All Together NOW! Feb-Mar 2013

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!opening doors . . . broadening minds

When you’ve finished reading this paper please pass it on to a friend or neighbourWhen you’ve finished reading this paper please pass it on to a friend or neighbour

THE NORTH WEST’S BEST READ PAPER!

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THE NORTH WEST’S BEST READ PAPER!

2 All Together NOW! February/March 2013 www.alltogethernow.org.uk

What’s inside

Who to contactEditor: Tom Dowlingemail:[email protected]

Advertising/sponsorshipChris Groves

email:[email protected]

IT Support: Ken AlmondWebsite: Pharos Design

NEXT EDITION:Tuesday 8 April, 2013

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

HALF OF All Together NOW! READERS DO NOT SEE ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER— The Murray Consultancy‘

n All Together NOW! is aregistered charity set up toprovide a tip top news servicefor anyone whose life isaffected by disability, long-term healthcondtions or age.n The charity reliesentirely on supportfrom its sponsors,advertisers andfrom general subscriptionsand grants.n You can contact us on

0151 230 0307

NEWS p2-5

BANK WORKERS CHARITY p6

THE FAMILY PAGE p8

THE MORGAN FOUNDATION p9

GETTING ON p10

UNITED UTILITIES p11

INDEPENDENT LIVING p12

MERSEYTRAVEL p14

MOTORZONE p15-17

SOUNDING OFF: Bert Massie p18

SKILLZONE p19-21

HEALTHZONE p22-23

THEATRE GUIDE p24-25

HOLIDAYS & HOROSCOPES p26

GARDENING p27

PUZZLEZONE p28-29

CONTACT BOARD p30

SPORTZONE p31-32

NEWS

ALMOST one in everyfive people in the NorthWest say their day-to-day lives are limited bya long-term healthproblem or disability.

And 710,000 peopleprovide unpaid care forsomeone with an illnessor disability.

The findings arecontained in the 2011Census which givesinsights intocharacteristics of theNorth West’s 7.1 millionpopulation.Religion: In 2011, 67%of residents in this regionwere Christian.Outside London, thelocal authority with thelargest proportion ofMuslims was in the NorthWest: Blackburn withDarwen at 27% (40,000people). Ethnicity: The NorthWest had 90% of itspopulation stating theirethnicity as ‘White’.The region also has thesecond highestproportion of Chineseafter London, althoughthe number is relativelysmall (1%, 48,000).

HighestManchester is ranked

seventh highest of alllocal authorities inEngland and Wales forresidents declaringthemselves as ‘Chinese’(3%).

Pendle is ranked thirdhighest of localauthorities in Englandand Wales of peopledeclaring themselves as‘Pakistani’ (17%).Blackburn with Darwen isranked sixth (12%).

Oldham is ranked thirdhighest of all localauthorities of peopledeclaring themselves‘Bangladeshi’ (7%).Country of birth: In2011 there were 577,000foreign-born residents inthe North West.Manchester had thehighest proportion offoreign-born usualresidents, with 25%.

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!

One in 5people’slives arelimited

ARE you trying to forge a career in the artsbut worried about money? Are you disabled?Or have mental health problems?

If the answer is yes to more than one of thosequestions, then a new £120,000 fund could help yourealise your dream.

Applications for grants of between approximately£800 and £8,000 are being urgently sought fromdisabled people or those with mental health issues,working or studying in the arts who need financialsupport NOW!.

The scheme is open to people interested in a widerange of visual and performing arts – from painting,sculpture and graphic art to film, drama, music and

dance. The Visual and Performing Arts Fund, whichwill hand out £120,000 over the next five years, isbeing provided by the Rehab Group, a leadinginternational not-for-profit body whose aim is a worldwhere everyone has the opportunity to achieve theirpotential.

Applicants must be 17 or over and must send adocument (no more than two A4 pages) outlining theproject and a full CV, either electronically [email protected] or by letter to Visual andPerforming Arts Fund, Rehab Group, Roslyn Park,Sandymount, Dublin 4.The closing date is Thursday, February 28.Full terms and conditions: www.rehabie

Arts grants up for grabs – NOW!

ALL Together NOW! editorTom Dowling was turnedaway in his wheelchair from ahotel in the early hours of acold winter’s night afterbeing told the adapted roomhe booked and paid for amonth earlier had beenresold.

Tom, 59, had been attending anational disability sports event atLancashire County Cricket Club.

He and his wife, Lynne, hadbooked a night at the nearbySalford Travelodge to avoid therisks of driving his adapted carhome in wintry conditions.

But their well-laid plans soonturned into a nightmare.

Arriving at the hotel just aftermidnight they found the gates tothe car park were locked. Luckily,Lynne was able to dash acrossthe road in freezing, driving rainand get a key from reception.

Then they were told that theirroom had been given to another

guest who had turned up at thehotel while the couple were at theawards event.

Staff then tried to wake theguests in the disabled room,hoping they would be able topersuade them to move into theonly remaining standard room.

When that failed, Tom wasoffered the standard room.

But when he opened the door tocheck that he could get hiswheelchair into the room, he wasconfronted by a young womanwho had just showered and wasdrying her hair.

“I don’t know who screamedloudest,” said Tom, who was thentold by staff that there had beenanother mix-up with the bookingsand that there were no morerooms available.

“They did offer to ring aroundother hotels to see if any had adisabled room, but that couldhave taken until dawn and Lynnewas drenched to the skin,freezing cold and very upset,”added Tom, who then decided torisk the drive home.

But there was another slap inthe face to come - Tom was toldhe would have to pay a £7parking fee to get his car out ofthe car park.

Travelodge have since made afull apology for the “substandardservice” which they say wascaused due to a communicationbreakdown. They have made afull refund, reimbursed expenses,and provided a £100accommodation voucher.

HUNDREDS of children withmobility issues are set for alesson in life and anawesome adventure – allrolled into one.

The Whizz-Kidz organisation willuse a £348k Lottery grant to runlife skills camps around thecountry with Big Brother-stylediary rooms and inspiration fromParalympic athletes.

Over the next three years over200 young wheelchair users will

have the opportunity to take partin sport, team challenges, cookingand other activities on the way tobecoming more independent.

Mark Lovell, from Whizz-Kidz,said: “The young people we workwith us tell us they often miss outon age-appropriate provisionwhich could build their skills, growtheir confidence and give them ataste of independence.

“Whizz-Kidz closes this gap bydelivering tailored training, but

also crucially supporting youngdisabled people to gain real lifeexperience by directing their owncare – often for the first time –and by building friendships.”

Young people will take part inthree-day residential breaks awayfrom parents and carers whichhelp bolster their self-esteemwhile encouraging them to domore for themselves once theyreturn to normal life.nWhizz-Kidz tel, 020 7233 6600.

Fun camps build confident kids

No room at No room atthe inn the inn Our editor’s paid-for

disabled room is re-soldhours before he arrives

All Together NOW!

3www.alltogethernow.org.uk February/March 2013 All Together NOW!

Best limb forwardfor Hadrian’s Wall

D-Day at Cumbria

Business boost!

ORGANISERS of a trek along one ofBritain’s most famous landmarks aretaking no chances with the weather.

Tents specially designed to withstandthe rigours of the Australian Outback– so perfectly suited to whatever theEnglish spring can throw at them! – arebeing provided for participants walkingthe length of Hadrian’s Wall.

The 84-mile hike, following the oldRoman frontier between England andScotland, is organised by LimbPower,which aims to help physically disabledpeople by aiding rehabilitation andimproving their quality of life throughsports and arts.

The walk begins at Bowness-on-Solway on May 3 and finishes six dayslater at Wallsend,.Interested in taking part? [email protected] or Kiera Roche,tel 07502276858

CUMBRIA’S Disability Information Daytakes place at the Rheged Centre inPenrith on Friday 8 March.

The event is being staged byLearning to Change CUMBRIAParent/Carers Forum.Contact Kerryanne Hunter, tel 01931716071. email:[email protected]

PEOPLE wanting to set up their ownbusinesses are being given ahelping hand (see SKILLZONE, p19).

Enterprising Merseyside want tohear from more people onMerseyside who have great ideasfor starting their own business, butdon’t know what to do next.

Thanks to their support,thousands of people have alreadystarted successful businesses.

Mike Bold is one of them. Twoyears ago, Mike, a charteredsurveyor, had to deal with ill-healthand redundancy.

But, within a year, he was runninghis own business.

“When you’re unemployed youthink you’re on your own,” saidMike. “You’re not! I was allocated amentor whose enthusiasm andsupport was a massive boost afterwhat I’d been through.” Tel, 0845 340 9980

THE UK’s first trulyinclusive radio stationis on the lookout forbudding presenters.

The new stationbroadcasts fromSalford Quays, inGreater Manchester,with a round-the-clockline-up includingmusic, DJs, presenters,live performances andguests.

At the core ofLDOK.net is a team ofpeople drawn from thelearning disabledcommunity working intandem with otherpresenters andcontributors.

Terry Snowden, headof the Manchester-based Heroes Project,who launchedLDOK.net, said: “Weare aiming to presentinclusive radio that isattractive to alllisteners while beinguniquely personal,representative andsupportive of thelearning disabledcommunity and itsmembers.”

LDOK Radio is keento take on bright newvoices to the table andwant to hear fromanybody - anywhere -especially thosealready making regularpodcasts or who areinvolved in radio atlocal levels.Interested? [email protected] orcall 0161 872 8787.www.LDOK.net

be a

Do YOUwant to

radio star?

New year hope

We are very impressed with howAll Together NOW! is getting ourhealth messages to people acrossthe region. The paper is having a

tremendously positive impact on people’swellbeing, especially those affected bydisability and age, and we are delightedto continue our partnership.”

James Brown, Head of CommunicationsLiverpool Community Health

All Together NOW! is making a hugelyimportant social contribution to peopleaffected by health issues and deservesto be supported. At Park we are

committed to supporting our community and this freecharity newspaper is helping so many people acrossthe region. There is nothing else like it in the countryand we know how valuable it is for many of our customers. We are proud to be associated with the paper.”Chris Houghton, chief executive officer at Park Group plc‘ ‘

NEWS

LOVE IS IN THE AIRLOVE IS IN THE AIRIT’S OFFICIAL . . . All Together NOW! isone of the best small social enterprisesin the North West.The info-packed charity paper - the only one

of its kind in the UK - has been shortlisted inthe inaugural Excellence In Social EnterpriseAwards that attracted entries from acrossMerseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire,and Manchester.

Last year the paper picked up four accolades— North West Magazine of the Year, runner-upin the Morgan Foundation’s EntrepreneurAwards for Making the Best SocialContribution, commended in the NicheNewspaper section of the national NewspaperAwards, and a finalist in the UK Public SectorCommunication Awards.

This is all good news and is a real tribute tothe magnificent support we get from our keypartners - The Bank Workers Charity, LiverpoolCommunity Health Trust, Liverpool CommunityCollege, Mersey travel, The MorganFoundation, Park Group, and United Utilities.

Without their tremendous backing, thispaper would not be around. Thanks!

- Tom Dowling, editor

HHEERREE’’SS SSOOMMEE MMOORREE GGOOOODD NNEEWWSS .. .. ..

TUNED IN: Some of the presentersand background team at the newradio station, LDOK.net


340,000 people – two-thirds of All Together NOW! readers – DO NOTread any other disability or health publication — The Murray Consultancy‘

Money a daily worryfor one in three Brits

My sin, by UKIP man

NEWS

£80m boostfor Sixties’Thalidomidesurvivors

Why I love this paper

MONEY worries are the biggest causeof concern for British consumers,with 16.8 million feeling stressed outby their finances every day,according to research fromMoneySupermarket.

The UK’s number one comparisonwebsite revealed a third of UK adultsfeel stressed on a daily basis as aresult of their financial situation.

Meanwhile, health caused the mostconcern for 14% of those polled, and13% were most stressed out by theirjobs.

Kevin Mountford, of MoneySuper-market, said: “As was the case lastyear, anxiety about money is the topcause of stress for many adults.

“Unfortunately, I think we canexpect this yearto be just as tough aschanges to benefits, taxation andfurther austerity measures take theirtoll.

“Understanding and controllingyour household budgeting better andavoid unnecessary overspending canhelp alleviate some of the anxiety,even if times remain tough.”

A FORMER UKIP candidate who calledon the NHS to look at compulsoryabortion of foetuses with Down’ssyndrome or spina bifida has toldcampaigners he wants to do penance“for my sin”.

Geoffrey Clark lost to the Tories in aKent council election and wassuspended by his party after publishingthe controversial views on his website.

Now he has apologised in writing toShine, the charity that supports peoplewith spina bifida.

Mr Clark adds: “In provoking thought- not a bad thing - I provoked hatred, abad thing. I apologise to you andeveryone. No offence was everintended.”

In his call for a national debate, MrClark had also suggested the NHSconsider “legalising euthanasia andgiving free euthanasia advice to all folkover 80”.

In response, Shine chief executiveJackie Bland said: “We suggest youresolve to learn more about people withspina bifida, find out what you can doto stop the on-going discrimination thatthey still have to face.”

BLIND people have been expressing theirfears over changes to welfare payments thatcould cost them more than £1,000 per year.

Twenty thousand partially-sighted, currently on thelower rate care component on DLA, will not qualifyfor the standard daily living rate under PIP – thenew Personal Independence Payment.

Siobhan Meade, who is registered blind, told theAll Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health:“Because I don’t have any sight I need to buyseveral different appliances to keep my kitchen safeand hygienic.

“My talking scales cost about £50, my talking juganother £40, and the talking thermometer to checkmy meat is cooked properly is another £40-50.

“I then need a cleaner every two weeks to makesure my bathroom and kitchen is kept clean andhygienic which costs £22. Because I’m trying to findfull time employment I do a lot of volunteering workand have to pay for taxis to unfamiliar places as Idon’t qualify for Access to Work.

“This can amount to £70 each week. I’ve also gota GPS device to find unfamiliar places and thiscosts £500 and needs updating and repairingregularly.”

Lord Low of Dalston, chair of the Royal NationalInstitute for Blind people, said: “There is a real riskthat partially sighted people who currently get thelower rate of DLA will miss out on PIP altogether -despite the very real costs they face in daily living.”

MPs hear blind people’s fears

CAMPAIGNERS haveaccused the Governmentof burying a last-minute

welfare change that will seethousands more people loseout.

And protest group WeareSparticusis calling on PM David Cameron to“go back to the drawing board” onproposals to replace disability livingallowance (DLA).

The unexpected changes, slippedout in Parliament just beforeChristmas, mean the criteria for theenhanced mobility rate of the newPersonal Independence Payment(PIP), has tightened.

And that means people will nowhave to show they are unable towalk further than 20 metres,instead of the previous 50 metres.

Jane Young, who co-authored thereport for the WeareSpartacuscampaign group, said: “This not onlycondemns thousands more disabledpeople to the worry of losing outunder the new benefit and theisolation this will bring. It alsohighlights the lie that theGovernment’s reforms are targetedto support those in need.

“Government protestations aboutconsultation are a nonsense if ittakes no notice of what disabledpeople and their organisations say.

“Of the 173 consultation responsesfrom organisations on the new PIP,only one suggested the qualifyingdistance for those who have themost difficulty getting around shouldbe changed.

“And why has there been noparliamentary debate on such asignificant policy change? Is itbecause government has alreadydecided that this is about savingmoney rather than meeting need?”

The group is also calling for the

Government to incorporate people’sability to undertake tasks ‘reliably’into the regulations for PIP, whichwill ensure both assessments and

appeal hearings consistently takeaccount of factors such as pain,fatigue, and other symptomsgenerated by undertaking tasks.

IT’S was an especially proud dayfor Jan Lockyer when she waspresented with her MBE atBuckingham Palace.

Watching her receive hermedal were husband, John,long-time work pal, Ruth – andher father, Ron Martin, who hasjust celebrated his 92nd birhday.

“I was so happy that dad couldbe with me,” said Jan, who for30 years was a senioroccupational therapist atLiverpool’s Disabled LivingCentre, helping thousands ofpeople affected by disability andill-health.

“It was touch and go as he hadbeen poorly in hospital for three

weeks just before but managedto escape in time!

“He thoroughly enjoyedhimself and has been tellingeveryone he meets about what awonderful time it was.

“They got front row seats aswell. It couldn’t have beenbetter. Princess Anne did theinvestiture, which was lovely asshe is the patron of the Collegeof Occupational Therapists. Shewas very well briefed and knewall about the work of DLCs andspent a good five minutestalking to each recipient.”

Jan’s work was recognised inthe Queen’s Birthday HonoursList.

Jan makes dad proudJOY for Jan at the Palace with dad Ron and, inset, John

A NEW website aims toconnect thousands offamilies across the globewho are affected bycongenital limb differences(Dysmelia).The site was launched bya group of people livingwith the disabling affectsof the Thalidomide drug.nwww.dysnet.org

THALIDOMIDE survivorshave welcomed a 10-year, £80 millionGovernment grant thatwill help them as theygrow older.

The grant brings peaceof mind to England’s 325surviving “thalidomiders”,who have impairmentscaused by the drug beingtaken by their mothersduring pregnancy between1958 and 1961.

It will pay for supportsuch as personalassistants, adaptations tohomes and vehicles, andwheelchairs, and will beadministered by theThalidomide Trust, whichmanages thecompensation paid by thefirm that marketedthalidomide in the UK.

EDRIC, a Europe-widegroup set up bythalidomide survivors –which runs the DysNetonline community ondealing with limb loss anddeficiency – welcomed theannouncement.

Geoff Adams-Spink,EDRIC’s chair, said: “It’s asad fact that manyaffected have not lived tosee this day but thosewho have are in our sixthdecade and are facingincreasing costs to help usstay as healthy andindependent as possible.”

He added: “The effectsof thalidomide aren’t justwhat you can see such asshortened arms or legs,but there is also oftendamage to internalorgans, vision andhearing.”


