All Together Now Magazine - Issue 31 _ June 2010

YOUR AWARD-WINNING CHARITY MAGAZINE THAT’S BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS Switch on to our new MOTORZONE Make sure you don’t miss out on all the deals

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Do YOU qualify for a new car? p28-29

JUNE-JULY 2010

WIN! WIN! p10 WIN!

INSIDE

ROCK LEGEND’S CHARITY GIG p9

INDEPENDENCE DAY PADRAIG JOINS THE p6 TEAM

Just what the doctor ordered!

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p16-17

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What’s inside NEWS

June/July 2010

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NEWS

People ready to work after 65

p2-8

DISABILITY HATE CRIME

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THE FAMILY PAGE

p8

THE MORGAN FOUNDATION p9 MERSEYTRAVEL

p10

GARDENING

p11

THEATRE GUIDE

p12-13

WHAT’S ON GUIDE

p14-15

DISABILITY DAY (DAD)

p16-17

PUZZLEZONE

p18-19

SKILLZONE

p20-21

HEALTHZONE

p22-25

MOTORZONE

p28-29

SPORTZONE

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 Editor: Tom Dowling email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Advertising/sponsorship Chris Groves , John McDonnell, Paul Henderson email: sales@alltogethernow.org.uk IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design

NEXT EDITION: Monday 2 August, 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

Work of church heroes put on show SHOWSTOPPERS: Cubs’ leader Rita Skett and youth club worker Keith Steen who took part in the Cathedral event

At your service A

FASCINATING exhibition celebrating the positive contributions being made to the Anglican Church by people with wide-ranging disabilities was a resounding hit at Liverpool Cathedral.

‘Celebrate Differences’ featured nine case studies of disabled people who take an active role in ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool.

They included Alex Galbraith, the vicar of St Francis of Assisi in Kew, Southport.

Rev Galbraith is registered blind. As well as being vicar at the parish, he is also the Anglican and Free Church chaplain to Queenscourt Hospice and Southport and Ormskirk Trust.

The exhibition also featured lay readers, an ordained local minister, a cubs’ leader and a musician.

Starring roles . . .

CUBS’ leader Rita Skett and youth club worker Keith Steen were among the people taking ‘star roles’ at the cathedral’s disability exhibition.

Rita works with cub groups at St Michael of All Angels Church and Wigan Parish Church.

A wheelchair user for 24 years following a car accident, Rita said: “A friend of mine was involved with the cubs and needed some help with craft activities, which I have always enjoyed. I said I’d help for six weeks and I never left!”

Keith, 40, has Downs Syndrome and helps at St Matthew and St James Church youth club, Liverpool.

He also works part time providing administration support at the offices of the Diocese of Liverpool.

Ruth Reed, diocesan disability awareness officer from the Diocese of Liverpool, said: “Having a disability is no bar to worship or to being included in the church community.”

Rev Dr Hannah Lewis, team leader for work among deaf people in the Diocese of

Liverpool, added: “This was a great opportunity to show that disabled people don’t just receive ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool, but they also carry it out. We all have our own range of gifts that we bring to our local communities and this exhibition helped us to showcase that.”

Party marks a special anniversary DEAF children and young people from all over the country came together for a very special birthday party.

Twenty-one years ago the first cochlear implant for a child in the UK was funded

by The Ear Foundation and carried out at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Today the majority of children born profoundly deaf go on to have a cochlear implant and are able to hear, and attend mainstream schools.

Marian Batt, mother of Michael, the boy who received the first implant in 1989, said: “The change in 20 years is unbelievable. Now the amazing opportunities Michael has are open to all deaf children and their families.” n www.earfoundation.org.uk

ALMOST three out of five people planning to retire this year would be willing to work beyond the normal retirement age to guarantee more income.

A quarter would be happy to work five years more, with seven per cent willing to go another 10 years, according to research from Prudential’s Class of 2010 retirement survey.

The research highlights changing attitudes to retirement as people come to terms with increased longevity – as well as the financial effects of the credit crunch and recession on retirement saving plans.

The average 65-yearold man is expected to live to 83 and a 65year-old women is expected to reach 85.

The research shows it is the over-65s who are the most willing to keep working, with more than three-fifths (62%) saying they would stay in employment to boost their retirement savings.

Vince Smith-Hughes, head of retirement income at Prudential, said: “I think a lot of people may well come to realise quite quickly that 65 is an artificial horizon and that stopping work altogether at this age won’t be possible.”

Prudential analysis shows that working an extra five years from age 65 and paying £100 a month into a pension of £100,000 could boost a retirement savings by an additional £53,000.

Paying in £200 a month over five years could yield an extra £62,000.

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HEAR, HEAR!: Children celebrate the first cochlear op

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June/July 2010

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NEWS NEW FANS: John Kelly on the Blackpool promenade. Inset, son Tom with Chris Bevridge

Blackpool here we come!

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LACKPOOL will soon be invaded by tens of thousands of Premiership fans, thanks to the football club’s memorable success in the Championship play-offs.

Also set to hit the streets of the seaside town – and the Fylde region – is your award-winning All Together NOW! magazine.

“I stumbled upon the magazine on the Internet,” says John Kelly, who with his son, Tom, runs the Access Network website.

“The publication is absolutely brilliant,” says John, who is now championing our cause in the Fylde region.

“I just can’t get over how much news and information there is in every edition.

It’s fantastic for anyone – whether they are disabled or not.

“I am now going to try and get copies into lots of venues across the region.”

Chris Bevridge, volunteer disabled officer at Blackpool FC, is also very complimentary about the magazine.

“I think All Together NOW! is great!”

Who would YOU give an award to?

DO YOU know of an employer, organisation or individual deserving of recognition for their work involving disabled people? If so have you heard about the Positive Action Awards?

Organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and supported by the North West Regional Development Agency, the awards aim to promote exemplar practice here in the North West.

This year’s awards will be presented on September 30 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

Nominate online at www.positiveactionawards.org.uk or call Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064. See Page 16-17

Get World Cup wise

What a fantastic gift . . .

A WARM welcome to this, the FIFTH anniversary edition of All Together NOW! -– and a HUGE thanks to all our supporters and advertisers for helping us get this far!

It won’t need me to tell you how tough it is to make ends meet . . .

The economic downturn is hitting everyone.

And charities like ours are having to look at every possible way of balancing the books.

Usually it’s bills that are dropping through the letter box, but on an unusually gloomy morning in May

he said. “The magazine is full of very interesting information, a great read and it’s FREE! “I am really looking forward to getting

we received something that really brightened up our day!

A reader, who chose to remain anonymous, sent us a most generous donation – enough to almost cover the printing costs of our next edition!

It’s moments like this that spurs us on. So to our kind hearted benefactor please accept our most sincere and heartfelt appreciation!

Our August-September edition will be on you!

Meanwhile, I hope you – and all our readers and supporters – enjoy this issue.

THANKS! See you in August.

Tom Dowling, editor

a regular copy in Blackpool.”

Anyone in the Fylde region wanting copies delivered free to their venue can contact John on 07974 610 703

Atlantic rower Neil now looks to the South Pole

MANCHESTER Airport’s adventurous firefighters Neil Gyllenship and Dean Jagger had just set foot on dry land after rowing across the Atlantic Ocean – and let slip their next ambition . . .

“This trip was magnificent,” said Neil, from Wirral.

“It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done and in a nice way probably the worst thing I’ve ever done, too.

“But now I’m already thinking of what it would be like to walk across Antarctica to the South Pole . . .”

Neil and Dean’s 3,000-mile Atlantic row raised funds for Claire House Children’s Hospice, St Anne’s Hospice and children’s charity, Childflight.

As for Neil’s South Pole expedition, watch this space – and kep an eye on their website: www.teamheatwave.co.uk

ATLANTIC CROSSING: Neil, left, and Dean

A WORLD Cup guide in large and giant print, Braille and audio format is available from the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

John Whytock, RNIB’s product manager, said: “Now blind and partially sighted football fans won’t have to scrabble for second-hand information.

There’ll be no excuses for pub quiz ignorance now!”

Get the £2.99 guide from www.onlineshop.rnib.org.uk

YOUR favourite All Together NOW! magazine was up there again with the very best of the North West media.

The free lifestyle magazine that raises awareness about disability and health issues was shortlisted – for the third year running – in the Best Magazine category of the annual How Do media awards at Manchester’s Palace Hotel.

We didn’t quite come home with the prize – Lancashire Life beat us to it – but it was very encouraging to hear all the positive feedback about the All Together NOW! charity from some prominent people in the media industry.

Carry on camping

GOING camping or caravanning this summer? Then check out the camping website www.pitchup.com The site provides an easy way to filter through 5,000 accommodation options to select sites that have special facilities – including those to help campers with disabilities.

There are currently more than 611 campsites around the UK listed as having disabled facilities onsite.

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June/July 2010

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NEWS

FAILED! One in 3 grant requests

MEET AND GREET: The Princess meets those taking part

Plea to share your worst moments . . .

All Together NOW! readers are being asked to write about their most embarrassing ‘disability’ moments which could be featured in a new play.

Leatherheadbased theatre company, The Freewheelers, want to hear from disabled readers with examples of times when they have been made to feel like they were from a different world!

And non-disabled readers are being asked to tell about occasions when they’ve not known how to behave when meeting a disabled person.

The Freewheelers own members have already shared some of their stories, which can be heard on their website. n www.freewheelerstheatre.co.uk

New care minister LIBERAL Democrat Paul Burstow has appointed the new care services minister.

Mr Burstow was a former Liberal Democrat spokesman on older people, is a member of the all-party parliamentary group on disability, and a vice-chair of the all-party social care group.

He is also a former shadow health secretary and has spoken out in the past on mental health issues.

In 2005, he criticised the Labour government’s mental health bill, which he said would further stigmatise people with mental health conditions, stating that compulsory treatment should be the “last resort” rather than the “first step”.

And in 2002, he published a report suggesting that more than 80,000 older people in nursing and care homes were being kept sedated with anti-psychotic drugs for no good medical reason.

Breaking bar-riers A NEW law could force many pubs and clubs in Scotland to provide details of how accessible they are to disabled drinkers.

Local councils would publish the statements on their websites, so disabled people could check out access at a pub or club.

The new law has been proposed as an amendment to the criminal justice and licensing (Scotland) bill by Labour MSP George Foulkes, and should be discussed within the next month by the full Scottish parliament.

Mr Foulkes took up the issue after being approached by wheelchair-user Mark Cooper, from Edinburgh.

Mr Cooper launched a successful Facebook campaign – Barred! – after being told by an Edinburgh pub that it had no accessible toilet, even though it had level access.

Princess applauds cultural project PEOPLE with learning disabilities whetted the appetite of the Princess Royal with their cooking skills when she attended a reception at the National Geographic Society.

The event, which celebrated the culmination of the IDEA project, a European cultural initiative for people with learning disabilities, brought together people with

ONE in three requests for grants from charities in the last year failed. learning disabilities from the UK, Cyprus, Spain and Germany to share their cultural heritage through learning new skills including cooking, communication and cultural appreciation.

One of the outcomes of the project will be an accessible cookery book containing recipes from the participants and translated into the languages of

the host countries. The Princess, is patron of Hft, the national charity for people with learning disabilities and their families.

She said the IDEA project was an exciting initiative which has helped to increase awareness of disability within the communities of all participating countries, raising the self-esteem and confidence of those involved.

All in the mind

More than 361,000 out of nearly a million applications were rejected because they did not meet the funder’s stated criteria, says the Directory of Social Change.

DSC’s Director of Policy and Research Ben Wittenberg said: “This research is part of our Great Giving campaign to improve relationships between charities and their funders. We wanted to get a sense of the scale of the problem in order to start some debate about causes and potential solutions.

“We know that a main cause of poorly targeted applications is that too often funders aren’t clear about what they want to fund and how their application process works – leaving it up to the prospective applicant to guess.

Research

OPEN SESAME: Christian Kandlbauer whose life has been transformed by the limb EDICAL science has taken a giant leap forward with the successful fitting of a mindcontrolled arm.

Young Austrian Christian Kandlbauer, who lost both arms in a high-voltage accident, has been fitted with a unique prosthetic limb on his left side, which he can control using the power of his mind.

Christian’s is the first and only such case in Europe and he is the only person in the world to have passed his driving test with the use of a mindcontrolled, prosthetic limb.

Dr Hubert Egger, of makers

M

Artificial arm controlled by thoughts Otto Bock Healthcare, said the results of its research would now be shared with surgeons around the world so that the limbs can be put to everyday use.

“This is a huge milestone in prosthetic technology which has transformed Christian’s life,” said Dr Egger. “It has given him an exceptionally high degree of

independence and autonomy to live life as he once did, enabling him to return to work and even pass his driving test.

“The knowledge obtained during this pioneering project will be communicated to surgical centres across the world and we look forward to witnessing its continued success.”

TMR (Targeted Muscle Reinnervation) is the revolutionary technique used to make a mind-controlled arm possible so that when a patient performs movements intuitively, the prosthesis can directly convert the thought commands.

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“But funders will also tell you how they receive many applications which don’t show any knowledge of the guidelines or criteria which are available.

“Fundraisers need to carefully research who they apply to and read any guidelines thoroughly. Making contact with the funder prior to submitting an application is also generally a good idea.

“We think this is important because fewer ineligible applications could mean quicker responses to the eligible ones, better engagement with applicants, and possibly more resources to allocate as grants.”

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June/July 2010

All Together NOW!

We’ll beat hate crime

DISABILITY HATE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK — June 21-28

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NEWS

Police campaign sends clear message to the bullies

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PIONEERING ‘Summer of Action’ is being launched by Merseyside Police’s Diversity Team to help tackle hate crime.

The programme of events will raise awareness of how to identify and report such offences, as well as conveying the message that hate crime is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

As part of the initiative, the team will visit communities across Merseyside between May and September to talk to minority groups and organisations which offer support to those who may have been victims of hate crime.

Any offences involving disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender constitute hate crimes and will be treated seriously by the Force.

The visits will give the team the opportunity to show how the Force investigates hate crime and targets offenders, with such crimes being investigated vigorously by Merseyside Police’s dedicated Sigma Hate Crime Investigation Unit.

One of the issues being addressed in the talks is the under-reporting of disability hate crime.

Superintendent Kevin Johnson, pictured, said: “We know that people with disabilities, as well as those in other 10_19880_ATN.qxd:all together now

minority groups, are often targeted for mistreatment, bullying and victimisation because offenders believe they will not report the matter to the police and see them as easy targets.

