Atn issue54

The remarkable

40

-YEAR story behind this fab charity newspaper INSIDE:

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E M O H E M E K A T p36 STEVE’S LIGHT SHINES ON . . .

APRIL–MAY, 2014

£2m p21-25

SHOT AND PARALYSED FOR LIFE, AGED 20

IRAN, 1974

TO GIVE AWAY THIS YEAR!

p9

ROAD TRIP HORROR

WIN! WIN! WIN!

p18-19

opening doors . . . broadening minds

20 KIDS’ BOOKS TO BE WON

p29 TAKE ME HOME!

Just the ticket!

All Together NOW!

2

What’s inside NEWS

p2-6

FAMILIES

p8

THE MORGAN FOUNDATION

p9

GETTING ON

p10

UNITED UTILITIES

p11

MOTORZONE MERSEYTRAVEL

p12-13 p14

INDEPENDENT LIVING

p15-17

INTERVIEW: Tom Dowling

p18-19

SOUNDNG OFF: Sir Bert Massie

p20

HEALTHZONE

p21-25

SKILLZONE

p26-27

HOROSCOPES: BOOKS

p28

GARDENING

p29

THEATRE GUIDE

p30-31

PUZZLEZONE

p32-33

CONTACT BOARD

p34

SPORTZONE

p35-36

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

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

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

NEXT EDITION: Tuesday 3 June, 2014 All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387

NEWS

T

April/May 2014

HEATRES and sporting venues across the UK will have to provide free places for carers of disabled ticketholders, following a landmark case.

Court victory means free seats for carers

Leading entertainment group SMG (UK) admitted discriminating against a disabled theatre-goer by forcing him to buy a ticket for the personal assistant (PA) he needed to accompany him to a concert.

Doug Paulley and seven other residents of the care home where he lives in Wetherby were told that they would have to pay for full-price tickets both for themselves and their PAs if they wanted to watch comedian Bill Bailey at York Barbican.

SMG (UK) fought a legal action taken by Mr Paulley until the night before a trial was due to begin in Harrogate county court.

Mr Paulley said he and his fellow residents had been shocked to be charged £50 to attend the show, instead of the £25 other

theatregoers were paying for a ticket, “just because we were disabled”.

He said: “We have no choice but to rely upon carers, who we have to pay to help. I felt very strongly that this kind of policy essentially kept disabled people away from social venues, and that something had to be done.

“I am delighted that the Barbican has agreed to change its policy, but disappointed that it did so the night before a court hearing.”

Mr Paulley, who is also playing a key role in the legal fight to improve disabled people’s access to buses, added: “I hope that our case can serve as an example for venues everywhere that they must ensure that their pricing policy for carers

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does not unfairly disadvantage disabled people.”

SMG will have to pay court costs of at least £20,000, as well as £1,500 compensation to Paulley, while it has admitted in a court document that it discriminated against him.

Chris Fry, managing partner of Unity Law, which represented Mr Paulley, said: “This case establishes a legal precedent in relation to ticket pricing policies for disabled customers and their carers.

“By bringing his case, Doug has secured a change of policy which not only affects this venue, but also has a widereaching impact on sports and entertainment venues across the UK.” A spokesman for SMG said: “We are now undertaking a full review with the intention of standardising our policies and procedures in relation to carer tickets.”

Festival tickets ‘so unfair’– p31

Disabled cyclists all set for the ultimate challenge

A ridge too far?

W

ILL IT be a case of A Ridge Too Far for a team of five disabled cyclists preparing for an assault on southern Snowdonia?

The cyclists and their support crews are gearing up for an attempt on the arduous Pont Scethin loop – a classic Welsh mountain bike route.

The journey follows the old packhorse routes between Dolgellau and Harlech, making use of the section where the tracks cross the ridge-line that shadows the coast.

The riders will have to summit this ridge twice to complete the

journey and organisers of the HandBikes at Dawn 2014 event are wondering if it could prove too difficult.

Using specially designed mountain bikes – pedalled by hand – the riders will seek to make a circuit of the 16km route, a task that will take them about eight hours to complete.

The hand-bikes have especially low gears, essential to tackle the 750m of climbing on the steep and rocky upper slopes of the ridge.

The ride is being put together by Challenge your Boundaries, an adaptive MTB project based at the Coed y Brenin Trail Centre near Dolgellau.

Co-ordinator Graham O’Hanlon said: “So many people got so much out of last year’s event that it was irresistible not to do another one.

“The aim is to raise the profile of adaptive mountain biking and to raise funds for a number of associated projects and local charities.”

The ride takes place on Sunday, April 27. There is also a special Mawddach Meet get-together for anyone interested in having a go at handbiking on Saturday, April 26. n The Mawddach Trail is a flat cycleway on the old railway bed alongside the Mawddach Estuary. n Contact: Tel. 01341 430628.

HALF OF All Together TogetherNOW! NOW! READERS DO NOT SEE ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER — THE MURRAY CONSULTANCY

You really DON’T want to be sent to Coventry DISABLED campaigners are calling on Coventry City Council to give them a wider choice of public transport.

The plea comes after a five-year delay in deciding whether to license a more accessible type of black cab.

The council is now one of only five local authorities in England – the others are London, Harlow, Maidstone and Burnley – that are still refusing to licence larger vehicles such as the E7, a Peugeot minibus converted for wheelchair-access by Allied Vehicles.

The council claims this is because larger models like the E7 do not have tight enough turning circles, but critics say the council has delayed making a decision because most of the city’s taxis are TX models, manufactured by The London Taxi Company, which is based in Coventry.

A handful of Coventry black cabs are MercedesBenz Vito Taxis, which are more spacious than the traditional London cab, but also more expensive and still not as accessible as vehicles like the E7.

Allied Vehicles is now preparing to serve legal papers on the council over its failure to licence the E7, and other vehicles like it.

Allied’s legal advisers, Bindmans, believe the council’s actions breach its duties under the Equality Act. Traditional black cabs are not big enough to allow many larger electric wheelchairs to be secured inside the vehicle, with many wheelchair-users forced to travel sideways.

In 2009, a court case established that it was unlawful for a local authority not to take proper account of this safety factor when deciding whether to license larger black cabs, after disabled campaigners took Liverpool City Council to court.

TAKE ME HOME!

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April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

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NEWS

HEALTHY BOOST!

BIG SUPPORTER: Bernie Cuthel, chief executive, Liverpool Community Health Trust

All Together NOW! has been given a fantastic tonic.

Liverpool Community Health Trust has announced that it is continuing its partnership for another year - and is hoping to develop even stronger links with the health and disability-focused paper.

The Trust’s Chief Executive Bernie Cuthel said: “All Together NOW! is a great Merseyside charity producing a superb community newspaper that is helping so many people across the region.

“We are extremely passionate about addressing health inequalities and

All Together NOW! is helping us to reach into our communities across Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley and neighbouring areas.

“There is no other community paper like it in the UK and we are delighted to continue our partnership. We are also looking at ways in which we can strengthen our work with the charity.

“The newspaper provides vital information on news and services available to support our communities and has had a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, especially those affected by ill health and disability. It is making a vital social contribution.”

Maureen’s farewell message

Now for the 2015 IIC show

HUNDREDS of readers took the chance to meet up with the All Together NOW! team at the IIC Show.

Among them was Maureen Kelly, who has just retired as chief executive of Neurosupport, the North West’s leading neurological charity.

Maureen said: "The All Together NOW! newspaper has been a magnificent help to me and all the thousands of people who visit the Neurosupport centre for help and information. It's unique and it's something the whole of the region should be proud of."

Maureen has been with the charity since it began over 20 years ago. She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Neurosupport and have been privileged to work with some amazing people over the years. Together I think we have developed a service that we can be proud of.”

“However, there is still a great deal to be done to ensure that people with neurological conditions, their families and carers get access to the best information, advice and support.”

Nanette Mellor is taking over Maureen’s role at Neurosupport.

Tel, 0151 298 2999

FAREWELL: Maureen Kelly and All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling at the IIC Show

ORGANISERS of the inaugural IIC Show at Manchester Central say almost 8,000 visitors attended the two-day expo.

Amal Aziz, head of marketing at Liverpool-based UKFE Limited, said: “The show exceeded all our expectations and the response we have had from participants and visitors has been phenomenal.

“We have already started to get the ball rolling for IIC Show 2015.”

In addition to the chance to find out about latest products and services, the show also enabled visitors to have a go at various sports and take part in a series of seminars. n www.iicshow.co.uk

Free Home Demonstrations

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SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

THOUSANDS of disabled children are set to benefit from an innovative recycling new service that provides free refurbished equipment.

Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children has been inundated with calls following the launch of its pilot service that takes redundant equipment from local authority stores, refurbishes it and makes it available to families in real need.

The charity’s head of operations Stephen Morgan said: “Our pilot shows that if we can get this equipment back into circulation nationally then it can be used to meet the genuine needs of children.”

Proceeds from The Morgan Foundation’s annual charity golf day, being held at Carden Park Hotel on May 16, will help Newlife get even more equipment to disabled children across the North West. n Newlife Foundation, Tel: 01543 462 777 www.newlifeable.co.uk

Why we love this paper All Together NOW! is like a good wine – it improves the longer it goes on. Mr Massie, Recreation Drive, Billinge THIS newspaper is so invaluable, so informative and so lively. Mrs Rimmer, Portland Street, Southport

Romantics wanted PRODUCERS of a new TV series about single people looking for romance want to hear from All Together NOW! readers who would like to be involved in the programmes.

The series, being made by Betty, the company behind Channel 4’s Undateables, will follow people with “significant medical conditions that they may keep hidden from partners in the early stages of a relationship.

“The conditions can be anything from extreme hair growth, uncontrollable sweating to extreme scarring and obsessive compulsive disorders,” says a spokesperson for Betty. n Contact, tel 0207 290 0530 LOVE ISN’T IN THE AIR – Page 5

Call Us On:

01744 602602 Centrally located in town centre at rear of Wilkinsons 58 Claughton Street. St. Helens Town Centre

Also At:

0151 423 3738 Widnes Mobility Supercentre (Largest in Northwest) 62 Victoria Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 7RA

4

All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

This is more than just a newspaper – it is the key that opens a thousand doors

‘

A warmer welcome for dogs, please

Poor deal for people with hearing loss THE money spent seeking treatments for hearing loss is only one-tenth of that devoted to sight loss.

For every person with a hearing problem, just £1.34 is spent on research, compared to £14.21 on sight loss and £21.31 on diabetes research.

That’s despite one in six people having some form of hearing loss, with this figure expected to rise by 50% over the next two decades, putting hearing loss in the UK’s top 10 disease burdens – above both cataracts and diabetes.

The lack of investment in treatments and cures for such a common health conditions is costing the NHS more than £200 million a year, the Duke of York was told during a visit to University College London’s Ear Institute.

The Duke met biomedical researchers to discuss new investigations into the impact of loud noise on fruit flies – which have similar hearing mechanisms to us – to enable future refinement of cochlear implants. n Action on Hearing Loss Info line: Tel. 0808 808 0123, textphone 0808 808 9000, www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

Why we love this paper A FRIEND introduced me to All Together NOW! fairly recently and I can’t believe I’ve been missing out for so long!

I’m now slowly working my way through the online archive of magazines! Donna Davies, Renolds House, Everard Street, Salford FROM sports to garden rakes, for health hints, leisure and pleasure, you get it all in All Together NOW! Mrs Rimmer, Clifton Road, Southport

Down on the up and up DOWN TV – the online video-sharing site that helps people affected by Down’s syndrome -– notched up one million hits last year.

Launched three years ago in Spain by the Invest for Children foundation, Down TV also has an employment section which inspires employers to take on workers with Down’s syndrome. n www.downtv.org

Railway journey help A NEW rail guide aims to improve travel for people with sight loss.

The guide provides detailed information on a range of areas including best practice for staff training, online information accessibility and station layout.

There are currently around 150,000 Disabled Persons Railcards in circulation, with around 10% held by blind and partially sighted people.

Research shows that 11% of people with sight loss frequently travel by train, a number that is likely to rise as accessibility improves. n The guide can be downloaded at www.rnib.org.uk/passengerguide RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999

TOURISM businesses are being encouraged to be more welcoming to disabled people and their assistance dogs.

VisitEngland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have produced a new guide that highlights how businesses can benefit by attracting more visits

from disabled travellers and their canine companions.

As well as support for people with visual impairments, assistance dogs also provide valuable help for people with hearing loss, epilepsy, diabetes and physical mobility problems.

By making small changes, often at

very low cost, accommodation providers can help ensure all visitors feel welcome, make the most of the accessible tourism market – a sector worth over £2billion a year with strong growth potential – and ensure they fulfil their legal duties to the 6,500 assistance dog users in the UK.

Sky’s the limit!

UP FOR IT: High-flying Tim Ellison, far right, and his instructor Brian Jones

T

IM Ellison has never been one to keep his feet on the ground – whatever the so-called experts told him.

When Tim was left paralysed by an RAF accident, doctors and specialists insisted he would never be a pilot again.

His response was to prove them all wrong. Tim, now 50, went to the US, passed the required flying tests, achieved certification as a commercial pilot, and became the first paraplegic in the world to gain an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence.

Thousands hit by Fund uncertainty

— SIR BERT MASSIE, BRITAIN’S LEADING DISABILITY CAMPAIGNER

Tim went on to help form the British Disabled Flying Club (BDFC), which later became the charity Aerobility, helping more than 400 disabled people a year to get into the cockpit.

If all that was not enough, he has now gone a stage further by becoming Europe’s first qualified disabled balloon pilot.

Tim passed his General Flight Test in balloons following training in Northern Italy, thanks to a partnership between Help for Heroes, Air League and Aerobility.

His 11-year RAF career as a

Harrier pilot came to an end in 1992 when an engine failure at 120 feet – too low to eject – left him paralysed.

Having gained the aviator’s licence doctors had told him he would be ineligible for, Tim decided he wanted to help other disabled people take to the skies.

Aerobility was born out of his vision of setting up a training facility to teach those with disabilities to fly and also to change UK laws to enable disabled pilots to obtain licenses. n Aerobility: Tel 0303 303 1230,

THOUSANDS of people are suffering undue distress due to the Government’s delays in deciding the future of the Independent Living Fund, say campaigners.

Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People said the Government had yet to make a formal statement on the fund’s future – more than three months after the court of appeal ruled that its decision to close the fund had been unlawful.

The ruling followed a legal challenge by five ILFusers.

Brian Hilton, an ILF recipient and GMCDP member, said: “The only thing standing between me and a nursing home is my care package and now the Government wants to take that funding away and with that my independence.”

The fund was set up to allow disabled people with high support needs to live independently in their own homes, rather than be forced into residential care.

It supports more than 2,700 from across the North-West, and more than 18,000 nationally.

But GMCDP said the Government’s delay in responding to the court ruling meant that all those disabled people and their families were now facing an uncertain future, particularly as eligibility for council-funded social care was tightening.

The coalition added that the average cost of ILF support – at £346 a week – compared very favourably with residential care, which can cost thousands of pounds a week.

A6BowlingCV_Layout 1 21/03/2014 13:58 Page 1

A great day’s bowling Bowlingat at

Cheshire View the venue with a view

Cheshire View Club Bowling Days From April to September come and enjoy a wonderfully relaxing day of Crown Green Bowls in the beautiful surroundings of Cheshire View.

With access for all, bowls is a great and inexpensive way to meet and make new friends and at the same time take some gentle exercise in the fresh air.

We have TWO immaculately maintained, top quality greens.

After your game you can take full advantage of our excellent social facilities with tea, coffee and a licensed bar available throughout the day.

For further information please contact: Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton, CH3 7PT Telephone 01244 332442

Email office@cheshireview.co.uk Web www.cheshireview.co.uk

Chester Heart Support Group: (L-R) Phil Edwards, George Durband, Dorothy Durband, Pat Priest, Dave Hicks

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April/May 2014

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5

NEWS

All we need is love, but that’s not easy

Beat this this for for aa marathon marathon Beat

B

in the Oulton half marathon, playing popular tunes like The Final Countdown and Paint it Black, and crossed the finishing line in just three hours, 31 seconds.

The 31-strong Huddersfield Marching Band Mike Lomas, the 22-year-old director and became the world’s first and fastest marching cornet player, who lives in Stretford, Greater band to complete a marathon two years ago.

Manchester, said: “It was tough – very windy Now they are hoping their efforts in the and cold – but we’re thrilled to have finished in London marathon will raise ÂŁ60,000 for Sense, such a good time and show that we have still the national charity helping families affected by got what it takes to claim the Guinness world deafblindness. record.

They’re also determined to reclaim their “There’s still a lot of work to be done to get Guinness world record, which was taken from ready for the London marathon – but we are all them in 2012 by a German band. up for it.�

As a warm up for the big event, they took part PREP55C14-AllTogetherNow-262x165-Oct_Layout 1The 24/09/2013 Page band also09:57 enjoyed the1 support of

ANGING the drum for people who are deafblind – that’s these fun-loving musicians.

Huddersfield’s own Sir Patrick Stewart, who posted a photo on twitter to declare his support to his one million followers. “We’re really grateful to everyone who has supported and sponsored us so far,� said Mike. “We hope that as the big day approaches more people will help us raise money and awareness for Sense and the work they do with deafblind people.�

The German band beat their record by 22 minutes but Huddersfield Marching Band aims to finish the London Marathon in seven hours and provide a big financial boost for Sense.

There are currently around 250,000 deafblind people in the UK.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! “Christmas is all about spending time with your loved ones and, with the help of Park, I enjoy mine stress and debt free!

Park gives me the help and support I need to stay focussed on planning the most expensive time of the year.

Not only can I give my family everything they need for Christmas, but I get the added peace of mind, knowing it’s all been paid for in advance!

FINDING true romance isn’t easy – and especially so for lots of people with disabilities.

A new report from the Trailblazers network, a group of young campaigners with muscular dystrophy, found that more than half of disabled people who responded to their survey said they had met their partners online.

Several people describe their own relationship experiences in the report, including a young woman who met her current partner playing powerchair football, a disabled man who lost his virginity to a sex surrogate, and another who met her future husband while holidaying with friends in Magaluf.

Four-fifths of the 100 Trailblazers who completed a survey for the It’s Complicated report said they had never dated another disabled person.

The group – most of them wheelchairusers – published some of their stories online.