Worldwideconnections

All Together NOW! is a reallygood read. The paper tacklesdisability issues in a positive,newsy and most of all,humane fashion. I really like thecontent – it documents so manypositive stories and highlights somany positive people who haveovercome difficulties and disabilitiesto add to the rich tapestry of humanvariety. It is a very cheerful upbeatpublication, even when tacklingemotive and often sad issues— Gerard (email)

Benefit walk testgets even tougher


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DATA PROTECTION: By placing an order with us and/or giving data to us you confirm that you understand and agree that the information you provide will be held on a Park Group databaseand that it will be shared by all companies within the Park Group. A full list of those companies is available by writing to the Data Controller, Park Group Plc, Valley Road, Birkenhead, CH41 7ED.Park Group plc shall be the data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you provide will be used by us and any necessary third parties to provide you withthe goods and services you request. Companies within the Park Group may wish to contact you for customer care purposes or to keep you informed about the latest offers, promotions, prizedraws, and competitions, using post, telephone, e-mail, SMS and any other appropriate means, including new technology. If you wish to be contacted via email or SMS, please provide us withyour e-mail address and/or your mobile telephone number as appropriate. If you do not wish to be contacted by any member of the Park Group for marketing purposes, please tick this box

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New Manchester cab

NEWS

MANCHESTER is set to have a newstyle of black cab after ManchesterCity Council approved an applicationto licence an E7 taxi.

The Peugeot-based E7 is alreadyapproved by 97% of towns and citiesacross the UK, where it has becomethe most popular model of taxi.

The E7 also has special features forwheelchair users including a pull-out,under-floor ramp; more turning spaceturning; and secure and saferpositioning.

Other features are a high-visibilityedging and a seat that slides forward,to help partially-sighted people; aswivel-seat for ambulant people withmobility impairment; and aninduction loop for deaf people.

Manchester cab owner PaulMcCormick, who applied to licensethe city’s first E7, said: “I’m certainthe E7 will prove as big a success inManchester as it has everywhere elsein the country.”

ADISABILITY groupthat helped designManchester’s

Metrolink system has givena big thumbs up to the new3.9 mile extension toDroylsden town centre.

Members of Transport forGreater Manchester’s DisabilityDesign Reference Group(DDRG) rode a test tram alongthe line to inspect new stopsand see how well they meet

the needs of disabled people.Andy Walker, the new chair of

the DDRG, said: “It was greatto get out on the tram toDroylsden and see some of theaccessibility improvements thegroup has been involved in.

“I worked as a constructionmanager so I’ve enjoyedlooking at the new stops from atechnical point of view as wellas from a wheelchair user’sperspective. Metrolink is a very

accessible system and I thinkthe group gave some reallypositive feedback.

“I was impressed with thestop at the Etihad Stadium. I’ma season ticket holder and I’mlooking forward to getting thetram all the way from Oldham!”

The new Metrolink line callsat New Islington, Holt Town,Etihad Campus, Velopark,Clayton Hall, Edge Lane,Cemetery Road and Droylsden.

PROFOUNDLY deaf prisonersare missing out onservices thatcould help their rehabilitationbecause the Prison Servicecannot provide for their needs, astudy has found.

Some deaf prisoners interviewedas part of the research claimed tohave had trouble accessingemployment, education courses andbehaviour classes in prison becauseof issues relating to their disability.

Others said they were concernedabout their safety in the event of afire because they would be unable tohear an alarm and would be unsureof what to do.

The report, Not hearing us: Anexploration of the experience ofdeaf prisoners in English andWelsh prisons, calls for moresharing of good practice – such as atShrewsbury prison, where staff andprisoners were taught sign language.

Frances Crook, chief executive atthe Howard League for PenalReform, said:

“This research should spark areconsideration of the servicesprovided to the deaf inside penalinstitutions. It is unacceptable thatorgans of the state and commercialprisons fail to comply with equalitieslegislation.”

It is estimated that about 400prisoners have some form of hearingimpairment.

Deaf prisonersdenied support

ALL ABOARD: The disability design group at the Droylsden tram stop

New tram passes the testNew tram passes the test


PARIS always has somethingnew to offer visitors -especially in the spring!

We’ve teamed up with Eurostar tooffer you the chance to win TWOStandard Premier return tickets to theFrench capital – with two nights’ bedand breakfast in a centrally locatedhotel that has wheelchair access.

Travelling by Eurostar and VirginTrains from the North West, you’llreach Paris in just over five hours.

In the quiet, spacious surroundingsof your Eurostar Standard Premiercarriage you’ll find the freedom toread, think or simply unwind. Pick a

complimentary magazine from therack and relax whilst a light meal anddrinks are served to your seat.

Once you arrive in Paris you will findthat your Eurostar ticket will offer youmuch more than travel, with EurostarPlus giving you discounts onmuseums and galleries:www.eurostarplus.co.uk

To enter our competition answer thisquestion:

How long does the rail journeytake from the North West to Paris?

You can enter by completing theentry form in our Reader Surveybelow – or by sending your answer on

a postcard to: Eurostar Competition,All Together NOW! The BradburyCentre, Youens Way, Liverpool L142EP.

You can also enter online at:www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Please state where you picked upyour copy of All Together NOW!

Closing date, Friday 29 March.Eurostar offers return fares fromover 300 stations in the UK,including Liverpool, Manchesterand Crewe as well as reduced faresfor wheelchair users. For bookings visit eurostar.com orcall 08432 186 186.

Return train tickets and two nights’ stay for two people

WIN A PARIS BREAK!PRIZE & T&Cs:n Two returnEurostar StandardPremier tickets toParis, travellingfrom London StPancrasn Two returntrain tickets fromLiverpool,Manchester,Chester, Prestonor Crewe toLondon Euston n Two nights bedand breakfast fortwo at a 3 starcentrally locatedhotel withwheelchairaccessn Prize is asoffered and thereis no cashalternativen Travel issubject toavailability andexcludes publicbank holidays andValentine’s Day n Prize is valid forone year fromdate of issue

Can YOU help our charity to get funding?Can YOU help our charity to get funding?1. Without All Together NOW! do youthink there is enough readily accessibleinformation around to help peopleaffected by disability?Yes No

2. Do you read any otherdisability/health publications?Yes No

3. If yes, what is the main one?

4. Do you keep ATN for reference?Yes No

5. Have you responded to any of theadvertisements/articles in ATN?Yes No

6. ATN helps me to understand theissues disabled people have to face.Agree Disagree

7. ATN breaks down barriers betweendisabled and non-disabled people?Agree Disagree

8. ATN helps to reduce isolation amongdisabled people, caers and olderreaders? Agree Disagree

9. ATN gives me specific information tohelp me with my life (or the person Icare for) that I cannot get elsewhereAgree Disagree

10. ATN gives me (or the person I carefor) information about the following

topics that I would otherwise beunaware of: Disability rights and welfare benefits.Agree Disagree

Events that might benefit my health andwellbeing Agree Disagree

Motorisng issuesAgree Disagree

Health mattersAgree Disagree

New aids/equipment and care servicee.Agree Disagree

Accessible holidays Agree Disagree

Leisure/recreational activitiesAgree Disagree

Sporting opportunitiesAgree Disagree

11. Has ATN helped you (or someoneyou care for) to get actively involvedwith:

Learning opportunities Yes No

Acquire new aids/equipment/servicesYes No

Booking a holiday Yes No

Leisure/sporting activitiesYes No

Joining a group Yes No

12. If ATN is not already available atyour local supermarket, would you likeit to be?Yes No

12. Do you regularly use the Internet?Yes No

13. Do you regularly visitwww.alltogethernow.org.ukYes No

14. What other main disability websitedo you visit?

PERSONAL DETAILSDo you have a disability?Yes No

Are you are a carer? Yes No

Are you a health worker? Yes No

None of these

CAN YOU help us demonstrate to potentialfunders how valuable the All TogetherNOW! charity paper is to you and thecommunity? Completing this simplesurvey and returning it to us as soon aspossible will be of immense help to thecharity. Many thanks – Tom Dowling, editor

NAME

ADDRESS

Tel No: email:PARIS COMPETITION: How long does the rail journey takefrom the North West to Paris?

Please return this page to:All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP

Get anEiffelof this!

visit www.bwcharity.org.uk or call our FREE helpline: 0800 0234 834

get tough . . .WE ALL need some support

when times get tough– and there’s nothing

wrong with asking for a bit ofhelp.

That’s what we at the BankWorkers Charity are here for. Ifyou work or have worked for a

bank in the UK we help byproviding information, advice,expert support services and insome cases, financial assistance.

We offer this support through ahelpline, specialist support fromour partnerships and our newwebsite.

OUR NEW website offers our clients even more support,including a huge range of information, advice anddownloadable guides.

So, whether you need help to get to grips with adisability, or are struggling with caring responsibilities,or have money worries, our website and, of course, ourexpert client advisors can help.

We listen with care and in total confidence and quicklyhelp you to find practical solutions to the problems youare facing. Visit us at www.bwcharity.org.uk

MARY is 65, retired andlives on her own. Shehas a fractured leg,

depression and a number ofconcerns over money andcoping with her disability.

We put her in touch with one ofour partners Leonard CheshireDisability to get some support.

An LCD Client Support Adviserinitially worked with Mary toreview her budgets, income andoutgoings.

She has since organised herbills to avoid any large expensesand is claiming Pension Credit.

Following a letter from LCD toher GP Mary is now receivingphysiotherapy and counselling,both through her GP referral.

LCD also providedinformation aboutlocal support groupsso Mary can getmore advice on herdisabilities.

The Bank WorkersCharity also fundeddog walking costswhile Mary regainedher mobility.

A Social Servicesassessment alsoidentified the need for ahand rail in her home,which has now been fitted.

Mary said: “The help ofLCD has given me the strengthand ability to carry on with my lifewith confidence and optimism.”

WE WORK in partnership with some ofthe UK’s leading charities so that we cangive you the best support we can.

Our partners include the National AutisticSociety, Leonard Cheshire Disability,Arthritis Care and Turn2us.

We are now piloting a family supportservice with a major British bank so we

have also partnered with Refuge, Relate,StepChange Debt Charity, WorkingFamilies and Kidscape.

This support will help bank employeestackle problems not just at work but withhome-life issues such as relationships,work-life balance, caring issues,disabilities, domestic violence, debt and

children’s bullying. All our partners are leading charities in

the UK and experts in their fields. Theyprovide information, advice and guidancein a number of ways. You can find outmore about their services on our website.

Together with our partners we can give the best kind of support

HELP for when times

How we are helpingpeople like Mary

www.alltogethernow.org.uk February/March 2013 All Together NOW! 7



FAMILIESFAMILIES

450,000 people are reading this page – 0151 230 0307


Smiles better! The play centre that’s perfect for families

Playtime for EVERYONE!

PLANS to overhaul adoptionand help find homes for4,000 children currently on

a national register have beenunveiled by the Government.

Potential adopters will be given a“more active role” in selecting a childand granted the same maternity andpaternity paid leave arrangements asbiological mothers and fathers.

Officials are considering allowingapproved candidates access to theregister of those waiting to beadopted to help them choosepotentially suitable children.

Those interested in adopting will be

given a bigger say in choosing achild, and additional support will begiven to successful adoptive parents.

Prime Minister David Cameron saidhe hoped the changes would create a“swifter, more effective and robust”system.

David Holmes, chief executive of theBritish Association of Adoption andFostering, welcomed theannouncement.

“Now, more than ever, we needmore people to consider if adoptioncould be right for them – we must findfamilies for the thousands of childrenwho are waiting whilst ensuring that

adoption support is available to meetthe needs of all,” he said.

Children’s Minister Edward Timpsonsaid: “We know that children do wellin an adoptive family and I hope thiscomprehensive package of supportwill lead to more and more peoplehaving the confidence to comeforward and provide a chance forthese children to thrive and reachtheir potential.

“This support will also provide morehelp to those who are alreadyadopting children who have been incare.

“I urge everyoneto think seriously

about opening up their home to achild awaiting adoption.”

Former Barnardo’s chief MartinNarey, now the Government’sadoption adviser, said new evidencefrom the US - and more recently theUK - suggested giving adopters theinitiative improved matches.

He said: “Of course, that does notmean adopters can simply choosetheir child, they still need professionaladvice on such a vital decision.

But it is clear there is a chemistrybetween adopters and children whichcan provide a foundation for a verysuccessful adoption.”

ADOPTION: big changes on the way

A CHARITY warns thatsome families withdisabled children willbe £29 per week worseunder theGovernment’s newrules for UniversalCredit.

Contact a Family’s chiefexecutive, Srabani Sen,said: “We are severelydisappointed theGovernment has failed toaddress a fundamentalflaw with UniversalCredit.

“Although theGovernment continues tosay there will be no cashlosers under UniversalCredit, in reality manyfamilies unable to workdue to their caringresponsibilities, will seetheir benefits erodedover time, with apotential cut of £1,500 ayear.

At riskFamilies with two

disabled children couldlose twice as much asthis.

“It is clear that thosefamilies whose caringresponsibilities preventthem from working aremost at risk of beingworse off.”

Contact a Family isalso deeply concernedthat while UniversalCredit may be goodnews for some workingparents with a disabledchild others are at risk oflosing out – particularlyworking parents in rentedaccommodation with highchildcare costs.n In the UK there are770,000 disabledchildren under 16 –that’s one child in 20.Helpline: 0808 808 3555n www.cafamily.org.uk

Parentsset tosuffer adrop inincome

Internetguide tokeepingkids safeA NEW guide lets childrenwith learning disabilitiesand autism enjoy all thebenefits of the internet –and none of the risks.

The guide – for parents –suggests ways to help theirchildren get the most fromthe web at home and in thecommunity. It has beenproduced by charitiesCerebra, Mencap andAmbitious about Autism.

Tracy Elliot, from nationalresearch charity Cerebra,said: “There are realbenefits to young peoplewith learning disabilities andautism using the internet,but also potential dangers.

“We wanted to supportparents in making informedchoices about internet useand enable them to helptheir child get the most outof it.”

Elizabeth Archer, fromMencap, and author of theguide, said: “We so oftenhear about young peoplewith a learning disabilityhaving negativeexperiences online, but theinternet can actually providegreat opportunities.

“The problem is that manyparents don’t know where tostart when it comes toprotecting their child onlineand this is where we hopeour guide will help.”nThe guide can bedownloaded atwww.cerebra.org.ukCerebra Helpline:0800 328 1159.

CHRISTMAS may now be a distant memory formost of us but more than 400 disabledchildren and their families are already lookingforward to this year’s party!Huyton Suite.

It was arranged by the SPEAK family supportgroup that gives help and advice to familieswith disabled children.

Parent Michelle Scales said: “We really lookforward to this party.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to find places to gowith our children and SPEAK reallyunderstands this. It’s been so nice seeing thechildren all together having a good time’Contact Michelle on 07772 739625

Kids’ speakeasy!

JANET Spiers reckons she’sgot one of the best jobs in theworld – watching disabled

children AND disabled adults play!And what’s more they can play with

their pals, brothers and sisters, mumsand dads, aunts and uncles, and nansand granddads – and all in a safe place!

Janet is project officer at the Play andSensory Centre, at Woolston,Warrington.

“We only opened last summer and thefeedback we are getting is just brilliant,”she says.

“Families come and play together –

and even hire the centre for parties.“It’s a great place for children of all

abilities. We’ve realised, too, thatdisabled adults can also benefit from thefully accessible facilities we have here.

“Adults who have had strokes andothers with brain injuries are visiting andbenefiting from the facilities.”

Well situatedSituated close to the M6 also makes

travelling easier for families living acrossthe North West.

“Because of our great facilities peopleare prepared to make the drive to comeand play,” adds Janet.

The centre, run by Warrington council,is currently open Tuesdays, Thursdaysand alternate Saturdays.

“We would like to be open seven daysa week,” says Janet, “but it’s all down tofunding – and as everyone in the worldknows that’s not easy to find.”

Membership is free to anyone withadditional needs. Typical prices per 90-minute session (which must be bookedin advance): £4.50, £10 for a family ofthree.n The centre is situated in HallRoad, Woolston, near Warrington.Tel, 01925 817347

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800


www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800

What we fund GRANTS may be considered for arange of purposes and could include:

Single awards for capital projects.Start-up and/or ongoing running

costs for specific projects.Multi-year revenue grants for core

funding.The type, size and time period of the

award is decided on the basis of theperceived ‘difference’ that our supportwill make to the organisation, to theproject,and to the targeted beneficiaries.

It is important that you tell us in yourapplication the full extent of the fundingyou really need to achieve your aimsand objectives, in order for us to assesshow best we can contribute.How to applyFIRST, please ensure that you areeligible under our policy:

Check that your organisation orproject is based within our geographicarea (see map, above)

Also please check that yourorganisation/project is not listed in ourexclusions.

We ask all potential applicants tocall us first for an informal chat.

This helps us to ascertain whether ornot your project is likely to besuccessful with a funding bid and willsave you both time and effort.

Application procedureONCE you have called us we will sendyou details of the information we willneed in order to proceed with anapplication.We will require a background to the

organsiation, its aims and regularactivities, the number of paid staff andvoilunteers, latest audited accounts, anddetails of the project for which you areseeking funding.

All applications will be acknowledgedand we will contact you for any furtherinformation we require.

All charities and projects will be visitedbefore a grant is approved.What we don’t fund (exclusions)IN LINE with our funding policy and toensure the most efficient use ofresources, we do not fund the followingareas of work:Animal Welfare; Arts/Heritage;Conservation/Environment; Expeditions and Overseas Travel;General Fundraising Appeals; Individualand Sports Sponsorship; Large NationalCharities; Mainstream Education;Promotion of Specific Religions

HERE at the MorganFoundation we want tohelp organisations who

share our philosophy– Making a Difference.

Over the past decade wehave helped hundreds oforganisations across theregion, committing over£10 million.

This year we will be givingaway a whopping£1.5 MILLION to goodcauses.

