strong new shoots will flower this year. LAWNS: Keep lawns clear of twigs, wormcasts and other debris by brushing them off. Do not walk on lawns when frost is on the ground. If new growth is beginning, give a light trim towards the end of March. PONDS: Check electrical equipment and cables. Remove slippery algae from paths and decking. As the weather becomes milder try fish with a little food but if they ignore it remove the food and wait another fortnight. VEGETABLES: Sow broad beans and plant onion and shallot sets if there is a mild spell in February; otherwise wait a few weeks. Sow peas, carrots and beetroots in March. FRUIT: Prune gooseberries and redcurrants if you missed them in the autumn, aiming to produce a goblet shaped bush on a single stem. HERBS: In March, sow a few herb seeds in pots in a greenhouse or indoors on a windowsill. Start with chives and tarragon. GLASS: Greenhouses and cold frames containing plants need a good airing on sunny days but make sure they are closed by late afternoon. The temperature can zoom up very quickly yet the nights are still cold and, if you don’t trap the warmth of day, plants could rot. HOUSEPLANTS: Remove fading flowers and dying leaves. Give plants as much light as possible but in most cases only water when the compost surface is starting to dry out. Exceptions are azalea, cyclamen and maidenhair fern, which prefer more moisture.

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February/March 2010

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Your at-a-glance guide to theatreland Jan 19-Feb 13: Les Miserables. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Jan 29-Feb 27: Funny Money. Royal Court, Liverpool. Comedy about a man who finds £2m on the bus. Feb 1-6: Chicago. Charter Theatre, Preston. Marti Pellow as Billy Flynn. BSL, Feb 5, 7.30pm Feb 1-6: Disney’s High School Musical 2. Liverpool Empire. School’s out and the East High Wildcats are diving into the enchanted world of Lava Springs Country Club. Feb 2-6: The Mikado. The Brindley, Runcorn. Bentley Operatic Society. Feb 2-8: Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Feb 4-Mar 6: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Octagon, Bolton. Described, Mar 4, 7.30pm. BSL, Feb 25, 7.30pm Feb 4-20: Ghost Stories. Liverpool Playhouse. Described, Feb 11. Captioned, Feb 20, 5pm. Feb 4-27: To Kill A Mockingbird. Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold. Simon Armstrong heads the cast in this powerful story of a fight for racial justice. Described, Feb 13, 2.30pm and Feb 18, 7.30pm. Captioned, Feb 20. Feb 8-9: Die Fledermaus. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Feb 8-13: Dancing in the Streets. Liverpool Empire. Direct from the West End. Feb 9-20: Calendar Girls. The Lowry, Salford. A group of women pose for a charity calendar. Described, Feb 13, 2pm. Touch tour, 1pm. Captioned, Feb 17, 7.30pm. Feb 9-13: The Diary of Anne Frank. The Brindley, Runcorn. Moving wartime play about a Jewish family in hiding from the Nazis. Feb 11-13: The Dreadful Hours. Liverpool Everyman. Feb 11-Mar 6: Arden of Faversham. Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold. Elizabethan drama in which desire, envy and greed lead to death. Described, Feb 20, 2.45pm, and Feb 25, 7.45pm. Captioned, Feb 27, 2.45pm Feb 15: Snow Queen. Victoria Hall, Stoke. Hans Christian Andersen’s evergreen fairy tale. Feb 15-16: Noddy in Toyland. Liverpool Empire. Feb 15-20: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Feb 17-18: Spymonkey’s Moby Dick. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Feb 18-20: Traces. Liverpool Empire. High level circus skills with electric street energy. Feb 19-20: Hoof! And Hoof Junior! Liverpool Everyman. Feb 22-27: Dreamcoats and Petticoats. Manchester Opera House. Musical set in nthe Fifties and Sixties. Feb 22-27: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. Liverpool Empire. Feb 22-27: The 39 Steps. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Alfdred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller recreated as the smash hit Olivier Awardwinning Best New Comedy. Feb 23-26: Opera North: La Bohème. The Lowry, Salford. Sung in Italian with English titles. Described, Feb 26, 7.30pm. Touch Tour, 6.15pm. Feb 23-27: TAKE ME HOME! Euripides’ MEDEA. Liverpool Everyman. Feb 24-27: Opera

Heroes return! THE HEROES are back! Since calling it a day in 2008, there have been many calls for the awardwinning, all-ability band to perform again. Well they are – for one night at Middleton Arena on Friday March 5. They will be repeating their Fond Farewell in support of Forever Manchester, which helps small grassroots groups in Greater Manchester. There is a full supporting show featuring special guests George Borowski, Room Thirteen and the Melody Maker Experience. Advance tickets are £7.50. Bookings on 07946 424075 www.forevermanchester.com/events

BOX OFFICE CONTACTS BLACKPOOL GRAND 01253 290190 BOLTON OCTAGON 01204 520661 CREWE: LYCEUM 01270 537333 LIVERPOOL: EMPIRE 08444 999 999 LIVERPOOL: EVERYMAN/PLAYHOUSE 0151 709 4776 LIVERPOOL: ROYAL COURT 0870 787 1866 LLANDUDNO: VENUE CYMRU 01492 872000 MANCHESTER: PALACE THEATRE 0870 401 3000 MANCHESTER: OPERA HOUSE 0870 401 9000 MOLD: THEATRE CWYD 0845 3303565 NEW BRIGHTON: FLORAL PAVILION 0151 666 0000 PORT SUNLIGHT: GLADSTONE

THEATRE 0151 643 8757 PRESTON: CHARTER THEATRE 0845 344 2012 RHYL PAVILION 01745 330 000 RUNCORN: The Brindley 0151 907 8360 SALFORD: THE LOWRY 0843 208 6000 SOUTHPORT: FLORAL HALL 0844 847 2380 ST HELENS: THEATRE ROYAL 01744 756000 ST HELENS: CITADEL 01744 735436 STOKE: REGENT THEATRE 0844 871 7627 WARRINGTON: PARR HALL 01925 634 958 WOLVERHAMPTON: GRAND THEATRE 01902 429212

North: Ruddigore. The Lowry, Salford. BSL, Feb 27, 7.30pm. Feb 24-26: Bad Boy Johnny and the Prophets of Doom. Charter Theatre, Preston. Australian grown rock musical. Mar 1-6: Lord Arthur Savil’s Crime. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 2-6: George’s Marvellous Medicine. Charter Theatre, Preston. Roald Dahl’s story of a boy’s magic medicine for his granny’s temper. BSL, Mar 5, 7.30pm Mar 4-6: Hugh Hughes in ...360. Liverpool Everyman. Mar 4-6: Stop Messing About. Liverpool Empire. Direct from West End, the Kenneth Williams’ extravaganza. Mar 4-7: The Moscow State Circus. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 8-13: Witness for the Prosecution. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Agatha Christie classic. Mar 8-13: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime. Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Mar 8-13: Dreamcoats and Petticoats. Liverpool Empire. Musical recapturing golden moments from the Fifties and early Sixties Mar 8-13: Morecambe. Liverpool Playhouse. Direct from West End, Bob Golding’s extraordinary one-man tribute to Eric Morecambe. Mar 10-13: Footlose. The Brindley, Runcorn. Musical about a small American town where dancing is banned. Mar 10-13: King and I. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s timeless classic musical. Mar 11-Apr 10: And Did Those Feet. Octagon, Bolton. Heartwarming tale of football in the community. Described, Mar 31, 7.30pm. BSL, Mar 18, 7.30pm. Mar 13: Rhos Male Voice Choir. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Mar 15-17: The Rat Pack. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 16-Apr 3: Hansel & Gretel. Liverpool Everyman. Described, Mar 30. Captioned,

Apr 1. Mar 17-21: Snow White On Ice. Regent Theatre, Stoke. World famous Russian Ice Stars with a spellbinding version of the best loved fairy tale. Mar 18-20: The Woman in Black. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 20: Bring Me Sunshine. Victoria Hall, Stoke. Sanders and Martin recreate the comic genius of Morecambe and Wise. Mar 22-24: Porridge. Liverpool Empire. Laughs a’plenty in this stage production of Ronnie Barker’s hit TV series. Mar 22-Apr 3: Whistle Down The Wind. Manchester Opera House. Musical based on hit film Mar 22-27: The History Boys. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Alan Bennett’s much loved play set in a sixth form of a northern school. Mar 23: Barbara Dickson in concert. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Mar 23-27: The Canterbury Tales. Liverpool Playhouse. Mar 23-27: Horrible Science. Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Mar 25: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Mar 27: Swan Lake. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Vienna Festival Ballet. Mar 28: Swan Lake. Pyramid and Parr Hall, Warrington. Vienna Festival Ballet. Mar 30-Apr 3: Serenading Louie. The Lowry, Salford. Described, Apr 3, 2.30pm. Touch tour, 1.30pm. Captioned, Apr 1, 8pm. Mar 30-Apr 3: When Harry Met Sally. Charter Theatre, Preston. Mar 30-Apr 3: Oklahoma. Liverpool Empire. Brand new revival of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Mar 30-Apr 3: Oh What a Lovely War. Liverpool Playhouse. Mar 30-Apr 3: George’s Marvellous Medicine. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Roald Dahl’s amazing story about a boy’s magical medicne to cure his granny’s temper. Mar 31-Apr 3: Oliver. Southport Theatre & Floral Hall. Cameron Mackintosh’s new staging of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece.

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February/March 2010

Artists get their just rewards

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ON SONG: The DaDa Sings Choir in action

OME of the UK’s most talented disabled and deaf artists were recognised for their innovative work at the ninth DaDa Awards at the new Hilton Liverpool. Ruth Gould, founder and chief executive of DaDa, said: “The awards are a magnificent celebration of all the work and achievements of deaf and disabled artists and performers.” The glittering ceremony featured comedy group So Many Excuses and the DaDaSings Choir.

Roll of honour Writer’s Award: Julie McNamara. All of Julie’s productions are disability-led. Her writing has taken her onto international stages; from mental health conferences, to war zones, and to disability arts festivals across the globe. Arts Award: Rachel Gadsden. Rachel is currently engaged with art projects for the London Paralympics 2012. In March she was appointed the first artist to work with Parliamentary Outreach for the Breaking Barriers Exhibition.

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CHEERS: Ruth Gould with Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council chief

Newcomer Award: Carrie Beckwith. A photographer and digital artist who was blind for 18 months, but who continued her photographic work. After regaining her sight, Carrie kept the ‘blind photography’ style that shaped her work. She now creates digital portraits of disability. Community Event/Group Award: Heavy Load. Brighton-based punk band with learning disabilities known for their chaotic and energetic sets and featured in the award-winning documentary, also called Heavy Load. They play all over the UK and performed at this year’s Glastonbury as well as Berlin and New York. Lifetime Achievement Award: Nabil Shaban. Writer, performer, producer and political activist Nabil Shaban’s career in the disability arts world has spanned over three decades. He founded the Graeae Theatre in 1980, the world’s first disability theatre company, and is a tireless campaigner for equal opportunities for disabled people in the performing arts.

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Please, time to stop calling us midgets MEMBERS of the Restricted Growth Association have unanimously voted to campaign for an end to “midget” being used as a descriptive term for any person with restricted growth. Restricted growth is defined as having a final height of less than 4ft10in. RGA member Stephanie Birch said: “Many of our members are deeply affected by the term ‘midget’, which is used to ridicule and dehumanise people with a disability. “People with restricted growth conditions consider this term to be grossly offensive and do not want to be called it anymore.” n www.restrictedgrowth.co.uk

We want action NOW! YOUNG disability rights campaigners presented Number 10 Downing Street with a petition demanding improved transport, education and leisure services. The campaigners were from the Trailblazers, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s pressure group of 16 to 30 year olds. Since July 2008 the Trailblazers have published three hard-hitting reports which revealed that: n Wheelchair users regularly pay more to use public transport than their non-disabled peers and are made to feel like second-class citizens on public transport because of inaccessible stations and a lack of awareness from staff; n One in 10 disabled students don’t have accommodation, cooking and dining facilities that are integrated into mainstream university life; n Four out of five young disabled people say they cannot pursue a leisure activity spontaneously because access is so often restricted for disabled people. n MD helpline: 0800 652 6352.

www.muscular-dystrophy.org

Alzheimer’s prize A MOVING, personal account about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease has won the first Wellcome Trust Book Prize. Andrea Gillies’ book Keeper – Living with Nancy: A journey into Alzheimer’s, scooped the £25,000 literary award. Comedienne and former psychiatric nurse, Jo Brand, who chaired the judging panel, said: “It’s a fantastic book - down to earth and darkly comic in places. The judges found it compelling.”