Half of those questioned thought it was easier to meet a partner through friends, while one-third said they would prefer to meet someone when out at bars, cafes or clubs. n Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, tel 020 7803 4800

“Thanks to Park, I don’t have to worry about how I’ll pay for Christmas�

Here’s how you can have YOUR debt free Christmas with Park: 1. Order online from a fantastic range of gifts, hampers, gift cards and vouchers 2. Pay in small regular amounts throughout the year 3. Have everything delivered to your door in time for Christmas, with no big bills in the New Year!

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NEWS

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Sweden here we come!

BEST wishes to Dale Bland and his team at Keep it Cheap Garage Services who are taking to the road in April to raise funds for Wirral-based Stick ‘n’ Step children’s charity.

Dave, wife Tanya and apprentices Steve Giles and Brad Stevenson are taking a 1975 Volvo on a 2,500 mile round trip to Volvo headquarters in Sweden.

Dale said: “Cars have always been a hobby of mine, so when the opportunity to join Stick ‘n’ Step’s 50/50 challenge arose I couldn’t wait to get involved.”

The 50/50 challenge is Stick ‘n’ Step’s fundraising initiative for businesses. The charity has given 50 businesses £50 each to kick-start fundraising, in a bid to raise a collective amount of £150,000 by November 2014. n Contact Kerry Roe Ely on 0151 638 0888.

Top DJ’s plea to cover your ears!

TOP DJ and record producer Paul Oakenfold is backing a nationwide campaign to get music lovers to protect their ears.

“I feel passionately about listening to music safely and urge music lovers to wear ear defenders to gigs and avoid dangerously high volumes on personal music players,” he said.

“Getting decent noise-cancelling headphones also cuts down the risk of damaging your ears and suffering tinnitus caused by over exposure to loud music. No one wants that! So protect your ears while loving your tunes!”

Oakenfold’s plea follows a new poll that reveals more than two-thirds of people have been left with ringing in their ears after a noisy night out.

The survey, carried out by Action on Hearing Loss charity, also revealed that one in 10 people do not know what tinnitus is, with some identifying it as “big ears” and others “a repetitive strain injury”. n Tinnitus Helpline: 0808 808 0123. n Textphone: 0808 808 9000.

Why we love this paper I AM quite new to All Together NOW! – but I am finding it fantastic! As a mother to a 16 year-old and two year-old with disabilites, I have found so much information! It truly is a excellent resource. Kerry Thwaite, Sneyd Hill, Stoke on Trent I LOVE All Together NOW! It’s really helped my Mum. Jen Boucher, Brunswick Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Spot danger signs CHILDREN with diabetes are being put at risk of dangerous complications because parents are not recognising symptoms of the disease.

Doctors say almost one in five children with diabetes develop Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) – a lack of insulin in the body – before they are officially diagnosed with the condition.

And there are strong concerns that rates of DKA, in those already diagnosed with diabetes, remain high and are highest in females aged between 10 and 19 in England and Wales.

If not diagnosed and treated urgently DKA can cause mental confusion, rapid heartbeat and breathing, sickness and unconsciousness - and can be life threatening.

Diabetes UK’s ‘4T’ campaign raises awareness of the four most common symptoms of diabetes in children Thirst (not being able to quench a thirst), Toilet (frequently needing to go to the toilet), Tired (feeling more tired than usual) and Thinner (losing weight).

If you recognise these symptoms in a child then urgent medical advice should be sought.

Diabetes and schools – Page 8

Grants to get into politics D ISABLED people wanting to be an MP or a councillor are to continue to get financial help to cover the extra costs in gaining election.

The Government Equalities Office has also again doubled the upper limit on grants from The Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund – which pays for expenses such as taxi fares and British Sign Language interpreters – from £20,000 to £40,000.

Since the fund was launched in July 2012, there have been over sixty applications to the fund, which will now also cover parish and town council elections.

Minister for Women and Equalities Helen Grant Helen Grant said: “Disabled people are still under-represented in politics and I believe a strong democracy is an inclusive one. That’s why we need to do more to encourage a diverse mix of candidates and role models to better reflect the society we live in.”

David Buxton, the first deaf BSL-

user to be elected as a local councillor, campaigned for 20 years for the fund to be set up, because of his own experiences in being elected as a councillor and standing twice for parliament.

The Liberal Democrat activist had been calling for the grants to be increased for deaf candidates “mainly because of BSL interpreters charging about £250 a day”.

He said: “I am very pleased that they have listened and agreed.

This certainly gives deaf people real opportunity to go for standing

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in the elections.

“We need all political parties, especially local parties, to be fully reassured that this fund will help deaf candidates to do their jobs more effectively without any additional financial burdens to the local parties who heavily rely on volunteers, donations and gifts in kind.”

n Applications are open until the end of March 2015. n Tel, 01457 869 714. n Textphone, 020 8964 6324 n www.access-to-electedoffice-fund.org.uk

MILLIONS of disabled people have been thrown into poverty and social exclusion by the European Union’s attempts to recover from the economic crisis.

That’s according to Europe’s leading disabled people’s organisation.

The European Disability Forum (EDF) spoke out as it launched its manifesto for the upcoming European elections, laying out six policy priorities that it believes should be adopted by political parties across the continent.

The manifesto warns that disabled people have faced drastic cuts in social services and benefits, greater unemployment and a return to segregated institutions.

And it calls for a strategy to address the unemployment, social exclusion and poverty affecting them. n The elections will see 751 MEPs elected for the next five years, with about 400 million people across the 28 EU member states having the right to vote between 22 and 25 May.

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FAMILIES

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Ashley shines with his signs T

V presenter Ashley Kendall’s new job is literally poetry in motion.

For Ashley uses hand movements to bring poems by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson to a young deaf audience.

The Chester-born 20-year-old is the lead presenter of Magic Hands, a pioneering series bringing British Sign Language to a mainstream audience on children’s channel Cbeebies.

Like all the presenters on Magic Hands, Ashley is profoundly deaf. The programmes are fun, five-minute packages that mix sign language, the spoken word, music and animation to bring poems to life and capture the imaginations of both deaf and hearing children.

“To know that all children around the UK have full access to this programme, and to know that it’s a mainstream show airing on CBeebies is wonderful,” said Ashley.

“It’s a true breakthrough to see signing in action this way.”

Ashley is now fronting a highlight in the

Helpful guide goes through the emotions

deaf and deafblind calendar, the 2014 Signature Annual Awards, which recognise the achievements of individuals, organisations and community groups from across the UK and Ireland who are striving to break down social and communication barriers caused by deafness.

Ashley added: “I joined the team at Magic Hands because I want everyone across the UK to recognise BSL and I wanted to be part of a television show that both deaf and hearing children can have full access to.

“It’s fantastic that Signature also believes in creating a fully accessible society for deaf people and is encouraging children to learn BSL from a young age.”

The eight award categories are Teacher of the Year; Learner of the Year; Young Learner of the Year; Centre of the Year; Communication Professional of the Year; Organisational Achievement; Community Spirit, and the Joseph Maitland Robinson Award for Outstanding Contribution.

n Signature: Tel. 0191 383 1155. www.signatureannualawards.org.uk

n

PIONEER: Deaf TV presenter Ashley Kendall

HELPING young people with learning disabilities to manage their feelings better is the subject of a new guide.

Although children and young people with learning disabilities have higher rates of emotional and behavioural problems than their peers without learning disabilities, research shows they have less access to services and support.

The guide, from the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, is built around the FRIENDS for Life programme, which helps children and teenagers cope with feelings of fear, worry, and depression by teaching cognitive, behavioural, and emotional skills in a simple, well-structured format.

Based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy the programmes enable children and young people to learn about the links between their thoughts, feelings and behaviour. n FPLD Tel, 020 7803 1100 n www.learningdisabilities.org.uk

7

FAMILIES

All Together NOW!

8 TAKE ME HOME!

April/May 2014

My oarsome challenge OLYMPIC rower Tom Solesbury has become an ambassador for the charity helping disabled children from all over the UK to realise their dreams.

And Tom, who competed in the men’s quadruple sculls in the London 2012 Olympics, is already planning an ironman challenge to raise money for the Muscle Help Foundation.

He said: “I was inspired by the way MHF makes an immediate difference to

beneficiaries and their families.

MHF delivers highly personalised experiences in the UK known as Muscle Dreams for children and young people with muscular dystrophy (MD) and allied neuromuscular conditions.

Michael McGrath, the charity’s founder, was diagnosed with MD at 18. He is the only disabled person in the world to have successfully led expeditions to both the North and South Poles.

S

CHOOLS are failing in their duty of care to young people with diabetes, a disturbing investigation reveals.

More than one in three families of children with Type 1 diabetes say their school does not have an adequate plan – or in some cases any plan – in place to help manage their condition.

Some parents have been forced to move their children to another school or educate them at home because they are so concerned about their safety, according to the inquiry by charity Diabetes UK. Others had even had to resort to taking their child’s school to court.

If not managed properly, Type 1 diabetes can lead to the child’s blood glucose levels going either dangerously high or dangerously low.

High blood glucose levels in childhood can increase risk of amputation, blindness and stroke later in life so proper handling of the condition while at school is vital.

The report comes as the Government prepares to issue guidance to schools which now have a legal obligation to support children with the condition.

Diabetes UK has welcomed the

legal protection but is campaigning to strengthen the draft guidance, which sets out what that obligation will mean in practical terms.

Victoria Lockwood, whose 12year-old son has Type 1 diabetes, said: “I’ve had to constantly battle to get the extra support my son needs in school.

“When he was in primary school I lived in constant fear about his safety and would often cry myself to sleep at the guilt I felt for leaving him with people who didn’t understand his needs.”

Diabetes UK surveyed 434 parents of children with the condition. As well as finding that 38% do not have a care plan that fully meets their needs in school, 22% were dissatisfied with their child’s support in school and 14% were concerned their child will not be supported if their blood glucose level falls dangerously low.

Charity chief executive Barbara Young said: “The Government’s decision to put a legal duty on schools is one that could be historic because it has the potential to deliver the change children with Type 1 diabetes need to be able to make the most of their school life.” n Diabetes UK: Tel 0345 123

2399. www.diabetes.org.uk

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE: Tom is taking on an ironman challenge to fund trips for children

Tom added: “I am hoping to raise funds for MHF through an ‘Ironman’ challenge I am planning this September.

“Hopefully, I can help to inspire beneficiaries and raise the profile of the charity, promote it to my contacts and at MHF events.” n Muscular Dystrophy is the single biggest genetic killer of children in the world. About 70,000 young people have the disease in the UK. n MHF: Tel. 01763 274658 n www.musclehelp.com

Schools put kids ‘at risk’

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

GPs not ‘talking to deaf teens’ YOUNG deaf people’s health is at risk because many doctors cannot communicate with them.

The experiences of hundreds of deaf youngsters across the UK show a worrying lack of awareness of their needs in doctors’ surgeries.

A new campaign by the National Deaf Children’s Society is calling on them to be more deaf aware.

The Society and its Young People’s Advisory Board – a group of 17 deaf young people from around the country – have launched My life, My health to help GPs provide deaf teenagers with the health support they need.

More than 200 deaf children and young people were consulted to find out about their experiences of using health services, including visiting their GP. The findings, published in a new report, show many health care professionals do not know how to communicate with a deaf child or young person.

GOOD READ: Top Gear star Richard Hammond backs the new books

Text messages

Rich’s brain pleasers

T

OP Gear star Richard Hammond is giving his support to new books aimed at children with brain injuries.

Two of the books use the oldfashioned art of storytelling to better understand brain injuries and their hidden effects.

“This is a wonderful, colourful way for families touched by brain injury to explore the issues they may face,” said BBC presenter Richard, who eight years ago suffered a serious brain injury in a high speed car crash.

Heads Up, Tim-Tron explains acquired brain injury to young readers of primary school age, through the

story of a mischievous little robot who bumps his head while playing.

Medikidz: What’s Up With Tamara? is aimed at slightly older children and teenagers. The comic book is based around a teenager dealing with acquired brain injury (ABI) Meanwhile, Acquired Brain Injury in Children: A Parents’ Handbook is also a must for the bookshelves.

The books have been developed by The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with acquired brain injury of which Richard is vice president. n The Children’s Trust: Tel. 01737

365000.

Surgeries do not always provide deaf friendly services, such as the option to book appointments by text message or visual display screens to announce appointments.

For deaf people, it is vital all staff communicate clearly and that sign language interpreters are available to those who need them.

Dr Hilary Cass, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “There is no reason why, with the right support, deaf teenagers can’t be as healthy, informed and independent as other young people.” n NDCS Freephone Helpline: 0808 800 8880

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

How we can help . . .

H

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

Difference.

Over the past decade we have helped hundreds of organisations across the region, committing over £14 million.

This year we will be giving away a whopping £2 MILLION to good causes.

Created in 2001 by

businessman Steve Morgan OBE, founder and chairman of Redrow plc, chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the Morgan Foundation supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire.

Our aim is to provide funding for small to medium-sized organisations who are addressing specific needs in these regions.

We are particularly keen to support those who have already begun to make an impact, but need a helping hand to expand their work and increase their effectiveness.

We focus our help mainly on those who work directly with children and families but we recognise that many wider issues may also affect their welfare, so we are interested in any project which contributes to the quality of life in our region.

Adventure for all!

PULLING TOGETHER: Youngsters take up a new challenge

A

LL of us here at The Morgan Foundation love to hear about projects that are making a real difference to people’s lives – especially children’s lives, and especially projects that involve people of all abilities.

That’s why we were particularly impressed when we heard about the inspirational work that’s going on in a beautiful area of parkland in Liverpool, just five miles from the city centre.

For almost 30 years Bill Whiteside, 84, and his team have been running Merseyside Youth Challenge Trust, an outdoor activities centre that’s turned around the lives of thousands of disadvantaged young people.

All kinds of adventurous activities are available – from abseiling to archery, from orienteering to team building exercises – and the results are outstanding.

CHILLING OUT: Time to relax by the camp fire

City park activity centre is doing the business . . .

Fred Pye, MYCT manager/CEO, said: “We believe that there is a real need for what we do – giving children and adults the opportunity to experience these activities in their own backyard.”

The Trust is now able to offer fun packages for Merseyside groups of all ages and abilities for less than half the normal price – only £10 per person (normally £25).

The minimum number per booking is 30

although smaller groups are welcome at a rate to be agreed. Early booking essential.

Check out their website at and see the positive feedback from teachers and students who have visited the centre. n Merseyside Youth Challenge Trust, Allerton Tower Park, Liverpool.

Tel 0151 428 9758 n Email youthchalltrust@aol.com n www.myct.org.uk

Magnificent seven!

THE Morgan Foundation’s latest round of grants have been awarded to the following seven groups: n Litherland Youth and Community Centre n MD Productions n Ferries Family Groups n Middlewich Community Church n Merseyside Youth Challenge Trust n North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Disability Sports Association n Caia Park & Hightown Early Years Forum

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel. 01829 782800

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GETTING ON . . .

10

All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Life is fragile, handle with care . . .

WISE WINNIE A little spring cleaning can work wonders . . . helps to solve some of the problems faced by older people

Was she rude?

Q

My wife and I have just returned from a cruise round the Mediterranean. We took our granddaughter with us as an 18th birthday present and the trip has given us much food for thought.

We are all keen ballroom dancers and were frequently embarrassed by the behaviour of a middle-aged man who had a bullying attitude and constantly humiliated his wife.

On one occasion he dragged her from the floor, saying, “You see I’ve been blessed with a woman with two left feet”.

Whereupon our granddaughter butted in quite loudly with “Don’t you think her biggest mistake lies in marrying you?”

We tried to get her to apologise but she would not and several people applauded her intervention.

What do you think? Had she a case for being so rude? Could she have taken him aside and spoken more reasonably? This was not the only time he belittled his wife - a lovely woman.

A

I personally think your granddaughter’s action was justified.

Such a man should not be allowed to get away with so cruelly humiliating his wife habitually.

Teenagers today are encouraged to speak out against what they think is wrong, for instance on TV or in school debates.

If her criticism of the man fell on deaf ears, it may at least light a spark of rebellion in his unfortunate wife.

I like the sound of your granddaughter.

Why we love this paper All Together NOW! is a brilliant idea.

Older and disabled people can’t always use a computer to get news and information. They need all the help they can get. Jeanette Davison, Wedgewood Crescent, Ketley, Telford I LOVE the positivity of All Together NOW! It reminds me that however bad things get there is always another day when things can improve. John Gunn, Rosedale Avenue, Blackpool

NOW is the time to spring clean your bank accounts.

If you bank online, go to the payments section and click on Direct Debits and Standing Orders.

Carefully scrutinise each one. Is it current and something you use or need?

My bet is you will find several items that you could cancel, such as magazine subs, gym subs, and maybe some insurance for perhaps a mobile phone you no longer have, or some PPI that is no longer relevant.

MONEY MATTERS

You may be overpaying for gas or electricity and building up a credit. Better to underpay and increase DD when that time comes.

Check all standing orders that are yearly as some would be better cancelled, giving you the option of searching the market at that time, instead of automatic renewal. If you don’t bank online, pop into your branch and ask for

a print out of DDs and S/Os. Also, check if you are being charged a monthly fee by your bank. Find out what it includes. If you are not using the benefits, there may be a cheaper tariff.

Just the job for older workers

W

ORKING beyond the traditional retirement age is having a positive effect in the British workplace as older people stay on in work because of high living costs and uncertainty about the future, says a new survey.

The research, commissioned by Nationwide Building Society, gives an insight into why people may be working later in life, with more than two-fifths (41%) of workers believing they will not be financially secure in retirement.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) were concerned that their pension alone won’t be enough for them to continue at their current level of personal spending.

Despite this, more than two-thirds of all UK adults (68%) think having a person in a team at work aged over 60 has, or would have, a positive impact.

Furthermore, nine out of ten people (88%) believe those aged 60 and above can be excellent mentors or role models to those in their 20s and 30s.

The research also shows that while 78%

n 60-plus staff make great role models n Older workers take fewer sick days n Just 3% of adults expect to retire at 55 n 40% fear retirement money worries

of people polled think that it is important that younger colleagues help those in their 60s to use new technology at work, more than two thirds (71%) believe the introduction of gadgets such as smartphones and tablets has forced those aged 60 and above to keep up with younger peers.

The survey highlights some surprising results regarding sickness records at work, with 45% of workers aged 55 and above having not taken sick leave over the past 12 months, compared to 36% of 18-24 year olds.

Just over one in four (26%) of those

I RECENTLY took out a John Lewis MY card for my wife and I. This gives us a FREE cup of coffee and a cake, worth £5 each month, no purchase required.