“We also know that Supt Johnson historically many cases are not reported because victims are afraid and are not aware that what is happening to them would constitute a hate crime.

“Merseyside Police recognises the impact these kind of incidents can have on victims and officers take such crimes extremely seriously.

“We are committed to supporting victims and witnesses and working effectively with our partners such as witness care units,

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HATE CRIME . . .

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n If you feel you have been a victim, or have witnessed a hate crime, or just want advice call the Diversity Team on 0151 777 1680, or emaildiversity.team@merseyside.pnn. police.uk n To contact the Sigma Team call 0151 709 6010. n And always in an emergency dial 999.

the Crown Prosecution Service and local authorities.”

One of the aims of the Summer of Action is to make people aware of the definition of a hate crime, what can be done, who can report a hate crime, where they can report it to and who can help.

Supt Johnson added: “We want the message to be clear that offences involving disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police.

“Our aim is to make communities aware of the action they can take if they are a victim of hate crime or witness such offences, or any other offence that may take place.”

In addition, as part of Merseyside Police’s commitment to engaging with diverse

communities during the Summer of Action initiative, officers from the Diversity Team will be highlighting current recruitment opportunities within the police support staff sector.

Merseyside Police is part of the positive about disabled people scheme ‘Two Ticks’ and is passionate about being an equal opportunities employer.

Through its Positive Action programme, the Force aims to offer the best possible platform for new employment opportunities for disabled people, those from the LGB community, different racial groups and transgendered people.

The assistance can be in the form of application assistance and practical training for any assessment centre and subsequent interviews.

If YOU witness it or experience it, REPORT IT!

The perfect gift for every occasion!

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So whatever the occasion, the gift vouchers you need are at highstreetvouchers.com

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June/July 2010

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NEWS

Cuts could make mockery of election pledges Deaf student wins £25K compensation A DEAF student who accused a university of failing to ensure her degree course was accessible to her has received £25,000 in compensation.

Rosie Watson quit her anthropology degree last year after claiming the university repeatedly failed to comply with an assessment of her access needs.

Mrs Watson, a mature student from Darlington, said: “I just wanted to be treated as a normal student but I didn’t get the support. Every day there was another attitudinal barrier against me. They just made it impossible for me to continue.”

Mrs Watson described a string of examples in which tutorials, lectures and assignments were not made accessible even though she kept asking her tutor for help.

Her case was taken under the education section (part four) of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and was settled out of court, although the university did not accept liability.

Mrs Watson had sought compensation for tuition fees, the cost of student loans, injury to feelings, loss of career opportunities and damage to her mental health.

Solicitor Chris Fry said it was the first time he had known of a student successfully taking such a case against a university.

Mr Fry said: “While there has been no formal court judgement, we think there will be a wide response to it across other educational establishments.”

Michael Gilmore, Durham University’s academic registrar, said: “The university has agreed a settlement with Mrs Watson without admission of liability and it would not be appropriate to make any further comment.”

Sounds great . . .

HARD of hearing people can now buy a new range of Sennheiser amplified TV listeners from deaf charity, RNID. TV listeners enable people to listen to their television more clearly without turning up the sound for everyone else. They are cordless and extremely simple to set up and use.

Director of RNID Products, Mark Catling, said: “There are thousands of people struggling to listen to their television or listening at a volume that is uncomfortable for others, and these simple-to-use devices will make a significant difference to their everyday lives.” n Details: 01733 232607 or textphone 01733 238020. support@rnid.org.uk www.rnid.org.uk/hearingsolutions

LEADING disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have raised serious concerns about the prospect of major cuts to public services, following the creation of the coalition government.

As part of the coalition document drawn up by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, the parties have agreed that £6 billion worth of cuts to “non-front line services” would be made in this financial year.

The Liberal Democrats had warned during the election campaign that further spending cuts should wait until the economic recovery had gathered steam.

But as part of the coalition agreement, the Liberal Democrats have now backed immediate moves to start tackling the UK’s budget deficit.

Sue Bott, director of the National Centre for Independent Living, said: “We are concerned that public expenditure cuts may adversely and disproportionately affect disabled people.”

She said NCIL was keen to work with the new coalition government “in a positive way to ensure that disabled people’s rights and opportunities are maintained and improved”.

But she said that even though all the political parties had pledged to protect

frontline services during the election campaign, there was “plenty of evidence that services on the ground are already suffering”.

She added: “What we are finding is that people are already experiencing cutbacks in their care packages, some by as much as 25%.”

She said if this was to continue it would make a mockery of what was said about protecting frontline services.

And she said NCIL’s fear was that the “invisibility” of disability issues in the election could mean that disabled people would “continue to be disproportionately affected by the cutbacks”.

Rickshaw Rickshaw challenge challenge raises raises awareness awareness RICKSHAW RALLY: Tim Moss (with cycle helmet) and members of the Cheshire East Special Olympics team

All aboard, says Tim R

ICKSHAW record breaker Tim Moss gave a welcome lift to members of Cheshire East Special Olympics squad when he rode into Crewe – half-way through his epic 1,000-mile journey round Great Britain.

Tim was raising money for Special Olympics GB as well as raising the profile of the organisation.

“Special Olympics is a great organisation and does so much giving children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to take part in a whole range of sports,” Tim said. “I was really pleased with the great reception that the Cheshire East Special Olympics and the Cheshire Academy put on.

“It raised my spirits no end since earlier on in the day I had officially passed the 500-mile mark.”

Tim runs his own website www.thenextchallenge.org and specialises in organising expeditions to far off places such as the South Pole.

Padraig joins the team n TOP GOLFER Padraig Harrington has become a new ‘Global Ambassador’ for Special Olympics. n “I believe golf can inspire Special Olympics athletes to reach for their goals and enjoy the benefits the game brings,” said Padraig. “I look forward to playing an active part in the exciting times ahead.” n An army of 2,600 Special Olympics volunteers coach and support over 8,000 athletes in 19 regions across England, Scotland and Wales. n In Great Britain, there are over 1.2 million people with a learning disability. n www.sogb.org.uk

He is the brains behind the Inspire Project, which hopes to take a Special Olympics athlete, Paralympic athlete and mainstream Olympic athlete to the South Pole during 2012 on what will be the 100th anniversary of Captain Scott’s expedition to the Pole.

Jane Whetnall, from Cheshire East Special Olympics, said: “The Inspire Project is such an innovative and great

idea. The athletes will ski to the South Pole and will have to help and assist each other and will be totally interdependent.”

CESO athlete Alex Hitchings, from Sandbach, has been shortlisted and is waiting to hear if he has been selected for the adventure of a E! E HOM TAKE M lifetime.

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June/July 2010

HATE

All Together NOW!

DISABILITYRACERELIGIONSEXUAL ORIENTATIONTRANSGENDER THERE’S NO ROOM FOR HATE

Merseyside Police

SUMMER OF ACTION HANDS UP TO STOP HATE CRIME

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June/July 2010

The family page

Brighter outlook for children with autism THE new Academies Bill, announced in the Queen’s speech, could drive vital improvements in the choice and quality of education available to children with special educational needs (SEN), says the National Autistic Society.

Chief executive, Mark Lever, said: “Getting the right educational support for children with autism is often a huge battle.

“The Government’s plans for new academies could present an exciting opportunity to improve parental choice and create a transparent system where parents, schools and communities all understand their rights and responsibilities.

“Parents and academies must work together to respond to local need and deliver the best possible education for all children.

“The NAS was set up by parents of children with autism moved to action by inadequate local education provision for their children. Today, we run five independent schools in England – many of which were judged as outstanding in their last Ofsted inspections.”

Two thirds of parents say their choice of school is limited by a lack of appropriate education placements in their area; and more than half of children with autism are not in the kind of school their parents believe would best support them n NAS Autism Helpline: 0845 070 4004. www.autism.org.uk

Wheechair skills . .

A SCHEME delivering wheelchair skills training to children and young people with disabilities is one of dozens of initiatives taking a share of £11.8 million in lottery good cause funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Whizz-Kidz (The Movement for Non-Mobile Children) are planning to expand their project delivering specialist wheelchair skills training to children and young people.

BIG’s grant of £496,783 will fund schemes throughout England, consisting of five individual sessions for everyone involved using a combination of games, sports and group activities.

Topics will include spacial awareness, accuracy when turning, route planning and road safety.

Whizz-Kidz training manager Ruth Giller said: “A vital part of providing disabled young people with wheelchairs is making sure they know how to use them to have fun and to be safe.

“This grant will give 1,800 disabled children and young people the opportunity to attend a local wheelchair skills training scheme.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk Would your organisation like to sponsor this page?

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A good day at school?

Connor designs his own house – aged 16!

My space!

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YOUNG BRICKIES: Connor and Luke with Nick Atkin, Mike Hill, and Halton MP Derek Twigg

IXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Connor Hill has laid the first bricks at a house he helped to design.

The purpose-built property has been created with the aim of making life easier for Connor and brother Luke, five – who both have a rare muscle wasting disease.

“I never thought I’d get to build my own home,” said Connor, who relies on a wheelchair to get around.

“Halton Housing Trust came and talked to the family and listened to what we needed to help with our condition. We worked together to design a purpose-built home that is exactly what me and my brother need.

“The fact that I now get to help start the building work really makes it feel like this is my very own house.” Connor and brother

Luke have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

They have worked with architects to create their own purpose-built house at Halton Housing Trust’s new development at Clarke Gardens in Widnes.

The house will be completely wheelchair accessible, with a specially adapted bathroom and ceiling hoists.

The brothers will be moving to their new home with their parents Donna and Mike Hill, and their two-year-old brother Adam.

Connor’s dad, Mike, said: “It’s going to make a big difference.

Connor needs much more space than we have in the current home. He can’t get up stairs and we’re always struggling for space for things like spare wheelchairs and medication.”

The Truist’s chief executive, Nick Atkin, said: “Working with

the Hill family has been an inspiration.

“Mike, Donna and the children have been great to work with and we have tried to create a home that will have a massive impact on their lives.

“The Trust is always looking at ways that we can improve the lives of our customers and this is a fantastic example of us going the extra mile to do exactly this.”

Connor and Luke’s home will be part of a £2.3mdevelopment at Clarke Gardens which will help bring more affordable homes to Widnes.

The Trust is building 12 twobedroom apartments and six bungalows on the former brownfield site, which was once home to an unpopular sheltered housing scheme. n Halton Housing Trust: 0151 510 5000 www.haltonhousing.org

Young politician finds his voice . . . again!

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NE of the North West’s new Youth Parliament members has set out his hopes for the next year and what he hopes to achieve – as long as his voice computer holds out!

Owen Ashworth, 17, campaigns on issues as varied as sexual health, inequality and education for young people.

But his work was put on hold recently when his Dynovox – which allows him to communicate – broke and he had to wait to get a replacement.

Owen, who has cerebral palsy, said: “My Dynovox recently broke (as it does quite often). This is a disaster for me. How can an MYP do his job properly with no way to communicate?

“Thankfully, I managed to secure funding to have a brand new Dynovox!

“My hope is to see world class and improved quality of sexual health education throughout all schools because STI and teenage pregnancy rates are one of the highest in the North West.”

CAMPAIGNER: Owen Ashworth Owen studies at Riverside College, Kingsway, Widnes.

SCIENTISTS behind the first software of its kind to enable disabled children with communication difficulties to converse better have been awarded more funding to continue their research.

Experts from the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee have developed an artificial intelligence technology system that uses sensors and recording devices attached to wheelchairs to track what the child has experienced at school that day.

The information is then translated into a story that can be shared when they get home.

Now additional funding of £285,000 by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is allowing the scientists to explore how the software, called How Was School Today? could be further developed –even by using a mobile phone application.

Mobile phones Dr Ehud Reiter, from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Natural and Computing Sciences, said: “The original prototype of the system involved heavy equipment – including a sensor around the size of a phone book – meaning it could only be trialled by wheelchair users.

“We will now be looking at how we can make the device accessible for non wheelchair users.

“We are also looking at translating the software into more compact formats – for example, whether it could be developed into a mobile phone application where the phone would act as both the sensor to track the child’s movements, and the means by which they would communicate

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

9

Schools to benefit to the tune of £200,000

CLASS ACT LEFT, celebrity auctioneer Stuart Hall.

Right, Robert Plant joined by Lindsey Morgan and backed

by The Underdogs

Rock legend helps Morgan Foundation stage a charity day to remember

Steve Morgan, daughter Lindsey, and Robert Plant SINGER Robert Plant was among the star attractions at The Morgan Foundation’s Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala Charity Ball, which raised more than £200,000 for two schools.

The Led Zeppelin frontman thrilled the audience with a performance at Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire.

Joining him on stage was Lindsey Morgan, daughter of Steve Morgan, chairman of the The Morgan Foundation, and The Underdogs.

Earlier in the day, 26 teams played golf on the stunning Nicklaus Course, with prizes generously donated by Edencroft Fine Wines.

The Walter Forshaw Ltd team won the tournament, closely followed by Macbryde Homes, with Deloitte in third place.

Nearest the Pin was won by Martin Hughes, while Simon Drury picked up The Longest Drive prize.

RIGHT, ex-England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Didy Morgan, wife of Foundation chairman Steve Morgan, and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy

SO CLOSE: The Macbryde Homes’ team who finished runners-up to Walter Forshaw Ltd in the golf tournament

www.morganfoundation.co.uk

St CHRISTOPHER’S (Wrexham) and Green Park (Wolverhampton) are the two schools to benefit from The Morgan Foundation Celebrity Golf Day. Both are all-age special schools for pupils with severe, complex and profound learning difficulties – and physical impairments.

St Christopher’s dream is for a muchneeded hydropool.

Green Park, meanwhile, wants to create a soft play room where children with limited physical skills and poor balance can learn motor control without risk of injury or harm.

SUCCESS STORY: Steve Morgan with Liz Howard, one of last year’s prize winners

Will YOU be one of our winners? £100,000 in prize money – plus professional services for budding entrepreneurs in businesses, charities and social enterprises!

That’s what’s on offer in this year’s Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards, being launched on Tuesday, June 22, in Liverpool and on Wednesday, June 23, in Wolverhampton.

Entries will be accepted on-line from June 23 to September 10.

The finalists’ judging panel will be held on Monday and Tuesday, October 4-5.

The Awards’ evening will be Thursday November 11 at Carden Park Hotel near Chester. n To register for updates, go to www.mf-awards.co.uk

Tel. 01829 782800

Spaceport boost for Sundowns All Together NOW!