Created in 2001 bybusinessman Steve Morgan

OBE, founder and chairmanof Redrow plc, chairman ofthe Bridgemere Group ofCompanies andWolverhampton WanderersFC, the Morgan Foundationsupports charities acrossNorth Wales, Merseyside,West Cheshire and NorthShropshire.

Our aim is to providefunding for small to mediumsized organisations who areaddressing specific needs inthese regions.

We are particularly keen to

support those who havealready begun to make animpact, but need a helpinghand to expand their workand increase theireffectiveness.

We focus our help mainlyon those who work directlywith children and familiesbut we recognise that manywider issues may also affecttheir welfare, so we areinterested in any projectwhich contributes to thequality of life in our region.

WOLVES Community Trust isthe official charity ofWolverhampton WanderersFootball Club.

Via Wolves Aid, which issupported by The MorganFoundation, it helps communitygroups in the Wolverhamptonarea.

Wolves Aid has the same remitas The Morgan Foundation and,

according to the FootballLeague Trust, is the biggestclub charity of its type infootball.

Organisations withinWolverhampton wanting to findout more about Wolves Aidshould contact Laura Saunderson 01902 828366.n www.wolves-aid.co.uk

Does yourDoes yourgroupgroupneed aneed ahelping hand?helping hand?

Our Wolves’ linkOur Wolves’ link

How we can help . . .

GREAT COMPANY:Guests at TheMorgan FoundationEntrepreneur Awardswere wowed by theactors of TheCompany of Friends,a theatre companyfor adults withlearning difficulties.

Throughperformance andrelated activities, thecompany challengesthe way people withlearning disabilitiesare commonlyperceived.

The MorganFoundation hasprovided a three-yeargrant to help thecompany’s rent andrunning costs.

THE Brink is one of many social enterprisesand charities that are supported by TheMorgan Foundation.

Set up in Liverpool to help people with drinkproblems, The Brink has taken alcohol out ofthe mix to provide a truly welcoming citycentre venue where people from allbackgrounds and walks of life can dine,socialise and relax.

So call in and see their award-winning teamin action.n The Brink, Parr Street, Liverpooltel 0151 703 0582. www.thebrinkliverpool.com

Meet at the BrinkMeet at the Brink


GETTING ON . . . Life is fragile, handle with care . . .

. . . helpsto solvesome oftheproblemsfaced byolderpeople

WISE WINNIEWISE WINNIE

SENIOR MOMENTS . . . with FRANK HARRIS

IF YOU fancy looking for alittle romance online butdon’t know where to start,

why not enlist the help of yourchildren?

A new concept in online datingcould provide the key to olderpeople finding someone special.

With the myLovelyParent datingwebsite, adult children encouragetheir single parents online to meetnew people.

The inspiration for the site camewhen founder Matt Connolly’smum – a single woman in her 60s– suggested he helped to find her“knight in shining armour”.

Matt said: “myLovelyParent is asite where adult children canencourage their parents onlinewhether for companionship or tomeet someone new. It’s a uniquewebsite that is incredibly safe andeasy to use.”

The barriers and stigmas

associated with online dating arechanging. For people under 35,online dating is now the secondmost common way of starting arelationship . And for people over55, it’s rapidly moving the sameway - with this age group now thefastest growing among those usingthe web to find love.

Matt added: “People want theirparents to be happy and, ifpossible, to have someone specialto share that happiness.”

“When you’re younger you’rechanging jobs, moving house andmeeting new people. When you’reolder, especially when retired,friendship groups are often already

established and meeting othersingle people can be difficult.”

While developing the site, Mattreceived hundreds of messages ofsupport from people around theworld.

One read: “Your idea is ground-breaking. I have been trying tohelp my mom with online dating foryears but my efforts are so farfutile”.

Another said: “I’ve been trying tofind someone for my mother-in-lawforever!”

Explaining how the site works,Matt said: “Adult Children areasked to write a little about theirparent. An email is then sent to themum or dad inviting them to thesite.

“Meanwhile, the child can viewpotential matches and recommendthem to their parent. The parentwill see these when they join thesite.”nwww.myLovelyParent.com

QSADLY I lost my husbandwhen I was 72 and found theyears afterwards very lonely.

Then I met a lovely man who was inthe same boat as myself and we hadmuch in common such as a love ofgardening and an interest in wildlife.

Our relationship deepened but wehave not moved in together or madeany commitments as we bothappreciate our own space.

The problem is that his two daughtersseem very suspicious of me and theyare doing all they can to split us up.

I’m told they are approaching myfriends and trying to find out details ofmy background, presumably in thehope that there is something they canpass on to their dad that will turn himoff me.

At first I made every effort to befriendly with them but they cold-shouldered me.

What should my attitude be now?

ALET’S consider first of all thatyour suspicions might be quiteill-founded.

It’s natural that your friend’s daughterswill be curious about the new woman inhis life but they do seem to be carryingout their investigations rather clumsily.

They may have concerns about thepossibility of his being hurt if youchoose to back out, or if they lost theirmother comparatively recently theythemselves may still be hurting.

No doubt you are thinking they arejealous and that green-eyed monstermay well be part of the problem.

Your friend needs to leave hisdaughters in no doubt as to his love forthem which may mean him being a littlemore demonstrative than his natureusually permits.

If these daughters are really trying tosplit you up then they may see you as agold-digger, with an eye on their rightfulinheritance.

Their mother no doubt played a part increating that inheritance. Somehow youhave to get it across to them that youboth value your independence, and thisapplies financially.

If they see you habitually “goingDutch” when you go out together itmight dispel their unease.

So would a frank family chat with Dadabout his will . . .

Never too oldto ‘Net’ love!

THE NEW flat-rate State Pension of £144-a-week would be equivalent to a privatepension pot of up to £130,000 atretirement, says the UK’s biggestinsurer.

Detailed plans for the overhaul of theState Pension system have been outlined ina White Paper, with the new paymentequivalent to an income of £7,488-a-year intoday’s money, expected to take effect fromApril 2017.

Figures produced by the Pru show a 65-year-old today would need a £130,000 fundto generate the same £144 a weekassuming they secured the highest possiblesingle life annuity without a guarantee.

The £144-a-week, which will replace allexisting payments, will increase in line withinflation between now and April 2017, butwill only be available to new pensioners,with existing pensioners and those whoqualify before then continuing to be paidunder the existing system.

Existing pensioners will still need to rely onthe £107.45-a-week State Pension whichcan be topped up to £142.70 with pensioncredit and the State Second Pension.

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement incomeexpert at Prudential, said: “The flat-rateState Pension reform will be the biggestoverhaul of the system for decades and is avery valuable step forward.

“Private pension savers need funds of upto £130,000 to match the flat-rate StatePension but they now know that anysavings will benefit them and will not affectbenefits.

“The new system improves the safety netfor pensioners in the UK but should onlyever be regarded as part of an overallretirement plan and the real income shockfor many will come when the gap betweentheir current earnings and the State Pensionbecomes apparent.”

The planned legislation also includesincreasing the State Pension age to 66 formen and women by 2020 and raising it to67 between 2026 and 2028.

New flat-rate pension ‘will improve the safety net’

LESS than half ofcouples in the UK makejoint retirementarrangements to ensurethat, when they die, theirpartners continue toreceive income.

A study of 2,002couples over the age of40 reveals that one infour couples have neverdiscussed what willhappen to theirpensions if one partnerdies before the other.

Romanceon the webfor seniors

IF YOU shop atSainsbury’s, it’s wellworth you having one oftheir Cash Back Cards.

This is a great cardwith several excellentfeatures:n 5% cash back onSainsbury’s shopping forthe first three months,up to a maximum of £50per month.n £5 cash back eachmonth when you spendat least £250 per monthon Sainsbury’sshopping, and at least£250 elsewhere.n 0% interest on allpurchases for the first 6months. (T&C apply)n 0% balance transfersfor 15 months, however3% fee applies.

To keep yourpromotional rate youmust pay at least theminimum payment bythe due date and staywithin your credit limit.

If you don’t pay yourbalance or part there ofaccording to thestatement you may getcharged 17.9% AERinterest, so it is best topay promptly what isrequired.Full details at www.sainsburysbank.co.uk

MONEY MATTERSwithGORDON VINER

Pension shock


A helping hand for customers with extra needs

with extra needs



A helping hand for customers

We offer a range of free services to help customers who:

Our services include:

We also offer a free password scheme for all our customers.

Need a little ExtraCare?

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

01/13/SD/5538

“If you’re going through a tough financial patch and finding it hard to make your payments, please get in touch with us on 0845 746 2034. We’re easy to talk to and we have a range of support schemes depending on your financial situation,” says income manager Iain Pilling.

For customers in severe financial difficulties, United Utilities offers a scheme whereby it will support customers to help pay off their debt if they commit to regular payments.

Says Iain: “Our Arrears Allowance scheme is for customers who are really struggling to pay off their debt. For the first six months we will match payments pound for pound. Then, for payments made after the first six months, we will match every £1 paid with a £2 allowance, helping to clear the debt much more quickly.”

To discuss our Arrears Allowance further, please call us on 0845 746 2034.

Help is at handto pay yourwater bill

For customers in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance or Pension Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions manages a scheme to help customers who have arrears on their water bill to pay direct from their benefits.

“The issue for many customers in financial difficulty is budgeting to pay off their arrears, and the Water Direct scheme ensures this is included in the regular payment.”

If you wish to discuss Water Direct, please contact us on 0845 746 2034.

Financial support is also available to those customers who have a water meter installed but face particular hardship because they use a lot of water for essential purposes.

“Our WaterSure scheme helps customers who receive certain benefits and need to use a lot of water because they have a large

family or specific medical condition,” said Iain.

“Customers who are accepted onto our WaterSure scheme have their water charges capped in line with the average household bill amount, giving the customer peace of mind that they won’t have to pay more than this amount each year.”

For a WaterSure application pack, telephone our automated leaflet request line on 0845 303 7711 or visit our website: unitedutilities.com/watersure.

United Utilities can also set up a flexible Direct Debit arrangement so that customers can pay their bills quarterly, monthly or even weekly.

“Direct Debit can help our customers to budget their repayments and you also get a £5 reduction on your annual water bill so it is really worth considering,” said Iain.

Switching to Direct Debit is easy – phone us on 0845 746 2222 and we’ll do the rest.

Don’t suffer in silence - that’s the message from United Utilities tocustomers who may be struggling to pay their water bill.


Mobility & Independent Living ServiceEquipment Sales (New and Used)

Walking Stick MOT ServiceContinence Products

Additional services also available:Battery Testing Service

Mobility Workshop & Service Centre

01925 240064 & 0151 709 0121www.disabilitytradingcompany.co.uk

www.disabilitypartnership.org.uk

Registered Company Ltd No: 4726639 Registered Charity No: 1113597

Registered Company Ltd No: 07491504VAT No: 104 8436 30

High Quality Mobility Products at Affordable PricesSupporting:

Services available in Warrington at the Centre for Independent Living, Warrington Market, Golden Square & Shopmobilityand new service available from the Liverpool Disabled Living Centre from 2nd April.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

FLASHING doorbellsand vibrating alarmclocks are extremelyuseful devices for peoplewith hearing difficulties.

These and hundreds ofother helpful items areavailable in a newcatalogue from thecharity Action on HearingLoss.

The new Solutionscatalogue contains 132pages packed with life-changing products andgreat ideas for people ofany age.

There are amplifiedphones, gadgets forhearing the TV clearly(without disturbingothers!), devices torelieve the effects oftinnitus, conversationamplifiers and manymore products designedto make life easier, saferand more enjoyable.

Mark Catling, fromAction on Hearing Loss,said: “We’re the onlynational charity offeringa full range of productsfor people with a hearingloss. We provideimpartial advice and oursurveys show that 98%of people who try ourproducts find them agreat help.”nCustomer line: 01733361199. Textphone:01733 238020www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop

THE Government’s decision toclose the Independent LivingFund – which helps more than

19,000 disabled people with the highestneeds to live independently – has beenblasted by campaigners.

From April 2015 the funding will transfer tolocal authorities and other bodies.

National charity Disability Rights UKbelieves the decision risks disabled people’sindependence and opportunity to live withfamilies, friends and in communities.

And they fear it could see a return toobligatory residential care home placements.

Liz Sayce, the charity’s chief executive,said: “We have a real crisis in care with localauthorities restricting access to support formany disabled people.

“We are extremely concerned that theGovernment is now adding to the enormouspressure on local authorities, disabledpeople and carers without taking steps toresolve the funding crisis.”

The charity says the Government mustclarify that a sustainable, sufficient fundingsystem is in place for disabled peoplecurrently supported by the ILF as well asother disabled people with high supportneeds.

Ms Sayce added: “As the plans stand, wefear councils will continue to deny disabledpeople, older people and carers support aswell as increase charges for essentialservices which will drive people deeper intopoverty.

“We also fear this is a retrograde step,watering down rights to independent livingand ability to live in disabled people’s ownhomes.”

PEOPLE in speciallyadapted homes avoidstays in expensiveresidential care homes,a new report says.

And regular visits fromsupport workers slow thedeterioration of aperson’s health andreduces the need forcostly medicalintervention.

Providing an AlternativePathway, released thisweek by the NationalHousing Federation,takes an in-depth look athow people’s lives havechanged when housingassociations and theirsupport workers areinvolved in aftercaredecisions with councilsand local hospitals.

Integrating housingwith health and socialcare can not onlyimprove the lives ofvulnerable and olderpeople – but also savethousands of pounds inhealth and care costs,the report says.

National HousingFederation Head ofCommunities KevinWilliamson said: “It canbring independence tothose with physicaldisabilities, dignity toolder people and providea safe and secureenvironment for peoplewith mental healthillnesses.”

GuidanceThe Federation now

want the Government toset out clear proposalson the funding of socialcare reform, and toinclude explicit guidanceon integrating housingand healthcare in thedraft Care and SupportBill.

Mr Williamson added:“For housingassociations to developthe right type of homesfor older and vulnerablepeople, they also needplaces where they canbuild. The Department ofHealth can help byencouraging the NHS toconsider specialisedhousing whendistributing their surplusland.”

A NEW one stop shop for alldisability-related matters hasopened in Lancaster.

Set up by the Lancashirecharity One Voice, with supportfrom TGA mobility scooterspecialist Cumbria Mobility, thenew Independent Me LivingCentre is managed by disabledpeople and carers with four part-time members and 20volunteers.

The centre was opened by EricOllerenshaw, MP for Lancasterand Fleetwood, and wasattended by Councillor RobertRedfern, the deputy mayor ofLancaster, board members ofOne Voice and over 100 localresidents and healthcareprofessionals.

Life President honour for Pam

Thousands facelosing freedom

Problemsolved –in a flash

Helpingolderpeoplestay put

PAM THOMPSON was appointedHonorary Life President ofWarrington Disability Partnershipin a ceremony at Warrington TownHall.

Pam received the title for herdevotion and unstinting loyalty toher family and husband, DaveThompson, who set up WDP afterbeing paralysed in an Americanfootball game 23 years ago.

It is with Pam’s continuedsupport that provided the meansfor Dave to continue his workinglife and chairmanship of WDP.

Pam is also an integral part ofthe charity’s fundraising team andworks on a voluntary basis at theCentre for Independent Living atBeaufort Street.

Colleague Rachel Hanlon said:“Pam is an inspiration to us all.”

DESERVED RECOGNITION: Pam receiving her award from theMayor of Warrington, Cllr Steve Wright

Centre opens

450,000 PEOPLE AREREADINGTHISPAGE— call us00115511 223300 00330077



To find out more, visit . . . www.liverpoolcommunityhealth.nhs.uk

OUR Healthy Communities Collaborativehosted an evening celebration to thankits team of community volunteers for theimportant contribution that they havemade to improving people’s health overthe last year.

The Healthy Communities Collaborative isan award-winning health initiative that isworking with residents across Liverpool toraise awareness of the signs and symptomsof lung, breast and bowel cancer.

The initiative, which has been hugelyeffective in increasing early detection, trainsvolunteers and encourages them to spreadcancer awareness messages, using highlytargeted, word-of-mouth campaigns.

During the evening, three exceptionalvolunteers also received volunteeringawards from LCH in recognition of theirwork.

Award winnersTinuola Odukogbe, from Kensington, was

named the Trust’s ‘Most Engaging Volunteer2012’.

Lyn Nevin, from Wirral, was named‘Biggest Achiever 2012’, and

Areej Shams Khan, from Wavertree, wasalso presented with a ‘Special Award 2012’for going “above and beyond” in her workfor the cancer initiative.

Tina Davies-Taylor, senior project managerfor Healthy Communities Collaborative,said: “Here in Merseyside, our lung cancermortality rates are amongst the highest inEurope. Our rates for bowel and breastcancer are still very high too. But the goodnews is that the situation is really improving.

“Having community volunteers and healthprofessionals working so closely togetherhas been key to our success in reducingcancer and keeping communities healthy.”

LCH has just launched our brand newand interactive patient website.

The new site will help you find theright service for you with three simpleclicks.

You will also be able to watchvideos about our services, askquestions, get involved indiscussions via forums, leavefeedback, and rate the health serviceyou have used.

Through the site, your GP can alsofind referral information for all ourservices, and you can browse serviceleaflets to help make the right choicefor your care.

There is also an exclusive MembersArea where you can sign up for freeas a member of the Trust to haveyour say in the future of communityhealth services, vote for, or become,a Membership Governor, and benefitfrom a range of discounts available toNHS staff.

OVER the past few months, stafffrom across our Trust have beengenerously donating tonnes of

non-perishable food items to foodbankcollection points that are now locatedaround a number of our staff buildingsacross Merseyside.

The UK’s leading foodbank charity, TheTrussell Trust, recently reported anastonishing 100% rise in the number ofpeople needing to access support fromfoodbanks nationally, and foodbanks here inMerseyside tell us that they are struggling tomeet demand.

Bernie Cuthel, chief executive of LCH, said:“Everyday people in the communities wherewe live and work experience food povertybecause of problems such as suddenredundancy, high or unexpected bills, anddelays in benefits payment.