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Gordonviner@aol.co G Viner FCA CTA

aged 55 and above have taken up to three days off for illness, compared to 40% of 18-24 year olds.

The poll also shows that 35-44 year olds are the age group most likely to take time off work for a hangover (8%), compared to just 1% of those aged 55 and above, and that 70% of those aged 55 and above usually arrive early to work compared to 47% of those aged 25-34 and 50% of those aged 18-24.

Early retirement has become an unlikely prospect for the overwhelming majority, according to the survey, with just 3% of workers believing they will be able to retire at the age of 55.

However, some 13% of those polled expect to retire at 60, while 16% expect to retire at 65 and 15% believe they will only be able to give up work aged 70. A further 2% believe they will not be able to retire until after they are 75.

Nationwide was the first major UK organisation in 2005 to change its employment policy to enable employees to work until the age of 75 and, in 2011, the Society removed the retirement age completely. The Society employs around 17,000 people, of which 16% are aged 50 or over, and 2% are aged 60 or above.

Alison Robb, group Director at Nationwide, said: “As far as Nationwide is concerned, employing older workers is a good business decision - they tend to be experienced, conscientious and hardworking. The decision should always be whether that person can do the job and has the right values.”

SENIOR MOMENTS . . . with FRANK HARRIS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

%ONmT GBƞƞ VJDTJM to bogus callers!

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United Utilities is calling on all customers to protect themselves from doorstep criminals.

Statistics show that around 20 bogus caller crimes are committed every day in the UK, but this might only be 10% of the total that actually take place as victims often feel too embarrassed to report it to the police.

Bogus callers will often call at your door claiming there is an issue with the water and they need to check your taps; they will use this as an opportunity to trick themselves into your home claiming to be from United Utilities or ‘the water board’. Once inside, they will distract you while they or an accomplice help themselves to money and valuables.

Genuine United Utilities’ employees always carry an ID card and are happy to show this to you. They will never put pressure on you to enter your home and will be happy for you to phone United Utilities to check their identity. And our employees won’t refer to ‘the water board’ as this hasn’t existed for more than 30 years!

Bogus callers can be very persuasive, but our advice is to never feel under pressure to let someone into your home.

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To help you, we operate a ‘password protection’ scheme. Joining our password scheme is easy.

It takes just one call to 0845 746 1100. We simply need your details and your choice of password.

Then, whenever someone claiming to be from United Utilities calls at your home, you can ask them for your password.

Only a genuine visitor from United Utilities will know what it is. It’s a simple deterrent that really does work and will give you the confidence to turn people away from your door.

Most gas, electricity and telephone companies will operate a similar scheme – see a recent bill for further details and contact numbers.

Need a little ExtraCare?

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We offer a range of free services to help customers who: q BSF PMEFS q IBWF B EJTBCJMJUZ q IBWF B TFSJPVT JMMOFTT q IBWF TJHIU IFBSJOH PS MFBSOJOH EJGÄ DVMUJFT

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To find out more call 0845 746 1100.

If you have hearing or speech difficulties and use a textphone, please dial 18001 followed by the number you require.

03/13/SD/5631

11

12

All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

New drug-driving laws on the way

P

LANS to bring in drug-drive limits for the first time have moved a step closer.

But the Government is looking again at the proposed legal limit for amphetamine following concerns expressed during the consultation process.

In the meantime, following consultation, recommended limits for 16 different drugs have now been approved.

Eight generally-prescription drugs and eight illicit drugs will be added into new regulations that will come into force in the autumn.

The new rules will make it an offence to be over the generallyprescribed limits for each drug and then drive a vehicle, as it is with drink-driving.

The illicit drugs include cocaine,

where drivers will not be allowed to exceed a limit of 10mg; cannabis, where the limit is 2mg, and also LSD where the limit is 1mg.

It had been proposed to set the amphetamine level at 50mg, but the Government said there had been “significant concerns” on the limit.

The amphetamine level was now being reconsidered so that patients who take medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are not affected.

The prescription drugs for which limits have been set include morphine (80mg) and methadone (500mg ).

Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: “The results of the consultation is sending the strongest message that you cannot take illegal drugs and drive.

“This new offence will make our roads safer for everyone by making it easier for the police to tackle those who drive after taking illegal drugs.

“It will also clarify the limits for those who take medication.”

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “The IAM is pleased that the Government is moving significantly closer to finalising the process of setting limits for drugs and driving.

“Now that the consultation process is almost over and the correct limits have been agreed for each drug the police can finally get on with actually catching those who risk their own and others lives by driving under the influence of chemical substances.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Free Parker pens!

INSURANCE broker Chartwell is giving away a free Parker Jotter pen, worth £10, to anyone who obtains a quote for their adapted vehicle, mobility scooter, travel, home or independent living insurance.

Chartwell has a long history of providing specialist cover for people with disabilities. The company was founded in 1965

by Adrian Flux – himself a disabled motorist.

Now, almost half a century later, Chartwell remains committed to making the sometimes stressful task of finding bespoke cover for non standard insurance as hasslefree as possible.

The free pen offer is available when you request a quote for any of the following: n Adapted vehicle insurance, with suitably equipped replacement vehicle, cover for any driver, a manual wheelchair while stowed up to £1,500, and cover for alternative travel expenses.

n Mobility scooters and power wheelchairs, including £2 million public liability cover, breakdown, and overseas cover. Premiums start from just £62 per year. n Independent living insurance, including employers and public liability, personal accident, legal disputes cover, fraud, negligence and theft for those who employ their own carers. n Home insurance, including cover for adaptations such as stairlifts, baths etc, mobility equipment including manual wheelchairs and equipment loaned from the NHS n Travel insurance, including cover for pre-existing medical conditions, loss of medication, wheelchairs and mobility aids, and a replacement carer should yours fall ill.

Since its introduction in 1954, Parker has sold more than 750 million of the iconic, stainless steel Jotter pens. n For your free pen call 0800 089 0146 or visit www.chartwellinsurance.co.uk/ parker-pen.php

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

Chartwell Insurance Because things don't always go according to plan...

Paralympic cyclist Jody Cundy supports Chartwell because he knows more than most that disaster can strike at any minute. The London 2012 bronze medallist missed out on gold after he was disqualified following a now infamous false start.

That’s why he’s backing the disabled motoring specialists with a range of policies for almost any car from a panel of more than 200 insurance schemes.

Benefits available include: Cover for carers & family members New for old on adaptations Cover for any driver over 21, or named drivers under 21 Suitably adapted replacement vehicles in the event of both fault and non-fault claims

Jody Cundy, Paralympic Athlete, London 2012

Freephone 0800 089 0146 chartwellinsurance.co.uk Chartwell Insurance is a trading name of Adrian Flux Insurance Services.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

All Together NOW!

13

Katrina goes it alone!

All Together NOW!

14

MERSEYTRAVEL

H

ELPING people to become independent travellers is a top priority for Merseytravel.

In the past five years, they have helped disabled people access accredited courses and provided one-to-one training for those who find transport a barrier to independence or accessing employment and training opportunities.

Katrina Dubber, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, is one of the young people benefiting from the work

by Merseytravel’s Corporate Engagement Team.

Katrina, 21, met up with Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside and chair of the Commons Transport Select Committee who was looking at the problems people with

disabilities face on public transport.

Mrs Ellman wanted to shadow a young person with learning disabilities to see for herself the kind of challenges that had to be overcome.

Katrina said: “Louise asked me how I started to travel on my own and I told her I am being trained

by Karen, a specialist travel trainer, and hope to be travelling without support very soon.

“I told her how being independent has made a big difference to me.”

Katrina is now able to travel from home to People’s Choice in Kensington and Bootle where she is training for work.

She also completed an entry Level 3 Travelling to Recreation, Leisure and Work qualification.

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

GOING PLACES: Broadgreen students with Ciara Brodie (right) from Liverpool Schools’ Parliament

£2 flat fare boost for young people MERSEYTRAVEL and bus operators have agreed to bring in a £2 flat fare all-day bus ticket which could cut the cost of travel for young people by more than half.

The £2 ticket will be the most flexible product for young people, available to use all day and comes ahead of Merseytravel undertaking a full review of its pre-paid ticketing scheme.

Subject to details being finalised, the ticket will be available for those 16 and under to buy on the bus from April for a trial period.

At the launch event, Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel, said: “We know that the cost of transport can be a barrier to young people getting to school, college, work or making the most of their leisure time.

“We’ve already frozen the cost of our term time

tickets and the pilot projects with schools and colleges and ticket trial are the next steps.”

Louise Ellman, Liverpool Riverside MP and chair of the Commons Transport Select Committee, local authority leaders and transport operators all signed a pledge to work together to bring down the cost of travel and help remove a potential barrier to education, work and leisure opportunities.

Students from Liverpool John Moores University were also on hand to explain the important role transport plays in their lives, while pupils from Broadgreen International School performed a drama exploring affordability and access issues for young people.

According to the Campaign for Better Transport 2013, young people list the cost of transport as their number one concern.

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

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

Whether it be automatic door openers in our head office, availability of textphones for main points of contact, or producing timetables in large print, we want to make public transport easier for everyone to use.

Among our services and facilities are: U Àii V ViÃà >ÀÞ ÌÀ>Ûi v À ÛiÀ {n]äää «i « iÊ with disabilities U `iÀ ] Ü y À] >VViÃà L i LÕÃiÃ Ü V >ÀiÊ developed in partnership with our local authorities and bus companies U v À >Ì > Û>À iÌÞ v v À >Ìà V Õ` } Ì iÊ iÀÃiÞÌÀ>Ûi VViÃÃ Õ `i q V Ì> } >VViÃÃÊ ÊÊÊ`iÌ> ÃÊv ÀÊ> ÊLÕÃÊ> `ÊÀ> ÊÃÌ>Ì ÃÊ Ê iÀÃiÞà `i Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a text relay assisted call

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

A trio of new bus services THREE new bus services have been introduced to the Merseyside bus network. n Route 38, a Monday to Saturday daytime service, links Liverpool city centre with Wavertree, Childwall, Belle Vale and Halewood. n Route 12, a Monday to Saturday daytime service, partly replaces the withdrawn St Helens Eco Circulars and covers a St Helens town centre circular route; and n Route 300A/B/C, the new St Helens RLFC Matchday service linking Sutton Manor, Eccleston, Garswood and Langtree Park. n Further details can be found on the Merseytravel website www.merseytravel.gov.uk, by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or from Travel Centres.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

Give us controls that we can use!

C HARITIES are calling for better designed heating controls after research found that many people with sight loss are unable to use them.

In a new guide researchers report a catalogue of design problems that make heating controls difficult to operate, and offer practical advice on choosing and using heating controls to stay warm and save energy.

“It’s vital that everyone should be able to control their heating but current designs simply rule this out for some customers, said Lynn Watson, at the sight loss charity, Thomas Pocklington Trust.

“We need new heating controls to be made accessible to all,” The new guide explains how the control

All Together NOW!

Some people can’t switch on heat

work, gives product reviews and lists what to look for - particularly if you have sight loss or failing vision.

Chris Lofthouse at Rica, the research and information charity that focuses on work with older and disabled people, said: “There’s little point in Government urging people to save energy if the most basic controls for heating are simply not workable for vast numbers of people.

“We hope this guide will get consumers to be more demanding and act as a wake-up call to industry. Features useful for partially sighted people are useful for everybody.”

Easier to use controls could help people to

cut their bills, says the guide. But testing by people with impaired vision revealed many controls needed help to programme the settings. n Clocks and switches were difficult to see. n Instructions on digital screens were too small. Markings on dials too faint. n Dials were hard to turn or too fiddly to move easily. n Pointers were difficult to line up. n Audible signals such as beeps and clicks were often not loud enough to detect or there were no audible sounds at all. n Controls that can be operated by apps or through a website have great potential as

15

testers felt these could be more accessible.

But they didn’t work well with access software (screen readers/magnifiers) designed for people with sight loss.

For those who don’t want to buy new controls the guide shows how to improve old ones by adding tactile markers. It includes tips on cutting energy bills, keeping homes warm, and how to find and pay for energysaving home improvements. n Choosing central heating controls and saving energy is available online at www.pocklington-trust.org.uk and www.rica.org.uk It is also available as an audio CD and in Braille by emailing research@pocklington-trust.org.uk or calling 020 8995 0880.

16

INDEPENDENT LIVING

All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Landmark ruling over disabled man’s liberty LAWYERS representing the mother of a disabled man taken into social services care say a landmark Supreme Court ruling will provide safeguards for thousands of disabled people across the country who do not have the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Judges ruled that the man, known as ‘P’ for legal reasons, was deprived of his liberty and should have regular independent reviews of his situation.

The 39-year-old man was the subject of a long-running legal argument over the definition of the term ‘deprivation of liberty’ and the circumstances in which safeguards must be put in place to protect vulnerable adults.

Cheshire West and Chester Council had removed him from his mother’s home and placed him into the care of social services.

However, expert Court of Protection lawyers from Irwin Mitchell successfully argued that the law requires safeguards to be put in place for people in P’s position so that their protective care regime is regularly reviewed.

The Supreme Court ruled that P was “under continuous supervision and control and was not free to leave” and was therefore deprived of his liberty.

Why we love this paper I ONLY stumbled onto the All Together NOW! website to enter the competition. But I am really glad I did. I am a physically disabled lady and I live with crippling chronic conditions. I had never heard of your site or your newspaper but I will certainly take note of it in the future. Katie Harmer, High Brooms Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent All Together NOW! should be more widely available. I am a carer for my disabled mother. Many people in the west country would benefit from this informative newspaper. Jill Mann, Orleigh Avenue, Newton Abbot

Unhealthy facts . . .

WOMEN and girls with a disability are less likely to be in good health than their male counterparts, new figures show.

Disabled people who are young and live in more affluent areas are also more likely to consider themselves to be in good general health.

After the age of 35 the proportion of disabled people in “good” health in the least deprived areas is around twice that of people in those most deprived, figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal.

Males whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by their condition are more likely to be in “good” health at all ages compared to females.

ABOVE: Dave Thompson. RIGHT, Tom Dowling and the All Together NOW! team at last year’s record-breaking Disability Awareness Day

Teaming up to make DAD better than ever

PERFECT PARTNERS! A

ll Together NOW! has teamed up with Warrington Disability Partnership to make this year’s Disability Awareness Day the best in its 23-year history.

The partnership will see All Together NOW! provide top coverage of the event, which is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors from the region – and beyond.

Taking place on Sunday July 13 at Walton Hall Gardens, near Warrington, DAD is the UK’s largest voluntary-led disability, homecare and rehabilitation event.

Its success has led to similar DAD events taking place in the Punjab, Camaroon and Gibralta – all on the same day.

“We are delighted to be appointed as DAD’s media partner,” said All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling. “We will be spreading the word about DAD to almost half a million readers – plus all our ever-increasing online visitors.

“The event just gets better and better, providing huge numbers of families affected by disability and ill health all sorts of information to help them with their independence – and a family fun day out, too!

“It’s a colossal event – and all staged so professionally by staff and volunteers from Warrington Disability Partnership.”

Dave Thompson, founder and chair of WDP and coordinator of DAD, said: “All Together NOW! has become the voice for disabled people in the North West.

“The newspaper – and online magazine – is doing fantastic work. Not only does it give

TAKE ME HOME!

lots of news and information to disabled people it also raises much-needed awareness among the general public – something that is so important.

“Not surprisingly the paper has won lots of media and community awards, including a Positive Action Award from us, so having All Together NOW! as our media partner is a natural choice.”

This year’s DAD Week will start with the launch on Saturday July 5, followed by a week of events leading up to the big day

when more than 250 exhibitors are expected attend within the tented village.

There will be something for everyone including information for people affected by a whole range of physical, sensory and learning disabilities, plus expert advice from mental health charities and NHS trusts.

The exhibition will be supported by a full programme of family entertainment including performing arts, a sports zone and children’s play area.

Support services include a free accessible Park and Ride scheme, a free accessible bus service from Warrington town centre, a free scooter and wheelchair loan service with trained volunteers, British Sign Language interpreters, unisex wheelchair accessible toilets, and more than 100 stewards and assistants all eager to make it a day to remember for everyone. n DAD Team, tel 01925 240064. n www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk

Your Housing Group saves the day!

Your Housing Group have confirmed their ongoing support to Disability Awareness Day. Chief execitve Brian Cronin said: “Your Housing Group is enormously proud to be the headline sponsor of the Disability Awareness Day. “This fantastic event is not only a wonderful day out but a unique opportunity to showcase the achievements and talents of disabled people.

“It also offers Your Housing Group the chance to show the work we are doing across the group on Welfare Reform.There are some big changes that directly affect many people with disabilities and our team will be able to talk to visitors about their concerns and direct them to the right help.”

Dave Thompson, MBE DL, founder and event co-ordinator, said: “We all delighted. Without the level of support that Brian and his team have pledged the event would have been cancelled.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

INDEPENDENT LIVING

All Together NOW!

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A good old singsong works wonders

Sing Sing your your hearts hearts out! out!

PERFECT KEY: The open air singsong at the Bluecoat for people affected by dementia

A

N open-air singsong with a difference pulled in the crowds at Liverpool’s Bluecoat art centre.

The Singing for the Brain event, which attracted more than 100 singers, was the final part of a unique 18-month project looking at the impact that creative arts have on people living with dementia.

Bec Fearon, head of participation at the Bluecoat, said: “When the Alzheimer’s Society approached us with the idea, we were excited at the potential benefits that such a study could bring to the service users and their carers, but even we have been amazed at the results.”

The project, supported by John Moores University, has also involved music, poetry and other art forms.

Bec added: “For the person with dementia, the group has provided an opportunity to channel both their frustrations and their creativity into a positive outlet. Carers have reported seeing a reduction in stress levels both during and after the sessions.”

SINGING is also working wonders for people living with dementia in Kent.

The Sing For Your Life charity’s three-month study with Kent and Medway NHS Trust found that singing enabled people to get together irrespective of their physical or language abilities; reduced challenging behaviour levels by more than 50%; and had a noticeable improvement on the mood and well being of patients, staff and visitors.

Stuart Brown, founder of Sing For Your Life,

said: “Once again, medical research has proved that participatory singing is an intervention which will assist a person with dementia to communicate. They might not sing, but they are likely to interact in some way to the music which is a positive experience for them.”

The charity has made its award-winning Silver Song Club Music Box available as an assistive technology App for the iPad, iPhone and Andriod.

Stuart said: “Our ambition is to make Silver Song Clubs available to everyone via the mobile Silver Song Club Music Box Apps.