OH, WHAT A February/March 2010

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ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Love: Friendship could turn to romance with very little prompting in February. You’ll have lots more time to spend with friends, lovers, and relatives during this golden period. Keep a love affair under wraps between February and early March, as you’ll want to savour this courtship phase without interference from nosy people. Spring brings a wonderful opportunity to improve your looks and update your image. Don’t be surprised when you start attracting a lot more romantic attention. Family time will be at the top of your agenda from late May through early June, when your nesting instinct will be overwhelming. As summer heats up, so will your love life – no matter if you’re single or attached. This relationship will be warm, generous and tons of fun. If you’ve been thinking of starting a family, highlight the months of June and July. The best time to get engaged or married falls between August and September. Health: A relaxed mind will respond more positively to the trials and tribulations of everyday living and psychologically you will feel happier and more balanced

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21) Love: This is a great time to pack up and head to a sophisticated city with your beloved. If you’re single, you could find love on this fateful journey. Falling in love with a friend is a distinct possibility in the waning days of winter. Don’t be surprised if a pal starts shooting flirtatious glances your way between February and March. A secret love affair heats up during the month of March. Keeping this relationship under wraps will be a delicious sensation. You’ll look and feel your best throughout April. Family time provides a profound sense of contentment in early summer. Spend every spare moment from June through July with your nearest and dearest. A heady romance takes flower in late summer. An engagement or wedding is favoured between September and November, and then again in December. Health: You could do with more time for relaxation now. Getting out into the open air will also do you good.

GEMINI (May 22-Jun 21) Love: 2010 starts with a bang when your love life takes centre stage. It may be hard for you and your beloved to keep your hands off each other during this intense phase. Improving your looks in late spring will make you a hot commodity on the romance market. If you’re single, you could meet someone special in the waning days of summer. Keep your eyes open for a sexy sophisticate between August and September. An old love could make their way back into your life sometime in November. Consider whether you really want to go down this path again. If you’re already in a relationship, this will be a divine opportunity to recapture the early days of your courtship. The two of you need some time to reconnect. Health: After all the recent festivities, there is something of an anti-climax and you need to TAKE ME HOME! find ways to burn off some of your surplus energy.

RUSSELL GRANT gazes into his crystal ball to see what’s in store for us all this year . . . CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 23) Love: The early part of the year are ideal for getting engaged or married. If you’re already in a relationship, your beloved could give you a beautiful token of their affection. Your sensual side in out full force until midFebruary. Spending the days locked in your lover’s arms will make this one of the most exciting times of the entire year. If you’re single, you could meet someone special via an online dating service during this phase. A secret love affair could get underway this spring. You’ll be looking and feeling your best in the final weeks of spring. Capturing the object of your affection will be as easy as crooking your finger at them between late May and mid-June. An impassioned romance consumes your thoughts this autumn – and an ardent admirer will spend December in hot pursuit of you. Health: Recent high-energy trends now take their toll. Don’t be surprised if you start the year feeling one degree under. For this reason, try not to push yourself too hard.

LEO (Jul 24-Aug 23) Love: If you’re in a relationship, your union will assume an idyllic, dreamlike quality that will last the whole year. If you’re single, you could meet your soul mate in 2010. You’re strongly attracted to rebellious visionaries. An engagement or marriage is favoured for the depths of winter. Set your sights on the days before mid-February. Your love life pulsates with passion from February through March. It will be hard to keep your hands off the object of your affection during this passion packed patch. Sneak off to a secret

rendezvous with your beloved throughout May and June. Your radiant good looks will attract admirers from every corner between June and July. Winning a special person’s heart will be child’s play this summer. Schedule some quality time with your nearest and dearest throughout the month of December. Health: Health matters will need more attention than usual. If an old niggling ailment returns, it shouldn’t be ignored.

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23) Love: If you’re single, you could fall head over heels in love in the opening weeks of 2010. Keep your eyes open for a sexy executive. If you’re attached, you and your partner could decide to put down roots and make things more permanent in early 2010. An engagement or marriage could take place any time between mid-February and early March. This will turn out to be a lifelong love match. Your sensual side comes out full force as spring approaches. You may spend most of the month of March in bed with your beloved! Friendship could turn to romance in the late days of spring. Your radiant good looks will attract plenty of romantic attention throughout July and August. You could easily wind someone around your little finger during this golden period. If you’ve had a hard time finding love, you could change your luck by getting a head to toe makeover during the height of summer. Health: Regular exercise and ample rest and recreation are recommended. In all areas of your life your efficient ways stand you in good stead and others trust in your methods and ideas.

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LOVELY YEAR!

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February/March 2010

makeover. Getting a new hairstyle, adding fashionable items to your wardrobe or undergoing a fitness regime will make you very attractive to romance. Family time is favoured throughout the month of March. This is a good time to extend an olive branch to a relative from whom you’ve been estranged. You could hook up with a sensual lover at in April. Keep your ears open for someone with a velvet voice. An engagement or marriage could take place from late May to mid June! Your love life simmers with excitement in early summer. Friendship could turn to romance this autumn. Don’t be surprised if you start falling for a close pal between September and November. Health: Even the smallest effort to improve the quality of your life will make a difference in the long-term if you stick with your intentions. Taking more walks or starting a yoga class will make you feel as if you’re doing something positive.

LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23) Love: 2010 will turn out to be one of the most exciting years for love you’ve ever experienced. The entire year has you looking at life through rose coloured glasses. If you’re single, you’ll be on a perpetual quest to find your soul mate. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll try to recreate the early days of your courtship. Several admirers will be clamouring to get your attention throughout February. Choose the cool rebel with an original outlook. If you’d like to get engaged or married, set your sights on March, when the planets urge you to make a relationship official. Your sensual side comes out full force in April. Teaming up with a bold adventurer is favoured between May and August. Friends will be shocked by this alliance. If you’re in a serious relationship, your partner could make a stunning decision that puts you both on the path to adventure this summer. Health: There are so many different ways you might choose to get fit and healthy. Friends are full of suggestions of what they like to do and you might feel spoilt for choice.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22) Love: 2010 abounds with plenty of romantic opportunities, continuing through early June. You could fall deeply in love with a starry eyed dreamer. If you’re already in a relationship, you may decide to buy a home together or even start a family in the first half of 2010. Whatever your relationship status, falling in love will feel like an incredible rollercoaster ride this year. A glamorous overseas trip is favoured between late May and mid-June and you could find love at somewhere scenic and historic by the water

at this time. Spend the month of August with your amour at a secret hideaway, far from prying eyes. Your allure will be overpowering from September through to November. Don’t be surprised when you tempt an old love back into your web of intrigue. It will be impossible to keep admirers from your door throughout the month of December. Health: Physically you have energy in abundance. Art, music or getting stuck into a new hobby will help you control your feelings

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21) Love: An attentive admirer will shower you with affection and luxurious gifts throughout March. An engagement or marriage could take place in late April or May, sending showers of excitement into the atmosphere. If you’re single, you could meet someone special at a sporting event, outdoor party or car showroom! Keep your eyes open for a trim athlete who isn’t afraid to express their desire. If you’re in a relationship, you and your amour could go on an adventurous vacation sometime between June and September. Stolen moments at secret hideaways will fill most of your days through September and October, and then again in December. Keeping your love under wraps gives a relationship a forbidden feel in the final months of December. Health: You need to feel free from the restraints of everyday commitments and relationship ties. Not everyone will understand you and that’s why you will choose a fitness schedule that helps you spend more time on your own.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan20)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19) Love: Keep a love affair under wraps - you don’t want anybody meddling in your personal life. You’ll be looking and feeling your best during February, enabling you to lure someone attractive into your web of intrigue. Spending time with family and loved ones makes April a happy and joyous time. This would be a great time to host a reunion. If you’re single, you could join hearts with a witty admirer in late spring. The two of you could meet at a bookstore, library or classroom. An engagement or marriage could take place in early summer, setting off a round of parties between mid-June and early July. Sparks will fly between you and an amour from mid-July through early August. Going on a relaxing vacation in August or September will put you on the path to romance. Health: Very soon you will be committing to an exercise discipline that is something you’ve never tried before. The very thought inspires you.

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)

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Signs are looking up at Holyrood HOLYROOD, home of the Scottish Parliament, has launched free audio visual tours - with British Sign Language - for deaf and hard of hearing visitors. The guided tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes insight into some of the Holyrood building’s unique architecture and art collection, and visitors will learn all about the role and work of the Scottish Parliament and its 129 MSPs. The tours include visits to the Debating Chamber, committee rooms, the garden lobby area and to historic Queensberry House. The Parliament introduced free tours in English in September - the final step to making all aspects of visiting and engaging with the Parliament free to the public. Audiovisual tours are now available in a range of languages including Gaelic. Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said: “We pride ourselves as a Parliament on being open and accessible. Removing the last existing charged-for service for visitors is something to celebrate. “The inclusion of a BSL option as part of our free tours package should enable more people than ever before to experience the Parliament for themselves.”

New tourism site PEOPLE with disabilities are to benefit from a new online tourism

Love: Friendship could turn to romance, if service that will provide detailed you’re so inclined. A secret love affair adds access information on holiday and excitement and intrigue to life from late leisure venues. January through early February. Your Tourism for All enhanced good looks will attract lots of UK and romantic attention between February and DisabledGo have March. Use your allure to seduce the object teamed up to of your affection during this powerful phase. A family reunion that takes place any time launch the new from late April through mid-May will make website, which you feel loved and appreciated. An attentive will contain admirer will sweep you off your feet in late access details of spring. If you’re already in love, the two of more than you will return to the early phase of your 50,000 inspected courtship during this romantic time. Getting venues. engaged or married is favoured during the OpenBritain, launched in July 2009, height of summer. Set your sight on the days aims to become a one stop shop for between July and early August. The month of all those with access needs, November could be spent locked in your providing a wide range of information amour’s arms. and contact resources together with Health: At times it might seem as if you developing social networking and have a surplus store of energy and this supporting communications between will help you sail through users and providers. your responsibilities with The first OpenBritain print guide is no bother at all. TAKE ME HOME!

Love: Be sure to give yourself a New Year

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available online for £14.98. n Details on the website:

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BOOKS Alzheimer’s . . . how to cope with the disease Alzheimer’s - The Essential Guide, published by Need2Know, £8.99 (www.need2knowbooks.co.uk or call 01733 898103) ALZHEIMER’S disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting around 417,000 people in the UK. This guide looks at how to spot the first signs and how to prepare and take control of the condition.

Leaders who defy disability

Information is included on treatments drugs and alternative therapies. With a family member dying with Alzheimer’s, and working with her husband who has cared for Alzheimer’s sufferers for the past 16 years, Jackie Cosh feels her book will help people understand the disease and find ways of controlling its development. Alzheimer’s is a life changing condition, but with some understanding of the disease it can be managed effectively.

Charlotte’s book for parents

Defying Disability, the Lives and Legacies of Nine Disabled Leaders by Mary Wilkinson (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) LABOUR politician Lord (Jack) Ashley, broadcaster Peter White, former chair of the Disability Rights Commission, Sir Bert Massie, and Paralympic athlete Tanni GreyThompson have more in common than just their disability.

CHARLOTTE FIELDER: Positive mental attitude

Shared Experiences: The experience of having and parenting children with upper limb deficiencies, by Charlotte Fielder. Price, £10 from Amazon

HARLOTTE Fielder was born with a missing left hand and shortened forearm into the type of family where you just went with whatever happened and whatever came your way. “My dad was an ex Royal Marine

and he had a very positive outlook,” she says. “My mum was very protective and hated it when strangers would peer into my pram and demanded information about ‘what was wrong with me’! “In adulthood I realise how hard it was for her to cope with intrusive comments. “There is a much used saying that babies don’t come with instruction manuals. I always joke that they don’t come with further instructions about faulty ones!”

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HOTEL Blackpool

Specialist holidays for carers & service users

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PARTY at the Bond Hotel Blackpool, where the great fun atmosphere is a very popular choice for many of our guests. The hotel has 65 bedrooms, most of which are wheelchair-accessible, and all the extra facilities that you might require during your stay. With great food, and nightly entertainment, this hotel offers the perfect Blackpool holiday!

HOTEL St. Annes

The Beach, 69-71 South Promenade, St Annes on Sea, FY8 1LZ

RELAX in our sophisticated new hotel in St Annes. Recently refurbished to the highest possible standard, this stylish 26-room hotel overlooks the sea, and offers a choice of luxurious wheelchair-accessible accommodation - from single rooms up to 3-room suites. The new Bond Hotel, St Annes is the ideal venue for those looking for the chance to unwind in style.

Charlotte has just had her first book published - a collection of experiences of other parents in similar situations. “It’s all about helping each other and learning from each other,” she says. “And I’ve factored in some of my own stories. “I believe my missing hand has made me the person I am. I am very positive. My glass is not just half full, it’s totally full and not only that I have another full glass round the corner! “I do have a very positive mental

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Holiday Breaks in the Lakes near Keswick Self catering apartments for 2-6 people. Specially designed with the wheelchair in mind. No steps. Beautiful views in a superb location. Friendly owners in residence. Open all year.

Self Catering Holiday Cottages

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Treginegar self catering cottages benefit from level access throughout, some have ’wet’ rooms, and all are ideal for wheelchair access or those with mobility difficulties. A shower chair is available for hire (£10 weekly) for disabled guests.