“Many of our staff work in frontlinecommunity healthcare roles and regularlysee families who are affected by these

issues, so as a Trust we decided that wewanted to do more to help families that arestruggling this winter, and the response backfrom our staff has been incredible.”

More than 30 large boxes of food havealready been donated by staff to localfoodbanks since the appeal launched.

Paul Edwards, manager of CentralLiverpool Foodbank, said; “We really want tosay a massive thanks to all of the staff atLiverpool Community Health for theirincredible generosity in donating all this food

to us this winter. We simply can’t thank themenough!”

A number of Trust staff members have alsovolunteered to go and lend a helping hand attheir local foodbank distribution centres.

The Trust was first introduced to thefoodbank by Luciana Berger, MP forWavertree. She said: “I’m delighted that theLCH appeal has been so successful and Iwant to add my thanks to all the staff thatmade a donation.

“Having visited foodbanks in Liverpool andacross the county I know that contributionslike this make such a difference to people’slives.

“Everyone involved should be very proud ofwhat they’ve achieved in such a short spaceof time.”

There are now almost 300 foodbanks nowoperating throughout the UK, each runentirely by local community groups andvolunteers.www.trusselltrust.org

Life-savers onthe front line

Food glorious foodEVERYONE A WINNER: Meet the volnteers who are helping to spread some very important health messages


MERSEYTRAVEL

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

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 trainedto 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:

with disabilities

developed in partnership with our local authorities and bus companies

Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a text relay assisted call

A NEW project paid for byMerseytravel aims to turnpeople with learningdifficulties into confidenttravellers.

Mencap Liverpool is astandalone local charitydedicated to helping familiesand individuals with a learningdisability to overcome themany barriers they face inhaving a life most people takefor granted.

Although affiliated with thenational charity Mencap (theRoyal Mencap Society),Mencap Liverpool is aseparate charity run by localpeople and all the moneyraised is used to benefitpeople with a learningdisability living inMerseyside.

Cash from Merseytravelwill be used for a transportproject, helping membersbecome familiar with usingpublic transport andovercoming any barriersthat they have previouslyencountered.

The charity’s chiefexecutive, Sarah Jones,said: “We are absolutelydelighted we have beenchosen as Merseytravel’scorporate charity of the yearfor 2013.

Safe travel“The project Merseytravel

will support couldn’t bemore appropriate as it willpromote safe andaccessible transport forpeople with learningdisabilities.”

Councillor Liam Robinson,chair of Merseytravel,added: “Merseytravel’sCommunity InvestmentPolicy sets out ourcommitment to charitableactivities by supporting thecommunity in ways thatextend above our coreduties, with time, skills,money and expertise andour staff alwaysenthusiastically get involved.

“Our CommunityPartnership team workextensively in thecommunity, promotingaccess to public transportand making it easier forpeople with learningdisabilities to travelindependently, so workingwith Mencap Liverpool is aperfect fit.”

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviourand burying the deadwere two of the problems

tackled at meetings betweenMerseytravel and theirpassengers.

Merseytravel’s latest round ofCustomer Forums gave publictransport users from across thecounty the opportunity to air theirviews.

Councillors and representativesfrom Merseytravel, MerseysidePolice, British Transport Police

and transport operators includingArriva, Stagecoach, Northern Railand Merseyrail attended theevents in Liverpool, Knowsley,Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

‘Travel Surgeries’ at each venueoffered one-to-one advice andinformation and there was livelydebate about how to address anti-social behavior.

Since re-launching the forumslast summer, Merseytravel hasbeen able to act on a number ofrequests, including the

introduction of an hourly service –put on by Huyton Transport –calling at SpringwoodCrematorium and implementingrevised bus timetables to betterserve the communities that usethem.

Also as a result of feedback fromthe forums, Avon buses havemade improvements to two oftheir services: The 83 bus, whichruns between Birkenhead andWest Kirby, has been re-routed tooperate along Borough Road and

Prenton Road West and a revisedtimetable for the 183 and 184services between the City Centreand Penny Lane has beendeveloped in consultation withusers.

The next batch of CustomerForums will be held in mid-Apriland are open to all.

A full schedule will be posted onthe Merseytravel websitewww.merseytravel.gov.uk, tel.0151 330 1200, [email protected]

Getting your way

Bus routes

as transportare altered

forums givepower tothe people

Mencapdelightat cashboost


EVEN for a woman of JoyRainey’s expertise andexperience, her next big

motoring challenge is – if she’llforgive the expression – a tall order.

Joy, a racing driver of restricted growth,is well prepared for a near-3,000-miledrive across America in a 109-year-oldcar after a successful motor sport careerduring which she has collected scores oftitles and broken several records.

That’s not forgetting taking part in theLondon to Sydney Marathon, in 2004,and the 5,000-mile CarreraSudamericana two years later.

But her USA adventure, starting fromthe Pacific coast on April 14, and takingin 6,000-foot high mountains andblisteringly hot deserts along the way, will

have to be done without her long-timepartner and co-driver Trevor Hulks.

The 60-year-old from Wickhamford, inWorcestershire, was first invited to takeon the epic coast-to-coast journey a fewmonths after Trevor’s death in 2010. But,she says, “in my heart then, I did notthink that I could take on such achallenging trip without my soul mate”.

However, Trevor had prepared the 1904Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout forthe 2,826-mile test of skill and enduranceand Joy has now decided to go ahead inhis honour and attempt to raise £20,000for Cancer Research.

Continued Page 17

America here I come

by GERRY CORNER

REVVING UP: Joy Rainey aboard her 1904Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout thatshe hopes will get her across America


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“After considerable soul-searching and encouragementfrom old and new friends, Ihave decided that thischallenge feels like unfinishedbusiness”, she said

By way of a short – 60 miles,to be precise – warm-up, sherecently took part in herumpteenth London-Brightonveteran car run along withFormula One legend StirlingMoss and Pink Floyd drummerNick Mason,

Being both small of statureand a woman might have beenenough to put most people offgetting involved in the male-dominated world of motorsport. Not Joy, indeed she leftevery man trailing when shelifted the title of CastrolMidland Hillclimb Classic CarChampion.

Joy said: “I have never hadany negative comments, to myface, regarding my stature andno-one has ever tried todissuade me from competing.

“I have not thought as myselfas being different in the world

of motor-sport. I always feelthat we are all controlling amechanical object and whetheryou are female or male, shortor tall, is of no significance.One’s success is not related tophysical characteristics but –perhaps – talent.

“My father was a veryfamous racing driver, alsoshort stature, and I wasbrought up in thatenvironment, so it wasn’t analien world when I first startedcompeting at 16 with a Go-Kart. I won that race whichwas quite exciting.”

Of the epic drive from fromOceanside, California, toDaytona Beach, Florida, Joysaid: “I think this one might bethe most challenging. The caris 109 years old, and althoughit has been professionallyprepared by Trevor for this trip,it’s still an old car. And yes I’mnervous but I want to besuccessful.”nYou can follow Joy’sprogress online at:joy-across-america.com

Continued from Page 15

Joy’s greatAmerican dream

Ellena’s life in the fast laneWHEN Ellena Gilrane reached 18,

having muscular dystrophy was notgoing to stop her getting out into

the big wide world.But it was when she got a big wide wheelchair

that parents Jill and Peter Gilrane, fromLancashire, hit problems with their standard car.

Jill explains: “Ellena relies on her wheelchairfor getting out and about. We used to have ahoist in our boot so we could transport herwheelchair but she recently got a new chair thatcouldn’t fit in the boot.”

“I shopped around to see what wheelchairvehicles were available but many of the rampswere too narrow for Ellena’s new wheelchair.Then I came across the Peugeot Horizon, whichhas the option of a wider ramp.”

This new model, the Horizon SE, comes with a

wealth of features including a wider, lightweightwheelchair ramp designed for those who have alarger wheelchair or scooter.

Add to this a lowered floor and full wheelchairrestraint system and it’s easy to see thatHorizon SE has been built with the wheelchairpassenger in mind. The car also comes with achoice of manual or automatic.

“We booked a home demonstration so wecould try it out for ourselves and make sure itwas right for us. Our mobility consultant, Peter,brought the car to our home and talked usthrough it.

“We tested the ramp and then took it out for aspin. It was ideal for Ellena’s new wheelchair.”

Jill added: “Having an access ramp’s great.Ellena can stay in her wheelchair so it makestravelling more comfortable and enjoyable for

her. It’s also better for Peter and I as we nolonger need to lift her in and out of the car.

“As well as studying child care at BlackburnCollege, Ellena loves shopping, going to thecinema and Zumba classes with her grandma– she has a busy life! The best thing abouthaving a car with wheelchair access is howeasily and quickly we can pick Ellena up anddrop her off.”

Jill adds: “The service we received from AlliedMobility was great. All the staff were veryhelpful. When our car was delivered the drivermade sure we were happy and took the time toshow us the vehicle again. It was fantasticservice all round.”nAllied Helpline: 0800 916 3018, [email protected]

17www.alltogethernow.org.uk February/March 2013 All Together NOW! hernow.org.uk

Motability chiefDeclanO’Mahony insisted hewas not in a position to “wavea wand” over Governmentchanges to DLA.

Government figures suggestthat more than 400,000 fewerdisabled people will be eligiblefor a Motability vehicle in 2018as a result of the reforms,which will see DLA replacedwith the new personalindependence payment (PIP).

Mr O’Mahony, director ofMotability, said he knew thatsome of his more than 600,000customers would lose theircars over the next five yearsbut would not attempt to softenthe Government’s position.

He said Motability was “not alobbying organisation” andtherefore was not trying topersuade the Coalition that itscustomers needed theirvehicles.

“We are not responsible for

the Government’s choicesabout policy. We are not in aposition to wave a wand forany customer who loses theireligibility,” he said.

“All we can do is manage thatimpact with that customer asbest we can and we areworking on a package oftransitional measures for suchcustomers.”

Only those who receive theenhanced rate of the mobilitycomponent of PIP will beeligible to stay on the Motabilityscheme. Reassessment ofexisting working-age DLAclaimants will begin thisOctober, although those with alifetime DLA award will now notbe reassessed until at leastOctober 2015.

Motability has previouslysuggested – during a workshopat a Disability Rights UKconference last November –that up to 100,000 of itscustomers could lose theireligibility for the scheme in thethree years to 2016.

by JOHN PRING

its distance . . .its distance . . .

CAR CRISIS

Motability keepsMotability keeps

na’s life in the fast lanene reached 18, dystrophy was notr getting out into

a big wide wheelchairGilrane, fromith their standard car.

s on her wheelchairWe used to have ald transport her

y got a new chair that

what wheelchair many of the rampss new wheelchair.ugeot Horizon, which

amp.”zon SE, comes with a

wealth of features including a wider, lightweightwheelchair ramp designed for those who have alarger wheelchair or scooter.

Add to this a lowered floor and full wheelchairrestraint system and it’s easy to see thatHorizon SE has been built with the wheelchairpassenger in mind. The car also comes with achoice of manual or automatic.

“We booked a home demonstration so wecould try it out for ourselves and make sure itwas right for us. Our mobility consultant, Peter,brought the car to our home and talked usthrough it.

“We tested the ramp and then took it out for aspin. It was ideal for Ellena’s new wheelchair.”

Jill added: “Having an access ramp’s great.Ellena can stay in her wheelchair so it makestravelling more comfortable and enjoyable for

her. It’s also better for Peter and I as we nolonger need to lift her in and out of the car.

“As well as studying child care at BlackburnCollege, Ellena loves shopping, going to thecinema and Zumba classes with her grandma– she has a busy life! The best thing abouthaving a car with wheelchair access is howeasily and quickly we can pick Ellena up anddrop her off.”

Jill adds: “The service we received from AlliedMobility was great. All the staff were veryhelpful. When our car was delivered the drivermade sure we were happy and took the time toshow us the vehicle again. It was fantasticservice all round.”nAllied Helpline: 0800 916 3018, [email protected]

NEW HORIZONS:Ellena and mumJill and their newPeugeot Horizon

THE charity that helpsdisabled people get on theroad has refused to enterthe row over cuts toDisability Living Allowance.


450,000 readers . . . . . . .and GROWING FAST

OPINION

SOUNDINGOFF!

THE MODERN welfare state isbroadly based on the principles ofthe Beveridge Report published in

1942.Beveridge took the same view as the

Victorians who thought that people had a dutyto help themselves.

The social security system based on hisreport was to be paid for by nationalinsurance contributions.

Benefits were mostly intended for those whohad made contributions. The social securitysystem made only the most basic provisionfor those disabled from childhood or whosedisability could not be attributed to military orindustrial service.

Then, as now, most disabled people weretwice as likely as non-disabled people to beat the low end of the income scale.

Following successful campaigns by disabilityorganisations new social security benefitswere later introduced that were notdependent on national insurancecontributions. These included what is nowknown as Disability Living Allowance, SevereDisability Income and Attendance Allowance.

‘Strivers’ and‘scroungers’

There was wide acceptance that thesebenefits were justified and they haveimproved the lives of millions of disabledpeople.

But for any social security system to surviveand work effectively it must have the supportof the people who are paying for it. To makecuts in support to disabled people acceptablethere has been a growing campaign inParliament and the press to divide peoplebetween the strivers who work for their livingand scroungers who lie in bed.

“Where is the fairness, we ask, for theshift-worker, leaving home in the dark

hours of the early morning, who looks upat the closed blinds of their next doorneighbour sleeping off a life on benefits?”– to quote the Chancellor.

This is no less than an attempt to build uphostility against disabled people and thoseunable to work. No attempt is made todifferentiate between those who choose notto work and those unable to work for reasonsof health or disability.

The unemployment rate amongst thegeneral population is 7.8%.

71.2% were in work in November 2012compared to 48.9% of disabled people ofworking age. Only 33% of disabled peoplework full time.

There are many reasons for this, such asthe degree of people’s impairment, the lack ofenforcement of equality laws and the failureof the Government to support disabledpeople.

This year DLA will be abolished and a newallowance, the Personal IndependencePayment, (PIP), introduced to cut costs by20%, regardless of need.

To gain public support for such cuts pressstories have appeared suggesting that peopleclaiming DLA are driving around in Mercedesand BMWs supplied through the Motabilitycharity while their neighbours could not affordsuch cars.

The two most widely used cars on theMotability scheme are the Ford Focus andVauxhall Astra – but that spoils the story.However, the Government has a problem. Ifthe reductions are too Draconian theelectorate responds, so their concerns needto be addressed. One way to do this is tocreate a more generous scheme for thosejudged to be disabled anddeserving.

Many people injured inthe armed forces use the

Motability scheme and would fail to qualifyunder the new regime.

It is therefore proposed to introduce a newallowance that would favour people disabledwhile in the armed forces. The eligibilitycriteria will be much more generous than thatfor PIP and the Prime Minister hasannounced that former military personnel willnot be required to be reassessed as otherswill be.

The Government will justify this by arguing itis supporting the military covenant. But it alsoraises a number of issues: Is an injuryexperienced by a member of the armedforces more worthy than the same injuryexperience by a fire fighter or police officer inthe line of duty?

Are any of these people more worthy ofsupport than the civilian who has the sameinjury playing sport or a person who is bornwith the same level of impairment?

Is it wise to base policy not on the extent ofa person’s impairment and need but on thereasons why the impairment exists?

‘Deserving’ and‘undeserving’

Disability and poverty have long been bedcompanions. Although it is unlikely to be theintention of the currently government to retainit, this will be the effect of current policies.

Already we have the deserving andundeserving poor implanted into the publicmind but even disabled people are to bedivided into the deserving and undeserving.

There will be reduced support for the formerand even less for the latter.

The lesson for those who are not yetdisabled but will become so, is choosecarefully how you acquire yourdisability because future support willdepend on the moral value that isplaced upon it.

It shouldn’t matter how people become disabled

THE publication of the NewYears honours list brought itsusual disputes but with an

added twist.Wheelchair racer David Weir was

appointed a Commander of the BritishEmpire (CBE) and expresseddisappointed not to have been knighted.Was he right to suggest the honourssystem was unfair to disabled athletes?

The Olympians were awarded 38honours and the Paralympians 28, morethan a quarter fewer despite winningalmost twice as many medals.

Five people received the highesthonours of Dame of the British Empire(DBE) or Knight Bachelor. The Para-cycling gold medallist Sharon Storey wasappointed as a DBE. Storey has won 11gold medals, which equals that ofBaroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who wasappointed a DBE in 2005. How does thatcompare with non-disabled athletes?

Four menreceived aknighthood for theirrole in theOlympics includingtwo for theircoaching services.Ben Ainslie wasknighted forservices to rowingand Bradley

Wiggins for services to cycling. Both havewon four gold medals.

Weir was the only disabled athlete to beappointed a CBE. His record is 6 goldmedals, 2 silver and 2 Bronze. Theothers appointed CBE were KatherineGrainger, 1 gold; Jessica Ennis, 1 gold:Mo Farah, 2 gold; and Victoria Pendleton,2 gold.

Missing from this Honours List was LeePearson, the disabled equestrian whowon a gold, silver and bronze medals. Hesaid he was disappointed not to havebeen knighted. He was appointed a CBEin 2009 and has now won 10 gold medals.

On the evidence it seems that Weir andPearson are right and wrong.

Compared to non-disabled Olympians,disabled Olympians need to earn moregold medals to gain the same awards inthe Birthday and New Year Honours Lists.But compared to the standards requiredfrom disabled athletes, Weir has to winanother five gold’s to gain a knighthood,and Pearson just one.

It seems all medals are not equal.

DISAPPOINTED: David Weir

So wereSo werethesethesehonourshonoursfair . . ?fair . . ?


benefits forthe militaryare totally wrong

More generous

withSir BERT MASSIE


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

BUDDING entrepreneurswho have a disabilityare getting extra help

to get started.New money from the

Government’s Access to Workprogramme will help to pay forspecialised equipment, supportworkers and travel costs.