10

Y

OUNGSTERS and their parents from Wirralbased charity Sundowns were given the red carpet treatment at the launch of Merseytravel’s Wallace and Gromit in Space Exhibition at Spaceport in Wallasey.

Sundowns, recently chosen as the Merseytravel corporate charity for

2010, provides support and advice for people affected by Downs Syndrome.

They also arrange social events for the whole family and offer support for siblings of people with Downs Syndrome.

Merseytravel chief executive and director general Neil Scales said, “For the past eight years our staff have voted for a good cause to

June/July 2010

become our corporate charity for each year and this year we are pleased to be supporting Sundowns.

“Sundowns are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and we hope to mark the occasion by not only fundraising, but also offering our support where we can.”

Radio Merseyside broadcaster Roger Phillips added: “Sundowns is

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

a great charity, doing very valuable work with a limited budget and resources, so the support of an organisation such as Merseytravel will be invaluable to them.”

The charity’s chief executive Lisa Masters said: We would like to thank the staff of Merseytravel for choosing us as their charity of the year! This is a huge honour and we are all very excited.”

TO BOLDLY GO . . .

Parents and children from Sundowns with Roger Phillips and Neil Scales at the Wallace and Gromit exhibition at Spaceport, in Wallasey

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

AD346A

Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a typetalk assisted call.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

11

WIN! WIN! WIN! Perfect way to brighten your home CHECKLIST BRIGHTEN your home with our streptocarpus prizes – houseplants which are elegant, long-flowering and colourful with blooms ranging from deep purple through shades of blue, red, pink and white.

You can win one of SIX £20 collections of five young plants of the finest streptocarpus. They come from the family firm of Dibleys Nurseries at Llanelidan, near Ruthin in North Wales, holder of the national streptocarpus collection and winner of an amazing 100 gold medals at Chelsea and other Royal Horticultural Society shows.

The species from which modern hybrids have been produced come from South Africa and have foliage similar to primroses,

hence their misleading nickname of Cape primroses.

Our prize plants include four beautiful new ones bred

by Dibleys and only just released: Scarlett (pictured), a freeflowering variety which has blood-red veined flowers with a darker eye; Harlequin Blue, with pale blue petals and deep purple throats; Harriet, deep pink with speckles; and Myfanwy (pictured), smothered in white flowers with a prominent pink mark merging with yellow stripes into the throat.

The other two, already popular

with houseplant enthusiasts, are Falling Stars, with huge numbers of small flowers in pale blue with a white throat; and Alissa, primrosecoloured and the first yellow streptocarpus.

These are well-established young plants, individually grown and labelled in Jiffy plugs, ready for planting into pots. They come with cultural advice and will live for several years in good conditions.

To win one of our prize collections, answer this question: Which new streptocarpus is blood-red?

FLOWERS: Cut off some of the seed-heads of flowers that self-seed, such as foxgloves and English marigolds, to save effort thinning the young plants later on. Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as colchicum and autumn crocus.

SHRUBS: When trimming any hedge – particularly cypress - shape it so the base is wider than the top, allowing light to reach the lower leaves and avoid dieback. Snip off the dead heads of roses and rhododendrons.

PATIOS: Dead-head container flowers regularly.

Make sure the compost does not dry out and give a liquid feed once a week.

LAWNS: Lawns suffering from dryness will benefit if the mower setting is raised.

PONDS: Control blanketweed by removing as much as possible and treating the water with Tetra AlgoFin which is harmless to fish, wildlife and ornamental plants. Thin other rampant water plants.

FRUIT: Peg down strawberry reddish spots point to nitrogen runners to produce new deficiency, which can be plants. Fix them into small corrected by watering with using pots of compost. This makes a liquid nitrogen feed such as planting out easy with little Chempak Formula 2 or by disturbance to the roots. dissolving four tablespoonfuls of VEGETABLES: Pick runner sulphate of ammonia into a twobeans and courgettes while gallon watering can, applied they are young and tender to fortnightly during summer. encourage more crops. Sow Badly developed leaves with endive, the hardy winter pale, dying centres, falling substitute for lettuces. prematurely, suggest a HERBS: Take cuttings of magnesium shortage. Water shrubby herbs such as sage, fortnightly with two teaspoonfuls rosemary, thyme and cotton of Epsom salts to a two-gallon lavender. can.

GREENHOUSE: As Finally, check for pests and tomatoes ripen, keep feeding diseases. Greenfly around the and watering regularly. Pinch tips of shoots and buds weaken out the sideshoots from the shrub so should be squashed cordon (single-stem) or sprayed with an insecticide. tomatoes, tie in the stem as it The most common diseases are continues to grow, and pinch blackspot and mildew. out the growing tip once five Blackspot is what it says – a or six trusses of flowers have fungus that causes round black or set fruit. Cherry tomato types brown marks on the leaves, which can be allowed to grow taller. die and fall prematurely. Pick off HOUSEPLANTS: Repot if infected leaves and bin or burn roots are showing through the them, then spray the bush with a base holes in the pot or on fungicide. the compost surface. Replant Mildew manifests itself as grey in a pot at least 2.5cm (1in) or white powder at the tips of wider and deeper. shoots, often associated with aphids.

WILDLIFE: Clean bird tables and feeders now that the Again spray with a fungicide. If spring rush from young birds your bushes are affected by these is over. Scrape or scour off diseases every year, start a decaying food, which can regime of attract disease, then scrub spraying once a ! with a mild solution of ME fortnight as soon HO ME TAKE bleach. Wash thoroughly as the leaves with clean water, dry off unfurl next year. and then put out fresh food.

Send your entry with your name and address on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! – and what you like or dislike about the magazine – to: Streptocarpus Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday July 23, or enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk n Until the end of August, Dibleys’ shop, nursery greenhouses and 10-acre gardens are open to the public 10am-5pm every day, then weekdays only in September and October. A mini-railway offers rides for children on many weekends. n For a catalogue, phone 01978790677 or visit www.dibleys.com

Keep ‘em rosy!

N

OW’S the time when the scent, colour and form of roses should delight every garden-lover.

If yours do not quite fit that description, follow this three-part health check to give them back that touch of class.

I don’t want to give the impression that roses need constant and expensive care.

They don’t. Most will look healthy and produce flowers freely in summer and again in autumn with little special treatment. But it’s worth checking . . .

First, look at general vigour. The flowers should be held erect on strong stems. Drooping blooms indicate weakness which is probably because the bush is half-starved, especially if the blooms are smaller than in the past. So feed with a quick-acting, GARDEN PEACE: The beautiful soluble fertiliser such as Phostrogen or Miracle-Gro, watering generously round the plant and also spraying the leaves. Repeat this process every fortnight throughout summer.

Next, look closely at the leaves.

Spraying, for whatever purpose, They should be a rich green or is best carried out in the evening, maybe reddish or bronze-green in so bees are less likely to be some varieties when foliage is affected and the moisture is absorbed slowly. Use a spray with young. Leaves that are pale or a fine rose and always drench the have black, brown or yellow markings indicate disease or undersides of the leaves as well nutrient deficiency. as the tops. Branded rose Large yellow areas, particularly treatments combining fungicide, on young leaves, indicate iron insecticide and foliar feed are shortage, the most common available but check that they meet your roses’ particular needs. deficiency. Water thoroughly and

HELP . . .

old rose variety Peace spray with a feed containing sequestered iron, such as Sequestrene, regularly throughout the growing season.

Yellow areas between the veins, specially on older leaves, are caused by inadequate manganese.

Brown patches on the edges of leaves suggest a phosphate shortage, while brittle brown strips on the leaf edges signify a lack of potash. Watering regularly with the soluble fertilisers mentioned above will correct any of those problems.

Pale, weak leaves with small

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

12

All Together NOW!

ADVERTISE WITH US !

ME! O H E TAKE M

Tell 250,000 readers about your venues and services

Tel: 0151 230 0307

June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Your guide to theatreland Jun 1-19: Hairspray, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jun 5-Jul 3: Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Library Theatre, Manchester. BSL performance, Jun 24. Audio descbribed, Jul 1, Jul 3. Captioned, Jul 2.

Jun 7-12: Nightfright - The Nightmare of Your Life, Blackpool Grand Theatre. Ingenious murder mystery Jun 7-12: Girls’ Night Out, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 7-12: Columbo, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 8-12: The Hobbit, Liverpool Empire. Dramatic performance of the best-selling novel Jun 8: We’ll Meet Again, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 8-12: Mum’s the Word, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jun 8-12: Wife Begins at 40, Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 8: National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 9: Beyond the Barricade, Crewe Lyceum.

Jun 9: Bernasesaties, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Singalong with Disney favourites.

Jun 9-12: On Your Hounour, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jun 9: The Jumble Book, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 9-12: Derren Brown: Enigma, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 10-Jul 3: The Hired Man, Bolton Octagon. An emotional love triangle.

BSL performance, Jun 17. Audio described, Jun 23 Jun 10-12: Dad’s Army Marches On, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 10: The Pretty Concerns, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 10: One Night In Vagas, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 11-12: Tales From the Blackjack, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 11: Diversity, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 12: The Magic of Mowtown, Manchester Palace.

Jun 12-13: Alice in Wonderland, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 12: Magic - A Kind of Queen, Floral Hall, Southport.

Jun 12: High School Musical 3: Singalong, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 13: Forever in Blue Jeans, Crewe Lyceum. High energy, hit songs and hilarious comedy Jun 13: John Bishop, Liverpool Empire. The multi-award winning comedian performs his hilarious show in his home town.

Jun 13: Patrick Monahan - The Ladyboys of Iran, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 13: The Classic Motown Show, Rhyl Pavillion.

Jun 13: Eric’s Tales of the Sea, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 13: Strictly Swing, Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 14: Joe Longthorne, Liverpool Empire.

Jun 14-15: The Best Bits of LipService. The Lowry, Salford. BSL performance, Jun 15.

Jun 14-19: Whistle Down the Wind, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 14-19: Dreamboats and

BOX OFFICE NUMBERS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000 MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 CREWE: Lyceum: 01270 537333 STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627 MANCHESTER: Library Theatre: The Lowry: 0843 208 6000 Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace Theatre: 0870 401 3000 LIVERPOOL: Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776

Petticoats, Manchester Palace.

Jun 14-15: The Best Bits of LipService, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 14: Suzanne Vega, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 14-16: Dancing Queen, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 15: The Hairy Bikers, Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 16-18: La Boheme. Puccini’s romantic masterpiece. The Lowry, Salford. BSL performance, Jun 18.

Jun 16-19: The Man from Stratford: Being Shakespeare, Liverpool Playhouse.

Jun 16-19: Fame, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jun 16-19: Footloose, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jun 16: Lionel Blair: Tap & Chat, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 17: Rusalka. Spellbinding opera based on The Little Mermaid. The Lowry, Salford. Audio described, 5.45pm.

Jun 17: The Cavern Beatles, Liverpool Empire.

Jun 17: The Drifters, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 17-Jul 10: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Liverpool Everyman. Captioned, Jun 26, Audio described, Jul 9.

Jun 17-19: Wind in the Willows, Crewe Lyceum. A rip-roaring musical ride along the road of friendship Jun 17-19: The Odyssey, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 18: Jane McDonald in Concert, Liverpool Empire.

Jun 18: Bat the Symphony, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 18: La Boheme, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 18-19: Jaleo Flamenco, Salford: The Lowry.

Jun 18: Mutton, Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jun 19: That’ll Be the Day, Liverpool Empire.

Jun 19: The Hairy Bikers’ Big Night

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000 PORT SUNLIGHT: Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757 PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012 RHYL: Pavilion Theatre: 01745 330 000 RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360 SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380 ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000 Citadel: 01744 735436 WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre: 01902 429212

Out, Preston Guild Hall.

Jun 19: Maria Stuarda/Mary Stuart, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 19: Saturday Night Live, St Helens: Theatre Royal.

Jun 20: That’ll Be The Day, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 20: One Night Only. Liverpool, Liverpool Empire. Leanne Campbell, Jennifer Ellison and Pete Price.

Jun 20: The Magic of Odissi, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 20-21: When I Grow Up to be a Man, Salford: The Lowry.

Jun 21-26: Dad’s Army Marches On, Blackpool Grand Theatre. The boys are back in town!

Jun 21-26: Inside Job, Crewe Lyceum. A story of theft, murder and intrigue.

Jun 21-26: Strictly Come Dancing: The professionals, Liverpool Empire.

Jun 21-26: Dinnerladies, Manchester Palace. Stars of Victoria Wood’s BBC sitcom recreate their roles for the stage.

Jun 21-22: Once Upon a Preston Guild, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jun 22-26: Small Worlds, Liverpool Playhouse.

Jun 22-23: Crime of the Century, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 22-26: The Harder They Come, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 22-26: Britain’s Got Bhangra.

Glitzy new musical. The Lowry, Salford. Audio described, Jun 26.

Jun 22-26: Brassed Off, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 23: Tony Stockwell, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 23: Sally Morgan, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jun 23-26: Toxing It, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 24: Acker Bilk, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jun 25: The Hairy Bikers’ Big Night Out, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jun 25: Buddy Holly and the Cricketers, Floral Hall, Southport.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

in the great North West

JOSEPH’S BACK . . . at The Lowry, July 5-10 Jun 26: In the Spotlight - Songs from the Musicals, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 26-27: Peppa Pig’s Party, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 26: Homeward Bound – Simon and Garfunkel Tribute, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jun 26: Saturday Night Live, Rhyl Pavilion.

Jun 27: The Little Big Club – Live In Concert, Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Jun 27: A Song & Dance for Christie, Crewe Lyceum. Starring Ben Mills (X factor) & Voices with Soul (X factor) Jun 27: The Wiggles, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 27: Penguin, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 27: Comedy for Christies, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 28-Jul 3: Murdered To Death, Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Jun 28-30: Dinnerladies, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jun 28-Jul 1: MAPAS Showcases, The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 29-Jul 17: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Touring), Liverpool Empire.

Jun 29-Jul 3: George’s Marvellous Medicine, Manchester Opera House.

Jun 30-Jul 3: Romeo & Juliet, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 1: Joe Longthorne, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 1-2: Roy “Chubby” Brown, Floral Hall, Southport.

Jul 1: Dolly the Show, Floral Hall, Southport.

Jul 1: The Drifters, St Helens: Theatre Royal.

Jul 2: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 2: The Drifters, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jul 2: Peter Karrie and Friends, Rhyl Pavilion.