LUXURY travel wherever you choose to stay, you will have access to Bond Accessible Coaches Ltd who will pick you up and take you home at very reasonable prices So come and explore a whole world of special holidays for very special guests. Whether it's a week with the stars of “Coronation Street or Emmerdale”, a break on a nature reserve, or a luxury room with a great sea view, we can provide it - and at a great price too!

n All proceeds from Charlotte’s book go to Reach. Tel. 0845 130 6225 www.reach.org.uk

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ENJOY our de-luxe holiday homes at scenic Marton Mere. If you would prefer a self-catering break, these superbly appointed holiday homes could be just the thing. They sleep up to six, have central heating and all mod cons, are fully accessible, and overlook the beautiful lake and wildlife area at this popular resort. HOLIDAY HOMES

attitude to life in general and I am an occasional inspirational speakers to groups such as Rotary and the Women’s Institute. “I have also done some developmental coaching with the Princes Trust. “My philosophy is borrowed from the old Dale Carnegie quote: ‘If life gives you lemons - make lemonade’ “

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2009

Book your 2009 holidays with us before the end of September 2008 and we’ll give them to you at 2008 prices

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For details on bookings and availabilities Rob and Tracey Cleary on: 01841 521920 (Int: +44 1841 521920)

They have all fought through hardship and discrimination to become leaders in the disability field. Mary Wilkinson’s book looks at nine prominent disabled people who have helped to change public attitudes and government policy towards disability. Bert Massie, for example, is a quick-witted, fast-talking Scouser, who caught polio aged three months and spent his first five years as a guest of the new NHS. He quickly beguiled people with his intelligence and humour which later morphed into expertise and diplomacy. Rachel Hurst, on the other hand, a campaigner for human rights from the UK up to the UN, is known for her angry outbursts against injustice, which she first met when she took to a wheelchair and found that was what defined her in the eyes of other people. Mat Fraser, with his short arms and flipper hands, has often highlighted the ‘freak’ label as rock musician, performer and writer/actor, while Phil Friend turned his disability into an asset, building a training and consultancy service that promoted the business case for employing disabled people. Andrew Lee, helped by his parents and a growing selfadvocacy movement, overcame the bullying and low expectations meted out to people with learning difficulties to become head of a charity and a prolific spokesperson. Small as this sample may be, it shows that disabled leaders cannot be lumped together with the same views and strategies. Their common achievement, though, has been to help mainstream disability.

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Jobs help on the way

EMPLOYMENT . . . TRAINING . . . EDUCATION . . . BUSINESS . . . RIGHTS

P WINNING LINE-UP: Award winners at Knowsley’s John Rainey Inclusion Awards . . . Graham Barker, manager of KPAC, and Lila Bennett with (left to right) Martin O’Neill (Jobcentre Plus), Seamus Brady (Board Member, Knowsley Chamber), Ken Greensmith (Knowsley council), Chris Roderick (resource manager, Knowsley Disability Concern), Alan Walker (financial controller, Jaguar Land Rover) and Sheena Ramsey (chief executive, Knowsley council) Full report – Page 20

EOPLE with mental health conditions are to get new support to help them stay in work or get back to work as quickly as possible if they lose their job or have never worked. The new support includes: n The launch of a network of mental health coordinators in every Jobcentre Plus district to better coordinate health and employment support at a local level and improve the

employment chances of Jobcentre Plus customers n Nine occupational health advice line pilots to give small businesses in Britain the support they need to keep people in work when health issues arise. This advice line will give employers direct access to occupational health professionals and direct employers to the advice and services they require. (Continued on Page 17)

Open evening Thursday 11th March 4pm – 7.30pm

City College Manchester and MANCAT have come together to form The Manchester College

Better for school leavers Better for employment skills Better for career development Better for businesses Better for higher education Better for you, better for Manchester For more information about courses call: 0800 068 8585 or visit: www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

Go places with the BEST* college U A vast selection of qualifications including A Levels, National Diplomas, the New Diploma, even Higher Education Courses U A wide range of long and short courses from Art through to Uniformed Services U Top results and achievements – with 100% passes in our A levels and top for exam points score in the government league tables for Merseyside FE colleges U Top 5% nationally for progressing students** U Quality marks for our services and support as well as an Excellence Matrix Award for Advice and Guidance U A welcoming adult environment…

Plus so much more, so come along and find out for yourself! Hugh Baird College, Balliol Road, Bootle L20 7EW www.hughbaird.ac.uk

0151 353 4444 The College is committed to Equal Opportunities

*The BEST FE College in Merseyside according to Government league tables 2008, 2009 and 2010 (based on point score per examination entry) **Based on contextualised value added score Jan 2010

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Inquiry misses opportunity for SEN pupils A LEADING charity claims the Lamb inquiry into special educational needs has missed a chance to eradiate disablism within the SEN legal Framework. Simone Aspis, policy coordinator at The Alliance for Inclusive Education, said: “It’s all well and good for Ed Balls to endorse the Lamb Independent inquiry by issuing a statement with a number of initiatives to make the SEN assessment and statementing process more transparent. “However, an independent helpline and piloting different assessment models, for example,

Interested in a career in sport? Greenbank College in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University has vacancies for its Foundation Degree Inclusive Sport Development starting this Autumn. For a course factfile and an application pack contact 0151 733 7255 info@greenbank-project.org.uk Greenbank College, Greenbank Lane Liverpool L17 1AG greenbankcollege.org.uk Registered Charity No 513814

will have limited positive impact for parents of children with SEN who will still continue to fight for a mainstream school placement. “The SEN legal framework can never be transparent unless parents have a right to a mainstream school placement. “We hoped the Independent Inquiry and Ed Balls would have used this opportunity to eradicate the inequality of access to mainstream education between parents of children with and without SEN which has been created in the SEN legal framework.”

Why high fliers are still the exception

‘

SURVEY has identified a significant talent pool of “disabled high fliers’ with more than 100 people earning more than £80,000 a year. Another 186 people earned between £40,000 and £79,000. But the national survey of disabled workers in senior management, undertaken by disability charity RADAR, also found that disabled workers still experience inequality on their way up the corporate ladder. Many of the respondents had significant, longstanding impairments, including paraplegia, multiple sclerosis and bi-polar disorder. Those surveyed agreed overwhelmingly on the factors that enabled them to progress – mentoring and career-long support from senior managers. Helen Waygood, a senior manager with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, said: “I sometimes think I should go back to my university and tell the students my story. I want to talk about successes. My illness is only 10% of me.” Tony Walsh, who has had a

They show what can be achieved

successful career in finance and now occupational psychology, also has a physical impairment. He said: “I think disabled people’s life experiences contribute something on the transformational level too. “We can be very good at seeing the world from the point of view of other people, which makes us good at sharing a vision.” The survey compared 911 disabled and 550 non-disabled respondents and found: n Non-disabled people were more than three times more likely than disabled people to earn £80,000 or above; and twice as likely to be board-level directors. n Disabled people were significantly less likely to get mentoring and senior support – the very supports that the disabled high fliers said made

Children with SEN do not currently have a right to a mainstream education. Both Local Authorities and SEN Tribunals can force children with SEN to attend a special school against both their parents’ and pupils’ wishes. Children with SEN are the only group of children that can be discriminated against when accessing mainstream education. The Alliance for Inclusive Education promotes the rights of children with special education needs to mainstream education n www.allfie.org.uk

POOL OF TALENT: Liz Sayce, boss of RADAR, says bosses are realising they need all the talents they can find

such a difference to their progression. n There are also inequalities between disabled people. Those with mental health conditions were significantly less likely than other disabled people to earn £80,000 or above and to be board-level directors - as were women, reflecting wider gender differences in the labour market. n 75% of those disabled people who could keep a disability or health condition hidden at work did so sometimes or always. n For some this was because they saw the impairment as irrelevant to their work lives. But others, especially with mental health conditions feared being pigeonholed, stereotyped or stopped from progressing. Liz Sayce, chief executive of RADAR, said: “The disabled high fliers in this study show what can be achieved and how, and companies are realising they need all the talents they can find to come out of the recession strong. “It is alarming that so many people in this survey feared that if others at work knew their ‘secret’ their careers would be jeopardised.”

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EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . .

Dyspraxia help for young people

HOUSANDS of teenagers could face a frightening future of unemployment and loneliness due to a lack of support and awareness of dyspraxia – a common but often unrecognised condition. Research has shown that young people with the disorder, which can affect any or all areas of development, are five times more likely to suffer from psychiatric problems than the average child by the time they reach the age of 16. Usually, it’s said to be an impairment or immaturity of the organisation of movement, but associated with this may be problems of language, perception and thought. Sixth former Ben Smith, from the West

Brilliant Becky hits the jackpot

Midlands, said: “I have been one of the lucky ones and received good support from my school and college to understand the condition. “I have found teachers who allow me to work in the way that suits me. I generally use a laptop for lessons as I have writing problems and when we are set tasks they have been adapted to my needs.” Rachel Matthews, from Hertfordshire, said: “I am 18 and I can only name five teachers/tutors who have understood dyspraxia and tried to help me. People think you grow out of it but you don’t.” The Dysprexia Foundation has a range of factsheets to help young people and teachers. n www.dyspraxiafoundation.org

‘This is an

Liverpool Community College

g n i d n a t s out ’ e g e l l o c

Summary of Ofsted inspection report, March, 2009

‘ The college has woven an intricate web of learning opportunities and support ’ Ofsted, March 2009 The report highlights the following key strengths:

high pass rates on most courses

outstanding teaching and learning

innovative and high quality partnership working exemplary responsiveness to the needs of the local community

HONOURED: Top student Rebecca French celebrates

outstanding support for learners

outstanding management of change by the

PROFOUNDLY deaf student has been given the dream start to 2010.

Rebecca French beat candidates countrywide to a ¤6,000 scholarship from the Cochlear UK Graeme Clark Scholarship Award, to help to support her through university. Rebecca, who is studying for a BA in modern history and politics at the University of St Andrews in Fife, was chosen for the award - worth more than £5,200 – from a number of exceptional candidates. Her ambition is to become a lawyer and she has received excellent results in her studies. Rebecca also takes part in a number of sporting activities and says her implant has enabled her to live life to the full. “I’m delighted to accept the award,” she said. “It is such an honour, I didn’t expect it at all!” Rebecca, 19, from Durham, was given the sensation of hearing from a cochlear implant at the age of three.

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February/March 2010

principal and senior leaders

outstanding curriculum management outstanding approach to equality of opportunity and inclusion. Course information: The implant is a small electronic device consisting of an external processor that sits behind the ear and a second element that is surgically placed under the skin. It does not restore normal hearing but can give someone with a severe to profound hearing loss access to a world of sound. More than 200,000 people worldwide are benefiting from the implants. The scholarship is a unique award open to Cochlear Nucleus implant recipients nationwide, and

is awarded on the basis of academic achievement, as well as the company’s ideals of leadership and humanity. Gaynor Booth, marketing and business development manager at Cochlear UK, said: “The sponsorship is a wonderful opportunity to help our recipients by supporting them financially when they continue their education. “It also highlights how lives are enhanced through access to our technology, together with the help of healthcare professionals.”

0151 252 3000 www.liv-coll.ac.uk

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New help for carers looking for work

February/March 2010

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THOUSANDS of carers are set to benefit from improved employment support, giving them the chance to combine paid work with caring and help reduce financial hardship. Jobcentre Plus customers with caring responsibilities will also be able to access replacement care funding while they are taking part in employment training. Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Many carers really want to work, but find it hard to get the support or flexible work they need, to combine it with caring for relatives. “We know that one in five carers have left or turned down a job because of their caring responsibilities. That is why it’s so important to give carers extra help, advice, funding for replacement or respite care and easier access to training too.” Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “With three in five people caring for an ill or disabled relative at some point in their lives, how to juggle work and care is something we may all need to think about at some point. “Replacement care to allow access to training and support, and staff with the expertise to help with the real challenges that face those trying to juggle work and care, are big steps towards giving carers new opportunities to stay in or return to work.” The extra support includes: n Ensuring carers have access to appropriate employment programmes - including one-toone work focused support for carers. n Funding for replacement care for participation in approved activities. n A Care Partnership Manager in every Jobcentre Plus district. Specialist training for advisers who work with carers. n www.carersuk.org.uk

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POSTERS THOUGHT-PROVOKING: The work of Jessica Allen

THE DESIGNERS: Natalie Oughton, Joe McGrath, Jessica Allen, Hannah Kralev, Holly McQueen and Bethany Callister

— a big THANKS to all our supporters . . .

‘

SHOCKING: Joe McGrath’s attention-grabbing poster

Students had the chance to explore their own prejudices

AGAINST I

February/March 2010

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PREJUDICE STRIKING: The design of Holly McQueen

F YOU had the chance to create an awareness-raising poster that challenges prejudice what would you come up with?