The measure aims to furtherboost the number of disabledpeople who are self-employed,which is half a million people or15% of disabled people in work.

Esther McVey, Minister forDisabled People, said: “If 2013 isthe year aspiring disabled people

want to set up a business - thenAccess to Work can help.

“We’ve opened up our flagshipprogramme so that disabledpeople have the same choice tostart up their own business aseveryone else - in every sector,from hairdressing to engineeringand everything in between.

“Through this scheme I amdetermined to get more disabledpeople into mainstream jobs.”

The scheme will aid disabledpeople who are enrolled on theNew Enterprise Allowance, whichprovides expert coaching andfinancial support for jobseekers

who have a business idea. Last year Access to Work

helped over 30,000 disabledpeople keep or get jobs, witharound 4,500 working in smallbusinesses.

Research also shows thataround half (45%) of Access toWork customers would be out ofwork if they did not receivesupport through the scheme.

To be eligible for theprogramme you must:n Have a disability or healthcondition that stops you frombeing able to do parts of yourjob;

n Have work-related costsbecause of the disability orhealth condition;Be 16 or over and in a paid job,or unemployed and about to starta job, or unemployed and aboutto start a Jobcentre Plus WorkTrial, or self-employed.

Types of support that can beprovided under the programmeinclude special aids andequipment, support workers,travel to work, travel in work,communicator support atinterview.

n Full details at www.gov.uk

New start-up boost THE GOVERNMENT’s AcademySchool programme isundermining good inclusiveeducation practice for disabledpupils, says a nationalcampaigning network.

The Alliance for InclusiveEducation (ALLFE) says theAcademies Commission’sreport, Unleashing Greatness,Getting the Best from anAcademised System highlightsthe growing evidence thatmainstream academies are notusing their resources to buildand develop inclusiveeducation practice but insteadare excluding and segregatingpupils into alternativeprovision. nwww.allfie.org.uk

Inclusion fearsfor Academies

REMEMBER whenStuart Pearcesmashed THAT

penalty into the net againstSpain at Euro ‘96 and laidto rest the ghost of hiscrucial miss againstGermany at Italia ‘90?

Remember the outpouringof emotion and the jubilationthat followed?

“That’s how I felt when Ibecame my own boss!”chuckles Mike Bold (picturedright), an experiencedchartered surveyor whoovercame the double blow ofill-health and redundancy in2011 to launch his ownbusiness just one year later.

Forty-something Mike hadnever been unemployed, butfound himself on DisabilityLiving Allowance afterundergoing daunting spinalsurgery and losing his job.

“Redundancy was a

massive shock,” admitsMike, “a real confidenceblow. Now I’m in control ofmy own destiny – and it feelsgreat.”

Mike simply wasn’t readyfor the scrapheap. But whilehe had a wealth ofexperience in his chosenprofession, Mike knew that ifhe was to start his ownbusiness he would needsupport.

And that’s whereEnterprising Merseysidecame in. A visit to his localChamber of Commerceopened up a whole newworld of EU-funded adviceand support Mike never

knew existed. “When you’reunemployed, you think you’reon your own” says Mike.

“You’re not! I was amazedat what was on offer.

“I was allocated a mentorwhose enthusiasm andsupport was a massive boostafter what I’d been through.”

Next Mike attended a six-part business start-up courseat St Helens Chamber, whichcovered essentials such astax and national insurance.

Landgate PropertyConsultants was born. Butthat wasn’t the end of hisrelationship with EnterprisingMerseyside.

“They helped develop myideas and get me started,”says Mike, “and I have thecomfort of knowing that I canturn to them for help andadvice whenever I need it.”

Mike’s got a lot to offer. Sohave you...

Bold by name,bold by nature

Enterprising Merseyside: Helping people into business

Mike’s incontrol!

All Together NOW! February/March 2013 www.alltogethernow.org.uk20

CALL 0151 230 0307

We reach450,000 readers

across theNorth West

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


Tell 450,000 readers about your college

MID CHESHIRE

IS A FULLY

INCLUSIVE

COLLEGE

Don’t miss out

Come along to our Advice and Guidance Evenings

Thursdays December 6th or January 10th or 24th

7.00 – 8.00pm at Hartford Campus, Northwich

Thursdays February 14 & 28, March 14

HALF of all people learn bestthrough hearing or movement – notby reading and writing.

And yet that half of the population isoften ignored by a “one size fits all”approach to education.

So when a theatre director, a bankerand a teacher – who love learning buthate sitting still – got together to thinkabout a new kind of resource forschools, now>press>play was born.

now>press>play, described as aneducational silent disco, involveschildren putting on wireless headphonesand being plunged into the world of theirtopic – whether maths, history, scienceor English.

They become a character and play outa story that fuses narrative, sound andmusic and brings the curriculum to life.

Remi Atoyebi, head teacher of aninner city primary school, said: “I wasastounded by the quality and depth ofthe children’s engagement.

“Especially given the high proportion ofchildren with English as an additionallanguage in the school, you could seehow everything came to life for them,and it really came through in theirclasswork as well.”

Alice Lacey, co-founder ofnow>press>play, said: “We need tomake our education system meet theneeds of children, not the other wayround.

“Children learn best when they canrelate to their topic emotionally andsocially, as part of the real world.”

Mattie, a year 6 pupil who took part innow>press>play’s World War IIexperience, said: “Everything was soreal, it felt like I was really there. It waslike I was actually a child in the Blitz.”

When surveyed, 84.3% of teacherssaid that now>press>play “very muchimproved their classes’ understanding oftheir topic”.nwww.now>press>play.co.uk

MORE support should beprovided for disabledworkers, says the authorof a new Governmentreport.

Liz Sayce, head ofDisability Rights UK,welcomed an extension ofthe Access to Workscheme to include somedisabled entrepreneurs.

But she called on theGovernment to make AtWavailable for every type ofwork experience, trainee-ship, internship andbusiness set-up.

Disability minister EstherMcVey admitted lastOctober that spending onAtW had plummeted from£107 million in 2010-2011to just £93 million in 2011-12, while the number ofdisabled people claimingfunding had fallen from37,000 in 2009-10 to justover 30,000 in 2011-12.

The following month, aseries of measures wereannounced – includingallowing disabled peopleon NEA to claim AtWsupport – to strengthenand improve the scheme.

RiskSome of the measures

were recommended by MsSayce in her 2011 reportfor the Government onemployment supportprogrammes.

“It is vital that Access toWork should be availablefor all the major routes intoemployment includingsetting up your ownbusiness, work experience,traineeships andinternships,” she said.

“Otherwise disabledpeople who need simplethings like an interpreter orsupport worker will have nochance of equality ingetting into employment.”

She said this risk wasparticularly acute for youngdisabled people, who riskbecoming a newgeneration lost toemployment - being twiceas likely as young non-disabled people to be notin education, employmentor training.

THE FOUNDER and chiefexecutive of North West-based disability rights

organisation Breakthrough UK isstepping down after 14 years.

Lorraine Gradwell, who set up thecharity in 1998 with Manchester CityCouncil, will continue campaigning fordisabled people’s rights in a non-executive role.

Breakthrough UK has enabled morethan 6,000 disabled people to find full-time employment, work experience ortraining opportunities. It has 40 staff –70% of whom are disabled – based inoffices in Manchester and Liverpool.

Lorraine said: “It has been an absoluteprivilege to guide Breakthrough UK andwork with such talented colleagues overthe past 14 years.

“Breakthrough UK has been classedas ‘ground-breaking’ following numerousevaluations and that’s something I’mimmensely proud of.

“I might be retiring from my role aschief executive - but I have everyintention of continuing to campaign fordisabled people’s rights in the futureboth in the North West and nationally.”

In her role as chief executive, Lorrainehas also acted as an advisor ondisability policy to local, regional andnational Government.

She has worked extensively on twoMinisterial Advisory Committees – theDepartment for Work and Pension’s(DWP) Disability Employment AdvisoryCommittee and the Department forTrade and Industry’s (DTI) SmallBusiness Council.

Signing off!Signing off!

Lorrainecalls ita dayafter 14

years at

the helm

We needMOREjob help

The fun route to learning


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

. . . call 0151 230 0307

AUNIQUE scheme tohelp people withautism and

Asperger’s syndromeinto work has beenbacked by DisabilityMinister Esther McVey.

The minister heard detailsof the scheme when shevisited the Wirral AutisticSociety, which received a£265,000 grant from the BigLottery to fund the Step intoWork programme.

Ms McVey, MP for WirralWest, said: “There is nodoubt that people withautism and Asperger’s canfind the world of work aconsiderable challenge butwith the right help andsupport they can enjoysuccess.

“I am most impressed bythe way the Step into Workprogramme is helping tobridge the gap intoemployment and look

forward to hearing moresuccess stories as theprogramme rolls forward.”

The scheme involvestraining, advice and supportfor both those seeking workand employers themselves.So far 17 people havesuccessfully completed 12-week work placementprogrammes and more arein the pipeline.

Programme managerBeverley Breen said: “One oftheir biggest barriers toemployment is difficultyunderstanding the socialaspects of work which

means people have difficultyrelating to supervisors orother workers, difficultiesunderstanding instructions,tone of voice and facialexpressions or asking toomany questions.

“However, with the rightsupport people with autismand Asperger’s cancontribute effectively to theworkplace.”

Only 15% of people withAsperger’s are in full-timepaid employment and thevast majority of employershave little or nounderstanding of theproblems they face.

nAnyone interested injoining the freeprogramme should contactBeverley Breen on 077557859000 or 0151 643 5551.


big step sobig step soMaking thatMaking that

much easiermuch easierAutismscheme success

MID Cheshire Collegeprincipal John Reilly wasawarded a CBE in the NewYear’s Honour List forservices to furthereducation.

Mr Reilly, who will be retiringat the end of the year, said: “Imust say, this award came asa complete surprise. I havereally enjoyed my 10 years asPrincipal of Mid CheshireCollege.

“The staff have workedtremendously hard totransform this college into oneof the very best. Althoughthese awards go to the personin charge of the organisation,everyone at the college canfeel that their achievement increating a truly outstanding

college has been recognised.”The college has gone from

strength to strength since MrReilly took on the role in2002.

In 2008 Mid CheshireCollege was judged to be“outstanding” by Ofsted,

achieving a clean slate ofGrade 1s.

A year later, the Hartford andWinsford-based institutionwas awarded Beacon Collegestatus, the highest accolade inthe further education sector.

George Studd, chair of theGovernors at Mid CheshireCollege, said: “The trans-formation and development ofthe college over the past 10years under the leadership ofJohn Reilly has been quiteremarkable. This award couldnot be more deserved.”

Mr Reilly is now lookingforward to attending a specialinvestiture, during thesummer, at BuckinghamPalace where he will beawarded his medal.

HONOUR: John Reilly

CBE for College Principal


The perfect tonic - these pages

SIGNS of depression are less likely tobe picked up in men than in women,new research shows.

A fascinating UK study involved more than1,200 people being asked to spot symptomsof depression in fictional male and femalecharacters.

The results showed that being able tocorrectly diagnose the illness depended onthe gender of both the sufferer and theperson trying to identify it.

ScepticismBoth male and female respondents were

more likely to indicate that a male was notsuffering from a mental health disordercompared to a female.

And women were more likely than men toindicate that the male character suffered from

a mental health disorder, the study showed.Not only that but attitudes toward those with

depression were associated withrespondents’ attitudes toward seekingpsychological help, psychiatric scepticism,and anti-scientific attitudes.

Dr Viren Swami, at the University ofWestminster, said: “The results of thisresearch are significant for initiatives aimedat enhancing mental health literacy, whichshould consider the impact of genderstereotypes and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviors.

“I am confident that this study will open upnew possibilities to look into the issues ofdepression and mental health disorders andstir attention towards these sensitivesubjects.”

Male problems missed

THOUSANDS ofpeople who die as aresult of diabetic

wounds could be savedthanks to a new inventionby Oxford boffins.

The 3D imaging cameracould revolutionise thetreatment of wounds, orulcers, which are caused bydiabetes and frequently resultin the loss of a limb.

At present, only half ofpeople undergoing suchamputations survive for morethan two years.

The new camera, inventedby Professor Ron Daniel andDr James Paterson, fromOxford University, uses fourhigh-powered flashes to takecrucial measurements with farmore speed, consistency andaccuracy than is currentlypossible in hospitals, say themakers.

Antiquated methods used in

hospitals to assess woundshave included tracing paperand a pencil, or just thenaked eye.

Dr Paterson said: “One ofthe risks of inaccuratemeasurement and treatmentof diabetic wounds isamputation, with 50% ofpeople who have a majoramputation dying within twoyears.

“Through the use of theEykona system, many of

these amputations could beavoided through moreprecise, efficient and effectivecare resulting from accurate3D measurement.”

The 3D imaging cameracould potentially also bringhuge savings in healthcare.The total cost of diabeticulceration and amputation inthe UK amounts to between£640m and £660m everyyear.

Dr Paterson added: “Byreplacing archaic, basic andexpensive processes, Eykonais not just saving time andmoney, but lives. It meansmore measurements can betaken, in less time, by anynumber of health careprofessionals.”

The Royal Centre forDefence Medicine is alreadyusing the device to help treatthe wounds of soldiers inAfghanistan.

PEOPLE with mental health problemscan now get therapy without evenleaving home.

Talking therapy over the phone has beenshown to be just as helpful as a face-to-face session.

Out of 39,000 patients taking part in a newstudy, talking to a therapist on the phoneproved every bit as helpful for all but the mostseverely ill.

The alternative treatment is a good solutionfor people who may have trouble making atraditional appointment due to such things aswork commitments, transport problems orphysical disability, thus making mental healthservices more accessible to those who needthem.

Therapy by phone also saves the NHSmoney, with the cost per session working outmore than a third cheaper, according to theresearch at the University of Cambridge.

On the back of the study results, NHSMidlands & East has instigated a regionaltraining programme to standardise servicedelivery and ensure therapists are competentat phone contact.

Professor Peter Jones, from the University ofCambridge, said: “Providing therapy over thephone will not only help individuals gain much-needed access to mental health treatment, itwill provide a more cost effective way ofproviding these services at a time wheneveryone is concerned about cutting costs.”

Telephone therapy is here

New 3Dcamerais flashof genius

SPACE is important to all of us,not least if you are feelingirritable or unwell; and it’s

certainly true of people who are inmental distress.

For all of us the space we are in and thespace that surrounds us has a strongrelationship to the way we feel and theway we react and behave as a result.

Our physical environment – the way itsmells looks, feels, and sounds – canmake us feel comfortable, anxious, safe orthreatened and a million things in-between.

There is plenty of hugely interestingresearch around this, but we know forourselves and our own daily experiencesthis is the case. All our senses areaffected in relation to our environment, oursense of wellbeing included.

So it’s probably an understatement tosay I was really pleased that 2013 has gotoff to a flying start with confirmation fromthe Department of Health and Treasurythat our Trust can go ahead with itsdevelopment of the old Walton Hospitalsite in North Liverpool.

We can now start work on building anew light and airy mental health facilitywith beds in a space that has beendeveloped with service users and carersworking closely with staff on designs toencompass space that contributes torecovery.

Every patient will have their ownbedroom and en suite, access to activity

rooms and communal areas, as well assafe, open space, provided by innercourtyard gardens facing the ward areas.It combines high quality, moderntherapeutic mental health environmentsfor local people in the communities wherethey are needed.

I WOULD like to thank every one ofthose 1,643 people who attended ourrecent public consultation meetingsand events to hear about our futureplans and give their views on ourapplication to become a newFoundation Trust.

In total we had 1,324 responses to thepublic consultation.

Thanks to you all we are on track tosubmit our application in April 2013 andwe hope to be authorised by the end ofDecember 2013.

Beatrice Fraenkelchair, Mersey Care NHS

Hope for


are read by 450,000 readers . . . 0151 230 0307

MEDICAL NOTESJoint surgery is hipamong the younger

Boys could benefit

Boom in transplants

Why I love this paper

TINY bits of a human heart can now continue to beatoutside the body, bringing hopes of better treatment.

A team of English researchers have successfully developeda system that allows heart tissue removed from patients tofunction as though it was still in the human body.

The breakthrough means both healthy and diseased hearttissue can be examined in life-like conditions, and heartattacks can be simulated in ways that have not been possible.

The system could become an important research tool forscientists – helping them understand more about theprocesses involved in heart disease and to develop newtreatments.

A University of Hull research team, led by Professor JohnGreenman, carried out the research thanks to a grant of£199,728 from Heart Research UK.

Barbara Harpham, of Heart Research UK said: “The work theHull team have been doing is not only exciting, but couldultimately make heart surgery even safer.”

Heart beat star!Heart beat star!

thousands

Thanks for my babiesTRACY Cirin was pregnantwith twins when she got thedevastating news that she hadan eye tumour two years ago.

Despite the need for treatment,Tracy was desperate not to puther babies at risk by havingthem induced before the end ofthe full term.

She was able to do just thatthanks to the care provided by aworld-renowned eye cancercentre based on Merseyside.

Under the supervision of theLiverpool Ocular OncologyCentre at the Royal LiverpoolUniversity Hospital, Tracy wasable to give birth to twin girlsSophie and Chloe aftercompleting a normal pregnancy,and then began treatment forher eye tumour.

Tracy was keen to show hergratitude and signed up for ahalf marathon in 2011 to raisefunds for the Eye TumourResearch Fund, a charity set upby the Liverpool centre.

Unfortunately she was forcedto pull out and instead husbandRobert and a family friendstepped up to the challenge.

But this year, after making afull recovery, Tracy,accompanied by Robert and twofriends, took part in the CardiffHalf-Marathon and, togetherwith the proceeds of the 2011race, raised £5,500 for theResearch Fund.

Tracy said: “Robert and I areextremely grateful for all theirwork and we have two lovelygirls to thank them for.”

MILES OF SMILES: Tracy with Robert and friends

FIFTY thousand peoplesuffering with fractures thatwon’t heal could be set to

benefit from a unique bonehealing device.