Singing is proven to be a great energiser and there is clinical research to back this up.” n Sing For Your Life, tel, 01303 298546 www.singforyourlife.org.uk

Snap happy!

COULD this new wheelchair accessible photo booth one day be a regular feature of all shopping centres?

Until now, wheelchair users have been unable to use traditional photo booths - unless they are able to stand and walk a few paces.

But the Universal booth, created by national charity Scope and the French Association of Sensory Handicaps, could make things so much easier.

Currently doing the business at The Oracle centre in Reading, the Universal booth can create portrait photos, plus fun photos for greeting cards.

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All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

www.alltogethe

The remarkable tale of how a bandit’s bullet in Iran led to the n FORTY YEARS ago, as the sun began to rise on a dark and deserted Iranian highway, 20-year-old Tom Dowling’s life was about to change forever.

n It was a cruel, nightmare end to what had been a dream journey. And it could so easily have ended Tom’s journalistic career.

n Returning from a self-planned overland road trip to Mount Everest, Tom and his three young pals were attacked by hooded bandits while they slept inside – and on top – of their old minibus.

n But six months later he was back at work – and planning new challenges . . . to change people’s perceptions of disability and, perhaps one day, to create a free community newspaper that would help people get the most from life, whatever their age or ability.

n One bullet crashed into the head of one of Tom’s pals – luckily he made a full recovery. But another bullet smashed through Tom’s back, severing his spinal cord and leaving him paralysed from the chest for life.

n Liverpool Echo journalist JANET TANSLEY tells how Tom has used the encounter that almost ended his life as a spur to his work bringing information and hope to many thousands of people...

Shot and paralysed aged 20 . . . and a life that changed forever

1974: The ‘once in a lifetime’ road trip

LE ta fr R w an

TOM’S FORTY-

S

ITTING at home watching TV, Tom Dowling chuckled as his toddler son, Joe, carefully brought his shoe laces together in a bid to mend his paralysed legs.

ALPINE ADVENTURE: Teenage Tom preparing for his trip to Everest

The little would-be electrician was convinced it would jump-start his father’s lifeless limbs.

“As my legs kicked forward in spasm,” smiles Tom, “he said ‘there you go dad, I’ve cured you’...”

Forty years since a bullet severed his spinal cord, Tom retains a sense of humour and optimism.

But his easy-going nature belies a passion, born out of personal experience, to provide a first class news service for people whose lives are affected by disability – and to change attitudes along the way.

Tom, 60, says: “Writing about disability was never my plan. Ever since I can remember I was going to be a professional footballer. But when the scouts didn’t come calling I had to quickly find another career. Luckily, I fell into

journalism at 16 and was determined to be a sports writer. But life got in my way.

“After my injury, I soon realised how disability isolates so many people – those with a disability and their families, including me and mine.

“There were charity newsletters around for people with various conditions but they were all preaching to the converted. There was nothing in mainstream papers to help readers – and change people’s perceptions about disability – and that’s what I wanted to do.”

In 1983 the Liverpool ECHO launched his I Can Do That! column, which is still as popular as ever. And in 1997 the ECHO developed the column into a stand alone paper that ran for seven years.

When that paper closed in 2004, Tom left the company and the following year set up the new All Together NOW! charity newspaper.

Liverpool-born Tom has a contagious enthusiasm for life and his ethos is to “make the best” of things.

As he has since 1974.

Together with pals Phil Wellings, Ken Stokes and Peter Cooper, he set off in a Bedford minibus on the ultimate road trip to Everest base camp: “I’d seen Summer Holiday with Cliff Richard,” grins the father-of-three.

“I found a map of an overland trip to the Himalayas and that was it.

“We were sponsored by Typhoo so we’d got boxes and boxes of teabags which we used as baksheesh (bribes) to ease our way through borders and customs.

“We didn’t consider the dangers. We were driving 8,000 miles through the desert and mountains with none of us knowing about engines. We just thought that if we broke down on the Khyber Pass we could call the AA! “We actually wanted to walk to Everest base camp but by the time we got there we were too exhausted.”

Two weeks after leaving Kathmandu, as night fell, they parked up by a roadside about 100 miles from Tehran to get some sleep.

“We wound up the whole trip that night – played cards to see who would get the

ernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

birth of this award-winning charity newspaper

Would YOU like to get on board?

H

AVING dreams and ambitions are great. But turning them into a reality often depends on who comes on board with you.

p that ended in tragedy

Tom, standing, and pals, Peter, Phil and Ken at the Taj Mahal – a week before the attack

EFT: Tom and Lynne aking a rare break rom it all.

RIGHT: Launch day with sons Joe, centre, nd Dan

-YEAR DREAM

That’s something Tom Dowling knows all about.

“Forty years ago I was so, so fortunate to have had three great friends who all wanted to share a dream three-month road trip to Mount Everest,” he says.

“Now forty years on, I’m lucky to be living another dream – trying to make All Together NOW! one of the best-read FREE charity papers in the UK.” This time, too, he says, he has managed to get some fantastic support from like-minded people and their organisations.

“I can’t thank them enough – they’ve given us so much help and recognise the real social value of the paper.

“But for us to keep going as we are – and to develop the paper to its full potential – we need even more partners to get on board. ”

Tom with Redrow homes founder Steve Morgan, one of All Together NOW!’s biggest supporters

mementoes and discussed where we would go next.

“That night Phil and Ken slept inside the van, Peter and I up on the roof in the luggage rack.

I woke up at 5.30am to a ‘Hollywood’ sunrise. I thought ‘life just can’t get any better than this’ But seconds later the van’s windows were smashed in an onslaught of rocks and stones being hurled by two hooded attackers.

“I sat up and Peter got down, shouting ‘they’ve got a gun’. Then I felt what was like a boulder crashing into my sternum.

“I was shouting and waving my arms but as I put them down I felt these cold lumps of jelly – which were my legs.”

Ken had been shot through the head, though he went on to make a full recovery.

Tom had been shot, too. The bullet that crashed through his shoulder blades severed his spinal cord, confining to a wheelchair for life.

The four made it to a hospital in Quazvin, an hour’s drive away. A week later Tom and Ken were flown back home to Aintree hospital. A

month later Tom was transferred to the spinal unit at Southport Hospital.

He says he felt fortunate he still had the use of his arms: “All I had to get to grips with was the psychological impact of not being able to get around and having to use a wheelchair.

“I had the easy part – it was always much tougher for my family and friends.”

Six months later Tom was working for the Ellesmere Port News and went once more on his travels before joining the ECHO. “Phil and I went on another road trip across North America. I wanted to see what challenges I would have, camping in a wheelchair. It was tough but I learned to be resourceful...”

Ten years later Tom met his wife, Lynne, with whom he has Joe, 23 and twins Dan and Ben, 21.

“I was just so incredibly lucky. I knew any partner would be seeing me as I am – not as I was. But your confidence is rocked. I wondered why on earth she would be attracted to me.

“It’s so easy to put a barrier around, to save

yourself from being hurt but Lynne just accepted the situation and didn’t see the wheelchair.

“Of course there were things I would have loved to have done with Lynne and the boys but I hope there have been other benefits along the way.”

Tom says the issue of disability is now at a crossroads with the link between it and poverty never closer.

“It’s getting tougher and tougher for severely disabled people. Cutbacks are affecting lots of people, but more so those affected by disability.

“There is a lack of support and, in some ways, attitudes have gone backwards. We need to stop that. And that makes my work more important than ever.

“I really hope I can continue for another 40 years – that’ll make me 100. Who knows what’s in store for any of us . . .?

By then I might even be putting on my old football boots again!”

Someone else who shares these views on the importance of information is Sir Bert Massie, former chair of the Disability Rights Commission.

Sir Bert says: “Unfortunately, information is frequently discounted as being unimportant.

“During my career I found that raising money for information services was difficult because individuals and companies were more interested in funding equipment or specific projects which had a higher profile.

“Time and again I had to explain that before disabled people could request equipment or services they needed to know what was available.

“Everything starts with information.

There is a danger today that newspapers such as All Together NOW! can have their mission underestimated: that the information it contains is just information.

“It is much more than that.

It is the key that opens a thousand doors.”

n If you or your organisation would like to team up with Tom and All Together NOW! please contact him. Tel 0151 230 0307. Email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

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All Together NOW!

Asbestosis Asbestosis –– be be clear clear on on the the risks risks THE Mesothelioma Act received its Royal assent in January. While welcomed by those who have developed asbestosrelated mesothelioma, the fight to help those yet to develop this disease and ensure numbers of future victims are kept as low as possible by reducing the risk of asbestos exposure goes on.

The Bill will provide around 300 victims average payouts of £100,000 while enabling those unable to trace the responsible employer or insurer to receive compensation through a scheme funded by a levy on current insurers.

I would argue that this scheme does not go far enough in compensating victims, or in providing for those victims who are still to come.

Tragic stories abound of people who have been forced to travel overseas for treatment because scant research has been done to support effective care and medical treatment here in the UK. Readers should care, as you may be a future victim and blissfully unaware of it.

Mesothelioma’s latent period can last between 10 and 40 years and asbestos remains the biggest cause of workrelated deaths in the UK. Therefore, the question is not if we will see more cases, but how many and what we are going to do about what could be just the tip of an asbestos iceberg ahead of us.

Up to 2010, asbestos deaths for England and Wales stood at 4,132 and the fear is these numbers could increase over the next decade to 7,500 deaths per year, moving asbestos into 4th place in the league of the nation’s killers, with only heart disease and cancer coming higher.

I urge everyone to be aware of the risks, as with asbestos present in many of our schools and our public buildings, this is not an issue we or indeed the government can afford to take for granted. David Nichol - Managing Director, Nichol Associates.

Ripped off off Ripped WELL done, Sir Bert Massie (All Together NOW! December/Jan 2014) for raising the issue of “are we being ripped off for mobility aids?”

We most definitely are!

It never ceases to amaze me that I can pay over £6,000 for an electric wheelchair that the manufacturer is happy to tell me is not suitable to go out in the rain or snow, so essentially it is not suitable for use in the UK. If my needs change in a few months time, the equipment is worthless, and a dealer will give me next to nothing for it.

Consequently, I have bought much of my equipment second hand from the internet, but many disabled people don’t have this option and must rely on one or two local dealers.

People I talk to are under the impression that if you have a disability all your equipment is provided: the reality is that I have just brought my fourth electric wheelchair, ramps and numerous other aids.

Beverley Higgins, subscriber

LETTERS TO: All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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

DLA: we were right, after all

T

HE CONCERNS that disabled people have been expressing about the implementation of the changeover from Disability Living Allowance to the Personal Independence Payment have been supported by a report from the Government’s National Audit Office.

After investigating the implantation programme the NAO has concluded that by the middle of last year the Department for Work and Pensions had made far fewer claim decisions than it expected and large backlogs existed. By the end of October the

Department had made only 16% of the number of decisions as expected.

New claimants faced long delays with the DWP unable to tell when they might get a decision. People who are terminally ill are supposed to have their claim assessed within 10 days but it took on average 28 days.

One result of this is the DWP will not achieve the savings they anticipated although by 2018-19 they still hope to have cut the bill by £3 billion. The Department has had to delay the roll-out programme and is expected to announce a new contractor to assess disabled people.

SOUNDING OFF!

with Sir BERT MASSIE

This ‘cashback’ scheme may affect benefits

Better access in park LOCAL councils across the North West are struggling to provide services on ever diminishing funds because of Government cutbacks.

It is pleasing that some still believe that creating access for disabled citizens is important.

Visitors to Sefton Park in south Liverpool will notice that apart from a host of golden daffodils in full bloom, the park also has been made much more accessible to disabled people than it was previously.

When the perimeter road was re-surfaced last year, Liverpool City Council took the opportunity to install three pedestrian crossings and to ensure that the pavements were ramped so wheelchair users could cross the road.

These have been an enormous success and people who previously had trouble crossing the busy perimeter road can enjoy the park, complete with daffodils.

Well done, Liverpool City Council.

Pensions warning

T

HE PROPOSAL by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to permit people to cash in their pension savings was announced in the Budget and has been warmly greeted by many.

It is argued that people should be trusted to spend their money as they wish rather than having to invest it in an annuity which might produce a low pension. However, this proposal has particular consequences for disabled people.

The Government has made it clear that it believes in a smaller state sector and that as far as possible people should become selfreliant.

One area of public policy where this philosophy has long been practised is that of the social care. Unlike healthcare provided by the NHS, social care is not free at the point of delivery unless the recipient meets the strict means test that is applied.

Anybody with a savings above £23,000 must meet all of their care costs until their savings whittled down to this figure. If people enter a care home the value of their house is also taken into account but if they continue to

live at home it is excluded.

People who save over their working life in an occupational pension scheme might well have over £23,000 in their pension pot, which could be invested in an annuity. Although it seems a large sum of money it would only generate an income of about £1,200 per annum. Most pension pots are larger than this and if was £140,000 it could generate an income of about £7,000 a year. However you look at it, this is hardly riches!

At the moment, although the income gained from pensions is counted towards a person’s income for means testing purposes the capital sum in the pension is excluded because it cannot be cashed in. The result of this is that the income continues. That is expected to change.

When the new rules are introduced people will be able to cash in their pension and put the money elsewhere. It is therefore an asset that local authorities will be able to take into account when assessing a person’s wealth.

There is no reason why the entire pension, for which a person saved over a lifetime, should not be used paying social care costs.

As the pension pot diminishes so will the income. Disabled people will therefore have to pay more to fund their social care and, when they have used their money, will have to live on state benefits, which are hardly generous.

Proposals have been made to limit social care costs to £72,000 over a person’s lifetime but if they enter residential care they will still be charged for their room and for food etc. It seems that the message is simple: if you want to have a few bob in your pocket don’t become disabled. But it is a message beyond most people’s power to follow.

Disabled people face a double whammy. On the one hand it is becoming increasingly difficult to qualify for state funded social care.

On the other hand, those who do will find they need to spend their life savings and their pensions before they qualify for state support.

Given that most people will become disabled at some point in their life, unless they die young, this is an issue that should concern everybody.

TAKE ME HOME!

450,000 readers and GROWING FAST!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

TAKE ME HOME!

A

LMOST HALF A MILLION people are now learning about health issues in All Together NOW! Your FREE multi award-winning charity paper is available in more than 50 hospitals and health centres across the region.

‘ ‘ ‘ WE ARE extremely passionate about adressing health inequalities and All Together NOW! is helping us to reach into our communities.

“The newspaper provides vital information on news and services and has had a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, especially those affected by ill health and disability. It is making a vital social contribution.

Bernie Cuthel, chief executive, Liverpool Community Health Trust

PERFECT TONIC THE COMBINATION of good news, useful information and fun articles & competitions is absolutely ideal for patients waiting for their appointments, staff on their breaks and visitors waiting to collect their relatives.

All Together NOW! is a very effective way of communicating our messages. Every copy of every issue is quickly snapped up, which just shows how popular the paper is.

I am sure All Together NOW! will continue to go from strength to strength.

Joe Paxton, Media & Communications Manager, Wythenshawe Hospital

THIS newspaper is just brilliant – the best ever tonic to help disabled people and anyone affected by ill health.

It’s bringing together so many people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds – and it’s FREE! I’ve been a big fan since the first issue rolled off the presses back in 2005 and have to say that every issue gets better and better. The paper deserves every one of the many awards it has received.”

Bob Bryant, Halton CCG

We’d love to work with YOUR NHS Trust . . . call 0151 230 0307

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All Together NOW!

MEDICAL NOTES Toxins that could be a trigger for MS RESEARCH in mice and small studies in humans suggest that a toxin produced by the bacterium C. perfringens could be a trigger for multiple sclerosis.

Researchers in the USA have shown that epsilon toxin, produced by the foodborne bacterium Clostridium perfringens, can make the blood brain barrier more leaky in mice and also kill oligodendrocyes, the cells that make the myelin coating of nerves.

Permeability of the blood brain barrier and demyelination are both believed to be part of the disease process in MS. Last year the same group showed that C. perfringens was present in a woman with MS who was experiencing a flare up of her symptoms. They also found people with MS were 10 times more likely to test positive for the epsilon toxin produced by C. perfringens than healthy controls. A positive result was seen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as blood serum.

The causes of MS are thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental.

Why we love this paper All Together NOW! is great – really uplifting and inspiring. It makes you realise what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. Michael Wells, Bute Close, Hinckley, Leics JUST read All Together NOW! at the hospital. A fantastic, inclusive and educational read. Melanie Hayes, 36, Chequers Road, Chorlton, Manchester

Help with clothes THOUSANDS of cancer patients got vital help to pay for clothes, fuel and travel to hospital, thanks to a UK charity.

More than £9.6 million in personal assistance grants was handed out to 32,500 cancer patients last year by the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Across the UK more patients were helped with clothing than any other cost arising from having cancer, followed by fuel and travel to hospital for treatment.

Dr Fran Woodard, from Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Our figures are evidence of the financial isolation that can impact people living with cancer.

“To feel unable to buy the clothes you need to keep warm, for example, is an unacceptable reality for thousands of vulnerable cancer patients at a time when, on average, their income halves and their outgoings rocket.” n Freephone 0808 808 0000.

Spreading the word THE world’s largest conference on infectious diseases takes place in Barcelona in May (10-13) with more than 10,000 experts expected to attend.

The annual European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases offers state-of-the art updates in everything related to infections, their causes and treatments.

April/May 2014

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Fruit juice ‘just as bad as a can of cola’ FRUIT juice is potentially just as bad for you as drinking sugar-sweetened drinks because of its high sugar content, two medical researchers have warned.

Better labelling of fruit juice containers to make clear to consumers that they should drink no more than 150ml a day, has been called for by Professor Naveed Sattar and Dr Jason Gill They also recommend a change to the UK Government’s current “five-a-day” guidelines, saying these five fruit and vegetable servings should no longer include a portion of fruit juice.

Inclusion of fruit juice as a fruit equivalent is “probably counter-productive” because it “fuels the perception that drinking fruit juice is good for health, and thus need not be subject to the limits that many individuals impose on themselves for consumption of less healthy foods”.

Professor Sattar said: “Fruit juice has a similar energy density and sugar content to other sugary drinks, for example: 250ml of apple juice typically contains 110 kcal and 26g

of sugar; and 250ml of cola typically contains 105kcal and 26.5g of sugar.

“Additionally, by contrast with the evidence for solid fruit intake, for which high consumption is generally associated with reduced or neutral risk of diabetes, current evidence suggests high fruit juice intake is associated with increased risk of diabetes.”

