issue9

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All Together Now!

What’s inside NEWS:

October/November 2006

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEWS

p2-5

FEATURE: Deafblind DJ

p6

LEISUREZONE:

p7

GARDENING:

Mystery shoppers on the Mersey beat

p8/9

GREAT OUTDOORS:

p12-21

SKILLZONE:

p13-20

DISTRIBUTION MAP:

p16-17

HOROSCOPES:

p 22

HEALTH:

p23

MERSEYTRAVEL:

p 24

MOTORZONE:

p25-27

CAREZONE:

p28-29

CONTACT BOARD:

A MYSTERY shopping project designed to capture the visitor experience of disabled people is under way on Merseyside.

p30 SPARKS IN THE PARK: An explosion of fireworks at Pennington Hall Park, Leigh

SPORTSZONE

p30-32

Telephone: 0151 230 0307 Fax: 0151 220 4446

Who to contact Editorial Editor: Tom Dowling email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Advertising/sponsorship Chris Groves email: chris.groves@alltogethernow.org.uk

IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design

NEXT EDITION: Wednesday Nov 29, 2006 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 the Liverpool Daily Post & ECHO, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB

3,000 enjoy free fun event MORE than 3,000 people took up the offer of a weekend of free leisure activities provided by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

The event aimed to encourage more people to get physically, mentally and creatively active and marked the second anniversary of the borough’s Getting Wigan Active campaign.

Activities included everything from swimming to history workshops and featured gym sessions, archery, health walks, storytelling, libraries in the

park, tours of Haigh Hall as well as visits to The Way We Were, Astley Colliery and the Turnpike Gallery.

The climax involved about 500 people attending a ‘Proms in the Park’ at Pennington Hall Park, Leigh.

Rodney Hill, chief executive of WLCT, said: “We are pleased that so many people took advantage of the free weekend.

“I hope more people in our borough will use more of their leisure time to enjoy a healthy and rewarding lifestyle.”

HAT’S THE WAY!: Sasha Cooke and Lewis Massey join in the fun

High praise for a low budget spectacular ELLESMERE Port’s refurbished civic hall was the centre of a dramatic Western-style shoot-out.

But no-one was hurt, and it was all in a good cause.

The cameras rolled and more than 120 people turned up for the premiere of Dusty Ridge . . . The Town’s Last Chance, a film created by a group of 30 people, all with learning disabilities, from Wirral-based charity HFT. The cast and technicians donned best evening dress and rolled up in pink and white limos.

It is the group’s second film, following on from Battle For The Crown, a medieval drama screened last spring.

With a low budget, one camcorder and a borrowed tripod, the group came up with the ideas, developed the characters and script and acted out the 20minute film, a story of greed,

RED CARPET: Cast members Elizabeth Verburgh, right, and Jane Morris arrive for the premiere at the civic hall robbery, deceit and kidnapping, with more than a hint of humour!

HFT’s community inclusion worker, Tom Maguire, said: “It was a night to remember for all.

Many people said how much we have improved from last year.”

n A DVD of Dusty Ridge is

available for £4 from Tom Maguire or George Rowland at Oaklands Business Park, Hooton, Wirral, CH66 7NZ. Tel 0151 328 1778.

HFT provides support for people with learning disabilities.

Mystery shoppers will be visiting the region’s leisure, tourism and hospitality sector to discover how they meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. Since October 2004 there has been a legal obligation to enable disabled people to access their services.

Failure to do so could result in prosecution.

“Many businesses have responded to the DDA but there is still a long way to go,” says Mystery Shopping co-ordinator Regina Bergin.

“Those businesses that have shown a commitment of time and resources to making their venues accessible will be commended.

“Those who fall short in their service provision will be encouraged to work towards becoming a more inclusive business which in turn will benefit the whole community, not just disabled people.

“The tourism and leisure sector cannot afford to ignore the needs of disabled customers.

Low cost “It’s illegal, morally unjust and bad business practice.

“There are 10 million disabled people in this country and with the country’s ageing population this means there is growing demand for accessible and inclusive service provision.

“It’s not all about ramps and there are easy things that can be done to improve access and quality through simple low cost alterations, a change of approach and a positive welcoming attitude towards disabled people.” n The Mystery Shopping project is coordinated by Merseyside Disability Federation, a charity that supports groups of, and for, disabled people and funded by 08 for All, the Community Chest Fund and Awards for All. Tel 0151 291 9570.

Check out www.alltogethernow.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

All Together Now!

NEWS

All aboard for the exciting road ahead!

Hello!

So where has the summer gone . . ?

It’s hard to believe that we are now actually preparing our Christmas magazine – the tenth edition since the presses first rolled with the launch publication in May of last year.

So what’s been happening here at All Together Now! during the long hot summer? Plenty, that’s what!

On the distribution front, we now have copies of the magazine going into every library in Cheshire and Cumbria, and, thanks to the help from staff at various Shopmobility projects, the magazine is now also available in Carlisle, Penrith, Barrow, Kendal, Blackpool and Preston.

And Jim Devlin at St Helens Tenants and Residents Association is also distributing 1,000 copies across the borough.

On the commercial side, we’ve lots of hard work – and a VERY bumpy road ahead – but we remain optimistic that the public and private sector will increasingly see the huge benefits in being associated with our work.

If we can continue to get that support, then there’s no telling how many more thousands of disabled people and carers will be helped by the magazine.

Have a good autumn. See you in December – if not before!

Tom Dowling, editor

All Together Now! is a registered charity, set up with just one aim – to provide a tip top news service for anyone whose lives are affected by disability, long-term health conditions, or age.

The charity relies entirely on support from its partners, advertisers and from general subscriptions and grants.

If YOU can help, we’d be delighted to hear from you!

Cumbria’s new sports festival a massive hit

CONGRATULATIONS to the three winners of our recent gardening competition. All win a super Switch & Reach garden tool set from the long established Wigan firm, Bulldog Tools.

The winners are: Mrs B Rainford, of Millwood Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. Mrs Rainford picked up her copy of All Together Now! at St Helens Central Library.

Mr B Dodd, of Elwy Circle, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl, North Wales, who picked up his copy at the Visiter office, Rhyl.

Mr I Stapleton, of Carling Drive, Peel Estate, Manchester, who picked up his copy at Sainsbury’s, Stockport.

Communicating . . .

DISABILITY charity Leonard Cheshire has been awarded £737,410 by the Big Lottery Fund to help finance a new project to support disabled people with communication difficulties.

The three-year grant will fund eight new regional communication support officer posts, led by a national communication project co-ordinator, who will be responsible for rolling out the project across the UK.

THE FIRST ever sports festival in Cumbria for adults with learning disabilities saw teams from across the county descend upon Barrow’s Park Vale Sports Stadium.

Councillor Oliver Pearson, Cabinet member responsible for Cumbria Adult Care, said: “This was a great way of promoting people’s abilities and recognising the contribution people with learning disabilities can make to their local communities.”

Cumbria Care manager Andy Kelsall, who helped organise the event, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the response to the event which gave adults with learning disabilities from all over the county the chance to join in the fun and take part in a real sporting competition.”

Gardening winners

Manchester move

MOVE over Wayne Rooney and co ... the new Cumbrian superstars of Walney Wildcats (pictured above) are on the prowl.

The Wildcats, representing the Mill Lane day centre in Walney, raised more than a few eyebrows – and had a few good laughs, too – at Cumbria’s first ever sports day for people with learning disabilities.

And there were more thrills in store for the spectators when Arthur Nicholson (left), representing Kendal’s Whinfell day centre, showed how it’s all done in the bowls tournament.

SHOPMOBILITY Manchester has moved to new premises situated in the final development of the Arndale Centre.

Coordinator Noreen Phillips says: “We are now based on the Lower Mall, on the Withy Grove/Shudehill area, close to the Transport Interchange and Arndale car park.”

Shopmobility Manchester, L18, New Arkwright Way, Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3AJ. Tel: 0161 839 4060

Diary dates

n KIDZ Up North exhibition – aimed at

parents and disabled children – takes place at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Thursday November 30 (9.30am-5pm).

Tel: 0870 777 4714

n THE Walton Centre for Neurology and

Neurosurgery is planning an open day on International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3 at its premises in Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool.

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEWS

Free speech!

T

HE world’s first FREE talking computer software is bringing computers and the internet alive for blind and partially-sighted people.

A hot curry could foil Alzheimer’s EATING curry may boost the brain and stave off Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists looked at the curry consumption of 1,010 Asian people aged between 60 and 93 who were currently unaffected by Alzheimer’s.

Their thinking ability was compared using a standard test called the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Participants who ate curry once or more in six months, or more than once a month, had better results than those who “never or rarely” ate it.

Dr Tze-Pin Ng, from the national University of Singapore who led the study, told New Scientist magazine: “What is remarkable is that apparently one needs only consume curry once in a while for the better cognitive performance to be evidenced.”

He suspects that circumin, a constituent of the spice turmeric, is responsible for the effects.

Turmeric is ground from the root of the Curcuma longa plant that grows wild in the Himilayas.

CHAT ROOM: Roger, Margaret and Tania

HOW YOU CAN HELP, TOO!

The Thunder screenreader turns a normal PC into a talking computer by reading out what is on screen, enabling people with visual impairments to listen to internet sites, shop online, hear their emails and, with the software reading out to them as they type, create letters and other documents with ease.

The software was launched at the National Portrait Gallery to coincide with the Fame! exhibition created by blind and partially-sighted people.

The software has been developed by a new notfor-profit community interest company, Screenreader.net, run by blind couple Margaret and Roger Wilson-Hinds from their Peterborough home.

Roger says: “Our mission is to deliver free talking software worldwide so that blind people everywhere can benefit from the computer, the web and emails.

“We see the talking computer as the modern Braille – providing a gateway to learning, work opportunities and a measure of financial freedom and independence.

“But Thunder is entirely free to individuals, with multi-user packages available to organisations for an annual subscription that also includes training.”

Graham Booth, chief executive of the Royal Blind Society said: “This is a simple, easy to use product that’s going to bring huge benefits to blind people.” www.screenreader.net

Childcare cash help for parents FINDING good childcare can be tough going.

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If you have a disabled child, it’s even tougher ... and especially during school holidays.

National charity Contact a Family has come up with a new free factsheet that might make life easier.

Finding and Paying for Childcare is packed with useful facts and advice, with sections on how to find out what’s available locally, a run through of the childcare options for disabled children of all ages, and a handy checklist to help parents decide if a childcare place is suitable.

There is also information on how childcare providers should accommodate disabled children, and what to do if your child is being discriminated against.

And because childcare for disabled children can be extremely expensive, the factsheet also includes extensive information on help in paying for childcare, both through the benefits and tax credits system and from other sources.

To get your copy call Contact a Family’s freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555, or visit the charity’s website at: www.cafamily.org.uk

Dr Ruth takes charge THE task of making the North West a healthier place to live has been passed to Dr Ruth Hussey.

Dr Hussey has been appointed the new regional director of public health of NHS North West and the Government Office.

She replaces Professor John Ashton, who resigned after becoming disillusioned with the NHS. Dr Hussey said: “It is an honour to be offered this job and to succeed John. Like him, I am passionate about tackling the health inequalities we see around us.