The machine – which has woncrucial support from the healthwatchdog NICE – could avoidthousands of patients in the UKresorting to complex surgery to fix thebone using a metal plate.

This can involve taking bone fromtheir pelvis to be grafted into thefracture site, and leave them unableto work and often relying on friendsand family to get about.

The EXOGEN Ultrasound BoneHealing System – which uses aunique ultrasound signal to stimulatebroken bones to heal naturally – hasbeen shown to have the samesuccess rate as surgery and couldsave the NHS millions of pounds.

But its use in the NHS has beeninconsistent, with some doctorshaving to persuade hospital managersto fund it.

Pain freeHowever, the new NICE guidance

found that the surgery it replacescosts nearly £1,200 more.

Patients using EXOGEN place anultrasound probe on the skin for 20minutes a day and the treatment,done at home, is entirely pain freewith no known side effects.

For use by patients with plastercasts, a hole is left in the cast overthe fracture.

Some people live with a fracture forseveral years waiting for healing tooccur, blighting their lives andrequiring them to make regular visitsto fracture clinics.

NICE looked at 17 separate clinicalstudies involving over 1,700 patientsand concluded that the clinical

HIP and knee surgery is becoming lessof a last resort and more a lifestylechoice, says a new report by healthcareexperts GBI Research.

While conditions like arthritis andosteoporosis are becoming morecommon as people live longer, advancesin technology are encouraging youngerpeople with joint problems to undergotreatment sooner rather than later.

Surgeons are rapidly adoptinginnovative and minimally invasivereconstruction procedures, makingoutcomes more reliable.

New implant materials can resist wearand tear, with the prospect of long-termuse for the individual – up to 25 yearscompared to a conventional device’slifespan of 15 years.

BOYS with Duchenne MuscularDystrophy have been given new hopeafter a team of scientists won a grantworth nearly £4.5m from the EU.

The grant will fund an exciting newdrug trial led by Prof Francesco Muntoniof the Institute of Child Health, which isbased at London’s famous GreatOrmond Street Hospital.

The trial is expected to start in 2014and will involve 12 patients – four fromthe UK. Its aim is to assess the safety,tolerability and efficacy of the drugEteplisen at different dose levels.

BABY boomers in the US are fuelling abig demand for liver transplants.

The increased demand is coming frompeople born between 1941 and 1965 – theso-called baby boomer generation - whohad hepatitis C and have gone on todevelop liver cancer, says a new report.

More than one per cent of all Americansare chronically infected with hepatitis Cand recent figures showed that 75% ofadults with the condition were babyboomers. Cases of cirrhosis in patientswith hepatitis Care expected tonearly doublefrom 472,000 to879,000 by 2030.


MATTERS OF THE HEART: Professor John Greenman

FOUR out of every fivepeople with rheumatoidarthritis suffer from atleast one otherdisease, an alarmingreport reveals.

New research amongthe 690,000 people inthe UK with RA showsthey are twice as likelyto have cardiovascularor lung disease, threetimes as likely to haveanaemia, and at greaterrisk of conditions suchas heart failure, strokes,depression, diseases ofthe eye, and some typesof cancer.

The NationalRheumatoid ArthritisSociety – which carriedout the research – haslaunched a 10-point planto tackle the problemand improve the healthof RA patients.

Just providing patientswith the facts couldbring major benefits totheir health, says AilsaBosworth, the Society’schief executive.

“Patients have theability to manage therisk factors moreproactively but if they donot know aboutcardiovascular andosteoporotic risks, theyare far less likely toaddress factors such assmoking, weight anddiet which are firmlywithin their control,” shesaid.

Plan toreducetoll ofarthritis

THIS is the first time I haveread All Together NOW! and Iwill always get it from now onbecause it’s such a positiveand informative read for anyone,young or old. My husband has just gotout of hospital after five months. Itmade him very low. But reading thispaper made him feel better and morepositive and not so alone. Thank you. Ipicked up my copy at Tesco in Gorton,Manchester.Mrs Andrea Price, Thornley Lane South,Reddish, Stockport.


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Feb 9-23: Priscilla: Queen of theDesert. Manchester Opera House.Feel-good international hit. AUDIODESCRIBED FEB 20, SIGNEDFEB 14. Feb 11-16: The Rocky Horror Show.Liverpool Empire. Classic musicalfrom Richard O’Brien.Feb 11-23: Hairspray. Salford Lowry.The West End’s favourite musicalcomedy. Feb 12-16: Calendar Girls. RuncornBrindley. One of the nation’sbest-loved showsFeb 14-Mar 9: Rape of the FairCountry. Theatr Clwyd. Compellingdrama.Feb 15: Richard Digance. NewBrighton Floral Pavilion. Two hours oforiginal material.Feb 15-16: Dancing With theOrange Dog. Salford Lowry. Thought-provoking drama.Feb 15-Mar 9: If You Won’t Let usDream, We Won’t Let You Sleep.Liverpool Royal Court. Passionatenew play from Anders Lustgarten. Feb 15-Mar 9: TheMisanthrope. LiverpoolEveryman and Playhouse.Retelling of Moliere’s classiccomedy. AUDIO DESCRIBEDFEB 28, CAPTIONED MAR 9. Feb 16: Midge Ure. New BrightonFloral Pavilion. Solo show from themusic industry mainstay.Feb 17: Why the Lion Danced.Salford Lowry. Celebrate ChineseNew Year.Feb 17: The Elephant Bridesmaid.New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Feb 18: The ChuckleBrothers. The Brindley,Runcorn. New show from thekids’ comedy duo.Feb 18-23: The Mousetrap. StokeRegent Theatre. Agatha Christie’smurder mystery.Feb 20: The Dubliners. RhylPavilion. Legendary Irish folk act. Feb 20-Mar 9: Phantom of theOpera. Liverpool Empire. One of theworld’s best-loved musicals.Feb 21-Mar 16: Tull. Bolton Octagon.Remarkable true tale of World WarOne hero Walter Tull.Feb 22: Joe Brown in Concert.Southport Floral Hall. Ttimelessclassics.Feb 22-Mar 23: A Time to Reap.Liverpool Royal Court. Polish playfrom playwright Anna Wakulik.Feb 23: Soldiers’ Wives. TheBrindley, Runcorn. Powerful drama. Feb 25-Mar 1: Whole. BoltonOctagon. Three teenagers tell thestory of their friend, Holly.Feb 26: Yamato Drummers.Manchester Opera House. Taikodrumming at its finest. Feb 26: Madam Butterfly. RhylPavilion. Puccini’s opera. Feb 27: Movies and Musicals. TheBrindley, Runcorn. All your favouritesongs from the movies and frommusicals.Feb 27-Mar 2: Aladdin. SalfordLowry. Show from the BirminghamRoyal Ballet. Feb 28: The Resonance of Seclusion.

Salford Lowry. The true story of JoashWoodrow. Feb 28: Russell Kane. TheBrindley, Runcorn. Stand-upcomedy.Feb 28-Mar 2: Blues BrothersApproved. Stoke Regent Theatre.Feb 28-Apr 6: Educting Rita. TheatrClwyd. From Willy Russell.Mar 1: The Drifters. The Brindley,Runcorn. The musical legends.Mar 1: Rabbitskin. Salford Lowry.Thoughtful tale from Dom Grace. Mar 1-2: Pam Ann: Around theWorld. Manchester Opera House.Glamorous, hilarious and outrageous. Mar 2: The Illegal Eagles. TheBrindley, Runcorn.. Leading Eaglestribute band.Mar 4-9: The 39 Steps Tour.Manchester Opera House. Joyousversion of the Alfred Hitchcock classic. Mar 5-6: Moscow State Circus.Stoke Regent Theatre. TraditionalRussian circus. Mar 6-9: Miss Saigon. The Brindley,Runcorn. Specially adapted version ofPuccini’s Madame Butterfly.Mar 7: Yamato Drummers. Stoke

Regent Theatre. Master Japanesedrummers. Mar 7: Duke Special. New BrightonFloral Pavilion. Irish ainger-songwriter. Mar 8: Tosca. Stoke Regent Theatre.Puccini’s opera.Mar 8-9: The Crucible. New BrightonFloral Pavilion. Classic Arthur Millerplay.Mar 9: Carmen. Stoke RegentTheatre. Bizet’s opera. Mar 10: The Hairy Bokers: Largerthan Live. Manchester Opera House.Mar 12: Inspector Norse. TheBrindley, Runcorn. Swedishwhodunnit. Mar 12: Psychic Sally on the Road.Liverpool Empire. An evening ofmediumship with TV psychic SallyMorgan.Mar 12-13: Phoenix Dance Theatre:Particle Velocity. Liverpool Everymanand Playhouse. New dance show.Mar 12-30: Dirty Dancing. StokeRegent Theatre. Live version of the hitfilm. Mar 13-Mar 16: Otello. Salford Lowry.Verdi’s operatic interpretation ofShakespeare’s play.

BLACKPOOLGrand Theatre: 01253290190.BOLTONOctagon: 01204520661.LIVERPOOLEmpire: 08444 999999.Everyman &Playhouse:0151 709 4776.Royal Court: 0870 7871866.LLANDUDNOVenue Cymru: 01492872000.MOLD:Theatr Clwyd: 08453303565.

MANCHESTERLibrary Theatre:The Lowry: 0843 2086000.Opera House: 0870401 9000.Palace Theatre:0870 401 3000.NEW BRIGHTONFloral Pavillion: 0151666 0000.PORT SUNLIGHT:Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757.PRESTON:Charter Theatre: 0845344 2012.RHYL:Pavilion Theatre: 01745 330 000.

RUNCORNThe Brindley: 0151 9078360.SALE:Waterside Arts Centre:0161 912 5616.STOKE:Regent Theatre:0844 871 7627.SOUTHPORT:Floral Hall: 0844 8472380.ST HELENS:Theatre Royal:01744 756000.Citadel: 01744735436.WOLVERHAMPTONGrand Theatre:01902 429212.

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Books

Amazing surival tale

Help – My Daughter HasScoliosis, published byHilary Lowne in conjunctionwith Writersworld, from mostgood bookshops and onlineretailers, £9.99

TWO years ago Anna Lowne, 14,was unexpectedly diagnosedwith scoliosis (side-to-sidecurvature of the spine). With herfamily reeling in shock andunable to find any personalaccounts of what to expect, theyfaced the condition with littleinformation.Following a successful recovery andreturn to normal life, Anna’s mother,Hilary, was determined to betterprepare other families to tackle thecondition head-on.Scoliosis affects around three percentof all babies. With the first symptomsdeveloping during adolescence, thecondition often strikes at a time whenchildren are at their most active.“Anna’s diagnosis blind-sided us out ofthe blue,” says speech therapist Hilary.“Aside from getting medical information,we frantically tried to seek out thepersonal stories of other families whowere affected by the condition. I wantedto find out what could happen to mydaughter in terms of tests, possiblesurgical intervention, and the process of

recovery. There really wasn’t much outthere, leaving us in the dark.“Anna found that as her spinalcurvature progressed, the rib hump shehad developed on her back becamebigger and the pain in her back becameworse.”Following the insertion of two rods andfifteen pins to straighten her spine, herlife has returned to normal and she isnow pursuing an acting diploma andfollowing her dream to become anactress.“This is exactly why I wrote the book -to give parents hope that, while thediagnosis and recovery is heart-breaking at times, scoliosis is amodern-daymedical conditionthat can be fought,beaten and laid torest for good.”


FROGTASTIC! - the multi-award winning club nightfor people (over 18) withlearning disabilities andtheir friends has beenhappening in Manchestersince 2006.

Attracting thousands ofclubbers from across theNorth West and beyond,

Frogtastic events arestaged in tightly controlledenvironments that are safeand secure, with theadditional comfort of astrict admissions policy.

The next FrogtasticManchester Club Nighttakes place on Wednesday6 March at The Frog and

Bucket, Oldam Street,Manchester. Places can bereserved from The HeroesProject on 0161 872 8787.

Other dates for 2013:Wed 24 April; Wed 5 June;Wed 24 July; Wed 11September; Wed 23October; Wed 4 December.nwww.heroesproject.org.uk

Let’s all do the hop...

Giants: the SevenDwarfs of Auschwitz,by Yehuda Koren andEilat Negev, with aforeword by WarwickDavis, Robson Press,£16.99. PERHAPS the mostastonishing aspect ofthis moving andinspirational story ofsurvival is that it is solittle known.

The tale of sevendwarf siblings whobecome famousentertainers starts likea fairy tale beforedescending into modern history’sdarkest moment.

At a time when the phrase “survival ofthe fittest” was paramount, the Ovitzfamily, seven of whose 10 memberswere dwarfs, less than three feet tall,defied the fate of so many Holocaustvictims. The irony was, doubly doomedfor being Jewish and disabled, it wastheir dwarfism that saved their lives.

Respected writers and journalistsYehuda Koren and Eilat Negev tell thestory of this beloved and successfulfamily of singers and actors, the LilliputTroupe. Their dazzling Vaudeville act,

the only all-dwarf showat the time, made themcelebrities in centralEurope in the 1930s and1940s.

Descending from thecattle train into the deathcamp of Auschwitz, theOvitz family wasseparated from otherJewish victims on theorders of one Dr JosephMengele.

Obsessed witheugenics, Mengeleexperimented on thefamily, aiming todiscover the biological

and pathological causes of the birth ofdwarfs. Like a single-minded scientist,he guarded his human lab rats.

When the Russian army liberatedAuschwitz, every member of the family– the youngest a baby boy of 18months, the oldest a 58-year-oldwoman - was still living. Theirs was theonly family to enter the death campand live to tell the tale.

The family eventually restructuredtheir lives and became successfulperformers again, but the indeliblemark of their experiences was carriedwith them until the end.

Cruel condition is beatable

BLIND-SIDED: Hilary and Anna Lowne

Mar 14: The New 4 Poofs anda Piano. The Brindley, Runcorn. Mar 15: Ugly Duckling.Liverpool Everyman andPlayhouse. Perfect introductionto the magic of live ballet.Mar 15: One Night of Elvis.Manchester Opera House. TopElvis impersonator LeeMemphis King. Mar 15: Vive le Celtic Cabaret.Salford Lowry. St Patrick’s Dayspectacular.Mar 16: Take Phat. TheBrindley, Runcorn. Tribute act.Mar 16-17: Sparks. SalfordLowry. Shocking drama. Mar 17: The Fureys and DaveyArthur. Manchester OperaHouse. Irish folk band. Mar 17: Cannon, Campbell,Watchorn & O’Connor. SalfordLowry. Formerly The Dubliners. Mar 17: Just Dance. LiverpoolEmpire. Fantastic danceshowcase.Mar 19: Richard Alston DanceCompany. Salford Lowry.

Mar 19: Chinese State Circus.Liverpool Empire. ClassicChinese circus.Mar 19-23: New Jersey Nights.Manchester Opera House.Musical journey celebratingFrankie Valli and the FourSeasons. Mar 19-23: Phillip Pullman’s “Iwas a Rat”. LiverpoolEveryman and Playhouse.Glorious and gripping story. Mar 20: Magic of the Musicals.The Brindley, Runcorn. Charityevent featuring music fromBritain’s best-loved musicals.Mar 20: Sad Café. SalfordLowry. Mar 20: Othello. New BrightonFloral Pavilion. ClassicShakespeare play. Mar 21: Beyond Dreams ofAberystwyth. Salford Lowry.Powerful storytelling.Mar 21-23: The BluesBrothers...Approved. LiverpoolEmpire. Blues Brothers tributeact.

Mar 22: The Hollies. SalfordLowry.Mar 23: The Sagas of Nogginthe Nog. Salford Lowry. Acompany of Viking storytellersrecreate the world of OliverPostgate and Peter Firmin. Mar 24: Mother Africa.Liverpool Empire. African circusshow.Mar 24: Singalonga Grease.Salford Lowry.Mar 25-30: Derren Brown.Liverpool Empire.Mar 25-30: The Mousetrap.Llandudno Venue Cymru.Mar 26-30: TheLadykillers. SalfordLowry. Classic blackcomedy. Mar 30: All Star SuperslamWrestling. New Brighton FloralPavilion. Exciting familywrestling event. Until Apr 20: Lion King.Manchester Palace Theatre.Classic Disney musical onstage.

DOWN AT THE HOP :Frogtastic club nightsattract thousands ofpeople with learningdisabilities


450,000 people are reading these pages – 0151 230 0307

ARIESMarch 21st - April 20thCriticising a colleague in early February willwin you a bitter enemy. Love is in the air andyou are in for a super Valentine’s Day.Someone new could also be entering yourlife, but resist the urge to share the newswith your best friend. Your ideas gaintraction in the days over the first few days ofMarch and a difficult project comes is aboutto come to a conclusion. Improving yourday-to-day environment around the middleof the month will make you far moreproductive.TAURUSApril 21st - May 21stRomantic misunderstandings abound inearly February so don’t hesitate to turn tosympathetic friends for advice. Wait untilafter Valentine’s Day before thinkingseriously about any long distance trips.Dream big, express your artistic side, and besure to attend any parties that come yourway. The Full Moon on March 8th marks anexciting turning point in a romance, butremember to do something special foryourself, too.GEMINIMay 22nd - June 21stYou’ll have to choose between family andwork during early February and don’t letfinance get in the way with romance onValentine’s Day. A rise, promotion, or highprofile job can be yours very soon. March’sFull Moon on the 8th is ideal for concludinga deal. Remember to always trust yourinstincts with regard to a sexual relationship.