Jul 2-Jul 4: Moving Pictures and Other Work, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 2: EPOCHalypse, Citadel, St Helens.

Jul 3-4: The Hub, Crewe Lyceum.

Diverse, exciting pieces performed by pupils attending the Hub Jul 3: Don’t Stop Believing: A concert for Gleeks, Manchester Palace.

Jul 3: Brotherhood of Man, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jul 3: Off the Wall: The Music of Pink Floyd, Preston Guild Hall.

Jul 3: Bertrand’s Toys, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 4: Noddy in Toyland, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jul 4: Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 5-10: It’s Never Too Late, Blackpool Grand Theatre. Ron Aldridge’s comedy Jul 5-10: Wife Begins at 40, Crewe Lyceum. Delightful comedy about a woman turning 40.

Jul 5-10: Spamalot, Manchester Opera House.

Jul 5-10: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 6: Dolly the Show, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Jul 6-10: Inside Job, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jul 8-10: Mum’s the Word, Manchester Palace.

Jul 8-10: Four Girls and a Caravan, Theatre Royal, St Helens.

Jul 9-10: The Tansads, Citadel, St Helens.

Jul 10: What Would Helen Mirren Do? The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 10: Showstopper: The Improvised Musical, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 11: Mike Smith Orchestra, Rhyl Pavllion.

Jul 11: Salford Community Dance, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 12-14: Au Revoir Review 2010, Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Jul 12: Meter, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 13: Hairspray, Manchester Opera House.

Jul 13-17: Stepping Out, Floral

Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 13-17: Girls Night Out, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jul 13-17: The Late Edwina Black, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jul 15: A Servant To Two Masters, Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Jul 15: Snooker Legends, Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 15-16: Plus One...? Salford: The Lowry.

Jul 16 - Aug 7: Council Depot Blues, Royal Court, Liverpool.

Jul 16: The Gary Murphy Band, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jul 17: Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show, Blackpool Grand Theatre. The longest stand-up comedy routine.

Jul 17: Tenorissimo, Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight.

Jul 17: RISE, The Brindley, Runcorn.

Presented by LIPA Jul 17: A Celebration, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 17: High Tease, The Lowry, Salford. Audio described, Jul 17 Jul 17-18: Peppa Pig’s Party, Floral Hall, Southport.

Jul 17: Rubberneck, Citadel, St Helens.

Jul 18: React 2010, Crewe Lyceum. A day of acting, singing and dancing.

Jul 18: Domini Public (Public Domain), The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 19-24: Keeping Up Appearances, Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Jul 20-Aug 2: The Gruffalo (Touring), Liverpool Empire.

Jul 20-24: It’s Never Too Late, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jul 21-24: Billy Elliot: The Musical, St Helens: Theatre Royal.

Jul 21-24: Billy Elliot: The Musical, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jul 22-24: Starlight Youth Theatre: The Buddy Holly Story, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 22: Snow White, Rhyl Pavillion.

Jul 22-24: Eight, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 23: The Searchers in Concert, Rhyl Pavillion.

Jul 24: The Dreamboys, Preston Charter Theatre.

Jul 24: Noddy in Toyland, Rhyl Pavillion.

Jul 24: In the Spotlight - Songs from the Musicals, Floral Hall, Southport.

Jul 25: The Gruffalo (Touring), Liverpool Empire.

Jul 25: Postman Pat: A Very Royal Mission, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jul 25: Raymond Froggatt and Band, Rhyl Pavilion.

Jul 26-31: Keeping Up Appearances, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jul 27-28: The Gruffalo, Blackpool Grand Theatre. Musical adaptation Jul 27-31: Murdered To Death, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Jul 28-31: Wife Begins at 40, Rhyl Pavillion.

Jul 30: The Lowry Summer School Showcase, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 31: Dolce Via, The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 31: That’ll Be The Day, Floral Hall, Southport.

Aug 2-7: Spamalot, Regent Theatre, Stoke.

All Together NOW!

IS YOUR WEBSITE OPEN FOR ALL? We can help you to reach MILLIONS more people Access Network Equality - a social enterprise company based in the North West - is leading the way with the latest assistive technology to assist businesses and organisations to reach a wider online customer base.

With clients ranging from Blackpool International Airport, Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool Zoo to local charities, www.accessnetwork.org is fast becoming THE site.

’With the latest online technology, it has now become far easier for website owners to enable their site with this software rather than re-build. ’We provide assistive technology and cost effective dedicated accessible talking WebPages to enable greater online access.’

- Tom Kelly the managing director, Access Network Equality

www.accessnetwork.org

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All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Online guide to London’s hotels AN ONLINE guide lists more than 800 disabled-friendly hotel rooms in London.

The guide – complete with images – is based on an independent access audits carried out by Direct Enquiries and describes the visit from arrival by car or public transport to reception, the restaurant, other public areas plus the rooms and bathrooms.

Details are also listed of other facilities such as low level

counters, hearing induction loops, services for visually impaired guests, and adjoining rooms for carers.

Visitors can search for a hotel by area (north, south, east, west and central London), by postcode, by hotel name, or search for specific facilities and services by clicking on the access icons.

Carolyn Smith, of the London Development Agency, said: “As host of the London 2012 Olympic

and Paralympic Games, we want London to be a truly accessible city, and to provide complete reassurance to our disabled visitors.”

A total of 114 hotels were audited around the city. Premier Inn, Travelodge, and Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn, both part of the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), offer the largest selection of accessible rooms. n You can log on to the guide at: www.directenquiries.com

‘Living’ museum in line for top prize

B

LISTS Hill Victorian Town, one of ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, is very much worth a visit - whatever your level of fitness!

To advertise, call 0151 230 0307

TAKE ME HOME!

Set in 54 acres, the museum is a fascinating portrayal of a typical town of the East Shropshire Coalfield around 1900.

Professional actors, costumed museum staff and volunteers help bring the place to life.

More than £12m has been spent on a landmark visitor centre, a new street of shops, a clay-mining experience, a narrow

gauge railway and an incline lift. It’s all paying off, too, with the museum being shortlisted in this year’s £100,000 Arts Fund Prize, the UK’s largest single arts prize.

Barrie Williams, chairman of The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, said: “We hope that reaching the shortlist will inspire more visitors to discover Blists Hill Victorian Town for themselves along with our other nine museums situated within the beautiful Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.” n www.ironbridge.org.uk

WHAT’S ON

Jun 12: Caerwys Agricultural Show, Gatehouse Fields, Babell, Holywell. Adult, £5. Concs, £3.

Jun 12: The Secret Garden, Dunham Massey Outdoor theatre.

Jun 12-13: Wirral International Kite Festival The Dips, New Brighton.

Jun 13: Perfect K9 4U Dog Show, Bodelwyddan Castle.

Jun 13: Dragon Boat Festival River Dee, Chester.

Jun 13: Wirral Bikeathon, Arrowe Country Park. Cycling event in aid of Leukaemia Research Fund. Tel. 0151 632 0548.

Jun 14-20: Refugee Week, MOSI. Activities celebrating Manchester’s multicultural nature.

Jun 18-20: Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival.

Jun 19: Bugs Life, Rivacre Valley, Ellesmere Port. Discover the bugs living in the valley. Tel. 0151 357 1991 Jun 19-21: North Wales Festival of Military Transport and Militaria, Caerwys.

Jun 19-20: Clwyd Veteran & Vintage Machinery Society’s vintage vehicle rally & craft fair, Oswestry Showground.

Jun 19-20: North Wales Festival of Military Transport and Militaria,

near Caerwys, Flintshire. Tel. 01492 530745.

Jun 19-20: Medieval Fayre at the Old Hall Tatton Park. Tel. 01625 534400.

Jun 19-20: A King’s Treasure, Beeston Castle. Tel. 0870 333 1181.

Jun 20-22: Manchester Day Parade. Outdoor carnival.

Jun 20: Guided walk, Shugborough Hall Estate, Staffs.

Jun 20: Classic Motorcycle Show, Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham.

Jun 22-23: Cheshire County Show, Tabley, nr Knutsford.

Jun 24-July 4: Lymm Festival.

Music, dance, comedy, visual arts.

Jun 26: Diesel Freight Day. West Lancs Light Railway. Diesel action; freight trains, workshop tours. www.westlancs.org Jun 26-27: Medieval World and Country Show, Ruthin.

Jun 26-27: Shropshire County Show, Shrewsbury. Tel. 01743 289831.

Jun 26-27: BASC Wales Country Fair, Bodelwyddan Castle, St Asaph.

Jun 26-27: Dunham 1810.

Dunham Massey Regency dancing and characters. Tel. 0161 9411025.

Jun 26-27: Arley Garden Festival, Arley Hall, nr Northwich.

Jun 26-27: Wings, Wheels, Speed & Steam Show, Shugborough Hall, Milford, Staffs.

Jun 27 Rainey Day. Knowsley’s disability awarenness day in memory of the late John Rainey.

King George V Sports Complex, Huyton.

Jun 29: Ness Through The Seasons. Monthly guided walk through Ness Gardens, Wirral.

Jun30: MS Info Roadshow.

Alsager Golf Club. Tel, 01270 761570 Jul 1: Barnardo’s Big Toddle, Heaton Park, Manchester.

Jul 1-3: Off The Ground Youth Theatre perform The Birds at Ness Gardens, Wirral.

Jul 2-4: Gardeners and Home Lovers Weekend, Shugborough Hall, Milford, Staffs.

Jul 3-4: St Helens Show, Sherdley Park Jul 3-4: Country Music And Line Dancing Festival, Rhyl.

Jul 3-4: Stars & Strips Classic American Car Show, Tatton Park.

Cars from the 1950s & 1960s.

Jul 4: Illyria Open Air Theatre: James and the Giant Peach, Tatton Park. Tel. 01625 534400.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

Chance for adventures of a lifetime ADVENTURES in the Australian Outback, South Africa and Costa Rica are among dozens of hoidays for visually impaired people in the new holiday brochure from national charity, Vitalise.

As well as exotic overseas adventures, people can try their hand at a wide range of activities, from skiing to salsa dancing, horse riding to hill walking and tandem cycling to singing.

Other destinations include

Jordan, Cyprus, Gambia, Tunisia and Andorra.

Closer to home, there are group visits to the Lake District, the West Country, Loch Lomond, Snowdonia and County Antrim.

The holidays are made possible by the addition of sighted guides, who provide support and companionship.

Vitalise holidays manager Sam Earl said: “Visually impaired people who go on our holidays gain as much, if not more, from

these amazing destinations and activities as sighted people.”

The holidays cater for all tastes and are categorised into adventure, activity, interest, sightseeing and leisure.

First-time holidaymakers and sighted guides can also sample some of Vitalise’s activities, such as canoeing and tandem cycling, on special subsidised ‘taster’ weekends in the Lake District. n Vitalise Holidays, tel 0845 330 0149, www.vitalise.org.uk

All Together NOW!

15

IRTON HOUSE FARM

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.

For a colour brochure

Tel: 01768 776380 www.disabled-holiday.net email: joan@irtonhousefarm.co.uk

Book now!

To advertise, call 0151 230 0307

TAKE ME HOME!

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAYS WELL WORTH A VISIT: Blists Hill Victorian Town is bringing history to life Jul 4: Sink or Swim Rivacre Valley, Ellesmere Port. Make your own mini raft and test it out on the pond. Tel. 0151 357 1991.

Jul 5-12: International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen.

Jul 6-9: Barnardo’s Big Toddle, Chester Zoo. www.barnardos.org.uk Jul 6: Barnardo’s Big Toddle, Knowsley Safari Park. www.barnardos.org.uk Jul 10: Habergham Festival, Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley. Garden party, cheerleaders, bouncy castle and craft stalls.

Jul 10-11: Denbigh Country Show, Gwaenynog Hall, nr Denbigh. Adult £4, child £1.

Jul 10-11: Children’s Festival, Wrexham. Magic show, fun fair rides, face painting, art workshops.

Jul 11: Disability Awareness Day, Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington.

See pages 16-17.

Jul 11: Guided walk, Shugborough Hall Estate, Staffs.

Jul 11: Northern BMW Festival, Tatton Park.

Jul 16-17: Bayfest: Cemaes Bay Rock Concert, Anglesey.

Jul 17-26: Gwyl Festival, Caernarfon.

Jul 17-18: Tudor Festival, Stretton Mill, near Farndon. Free.

Tudor-themed activities.

Jul 17-18: Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cholmondeley Castle. Celebration of the best in historic vehicles.

Jul 17-18: Middlewich Transport Festival.

Jul 18: Liverpool-Chester Bike Ride. Tel. 0208 498 7389 Jul 19-22: Summer Holiday Family Fun Days, Wrexham. Lots of family fun activities.

Jul 20: Family Bat Night, Dunham Massey. Batty games, quizzes and fun.

Jul 21-25: RHS Show Tatton, Tatton Park, nr Knutsford.

Jul 21-22: Ancient Games, Salt Museum, Northwich. Drop-in family games session.

Jul 22: Barnardo’s Big Toddle Gullivers World, Warrington. www.barnardos.org.uk Jul 23-25: Welsh National Horse Carriage Trials, Wrexham.

Jul 23-29: Archaeology Week, Dunham Massey. Exciting excavations for you to take part in.

Jul 24: International Snowdon Race.

Jul 24-Jul 25: Carnival Prestatyn

Jul 24-25: Medieval Clash of Knights, Beeston Castle. A series of thrilling living history displays.

Jul 26-27: Summer Fun – Drawing the Past, Norton Priory, Runcorn. Archaeological family fun.

Jul 26-30: Plastic Fantasic, Catalyst, Widnes. Fun science workshop for children.

Jul 27: Ness Through The Seasons. Monthly guided tour through Ness Gardens, Wirral.

Jul 28: Nantwich Show, Dorfold Hall Park, Nantwich.

Jul 28: Roman Soldier Day, Salt Museum, Northwich.

Jul 28-29: Children’s Fun Days, Ness Gardens, Wirral.

Jul 29: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Chirk Castle. Follow the White Rabbit’s children’s trail.

Jul 29: Roman Salt-Making Day, Salt Museum, Northwich.

Jul 30-Aug 1: North Wales Boat Show, Bangor.

Jul 30: Sensory Awareness Day, Chester Zoo. Jul 31-Aug 7: Eisteddfod Music Festival, Blaenau Gwent.

Jul 31-Aug 1: Dunham 1910, Dunham Massey. Edwardian family fun with a brass band.