One glass of fruit juice contains substantially more sugar than one piece of fruit; in addition, much of the goodness in fruit - fibre, for example - is not found in fruit juice, or is there in far smaller amounts, said Professor Sattar.

Although fruit juices contain vitamins and minerals, whereas sugar-sweetened drinks do not, Dr Gill argues that the micronutrient content of fruit juices “might not be sufficient

to offset the adverse metabolic consequences of excessive fruit juice consumption”.

While there have been calls in the USA to eliminate all fruit-juice consumption by children, the researchers stop short of recommending similar moves in the UK. They also feel a fruit juice tax would not be warranted. However, Professor Sattar argues: “In the broader context of public health policy, it is important that debate about sugarsweetened beverage reduction should include fruit juice.

“We have known for years about the dangers of excess saturated fat intake, an observation which led the food industry to replace unhealthy fats with presumed ‘healthier’ sugars in many food products.

“Helping individuals cut not only their excessive fat intake, but also refined sugar intake, could have major health benefits including lessening obesity and heart attacks.”

The two medics, from the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, were writing in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal.

Get stuck in!

T

OP flight football has come a long way from the days when players tucked into steak and chips before a match.

But could the stars of today stay fit and strong enough for the rigours of the Premier League on a 100% vegan diet?

Ex-Everton FC player Neil Robinson is certain they can - and aims to show how in his upcoming UK tour.

Neil was born in Liverpool and holds the record of being the player born closest to Everton’s home stadium Goodison Park.

He became a vegetarian at age 13 for ethical reasons, and four years later signed for his beloved Everton. After moving to Swansea City in 1980, Neil extended his moral stance over animals by becoming vegan.

He retired from professional football in 1990 after being either vegetarian or vegan for his entire professional playing career.

As one of the fittest at all his clubs, Neil was the first player to demonstrate that a vegan diet could actually be an aid to performing at the top level.

Today Neil is still passionate about his vegan lifestyle and over the past year he’s been promoting a vegan plant-exclusive lifestyle alongside an aerobic fitness and high-rep weight training programme which he believes can benefit everyone.

He has also been doing live demonstrations of his favourite smoothies which are not only nutrient-dense but also very tasty.

Thanks to sponsorship from VegfestUK organisers of some of Europe’s biggest vegan festivals - Neil will be touring the UK in 2014 to share his insights on fitness and health.

A spokesman for the VegfestUK organisers said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to invite such a vegan role model as Neil Robinson to speak at so many events this year.

“Neil’s interesting background is very easy to

Ex-footy star says vegan diet best FULL-BLOODED: Neil, right, and, above, showing there’s nothing timid about vegans relate to for a lot of people who wish to be physically strong and highly achieve on a sporting level.

“Many realise the benefits of eating more plant-based foods and less animal-based foods but are not doing that largely because of resistance to lifestyle change and also cultural beliefs, and one common myth is that athletes require plenty of steak and whey protein to stay at the top level.

“By playing top-flight football on a vegan diet, Neil’s made a mockery of these beliefs.

His highly accessible talks and smoothie demos will show that it is in fact very

achievable to stay fit on a meat-and-dairy-free lifestyle.”

Neil’s tour includes the following venues: n April 12: LABL Fair Liverpool, St George’s Hall, Liverpool. n May 10: Great Yorkshire Vegan Fest, The Queens Hotel, Leeds. n June 7: North West Vegan Festival, Lancaster Town Hall. n Sep 13: Northern Vegan Festival, Empress Ballrooms, Winter Gardens, Blackpool. n Oct 25: West Midlands Vegan Festival, The Wolves Civic, Wolverhampton. n neilrobinsonvegan.com

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What a goal . . . footie marathon raises £9,500 STAFF from LCH and their families and friends completed a marathon 24hour football match – and have so far raised more than £9,000 for two cancer charities.

The gruelling challenge at John Moores University’s Iron Marsh Campus in Aigburth and was kicked off at 6pm by Everton FC veteran Kevin Sheedy.

The event was organised

by LCH performance lead Paul Hughes, whose mum has been fighting cancer for the last 18 months.

All proceeds are being split between Lyndale Cancer Support Centre and Cancer Research UK.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

A

CITY-wide campaign is under way to improve awareness of mental health issues and improve people’s wellbeing across Liverpool.

Cllr Roz Gladden, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Time to Talk is all about enabling people to feel more comfortable to talk about the subject of mental health. We want to inspire a million conversations about mental health.”

As part of the campaign, the Time to Change Network, which comprises key partners from across the city, including Healthy Homes, Imagine Independence, CHATS, Beacon Counselling Service, Liverpool Mental Health Consortium, and community volunteers, hosted a range of events across the city.

Teams of trained health promotion staff were on hand to chat, answer people’s questions about mental health, and TIME TO TALK: Nicola Braithwaite, Outreach Worker for LCH; Liverpool Lord help signpost people to further information and support.

Mayor Cllr Gary Millar, LCH’s Mental Health Lead, Paul White, and Young Lord Paul White, mental health lead for LCH, said: “Many Mayor, Jake James, a student at the Academy of St Francis of Assisi people tell us that when they’re experiencing a mental health problem, their friends or family members feel uncomfortable and unsure what to say or do to help.

“The truth is that it’s often those little gestures such as sending a text, chatting over a cuppa, taking the time to ask how someone is, or inviting someone out, that really show you’re there for someone and can really make a big difference.”

One-in-four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year. The good news is that with support from local mental health services, about half of those diagnosed will have made a full recovery within 18 months. n For more information on local services, activities and tips to support your mental health and wellbeing, please contact: www.wellbeingliverpool.co.uk or call the Healthwatch Information Team on: 0300 777 7007 n You can also join the conversation on twitter using the hashtag: #timetotalk

To find out more, visit . . .

23

Blues team up to fight cancer EVERTON FC is joining forces with LCH to help kick out bowel cancer across Merseyside and raise awareness of the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign.

Throughout April – Bowel Cancer Awareness month – the partnership will stage a range of promotional events at Goodison Park to provide information and advice about the telltale signs of the third most common type of cancer in the UK. It affects more than 40,000 people in England each year but currently only nine per cent of these people are diagnosed and treated at the earliest stage of the illness.

Currently, more than 570 people die from bowel cancer each year in Merseyside and Cheshire, which is higher than the national average.

Everton legend Kevin Sheedy is also backing the campaign. Sheedy was diagnosed with the disease in July 2013 and has since received effective treatment.

He said: “Following my own experiences with bowel cancer, I would urge anyone with concerns to speak to a health professional, or to go to their GP immediately. My life has been saved through early detection.”

For the past six years Everton in the Community have been working with LCH and Aintree University Hospital to reduce bowel cancer deaths. Figures have dropped from being the second highest mortality rate in the city to being ranked 16th.

Dental changes MORE than 200 people have so far taken part in consultations over proposed changes to the Specialist Community Dental Services.

This specialist service provides support to adults and children with specific needs who cannot normally be treated by a general dentist service.

The proposals help meet increasing demands on the service, as well as addressing the challenge of delivering services with a lower level of funding.

Changes include providing clinics with a greater skill-mix of staff, longer opening hours, more flexible appointment times, and the best facilities and equipment.

A full report will be presented to Commissioners at NHS England with a decision likely in June 2014. n In the meantime, if you would like further information on the plans email LCH.Communications@liverpoolch. nhs.uk Or visit: www.liverpoolcommunityhealth.nhs. uk/health-services/consultations.htm

www.liverpoolcommunityhealth.nhs.uk

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April/May 2014

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How sunshine helps to prevent heart attacks SCIENTISTS have proven that sunlight protects the heart by helping to release natural stores of nitric oxide in our skin.

Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS

D

O YOU know how many stages there are to making a cup of tea?

I thought I did until recently when the Government’s dementia tsar Alistair Burns posed that very question to me and 250 others at Mersey Care’s Annual Members’ Event at Liverpool Town Hall.

It’s not a trick question, but was supposed to make us think and learn from a shared experience.

Without going into every step of teamaking, it was a useful exercise to visualise an everyday task that you would assume we should all be able to do as second nature.

But assumptions can be misleading especially if we throw into the equation the person needing to make that cuppa may have dementia.

Professor Burns, the National Clinical Director for Dementia in England, revealed that in the over-55s age group dementia is now the most feared disease, outstripping others such as cancer.

Bearing in mind there will be more than one million people in the UK with dementia by 2021, are we doing enough?

A number of specialist services in my own trust are certainly trying.

Mersey Care’s Liverpool Memory Service at Mossley Hill Hospital is the only memory service in the country to be given an “excellent” rating on three consecutive rounds of accreditation inspections by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Huge difference This service is making a huge difference to people’s lives but is eager to encourage more referrals from GPs as early diagnosis is so important.

Therapeutic rooms that use light and sound to stimulate older people have been installed at some of our inpatient units.

Sefton services have been working with patients and their families as part of a project to introduce the practice of life story work to support those with dementia.

And community learning disability nurses have been doing sterling work piloting early assessment for people with Down’s syndrome who develop dementia.

Dementia is an important subject, so I am delighted non-executive director Brenda Rowe has agreed to be our trust board’s champion for dementia and that Mersey Care is a signatory to Liverpool’s Dementia Action Alliance, working with the city council and other agencies on becoming a dementia-friendly community.

This represents not only care for the present but also an investment in all our futures. n Dementia Awareness Week is May 18-24.

In primordial times, humans spent half of every day outdoors in the sun. But nowadays modern lifestyles mean that more and more people are spending hours shut away indoors under artificial light.

And on top of this, we are wary of getting too much sun because of warnings about the dangers of skin cancer.

But avoiding sunlight means we also miss out on its health benefits.

A research team under dermatologist Dr Richard Weller have shown that too little sunlight is bad for our cardiovascular health.

In winter – particularly in northern latitudes – there is a clear increase in rates of heart

‘We need to see the light’ failure, heart attacks and strokes. This is due to the fact that sunlight has to travel to earth through a much thicker atmospheric layer and in the process loses much of its ultraviolet radiation.

But it is precisely these ultraviolet rays that trigger the production of the signalling molecule nitric oxide in our skin. This molecule has a positive effect on our cardiovascular health. Nitric oxide dilates the

blood vessels, regulates blood pressure and enhances blood flow to the heart.

Ad Brand, at the Sunlight Research Forum (SRF), said: “The positive effects of sunlight on health have still not been thoroughly researched. But numerous studies have shown that moderate exposure to sunlight is good for our overall health, including our cardiovascular systems.

“In winter, when the sun is very weak at northern latitudes, it is a good idea to visit a solarium.” n The Sunlight Research Forum (SRF) is a non-profit organisation with its headquarters in the Netherlands. Its aim is to make the latest medical and scientific findings concerning the effects of moderate UV radiation on humans open to the general public.

Instant pharma Olympic hero’s new challenge

New drugs will be fast-tracked to the patients most in need

N

EW treatments that could save their lives are to reach severely ill patients years before they normally would.

The potential lifeline of ground-breaking medicines will be fast-tracked to people with life-threatening and seriously debilitating conditions.

Innovative and promising drugs will be released for use as soon as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency – the UK’s regulator – has signalled that the benefits outweigh the risks And the Government believes the Early Access to Medicines scheme could make the UK one of the best countries in the world to capitalise on breakthroughs in medicine.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Making Britain the best place in the world for science, research and development is a central part of our long term economic plan.

“This ground-breaking scheme will provide cutting edge medicines earlier, give hope to patients and their families and save lives.

And as part of our strategy for Life Sciences it will create more jobs and opportunities for people, helping secure a better future for our country.”

The Department of Health has also launched a bank of nearly 75,000 medical research volunteers to make it much easier for researchers to recruit people with specific conditions and a family history of conditions into research and trials.

The BioResource project, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and led from Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, will focus on heart disease,

OLYMPIC triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards is taking part in one of the UK’s toughest and most rewarding cycling events, the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines.

Edwards will be among the pack in the 60-mile event on July 20, which

takes place on closed roads in the lovely countryside of County Durham, a few miles from his home.

Edwards said: “The event series has a good reputation among cyclists because they are well organised and the routes are stunning. The

dementia, infections and rare diseases and was developed as part of the UK’s commitment to life sciences.

It could speed-up the development of new treatments and attract international investment as a result of companies having access to a growing bank of tens of thousands of volunteers from across the country keen to help medical research.

Mr Hunt added: “Most people are only too happy to altruistically volunteer for medical research if it helps save lives and by linking them with researchers faster. NIHR BioResource will help increase the number of discoveries about diseases and how we can treat them.”

“We expect charities and small businesses

Pennines is definitely a big event to take on, it’s tough and the climbs are gruelling but I’ve seen comments from last year’s finishers and the sense of accomplishment seems unbelievable.”

Some places are still available for the event. www.etapepennines.co.uk

to also work together to develop new approaches to treating rare and life threatening diseases, which could include cancer, muscular dystrophy and dementia.”

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “Time is of the essence for many cancer patients, particularly those with more advanced disease. It can mean the difference between life and death.

“Therefore this scheme, which has at its heart the potential to bring promising new medicines to patients faster, is to be warmly welcomed. The scheme should also make it more attractive for life sciences companies to conduct their development activities in the UK, which will bring a multitude of benefits to the population.”

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Art treatment AN art therapy project was so successful that the patients taking part have been given their own exhibition by National Museums Liverpool.

Twelve people recovering from mental health problems contributed to the display, running for three months at Sudley House.

Mersey Care NHS Trust chairman Beatrice Fraenkel officially opened the Enigma exhibition. She said: “This exhibition is not only heartwarming but also raises the spirits – the quality of the work deserves to be on public show.” n The exhibition runs until the end of May at Sudley House, Mossley Hill Road, Aigburth, Liverpool. Opening times 10am to 5pm; entry is free.

April/May 2014

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SUCCESS: Beatrice Fraenkel (left) with poet Pauline Rowe (centre) and artists Claire, Julia and Snowzie at the opening

Jabs for the boys!

B

OYS need to be given a cancer jab currently denied them by the Government, say experts.

A vaccine that could protect 367,000 boys from a number of cancers – which are on the increase – would cost just £24.

The HPV vaccine is offered to 12year-old boys in Australia and parts of Canada, but the “cervical cancer jab” is presently restricted to girls over here.

HPV Action, a coalition of 25 patient and professional organisations, believes boys need the vaccine to prevent them being exposed to HPV-related cancers and genital warts. HPV is the causal agent in 5% of all human cancers.

Among cancers affecting men, it is estimated that HPV infection is associated with up to 90% of anal cancers, 60% of penile cancers, and 75% of tonsillar and base-of-tongue cancers with each of these cancers having increased in incidence over the past two decades.

In addition, it accounts for 40,392 new cases of genital warts found in men in 2012, a 15% increase since 2003.

As well as calling on the Government to act, HPV Action is urging the public to write to their MPs and sign a new online petition.

Tristan Almada, who co-founded The HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation after losing his mother to HPV-related anal cancer in 2010, said: “The UK should be a leader, not a laggard, to the rest of the world - being the first country to proudly say it has successfully eliminated the causal agent of 5% of all cancer by extending the well-implemented femaleonly programme to boys.

“The world has used vaccines to successfully eradicate many infectious diseases including smallpox and polio - it is time we act urgently to add HPV and the devastation it causes to the list.” n You can sign the petition at: www.chn.ge/LSUVHo

BEST PAW FORWARD . . .

DOG DAY AFTERNOON: Sue Hannasford and Ruth Bellis and their canine pals at the top of Hope Mountain

Peak practise...

RUGBY League star Adrian Purtell, pictured, is urging walkers to Hike for their Hearts in a Yorkshire Three Peaks event.

Purtell, who suffered a heart attack two years ago playing for Bradford Bulls, said: “The more we can do to fund research and encourage people to make the right lifestyle choices and be more active, the better.”

Heart Research UK’s 18th annual challenge takes in three of the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales - Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

The challenge – on Saturday June 21 – is to complete all

three peaks in less than 12 hours.

There’s also a 14-mile valley route that’s easier under foot . n Contact Lynne Desborough: Tel. 0113 297 6202.

people are reading these pages . . .

WALKERS are wanted for a fundraising hike in North Wales for two specialist hospitals.

The Hope Mountain Hike is on Sunday April 27, in aid of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Appeal and The Walton Centre’s Home from Home Appeal.

Open to all ages and abilities, the 11-mile route takes you through undulating paths, woods and open countryside, reaching a high-point of 932ft on the northern brow of Hope Mountain, in Cymau near Wrexham.

Walk organiser Ruth Bellis said: “This will be our 8th Hope Mountain Hike. Last year there were 150 walkers and this time we are aiming to recruit 200 people – plus their dogs if they have any!”

Entry costs £10, which includes a stop for tea and cake at a half-way point and a barbecue at the end of the walk, plus a certificate.

Participants are asked to register with whichever of the two hospitals they choose to support. Return transport is available from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, at a small charge. n For The Walton Centre’s Home from Home Appeal call 0151 529 5612. n For the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Appeal, call 0151 600 1409.

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MEDICAL NOTES Meningitis test ‘to aid sufferers’ A NEW test for meningitis – which could help deliver faster and more effective treatments for patients – has been developed through research led by the University of Strathclyde.

Dr Karen Faulds, who led the study, said: “Meningitis is a hugely virulent and, in some forms, potentially highly dangerous infection.

“The type of antibiotic used to treat it depends on the strain of meningitis, so it is essential to identify this quickly.”

The University of Strathclyde and partners at the University of Manchester used a spectroscopic imaging technique known as SERS (surface enhanced Raman scattering) to identify which bacteria were present in a single sample, with a view to analysing cerebral spinal fluid from patients suspected to have meningitis.

Dr Faulds said: “The great advantage of the SERS technique is that it gives sharp, recognisable signals, like finger printing, so we can more easily discriminate what analytes – or chemical substances – are present in a mixture.”

The study has been published in the journal Chemical Science.

Why I love this paper THIS is the first time I’ve read All Together NOW!.

I don’t often read papers these days, too much bad news frankly, but I read your paper from cover to cover and will be picking it up again and again I’m sure. Thanks, Cyran Dorman (email)

Self-harm worries PEOPLE with certain physical conditions are at a raised risk of self-harm, according to new research.

While it’s known that psychiatric illnesses are associated with a greater risk of self-harm, a moderately increased risk was also seen with common physical illnesses like diabetes, epilepsy and asthma.

The research, published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, investigated the risk of self-harm – comparing people with different psychiatric and physical disorders in England.