You’ll make friends with an impressiveintellectual but don’t let a manipulativeperson influence your decisions.CANCERJune 22nd - July 23rdAvoid controversial subjects like religion andpolitics. An older relative has good adviceregarding a relationship in the dayssurrounding Valentine’s, and a powerstruggle may break out between you and alover or business partner during the middleof the month. March opens with a fantasticcareer opportunity, and a cherished dreamwill be granted to you by the middle of themonth. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.LEOJuly 24th - August 23rdThe first two weeks of February warnagainst buying luxuries you can’t afford. The13th is the best day of the entire year forsigning a contract or forming a seriouspartnership. Get treatment for a nagginghealth problem by the middle of the month.A secret admirer will confess their devotionin the days surrounding the 19th. March’sFull Moon on the 8th yields a big surprise,and there’s some exciting news coming yourway.VIRGOAugust 24th - September 23rdAn unexpected inheritance, refund, ordividend could put a big smile on your face,and there’s more good news on the waywhen an admirer confesses their crush onValentine’s Day. The New Moon on the 21stlaunches a creative partnership. Confideyour deepest feelings to a friend in the first

few days of March, but beware of anunreliable lover.LIBRASeptember 24th - October 23rdFebruary finds you trying to find commonground with an unco-operative colleague,and a friendship is also set to becomestrained. An overbearing relative will try totake advantage of your generosity in mid-February. Watch out, too, for a bully whosaps your energy in the early days of March.Someone will confess a crush on you inmid-March, much to your delight. The finaldays of the month force you to deal with anunpleasant domestic situation.SCORPIOOctober 24th - November 22ndYour head and heart are working in perfectharmony on the 13th - the perfect time formaking a dramatic lifestyle change. Anadmirer gives you a gift that speaks to yourheart on Valentine’s Day, and the New Moonon the 21st is perfect for starting somethingnew. March is a great time for improvingyour diet and exercise routine. Someone inauthority can make your dreams come true.SAGITTARIUSNovember 23rd - December 21stHome life provides a welcome haven fromcareer pressures. Open your heart to a loveron Valentine’s Day - you won’t bedisappointed. It’s an ideal time to let yourcreativity soar, and the New Moon on the21st is perfect for taking a chance. Don’t leta friend’s negative experiences prevent youfrom pursuing your romance in March.There’s more money coming to your pocket.

CAPRICORNDecember 22nd - January 20thYou need to change your lifestyle in order tosave money, but don’t be too harsh with asensitive relative during the middle of themonth. You’ll win plenty of new admirers fora creative project in the closing days ofFebruary. The opening days of March arefavoured for negotiating a property deal orsigning a lease. A romantic relationshipheats up, and be prepared to stand up to anoverbearing relative.AQUARIUSJanuary 21st - February 19thDon’t let your inner critic prevent you fromtaking a creative risk during the middle ofthe month. The New Moon on the 21st isperfect for finding a fresh source of income.Stick up for the underdog as February turnsto March when there’s suddenly more timefor domestic pleasures. The New Moon onthe 22nd prompts you to get a refreshingchange of scenery. Don’t fall prey to yourworst fears as March turns to April.PISCESFebruary 20th - March 20thYour powers of persuasion will be irresistibleon Valentine’s Day. Make your needs knownon this magical day and don’t try to impressa friend with an expensive purchase. Marchis god for developing a new idea - you’ll bevery satisfied with the results. Take theinitiative with a lover in the middle of themonth. Defend your beliefs to a pushy friendas March turns toApril.


RUSSELL GRANT looks at what the stars have in store for you RUSSELL GRANT looks at what the stars have in store for you

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TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!Tell the worldabout yourholidayvenues

ALMOST nine out of 10people think the UKtravel industry is still

not providing enoughinformation about disabledaccess and facilities.

Research also revealed that87% of respondents had beenprevented from travellingbecause of their disability.

A further 77% consider disabledaccess to be ‘very important’when planning where to go onholiday.

London was identified as thepart of the UK with the bestdisabled access and facilities butdespite improvements made inthe run up to the Paralympics, theUnderground was singled out forcriticism.

The UK’s airports and trainstations also fared badly in thesurvey with respondents claimingmore needed to be done to makethem accessible for all.

However, there was someencouraging news as over 92%of those questioned thought thatdisabled access had improvedoverall in the past ten years –28% thought that access was“significantly better”.

Lorraine Farnon, managingdirector of Adapted Vehicle Hire,the UK’s largest supplier of rentalvehicles for disabled drivers, said:“The results of our survey clearlydemonstrate that despite gradualprogress, more needs to be doneto make the travel industry moreaccessible for disabled people.”

Carrie-Ann Lightley, information

officer at the charity Tourism ForAll UK, said: “We have beencampaigning for the past 30years to improve the range oftravel options and facilities fordisabled people. We support theGovernment’s aim of making UKtourism the most accessible inEurope.

“Access to some rural andhistoric sites will always presentmore of a challenge for disabledvisitors, but places like airportshave scope for significantimprovement to better meet theneeds of disabled travellers.”

Several venues were praised fortheir ease of access andsuitability for disabled visitorsincluding National Trustproperties and the Eden Projectin Cornwall.

It’s ‘no-go’Britain . . .

BERLIN has been judgedEurope’s mostaccessible city.

The German capitalwas proclaimed thewinner of the EuropeanAccess City Award for“exemplary initiatives toimprove accessibility inthe urban environment”.

Nantes (France) andStockholm (Sweden)were the other twofinalists chosen from 99cities taking partEurope-wide.

There were also specialmentions for four cities:nPamplona (Spain) forits buildings and publicspaces.nGdynia (Poland) for itsefforts with transportand other infrastructure.nBilbao (Spain) forinformation andcommunication,including newtechnology.nTallaght (Ireland) forpublic facilities andservices.

Berlin isthe best


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

CHECKLISTFLOWERS: For an earlydisplay of summer flowers,sow antirrhinums, lobelias,pansies and English andFrench marigolds underglass with heat or on awindowsill in a cool room inMarch. Most need 16C-21C(60F-70F) to germinate, thenthe seedlings can be grownat 10C (50F).SHRUBS AND TREES:Prune clematis, apart fromevergreen kinds. Those thatbloom in spring can be lightlytrimmed for tidiness and toremove dead wood.LAWNS: In a mild spell,start tackling deep-rootedlawn weeds like dandelion,dock and buttercup with along knife.PONDS: If your pondfreezes over, carbon dioxidecan build up in the water andharm fish and wildlife. Ideally,install an electric floatingpond heater. Alternatively,float a large ball on the waterto impede icing-over. If theentire surface becomesfrozen, melt a hole with thebase of a saucepan of hotwater. Don’t crack the ice -the shock waves aredistressing to fish.VEGETABLES: When thesoil is reasonably dry, plantshallot bulbs firmly in well-raked soil with just the tips ofthe shoots showing. Sowbroad beans and early peassuch as Kelvedon Wonderand Cavalier.FRUIT: Feed bushes andcanes with a generalfertiliser. Sprinkle it widelyaround the plants on a mildday, hoe it lightly into the soiland spread a mulch of well-rotted manure or gardencompost on top.HERBS: Sow chives andtarragon under glass, andtender herbs like basil andcoriander with heat in agreenhouse, a conservatoryor on a bright windowsill.GLASS: Reduce the risk ofplants rotting by openinggreenhouses and coldframes on sunny days butclose them by mid-afternoon.HOUSEPLANTS: Stopfeeding plants, which haveflowered in winter butcontinue to feed those due toflower in spring. Whencyclamen flowers fade,remove them by grasping thestem firmly and pulling itsharply away from the base.


GARDENERS who enter theirvegetables in shows aim to growshapely specimens usually largerthan average.

That has given rise to a myth –that exhibition vegetables lackflavour when compared withsmaller crops – which is totallyfalse.

To prove it we are offering £144-worth of top-quality showbenchvarieties from specialist vegetableseed firm D.T. Brown of Chorley,Lancs, to be won in thiscompetition.

Whether our prizewinnersbecome champion growers

depends on the care they take butwe can guarantee they willdiscover the top tastes available.

We have EIGHT prize collections– each worth more than £18 –comprising seeds of the followingeight vegetables, many of them F1hybrids, which are specially bredfor consistent quality:nBeetroot Red Ace F1 hybrid,sweet, tender and stands withoutturning woody;nCarrot Sweet Candle F1, smooth-skinned and crisp;nCauliflower Sapporo F1,producing large, pure white headsin summer and autumn,

depending on sowing time;nMarrow Table Dainty, a lovelymedium-sized marrow, proving thepoint that show veg do not needto be huge;nParsnip Panorama F1, a long-rooted variety with strong cankerresistance;nPea Flavora, dwarf plants(60cm/2ft tall) with giant podseach containing up to 12succulent peas each;nRunner Bean Benchmaster,heavy-cropping and tasty withpods up to 40cm/16in long;nTomato Cedrico F1, a specialfavourite of exhibitors, and

producing uniformly juicy fruits.To enter, answer this question:

How many peas can be producedin a pod of Flavora peas?

Send your entry with your nameand address on a postcard orsealed envelope, stating whereyou picked up your copy of AllTogether NOW!, to D.T. BrownCompetition, The Editor, AllTogether NOW!, The BradburyCentre, Youens Way, Liverpool L142EP, to arrive by Friday, March 31.You can also enter online atwww.alltogethernow.org.uknCheck out D.T. Brown’s fullrange at www.dtbrownseeds.so.uk

DELICIOUS: Beetroot Red Ace, cauliflower Sapporo and runner bean Benchmaster

WE’VE all admired wild heathersflowering in late summer. Thoseshrubby evergreens cling to

impoverished heathland soil yet bloomthrough hilltop gales, salty coastal stormsand even the occasional drought.

Try growing them in a garden and you are likelyto be disappointed because they demand acidicsoil, which few gardens contain, and will sulk andoften die without it.

Plant winter-flowering heathers instead. Theyare much more accommodating and will generallygrow well in ordinary garden soil.

They are also appreciated more at this chillytime of year. Most are varieties of Erica car neaand there are plenty to choose from.

The flowers are bell-shaped, prolific and long-lasting in shades of white, pink, red or mauve.The evergreen foliage varies from darkblue-green to lime green and bronze to red,making winter heather a plant for all seasons.It lives for many years, too.

The best varieties include the vigorous and free-

flowering Springwood series with rich greenfoliage. Springwood White is trouble-free and canbe so vigorous that it is best grown singly whileother varieties look more effective planted in twosand threes.

Springwood Pink has a trailing habit and bloomsthat turn darker with age. Queen Mary (red) andWinter Beauty (deep pink) are other reliablekinds.

As well as the flowers, the foliage contrasts arewonderful.

Westwood Yellow has very light leaves and palepink flowers while Anne Sparkes produces darkgolden foliage with bright bronze tips in springand rosy-pink flowers turning pale purple.

Foxhollow has delightful red-bronze foliage inwinter with pink blooms and Vivelli has bronzeleaves and pink flowers which turn magenta.

An ideal heather for the back of the border is ahybrid, Erica x darleyensis Kramer’s Red, whichgrows taller and wider than the others, has darkgreen foliage and produces red-purple flowers asearly as December.

These ericas will grow in neutral soil or evenone containing some lime but good drainage isessential. They like a sunny position or very lightshade. Too much shade will delay flowering andreduce the number of blooms. Water, feed andweed the plants regularly when they are young– they’ll soon spread so their foliage overlaps andweeds are smothered out.

Winter heathers are easy to maintain – just trimthem lightly with garden shears once floweringhas finished and apply a general fertiliser, ideallyin liquid form so it can be readily absorbed.

Heathers look finest among rocks. When puttingthese in place, don’t spread them about but try toemulate genuine outcrops, following a roughlynatural line, tilting the rocks backwards andburying at least one-third of each piece in thesoil. Plant each heather in a position where it canspread over the rockwork.

Blooming heather

WIN! WIN! WIN!We’ve EIGHTvery healthyprizes to be won

WINTERCOLOUR:Early-floweringheathers

LEFT: Makinga heathergarden;Surridgeplaces rocksat an angle


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:Who was the first Norman king of England?A Edward

B William

C Norman

D Alfred

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points:A drink mixing cider and lager is called what?A Rat bite

B Snakebite

C Flea-bite

D Dog bite

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points:In which field was Anna Pavlova famous?A Ballet

B Gymnastics

C Cookery

D Classical piano

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points:Where are the Falkland Islands situated?A Pacific Ocean

B Southern Ocean

C Arctic Ocean

D South Atlantic Ocean

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points:Which was the first British football team to win the European Cup?A Liverpool

B Celtic

C Manchester United

D Chelsea

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points:Which actress starred opposite Richard Gere in the film Pretty Woman?A Julia Roberts

B Cher

C Emma Thompson

D Sally Field

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points:Which golfer to date has the greatest number of wins in the four major championships?A Tiger WoodsB Walter HagenC Jack NicklausD Ben Hogan

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points:What kind of bird is the Liver Bird featured on the coat of arms of Liverpool?A CormorantB PuffinC Razor-billD Chough

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points:Which US state was named after the wife of King Charles I?A MarylandB VirginiaC LouisianaD Carolina

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points:Which of these long-running domestic sitcoms starred June Whitfield and Terry Scott as a married couple?A Beggar My NeighbourB Never The TwainC Bless This HouseD Happy Ever After

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points:The devastating Boxing Day tsunami was in which year?A 2004B 2005C 2006D 2007

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points:What is the county town of Derbyshire?A BuxtonB ChesterfieldC MatlockD Derby

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points:How many of Henry VIII’s children succeeded to the throne?A OneB TwoC ThreeD Four

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points:From which natural source is the pigment sepia obtained?A Cuttlefish inkB Mushroom sporesC Walnut tree sapD Coal tar

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points:A tower above a castle gate or drawbridge is called what?A BaileyB BarbicanC BarbastelleD Bastion

Actress June Whitfield. See Question 10

1. Thin biscuit (5)

4. Addition to a will (7)

8. Large ape (7)

9. Recipient of money (5)

10. Crazy (slang) (5)

13. Become excited (7)

17. Beer (3)

18. Be promoted (4,2)

19. Rescuing (6)

20. Take a seat (3)

22. Besmirch (7)

25. Be dormant or inactive (5)

28. Stormed (5)

29. Skilled craftsman (7)

30. Anguish (7)

31. Push gently (5)

1

8

10

18

20

22

28

30

11

2

23

12

3

21

24

13

17

20

4

13

21

29

14

19

5

9

25

31

15

6

26

16

7

17

27

★ ★

★ ★

★★ ★

★★

★ ★★

1. Truck (5) 2. Foremost (5) 3. Revive (5)4. Place of worship (6)

5. Storehouse (5)6. South American rodent (5)7. Belgian city (5)

11. Up to (5)12. Theme (5)14. Bird’s home (4)15. Mean dwelling (5)16. Meaning (5)17. Church recess (4)21. Undamaged (6)22. Explode (5)23. Wrath (5)24. Small anchor (5)25. Industrial action (3-2)26. Lessened (5)27. Coppers (5)

Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this StarspotCrossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way thenmake a note of the letters contained in all the squares whichare marked with shaded stars. These letters will make ananagram of the name you are looking for.

ACROSS DOWN

The Accumulator QuizSTARSPOT CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

3 8 4 14 5 11 7 3 29 4 3 5 8 25 7 9 48 1 2 6 9

8 6 37 5 2 8

2 9 7 5 6

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

EASY DIFFICULT

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.

6 33 10 387 5

9 6

20 612 22

96 7

828

14

14

MEDIUM

KAKURO

5 8 36 8

32

7 96 1 8 4

2 9 14 6 5

7 3 8 6

‘‘ ‘SAY THAT AGAIN . . .

In the end, it’s not going to matterhow many breaths you took, buthow many moments took yourbreath away — shing xiong

What seems like the rightthing to do could also be thehardest thing you have everdone in your life — Unknown

The happiest of people don’tnecessarily have the best of everything.They just make the most of everythingthat comes their way — Unknown

When life gives you ahundred reasons to cry, showlife that you have a thousandreasons to smile — Unknown


14 12 8 18 21 20 8 7 21

14 12 15 14 17 23 21 12 24 8

25 26 8 11 24 17 21 9 11

16 11 21 8 9 23 26 21 3 20

11 2 18 8 23 16 10 2 10

25 9 21 20 8 7 10 17 24 10 8 12

20 20 25 12 25 17

20 5 21 17 12 8 22 8 25 4 14 2

8 25 20 25 11 25 7 4 13

20 25 11 23 20 13 8 3 8 20

19 14 4 8 2 17 2 24 6

1 14 22 11 11 2 24 12 8 3

2 7 8 20 17 24 2 20 20

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 14?

A

B

C

D F

E

1 2

3 4

5 6

CROSS CODE

SPOT CHECK

E R A C L N E H A O N

T F M A A I S K N R S

N O N D O D L P S I H

U A L G U S A M O N O

H S P K I N N O H F F

T A O N I K G E T M A

E N H G E Y E R T S N

H D Y S L F E P A N N

C O N A R O E K M W E

I N D S A S A O N I C

B N O R E T T O N P A

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at atime (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find thesurnames of 19 Oscar winners.

PATHWORDS

DIALLING CODES

AMADOU

Here is anunusual wordwith threedefinitions, onlyone of which iscorrect. Can youidentify the rightdefinition?

WORD WIZARD

1) A spongysubstancemade fromdried fungi,formerly usedas a medicinalabsorbent;

2) A booth forsellingfoodstuffs ata NorthAfricanmarket;

3) A narrowfissureformed by anearth tremor.

Telephone dialling pads combineseveral letters on one key. Herewe have encoded several sets ofwords or items by using numbersrather than letters. Then we havedivided them into groups of threecharacters and run all the namesone after another to make yourtask a little more difficult. Canyou crack the codes?

1. Insects

233 284 146 763 816 677 848 614 569 196 761 372 466 359 193 384 513 279 441 562 878 125 832 688 531 262 576 224 163 259

676 123 3

242 672 463 176 781 944 759 183 766 884 194 631 243 371 786 172 462 777 122 582 367 123 371 262 738 861 224 539 171 863

521 689 6

4. Alcoholic drinks

2. Alternative therapies

276 628 437 279 163 348 284 661 228 786 288 731 733 539 656 491 964 216 277 243 149 376 843 727 912 447 677 238 421 546

374 656 49

266 686 961 728 712 728 421 666 539 713 473 178 724 871 765 546 417 866 371 333 717 877 531 533 193 773 546 162 747 135

338 966 316 22

5. Rock groups

3. Orchestral instruments

874 264 531 252 746 381 373 624 146 761 368 253 122 771 742 265 612 277 666 135 883 184 654 614 277 123 556 184 672 641

876 626 63

772 567 152 636 828 466 712 667 173 835 284 661 396 387 147 242 414 363 747 132 643 516 288 439 158 531 265 677 426 715

834 371 562

6. Books of the bible

1[ ] ’ –

2ABC

3DEF

4GHI

5JKL

6MNO

7PQRS

8TUV

9WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marksare represented by 1.