3GREATCHOICES!

HOTEL Blackpool

Specialist holidays for carers & service users

120, Bond Street, Blackpool, FY4 1HG

EASY ACCESS FOR WHEELCHAIRS CAR PARK EN-SUITE ROOMS ADJOINING ROOMS ELECTRIC HOISTS OVERHEAD TRACKING HOIST ELECTRIC BEDS COT SIDES COMMODES MODERN SPACIOUS BAR & RESTAURANT SPECIAL DIETS CATERED FOR HYDROTHERAPY POOL CONFERENCE FACILITIES LIVE CABARET SHOW EVERY NIGHT PICK-UP AND RETURN SERVICE

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.

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

Marton Mere Holiday Village

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!

www.bondhotel.co.uk

sales@bondhotel.co.uk

Booking hotline 01253 341218

FUN, FREE, INFORMATIVE All Together NOW!

16

OVER the years the Northwest Disability Awareness Day has helped inspire individuals and groups across the UK and Europe to set up similar information events – including a DAD Gibraltar.

The event was started in 1992 by Dave Thompson and a tiny team of volunteers.

Dave recalls that at 8am on the morning of the first event his 12year-old son, Gavin, helped mark out exhibitor spaces with a tin of paint and a two-inch paint brush.

Dave is still event co-ordinator but the team of volunteers known as DAD’s Army has grown, and son Gavin is now assistant head steward.

The strapline for this year’s event is “promoting independence throughout life and work”.

“DAD is about what disabled people can do, not what they can’t,” says Dave.

June/July 2010

www.alltoge

I

F it’s information about independent living you are after and a fun-packed FREE family d out – then there’s only one place be on Sunday, July 11 . . .

HOT NEWS Spaceships Are Cool – who played Glastonbury last year – will be performing at DAD . . . and if you have ever fancied taking up scuba diving then you will get the chance to find out all about what’s involved from ScubAbility, the international association for disabled divers

HOT SEAT: Dave Thompson co-ordinating events at Walton Hall Gardens

The 19th annual Disability Awareness or DAD as it is affectionately known, goe ahead at Walton Hall Gardens, Warringt and it’s already promising to be the best Come rain or shine, there will be plenty going on from 10am right through until 5 Three hundred exhibitors, including fro Spain and Cyprus, have booked places. more than 100 voluntary sector groups w be there to dispense advice and informa covering physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health issues PLUS h for carers – young and not so young.

“The event will have something for eve one of the expected 25,000 visitors from across the UK,” says Dave Thompson, c of Warrington Disability Partnership who organise the event.

“DAD is Europe’s largest voluntary-led pan-disability exhibition involving over 1 volunteer stewards and assistants from Lions and Rotary Clubs, Sea Cadets, Th Cross Young Offenders Institute, plus dozens of family and friends.

“It just keeps getting better and bett “We have an absolutely fantastic team who spend months working on the eve ensure it all goes smoothly. I can’t sing their praises too highly. It’s a terrific tea effort!”

It’s not surprising that the event recei royal recognition when the organising Warrington Disability Partnership were presented with a Queens Award for Voluntary Services.

Inclusive Arts will be just one of the d highlights, featuring disabled artists fro across the UK including Spaceships A Cool, who last year performed at Glastonbury.

An on-site cinema will host the “Slice Life” film festival which will highlight sh films made by, or starring, disabled pe or written on a disability theme.

One of the 12 marquees will be dedicated to alternative therapies and artwork produced by disabled artists.

There’s also a good chance for sport fans to have a go at a variety of activit in the Sports Zone. Archery, rifle shoot climbing wall, basketball are all on the agenda – and new for 2010 is ScubAb an exciting opportunity to try out scuba diving in their special on-site swimming pool.

Children and families won’t be stuck things to do with a main entertainment arena and funfair.

With a free accessible Park & Ride service and free bus from Warrington B Interchange, British Sign Language Interpreters, a scooter and wheelchair loans service, trained assistants, the e is built on promoting inclusion.

E-IT’S DAD TIME

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June/July 2010

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All Together NOW!

17

What’s going on throughout the week THE WEEK leading up to Disability Awareness Day is always packed with supporting events.

Here’s a taste of what’s to come . . .

Sat, July 3: 11.30am-4.30pm. Golden Square Warrington Town centre. Launch of DAD 2010. An Arts Showcase will be held in the Old Market Place, featuring disabled artists and friends of DAD, including Autistic Superstars and Andrew Coleman. Contact Maria or Tom, 01925 240064 Tues, July 6: 9.30am-12.30pm. Positive Action Awareness Event for schools at Walton Hall in Warrington. Contact Derek Jones, 01925 240064.

1pm-4pm. Learning Disability and Employment at Walton Hall. Employers from the Warrington area are invited to meet with local support agencies to discuss solutions for the recruitment and retention of people who have a learning disability. For more details contact Derek Jones, 01925 240064.

6.15pm-9.00pm. Festival of Life in the Arts Marquee and Walton Hall. Learning Disability Services and Liverpool Diocesan Board for Social Care present an interactive evening of craft, song, chill-out and football workshop, culminating in a time of Christian Worship. Contact Rev Pam Lovett, 01925 664000.

Wed, July 7: 10am-2.30pm. Storytelling Day. Adults with learning disabilities in Warrington and Halton can share their stories of how ‘personcentred planning’ has impacted on their lives. (A joint event between Mencap Person Centred Planning Team and Warrington and Halton Speak Out.) Contact Kate Williams 01925 575764 1pm-4pm. Carer’s Party in the Park, Arts Marquee Walton Hall Gardens. Organised by staff from the Princess Royal Trust, Warrington Carers Centre.

Advance booking required. Contact Jenny Readman 01925 644212 7.00pm-9.30pm. The Secret Garden by Heartbreak Theatre Company in the Arts Marquee. BSL interpreter signed production. Tickets can be obtained from Box Office, 01925 442345.

Thurs, July 8: 10am-4pm. Mental Heath and Wellbeing Workshop in the Arts Marquee and Marquee 4, Walton Hall Gardens. The team from the nationally acclaimed Richmond Fellowship offer a range of workshops and activities. Contact Chris Greer, 01606 863861 6.30pm-8.30pm. Party in the Park in the Arts Marquee and Marquee 3, Walton Hall Gardens.

The teams from Planet Blue disabled youth club will host a range of inclusive activities for disabled children and young disabled adults. Contact Rachael Worrall, 01925 240064.

Fri, July 9: Noon-3pm. ‘In Touch’ Sexual Health Project is a national project from Leonard Cheshire Disability (funded by GlaxoSmithKline and working in partnership with a range of organisations including WDP). An opportunity to find out about this groundbreaking project aimed at teenagers.

Contact Rachael Worrall on 01925 240064.

Fri July 9: 7.30pm-11.30pm. Mega Quiz Night and Barbecue in the Park & Disco at Arts Marquee, Walton Hall Gardens. Teams of up to eight people, hundreds of pounds worth of prizes, food, licensed bar and a charity auction. Admission by ticket only £7.50 from DAD office. Includes top nosh barbecue. Book your tickets, 01925 240064.

Sat, July 10: 10am-4pm. Wheelchair Skills Workshop for disabled children and young disabled people. For more details contact Dave Connor, 01925 240064.

Sun July 11: 10am-5pm. DAD at Walton Hall Gardens. Don’t mis it!

All Together NOW!

18

June/July 2010

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.

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Spouted vessel (6) Self-centredness (6) Annul (6) Clinging gastropod (6) Psalmist (5) Intelligent (6) Amalgamation (6) Tear asunder (4) Poetic name for Ireland (4) Chair (4) Sculpture of head (4) Cope with (6) Discomfort (6) Artist’s material (5) Disclose (6) Kitchen utensil (6) Narrative song (6) Fireside (6)

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Cherry liqueur (6) Opera hat (slang) (6) Dull grey (6) Non-powered aircraft (6) Call in question (6) Ripen (6) Cooking fat (4) Citrus fruit (4) Irked (5) Wash lightly (5) Angelic being (6) Run at the nose (6) Woolly animal (6) Freshwater duck (4) Stopper (4) False (6) Rag (6) Quest (6)

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: According to folklore, which month is said to ‘come in like a lion and go out like a lamb’?

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Which novel has the alternative title ‘The Modern Prometheus’?

A February B March C April D May QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: To which family of plants is bamboo related?

A Dracula B Frankenstein C The Hound Of The Baskervilles D The Portrait Of Dorian Gray QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Who was the first explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle?

A Rushes and reeds B Sedges C Grasses D Knotweeds QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: What is the highest rank in the United States army?

A Roald Amundsen B Richard Byrd C Abel Tasman D James Cook QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: In which Verdi opera is the aria La Donna è Mobile sung by the Duke of Mantua?

A General B Lieutenant Colonel C Brigadier General D Lieutenant General QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Which pop group had a UK No 1 hit in 1964 with Do Wah Diddy Diddy?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Who hosts the Channel 4 TV show 8 Out Of 10 Cats in which Joan Rivers is often a panellist?

A Searchers B Kinks C Moody Blues D Manfred Mann QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: Which TV detective lives in an old windmill?

A Jimmy Carr B Paul O’Grady C Alan Carr D Dale Winton QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What does a red triangle on an Ordnance Survey map signify?

A Maigret B Jonathan Creek C Inspector Morse D DCI Wexford QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: What type of creatures are schnauzers?

A Youth hostel B Rendezvous point C Pillar box D Exposed mine shafts QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Which emblem is worn on the shirts of the New Zealand international Rugby team?

A Ants B Bees C Beetles D Moths QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: How many nations competed in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896?

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

Deer Horses Goats Dogs

SUDOKU

Comedienne Joan Rivers. See Question 7

A Rigoletto B La Traviata C Aida D Il Trovatore QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Of which city was Laurence Olivier given the title baron?

A Blackpool B Brighton C Bournemouth D Bristol QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Which insects are classified as coleoptera?

Kiwi Sheep Fern leaf The Southern Cross stars

11 14 22 27

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

4

6 9

8 6 1 7 9 8 3 4 8 3

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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

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ADVERTISE HERE – 0151 230 0307

CALLING ALL CHARITIES . . .

4 2

TAKE ME HOME!

FILL in the blank squares in the grid with numbers so that each horizontal or vertical line adds up to the total given in the box either to the left or above it.

Horizontal totals are given in the top right corners of the shaded boxes; vertical totals in the bottom left corners.

You can use the numbers 1 to 9, but may not use the same number more than once in any run. The number may be used again, however, in the same row or column but as part of another run.

MEDIUM 15

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ADVERTISE HERE – 0151 230 0307

CALLING ALL COMPANIES . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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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.

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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 operatic character.

FAST

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RIGHT

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Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

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DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE 17

All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

CHAIN

SMART

1. Languages 843 762 637 312 722 625 291 873 818 875 178 774 261 826 451 425 414 825 426 177 741 737 742 614 463 678 848 373 4. Film actresses 465 343 142 961 336 667 313 549 223 841 567 156 343 136 783 854 217 623 787 164 553 173 343 337 136 846 677 66

421 474 236 264 417

2. Ceramics manufacturers 769 251 967 237 837 176 925 136 858 661 666 727 638 193 349 663 122 758 661 276 961 337 291 787 431 266 737 164 686 612 527 423 125 433

3. Cakes and pastries 428 328 163 746 483 524 712 435 732 128 684 468 816 222 766 467 827 323 127 263 627 178 424 312 288 374

416 829 715 243 621

5. Workplaces 522 672 867 917 296 127 393 791 788 346 346 379 136 743 127 379 136 259 273 126 783 846 617 483 178 919 427 3

6. Salad vegetables and fruits 866 286 177 746 416 646 612 277 681 928 372 737 712 862 236 165 483 123 537 422 142 323 741 538 882 317 682 861 723 474 123 387 668

PATHWORDS

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 16 flavours of ice cream.

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 15?

455 173 326 678 277

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

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SACATON 1) A type of coarse perennial grass growing in alkaline regions of the southern United States;

F

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

1. The Hungarian uprising against the country’s Soviet satellite government is put down by military force.

2) A granular deposit found in the stomach;

2. Pakistan becomes an Islamic Republic within the British Commonwealth.

3) A tomb or monument in the form of a chapel within a church.

3. Elvis Presley records Heartbreak Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

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

Clue: Get level by creating incident.

WAS IT? a) 1950; b) 1952; c) 1954; d) 1956; e) 1958.

____ +T=____T

132 613 617 917 362

ALL THE ANSWERS

3 4 7 8 6 9 2 5 1

SUDOKU EASY

6 9 2 1 5 7 8 3 4

5 1 8 2 4 3 6 9 7

1 6 3 9 2 8 7 4 5

8 7 4 3 1 5 9 6 2

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5 9 1 6 4 7 8 3 2

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SUDOKU DIFFICULT

6pm - 10pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday

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8

4

3 11

4 9 1 22

1 9 2 12

Accumulator Quiz 1 – B; 2 – C; 3 – A; 4 – D; 5 – B; 6 – D; 7 – A; 8 – A; 9 – C; 10 – B; 11 – D; 12 – A; 13 – B; 14 – C; 15 – B. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Kettle; 4 Egoism; 8 Repeal; 10 Limpet; 11 David; 12 Clever; 14 Merger; 16 Rend; 17 Erin; 19 Seat; 22 Bust; 26 Handle; 27 Unease; 28 Paint; 29 Reveal; 30 Grater; 31 Ballad; 32 Hearth.

Down – 1 Kirsch; 2 Topper; 3 Leaden; 5 Glider; 6 Impugn; 7 Mature; 9 Lard; 10 Lime; 13 Vexed; 15 Rinse; 18 Cherub; 19 Snivel; 20 Alpaca; 21 Teal; 22 Bung; 23 Untrue; 24 Tatter; 25 Search.

Star Name: PETER GABRIEL

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. Sacaton is a type of grass.

Dialling Codes 1. Vietnamese; Arabic; Malay; Urdu; Turkish; Russian; Tamil; Bengali; Italian; Spanish; Persian; Hindi; Portuguese.

2. Royal Worcester; Royal Doulton; Moorcroft; Wedgwood; Carlton; Crown Derby; Susie Cooper; Minton; Clarice Cliff.

3. gateau; meringue; eclair; Chelsea bun; doughnut; macaroon; shortbread; brandy snap; quiche; Battenberg.

4. Goldie Hawn; Demi Moore; Elizabeth Taylor; Jodie Foster; Julia Roberts; Michelle Pfeiffer; Emma

Thompson.