Dr Hussey was previously the director of public health/medical director for both Greater Manchester and Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authorities.

Before that she was director of public health services for Liverpool and was a senior lecturer in public health at Liverpool University.

She is an Honorary Fellow at John Moores University and a visiting professor at the University of Liverpool.

Child fact file: n There are about 770,000 disabled children under 16

living in the UK – 5% of all children under 16. n Childcare for disabled children routinely costs more than that for non-disabled children. n For instance, one mother paid £8 per hour for a childminder, compared to the £2.50 paid by other parents, as her child needed one to one care. n In addition, a small Contact a Family web survey found that on average, respondents with disabled children paid around £5.50 an hour for childcare, compared to the usual cost of between £1.75 and £3.50 an hour. n According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it costs up to three times as much to raise a disabled child, but average incomes for families with disabled children are around one quarter below the UK average.

Send us your news:

HOW YOU CAN HELP — by asking your organisation to place an advert with us.

Remember: 200,000 readers, two-months’ shelflife, and copies are available in hundreds of venues right across the North West . . .

news@alltogethernow.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

October/November 2006

5

NEWS

Awards for those who are making the going easier

Now that’s POSITIVE! P

EOPLE and organisations helping to make life easier for people in the North West with wide ranging disabilities were recognised at a gala ceremony.

The Positive Action Awards, organised by Warrington Disability Partnership, were presented to 18 winners at Warrington’s Halliwell Stadium.

Organiser and chairman of WDP, Dave Thompson, said: “This year’s awards have proved more popular than ever.

“This year’s winners include individuals who have dedicated their lives to enabling disabled people to become more independent.

“There are small businesses that have made changes to their

We need to be better informed, say carers LACK of relavant information and of knowledge of organisations that could help them, are the main problems facing the ever-growing number of carers, says a new report by Wirralbased charity WIRED. Author Simon Wagener says: “The impression gained from carers is that they are unaware of many organisations that are there to offer support or advice.

“They also felt it was too incumbent upon them to find out about what help was available and that their lives were fraught enough already with their caring responsibilities without having the added burden of chasing up this or that department.

“This lack of time and information will mean that many carers never fully know what resources already exist for their benefit.

“A better method of identifying carers and connecting with them needs to be discovered.”

The report is available at: www.wirralcarers.co.uk WIRED, Tel: 0151 670 1500

services to accommodate the needs of disabled customers, to large employers who are delivering fantastic support to disabled employees.

“There is also a team of volunteers who have preserved a heritage site and made it accessible for all – and local organisations that are managed by disabled people and promote empowerment.”

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency who sponsored the awards, said: “Disabled people make a valuable contribution to our WINNER: Lorraine Gradwell, chief executive of region and these awards are a Breakthrough UK, receives the Small Employer of the great recognition of theose who Year award from Steven Broomhead, chief executive of are making a real difference.” the Northwest regional Development Agency, and Dave Roll off Honour: p12 Thompson, chair of Warrington Disability Partnership

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEWS

MICHAEL GERWAT was born blind in 1948 and until 1989, when he started to lose his hearing, he worked in Leeds as a piano tuner to the stars, including Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney.

To this day, Michael does not know why he lost his hearing but it was the loss of music that was the biggest blow.

For nearly ten years music was out of his life, until sounds were restored to him by two cochlea implants in 1992 and 2002.

After the fitting of the second implant, Michael found that he could remember and enjoy songs he had already heard.

Having just bought himself an advanced CD mixing console, Michael now wants to reinvent himself as “the big MG” and perform 60s and 70s gigs in aid of implant charities like ‘Hear’, which helped him a great deal.

He is also teaching IT skills to other deafblind people in the Leeds Deaf and Blind society.

Here’s Michael’s story . . .

THE BIG MG: Michael Gerwat at the console

Michael, the deafblind DJ I WAS born blind, so I don’t know what sight is like.

School days were very hard, a time when it was drilled into you not to show your emotions - and it’s left a scar on me for life.

However, after leaving school I managed to work for over 20 years as a piano tuner during which time I met all the most famous rock bands in the world and tuned their pianos.

I have shaken hands with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Genesis (my favourite group) and many more.

But at the age of 40 I lost all my hearing and for two and a half years, my only communication was hand language.

I still don’t know the cause. As usual, when medics can’t find a reason, they say “it is a virus.”

Ten years later I was given the chance to hear again and had my first implant fitted in 1992 in Manchester.

What a shock I got when it was first switched on. What had I got myself in to? From that moment on, I set about making my implant work for me.

As processors improved over the next 10 years, I used my implant for just about everything.

I plugged it in to my computer, my tape recorder and many other things. One thing still eluded me though – I had lost my music, a real love of mine.

With just one implant, I avoided it like the plague.

Instead, I focused on helping other people to learn about computers. At our society for

How the implants work

COCHLEA implants provide hearing and improved communication abilities to people with severe to profound hearing loss who get little or no benefit from hearing aids.

They were first designed in the 1960s.

There are now over 5,000 implant users throughout the UK. The cochlea implant is an electronic receiverstimulator package, which sits in a shallow bed drilled out of the mastoid bone, together

deaf and blind people, I taught, and still teach deafblind people.

I was one of the first deafblind people on the internet!

But I kept asking about a second implant and 10 years later I had another cochlear implant. That, and the advent of digital radio, was to change my life again.

The door that had been opened by my first implant was widened considerably and, once again, I set out to make the most of life.

Digital radio started me back on the path of finding music.

Now I could have stereo, I could re-construct tunes I used to know. I can’t hear any new tunes, but I always loved music.

Classical music still eludes me, but I can now cope with all the pop stuff I used to know.

I can’t thank both the Leeds society for deaf and blind people and the implant centre in Manchester enough for, over the years, giving me so much help and support. Pat, my wife, also was invaluable to me in so many ways.

I live on my own now in my own flat. It must look like something out of a Dr Who programme.

When I was 15, I wanted to be a DJ, but I never really believed it would be possible.

However, at the beginning of this year, I took the plunge and shelled out on equipment for

with an electrode array fed into the cochlea itself.

The speech processor sits on the ear like a conventional hearing aid. The coil is held in place over the implanted receiver by means of a magnet, so there are no plugs through the skin.

Sound enters the microphone of the speech processor, is processed into an electrical signal, which is transmitted through the skin to the implanted receiver.

This signal is then sent

doing my own gigs - so stand by for the world’s first deafblind DJ. How could I have done all this without my implants?

They are my life, my sanity and are my bridge to what was a very lonely world.

If people take the time to speak properly, I can understand them.

I can use the phone again, provided people speak clearly, and I manage most daily tasks reasonably well on my own, though I do have a carer, Mike, who takes me shopping.

I am hoping that I will be able to do gigs for charities. I’ve done a couple for our society already and have another two lined up.

Even with my implants, I can

as a stream of tiny electrical pulses to the electrode in the cochlea, where they pass directly to the auditory nerve, providing a sensation of hearing.

What implant users hear is different to every individual. When listening to speech, they will hear sounds and may recognise bits of words which they can interpret using memory and lip-reading skills. www.cochlear.co.uk www.linkcentre.org www.bcig.org www.thedeafblog.co.uk

control and mix the two CD players in my console.

My implants are life itself to me and I hope nothing else ever goes wrong for me – “the big MG” (my DJ name!).

I now serve on lots of committees, and being able to switch off my implants can come in handy!

I am now looking forward to a future helping other deafblind people and teaching them some of the skills I have had to teach myself.

If I can do that – and get a few gigs in between times – then that will be great!

Readers can contact Michael at: michael@dbteach.demon.co.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

October/November 2006

7

Your guide to the good things in life — the arts, the countryside, gardening, travel, and much, much more

New guide to London theatres

CanDoCo dance out their UK tour CandoCo, the internationally renowned integrated dance company (of disabled and non-disabled performers), are wowing audiences on the final leg of their 18-month-long national tour.

After a stunning performance at Chester Gateway in September they are now taking in Newport, Winchester, Finchley in North London, Tonbridge, Norwich and Crawley.

With a double-bill of work by

THE FIRST comprehensive guide to assisted performances in London theatres for people with sensory disabilities has just been published.

The brochure - Access London Theatre lists all audio described, captioned and sign language interpreted performances taking place across the capital.

London mayor Ken Livingstone says: “The Access London Theatre brochure is a key part of our £240,000 project to make theatres more accessible for audiences with sensory disabilities and other under-represented groups.” n The guide is available in a range of formats and can be obtained by calling 020 7557 6751 or email access@solttma.co.uk n www.theatre-access.co.uk

celebrated choreographers Fin Walker (of Walker Dance Park Music) and Athina Vahla, CandoCo has visited venues across the length and breadth of the UK as well as abroad.

The programme has been a great success, and resulted in the company winning the Manchester Evening News Award for Dance 2005, despite stiff competition from Australian Ballet Theatre and DV8. n www.candoco.co.uk

November 13 - December 12. Be there!

T

HE finishing touches are being put together for the UK’s largest festival celebrating the work of disabled and deaf artists.

And organisers, North West Disability Arts Forum, say that DadaFest 06 will be bigger, stronger and more vibrant than ever!

NWDAF’s creative director Ruth Gould says: “We have taken inspiration from the Liverpool Culture Company, Liverpool Performs theme, and have an action-packed programme.

“This is going to be the best festival we have staged.”

Comedy highlights include local comedian Laurence Clark with his new show, ‘Jim Fixed it for Me!’

There are new and more outrageous sketches promised from acclaimed comedy troupe, the Nasty Girls, plus there’s also a DaDaFest first as award-winning boy wonders Aisle 16 join the festival to perform ‘Poetry Boyband’.

Theatrical highlights include Brian Wharton, making his DaDaFest debut with ‘Footballer’s Boyfriend’ along with acclaimed performer Julie McNamara’s new hit, ‘Pig’s Sister’.

And Caroline Parker interprets, translates and signs, telling the stories of songs that have touched a generation of music lovers in her fabulous new show ‘Signs of a Diva’.

It all adds to a sensational programme – make sure you get a slice of the action . . .

FESTIVAL! Here is just a taste of the top quality, exciting, diverse and dynamic events lined up: Nov 13: DaDaBlast! DaDaFest launch at BBC Radio Merseyside.

Invite only.

Nov 14: Nasty Night Out with the Nasty Girls and a bevy of fresh performers.

Contact Theatre, Manchester, 8pm Nov 15: Lime Court Open Day and Cabaret Evening. A variety of art pieces and performances. Free Event. Lime Court Day Centre, Liverpool, 7pm Nov 16-23: ArticulEight. A showcase of last year’s eight Visual Arts Award nominees. Free event. Zion Arts Centre, Manchester, 9am-9pm.

Nov 17: DaDaTastic In conjunction with the Heroes project, DaDaFest

presents a new and inclusive club night. Alima Centre, Liverpool, 8pm Nov 18: V_E International deaf artists provide Liverpool with the biggest Deaf Culture Celebration in the UK. Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool, 7pm Nov 19: Classic by The Heroes. A fusion of hard hitting pop and strong social awareness messages. The Lowry, Manchester, 7pm Nov 20-Dec 15: On the Edge visual arts exhibition and panel discussion.