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that actsas a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial lettersof the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out thesurname of an actor.

ROMAN – – – – – – PROOF

OVER – – – STRUCK

EARLY – – – – – STAND

PITCH – – – – – EYE

SHOW – – – SEASON

TOE – – – – DOWN

MISSING LINK

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

1. Harold Macmillan becomes prime ministerfollowing the resignation of Sir AnthonyEden.

2. The first UK hydrogen bomb is successfullytested.

3. The highly contagious diseasemyxomatosis decimates the UK rabbitpopulation.

WAS IT?a) 1957; b) 1959; c) 1961; d) 1963; e) 1965.

MAKE A DATE

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

Clue: Convert a fierce woman into a cavalryman.

_ _ _ _ _ _ + O = _ _ _ _ O _ _

Accumulator Quiz1 – B; 2 – B; 3 – A; 4 – D; 5 – B; 6 – A; 7 – C; 8 – A; 9 – A; 10 – D; 11 – A; 12 – C; 13 – C; 14 – A; 15 – B.Starspot CrosswordAcross – 1 Wafer; 4 Codicil; 8 Gorilla; 9 Payee; 10 Nutty; 13 Enthuse; 17 Ale; 18 Step up; 19 Saving; 20 Sit; 22 Blacken; 25 Sleep; 28 Raged; 29 Artisan; 30 Torment; 31 Nudge.Down – 1 Wagon; 2 First; 3 Rally; 4 Chapel; 5 Depot; 6 Coypu; 7 Liège; 11 Until; 12 Topic; 14 Nest; 15 Hovel; 16 Sense; 17 Apse; 21 Intact; 22 Burst; 23 Anger; 24 Kedge; 25 Sit-in; 26 Eased; 27 Pence.Star Name: CAROL SMILLIE

Word WizardNo 1 is correct. Amadou is a substance made from fungi.Dialling Codes1. bedbug; hornet; mosquito; glow-worm; dragonfly; weevil; earwig; locust; bluebottle; cockroach; mealworm; bee.2. aromatherapy; meditation; acupuncture; reflexology; yoga; massage; hydrotherapy; chiropractic; kinesiology.3. triangle; clarinet; French horn; double bass; piccolo; bassoon; flute; violin; harp; cello; timpani; trombone.4. champagne; port; whisky; vermouth; wine; cider; rum; schnapps; Calvados; beer;

amaretto; Bailey’s; vodka; ouzo.5. Boomtown Rats; Arctic Monkeys; Dire Straits; Rolling Stones; Deep Purple; Led Zeppelin; Oasis; Fleetwood Mac.6. Psalms; Lamentations; Amos; Revelation; Exodus; Isaiah; Genesis; Daniel; Matthew; Luke; Colossians; Judges; Job.Spot CheckA = 5; B = 3; C = 1; D = 6; E = 2; F = 4.Missing Linkgalley; awe; music; black; off; nail. Actor: Gambon.Make a DateThe year was 1957.TransformerDragon + O = Dragoon.

J1

N2

Y3

P4

Q5

X6

D7

E8

M9

H10

L11

R12

K13

O14

Z15

C16

I17

F18

V19

S20

U21

W22

T23

G24

A25

B26

518972634927643518643518972895124763472369185361857429286795341139486257754231896

635284179492571368178396542964135827527968413813742695286457931759613284341829756

SUDOKU EASYSUDOKU DIFFICULT

CROSS CODE

633103875

96

2061222

967

828

14

14

1623

2715

392785

32161

87319

527

95

KAKURO MEDIUM

Pathwords:Kingsley; Foster; Sarandon; Binoche; Tandy; Hopkins; Douglas; Hunter; Fonda; MacLaine; Hanks; Lange; Thompson; Irons; Hoffman; Newman; Streep; Keaton; Pacino.

ALL THE ANSWERS

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a differentletter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control gridto start you off.Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, thenuse your knowledge of words to work out which letters shouldgo in the missing squares.As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the samenumber in the main grid and control grid. Check off thealphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20U

21 22T

23G

24 25 26

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


AADDVVEERRTTIISSEE HHEERREE00115511 223300 00330077AADDVVEERRTTIISSEE HHEERREE00115511 223300 00330077

RREEAACCHH 445500,,000000RREEAADDEERRSS .. .. ..RREEAACCHH 445500,,000000RREEAADDEERRSS .. .. ..


0

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Tel 01492 533714n DENBIGHSHIRE:NEWCIS,

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Tel: 01978 310414.

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263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076nMERSEYSIDE Coalition ofInclusive Living.Tel 0151 260 4001nNEUROSUPPORT Centre

Tel 0151 298 2999nMANCHESTER (GTR)

Coalition of DisabledPeople

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Stockport. 0161 480 7248

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ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE BLINDnACCRINGTON

Tel 01254 233332nBARROW Tel 01229 820698nBIRMINGHAM Action forBlind Tel 0121 665 4200nBLACKBURN

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People Tel 01228 595121CHESHIRE & N WALES:Vision Support. Tel 01244381515nCUMBRIA (West)

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Blind Tel 0161 787 9252nPRESTON: Action for Blind

People Tel 01772 320550n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019nROSSENDALE

Tel 01706 873256nSIGHTLINE (North West) Tel0800 587 2252nWIGAN Tel 01942 242891nWIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877

ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE DEAFnBIRMINGHAM Institute forDeaf Tel 0121 246 6101nCHESHIRE Deaf Society

Tel 01606 47831nCUMBRIA Deaf Society

Tel 01228 606434nLANCASHIRE (EAST)

Deaf SocietyTel 01282 839180

nMANCHESTER Deaf CentreTel 0161 273 3415

nMERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888

nST HELENS: DeafnessResource CentreTel 01744 23887nWOLVERHAMPTON Centrefor Deaf Tel 01902 420904nN WALES Deaf Association,

Tel 01492 542235

New project is just WICKED!New project is just WICKED!

PEOPLE with learningdifficulties are to be giventheir rightful place in

history for the first time.A charity is creating the first

community history archive to tell thestories of people whose voices arerarely heard.

The two-year project – paid forwith over £94,000 of Lottery money– will culminate in an exhibition atthe Museum of Liverpool and a tour.

Wicked Fish, a Liverpool theatrecompany for people with learningdifficulties, will work with local andregional partners to create PeopleLike Us, a unique collection offirst-hand experiences told by theparticipants themselves.

The project aims to break downsome of the social and culturalbarriers facing people with learningdifficulties and gain the respect ofthe wider community.

The team will comprise 13members of Wicked Fish andMoving on with Life and Learning(MOWLL), a charity working withpeople with learning disabilities,brain injuries and mental healthconditions.

CELEBRATION TIME for the performers at Wicked Fish

WINNERS of our super Christmas gardening competitionwere:SHERYL Whitehouse, Nixon Drive, Winsford, Cheshire.She writes: "I picked up my copy of All Together NOW! inAsda and would just like to say that this is a wonderfulnewspaper and much needed by all disabled people."

Mr J J Winstanley, Woodend Avenue, Crosby, Merseyside:"AS A patient at Clatterbridge Hospital I picked upAll Together NOW! and WOW! What a fantastic paper. It'sbursting with information for everyone, packed withstories, and crammed with up-to-date data on all sorts.Well done! "

Both receive a very useful raised bed system andpop-up netting cage, courtesy of GardenSkill

TWO very lucky gardeners . . .


TRIBUTE: Alan Martin – The Scouse Mouse

ALAN Martin had a truly amazinglife, motivating, educating andinspiring all those he knew and

worked with.The inclusive dance worker and human

rights activist was adamant that havingCerebral Palsy was the very leastinteresting thing about him! If writing thishimself, he would not even bother toinclude the fact.

Alan was born in Liverpool and one of hisambitions was to have a communication aidwith a “Scouse” voice. Liverpool FootballClub was like a religion to him, or so hesaid.

He loved everything about Liverpool, andalthough living on the Wirral, dearly wishedto move back there. His ashes are to bescattered on the Mersey.

Life without speechSeeing the person first before their

disability was at the heart of all Alan did andhe did a LOT.

Aged 31, Alan was given his firstelectronic speech aid by local dear friends.This totally transformed his life. In the 18years since then he dedicated all his workto raising awareness of the life-changingeffect of having a voice for all those peoplewithout natural speech.

He had a wide range of interests,including fishing, rock music, gardening,wild life conservation, motor cycles, CBradio, cats (big cats and small cats!) andelectronic music writing.

Creative dance was his real passion whicheventually led to Alan setting up his ownbusiness as a creative, contemporarydance practitioner and disability issuestrainer. He was very proud of earning hisliving from this and worked with hundreds oforganisations across the country.

Soon after becoming self-employed Alanaccepted a part in the BBC comedy drama,I’m With Stupid. Other actors in this serieswere Mark Benton, Ruth Jones, SteveEdge, Cherylee Houston, Kevin Davies,Paul Henshall and Laurence Clarke.

Alan was not a great fan of some disabilityorganisations as he felt that they promoted

segregation rather than the full inclusion inwhich he believed. He was Chairman ofWest Kirby PHAB Club for many years andactively encouraged non-disabled membersto join.

Renowned photographer Andy TaylorSmith heard about Alan and resolved tomake a film about part of his life story. Theresulting short film, This Chair is not Me,won numerous prestigious awards acrossthe world for the film maker and a full-length film was to be made.

Fiercely independent, Alan had manygreat ambitions, some of which, sadly, hewas not to realise. As well as buying ahome in Liverpool, he intended to set up hisown fully accessible dance studio where histeaching inclusive dance could blossom.

He was determined to influenceGovernment policy towards disabledpeople, especially those without speech.(Alan was a regular visitor to the House ofCommons and No. 10!) One ambition thatmay still come to fruition is the writing ofAlan’s life story. He had made a start, butwas so busy with his work commitmentsthat he was not able to devote time tocompleting this work. Friends arecommitted to following through this wishand will write his biography. It is to be soldin support of the causes Alan held dear.

Helping othersRecently he had been involved in several

research projects in the area of artificialvoice, and in improving access tocommunication equipment. He became co-leader of the Cheshire and MerseysideBranch of “1Voice-CommunicatingTogether”, an organisation that supportsfamilies with a child who uses acommunication aid. He was also to havehad a part in an “Artificial Voice Opera”linked to his work with the CreST network,based at York University.

Many, many tributes to Alan have pouredin since his death. Let’s all remember himas the funny, generous, energetic personthat he was. Keep on dancing, Alan!n Alan Martin died at home, on December16, 2012, aged 49.

Neverlet

anybodytell you that youwon’t everbe ableto dosomething!

‘— Alan Martin

AN inspirational onlinefilm – Stronger Together –shows how the lives of 75people with MuscularDystrophy were changedas a result of theParalympics.

The muscle wastingdisease affects over70,000 people in the UKand varies in complexitywith no known cure.

Michael McGrath, whoco-founded The MuscleHelp Foundation whichhelps young people withMD to achieve theirdreams, said: “The videohighlights what a

fantastic 10 days we hadat the Paralympic Games,how lives have beenchanged, and how peoplecan get involved tosupport our work”.

The film can be viewed

on the charity’s YouTubeChannel athttp://youtu.be/NrQPXtAjGb4.n The Muscle HelpFoundation: 01763 274658www.musclehelp.com

INSPIRATIONAL: Dad Paul, Joseph, centre, andJessica Franks who appear in the film

The track,fieldand film stars

Just the jobJust the jobat the gym!

All Together NOW! congratulates theregion’s Paralympic athletes who have beennamed in the New Year’s Honours list.

Four-time cycling gold medallist at London 2012Sarah Storey was made a Dame of the BritishEmpire.

Manchester-born Storey has a total of 22Paralympic medals (11 gold, eight silver and threebronze) from six Paralympic Games. She receivedan OBE following Beijing 2008.

MBEs were given to:Danielle Brown – archer (Shropshire); MichaelBushell – wheelchair athlete (Shropshire); NeilFachie – cyclist (Greater Manchester); HeatherFrederiksen – swimmer (Cheshire); CraigMacLean – cycling pilot (Cheshire).

nSARAH, husband Barney, and CraigMacLean were also granted The Freedom ofthe Borough by Cheshire East Council.

They are among seven Paralympian andOlympians who are also having streets namedin their honour – Paralympian sailor NikiBirrell, Victoria Pendleton, Ben Ainslie, andBeth Tweedle.

To be a Dame is beyondanything I could haveimagined ‘ — SARAH STOREY

Dame Sarah’s leading the way

at the gym!JOBLESS disabled people are

being given the opportunity totrain as fitness instructors – and

use their newly-acquired skills toinvolve other disabled people insport.

The InstructAbility programme is beingpaid for with an £850,000 grant from SportEngland’s Places People Play Olympic andParalympic legacy fund that is bringing theinspiration and magic of the LondonGames into communities all over thecountry.

The cash will allow the project to be rolledout across the North West, the Midlands,South East and parts of London.

The project has been created by Aspire,the spinal injury charity, and YMCAfit, theleading fitness industry training provider.

Aspire chief executive Brian Carlin said it

would “secure long-term lasting change bycreating a national workforce that will, inturn inspire others”.

Mr Carlin added: “InstructAbility is abrilliant programme that provides neweducation and employment opportunitiesfor disabled people as well as promotingthe idea that working in the fitness industrycan be for everyone.”

The award-winning project has alreadybeen delivered in a few areas of Londonwith 37 disabled people qualifying asinstructors.

One in four of the graduates completingthe programme gained jobs as a directresult with private and public organisationssuch as Virgin Active, Fitness First, YMCA,GLL and Fusion.nAspire, Tel: 020 8954 5759www.aspire.org.uk


Stay ahead of the game . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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All Together NOW! is helping andinspiring tens of thousands ofpeople whose lives are affected bydisability.But the charity needs to find waysto balance the books.You can help in a big way bybecoming one of our loyalsubscribers. For a suggested £12donation (or more, if you canafford it!) we will send you thenext SIX editions.

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DISABILITY Minister EstherMcVey was treated to ademo of PowerchairFootball – and then foundherself taking part!

The Wirral West MP joinedthe players from the NorthWest Powerchair FootballLeague in Bolton.

She said: “I was reallyimpressed by theenthusiasm andcommitment of all theplayers and their families -and I really enjoyed gettingto grips with the sport.”n Wheelchair FootballAssociation:[email protected], 07885 408 440www.thewfa.org.uk

LIVERPOOL has beenawarded more than£300,000 by SportEngland to encouragedisabled adults to getsporty through its newActivate Me project.

Figures show that lessthan 22% of people –around 3,200 – living inLiverpool with a limitingdisability are involved inphysical activity once aweek.

Plans include setting upa group of ‘Activators’who will give one-on-onesupport to disabledpeople who are interestedin accessing sport,building their confidence,and helping them becomeas sporty as possible.

And, to make sure thenew initiative is asaccessible as possible,each session will costjust £1.

Councillor WendySimon, Liverpool citycouncil’s cabinet memberfor leisure, said: “We cannow create a legacy oflifelong sport for disabledpeople.”

The project will initiallyoffer opportunities topeople with one of threedisabilities — moderatelearning disability; visualimpairment; hearingimpairment.

AMULTI-MILLION poundprogramme to get moredisabled people all over the

UK taking up sport has beenannounced by Sport England.

A total of 44 projects will benefit from£10.2 million of National Lottery fundingfrom its Inclusive Sport fund.

And another £2m is being given bySport England to the English Federationof Disabled Sport to support its efforts.

Welcoming the news, Britain’s greatestParalympian, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said: “This funding will go along way to helping those inspired by theoutstanding performances of ourParalympians this summer to get out and

try sport for themselves.“It’s fantastic to see such a wide range

of organisations benefiting — all of themfocused on helping more disabled peopleto discover how much sport has to offer.”

The new funding aims to tackle claimsthat just one in six disabled adults playsport regularly, compared to one in threenon-disabled adults.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport

England, said: “We have one simple aimwith this investment: to make sport aviable choice for disabled people, youngor not, talented or not.

“We had so many high qualityproposals we were able to increase thelottery funding available from £8 millionto over £10 million.”

The Wheelchair Football Association(£352,381) is among the projects beingsupported. The Down’s SyndromeAssociation has also been awarded£290,145 to develop its DS Activeprogramme, which gives children andyoung adults with Down’s syndrome thechance to get involved in sports,especially football.

New chairsfor region’stenniscentres

MONEY! MONEY!MONEY! MONEY!TENNIS centres atLiverpool, Manchesterand Telford now havespecially designedwheelchairs for playerswanting to try their handat the sport.

The centres are among 13UK venues benefiting froma donation of 60wheelchairs from The DanMaskell Tennis Trust andThe Tennis Foundation.

Wheelchair tennis is oneof the fastest growingwheelchair sports in theworld.

Gilly English, executivedirector of the Trust, said:“We know there are morethan 20,000 people with adisability playing tennis atleast once a week aroundthe UK.

“There is a hugeopportunity to increase thisfigure and we hope thatspecialist equipmentprovided for free as part ofthis national initiative willencourage more people totry wheelchair tennis.”

Geoff Newton, executivedirector of The TennisFoundation, added: “Weare committed to makingtennis an inclusive sportfor everyone to enjoy andthese tennis chairs willenable people to givewheelchair tennis a go andhave some fun on theirlocal courts.”

£12 million to getmore disabledpeople into sport

Get set forthe ActivatorsGet set forthe Activators

All Together NOW! Feb-Mar 2013

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