Other physical illnesses carrying an increased risk of self-harm include migraine, psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory polyarthropathies.

The new National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England includes several priority groups, including those living with long-term physical health conditions.

Authors Dr Arvind Singhal and Dr Jack Ross said: “It is important for physicians, general practitioners and mental health workers to be aware of the physical disorders that are associated with an increased risk of self-harm.”

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

More to get help finding a job

Are YOU missing out on £21,000?

BREAKTHROUGH UK has relocated its Liverpool office to help even more disabled adults across Merseyside to lead fulfilled and independent lives.

MANY disabled students have no idea they may be entitled to support worth as much as £21,000.

So the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has joined forces with national computing and disability charity, AbilityNet, to alert students in higher education to the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Virtually the only countrywide grant still available to those who need it, DSAs are available to any UK University student with a disability, on-going health condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, which may impede their ability to study.

The grant does not have to be repaid and is designed to cover the cost of specialist technology – both hardware and software – as well as special support.

AbilityNet’s DSA centre has already supported more than 2,000 students through the application process, and has assessed more than 425 different types of disabling conditions.

The support can be worth over £5,000 in equipment alone or up to £21,000 for nonmedical help in the form of a personal assistant or extra travel costs depending on the student’s needs.

Hayley Clark, AbilityNet’s Head of DSA, said: “Many students have absolutely no idea that they are eligible for this supplementary allowance, which is not means tested and can provide considerable support, make a real difference in their studies and provide strategies that can be continued into future employment.”

Students are required to produce evidence to their funding body to support their DSA application. Once eligibility is agreed, AbilityNet or any other approved centre can provide an in-depth needs’ assessment and arrange the supply of prescribed kit and recommended support.

Kevin Carey, RNIB chair and director of einclusion charity humanITy, said:“The Disabled Students’ Allowance can help cover these extra expenses while you’re studying and puts you on a level-playing field with your non-disabled peers.

“Students with sight loss may need to pay for a personal assistant to help take notes in tutorials and often may need to make more journeys by taxi which can eat into their weekly budget.

“RNIB would encourage disabled students to apply for the allowance can help with the application process.” n RNIB Helpline: Tel. 0303 123 9999. Or visit !

ME HO ME TAKE www.rnib.org.uk

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Michele Scattergood, left, Liverpool Lord Mayor Councillor Gary Millar and Tom Lowton, manager of Breakthrough UK’s new office

Vulnerable to blossom at £8m ‘village’ A

N exciting new £8m “learning village” will give some of the most vulnerable young people the best opportunity to fulfil their potential.

The education, health, social care and other needs of over-16s with special educational needs will all be met under one roof at the Woolston sixth form college in Cheshire.

Facilities at the college – the first phase in the Woolston Learning Village development – include a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool which will be open to the wider community in the future.

The village’s first 30 students will be joined later this year by all remaining pupils from Fox Wood and Green Lane Community Special Schools.

Fox Wood, in Birchwood, and Green Lane, in Padgate, cater for children aged 4-18 and will colocate, sharing state of the art specialist resources.

Paul King, head teacher at Green Lane Special School, said: “We are delighted that the wait for our joint sixth form provision is over and the co-location of Fox Wood and Green Lane schools is in sight.

“We now have a superb educational facility that will meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable young people. We are particularly excited that this is a joint project with Fox Wood School and together we want to make our sixth form college the best in the country.

“Thanks must go to the council who have shown their commitment to young people with special needs.”

Cllr Colin Froggatt, Warrington Council’s executive board member for children and young people’s services, said: “The vision for the centre is that parents and children will just need a single conversation to get the right support and there will be much less travelling around visiting different sites.

“Many services will be accessed in one place; education and learning, health professionals, social care teams, and more.

“This is a huge financial commitment for the council and the idea has been a long time coming.

We listened to children, parents, teachers, school governors and professionals so we could understand their needs and their vision for the future.

Community benefits “The centre will be a more advanced, modern learning environment for pupils of both schools, where young people will have access to better equipment, and purpose-built buildings tailored to their needs.

“And in the future we hope to be able to open the centre up so the whole community can benefit.

“We’re extremely proud to be able to unveil the education village, and have been committed to ensuring that the development went ahead, despite the withdrawal of the Building Schools for the Future funding.”

Since Breakthrough UK opened an office in Liverpool in 2002, it has worked with more than 1,100 disabled adults to find full or part-time employment, work experience or training opportunities.

The charity’s chief executive Michele Scattergood said its new city centre office, in Bridport Street, will serve as a “hub” from which its work across Merseyside will be strengthened.

“The Liverpool team has consistently achieved fantastic results for disabled people since it was established,” she said.

Until the end of last year, the organisation occupied an office in Liverpool’s Edmund Street.

Liverpool Lord Mayor Councillor Gary Millar, who officially opened the new office, said: “Disabled people face barriers to employment and independence on a daily basis.

“I’ve discovered first-hand that Breakthrough UK’s Liverpool team is doing an outstanding job supporting disabled people in addition to working closely with employers and other organisations which can provide training opportunities.

“Their work is making a real difference where it matters the most.”

Breakthrough UK’s Liverpool team consists of six full-time staff members who offer disabled adults free and confidential assistance on how to look for jobs, prepare a CV and fill in application forms, and prepare for job interviews. n Beakthrough UK: Tel 0151 709 8899, 0161 234 3950 www.breakthrough-uk.co.uk

Tell 450,000 readers about your inclusive courses . . .

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

A star is born as midwife lifts prize

TAKE ME HOME!

H

ELPING improve maternity care for deaf women has brought a top award for a midwife who is still only a student.

Paulina Ewa Sporek is the first student midwife to win a

Royal College of Midwife Award since they were established 14 years ago.

Her ‘Deaf Nest’ project provides guidance through leaflets, visual aids, quick reference diagrams, flash cards and videos presented in British Sign Language.

“Working on Deaf Nest is an excellent experience,” said Paulina, a student at Salford University. “I truly believe it will improve deaf people’s experience, choice and control over maternity care.”

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “To win an award is a real achievement and to win one while still a student is outstanding.”

Paulina has also been shortlisted for an Outstanding Student Midwife Award by the Cavell Nurses’ Trust Scholarship. The Awards are designed to help nursing and midwifery students at the start of their careers.

Paulina and fellow student Lukas Ziabka now aim to produce a documentary about the challenges deaf people face in everyday life.

Hearing loss is a major and growing health issue which currently affects more than 10 million people in the UK.

Movie star Chris AWARD WINNER: Student midwife Paulina receiving her prize frrom TV newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky

F

ILM buff Chris Birss has landed his dream job – as a key member of a cinema’s front of house team.

Like lots of young people with autism, 18year-old Chris, from Merseyside, was finding getting a job tough going.

But an award-winning work programme run

by Wirral Autistic Society has opened up a world of opportunity for Chris and for other disabled people.

The Big Lottery-funded Step into Work Plus programme not only helps people with Asperger Syndrome get ready for work, it also helps employers recognise that they can be capable, dependable members of staff.

It’s been so successful that the charity is now getting calls from all over the UK. Initially, Chris, from Birkenhead, took up a work placement at the Light Cinema in New Brighton.

But it wasn’t long before he was given a permanent part-time role.

“I have surprised myself with how much I have been able to achieve,” said Chris.

Chris’s mother, Lynn Birss, added: “I’m so glad we got Chris a place on this programme.

“He has come on in leaps and bounds. I was worried about him finding work but he’s fitted in really well.

“The whole team have helped him learn and now he works as part of that team, doing everything the others do.

“Now I just want to tell other parents of

‘

THIS NEWSPAPER IS MAKING A HUGELY IMPORTANT SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION

STEVE MORGAN, CHAIRMAN, THE MORGAN FOUNDATION

We reach

450,000 readers from across the North West CALL 0151 230 0307

LIGHT FANTASTIC: Chris Birss, left, with customer services assistant Cody Hinchliffe, Step into Work Plus placement officer Hema Chandrashekhar and cinema senior operations manager Jamie Atherton children with autism about Step into Work plus and how it can help your young people and change your life.”

Other employers involved with the programme include Tranmere Rovers FC, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, Caldy Cleaning and the Odeon Cinema in

Bromborough.

Along with work placements, the 24-week programme, which in March picked up an independent Specialist Care Award, includes numerous workshops and field trips, where students get the chance to practice social skills.

. . . please call us now on . . .

GREAT PAPER, GREAT BRAND

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ESTHER McVEY, EMPLOYMENT MINISTER

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books

April/May 2014

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

n The Helter Skelter Diary (Diary of Autistic Adventurer), by Nicholas Robinson, Chipamunka Publishing, WHAT is it like to be autistic? Does it hurt? Is it funny? Do people think you’re odd, or just wonderful?

There have been plenty of books about people with Asperger syndrome or adult ADHD, but this one is different.

Instead of fictionalising or observing from the outside, Nicholas Robinson can get under the skin of these conditions for one very simple reason: he has them himself.

His first book, The Spiral Staircase (Adventures of Autistic Man), charted three years of his life from February 2010.

The Helter Skelter Diary is a four-month journal running from the end of August 2013 to January 1, 2014 and details Nicholas’s daily life with adult ADHD and his passion for adventures. There are also puzzles and psychological drawings. n Can I tell you about Cerebral Palsy? by Marion Stanton, £8.99.

Can I tell you about ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? By Jacqueline Rayner, £8.99, Both from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and Amazon IN these two books, schoolgirl Sophie and mum Molly show how, with the support of family and friends, living with a condition does not stop them leading fulfilling lives.

In the first, Sophie invites readers to learn about cerebral palsy from her point of view.

She helps us to understand what it’s like to use a wheelchair and assistive technology.

She also introduces readers to some of her friends who have different forms of CP and explains that living with CP can sometimes be difficult, but there are many ways she is supported so that she can lead a full and happy life.

The other book features Molly, a woman with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) or CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and her family, Mike, Ellie and Eric.

They help readers understand what ME/CFS is, what it’s like to have it and how it affects family life.

Molly can’t always do things that other mums do because of her illness, which can sometimes be frustrating, but they share strategies that help them all to cope.

Readers also learn how ME/CFS can affect different people in different TAKE ME HOME! ways.

a bad habit. This may require you to put some distance between you and the people who have fostered this behaviour. Beware of being too heavy handed with a loved one in the early days of May. A friend needs all the sympathy and generosity you can muster.

You need to be as resourceful as possible when May turns to June. If you work hard, you could pay off a debt before the month is over.

Overconfidence can cause problems. Try not to bite off more than you can chew.

Opportunities will abound to show off your unique skills, but don’t take any safety risks when giving demonstrations. A contest of wills between you and your best friend or lover will erupt at mid-month. Don’t fall victim to emotional blackmail. Early May is ideal for getting a makeover, updating your wardrobe, or undergoing a cosmetic procedure. A stalled relationship will move forward toward the end of the month. Disappointing news will arrive on or around the 28th. It will be difficult to communicate with a moody relative or neighbour.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st The opening days of the month are excellent for new relationships. You might also decide to make things official with a romantic partner. Friends will be loyal and loving throughout the Easter season. Let your loved ones lavish you with affection. Speaking your mind will become easier as the month draws to a close. An invitation to join an exclusive educational or cultural institution will come your way in the first days of May. The New Moon on the 28th finds you arguing about money. Your chances for finding a lucrative position will improve as May turns to June.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st April opens with an exciting opportunity. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring an abrupt end to a romance or creative project.

Although you will be disappointed by this turn of events, it’s really a blessing in disguise. A secret will be revealed on or around the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse electrifies your twelfth house of hidden matters. You’ll find a receptive audience for your ideas in early May. The New Moon on the 28th will tempt you to change your look in some radical way, but don’t do it. You’re better off maintaining a classic, professional image.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd Be very conservative when making promises during the opening days of April. A relative could withdraw their support on or around the 15th. It looks like you’ll have to become more independent. Life looks up considerably near the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse gives you the answer to a prayer. A childhood dream is about to come true. All eyes will be on you in the opening days of May. Finding leisure time will be difficult during the third week of the month, as relatives will be quite dependent on you. The 28th warns against confiding secrets, especially to seemingly sympathetic counsellors.

LEO July 24th - August 23rd Don’t pretend to be an authority on a subject you know little about. An unassuming expert will reveal your ignorance. If you are totally in the dark about an area, ask plenty of questions. Shocking news about a relative or neighbour, or cousin could reach your ears

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RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

Resist the urge to spend lots of money as a means to impress a romantic interest.

Spontaneous gestures of affection will make a bigger impression than expensive gifts.

Money from an inheritance, refund, or legal settlement makes daily life much more comfortable in early May. Don’t mix romance with finance in the second half of May. You shouldn’t have to buy someone’s affection.

Trust your instincts regarding a long-term investment around the 24th. This could be your chance to establish lifelong financial security. At month’s end, the New Moon will put pressure on a close relationship.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th near the 15th. You’ll make a fantastic impression in early May. Beware of clashing with a conservative relative. Nothing you do or say will impress this sour character. The New Moon on the 28th finds you facing off with a needy friend. Don’t make the mistake of lending money to them.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd Be as conservative as possible with money.

Unexpected expenses could force you to draw on savings. A source of income will come to an abrupt end on the 15th. This is just the jolt you need to move in a more fulfilling direction. Fortunately, your best friend or lover will be eager to ease this transition. Money from an investment or inheritance will allow you to afford a few luxuries during the second half of May. The 28th brings a fresh career opportunity, but this position will require you to make big sacrifices on the personal front.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd It will be such a relief to create more pleasant, attractive surroundings. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th brings an end to an era of self delusion. It’s important to face your strengths and weaknesses truthfully after an authority figure gives you a wake up call.

Shower the people you love with love in the opening days of May. A spontaneous gesture of love during the third week of May takes your breath away. It may be difficult to gain admission to an exclusive club or educational institution around the 28th. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Your persistence will pay off.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd Prepare to get lots of romantic attention throughout the first half of the month. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring a health matter to light. It looks like you’ll have to end

It will be hard to strike a balance between your private and public lives. If you’re single, spend the second half of April looking for love. A friend could set you up on a wonderful blind date around Easter. The 29th brings an exciting surprise, courtesy of a powerful Solar Eclipse. News of an engagement or pregnancy is imminent.

Responsibilities toward a friend will feel heavy in early May. You’re tired of having to cover for a loved one’s shortcomings all the time. Don’t let your family interfere with your love life during the second half of May.

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th This is a great time to explore unknown territory, whether through business or travel.

Resist the urge to cut legal corners, or you’ll get in trouble. Someone you admire will be the subject of unfortunate publicity on or around the 15th. It will be difficult to achieve a healthy balance between work and family in the beginning days of May. The results of a health regimen will attract admiring glances during the third week of May. This will strengthen your resolve to stay fit and healthy. The New Moon on the 28th will prompt you to launch a creative project.

Keep developing your technique, even if the initial results are disappointing.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th Don’t feel pressured into buying your lover an expensive gift. You should be loved for who you are, not for what you can afford. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th causes you to part ways with a business partner or lover. You’ll be able to afford a few more luxuries in the early days of May. The second half of May is ideal for romantic and artistic pursuits. This would be a great time to take a vacation, preferably to a seaside resort. Your best friend or partner could get a raise or high paying job as May turns to June. Don’t be surprised if you receive a beautiful gift as thanks for your love and encouragement.

Almost HALF A MILLION people are reading this page

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April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

TWENTY KIDS’ BOOKS TO BE WON WE HAVE no fewer than TWENTY prizes in this super competition – copies of an inspiring book for kids that is bursting with garden projects to make, cook and create.

RHS Garden Projects is full of ideas for children to get excited about, from making their own garden buddy to baking a blueberry cheesecake; from lemonade lollies to WildWest cacti; and from making and planting up a pond in a container to adding decorative butterflies to the garden.

Published by Dorling Kindersley with the Royal Horticultural Society, this 80-page hardback, normal price £9.99, is full of inspiring ideas.

Each project and recipe is easy to make and has clear steps to follow. Beautiful photographs inspire children to make their own projects while bringing the garden to life proving that there’s plenty of fun to be had in their own back yard.

There’s a quiz section so kids can test their knowledge of plants and garden bugs.

Children with green fingers or just an active imagination will love it.

To enter the competition, answer this question: How many pages are in RHS Garden Projects?

Send your entry with your name and address on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW!, to RHS Garden Projects Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday May 23.

Please also tell us what you think of All Together NOW! You can also enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk n For the full range of Dorling Kindersley books go to www.dk.co.uk

Hedge your veg COLOURFUL: An apple hedge in blossom or the obliging daisy bush can provide the perfect screen in your garden

R

AISING homegrown vegetables is becoming ever more popular but even the keenest grower will admit that a vegetable plot does not always create the most beautiful view.

A trellis and arch adorned with roses, honeysuckle or other climbers makes an excellent divider between ornamental and productive areas but can be expensive.

A less costly alternative is a hedge. But what’s best?

A vegetable-plot hedge will share some basic objectives with any boundary hedge. It must look attractive, be as easy as possible to maintain, and provide a visual barrier.

There is, though, an important difference: this hedge must not compete with the vegetables and fruit in the underground battle for nutrients.

The roots of a hedge will extend sideways the same distance as its height. So a six-foot hedge close to the veg plot will send its roots on a search for nourishment among the potatoes and peas. Three feet tall is the absolute maximum.

The hedge itself can be productive - formed of gooseberries, shrubby herbs like sage or rosemary, or apples with their scented blossoms as well as fruit. Or, if a screen for summer is all

you want, simply grow runner beans up poles.

For a hedge that hides the kitchen garden all year, it is tempting to plant a quick-growing evergreen, but do not choose any species which would naturally try to grow into a tree or large shrub, such as cypress, holly or hawthorn.

Even if you’re prepared to keep the hedge well trimmed, the roots of these species will feast on food needed by the vegetable and fruit plants.

Privet is sometimes regarded as too ordinary to plant these days but it became popular because it makes an effective screen, takes little effort to keep tidy and can be restricted easily to any size that is needed. If the plain green seems too dull, the plants can be mixed with one of the golden-leaved forms.

Where only a low hedge is wanted, box can be grown. It has a pleasant pungent smell when the sun is warm but must be clipped regularly to keep it neat.

English lavender also makes a good low

hedge, evergreen, fragrant and needing only one (hard) clipping a year – after flowering. Even more obliging is the daisy bush, Brachyglottis laxifolium (formerly Senecio laxifolius, which has grey-green leaves and clusters of golden flowers in early summer. It is also exceptionally hardy, makes a good wind-break for low-growing plants and needs pruning only for shape – best done after flowering.

The evergreen barberries, with miniature hollytype leaves and golden spring flowers, look smart. The best ones for hedging are Berberis darwinii and Berberis stenophylla. These can be kept to 90cm (3ft) by firm pruning after flowering.

They also produce new shoots from the base which helps to keep the lower part of the hedge thick.

The shrubby honeysuckle, Lonicera nitida, is also evergreen and makes a thick, low hedge if clipped frequently from May to August.

April is a timely month for planting. Dig a trench, and in wet or heavy soil put a layer of drainage material – pebbles or broken flower pots – in the base. In thin or sandy soil add a layer of garden compost or a rich proprietary compost such as John Innes No 3. Then backfill, plant and water in thoroughly.

CHECKLIST FLOWERS: When the flowers of daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs fade, spray or water them with a liquid feed once a fortnight until the leaves start to die down. In a warm spell in April, plant perennial flowers such as lupins and dahlias.

PATIOS: Plant up tubs and hanging baskets in May or in April if under glass. Protect them at night until the risk of frost has passed.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Prune shrubs that have finished flowering. Cut out dead wood, weak growth and crossing branches then trim to keep the shape balanced. Do not prune shrubs and trees that have still to flower this year.

LAWNS: Spike lawns that become waterlogged. Then apply a spring lawn feed, moss killer or lawn weed killer as appropriate. Combined formulations are available. For maximum effect, let the grass grow for a week before applying. When moss turns black, generally after a fortnight, rake it out of the lawn.

PONDS: Try fish with a little food. When they start feeding, increase the amount little by little. Divide the roots of water lilies and other pond plants, to make new plants, once they are growing actively. They need feeding just like any other plant: use special pond fertiliser pellets pushed down into the roots.

FRUIT: Watch for sawfly or aphid attack on gooseberries and currants, usually starting in the tips of shoots, and squash them or spray with a contact insecticide. The hardto-see green caterpillars of sawflies can devastate plants.

Keep the soil round fruit plants free from grass and weeds.

VEGETABLES: In April, sow easy veg like lettuce, radish, beetroot and carrot and, if you are more ambitious, cabbages, cauliflowers, sprouting broccoli, leeks, parsnips, spinach and peas and, at the end of May, French and runner beans.

GREENHOUSE: Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, peppers and aubergines in greenhouses. Remove cucumber tendrils as they appear, to encourage crop production.

HOUSEPLANTS: Water more freely, feed regularly and do not leave plants in full sun all day except for types really suited to hot conditions.

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All Together NOW!

One advert goes a long, long way

Tel: 0151 230 0307

E! E HOM TAKE M

BOX OFFICE SENSATION!

April/May 2014

Until Apr 19: A View From the Bridge. Liverpool Playhouse. Arthur Miller’s devastating portrait of an ordinary man trapped in a clash of cultures. AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: APR 17.

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: APR 19.

Apr7-12: Let it Be. Liverpool Empire.

Tribute to The Beatles.

Apr 7-12: Birdsong. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Sebastian Faulks’s story of love and courage.

Apr 10: We’ve Only Just Begun. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Tribute to the Carpenters.

Apr 10-13: Scooby-Doo - The Musical. Salford Lowry. Scooby and the gang are back with more spooky fun.

Apr 10-May 10: Duet for One/Separation. Bolton Octagon. Two poignant plays performed in repertoire.

Apr 11: Voulez Vous. Rhyl Pavilion.

ABBA tribute.

Apr 11: Stars of Strictly. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Stars of the hit TV show.

Apr 11-12: Escorts - The Musical.

New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Musical comedy.

Apr 11-13: Carnival of the Animals and The King & Mrs Simpson.

Runcorn Brindley. Two world premieres of highly entertaining dance.

Apr 12: Paul Carrack in concert.

Llandudno Venue Cymru. “The man with the golden voice”.

Apr 12-13: Rime. Salford Lowry. Circus show.

Apr 13: Eblana String Trio. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Classical music.

Apr 14: The Chuckle Brothers.

Runcorn Brindley. New show “2014 - A Space Oddity”.

Apr 14-19: Fame. Liverpool Empire.

The hit musical.

Apr 14-19: Dreamboats and Petticoats. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. West End rock and roll sensation.

Apr 14-19: Miss Nightingale. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Tale of life, loss and love.

Apr 15: Mike McCartney’s Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll (I Wish!) Tour.

Oakengates Thetre, Telford. Tales from ex-Scaffold member’s life.

Apr 15: Kid Carpet – Blast Off. Runcorn Brindley. Family show.

Apr 15-19: Brassed Off. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Stage version of the hit movie.

Apr 15-19: The Perfect Murder.

Manchester Opera House. Dark comedy thriller.

Apr 15-20: The Gruffalo. Salford Lowry. Kids’ favourite.

Apr 15-20: Ice. Salford Lowry. Dazzling figure-skating show.

Apr 16: Emma Stevens. Runcorn Brindley. Singer-songwriter.

Apr 16: The Ladyboys of Bangkok.

Rhyl Pavilion. Unique cabaret show.

Apr 16-19: Annie. Preston Charter Theatre. Musical.

Apr 17: Joe Brown in Concert.

Southport Floral Hall. Rockabilly legend.

Apr 17: Billy & Wally’s Brand New Variety Show. Runcorn Brindley. Radio Merseyside hosts and their variety show.

Apr 17: The Little Mermaid. Rhyl Pavilion. Retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale.

Apr 19: The Ghost Hunter. Salford

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BOX BOX OFFICE OFFICE NUMBERS NUMBERS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190.

BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661.

LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999.

Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776.

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866.

LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000.

MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565.

MANCHESTER Library Theatre: SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000.

Opera House: 0870 401 9000.

Palace Theatre: 0870 401 3000.

NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000.

PORT SUNLIGHT: Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757.

PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012.

RHYL: Pavilion Theatre:

01745 330 000.

RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360.

SALE: Waterside Arts Centre: 0161 912 5616.

STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627.

SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380.

ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000.

Citadel: 01744 735436.

WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre: 01902 429212.

Go on . . . treat yourself

Lowry. Chilling tale.

Apr 19: Eddi Reader. Runcorn Brindley. Scottish singer-songwriter.

Apr 22: Hot Flush. Southport Floral Hall. Musical.

Apr 22: The Wizard of Oz. Rhyl Pavilion. Family show.

Apr 22: Russell Kane. Runcorn Brindley. Stand-up comedy.

Apr 22-26: 20th Century Boy. Manchester Opera House. Musical featuring the life, times and music of Marc Bolan and T-Rex. Apr 22-May 3: Singin’ in the Rain.

Liverpool Empire. The story behind the first Hollywood musical. SIGNED PERFORMANCE: APR 30. AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: MAY 1.

Apr 23: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Salford Lowry. Classic hits performed on ukuleles.

Apr 23-26: Crazy for You. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Romantic musical set in 1930s New York.

Apr 23-26: Horrible Histories.

Llandudno Venue Cymru. History of Britain in family show.

Apr 24: One Night of Elvis.

Manchester Palace Theatre. Lee

Memphis King returns with his tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Apr 24: The Searchers. Runcorn Brindley. Music industry stalwarts.

Apr 26: Mike McCartney’s Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll (I Wish!) Tour. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool..

Apr 25-26: A Pleasing Terror. Salford Lowry. One-man show featuring two of M R James’s creepiest tales.

Apr 26: The Searchers. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Music industry stalwarts.

Apr 26-27: My First Ballet - Coppela.

Manchester Palace Theatre. Performed

by English National Ballet.

Apr 26-27: Rapunzel. Salford Lowry.

Ballet.

Apr 27: The Little Mermaid. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Ballet retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale.

Apr 27: The Frog and the Princess.

Salford Lowry. Funny and poignant puppet show.

Apr 27: The Illegal Eagles. Runcorn Brindley. Eagles tribute.

Apr 28-29: Taking Charlie. Salford Lowry. Dark comedic fantasy.

Apr 28-May 1: Forgotten. Theatr Clwyd. Drama.

Promote your shows here . . .

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April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

Lion King for everyone

FAMILIES affected by autism are to get another chance to see a special performance of The Lion King at London’s Lyceum Theatre.

Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theatrical Productions, said: “Our experiences of presenting autismfriendly performances on Broadway have been extremely moving – not only for the audiences but for our casts and companies as well.

“We are so proud to now be presenting the second of our dedicated performances in the West End, enabling new audiences to enjoy the thrill of musical theatre.”

Working closely with the National Autistic Society, the Lyceum’s first autism-friendly performance, last April, was a huge success.

Mark Lever, the society’s chief executive, said: “Under usual circumstances, a trip to the theatre would simply be impossible for some families. But training staff and making adjustments to the performance and theatre environment can make a huge difference.

“We’re delighted to continue our work with Disney so that more people affected by autism can access the entertainment opportunities that many of us take for granted.” n The curtains go up on Sunday May 4 at 1.30pm n www.lionkingautismfriendly.co.uk

THE Lion King tour comes to the Liverpool Empire in May – with an audio described performance on June 12 and a BSL signed show on June 19.

‘Live music ticket system is so unfair’ NINE out of 10 disabled people felt discriminated against when they bought tickets to watch live music, because the booking system they had to deal with was so inaccessible, according to a new report.

The report by Attitude is Everything (AiE) – which works to persuade the music industry to implement best practice

Apr 29: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Preston Charter Theatre. Classical music from the movies.

Apr 29-May 3: Horrible Histories.

Salford Lowry. Family show.

Apr 29-May 3: Silent. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Drama.

Apr 29-May 3: An August Bank Holiday Lark. Liverpool Playhouse.

Drama.

Apr 29-May 3: See How They Run. Manchester Opera House. New show featuring the Reduced Height Theatre Company and Warwick Davis.

Apr 30: Close Distance. Runcorn Brindley. Acrobatic dance show.

Apr 30: Hot Flush. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Musical.

Apr 30-May 3: Teechers.

Salford Lowry. Modern comedy.

May 1: Hot Flush. Rhyl Pavilion.

Musical.

May 1: King Lear. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Shakespeare’s tragedy.

May 1-24: Arms and the Man. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. Romantic comedy.

in disabled people’s access to live music – found that only two of every 10 music venues offered disabled customers the option to buy tickets online.

The report also found that threequarters of those customers prefer to purchase tickets online, rather than by phone.

And 83% of the deaf and disabled mystery shoppers who completed a

May 2: Rhydian. Runcorn Brindley.

Baritone and X factor runner-up.

May 3: Ultimate Elton & The Rocket Band. Runcorn Brindley.

Elton John tribute.

May 3: Joe Brown. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Rock ‘n’ roll legend.

May 3: The Chuckle Brothers.

Southport Floral Hall. New show - “2014 - A Space Oddity.”

May 4: That’ll Be The Day. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Rock and roll variety show.

May 5-10: Rock of Ages.

Manchester Palace Theatre. Rock and roll musical.

May 5-10: The Confessions of Gordon Brown. Clwyd Theatre Cymru. New one-man play.

May 6-10: Dial M For Murder.

Manchester Opera House. Play of the book immortalised in the Alfred Hitchcock film.

May 6-10: Our House. Salford Lowry. Inspired by the music of Madness.

May 6-10: Fame. Salford Lowry.

Musical.

May 7-10: This May Hurt A Bit.

questionnaire said they were put off buying tickets by the access problems they had faced, with most blaming both ticketing agencies and venues.

The charity now plans to campaign for accessible ticketing systems to be introduced across the live music industry, following larger festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, which are leading the way.

Liverpool Playhouse. A family’s journey through the NHS. May 7-10: Private Peaceful.

Manchester Opera House. Michael Morpurgo’s wartime drama.

May 8: Jack and the Beanstalk.

Runcorn Brindley. Fairytale.

May 8: Joe Brown. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Rock and roll legend.

May 8-9: All Our Yesterdays.

Runcorn Brindley. Musical journey from the 40s to the 70s.

May 9: Noah. Preston Charter Theatre. Musical adventure.

May 9: Billy Ocean. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Soul legend.

May 9-31: Hope Place. Liverpool Everyman. New show from acclaimed playwright Michael Wynne.

May 9-Jun 7. Sex and the Suburbs. Liverpool Royal Court. New comedy about men and dating.

May 10: The Day the Music Died.

Preston Charter Theatre. Homage to Buddy Holly.

May 10: Highfield Male Voice Choir. Runcorn Brindley.

May 10: Liverpool Mozart

450,000 readers. Call us NOW! . . .

Orchestra. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. An evening of classical music by Mozart.

May 10: The Carpenters Story.

Southport Floral Hall. Tribute show.

May 10: Kit & The Cats. Runcorn Brindley. Singer Kit Williams and band.

May 11: Joe McElderry. Blackpool Grand Theatre. X-Factor vocalist.

May 11: Formby. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Celebrating the life of George Formby.

May 13: Return of the Grumpy Old Women - Fifty Shades of Beige. Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Comedy.

May 13-14: Rites of War. Salford Lowry. Dance show.

May 13-17: La Boheme. Salford Lowry. Opera.

May 13-17: Spring Awakening.

Liverpool Playhouse. Play about youth that caused riots when first produced in 1906.

May 13-17: Acorn Antiques.

Runcorn Brindley. Based on Victoria Wood’s TV sketches.

May 15: The Carpenters’ Story.

Preston Charter Theatre.

31

May 15: Last Man Standing.

Salford Lowry. Dance show.

May 15-17: Heroes. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Comedy drama.

May 15-17: Derren Brown Infamous. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Illusionist.

May 15-17: Guys and Dolls. New Brighton Floral Pavilion. Gangster musical.

May 15-Jun 14: Brassed Off. Bolton Octagon. Stage version of hit film.

May 15-Jul 5: The Lion King.

Liverpool Empire. Adaptation of the Disney film for the stage. AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: JUN 12. SIGNED PERFORMANCE: JUN 19.

May 16: The Carpenters Story.

Manchester Palace Theatre. Tribute show.

May 17: Austentatious. Salford Lowry. Comedy play in the style of Jane Austen.

May 17: Grumpy Old Women. Salford Lowry.

Comedy.

May 17: Magic - A Kind of Queen.

Manchester Palace Theatre. Queen tribute.

May 19-24: Under Milk Wood.

Liverpool Playhouse. Classic drama

by Dylan Thomas.

May 19-24: Black Coffee.

Blackpool Grand Theatre. Agatha Christie’s first play.

May 21: The Neil Diamond Story.

Runcorn Brindley. Tribute.

May 21-22: What the Ladybird Heard. Manchester Palace Theatre.

Family show based on Julia Donaldson book.

May 21-24: The Gondoliers.

Salford Lowry. Comic opera.

May 21-25: Peter Pan on Ice. Llandudno Venue Cymru.

Swashbuckling adventure.

May 23: Dominic Kirwan. Runcorn Brindley. Live music.

May 23: Roy Orbison and Friends.

New Brighton Floral Pavilion.

Tribute act.

May 24: Jimmy Carr. Salford Lowry.

May 24: Ken Dodd.

Southport Floral Hall.

May 25: Morecambe.

Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Award-winning play about the life of Eric Morecambe.

May 25: Solid Gold Country Legends. Old and new country music.

May 27: Bless ‘Em All. Preston Charter Theatre. Tribute to the armed forces of yesteryear.

May 27-31: Avenue Q. Manchester Palace Theatre. Hilarious musical for adults.

May 27-31: Catch-22. Liverpool Playhouse. First UK production of the classic novel.

May 28-31: Sister Act! Blackpool Grand Theatre. Stage version of the hit film.

May 29: The South. Runcorn Brindley. Pop band.

May 30: The ELO Experience.

Preston Charter Theatre. Tribute.

May 31: She Stoops to Conquer.

Llandudno Venue Cymru.

TAKE ME HOME! Comedy by Oliver Goldsmith.

0151 230 0307

All Together NOW!

32

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

1

2

3

7

4

5

★

8

6

7

★

9

10

10

11

11

12

17

11 13

19 21

15

16

22

22

23

25

24

26

23

★

★

29

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27

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★

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ACROSS 1.

6.

8.

9.

10.

12.

14.

17.

18.

20.

24.

25.

26.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

14

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★ 2.

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5.

6.

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11.

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23.

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27.

28.

Reign (4) Short-lived bug (6) Fodder plant (6) Scandinavian (4) Blossom (6) Voyage (6) Verify (5) Recreation (5) Floral leaf (5) Information (slang) (3) Each of a number (5) Decree (5) Conifer (3) Glossy surface (6) Cut a tooth (6) Isolated (6) Direct (anag.) (6) Spellbound (4) Blood vessel (4)

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

QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: How many pockets does a snooker table have?

A Four B Six C Eight D Twelve

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: In which country did a tsunami lead to a nuclear plant disaster in 2011?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: What is the Japanese word for goodbye?

A Ahso B Banzai C Sayonara D Ikebana

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: With which branch of the arts is RADA associated?

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: An animal that can live both on land and in water can be described as what?

A Ambidextrous B Ambivalent C Amorphous D Amphibious

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: What is a sand dollar?

Theatre Ballet Opera Painting

A B C D

A B C D

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins. See Question 13

A B C D

A counterfeit coin A gold nugget A sea urchin A snake

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins was born in which country, where his father was a professional cyclist?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Which Mediterranean island lies directly north of Malta?

A B C D

Sardinia Sicily Cyprus Corsica

Spain Belgium France Switzerland

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: What is an alternative name for the eggplant?

A Avocado B Guava C Quince D Aubergine

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: What breed of animal became the leaders in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm?

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: Who succeeded Clement Attlee as leader of the Labour Party in 1955?

A B C D

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Which of these groups had the motto: ‘All for one, one for all’?

A The Seven Samurai B The Crusaders C The Three Musketeers D The Marx Brothers

A B C D

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: What is indicated by a light shining above the belfry of Big Ben at Westminster?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Where would you find the Beardmore Glacier?

A B C D

A B C D

Pigs Horses Bulls Dogs

The monarch is in Parliament Parliament is in session A vote is imminent A member has died

Aneurin Bevan Ernest Bevin Hugh Gaitskell Harold Wilson

New Zealand Alaska Chile Antarctica

KAKURO

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

EASY

1 9 6 4

Russia Indonesia India Japan

A B C D

SUDOKU

DIFFICULT

5 9

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The Accumulator Quiz

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Which characters were created by the children’s story writer Roger Hargreaves?

A The Wombles B The Mr Men C Roobarb And Custard D Noddy and Big Ears

DOWN

Pulled a face (8) Truth, reality (4) Pointed tool (3) Minimise (4,4) Musical composition (4) Slumber (5) Noisy fowl (5) Stringy (4) Reticent (8) Upright (8) Reptile (abbrev.) (4) Penetrate (5) Truck (5) Soot (4) Scottish city (8) Jump on one foot (3) Sky colour (4) Arranging to meet (8)

April/May 2014

7 6 3

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

6 4 4

5 9 2

5 3 7 4

5 3 4 2 8 6

REACH 450,000 READERS . . .

8 5 2

7 9

8 7 1

5 3 TAKE ME HOME!

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

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

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

MEDIUM 4

25

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9

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15 28

27

4 20 35 14

12

12 23

17 9 16

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

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April/May 2014

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EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off.

Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

2

3

14

15

16

I

4

5

6

17

18

19

C

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

5 16

20

13 23

10

7

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

1

7

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9

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12

13

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R

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

1 []’–

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

1. Classes of garden rose 832 142 554 221 236 843 654 217 659 268 421 244 621 356 742 863 212 687 266 166 473 883 125 221 326 275 166 771 767 852 631 737 638 426 2

2. Young animals 744 538 137 915 488 361 538 373 818 237 653 128 213 825 546 414 675 464 178 779 194 357 132 961 225 312 946 381 526 213 245 381 563 917 872

3. Rivers of the United States 265 672 361 275 267 271 647 747 747 741 647 768 741 762 531 265 862 421 272 967 122 623 426 174 614 726 331 733 183 663 773 316 446 198 566

4. Cheeses 669 927 355 212 433 136 825 314 568 237 122 377 445 591 727 261 767 833 678 193 393 253 123 517 237 331 534 237 837

5. Types of fuel 738 765 386 173 281 242 726 251 547 843 149 376 436 126 666 421 537 673 631 776 726 313 842 665 183 438 225 316 451 872 648 612 463 437 35

6. Australian cities 465 326 278 123 352 173 784 196 556 646 645 387 218 669 666 274 722 631 226 237 635 268 763 179 363 247 671 327 946

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 11 types of butterfly.

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 6?

1

U

R

E

O

E

R

K

E

T

U

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P

P M R

P

E

E

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B

E

L

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E W A W S

L

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T

E MAKE A DATE

T W T

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

1. The first Charlie Chaplin talking picture, Modern Times, is released.

M S

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FREE

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LEAP

––––

LING

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HOLY

–––––

E

S

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D

HAIR

–––

CURTAIN

C O C L E TRANSFORMER

GOLDEN

–––

CUSTARD

––––

HALL

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

P

C

R

R

3

4

5

6

C

E D

LEMPIRA 1) A pancake flavoured with cinnamon and vanilla, eaten in the south-west of Italy;

F

2) The standard monetary unit of Honduras, consisting of 100 centavos;

2. The DuPont Corporation takes out a patent on a synthetic fibre which it calls nylon.

3) A slow, stately dance in triple time, popular in Elizabethan times.

3. The 999 emergency services telephone number is launched in Britain.

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

Clue: Lump of coal becomes old Danish king.

WAS IT? a) 1925; b) 1928; c) 1931; d) 1934; e) 1937.

___ +K=K___

433 641 221 721 912

WORD WIZARD

2

Y

––––

WRITER

327 837 637 675 317

PATHWORDS

DAY

HOME

33

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE 13

All Together NOW!

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords cabbage-white; red admiral; swallowtail; painted lady; tortoiseshell; peacock; brimstone; Camberwell beauty; purple emperor; orange tip; gatekeeper.

2 3 1 9 6 4 5 7 8

5 9 8 2 3 7 1 4 6

4 7 6 1 5 8 3 2 9

7 4 2 5 1 9 6 8 3

SUDOKU EASY

6 1 9 4 8 3 2 5 7

3 8 5 6 7 2 9 1 4

8 5 3 7 2 6 4 9 1

1 6 4 8 9 5 7 3 2

9 2 7 3 4 1 8 6 5

1 4 9 2 8 5 3 7 6

2 8 6 3 7 1 4 9 5

7 5 3 9 4 6 2 8 1

6 1 2 4 9 8 5 3 7

Z

X Q E

W B

D

14 1

15 2

Y

16 3

I

17 4

18 5

J

G S

19 6

20

L

21

U M P

C O V 7

8

22 9

K

23

A

10

24

R

11

T

25

F

12

N

26

H

13

CROSS CODE

4 3 8 7 5 2 6 1 9

9 7 5 1 6 3 8 4 2

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

3 6 4 5 1 9 7 2 8

8 9 7 6 2 4 1 5 3

5 2 1 8 3 7 9 6 4

7

9

16

1

8

9

1

5

17

3

9

12

14 35

7 8

3

27

6

1

9 4

25

6 23 12

3 7 2

2 3 6 9

3 8

1

9

8

20 4

28

12

KAKURO MEDIUM

15

2

3

1

9 21

6 9

Accumulator Quiz 1 – B; 2 – C; 3 – D; 4 – B; 5 – D; 6 – C; 7 – B ; 8 – A; 9 – B; 10 – D; 11 – A; 12 – C; 13 – B; 14 – C; 15 –D. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Grimaced; 6 Fact; 8 Awl; 9 Play down; 10 Opus; 12 Sleep; 14 Geese; 17 Ropy; 18 Reserved; 20 Vertical; 24 Croc; 25 Enter; 26 Lorry; 29 Smut; 30 Aberdeen; 31 Hop; 32 Blue; 33 Trysting.

Down – 2 Rule; 3 Mayfly; 4 Clover; 5 Dane; 6 Flower; 7 Cruise; 11 Prove; 12 Sport; 13 Petal; 14 Gen; 15 Every; 16 Edict; 19 Fir; 21 Enamel; 22 Teethe; 23 Lonely; 24 Credit; 27 Rapt; 28 Vein Star Name: LEO SAYER

Word Wizard No 2 is correct. The lempira is the monetary unit of Honduras.

Dialling Codes 1. tea; gallica; centifolia; polyantha; China; floribunda; bourbon; noisette; alba; damask; moss; portland; pernetiana.

2. piglet; fry; kitten; leveret; tadpole; cub; duckling; gosling; puppy; whelp; fawn; calf; cygnet; lamb; eaglet; joey; pupa.

3. Colorado; Arkansas; Mississippi; Missouri; Snake; Columbia; Brazos; Canadian; Rio Grande; Red; Tennessee; Ohio; Yukon.

4. mozzarella; Cheddar; double Gloucester; Caerphilly; Parmesan; Roquefort; Wensleydale; bel paese;

Red Leicester.

5. petroleum; peat; charcoal; liquid hydrogen; ammonia; kerosene; propane; ethanol; vegetable oil; uranium; biodiesel.

6. Goldcoast; Adelaide; Perth; Wollongong; Mildura; Toowoomba; Brisbane; Canberra; Melbourne; Sydney; Cairns; Darwin.

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

Missing Link care; year; ghost; net; egg; town.

Young bird: cygnet.

Make a Date The year was 1937.

Transformer Nut + K = Knut.

34

All Together NOW!

April/May 2014

CARERS’ Lolly brings in CENTRES the lolly for Spinal Research

SHOPMOBILITY n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n SOUTHPORT. Tel 0151 288 6885 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD. Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 n WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel 01902 556021

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0

Fleetwood Mac winners

ON HER BIKE: Lolly burning the calories

THE FOUR lucky winners of our recent Rumours of Fleetwood Mac competition were: Denise Jennians, Hart Street, Southport.

Mrs Lesley Wilde, Manor Avenue, Burscough, Lancs.

Sue Jamieson, Kendal Close, Rainford, St Helens.

Tina Plant, Sherborne Road, Cheadle

FORMER model Lolly Mack, who was left paralysed after a freak nightclub accident, has completed a 264-mile virtual cycle challenge using a functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike.

The FES bike uses electrical currents to activate nerves in Lolly’s arms and legs.

“One of my key aims is to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and to raise funds for charities that will fund research for a cure. I’m very positive that, in time, a cure will be found.”

Lolly was injured when a drunken man fell on her at a nightclub in March 2004. While in hospital, she heard about FES therapy and began working with founder of Cyclone Technologies, Stuart Dunne.

“FES is now a huge part of my life,” she said, “and significantly improves my general health and wellbeing, keeping me fit and preparing me for when a cure comes along.

“Immediately after starting to use FES, I could actually see my muscles being built back up again and my body shape improving. It’s also the only therapy out there that gets the pulse and heart-rate going, which is so important for my type of injury.

“By doing all of this physical therapy, I’ve also regained the use of my arms, which has dramatically improved my lifestyle.” n www.lollymack.com n www.cyclonemobility.com

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE n ANGLESEY:

TARAN Tel 01407 721933 n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support.

Tel 01253 472 202.

Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. Tel 0151 263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076 n MERSEYSIDE Coalition of Inclusive Living.

Tel 0151 260 4001 n NEUROSUPPORT Centre Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

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

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

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

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507 n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 n GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983

5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234 Tel 0151 708 7055 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West) Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877 ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180 n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks. Tel 0161 941 4549. Text 18001 0161 941 4549 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902 420904 n N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 n CUMBRIA Carlisle.

Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal.

Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 n LIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 456 2808 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 n DOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE Tel: 0800 276 1070

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

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April/May 2014

All Together NOW!

SIMPLY THE BEST

Outstanding performances see ParalympicsGB team return with record medal haul

P

aralympicsGB produced their best ever performance at a Paralympic Winter Games, finishing 10th in the medals table.

Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission, said: “Sochi 2014 has been an exceptional Games all round.

“This group of athletes have shown what is possible in this environment and I hope that, moving forwards ParalympicsGB will be even stronger in PyeongChang.”

The ParalympicsGB team achievements included: First ever gold medal for ParalympicsGB: Won by Kelly Gallagher and Charlotte Evans in the women’s VI Super-G. This was also the first gold medal for any British Alpine skier, in either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Most Paralympic medals won by any British winter athlete ever:

The fourth medal won by Jade Etherington and Caroline Powell in the women’s VI Super-Combined, equalled the previous record held by Richard Burt, who collected a silver and three bronzes in Alpine Skiing across two Games, the 1992 TignesAlbertville Games and the 1994 Lillehammer Games.

Most Paralympic medals won by any British winter athlete in a single Games: Etherington and Powell’s fourth medal in the women’s VI Super-Combined broke the record previously held by Denise Smith, who won three silvers in the 1984 Innsbruck Winter Paralympics.

It also meant that Etherington and

Burdekin leads the way in Louisiana

B

RITISH players won three titles at the Cajun Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Baton Rouge.

Jamie Burdekin claimed his first ITF 1 Series quad singles title, Gordon Reid took the men’s singles, and Jordanne Whiley partnered South African’s Kgotahtso Montjane to win the women’s doubles.

Burdekin, who went into the tournament world ranked No. 7, beat American world No. 1 David Wagner for the second time in his career in the quad singles final.

The Merseyside player, who in February won both the quad singles and doubles titles at the ITF 2 Series Bolton Indoor tournament, prevailed 67(7), 6-2, 6-3 against the defending champion, having beaten American fourth seed Nick Taylor in the semi-finals.

“I’m made up, just pinch me,” said Burdekin, who has now beaten the world’s current top two ranked players this season.

Powell now hold the record for most Paralympic medals won by any British female winter athlete ever.

They surpassed the previous record jointly held by Denise Smith and Ann Peskey, who collected three medals each at the 1984 Innsbruck Winter Paralympics.

The first ParalympicsGB medal in Alpine Skiing for 20 years: A silver won by Jade Etherington and Caroline Powell in the women’s VI Downhill as the first medal won in Alpine Skiing since the Lillehammer Paralympics in 1984.

First ever Paralympic medal for a female Wheelchair Curling skip: GB Skip Aileen Neilson becomes the

TOP FORM: Jamie Burdekin took the Quad singles and doubles titles at the Bolton tournament

“It took more than three and a half hours and was one of the best matches I’ve ever been involved in. All the hard work in training is paying off. I feel mentally stronger and love problem solving on court.”

Burdekin also finished runner-up in the quad doubles, partnering Australia’s Dylan Alcott. In another close contest Burdekin and Alcott were edged out by top seeds Taylor and Wagner, who retained their title 7-6(5), 6-3.

World No. 3 Reid claimed the third ITF 1 Series men’s singles title of his career after 6-2, 6-2 victory over Argentinian world No. 5 and defending champion Gustavo Fernandez. It was Reid’s third singles title of 2014 after winning his first Super Series title at the Sydney International in January and then adding the ITF 2 Series Bolton Indoor title.

“I’m really happy to take down the title here in Baton Rouge, but don’t think I played my best tennis. I feel as though things are starting to go in

Stay ahead of the game

first ever female skip of a Wheelchair Curling team, and remains the only female to be a skip at that level.

The first Wheelchair Curling Paralympic medal in eight years: The bronze won by the ParalympicsGB Wheelchair Curling team was the first Paralympic medal since 2006 in Turin – the first time Wheelchair Curling featured in a Games.

Most decorated British curler: Angie Malone become the most decorated GB curler in either Olympic or Paralympic history and now has two medals from three Paralympic Games (silver in Turin in 2006 and bronze in Sochi in 2014)

the right direction and if I play like I know I can, there’ll be no stopping me,” said Reid.

“There’s a lot to build on from this week and I’m looking forward to my next events. I’m also really pleased to complete the British double alongside my good friend Jamie Burdekin winning the quad title.”

Whiley and South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane claimed their second career title together after a thrilling women’s doubles final that also featured Whiley’s London 2012 bronze medal-winning partner Lucy Shuker.

Top seeds Whiley and Montjane defeated Shuker and Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock, the third seeds, 7-6(3), 3-6, (11-9) after a deciding championship tie-break, with Whiley winning her fourth successive doubles title this season.

Shuker and Ellerbrock had beaten Dutch second seeds Marjolein Buis and Aniek van Koot in straight sets in the semi-finals.

35

Paralymian swimmer Sam calls it a day BEIJING Paralympic Champion Sam Hynd is to retire from swimming after a career that has spanned almost a decade.

Hynd broke onto the scene with his performance at the 2008 Paralympic Games with a gold and a bronze medal.

His gold in the S8 400m Freestyle saw him break the world record - one that still remains today.

He continued his dominance of the S8 400m Freestyle with gold at the 2009 European Championships and he also added gold in the 200m Individual Medley to his collection.

At the London 2012 Paralympics, Hynd went head-to-head with his brother, Ollie, in the 200m Individual Medley and the 400m Freestyle, in which he came away with bronze.

He competed at his last international in Montreal at the IPC Swimming World Championships where he won silver in the 400m Freestyle just behind Ollie.

“I just felt it was time for a change and a new challenge in my life,” said Sam, from Nottinghamshire. “I have been competing internationally for almost ten years and I knew I needed a new focus.

“I have loved swimming.

It has been my life for so long and brought me so much. I have great friends and I have travelled the world and I have some memories that I will never forget.

“I have got a job working for British Gas and I am excited with my new steps into the future.”

National Performance Director Chris Furber said: “Sam was an excellent member of the team who helped to inspire the next generation of athletes with his great success in the sport.”

Both Sam and Ollie have have neuromuscular myopathy, a condition which weakens their legs.

. . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £12 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

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April/May 2014

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Steve’s light shines on . . .

A great try for disability THE Rugby Football League is to increase the numbers of disabled people playing – and watching – Rugby League.

A series of groundbreaking initiatives include comprehensive online guidance, disability access audits of Kingstone Press Championship clubs, and disability awareness training for Championship club staff.

RFL equality and diversity manager Sarah Williams, who compiled the guidance, said: “It is fantastic to see the RFL develop this specific resource to support their clubs to develop inclusive environments, enabling disabled people to access their sport however they choose, whether as a player, coach, volunteer or spectator.”

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UGBY League’s most prestigious individual honour, the Man of Steel award, is to be named in memory of St Helens legend, Steve Prescott.

From October this year, the player who makes the biggest impact on the First Utility Super League season will receive the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award.

The RFL’s proposal to rename an honour, which has been awarded annually since its inception in 1977, received unanimous support from the 14 First Utility Super League clubs at their Extraordinary General Meeting.

Steve was a former St Helens, Hull, Wakefield, Ireland and England player who raised over £500,000 for charitable causes after being diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer in 2006. Three years later

he was awarded an MBE for his fundraising efforts.

His bravery and defiance was an inspiration to millions of people as he completed a series of tough, fund-raising challenges before his death, aged 39, in November last year.

Super League boss Ralph Rimmer said: “It is absolutely right that the player whose on-field heroics capture the imagination of his peers throughout a First Utility Super League season is presented with an award named in recognition of one of the sport’s true heroes.

“Steve was not only a great player and an outstanding ambassador for the sport

throughout his illness, he was much more than that. He was an exceptional human being who impacted upon many more lives than the ones he touched in Rugby League.”

Steve’s wife, Linzi Prescott, said: “Stephen’s achievements during his illness always amazed me and the fact that his name will always be linked to this prestigious award will forever be a reminder of what a special husband, dad and person he was.”

The 2014 Steve Prescott Man of Steel will be crowned at the First Utility Super League Man of Steel dinner at Lancashire County Cricket Club on Wednesday October 8.

Dame Sarah to open Sportcity Sports Fest ADDRESS

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ARALYMPIAN legend Dame Sarah Storey is to head up the latest ParalympicsGB Sports Fest in Manchester The Salford-based track and road cycling superstar said: “I’m delighted to be named as a Sports Fest Ambassador – some of our most successful Paralympians have helped to promote this fantastic event and I am pleased I can be involved too.

“I truly believe that sport can change your life and this is an opportunity for lots of disabled people to find out more about how sport could change theirs.

“I’ll be there with my family and I’d really encourage other disabled people to come along and give sport a go.”

Visitors can take part in a number of activities, including come-and-try

Stay ahead of the game MAKE A DATE: Dame Sarah to open Sports Fest

sessions for the vast majority of Paralympic summer and winter sports as well as meeting top athletes.

Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association, said: “Sarah is a tremendous athlete who has already been inspirational to so many people, disabled and non-disabled alike.

We have every confidence that she will inspire many more at our festival of disability sport.

“Sports Fest continues to be an important part of our work in supporting the development of disability sport opportunities. Hopefully we will give those who have been inspired by our athletes the opportunity to get involved in the sport of their choice.” n Register for the Manchester event, taking place at Sportcity on May 19, via ww.sportsfest.uk.com

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