That was the brief given to graphic design students at Mid-Cheshire College. And what a terrific collection they produced . . . Graphic design tutor Jayne Fox said: “This brief not only allowed the students to develop creative ideas, it also gave them the chance to explore their own prejudices and tolerances and to look into the prejudices of others. “Everyone had to promote awareness of their own prejudice. This included racism, homophobia and mental health.” The research part of the project was hugely informative and changed many of the students’ views. Bethany Callister, 18, from Ellesmere Port, said: “It made me realise just how much prejudice there is and how superficial some of the things are that we worry about. It is quite shocking.” National diploma student Joe McGrath, from Knutsford, added: “Researching disabilities has given me a greater understanding of the problems some people face.” The graphic design department is now contacting the relevant charities with a view to using the students’ posters to fight prejudice in the North West.

POSTER POWER: More arresting designs by (clockwise from left): Hannah Kralev; Megan Wilkinson; Bethany Callister; and Jennifer Wakefield

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Continued from Page 13 Ministers are also looking at ways to extend the highly successful Access to Work programme to specifically help more people with mental health conditions to get and stay in work. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper said: “The vast majority of people with mental health conditions work, but for some people it can be very hard to stay in a job. If people fall out of work and onto benefits it is even harder for them to get back into work as it can be a real knock to their confidence. “We know that work is good for people and that’s why we want to give everyone the support they need to stay in a job, or get back to work. “We are giving people with mental health conditions this support. We are also helping employers understand what they can do to help people stay in their jobs and manage their condition so that they don’t have to leave work and fall onto benefits at all.” Mental ill-health is the most common reason for claiming health-related benefits and costs the economy between £30bn and £40bn through lost production, sick pay and NHS treatment, quite apart from the personal and financial costs that result from being out of work. The human, social and economic cost of mental illness is immense. One in six people have a mental health problem and it is the second most common cause of death in men aged 14-44. An occupational health advice line for small businesses is being piloted in seven regions of England (East Anglia; Merseyside; North East; North and West Yorkshire; Portsmouth, South Hampshire, East Sussex & Isle of Wight; South Buckinghamshire, South Oxfordshire, West Berkshire; and West London), and across the whole of Scotland and Wales. n The advice lines for all pilots Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (9am to 4.30pm on Friday in Scotland). Health for Work Adviceline 0800 0 77 88 44 www.health4work.nhs.uk

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The Accumulator Quiz

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

★

10 11

21 24

25 22

★

★ 28

29 24

★

★ 34

★

ACROSS

DOWN

1. 5. 9. 10. 11. 12. 15. 17. 19. 22. 24. 26. 27. 30. 32. 33. 34. 35.

1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 13. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21. 23. 25. 28. 29. 31.

Ovation (8) Maple tree (4) Vehicle for hire (7) Small firework (5) Fate (3) Spirit (6) Caribbean republic (5) Small particle (4) Muslim salutation (6) Protruding stomach (6) Dandy (4) Flat (5) High estimation (6) Paddle (3) Trunk (5) Promiscuous (7) Show excessive love (4) Grasped tightly (8)

Sparkling wine (4) Small fairy (5) Berkshire racecourse (5) Subtle (anag.) (6) Warning (7) Trashy (8) Respiratory disorder (6) Beverage (3) Crippled (4) Detached (8) Musical work (4) First-year hare (7) Flowering (6) Yorkshire river (3) Antenna (6) Lure (5) Foxhole (5) Sleigh (4)

A Kiwi B Avocado C Grape D Strawberry QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Which of the following has a White Silkie variety? A Moth B Bantam C Rabbit D Sheep QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Where can the words tab, shift and enter be seen?

A B C D

Paddington King’s Cross St Pancras Euston

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Which 1981 film, directed by Terry Gilliam, featured Kevin and his exploding parents? A B C D

Director Terry Gilliam. See Question 12

A B C D

A 90 B 180 C 240 D 270 QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What are bleak, dace and flukes?

A B C D

Brazil Jabberwocky Time Bandits The Fisher King

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: What name is given to the 14 books of the Bible that are not held to be divinely inspired?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: How many degrees from the Greenwich Meridian is the International Date Line?

A Card games B Fungi C Fish D Parts of a barrel QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Which state in the USA is commonly known as ‘The Cowboy State’?

Olive oil Pine nuts Garlic Basil leaves

Pride Lounge Leap Skulk

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which London terminus serves the West Coast route to Glasgow?

A On a telephone B On a keyboard C On a car dashboard D On a digital radio QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: What gives pesto sauce its colour?

Apocrypha Pentateuch Torah Septuagint

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which was Britain’s first nuclear-powered submarine? A B C D

HMS Resolution HMS Endurance HMS Dreadnought HMS Trident

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Which dish is made from a large cheese melted before a fire?

Wyoming Kansas South Dakota Nevada

A B C D

Raclette Garbure Poutine Gaudes

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 need to have to guess.

EASY

DIFFICULT

8 7

2 5 8 1 6 9 1 3 4 6 4 5 5 8 1 1 4 9 7 6 2 3 4 TAKE ME HOME!

A B C D

A Chicago B Witchcraft C My Way D That’s Life QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: Which of these fruits grows on a vine?

SUDOKU

1 3 7

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: What is the collective noun for a group of leopards?

A 23 B 25 C 27 D 29 QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which of Frank Sinatra’s records spent a record 122 weeks in the US pop charts from January 1970 onwards?

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120. QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: How many birds were given by ‘my true love’ in the song The Twelve Days Of Christmas?

★

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your

8 3 5 2 4 2

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

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.

WHAT a fantastic magazine (picked up from my local library). I just wished I had known about All Together NOW! a few years ago when I was caring for my parents who were poorly. It would have given me a voice when I needed it most. — Anne Stevens, Bedford Avenue, Swinton, Manchester

MEDIUM 24

19 16 10

10 13

3 16

15 24 11

All Together NOW! is a great paper. I read it from cover to cover. I get my copy from the council offices in Llangefni. — A Jones, Bwthyn Bryn Awel, Pentraeth, Anglesey

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CROSS CODE 3

18 25

23 19

16 9

4 26

2 25

25 22

23 26

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

5 18

6 19

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?

24 10

26 24

9 22

11 24

13 26

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

1 []’–

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

1. creatures classed as game 945 336 951 427 317 432 726 817 331 333 719 663 262 517 824 517 647 319 453 126 271 763 133 371 252 251 476 873 178 276 442 6

2. parts of a church 783 375 317 747 316 615 638 135 946 412 737 718 378 791 628 797 812 475 313 663 681 785 748 172 274 187 267 378

4. herbaceous flowers 345 664 215 874 616 878 486 176 273 724 324 791 227 628 466 338 194 554 261 335 648 615 623 542 178 693 7

5. fabrics 893 331 437 742 661 276 223 318 885 531 326 275 225 426 154 636 769 172 846 183 443 366

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 15 British cities with mainline stations.

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 13?

A W S

O O

O M

R W U

O G

L MAKE A DATE

H W O

K M R M

DITTANY

HEART

––––––

FORCE

S W E

DEAD

–––––

BEST

SLEEP

–––––

AGE

E E D S S TRANSFORMER

GREAT

–––––––––

1) An aromatic shrubby plant of the mint family;

2) A thumb key for sharpening a lute or guitar string by a semitone;

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

1. Star Trek, the classic science fiction television series, debuts with its first episode, titled The Man Trap. 2. The Beatles hold their last public concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley.

3) The repetition of words or phrases by a printer when copying a manuscript.

3. Muhammad Ali defeats Henry Cooper in the sixth round of their London fight after Cooper had earlier knocked him down.

Add the given letter to the first word to make a new word. Clue: Use toothed instrument to make hollow.

WAS IT? a) 1964; b) 1966; c) 1968; d) 1970; e) 1972.

____ +O=__O__

722 371 187 372 173

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

HEAD

681 278 376 631 268

WORD WIZARD

BOX

––––

688 381 551 738 712

6. monsters from film and fable 268 681 372 285 215 624 163 771 666 783 719 373 965 312 443 668 146 394 552 137 246 619 662 431 372 653 678 346 171 666 783 7

––––––

TOP

612 358 174 126 568

PATHWORDS

BAY

JOINT

278 661 179 744 635

742 888 312 136 789

3. heraldic terms 339 837 172 672 531 569 364 314 273 723 681 998 336 451 726 484 882 436 617 277 425 42

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords Peterborough; Southampton; Birmingham; Glasgow; Sheffield; Plymouth; Coventry; Swansea; Liverpool; Edinburgh; Derby; Norwich; Newcastle; Leeds; Stoke.

1 3 9 8 7 6 5 4 2

8 7 2 1 5 4 6 9 3

4 1 3 6 8 5 2 7 9

6 2 5 9 1 7 8 3 4

SUDOKU EASY

7 9 8 4 3 2 1 6 5

2 5 1 7 4 9 3 8 6

9 8 6 3 2 1 4 5 7

3 4 7 5 6 8 9 2 1

5 7 4 6 8 9 2 1 3

1 9 8 2 7 3 4 5 6

6 3 2 4 1 5 7 9 8

3 5 1 9 2 7 6 8 4

C W G N

15 2

16 3

17 4

18 5

19 6

22 9

O D

CROSS CODE

4 6 7 8 5 1 3 2 9

2 8 9 3 6 4 5 7 1

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

8 1 6 7 3 2 9 4 5

7 4 5 1 9 6 8 3 2

9 2 3 5 4 8 1 6 7

11 24 15 13 9 10 19

2 1

9 1

9 24

16 3

10 19

1 3

1 3 6 16

8 9

5 9 14

2 9 8 19

7 9 16

KAKURO MEDIUM

I THINK All Together NOW! is one of the very best papers for older people. Good luck for the future! —Mr T Grundy, Swinburne Road, St Helens

5 6 4 2 9 3 7 1 8

V M

Accumulator Quiz 1 – A; 2 – C; 3 – C; 4 – B; 5 – B; 6 – D; 7 – B; 8 – C; 9 – A; 10 – C; 11 – D; 12 – C; 13 – A; 14 – C; 15 – A. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Applause; 5 Acer; 9 Taxicab; 10 Squib; 11 Lot; 12 Mettle; 15 Haiti; 17 Atom; 19 Salaam; 22 Paunch; 24 Beau; 26 Level; 27 Esteem; 30 Oar; 32 Torso; 33 Immoral; 34 Dote; 35 Clutched. Down – 1 Asti; 2 Pixie; 3 Ascot; 4 Sublet; 6 Caution; 7 Rubbishy; 8 Asthma; 13 Tea; 14 Lame; 16 Isolated; 18 Opus; 20 Leveret; 21 Abloom; 23 Ure; 25 Aerial; 28 Tempt; 29 Earth; 31 Sled. Star Name: LIV TYLER

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. Dittany is a plant. Dialling Codes 1. wildfowl; hare; pheasant; red deer; woodcock; quail; snipe; wild boar; roe deer; black grouse; ptarmigan. 2. steeple; spire; organ loft; flying buttress; vestry; nave; crypt; aisle; dome; font; pulpit; sacristy; transept. 3. dexter; rampant; sable; lozenge; garter; crescent; wyvern; trefoil; sanguine; escutcheon; passant; regalia. 4. begonia; lupin; nasturtium; snapdragon; daisy; carnation; sweet william; delphinium; lobelia; sunflower.

5. tweed; hessian; cotton; brocade; velvet; tulle; damask; silk; calico; linen; corduroy; satin; velour; chiffon. 6. Count Dracula; Loch Ness monster; werewolf; bigfoot; Godzilla; dragon; zombie; Frankenstein’s monster. Spot Check A = 4; B = 6; C = 1; D = 3; E = 5; F = 2. Missing Link window; attack; level; rough; universal; seed. Animal: walrus. Make a Date The year was 1966 Transformer Comb + O = Coomb.

All Together NOW! is a people’s paper with something for everyone. It’s also very interesting and informative. I get my copy from Gordale Garden Centre, Wirral — Mrs Sylvia Smith, Hermitage Road, Saughall, Chester

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Simply the best!

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Future looks very bright for Peter and his team Shining TOPS: Peter Cousins with wife, Kathleen, left, and BFW colleagues Derek and Jackie Tittle

WORKERS at Brighter Future Workshop have yet another reason to celebrate.

Last autumn the Skelmersdalebased charity was voted England’s Social Enterprise of the Year. Now the charity that employs disabled workers to recycle and repair used mobility equipment has been named as the UK’s Social Enterprise of the Year by the Social Enterprise Coalition. The awards reward the most successful and inspiring social enterprises – businesses trading for social and environmental purposes – in the United Kingdom. Boss Peter Cousins said: “Winning this prestigious award will lead to more people with disabilities becoming

aware of BFW and the services we provide for the community. “We can see the difference we’ve made in the lives of many disabled people, both through our recycling business and our training scheme. “In the last four years we have recycled and repaired over 3,800 pieces of equipment with an estimated value of £211,000 that would have ended up in a landfill site. “This equipment helps local disabled people to gain or regain mobility and play a fuller role in society.” The award comes after the Big Lottery’s £400,000 grant to the charity – ensuring their future for five years. n Brighter Future Workshop, Greenhey Place, Gillibrands, Skelmersdale. Tel. 01695 724361.