Free event. Alima Centre, Liverpool, noon-5pm Nov 22: Dysfunction by Deafinitely Theatre.Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 8pm

Nov 23: Nasty Night Out with the Nasty Girls, Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 8pm Nov 24: ReelFest. A showcase of local, National and International filmmakers.

Alima Centre, Liverpool, 8pm Nov 25: ‘Jim Fixed it for Me!’ by Laurence Clark, The Arts Centre, Liverpool, 8pm Nov 26: HandiSlap. New Talent night in conjunction with the Comedy Store’s regular New Stuff night, Comedy Store, Manchester, 8pm Nov 28:’In Praise of Fallen Women’

by The Fingersmiths, Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 8pm

HEROIC STUFF: Catch them at The Lowry

Nov 29: Signs of a Diva with Caroline Parker, Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 8pm Nov 30: DaDaFest Dinner and Awards hosted by Mat Fraser and Ally Briggs, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool, 7pm Dec 1: Young People’s Awards.

Disabled and deaf young people showcase their skills. Free event.

Alima Centre, Liverpool, 4pm Dec 2: Unleash the Monkey CreatOvate presents chaotic cabaret from up and coming artists.

With Open mic slot. The Arts Centre, Liverpool, 8pm Dec 3: Family Fun Day. Free event.

Sefton Park Palm House, Liverpool,

11.30 am Dec 5: Poetry Boyband by Aisle 16 and up and coming poet, Craig McDonald, Cornerstone Theatre, Liverpool, 7.30pm Dec 6: Pig Sister’ by Julie McNamara and ‘Footballer’s Boyfriend’ by Brian Wharton. Alima Centre, Liverpool, 7pm Dec 8: Poetry Boyband by Aisle 16.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 8pm Dec 9: ‘Jim Fixed it for me!’ by Laurence Clark.Royal Exchange Manchester, 8pm Dec 12: Church of 80% Sincerity by David Roche. Alima Centre, Liverpool, 8pm

Northwest Disability Arts Forum: 0151 707 1733. Fax: 0151 708 9355 Minicom: 0151 706 0365 www.nwdaf.co.uk

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All Together Now!

Runners-up spot for Range RANGE High School, in Formby, Merseyside, finished runners-up in this year’s Kielder Challenge in Northumberland.

The annual outdoor environment challenge, which was won by Penn Hall school, Wolverhampton, involved more than 250 schools across the UK. Teams of eight 13 to 16 year olds with and without learning, sensory and physical disabilities compete in a range of outdoor

adventure challeneges.

Regional heats take place throughout the spring and summer.

The Challenge is in its 22nd year and is organised by the UK’s leading outdoor access charity, Fieldfare Trust and is supported by the HSBC Education Trust.

The Range team members were: Sophia Erskine, Matthew Hughes, Jonathan Daley, Joe McGee, Sophie Hall, Sophie Fairclough, Kate Avery, and Simon Kaye.

These are the words of local children, whose parents are among the thousands affected by mental illness.

They show the distress that can be caused, often through thoughtlessness.

For children's sake, please help us.

Promote understanding and tolerance through what you say and what you do.

Thank you.

Mersey Care GIVING CHILDREN BACK THEIR FUTURE

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

NHS TRUST

Make the spring a time to treasure D

AFFODILS, more than any other flower, lift our spirits after winter and announce the arrival of spring. Why think about them now?

Well, October or, at a pinch, early November are the times you should plant bulbs for a cheerful display next year.

Daffodils have been popular for 2,300 years. That was when the Greeks started growing them and producing lists of the different species.

Though many distinguish between daffodils, with large trumpets, and narcissi, with small cups, all belong to the same genus, Narcissus.

They are enjoyed from February to May, depending on variety and the weather, are ideal for cutting and come up year after year. By the end of March, their uniquelyshaped flowers are nodding a welcome to spring just about everywhere, from botanical gardens to municipal greenswards. They vary from old favourites like sweetscented jonquil to huge, bright blooms with attitude.

Those big yellow kinds are important horticulturally and economically. The top-selling cut variety is Carlton, raised in Cornwall in 1927.

The bulbs also provide an enzyme used in medication to help control the deteriorating effects of Alzheimer’s.

The daffodil business is worth £35m a year in the UK. Our growers produce more than the rest of the world

Daft about daffs? combined, selling cut flowers and bulbs here and exporting to the US and Europe.

Carlton is a favourite for gardens, along with Golden Harvest, King Alfred and robust, reliable newer kinds like St Keverne. King Alfred, the first significant yellow trumpet daffodil, caused a sensation when launched in 1899. Bulbs sold for £10 each, a vast figure at the time.

If you taste is more discreet, don’t let those big, bright types dazzle you. There’s a wide and interesting choice including shorter kinds that flourish in windy situations.

Wordworth’s “host of golden daffodils” was the native wild Narcissus pseudonarcissus, also known as lobularis or Lent lily. This is small, 15cm22cm (6in-9in) tall, with a yellow trumpet and cream petals.The other well-known British narcissus, the Tenby daffodil – a Welsh national emblem – is Narcissus obvallaris, which is of similar size to the Lent lily but with golden trumpet and petals.

Although slow to establish, both of these eventually naturalise effectively and thrive beside water. They are not grown widely now so there’s a good conservationist reason for planting them.

When choosing for rock

gardens, patio pots and window boxes, look for the delightful smaller ‘species’ narcissi. These are miniature, dainty and intriguing.

The hoop-petticoat daffodil, Narcissus bulbocodium, all yellow, with a large conical cup and minute petals, makes an unusual show at only 10cm-20cm (4in-8in) tall.

Narcissus cyclamineus , which likes a warm, moist site, has a long, slender trumpet while the petals are swept back so they point in the opposite direction. The most reliable varieties of this species are February Gold, Peeping Tom, both fully yellow, and Jack Snipe, with yellow trumpet and white petals. February Gold is superb for colonising – I planted 200 bulbs three years ago and they have already multiplied to 300.

Jonquils are generally yellow, have several small heads to each stem and are sweetly scented. Good varieties are Sun Disc, all yellow, and Pipit, yellow petals with a white cup.

Last to flower, usually in May, are the charming pheasant-eye daffodils with white or cream petals and a small reddish cup. Good varieties are Pheasant Eye and Actaea

Help us to grow . . .

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

SPRING CHEER: golden daffodils

CHECKLIST FLOWERS: Plant daffodils in October and tulips in November. Pinch out the tips of long shoots on wallflowers to help them grow bushy. Check borders for self-seeded foxgloves, aquilegias, campanulas, forget-me-nots and other flowers. Dig them up and plant them in groups of their own kind. Grouped together, they will have far more impact when flowering next spring than they would separately.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Guard against wind damage to wall shrubs and climbers by supporting and tying them. Inspect old ties to ensure they are not too tight. Check trees, shrubs and roses after strong winds to see if they need resecuring.

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

Stop yourself going to seed with this fantastic new book!

I

FEEL pretty fit for a man in his late sixties but years of football and gardening inflicted considerable damage to my knees and back.

In fact, I avoided surgery only by following a strict daily exercise and weights regime. Eating plenty of homegrown veg and fruit helps, too.

It would have been much easier if a new Reader’s Digest book had been around 25 years ago. Called ‘Healthy Bones, Muscles and Joints’, it is “a lifelong guide to staying active and supple” which applies to everyone but includes advice especially useful to gardeners.

All Together Now! readers can win three copies of the 351-page hardback, just published, price £26.99, in this competition.

Over seven million adults in the UK suffer long-term ill health as a result of bone, muscle or joint problems. But the good news is that people can take action to soothe those aches and pains right now and to help prevent more serious problems developing later.

Gardening knee injuries are a particular problem. Long periods spent kneeling can cause bursitis – inflammation of the lubricating fluid sacs in your knee – or push your kneecap out of alignment. You can help to keep your knees strong with a few simple daily exercises.

‘Healthy Bones, Muscles and Joints’ gives preventative as well as problemsolving advice, including tips on easing daily pains, diet, exercise and using

KEEP FIT: And get the most out of life with this great Reader’s Digest guide

LAWNS: Damp or mossy lawns should be spiked 10cm (4in) deep and the same distance apart, ideally with a hollow-tined aerator, otherwise with a garden fork. Make a 50:50 mixture of gritty sand and garden compost or good soil and brush this into the holes. If moss is a big problem, use red sand.

PONDS: Keep ponds clear of debris by cutting back dead foliage of aquatic plants, removing blanketweed and clearing fallen leaves with a net.

VEGETABLES: Plant over-wintering crops – the broad bean Aquadulce and onion sets such as the varieties Radar. When rhubarb leaves have died down at the end of November, sprinkle a handful of general fertiliser round each plant and apply a generous layer of manure or garden compost.

FRUIT: Prune apple trees lightly, shortening the leading shoots by one quarter – ideally within fruit-picking height – and trimming sideshoots back to four or five buds. On less vigorous trees, cut back leading shoots harder, to half their length, to promote growth.

complementary medicine.

The book is packed with expert information. It starts with a quick health check and tips for immediate action then covers in detail the mechanics of movement, choosing the right lifestyle for each individual, food facts, the stages of life, the back and spine, knees, hips, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Overall, this volume is the ideal aid to anyone who is determined to get the most out of gardening and the rest of life, whatever the physical problem.

To win one of our three copies of the book, answer this question: How many UK adults suffer long-term ill health from bone, muscle or joint problems? n Send your entry with your name and address on a postcard or sealed envelope, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together Now!, to: The Editor, All Together Now!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday, November 17. n You can also enter online at:

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

. . . place an advertisement. Call 0151 230 0307

HERBS: Pot up parsley and chives and grow them on an indoor windowsill. Grow fresh basil from cuttings – stand them in a glass of water on an indoor windowsill until roots appear then plant in pots of compost.

HOUSEPLANTS: Any that flowered earlier in the year require just enough water to keep the compost slightly moist. Plants which are still to bloom, like Christmas cactus and cyclamen, need food and water regularly.

GENERAL: Clear up fallen leaves regularly for adding to the compost heap or collecting in plastic bin-bags, with a few holes pierced in them, to make leafmould, an excellent soil conditioner and ingredient of homemade potting compost.

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October/November 2006

All Together Now!

TH EG VOU REA CH T

OFF ER ER!

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October/November 2006

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS . . .

Continued from Page 5

Everyone a winner!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

. . . words and pictures by JOHN DEMPSEY

All aboard, me hearties, for a voyage that’s almost larger than life

POSITIVE ACTION AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR Visitor Attraction: Spaceport, Seacombe. From the website and promotional leaflets to the experience itself, Merseytravel’s Spaceport is fully accessible to all visitors, and . . .

Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks.

The aquarium is fully wheelchair accessible.

Historic Visitor Attraction: The Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich. A lift take people between the two floors and on and off trip boats.

Large Employer: Chubb Security Personnel, Workington. Full support is offered to disabled job applicants.

Small Employer: Breakthrough UK Ltd. Over 60% off their staff are disabled achieved through fair recruitment practices.

Employment: Express Gifts Ltd, Accrington. For exemplar and ongoing commitment to employing disabled people.

Large Service Provider: Mersey Care NHS Trust – the first NHS Trust in the country to train and support mental health service users and carers to sit on selection panels in the appointment of all its staff.

Communications: Central Liverpool Primary Care Trust for their Access Through Communication Initiative.