5. laboratory; sawmill; brewery; studio; refinery; forge; creamery; dockyard; construction site; quarry; wharf.

6. tomato; spring onion; carrot; watercress; avocado; olive; celeriac; iceberg lettuce; potato; radish; beetroot.

Spot Check A = 1; B = 5; C = 2; D = 4; E = 6; F = 3.

Missing Link food; inside; ground; air; rain; out.

Character: Figaro.

Make a Date The year was 1956.

Transformer Even + T = Event.

Support for you, your family and friends from those who understand

14

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY SIGHTLOSS?

Pathwords chocolate; tutti frutti; strawberry; mint; banana; toffee; pistachio; blackcurrant; vanilla; raspberry; coffee; lemon; fudge; orange; watermelon; almond.

SIGHTLINE VISION (NORTH WEST)

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All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

RIGHTS . . . BUSINESS . . .TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .R

Top academic books in accessible format

NEW JOBS’ HOPES: Lorraine Gradwell, chief executive of Breakthrough UK

Breaking news BREAKTHROUGH UK, the notfor-profit organisation which specialises in helping disabled people find employment, workrelated training or further education, has had its contract for Liverpool renewed for four years.

Breakthrough will aim to find paid employment for at least 29 people and find voluntary work for another 25. Eight people with learning difficulties in Knowsley will also receive support.

Chief executive Lorraine Gradwell said: “The Liverpool team has consistently achieved fantastic results for disabled people since it was established in 2002.

“The renewal of this contract is testament to its success in helping disabled people overcome the barriers to independent living, and I’m delighted that we will now be offering an enhanced service across Merseyside.”

ONE of the world’s leading academic and educational publishers is to have its books made available in accessible formats for blind people and those with learning disabilities.

Cambridge University Press has entered into a license agreement with Bookshare, the Californiabased non-profit organisation that specialises in providing books in accessible formats.

The deal means that disabled people around the world will be able to download the books for a nominal Bookshare membership

fee and read them using a computer or other assistive technology, with voice generated by text-to-speech technology, as well as options for digital Braille.

Kevin Taylor, director of strategy and intellectual property at Cambridge, said: “Bookshare enables us to reach individuals with print disabilities in a secure way.

“Until publishers develop and commercialise accessible versions of their books for individuals with print disabilities, Bookshare will provide a valuable

service by maintaining the infrastructure and bearing the expense of getting books securely, with appropriate digital rights management, to this clientele. We provide the files and Bookshare does the rest!”

Jim Fruchterman, boss of Benetech, the organisation that operates Bookshare, said: “Cambridge’s titles expand the international content available to our worldwide members - a development of tremendous significance.” n www.bookshare.org

WIN! WIN! WIN! We have TEN guides to give away

Getting to uni – the easy way A

S STUDENTS all over the country receive their A Level results and competition for university places increases, it’s essential to know exactly what to do on the day.

Applying to University – The Essential Guide, helps take the stress out of the equation.

Packed with the latest information and practical advice, this book doesn’t just help students choose subjects and select universities.

Its easy-to-read style also covers what to do if your results are lower than you expected, what to do if your results are better than expected, how to get through clearing and how to defer your entry.

We have teamed up with publishers Need2Know to offer TEN lucky readers the chance to win a copy of the guide.

To have a chance of wining just answe this question: Who publishes Applying to University -–The Essential Guide.

Send your answer, including your name and

address to: University Guide Competition, All Together NOW! Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. Please remember to tell us where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! - and what you think of the magazine.

You can also email your entry by visiting our website at www.alltogethernow.org.uk Closing date: Friday, July 23.

Applying to University – The Essential Guide costs £8.99 including postage and is available by calling 01733 898103 or emailing sales@n2kbooks.com. www.need2knowbooks.co.uk n Need2Know is the imprint of People’s Publisher Forward Press that focuses on overcoming problems. n Founded by aspiring poet Ian Walton, the company’s ethos has always been to act as a bridge to publication, rather than a barrier, and give everyone the opportunity to see their poems in print. n www.forwardpress.co.uk

Students see life from a different angle A CHANCE to try learning sign language and sample sports such as boccia and inclusive badminton were among the highlights of Mid Cheshire College’s equality and diversity week.

Further Education Sports Coordinator, Malcolm Tudor said the week provided all students – with or without disabilities – the opportunity to team up together.

“The feedback from all the

students that took part was great,” he said. “The events allowed everyone to get involved and try something they may have never tried before.”

As well as a wide-range of activities taking place throughout the college, there were culturally themed menus with students sampling Thai, Italian, Mexican, Moroccan and Hungarian food.

Graphics design students also exhibited their posters against

prejudice project – featured earlier this year in All Together NOW! Susan Treacy, head of equality and diversity, said: “The week has helped our students look at life from a different point of view by giving them the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of activities.

“It has given us all an insight into just how much diversity there is in the world and why we should embrace it in any way we can.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . . n STUDENTS and staff at Liverpool Community College celebrated diversity and Adult Learners Week with a programme of wide-ranging events at its five city sites – culminating in a glittering award ceremony.

Marie Allen, the college’s vice principal, said: “Liverpool Community College is at the heart of the community and our diversity week and these awards recognise the impact learning has on people’s lives.

“It was a privilege to celebrate the achievements of so many amazing people.”

Top jobs!

D

ESPITE many hurdles and low expectations, a report has found people with long-term health conditions and disabilities have managed to forge successful careers.

And many have carved out senior positions in the private, public and voluntary sectors.

The report, Doing Seniority Differently, published by national disability charity RADAR, reveals: n A pool of disabled people operating at the highest levels exists with 110 earning over £80,000 and a further 186 earning from £40,000 to £79,999. n The findings contradict expectations that disabled professionals are already successful before they become disabled. n Over half of the respondents have had significant impairments such as paraplegia, multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder for over 20 years. n Two facts contributed significantly to disabled people’s career

Disabled workers defy barriers and low expectations

progression – mentoring and career-long support from senior managers.

The report also highlights barriers and stigma around disability and mental health still holding disabled people back. n 75% of people who could keep a disability or health condition hidden at work did so ‘sometimes’ or ‘always’. n People with mental health conditions were nearly four times more likely than other disabled people to be ‘open’ to no one at work, mainly for fear of being pigeonholed, stereotyped or stopped from progressing. n Non-disabled people are three times more likely than disabled people to earn £80,000 or above and twice as likely to be Boardlevel directors.

n Employers worried about

what disabled people could achieve and therefore under-estimated ability – and over-estimated the risks of disabled people doing particular jobs. n Some disabled people had absorbed low expectations about what they could aspire to from teachers or health professionals (one had been warned off the arts as too challenging for a deaf person).

Liz Sayce, chief executive of RADAR and author of the report, said: “The fact that no one has done a survey of their experiences before in Britain tells a powerful story – that expectations of what disabled people can achieve have been chronically low.

“But that is changing. We urge Government, employers, HR professionals and disabled people themselves to learn from the disabled high fliers – to raise their expectations, to throw off fears and to understand fully that disability is not synonymous with incompetence.”

All Together NOW!

‘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

outstanding support for learners

outstanding management of change by the principal and senior leaders

outstanding curriculum management outstanding approach to equality of opportunity and inclusion.

Course information:

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

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All Together NOW!

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June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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CONNECT . . . with people around you

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KEEP LEARNING . . . try something new

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It’s time to look after YOU!

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ATING well and taking regular exercise are both important for helping you stay healthy.

But to be in really peak condition you need to think about more than just physical wellbeing – you need to feel good too!

Throughout 2010, Year of Health and Wellbeing, people in Liverpool and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to consider some manageable steps they could take to lead a healthier, happier life.

From now until the end of the year a varied programme of events is taking place across the city.

BE ACTIVE: Cycling is a great You can pick from a whole range of way to improve your wellbeing different activities, including nature walks, reading groups, dance classes and concerts.

THE Year of Health and Wellbeing by Liverpool Primary Care Trust So whatever your age, (PCT) and Liverpool City Council, is the latest in a series of themed interest or ability there’ll be years created to mark Liverpool’s a huge range of different something that appeals to organisations and businesses European Capital of Culture you. are involved in helping ensure celebrations.

And if you fill in an the year has a lasting impact.

Although 2010 is being overseen evaluation questionnaire at a 2010 event, you’ll be entered into a quarterly draw to win Whether you’re an individual, a business, a community group £100 worth of Liverpool ONE vouchers. or a school, you can make a commitment to improve the You can view a full calendar of events at wellbeing of yourself and those around you. www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk From taking up a new hobby or spending more time with an You can also use this website to highlight details of any health elderly neighbour, to joining a local community group or and wellbeing-related events your group or organisation is discovering a sport you enjoy, there’s something we can all do putting on. to improve the way we feel about ourselves.

As well as sampling what’s on offer in the 2010 programme, n You can make your pledge online at our website: we’d like people to make a special pledge for the year. www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk

Make this a year to remember

Check Check out out our our 2010 2010 programme programme of of events events .. .. ..

URING 2010 we are focusing on the Five Ways to Wellbeing – five simple steps to improving personal wellbeing through small, achievable lifestyle changes.

In fact, evidence has shown that by building the five ways into your routine you could add up to 7.5 years to your life.

Just think of it as the mental equivalent of eating five pieces of fruit or veg each day.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are: Connect . . . With the people around you.

With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them.

Be active . . . Go for a walk or run. Cycle.

Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take notice . . . Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling.

Keep learning . . . Try something new.

Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Give . . . Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk www.2010healthandwellbeing.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

New fight MS sex survey against dementia THE Alzheimer’s Research Trust has praised the new Coalition Government for its “groundbreaking” programme for offering hope to the 820,000 people in the UK who live with dementia.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Trust, said: “Through this groundbreaking pledge, the new government has recognised the urgency of Britain’s dementia crisis.

“The UK plays host to the world’s finest dementia scientists – responsible for several breakthroughs in our race for a cure – but they have suffered from years of underfunding.

“Dementia is the greatest medical challenge of our time, costing our economy £23 billion each year.”

The Alzheimer’s Research Trust provides free information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: Tel, 01223 843899 or visit www.alzheimersresearch.org.uk

MRSA kit A NEW home health screening kit is being launched in the UK that enables anyone with concerns about MRSA to test themselves at home.

The Blue Horizon Medicals MRSA Home Screening Test Kit contains instructions and swab equipment which is returned direct to a laboratory for test results within a few days.

The MRSA bacteria is commonly found on human skin and mucus and can cause disease - particularly if there is an opportunity for the bacteria to enter the body.

The kit is priced at £26.45. Contact Blue Horizon Medicals on 0844 357 9845

All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

Watch the diet

A NEW sex survey is underway to help men with Multiple Sclerosis.

A spokesperson from the MS Trust charity said: “Sexual problems are a rarely discussed symptom of MS and many men are unaware of treatments that might be available and how to discuss what they are experiencing with their partner or with a health professional.

“To help us make the contents and design of the resource as helpful as possible, we are asking men to complete a brief, anonymous survey about the problems they have encountered and how the new resource might be best presented.” www.mstrust.org.uk

PEOPLE who eat lots of nuts, fish, poultry, salad dressing, tomatoes and green vegetables, while avoiding high levels of fatty dairy products, red meats and butter, appear to be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease The diets of 2,148 New Yorkers aged 65 or older were examined over a four-year period. Of those, 253 went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

The results of the research suggest a connection between lower Alzheimer’s risk and higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and folate.

Parents’ fears Diabetes is a HUGE worry for families

B

ETTER psychological support is needed for parents and their children with diabetes, says a leading health charity.

Parents who worry too much about their children’s diabetes and live in fear of them having hypoglycaemic attacks might have a negative effect on their child’s diabetes control, says Diabetes UK. A study published in the journal Diabetic Medicine found that parents who showed high levels of emotional distress resulting from their fear of hypoglycaemia had children with higher n Hypoglycaemia (or a ‘hypo’) occurs when the level of blood glucose levels. Potential longglucose in the blood falls too term complications of poorly-managed low. If left untreated the diabetes include heart disease, stroke, person having a hypo might, amputation, blindness and kidney eventually, become disease. The parents’ fear was also unconscious. associated with higher frequency of n Warning signs often include problematic hypoglycaemic episodes in feeling shaky, sweating, the past year. tingling in the lips, going pale, Researchers in Norway, followed 200 heart pounding, confusion and parents of 115 children with Type 1 irritability. diabetes aged 1-15 years old.

WHAT IS A HYPO?

Mothers of children with diabetes reported higher levels of fear than fathers and parents who reported an additional disease or mental disorder in their child also had more fear of hypoglycaemia than parents of children without an additional disease.

The study showed that parents were more likely to use

inappropriate behaviour to avoid hypoglycaemia if their child used injections to control their diabetes rather than an insulin pump.

Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes UK said “Having a child diagnosed with diabetes has major implications for a family. It can be a worrying time

NEEDLE TIME: Children with Type 1 diabetes need daily injections of insulin

and therefore it is crucial that the child and their parents have access to psychological support.

Although diabetes is a serious condition, it is also important to remember that having diabetes does not prevent a child from having a normal, happy childhood.”

Asthma attacks: Do YOU know what to do?

NINE out of ten adults in the UK would not be completely confident about what to do if a child had an asthma attack, according to new research by the Asthma UK charity.

The lack of awareness about the condition was highlighted by the recent inquest into the death of 11 year-old Samuel Linton, from Stockport, who was left in a corridor at school for several hours after suffering an asthma attack.

The inquest found that school staff lacked vital training on how to recognise an asthma attack and

what to do in an emergency situation.

Neil Churchill, Asthma UK’s chief executive says: “Everyone needs to know the signs of worsening asthma and what steps to take if someone suffers an asthma attack. “Not acting quickly enough can result in needless deaths that shatter lives.

Asthma UK recommends that anyone unsure of what to do in an asthma attack should order an Asthma Attack Card.

Call 0800 121 62 55 or get yours via the website: asthma.org.uk

by Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS

I

T WAS good to see widespread interest and celebration of the 40th anniversary of government legislation that sought to change the lives of disabled people.

Britain’s legislation was the first in the world to recognise and give rights to people with disabilities and more laws and safeguards since that time have contributed to equal opportunity and inclusion in so many ways, not least within health and social care settings.

BBC Radio Merseyside ran a series of programmes and I was pleased that during a studio debate into learning disabilities, exploring issues such as access and inclusion, that Mersey Care was able to advocate for better training, education and understanding among its health partners and the wider community.