Helping to build a stronger future for the local community With a proud heritage which includes the development of the world's first commercial nuclear power station, Sellafield Ltd has emerged from the groundbreaking reorganisation of the country's nuclear assets and liabilities as the team responsible for the safe delivery of multi-million pound contracts at Sellafield and Capenhurst on behalf of site owners the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The challenge of managing the UK's nuclear legacy comes with the responsibility to ensure that our operations and activities leave the lightest environmental footprint. To that end the company, in discussion with the Environment Agency, undertakes an embedded programme of monitoring of our environments. We have a long history of supporting our local communities. Working with the NDA our socioeconomic plans encourage employee involvement in local activities, charitable donation schemes and inward investment.

Our endeavours in this area are born from a wish to protect the current skills base, encourage new businesses and, wherever we can, help the overall socio-economic well being of our local communities. We take great pride in being able to make a positive impact on people's lives. We have invested over £2million through our economic development programme. Sustainability and enhanced prosperity in our local regions is the focal point of our economic regeneration policy. We encourage skills development for both businesses and individuals enabling them to take control of their own future. Our support builds upon the efforts and enthusiasm of our partners in the community, and our own employees, where we are all striving to achieve a vibrant and healthy community.

For more information, please visit www.sellafieldsites.com

examples THE SECOND annual John Rainey Inclusion awards were handed out at an event to raise awareness of the benefits to Knowsley’s businesses of employing people with disabilities. The organisational award went to Knowsley Parents Adults Carers (KPAC), while Lila Bennett, chair of the Knowsley disAbility Partnership, won the individual award. KPAC run a range of projects to help disabled people achieve their goals. They have supported more than 70 people this year, and 75% of their own workforce has a disability. Lila Bennett has worked with Knowsley’s communities for more than 30 years, and has been supporting disabled people into work for the last 25 years. Sponsored by Knowsley Chamber of Commerce, the awards were presented by the Chamber’s Board member Seamus Brady and Sheena Ramsey, chief executive of Knowsley council. Cllr Graham Morgan, cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills, said: “It was fitting that KPAC and Lila Bennett were honoured, as they have both worked tirelessly to improve employment opportunities for disabled people. “It makes perfect sense to support people with disabilities into employment.” The awards are presented in memory of the late John Rainey, a former Knowsley council access officer who worked tirelessly to help disabled people overcome some of the barriers they face during everyday life. There were also presentations from Alan Walker, financial controller of Jaguar Land Rover, and Martin O’Neill from Jobcentre Plus, who highlighted the benefits to both employers and employees of their Access to Work programme, which provides funding and advice to help disabled people overcome the barriers they face at work.

Mental health justice plan

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Care costs up 33% in 8 years THE NUMBER of older and disabled people paying for residential care without financial support from their local council has risen by a third since 2002. The figures for those who are having to pay for all their care in a care home themselves has increased to 41% of all residents (155,000 in total) in 2009, according to the Liberal Democrats. Worries about how to pay for a care home stay remains the biggest concern for people who contact Counsel and Care. Enquirers continually express concern about having to use large amounts of their savings and capital to pay for care, and about how the cost of care home placements is getting more and more expensive. The charity’s chief executive, Stephen Burke, said:“These figures show how doing nothing is not an option for 2010. “The forthcoming White Paper on the future of care due in the New Year must answer the concerns of the general public. It must be clear about what care people will get and how much they and their family would be required to contribute. “We need to end the postcode lottery in terms of cost, accessibility and quality of care and together work towards delivering a care and support system everyone can be proud of.” n Helpline: 0845 300 7585.

Freemasons’ diabetes grant THE Freemasons’ Grand Charity has donated £50,000 towards a vital research project at the University of Cambridge that aims to create an artificial pancreas that will prevent overnight hypoglycaemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes. Meanwhile, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has opened a laboratory in Edinburgh to offer around 12 people a year islet cell transplant therapy. Islet cells, which produce insulin, are destroyed in people with Type 1 diabetes.

February/March 2010

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NEWS

NEW three-year research project aims to find out how the criminal justice system can be improved to give people with mental health problems a fair hearing. The research, which is being conducted with charities Victim Support, Mind, and the Institute of Psychiatry, is being funded by a £480,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The study will involve a survey of around 400 vulnerable people to see how often they have been victims of crime. A smaller group will then take part in more detailed interviews to find out what difficulties they have faced in trying to report offences. Vari Drennan, Professor in the Faculty of Health and Social

‘

We must give people more support

Care Sciences, run jointly by Kingston University and St George’s, University of London, said: “We will be analysing the experiences of people with mental health problems to try to understand how they can be better supported through the criminal justice system.” She said the final report would recommend improvements to policy makers and public services from the courts and police to housing, social work and health agencies. “Mind has suggested that many people with mental health

problems do not come forward to report crimes because they find the criminal justice system daunting and are fearful that the process may be detrimental to their mental health.” Professor Drennan, a former community nurse, health visitor and senior NHS manager, said she was particularly interested in how health professionals could help victims to access the justice system. Angela Antonatos, of Victim Support, who is leading the research, said: “We need to make sure that victims with mental health problems have as much help and support as possible. “The study will give them a voice, highlighting their experiences as victims and improving their access to justice.”

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: Henshaws Society for Blind People

We’re here to help

MUSIC TIME: Henshaws provide a variety of activities for all ages

ENSHAWS Society for Blind People provides expert support, advice and training to anyone affected by sight loss. Nearly all their services are free, and they want to attract more residents from in and around the city of Liverpool. Manager Bill Milner says: “There are over 2,000 people registered blind or severely sightimpaired in Liverpool and we’d like to meet them. “We’ve got so many services to offer – and many are completely free

of charge. We have something to suit everyone!” From their accessible centre opposite the Liver Building on The Strand, Henshaws run social groups, training courses and organise a wide variety of activities. For parents or children with visual impairments, Henshaws provides information, centre-based activities, day trips and short breaks. For those interested in computers, Henshaws have IT training and dropin sessions, also offering

Skillstep pre-vocational training courses. Social groups include Braille, tai chi, healthy food preparation, a lunch club and writers’ group. They also hold partially sighted and macular disease support groups and give expert advice on aids and equipment.

n For more information about Henshaws, call 0151 227 1226, or email merseyside@henshaws .org.uk You can also visit their new website – www.henshaws.org.uk

Disability hate crime cases doubles PROSECUTIONS for disability hate crime have more than doubled in a year, says a new report from the Crown Prosecution Service. Figures for 2008-2009 reveal that 393 defendants were prosecuted for disability hate crime. Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “Safety and security, and the right to live free from fear and harassment are fundamental human rights and the CPS recognises the wider community impact of disability hate crime. “This increase in disability hate crime prosecutions suggests that our prosecutors and police are improving their ability to recognise these particularly serious cases. “However, we know there is still some way to goand we are working hard to make the public aware of the support that is available to victims and witnesses with disabilities.” The Hate Crime Report 2008-2009 shows that in the four years ending March 2009, more than 49,200 defendants were prosecuted for hate crime, which also includes homophobic and racist and religious hate crime. n www.cps.gov.uk/publications/equality

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MOTORING CONTACTS n Wrightington Mobility Centre, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP. Tel. 01257 256409 www.mobility-centre.org.uk n The North Wales Driving Assessment Centre, Disability Resources Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. Tel. 01745 584858 n Regional Driving Assessment Centre, Unit 11, Network Park, Duddeston Mill Road, Birmingham. Tel. 0845 3371540 n Motability, Goodman

House, Station Approach, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2ET. Helpline 0845 456 4566 (voice), 01279 632273 (text). www.motability.co.uk n National Association of Bikers with a Disability, Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, Tel. 0870 759 0603. www.nabd.org.uk n Disabled Motorcyclists Association, Ada House, 77 Thompson Street, Manchester, M4 5FY. Tel. 0161 214 8314, 07947 138303. www.thedma.org.uk

MOTABILITY February/March 2010

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ORE than 300 cars are now available on the Motability scheme – with no up-front payment.

Highlights of the new Motability price list include the top selling Ford Focus 1.6TD Zetec with parking sensors, the stylish MINI One 1.4, and the popular seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 Exclusiv. Also available are the Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Exclusiv, the Volkswagen New Polo 1.6TDI SE, the Smart fortwo 0.8CDi Passion Coupe and the newly launched Citroen New C3 1.4 HDi VTR+, each with CO2 emissions lower than 115 g/km. Motability’s worry-free motoring Mike Betts, chief executive of package means customers exchange Motability Operations, said: “Keeping their higher rate mobility allowance a keen eye on prices, especially for a brand new car every three during harder economic times, is a years including insurance, servicing key aim of Motability. The good news and maintenance and full RAC for 2010 is that not only are we able breakdown assistance. to offer low prices, this fantastic There’s also a motoring allowance value applies to some of the most of 60,000 miles over three years as popular car models on the market. well as tyre and windscreen “In fact, there are cars of every replacement. shape and style at some of the best

GET INTO GEAR!

value prices ever seen.” Nigel Sharp, Ford managing director, said: “Anyone who recognises good value will seize on the Ford cars available through Motability in 2010. “Disabled motorists and their families will enjoy one of the largest selections of cars, including the highly popular Ford Focus, at no additional cost, as well as the entire

WHEELS FOR ALL: Allied Vehicles’ specially converted Peugeot Monarch minibus

The Monarch of Nottingham ALLIED Vehicles’ wide range of accessible cars and vans are a big hit with lots of disabled motorists. Their reputation is also now growing with disabled students . . . The company’s specially converted Peugeot Monarch minibus is currently helping to ferry students across Nottingham University’s five campuses. The university’s fleet manager David Skinner said: “We needed a wheelchair accessible minibus with high quality safety features and rear passenger lift and the Peugeot Monarch offers both. “It also accommodates multiple wheelchair passengers so it’s the perfect choice.” Safety features include wheelchair passenger lap and diagonal seat belts, and

wheelchair restraints. There is also space for up to two wheelchair passengers and an electric side step. David added: “This year we have more disabled students than previous years and the new minibus is proving to be a great help. “We are dedicated to improving our disabled access throughout the university and we continue to receive great feedback from our students and interest from prospective disabled students.” n For more information on the Peugeot Monarch or any of Allied’s accessible minibus range, call on 0800 916 3018 email info@alliedmobility.com – and please tell them you saw this article in All Together NOW!

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35 Ford range available with reverse parking sensors. Getting on the road has never been such great value.” Duncan Aldred, managing director, Vauxhall, said: “The choice available to Motability customers looking at a new Vauxhall car is excellent. “Models such as the New Astra, the sevenseat Zafira, and others, are available from no additional cost to the monthly payment. “The wide range and great value means

there is a Vauxhall car available through Motability to suit everyone regardless of their family, budget or mobility needs.” n Look out, too, for great value Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) such as the Partner Tepee 1.6 Urban from Allied Mobility and the Berlingo Multispace 1.6 from GM Coachworks – both from £495 advance payment. n www.motability.org.uk

If you’re disabled driver you can drive a better deal with Fish Insurance. As the UK’s leading disability and Independent Living insurance specialist, we know a disabled driver is a safer driver. That’s why you can enjoy savings of up to 35% and take advantage of car insurance specifically designed for disabled drivers, including wheelchair accessible and specially adapted vehicles.

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February/March 2010

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HealthMatters LIVERPOOL PCT OFFER HEALTH ADVICE YOU CAN REALLY TRUST

Dr Katy Judd Gardner S Shirley

Dr Rob Barnett D

experienced doctor been Is aanregistered dietitian whowho washas Chief Dietitian aat the Royalas Liverpool Hospital practicing a GP forUniversity 30 years and before moving to Liverpool PCT. questions. b can answer all your general health

S Secretary of Liverpool Local M Medical Committee.

Dear Shirley... A few months ago I lost my job, since then i’ve found it almost impossible to eat well on a low income. January is proving especially tough, how can I eat healthily on a budget? Karen, Garston Shirley says… The key to eating healthily on a budget is planning. With the right ingredients, a large chicken can be used for a number of meals. A chicken can be roasted, and leftovers can be diced, mixed with lentils, onions, tinned tomatoes, then add curry spices and serve with boiled rice.

Dear Dr Rob... Is there still a need for my children to be vaccinated against Swine Flu? Carolyn, Aigburth Dr Rob says… Although the number of people contracting swine flu is decreasing, swine flu can be a particularly severe illness for some people, especially younger children. This is why the Swine Flu vaccine is being offered to children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years as they seem to be most seriously affected by swine flu. Parents will get an invitation from their local NHS – usually GP practices – to take their children along for vaccination over the next few weeks. This is needed because younger children are particularly vulnerable to developing serious health effects from swine flu and have needed a higher level of hospital treatment compared to the rest of the population. Some parents will be concerned that their children may develop side effects from having the swine flu vaccination, but it’s worth remembering that these symptoms are usually much milder than having swine flu itself. As well as having the vaccination the other good way to protect yourself and others from swine flu is by always using a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a sanitizer gel. This helps to prevent the spread of swine flu as viruses can live on hard surfaces for several hours. Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can get advice from the National Pandemic Flu Service on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 513 for information or call 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.

