Atn issue 74

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LORD MAYOR BACKS YOUR FREE CHARITY NEWSPAPER p3

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WHAT AN OFFER! p18-19

JUNE-JULY 2017

Oyez, oyez, oyez

We have one of Europe’s finest sports facilities and we want to share it with groups of disabled and older people from all over the region

p9

opening doors . . . broadening minds . . . . . . and reaching

500,000

readers . . .

– Martin Ainscough CBE, chairman, Wigan Youth Zone

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All Together NOW!

What’s inside p2-6

NEWS

p7

MORGAN FOUNDATION

p8

SIR BERT MASSIE

p10

CAREZONE

UNITED UTILITIES

p11

& RESCUE SERVICE

p12

SERVICE

p13

DA VINCI MOBILITY

p15

MERSEYSIDE FIRE

GTR MANCHESTER FIRE & RESCUE

p14

MOTORZONE

INDEPENDENT LIVING

p16

LEGALZONE

p21

p20

CONTACT BOARD

SKILLZONE

p22-23

THEATREZONE

p28-29

HEALTH

BOOKS/HOROSCOPE GARDENING

PUZZLEZONE SPORT

p24-27 p30

p31

p32-33 p34-35

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

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Aidan steps out in style

NEWS

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OOTBALL mad teenager Aidan Lindridge made another of his dreams come true by striding out in the Blue Run at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Aidan, 19, was raising funds for the charity that’s been helping him overcome the challenges he faces through cerebral palsy since he was seven years old.

Aidan said: “I have wanted to have a go at fundraising for ages, especially having seen my dad get involved in loads of events to raise money for the Stick ‘n’ Step charity that’s helped me all these years.

“The run was hard work but I really enjoyed it. I’ll have to start planning my next fundraising challenge now.”

Attending free conductive education classes run by Stick ‘n’ Step has helped Aidan to become more confident, and has improved his independence and mobility.

Apart from being a star in his wheelchair football team, Aidan also plays ten pin bowling, and boccia.

n COOLING DOWN: Aidan and proud dad Adrian after the run

Editor: Tom Dowling

email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 230 0307

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

NEXT EDITION

TUESDAY 1 AUGUST, 2017

All Together NOW! is published

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

The West End comes to Warrington

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HE cast and crew at The New Centre Stage group certainly know how to put on a good show.

Over the past few years the performers – who are all affected by disability or mental health issues – have performed to great acclaim at venues across the region.

And their latest production – An Evening at the Musicals, which included songs from West Side Story, Oliver, Wicked and The Lion King – won top praise at a social work conference at the University of Chester’s Warrington campus.

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ANY thanks for all your heartwarming words about the special tribute to my wonderful mum, Minnie, in the April-May issue.

0151 230 0307

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

Thanks for all your kindness

Penny Fell, chief operating officer at New Directions, which oversee the group, said: “We were very pleased to be asked to perform at this conference.

“It enabled us to get our message across that, with the right support, service users can develop in really new and exciting ways from being involved in drama and music projects like New Centre Stage.”

n PICTURED: Members of New Centre Stage with delegates at the social work conference at the University of Chester’s Warrington

HALF A MILLION READERS . . .

My mum absolutely loved this free newspaper and all it stands for – equality, bringing people together, and informing hundreds of thousands of readers about opportunities to make their lives better.

Like all of us here at the newspaper, she also fully appreciated the fantastic support we receive from our partners, advertisers and supporters, without which we just wouldn’t exist.

A few days before her death, aged 94, Mum enjoyed watching our new promotional video film, which tells the story behind the paper.

“It’s a terrific tribute to all those who are supporting the paper,” she said.

“Their support is opening so many doors for people who are disadvantaged in all sorts of ways.

“Despite having to face overwhelming tragedy and despair, life can still be wonderful and full of new opportunities.

“But people need to know about them – and the help that’s available.

“And All Together NOW! is doing exactly that. It’s their the key to independence.”

THANKS, too, for all of your kind donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral. The All Together NOW! charity has received a total of £960.60.

TOM DOWLING, editor

n My Inspirational Mum can be viewed at www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Lord Mayor backs your FREE newspaper

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

Perfect way to celebrate 12th anniversary of All Together NOW! Music loving Malcolm believes in fair play for everyone

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IVERPOOL’s new Lord Mayor has given his seal of approval to your FREE charity newspaper, All Together NOW!

Speaking after being installed as Lord Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: “All Together NOW! is doing a fantastic job across the region.

“It is the only paper of its kind in the UK, and is produced here in Liverpool by a charity – another terrific example of how we are leading the way.

“That’s why I am so proud and delighted to be able to support All Together NOW!” The newspaper is one of four charities that he has personally chosen to support during his year of office.

The Lord Mayor continued: “For 12 years this free paper has been reaching – and helping – huge numbers of people who are affected by disability and long-term health conditions.

“It’s packed with good, reliable information about health, education, employment and leisure – a vital lifeline for those people faced with disability, and especially important for all those who are not connected to the internet.”

All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling said: “To have our work recognised in this way by the First Citizen of Liverpool is a

THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER

LIVERPOOL Lord Mayor Cllr Malcolm Kennedy

THE Lord Mayor is also supporting:

n The Owen McVeigh Foundation, which supports families affected by leukemia. The foundation was set up

by Mark and Jo McVeigh in memory of their son who passed away due to the condition. It provides children and their families with amazing occasions to look forward to such as VIP concert experiences, celebrity meet and greets and family holidays. www.owenmcveighfoundation.co.uk

MORE good news . . .

All Together NOW! has been awarded another generous grant from the trustees of The Duchy of Lancaster to help develop the newspaper.

tremendous tribute to everyone who is helping us.

“We are now looking forward to working with the Lord Mayor, his charity committee and the Town Hall to make the year of fundraising the most successful ever.”

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

n ADHD Foundation, which was created by Liverpool City Council council and became a charity 10 years ago. It supports over 2,000 families a year and delivers training to teachers, and health/social care professionals.

Tel 0151 237 2661 www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

n The Choir With No Name, which runs choirs for people who have experienced homelessness.

Tel 0758 571 0433 www.choirwithnoname.org You can donate to the Lord Mayor’s Charity by texting LMAY17 £1, LMAY17 £5 or LMAY17 £10 depending on the amount you want to give.

Free Home Demonstrations

SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

COUNCILLOR Malcolm Kennedy was elected to Liverpool city council in 1998 and is stepping down as Cabinet Member for Regeneration after seven years.

As the First Citizen of Liverpool he will act as a focal point for the community, promoting the city and forging national and international links.

A former teacher, financial advisor and regeneration officer, Cllr Kennedy was born in Gateshead and moved to Liverpool in 1974.

His two sons, Robert and Alan, were born at Mill Road Maternity Hospital and live in the city.

His wife, Liliana, a Spanish citizen who speaks fluent English, Spanish and Romanian, will be the Lady Mayoress during his year in office.

Assisting them will be Victor, Liliana’s son, who has a Master’s Degree in International Relations.

The Lord Mayor said: “It was my passion for The Beatles that brought me to Liverpool in the first place, but thanks to my wife I now know a lot more about Spanish and Romanian music than I ever thought possible!

“I am so glad I came to Liverpool as a young student and even more glad that I stayed. I am as proud as any Liverpudlian to say I come from Liverpool.

“However, I have to be honest and admit that when it comes to football I am neither red nor blue but remain committed to the black and white stripes of Newcastle United!”

Call Us On:

01744 602602 Also At:

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All Together NOW!

NEWS

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

On your marks for the Brad-a-thon

Shocking truths to be revealed

A CHARITY has been handed almost £100,000 to show the public how badly people with learning disabilities have been treated – and how they are now being helped to have a more equal role in their communities.

The Big Lottery’s funding will help People First Merseyside tell the story of how, as recently as the 1980s, people with learning disabilities were locked up in long-term institutions.

The charity’s three-year project, called The Advocacy Story, will involve training people who have learning disabilities to conduct the historical research themselves.

Past and present members will share their stories through interviews and their memories will be archived at the Liverpool Records Office.

Liverpool Records Office currently has no records on the learning disabled community, so this project will rectify that and ensure that their stories are included as part of our heritage. n If you want to get involved contact Holly: Tel. 0151 707 6751, email hollyg@peoplefirst.uk.com

Unfriendly charities SMALL user-led mental health groups have been forced to close, many of them after losing out to larger charities and private sector organisations that have been “sweeping up” their contracts.

Research by the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) has found that 221 of its 822 member organisations – most of them user-led groups and all of them smaller, voluntary sector mental health groups – had closed since January 2015.

Sarah Yiannoullou, NSUN’s managing director, said a lot of that work was now being “absorbed” into the work of larger organisations, in a “Tesco approach” that is leading to providers that “do everything”.

She said: “They are not user-led and they are not always terribly user-friendly.”

Hi-tech limbs

PARENTS of children needing hi-tech prosthetic “activity” limbs are being urged to apply at their local limb centres.

Last year it was announced that £1.5m would be made available for Children’s Activity Prosthetic Limbs, half towards providing limbs, and half towards pay for a research collaboration into identifying what children and their families want from their prosthetic service and how this can be delivered.

National charity LimbPower is hopeful that the current trial, which is open to applications until the end of March 2018, will be extended or made permanent. n LimbPower: Tel. 0750 227 6858.

20 YEARS OF UNFAIRNESS

AT THE DOUBLE: Blind and sighted cyclists on their way for the Liverpool Brad-a-thon

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OO little progress has been made towards equality for disabled people in the last 20 years.

Two decades have been littered with “missed opportunities and failures”, said the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

His words follow the most comprehensive analysis ever on how the rights of disabled people are protected in Britain.

“Disabled people are being left behind in society, their life chances remain very poor, and public attitudes have changed very little,” said Commission chair David Isaac, after publication of the damning new state of the nation report into life for disabled people.

“This evidence can no longer be ignored. Now is the time for a new national focus on the rights of the 13 million disabled people who live in Britain. They must have the same rights, opportunities and respect as other citizens.

“We must put the rights of disabled people at the heart of our society.

“We cannot, and must not, allow the next 20 years to be a repeat of the past.”

The report, which covers six key areas of life, finds that disabled people in Britain are experiencing disadvantages in all of them, and sets out vital areas for urgent improvement.

Report paints grim picture for disabled people in UK

by JOHN PRING

Despite significant progress in the laws protecting disabled people’s rights, they are still not being treated as equal citizens and continue to be denied the opportunities and outcomes nondisabled people take for granted.

This includes: n A lack of equal opportunities in education and employment. n Barriers to transport, health services and housing. n The persistent and widening disability pay gap. n Deteriorating access to justice. n And welfare reforms significantly affecting the already low living standards of disabled people.

The Commission has also highlighted these issues to the United Nations, for their forthcoming examination of how

the UK measures up to the international standards on the rights of disabled people (the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities).

Andrew McDonald, chair of disability charity Scope, said: “It is shameful that in 2017 disabled people continue to face such high levels of inequality: at home, at school and at work.”

Liz Sayce, chief executive of Disability Rights UK, said: “This new report makes sombre and disappointing reading, and highlights the unfairness disabled people continue to face, day in and day out.”

Paul Spencer, the policy and campaigns manager at Mind, added: “We welcome this comprehensive report which shines a light on the wide-ranging issues disabled people encounter.

“It’s unacceptable that in this day and age, disabled people still face so many disadvantages across so many different areas of their lives compared to non-disabled people.”

Amanda Batten, chief executive of Contact a Family, said: “This report highlights what we hear from families through our helpline every day, that sadly they continue to face the same barriers as many years ago – battling attitudes and inadequate services, as well as poverty, trying to stay in work and stay together or trying to get a decent night’s sleep.”

HALF A MILLION READERS . . .

WE’VE all heard of marathons and pentathlons. Well, on your

marks now for the brand new Brad-a-thon!

It’s all a fun way of raising awareness about the wide range of leisure activities that blind and visually impaired people can take part in – and a way to pull in a vital bit of extra cash for charity, too.

Liverpool blind charity Bradbury Fields say their unique Brad-a-thon 2017 will be a chance for blind service users to show just what they can do.

Amanda Davidson, senior manager at the charity, said: “We want to show others just what blind and visually impaired people can do.

“If any readers want to help out, or get involved in the activities, we’ll be delighted to hear from them.”

Activities include tandem cycling – travelling from the Dovecot-based centre to Hale; swimming; a sun set arts class at Meols, Wirral; a ‘midnight walk’ from Meols to New Brighton; all-night fishing; nia (holistic fitness) sessions; ending with a big singalong with the Liverpool Inspirational Voices.

The 24-hour Brad-a-thon 2017 starts at noon, Sunday July 16. n Bradbury Fields,

Car in the community

CAR FIRM Toyota have teamed up with Guide Dogs in a two-year fundraising partnership.

Fundrasing events will include senior executives walking and cycling the length of Hadrian’s Wall, and the annual Toyota Oaks long-distance cycle ride, travelling a 250-mile route to France. n Guide Dogs helpline: Tel. 0800 953 0113.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

NEWS

Taxi – at touch of a button

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HEELCHAIR users who have smartphones can now book an accessible Uber taxi in Manchester and Birmingham.

With the launch of uberACCESS in the two cities, people will be able to book a ride at the touch a button.

Uber said the expansion of the scheme follows its success in London where “already hundreds of wheelchair users have booked thousands of trips with an average wait time of just 15 minutes. “uberACCESS trips require no advance planning and vehicles are equipped with rear entry ramps and restraints, enabling wheelchair users to ride safely and

comfortably with one additional passenger, said a company spokesman.

“We will be working hard to keep waiting times as low as possible as the service expands but in the first few weeks we expect average wait times of around 20 minutes in both cities.”

‘Other cities soon’

All uberACCESS drivers have received disability equality training, are licensed for private hire by a local authority, and have passed an enhanced DBS check – the same as black cab drivers, teachers and care workers.

Jo Bertram, General Manager for Uber in

the UK and Ireland, said: “We’re excited to be able to expand uberACCESS to Manchester and Birmingham and look forward to launching in other cities across the UK.” James Taylor, head of policy and public affairs at the disability charity Scope, said: “We are pleased to see Uber expanding uberACCESS around the UK. This will help further increase choice in the taxi and private hire vehicle market for disabled people.

“Accessible transport is vital for many disabled people. Disabled people want to have the same choice as other consumers, and have the same options available on method of travel, time and price.”

Health fears grow for deaf people

LEADING hearing loss charities remain deeply concerned about the health of deaf people in the UK – despite welcoming the news that the World Health Assembly has supported a resolution that provides a global hearing health policy action plan.

Melanie Gregory, chief executive, The Ear Foundation, said: “We still face problems of staggering proportions here in the UK in terms of the sheer numbers of people struggling with feelings of isolation and poor mental health as a direct result of their hearing loss.

“Cochlear implants, bone conduction implants and hearing aids are all cost effective interventions that are priceless to those who use them – but the technology is severely underused.”

Prof. Adrian Davis, vice president of Action on Hearing Loss, added: “Greater action by the NHS and social care, as well as patients themselves, is urgently needed.

“Dementia, Alzheimer’s and depression can be precipitated by a sensory problem – anything we can do to make the auditory signal clearer through better hearing will make a big difference.”

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All Together NOW!

Arriva bus drivers ‘go blind’ for the day

BUS drivers left their cabs, put on special spectacles that distorted their vision, and were escorted onto buses by blind people – who then sat in the drivers’ seats and communicated with passengers.

It was all part of a ‘Swap with Me’ awareness-raising event staged by Arriva UK Bus and the Royal National Institute for Blind People to mark the bus company signing up to a new charter that ensures services are accessible for customers with sight loss. n Stagecoach, National Express West Midlands, First, and Go-Ahead have also signed up to the Charter.

Fair play to them

A BOARD game to help organisations recognise – and remove – the barriers faced by disabled people has been launched by Focus Games and Equal Equality.

The Removing Barriers Game was first developed by Toyah Wordsworth, who provides disability equality training through her company, Equal Equality.

Toyah used her personal experience of disability to create the game to engage people in discussions about disability. n Tel, 0207 038 2939

VITAL REPRIEVE FOR CAR ‘OWNERS’ NEWS

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June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Motability’s losers win crucial time extension for appeals

FOUR million young people are at risk of damage to The figures show 51,000 disabled ISABLED people who have their hearing from loud people have had to hand back their been hit by Government music.

Motability vehicles as a result of the changes to benefits have That’s the warning from PIP reassessment process since it been given a vital reprieve. the head of a UK hearing began four years ago.

New measures mean they will be able loss charity.

As a result of the new measures, to keep their Motability vehicle for up to Paul Breckell, Action on some claimants who had their eligibility six months while they appeal against Hearing Loss chief, said: downgraded following a PIP losing their entitlement.

“Noise induced hearing reassessment and previously had to More than 50,000 disabled people loss and tinnitus are return their Motability cars, scooters or have been forced to hand back their increasingly urgent health powered wheelchairs within three vehicles since the benefit shake-up issues. weeks, will now have this extended to began.

“If you can hear six months.

The changes will help former claimants someone else’s music The announcement means the of disability living allowance who lose from their own personal package of support already introduced their eligibility for the higher rate of music player, they are

by Motability to help those caught in mobility support after being assessed for the new probably doing their the transition from DLA to PIP will be updated. personal independence payment, and are therefore no hearing some damage so Customers who first joined the scheme before 2013 longer able to stay on the Motability scheme. they should turn it down a can now return their car within eight weeks of their DLA Disability charity Muscular Dystrophy UK says the notch and get a pair of payments ending – instead of just three – and still qualify need for the changes is highlighted by figures showing good noise cancelling for a “transitional support payment” of £2,000, or they the number of Motability customers plunged by 22,000 headphones.” can choose to keep it for up to 26 weeks and qualify for to 633,000 from March 2016 to the end of March 2017.

Tinnitus affects around a payment of £500.

This is only slightly higher than the 629,000 customers one in every 10 adults in For customers who first joined in 2013, the same time at the time PIP was launched in April 2013, despite tens the UK, increasing to limits will apply but the transitional payments will be of thousands of new customers joining the scheme in nearly one in five of those £1,000 and £250. All other customers will have to return the last four years. of those aged 40 to 69, and their car within eight weeks, instead of three. one in four of over-70s.

Symptoms inslude a ringing, hissing, buzzing, roaring or humming sound in one or both ears where there is no external sound source.

There is currently no cure, but there are effective ways of managing it.

Mr Breckell said: “We are funding research to find a cure, which we hope will come within a generation, but while our scientists are working towards a breakthrough there are a wide range of treatments available from the NHS to help people make it easier January next year as part of a A CONVOY of self-driving to deal with. three-year research study. cars is heading on to the “For people who might Following exhaustive highways of Greater need more support, I assessment on race tracks Manchester early next year. would urge them to make and in wind tunnels, the Testing of a Westfield sports an appointment with their vehicles will be tested in realcar, one of the proposed GP in order to be referred world conditions, at speeds of autonomous vehicles, has to NHS Audiology to help up to 70mph and as little as a taken place on the A6 to them manage their couple of metres apart – a Manchester Airport Relief condition.” method known as “platooning”.

Road as the Government n Action on Hearing Loss A standby “driver” will travel announced that a transport, Information Line: Tel. 0808 in each autonomous car at all manufacturing and technology 808 0123 (freephone) or times to take control if consortium had been awarded 0808 808 9000 (textphone). required. funding to bring self-driving The project will explore vehicles to the region’s streets. whether self-driving vehicles Project Synergy will see can effectively reduce three autonomous, electric congestion, emissions and Westfield GTM cars trialled on pollution, and offer innovative public roads between You can donate on ways to improve road Stockport Railway Station and BT My Donate transport.

Manchester Airport from

Driverless cars on the way to Manchester . . .

There are a few additional places available if you would like to take part in an event Registration cost £5.00 Registration closes 7.7.17

Keep the noise down, will you?

Bradbury Fields or use the QR code

HALF A MILLION READERS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

Making a difference A

ENABLE T the Steve Morgan Foundation we want to help organisations who share our philosophy . . . Making a Difference!

Created in 2001 by businessman Steve Morgan CBE – founder and chairman of Redrow plc, and chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies – the Steve Morgan Foundation supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire.

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

We focus our help mainly on those who work directly with children and

S

TAND by for the launch of the biggest ever community project from the Steve Morgan Foundation.

For 15 years the Foundation has helped hundreds of community groups and charities, transforming thousands of lives.

Now, through the new and exciting Enable programme, which gets under way in June, we will provide grants to help people in financial hardship to get specialist equipment that cannot be supplied by the NHS or Social Services.

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

“This why we are so excited and extremely proud to be launching the Enable programme.

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

To be eligible for support, applicants must live in Merseyside, Cheshire (west of M6), North Wales and North Shropshire.

However, we must point out that the grants are discretionary, and, sadly, we will be unable to grant every request. n Please contact us for more information on 01829 782800

families but we recognise that many wider issues may also affect their welfare, so we are interested in any project which contributes to the quality of life in our region. n THE PAST few months have been extraordinarily busy at the Steve Morgan Foundation.

We handed over our 50th Smily Bus; we are continuing developing our Maggie’s Partnership; and we purchased our first building for use by one of our suppoprted charities, Stick ‘n’ Step.

The Women’s Health Information & Support Centre (WHISC) is a Liverpool-based charity that has been supporting women and their families since 1984.

The charity provides many services, including counselling, complimentary therapies, drop-in sessions, and support groups.

During our visit we were given the opportunity to see several of these services in action, including a lively belly dancing class!

BELLY DANCERS at the Women’s Health Information & Support Centre

The workshop that works wonders

DAILY DRILL: Members at the Woodwork to Wellness workshop

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel 01829 782800

WOODWORK to Wellness is a fantastic Saltney-based charity that gets people from all walks of life to be creative when they find themselves at a difficult place – perhaps due to a medical condition, adjusting to retirement, or trying to cope with a recent life change.

The workshop is wheelchair friendly and there is lots of expert help at hand.

Some of the products made by the group are also sold at the on-site shop to help cover the running costs.

Every day is different as they have multiple projects within their weekly programme.

They are really making a difference!

Steve Morgan Foundation

@Morganfound

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All Together NOW!

Can you help with our cemetery project?

FRIENDS of a Victorian cemetery in Liverpool are doing a fantastic job in trying to restore the grounds to their former glory.

They want to get Anfield Cemetery removed from Historic England’s “at risk” register – and they have ambitious plans to build an international heritage and visitor centre by 2025.

Tom Bradburn, secretary of Friends of Anfield Cemetery, said: “We are now placing 12 heritage boards around the huge 142 acre cemetery – and are looking for some help.

“The boards are being designed by young people on the Positive Futures initiative, which supports young people in the city.

“They are receiving training in computer based research at Liverpool Central Library, and learning CAD/CAM techniques and how to present their findings on the A1 size boards. But we could do with some experienced volunteers to mentor the young people.”

Want to get involved? Visit the Friends website at: n www.friendsofanfield.com

June/July 2017

Let’s work together

DISABILITY ON THE AGENDA? Great opportunity for metro mayors Andy Burnham (Manchester) and Steve Rotheram (Liverpool)

Child care crisis

HELP for disabled children with complex needs is not keeping pace with dramatically rising numbers, a new study shows.

The first detailed look at disabled children with complex needs in over a decade estimates that numbers have swelled by over 50% since 2004 – to 57,615.

However, the numbers may actually be greater, since many children with the most complex needs are educated in the Independent Special School Sector and the Department for Education does not require those schools to return detailed data on these pupils.

Dame Christine Lenehan, director of the Council for Disabled Children, said: “The national data on disabled children is not fit for purpose. it has gaps, anomalies and inconsistencies, and raises the question how can we plan to meet the needs of these children and their families, when we don’t know what those needs are?”

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HAT difference will our two new metro mayors make to the lives of disabled people?

SIR BERT MASSIE

Why I love this paper

I RECEIVED my copy of All Together NOW! from my friend. I think I am the FOURTH person to read it, as it is passed around so much.

I am 84 and I have found it very interesting and looking forward to reading future issues.

I’m now passing on my copy to another friend. Who knows where it will end up – worldwide ?

Rene Pennington, Billinge, Wigan

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

SOUNDING OFF

My day with the Queen – and some lessons from Motability

I

T WAS an absolute pleasure for my wife, Maureen, and I to drive to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.

The occasion was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Motability, of which I am a trustee, and of which Her Majesty has always been the Chief Patron.

Turn the clock back 40 years . . . The only mobility help most disabled people received was an “invalid tricycle” – but only if you were able to drive.

That changed with the introduction of the Mobility Allowance in 1976 (now PIP) but even then it was not enough to enable a person to buy a vehicle.

That is why Motability was created. Its mission was to turn the allowance into a car.

That meant getting enough cash to enable Motability to pay in full for new cars while receiving the leasing fee from customers over the three years of the lease.

This problem was resolved when the major banks agreed to create a not-for-profit company to raise the funds and receive

payments. That company is now known as Motability Operations. The charity, Motability, maintains close monitoring of the services provided and can give grants to those who need them.

When Motability started there were just over 20,000 invalid cars on the road. There are now over 600,000 vehicles in the Motability fleet – despite over 1,000 losing their vehicles each week because of the tighter PIP rules.

Behind all this is a partnership between Government, which pays people DLA/PIP and gives Motability some tax concessions, an efficient not for profit commercial organisation, and a charity that oversees the whole thing.

Now, here is a thought . . .

Suppose disabled people were assessed for benefits by an organisation accountable to disabled people, rather than the profit obsessed commercial companies to which the Government awards contracts. Is it not more than likely a much better and humane service could be provided?

That’s what I want to know from Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham.

They each have an investment budget of £900 million, which sounds a lot but that has to last for 30 years. So it is £30 million a year: not much in public policy terms. But they do have significant powers – including responsibility for public transport.

They will be able to take control of buses in the same way as Transport for London does in the capital.

This not only provides the opportunity for better coordination but also means the mayors can insist on first-rate access facilities for disabled people.

This, of course, makes sense because if transport is right for disabled people it will be better for everybody.

In Manchester health and social care has already been devolved.

There are constant calls for health and social care to work together but most of the urgency seems to relate to getting people out of hospital more quickly.

The mayors have an opportunity to radically change this agenda.

Instead of seeing everything from the viewpoint of the NHS a better approach would be to start from the viewpoint of disabled people.

Better and more accessible housing would help prevent people falling and having to be admitted into hospital. Happily, the new mayors also have responsibility for housing policy.

If the various strands of responsibility of the new mayors can be brought together and a co-ordinated approach adopted, devolution could produce positive results for disabled people.

However, it is for disabled people to let their mayor know what is needed. It is now down to us.

Finally, both the mayors are local men and one outcome might be the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester working much more closely together for the good of the North West rather than seeing each other as rivals. That would be a real success.

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It’s DAD time again!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY . . . SUNDAY JULY 16 . . .

All Together NOW!

Walton Hall Gardens, nr Warrington

Meet our sponsors

O

YEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ . . . it’s that time of the year again!

The 26th annual North West Disability Awareness Day – DAD as its affectionately known to tens of thousands of people across the region – takes place in July, and the signs are it’s all set to be another fantastic, fun-filled family day out, packed with tip top advice on all sorts of disability-related matters.

“We concentrate on things people CAN do,” says Dave Thompson, founder and chief executive of Warrington Disability Partnership, who have been staging the shows since 1991.

“The day’s all about giving lots of

WHAT A WEEK

families a FREE fun day out – and providing them with the right kind of information to help them cope with all kinds of issues in their lives.”

When the show was first staged in 1991 the organisers thought it

TUESDAY July 11 9.30am-12.30pm: Schools Disability Matters Schools Event. Walton Hall. Contact Derek Jones 01925 240064 7.00pm-10.30pm: The Heroes Project’s– fantastic Frogtastic. Arts Marquee Walton Gardens. Live tribute acts. (Tickets, £6 contact contact Kate 01925 240064) WEDNESDAY July 12 10.30am-3.30pm: Ignite Your Life. Mental Health & Wellbeing Workshops & Exhibition.

Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens. Contact Dennis Dewer 01925 664450 7pm-10.30pm: Ella’s Summertime Special.

Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens. Singing, dance and drama. (£8 per ticket, contact Kate 01925 240064) THURSDAY July 13 1pm-4pm: Lifetime Centre - Tea Party. Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens. Music and dance for older people, their families and carers.

Contact Dorothy Pritchard 01925 246824 5pm-9pm: Children’s Party in the Park. Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens. Contact Tom Walsh 01925 240064 FRIDAY July 14 7.30pm-11.30pm: The DAD BBQ and Mega Quiz Night. Arts Marquee, Walton Gardens. (£8 per ticket, includes food, contact Kate 01925 240064) SUNDAY July 16 10am-5pm: The Big Event. Disability Awareness Day, Walton Hall Gardens.

GUEST OF HONOUR: David Briggs, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, meets the DAD team at last year’s show. Dave Thompson, right. Below, town crier Peter Powell opening the event

would be a one-off event.

“We certainly never thought we would still be running the show 26 years on,” says Dave.

“It’s just amazing how people have taken to DAD, and come to rely upon it as being the one single event in the year where families can have a really good fun day out and return with lots of information that’s going to help them cope with all sorts of issues.

“It’s also very heartening to know that organisations in India, Egypt, Sudan and Uganda have seen what we do, and have come to us for advice about them holding

similar exhibitions in their countries.”

The Warrington event this year has two new headline sponsors – St George Healthcare Group and St Mark Universal Copts Care.

Dave said: “This is great news and builds upon our partnerships.

Last year they were the principal sponsors of WDP’s Legacy Appeal and funding partners of the Phoenix Project, which gets recycled disability equipment to disabled people in Egypt, Sudan and Thailand.”

More than 250 exhibitors have already signed up for the day, including those in health, transport, holidays, leisure, and employment sectors.

There will also be lots of experts on hand to advise on wide-ranging services to help people with their independence.

There’s plenty of fun activities being planned, too, including a Sports Zone with the chance of having a try at scuba diving, basketball – plus an Arts Marquee with a full programme of family entertainment.

And that’s not all . . .

Dave said: “We’ve got some exciting events planned in the week running up the big day. There really is something for everyone.”

n WDP, tel 01925 240064 n www.disability awarenessday.org.uk

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All Together NOW!

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June/July 2017

Natalie’s journey of discovery

MONEY MATTERS

O

NE question that’s frequently asked by parents of children under 16 is where to put money belonging to the children.

This could be gifts from relatives, savings from a weekend job, birthday money or money the parents are putting away for the child for when he or she goes to university, or for a rainy day, or needs it to buy a new bike etc.

There are two very good accounts for regular savings, Halifax Kids Regular Saver and Saffron Building Society Children’s Regular Saver. Each of these are paying interest of 4% up to £100 per month deposits.

If you have a lump sum try HSBC 2.75% up to £3,000.

These accounts may be suitable but please check the small print before opening, particularly on terms and conditions re withdrawals.

Junior ISAs are not normally worth it as most children will not be liable to tax.

Finally, I remind you that many gas and electric companies are putting up their variable rate charges.

Try and get a 12 month fixed deal, or even 18 month – go to a comparison site to get the best deals.

If you have not checked and/or switched for over a year you could be overpaying by £300 a year.

GORDON VINER FCA CTA

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

FOR 25 years Natalie Hands has been a warm, friendly face at a Manchester hospice.

Carers just don’t know about hi-tech help

SAFE HANDS: Natalie, right, at the Francis House Children’s Hospice

C

ARERS are missing out on the benefits of technology because they don’t know what’s available or how to use it.

Only three out of 10 carers who are online use technology to help them manage a loved one’s everyday needs, a new poll reveals.

But when told about the products – including phone apps – available to help them, seven out of 10 said they would use them if they were affordable.

Those between 45 and 54, the age we are most likely to be carers, and those over 55, were the least likely to use supportive technology.

And men were significantly less likely (25%) than women (33%) to use health and care technology.

Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, who carried out the research, said: “With more and more of us taking on caring responsibilities, it’s astounding

SENIOR MOMENTS

“My whole experience here has been one of discovery,” says Natalie, who has just retired as clinical lead at Francis House Children’s Hospice, Didsbury.

She joined Francis House when there were only four other children’s hospices in the UK. “It was just amazing, a lovely homely setting with carpets and matching curtains and all about the care of the whole family – ‘wow’

SMART MOVE: New apps can be lifesavers

there’s been no increase in the numbers embracing the support that health and care technology can bring.

“From keeping up with relatives on Skype, using a Sat Nav to get around, to selling our things on Ebay, we use technology in so many parts of our lives; so why not for care?

“We want everyone, whether they’re caring at the moment or not, to be better informed about the growing potential of technology to support them with a caring role – giving them peace of mind, enabling them and those they care for more choice and freedom and the ability to remain in work, stay in touch with friends or simply have an essential break to recharge.

“Simple phone apps and products that support carers’ wellbeing, reduce anxiety and help organise care, can make a big difference to coping or not.”

. . . with FRANK HARRIS

was probably a word we said a lot.”

Natalie also developed an interest in bereavement support, in particular support for the siblings.

The ‘Shining Stars’ bereaved siblings support group was set up

by Natalie and a group of colleagues in 2000.

“Working with bereaved brothers and sisters and helping them to understand grief at a level appropriate for their age and giving them the tools to help deal with their bereavement is so important for their future lives,” says Natalie.

Watch-ing out

n RightMinder is a new FREE app that connects carers with family, friends or clients. n Unlike the traditional big red button, or pendants, RightMinder connects via a smartwatch/smartphone that sends an instant alert to the carer. n Co-founder Ben Slater says: “We are extremely encouraged by the acceptance of smartwatch technology among our focus groups. Wearers have embraced smartwatch technology when paired with the RightMinder® app.” n RightMinder is available on Google Play Store and coming soon to the Apple App Store (for Carers).

More cash, please

CALLS to increase support for families and friends providing unpaid care have been made by the cross party Communities and Local Government Committee.

As part of its report on adult social care, the committee calls for: n Carer’s Allowance to be increased to reflect the increasing contribution that carers make to the social care system. n The earnings limit to be higher and more flexible to enable carers to maintain some contact with the labour market. n Carer’s Allowance (£62.10 per week) is the lowest benefit of its kind. n Carers UK Adviceline, 0808 808 7777 n www.carersuk.org

HALF A MILLION READERS – AND GROWING – 0151 230 0307

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

All Together NOW!

11

+DSS\ ELUWKGD\ 3ULRULW\ 6HUYLFHV It’s been a year since we launched our new Priority Services scheme and what a year it’s been!

We’ve been travelling all over the North West, speaking to our customers at shopping centres across the region to tell WKHP DERXW WKH EHQHLJWV RI UHJLVWHULQJ IRU our Priority Services.

Since we launched in May 2016, more than 14,000 customers have now signed up to our new scheme, with 32,000 customers now registered.

Amanda Phillips, Priority Services manager at United Utilities said: “Our 3ULRULW\ 6HUYLFHV VFKHPH LV IUHH WR DOO RXU FXVWRPHUV ZKR PD\ QHHG D ELW RI H[WUD VXSSRUW LQ OLIH 7KLV FRXOG EH GXH WR DJH LOO health, disability, mental health problems, LJQDQFLDO ZRUULHV RU ODQJXDJH EDUULHUV â%\ UHJLVWHULQJ IRU RXU VFKHPH ZH FDQ make sure you receive the right support IURP XV GXULQJ WKRVH WLPHV ZKHQ ZH PD\ QHHG WR VZLWFK RDŽ WKH ZDWHU WR UHSDLU D OHDN RU LI ZH QHHG WR YLVLW \RX LQ \RXU RZQ home.

â$ ORW RI SHRSOH , VSHDN WR WHOO PH WKH\ GRQàW QHHG WKLV VXSSRUW EXW , DOZD\V VD\ that we all know at least one person who ZRXOG EHQHLJW Ý LQFOXGLQJ D SDUHQW IULHQG or neighbour, so please ask them to give us D FDOO LI \RX WKLQN ZH FRXOG KHOS ã Once registered, customers then have access to a specialist team who are DYDLODEOH WR RDŽHU WDLORUHG VXSSRUW IRU DV long as it’s needed. “Our team has received WUDLQLQJ IURP FKDULWDEOH RUJDQLVDWLRQV ZKR really understand the issues that people IDFH LQ OLIH VR \RXàOO DOZD\V VSHDN WR someone who understands your particular QHHGV ã VDLG $PDQGD Caption: Amanda Phillips (pictured right) with her mum and sister. “We all NQRZ VRPHRQH ZKR ZRXOG EHQHLJW IURP UHJLVWHULQJ IRU RXU 3ULRULW\ 6HUYLFHV LQFOXGLQJ D PHPEHU RI WKH IDPLO\ ã VD\V $PDQGD

How do I register for Priority Services?

Our team is available on 0345 072 6093 LI \RX KDYH VSHHFK RU KHDULQJ GLDžFXOWLHV DQG XVH D WH[WSKRQH SOHDVH GLDO IROORZHG E\ WKLV QXPEHU

You can also register at our website unitedutilities.com/priorityservices 'RQàW IRUJHW WR DOVR FRQWDFW \RXU JDV DQG HOHFWULFLW\ VXSSOLHUV WR UHJLVWHU IRU WKHLU Priority Services Register, as we’re not allowed to pass your details to other companies.

What kind of help is available when you register?

Our Priority Services include: ç +HOS LI \RXàUH VWUXJJOLQJ WR SD\ \RXU water bill or have debt issues • Braille, large print, ‘talking’ bills and OHDLjHWV ç .QRFN DQG ZDLW VHUYLFH ,I \RX WHOO XV you have mobility needs and we have WR FDOO DW \RXU KRPH ZHàOO ZDLW DIWHU NQRFNLQJ WR DOORZ HQRXJK WLPH IRU you to answer the door ç 1RPLQDWH D FDUHU IDPLO\ PHPEHU RU IULHQG WR VSHDN WR XV RQ \RXU EHKDOI ç $OWHUQDWLYH ZDWHU VXSSOLHV LI \RXU ZDWHU LV OLNHO\ WR EH RDŽ IRU PRUH WKDQ 12 hours ç 6XSSRUW IRU GLDO\VLV SDWLHQWV ç 3URWHFWLRQ IURP ERJXV FDOOHUV ZLWK D password protection scheme ç 1RWLFH RI LQWHUUXSWLRQV WR \RXU ZDWHU supply ç 7UDQVODWLRQ VHUYLFHV ç 7H[W UHOD\ VHUYLFH ç )UHH TXDUWHUO\ PHWHU UHDGLQJ LI \RX are unable to read your meter 05/17/SD/7481

12

All Together NOW!

Opening up with the Blue Light programme

M

ERSEYSIDE Fire & Rescue Service’s long-standing partnership with mental health charity Wirral Mind has led to greater awareness – and support – for emergency service workers and volunteers.

As part of the national Blue Light Programme, which provides mental health support for emergency services staff and volunteers, MFRS has set up a number of initiatives to help people feel comfortable talking about mental health – and encourages them to seek help when they most need it.

Staff have contributed to the short film, produced by Wirral Mind, which promotes openness about mental health and

June/July 2017

encourages people to speak up and tackle the stigma.

Councillor Dave Hanratty, chair of MFRS, said: “Every day, our staff face challenging and traumatic events, dealing with situations that few of us can imagine.

“Research shows that members of the emergency services are even more at risk of experiencing a mental health problem than the general population, but less likely to seek support.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to support our staff’s mental health and wellbeing, and promote a culture where stigma is removed and discussion about mental health feels natural.

“By working in collaboration with partner organisations, our aim is to help all Blue Light

staff access the support they need at the times they need it most.” n To find out more about the Blue Light programme visit https://mind.org.uk/newscampaigns/campaigns/bluelight/

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

MFRS have also helped to launch the #OurBlueLight Mental Health Relay to raise awareness of how mental health issues affect emergency service staff.

Taking place throughout the summer – until Friday September 22 – the relay will see staff from emergency services across the UK, including fire and rescue, police, ambulance, prison services and the NHS, carry a baton across north west England.

The relay was launched on Saturday April 29 on Blackpool Promenade when the baton

was taken to Southport Community Fire Station by crew from Southport Lifeboat.

The following day it was placed in a vintage ambulance and taken in convoy with three fire engines and vehicles from HM Coastguard Southport to MFRS headquarters in Bridle Road in Bootle.

It was then placed in a vintage Dennis F8 fire engine and taken to the Pier Head, where Deputy Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan handed it over to Merseyside Police before it was moved again to Cheshire Police headquarters in Winsford.

n For more information about the #OurBlueLight Mental Health Relay visit http://ourbluelight.com/mental-healthrelay

Keep our natural heritage fire-safe

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EADERS are being urged to be extra vigilant when out and about in natural landscapes such as woodland and heathland, following an increasing number of deliberately started fires.

A spokesperson for MFRS said: “These types of incident destroy not only our cherished natural environment, but endangers the wildlife that live within it.

“If a fire appliance has to attend a woodland or grass fire that has been started deliberately it may delay the response to another emergency.

“If you see someone deliberately starting a

fire, please call 999 and report it to the Fire Service.

“We would also ask that any information regarding offenders is reported to Merseyside Police via 101 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

With some nice weather upon us, we would also offer this advice to prevent an accidental fire occurring in our parks and open spaces. n Take rubbish home. n Don’t drop cigarettes. n Open fires should not be lit in parks and open spaces. n Use BBQs in safe and dedicated areas. n Don’t leave bottles on the ground.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

All Together NOW!

Will you be

Safe4Summer?

HAVE fun and stay safe this summer is the message from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as the sun comes out to play.

Water safety is hot on the agenda over the coming months and we are asking the public to swot up their knowledge so they can keep themselves safe around Greater Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterways.

Paul Etches, Head of Prevention at GMFRS, H[SODLQHG Âł2XU ÂżUHÂżJKWHUV FDQ XQIRUWXQDWHO\ ÂżQG WKHPVHOYHV DWWHQGLQJ HPHUJHQFLHV ZKHUH people have found themselves in trouble in open water and need rescuing.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Waterways are often colder than

or a current can be much stronger than even a FRQÂżGHQW VZLPPHU FDQ EDWWOH â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is why we are urging parents to educate their children about the dangers of water, encourage people to enjoy the water at locations where there is a lifeguard and most importantly, tell people to dial 999 immediately if they see someone in trouble in the water.â&#x20AC;? )LUHÂżJKWHUV DQG FRPPXQLW\ VDIHW\ H[SHUWV DUH teaching young people about water safety when they visit schools and also when children visit the Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Training and Safety Centre in Bury.

But we would like you to help us spread this message as well.

people realise, sending the body LQWR VKRFN DQG PDNLQJ LW GLĂ&#x20AC;FXOW IRU Our tips for staying safe around the water: â&#x20AC;˘ Use the local swimming pool to cool off â&#x20AC;&#x201C; people to swim to safety

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;They may have jumped in to cool off in the sunshine or been playing on riverbanks with friends before things turned dangerous â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and by this time, it can be too late. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greater Manchesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterways are often colder than people realise, sending the body LQWR VKRFN DQG PDNLQJ LW GLIÂżFXOW IRU SHRSOH to then swim to safety. There are often unseen hazards that lie beneath the surface

lifeguards will help keep you safe, and the water is cleaner and warmer â&#x20AC;˘ Value \RXU VDIHW\ ÂżUVW Âą MXPSLQJ LQ RSHQ ZDWHU to rescue pets or belongings can be highly dangerous. Dogs are much better at dealing with cold water and rescuing themselves than we are. â&#x20AC;˘ Be careful when walking, running or cycling close to open water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; almost half of the people who drown in the UK never intend to enter the water

â&#x20AC;˘ Know what to do in an emergency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if you come across someone in trouble in the water GLDO DQG DVN IRU WKH ÂżUH DQG UHVFXH VHUYLFH Explain your location clearly and describe any landmarks. If you can safely reach out to the person using a branch of clothing, or throw WKHP VRPHWKLQJ WKDW ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;RDW WKHQ GR VR EXW never lean over the water or enter it yourself. â&#x20AC;˘ Never mix alcohol and swimming â&#x20AC;&#x201C; people take more risks after drinking alcohol and their swimming capability will be reduced

7KH ÂżUH VHUYLFH KDV RQFH DJDLQ teamed up with partners and communities to take part in the Safe 4 Summer campaign where the public can learn all there is to know about staying safe at www.safe4summer.com /RJ RQ IRU DFWLYLWLHV DQG WR ÂżQG things to do in your area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and children (5 to 16-year-olds) can enter a competition to win an iPad Air2.

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All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Baywatch time!

P

ARKING at supermarkets can be a huge problem for people with walking difficulties – even if they have a Blue Badge, which entitles them to park in a disabled bay.

Disabled shoppers often find the reserved bays being occupied by other vehicles, which are not displaying Blue Badges.

It’s a situation that national charity Disabled Motoring UK have been trying to correct for the past 15 years.

Now they want All Together NOW! readers to help with their campaign.

Throughout June the charity will be operating their annual ‘Baywatch’ survey, and they are asking readers to get involved.

All you need to do is download or complete the DMUK online survey form. n The survey can be found at: www.disabledmotoring.org/baywatch Tel, 01508 489 449

0800 916 3028

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

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

Make it a summer to remember!

S

UMMER’S here – and Da Vinci have got exactly the right type of equipment to help you make the most of the long sunny days ahead . . . whatever your age.

From wheelchairs to powered scooters, from handcycles to walking aids, they have something to help people with all kinds of mobility issues to get out and about.

“We are helping so many people retain or regain their independence,” says wheelchair user Vincent Ross, who set up the Da Vinci company 16 years ago.

“Our team have the knowledge and personal experience to be able to offer people plenty of options and help them make the right choice.”

A few years ago they built a special vehicle that enabled a paralysed farmer to reach fields

All Together NOW!

. . . getting – and keeping – you mobile . . .

that he had never seen before.

“It was fantastic – for him and for us, too. “It’s just great that we can help so many people.”

Vin and the team also found a way of getting an 18-month toddler, paralysed down one side of her body, to use a wheelchair.

Her mother had been told her daughter would never be able to push a wheelchair.

“Within ten minutes of visiting us, she was chasing me around the showroom,” says Vin. “She’s now five and we are continually coming up with ways to help her to be even more independent.”

But it’s not all about hi-tech solutions…

“We can provide simple solutions to make life so much easier for everyone with a mobility issue – whatever their age and whatever their situation,” says Vin. “We are here to help. Just give us a call.”

Tel 0151 548 1999

New ‘off roader’ with plenty of oomph!

DA VINCI Mobility have developed a new four wheel off road buggy called the Da Vinci QMX. It comes with 20-inch wheels with large balloon tyres that will climb or rip through most terrain.

The 500 watt motor with a 48 volt battery gives more than enough power to climb steep hills, cover most off road conditions with plenty of miles in the tank.

Da Vinci co-director Steve Curran says: “The Da Vinci QMX is the perfect off roader for anyone who wants to go outdoor and enjoy themselves – whatever their age.

“It allows you to choose any of its three speeds as you drive over rough terrain whilst the full suspension absorbs all the shocks and bumps you will come across.”

Other features include:

n 36 or 48 Volt Battery n Factory programmable speeds n Forward and reverse gears n Front and rear suspension n Adjustable seat n Large footplates n Disc brakes n Parking brake n Adjustable handle bar Prices start at £,4495

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All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Speak easy

A NEW “all-in-one” speech tablet for people who can’t talk is on the market.

The Indi, from global leaders in assistive technology Tobii Dynavox, has fully integrated and outward facing speakers that provide loud and clear output.

Fredrik Ruben, president of Tobii Dynavox, said: “We want to deliver a complete solution that is super easy to start using and that grows and adapts with the needs of symbol based communicators.” n Price, approx £777 from n www.tobiidynavox.com/indi

Easy locking

GOOD NEWS from Master Lock, who has come up with a portable ‘PushKey Padlock’ lock that requires no key-turn to unlock.

n The locks cost £20.90 and are available at Homebase and Toolbank.

You can also order via the website: www.masterlock.eu

Finger pricking good!

IN YOUR HANDS: The new Affinity blood count monitoring ststem could help people undergoing chemotherapy. The uMotic app is helping patients take control, improving clinical appointments and modernising clinical research trials

A

FINGER prick blood test monitor that helps chemotherapy patients manage their treatment, software that turns physiotherapy into video games, and a collection of clothes that heighten or mute senses to help people affected by autism have scooped top hi-tech awards.

The winners of the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards 2017

were announced at the new Design Museum in London attended by leading innovators, designers, entrepreneurs and executives from the international

health technology sector.

ROLL OF HONOUR MyAsthma: An app designed to help people living with asthma understand more about themselves and their condition, and to help to manage it. The app also connects to the user’s everyday life, learning what triggers their asthma from location, weather and air quality, and offering useful advice in these situations.

Sensewear: A collection of clothes and accessories that emphasise the use of senses. Their primary purpose is to stimulate and improve awareness of our senses,

while training us to better use them all. Some sensewear items are designed to mute physical sensations, some to sharpen them.

Affinity: From a simple finger prick test, Affinity can help people identify if blood cell counts are dropping whilst they are at home in between chemotherapy cycles.

This can help avoid infection and keep treatment on track. uMotif: A smartphone app that captures high quality health data from patients. It is helping patients take control, improving clinical appointments and modernising clinical research trials.

MIRA Rehab: A platform that turns physical and cognitive exercises into video games, making therapy easier to follow. It asks patients to complete the recommended movements to progress through each game level.

As a result, patients are playing while at the same time actually recovering.

HealthUnlocked: The largest social network for health in the world. Each month millions of people are supported to improve their health through online peer support and self-management in over 600 health and wellbeing online communities. n www.healthtechandyou.com

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

E B THE

June/July 2017

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20 All Together NOW!

JUNE 1997: The first edition of I Can Do That!

IT WAS

YEARS AGO TODAY . . .

All Together NOW! is celebrating its 12th anniversary.

But the seeds for the paper were sewn 20 years ago when the first copies of the popular I Can Do That! magazine rolled off the presses.

The mag, which had a circulation of 20,000 copies, provided invaluable help and support for families across Merseyside,.

When it folded in 2004, the new All Together NOW! charity was set up to try resurrect the FREE publication.

A year later the pioneering All Together NOW! website was launched, followed by the first edition of the new-look newspaper.

All Together NOW! goes from strength to strength, with a circulation that’s now more than 100,000 copies – FIVE times bigger than the previous publication – and with almost half a million readers across the North West.

A massive thanks to all our partners, advertisers and supporters. Without YOU, we just wouldn’t be here!

TOM DOWLING, editor

June/July 2017

www.alltogether

Fantastic offer for groups of disabled and older people

IF YOUR run a group for disabled or older people and want to ta up Martin’s generous offer using Wigan Youth Zone’s fant facilities during the day – ABSOLUTELY FREE – contact team on

COME AND JOIN G

ROUPS of disabled and older people are being given the chance to use one of Europe’s leading sports centres – absolutely FREE! Martin Ainscough CBE, chairman of Wigan Youth Zone, said: “While reading a recent issue of All Together NOW! I was shocked to learn that many disabled people are not getting involved in sport or other leisure activities just because of lack of accessible facilities.

“I really was shocked. Everyone should be able to go the gym or sports centre. It shouldn’t matter if you have a mobility problem.

“Here at Wigan Youth Zone we have one of the finest facilities in Europe. We have about 300 young people – including many disabled youngsters – attending the centre every night of the week, getting involved in all sorts of fun activities and meeting and making new friends.

“The centre is hugely popular in Wigan, giving young people the chance to do something positive in the evenings.

“Now we want to open our doors during daytime hours to groups of disabled and older people from across the North West.

‘

01942 612061

enquiries@wiganyouthzone.

We want to help people have fun and make frie

“It won’t cost groups a penny – and if people need some special equipment that we haven’t already got, then we’ll get it.

“It’s so important for disabled and older people to get out and about and mix with others. And we are delighted to be able to offer them this chance.”

Martin, his brother Bill (vice president), and Wigan FC owner Dave Whelan (president) donated more than half of the £6m needed to build the Youth Zone in 2013.

“It’s been worth every penny,” said Martin, who also chairs the Ainscough Group, formed following the sale of his family business, Ainscough Cranes, the UK’s biggest supplier of lifting equipment.

“Keeping the Youth Zone alive and well really is a massive undertaking,” said Martin.

“We have to raise almost £2 m the place, but it’s so, so worth it “You can actually see the diffe making to people’s lives every n The young members are also their appreciation.

Members said: “Before this place was built th much to do, apart from sitting ar centre; “If I wasn’t here I’d be just sat playing the X Box, bored.”

“The Youth Zone has got ever and older youths. It’s the place make new friends.

“It’s one big community – and

ADVERTISE WITH US AND WE’LL GET YOUR MESSAGE

rnow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017 OPEN FOR ALL: “We are delighted to offer groups of disabled and older people the chance to use our facilities during daytime hours – absolutely free” Martin Ainscough, chairman, Wigan Youth Zone PICTURE: courtesy of Wigan Today

US – FOR FREE!

ke of tastic – t the

1

org

e to ends

million a year to run . rence you are night of the week.” quick to express

here was nothing round the town in my bedroom,

ything for kids – to have fun and

all in one place.”

L

ONG gone are the days of youth clubs where you get just 10-15 people playing pool.

Every night up to 300 young people get involved in all kinds of sports at Wigan Youth Zone – including football; basketball; climbing; table tennis; pool, boxing; kick boxing (for girls only); gym sessions; and skateboarding.

There’s also art, fashion and design sessions; music and media clubs; dancing and performing arts groups; employment support; and The Venue, a place where teenagers can chill.

Apart from all the sporting activities, members are also helped to find work through the Enterprise and Employability team.

And all for just 50p a night!

Wigan Youth Zone is one of 14 similar venues across the UK. The project is part of the national OnSide charity that has one simple aim – to build a network of 21st Century Youth Clubs, giving

PLENTY TO SING ABOUT: Young musician Owen Bolton has had lots of help at the Youth Zone

young people, safe and inspiring places to go in their leisure time.

Youth Zones in the All Together NOW! area: n Blackburn Youth Zone, tel 01254 292000 n Bolton Lads and Girls Club, tel 01204 540100 n Carlisle Youth Zone, tel 01228 516280 n Chorley Youth Zone, tel 01204 362128 n Manchester Youth Zone, tel 0161 203 5333 n Oldham Youth Zone, tel 0161 624 0111 n Warrington Youth Zone, tel 01925 581226 n Wirral Youth Zone, tel 0151 705 8000 n Wolverhampton Youth Zone, tel 01902 328 290

19

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

We need YOUR support Irton House Farm

HAPPY HO LID AWARD 2 AY 012!

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

ES TO HALF A MILLION READERS . . . 0151 230 0307

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All Together NOW!

SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390

MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 n WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel

June/July 2017

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Ten out of ten!

CARERS’ CENTRES

CONGRATULATIONS to the TEN lucky winners of our super spring gardening competition.

All winners will each receive sets of two imaginative packs from Johnsons Seeds’ Little Gardeners’ My First Growing Game series.

Johnsons range of seeds is available from a wide range of retailers and at www.johnsons-seeds.com

Miss Helen Liversedge, Silverwell Road, Croxteth, Liverpool (“I picked up my copy of All Together NOW! at Tesco, West Derby”) Ivy Parry, Kent Grove, Failsworth, Manchester Miss Faye Greaves, Wentworth Avenue, Macclesfield Lilly Roberts, Aspen Grove, Liverpool

Miss Rosie Beaumont, Gresford Close, Warrington Charley McAuliffe, Douglas Avenue, Billinge, Wigan Olivia Oswald, Stalmine Road, Walton, Liverpool B Higgins, Whitfield Street, Leek, Staffs. (“I can’t get the paper locally so read it online!”)

Stephen Crawford, Stapleton Avenue, Liverpool (South Liverpool Neighbourhood Medical Centre) Gillian Massey, Derby Drive, Warrington (Liverpool Women’s Hospital)

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

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

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

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507 n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland) Tel 01539 726613 n GUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555

n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 234 Tel 0151 708 7055 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West) Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180 n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre Tel 0161 273 3415 Genie Networks.

Tel 0161 941 4549.

Text 18001 0161 941 4549 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902 420904 n N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 nCUMBRIA Carlisle.

Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal.

Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON 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 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE Tel: 0800 276 1070

‘

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

All Together NOW! is proud to have Harvey Howell as one its partners. They do so much for the community outside of their core business

All Together NOW!

21

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

Premier League clubs not playing fair

O

NLY three out of 20 Premier League football clubs have met minimum requirements on providing accessible spaces and seating for disabled fans, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Athena stars in her new dream role

WRITER and performer Athena Stevens says her election as a national spokesperson for the Women’s Equality Party has allowed her to feel “equal” for the first time in her life.

Athena is one of six national spokespeople elected by Women’s Equality Party members at its conference last November, and spoke for the party on equality in the media during the general election campaign.

She said her new role has enabled her to have a political voice – “something that few other disabled women enjoy.

“I think everyone is feeling disenfranchised but I think the disabled population has it the worst.

“Being part of the Women’s Equality Party has been something that has enabled me to give a voice to disabled people and also to be an equal in our society in a way that nothing else has, not even my work”.

The EHRC said that some of the information provided to it by the clubs was of an appalling standard, and it warned that it could launch a statutory investigation into the failings of some of the clubs.

Seven of them appear to be breaching the Premier League’s own rules after failing to provide a comprehensive disability access statement including all the information a disabled person needs when attending a match – on their websites.

Only seven of the 20 clubs provide the recommended number of wheelchair spaces, and only eight provide the minimum number of amenity [extra leg-room] and easy access (AEA) seats.

The figures could be even worse, says EHRC, as some of the wheelchair spaces may not meet the relevant criteria in the guidelines.

The worst performers for providing wheelchair spaces were Burnley (27% of the recommended number), Crystal Palace (38%) and Spurs (31%, although it is building a new stadium).

Just three clubs – Swansea City, Manchester City and West Ham – meet recommended levels for wheelchair spaces and AEA seats and provide no more than a quarter of wheelchair spaces at pitchside.

The Premier League will publish a report in August to detail the work carried out by clubs since August 2015.

Let’s get rid of these barriers T

A new EHRC review says Premier League clubs have made “only limited progress on stadia accessibility”, have broken Premier League rules, and have failed to provide sufficient information when questioned by the watchdog.

It also concludes that access issues may never have been discussed at board level at some clubs, while three of the clubs do not appear to have appointed anyone to the key position of disability access officer.

ATHENA STEVENS

Man Utd fans’ access row: P34

HE BARRIERS disabled people face in navigating the built environment are an “unacceptable” attack on their quality of life and right to equality, according to a committee of MPs.

The report on disability and the built environment, by the Commons women and equalities committee, calls on the Government to take a more visible lead in improving access and inclusion.

Maria Miller, the committee’s chair and a former Conservative minister for disabled people, said: “The burden of ensuring an accessible environment falls too heavily at present on individual disabled people.

“Disabled people have the right to participate in all parts of life under the law; this is undermined if the built

environment locks them out.”

The report describes a catalogue of barriers that were reported to the committee by disabled witnesses, including the shortage of accessible homes; public and commercial buildings without step-free access or with poor signage; inaccessible workplaces; sports halls with surfaces unsuitable for wheelchairs; and the failure to exempt assistance dogs from bans on dogs in public parks.

Other barriers include: n The failure by service-providers to install or maintain hearing loops; n Restrictive gates on paths and cycle routes that block wheelchairusers and those with adapted cycles; pedestrian crossings that fail to give disabled people enough time to cross the road; n And streets made impassable by pavement parking, cars parked in

front of dropped kerbs, and street clutter such as wheelie bins and advertising boards.

The report also calls for: n Better engagement with disabled people; n For employers to build more accessible workplaces, and to be incentivised to improve existing ones; n For building regulations to be updated; n And for laws to be changed to make a basic level of access a key consideration in granting licences for pubs, clubs and other licensed premises.

It also says that all large building developments should have to include a Changing Places toilet, facilities with extra space and equipment for disabled people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.

he says, is the pressure exerted on the legal system by Government cuts to the courts and tribunals system budget.

“The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides a clear duty for UK courts to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure that every disabled person can play an effective role in all legal proceedings.

“But judges and magistrates are ignoring detailed guidance laid out in the Equal Treatment Bench Book, which describes how they should treat

disabled people.

“In fact it is almost unheard of for judges to refer to the ETTB and provide reasonable adjustments for disabled people.”

Mr Horan continued: “If you deny proper access to justice to a disabled person, you are looking on them as a second-class citizen.

“Discrimination has not been taken seriously enough.”

He called for training on providing reasonable adjustments to disabled people for every judge, magistrate and barrister in the country.

‘Judges guilty of discrimination’

DISABLED people are being denied access to justice because of judges’ failure to make the reasonable adjustments that would make the court process accessible to them, according to a disabled human rights barrister.

John Horan said the legal profession was failing to address the discrimination faced by disabled people who rely on family and commercial courts, employment and benefits tribunals, and the criminal justice system.

One of the reasons for this failure,

Let’s make this great paper even greater!

STEVE McDERMOTT

STEVE McDERMOTT, a former chairman and trustee of the Everton In The Community charity, wants to hear from North West legal firms wanting to team up with All Together NOW! A commercial and procurement lawyer for the Government Legal Department, Steve said: “My organisation encourages its lawyers to lend their expertise to not-forprofits and charitable organisations from a pro-bono perspective, and I couldn't think of a better charity to help.”

Steve, who has a keen interest in both corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, said: “This is an absolutely fantastic charity and community newspaper that’s helping and informing hundreds of thousands of people.

“I am sure there are many businesses and individuals who would want to be associated with this innovative and award-winning work.”

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

All Together NOW!

22

NEWS UPDATE

Pay plunged in the coalition’s years

D

ISABLED people’s average pay fell seven times faster than for those without disabilities in the five years of coalition government, new figures show.

The figures were produced for Being Disabled In Britain, a major review of disability inequality by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The report says that disabled people’s median hourly earnings fell more than seven times faster (8.8%) than for non-disabled employees (1.2%) across Britain over the fiveyear course of the coalition government.

This meant that the gap between median hourly earnings for disabled and non-disabled employees widened, with earnings for disabled employees falling from £10.80 in 201011 to £9.85 in 2015-16, compared with a fall of £11.55 to £11.41 for nondisabled employees.

The decrease was particularly high for those with mental health conditions (11.9%) and visual impairments (11.3%).

The figures come from previously unpublished analysis for the report using data from the Annual Population Survey, but it is not yet clear why disabled people’s average pay rates fell so much faster than those of non-disabled employees.

In England, the figures were even more striking, with a fall of 9.5% for disabled employees (from £10.88 to £9.85) against a drop of 1.3% for nondisabled employees (from £11.63 to £11.48).

The TUC said it was concerned by the new figures, although it said the cause of the dramatic fall in disabled employees’ average hourly earnings was not yet clear.

One factor could be that an increase in disabled people entering the labour force for the first time lowered overall average pay, because new entrants are usually on lower pay, it said.

Another possible factor is an increase in the proportion of disabled workers in part-time work, which rose from 35% in 2013 to 37% in 2016, because part-time workers usually receive lower hourly rates of pay.

But the TUC did rule out the possibility that there were more disabled people in low status jobs, as it said the Labour Force Survey shows the share of disabled workers in traditionally higher-paid jobs had increased, while the proportion in elementary work – which includes jobs like cleaners, catering assistants and security guards – had fallen.

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Japanese giant shows how to include everyone JAPANESE digital giant Fujitsu has been named as one of a handful of companies that are outstanding when employing or doing business with disabled people.

The company, which employs over 14,000 people in the UK and Ireland, gained a rare Silver grade in the Business Disability Forum’s ‘Disability Standard’, which scores organisations on their approach to disabled people.

IT corporation Fujitsu is also the first tech company to have been accredited as a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the new scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions.

Fujitsu was found to excel at providing

adjustments for disabled workers and was praised for the way it trained employees on disability awareness.

Business Disability Forum described the company’s networking group for disabled workers as “excellent”.

Fujitsu’s approach to disabled customers was also acclaimed, with the company working to make computer systems accessible for disabled users.

The company has also worked hard to educate its staff on disability. In 2015 it launched a campaign, #BeCompletelyYou, which set out to create a culture of openness around disability in the workplace.

Gavin Bounds of Fujitsu said: “As the

executive sponsor for Fujitsu’s Disability Network, SEED, I have seen the powerful impact that effective employee engagement has on the disability confidence of the organisation.

“The network brings a scrutiny to internal processes ensuring that we are focused on developing disability talent. I am delighted that the network and Fujitsu has been recognised for its inclusive approach.”

Charles Clement, at Business Disability Forum, said: “This is clearly a time of great achievement in Fujitsu’s work around disability and we hope that their score and accreditation encourage more good work on their part.”

around Access to Work and things like that, but it’s a big enough company that they can really be at the forefront of getting more disabled people on-screen and off-screen.

“They have made some really positive steps, but it needs to be a bit more.”

She said the BBC can also send out a really useful message through the way it talks about disability and in the tone it sets around disability and language, and as a public service broadcaster it can do things for disabled people that other channels might not be able to do.

Tanni said she believed it had been a significant step for the BBC to appoint a disabled person to the board.

“I think I can bring something as a disabled person because I have lots of experience in how I have been treated.”

Baroness Grey-Thompson said the BBC was a big part of people’s lives, but we take it a bit for granted.

“I travel around the world so much and I see that other countries do not have the quality of what we have and the quality of some of the programming.

“Something like the World Service, in some countries I’ve been to round the world that is the kind of the thing that is the mainstay of independent news and just finding out what is going on in the world.

“So I would like to be a critical friend. I really believe in the BBC, it’s just that we need to challenge it going forward.”

Whether she will continue as a BBC sports reporter is still to be decided, but that’s out of her hands.

“To be honest, the world of broadcasting is fairly harsh. If they find someone better, it’s ‘thanks very much...’.

“It’s as tough as sport when they decide they don’t want you any more.”

The board replaces the previous two-tier structure of the BBC Trust and the BBC’s executive board – while Ofcom becomes the broadcaster’s first independent, external regulator. n Baroness Grey-Thompson has been a crossbench peer in the House of Lords since 2010, and before her retirement as a wheelchair athlete won 16 medals across five Paralympic Games.

Tanni all set for a shake-up at BBC

B

RITISH Paralympic great Tanni Grey-Thompson is aiming to start a revolution at the BBC.

She plans to use her new job with the Corporation to boost the number of disabled people employed there.

The 11-time gold medal winning wheelchair racer hopes that from her place on the board of the BBC she can persuade the broadcaster to do more both on and off screen.

Baroness Grey-Thompson is one of just five non-executive directors appointed by the BBC to its new board, and said she was “excited and daunted” by the challenge.

Tanni, 47, said: “There are lots of opportunities for more disabled people to be working in the BBC. “More disabled people on screen, presenting, more disabled people in the technical jobs.

“It just seems to make sense that this is somewhere that disabled people could work, in terms of flexible working hours and the size and scale of the BBC. “They have done some really good stuff

‘My aim is more jobs for disabled people’

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Silence is golden at cafe with no words

A

NEW pop-up “silent cafe” employs, trains and serves people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Café Ohne Worte (Café Without Words) offers those who are deaf or hard of hearing a start in the catering industry, an opportunity to connect with the deaf community, and somewhere to eat where they can easily be understood.

Teenage businessman Frederike Höfermann is project manager at the cafe in Cologne, Germany’s fourth largest city.

The 19-year-old said: “Being deaf can cut you off from the rest of society, even when it comes to something as apparently simple as ordering a coffee – or working as a waiter or waitress.

“The pop-up café has proved so popular that we are now looking to extend to further locations in Germany, and then roll out the concept in Europe.”

The cafe is among winners of the 2017 Ford College Community Challenge (Ford C3), an education programme from Ford Motor Company Fund that provides grants to student-led projects focused on building sustainable communities.

Since launching last year, around 1,000 guests have dined at seven popup events, held in four different cafes, and supported by up to five waiting staff each time.

Guests are introduced to their deaf server, with whom they communicate via sign language.

£150k to help in the home

Care group’s clients recruit the carers

YOU’RE HIRED! W BEUDYGWYN FARM, ANGLESEY

IN THE HOT SEAT: Angela Hurrell considers applicants for a new job at Regard’s residential venue at Caeronnen supported living service in Llangrannog in Ceredigion

HEN it comes to recruiting new staff, a care group is relying on its own clients to do the interviewing!

The care group Regard invites the people they support to sit in on face-toface job interviews for staff vacancies.

At its Beudygwyn Farm residential service near Anglesey, Brian Williams, 56, who has an acquired brain injury, played a role in recruiting a new support worker.

Service manager Gwenda Potter said: “Brian is really keen on exercise, especially weights and boxing, and asked the interviewee what she thought about going to the gym and swimming.

“She told him she was very interested in healthy eating and all forms of exercise and that keeping fit played a huge part in her own life.

“She said she would be keen on taking the individuals who live here to

special swimming sessions for people with disabilities, which obviously went down a treat!

“She was a big hit with Brian and the other people who live here, and I’m delighted to say got the job!”

Meanwhile at Ambleside residential service in Redhill, Surrey, support worker Steven Calleja proved a winner with house members because of his passion for football.

“When we interviewed Steven, a couple of care users showed him round the property as part of the interview process,” said service manager Rebecca Cretten.

“It soon became evident that he was a massive football fan and they all struck a chord with each other immediately and there was a lot of banter.

“The lads here all support different teams – Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea – and Steven supports

Newcastle United so it makes for some lively conversations.”

Angela Hurrell, 50, who lives at the Caeronnen supported living service in Llangrannog in Ceredigion, has also enjoyed playing an active part in the recruitment of support workers.

Katie Owen, who leads the team at Caeronnen, said: “Angela is semiparalysed and needs support to dress and to shower herself, so it is vital that she feels staff understand the issues she faces.”

Angela also asked questions on behalf of fellow housemates who have disabilities but lack the capacity to be involved in the recruitment process. n Regard provides supported living and residential services for more than 1,100 people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, autism and acquired brain injury.

They employ over 2,200 people at 149 locations across the UK.

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A COMPANY making technology to help people with learning disabilities and other cognitive impairments has received a £150,000 to expand its work.

Inclusive Media Solutions has created an innovative AutonoMe support system that combines the power of video and mobile technology to help people with learning difficulties through everyday tasks.

Users can access videos that show them tasks such as making a cup of coffee or loading a dishwasher or using a washing machine through their mobile phone or iPad simply by scanning household items.

Jerry Barnes, of Bristol Private Equity Club, said: “This is exactly the sort of business that our private equity club is looking to help.”

William Britton, founder and CEO of Inclusive Media Solutions, said: “AutonoMe came about in 2015 because after years of teaching as a lecturer and Assistive Technology specialist for students with learning disabilities I became increasingly frustrated at the lack of cost effective, 21st century mobile technology available to students.

“Within the first year AutonoMe had clients in housing, education, local authorities and support providers across the South West.”

n Inclusive Media Solutions: Tel. 0117 205 0654.

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

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MEDICAL NOTES For Alzhemier’s cure, think outside the box

CURRENT approaches to battling Alzheimer’s disease focus on preventing a sticky protein called amyloid from building up in the brain.

Now researchers at Duke University, North Carolina, say they have identified a mechanism in the molecular machinery of cells that could help explain how neurons begin to falter in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s, even before amyloid clumps appear.

“We need to start thinking outside of the box when it comes to treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s,” said study co-author Peter Larsen, senior research scientist at Duke University.

This rethinking of the Alzheimer’s process centres on human genes critical for the healthy functioning of mitochondria, the energy factories of the cell, which are riddled with mobile chunks of DNA called Alu elements.

If these “jumping genes” lose their normal controls as a person ages, they could start to wreak havoc on the machinery that supplies energy to brain cells, leading to a loss of neurons and ultimately dementia, the researchers say.

Choosing good food

PEOPLE who take the drug citalopram for depression were more likely to opt for healthy food, scientists have found “It appears to give people the longterm focus needed to consider how food will impact on their health, rather than the short-term decision to go for what tastes better,” said Ivo Vlaev, Professor of Behavioural Science at Warwick Business School.

“Using drugs like citalopram that enhance the long-term goals in valuebased decision-making could be used in other situations, like addictions and impulsive behaviours or be used to support psychological therapies for mental health conditions.”

Heart failure study

MEN and women suffering from heart failure have a higher risk of death than people with most common types of cancer, new research has found.

The first study of its kind to compare survival chances was carried out by Keele, Aberdeen and Manchester universities.

“Our study shows that despite advances in the treatment of heart failure with newer drugs and devices, mortality rates remain significant and heart failure remains as malignant as many of the common cancers,” said the lead author of the study, Professor Mamas Mamas.

June/July 2017

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Focus on the things you CAN do!

A MOVING campaign aimed at inspiring the millions living with Parkinson’s focuses on what they CAN do – not what they can’t.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain, and can lead to a loss of independence.

To raise awareness and help people retain their self-esteem, people with Parkinson’s were invited to star on a video that shows them at their best.

The film shows them completing simple everyday tasks – buttoning up shirts, putting on make-up, tying shoelaces or

even dancing and playing guitar.

António Portela, head of pharmaceutical company Bial, which launched the campaign, said: “Parkinson’s can really change people’s lives, but it’s very important that they do not lose their selfesteem.

“That is why we wanted to counter the negative portraits of people with Parkinson’s and show everyone what they really can do. “ n You can watch the video for yourself at www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5U2W5iiHl0& feature=youtu.be

POSITIVE IMAGE: Playing guitar

Cream on the greens TEAMWORK: From the left, Hannah Sykes, Diane Cannon (Melanoma UK) and Alan Wix (captain, Formby Golf Club)

Y

OU COULD be forgiven for thinking that playing sport all day in the sunshine could do you nothing but good.

But being exposed to the sun for long periods can be dangerous.

Hannah Sykes was diagnosed with melanoma in 1999 and given a 50/50 chance of surviving five years.

She underwent intense surgery and treatment for five years and since then has had a number of basal cell carcinomas removed.

Now Hannah, Lady Captain at Formby Hall Golf Club on Merseyside, and Club Captain Alan Wix, have teamed up with charity Melanoma UK to raise awareness of the dangers.

The UK’s leading skin cancer support group was announced as the club’s charity partner for 2017/18 and Hannah said: “As a keen golfer I’m anxious to spread awareness of the dangers of the sun especially to people playing sport when it may be forgotten in their endeavour to win.

“Melanoma UK is a relatively new charity to the club

and we are excited to hear that they are opening a local branch in Liverpool. What was more exciting to hear their plan to use any money we raise towards funding a melanoma research post in the city.

“It is wonderful to be able to show people where their money has gone – this makes a real difference.”

Gillian Nuttall, CEO at Melanoma UK, said: “Golfers spend a significant amount of time outdoors so they are definitely at a higher risk than the average person and can be exposed to the sun for many hours.

“We’re delighted to see that Formby Hall Golf Club are highlighting the need for sunscreen, sensible clothing and head gear whilst playing golf.”

Recent figures show the number of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, is five times higher than 40 years ago.

It is now the fifth most common cancer in the UK with more than 2,000 people dying from the disease each year. n Melanoma UK, tel 07530 986477 n www.melanomauk.org.uk

Don’t let crucial skill go

EYE disease specialists who rely on computers could be losing skills vital when treating people with Down’s syndrome and other learning disabilities.

Keratoconus – an eye condition affecting the cornea – affects as many as one in 10 people with Down’s syndrome, and leads to the loss of vision if not diagnosed in the early stages.

This has been attributed in part to the fact that people who have Down’s are less likely to report changes to their eyesight.

But a loss of retinoscopy skills in optometrists has also been pinpointed as a key area of concern.

Dr Maggie Woodhouse, at Cardiff University’s School of Optometry & Vision Sciences, says: “I am very concerned that many optometrists are not using retinoscopy on a daily basis, and therefore losing this invaluable skill.

“Obviously, for people with Down’s syndrome, it means that treatable conditions like keratoconus are inevitably going to be missed.”

Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association, added: “We are urging optometrists to retain their retinoscopy skills and safeguard the eye health of individuals with Down’s syndrome.” n Helpline: Tel. 0333 1212 300.

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June/July 2017

A good sleep is worth a fortune IMPROVING your sleep makes you feel as good as a lottery winner – leading to high levels of health and wellbeing over time – say psychologists Quality of sleep is more important than how many hours you get, according to Dr Nicole Tang Analysing the sleep patterns of more than 30,500 people in UK households across four years, Dr Tang finds that improving your sleep quality leads to levels of mental and physical health comparable to those of somebody who’s won a jackpot of around £200,000.

The Wawrick University study shows that positive changes in sleep over time – improved quality and quantity, and using less sleep medication – are linked with improved scores on the General Health Questionnaire, which is used by mental health professionals to monitor psychological wellbeing in patients.

THE CANINE CLINICIAN: Dog handler Iris Smolkovic, occupational therapist Alicia Hing, and patient Charlotte

Dogs on the wards D

OGS are being specially trained to help paralysed people at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The pooches will help patients like Charlotte Simcock make the best use of her upper limbs and muscles through playing ball games, “toy tugging” and grooming sessions.

Charlotte suffered a spinal stroke that has left her with limited movement from the chest down.

She is keen to regain better movement in her arms to enable her to feed herself.

The 26-year-old also hopes the Animal Assisted Intervention programme will increase her confidence going out into the community in her wheelchair.

Charlotte, who worked as a veterinary nurse before her illness, said: “I have a dog at home who I am really missing while I am in hospital. I can’t wait to get started on this and am so pleased I was chosen to be part of the trial. I

Four-legged physios helping at spinal centre

am sure this will really help me improve my mobility and will also help me to gain the confidence I need to get out and about once again.”

The pilot is being run by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and the Dogs for Good charity.

Ruth Peachment, occupational therapy clinical specialist at the NSIC, said: “This is a very exciting pilot. The potential to help and motivate patients is huge.

“If the pilot is successful we are hoping to extend the scheme to help children too.”

MEDICAL NOTES

How to be treated better – instantly

Don’t go dying of ignorance

A WORRYINGLY low number of people in the North West are clued up about pancreatic cancer – despite it being the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths.

Only 7% of people in the region have a good knowledge of the disease, a national awareness survey by Pancreatic Cancer Action found.

Survival rates for pancreatic cancer are poor but spotting the symptoms early can significantly increase life expectancy.

Nationally, even fewer people are aware of warning signs, with just 5% claiming they know a lot about the disease.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is a UK charity founded by Ali Stunt, a rare survivor of the disease.

The charity’s main objective is to raise awareness among the public, medical community and the government to improve early diagnosis Ali says: “Given that there is currently no screening process for pancreatic cancer, it is imperative people can spot the signs early enough to make surgery a viable option.”

Symptoms include (but are not limited to) jaundice, weight loss, new onset diabetes and severe abdominal or back pain.

Most people with these symptoms do not have pancreatic cancer, but anyone with one or more should see their GP. n Helpline: Tel. 0303 040 1770.

OVER one million people with learning disabilities could be missing out on vital healthcare simply because their GPs are unaware of their disability.

Being on their doctors’ learning disability register makes an instant difference to the way they are cared for, with extra time set aside for appointments and annual health checks automatically arranged.

But only one in four people with a learning disability – there are 1.4 million people with a learning disability in the UK – are registered at their local surgery. This is despite well documented evidence of the health inequalities experienced by people with a learning disability, with 1,200 avoidable deaths every year.

New animation and online guides called Don’t Miss Out aim to raise awareness of the importance for people with a learning disability to be registered.

Rachel Ashcroft, from Mencap, said: “Being on the GP’s learning disability register can ensure healthcare is much more accessible and result in better health.” n Mencap Helpine: Tel. 0808 808 1111.

Cut out your GP

EVERYONE – patients and the NHS – could benefit if people were allowed to refer themselves for physiotherapy, says a new report.

“The trial showed that introducing direct access into an existing physiotherapy service did not overwhelm the service and no concerns about safety were identified,” said Dr Annette Bishop, who led the study, Stepping up the Evidence for Musculoskeletal Services, at Keele University.

Change your life

AN acid produced by bacteria in the intestine can protect against type 2 diabetes, a new study shows.

And researchers say that changing to a diet rich in whole grain products and dietary fibre increased the concentration of indolepropionic acid.

The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study was the first controlled lifestyle intervention study to show that in people with impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle changes.

Most important among those lifestyle changes are weight loss, more exercise and dietary adjustments to include more whole grain products, fruits and vegetables.

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MEDICAL NOTES Heart patients crave a life free of clinics

PEOPLE being treated for a heart disorder would prefer to self-monitor their condition.

Eight out of 10 patients on treatments like warfarin said they would like to live a life free of frequent clinic visits.

The survey, by the Atrial Fibrilation Association, coincided with the launch of the next generation of selfmonitoring meters.

These allow patients to send their results to their clinic via an App on their phone.

Trudie Lobban, CEO of the AF Association, said: “This innovation helps to empower patients to take control of their therapy and reduce the number of clinic visits that they have to make, saving both time and money”.

AF or “atrial fibrillation” is the most common heart rhythm disorder, and is a leading cause of AF-related stroke.

AF is responsible for 20% of all strokes. n AF Helpline: Tel. 01789 867 502.

Happy ever after?

LIVING “happily ever after” can be achieved by a lifetime of good health, according to a new report.

When asked to select three things that describe what living happily ever after means to them, the majority of respondents from the North West said having good health (63% – two in three), meeting their true love (38%) and having children (35%) defined their “happily ever after”.

The research was conducted by estate agent and property services provider Hamptons International.

UK ‘shuns evidence’ LEADING baby charity Group B Strep Support is hugely disappointed by the recommendation of the UK National Screening Committee that the Government should NOT introduce routine screening of pregnant women for the infection.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS or Strep B) is the UK’s most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies – causing sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia.

The charity’s chief executive, Jane Plumb, said: “There is a huge amount of international evidence demonstrating the benefits of screening pregnant women for group B Strep.”

June/July 2017

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Rheumatoid arthritis and alcohol . . .

P

EOPLE who are taking a common rheumatoid arthritis medicine – methotrexate – are not at increased risk of liver damage if they stick to 14 units of alcohol a week or fewer, a University of Manchester study found.

Researcher and clinical lecturer Dr Jenny Humphreys , said: “In the past there’s not been clear guidance on what effects different amounts of alcohol have on these people, so doctors often err on the side of caution and recommend abstinence.

“As a result, some people choose to decline methotrexate so they can continue to enjoy a drink, thereby missing out on the possible benefits of the medication,” added Dr Humphreys, from The University of Manchester’s Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology.

“Alternatively, some people may go totally

without alcohol after starting methotrexate: if they like to drink in moderation, the quality of their life may be affected.”

With a pint of 5.2% ABV beer containing three units and a 250ml glass of 14% ABV wine containing 3.5, the findings show that people can drink in moderation, while still benefiting from the drug.

The new study, published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases and funded by Arthritis Research UK, has drawn on the medical records of almost 12,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis taking the drug who had a record of the levels of alcohol they drank and who had routine blood monitoring test results.

The researchers found that increased use of alcohol did indeed correspond to increased liver damage, but at 14 units or fewer there was no heightened risk.

They’re all to blame for NHS mess G

OVERNMENT after Government has failed to come up with a proper plan to save the NHS.

That’s the damning conclusion of a special committee of Lords examining the long-term sustainability of the health service and adult social care.

Peers slammed the “short-sightedness” of successive governments for failing to plan effectively.

The House of Lords Select Committee makes it clear that a tax-funded, free-at-thepoint-of-use NHS is the most efficient way of delivering health care and that it should remain in place now and in the future.

But for that principle to remain, many aspects of the way the NHS delivers healthcare will have to change, they say.

The committee recommends an independent Office for Health and Care Sustainability should be established to look at health and care needs for the next 15-20 years.

In the future health funding will need to increase at least in line with economic growth and be agreed for an entire Parliament to enable effective planning.

Lord Patel, chairman of the committee, cross

The perfect tonic . . .

Peers condemn ‘short-sighted governments’

bench peer and eminent obstetrician, said: “There is a shocking lack of long-term strategic planning. This short sightedness stems from the political importance of the NHS and the temptation for politicians to reach for short-term fixes.

“We need a new body that is independent of government, able to identify clearly the healthcare needs of a changing and ageing population and the staffing and funding the NHS will require to meet those needs.

“This new Office for Health and Care Sustainability should be a trusted, independent voice.

“We also need to recognise the NHS will need more money.”

Dr Natalie Carter, head of research Liaison and Evaluation at Arthritis Research UK, said: “We know that methotrexate can be an effective drug for treating arthritis.

“As it can interact with other medicines and alcohol it is important that people with arthritis have information about their medication in order to manage their arthritis safely and effectively.

“We would recommend that people who take methotrexate speak to their rheumatologist for advice about drinking alcohol whilst on this drug.”

Although there was no increased risk associated with drinking 14 units or less compared to people who drank no alcohol, people who drank 15-21 units had a 33% increased probability of liver damage and this rose to 81% in the group that drank more than 21 units.

Good news in the fight with malaria

A NEW test could prove a big step forward in the fight to beat a disease claiming a life every minute.

The test is up to 80,000 times more sensitive at detecting the malaria parasite than current diagnostic testing options Leading malaria researcher Tom van Gool said illumigene malaria, developed by US company Meridian Bioscience, benefits from “high sensitivity and specificity, ease of handling and short time to result” – all essential tools in diagnosing the disease.

“Faster and more accurate diagnosis is vital in the fight against malaria,” said Professor Daouda Ndiaye, from the Department of Parasitology-Mycology at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal.

“Earlier diagnosis enables the correct treatment to be prescribed, which leads to better clinical outcomes for the person with malaria and keeps malaria treatments for the right people. “ Despite a 60% decline in malaria deaths since 2000 due to better prevention and increased control measures, malaria is still one of the top three killers of children worldwide.

“People can be carriers of malaria without showing any symptoms, and detecting these individuals can be challenging,” said Slava Elagin, from Meridian Bioscience.

“If testing doesn’t identify them, then eliminating malaria is impossible because these individuals can spread the disease to others.”

HALF A MILLION people

June/July 2017

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The liver can repair

DAMAGE caused to the liver by a low protein diet can be repaired, say scientists.

By monitoring groups of mice, one group receiving normal levels of protein in the diet and the other group nourished with low levels of protein for five weeks, researchers were able to uncover the damaging effect a reduction of protein can cause to the liver.

Dr Augusto Coppi, at the University of Surrey, said: “It is important not to underestimate the importance of protein in our diet. Too little protein can have

a damaging impact on our liver.

“Our research has shown a worrying atrophy of the liver and of its cells, which can affect the whole body metabolism.

“However, on the positive side, what we have also found is that this harm is not permanent, and the liver has an amazing capacity to regenerate itself and return to its normal functionality.

“This is an encouraging discovery for those having suffered long periods of malnutrition that no permanent damage has been caused.”

Do you know your GP?

PRESSURE at GP surgeries in the North West now mean two-thirds of patients never see the same doctor.

The State of Britain’s GP Services Report, which examined the experiences of 1,000 patients, also found that one-in-three North West residents were so distanced from the providers of their primary care that they were unable to name their GP. The report uncovered that just one-in-three of patients see the same GP every time they go to their surgery.

Dr James Palaweck, chief medical officer at AKEA Life, who provide private GP services, said: “A lot of GP services are under so much pressure to deal with increasing numbers of patients that it is no longer the norm for patients to be seen by the same family doctor every time they go.

“Instead they often see a nurse practitioner or locum GP who might only be at the surgery for a short period of time. It’s sad to see that so few patients know their GP or have a long-term relationship with them these days.”

A fifth of patients in the North West now see up to three different GPs per year. More than half said they would feel more comfortable attending appointments if they were to see the same GP every time.

New MND hope

A

CURE for Motor Neurone Disease could be a step closer after the development of a new test.

The test enables doctors to measure the progression of the disease in patients.

There is currently no cure for MND, whose most famous survivor is Professor Stephen Hawking It is so called because the condition causes the motor neurones or nerve cells that control muscle movements to slowly die.

The new technique cannot diagnose the disease but could be used to study the effectiveness of current treatments, And the developers say it has the potential to lead to better treatments and a cure for the neuro-degenerative disease.

The urine test measures the levels of a key protein found in people with MND, otherwise known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

As the disease continues to develop in patients, the levels of the protein continue to increase.

“To date there has been no marker that has been able to measure disease progression,” said Dr Mary-Louise Rogers, from Flinders University in Australia, where the test was developed.

“This urine test is simple and could improve treatment for MND by showing us which drugs or methods are working best.

“I’ve been working with researchers in the US and we are putting all our effort into getting it ready for a clinical trial,” Dr Rogers said.

“We hope to do this in the next two to three years.” n MND affects about six people per 100,000. It is more often found in the 40-to-70-year age group with about 140,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year according to the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. n MND Helpline: Tel. 0808 802 6262.

Novel way to raise awareness

GUIDED TOUR: Chief executive Tracy Bullock, centre, inside the inflatable bowel VISITORS to a Cheshire hospital had the chance to tour an inflatable bowel as part of a scheme to raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Lee Findler, clinical nurse manager at Crewe’s Leighton Hospital, said: “The inflatable bowel was a great way of raising awareness of the cancer and to promote screening, which is available to men and women who are aged 60 to 74 and registered with a GP. “Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, but it’s also one of the most curable if diagnosed early. This is the reason why screening is so important and why we’d encourage anyone who’s showing symptoms to see their GP.”

are reading these pages

Symptoms include blood in your poo, going to the toilet more often, a change in bowel habit, and unexplained weight loss.

Those who recognise the symptoms and who have had them for three weeks or more are urged to make an appointment to see their GP. n Cheshire Screening Hub, tel 0800 707 6060

tel 0151 230 0307

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MEDICAL NOTES

Science homes in on eye disease remedy

SCIENTISTS have made an important step towards curing some hereditary eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, which causes blindness.

A potential remedy for patients with RP are prostheses replacing the nonfunctioning photoreceptor cells with artificial sensors, and making use of the remaining living neurons.

Now, a team of researchers at Japan’s Okayama University, led by Toshihiko Matsuo and Tetsuya Uchida, has reported the “promising performance” of a newly created material when implanted in rats.

The material is capable of converting external light stimuli into electric potentials that are picked up by neurons.

The results, they say, signify an important step towards curing certain hereditary eye diseases.

Regarding tests on human eyes, Mr Matsuo and colleagues say the first human clinical trial will be planned in consultation with Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency.

Other current approaches for helping blind people with RP rely on a digital video camera integrated into a pair of spectacles, a receiver implanted in the body, and an array of electrodes implanted around the patient’s retina.

But challenges include the miniaturisation of the components, their biocompatibility, achieving high spatial resolution, and the need for an external power source.

The Okayama method, says Mr Matsuo, would overcomes these issues.

The research was reported in the Journal of Artificial Organs.

Free first aid course A THOUSAND free first aid and diabetes awareness courses are being offered to members of the public.

Training provider NCC Home Learning has made the offer after a staff member had to be given emergency first aid at a fast food outlet.

A brave bystander performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on NCC worker Charlotte, when she had a a diabetic seizure while eating, causing her to choke.

A spokesman for NCC, based in Llandudno, north Wales, said they had been alerted to “the importance of raising awareness of what to do if someone has had a diabetic seizure”.

n Courses can be signed up to at: www.ncchomelearning.co.uk/diabetesawareness-and-first-aid -awareness-free-course

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Jun 5-10: Footloose. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Gareth Gates, Maureen Nolan star in the classic musical.

Jun 7: Joe Longthorne.

Southport Theatre.

Jun 7. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Charter Theatre, Preston.

Ballet Cymru present a stunning version of Shakespeare’s most magical play.

Jun 7-11: Gangsta Granny.

Opera House, Manchester. World premiere of this amazing story

by David Walliams.

Jun 8: Joe Longthorne. Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 8-10: Bost Musicals – Anything Goes. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. All aboard the SS America as it sails from New York to London – packed with colourful 1930s characters.

Jun 8-Jul 8: Talking Heads.

Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Alan Bennett’s masterful collection of monologues: A Chip in the Sugar; Lady of the Letters; A Cream Cracker under the Settee. Audio described Wed 14 Jun; BSL Thurs 22 June; captioned Thurs 29 June.

Jun 8-22: The Story Giant.

Everyman, Liverpool. It’s a race against time as four children from different corners of the world help the Story Giant track down a tale which has eluded him for millennia.

Jun 8: The Searchers. Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jun 8: The ELO Experience.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool. Tribute show.

Jun 9-Jul 1: Fiddler on the Roof.

Everyman, Liverpool.

Jun 9: Dave Spikey: Juggler on a Motorbike.

Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jun 9: The Illegal Eagles. Palace Theatre, Manchester. Tribute show.

Jun 10-12: Hairspray JR. The Brindley, Runcorn. Thigh-energy musical. The 1950s are out, and the change is in the air.

Jun 10. Tosca. The Grand, Blackpool. Get ready for a night of passion!

Jun 10: Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards: Try Hard. Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jun 10: The Illegal Eagles.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool. Tribute show.

Jun 11: Ian Waite & Natalie Lowe. Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Jun 12-26: The Conquest of the South Pole. Everyman, Liverpool.

Written in 1984 in East Berlin, with revolution in the air, Manfred Karge’s play is a wildly anarchic journey into the imagination.

Jun 12-17: Wonderland. Empire

June/July 2017

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BOX OFFICE CONTACTS BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190 BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661 LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999 Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776 Royal Court: 0870 787 1866 Unity 0151 709 4988 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000 MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565 MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000 Palace: 0870 401 3000

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

Want to be a rock star?

SUMMER NIGHT SPECIALS Theatre, Liverpool. Enchanting musical adaptation of the Lewis Carrol novel, Alice in Wonderland.

Jun 13-17: La Cage aux Folles.

The Lowry, Salford. New spectacular version of the muchloved musical. BSL signed Fri Jun 16.

Jun 13-14: Northern Ballet: The Boy in Striped Pyjamas. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Heartbreaking story set in a Nazi concentration camp.

Jun 14: Northern Ballet: Goldilocks. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Ballet, music and theatre.

Jun 15-16: If The Shoe Fits.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 15-17: The Railway Children.

The Grand, Blackpool. New stage production.

Jun 16: Feels Like Home. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Footsteps Dance’s 21st annual show.

Jun 16: A Night of ELO. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Tribute band ELO Again.

HERE’S your chance for stardom …

Auditions for the national Open Mic 2017 contest have been announced across 14 regions in the UK. It’s your chance to impress music industry judges who will be out in force at each stage of the competition.

Previous judges have included representatives from the three major

Jun 16-20: Whole Lotta Shakin.

The Brindley, Runcorn. Rags to riches story, set in the 1980s, produced and performed by Shakin’ Stevens.

Jun 17: Stand By Me – A celebration of Ben E King & The Drifters. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 18: Elkie Brooks. The Lowry, Salford. One of the UK’s most popular singers is back.

Jun 18: Mister Maker and the Shapes Live. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Jun 19-24: Shirley Valentine. The Lowry, Salford. Jodie Prenger takes the role in Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy.

Captioned Saturday Jun 24.Jun Jun 19-21: Mindgame. Charter Theatre, Preston. Thriller from the pen of Anthony Horowitz, creater of Foyles War. Jun 20-24: Waiting for God. The Grand,

record labels (Universal, Warner and Sony), festival organisers, and national radio DJs. North West auditions include: n Sun, Aug 20: Royal Northern College of Music Studio 4, 1Oxford Road, Manchester n Sun, Sep 17: The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool.

Blackpool. At Bayview Retirement Home, battle-axe extraordinaire Diana Trent conspires with new resident Tom Ballard to give the conniving manager his comeuppance.

Jun 22-24: BoHo. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Musical adventure performed by a cast of disabled and non-disabled actors.

Jun 22: Beatlemania – The Story of The Beatles. The Brindley, Runcorn. One of the best Beatle shows around.

Jun 23: The Soul Show. Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. The Real Thing, Alex Charles, and Odyssey.

Jun 24: The Chicago Blues Brothers. Southport Theatre.

Jun 24: The Carpenters Story.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Jun 25: Piano Men: Generations.

The Grand, Blackpool. Father and son Terry and Nick Davies with the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

Jun 26-Jul 1: Wonderland. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Enchanting

adaptation of the Lewis Carroll story, Alice in Wonderland.

Jun 26: Ian Hunter and The Rant Band. Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jun 26-30: My First Ballet: Cinderella. Opera House, Manchester.

Jun 27-Jul 1: Tristan & Yseult.

Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Romantic comedy with live music.

Jun 27-Jul 1: The Red Shoes.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool. One girl’s dream to be the world’s greatest dancer.

Jun 28-Jul 1: Dancing at Lughnasa. The Grand, Blackpool.

Heart-warming tale of a family bound together by love for each other.

Jun 29: Beverley Knight. The Lowry, Salford.

Jun 30: The Paul McCartney Anthology. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Neil Tudor’s tribute show.

July 1: Merseyside Dance & Drama Centre – Spotlight. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

HOW YOU CAN PLAY A STARRING ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF THIS

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Hijinx at the castle

S

TAND by for some memorable hjinks in North Wales this summer.

The five-day international – and inclusive – Hijinx Unity Festival takes place for the first time in Caernarfon, from June 28.

Spectacular circus, theatre, dance and music acts will fill Caernarfon Castle, Victoria Dock, the Town Square and Galeri Arts Centre for this year’s festival, which celebrates the best disability arts from around the world.

All of the companies performing include artists who have physical or learning disabilities.

The festival was created by Welsh theatre company, Hijinx, to give a high profile platform to stunning work made by disabled and non-disabled artists working together as equals.

Highlights will include a weekend of free Jul 1-2: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The Brindley, Runcorn. Fun-packed adaptation of Michael Rosen’s book.

Jul 2: The Illegal Eagles. The Grand, Blackpool. Tribute show.

Jul 3-5: Buzz-Ah. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Local amateur group of disabled and non-disabled performers.

Jul 3-8: Waiting for God. The Lowry, Salford. New stage production of the hit TV show.

Jul 3: The Simon & Garfunkel Story. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 4: The Simon and Garfunkel Story. Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jul 4-8: Shout. Regent Theatre, Stoke. High-energy musical celebrating the ‘Swinging Sixties’.

Jul 5: Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 5: Rhythm of the Dance. The Brindley, Runcorn. Celebrating the

June/July 2017

All Together NOW!

Just So show how it’s done

FESTIVAL: The castle

performances around the town centre ideal for families; a Schools’ Day for 500 local pupils; a Community Dance Gala; and jawdropping flamenco and physical theatre acts at Galeri.

Fourteen learning disabled actors from Hijinx’s performance training academy at Prestatyn will be at the centre of a number of performances.

Ben Pettitt-Wade, Hijinx’s artistic director, said: “The overwhelmingly positive reaction of the public, local community groups and schools to the festival over the past nine years in Cardiff has been an inspiration and a catalyst for moving it north.

“We can’t wait to introduce the work of outstanding disabled performers to audiences in North Wales, and above all, provoke thought and discussion about the ability and potential of people who live with a disability.” n Hijinx: Tel. 029 20 300 331.

nenewed vigour in Irish culture.

Jul 6-8: Available Light. Palace Theatre, Manchester. A landmark in American dance, fusing music, movement and art.

Jul 7: Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Paul Metcalf’s tribute show.

Jul 8: Elkie Brooks. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. The Seventies sensation is back..

Jul 10-15: Wonderland. Regent Theatre, Stoke. Enchanting musical adaptation of the Lewis Carrol novel, Alice in Wonderland.

BSL signed, Thurs Jul 13.

Jul 11-21: Black Mountain.

Theatr Clwyd, Mold. World premier. Tense psychological thriller about betrayal and forgiveness.

Jul 11-15: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes. The Lowry, Salford.

Your senses are about to be dazzled.

Jul 11-15: The Curious Incident

UNIQUE CHARITY NEWSPAPER

Your wish is my command

DISNEY’S’ hit West End musical ALADDIN gets its first dedicated autism-friendly performance in August.

Disney Theatrical Productions are working closely with The National Autistic Society to deliver the show at London’s Prince Edward Theatre. n Tuesday, August 29, at 1.30pm. n Box Office: Tel. 0844 482 5151.

A specific website has been set up for this performance, linking to a dedicated booking page. n www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk/autismfriendly

of the Dog in the Night. Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Jul 11: Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Charter Theatre, Preston.

Jul 18: Joe McElderry – Gloria.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Jul 12- 22: Out of Love. Theatr Clwyd, Mold. A tale of friendship, love and rivalry between two university students.

Jul 13: The Roy Orbison Story.

Charter Theatre, Preston. Barry Steele’s tribute show.

Jul 13-15: The Dream. Theatr Clwyd, Mold.

Jul 13: Young DaDaFest Perform. Everyman, Liverpool.

Jul 17-22: A Judgement in Stone. Regent Theatre, Stoke.

Andrew Lancel stars in Ruth Rendell’s new Valentine’s Day murder thriller.

Jul 18-22: Funny Girl. Venue Cymru, Llandudno. New production of the West End hit show.

Jul 18-22: Dirty Dancing. Palace

Theatre, Manchester. New production of the classic musical.

Jul 21: The Chicago Blues Brothers. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Jul 21: The Northern Soul & Motown Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. Edwin Starr’s original band The Team plus Lorraine Silver.

Jul 22: Joe McElderry – Gloria.

The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 23: How Time Flies. The Lowry, Salford. Quirky show inspired by archaeology Jul 23-24: John Bishop: Winging IT. The Lowry, Salford.

Jul 24-29: Sister Act. Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Alexandra Burke stars.

Jul 25-29: The Wedding Singer.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Ray Quinn stars in the musical based on the hit Adam Sandler film.

Jul 25-30: The Railway Children.

The Lowry, Salford. Thrilling new

CHESHIRE’S annual weekend festival – Just So – scooped an ‘Outstanding Attitude Award’ for its access and inclusion facilities.

Music charity Attitude is Everything, which encourages UK venues to improve access for disabled visitors, named the festival in its six top spots for 2016.

Suzanne Bull, CEO at Attitude is Everything, said: “The Outstanding Attitude Awards are proof that all live music events, regardless of size and resources, can think outside the box and become more inclusive to a wide spectrum of disabled audiences.”

The Albany, (Deptford) London; Colston Hall, Bristol; Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham; Nozstock, Herefordshire; and Reading Festival were also recognised. n This year’s Just So festival takes place at Scholar Green during Aug 18-20. Tel. 0844 870 0000 or 0121 472 6688.

stage production. Audio described Sat 29 Sep. Jul 25-Aug 27: Walk Like a Man 2017. The Grand, Blackpool.

Musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Audio described, Fri 28 July.

Jul 25-29: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Jul 27-30: Peter Pan. The Brindley, Runcorn. Musical adaptation.

Jul 28: The Carpenters Story.

Southport Theatre.

Jul 30: The Bob Dylan Story.

Charter Theatre, Preston. Tribute show.

Jul 31-Aug 5: Dreamcoats and Petticoats. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. A night of pure rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia.

. . . SEE BACK PAGE FOR DETAILS

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All Together NOW!

Books

Di celebrates the seasons in verse In A Year in Verse: The Modern Pastoral Tales

by Di Wade, Amazon

DEAFBLIND poet Di Wade, a deafblind poet, who also suffers from Antley Bixler syndrome, a rare multiple congenital condition, has published an anthology of poems chronicling her reactions to the changing of the seasons in her native Blackpool, and beyond.

Di celebrates the sights, sounds and smells of life in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and though she is registered blind and severely hearing impaired, she says she “could not smell a skunk at 10 paces!”

Tommy’s tragedy

Winter’s Leap by Timothy Raine, The Book Guild, £6.99 THE novel follows Tommy, with mild cerebral palsy, and is a window into his mind and thoughts as the day unfolds and a tragic event befalls him.

Author Timothy Raine currently works as a support worker in a day centre that helps deafblind individuals.

Timothy said: “I feel that our society can be unforgiving with everyone wrapped up in their busy lives.

Maggi imagines

A Collection of Horsecow Adventures by Maggi King, Troubador, £9.99 HERE’S a children’s book that aims to help young readers understand some of the difficulties of being in a wheelchair.

Author Maggi King says: “I have severe arthritis and after some radical surgery I could no longer walk. After three months in hospital, I was discharged in a wheelchair. But life in a wheelchair is not all bad. The frustration levels are high, mostly because of things I can’t reach, more than that I can’t walk.

“During that time I was given a soft toy pretending to be horse but looking more like a cow. As I began to get better and bored, my sister suggested I wrote stories about Horse-cow.

“A lot of my stories are influenced by my learning how much I could do from the wheelchair. Even though they are a life challenge, they can be fun too!”

June/July 2017

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

words could be exchanged with a powerful individual. You may decide it’s no longer worth it to put up with this oppressive person. On the 23rd, the New Moon will bring an exciting career opportunity that makes your eyes sparkle with joy. As August approaches, you’ll have a chance to travel abroad. Take this opportunity to buy some beautiful items you couldn’t possibly find at home.

The Full Moon on the 9th will bring a disappointing result with a legal or official matter. Resist the temptation to hide away from the world. Avoid getting into an argument with an expert in the middle of the month or you’ll alienate a potential ally. On the 24th, the New Moon will give you a chance to promote a brilliant idea and win support from someone who can make all the difference to your plans.

Don’t let erratic behaviour hurt your reputation in the middle of July. The New Moon on the 23rd is perfect for fulfilling romantic desires. If you’re single, you will meet someone special at a sporting event or contest. Are you already in a relationship? Arrange a fun outing that’s tailored to your amour’s taste.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

You’ll be getting lots of admiring glances at the beginning of June, when your natural charisma will be powerfully accentuated. On the 9th, the Full Moon will bring about an unexpected challenge to your finances. The New Moon on the 24th will prompt you to take a class, learn a skill or begin a writing project. As July approaches, you’ll be forced to stick with a dull routine, despite your desire to branch out.

During the second half of July, you’ll enjoy spending more time in and around your home.

On the 23rd, the New Moon will send help in the form of an attentive relative. Let this family member paper and pet you. A little tender loving care will recharge your batteries. Begin work on a creative project as August approaches.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

People will be very receptive to your ideas at the beginning of the month. The Full Moon on the 9th will put a great deal of strain on a close relationship. During the second half of June, you’ll have to follow a difficult and demanding set of rules to get ahead. Going against the grain will only end up in you missing out on an opportunity. On the 24th, the New Moon will attract an exciting moneymaking opportunity.

During the middle of July, you’ll be tempted to splash out on a lot of lavish status symbols.

Ignore this desire; you’ll quickly tire of a fancy mobile or entertainment centre. The New Moon on the 23rd will find you flirting with an attentive admirer. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

It’s the power of your personality that will win over sceptics and attract admirers. The New Moon on the 24th is ideal for starting a job or assuming another role. Your ideas will be well received by your colleagues. Word of your talent will spread, making you a hot commodity in both your personal and professional lives.

July’s Full Moon on the 9th will bring a welcome opportunity to repair a strained romance. Put an end to an ongoing power struggle and work together instead. On the 23rd, the New Moon will inspire you to start a project that is dear to your heart. Doing work that is personally meaningful will uplift and inspire you. It will also give you the courage to break away from an oppressive situation.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

The Full Moon on the 9th will force you to reconsider a romantic relationship. You may decide your partner is more trouble than they are worth. The middle of the month will find you busy with a creative project and so there won’t be much time for social pursuits. On the 24th, the New Moon will give you a welcome chance to rest, relax and recharge your batteries. Your working environment will feel oppressive at the beginning of July, due to a cantankerous colleague. The New Moon on the 23rd will find you stepping into an enjoyable role. Serving as

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

a spokesperson for a company or cause will be a great use of your star power. The closing days of the month will let you slow down your pace. Take this opportunity to rest, relax and recharge your batteries.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

The start of June will be stimulating on the home as well as the work fronts. Your love life could suffer while you’re busy running between your place and the office. It’s important to give professional matters your full attention; doing a great job will result in a pay rise, promotion or both. On the 9th, the Full Moon could cause a smouldering family argument to erupt. A romantic partner will urge you to abandon a lifelong dream at the beginning of July. The Full Moon on the 9th will prompt you to make an important decision about your love life. It may be better to go solo than stay with someone who dampens your spirit.

LIBRA (September 24th-October 23rd)

The opening days of June will be very romantic.

If you’re single, you could fall head over heels in love with little or no warning. The Full Moon on the 9th could bring some disappointing news. Pick yourself up and dust yourself and make a fresh start around the middle of the month. As June turns into July, you’ll have to postpone work to deal with domestic responsibilities. Finding care for a relative could command the lion’s share of your attention. The second half of July will be festive. The New Moon on the 23rd will mark the beginning of a group project. Working alongside other creative people will bring out the best in you.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Don’t let a charming individual cheat you out of a payment that is rightfully yours. The New Moon on the 24th will attract an exciting opportunity to expand your horizons through travel, writing or studying. Toward the end of the month, you will exchange tense words with someone who thinks they know more than you.

Assert your authority. At the start of July, angry

Friendship could turn to romance at the beginning of the month. The middle of the month warns against being too hard on a romantic partner or business associate. Instead of demanding perfection, take mistakes with a grain of salt. On the 24th, the New Moon will bring good news. As June turns to July, you’ll have to make difficult financial choices. Watch your back and protect your interests.

The middle of the month will put a strain on a romantic relationship. Don’t hesitate to accept an important career assignment during the second half of July; this will be a great time to bolster your professional reputation. The New Moon on the 23rd will inspire you to expand your horizons in some way.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

A creative project will bring you lots of satisfaction in the early days of June. On the 9th, an embarrassing secret will come to light.

Instead of denying the truth, own up to it. This will allow you to repair some broken relationships and make a fresh start. As July approaches, you will have difficulty convincing someone to follow your plan. Try not to take their decision personally. Show respect for a loved one’s opinions throughout early July. The Full Moon on the 9th will give you a greater measure of control over a chaotic situation.

During the middle of the month, you’ll be doing battle with a relative whose erratic behaviour

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

An educational opportunity will fall into your lap in the middle of the month. On the 24th, the New Moon will help you make headway with a health regime. Following a better diet, taking daily exercise and getting more sleep will make you look and feel much better. As June draws to a close, you’ll be torn between a romantic relationship and a friendship. July’s Full Moon will bring the end to a period of seclusion. You’ll welcome the chance to join the social scene again. The middle of the month will bring an opportunity to travel abroad. The New Moon on the 23rd could find you embarking on an enthralling new relationship. It’s a great time to enter into a romantic or business partnership.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

A grant, loan or gift will allow you to make a cherished dream come true at the beginning of June. On the 9th, the Full Moon will put you at the centre of a controversy. You might have to take the blame for someone else’s mistake or issue an apology for a wrong move. Swallow your pride and be as gracious as possible.

Friends will want you to put an end to an enjoyable hobby in the early days of July. Stick to your guns; you’re too smart to bow to peer pressure and there’s no reason why you should. Toward the middle of July, you’ll find family relationships will get challenging. On the 23rd, you’ll receive and interesting offer, courtesy of the New Moon.

HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE READING THESE PAGES

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All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

AMAZING ‘3-in-1’ FLOWERING SHRUBS TO BE WON

A THREE-IN-ONE flowering shrub is our amazing prize in this competition – and we have TEN of them, worth £14.99 each for All Together NOW! readers.

Thompson & Morgan’s Buddleja “Buzz® 3-in-1” combines three plants in one container.

The plants create a compact “single” bush with three different coloured fragrant flower spikes – indigo, ivory and candy pink – which are all big favourites with bees and butterflies.

This unique dwarf variety grows little more than 1.2m (4ft) high but retains all the best qualities of its larger cousin, the butterfly bush, Buddleja davidii, without taking over

the garden. ‘Buzz’ is also the world’s first patio buddleja.

A recent report by Butterfly Conservation revealed that more than three-quarters of butterfly species have declined significantly in the past 40 years and is urging British gardeners to grow plant species like our prize shrubs to support them.

“Buzz” is ideal for patios, scented borders and wildlife gardens, flourishing in full sun or semi-shade and staying compact while flowering from June to October. It does not set seed so there is no risk of rogue plants popping up all over the garden as they do with standard varieties.

To enter the competition, answer this question: What are the flower colours of Buddleja ‘Buzz® 3-in-1’?

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: Buzz Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday, June 16.

You can also enter via email at competition@alltogethernow.org.uk.

Please use THOMPSON-MORGAN in the subject line.

North wins war of the hoses

G

n For the full range of Thompson & Morgan plants go to www.thompson-morgan.com

PRIZE SHRUB: Buddleja “Buzz® 3-in-1”

WETTER IS BETTER Exotic blooms canna, left, and robina

REAT NEWS for All Together NOW! readers! We’re on the right side of the border – the weather border, that is.

A new report, Gardening in a Changing Climate – the first in-depth analysis of UK climate change since 2002 – paints a very disturbing picture for the future of our gardens and green spaces.

South of the border lawns are already at risk of turning brown, new and nasty pests are moving in and dryness could reduce the range of plants.

On the north side, there could be extremes of weather, but generally warmer and wetter conditions which will extend our growing season for flowers, fruit and vegetables.

And the border, according to an in-depth report on climate change effects, is in Northamptonshire.

The report is a collaboration between the Royal Horticultural Society and academics from Sheffield, Reading and Coventry universities with input from the Met Office.

RHS climate scientist and report co-author Dr Eleanor Webster says: “The threat to our gardens and green spaces from climate change is very real and is happening now.

“It is vitally important that gardeners have the information they will need to confront and adapt to the new challenges.

“This report not only provides insights into the specific growing conditions the different areas of the country will face, based on their unique

geography, but it also provides advice on the specific plants that are best equipped to thrive under the new conditions.”

My advice is – don’t be afraid to modify your approach to gardening.

Of 1,000 gardeners interviewed for the report, half said they had already altered gardening practices in response to weather variations.

Here are some ways of making the most of changes north of the climate border.