A number of staff from our specialist learning disability service talked about how the NHS can, using our experience and knowledge, make a real difference to the lives of patients with a learning disability who want to access generic services, be it GP surgeries or a hospital admission.

Down’s syndrome and dementia For instance, Health Action Plans have been rolled out to local hospitals which spell out clear and specific needs of each individual patient so that busy nurses and doctors do not make assumptions based on a norm.

Another of our projects seeks to address the wide-ranging health needs of people with Down’s syndrome who develop dementia, a relatively new but growing issue as life expectancy increases.

Only by listening to people can you then act and it was good that John Booker, a man with Asperger’s syndrome, spoke about his own “hidden disability.”

We welcome any debate that raises awareness around these and other issues relating to learning disability and mental ill-health – but wouldn’t it be good if everyone saw these as part and parcel of everyday life and truly included in the mainstream.

Perhaps after 40 years we’ve still got some way to go before we get there.

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June/July 2010

New skin cancer service S

KIN cancer patients living in Wirral and across the North West will benefit from the launch of a new specialist skin cancer service and the appointment of a surgeon skilled in this field.

Dr Olga Kerr leads the new Mohs surgery service at Clatterbridge Hospital, dealing with difficult skin cancers. It will be the regional service for Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.

Mohs surgery, developed by Dr Frederick Mohs, Professor of Surgery at Wisconsin University, forms an important part of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines for the management of skin cancer.

“Mohs surgery is now widely regarded as the gold standard

treatment for the total removal of difficult skin cancers,” explained Dr Kerr.

“Therefore this is an exciting service development for the Trust and one which will bring significant benefits to our patients.

“It is highly specialised,

microscopically controlled surgery that is used to treat difficult skin cancers. It is much more precise than traditional methods and leads to significantly smaller areas of surgical scarring and complete removal of tumours.

“It has an extremely high cure rate and importantly it can be carried out in just one session, meaning that patients do not have to attend for repeat appointments.”

Dr Kerr is one of only a small number of doctors in the country to have trained as a Mohs surgeon and general dermatologist and is one of the only female Mohs surgeons in the UK. n Clatterbridge Hospital is managed by Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Up the Wall?

NORTH WEST Air Ambulance is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join them on their first overseas challenge to the Great Wall of China.

They are offering places to individuals who commit to raising a minimum of £2,500. Flights, accommodation and meals are all included.

The trip, from March 26 to April 3 next year, includes: Six days of trekking, taking in breathtaking scenery through watchtowers and battlements.

Helping to repair the wall on a watchtower, where your brick will ensure your place in history.

Conquering the 1,000 steps at Mutinayu – not for the faint-hearted!

This year North West Air Ambulance needs to raise £3.9 million to fund the service of two helicopters.

All participants will receive a T-shirt, training tips, fundraising advice, sponsor forms and professional support on the trek. n Call Louise Lin-Hawkins, 0151 547 7844

Together we are making a difference

A

NORTH-WEST mental health Trust has scooped two prestigious awards at a national healthcare ceremony.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) won the coveted ‘Patient Involvement Award’ and achieved the runner-up prize for ‘Partnership Working’, at the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership national clinical audit awards 2010 at The Belfry in the West Midlands.

The first award, aimed at highlighting examples of excellence and innovation within clinical audit, went to CWP for acknowledging the communication needs of learning disability service users and involving them in

n CWP is looking for

new members. n If you would like to

show your support, contact the membership team on 01244 397411, e-mail membership@cwp.nhs .uk or visit the website at www.cwp.nhs.uk recording and mapping their experiences in an accessible way.

Sheena Cumiskey, CWP’s chief executive, said: “I’m extremely proud of the staff within the organisation whose continued determination to provide the best possible service for our users is the reason for this success.

“The ‘Patient Involvement Award’ is recognition of the fantastic can-do attitude of

our staff, but in particular those providing learning disability support.”

The Trust’s intensive home treatment team, alongside NHS Western Cheshire, were also announced as runner-up for ‘Partnership Working’ by developing a service that addresses the issue of crisis intervention for older people with dementia.

Ms Cumiskey added: “Our dementia services are a credit to us as a Trust.

“Our staff consistently demonstrate our organisational values of care, well-being and partnership in everything they do. Both accreditations recognise good practice and high quality standards of existing services on a national scale.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

All Together NOW!

Lounge gets SEAL of approval A

NEW state-of-the-art unit that will enhance the care of patients undergoing planned surgical procedures has opened at Arrowe Park Hospital.

The £1.3m Surgical Elective Admissions Lounge (SEAL), incorporating a pre-operative assessment facility, has welcomed its first patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, expects that the lounge will improve the experience of patients before surgery as it has two separate and distinctive functions – a surgical admissions lounge and a preoperative assessment service.

Elaine Fessey, SEAL Manager at the Trust, said: “We are proud that the SEAL offers facilities for our patients that are on a par with the very best in the region.

“Creating a pre-operative assessment facility allows us to provide greater continuity of care for our patients. It means that the team that

Pupils from Prenton High School with governors Bernie Howden, Joyce Jackson and Richard Agar at the new SEAL unit

meets a patient in their assessment and explains the planned treatment would also be the same team that provides the care on the day that they are admitted.

“This will help to reassure patients and reduce their stress and anxiety levels prior to surgery.”

Art is good for us - and that’s official

Eating disorder unit opens

WINNING SMILES: Sheena Cumiskey, centre, and colleagues

A NEW 10 bed in-patient eating disorder unit has opened at Springview Hospital in Clatterbridge.

Both adults and young people from the age of 16 years with eating disorders will be supported by the service, provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP).

Val McGee, deputy director of operations, says: “It’s estimated that

over a million people in the UK have an eating disorder. CWP has been providing services to patients for over 15 years and are currently the only NHS provider of specialist in-patient care for eating disorders in the region.

“Oaktrees unit will ensure that people suffering with an eating disorder have access to the specialist care and treatment they need.”

ART projects have the potential to boost psychological well-being and reduce anxiety and depression.

That’s the finding of Dr Asiya Siddiquee who was presenting her research at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference.

In a new take on this topic, the research focused on people engaged in community art projects in the North-West.

Dr Siddiquee and colleagues from the Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University, studied people involved in a diverse range of artistic activities such as creative writing, photography and dance.

Across the projects there was a significant increase in mental health, and improvements in anxiety and depression.

Participants’ feelings of being capable of controlling their lives, their autonomy, and sense of purpose in life were also significantly enhanced.

A variety of people took part in the research, including those with mental health problems, the elderly and hospital staff.

The research indicates that community arts projects play a significant role in addressing mental health and well-being.

Quality care earns hospitals top 40 spot St HELENS and Whiston Hospitals Trust has been named in the top 40 chart for the quality of healthcare at both of its hospitals.

CHKS, the UK ‘s leading independent provider of healthcare intelligence and quality improvement services, compile their chart by evaluating key performance indicators in the areas of safety, clinical effectiveness, health

outcomes, efficiency, patient experience, and quality of care.

Chief executive Ann Marr said: “We are delighted to be named as one of the top performing Trusts in the country. This highlights our outstanding performance in delivering excellent patient care and is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of our staff.”

James Coles, Director of Research, CHKS, said: “We are delighted that both St Helens and Whiston Hospitals are in our 40 Top Hospitals for 2010. These awards recognise outstanding performance in 21 areas which we believe are critical to delivering good patient care.”

Neurological info event at Walton AN event for people and carers affected by neurological conditions is being held in Liverpool.

The Merseyside and Cheshire Governors of the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust are asking the public to come along to find out more about the work under way there and to hear their opinions of the hospital – the UK’s only specialist neurological NHS Foundation Trust.

A host of neurological charities and other health organisations will also be there including Merseyside Regional Epilepsy Association; Parkinson’s UK; Alzheimer’s Society; Headway; Stroke Association; Motor Neurone Disease Association; MS Society; Huntingdon’s Disease Association; Liverpool LINk; Neurosupport.

The event takes place at the Clinical Sciences Building on the University Hospital Aintree site (next door to the Walton Centre) on Thursday, June 24, between 4.30pm and 7pm

TELL US YOUR VIEWS n NHS North West is

keen to hear from readers about your experiences of NHS services. n They also want any ideas or suggestions that could improve treatment and care for others. n Please send your comments to: Communications Team, FREEPOST, NHS North West, 3 Piccadilly Place, Central Manchester, M1 3BN

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June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

. . . with JAN LOCKYER

Q

I HAVE just started using a threewheeled walker to get out and about. It’s great and helps me to travel much greater distances than before.

However, because I need both hands to told and steer the walker I can’t carry anything. Any ideas?

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

SOME three-wheeled walkers have a tray designed as an accessory for that specific model.

A

Call your local Disabled Living Centre with details of your model and they will be able to find out if a tray is available.

Wire baskets and vinyl bags can also help. They have to be removed when folding your walker but there is a drinks tray that can be left in place.

This attaches to either side of the walker and has room for a cup, a glass and tablets. If your walker was provided by a Community Equipment Service you may be able to get a tray, basket or bag free.

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

Site for all eyes W

HEN trying to come up with ideas and solutions to help people to retain – or regain – their independence, lots of care workers log on to the Disabled Living Foundation’s excellent online advice and information service.

Now, thanks to a whopping £182,741 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, the website is about to be revamped with the aim of becoming a one-stop shop for anyone seeking impartial advice on daily living aids.

Already on the site are plenty of examples of bathing aids, children’s equipment, kitchen gadgets and stairlifts.

The new funding means there will soon be information and help about toileting, eating and drinking, and communication aids. www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk n WHILE this is great news for internet browsers, there is nothing better than actually seeing and trying a gadget or piece of equipment. Contact your local Disabled Living Centre to see if they have something available that you can try. See our list of DLCs on the right hand side of this page.

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 Tel: 0151 296 7742 Minicom: 0151 296 7744 Moving and Handling Team 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.

For further call thethe service youadvice require or contact main reception forDay a 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

Clothing that suits

Q

I FIND it really frustrating trying to find clothing that is fashionable, functional and fits.

FROM the enquiries we receive at Liverpol Disabled Living Centre’s Information Service we know that many people have difficulty finding clothing that works for them.

We’ve compiled a list of local tailors and dressmakers who will make or adapt clothing and can send you information on the growing range of suppliers of adaptive clothing.

The Disabled Living Foundation also publishes a

A

range of fact sheets on clothing for people with different needs.

You can view these on line at www.dlf.org.uk or call the centre on 0151 296 7742 and we’ll send you a free copy.

Rackety’s, supplier of the TanniandAnni range of clothing developed by Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and designer Anni McMahon, want to find out more about the subject of dressing when you live with a disability.

Anni says: “The obvious place to start is by asking the people who do it every day.”

So if you would be interested in becoming part of Rackety’s clothing research project contact Anni on 01538 381430

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

Gift ideas for your deaf friends

L

OOKING for a gift for someone who is deaf or who has a hearing impairment?

Ten get hold of a copy of the new Solutions catalogue from RNID, the largest charity working with hearing loss and hearing health.

One of the new products featured is the groundbreaking Bellman Domino, an elite listening device that delivers crystal clear

stereo sound without background noise.

The system consists of a transmitter and a receiver and the units have been designed to fit comfortably into the palm of a hand.

For a copy of the catalogue contact RNID Products Customer Services, tel 01733 361199, Textphone 01733 238020, email solutions@rnid.org.uk or order a copy online at www.rnid.org.uk/hearingsolutions

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

All Together NOW!

27

Help for household customers with a meter using large amounts of water for essential purposes

You could be better off with a water meter

If you you already already have have aameter meterfitted fitted If at at your your property, property, but buthave havehigh high water bills due due to to having havingaalarge large water bills family family or or because because you youor oraamember member of of the the household householdhas hasaamedical medical condition condition which whichresults results in inthe theuse use of significant amounts of water, of significant amounts of water, then we may may be beable ableto tohelp. help. then we Our WaterSure scheme ensures Our WaterSure scheme ensures that your water charges are that your water charges are capped at the same amount as the capped at the same amount as the average household water bill averagethis household water So billeven (which year is £378). (which this year is £378).

So even if you have to use a lot of water, if youbill have to use a lotthan of water, your is never more that bill is never more than your for the average customer. that orTo the beaverage eligible customer. for the scheme you Tosomeone be eligible for the scheme you or in your household in your or someone must be in receipt ofhousehold certain benefits.

Toreceipt find outofmore, order must be in certain our WaterSure information benefits.

To find out more, pack order by our 24-hour pack leaflet ourtelephoning WaterSure information request line on 0845 303 7711 or by telephoning our 24-hour leaflet visit our website: request line on 0845 303 7711 or www.unitedutilities.com/ visit our website: watersure unitedutilities.com/watersure

More people are switching to water meters in the North West – and are making a saving on their water bills as a result.

If If you youlive liveon onyour yourown, own,have havea asmall small

that shows instantly if you questions could save answering a few simple family,ororlive liveinina ahouse house with a high about youwater use water in the family, with a high money how on your bill if you rateable value, it is worth home and garden, you can find out switched to a meter. By answering a rateable value, it’s worth considering a water meter. And the what your bill could be with a water few simple questions on how you use considering a water meter. And the best news is that United Utilities meter.” water your homethis and calculator garden, you best news that United Utilities will fit oneisFREE of charge.

Youincan access canvisiting: find out what your bill could be with will“Iffityou onedon’t insidehave yourahome of waterFREE meter by your bill is calculated on the www.unitedutilities.com/meters a water meter.” charge. rateable value of your property,” and on theissection headed 'I am Theclick calculator at: “If you don’t have a water meter said Simon Wilmot, Metering considering a water meter'. your bill is calculated on the unitedutilities.com/meters Manager at United Utilities.

“Another thing to consider,” said rateable value of your property,” If you’re happy with “This means that you are charged a Simon, “isnot that if you areyour notcharges happy said Harper, after the has been you fixedNeil rate everymetering year, regardless of with yourmeter charges afterinstalled, the meter how much water you use. has been installed you have up to specialist at United Utilities. have up to 13 months to switch back13 to “For some customers this will be months to switch back to how we “This means that you’re charged a how you used to be charged. the preferred option as you know used to charge you for your water. fixed rate every year, regardless of If you live in a property with shared exactly how much your bill will be So you really have nothing to lose.” the water you use. communal facilities, Utilities may for amount the yearofand you can budget Even if you live inUnited a property with accordingly.