It’s when the cupboard is bare that we resort to takeaways. A good way to avoid this is to make a list of what you need for the meals you’ll be preparing before you go shopping. This will help to prevent you succumbing to impulse buys, such as 3 for 2 offers that will only bolster an unhealthy snack drawer. Short sell buy date offers are helpful as you can always cook them and then freeze them for use later on in the week. Fruit and veg are particularly dear in winter months, so keep an eye out for short date stock and use frozen basic ranges of vegetables and soft fruit which is a good buy at £2 a pack. They bring a zingy taste of summer into dark dreary winter days tasting great with low fat yoghurt, fromage frais or stirred into sugar free jelly. Frozen produce is just as nutritious and fresh. Its also worthwhile spreading your shopping around, this way you can get the best deals from a range of shops, given competition for products is so fierce. Own brands are consistently similar in price though, but not always cheaper than all named alternatives. Building up your own store cupboard of spices, herbs and flavouring ingredients

such as Worcester sauce, soy sauce and mustard is another option; a Cajun style spice mix for example is only paprika, cayenne, dried sage & marjoram, costing a few pence per portion instead of packet mixes that are much dearer and also very salty. Own brand tinned tomatoes with herbs/spices and onions are far cheaper than a ‘cook in’ sauce bought alternative and again a lot lower in salt. If you’re still finding the prospect of preparing your meals from scratch a little daunting, Liverpool’s Community Food Workers can help you to extend your cooking skills using a wide range of budget foods available locally. They have some great recipes too. You can find out where your local sessions are running by ringing the North Liverpool team on 233 4421; South Liverpool team on 280 7512 and Central Liverpool team on 207 5382.

Be sure to consult your General Practitioner (GP) before attempting any health, fitness or diet-related activity. No warranty, xpressed e or implied can be taken that the information is appropriate for every individual, situation or purpose.

If you would like some advice on a health-related question email:

HealthMatters@liverpoolpct.nhs.uk

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February/March 2010

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Award for virtual dementia tour AN internet guide to what it’s like for people who have dementia has been singled out for a top award. Health and social care charity PSS was voted Britain’s best provider of learning and development by Skills for Care - the Government body that monitors the training of people caring for those with dementia. The Liverpool- based organisation’s “virtual dementia” tour was one of the ground breaking training tools that

WINNING SMILES: Carolyin Goble, Fiona Phillips and Pam Stopforth

Smell link to Alzeimer’s AMERICAN scientists working with mice have linked a loss of smell function with the build up of amyloid, the toxic protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings could translate into a means of enhancing early Alzheimer’s diagnosis in people. Previous work has shown that Alzheimer’s disease can cause a loss of the ability to smell – but it is unclear why. This research on mice shows that that loss of smell function could be linked to the build up of the amyloid protein. Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “We hope that further studies can help us understand and better diagnose Alzheimer’s in people.” n Alzheimer’s Helpline: 01223 843899 www.alzheimers-disease.org.uk

Churchill’s cancer fight WINSTON Churchill, grandson and namesake of the former British Prime Minister, has joined the battle against prostate cancer. Mr Churchill, former MP for the inner-city Manchester seats of Stretford and Davyhulme (1970-1997), has signed up to be an Ambassador of The Prostate Cancer Charity. Having been diagnosed in May 2008 with advanced metastasized prostate cancer, he has volunteered his services to the charity. Mr Churchill said: “To those facing the challenge of cancer I would commend the words of my Grandfather: ‘Never Give In! Never, never! Never, never! Except to convictions of honour or good sense! “I would merely add, ‘Never Give In — especially to cancer!” n www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

caught the eye of judges, along with their online dementia centre. The tour simulates what it can be like to have dementia, helping carers and professionals understand what the person they are looking after is going through. Pam Stopforth and Carolyn Goble, from PSS, accepted the award at a ceremony in London, hosted by former GMTV presenter, Fiona Phillips. Fiona has personal experience of dementia – her mother was suffering from it when she LISA died a few years ago and CONNELL: her father has Alzheimer’s. battling Pam said: “We try to break against a down the isolation that brain carers can feel and give them the skills to cope with tumour what can be a very difficult situation. “We offer practical advice and support that helps them day to day but we also show them how to deal with the stress that builds up. “We have a support line they can call, to talk to someone at the end of a bad day and an internet café where they can talk online to staff and other people in the same situation.” Pat Davin, 65, who cares for her husband who has dementia, has been through the PSS training and was at the awards ceremony. She said: “I learnt how to understand my husband’s behaviour and realise that what could seem like bad temper was simply that he didn’t understand what I was trying to tell him to do. “I might be trying to get him changed but he feels he is under attack and is trying to protect himself. I’ve learnt how to read his reactions and try different techniques.” www.big.dh.gov.uk/node/2PS S, tel 0151 702 5565 www.dementiacentre.com

Lisa’s hope for 2010 A

LTHOUGH brain tumours are relatively rare, survival rates remain alarmingly low in comparison with other types of cancer. says the charity Brain Tumour Research. New research shows that more people under 40 die from brain tumours than any other cancer – and every year there is a 4% increase in incidence. It is also now the biggest hard-cancer killer of children.

Despite this, brain tumour research is extremely under-funded. Lisa Connell, 30, was diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago and has made it her personal mission to raise £1m for brain cancer charities to support much needed research. To help her achieve this goal she set up Rent A Date For Charity, in collaboration with brainstrust, The Meg Jones Brain Cancer Charity. Lisa said: “It saddens me that however

much we push for brain tumour awareness very few people seem to be interested. “Considering brain cancer is now the most common type of hard-cancer in young people there really should be more done to promote the cause. I am hoping that through my campaign and with the right support we can help take the fight against brain cancer to the next level.” n www.brt.org.uk n www.rentadateforcharity.com

by Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS

S THE Mersey Care Design Champion I am anxious to learn more about how the physical environment of NHS facilities impacts clinically (for that read emotionally) on the people who access our mental health and learning disability services, and the way design quality impacts on staff. As a professional in design but not an expert in mental health I know we can all feel either welcomed or unwanted when walking into any building. Sometimes it comes down to simply the “look and feel” of it, combined with the first impressions you get from staff. Board colleagues and I have been visiting premises to learn more about how our services are being delivered. I also asked everyone to feed back their first impressions of our buildings, with a view to improving the quality of entrances and reception areas, decluttering and ensuring clear signage. We must consult and listen to service users and carers too. Their response affirmed the need for a larger, more welcoming reception area at one of our community drug services. I was privileged to open the new base for Alcohol Services Knowsley in Huyton last month. This light and airy building has a welcoming reception, cosy and private outpatient rooms, and large meeting rooms being used for a therapeutic art group. We will continue to improve both old and new buildings, and I will assist in our appreciation that design quality and understanding at every level can impact on the senses, and therefore sense of wellbeing, and should be given the importance it needs. This approach will be fully reflected in our design of new mental health centres as well as improvements to existing facilities over time. I am delighted to be working with the TIME Project (To Improve Mental health Environments) on our new generation of what will be warm and TAKE ME HOME! welcoming facilities.

Healthy messages regularly reaching 250,000 readers . . .

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Together we can do more NEW bodies that combine the expertise of industry, health and education have been formed to promote innovation in the NHS. Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs) are cross sector partnerships between NHS organisations, the higher education sector, industry and other public and private sector partners. Of the 17 HIECs currently operating across the country, three are in the North West working on different areas of care: n Lancashire and Cumbria – stroke, mental health and end of life care. n Merseyside and Cheshire – drug safety, children’s health, mental and physical health and cancer. n Greater Manchester – long-term conditions, cancer, mental health, dementia and stroke. Almost £3m is coming into the North West over the next two years to help establish these new partnership organisations. NHS North West chief executive Mike Farrar, pictured, said: “This is excellent news for the region and recognises and builds on the innovation and developments in health care in the North West for the benefit of all patients. “The HIECs are another example of how the NHS can work in partnership towards our goals of world-class health and health care.” Through joint working ,HIECs will provide professional education and training and promote innovation in healthcare by speeding up the adoption of research innovation and good practice. They will also provide professional education and training.

February/March 2010

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Swine flu jabs are still vital Cases are falling – but deaths on the rise

EALTH leaders in the North West are urging those who are eligible to have the swine flu vaccine as soon as possible. Latest figures show that since the outbreak of the virus in April last year 44 people across the North West have died as a result of swine flu. Most victims had underlying health conditions. Dr Ruth Hussey, regional director for public health in the North West, said: “It looks like cases of swine flu are now on the decline, which is fantastic news. “But I’m concerned that this might put off

What to look for

VACCINATION CALL: Dr Ruth Hussey some people who should get the vaccine from doing so. “The virus is still circulating, and if people with conditions such as asthma, heart and lung disease, with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant catch the virus, they can become seriously ill.” Since last July, 2,720 people in the North West have needed hospital treatment due to swine flu, 250 have needed critical care, and 48% of people who have needed hospital treatment have had an underlying health condition. Dr Hussey said: “The swine flu vaccine really is the best protection against swine flu. “The take-up rate for the the vaccine has

n IF YOU think you could have swine flu and have chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, are over 65, are pregnant, or if you have a child under one with symptoms, you should telephone your usual GP service rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service. n The initial symptoms of swine flu can be similar to those of other illnesses, so it is important for people to be vigilant. n Parents with young children need to be particularly aware of this, as acute illnesses may be more difficult to diagnose in a young child. n If you are taking antiviral medication and your symptoms fail to improve after a few days, or get suddenly worse, telephone your GP for advice.

been good, but we want to ensure that as many people as possible who are eligible are vaccinated.” GP practices are rolling out the vaccine to children aged over six months and under five, who are also particularly at risk of developing complications if they contract the virus. If you have any questions about the swine flu vaccination programme, contact your GP. n Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the virus can contact the National Pandemic Flu Service online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.

UK top mental health nurse visits Chester

n WARM WELCOME: Left to right: CWP modern matron

Joy Halliwell, director of nursing Avril Devaney, lead nurse for mental health Ben Thomas and Cedar ward manager Brenda O’Brien

THE Department of Health’s lead nurse for mental health, Ben Thomas, has praised the work of staff at Bowmere Hospital and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Ben said: “It’s really important to visit front line staff and to congratulate them for all their hard work. CWP has a superb reputation and the staff I’ve met more than live up to that.” Avril Devaney, CWP director of nursing and patient partnership, said: “All of our staff work extremely hard to maintain the highest standards of patient care and it’s great for that to be

recognised by Ben’s visit.” As part of the visit, Ben called in at Cedar Ward which recently became the first ward in the country to receive level one organic Acute Inpatient Mental Health Services (AIMS) accreditation for its dementia services. He also spent time talking to nurses about the recently published NHS document ‘High Impact Actions for Nursing and Midwifery’ which outlines eight actions on improving care quality and efficiency. CWP has fully embraced all actions as part of its commitment to maintaining high standards of care.

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February/March 2010

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Dignity: £50k up for grabs

Constitution now law! ALL NHS organisations are now legally obliged to take account of the rights and pledges set out in the NHS Constitution when making decisions about the services they provide to patients. The NHS Constitution sets out patients’ rights to NHS services and safeguards the NHS for the future. Among other things, it gives patients the legal rights to: n Access NHS services. n Drugs and treatments approved by NICE. n Choice about where they receive their care. n Be treated with dignity and respect. Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “This landmark document gives patients and staff real power to know what they can expect and what they can demand – demands that cannot go unchecked by the

NHS. “As the NHS strives to move from good to great and become more people-centred, all the improvements it makes can be safeguarded for future generations.” As well as protecting patients, the Constitution also ensures that the NHS provides a highquality working environment for its 1.3m staff. It brings together their legal rights, and pledges to provide staff with rewarding jobs that make a difference to patients and communities, support and opportunities to maintain their own health and well-being and the opportunity to give their view on decisions that affect them and the services they provide. n For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/yfl7fnq

DO YOU have an idea that will ensure people’s experience of care services is a good one?

LOADING UP: Ken helps to load the container

From Aintree to Zimbabwe P

EOPLE in Zimbabwe are benefiting from University Hospital Aintree’s equipment upgrade. Beds, mattresses, trolleys – and even an operating table – have been shipped to Africa. The donation of the medical equipment was the result of a special friendship between manual handling advisor, Ken Cookson, and his Preston childhood friend Bill Moore. When Bill moved to Harare 27 years ago they remained in touch. Ken said: “During his time in Zimbabwe, Bill

has become involved in a number of charities, particularly St John Ambulance. “When he visited England last year he told me about how the cholera epidemic had been going around some of the more remote hospitals where they had nothing. “At that time I was leading a project at the Trust to replace all trolleys in our Accident & Emergency department so I told him to apply to see if the disused equipment could be donated to the Zimbabwe hospitals.” Bill was delighted when the Trust agreed to donate the equipment.