Accommodation: St Anne’s Hotel for their excellent facilities.

Education: Merseyside Diversity Mentoring for helping disabled students and graduates.

Small Business Award: Parmesan and Pepper Restaurant, Chorley – for its excellent facilities and its friendly staff.

Education & Training: The Petty Pool Trust who help to transform the lives of young adults with learning disabilities.

Empowerment: Vale Royal Disability Services who offer a portfolio of more than 250 courses . . .

Dual Diagnosis Drop-in Group, St Helens who work closely with staff from the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, and . . .

Halton Speak Out who provide disabled people with individual support.

Transport: Serco Metrolink, Manchester Individual awards: David Lockett who has used the power of football to bring the best out of children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, and Robbie Pendlebury, access manager at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre.

IRTON HOUSE FARM Holiday Breaks in the Lakes near Keswick Self catering apartments for 2-6 people.

Specially designed with the wheelchair in mind. No steps. Beautiful views in a superb location. Friendly owners in residence. Open all year.

For a colour brochure

RAISE YOUR PROFILE

THEY don’t come bigger than this . . .

Well, actually, as impressive as the dolphins were, our graphics artist couldn’t resist using his magic wand for a bit of fun!

Welcome to my blue heaven. . .

A HOY there me hearties! I’m just back from a salt-soaked, windswept voyage across the wilds of the eastern Atlantic, cutting through waters deeper than Everest is tall, where whales breach like mysterious black hulks on the horizon, and dolphins were the constant companions of our doomed vessel.

I clung to the rigging as we wallowed into the crazy swells, my yells of “thar she blows!” torn away by the screaming winds, as I sighted whale upon whale.

Tattered birds, blasted miles off course by the ocean gales, were swept past our bows, never to be seen again.

Sounds great doesn’t it?

But the truth is even better, as together with a group of like-minded friends we took to the seas on the ‘Ultimate Pelagic’ as it set sail from Falmouth on its inaugural expedition into the abyssal depths of the Bay of Biscay.

‘Pelagics’ trips far out to sea to observe seabirds and cetaceans (that’s whales and dolphins to you and me) have been a regular feature of American and Australian

wildlife watching for donkey’s years (although I’ve never seen a donkey aboard), but we only seem to be catching on in the UK since the first trips by the Scillonian into the ‘Wilson’s triangle’ in the 1980s.

The triangle is a godless patch of water south west of the Isles of Scilly, where Wilson’s Petrel can be seen at the right time of year. Sometimes . . . if you’re lucky.

Thankfully, rugged though the ‘Ultimate Pelagics’ sounds, organisers had laid on a splendid cruising vessel, the MV Van Gogh for the trip that we went on.

No short rations of rum and a hammock in the bilges here. Oh no, more food than you could eat and comfortable cabins were the order of the day on this particular voyage.

The ship’s real secret weapon was an impressive stabilising system that meant it was steady enough to set up a telescope on deck and get superb views of passing whales, which were frequent, and seabirds, which weren’t quite so predictable.

The stabilisers, combined with mirror-

calm sailing conditions (not conducive to boosting your hardened seadog image, admittedly) meant the trip was more like a wander down the Leeds-Liverpool Canal on a Bank Holiday barge.

Which makes it one of the best ways to get to know whales that I can think of - and a helpful intercom system means you don’t miss anything if one of the big beasties is sneaking down the other side of the ship to yours.

I was fortunate enough to watch sperm, fin, sei, pilot and Cuvier’s beaked whales on the cruise, with hundreds of dolphins and some dramatic Atlantic wanderers like Great and Little Shearwaters thrown in for good measure.

Fin whales were surprisingly common, the second biggest mammal on the planet, after the blue whale, but they repeatedly gave themselves away by sending fountains of exhaled breath high into the air from their blowholes.

These spouts were visible from three miles distant - no wonder the bigger species are such easy targets for the whaling industry (yes, it still goes on).

The sperm whale, immortalised by Herman Melville in Moby Dick, was a lot more elusive, but I finally got very good views of one of these huge square-headed monsters as they surfaced a good distance off our starboard side.

With waitress service to my seat as I scanned a sun-kissed Bay of Biscay for yet another of these huge animals, the pelagic was pretty luxurious.

Just what you’d expect from an experienced cruise company really, except they didn’t make you sing ‘Agadoo’ around the pool at night - not if you kept moving.

If you’re interested in taking the easy way to watch whales off Europe, I’d recommend a look at Ultimate Pelagics online - they have trips into the Bay of Biscay and off south west Ireland planned for next year, but they’re booking up fast!

The design of the vessels used on trips mean permanent wheelchair users may find the going too much but for those with other disabilities, Ultimate Pelagics will do all they can to accommodate you. Call 01202 606356 for more information. n www.ultimatepelagics.com

Let us help you promote your services to Sperm whales, above, and below, a bottle nosed dolphin family

Tel: 01768 776380 www.disabledholiday.net email: almond@farmersweekly.net Book now for 2007

All Together Now!

CHECK OUT OUR AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE: www.alltogethernow.org.uk

200,000 readers All Together Now! is the perfect place to advertise your facilities and services.

For full details of our advertising rates and sponsorship packages call Chris Groves

0151 230 0307

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

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

600 to be set up in own business S

IX hundred disabled people are to be helped to start their own businesses, thanks to a new £3m initiative by disability charity Leonard Cheshire and Barclays.

The Ready to Start programme is coming to 27 towns and cities across England and Wales with the first project launching in Wandsworth in October.

Each client will be linked with a ‘Barclays Buddy’ and given a tailored support programme enabling them to produce an effective

£3m fund for entrepreneurs business plan, test ideas, and get their businesses off the ground.

Project manager Linda Holland said: “About half of disabled people of working age are not in employment in the UK, compared with 22% of non disabled people of working age.

“For a large number of disabled people, setting up their own business is often the only viable option to achieve both economic

independence and a flexible working environment.

“Ready to Start’s tailored training packages will cover essential modules such as keeping accounts, marketing and developing a business plan and the ‘Barclays Buddies’ will play a vital role in supporting clients to gain the extra confidence they need to make their businesses a success.

“This is vital if we consider a recent Leonard Cheshire

survey which highlighted that 30% of disabled people who manage their own business said confidence was a major issue that affected them when starting up.”

Two more projects will launch in Derby and Newcastle and all 27 will be rolled out by the end of 2007.

Other projects are due to be set up in: Warrington, Preston, Bolton, Leeds/Bradford, York, Wolverhampton,

Coventry/Birmingham, Middlesborough, Maidstone/Tunbridge Wells/Sevenoaks, Southampton, Peterborough, Banbury/Oxford, Kidderminster, Crawley, Ipswich, Plymouth, Enfield and surrounding boroughs, Bristol, Basildon & Thurrock, Luton, Belfast, Swindon, Swansea and Cardiff/Newport. n Contact Linda Holland on 020 7802 8200 or email linda.holland@lc-uk.org. www.leonard-cheshire.org/ readytostart

Challenge for equality chief TREVOR Phillips, head of the Campaign for Racial Equality, has been appointed the first chairman of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Mr Phillips, 52, was the first black president of the National Union of Students, is a former TV executive and has led the Runnymede Trust, an independent race relations think-tank.

Disability Rights Commission chairman Bert Massie said: “I congratulate Trevor. He must ensure the new commission is as cherished as the NHS. “We need a clear break from the past, with no more special pleading but equality and human rights acknowledged as intrinsic to Britain’s prosperity, security and well-being.”

CALLING HR MANAGERS . . . RECRUITMENT AGENCIES . . . WIDER PARTICIPATION/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OFFICERS . . .

Is

DIVERSITY

high on your agenda?

Let our charity deliver your message to TENS of THOUSANDS of disabled and older people who are eagerly awaiting your announcements To advertise in these pages — AND on our sensational website —call Chris Groves

0151 230 0307 sales@alltogethernow.org.uk

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Opportunities for all at Myerscough College Myerscough College offers a range of full and part-time courses from entry level through to degree. Many courses aim to improve a wide range of skills - social, academic and vocational, so whatever you are looking for from your education we have something to offer.

We have centres of learning across the North West in Preston, Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool, Croxteth Park, Blackburn and Burnley.

Choose from: Access Courses Agriculture and Countryside Animal Academy Arboriculture: Tree Care & Management Business Academy

Excellent support for students with physical disabilities, specific learning difficulties or hearing and visual impairments.

Come to a Saturday Open Morning, 7th October, 11th November, 10.00am - 12.30pm

Equine Studies Floristry Golf, Sport and Leisure

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

Shelly’s right on track with her career

Horticulture Landscape and Creative Design Motorsports Sportsturf and Mechanisation

For details of courses available at any of the Myerscough Centres call Course Enquiries at the Main Centre, Preston on

01995 642211

www.myerscough.ac.uk Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RY

Taking you further

ROLE MODEL: Shelly Woods, left, with pupils and Blackpool’s assistant director for leisure services, John Blackledge

Supporting you to success Improve your skills, gain a qualification or develop your career. Whatever you want to achieve, Hugh Baird College can take you further.

Rated by Ofsted in May 2006 as “Outstanding for Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunity”.

Hugh Baird College Hugh Baird College, Balliol Road, Bootle, Liverpool, L20 7EW 0151 353 4444 www.hughbaird.ac.uk

Beacon Award Winner 2000

Hugh Baird College is committed to Equal Opportunities for all students, current and prospective.

T

OP thlete Shelly Woods has landed herself the perfect

job.

Shelly, 20, who was paralysed from the waist down at age 11, has her sights firmly set on a gold medal in the 2008 Paralympics.

But she also spends 20 hours a week talking to pupils about her life as a sporting champion.

The role has been created

by Blackpool Council, where the Training 2000 business administration apprentice has worked for the past two years.

She said: “I started competing when I was 15, but at the time I was finishing college I wasn’t quite ‘up there’. I knew that I didn’t want to go to university, feeling that it just wasn’t for me, but I liked the idea of getting a job where you get a wage, qualifications and on-thejob training.”

Shelly was put in touch with Training 2000, and, knowing her sporting background, they found her work in the leisure, culture and community learning department at Blackpool Council.

“It was the perfect choice for me. I started as an administration assistant and

Ambassador job for star athlete last month completed an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. While I still enjoyed the job I was doing, I was delighted to be asked to take on my new role as the council’s sporting champion.

“Not many of the pupils have seen wheelchair racing or know much about it, so my role is to tell them more about the sport, but also to show them that there are other things out there if you set your mind to it.”

Shelly, whose hero is seven-time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong, has an impressive list of achievements.

Her career highlights include winning the Great North Run 2005, with a new course record, claiming a bronze medal in the 5000m race at the European Championships 2005, finishing second place in her first attempt at the London Marathon and third place in the New York City Marathon.

She clinched a silver medal in the women’s 800m wheelchair race at the European Athletics Championships in Gothenberg, Sweden, and took bronze in the World Championships in Assen, Holland.

Sue Broster, career development advisor at Training 2000, said that the role of sporting champion was ‘Shelly to a tee’.

“When she started her apprenticeship, Shelly’s role was to carry out basic administration, but it soon became apparent that she excelled in giving presentations, said Sue. “Training 2000 helped her to focus these skills by showing her how to add PowerPoint to her presentations and how to put her message across to different audiences.”