“Some customers may prefer this, still be able facilities, to install a United water meter. communal Utilities “However, if you live on your own may still be able to install a water as you’ll know exactly how much This is subject to us reaching agreeor in a house with a high rateable meter.

However, this will bebilling subject your bill will be for the year and ment with your landlord about value it is worth considering a water to discussions between ourselves can budget accordingly. and pipework. meter as you may be able to reduce and your landlord to put agreements “Butwater if you live canregarding apply for abilling water and meter your bill.”on your own inYou place If you have access to the internet, pipework arrangements. or in a house with a high rateable online at: unitedutilities.com/meters United Utilities has an interactive You can water meter value it’s worth considering a water or by callingapply 0845for 303a7744. calculator that shows instantly if via our website meter as you may be able to reduce Or order an information pack from our you could save money on your water www.unitedutilities.com/meters your bill.” leaflet request0845 line on 0845 303 7711. bill ifwater you switched to a meter. or by calling 303 7744.

“You might be put off switching “A lot of customers are put off Alternatively order an information switching to a meter because they pack from our leaflet request line on to a meter if you’re unsure whether are unsure if they will make a 0845 303 7711. you’ll make a saving,” said Neil. saving,” said Simon. “However, by

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

“There’s a calculator on our website

To find out more call 0845 746 1100 or textphone 0808 143 1195 03/09/SD/3604

All Together NOW!

28

June/July 2010

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

'EV MRWYVERGI

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35

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.

So if you are disabled or drive for a disabled person, whether the vehicle is modified or not you can put the brakes on costly car insurance!

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TAKE ME HOME!

Do you qualify for a car? n ANYONE who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (currently around £50 a week) can transfer their allowance as a simple monthly payment to Motability, in exchange for a new car. n Cars that have an advance payment require one simple, upfront payment.

Motability’s worry-free motoring package includes insurance, servicing and maintenance and full RAC breakdown assistance. n There’s also a motoring

Road to T

it changed our lives!

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Before joining the Scheme, it was difficult to get around but now I am able to do a lot of things I was struggling to do before.

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use your mobility allowance to get mobile...

Simply exchange it for an all-inclusive worry-free mobility package, including: • New car, powered wheelchair or scooter • Insurance • Servicing and repairs • Tyres • Breakdown cover

Come and meet us at Disability Awareness Day at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington Sunday 11 July 2010

freephone 0800 093 1000

(MO157N)

or visit www.motability.co.uk for further details Registered Charity No. 299745

allowance of 60,000 miles over three years as well as tyre and windscreen replacement. n Around 550,000 disabled people and their families in the UK are currently enjoying the choice and value on offer from Motability. n The new prices apply until the end of June. n Motability, Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2ET. Helpline 0845 456 4566 (voice), 01279 632273 (text). www.motability.co.uk

HERE’S good news for disabled people looking for a new car this summer – with more affordable makes and models available from Motability than ever before.

More than 300 cars are available with no advance payment, and there are many popular adaptations included at no additional cost.

The summer offers include: n A choice of over 4,000 cars from 37 manufacturers. n Over 460 low emission options. n More than 70 automatic models available at nil advance payment. n A huge choice of over 360 adaptations. n All models from Vauxhall and Mitsubishi now also join Ford in offering parking sensors fitted as standard to cars leased through Motability.

Mike Betts, chief executive of Motability Operations, said: “The recent stabilisation of the car market means Motability is able to pass on more savings to our customers.

“Not only have we focused on lowering prices, but we’ve also

Accessible affordable - and loads of choice worked to include more features, such as adaptations, included in the cost.

“There is fantastic choice across a huge range of larger cars, automatics and diesels to ensure the exact car, regardless of budget, mobility or lifestyle is as affordable as possible.”

Highlights of the current Motability price guide, all available with no advance payment until the end of June, include: n Ford Fiesta 1.4 96 Zetec with rear parking sensors. n Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI S Hyundai i30 1.6CRDi Comfort. n Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi Acenta. n Renault Grand Scenic 1.5dCi 106 Dynamique with Carminat TomTom Sat Nav. n Vauxhall Insignia 2.0CDTi Exclusiv with front and rear parking sensors n Seat Ibiza 1.4TDI

Ecomotive with low CO2 emissions of 98g per km.

Other great value options include the prestigious Audi A3 1.6 at £499 advance payment, the sturdy Peugeot 3008 1.6HDI Active at just £199 advance payment, and the seven-seater Volkswagen Touran 1.9TDI 105 S for £299 advance payment.

On the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle front, there are more than 600 options with advance payments from £395.

Models such as the Nemo Multispace 1.4HDi 70 from Allied Vehicles, the Kangoo Extreme 1.6 from Aspect Conversions and the Combo 1.3CDTi Tour EZT from Gowrings Mobility, are all available at £395 advance payment.

The new price list sees the scope of adaptations available at no extra cost increase to 125.

For example push/pull hand controls with indicator switches can be fitted at no extra cost.

There have also been significant price reductions on wheelchair stowage systems, swivel seats and electronic accelerators.

Order the adaptations at the time of ordering a car and it will be delivered with them installed.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

All Together NOW!

CONTACTS

HOT STUFF Deals galore on many new models SUMMER STUNNERS: Right, the Seat Ibiza. Below, from left, Nissa Qashqai Acenta, Renault Grand Scenic, Hyundai i30, and the Skoda Yeti — all available Motability

FREEDOM! n MOBILISE, the national disability motoring charity, has teamed up with All Together NOW! to provide readers with a tip-top motoring news and information service. n For full details of membership

Q

I AM of short stature and so I sit very close to the steering wheel when I’m driving. I have therefore always switched off the driver’s airbag as I believed it was more likely to cause me greater injury if it was deployed. However, I’m now not sure if I’m doing the right thing – and I’m also worried that by doing this I may be breaking the law.

THE Department for Transport say it is not illegal to turn off an airbag as there is no legal requirement for cars to have them.

Airbags inflate very quickly with a considerable amount of force which can sometimes cause relatively minor injuries, but serious or fatal injuries can be caused if an occupant is too close to an airbag when it inflates.

In your case it may be safer to switch it off – but it is best to seek professional advice from a mobility centre who may be able to advise you of some equipment which will enable you to sit further back from the wheel. n Freephone 0800 559 3636 or visit www.mobility-centres.org.uk

A

Q

I RECENTLY received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for failing to display my Blue Badge. I

including members’ concessions contact: Mobilise Organisation, National Headquarters, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich, NR16 1EX. Tel: 01508 489449. Email: enquiries@mobilise.info www.mobilise.info appealed to the local authority, stating that my car was taxed in the ‘Disabled’ class but still had to pay the fine. Is this fair?

WHEN using the parking concessions you must display the badge on the dashboard or facial panel, where it can be clearly read through the front windscreen. The front of the badge should face upwards, showing the wheelchair symbol.

If you receive High Rate Mobility Component Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement you can apply for exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and your car would be registered in the disabled class.

But remember: the Blue Badge is for a person and can be taken from vehicle to vehicle to obtain the concessions, whereas the road tax exemption is specific for a single vehicle.

So it could be possible that if the vehicle was being used by another person, but for the benefit of the disabled person, the driver might not have a Blue Badge. In this case the Civil Enforcement Officer would be quite right to issue a PCN. A number of local authorities are increasingly only granting parking concessions to vehicles taxed in the disabled class.

A

29

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

VROOM, VROOM

30

All Together NOW!

June/July 2010

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

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Holiday scooters NEED a powered scooter for your holiday? West Lancashire Shopmobility may be able to help . . .

They have just been given a donation to buy two new scooters - specially for holiday hire.

Lightweight and easy to dismantle, the scooters can be hired for one day and for up to a month - and can be taken to any destination in the UK. Call them on 01695 570055

AT YOUR SERVICE: Scooters for hire

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

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

Rainey Day

Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280

THE fourth annual Rainey Day event aimed at raising awareness of about disability - takes place at King George V Sport Complex in Huyton, Mereseyside on Sunday June 27.

Organised in memory of Knowsley’s former access officer John Rainey, the event is free to attend, and will run from 11am-3pm.

Activities will include music, dancing, football and volleyball coaching from Everton in the Community, wheelchair basketball and boccia.

Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE n ANGLESEY:

CARERS’ CENTRES

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

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

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2010

All Together NOW!

31

High standards WINNERS: Everton FC captain Phil Neville with players and coaches at The Everton Foundation which has become the first in the country to achieve the FA Charter Standard Community Status.

Recognised across the world for its excellent disability football programmes, the Foundation has created, and oversees, 23 affiliated teams for players who are blind, deaf, and those with physical and learning disabilities.

Amy steps it up!

M

ARTIAL arts star Amy Truesdale has bettered her impressive bronze medal at the inaugural 2009 World Championships by taking silver at the World ParaTaekwondo Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Amy, who was born with the lower part of her left arm missing, regularly competes opposite able-bodied athletes and took a bronze in the women’s under 63kg category at the 2010 National Taekwondo Championships in Manchester in January.

With the majority of her training taking place at the Stoke UTA Taekwondo Club, Amy also spends time with the British team at the National Taekwondo Academy in Manchester prior to major events.

Whilst Para-Taekwondo is not yet a paralympic sport and only

Silver medal for Truesdale at the World Championships

recently became officially recognised, there is a chance that it will be present at the London 2012 Olympics as a trial exhibition sport with a more official involvement likely at Rio 2016.

Amy, 21, from Poole, Chester, said: “It’s a shame that London came too early for the sport as it would have been amazing to be part of Team GB in 2012 but events such as the World ParaTaekwondo Championships show that there is a real support for the sport internationally.

“It was fantastic to make the podium again and hopefully I can go one better again next year to take my first world gold.”

The British International Open takes place in Manchester September 25-26. n www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk

Fourth place for GB GREAT Britain’s men’s wheelchair tennis team of Marc McCarroll, David Phillipson and Gordon Reid joined the women’s and junior teams in finishing fourth at the Invacare World Team Cup in Antalya, Turkey.

Sports chairs DISABLED young people in Halton are being given the chance to try their hands at various wheelchair sports.

Halton council have placed ten top sports wheelchairs at Chesnut Lodge school for youngsters to use.

Paralympic silver medallist Mark Eccleston, Halton council’s disabled sports officer, said: “We have young disabled people with real potential. These chairs will help them to have fun and maybe go on to achieve great things.”

The wheelchairs, which cost £20,000, were funded from the government’s Aiming TAKE ME HOME! High for Disabled Children fund.

Stay ahead of the game – www.alltogethernow.org.uk A cut above the rest – here are our 25 winners CONGRATULATIONS to the 25 winning readers in our recent gardening competition.

All 25 readers win a pair of mini ‘Deadhead’ trimmers, courtesy of Mr Fothergill’s Garden Essentials, which are ideal for cutting off dead flower heads.

Winners should receive their prizes within the next 28 days.

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Mrs K Thompson, Dunraven Road, West Kirby, Wirral. “Excellent magazine” (Burton Garden Centre) Mrs J R Peters, Vanderbyl Avenue, Spital, Bromborough. “Interesting and informative. Looking forward to the next edition. Will pass on this issue to a friend.”

(Burleydam Nurseries).

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All Together NOW!

32

June/July 2010

Football crazy

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Opportunities for disabled footballers

Blind captain blasts TV ad THE captain of England’s blind football team has criticised a TV advert that features a blind footballer accidentally kicking a cat.

FA plans for 290 new teams

H

UNDREDS of new disability football teams will be created all over the country over the next two years.

The proposals – part of the FA’s new disability football strategy for 2010-2012 – include setting up 140 new male and 150 new female disability teams by 2012, adding to the existing 400 male and 26 female teams.

Plans also include creating 34 new disability county leagues by 2012, on top of the existing 14.

The FA will also develop a network of full-time county disability football officers to develop disability football, increase participation, raise coaching and playing standards, and develop local clubs and competitions.

Fifty new disabled referees will be trained over two years; 10% of young people selected for an FA young coaches programme will be disabled; and all skill tests for five to 11-year-olds will be inclusive.

The strategy pledges that the FA will continue to support six elite national disability football squads: for players who are amputees; deaf; blind; partially-sighted; have cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

The FA’s goal is for each team to be ranked in the top four in Europe.

An FA spokemans said: “Disabled sport needs to be in a position to reap the maximum benefits from the exposure that it will receive from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tee-up time!

AMONG the star attractions at this year’s Naidex was this impressive ParaGolfer on the Otto Bock Healthcare stand.

The specially constructed multi-terrain powered wheelchair allows disabled golfers to stand and play.

Its robust yet agile design means players can easily move across various terrains, and be at eye level with other players.

Price, £16,500. n Call Helen O’Brien, Otto Bock: 01784 744927.

Couple lift acrobatics title VICTORIA Perez and Omar Haddad produced a scintillating routine to win the wheelchair title at the national sports acrobatics championships.

Victoria, who is also profoundly deaf, said: “Sports acrobatic is especially difficult for me as a wheelchair user as the routines are performed on a sprung floor which can add quite a lot of bounce to the chair. This causes difficulties when performing a wheelie on two wheels.

“You have to correctly judge the softness of the mat or it is so easy to tip over. Omar also has to balance on the footplate during the routine, and when he jumps off it can cause the chair to tip on the soft mats.”

Help us to keep spreading the news – subscribe NOW All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people whose lives are affected by disability. But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books.

You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £10 donation (or more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

More than 400 people complained to the advertising watchdog about the advert for the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, which features two teams using a ball with a bell inside it.

When the ball is kicked out of play, a cat with a bell around its neck runs onto the pitch, and is accidentally kicked into a tree by one of the players.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has now launched an investigation.

Some viewers were concerned about the advert’s depiction of blind people, while some complained that it encouraged or condoned animal cruelty.

David Clarke, captain of England’s blind football team, who has more than 100 caps for his country, declined to be involved in the advert, which he said was “at best a cheap gag” and “in no way does justice” to the standards and fitness levels of England’s international players.

He added: “The people playing the game at the highest level are very, very fit and playing to a very, very high standard. The people on show were not really that athletic.”

A Paddy Power spokesman said the company had received a huge amount of positive feedback from the blind or partially sighted community” following the advert.

Champions!

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GREAT Britain’s disabled athletes produced their best ever performances at the Paralympic Wold Cup in Manchester.

The men’s wheelchair basketball team took gold after beating Canada.

In the Football 7-a-side tournament, GB collected the bronze medal, courtesy of an 8-4 thumping over the USA. And our swimmers won TEN gold medals from 12 events.

Full results: www.btparalympicworldcup. com