SDB Engineering, who work in the hospital, and the Trust’s maintenance department, loaded up the container with equipment which otherwise would have been scrapped. More than 90 pieces of medical equipment were eventually shipped out, including trauma trolleys, patient hoists, suction machines, hospital beds, and an examination couch. Bill said: “Everyone at the Trust has been wonderfully co-operative and the effect this equipment will have on the lives of those patients in Harare is unimaginable.”

Milk bank’s 400th donor THE Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank, based at Clatterbridge Hospital, has enrolled its 400th donor. Launched six years ago, the milk bank houses special equipment to test, pasteurise and store donor breast milk, which is then used to treat sick and premature babies across the North West. Nyree Fairbairn, 37, from Meols, said: “I had previously been a blood donor and so when I found out that there was also a real need for donor milk, it seemed like an obvious choice to make.” The milk bank is part of Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.

Since opening in 2004, more than 2,000 litres of human milk have been donated by 400 mothers living in Wirral and other parts of the region. n To find out more about milk banking contact the Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank on 0151 334 4000, ext 5000. n www.ukamb.org

n PICTURED LEFT: Nyree Fairbairn

being presented with a gift by Stacey Hughes from Mothercare, alongside her two children Dante, two, and Torin (six months), Diane O’Brien, Milk Bank Volunteer and Gill Brady, Milk Bank Co-ordinator.

Would your idea help people to feel they are able to retain their personal dignity and self respect? If so, you could get a share of a £50,000 fund to help you turn that idea into reality. The Bright Ideas Grant is part of the Dignity in Care Campaign that aims to change the culture of care services and place a greater emphasis on improving the quality of care and the experience of citizens using services including NHS hospitals, community services, care homes and home support services. The competition closes on March 18. n www.big.dh.gov.uk/node/2

BME panels to fight cancer CANCER patients from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are to get a greater voice. The National Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Cancer Patient Advisory Panel is the latest initiative from the National Cancer Action Team. Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, said: “The panel will provide an opportunity for BME patients and carers to share their experiences with us.” The National Cancer Action Team is now recruiting panel members from BME communities who themselves have cancer or have had an experience of cancer – either as a patient or a carer, who are aged 16 and above. The aim is to gather over 1,000 panel members from across England. The Action Team will be running up to four surveys a year. The results will be published on the Patient Experience National Cancer Action Team website, www.cancerinfo.nhs.uk

All Together NOW!

February/March 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

. . . with JAN LOCKYER

Too hot to handle

I ENJOY a nice big hot drink, but I can’t feel temperature with my hands so handling hot cups is risky. Are there any cups that would suit me?

THERE are insulated cups that have a double wall so the drink stays hot but the surface of the cup is cool. You can also get ceramic cups with very big handles that would keep your fingers well away from the cup. Also useful for you would be an inexpensive visual temperature indicator or floating thermometer. These devices are great for checking the temperature in the sink or bath.

20,000 ways to help you remain independent

DID YOU know there are over 20,000 products designed to assist older and disabled people on the market? If you need equipment to help you stay independent how do you make the right choice? Disabled Living Centres provide independent information and advice and the opportunity to see and try a

vast range of products with the aid of expert advisors From beds to bath aids, showers to stair lifts, local Disabled Living Centres provide equipment info helplines. So for information on equipment and how to get it contact your local Disabled Living Centre. Many

What car next? Q

I’M THINKING of changing my car. I am sure you will agree there’s a lot more to take into account when you’re disabled. Where do I start?

RICA, the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs, is a pretty good starting point. A national research charity dedicated to providing independent information for disabled and older consumers, RICA researches and publishes consumer reports. They are all based on rigorous research and provide practical information needed by disabled and older consumers. “Choosing a Car” is a Ricability guide for older and disabled people. The guide also describes some of the simpler equipment that can make driving the car easier. There is a section on financing a car if you have a disability and details of where to go for simpler adaptations, information and help. On the Ricability website you will also find the “Find a Car – car measurement database”. This helps you find the car models that are easiest for you to get in and out of and carry a wheelchair or other equipment. It includes detailed measurement data on over 400 cars. New ones are added continuously. This database can help you draw up a shortlist of cars if you have a disability. Other

A NEW WHEELS: There is so much choice . . .

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled and older people in Liverpool.

InAll the summer of 2007 the under following moved together to Lifehouse: these teams are now oneservices roof, working to provide the information and advice people need toDock. be as safe and an accessible, newly renovated building at Brunswick independent as possible .

Wheelchair Service 0151 296 7765 Fax:0151 0151296 296 7764 Wheelchair Service Tel: 7765 Assessment for and provision of wheelchairs for people who live in Liverpool. Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Fax: 0151 296 7743 7748 Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Minicom: 0151 296 7744 Moving and Handling Team Tel: 0151 296 7750 Fax: 0151 296 7749 Independent information, assessment and advice on choosing daily living equipment and how to get it.

Communication Aids 0151 296 7408 Fax: 0151 296 7764 Moving and Handling Team Tel: 0151 296 7750 Practical advice for disabled people and their carers on moving and handling people. Adaptations Team 0151 296 7757 Fax: 0151 296 7758 Communication Aids Falls Team

0151 296 7769

Tel: 0151 296 7408

Assessment and provision of communication aids for people who live in Liverpool.

Lifehouse is a newTeam approach to providing services for disabled Adaptations Tel: and 0151older 296 7757 Installation of adaptations to safely people in managing in their ownroof home.will improve people in Liverpool. Having allassist these services under one accessibility. Falls Team Tel: 0151 296 7769 A multidisciplinary team providing practical advice and assessment for people who have fallen. Services will be able to work together to provide the independent information, advice and practical assessment people need to make the rightTel: choices 0151 about 296 7782 Telecare service 7733 Advice, assessment and installation of Telecare equipment. equipment. The existing services will be joined by others which will greatly increase theinformation range of information and available. call thethe service youadvice require or contact main reception forDay a For further further information call service you require or visitour a Lifehouse Open list ofifehouse Lifehouse Open Days.

products can be provided free on loan through local Community Equipment Services. All Together Now! has teamed up with Liverpool Disabled Living Centre to help readers of all ages and abilities stay independent. If you have a question contact the team on 0151 296 7742. Minicom: 0151 296 7748.

Lifehouse Lifehouse Lifehouse ifehouse Units 4–5 Dempster Building Units 4–5 Dempster Building Summers Road, Brunswick Business Park Summers Road, Brunswick Business Park Liverpool 4BL Liverpool L3L3 4BL Main Reception: 0151 296 7733 Main Reception: 0151 296 7733 www.liverpoollifehouse.org www.liverpoollifehouse.org

This guide will get you going! Ricability guides include “Getting a wheelchair into a car” This describes what equipment is available to help get a wheelchair into a car and transport it safely. It has information about different types of hoists, racks and trailers. “Getting in and out of a car” is a useful guide for people who use wheelchairs or just find it difficult to get in and out of a car. It starts with advice on techniques you may find useful, and then covers aids for people to get from a wheelchair and into a car. Ricability also produce seven guides on motoring if you have a particular disability with tips, information about adaptations and suggestions of where to go for further help. These cover motoring after amputation, brain injury, stroke, motoring with arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and restricted growth. n Ricability, 30 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2PT. Tel. 020 7427 2460. Textphone, 020 7427 2469. Email, mail@ricability.org.uk

Help on the line n BLACKBURN Independent Living Centre, Mill Hill St, Mill Hill, Blackburn. Tel. 01254 269 220 n ELLESMERE PORT Pool Independent Living Centre, New Grosvenor Road. Tel. 0151 337 6399 n HALTON Collier Street, Runcorn. Tel. 01928 582 920 n HANDFORTH East Cheshire Independent Living Centre, Redsmere Road, Handforth Tel. 01625 374080 n HARTFORD Hartford Independent Living Centre, Hartford Business Park, Chester Road, Hartford, Nantwich Tel. 01605 881980 n LIVERPOOL Disabled Living Centre, Lifehouse, Summers Road, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool. Tel. 0151 296 7742 Minicom 0151 296 7748 n MANCHESTER Assist UK, 4 St Chads Street, Manchester. Tel. 0161 834 1044 n STOCKPORT St Thomas’s Hospital, Shawheath, Stockport. Tel. 0161 419 4476 n WARRINGTON Beaufort Street, Warrington. Tel. 01925 240064 n WILMSLOW Redesmere Road. Tel. 01625 374080 n WIRRAL St Catherine’s Hospital, Birkenhead. Tel. 0151 678 7272

MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM St Marks Street, Springhill. Tel. 0121 464 4942/9525 n DUDLEY St Giles Street, Netherley. Tel. 01384 813 695 n SHREWSBURY The Lantern, Meadow Farm Drive. Tel. 01743 210820 n WOLVERHAMPTON Bell Street. Tel. 01902 553 648

Are you in need of care, live in the Liverpool area and want to remain in your own home? Let us help you. If your home is where you are most comfortable and where you feel safe, we believe that you should be allowed to continue to live there surrounded by your own belongings for as long as you wish. We supply a wide range of care, according to your personal needs and wishes. We pride ourselves on our caring, professional approach. We will ensure that you have as much continuity as possible when it comes to your carer, restricting the number of different people entering your home. We always provide you with a carer who is best suited to your individual needs. Carers are trained to the highest standard and are reliable and dependable.

To find out more please contact Sterling Care & Support. 0151 482 2011

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Call our Leakline

February/March 2010

All Together NOW!

0800 33 00 33 or visit unitedutilities.com

You spot it. We’ll stop it. United Utilities had to gear up for the big thaw which followed the big freeze back in January as they experienced record increases in the number of leaks and bursts to hit the water network as temperatures rose. An unprecedented number of calls were received from customers about leaks on their properties and those spotted in roads and footpaths. Over six days the customer service centre received more calls than they did in the whole of November. Even after the extreme weather, the work goes on to reduce leakage throughout the North West to save essential water resources and to keep taps flowing. United Utilities has launched their ‘you spot it, we’ll stop it’ campaign to highlight the issue and to ask people to report leaks. United Utilities’ regional water network manager, Scott Beard said:

“Reports about leaks are essential and help us to maintain the water supply to homes across the region as well as reducing the amount of water being wasted.

Need a little ExtraCare? We offer a range of free services to help customers who: • are older • have a disability • have a serious illness • have sight, hearing or learning difficulties Our services include: • password scheme • personal notification of water shut-offs • large print, Braille and talking bills

“If you spot a leak or burst on a street or pavement, the pipe probably belongs to us. Please don't assume that we know about it or that someone else will have reported it, we're very grateful to anyone that reports a leak.” So, if you're out and about and spot a leak, call Leakline on 0800 33 00 33 or visit unitedutilities.com/reportaleakform For more information visit unitedutilities.com/ YouSpotItWellStopIt

To find out more call 0845 746 1100 or textphone 0808 143 1195 or visit our website unitedutilities.com/extracare 01/10/SD/3966

All Together NOW!

February/March 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

COMPETITION WINNERS 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 BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 625950 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 8046 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 353525 n ORMSKIRK, West Lancashire Tel 01695 570055 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 717445 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 n SOUTHPORT. Tel 01704 546 654 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 231941 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

WINNERS of our Christmas books competition are . . . Look At It My Way by Ken Dodd: Gwynneth Carter, Cranborne Avenue, Warrington. Brian Crank, Broad Lane, Stapeley, Nantwich (by email) Miss Sarah Jane Jones, Chapel Close, Comberbach, Northwich (by email) Mrs Diane Slater, Sandy Hill, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent. Anne Stevens, Bedford Avenue, Swinton, Manchester. Shelley White, Eastbourne Close, Ingol, Preston (by email). Dummy Bullets by Walter Huntley: Mrs M Beaton, St Paul’s Close, Crewe, Cheshire (by email).

Jane Frampton, Mill Lane, Ness (by email) Mr G A Graham, Warrington Drive, Westwood Park, Leek. Mr T Grundy, Swinburne Road, St Helens. Will Redfearn, Curzon Road, Prenton, Birkenhead, Wirral (by email). John Rossington, Bond Street, Dewsbury.

WINNERS of our Christmas gardening competition are . . . Mrs M Timmis, Willow Green, Knutsford, Cheshire. Mr J Bailey, Briggs Fold Road, Egerton, Bolton (by email). Mrs M Owens, Mill Hill, Moss Side, Formby. Diane Caldicott, Alice Street, Accrington (by email). All winners should receive their prizes – £40 worth of clematis plants, courtesy of Highfield Nurseries – by the end of February

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 Dis Federation Tel 01606 888400 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 Inform. Tel 0151 260 4076. n NEUROSUPPORT Centre Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association. Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863. Textphone 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248

n WARRINGTON

Disability Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053 n WREXHAM Tel 01978 262955 MIDLANDS BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 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 Tel 01253 792600 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 DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234 Tel 0151 227 1226 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 708 9008 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 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 Daf Association, Tel 01492 542235 n GUIDE

CARERS’ CENTRES n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 n CUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 n LIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 7767 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 456 2808 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 733737 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 n DOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436

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

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All Together NOW!