FLOWERS: Grow more brilliant, exotic plants such as canna, which produces bold leaves and showy flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow and pink, or robina, with purple flowers and a knock-out scent.

SHRUBS: Choose heat-loving plants which thrive in well-drained soil, like lavender, aloe and yucca, with its huge plumes of white flowers in late summer.

FRUIT: Grow late-fruiting raspberries, such as Autumn Bliss, which can crop into November on canes produced the same year. Try a fig tree,

either in a large pot or trained against a wall. The fruits take two years to ripen in Britain – if they ripen at all – but there is a better prospect now we have warmer winters.

HERBS: Plant rosemary, thyme, sage and other shrubby herbs which flourish in dry conditions.

Rosemary can even be grown as an ornamental hedge, flowering for months.

VEGETABLES: Plant shallot varieties such as Jermor or Yellow Moon in autumn to over-winter and produce a larger crop. Plant courgettes outside in mid-spring to get a longer fruiting period.

Despite the warmer and wetter conditions recorded and predicted for the north, experience suggests we will also have dry spells.

Mulching is a cheap and easy way of conserving moisture around established shrubs and perennial flowers.

Garden compost, stable or farmyard manure, wood chippings and shredded bark are among the most effectives mulches, applied in spring when the soil has started warming up but there is still moisture in the ground.

Experience also suggests that unexpected flooding can occur. In gardens at risk, it may be worth making raised beds over a layer of coarse grit or gravel for flowers, fruit or vegetables.

The full report is available at www.rhs.org.uk/climate-change

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31

CHECKLIST

FLOWERS: Trim over aubrieta and yellow Alyssum saxatile with garden shears and give them a generous liquid feed of high-potash fertiliser.

Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as colchicum and autumn crocus.

PATIO: Spend a few minutes every day deadheading container flowers.

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

SHRUBS: In July, remove the fading flowers of roses, pruning the stems back to an outward-facing leaf joint to encourage a second flowering in appropriate varieties. To encourage a strong second flush of bloom, spray the foliage with a liquid feed. Choose one combining a feed with insecticide and/or fungicide if aphids or fungal diseases like blackspot or mildew have been a problem.

LAWNS: Raise the mower blades so that grass is not cut too short to withstand hot weather. Use a spotweeder spray to kill individual weeds.

PONDS: Reduce blanketweed by removing as much as possible and applying a proprietary treatment.

FRUIT: Check gooseberry bushes for mildew. Trim off affected shoots and, if the problem seems serious, spray with a fungicide.

Mildew can be cleaned off fruits before cooking or making jam. Also check for gooseberry sawfly – inconspicuous caterpillars which can strip a bush.

Hand-pick and spray with an insecticide.

GREENHOUSE: As tomatoes ripen, keep feeding and watering regularly. Pinch out the sideshoots from cordon tomatoes and tie in the main stem as it continues to grow, and pinch out the growing tip once five or six trusses of flowers have set fruit. Cherry tomato types can be allowed to grow taller.

HOUSEPLANTS: Repot if roots are showing through the base holes in the pot or on the compost surface.

Replant in a pot at least 2.5cm (1in) wider and deeper.

All Together NOW!

32

June/July 2017

The Accumulator Quiz

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

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Strive (7) Vernal ------- (7) Largest ocean (7) Wealthy (7) Cocaine (anag.) (7) Pigpen (3) Afresh (4) Military vehicle (4) Thus (4) Head of cathedral chapter (4) So far (3) Discovering (7) Skit (4-3) Porridge ingredient (7) Cattle thief (7) Intertwined (7)

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

A B C D

A Bugs Bunny B Road Runner C Fred Flintstone D Yogi Bear QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: Which casino game is similar to pontoon?

Piece of furniture (8) Recess (5) Mischievous (5) Boil (6) Ballet skirt (4) Raging fire (7) Departure point (4) So be it (4) Game played by children (1-3) Abominable snowman (4) Old (4) Squirmed (8) Male donkey (7) Attempt (6) Unacceptable (3,2) Perfect (5) Sour (4) Unctuous (4)

A Hay B Peat C Linen D Timber QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: Actor Tom Hanks voiced which character in the Toy Story series of animated films?

A Hamm B Woody C Mr Potato Head D Buzz Lightyear QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: What was the former name of Iran?

A Mesopotamia B Babylonia C Armenia D Persia QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: I Dreamed a Dream is a song from which hit musical?

A B C D

Phantom of the Opera Wicked Les Misérables West Side Story

Benjamin Britten William Walton Ralph Vaughan Williams John Ireland

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: What is the name of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in the film Titanic?

A B C D

Jack Reacher Jack Sparrow Jack Bauer Jack Dawson

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: In which African country is Matabeleland?

A B C D American actor Tom Hanks. See Question 4

A B C D

A B C D

A knight’s page An itinerant minstrel A boy who turned the spit A chimney sweep

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Dylan Thomas W.C. Fields Ernest Hemingway Errol Flynn

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: In which art technique is paint laid on thickly with visible brush or knife strokes?

Port Sherry Brandy Gin

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: In which country is the village of Passchendaele, scene of a bloody World War I battle?

A B C D

Zimbabwe Kenya South Africa Zambia

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Whose dying words were reputedly: “I’ve had 18 straight whiskies. I think that’s some sort of a record.”?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: What was a jongleur in medieval Europe?

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: Which drink is known as a Vera in cockney rhyming slang?

SUDOKU

A B C D

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Where is the Thar Desert?

A B C D

Belgium France Holland Germany

Pointillism Impasto Grisaille Tempera

Saudi Arabia Jordan Tibet India

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

3

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Who composed the hymn The Holy Boy?

A Blackjack B Chemin de fer C Craps D Roulette QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: In Canada and the US what is measured in cords?

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Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: Which cartoon character lives in Bedrock, Cobblestone County?

8 9

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DIFFICULT

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

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MEDIUM 15

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

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off.

Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

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Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

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33

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

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Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 14?

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1. Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe is acquitted of charges of conspiracy to murder Norman Scott.

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ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords Cook; Blackbeard; Hook; Kirk; Silver; Smollett; Sparrow; America; Han Solo; Nemo; Ahab; Picard; Pugwash; Birdseye; Hornblower; Corelli; Scarlett; Mainwaring.

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Star Name: JAMES BLUNT

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. A logothete is an ancient chancellor.

Dialling Codes 1. armadillo; water vole; chinchilla; meerkat; ferret; aardvark; hamster; badger; gerbil; tarantula; pika; chipmunk; fox.

2. Up; Titanic; The Notebook; Beaches; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Wonderful Life; Bambi; P.S. I Love You; The Green Mile; Watership Down.

3. Konnie Huq; Radzi Chinyanganya; Diane-Louise Jordan; Valerie Singleton; Lesley Judd; Anthea Turner; John Noakes.

4. King Boo; Bowser; Rosalina; Luigi; Birdo; Bob-omb; Mario; Donkey Kong; Waluigi; Goomba;

Wario; Bullet Bill; Dry Bones.

5. make-up artist; location manager; stunt performer; producer; costume director; director; script writer; animator.

6. Benazir Bhutto; Indira Gandhi; Margaret Thatcher; Julia Gillard; Mary Robinson; Yulia Tymoshenko; Angela Merkel.

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

Missing Link pole; unit; flower; fly; image; nose.

Bird: puffin.

Make a Date The year was 1979.

Transformer Roman + CE = Romance.

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June/July 2017

Paralympic hero hangs up his racket

NORTH-West wheelchair tennis star Jamie Burdekin is retiring from the game after a glittering career.

A former Royal Marine, Merseysider Jamie, 37, took up the sport after being injured in a car accident in 2000.

Among his many achievements he won the quad doubles bronze medal with Peter Norfolk at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

He went on to represent his country at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and was also part of the GB teams that won the World Team Cup quad title in 2009 and in 2014, while also winning several more medals in the Davis Cup-style event.

He won a total of 13 singles and doubles titles during his career, most notably the 2014 ITF 1 Cajun Classic quad singles tltle and four quad doubles Super Series titles. He also reached a career-best quad singles world ranking of No. 4 in 2014.

Jamie, from Liverpool, said: “I am really looking forward to spending quality time being home with my family.”

Quad squad glory G

REAT Britain’s quad wheelchair tennis team won their fifth BNP Paribas World Team Cup title in Sardinia after defeating Israel 2-1.

Please send this coupon and a cheque payable to All Together NOW! to: Subscriptions Dept., All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP — THANKS!

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The GB men’s team lived up to their second seeding to claim the silver medal behind top seed France, who took the title after another deciding doubles rubber.

Andy Lapthorne, Antony Cotterill and James Shaw all played in in the quad final, before Cotterill and Lapthorne won the crucial doubles rubber.

The GB men’s team of Gordon Reid, Alfie Hewett and Dermot Bailey were beaten 2-1 by France after a rematch of the Rio 2016 Paralympic men’s doubles final.

Shaw, representing Great Britain for just the second time at what is the wheelchair tennis equivalent of the Davis Cup, found

London 2012 gold medallist Noam Gershony too strong in the opening singles rubber, Gershony winning 6-2, 6-1 to give Israel the lead.

However, world No. 3 Lapthorne levelled the final with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Shraga Weinberg, and reigning Doubles Masters champions Cotterill and Lapthorne produced a sensational performance to beat London 2012 doubles bronze medallists Gershony and Weinberg 6-3, 6-0.

With the men’s team hoping to seal an historic double of two World Team Cup titles in the same year for Great Britain, world No.7 Alfie Hewett ensured a winning start to the final after defeating France’s world No.5 Nicolas Peifer 6-3, 6-3.

World No.1 Stephane Houdet forced the doubles rubber, beating world No.2 Reid 6-4, 6-3 and Rio gold medallists Houdet and Peifer won an enthralling contest 6-3, 6-0 against Rio silver medallists Hewett and Reid.

stay ahead of the game . . .

Man Utd fans are split on access

LONG overdue plans to improve access at Manchester United have divided its disabled supporters.

The official disabled supporters’ association at the Premier League highflyers has welcomed the plans, which will see wheelchair spaces increase from 120 to 277.

But a smaller group of disabled fans has raised concerns.

They say there has not been any consultation on the plans outside the official Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association, and have raised concerns that the new wheeelchair spaces will be restricted to a certain section of the stadium, and lower levels that are more likely to be exposed to the elements.

As well as increased wheelchair spaces, the number of amenity seats for other disabled fans will rise from 126 to 278 under the club’s proposals, which will be phased in over three years. There will also be new accessible toilet facilities.

The key issue raised by the Independent Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association, is that the club has refused to meet its members to discuss their concerns and allow them to examine the proposals in depth.

The club is just one of many that have been forced to improve access for disabled supporters.

But the official fans group insists that the club has come up with the right solution to improving access.

Chas Banks, who took over as MUDSA’s secretary last October, said: “We have had very few complaints, apart from one very small group.”

The Level Playing Field charity said it was disappointed that the club would miss the August 2017 target because of its phased approach to achieving the minimum standards.

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Football’s good for body.... and mind

IT’S OFFICIAL – football is great for bodies … and minds!

Playing the game has a direct improvement on the lives of people with mental health conditions, researchers at Abertay University, Dundee, have found.

Since December 2015, Abertay academics Emma Lamont and Professor Geoff Dickens have been working with NHS Tayside and NHS Fife to look at the impact regular five-aside football and walking football sessions on people who have experience of mental health conditions The research, which is due to be published, found participants reported a range of positive benefits including an enhanced ability to form and sustain relationships and friendships, improved fitness and health, and a feeling of peer support from team mates.

Emma Lamont said: “Some players said that, at their worst, they had been unable to leave the house for months, but then after joining the football group gradually started feeling a little better.”

The study looked at four different groups, some of which have been playing together for as long as 15 years.

Ages range from 18 to 60 and there is a mixture of male and female participants.

Lamont said: “They compete in mental health leagues in Scotland and talked about going to these tournaments as a big motivator for them.

“If someone is acutely unwell and in hospital they can come to play football as therapy.”

The football sessions are funded through the NHS with local authority support.

All Together NOW!

June/July 2017

Pupils get into swing of golf

Over 16 and fancy a try at rugby?

MIXED ability teams from Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors wowed the crowd at half time during the Premiership clash as the clubs joined forces to promote inclusive rugby.

The two sides, made up of both non-disabled players and disabled players with physical and learning

needs, competed at tag rugby on the AJ Bell Stadium pitch.

Sale’s mixed ability rugby programme is being delivered by the Trust at four venues, and coaches are on the lookout for new players – both disabled and nondisabled and over 16 years of age – to join the team.

n DO YOU want to get involved with mixed ability rugby at Aldwinians RUFC? If so contact Vicky.irwin@salesharks.com or Paul Lyons at Winnies Warriors on lyonsp@sky.com.

Tel. 0161 667 7518.

It’s tee time

FLASHBACK: Winners at the 2016 English Disability Open (image © Leaderboard Photography)

T

HE English Disability Open returns to The Warwickshire Golf Club in August and will be played over both the Earls and Kings courses.

Jamie Blair, disability manager for England Golf, said: “We aim to deliver a successful and memorable tournament for all and encourage golfers of all impairments to come together to compete using the handicap system and against the challenge of the course.”

The championship is open to all British disabled golfers who hold a CONGU handicap with competition status.

Although this is not a European Disabled Golf Association badged event, players holding an EDGA Medical Pass will be able to submit scores from this event to the EDGA Rankings.

Golfers, regardless of their impairment, will play in three handicap categories over 36 holes.

Category One and Two golfers will compete in

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stroke play events and Category Three golfers will play a stableford competition.

Awards will be made to the winner of each handicap category.

Prizes will also be awarded to the highest placed junior and female players.

Conditions and entry forms can be viewed and downloaded from the England Golf website Entries, costing £80, will be accepted on a first come, first served basis with a reserve list in operation.

The championships take place from August 2627. Practice rounds are available on Friday, August 25.

n British Amputee & Les Autres Sports Association (BALASA: Tel. 0118 981 2096, www.balasa.org n England Golf: Tel. 0152 635 4500 www.englandgolf.org

Tel 0151 230 0307

TEACHERS at a North-West school specialising in supporting pupils with special needs has praised a local golf club for its innovative teaching methods.

Carus Green golf club has held a series of tailored golf lessons with the pupils at Sandgate School in Kendal, Cumbria, introducing them to the game and developing their learning and social skills.

Sandgate school provides specialist teaching for pupils aged 3-19 with a variety of learning and physical disabilities.

Teacher Colin Pearson said: “We never believed we would ever have the opportunity to use such fantastic facilities and the pupils have absolutely flourished.

“It’s the first time any of them have experienced playing golf but they have responded to the instruction so well, listening and applying what they have learned.

“Many of them are now progressing with their swing and striking the ball.

Most important has been the emotional effect on these young people. Their enjoyment and excitement has been such a joy to see.”

Summer snow time

FREE taster days for wheelchair users and people with mobility problems are available at Chill Factore, Manchester, on Monday, June 26; The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead (Aug 11); and SnowDome, Tamworth (Sep 13).

Disability Snowsport say they have equipment to cater for everyone, and all activities are adapted to suit abilities.

Email lessons@disabilitysnow sport. org.uk Tel. 0845 521 9338.

Young amputee games

NATIONAL charity LimbPower is staging two Junior Games for young amputees and children (aged 5-18) with physical impairments.

Sports include climbing, wheelchair basketball, track and field athletics, cycling, sitting volleyball, tennis, archery and football.

For many participants, the Junior Games is one of the first opportunities they have to try out lots of different activities. n Saturday, June 24 - LimbPower Junior Games Birmingham, Small Heath Wellbeing Centre. n Saturday, Sept 30 – LimbPower Junior Games Stoke Mandeville. n Contact Andy Brittles, Tel. 0750 303 0502 Email andy@limbpower.com

35

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OUR FREE and favourite All Together NOW! charity newspaper is helping hundreds of thousands of people.

But we could do with a bit of help, too . . .

If you are taking part in a fun run – or ANY fundraiser – please consider doing it for All Together NOW! and we’ll feature your efforts.

You can also help by making a charitable a donation to All Together NOW! You can either send us a cheque, text a donation on your mobile phone (DONATE ATNOW 88802), or commit to a regular monthly donation via the Charity Checkout link on our website www.alltogethernow.org.uk All Together NOW! is the only paper of its kind in the UK. Together we can secure the newspaper’s future – and make it even bigger and better for EVERYONE! Thank you TOM DOWLING, EDITOR All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No: 1106387 n Tel 0151 230 0307 n info@alltogethernow.org.uk

June/July 2017

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