Paul Walker, director of leisure, culture and community learning at Blackpool Council, said: “Shelly is an asset to the council and a superb ambassador for Blackpool.

“She is proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the athletic world, but she is equally inspiring on her home soil where she’s a role model that children and young people can relate to and learn from.”

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

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

Call for schools’ overhaul THE DISABILITY Rights Commission is calling for urgent Government action to give more disabled pupils a better education.

The move follows criticism by MPs on a Commons Education and Skills Committee investigating special educational needs.

The DRC claim the current system is inflexible, delivers low opportunities, and holds low expectations for many disabled and special educational needs (SEN) children.

Liz Sayce at the DRC said: “For some disabled children it is a real lottery as to whether they have a good experience of school, be it mainstream or special school.

“Whilst we welcome the call for a national standard of SEN provision, with the funding to match, we must have higher expectations of the education system than just asking that the basic minimum be delivered.

“Training our teachers to deliver a good education

for children with Special Educational Needs is an imperative.

“One in five children is identified as having an SEN, so it is hardly a minority issue.

“We need to galvanise the education system and find the political will to move the agenda on from whether disabled children should be in mainstream schools to focusing on how we develop an education system where these children can flourish and grow.”

Vital cash help for students N

ATIONAL charity Contact a Family has published a new factsheet to help disabled students claim Educational Maintenance Allowance.

Available both in print and online, the factsheet sets out everything young disabled students need to know about the EMA, including who is eligible for the benefit, which courses qualify and the deadline for applications.

Students who meet the criteria – those who are aged 16 to 19, are in full time study or on certain training courses, and come from households with incomes under £30,000 – could be eligible for up to an extra £30 a week towards day to

day costs, plus bonus payments.

“Many disabled young people come from lower income households, so EMA is vital for them,” said the charity’s information manager, Mark Robertson.

Average incomes for families with disabled children in 2004 were £15,270; 23.5% below the UK average of £19,968, according to a Family Fund report ‘How do they Manage?’

At the same time it costs up to three times as much to raise a disabled child, compared to other children. n The factsheet is free and is available from the freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555, or from: www.cafamily.org.uk

Fight for the right to go on working after 65 A RETIREMENT group is taking the Government to court for failing to protect the rights of older people to continue working.

Heyday, backed by Age Concern, has lodged an application with the High Court calling for a review of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations (2006), which came into force in October.

Although the new legislation will ban companies from having

mandatory retirement ages below 65, people will not be given the right to continue working beyond this age if they want to.

Instead people will be able to request to continue working but an employer can decline without giving a reason.

Employers will have to go through the process of meeting with the member of staff, but their decision cannot be challenged in an employment tribunal.

Heyday agues this is incompatible with the European Equal Treatment Directive which outlaws age discrimination.

The group, launched in May to help people prepare for retirement, said a survey among 60,000 people in their 50s and 60s found that 80% thought their shouldn’t be a forced retirement age, and 65% planned to work on past the state pension age.

L i v e r p o o l C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e s t u d e n t s re c e i v e t h e L e a r n i n g & S k i l l s B e a c o n A w a rd

support for students is

outstanding Ofsted 2005

Over 26,000 learners Over 900 staff 6 centres of vocational excellence 21 drop-in centres throughout the community 13% of learners with a learning difficulty or disability Supported by the following teams:

• • • • • •

dyslexia; specific learning difficulties; visual impairment; hearing impairment; personal care team; physical disabilities.

For further information contact:

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

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EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . . BUSINESS . . . RIGHTS . . . FINANCE . . . EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . . BUSINESS . . . RIGHTS . . . FINANCE . . .

We’re moving up in the world Will YOU be a stockist?

Together we are making a difference

n MORE than 75,000 FREE copies of All Together Now! are being distruted right across the North West — from Carlisle to Crewe, from Manchester to Holyhead.

— from Carlisle to Crewe, from Manchester to Holyhead — 75,000 copies — 200,000 readers

n We are getting fantastic help from volunteers within all kinds of community groups, NHS Trusts, and local authorities, plus, of course, from our growing number of sponsors and supporters. n But we know there are THOUSANDS more people who would benefit from getting All Together Now! n If you can help us to reach even more people then we’d be delighted to hear from you. n Contact us on 0151 230 0307, or email: info@alltogethernow.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 515060

*If you are receiving a qualifying sickness or disability related benefit and hope to find sustainable work soon then our project is for you.

Internet jobsearch - In work support - Help with CV production FREE email set up - Interview techniques - Boost confidence FREE training courses- Welfare benefits/Business set up advice

UPTO £200 ‘JOBSTART’ GRANT TO HELP YOU SETTLE IN YOUR JOB*

0151-705-2362 nddp@localsolutions.org.uk

Tell us what you think The response to the previous eight editions of All Together Now! has been hugely positive. What are your views?

We want to hear YOUR comments about both our FREE magazine and website; www.alltogethernow.org.uk Please tell us what you think.

Write to: the editor, All Together Now! the Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool, L14 2EP or email: info@alltogethernow.org.uk Thanks — we look forward to hearing from you.

reg charity no. 513814

Greenbank College Greenbank lane Liverpool L17 1AG www.greenbankcollege.org.uk

Open Day: Wednesday November 15 Greenbank College, which provides training and employment opportunities for disabled people, will hold an open day 10am to 12 noon, 2 to 6pm Wednesday 15 November 2006.

Recruitment Officer Stephanie Willis said ‘This is an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in finding out about our services to come and have a look around.’

Vocational courses on offer include: Administration, Catering, Independent Living, Information Technology, Fashion and Textiles, Skills for Life (English and Maths) and Sport.

Full time, part time and short course opportunities available. Plus information about the new Foundation Degree in Disability Sport Development (course starts in January 2007 in partnership with Liverpool JMU).

The College also has a free and impartial Guidance Service for people wanting Information, Advice and Guidance about learning and work.

GET ON BOARD CALL CHRIS GROVES, 0151 230 0307

Contact Elizabeth Brocklehurst elizabeth.brocklehurst@greenbank-project.org.uk

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All Together Now!

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Choose Cheshire...

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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

Come and work with us Cheshire County Council employs over 23,000 staff in hundreds of different disciplines across the whole of Cheshire.

So, whether you're seeking employment, or to change your job, Cheshire is a good place to start.

What makes Cheshire special? Diversity is the key to our success. We want to ensure our workforce reflects the full range of people in our population.

We are particularly keen to attract people with disabilities and people from ethnic minority groups to work in the Council.

Check out local press, specialist press and our website for current vacancies.

www.cheshire.gov.uk/jobsandcareers

H

UNDREDS of disabled workers protested over plans to close 37 factories at a national demonstration in Liverpool.

Managers at Remploy, which is partlyfunded by the Government, are reviewing their 81 British factories after a Whitehall report into the future of the organisation.

The demonstration was led by Tony Woodley and Paul Kenny, the general secretaries of the Transport and General Workers’ Union and the GMB. Mr Woodley said: “Our members are proud to be Remploy workers and demand a future not just for themselves, but for all disabled workers.

“We refuse to accept closures that are

the fault of mismanagement and will do everything in our power to prevent factories shutting.”

Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said: “The GMB are not prepared to accept any closures of Remploy factories and redundancies of disabled workers.

“The trade unions have recently put forward an alternative plan which would mean a streamlining of the Remploy management but would protect disabled workers jobs.” n Remploy was set up 1946 making

furniture and violins at Bridgend in South Wales, where many of the workers were disabled ex-miners.

Working for Manchester Manchester City Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all, regardless of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion or belief, caring responsibilities and age.

We aim to build high-performance teams that recognise and celebrate diversity, embracing common goals and striving for continuous improvement. We are working towards developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities making up the city of Manchester and we positively encourage applications for our jobs that will help us to achieve this.

Don’t miss out!

Register now to receive a personal email alert as new vacancies are posted.

Simply email jobs.update@manchester.gov.uk with the words ‘email alert’.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

October/November 2006

Making a

real

contribution to the

community The Cheshire is the largest regionally based mutual Building Society in the North West.

Playing an active role in the communities in which we operate, our aim is to have a positive impact on people and the environment.

Working together with local support

As a mutual we are committed to providing a comprehensive range of financial services to our members, including:

• mortgages • savings and investments • insurance • credit cards • pensions and much more

groups, charitable organisations, educational projects and many others, we aim to improve the communities in which we live and work.

Find out more about the Cheshire and our commitment to social responsibility at thecheshire.co.uk

Visit your local branch, or call FREE on 0800

195 1514 or visit us online at thecheshire.co.uk Head Office: Castle Street, Macclesfield SK11 6AF Lines open 8am – 8pm weekdays, 9am – 4pm Saturdays.

For security and training puposes, telephone calls may be monitored or recorded.

Cheshire Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (registration number 206102). The Society represents only the Norwich Union Marketing Group members of which are also authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Designated investment products and services offered will relate only to the Society and Norwich Union Marketing Group.

thecheshire.co.uk

0800 195 1514

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All Together Now!

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October/November 2006

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RIGHTS . . . BUSINESS . . . FINANCE . . .

High street action D

EBENHAMS, the high street retailer, has signed a formal agreement with the Disability Rights Commission to provide disabled access in all its retail stores in England.

The agreement commits Debenhams to have in place suitable means for disabled customers to access previously inaccessible mezzanine floor areas in its stores by October.

The action follows the case taken against Debenhams by Greg

Jackson, a 43 year-old wheelchair user, in July 2005.

Mr Jackson had been denied access to the mezzanine section of the menswear department in its Derby store which could only be reached via a set of steps. His case was supported by the DRC. Speaking about the new agreement, Mr Jackson said: “I’m very happy because now I can visit my local store to buy clothes and receive the same service as other shoppers.”

Bert Massie, chairman of the

‘We’ve got money to spend, too’ M

OST disabled people have had to ‘walk away’ from making a purchase in the last year, according to a new survey by the Employers’ Forum on Disability.

Eighty-three per cent of people taking part in the survey said they have been unable to access business premises or subjected to poor service – choosing to shop elsewhere.

Inaccessible premises were the main reason, but other factors included rude staff and unwillingness to make adjustments, along with inaccessible websites and telephone systems.

The survey, answered by visitors to the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) and Direct Enquiries websites, also revealed that almost a fifth of disabled people experience barriers when trying to make a purchase on a frequent basis.

Rick Williams, managing director of disability consultancy Freeney Williams, said: “Disabled people make choices about spending money in the same way as everyone else and, at the same time, we are likely to tell others about our poor experience.”

Mr Williams, who is visually impaired, added: “We want to shop easily and be valued and be respected as customers. If businesses don’t do this why

should we spend our money?”

Agnes Fletcher, of the Disability Rights Commission, said: “This survey shows how many businesses in Britain may be potentially breaking the law by not making their services user friendly to disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

“Inaccessible services are badly run services because they’re closing their doors to new and continued business.

“Disabled people have huge spending power – around £80bn a year – so businesses need to ensure their services are barrier free and open to everyone.”

Three types of businesses caused problems to at least half of respondents – public transport, restaurants and pubs, and corner shops.

The results of the ‘Walk Away £’ survey also revealed that 66 per cent of disabled people chose to shop where they have received good customer service related to their disability, and 58 per cent said the way in which businesses treat them affects the shopping habits of family and friends.

Most disabled people – 78 per cent – are solely or mostly responsible for their household spending. n The ‘Walk Away £’ survey is onthe Employers’ Forum on Disability website: www.realising-potential.org

DRC, said: “The formal agreement is very important because it underlines the extent of the responsibilities for large retailers regarding what is reasonable under the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. “Debenhams now has a centrally managed action plan to provide independent access in all of its stores in England where disabled people, including Mr Jackson, experience difficulty getting up to mezzanine floor levels.

“This sends a strong signal to all

high street retailers that it’s unacceptable to provide a second class service for disabled people.

We are not second class citizens.”

A Debenhams’ spokesperson said: “We have today confirmed in a statement to the Disability Rights Commission Debenhams’ continuing commitment to providing disabled access to products situated on all floors in its stores throughout the country.

“In particular Debenhams has provided access platforms to the mezzanine floors in its Derby store

and will resolve all issues of accessing mezzanine floors for its disabled customers in a further 17 stores with similar access issues at a cost of more than £300,000”. n Britian’s 10 million disabled people have an annual spending power of £80 billion a year. n There are a total of 2.1 million service providers in the UK. n An estimated 1.44 million private sector service providers and 104,000 public sector providers are affected by the 2004 duties.

NEWS ON THE WEB

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All Together Now!

October/November 2006

ARIES (March 20 - April 19) The cosmic tension eases off on October 23rd when fiery Mars stops challenging your birth sign. Until then, life may not flow as smoothly as you hope but a great deal will become clear as the result of the words or actions of opposite numbers at work or in an emotional situation. As November unfolds, expect your enthusiasm and optimism to increase steadily. Then you will realise that happiness and pleasure comes from more than one direction.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) The planetary configuration indicates that something in your life is ready to come to a head in late October or during November and be sorted out in one way or another. You should be satisfied with the outcome if you stick to the facts when stating your case. Matters of the heart will either be extremely passionate or extremely perplexing. Meanwhile. Jupiter’s move of signs on 24th November has exciting implications because, by tradition, its new position is associated with receiving windfalls and legacies of the type that are unaccompanied by grief or sorrow.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) Your chart shows that you have arrived at an important turning point when, according to the decisions and choices you make, a large slice of your future will be determined. One of the best things to happen is liable to be the direct result of what a partner or close associate does or makes possible. Meanwhile, take heart if you long for a new opportunity or would like to find love or see a longed for change occur in your personal and private life, because Providence will meet you more than half way once Jupiter arrives in your house of marriage and opposite numbers on November 24th.

CANCER (June21-July 22) Changes in the family circle or that affect a close companion will come to the fore during October, which could leave you feeling unsettled yet somehow relieved.

You stand to gain if you let others take more responsibility generally rather than taking on too much yourself. Bear in mind that the message of Saturn, in your house of money, is that financial acumen tends to be learned by experience. By November, you will notice that more things are going right than wrong and the arrival of several helpful planets in the compatible sign of Scorpio starts a brighter phase for you.

LEO (July 23 - August 22) Whether or not home is where your heart is, it may be hard to ignore the tugs on your heart strings as developments, in the family circle or on the domestic front, supply fresh food for thought. If you are pressed to make a tricky decision, do your utmost to stall for time, because if you can keep things in abeyance until the end of November, when there is more planetary support, certain problems are liable to disappear completely or, at the very least, be easier to resolve. On the emotional front, make the most of the cuddles, reassurance and affection that is readily available, rather than trying to chase romantic moonbeams.

to be pulling the strings in situations that affect you. Any frustration is likely to be short lived because as you will discover, something that is designed to please you has been going on behind the scenes. The proof of this statement will arrive around the 24th when Venus boosts your love and social prospects. However, the message is to think long and hard about the future. As if to help, Jupiter, the planetary benefactor moves into your house of money for a year-long stay, which will help you attract extra income and financial benefits.

June Baker-Howard

What do the stars have in store for you?

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) During the summer, you should have woken up to the fact that it is time to please yourself more often, even if it means acting in a way that is unpopular in a certain direction. The truth is you are being prepared for a change or restructure relating to how you spend your time and who you spend it with on a regular basis.

There is much to look forward to this side of Christmas so be receptive to all invitations, but be wary of what you sign or agree between 28th October and 18th LIBRA (September 23 - October 22) By tradition, October is when you come into your own and this year should prove no exception. The Sun, Venus, the planet that governs the powers of attraction, and dynamic Mars are all on your side for most of the month, suggesting that you will hear ‘yes’ from others more often than ‘no’. It remains for you to set the wheels in motion to obtain whatever it is you want. The 22nd is the perfect date to start anything that needs luck on its side to see it through. However, even if you did nothing, you are likely to be on the receiving end of more than your usual share of invitations, offers and gestures of good will. Come November, the spotlight switches to personal finances.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21) The planetary picture improves as this period unfolds, so as October gets underway, be patient if other people seem

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21) Potent planetary activity in your part of the zodiac indicates that an opportunity you had many years ago will be offered again, albeit in a different guise or with certain changes having occurred. The main thing to understand is that the arrival of Jupiter in your birth sign on 24th November begins a new 12 year cycle of experience. No matter how bad or good life has been recently, expect improvements. These may be due to a fortuitous meeting, gesture of good will or what can only be described as ‘an act of grace’.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19) In a period of mixed planetary trends, the most exciting news relates to the arrival of Jupiter in the sign immediately before your own in the zodiac, where it joins powerful Pluto. This conveys two messages in particular. Firstly, you will be cushioned against any real adversity during the next twelve months and something will turn up for you whenever you most need a bit of luck, a good friend or a helping hand. Secondly, everything points to some kind of encouraging new beginning for you in one year’s time, which is when Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion arrives in your own birth sign of Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18) During October you will be reminded, in no uncertain terms, that there is a hold on you, which is preventing you from spending your time and money in the way that you would like.

Luckily, a favourable New Moon on the 22nd, provides the perfect conditions to start altering the state of play. Meanwhile, as the autumn progresses, Jupiter and Pluto, are intent on reminding you of the value of having friends, both old and new!

Someone you meet in a social setting is fated to put a big smile on your face.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19) As Jupiter joins Pluto at the top angle of your solar chart, you gain the sort of planetary support that makes it easier to win over those who possess authority and influence. Don’t be afraid to approach those who could, according to the decisions they make, help you in some way. Indeed, no matter what has happened, and even if you do not consider yourself ambitious, set one or two goals and aim high, or try again if you met with a refusal in the past relating to work or property. Meanwhile, if you seek a new romance or better social life, start looking further afield. Seldom have you been in such a strong position to put at least some of your world to rights!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

BOOKS True love ways The Para & The Pensioner, published

by Book Guild Publishing, £8.99 IN FEBRUARY 1981, at the age of 30, Steve Roberts’ life changed forever.

Steve, who ran his own engineering business and was a martial arts instructor, was paralysed as the result a car accident and a hospital blunder.

This forced him to sell his business and led to the breakdown of his marriage.

His priorities were to get treatment to help him walk again – and to sue the hospital that had left his broken back undiagnosed for seven days.

For the next 12 years, several women helped to look after him.

Then he met the pensioner he calls “Ceebs” who has been his carer – and soul mate – for more than a decade.

They have shared an idyllic holiday in France, have moved to Norfolk, and have thrown themselves into village life.

Even though Steve has since developed cancer, he says he would live through it all again to be with Ceebs.

This book is the poignant story of their remarkable relationship. Written completely without self-pity – and often very funny – it is inspiring, moving and will appeal to a wide range of readers.

WE HAVE three books to give away.

To win a copy just tell us the name of Steve’s carer – and where you picked up this copy of All Together Now! Answers, please, to: Book Competition, All Together Now! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP

Poet’s corner

In my future — by Stephanie Hurn

In my future dark roses will bloom brighter, robins will sing their hearts out, grass will grow greener, sky will spread brighter blue and the sea will stay warm and calm.

In my future the sun will blaze like a golden fire, the stars will sparkle like diamond rings and I will have all the love and peace and happiness in the world

Stephanie’s poem is taken from a collection of works by students at the Mencap National College for young people with a learning disability.

‘We too have a voice’ , price £9.95, published by Mencap.

Available by contacting Tracy Wardle on 01935 415902.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

All Together Now!

23

by Stephen Hawkins chair, Mersey Care NHS Trust

I

MAKE no apologies for reminding everyone that October 10 is World Mental Health Day. If you consider that, according to World Health Organisation figures, more than 450 million people worldwide have some form of mental health, neurological or behavioural problem, then it must continue to be highlighted as more than another date on the calendar.

World Mental Health Day raises public awareness around some of the big issues. The theme for this year is titled ‘Building Awareness – Reducing Risks: Mental Illness and Suicide.’

Although the rate of suicide in England is not high in comparison with other countries in the European Union, the figures remain disturbing.

FIGHTING FIT: Susan Hadley has transformed her life since losing a third of her body weight, and is now striding out to help others

The weigh I changed my life . . .

L

IFE begins at forty, so the saying goes. Well, since hitting the big FOUR-O two years ago, Susan Hadley’s life has taken off in a big way.

Not only has she managed to shed almost one third of her body weight – seven stone, to be precise – but she has also completely transformed her way of life!

Now instead of spending hours lounging in an armchair, Susan is happier trekking around mountains, kayaking across lakes, and even

striding out in the Great North Run. “I thought to myself that if I didn’t do something about my weight before I’m forty, then I wouldn’t do it at all,” says Susan, who is chairperson of Wirral Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People.

“So here I am, two years after making that decision, and taking part in the Great North Run.” Charity worker Susan, who has had Aniridia (absence of the iris) since birth, will be raising money for Henshaws Society for Blind People.

Little contact

Having had treatment for her eye condition since 1981, she has just been through a series of operations and stem cell therapy to help her sight.

“I’ve been going through a tough time over the last few months with these operations, but I’m not one for excuses.

“If I let my condition get in the way of the things I want to do, then my life would be pretty dull.

“I just get on with it.”

The next event on Susan’s list of challenges is a parachute jump – so watch this space!

Huge response to £3m search for diabetes cure DIABETES UK has received an overwhelming response to its biggest ever research initiative.

A staggering 85 applications, totalling just under £18.5 million, were received – all bidding for help from a special £3 million fund.

Dr Angela Wilson, Director of Research at the charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response.

We now face the difficult task of deciding which of these research proposals to fund.

“Projects will be assessed on the quality of the science, their potential to make a difference to the lives of people with diabetes, and

value for money.

“Sadly, with the bumper number of applications received there will undoubtedly be excellent projects that we will just not be able to afford to support within the £3 million budget.”

Announcements about the projects to be funded will be made in the New Year.

Diabetes UK is one of the

largest funders of diabetes research in the UK, investing £6 million to develop better treatment, prevent diabetes and find a cure.

There are currently more than two million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK. It is believed there are also up to 750,000 people who have the condition but are unaware of it.

email your news: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

On average, a person dies every two hours in England as a result of suicide. It is the commonest cause of death in men under 35. And it is the main cause of premature death in people with mental illness.

Sadly, many suicides happen where there has been little or no contact with professional services, so let’s acknowledge this is not an issue which can be pigeon-holed as one organisation’s duty – it has to be our collective responsibility.

That’s why I was pleased that another agency I am involved with, Local Solutions, has been helping the Bully Busters Helpline, set up following the suicide of a schoolboy and takes calls connected with bullying, domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

Only by talking about suicide, raising awareness and understanding, and challenging the stigma and guilt that accompanies it, can we begin to make a difference.

School visits MERSEY CARE will be visiting schools and colleges in Southport, Formby and Bootle on World Mental Health Day to talk to young people about suicide and mental health.

A mental health awareness event is being held on October 11 at Bridge Chapel, Heath Road, Garston, Liverpool, from 1pm to 4pm the following day. There will be a variety of information displays, music, relaxation sessions, healthy eating and much more. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

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October/November 2006

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MERSEYTRAVEL

LIFESAVERS: Cllr Mark Dowd and staff with the defibrillators

M

ERSEYTRAVEL employees have been trained to save lives. About 100 staff can now use automated external defibrillators, used to improve survival rates for patients with heart problems, thanks to a British Heart Foundation award.

Frontline Merseytravel staff from the Mersey Ferries, Mersey Tunnels, including officers of the Tunnels Police, and bus stations across Merseyside received the specialist training from fully qualified North West Ambulance Service paramedics.

The four-hour sessions gave staff the training needed to resuscitate heart failure victims and use the AED machines safely.

Thirteen AED machines are being placed in areas across the public transport network in Merseyside.

Helping save lives, helping change lives

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said: “By training our staff to use these machines we know we will have people who are fully trained and ready to react if someone suffers a heart problem in the bus stations, tunnels or on the ferries.

“It’s important we do all we can to help anyone needing quick treatment.”

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, said: “Merseytravel is the first Passenger Transport Authority in the UK, outside London, to roll out defibrillators across all areas of its organisation.”

The joint initiative, led by NWAS, forms part of the wider National Community Defibrillator Programme aiming to place 130 AED machines throughout Cheshire and Merseyside, over the next 12 months.

F

PARTNERS: Access officer Dave Skelton, right, and charity staff

OUR Merseyside charities including All Together Now! have each been handed £10,000 from Merseytravel for their fantastic work with disabled people.

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said: “Every one of these charities deserves huge respect for the work they are doing within our communities to make public transport more accessible.

“They are making a difference and they deserve our support.”

Mencap Pathways provides travel training for young adults with learning difficulties to improve their confidence to travel independently and help equip them for employment.

The Shaw Trust is funding similar projects for young adults with mental health issues and learning difficulties, and Liverpool Voluntary Society for Blind People is using the cash to fund a scheme providing information, advice and travel training to blind and partially sighted members of black and ethnic minority communities.

All Together Now! editor Tom Dowling, seated right, says: “Merseytravel have been a terrific sponsor of our unique news service. Without their initial and ongoing support we would not be where we are today.

“Hopefully, we will be able to help the authority deliver more and more of its key messages to disabled people and carers.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

October/November 2006

25

Driving force T

AMAZED Noel Edmonds

ENS of thousands of visitors flocked to this year’s Mobility Roadshow to see – and try for themselves – the vast range of new vehicles and products available to help them with their independence.

And while organisers were delighted with what was on offer, they say that next year’s event, again at Kemble Airport, near Swindon, will be even bigger and better Jan Gethings, executive director of Mobility Choice, the charity running the Roadshow, said: “Our intention is to make next year’s show even bigger, brighter and more varied than ever before, featuring travel, leisure and lifestyle options in addition to mobility.

“We want visitors from all over the UK to know that their journey to the event will be very worthwhile.”

Motor show set to get bigger and better than ever This year’s show had a record number of motor manufacturers, adaptation and conversion specialists with an impressive line-up of vehicles available to test drive, either as a disabled driver or passenger.

TV celebrity Noel Edmonds, who opened the summer show, said: “This is an outstanding event in the disability calendar and I am proud to be part of it.

“We must never take mobility for granted and I congratulate the Mobility Roadshow on its relentless quest to drive mobility forward.”

Noel also introduced his Unique Motor Company and his new QPOD range of low budget town, sport and ‘work’ cars to the mobility market.

Other eye-catchers n Turn to page 26

mobility roadshow

®

If you have a mobility problem,

you can’t afford to miss the Mobility Roadshow ®

00 2 8th, 9th & 10th June 2006 19th, 20th, 21st July Kemble Airfield near Swindon Kemble Airfield near Swindon

7

Hundreds of products and ideas to keep you mobile, including test drives of adapted and specialist vehicles. Free admission and parking, sign language interpreters, fully staffed crèche, wheelchair and scooter loans to help you get around.

Want to know more? Visit the website at

www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk Or call Mobility Choice on 0845 241 0390

WIN! All Together Now! has teamed up with the 2006 International Motorcycle and Scooter Show to offer TEN lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the UK’s biggest bike show.

As well as being able to see the latest bikes, this year’s show – between October 28

and November 5 at the Birmingham NEC –

The Mobility Roadshow - it’ll change the way you get around

promises to be the most interactive yet.

Visitors will able to try out many of the best bikes on offroad, road and race circuits, with children as young as five

TEN pairs of tickets for UK’s biggest bike show

being able to have a go on the unique My First Honda Licence feature.

There is 52,500 square feet dedicated to biking including live action demonstrations and have-a-go events, as well as an exclusive race paddock featuring displays from some of the world’s top race teams.

And there is the launch of The Thunderdome, an actionpacked show featuring breathtaking stunts and skill.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the show, simply answer the following question: Where is this year’s

International Motorcycle and Scooter Show taking place?

Answers please to Bike Show Comp, All Together Now! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP to arrive by Monday October 16, stating where you picked up your copy of All Together Now! You can also enter online at: www.alltogethernow.org.uk n For more information

about the show, and to purchase tickets, ring 0870 352 2006 or visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk

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All Together Now!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

Top models n From page 25 included Vauxhall’s new Astra Twin Top, and Brook Miller’s pre-production model of the new KiaSedona (Carnival) – straight from its world premier at the Geneva Motor Show.

There was also a ‘first’ from Toyota with their dedicated mobility products for its core model range, and visitors were also among the first to get a close look at the all-new Ford S-MAX seven-seater and the new Ford Galaxy.

At the Hill Grau S.V. stand was the first official showing in England of the

new Citroën C8, and the entire Brotherwood Automobility range of conversions was available to test-drive for the first time at the Roadshow.

Meanwhile, CG-Lock demonstrated what it said was the biggest advance in seatbelt technology since the inertia reel belt.

Originally designed for top performance drivers, the CG-Lock complements the vehicle’s standard seatbelts by offering additional stability and support for driver or passenger.

But it wasn’t just the fantastic range of vehicles that were on display at this

year’s event that captured the attention. Veteran paraplegic pilot Steve Slade arrived each day in his adapted fixed-wing Microlight to share his passion for flying.

Several visitors reached for the sky, co-piloting Steve during the three days, and an expanded flying event is already being planned for 2007, along with many other new features.

Make a date in your diaries: Mobility Roadshow 2007, Kemble Airport, near Swindon, July 19, 20, 21. n Tel 0845 241 0390 www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk

MADE TO MEASURE: Sizing up the boots of cars at the Mobility Roadshow

De N m ati on on Fr st w ee ra id tio e n Ho Av m ai e la bl e

Euro threat to WAVs W Different by Design

VW Caravelle Executive Top of the range luxury with the award winning Caravelle range. Up to six seats, manual or automatic with several different engine sizes, as well as rear or side wheelchair access.

Seating Options With a wide range of seating configirations available.

Optional front wheelchair position available

Also available

Shuttle SE

VW T5 Cruiser MkII Based on the stylish and spacious VW T5 windowvan. With 4-8 seats (including wheelchair user) and available in manual or automatic, short and long wheelbase with three different roof heights.

VW Shuttle SE Affordable luxury the all new Shuttle SE comes with high grade interior and the Lewis Reed unique seating system 4-8 seats, short and long wheelbase, available with manual or automatic gearbox.

Citroen Dispatch

Renault Kangoo

Citroen Berlingo

All new from Lewis Reed the Volkswagen Caddy Life with the exclusive Torspring Ramp and Flexi seating system Caddy Life

TorSpring TorSpring TorSpring

R

Flexi-seat

R

seating system

See the difference, request a brochure or free no obligation home demonstration today. Call 0845 345 0127 (lo-call rate) or visit www.lewisreedgroup.co.uk

Enjoy the difference

HEELCHAIR users who rely on specially converted cars could have fewer vehicles to choose from – and have to pay more – if a new European directive gets the go ahead.

The new directive is aimed at improving safety within the car industry but it also encompasses the niche converters market.

It means that from next spring manufacturers of wheelchair accessible vehicles will be forced to choose between either taking on huge extra costs to meet the new EU requirements or reducing sales to tiny numbers of each model in the UK and increasing prices.

Currently, UK converters can build up to 500 vehicles of any model type. But the new legislation will limit this to just 75, making production unviable and forcing some companies out of business.

About 10,000 new vehicles are converted each year in the UK. Framework Directive 70/156/EEC is due for a second reading later this year and North West Euro MP John Whittaker is spearheading a lobbying campaign to keep the existing quotas.

“This is another example of

‘

It will put some firms out of business — Euro MP John Whittaker

unintended consequences resulting from ill-thought out European legislation,” said Dr Whittaker, UK Independence Party’s economic affairs spokesman.

“Even if these specialist converted vehicles remain available, the new rules are bound to raise their cost.

“It will also put some firms out business. And the small businesses that the EU says it wants to encourage are the ones that always suffer most from daft EU rules.”

Peter Scullion, manager of Lewis Reed (WAV) Ltd at Bromborough, Wirral, said that his company spends tens of thousands of pounds testing new models but claimed that firms on the

continent do not test to the same high standard.

“It is not a level playing field,” he said. “We cannot sell to the main developed European countries such as Germany and Spain because they have local regulations which effectively prevent anyone from importing.

“It will only be the UK that will comply, the rest of Europe will put up local barriers,” claimed Mr Scullion.

Linda Ling, chair of the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Association, said: “We need limits far in excess of 75 for each product line to make it viable.

“The loss of this industry will mean not only the loss of our businesses and more than 1,000 jobs, it will also mean that those very severely disabled wheelchair users will lose products which are vital to their lives.”

Ms Ling has been told by the European Commission that no changes are possible prior to legislation and she believes that it will then be too late.

“I am delighted that Dr Whittaker has offered to help us fight this,” she said.

“There are 25 converters of wheelchair accessible vehicles in this country and they will not all survive if this goes through.”

Tell 200,000 readers about your

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

October/November 2006

Chartwell Ad.pdf

10/9/06

27

11:41:01

CONTACTS n Clatterbridge Assessment Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral, L63 4JY. Tel 0151 334 4000 ext 4782 n Donald Todd Rehab Centre, Fazakerley Hospital, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL. Tel 0151 529 3039 n Wrightington Mobility Centre, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP. Tel 01257 256409 n The North Wales Driving Assessment Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan.

Tel 01745 584858 n Motability, Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2ET. Tel 0845 456 4566 n Disabled Motorists Federation.