February/March 2010

HIGH FLIER: Sean Rose on his way to gold in Sestriere – and all set for the Winter Paralympics in Canada

GOAL! New grant puts wheelchair football firmly on the map

OWERED wheelchair football has been given a huge boost.

Sky high hopes for Paralympics

PIRITS are high as Britain’s disabled ski team get set for the Winter Paralympics in Canada in March. The team got off to a flying start to the season with great results in both an IPCAS level race and European Cup level races in Austria. And there was more success in Sestriere where Sean Rose won Britain’s first IPCAS World Cup gold in the first downhill race.

“The last few days of training has been amazing and put me in a great frame of mind for racing,” said Rose. “My run was fantastic until six gates from the finish. I ran too straight and totally overjumped it at more than 70mph, landed and just managed to stay inside the last gate to the finish. “Hearing the national anthem for the first time at the World Cup prize giving was a fantastic experience.”

Team manager Dave Chugg said: “This is a fantastic beginning to the season. “Years of training is paying off and they are all so proud. We are incredibly optimistic for the Paralympics in Vancouver. “Our skiers are earning a highly respectable international track record as elite athletes, and Britain is rapidly becoming a strong contender for podium finishes this spring.”

The Football Foundation has handed over £134,000 to the Wheelchair Football Association to employ a full-time coordinator to develop the sport across England. Ricky Stevenson, chairperson at Wheelchair Football Association, said: “This is great news for the association and for disabled people across England.” Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We warmly congratulate the Wheelchair Football Association for their hard work and dedication in securing this award. “The Foundation is investing money into the grass roots to help give everyone the opportunity to play it and stay healthy. “This exciting new project is the latest example of how we are working with key partners to create a level playing field across the

Great Great Britain Britain Wheelchair Wheelchair Basketball Basketball Association Association SUPER LEAGUE

1st DIVISION NORTH

Sat Feb 13: Steelers v Knights, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, noon Sat Feb 13: Steelers v Outlaws, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 4pm Sun Feb 14: Owls v Knights, West Hill Sports Centre, Stalybridge, noon Sun Feb 14: Raiders v Aces, Mile End Park Leisure Centre, London, 4.30pm Sat Feb 20: Outlaws v Knights, Riverside Ice & Leisure, Chelmsford, 3.20pm Sun Feb 21: Raiders v Knights, Mile End Park Leisure Centre, London, 12.30pm Sun Feb 21: RGK TCAT Rhinos v Aces, City of Wolverhampton College, 1.30pm Sun Feb 21: Steelers v Owls, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 1pm Sat Mar 6: Knights v Steelers, Antrim Forum, 2.30pm Sat Mar 6: Owls v Aces, West Hill Sports Centre, Stalybridge, 3pm Sun Mar 7: Outlaws v RGK TCAT Rhinos, Riverside Ice & Leisure, Chelmsford, 2.20pm Sun Mar 7: Eagles v Raiders, Percy Hedley School, Killingworth, 12.30 Sat Mar 27: Aces v Steelers, Aylesbury High School, 2.30pm Sat Mar 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos v Owls, TCAT, Telford, 7pm Sun Mar 28: Knights v Eagles, Jordanstown Uni SH, 2pm Sun Mar 28: Raiders v Outlaws, Mile End Park Leisure Centre, London, 12.30pm

Sat Feb 13: Jaguars v Lothian, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 2.15pm Sat Feb 13: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Greenbank, City of Wolverhampton College, 2pm Sun Feb 14: Steelers 2 v Lothian, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 11am Sat Feb 20: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Cobras, TCAT, Telford, 7pm Sun Feb 21: Lothian v Greenbank, Bathgate Academy, 2pm Sun Feb 21: Steelers 2 v Owls 2, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 3pm Sat Mar 6: Jaguars v Steelers 2, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 2.15pm Sat Mar 6: Owls 2 v Cobras, West Hill Sports Centre, Stalybridge, 1pm Sat Mar 27: Jaguars v Greenbank, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 2.15pm Sat Mar 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Owls 2, TCAT, Telford, 5pm Sun Mar 28: Cobras v Steelers 2, Leicester Leys Leisure Club, 3.30pm

2nd DIVISION NORTH Sat Feb 13: Warriors v Spitfires, Darland Sports Centre, Wrexham, 2.30pm Sat Feb 13: Mavericks v Steelers 3,Y Club/Castlefield Hotel, Manchester, 6pm Sun Feb 14: Bolton Bulls v Wheelblazers, Smithills Sports Centre, Bolton, 1.30pm Sun Feb 21: Steelers 3 v Warriors, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 11am Sun Feb 21: Spitfires v Mavericks, Dimensions L/C, Stoke, 2pm

country and opening up access to sports.” The grant will also provide equipment to enable the association to stage demonstrations and support new and existing clubs. Last August, The Everton Foundation organised its first powered chair camp at Liverpool’s Greenbank sports academy, attracting widespread interest from right across the region. So successful was the event that there are now moves to get a team in the North West league. The four-a-side game – 20minutes each half – is played in motorised chairs that are fitted with a front “buffer” used to control and pass the ball. “Good team work is essential,” says Everton Foundation coach Andrew Brady. “There are no goalkeepers and no off-side rule.” n www.thewfa.org.uk

.. .. .. www.gbwba.org.uk www.gbwba.org.uk

Sun Feb 21: Wheelblazers v Furness Falcons, Derby College Sports Hall, 2.30pm Sat Mar 6: Warriors v Furness Falcons, Darland Sports Centre, Wrexham, 2.30pm Sun Mar 7: Bolton Bulls v Mavericks, Smithills Sports Centre, Bolton, 1.30pm Sun Mar 7: Wheelblazers v Steelers 3, Derby College Sports Hall, 2.30pm Sat Mar 27: Warriors v Wheelblazers, Darland Sports Centre, Wrexham, 2.30pm Sat Mar 27: Furness Falcons v Bolton Bulls, Hoops Basketball Centre, Barrow in Furness, 2pm Sun Mar 28: Spitfires v Steelers 3, Dimensions L/C, Stoke, 2pm

3rd DIVISION NORTH Sat Feb 13: Jaguars 2 v Leeds Spiders, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 12.20pm Sat Feb 13: West of Scotland v Eagles 2, Playdrome, Glasgow, 2.25pm Sun Feb 14: Steelers 4 v Vikings 2009, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 1pm Sat Feb 20: Eagles 2 v Jaguars 2, Percy Hedley School, Killingtworth, 1pm Sun Feb 21: Leeds Spiders v Bury Blue Devils, Crawshaw School - Len Hutton SH, Leeds, 11.30am Sun Feb 21: Vikings 2009 v Cardinals, Lansbury Bridge School, St Helens, 1pm Sun Feb 21: West of Scotland v Jaguars 2, Playdrome, Glasgow, 11.25am Sat Mar 6: Jaguars 2 v Steelers 4, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 12.20pm Sun Mar 7: Leeds Spiders v Cardinals,

Crawshaw School - Len Hutton SH, Leeds, 11.30am Sun Mar 7: West of Scotland v Bury Blue Devils, Playdrome, Glasgow, 2.25pm Sat Mar 20: Eagles 2 v Bury Blue Devils, Percy Hedley School, Killingworth, 1pm Sat Mar 27: Jaguars 2 v Cardinals, Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 12.20pm Sun Mar 28: Bury Blue Devils v Steelers 4, Castle Leisure Centre, Bury, 5pm

3rd DIVISION CENTRAL Sat Feb 13: Phoenix Flyers v Cobras 2, Moulton College Sports Centre, tbc Sat Feb 13: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v Bury Bombers, City of Wolverhampton College, noon Sat Feb 20: Mansfield Maulers v Bury Bombers, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, 12.30pm Sat Feb 20: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v Cobras 2, TCAT, Telford, 5pm Sun Feb 21: Sporting Club Albion v Phoenix Flyers, WBA Community Sports Hall, 3pm Sat Mar 6: Mansfield Maulers v RGK TCAT Rhinos 3, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, 12.30pm Sun Mar 7: Bury Bombers v Sporting Club Albion, County Upper School, Bury, 1.30pm Sun Mar 7: Crusaders WBA v Phoenix Flyers, The Woodlands School & Sports College, 11am Sun Mar 28: Cobras 2 v Mansfield Maulers, Leicester Leys Leisure Club, 1.30pm Sun Mar 28: Phoenix Flyers v Bury Bombers, Moulton College Sports Centre, tbc Sun Mar 28: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v Crusaders WBA,City of TAKE ME HOME! Wolverhampton College, 1.30pm

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February/March 2010

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Brits serve up in style

FUN RUN: Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in Coronation Street, getting the 2008 Manchester Mile off to a good start

BRITAIN’S top wheelchair tennis players got the year off to a great start Down Under. Marc McCarroll, Gordon Reid and Lucy Shuker collected the men’s and women’s doubles titles between them at the Adelaide Wheelchair Tennis Open in Victoria. It was McCarroll’s and Reid’s second ITF 3 Series men’s doubles title in successive weeks, repeating their victory over Australian second seeds Michael Dobbie and Ben Weekes at the Queensland Open final in Brisbane. McCarroll’s bid to win backto-back men’s singles titles at the start of the 2010 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour came unstuck at the last hurdle as he slipped to a straight sets defeat to Australian top seed Weekes. Meanwhile, British No 1 Shuker starts her season with a women’s doubles title after partnering Australia’s Daniela di Toro to victory. Shuker and di Toro, runners-up in the 2009 Wimbledon Women’s Wheelchair Doubles event, produced a dominant display to win their decisive second round-robin match again Dutchwoman Jiske Griffioen and Rosalie Turnbull of Australia 6-0, 6-0.

Go run a mile!

PORT Relief is back – and it’s coming to the great North West!

Forty sponsored fun runs are taking place throughout the region on Sunday, March 21 – and All Together NOW! readers are being urged to sign up and put on their running shoes (or their wheelchair gloves). Manchester will be hosting the North West’s main Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles event, which has three distances – one mile, three miles and six miles. And for the first time ever, runners

will be going past the Rovers Return, Dev’s Corner Shop, The Factory, and Ken and Deirdre’s front door along the way. Yes, that’s right, the course will be taking in the cobbles of Coronation Street! World boxing champion Amir Khan is among celebrities backing the event. He said: “It’s your time to shine. Show your mates that you’re fitter and faster by challenging them to enter.” This year’s official Sport Relief Tshirts have been exclusively designed by the whole Beckham family. Victoria

and David, along with their boys, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, have created a series of one-off designs. All net profits from sales will go towards helping people living tough lives both across the UK and the world’s poorest countries. Manchester’s Councillor Mike Amesbury said: “With the option of running one, three or six miles everyone can be involved - it’s a great opportunity for families and friends to get fit and take part together, while raising money for this fantastic cause.” n www.sportrelief.com

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Liverpool Mile, Monarchs Key; Maghull Summerhill Mile, Poverty Lane; Widnes Halton Mile, Wade Deacon High School; Skelmersdale Mile, Up Holland.

LANCASHIRE Blackburn Community Sports Club Mile, Harrison Playing Fields; Burnley Mile, Towneley; Chorley Mile, Astley Village; Clitheroe Castlefield Mile; Lancaster & Morecambe Mile, Salt Ayre Lane; Preston Avenham and Miller Park Mile; Stanley High Sports College Mile, Southport.

GTR MANCHESTER Culcheth Community School Mile; Gatley Mile, Hawthorne Road; Leigh Sports Village Mile, Leigh Harriers; Oldham Community Mile, Hunt Lane, Chadderton; Sale Mile, Danefield Road; Stockport Mile, Woodbank Athletic Facility.

CHESHIRE Chester Racecourse Mile; Crewe Mile, Thomas Street; Ellesmere Port Whitby Park Mile; Helsby and 10 Bridge Mile, Chester Rd, Frodsham; Marbury Country Park Mile; Warrington Victoria Park Mile.

STAFFORDSHIRE Ashbourne Recreation Ground Mile; Burton upon Trent Mile, Shobnall; Church Eaton Youth Club Mile; Essington Rugby Club Mile; Keele University Mile; Leek Moorlands Mile; Market Drayton Grove School Mile; Stoke-On-Trent Mile; Tamworth Castle Mile Walsall Campus Mile.

NORTH WALES Bala Adventure and Watersports Mile; Colwyn Bay Mile, Eirias Park; Machynlleth Mile, Aberystwyth Road; Mold Leisure Centre Mile; Roe Plas Meadow Mile, St Asaph; Wrexham Pure Mile, Queensway. ISLE OF MAN: Loch Promenade, Douglas. n Find your mile: