Issue40

THE GOOD NEWS NEWSPAPER FFOORRM MEERR GOVERNMENT MINISTER TEAMS UP p3 WITH US!

STREET TREAT! page 6

DECEMBER-JANUARY, 2012

WIN! WIN! WIN!

HELP FOR BANK WORKERS . . . p7

p27 10 KIDS’ GARDENING PACKS TO BE WON

p16 AUTOMATIC CHOICE

FIGHTING p18

POSITIVE AWARDS

Jean’s spirit wows judges at Morgan p9 Foundation

BACK

opening doors . . . broadening minds

p5

p7

p9

p11

TAKE ME HOME!

p14

p20

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

All Together NOW!

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What’s inside NEWS

p2-8

PARK HAMPER WINNER

p5

BANK WORKERS CHARITY

p7

THE MORGAN FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

p9

GETTING ON

p10

UNITED UTILITIES

p11

CAREZONE

p12

PROPERTY

p13

MERSEYTRAVEL

p14

MOTORZONE

p15-17

POSITIVE ACTION AWARDS

p18

SKILLZONE

p20-21

HEALTHZONE

p22-23

THEATRE GUIDE

p24-25

ASTRALZONE

p26

GARDENING

p27

PUZZLEZONE

p28-29

CONTACT BOARD

p30

SPORTZONE

p31-32

n All Together NOW! is a registered charity set up to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose life is affected by disability, longterm health condtions or age. n The charity relies entirely on support from its sponsors, advertisers and from general subscriptions and grants. n You can contact us on

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

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

NEXT EDITION: Tuesday 7 February, 2012 All Together NOW! is published by All Together Now! Ltd, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP Registered Charity No.1106387 Company No. 5096931 Printed by Trinity Mirror NW2, Oldham

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEWS

X Factor helps out

ATTENTION! A NEW ‘Attention Card’ that tells emergency service staff that the holder of the card has autism has been launched..

Adam Shaw, at Cheshire Fire & Rescue, said “Initiatives such as the Autism Attention card may save precious time, and potentially a life.”

The cards are free to all Cheshire residents.

Tel, 01928 722384

Thousands in street action T

HOUSANDS of disabled people across the UK took to the streets in a series of anti-cuts protests.

Rallies and marches took place under the banner of The Hardest Hit, the campaign organised by the UK Disabled People’s Council and members of the Disability Benefits Consortium.

They want the government to stop its cuts to disability benefits and services for disabled people.

More than 400 people took part in the Manchester protest, which was supported by disabled Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston.

Speakers at the rally, outside the Town Hall, included disabled blogger Kaliya Franklin, who told fellow campaigners: “We will not sit quietly by while these cuts are made.

“We must continue to let our MPs, to let our peers and councillors know how our benefits and services really help us to live our daily lives and what losing our independence means.

“We want our dignity, we want our independence and we need a welfare system that supports people with the real costs of living with a disability.”

An estimated 1,000 people attended the protest in Edinburgh, with speakers including the disabled peer Lord Low, and Iain Gray, leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

Another 1,000 campaigners marched through the streets of

SUPPORT: David Rowntree and Cherylee Houston

Hardest hit demand halt to benefit cut Cardiff, while 500 took part in a march through Bristol city centre and a rally in College Green.

Speakers in Bristol included Labour MP Kerry McCarthy, who criticised the city council for cutting support and services for disabled people.

An estimated 500 protesters attended a march and rally in Norwich, with speakers including Jaspal Dhani, chief of the UK Disabled People’s Council, and Mark Harrison, head of Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People.

Those who joined the march included David Rowntree, drummer with the band Blur and now shortlisted by Labour to fight the Norwich South seat at the next general election.

Dhani said afterwards: “Today’s protests demonstrate just how much disabled people, their friends and family are going to be affected

by this government’s cuts and the many broken promises it has made to protect disabled people.

“Remember it was disabled people who campaigned for and won laws to tackle discrimination.

We can and must do it again to resist these cuts.”

After the London rally, the disabled comedian and activist Liz Carr said: “I think we need to show the media and the government that there is strength in numbers, that there is a voice and it is not just an elite few on blogs and social media.

“I think people are genuinely terrified about what the next few months are going to hold for them.”

Disabled activist and blogger Lisa Egan said she was at the protest because if her benefits were cut she would not be able to afford to live, as she was too ill to work.

She said: “I depend on benefits.

You take them away and I have got nothing.”

John Robinson said he and his family were worried about the possibility of losing his disability living allowance (DLA), which he uses to lease a car through the Motability scheme, which he “could never afford without DLA”.

Julie Rana, another disabled protester, said she was at the rally because “if we are not careful and we do not campaign enough a lot of disabled people will not be able to afford to live”.

Other rallies took place in Brighton, Birmingham, Nottingham and Newcastle.

A NEW charity that supports children with limited lifespans is to benefit from this year’s X Factor charity single, Wishing on a Star.

Former charities ACT & Children’s Hospices UK have teamed up to form the new Together for Short Lives organisation.

Recorded by all 16 X Factor finalists, the single can be download from the X Factor website: www.xfactor.itv.com The new charity’s chief executive Barbara Gelb said: “With so much change taking place in health and social care across the UK, we are ideally placed to provide a strong and consistent voice for children and families and support the very best in care practice across the sector.

“We are all about supporting children and families to make the very most of life” n Helpline 0845 108 2201 www.togetherforshortlive s.org.uk

‘Say no’

THE possible closure of hundreds of ticket offices would make it almost impossible for many disabled people to travel by train, MPs have heard.

The closure of 675 ticket offices was recommended in a report by Sir Roy McNulty, which is currently being considered by the Department for Transport.

Labour MP Lisa Nandy has called on the Government not to approve the proposals.

She said disabled young people had spoken to her of the indignity and humiliation they faced when they tried to travel by train, such as being unable to get on and off trains because there were no ramps, or the ramps were too long or too short, or no staff were available to operate them.

Many campaigning organisations had expressed concerns about

access to public transport.

All Together NOW! is exceptionally well received by its readers.

200,000 readers DO NOT see any other local paper — The Murray Consultancy

TAKE ME HOME!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Ex-Government minister joins the team

F

ORMER Government Minister Jane Kennedy is teaming up with your award-winning charity newspaper, All Together NOW! Mrs Kennedy, whose roles included Minister of state for health (2005-2007) and works and pensions minister (2004-2005), is joining the charity’s board of trustees.

She said: “All Together NOW! is a terrific free newspaper that is providing an excellent news service for the huge numbers of people affected by disability and ill-health in a very positive and upbeat way.

“I have been a great admirer of the charity – ever since it was set up in 2004.

“The paper addresses inequalities, and by raising awareness about wide-ranging disabilities and health issues it is helping to break down so many social barriers.

“I am delighted to get on board and very much looking forward to working with the team.”

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TAKE ME HOME!

In addition to her Government roles in health and pensions, Mrs Kennedy was a junior minister in the Lord Chancellor’s department (1999-2001), Minister of state, Northern Ireland (2001-2004), Financial secretary to the Treasury (2007-2008), and Minister of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Oct 2008 - Jun 2009).

She was also appointed a Privy Councillor in 2003.

Prior to winning her first seat (Liverpool Broadgreen) in the 1992 General Election, Mrs Kennedy worked as a residential child care officer and care assistant with Liverpool City Council.

She was also a trade union organiser for the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE).

Mrs Kennedy stepped down as the longserving Liverpool Wavertree MP before this year’s general election.

A New Year – and challenges aplenty

NEW TRUSTEE: JANE KENNEDY

W

OW – what a year 2011 has been with the newspaper industry in turmoil and titles closing all over the country.

We’re all going through especially tough times and in deep, stormy and uncharted seas . . .

And if it’s scary for the big guns then I’m sure you can appreciate what it’s like for charity publications like All Together NOW! who rely almost entirely on advertising revenue and sponsorships.

That’s why we are so thankful to our small band of sponsors who are helping to keep our heads above water.

United Utilities, The Morgan Foundation, Park Group, The Bank Workers Charity, Merseytravel and Liverpool Community College have all been magnificent with their ongoing support.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT . . .

Their support has helped us to have one of the BIGGEST readerships of ANY newspaper in the entire North West.

One hundred thousand copies of this Christmas edition rolled off the presses and will be read by 400,000 people right across the region.

That’s got to be good – hopefully, it just might attract the attention of some of the bigger advertising agencies and potential new sponsors.

It’s also good news that more and more supermarkets, hospitals and health centres are stocking the paper.

So far, 35 of our distinctively branded pick-up boxes are in Asda,

Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Booths’ stores across Liverpool, Wirral, Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire – and thousands of papers are being taken every week!

The feedback is terrific, too . . .

“All Together NOW! is the best, most informative and liveliest newspaper I have ever read,” says one of our new readers.

“I am a carer – not in very good health – and this amazing newspaper has helped me contact various services and organisations I didn’t even know existed. Thanks!”

It’s comments like this, and the huge support we already have, that give us hope for the year ahead ...

A big THANKS – and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – to you all.

We’re back in February!

Tom Dowling, editor

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December/January 2012

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NEWS

Bus users want Stephen Fry aboard Social investment is ‘big opportunity’ THE Bank Workers Charity is urging other charities, trusts, funders and banks to look into the benefits of social investment.

The move comes after recent new guidance from the Charity Commission, which opens the way for charities to invest for social as well as financial returns.

Speaking at BWC’s re-branding launch event, the charity’s chief executive Fred Payne said: “We’re starting the ball rolling with social investment and believe that to get the best results we need a range of organisations to get involved.

“There are huge opportunities from the developments of social investment.

“It could help us deliver new services more quickly and at lower cost.”

Round tables are being arranged during the coming months for all interested parties. n Interested organisations should contact Jenna Southgate on 020 7216 8981or email Jenna.Southgate@bwcharity.org.uk Helpline: 0800 0234 834. www.bwcharity.org.uk n Help

for bank workers – Page 7

Why I love this paper I have been a carer for my husband for the past seven years and All Together NOW! makes me realise I am not alone - there are thousands of us and there is help available. I would pay to have this paper - I would rather read this than the nationals. - Mrs K Cummins, New Chester Road, Wirral

Golden opportunity A NEW charity-run Mobility and Independent Living store has opened in the Warrington’s Golden Square Shopping Centre.

All profits generated through the store will be reinvested into supporting the continued delivery of Warrington Disability Partnership services including the Wizard Narrowboat operated on the Bridgewater Canal, two accessible holiday caravans located in North Wales, a fleet of over 300 wheelchairs that are made available on free loan for up to six weeks, the Disability Information Point at Warrington Market, and a Shopmobility satellite service. n WDP tel 01925 240064

Sounds good . . .

LOOKING for a useful Christmas gift for someone with hearing problems?

The new ‘Solutions’ catalogue, produced by national charity Action on Hearing Loss, is packed with “life changing” products including more than 40 new items. n Tel. 01733 361199 or Textphone 01733 238020 n www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop

STEPHEN Fry’s is the celebrity voice most people would like to hear aboard Britain’s buses.

The host of QI beat the likes of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Lord Sugar when people were asked who they would like to get their bus information from.

The poll was carried out for the Guide Dogs organisation, which is campaigning to get audio visual announcements on buses to help everyone, not just visually impaired people.

A Guide Dogs spokesman said:

“We want buses to have a visual display and an announcement with details of the next stop and final destination, so everyone knows where they are along a route and where to get off.”

It seems the public agree with Guide Dogs, with 61% of those who use buses regularly agreeing that audible announcements on buses would make travelling easier.

The top reasons for not using buses, apart from people preferring to use other modes of transport (50%), were because they are

inconvenient (42%), the respondent did not need to go anywhere by bus (31%), and because they are too expensive (30%).

David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs’ Head of Campaigns, said: “For the UK’s two million blind and partially-sighted people, as well as those with other disabilities or who are simply unfamiliar with their surroundings, a major factor stopping them from using buses is the lack of accessible information on board.

“We want to change this.”

Pupils’ hearing challenge Y

OUNG people are being encouraged to think how science can improve life for people with hearing problems.

An exciting new competition for young people aged 10 to 18 – My Hearing, My Future – is being launched by medical charity Deafness Research UK.

Entrants are being invited to help “Sonar”, the charity’s virtual superhero, by contributing ideas on research, technologies and inventions that could help him improve the world for people with hearing loss.

Sonar is a research scientist who happens to be deaf. He also has extraordinary powers including superhuman intelligence and super strength.

Like many young deaf people, Sonar wears a cochlear implant but Sonar’s implant has a very special “super” feature – it warns him of impending danger.

Science career Vivienne Michael, chief executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “Around nine million people in the UK are affected by hearing loss and the numbers are growing rapidly.

“We want to encourage young people to think about their hearing, the support currently available for people with hearing loss, and the difference they could make to those affected.

“We also want to get young people excited and involved in hearing research and encourage more to consider a career in science.”

Competition entries will be judged

Young hero wins Diana award

New ideas wanted to help deaf people

in two age categories: 10-14 and 15-18 and entries can be in English or British Sign Language.

The closing date is January 20.

Winning entries will be selected by

THERE has been a “significant increase” in the number of negative stories about disabled people in national newspapers over the last six years.

The Bad News for Disabled People report, which compared articles from 2004-05 and 2010-11, found that the proportion of stories about disability benefit fraud had more than doubled.

When focus groups were asked to describe a typical story in the newspapers about disability, benefit fraud was the most common subject mentioned.

There were also more stories discussing the alleged burden that disabled people are placing on the economy, and a fall in the number of articles about disability discrimination.

‘Scroungers’

TEENAGER Eshwaramma Nrayanappa has won the first International Diana Award, in the year the Princess of Wales would have turned 50.

The 18-year-old from Karnataka, south west India, who is quadriplegic, campaigns on behalf of disabled villagers advising politicians, training carers and highlighting the importance of education and equal opportunities.

Lyndall Stein, from ActionAid, who sponsor the teenager, said: “Eshwaramma has not let poverty, nor her disability, hold her back. She is a hero.”

More news is bad news for disabled people

Among Eshwaramma’s achievements as a campaigner has been helping to make possible a young disabled boy’s transition into school, despite his parents’ fears that he would be bullied.

Eshwaramma – who writes and draws by holding pens and paintbrushes in her mouth – hopes to qualify as an art teacher. a panel including people with hearing loss, scientists and an MP with an awards ceremony at the House of Commons in March. n www.my-hearing-my-future.co.uk

260,000 – two-thirds of All Together NOW! readers – DO NOT read any other disability or health publication — The Murray Consultancy

The report concludes that there has been a shift from a largely patronising portrayal of disabled people in 2004-05 to one where the predominant focus has been on disabled people as scroungers.

It was written by the University of Glasgow’s Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research and Glasgow Media Group and commissioned by the disabled people’s organisation Inclusion London, The Daily Mirror increased its use of unpleasant or disparaging language from 4.3 per cent to 8.8 per cent of articles, but the greatest increase was found in the Daily Mail, the Daily Express and the Sun. Professor Nick Watson, of the Strathclyde Centre, said: “Much of the coverage in the tabloid press is at best questionable and some of it is deeply offensive.”

TAKE ME HOME!

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

December/January 2012

I

T’S not often that someone knocks on your door and hands over the biggest Christmas food hamper you’re likely to see.

But that’s exactly what happened when Park’s deliveryman called on Hazel Sutcliffe.

“I was absolutely bowled over,” Hazel said. “It was suddenly like being in my local supermarket – there was so much food and it was all for free!”

Hazel, from New Moston, Manchester, was the lucky winner of our hugely popular Park Empire Hamper competition that attracted more than 1,500 entries from right across the North West and beyond.

Her prize was Park’s WINNER: top-of-the-range Empire hamper, worth almost £520!

“I just couldn’t believe I’d won,” she said. “I picked up my All Together NOW! from my local Asda store in Harpurhey and when I saw the competition I thought wouldn’t it be nice to have a hamper like that for Christmas. So I entered and WON! “I thinkAll Together NOW! is the best, most informative and liveliest newspaper I

Hazel, pictured by her son – “CJ Sutcliffe” – surrounded by the Park hamper have ever read.

“I am a carer myself and also not in very good health at the moment, and this amazing newspaper has helped me contact various services and organisations I didn’t know existed!

“I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone at Park for supporting this charity newspaper,” Hazel added. “It’s unique and it’s helping so many people.”

Hazel’s son Chris, 23, who has autism, is also celebrating after landing a part-time job with Boots.

“It’s good working there,” said Chris (bettern known to his friends as “CJ Sutcliffe”). He’s also good with a camera – as this picture he snapped of his mum with all the goodies clearly shows. n For more than 40 years Park has been providing top quality hampers for hundreds of thousands of customers across the country.

PREP82C12_AllTogeterNow_262x165_Sept 26/09/2011 13:52 Page 1

All Together NOW!

Now let’s be fair about these fares to introduce new legislation that would extend free travel concessions in England to disabled people who use community transport services.

Mr Maynard, the Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said extending the concessionary scheme was a matter of human dignity.

The scheme provides disabled people and over 60s with free off-peak travel on local buses and some other forms of public transport.

But the free travel does not usually apply if the user needs to use community transport – such as a dial-aride service – because of their mobility impairment.

Mr Maynard told MPs: “To me, that imbalance seems to be not only unfair, but contrary to the spirit of human dignity.”

He added: “I understand that many councils seek to subsidise travel for those who are disabled in various ways.

However, not every council does, and with increasing budgetary pressures... I fear that fewer and fewer will.”

His bill follows a report by the transport select committee in August, which found that most local authorities in England had cut funding for bus services.

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All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEWS

Anne is battle ready

Disability groups set to join forces THREE of the country’s leading disability organisations are to merge.

The National Centre for Independent Living, RADAR and Disability Alliance are teaming up to create a new charity to be called Disability Rights UK. The new charity will be a disabled people’s organisation (DPO), will be led by a disabled person, and will be run and controlled by disabled people, with disabled people making up at least three-quarters of its board members.

Disability Rights UK will focus on promoting disabled people’s leadership and control, breaking the link between disability and poverty, and campaigning for disability equality and human rights.

Liz Sayce, head of RADAR, will lead the new organisation. She said: “It is fantastic news that three organisations have now voted overwhelmingly in favour of coming together to create an even stronger national organisation led by disabled people.

“This will enable many more disabled people to have a voice.”

Library champions NEW library champions are answering the reading needs of visually impaired people across the United Kingdom.

Better access to technology and collections of large print and audio books are also among six steps that public libraries are adopting in a bid to include the UK’s two million blind and partially sighted people.

Already, 176 out of 210 library authorities have signed up – including Bolton, Blackburn, Cheshire East and Bury – and the efforts to improve access are paying off.

Six Steps to Library Services for Blind and Partially Sighted People is run by the Society of Chief Librarians, Scottish Library and Information Council and charity Share the Vision.

STAR TREATMENT: Dominic and James with Corontaion Street actresses Sue Cleaver and Sue Nicholls – and Together Trust staff Joanne Simcock, Ruth Minnis and Sally Bowden, front

Street treat

S

TARS from Coronation Street gathered on the famous cobbles to show their support for care and education charity, the Together Trust.

Veteran Corrie actor Sue Nicholls got in to the spirit of the charity’s Better Together Week fundraiser by showing Dom and James – two young Together Trust service users – around the familiar set.

As they took in the sights of the Rovers Return and the Underworld Factory, Sue, who plays Audrey Roberts, introduced them to other cast members including Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Simon Gregson (Steve MacDonald), and

Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster).

Sue said: “The Together Trust supports some of the most vulnerable young people and their families in the North West.

“I wanted to get the cast together and introduce them to Dom and James to raise awareness of this fantastic charity and encourage others to get in the fundraising spirit.”

The Trust has just opened a new home in Salford for young people (up to 17) with autistic-specific conditions.

Haines House is the sister service of Pocket Nook, a Together Trust residential home accredited by the National Autistic Society for

young people with autism in Bolton.

The Trust’s other’s services include Newbridge, a community based service for disabled adults and young people in Stockport, and Inscape House School, a specialist school for pupils with autism based in Cheadle.

Formed in 1870, the charity helps more than 1,300 children and young people each year who are experiencing emotional, behavioural or social difficulties, physical and learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions. n Tel. 0161 283 4848 or email enquiries@togethertrust.org.uk www.togethertrust.org.uk

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LABOUR’S new shadow minister for disabled people is set for an all out battle with the Government over its welfare reform bill.

Anne McGuire was announced as Labour’s new shadow minister for disabled people, as part of Labour leader Ed Miliband’s first shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Mrs McGuire, who has a long-term health condition, was minister for disabled people between 2005 and 2008, and currently co-chairs the all-party parliamentary disability group.

She said that Labour would be the voice for “those in genuine need, who need extra help to live a full life”.

Mrs McGuire also pointed to government plans in its welfare reform bill to introduce a new “universal credit”, which she said would see support for disabled children halved, while the severe disability premiu – an extra allowance for many disabled people on income support – would be scrapped.

She added: “We believe there can be reforms made to the system, but this is the wrong way to do it, and we will do all we can to stop these changes.”

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All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Good news for thousands of readers Hello!

I’m Fred Payne, chief executive of the Bank Workers Charity – a long established charity that is providing help and support for current and ex bank workers across the country.

We’ve recently changed our name to the BWC, which heralds the start of a new ambition to help even more people with life’s challenges than ever before.

And to officially mark the occasion, we had a launch event on October 27. There was a great turn out and it was a good chance to step back and pat ourselves on the back for the hard work that’s gone into our rebrand.

But now it’s firmly back to getting on with the task at hand . . .

Our research shows that up to 50,000 people in the banking sector in the UK – 5,000 in the North West – have to cope with different challenges.

Balancing the stresses and strains of work and family pressures, perhaps relating to caring for children or other relatives, might not be easy. Then there may be financial or health problems to cope with.

So, we have expanded our services to offer more practical information, advice, specialist services plus financial support.

We’ve also been working with experts so that help is specially tailored to our clients’ needs.

Through our partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability (LCD) we might be able to help you or someone you know.

Together, we are providing confidential advice and guidance, along with mentoring support to disabled people and carers in the banking community.

The service is having a huge impact on clients’ everyday lives – providing practical help with everything from applying for benefits to finding solutions for transport problems.

LCD also gives individual tailored support in a range of areas, too, such as housing, employment and assistive technology. The advice, guidance and mentoring support can be accessed in a number of ways, depending on people’s needs – online, by phone or through a home visit.

So, if you or someone you know has worked for, or is currently working for, a bank and you could use some support – get in touch NOW! What have you got to lose?

How we are helping people K

EVIN Bayliss broke his back in a car accident and uses a wheelchair. When he needed help with his finances he contacted the Bank Workers Charity.

Before his accident Kevin was training to be a financial services manager and had worked for a number of banks including Barclays, HSBC, HFC and finally Lloyds TSB. But the accident ended his career and he is now unable to work and lives alone.

Kevin, from Liverpool, found out about the Bank Workers Charity by chance when a leaflet fell out of a magazine.

He said: “The leaflet asked: ‘Have you ever INDEPENDENT AGAIN: Kevin Bayliss worked for a bank and face financial difficulties?’ I tend to hold back on that SINCE sort of thing and try to sort my own we began our problems out. But my situation was partnership with Leonard getting me down and I did not know Cheshire Disability we’ve where to look for help. successfully helped 111 clients: “Even though I worked for banks since I was 17 I wasn’t aware of 79 clients had a disability; 32 were carers of a disabled family the Bank Workers Charity.

“I rang the number and they member; confirmed they would be able to 78% reported reduced levels of stress and help and said I would receive a anxiety. telephone call from Leonard Cheshire 74% said their quality of life Disability’s distance mentor Kim had improved; Dalton.”

Kim said: “I began to work with Kevin in late August and we came up with an agreed way of working where we would discuss his problems and I offer support.”

Kevin wanted to sell his bungalow and

Helpline: 0800 0234 834 www.bwcharity.org.uk

move to a more affordable property.

His home had been burgled four times and he wanted to be nearer his parents.

But before the bungalow could go on the market it needed some cosmetic work.

Kim has contacts with local charities that can help and is looking into grant funding so that work can commence.

Through the Citizens Advice Bureau, Kevin has also been able to consolidate his debts, which are deducted from his benefits.

He’s had other setbacks, too . . .

In 2008 he had his Motability car stolen and, as a result, was not allowed back onto the scheme and had to buy a car on hire purchase from Motability.

But he found it hard to cope with the repayments of £300 per month Thanks to Kim’s help, Motability agreed to take back the hire purchase vehicle and allow him a new car under their leasing scheme.

Kevin said: “I can’t tell you what a weight off my shoulders it is. I am feeling much more like my old self.

“The mentoring process and the results it has achieved definitely helped me connect and feel good about myself even though I still have a broken back and take 23 tablets each day!

“I haven’t been going to the gym because I could not afford the petrol.

Now I hope that will change.

“If I can go again it means I get the chance to meet people – and you never know I might even meet a girl!”

REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £50 M&S VOUCHERS

THE Bank Workers Charity exists to help anyone currently working, or who has worked, in the banking industry who has hit hard times.

We know there are thousands of All Together NOW! readers who could benefit from our support services – we just need to know who YOU are!

Over the next year we will be encouraging readers to register with us so that we can provide the appropriate help – and as fast as possible.

We will also keep you regularly informed about the kind of

support we are giving to people across the UK, and keep you posted on any new initiatives (ours, or those of other charities) which we think you might benefit from.

We’ll even enter you in our special prize draws to win £50 Marks & Spencer gift vouchers.

So register now – you have absolutely nothing to lose and maybe lots to gain.

This draw runs until the end of December.

The lucky winner will be notified by mid-January.

Send this form to: Registration, Bank Workers Charity, Pinners Hall, 105-108 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1EX. You can also register by email at info@bwcharity.org.uk — but please inlcude all requested details.

NAME: ADDRESS:

TEL NO:

POSTCODE: EMAIL:

EMPLOYER DETAILS

EMPLOYER: EMPLOYER ADDRESS:

YEAR(S) OF EMPLOYMENT:

7

8

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

FEATURE:

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Lord Morris of Manchester

L Website access is going to get easier HELP is on the way for millions of older people and those with disabilities who have trouble reading websites.

The Royal National Institute for Blind People and Fix the Web have joined forces to challenge the offending sites.

Fix the Web is an initiative of Citizens Online, a national charity that campaigns for internet access for all.

The partnership encourages people to report any accessibility problems they have. Volunteers then assess the problem and take it to the relevant webmaster, hopefully reaching a solution and certainly raising awareness.

RNIB’s Robin Spinks said: “There is no excuse for inaccessible websites.” n www.fixtheweb.net

Why I love this paper AS a social worker in the north east, I think All Together NOW! is amazing and hope that one day you will be able to go nationwide with the print version!

- Kathryn Waites, Frensham Drive, Hartlepool

Good business . . .

BUSINESSES have the chance to do better on disability – and win a prize for it – thanks to the Disability Standard.

The new online service enables businesses to measure and improve on performance for disabled customers, clients or service users, employees and stakeholders.

Launched by the Employers’ Forum on Disability, the Standard is a management tool and benchmark that has been successfully piloted by 19 organisations from across the private and public sectors.

The evaluation process will run until the summer, with the Disability Standard Awards taking place in late 2012. n Tel. 020 7403 3020. Textphone: 020 7403 0040. www.efd.org.uk

IRTON HOUSE FARM

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Book now!

ONG ago – in the autumn of 1951 – a young undergraduate, studying at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, received an unexpected call to stand for Labour in the forthcoming general election for the constituency of Liverpool Garston.

His name was Alfred Morris, and he was aged just 23 years and six months.

A year earlier, knowing that his university course would last for three years, he and his fiancée Irene Jones had decided to marry and live in Oxford. Alf had thought it unwise to acquaint the college authorities with this happy event; even less so when less than two weeks later, and only a week into the academic year, he was invited to Garston to be considered for selection as their prospective Labour parliamentary candidate.

He decided, unwisely, that he could slip away for the day without anyone being the wiser.

Alas, no. The Oxford Mail got wind of the story, and the future Lord Morris of Manchester was in hot water. The Very Reverend Victor John Knight Brook, the ‘Censor’ of the college, was not best pleased.

“Ballistic,” was Alf’s word for it, “never was a Censor more censorious.” It prompted a severe academic punishment, but his political ambitions were nevertheless allowed to take their course.

Poor family Nationally, Labour had enjoyed a landslide victory in the first postwar election, and the party was again successful in the general election of February 23, 1950. But this time their majority was waferthin. After a difficult period, Clement Attlee concluded that he must go to the country again, and a further general election was called for October 25, 1951.

Liverpool, at this time, was largely a Conservative stronghold.

Garston – a new constituency formed for the election of February 1950 – had been comfortably won by Sir Victor Raikes, an experienced career politician who during World War II had served as a flight lieutenant in the RAF. Alf Morris’s pedigree was of a somewhat lower order. He came from a poor family and had begun life in a Manchester slum. His achievement in getting to St. Catherine’s had been little short of miraculous. As though to underline the inferiority of his position, Alf, along with Irene and new baby Cathy, travelled to Liverpool by third class only because there was no fourth class.

He had but one suit, a gift from the army on his demobilisation, the trousers of which were carefully placed with baby clothes and nappies under the mattress of

A real diamond

by DEREK KINRADE

Cathy’s pram in the guard’s van.

Unfortunately they were equally carefully removed en route to Lime Street, and Alf fought the three-week campaign in approximately-matching trousers borrowed from his agent, Bill Sefton.

Campaigning was nonetheless intense. Few people then had television sets and political meetings were big occasions, with large overflows and vocal public participation by way of heckling and lively questioning.

Religion Alf remembers one such meeting where he had to be lifted in and out. Alf had to rely on public transport, and would often speak at several meetings in the course of an evening, especially on the eve of the poll.

The constituency covered Childwall, Aigburth, Allerton, Hunts Cross, Speke and Garston itself.

There was also one enormous

Sunday afternoon meeting at the Liverpool Stadium, a venue normally used for boxing. Even that great venue was full, with an overflow, to hear a young parliamentarian called Harold Wilson, the main speaker Aneurin Bevan, and a fresh-faced young student from Oxford. One heckler had a towel around his neck as though he was a leftover from the Stadium’s last fight, giving vent to incomprehensible opinions.

Turning to him, Bevan responded: “And Mademoiselle from Armentieres to you!”

A golden rule in Liverpool was to avoid religion. Liverpool was something of a second Belfast, with ingrained enmity between Protestants and Catholics. The annual Orange Day march almost invariably finished up with fighting.

Bill Sefton’s advice was that they must not get involved in the sectarian divide.

Nevertheless, when an invitation from Archbishop Heenan turned

up it was irresistible. “That’s not religion; that’s politics,” was Bill’s advice.

A stalwart supporter, famous throughout Liverpool, was the MP Bessie Braddock, She and Alf became close friends, and thereafter, until her death, she spoke on Alf’s behalf at every election he contested. “Mrs Braddock”, as she was known to Liverpudlians, is now remembered with a statue in the main concourse at Lime Street, and has a special place in Alf’s heart.

The notoriously impartial Liverpool Echo represented the 1951 contest, held shortly after the close of the Festival of Britain, as one between youth and experience. But it faithfully reported Alf’s view that the choice was between war and peace, and that in those dangerous times a particular danger was that the Tory reaction to crisis was to threaten force.

He was also able to point to unprecedented social change since 1945, and urged voters that it was absolutely necessary to vote Labour “for the continuance of peace and a standard of values based on human needs.”

His arguments did not prevail. In a turnout of 80% (by no means uncommon at the time) he gained an honourable 34.8% of the vote.

Defeat was not surprising; indeed to have won would have been disastrous to his progress at St.Catherine’s.

Life peerage Not until 1964 did he secure a place in the House of Commons, wresting Wythenshawe from Conservative control. He held the seat for 33 years, and was then honoured with a life peerage that has allowed him to carry on his political campaigns in the House of Lords.

For 47 years he has been and remains a quiet yet dogged revolutionary with a resolute sense of purpose. Although not himself disabled, the main, almost single-minded, thrust of his work has been dedicated to raising the status of disabled people both in Britain and globally.

As the world’s first Minister for Disabled People (and he really was ‘for’) he brought in a raft of measures that began to lift the disabled community out of the shadows.

Countless millions of people, throughout the world, have benefitted from his pioneering energy, initiated, it should be remembered, at a time of deep financial constraints.

A diamond indeed.

Based on Derek’s biography, Alf Morris: People’s Parliamentarian £14.99, waterstones.com, the profits from which are devoted to charities of Lord Morris’s TAKE ME HOME! choosing.

In the past year All Together NOW! has increased its readership by 20% due to its availability in MAINSTREAM outlets — The Murray Consultancy

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

December/January 2012

All Together NOW!

Roll of honour

EVERYONE’S A WINNER – that was Steve Morgan’s view at The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur 2011 Awards night held at Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire

ABOVE: The team from The Brink. BELOW, Joseph Mulhearn and Jordan Wright from Little League Sports

Oh, what a night!

BEST NEW BUSINESS: The team at Easy MCS, based in Saltney

T

HE winners of the 2011 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards were revealed at a glittering gala ceremony – with fantastic musical entertainment from Kirkby-based disability group, Jus Kidz.

A total of £115k in cash prizes as well as a package of professional services was presented to the winners and runners-up by Steve Morgan, founder and chairman of The Morgan Foundation.

Mr Morgan said: “Our theme for this, our fifth year, was ‘Targeting Inspiration’ which is what the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards are all about, on so many different levels.

“What’s remarkable about this year’s entries and winners is the number centred around renewable energy or recycling, as well as the number founded by young people.

“It is particularly heartening as Britain tries to claw its way out of recession to see so many new businesses not only starting up, but thriving in our area. Long may it continue.”

Barbara Richmond, Group Finance Director, Redrow plc, said: “Redrow is proud to be the main sponsor of the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2011.

The combination of generous cash prizes coupled with an impressive professional support package make these awards unique in rewarding the entrepreneurial efforts of the individuals and organisations in our communities.”

The £20,000 first prize in the Best New

BEST CHARITY OR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – the Dee-Tex Project, Saltney Business category went to Easy MCS Ltd from Saltney in Flintshire, founded by Thomas Farquhar and Simon Roberts. Easy MCS has grown quickly to become the most recognised training brand in the renewable sector.

The Best Entrepreneurial Charity or Social Enterprise prize was scooped by the Dee-Tex Project.

Founded and run by Brian McManus, the social enterprise is committed to providing paid employment and training opportunities to those on the margins of society.

Simon Roberts won the Best Young Entrepreneur award for his business, which offers cash for unwanted items of clothing.

Little League Sports, who work with over 4,500 people each week using sport and other activities as a vehicle to make a positive change in communities, won the Best Entrepreneurial Charity or Social Enterprise in Liverpool category, sponsored by Liverpool Vision.

Winner of a new category this year, Best New Business Idea by a Young Entrepreneur, was Richard Rees of North Wales Hydro Power Ltd. The Business providing the Best Social or Economic Contribution to the Region award went to Galeri Caernarfon Cyf, a not for profit community enterprise operating as a development trust in one of the most deprived parts of North Wales.

Jean’s fighting spirit wins judges’ hearts

AGAINST ALL ODDS: Jean Taylor with Steve Morgan

THE Against All Odds category was the emotional climax of the evening, with a prize of £10,000 awarded to the person or organisation that had overcome the biggest obstacles on their path to success.

Steve Morgan said that reading through the

applications had been a “truly humbling experience”.

The winner this year has seen more than her fair share of hardship and heartache.

Having raised her siblings from the age of 13, Jean Taylor went on to lose her sister, son and daughter to violent

www.morganfoundation.co.uk

murderers. Despite, and because of, her losses, Jean is determined to to put right the failings she encountered in the judiciary system and to establish a support lifeline – Families Fighting for Justice – for those suffering as a result of murder of a loved one.

Best New Business WINNER: Easy MCS, Saltney (£20,000) Joint runners-up: (£5,000 each) Jolly Good Van Hire, Wrexham; Label Line UK Ltd, St Helens Highly Commended: Eco Environments Ltd, Bootle, Merseyside; Navigate IT Ltd, Bretton, Chester Best Young Entrepreneur WINNER: Simon Roberts, Roberts Recycling, Liverpool (£10,000) Joint runners-up (£2,500 each): Thomas Farquhar, Easy MCS Ltd, Saltney; Jordan Wright & Joseph Mulhearn, Little League Sports, Liverpool Highly Commended: Mark Gleave, Healthbox CIC, Chester; Eva Zych, Flavory Nature, Liverpool Best New Business Idea by a Young Entrepreneur WINNER: Richard Rees, North Wales Hydro Power (£5,000) Joint runners-up (£2,500 each): Craig Churm, Textbooks for Students, Shifnal; Tina Lee, Creative Craft Jewellery, Liverpool Highly Commended: Kelsey Donlevy, Just Dance, Liverpool; Toni Marie Hynes, UK Visits, Liverpool; Iman EspeutMills, Elite Enterprise, Wolverhampton Best Entrepreneurial Charity or Social Enterprise WINNER: Dee-Tex Project, Saltney (£12,500) Joint runners-up (£5,000 each) Crest Co-operative, Llandudno Junction; The Brink, Liverpool Highly Commended Kindness in Mind (KIM), Mold Best Entrepreneurial Charity or Social Enterprise in Liverpool (sponsored by Liverpool Vision) WINNER: Little League Sports, Liverpool (£5,000) Highly Commended: The Brink; Merseyside Domestic Violence Services; Squash Nutrition Best Business Providing a Social or Economic Contribution to the Region WINNER: Galeri Caernarfon Cyf (£12,500) Joint runners-up (£5,000 each): Comtek Network Systems UK Ltd, Deeside Lewis Psychology CIC, Wolverhampton Highly Commended: Eco Environments Ltd, Bootle; Imagematch Social Enterprise, Shrewsbury Against All Odds WINNER: Jean Taylor, Families Fighting for Justice (£10,000) Highly Commended: Jane Davis & Niall Gibney, The Reader Organisation, Liverpool; Kerrie Griffin-Rogers, The Interior Co, Whitchurch; Brian McManus, The Dee-Tex Project, Saltney, Flintshire

Tel. 01829 782800

9

GETTING ON . . .

10

All Together NOW!

WISE WINNIE . . . helps to solve some of the problems faced by older people

Q

ALTHOUGH I am 81 and housebound, living alone has never troubled me – until now.

Friends and carers visit me, the mobile library brings books and I still enjoy knitting.

But the constant stream of bad news on radio and TV is so depressing.

Another thing that gets me down is the increasing number of charity appeals that come through my letter box.

For years I have given to a number of charities by direct debit and now two of them are pressing me to give more.

I know how difficult they are finding it to keep afloat but my income has also shrunk.

The harrowing stories in the leaflets haunt me, but if I responded to them all I would be in need of support myself.

Yet I feel guilty not doing.

A

YOU ARE not alone in feeling low these days. Of course, we cannot cut ourselves off from what is going on in the world and living alone you probably have the radio on a lot.

Rather than listening to say Radio 4 all the time, which not only gives the news but then analyses it at length, it might lift your spirits to switch more often to local radio.

Local radio stations all give out a cheerful friendliness that raises a smile – even first thing in the morning.

And people phone in about local issues which gives listeners living on their own a comforting sense of belonging.

Regarding charity appeals, you are already being generous. But the more you respond, the more the appeals will flood in.

Ask a friend who is connected to the Internet to Google ‘Stop charity mail’.

This will give guidance on reducing them.

Even TV’s ‘secret millionaires’ who have handed over thousands of pounds to worthy causes set limits on what they gave. They, too, struggle in deciding on the right recipients.

You could also collect the charity leaflets that have moved you most in a box. Every few months you could then shut your eyes and bring one lucky one out. And no more.

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Life is fragile, handle with care . . .

Stairs aren’t the biggest problem in our homes

Y

OU might think staircases are the biggest challenge to mobility in later years seeing as most UK homes are traditional two-storey properties.

But four out of five older people say the bathroom is the greatest hurdle to independent living, according to a survey by AKW Medicare.

“The term 'mobility aid' can conjure images of ugly handrails and functional equipment for getting people in and out of the bath – all of which have the effect of turning a comfortable home into something resembling a care facility,” said Ruth Bury of AKW. “The reality is that bathrooms can very easily be adapted to

accommodate people with developing mobility problems, whether they just need a walking aid for balance or they use a wheelchair.

“Our survey found that standard showers, with step in shower trays, can still pose problems.

But a low-level shower tray or a wetroom design at a modest investment can remove all of those issues and create an attractive bathroom that is an asset to the home into the bargain.”

AKW supply independent living products to the elderly and people with mobility needs.

A new age for old age

A

REVOLUTION in attitudes towards older people is the aim of an ambitious mission involving 14 European countries.

The project’s leader, Professor Alan Walker, said their target was a future “in which all older people - regardless of capability - are included as full citizens, expected to contribute and participate, and empowered”.

The massive Futureage project, led by University of Sheffield researchers, has brought together more than 700 individual contributors and organisations with one aim a better future for the continent’s ageing population.

And a special new road map has been created to pave the way through the next 10

SENIOR MOMENTS

n AKW, tel 01905 823298

www.akw-medicare.co.uk

Jolly well done!

THE Volunteer of the Year prize at Halton Get Active Awards went to May Jolly from Halton Table Tennis Club.

Aged 83 she cannot always take part in the sessions - but still attends three times a week to look after the administration and make sure everyone leaves with a smile!

years.

“The reality of the plasticity and diversity of old age must replace the outdated model of inevitable decline and disability,” added Prof Walker.

“Later life is but one part of a life course which is characterised by lifelong development.

“The concept that best captures this life course perspective is ‘active ageing’, an inclusive paradigm which does not exclude inactive or frail older persons.”

The Road Map also identifies the key research questions that must be addressed to effectively manage the challenges of an ageing population.

Some of these include:

n What role does age discrimination play in exclusion of older people from service use and consumer markets? n What are the dementia fears in European societies, what differences may exist between countries, and how are such fears affecting ageing people in their everyday lives? n What are the prevailing norms within the health and care sectors that potentially contribute to negative attitudes towards older people and inequalities? How do these attitudes deter effective health care interventions? n What is the economic and social impact of age discrimination in the labour market? www.futurage.group.shef.ac.uk

. . . with FRANK HARRIS

n EUROPE is the oldest region in the world – the numbers of people aged 65 and over will rise from 17% in 2010 to 30% in 2060, with those aged 80 and over being the fastest growing age group, increasing from 5% to 12%. n The average of healthy life years (years of life in full health without disability) at 65 in the EU is eight years for both men and women. n But this varies in different countries – from three years in Estonia to 13 years for women and 14 years for men in Denmark.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

11

Dreaming of a wet Christmas?

Get r e t n i W Wise

Act now to beat the bursts!

As temperatures plunge and the nights draw in, United Utilities is making final preparations to beat the bursts this winter - and is urging homeowners to do the same.

We’ve been preparing for months for the colder weather to ensure it is business as usual for our customers throughout the North West - no matter how low the mercury plunges.

Last winter the region experienced the coldest December since Met Office records began in 1910, with the average temperature frozen below zero throughout the month.

That’s why we’ve been busy lagging pipes at our treatment plants, training staff and making use of the latest technology to make sure we’re ready should similar temperatures hit the region in the coming weeks.

We’re now urging homeowners to make sure their own pipes are wrapped up warm this winter to avoid the misery of bursts and leaks.

Rose Francis from United Utilities said: “Every year thousands of people get caught out and fall victim to the misery of frozen and burst pipes. Not only can this be expensive to fix, but it can mean

the customer doesn’t have any water until the pipe has been repaired.

“The good news is that it is relatively inexpensive to lag pipes, and it’s one of the best ways to protect pipes during a cold spell.”

Here are some simple tips to beat bursts this winter: • Lag your pipes so they are much less likely to freeze. Pay particular attention to pipes located in draughty places such as lofts and garages

Need a little ExtraCare?

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

are older have a disability have a serious illness have sight, hearing or learning difficulties

Our services include:

• Keep your heating on low when there’s a frost

• •

personal notification of water shut-offs large print, Braille and talking bills

• Find and label your stop tap so you know where to turn the water off if you get a burst

We also offer a free password scheme for all our customers to help protect against bogus callers. So join today and keep that bogus caller away!

• Have a plan - make sure you know the number of a good plumber to call should the worst happen.

If you have access to the internet you can find full details about getting winterwise by visiting www.unitedutilities.com

To find out more call 0845 746 1100 or textphone 0808 143 1195 11/11/SD/4814

All Together NOW!

12

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Occupational therapy can work wonders for your wellbeing

H

EALTH and wellbeing is fast becoming one of the most used catchphrases in the

Q A

What is the difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy?

NHS.

But I think most people only consider their own health and wellbeing when it is disrupted – whether temporarily or permanently.

When that happens it can have a devastating effect socially, physically, psychologically and emotionally.

Disruption in our daily living can cause all sorts of difficulties such as not being able to move around the home very well,to not playing a full part in family life, and being unable to work.

It can also lead us to needing help from other people, which in itself can bring frustration – especially if life is permanently disrupted.

Occupational therapists (OTs) see daily living activities as occupations things that occupy our time like work,

by JOANNE LOWE

Taking control leisure, self care activities, domestic activities, caring for children and so on.

And we firmly believe that there is a link between what we do in our lives and our health and wellbeing.

I have been an OT since 1995 and have worked in both acute, rehabilitation and community NHS services, helping people with various health issues.

Working with people in their own

homes enabled me to learn more about how they actually live their lives with the difficulties they face.

In the coming months I hope I will be able to help lots of readers with some of the issues they have to deal with.

If you have anything you would like me to discuss or have any questions about overcoming practical, day-to-day problems, then get in touch.

older people in Liverpool.

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

Wheelchair Service 0151 296 7765 Fax:0151 0151296 296 7764 Wheelchair Service Tel: 7765 Assessment for and provision of wheelchairs for people who live in Liverpool.

Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Fax: 0151 296 7743 7748 Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Minicom: 0151 296 7744 Moving and Handling Team Tel: 0151 296 7750 Fax: 0151 296 7749 Independent information, assessment and advice on choosing daily living equipment and how to get it.

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

Adaptations Team 0151 296 7757 Fax: 0151 296 7758 0151 296 7769

Tel: 0151 296 7408

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

Lifehouse is a newTeam approach to providing services for disabled Adaptations Tel: and 0151older 296 7757 Installation of adaptations to safely people in managing in their ownroof home.will improve people in Liverpool.

Having allassist these services under one accessibility.

Falls Team Tel: 0151 296 7769 A multidisciplinary team providing practical advice and assessment for people who have fallen.

Services will be able to work together to provide the independent information, advice and practical assessment people need to make the rightTel: choices 0151 about 296 7782 Telecare service 7733 Advice, assessment and installation of Telecare equipment. equipment.

The existing services will be joined by others which will greatly increase theinformation range of information and available. call thethe service youadvice require or contact main reception forDay a For further further information call service you require or visitour a Lifehouse Open

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list ofifehouse Lifehouse Open Days.

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

IF YOU have any others that you would like me to answer, contact me at Occupation Matters, Tel. 01244 369703. Mobile 07968825507. e-mail independentot@btinternet.com www.occupationmatters.co.uk

REACH 400,000 READERS . . .

0151 230 0307

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled and

Communication Aids Falls Team

Occupational therapy is a holistic intervention which includes social and psychological aspects to improve a person’s ability to function with daily living activities.

Physiotherapy tends to work mainly with people who have physical disability and aims to restore movement and therefore function.

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists complement each other and in many cases work alongside each other.

The physiotherapist generally would be treating the movement problem and the OT would be looking at applying the improvement in movement to the person’s function and independence with daily tasks .

£599

Independent Living Centres . . . n BLACKBURN Independent Living Centre, Mill Hill St, Mill Hill, Blackburn.

Tel. 01254 269 220. n ELLESMERE PORT Pool Independent Living Centre, New Grosvenor Road.

Tel. 0151 337 6399. n HALTON Collier Street, Runcorn.

Tel. 01928 582 920. n HANDFORTH East Cheshire Independent Living Centre, Redesmere Road, Handforth.

Tel. 01625 374080. n HARTFORD Hartford Independent Living Centre, Hartford Business Park, Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich.

Tel. 01606 881980. n KNOWSLEY Knowsley Independent Living Centre, Unit 11, Brickfields, Huyton Business Park, Huyton.

Tel. 0151 244 4070. n LIVERPOOL Disabled Living Centre, Lifehouse, Summers Road, Brunswick Business Park, Liverpool.

Tel. 0151 296 7742. n MANCHESTER Assist UK, 4 St Chads Street, Manchester.

Tel. 0161 834 1044. n NORTHWICH Cheshire CIL Iakwood Lane, Barnton, Northwich.

Tel. 01606 782760. n SOUTHPORT Community Service Station, Scarisbrick Avenue, Southport.

Tel. 0151 288 6890. n STOCKPORT St Thomas’s Hospital, Shawheath, Stockport.

Tel. 0161 419 4476. n WARRINGTON Beaufort Street, Warrington.

Tel. 01925 240064. n WILMSLOW Redesmere Road.

Tel. 01625 374080. n WIRRAL St Catherine’s Hospital, Birkenhead.

Tel. 0151 678 7272.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Bringing back the memories

O

LD-FASHIONED wirelesses and holiday posters from the 1960s are all part of an alternative approach to treating people with dementia.

‘Retro-decorating’, ‘dementiaproofing’ and ‘life-experience homework’ are techniques being used by two North West home improvement agencies.

And they’re helping people live safely in their homes for longer – and without the need for antipsychotic drugs.

Teams from Riverside HIA

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Liverpool and Hyndburn Homewise Society in Accrington ‘retrodecorate’ people’s homes by helping them choose vintage furniture and items that bring back memories of happy times – such as old transistor radios or mid-century chairs.

Older style objects make people feel calmer, resulting is less need for medication.

They also help people to remember their daily routine, like sitting down for a meal.

‘Dementia-proofing’ homes is another technique being used. This

13

THE GOOD OLD DAYS: Teams at Riverside HIA and Hyndburn Homewise Society are helping people with dementia to live in their own homes

includes fitting open-fronted drawers and glare-free lighting, and re-organising mirrors and putting coloured tape up and down stairs.

The Hyndburn team also give residents with dementia ‘lifeexperience homework’ – a series of tasks based on what motivated and excited them in the past.

For example, asking an ex-farmer, who loved travel, to organise a family tour of some farming shows.

The approach is proving effective in improving the mood, socialisation and short term memory of people with dementia and it is hoped it will

also reduce the need for residential care or hospital admission.

Sue Sinclair, manager of Hyndburn Homewise said: “Simple low-cost, drug-free interventions facilitated by good casework can have a transformative effect on the life of a person living with dementia.”

Anne-Marie Hunter, a caseworker for Riverside HIA Liverpool, said: “We know that the symptoms of dementia can worsen to a point where people can become withdrawn and uncommunicative with loved ones. Simple items of

furnishing or decor can trigger a memory – and conversation.”

Paul Booth, from Riverside, said: “Interior design issues such as lighting, reflective surfaces, and storage have a big impact on how successfully a person with dementia lives in their home. For example, the placement of mirrors is particularly important for people who have difficulty recalling faces, as they can be disturbed when catching a glimpse of themselves but not recognise the image. They could also think the image is actually a stranger in their home.”

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14

All Together NOW!

Travelling is set to get even easier . . .

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

MERSEYTRAVEL

G

ETTING around Merseyside is set to become a good deal easier for people with learning difficulties.

Improvements being made by Merseytravel include a new smart card enabling passengers to travel without the need to use cash, a travel buddying scheme, and a route card they can use to inform the driver of their destination.

The project that’s providing independent travel choices for people with learning difficulties is the work of Merseytravel’s Smart and Integrated Ticketing team, in co-operation with key groups in St Helens

including the social services department.

The route card will also contain information to help people from their departure point.

“Access to independent travel is a key issue in helping people to become more active and valued members of the community,” said Marlene Quinn, St Helens Council cabinet member and chair of Merseytravel’s policy delivery and review committee.

“We are committed to giving people the opportunity to make important choices that impact upon their lives, helping them to

TICKET TO RIDE: Mike, left, and John from St Helens People’s Choice – and Rachel from St Helens Learning Disabilities Forum

become more involved citizens of Merseyside.”

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, added: We have supported people with disabilities and learning difficulties for many years through our Merseylink project and we have been actively working on a smartcard strategy for the past two years.

“Developing this card, using the new technology that we have, will eventually offer a far more convenient, cashless way to travel.”

Helping Merseytravel with the project are: n St Helens People’s Choice – an

independent group run for and by people with learning disabilities, empowering people to have their say about the things that are important to them. n St Helens Coalition of Disabled People – an independent, user-led charity for disabled people, which promotes independent living by providing and managing a range of services.

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

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

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

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

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

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

December/January 2012

All Together NOW!

Brakes go on car scheme

by JOHN PRING

D

ISABLED people have reacted angrily after they were told they will no longer be able to drive cars worth over £25,000 through the Motability car scheme.

New £25,000 limit set for all new cars . . .

But Helen Dolphin, director of policy and campaigns for the user-led charity Disabled Motoring UK, said she was angry Motability’s chair, Lord Sterling, and disappointed with the new stressed that only five per cent of rule, and accused Motability of cars leased through the scheme bowing to media pressure. had a recommended retail price She said: “I feel they have of more than £25,000 – those listened too much to the negative available only with an advance press reports and reacted to payment of more than £2,000. them in this way.

The average car obtained “I am saddened by it because it CI0006 All Together Now_Layout 23/05/2011 12:46 Page 1 the choice of the car through the Motability1scheme is is restricting worth £19,500, far less than the for disabled people.”

UK average of over £28,000.

Ms Dolphin added that the new

rule would not save the government any money on its benefits bill.

“It is not going to save a penny.

It is going to limit people who have chosen to drive a slightly more expensive car,” she said.

“If the government think that restricting vehicles for disabled people is going to save money, they have clearly misunderstood what the scheme is about.”

She said there was a gross misunderstanding about the scheme in the media and among

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the public, who failed to realise that if a disabled person wants to obtain a prestige car they have to pay a much higher advance payment.

She said she would not in future be able to lease the Motability car she currently drives because it was worth more than £25,000.

“It was a completely personal choice because I do a lot of mileage and I wanted a car that could reach reasonable speeds and was safe to drive.

“Is it outrageous for me to want to have a nice car? I work fulltime and I put my money towards it. What is outrageous about it?”

Other changes introduced by Motability include only accepting named drivers – people the disabled customer can choose to drive their car – who live within five miles of the DLA claimant.

Previously this was set at 25 miles.

Motability also said that from January 2012 it would no longer accept named drivers under the age of 21, unless they lived with the disabled customer.

Motability vehicles can only be obtained by disabled people claiming the higher rate mobility component of DLA.

15

All Together NOW!

16

December/January 2012

www.alltogethe

NEW OPTIONS: Allied vehicles has launched its new automatic version of the very popular Peugeot Horizon

Automatic choice A

LLIED Mobility has delivered its first automatic Peugeot Horizon wheelchair accessible vehicle.

who prefer the comfort of an automatic car, but like to have the added peace of mind that they could over-ride the automatic gear changes by simply switching to manual The Horizon, which is the most popular mode.

WAV on the UK Motability Scheme, now This allows you to change up and down offers customers even more flexibility. gears using the paddles which are attached Automatic vehicles have been rising in to the steering wheel. popularity with Allied’s customers and the Along with all the standard features you new automatic Horizon will delight many. would expect of an Allied Mobility car, such The vehicle has an economic Euro 5 as a lowered floor and wheelchair restraint engine and the handy transmission dial system, the Horizon comes with bonus gives added control as you can switch features on the Motability Scheme including easily between automatic and manual the innovative FlatFold(tm) wheelchair modes. ramp, Page an electric winch system where All together 1 15/09/2011 1 Thisnow_Sept11_Half:Layout gives the best of both worlds to those 11:47

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Peter Facenna, Allied Mobility sales director, said: “We have always offered our customers a wide choice of stylish and practical wheelchair accessible vehicles.

“The addition of the automatic Horizon to our range will give our customers even more choice.”

The Peugeot Horizon is available to buy, hire or through the Motability Scheme.

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All Together NOW!

Safety is the priority HORRIFIC: Make sure this won’t happen to you. Ask to see the European Type Approval Certification for your new carar

A

CCIDENTS can happen to even the most careful driver.

And when you or your passenger find it difficult to get in to or out of a car then it is clearly even more important that the car you are driving is as safe as it possibly can be.

Vehicle manufacturers have to meet ever higher safety and environmental standards. But when a car is modified to meet the needs of a wheelchair user, how can you be sure that the converted vehicle

still meets the same high standards?

From 29 April 2012, wheelchair accessible cars must meet both the European standard for the car before it is converted – and pass additional tests which check the safety and environmental standards of the changes made during the conversion process.

Type Approval is the process of making sure that vehicles meet these standards, with successful converters receiving European Type Approval certificates issued by the VCA.

So the simple way to check that the wheelchair accessible car you want is as safe as it can be is to ask your converter to show you they have full European Type Approval for the car and seating arrangements you need.

All wheelchair accessible cars from Constables Mobility already carry full European Type Approval, incorporating the latest Euro 5 environmental standards.

Existing owners and drivers of Constables Mobility cars don’t need to worry either because all Constables’ cars passed the tests

without having to make any changes to their design and production.

This means that even those cars built before the new certificates were introduced meet the same high standards of safety.

n TO EXPERIENCE one of the safest wheelchair accessible cars on the roads today, call 0844 88 00 218 for a free demonstration at your home or office today. www.constablesmobility.com

17

18

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NORTH WEST POSITIVE ACTION AWARDS n HALTON Autistic Family Support Group were among the winners of the North West’s Positive Action Awards.

Ciaran Shanahan, development manager at HAFS, said: “Winning this award is a brilliant recognition of the vital services we deliver to autistic people and their carers.

“Bringing up a child with autism puts tremendous strains and stresses on family life and HAFS works to alleviate the situation and remove isolation which is one of the biggest negative impacts of this condition.” n PICTURED, from left: Dave Thompson, chair of Warrington Disability Partnership, HAFS members Steve and Jennie Flanagan, Margaret and Ciaran Shanahan, Nick Rowe (NHS North West) and Pete Pinnington (Wire FM)

What were YOUR school days like?

THE SEARCH is on for disabled people willing to relate their experiences at school.

About 50 people are wanted for a project telling the story of disabled people in education over the last century.

The Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) is working on the What Did You Learn at School Today? project with the British Library.

The project was awarded a grant of nearly £180,000 to create a public archive of oral histories, which will be stored by the British Library.

The collection of personal memories will also be used by colleges and schools, while a new website will include an historical timeline showing the progress made over the last 100 years. n Anyone interested in being interviewed should email Kevin Caulfield at kevin.caulfield@allfie.org.uk, write to him at: The Alliance for Inclusive Education, 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA, or phone: 020 7737 6030.

Why I love this paper All Together NOW! is far more informative than other papers on medical issues – and there are also lots of different articles on all kinds of topics for everyone. Matthew Cottington, Hamblet Crescent, St Helens

Graduates need help CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Government to do more to help disabled graduates to find and keep work.

Inaccessible premises, poor awareness of employer support schemes, and lack of access to public transport are among problems that leave them them at a severe disadvantage in the job market, The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Trailblazers group told ministers.

A study last year found that three quarters of the Trailblazers group, made up of 370 disabled campaigners aged 16-30, had struggled to find accessible work places.

A similar number believe job applications have been rejected due to perceptions of their disability.

And one-in-three had never heard of the Access to Work scheme, which was set up in 1994 to help disabled professionals through practical advice and grants (see Page 21).

Bobby Ancil, Trailblazers project manager, said: “All young people trying to make their way through higher education or break into the job market are having a tough time in this financial climate. However, on top of these challenges, young disabled graduates face further obstacles at every stage of the job application process.” n www.musculardystrophy.org/trailblazers

That’s POSITIVE! W

IRE FM presenter Pete Pinnington announced the winners of the Positive Action Awards 2011 at a gala ceremony at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

The annual awards, now in their 8th year, recognise people and organisations from across the region who are providing exemplar services for disabled people.

Dave Thompson, chair of Warrington Disability Partnership, who organise the awards, said: “Disabled people make a valuable economic contribution to our region and it is vital that we recognise this and create an environment that allows them to fulfil their potential.

“We had a great response this year receiving over 70 nominations which made the shortlisting an extremely difficult task.’’

The awards were sponsored by NHS Northwest, Sellafield Ltd and Arena Housing Group.

Entertainment was provided by Naomi Barker and Carly Ryan from BBC’s Autistic Superstars who also received a special recognition award.

Roll of honour:

Hannah Al -Taraboulsy, Warrington Guardian Stem by Stem Florist, Wirral Northern School of Asian & Oriental Cooking, Barrow in Furness No Secrets, Knowsley Warrington Swimming Club Canalside Community Radio, South Cheshire Graham Barker, KPAC, Knowsley Congleton Disabled Access Group Halton Autistic Family Support Mosaic Community Care Ltd., Preston The Wheel of Manchester, Great City Attractions The ALEX Project, Macclesfield Terry Wood & Cybaqua, Warrington Stem by Stem also won the sponsors award of Overall Winner. n Nominations for the 2012 awards can be made online via www.positiveactionawards.org.uk or by nomination form available from Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064.

BUSINESS IS BLOOMING: Judith Mitchell from Wirral florists Stem by Stem and Dave Thompson

— but this is so NEGATIVE A “CULTURE of disbelief” is holding back those with the power to act against the harassment and abuse suffered by hundreds of thousands of disabled people.

And many disabled people have come to accept harassment – including verbal and physical abuse, theft and fraud, sexual harassment and bullying – as inevitable.

These are the shocking findings of a groundbreaking report, Hidden in Plain Sight, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The report sets out serious and systemic failings of public bodies to deal with disability

harassment, including a detailed look at 10 cases of severe abuse – nine of which resulted in the death of the victim.

Lead commissioner Mike Smith said: “For me, two particular concerns come out of this inquiry. The first is just how much harassment seems to be going on. It’s not just some extreme things happening to a handful of people: it’s an awful lot of unpleasant things happening to a great many people.

“The second is that no one knows about it.

When we were young we were told not to stare at disabled people. So no one has been.

“It’s as though there is collective denial this could be happening, as if people are thinking ‘we are supposed to feel sorry for these people, so why would anyone be deliberately horrible to them?’

“Maybe it just makes us too uncomfortable, thinking that might be the society in which we live.

“Dealing with disability-related harassment is going to take concerted effort by public authorities, with proper leadership and joint working at all levels.”

Mr Smith also pleaded for individuals to act wherever they saw a disabled person being victimised.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

December/January 2012

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NEWS FROM THE SUPERMARKETS

All Together NOW!

19

STAFF and customers at Sainsbury’s stores in Wirral are giving the UK’s top wheelchair table tennis star Scott Robertson the best possible preparation for his fourth Paralympic Games.

Ranked 12 in the world, Scott, from Saltney, Flintshire, was presented with a £3,682 cheque that will help pay for a new lightweight sports wheelchair.

“I can’t thank people enough for SCOTT WITH ROY their kindness,” PALMER said Scott, who (Sainsbury’s Neston) has brittle bones disease.

“Hopefully, I will be able to repay their kindness by bringing back a medal from the Games.”

Scott, 35, has previously represented his country at three Paralympic Games – in Sydney, Athens and Beijing in 2008.

— The Murray Consultancy

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Coining it in . . .

TAKE ME HOME!

LOTS of good news coming from Sharon Gregory-Wareing, community life champion at ASDA Southport.

“We have been chosen to take part in an exciting pilot scheme for the Liverpool region,” says Sharon. “We have a new Southport Community Life Board which promotes three nominated charities, schools or oranisations.

“Customers can vote for their favourite by placing coins in the relevant box, and at the end of the month the charity with the most coins in weight wins a cheque for £200.

“Groups wanting to be considered for support – and based within a mile of the store – can apply to ASDA Southport by writing 200 words about why you would like to go on the board and what you would spend the money on.”

20

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Liverpool Community College

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . .

‘Working with Business’

Programmes for better prospects...

Thinking about...

Will I get help finding work?

Can I start right away?

Where can I go to retrain or gain skills?

BACK ON TRACK: Keith, right, with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills after winning the first ever National Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year award

Life begins again at 55

O

UT of work, injured and uncertain where his life was going, Keith Southern decided to head back into the classroom.

Let Liverpool Community College equip you with the skills employers want If you are unemployed, recently made redundant or ready to start work we can improve your chances of success in the current job market Let us prepare you for work with relevant training and help match your skills to current vacancies in security, hospitality, business administration, care, retail, and many more.

We also provide training in how to set up your own business For further information contact:

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Our future.

It’s in our hands

Despite discovering that he is dyslexic, Keith has just finished a BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology at Mid Cheshire College, where he was voted Student of the Year.

He also has a job teaching children guitar and is getting ready to go on a foundation degree course to get teaching qualifications.

And to crown a perfect year he’s also become the first ever National Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year.

“I still can’t quite believe I’ve done it and turned everything around,” says Keith, 55, of Northwich, Cheshire.

Gardening business Keith had a rough start, stuck in children’s homes and attending 13 schools before leaving school at 15 with no qualifications.

“I joined the merchant navy where I spent the next four years. I never thought about school again or qualifications.”

Back on land, Keith got a job at ICI, working his way up the shop floor to become a technician.

But suddenly, after 30 years, he found himself out of work, aged 50.

“I was determined to be positive and, having always loved gardening, set up my own business doing maintenance. I loved being my own boss and building up my client list,” says Keith, who is married with grownup kids.

He also decided to pursue his other passion – music.

“I’d always sung and played guitar. So I started performing at local pubs, clubs and private parties.”

All went well until Keith broke his ankle.

Tell

“I sat down and felt utterly sorry for myself but then I saw I had to find something else to do.”

Through friends and a visit to his local college, he spotted the BTEC course.

“I chatted to a tutor and decided to apply for the course. My main aim was to learn what I needed to know to improve my backing tracks for my performances. I needed to learn a lot of things.”

Keith was accepted and in September 2009 he entered a classroom for the first time in 37 years.

He was terrified: “I didn’t know what to expect. There’s no doubt I was the old guy.

But I soon settled in.”

Keith quickly realised he was having a problem with his written work.

“I’d always struggled to read and write. My tutors said I might be dyslexic. I was assessed and, sure enough, I was.

“It was a relief after all these years to find out why it had all seemed so difficult.”

With proper support from the college Keith soon started to gain distinctions for his work.

“I’ve just worked every day as hard as I can. The timing of lectures has meant that I’ve been able to keep up some of my small gardening jobs and with the music gigs I’ve been able to make ends meet.”

‘Anyone can do it!’

Last year as his confidence grew, Keith heard about a job at a local primary school teaching guitar.

“I couldn’t believe how much I loved passing on my skills. It started me thinking that I could perhaps do the same with college students and pass on the music knowledge I now have.

“It’s been a whirlwind recently but I feel that if I can do it, anyone can. Don’t let anything put you off,” says Keith.

400,000 readers about your

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

December/January 2012

A real trier!

All Together NOW!

21

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

Slump in Access to Work grants NEW figures reveal evidence of a slump in the number of disabled people granted funds to make their workplaces more accessible.

The Department for Work and Pensions figures show that 2,320 new clients were helped by the Access to Work scheme in the first quarter of 2011-12, an average of 773 disabled people receiving new support every month.

In the first half of last year, the Government was helping about 1,283 new applicants a month.

This fell to 980 a month in the third quarter of 2010-11, and then again to an average of t 867 a month from Jan to March 2011.

The new figures also show that the number of existing AtW clients has dropped by almost 4,000, to just 18,570.

Disappearing students . . .

HALF of UK colleges have seen a decline in the number of students aged 16-19 this year, say the Association of Colleges.

Toni Pearce, vicepresident pg the National Union of Students, says many college leaders see the scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and lack of support for food and transport costs for young people as responsible for the sharp drop in numbers, which in places is between 5 and 15%.

“The Government must take full responsibility for the loss of opportunity they have imposed on a generation of young people.

“Ministers were warned over and over again by teachers, students, parents, economists and college leaders that scrapping EMA would harm participation in further education and now they are reaping what they have sowed.”

Rugby fanatic Declan bounces back like a true pro

Wouldn’t you like

YOUR

to see college or uni promoted here?

INSPIRATIONAL: Declan receiving his award from Edge Hill University Chancellor Tanya Byron

D

ECLAN Sephton-Hulme hasn’t let a brain haemorrhage stop him following his dreams of becoming a rugby league player – and his courage has earned him the first ever Adam Bell Scholarship from Edge Hill University.

Declan, from St Helens, was chosen for the award for his “honesty, resilience, hardwork and commitment” to his studies.

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student, who was also awarded a Sporting Excellence Scholarship, has shown tremendous courage in the face of adversity.

In April 2006 he suffered a brain haemorrhage as a result of a genetic brain condition, arterio venous malformation, and remained in a coma for 11 days When asked whether he would be able to play rugby again, his father was told that if Declan came out of the coma he would be likely to be paralysed and be unable to walk or talk.

Amazingly, the symptoms did not appear and Declan, although left with memory and speech problems, returned home after two months in hospital.

However, he lives with the knowledge that it could all happen again.

That’s why he is now even more determined than ever to become a professional rugby league player.

Within a year of his problems, Declan was back on the pitch – and showing just what he can do!

After gaining a place on the Warrington

equality programmes:

TAKE ME HOME!

Wolves Scholarship Programme he has gone on to play for Widnes Vikings and has been invited to attend the England Academy.

Declan said: “I had to change my career ideas because I can forget things – but I’ve never given up my dreams of playing rugby.

“I was chuffed to win a Sporting Excellence Scholarship but to then win the Adam Bell Scholarship was so special.

“I felt so much sympathy towards Adam’s parents because I could understand what they were going through.

“I’ve been so lucky to pull through and these awards will help me prepare for playing professional rugby full-time as well as juggle my studies.”

THE award was set up in memory of Adam Bell – a member of staff who died suddenly earlier this year from a brain haemorrhage, aged 27.

Adam worked as an assistant registrar in the academic registry and was responsible for delivering the university’s first ever Excellence Scholarship Programme.

Adam’s father, Jack, said: “Adam was the first person to set up the scholarship awards and he never lost interest in them.

“For the winners of these awards, I would say, never underestimate the effect you can have on those around you in all the wonderful things that you do.”

call 0151 230 0307

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All Together NOW!

22

December/January 2012

All the food you CAN eat!

I

T’S well known that the Christmas festive season can be both a joyous and stressful time as families and friends come together for what should be a relaxing break whatever their religious faith – or none at all.

But if you put the present economic climate into the mix there is even more potential for stress and anxiety as organisations such as the Samaritans are especially familiar.

The Samaritans are forecasting around 193,000 calls from people in distress over the Christmas period, generally from individuals who are desperately lonely and feel they have no-one to turn to for comfort or support.

Like the Samaritans, carers and other support organisations are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a week to help those in need.

Of course, we all have different ways of coping with what life brings.

This is not only true of the people who use care and support services, but for staff as well, as I experienced recently.

A colleague stopped me in the city centre to say how much they’d enjoyed a particular event - thanks to excellent food, venue and good colleagues.

We chatted about the difficult environment we were all in, how the pressure of the economy was affecting everyone, and wondered how that might increase stress and anxiety for all of us, as well as how it might impact on our services.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

GOT diabetes and fed up being told “you can’t eat this” and “you can’t eat that”?

by Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS Staff have to manage their own worries alongside caring for others and I wondered how this individual coped.

Their reply interested me a lot, saying they kept reminding themselves that they ‘cared’ about others...service users and their families, as well as their own colleagues.

It was the concept of caring they returned to each time they were stressed at work or felt in danger of losing sight of why they and their colleagues became nurses in the first place.

I’m glad they shared it with me.

Away from the area or ‘organised’ care, spare a thought for a lonely neighbour where a friendly word could make all the difference at this special time of year.

Well, here’s something to bring a smile to your lips - a new publication, packed full of realistic and affordable menu ideas.

Diabetes - Everyday Eating is a free, full colour glossy booklet, which sets out a structure of three meals a day, over a four week period, together with advice on snacks and takewaways.

It gives a breakdown of the calorie content, the amount of fat, saturated fat, salt and carbohydrates contained in each meal.

The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust launched the booklet in response to hundreds

of calls to their helpline. Jenny Hirst, The Trust’s co-chair, said: “We are frequently contacted by newly diagnosed patients who feel confused by the advice that they’ve been given.

“As one gentleman told us, ‘I want to be told what I can eat - not what I can’t!’

“This isn’t ‘dietary advice,’ this is a booklet containing menu options that are realistic, affordable and based on everyday food that can be found in markets and supermarkets and corner shops,” Jenny added. n For copies of Diabetes – Everyday Eating call the Trust’s Helpline on 01604 622827 or email: enquiries@iddtinternational.org

Diabetes D

IABETES rates in the UK have soared to almost three million – 130,000 more than last year.

That’s a 30% rise since GPs first published diabetes data in 2005.

The rise is mainly in Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for around 90% of all cases.

While Type 2 diabetes commonly develops in people who are overweight, national charity Diabetes UK is urging people to be aware of the other risk factors that include having a large waist, being aged over 40, having a family history of the condition, or being from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities.

The charity’s chief executive, Barbara Young, said: “The rate of increase of diabetes is growing with huge human cost and cost to the NHS. “The time for action is now. Whilst rates of other serious conditions including many cancers, heart disease and stroke are steady or declining, the epidemic of diabetes continues to grow at even faster rates.

“Simple things can make a huge impact. The vascular screening NHS Health Checks are critical in detecting early signs of Type 2 diabetes. Losing 10% of your weight

These flu facts are not to sneezed at THERE’S a lot of confusion surrounding “the flu”.

Is it just a bad cold? How do you catch it? How can you avoid it?

Our bite-sized guide should help you separate fact from fiction. n Flu Fiction: Flu vaccine might give you the flu. n Flu Fact: Flu vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot cause the flu. n Flu Fiction: Over 65s don’t need a flu vaccine if they are fit and well. n Flu Fact: Regardless of how well you fell, it is very important to be vaccinated annually because your immune system is less able to defend against infections as you get older. n Flu Fiction: Walking around with wet hair will give you seasonal flu. n Flu Fact: You have to be exposed to the seasonal flu virus to catch seasonal flu. n Flu Fiction: Seasonal flu is just a really bad cold. n Flu Fact: Colds are usually much less severe than seasonal flu, which can, for some people, take weeks to recover from and can be life-threatening.

reduces your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50%.

“We must reverse this trend if more people are not going to suffer unnecessarily and if diabetes is not going to bankrupt the NHS. “Around 10 per cent of NHS spending goes on diabetes and its complications. This equates to £9 billion per year or £1 million an hour.”

People can often decrease or even reverse their risk by losing weight, increasing physical activity

levels and improving their diet.

At-risk waist measurements are 37 inches or more for men, except those of South Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.

Symptoms of diabetes include frequently urinating – especially at night – increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, slow healing of cuts, and blurred vision.

Calling all health trusts . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

A life-saver

December/January 2012

Hip, hip hooray . . .

THE lives of 30,000 women across Europe could be saved every year.

That was the message from more than 100 experts and policy-makers from 42 countries and seven partner organisations gathered in Turkey to discuss prevention of cervical cancer across the continent.

Cervical cancer kills 30 000 women in Europe yearly – a preventable cost to society.

Effective vaccine now exists to protect women against human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of the cancer, and effective screening programmes can trigger life-saving action before the disease starts.

GOOD news for people with osteoporosis.

The bone disease, which affects an estimated three million in the UK and which every year leads to 300,000 fractures, is to be included in the new GP contract.

The move, a direct result of a seven-year campaign by the National Osteoporosis Society, means the condition will be identified more readily and, with the appropriate treatment, vast numbers of

patients will benefit.

Claire Severgnini, chief executive of the National Osteoporosis Society, said: “Unnecessary fragility fractures will be reduced, premature deaths due to hip fractures will fall, and millions of pounds will be saved by the NHS.” Every month, 1,150 people are dying prematurely as a result of hip fracture.

0845 450 0230 www.nos.org.uk n Helpline,

timebomb!

Hospital’s perfect meal companions

FORMER TV presenter turned healthcare champion Felicity Goodey is inviting hospital patients to “Come Dine With Me”.

Felicity decided to train as a Dining Companion at University Hospital South Manchester after

helping celebrate the success of a scheme which helps vulnerable patients at mealtimes.

A team of 20 volunteers has been trained to gently encourage patients to eat, and make meal times more sociable.

Question Time PATIENTS who have been treated at Leighton hospital in Crewe are being asked about the care they received.

Randomly selected patients are being sent a questionnaire asking for feedback on their hospital experience.

The results of the survey, which refers to patients admitted in August 2011, will be used to help Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust highlight areas where services can be improved.

Julie Smith, Director of Nursing and Quality at MCHFT, said: “Obtaining feedback is vital for bringing about improvements in the quality of care.”

Felicity, chairman of UHSM, said: “Having company encourages individuals to eat – and we have found that better nutrition has a positive effect on a patient’s overall health and wellbeing, especially when they are elderly or frail.”

All Together NOW!

Progress on pain MORE than half of European primary care doctors use no form of assessment tool to measure people’s levels of pain despite chronic pain affecting one in five adults across Europe.

A study in Finland found that pain is also the reason for 40% of patient visits to doctors each year, with approximately 20% having experienced their pain for more than six months.

Key findings of a survey of 1,309 primary care physicians from 13 European countries initiated by OPENMinds Primary Care (a group of physicians with a special interest in pain) show that 84% of physicians agree that chronic pain is one of the most challenging conditions to treat – and 81% agree that the impact of chronic pain on patients’ ‘quality of life’ tends to be under-assessed in primary care.

Further data reveals that chronic pain can severely affect people’s daily activities including the ability to sleep, exercise and carry out household tasks.

Many people with chronic pain are less able, or no longer able, to maintain relationships with family and friends or attend social functions.

Dr Martin Johnson, of the OPENMinds Primary Care group and RCGP Clinical Champion for Chronic Pain says: “Awareness of the impact of pain and the need for correct assessment and monitoring is crucial.

“People with chronic pain and their physicians need to work together to ensure that there is regular and comprehensive assessment.”

Mouth cancer on the increase

A

CTOR Michael Douglas, BBC Broadcaster Danny Baker and exEngland and Manchester United footballer Bryan Robson all have one thing in common – they suffer from mouth cancer.

New findings reveal there are now 6,000 new cases of mouth cancer a year diagnosed in the UK, and one person dies every five hours from the disease.

The Dental Foundation’s chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: “Getting people to talk about mouth cancer is incredibly important.”

Tobacco use is still considered the main cause.

According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of current smokers will die of a tobaccorelated illness – including mouth cancer. Drinking

to excess can increase the risk by four times.

Those who smoke and drink are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease.

Mouth cancer is twice more common in men than in women, though an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with the disease.

Age is another factor, with people over the age of 40 more likely to be diagnosed, though more young people are now being affected than previously.

Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases, and experts suggest the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main risk factor within the coming decade. n Dental Helpline 0845 063 1188 www.dentalhealth.org

promote your health messages: 0151 230 0307

23

Mental health progress ‘put at risk by cuts’

V

ital progress in the recognition and treatment of mental health issues are at risk from Government spending cuts, says the TUC.

Seventeen NHS mental health trusts were facing significant staff redundancies. the union-backed anti-cuts campaign website False Economy found At the same time, many local authorities were reporting actual or planned closures of day centres (Dorset, Leeds, Nottingham, Peterborough, Shropshire and Staffordshire), drop-in centres (Aberdeen) and other mental health projects (Andover, Manchester and Southend).

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “The TUC fears that the Government’s spending cuts are undermining the increasing recognition of the extent of mental ill health problems we have seen in the workplace and beyond in recent years, and the measures that have been taken in response.

“Across the UK, local authority and NHS mental health services are falling victim to budget cuts, and people are losing vital support mechanisms which were helping them stay in or get back into work.

“On top of this, the stress arising for many workers from the massive job cuts in the public sector, and the uncertainty hanging over those who remain, is not conducive to healthy workplaces.” www.falseeconomy.org.uk

Funny money

C

OMIC Relief porovided £4m of the £20m funding won by Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma campaign.

The rest of the money, over four years, will come from the Government. Comic Relief has been funding Time to Change since 2007.

The campaign is run by the charities Mind and Rethink. Among its new projects is a £2.7m fund that will provide grants to 75 local grassroots organisations to tackle stigma in their own communities.

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat care services minister, said: “Coping with a mental health condition is difficult enough without the added burden of overcoming discrimination too.”

Some of the new funding will be used to support user-led groups to run community events and activities, with training in event organisation provided to people with mental health conditions with “unfulfilled leadership potential”.

The campaign believes the funding will allow it to reach 29 million members of the public and increase the confidence of 100,000 people with mental health conditions to challenge stigma and discrimination.

There will be a particular focus on the stigma faced by children and young people, and those from black and minority ethnic communities, which will start by targeting the African Caribbean community

24

All Together NOW!

One advert goes a long, long way

Tel: 0151 230 0307

December/January 2012

E! E HOM TAKE M

BOX OFFICE SENSATION!

Dec 1: Ken Dodd. Floral Pavilion. Stand-up comedy.

Dec 1-Jan 7: Dirty Dancing.

Manchester Palace Theatre. The hit film adapted for the stage.

Dec 1-Jan 14: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Bolton Octagon. An original adaptation of the classic tale.

Dec 1-Jan 21: Little Scouse on the Prairie. Liverpool Royal Court. Brand new show from Fred Lawless.

Dec 1-Jan 28: Sleeping Beauty – The Rock and Roll Panto. Theatr Clwyd. Classic panto featuring lots of rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Dec 2: That’ll Be The Day. Venue Cymru. The UK’s most successful touring rock ‘n’ roll production.

Dec 2-Jan 2: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Pantomime featuring Corrie star Vicky Entwistle.

Dec 2-Jan 14: Wind in the Willows.

The Lowry. Alan Bennett’s version of the classic fantasy tale.

Dec 3: Ken Dodd. Southport Floral Hall. Stand-up comedy.

Dec 3-Dec 31: Cinderella.

Manchester Opera House.

Pantomime featuring Louie Spence.

Dec 3-Jan 21: Cinderella - The Rock and Roll Panto. Liverpool Everyman. Pantomime with a rock ‘n’ roll twist. AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE - JAN 19.

SIGNED PERFORMANCE - JAN 21. CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE - JAN 14.

Dec 5-Dec 10: Scrooge the Musical. Liverpool Empire. A Christmas Carol for the stage.

SIGNED PERFORMANCE - DEC 6. AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE - DEC 7.

Dec 6-Jan 2: Aladdin. Preston Charter Theatre. Pantomime fun for the whole family.

Dec 7-Dec 10: Fiddler on the Roof.

Sale Waterside Arts Centre. One of the 20th century’s most beloved musicals.

Dec 7-Dec 10: La Boheme. Stoke Regent Theatre. Puccini’s epic opera.

Dec 8: Jack Whitehall. The Lowry. Stand-up comedy.

Dec 8-Jan 2: Snow White.

Southport Floral Hall. Pantomime.

Dec 9: An Evening with Lindsey Buckingham. The Lowry. The revered guitarist of Fleetwood Mac. Dec 9-Dec 11 & Dec16-Dec 17: Sleeping Beauty. Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Pantomime from Limelight.

Dec 9-Jan 7: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Rhyl Pavilion.

Classic pantomime featuring Tupele Dorgu [Kelly Crabtree from Coronation Street].

Dec 9-Jan 8: Cinderella. The Brindley, Runcorn. Pantomime starring ex-Brookside actors Sarah White and Philip Oliver.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

YOUR CARRIAGE AWAITS: A chance to see former Brookside actors Sarah White (Wicked Stepmother) and Philip Oliver (Buttons) in Cinderella at The Brindley in Runcorn.

The fun-packed panto runs from Friday December 9 to Sunday January 8

Dec 10: Only Men Aloud at Christmas. Venue Cymru. Male voice choir singing Christmas favourites.

Dec 10-Jan 2: Aladdin. Floral Pavilion. Pantomime featuring Kelsey-Beth Crossley from Emmerdale.

Dec 10-Jan 22: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Pantomime.

Dec 11: Greg Davies. The Lowry. Stand-up comedy.

Dec 12-Dec 17: Good Mourning Mrs Brown. Liverpool Empire. Black comedy.

Dec 12-Jan 7: Scrooge the Musical. The Lowry. A Christmas Carol on the stage. SIGNED PERFORMANCE - DEC 22.

AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE - DEC 28.

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE - JAN 5.

Dec 13-Jan 1: Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play. Sale Waterside Arts Centre. New show from CBBC favourites.

Dec 15: Swing Persuasion. Sale Waterside Arts Centre. Trio of orchestral musicians who can’t stick to the rules.

Dec 15-Jan 15: Aladdin. Stoke Regent Theatre. Pantomime.

Dec 16: Martyn Joseph. Sale Waterside Arts Centre. Exhilarating live performance from the singersongwriter.

Dec 17: Comedy Sportz. Sale Waterside Arts Centre. Improv comedy show.

Dec 17-Dec 31: Jack and the Beanstalk. Venue Cymru.

Pantomime fun for the whole family.

Dec 22-Jan 7: White Christmas.

Liverpool Empire. Brimming with Irving Berlin hits.

Dec 29: The Houghton Weavers at Christmas. Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Popular Wirral Band.

Jan 2-Jan 8: Lord of the Dance.

Manchester Opera House. Dancing sensation.

Jan 5-Jan 8: Dick Whittington.

Floral Pavilion. Pantomime.

Promote your shows with us . . .

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December/January 2012

All Together NOW!

25

books

THOUGHT PROVOKING: one of Ju Gosling’s works at the London exhibition

So what’s normal?

FOLLOW the Yellow Brick Road with Ellie Paskell (Dorothy); Lee Drage (Tin Man); Paul Ryan Carberry (Scarecrow); and Lloyd Gorman (Lion) in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the Bolton Octagon until Saturday January 14. Audio described Picture: IAN TILTON performance on Friday 13 January.

Jan 6: La Fille Mal Gardee. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Frederick Ashton’s famous comedy.

Jan 7: The Nutcracker. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Ballet featuring the music of Tchaikovsky.

Jan 10: Swan Lake. Blackpool Grand Theatre. The great romantic ballet featuring the music of Tchaikovsky.

Jan 10-Jan 14: An Inspector Calls.

Blackpool Grand Theatre. Multi awardwinning production of J.B. Priestley’s classic thriller.

Jan 11-Jan 14: Pantos on Strike.

Manchester Opera House. Featuring Jonny Wilkes and Paddy McGuinness in an original, adults only pantomime adventure.

Jan 12-Jan 15: Scrooge, the Rock and Pop Panto. Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. A Christmas Carol with all your favourite rock and pop songs.

Jan 16-Jan 21: Spamalot. Liverpool Empire. The Monty Python musical.

Jan 19: Duggie Chapman, MBE. Blackpool Grand Theatre. A trip down memory lane to see an hour and forty-five

minutes of a brand new film collection from Duggie Chapman.

Jan 19-Jan 31: Alfie. Bolton Octagon.

Stage version of the classic film starring Michael Caine.

Jan 20: Jethro. Venue Cymru. Stand-up comedy.

Jan 20: One Night of Elvis. Manchester Palace Theatre. Top Elvis impersonator, Lee ‘Memphis’ King.

Jan 21: Omid Djalili. Manchester Palace Theatre. Stand-up comedy.

Jan 24: Katherine Jenkins. Venue Cymru. The popular singer on tour with some new songs.

Jan 24-Jan 28: All the Fun of the Fair.

Manchester Opera House. David Essex stars in the hit West End musical featuring a mix of Essex hits and some brand new songs.

Jan 27: Kaiser Chiefs. Venue Cymru. The rock giants return.

Jan 27: One Night of Queen.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Electrifying Queen tribute.

Jan 28: Circus of Horrors - The Ventriloquist. Venue Cymru. Some of the greatest and most bizarre circus acts.

Abnormal: How Britain became body dysphoric and the key to a cure argues that society must rid itself of its belief that non-average bodies are “abnormal”.

Ju Gosling aka ju90, a leading disabled activist and artist, explores the historical roots of this deeply-embedded “body dysphoria”.

She says: “For centuries, being classed as normal has meant being able to afford to be part of society and to be recognised as a legitimate member of it. Being classed as abnormal has meant being isolated and segregated, and above all poor.”

She adds: “Our dysphoria is now so serious that anything even remotely regarded as being linked to an ‘abnormal’ body is to be reviled.”

She points to the stigma attached to disability aids and equipment – such as wheelchairs and canes – which arises “simply from the ‘abnormal’ people that they are associated with”.

Gosling says society needs to recognise that survival is as much about skill as it is about genetics; that ordinary people are as important to the survival of our species as the extraordinary; and that Keeping Mum: Caring for Someone with Dementia, impairment is irrelevant.

by Marianne Talbot, £8.99 “If we really want to create a HOW does it really feel when someone you love world without disability and develops dementia – and how do you cope with the premature death, and without shock, the stress and the grief? disabling barriers in every Marianne Talbot found herself in this position when her area of our lives, then it is to mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. politicians, not the men in She decided she couldn’t put her into a care home. white coats, that we need to Instead, for five years, she looked after her mum in her look once we have cured own home. ourselves of our body For nearly three of those years she chronicled the fears dysphoria.” and the frustrations, the love and the laughter, and the n The book, price tears and the traumas of caring. Keeping Mum is an £20,published by Bettany honest, frank and yet heart-warming account of caring for Press, accompanies an a parent with dementia. It reveals how things can change exhibition, Abnormal: day by day for both the ‘patient’ and the ‘carer’.

Towards a Scientific Model n Marianne left school at 15. She is now Director of of Disability, at the Royal Studies in philosophy at Oxford University’s College of Surgeons’ Department for Continuing Education, Hunterian Museum, which specialising in ethics and the runs until January 14.

TAKE ME HOME!

Tears and the trauma of caring for my mum

400,000 readers across the North West . . . 0151 230 0307

26

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ARIES March 21st - April 20th You can look forward to a promotion, reward, or bonus early in the month.

You’ll go through work like a hot knife through butter in the days surrounding the 5th, and the results will be impressive. Encourage your romantic partner to try something new on the 19th. You can negotiate a rise or find a better-paid job around the 22nd. An exciting career opportunity falls into your lap on the 24th. A dream could come true between Christmas and the start of 2012.

JANUARY: Beware of overdoing things at the start of the new year.

Forming a business partnership or signing a contract is favoured for the 7th.The Full Moon on the 9th prompts you to extend an olive branch to an estranged relative. A pay rise, promotion, or award will be granted on the 13th; stand up and take a bow!

Don’t lend or borrow money around the 22nd, or a friendship will come to an end. Accompany a friend on an impromptu outing on the 23rd; you will be pleasantly surprised.

January because all eyes will be on you. A tender love affair gives you a sexy glow in mid-month.

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

A special trip or outing in the opening days of December will transform your thinking about many issues and call some of your views and values into question. The 4th presents an excellent opportunity to discuss joint finances. Your impressive skills help you land a teaching or writing on the 5th. You’ll be given impressive perks for a hefty job near the middle of the month and the 20th enables you to showcase your creative talent at work. You’ll get a pat on the back between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. JANUARY: Looks like you’ll have to scramble to meet some financial obligations around the start of the year. Things pick up around the 7th, when you’ll be given a plum job assignment. The 8th invites you to take a creative risk, even if your inner critic warns against it. Good news from a lover or child arrives with the Full Moon on the 9th. Friendship could turn to romance by mid-month. .

If you’re looking for love a romantic encounter, the start of the month fills you with excited anticipation for the future. If you’re happily hitched get December off to a loving start with a special treat for your special someone. A property deal on the 19th will work in your favour. The 21st warns against borrowing money from friends. With the help of a business or romantic partner, you can realise a cherished dream on the 22nd. A close relationship gives you the courage to expand your horizons near the 24th.

JANUARY: Help from family makes a health regimen easier to follow on the 7th. The Full Moon on the 9th yields exciting results from a selfimprovement programme. Your best friend or lover gives you a token of their appreciation on or around the 13th. Spending time with friends in mid-January makes you happy. Your lover’s work commitments put a strain on your home life on the 19th

What’s in store for YOU this festive season

by RUSSELL GRANT

LEO July 24th - August 23rd GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st An unexpected meeting or chance encounter early in the month prompts a short trip or journey that you might choose to say nothing about. A selfimprovement programme shows stunning results near the 10th.

Discussions with a business or romantic partner will be positive around the 14th. Good news regarding a youngster’s progress at school is cause for a mid-month celebration. A growing attraction on the 22nd is too powerful to exist.

News of an opportunity or opening comes your way between Christmas and the start of 2012.

JANUARY: The 7th prompts you to take some responsibilities off your partner’s shoulders. You finally get paid for a job when the Full Moon shines on the 9th. Be sure to wear something special for any gatherings or get togethers in the middle of

A job offer at the start of the month will bring you added financial independence and creative fulfillment.

Don’t waste money on luxuries you can’t afford near the 2nd. The 4th is ideal for asking for a first date or arranging a romantic outing. The 20th is wrapped in romance and adventure; you’ll have fun if you don’t take yourself too seriously. Embark on a new fitness routine on the 24th.

Stalled career plans move forward near the 25th.

JANUARY: You won’t be thinking clearly at the start of the year, thanks to an intense romance. The Full Moon on the 9th brings about a spiritual epiphany. A vigorous workout gives you a sexy glow in the days surrounding the 13th. You’ll share many physically intense moments with your amour in mid January. A last minute discount travel package on the 22nd allows you to visit to an exotic land.

VIRGO Aug 24th - Sep 23rd

SCORPIO Oct 24th - Nov 22nd

You, a friend or someone close will have something to announce at the start of December. The opportunity to change industries becomes available near the 10th; explore a career path that involves travel. Extend an olive branch to a loved one who is feeling left out on the 14th. Let a loved one expose you to a new writer, musician, or cuisine around the 22nd. Plan to make the days between Christmas and New Year celebrations as relaxing as possible, but don’t be surprised if things don’t work out to plan.

JANUARY: Create a budget on the 7th that helps you put money in savings. The Full Moon on the 9th brings a successful conclusion to a team project. You’re everybody’s favourite in the days surrounding the 13th. Let your best friend or lover expand your horizons at the middle of the month. The New Moon on the 23rd helps you land a lucrative job assignment.

The first few days of December bring you an unusual chance to share your thoughts and ideas with someone you have always looked up to as inspirational guiding light. Paying off a debt near the 10th enables you to leave a tedious job for one that is much more stimulating. A family gathering near the 20th will be lots more fun than you expected. The quiet time between Christmas and New Year gives you an opportunity to make plans for 2012.

JANUARY: Don’t lend or borrow money in the opening days of the year. The 7th finds you developing a great business idea. The 13th is ideal for visiting a nearby vacation spot that’s famous for its natural beauty.

The New Moon on the 23rd is ideal for closing a property deal or moving to a spacious home. Come clean about an embarrassing secret near the 27th.

LIBRA Sep 24th - Oct 23rd It looks likely that you’ll be making some far-reaching plans to your domestic arrangements at the start of December. Don’t listen to your fears regarding a neighbour or relative near the 4th. The 5th is perfect for working behind the scenes on a creative project. Give a female relative your blessing on the 18th, even if you do have doubts about her judgment. The 20th finds you scheduling a short trip for pleasure to see friends. Let a loving partner take you away on a romantic adventure before the end of December.

JANUARY: A teaching opportunity will be offered around the 7th. The days surrounding the 8th are ideal for applying for a loan or making a down payment on a house. Take charge of a domestic situation around the 13th; your relatives or roommates are counting on you. Don’t discourage a relative from pursuing their dreams on the 19th. The New Moon on the 23rd brings an attractive admirer into your social circle; it could be love.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23rd - Dec 21st You could make a respectable profit by selling or trading something during the first few days of a month that’s great for wheeling and dealing. A business or romantic partner’s job comes to an end around the 10th, giving the two of you time for a trip.

An older friend puts a good word in for you helping you get the recognition you deserve on the 20th.

Plan to visit good friends between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and your creative energies will be triggered by what you see and hear.

JANUARY: Listen to an older friend’s career advice on the 7th. The 8th is great for creating a beautiful home office. The 13th is great for making a public presentation or running for office. Spending quality time with loved ones will be very rewarding around the 14th. Don’t fall victim to peer pressure near the 19th. The New Moon on the 23rd prompts an admirer to confess their crush on you.

CAPRICORN Dec 22nd - Jan 20th

school, professional organisation, or cultural institution around the 5th.

Good news about your health arrives on the 10th, allowing you to take a bold risk. The chance to make money from a creative endeavour falls in your lap around the 20th. A makeover turns out fabulous on the 24th. You’ll get a more positive response to plans for 2012 if you talk them over before the end of December.

JANUARY: Don’t let a negative experience from childhood prevent you from taking a class in early January. Donating time or money to a charitable cause lifts your spirits around the 7th. You’ll be paid to share your expertise on or around the 13th.

The 14th is perfect for going on a short trip for pleasure. Put your feelings for someone special into words in mid-January and then you’ll need to back your words up with actions.

AQUARIUS Jan 21st - Feb 19th The first few days of December are made for a first date or a romantic night out with your someone special.

Financial support becomes available around the 5th. Working with a big group expands your horizons in the days surrounding the 14th. A spiritual epiphany on Christmas Eve prompts you to spend more quality time at home. Take charge of a fund raising venture before the New Year and 2012 will be a good year for you.

JANUARY: A respected expert proves to be a valuable career contact on the 7th. The 8th is perfect for resting, relaxing and rejuvenating. An intense physical encounter gives you a sexy glow in the days surrounding the 13th. More money becomes available for luxuries on or around the 14th. Be sure to put in an appearance at a festive party in the middle of the month; you’ll be the star attraction.

PISCES Feb 20th - March 20th An influential friend asks you to accompany them to a glamorous party or exclusive get together at the start of December. Your amour helps you realise a cherished dream in the days surrounding the 5th. The 14th favours job interviews. A new friend makes their way into your life around the 24th, opening your eyes to beauty you wouldn’t usually notice. A creative project affords tremendous pleasure between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. JANUARY: Don’t let anyone mistreat a friend, colleague, waiter, clerk, or even a government employee in the early days of the year. A heart to heart with a loved one is favoured for the 7th; be honest about feelings. Be sure to attend a friend’s birthday celebration in the days surrounding the 8th. Friendship could turn to romance around the 13th. Treat yourself to a makeover or new hairstyle near the 14th.

The final days of the month warn against blurting out a loved TAKE ME HOME! one’s secret.

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December/January 2012

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CHECKLIST

Christmas dinner with your own veg DELICIOUS: Flowersprout, left, and parsnips

Festive feast!

I

’M licking my lips at the thought of Christmas dinner, not only the turkey and trimmings but also the homegrown veggies I have been nurturing since spring.

Crunchy brussels sprouts and crisply roasted parsnips are favourite but there are also options on leeks, broccoli, carrots and savoys.

It really is worth growing your own produce. Here are some recommendations from the 1,000plus varieties I have grown over the years.

I always try to find space for short rows of three different brussels sprouts, maturing successionally – Brilliant from October; Millennium for Christmas; and Trafalgar, an extra tall kind with huge buttons, in the new year.

I could not resist trying a fourth sort this year, a ‘flowersprout’ called Petite Posy which grew into a beautiful dark purple plant with a small crop of frilly, rather than solid, sprouts of delicious, delicate flavour.

New types of parsnip are introduced regularly, including some claiming resistance to rootfly but none can hold a candle to Tender and True, which dates from 1897 and, for me, is still best for reliability and taste.

To make the most of leeks’ long season, grow the F1 hybrid Oarsman for eating up to Christmas when its taste and texture are best and Mammoth Blanch for new year.

Crops that mature in April are so rare that Late Purple Sprouting broccoli, with ancestors from 1777, remains the most dependable and enjoyable for me. However, Rudolph, a newer kind, is great if you want an early crop. It is sometimes ready for Santa’s visit, as its name implies.

For Christmas carrots, sow in late

WIN! WIN! WIN! 10 great kits for kids A GREAT way to encourage the junior gardener in your family is to pop the right kind of gifts into his or her Christmas stockings.

We can help you to do that with this chance to win TEN prize packages – TEN copies of the book How Does My Garden Grow? plus TEN collections of exciting seeds put together specially for children.

How Does My Garden Grow?

(Dorling Kindersley/Royal Horticultural Society, £9.99) gets children involved in growing plants, helps them understand how food is made and shows them how to be creative with the flowers, fruit and vegetables they’ve grown.

It features 30 projects and is practical, educational and bucket-loads of fun!

Johnsons Seeds Little Gardeners range is a £10 collection of eight kinds of

vegetable designed specially to appeal to youngsters: giant runner beans, tall sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, ballshaped carrots, Halloween pumpkins, ladybird poppies, cress and curious-shaped gourds.

The ten winners will receive their books and seed collections separately.

To enter the competition, answer these questions: 1. How many projects are in How Does My Garden Grow?

2. How many kinds of vegetable in the Little Gardeners collection?

Send your entry with your name, address and phone number on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! – and what you

summer the 100-year-old variety Amsterdam Forcing, ideally in a cold frame or moveable deep pot in case of severe weather, and for summer choose any of the Nantes types for spring sowing.

The best all-round broad beans are the Aquadulce series, originating in 1850, with a modern strain, Super Aquadulce, topping the lot. It is hardy enough for autumn or very early spring sowing, germinates quickly, flowers early and produces numerous tasty beans.

There are many good runner beans to choose from. Although I

have no long-term preference, I’ve been impressed this year with the earliness and flavour of Moonlight, a new cross between a runner and a French climbing bean. For a straightforward French climber, Cobra takes some beating.

If I grew only one beetroot it would be Pablo. Among courgettes, Parthenon stands out because it is self-pollinating.

The pea Kelvedon Wonder has been an automatic choice for an early crop since 1925 but the new Cavalier is a distinct improvement in both quality and quantity.

HELPING HANDS

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think of the paper – to: Junior Gardeners Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Monday, January 31.

Please also tell us where you picked up your copy. You can also enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk n For other Dorling Kindersley gardening books, go to www.dk.com n For Johnsons’ full seed range, visit www.johnsonsseeds.com/catalogue Different varieties of cabbages can be grown virtually all year. For spring, Offenham 2 Flower of Spring takes some beating – firm-hearted and crisp, while for winter, the F1 ‘voy’ range are all good, including Tarvoy and Supervoy.

Brussels Petite Posy and runner bean Moonlight are available from Sutton’s Seeds; cabbage Candissa from King’s Seeds and cabbage Kilaton from Mr Fothergill’s; pea Cavalier from Thompson & Morgan or the Organic Gardening Catalogue; the other varieties are sold widely.

FLOWERS: Finish planting tulips and any overdue spring bedding. Snip off the dead flower heads of winter pansies and violas regularly to encourage more blooms.

Pinch out the tips of long shoots on wallflower plants to help them grow bushy.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Brighten up north and eastfacing walls and fences by planting hardy climbers such as winter jasmine, which produces masses of yellow, star-shaped flowers, and ivies, including those with variegated gold and green leaves.

PATIOS: Move patio pots into the sunniest position and raise them on bricks or pot feet so they do not stand in puddles after winter rains.

LAWNS: Give the lawn its final trim of the year on a mild day. Clean the mower, check nuts, bolts and wiring, have it serviced and sharpened if necessary, and wipe all metal surfaces with an oily rag.

PONDS: Remove leaves from the surface. Left to sink and rot, they use oxygen, which is needed by fish and other pond life.

VEGETABLES: Keep leeks earthed up. Support tall crops like brussels sprouts against winter gales.

HERBS: Pot up parsley and chives to grow on an indoor windowsill. Also pot up roots of mint in 22cm (9in) pots and keep them under glass to provide early shoots when they will be most appreciated early next spring.

GLASS: In the greenhouse or conservatory, water sparingly fuchsias and other exotics being overwintered under glass, keeping the compost just moist. Check for insect pests on the plants and squash or spray.

HOUSEPLANTS: Make sure they have enough light, but don’t leave them on a windowsill at night after the curtains are drawn or they will suffer in the chilly gap between glass and curtain.

Don’t overwater – keep compost just moist – and only feed varieties still to TAKE ME HOME! flower.

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

All Together NOW!

28

December/January 2012

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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Regulated (9) Motor coach (3) Reveal (7) Beauty parlour (5) Essence (4) Cook in hot fat (3) Ring (4) Attempt to deceive (slang) (3-2) Part of the eye (6) Abduct (6) Heavenly messenger (5) Method (4) Mountain pass (3) Notable actor (4) Adroitness (5) Whale spear (7) Groove (3) Waterproof sheet (9)

A Light drizzle B Smoke from an illicit still C Gross exaggeration D Clouds of midges QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: Which country gives a Christmas tree to the people of Britain every year which is erected in Trafalgar Square?

A Denmark B Norway C Sweden D Finland QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: What is indicated by a small white spot in an egg yolk?

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chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.

A Swede B Potato C Carrot D Beetroot QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: What is known as Scotch mist?

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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 common root vegetable has poisonous fruits and seeds?

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www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Wet earth (3) Ship’s hoist (5) Regulation (4) Hypothesis (6) Bowl (4) Inflatable bag (7) Wading bird (9) Heart regulator (9) Old French currency (5) Bumpkin (5) Beverage (3) Zero (3) Shining (7) Ground squirrel (6) Goblin (5) Short sketch (4) Operatic song (4) Religious woman (3)

A It is rotten B It is fertile C It is infected with salmonella D It is newly-laid QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: What does the abbreviation OHC stand for on a car engine?

A Oil heater/cooler B Overhead camshaft C Only hydrocarbon fuels D Open hole carburettor QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Which of these singers is known as the Queen of Soul?

A B C D

Tina Turner Roberta Flack Gladys Knight Aretha Franklin

SUDOKU

Actress Daryl Hannah. See Question 8

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: What object, commonly found on beaches, is known as a Mermaid’s Purse?

A A kelp plant rootball B A cuttlefish back bone C An empty oyster shell D A dogfish egg case QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: In which Quentin Tarantino film did Daryl Hannah star as the one-eyed assassin Elle Driver?

A From Dusk To Dawn B Little Nicky C My Name Is Modesty D Kill Bill QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: What is a sampan?

A A Chinese boat B A type of poisonous snake C A house made of bamboo D An officer’s leather belt

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Which UK TV chef had the first regular TV cookery series?

A Fanny Craddock B Marguerite Patten C Philip Harben D Graham Kerr QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which American singer held the UK No 1 chart spot for 11 weeks in 1955 with Rose Marie?

A Frankie Laine B Slim Whitman C Tennessee Ernie Ford D Guy Mitchell QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: Which French wine region makes the classic clarets?

A Bordeaux B Rhone C Burgundy D Languedoc-Roussillon QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: How many hoops are used in the game of croquet?

A Four B Six C Eight D Nine QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: In which country is the port of Fray Bentos?

A Argentina B Paraguay C Uruguay D Brazil QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: What is the shortest distance between the land masses of the USA and Russia across the Bering Strait?

A 5 miles B 55 miles C 155 miles D 255 miles

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.

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TWO students have designed the official £5 coins to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and scooped £5,000 each in a competition run

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Architectural student Saiman Miah, 24, from Birmingham, came up with the new Olympic coin, while graphic and media design

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

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

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

graduate Pippa Sanderson, from Malvern, Worcestershire, designed the Paralympic coin.

Pippa’s design, right, celebrates accuracy, manoeuvrability and

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speed by using the round shape of the coin along with circles found in the Games.

To purchase a coin call 0845 6088300

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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off.

Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

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

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

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CROSS CODE 12

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

RENT SQUARE SIGN SOAP LETTER OUT

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

Scientific or mechanical

1. Breeds of dog 766 353 173 883 431 473 946 863 248 212 572 842 376 273 173 874 623 762 612 693 26

712 124 617 383 712

655 448 812 713 344

2. inventions 783 846 726 731 483 717 272 248 925 312 667 883 583 717 826 274 736 128 763 718 383 7

661 867 414 173 268

5. Taylor 328 437 163 184 312 316 284 662 518 358 946 171 237 243 163 744 642 196 653 112 728 721 783 336 591 817 866 37

897 831 717 631 437

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Films starring Elizabeth

4. Athletics events 746 878 818 742 845 347 287 187 475 315 177 746 814 873 546 444 158 671 663 376 682 845 661 276 771 687 917 866 464

PATHWORDS

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find the surnames of 20 international cricketers.

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 10?

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together; 2) A simple carbohydrate occurring in animal and

2. Suffragette Emily Pankhurst is given a three-year prison sentence.

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plant tissue; 3) An animal

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

Clue: Make small explosive sound stay.

___ +R=_R__

3. Soccer club PSV Eindhoven is inaugurated in the Netherlands.

exploiting the

WAS IT? a) 1901; b) 1904; c) 1907; d) 1910; e) 1913.

of another.

living space

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords Sobers; Gavaskar; Hutton; Botham; CROSS CODE Trueman; Border; Willis; Gooch; Hick; Boycott; Lara; 1 2 3 4 J Q S L Waugh; Lloyd; Stewart; Walsh; Gower; Tendulkar; 14 15 16 17 Richards; Bradman; Knott.

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Accumulator Quiz 1 – B; 2 – A; 3 – B; 4 – B; 5 – B; 6 – D; 7 – D; 8 – D; 9 – A; 10 – C; 11 – B; 12 – A; 13 – B; 14 – C; 15 – B. Starspot Crossword Across – 1 Moderated; 6 Bus; 8 Divulge; 9 Salon; 10 Pith; 11 Fry; 13 Hoop; 14 Try-on; 16 Cornea; 18 Kidnap; 19 Angel; 21 Mode; 22 Col; 23 Star; 27 Knack; 28 Harpoon; 30 Rut; 31 Tarpaulin.

Down – 1 Mud; 2 Davit; 3 Rule; 4 Theory; 5 Dish; 6 Balloon; 7 Sandpiper; 10 Pacemaker; 11 Franc; 12 Yokel; 14 Tea; 15 Nil; 17 Radiant; 20 Gopher; 24 Troll; 25 Skit; 26 Aria; 29 Nun. Star Name: HAROLD PINTER

Word Wizard No 3 is correct. An inquiline is a parasitic animal.

Dialling Codes 1. poodle; setter; collie; greyhound; chihuahua; alsatian; St Bernard; retriever; doberman; boxer; afghan.

2. stethoscope; typewriter; parachute; bicycle; computer; revolver; submarine; bunsen burner; thermometer.

3. budget; question time; maiden speech; press gallery; by-election; recess; ballot; abstention; whip; Hansard.

4. shotput; triathlon; discus; triple jump; sprint; hurdling; high jump; modern pentathlon; cross-country running.

5. Father Of The Bride; National Velvet; Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?; Cleopatra; Suddenly Last Summer.

6. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?; Blankety Blank; Countdown; Mastermind; Sale of The Century; The Weakest Link.

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

Missing Link ground; all; road; toilet; express; rule. Clothing: garter.

Make a Date The year was 1913.

Transformer Pop + R = Prop.

R REEA AC CH H4 40 00 0,,0 00 00 0 R REEA AD DEER RS S .. .. ..

TAKE ME HOME!

30

All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

SHOPMOBILITY n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 625950 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 8046 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 353525 n ORMSKIRK, West Lancashire Tel 01695 570055 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 n SOUTHPORT. Tel 0151 288 6885 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 231941 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD. Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 n WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel 01902 556021

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Mini greenhouse winner THE LUCKY winner of our ‘Mini Greenhouse’ competition was Mrs Lynne Ashton, of Briarley Gardens, Stockport, who picked up her first copy of All Together NOW! at her local Asda store.

“I’ve never won anything before,” said Mrs Ashton. “I entered it for my dad, who’s a

keen gardener. This is just great!

“All Together NOW! is a fabulous read, full of fun, information, useful tips and ideas. I loved it so much I am going to subscribe.”

Our super prize is a Thermal Gro-House competition, worth £120, from garden specialists, Mr Fothergill’s.

SOUND OFF: Equality and the BBC I WRITE in the hope that readers will support my ‘last attempt’ to get some sort of equality for deaf and disabled people on the BBC. All Together NOW! reported on the brilliant success of both United Response’s antibullying training team and David Proud achieving a life long dream by becoming an actor in EastEnders.

What saddens me is that we have to report on these events as outstanding rather than an

every day norm in life.

If BBC TV permanently employed the Davids of our world and included deaf and disabled people as a normal part of their everyday programming maybe bullying would decrease and our community would not have to ‘dream’ about working on TV. I think BBC TV is a NONdisabled world and the 11m disabled people (BBC’s own figures) are rarely allowed to be part of.

Channel Four, on the other hand, is making serious efforts to employ disabled presenters and Noel Edmunds hosts the only show that is totally inclusive!

If you feel like I do then please sign my e-petition. Its easy - just visit Google and enter, e-petition 131. Then click ‘No TV license fee for deaf and disabled people’ to sign the petition.

Roger Cliffe-Thompson

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 782760 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 n WREXHAM Tel 01978 262955 MIDLANDS BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAM Action for Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL Tel 01253 792600 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY Tel 01282 438507 n CARLISLE: Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 CHESHIRE & N WALES: Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA (West) Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland)

Tel 01539 726613 DOGS Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234 Tel 0151 227 1226 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 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 n GUIDE

ORGANISATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF n BIRMINGHAM Institute for Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIA Deaf Society Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST) Deaf Society Tel 01282 839180 n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre Tel 0161 273 3415 n MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n ST HELENS: Deafness Resource Centre Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902 420904 n N WALES Deaf Association, Tel 01492 542235

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

Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal.

Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 n LIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 7767 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 456 2808 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 n DOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM: NEWCIS, Tel: 01978 310414.

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

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All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Reid rises to the occasion

Best boot forward!

WARRINGTON Collegiate’s disabled students showed off their footballing skills at an Ability Counts Football tournament at Loreto College, Manchester.

Lecturer and coach Pete Connor said: “The enthusiasm, team spirit and camaraderie of this group of players is immense. They are a pleasure to coach and I love being involved in Ability Counts Football.”

To encourage more players, the Ability Counts Football League has established ‘pan-disability’ groups that allow players with different disabilities to play as one team.

And, although the league is for young men under 19, the Warrington Collegiate team have been invited to field female and over 19 players.

Who’s for handball?

NEW GOALS: The Warrington Collegiate team at the tournament

Lucy’s ace WHEELCHAIR tennis star Lucy Shuker has been named the Vitalise Woman of Achievement 2011 at a gala award ceremony in support of national disability charity Vitalise.

Lucy, 31, from Hampshire, is Britain’s number one ranked women’s wheelchair tennis player and 10th ranked in the world.

She received the award in recognition of her inspirational achievements in the world of disabled sport, having overcome being paralysed from the chest following a motorbike accident in 2001.

Previous Women of Achievement and Courage Award winners include former model Katie Piper and disabled yachtswoman Hilary Lister, who sailed solo across the English Channel.

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IVERPOOL Wheelchair Handball Club is looking for new members.

Club secretary Malcolm Foster says: “The sport is open to people of all ages and abilities – whether you are disabled or not.

“At the moment we are the only team playing in the UK, though it is very popular in South America and there is a mini-league in

Australia, and one or two teams in Germany, Norway and Sweden.

“It is a fast and competitive sport played on a handball court.

Each side has seven players – six outfield and a goalie. The games last 15 minutes.”

Malcolm says that since setting up three years ago the club has raised enough to buy sports

wheelchairs and other equipment. “We are also using a Sport England grant to take our sport into schools” The club meet on Wednesdays (6pm-7pm) at Greenbank Sports Academy in Greenbank Lane, near Sefton Park.

Contact 0151 728 7783 Email mforst56@yahoo.co.uk www.lwhc.org.uk

Great Great Britain Britain Wheelchair Wheelchair Basketball Basketball .. .. .. www.gbwba.org.uk www.gbwba.org.uk Super League Dec 10/11: Steelers v Owls.

Dec10/11: Capital City v Rhinos.

Jan 7/8: Capital City v Owls.

Jan 7/8: Rhinos v Steelers. Telford College of Arts and Technology, Telford.

Jan 21/22: Capital City v Steelers.

Jan 21/22: Rhinos v Owls. Telford College of Arts and Technology, Telford 1st Division North Dec 3/4: Mavericks v Owls 2.

Dec 3/4: Steelers 2 v Percy Hedley.

Dec 3/4: Spiders v Percy Hedley.

Dec 10/11: Steelers 2 v Owls 2.

Dec 10/11: Lothian v Mavericks.

Dec 10/11: Percy Hedley v Mavericks.

Jan 7/8: Mavericks v Knights.

Jan 7/8: Owls 2 v Knights.

Jan 14/15: Percy Hedley v Owls 2.

Jan 14/15: Lothian v Owls 2.

Jan 21/22: Percy Hedley v Knights.

Jan 21/22: Lothian v Knighs.

Jan 28/29: Knights v Spiders.

Jan 28/29: Lothian v Percy Hedley 2nd Division North Dec 3/4: Greenbank v Bulls.

Dec 3/4: Wheelblazers v Warriors.

Dec 10/11: Warriors v Greenbank.

Dec 10/11: Bulls v Vikings.

Jan 7/8: West of Scotland v Percy Hedley 2.

Jan 7/8: Wheelblazers v Bulls.

Jan 14/15: West of Scotland v Greenbank.

Jan 14/15: Percy Hedley 2 v Greenbank.

Jan 21/22: Percy Hedley 2 v Vikings.

Jan 21/22: West of Scotland v Vikings.

Jan 28/29: Warriors v Vikings.

Jan 28/29: Greenbank v Wheelblazers

3rd Division North Dec 3/4: Mavericks 2 v Cardinals.

Dec 3/4: Maulers v Lothian 2.

Dec 10/11: Lothian 2 v Mavericks 2.

Dec 10/11: Cardinals v Spiders 2.

Dec 10/11: Maulers v Steelers 4.

Jan 7/8: Mavericks 2 v Panthers.

Jan 7/8: Cardinals v Maulers.

Jan 14/15: Mavericks 2 v Lothian 2.

Jan 14/15: Panthers v Lothian 2.

Jan 14/15: Cardinals v Steelers 4.

Jan 21/22: Lothian 2 v Cardinals.

Jan 21/22: Panthers v Cardinals.

Jan 21/22: Maulers v Mavericks 2.

Jan 28/29: Whirlwinds v Mavericks 2.

GORDON Reid beat world No.2 Maikel Scheffers for the second time in two months to claim the Nottingham Indoor Wheelchair Tennis singles title, writes MARSHALL THOMAS. Top seed Scheffers saved two match points during a thrilling encounter before world no.13 Reid clinched the title in the third and final tie-break 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 7-6(4).

Reid’s confidence was high after defeating Dutchman Scheffers for the first time in September at the US Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships in St Louis to reach the quarter-finals.

It is the British No.1’s second ITF2 Series title of the year after winning the PTR Championships at Hilton Head Island.

But Reid couldn’t make it a double as he battled through another three sets in the men’s doubles with partner Marc McCarroll before losing out to Tom Egberink and Michael Jeremiasz 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-3.

Meanwhile, world No.6 Jamie Burdekin continued his successful week by beating fellow Brit John Parfitt 6-0, 62 to add the quad singles trophy to the doubles title he won with Dorrie TimmermansVan Hall, of The Netherlands.

Earlier in the day world No.6 Sabine Ellerbrock created something of an upset as the German defeated top seed Marjolein Buis, from the Netherlands, 6-4, 6-3 to pick up the women’s trophy.

Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley finished off their week in style, winning the women’s doubles title after coming back from 5-1 down in the decider against German pair Ellerbrock and Katharina Kruger to take the match 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

The Tennis Foundation’s Head of Player Performance Geraint Richards said: “It’s been another successful week for our British players on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour.

“Jamie had a great tournament with two titles and the girls had to dig deep to win their doubles trophy. I’m confident the players can carry on this excellent run of form right into the Paralympic Games next year.”

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TAKE ME HOME!

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All Together NOW!

December/January 2012

Gina makes rugby history B URY’S Gina Smallwood became the first female Wheelchair Rugby League player to represent England when they narrowly beat France 34-32 in the Rapid Support Services International.

Gina, a member of this year’s Wheelchair Super League-winning Bury Jigsaw team, said: “I started off doing athletics, then got involved in wheelchair basketball and then someone approached me and asked whether I fancied getting involved in Rugby League.

“That was two seasons ago. Now I’m the first female to play for England.

“I’m proud – but it’s just good to be able to be involved in the game and with such great people.”

Gina had her left leg amputated in 2004 following a blood clot.

Head coach Phil Roberts said: “Gina’s selection was on the back of a strong season at club level.

Her speed and timing around the

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RECORD BREAKER: Gina Smallwood with her team mates after England’s defeat of France at Leigh Sports Village

BEIJING Paralympic bronze medallist Sam Ingram captured Britain’s second IBSA VI European Championship title as he followed Ben Quilter’s success by taking gold in the -90kg category at K2 Arena in Crawley.

play-the-ball is an asset to the team and her effort and attitude couldn’t be better.

“Having been in the 2010 training squad she is familiar with our methods and has deservedly progressed into the team.”

England won the match thanks to a last minute penalty converted by Wayne Boardman (Halifax).

The sport was developed in France and first played in England in 2005. Since then the England-France game has been an annual fixture.

England Squad: Wayne Boardman (Halifax); Jack Brown (Halifax); Paul Craig (Mersey Vikings); Tom Docherty (Wolverhampton Rhinos); Mike Fairclough (Mersey Vikings); Jack Heggie (Bury Jigsaw); Paul McCormick (Bury Jigsaw); Martin Norris (Bury Jigsaw); Phil Roberts (Bury Jigsaw); Andrew Wharton (Halifax); Gina Smallwood (Bury Jigsaw)

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Judo stars grab gold

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The 26-year-old recorded victories over Rick Slangen, of the Netherlands, and Oleg Kretsul (Russia), before beating France’s Olivier Cugnon in the final.

Sam, from Coventry, said: “I’ve been chasing top spot for a long time. It was ideal getting to fight the Russian Kretsul and Frenchman Cugnon.

“The team has managed to gel quickly, we’ve got a good mix of younger and older judoka and it’s been a good tournament for us.”

Liverpool’s Dan Powell was also in action for Britain as he took to the -81kg category.

Dan, 20, was cheered on by his team-mate and brother, Marc, and father, Terry, a former VI World Champion.

Dan faced Russian Anatoly Shevchenko in his opening bout and immediately pressed for an opening.

However, after a strong start he was disqualified for trying to sweep forward his opponent’s standing leg.

Belgium blues for Lapthorne

ANDREW Lapthorne finished runner-up in the quad singles at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in Mechelen, Belgium.

Lapthorne and Israel’s Noam Gershony thrashed it out for the second successive day, Lapthorne having lost earlier 6-4, 7-5 to the world No. 3 to finish second in the round-robin phase of the competition.

However, he made a sensational start to the final and took the opening set without dropping a game.

But the Middlesex player lost the next two sets, 6-3, 7-5.

(More tennis news, p31)