Tel 0191 416 3172.

n Disabled Drivers Motor

Club, Cottingham Way, Thrapston, Northants, NN14 4PL. Tel 01832 734724 n Disabled Drivers Association, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk NR16 1EX. Tel 01508 489449 n Disabled Motorcyclists Association, Clyde Business Centre, Clyde House, Clyde Street, Ashton under Lyne, Tameside, OL7 0NQ Tel 0161 214 8314 n National Association of Bikers with a Disability Unit 20, The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester M41 7TE. Tel: 0870 759 0603 n MAVIS (Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service. Tel 01344 661000

We may have come in different ships but we’re in the same boat now (Martin Luther King)

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

ADAPTED CARS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES POWERCHAIRS SCOOTERS TRIKES BREAKDOWN COVER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES SCOOTERS TRIKES

POWERCHAIRS

HOUSEHOLD BUILDINGS AND CONTENTS SINGLE AND ANNUAL TRAVEL

Mitchell move in MITCHELL Group have decided to expand the range of cars it supplies throughout the area and has entered the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) market.

Looking after prospective customer needs is Steve Lomas who has more than 10 years experience working with wheelchair users, nationally.

Steve joined Mitchell Group earlier this year to develop the company’s financial services on Skoda new and used vehicles.

His WAV expertise is now being utilised by Mark Mitchell – group managing director – in the field of accessible vehicles.

Steve says: “As a respected North West dealership, Mitchell Group have an excellent local reputation with over nine thousand satisfied and happy customers and as such will offer quality used accessible vehicles at genuinely affordable prices.

“Our first three vehicles have just arrived and are currently on display at our Cheshire Oaks site.

“All come with a full warranty, used car check and service history.

“And all our vehicles qualify for

n Mitchell Group is a privately owned motor group based at Cheshire Oaks – just 4 miles from Chester, 16 miles from Liverpool and 27 miles from Manchester. n The five-acre location sits at junction 10 on the M53 where the company represents the Lexus, Mazda and Skoda brands for the North West and North Wales. n Many of the 103 staff have spent most of their careers with the company and understand what it takes to make a customer experience stand out from the competition.

the free weekly car wash on Saturday mornings, just some of the reasons why our customers recommend us to others. We can also seek the right vehicle for your particular needs if we do not have one in stock to suit your needs.” n Steve is available on his direct line 0151 347 5405 or through the main switchboard 0151 347 5555 to arrange a test drive or to discuss your mobility requirements.

services: 0151 230 0307

SAY YOU SAW IT IN

Chartwell Insurance & Disabled Drivers Bureau is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

2000 X reg. Citroen Dispatch 1.9 Diesel Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle 54,000 miles, 6 doors Chairman lowered floor and ramp, 3 seats FSH, MOT ...........................................£6,995

2006 06 Fiat Doblo 1.4 Active Estate Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Mitchell Skoda, only 600 miles, with 3 seats, a ramp and winch system and position for one wheelchair passenger………………....…..£9,495

2001 Y reg. VW Transporter 2.5 TDi Automatic Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle 51,000 miles, FSH Ricon Tail-lift, 4 seats, tracking for wheelchair position FSH vehicle, MOT ……….............…£8,995

Stanney Mill Lane, Cheshire Oaks, Chester, CH2 4RG Telephone: 0151-347 5555 www.mitchellgroup.co.uk

28

All Together Now!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

. . . with JAN LOCKYER So are YOU missing out?

UNCLAIMED benefits for carers now stand at £740 million, say Carers UK, the national charity set up to help Britain’s six million people who are looking after others - and receiving no payment.

This major issue will, once again, be the central plank of Carers Rights Day to be held on Friday December 8 - the annual national day of action organised by the charity.

Events will be taking place across the country, involving hundreds of local organisations and community partnerships.

Each year 2.3 million people become carers.

Unpaid, they save the economy £57 billion each year.

Despite new legislation and efforts by the Government to ease their burden, they still miss out on the help available to them, with the majority living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. www.carersuk

DO YOU have a problem with everyday activities such as bending, reaching, dressing, getting in and out of your favourite chair, using the bath or toilet?

If the answer is yes, your local Disabled Living Centre may have the answer for you.

Assist UK, formerly the Disabled Living Centres Council, is the national voice

for more than 40 DLCs Assist UK has teamed up with All Together Now! to help readers of all ages and abilities to stay independent.

The DLCs provide independent advice and the opportunity to see and try equipment and they are there to help you make the right choice.

Remember some equipment can be provided free on loan from the NHS or

social services departments and if you are buying equipment there may be grants available to help you.

Be a wiser buyer — it always pays to get impartial advice and there is the opportunity to test the item before you buy. There is also every chance your DLC will have the products you are interested in on display. So if you need help — please use us.

That’s handy A

FREE handyman service is offering a helping hand to all older residents in Liverpool.

TEAMWORK: Cllr Flo Clucas and handyman Bob

Liverpool Disabled Living Centre Enabling people to choose the right equipment Over 2,000 products on display: G Bathroom and toilet aids G Chairs G Shower equipment G Kitchen and feeding aids G Stair lifts G Beds and bed accessories G Walking aids G Telephone equipment G Personal care products G Hoists G Equipment to help with dressing G Gardening aids G Moving and handling equipment G Ramps G Reading and writing aids and more...

Contact the centre for impartial advice and information on products to assist with independence and safety in daily living.

Visits are by appointment except on open days.

The centre does not buy or sell equipment.

G Telephone: 0151 298 2055 G Email: disabled.living.centre@liverpool.gov.uk G Fax: 0151 298 2952 G Website: liverpooldisabledlivingcentre.com G Liverpool Disabled Living Centre 101 Kempston Street, Liverpool, L3 8HE Liverpool Disabled Living Centre is part of Liverpool Community Equipment Service, a partnership between the NHS and Liverpool City Council.

The new service will fit security chains, locks and bolts, fix floorboards, fit shelves, unblock sinks and replace fuses – all for free to residents over 50.

Cllr Flo Clucas, Liverpool’s executive member for economic development, said: “This scheme will help some of the city’s older residents get those fiddly jobs done that they can’t always do themselves.

“I’m sure it will prove really popular and I’m proud of the way we are making people’s lives that little bit easier.”

The initiative was thought up by council staff in conjunction with Age Concern and housing associations to help older people continue to live independently in their own home.

It is available to everyone over 50 regardless of whether people are homeowners or living in rented accommodation.

Riverside Group’s handyman Tony Ciathos, said: “Everybody who uses the service is made up. We have had very good feedback and know it’s working by all the thank you

New free service for the over-50s cards we are getting.”

Anyone wanting to book a job in the north of the city can ring Arena on 261 0301 or Liverpool Housing Trust on 708 2410 to book an appointment with a handyman.

Those in central, south central and eastern Liverpool can contact the Riverside Group on 295 6240 and those in south Liverpool should contact South Liverpool Housing on 285 5690.

If an officer is not available then leave your name, address and phone number and they will call back.

A handyman will call out to the resident’s home to advise on the parts needed, and make an appointment for the work to be carried out.

All handymen will carry an ID card which should be checked before allowing anyone into your home.

THE permanent display of equipment at the Liverpool centre includes over 2,000 products.

The range is added to every month as new equipment comes on to the market.

Recent additions include: Kulan bath swivel seat; bedside beverage holder; invisible plate surround; a range of transfer boards; button butler; raised toilet seats with arms; foam raised toilet seat and commode seat; and dual aperture toilet seat.

Visiting the centre on an Open Day is a great way of keeping up to date with new equipment.

Make a note of the these dates: n Oct 3 (1pm-4pm) n Oct 18 (10am-1pm) n Nov 7 (10am-1pm) n Nov 22 (10am-1pm) n Dec 5 (1pm-4pm)

Remember it!

ANOTHER DATE to make a note of – Tuesday November 21 (11am-3pm).

Liverpool Disabled Living Centre are staging an event to help people with memory problems.

There will be demonstrations of gas isolation switches and medication reminders to complex telecare products There will also be plenty of helpful advice on important issues including continence, moving and handling, and fire safety.

We are happy to help n BLACKBURN

Independent Living Centre, Mill Hill St, Mill Hill, Blackburn BB2 2RB Tel 01254 269 220 n CREWE

Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe CW1 4QJ. Tel 01270 612 343 n HALTON

Collier Street, Runcorn, WA7 1HB. Tel 01928 582 920 n LIVERPOOL

Disabled Living Centre

101 Kempston Street, Liverpool, L3 8HE. Tel 0151 298 2055

Winnington Hill, Northwich, CW8 1AW. Tel 01606 79260

n MACCLESFIELD

n STOCKPORT

Macclesfield General Hospital, Victoria Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 3BL. Tel 01625 661 740

St Thomas’s Hospital, Shawheath, Stockport, SK3 8BL. Tel 0161 419 4476

n MANCHESTER

Assist UK 4 St Chads Street, Manchester M8 8QA. Tel 0161 834 1044 n NORTHWICH

Victoria Infirmary,

n WARRINGTON

Beaufort Street, Warrington, WA5 1BA. Tel 01925 638867 n WIRRAL

St Catherine’s Hospital, Birkenhead.

Tel 0151 678 7272

To advertise call 0151 230 0307

Extracare Payments advertorial

20/9/06

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

9:30 am

Page 1

October/November 2006

All Together Now!

29

Easy ways to pay Over the last year United Utilities has introduced a number of new schemes aimed at making it easier for our customers to pay their water bills.

We have recently introduced weekly, fortnightly and fourweekly Direct Debit options.

“Over half our customers already enjoy the benefits of paying monthly by Direct Debit.

The recent introduction of weekly, fortnightly and fourweekly Direct Debit allows even more customers to benefit from paying this way,” said income manager Andy Moore. “We are one of only a few utility companies to do this. For customers who prefer to budget on for example a weekly basis they can now benefit from all the convenience and security Direct Debit brings, including saving £5 off their annual bill,” he added. To arrange to pay by Direct Debit see the numbers below.

United Utilities has also introduced a 24-hour automated payments line.

“Payments can be made by debit card (including Solo and Electron) and credit card at any time of day or night” explained Andy. “We even had customers paying on Christmas Day!” To pay via the automated line simply call 0845 402 1366.

Please have your United Utilities customer account number and your debit or credit card details to hand.

And the United Utilities website has also been updated to allow customers to make payments by debit and credit card, set up a Direct Debit

payment on line and notify us of a change of address www.unitedutilities.com/ Income manager Andy Moore. yourhome.

For customers in receipt of Registering for ExtraCare is easy - just telephone us on 0845 certain benefits (Income 746 1100 or register online at: Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit) www.unitedutilities.com/extracare the Department for Work and Pensions manages a scheme to enable customers who have water arrears, to repay these at an affordable weekly rate directly from their benefits. For customers on qualifying benefits with water charges arrears, this is an ideal way to pay ongoing charges whilst repaying their arrears.

“If customers are aware of someone who would be helped by paying directly from their benefit this way or if a customer simply wants to We offer a range discuss their payment options of free services and the assistance schemes we offer, we encourage them to to help customers get in touch with us as soon as who: possible” said Andy. “We want to ensure every customer has • are older the right payment arrangement • have a disability to suit their needs.” To discuss • have a serious illness our range of payment arrangements see the numbers • have sight, hearing or below. learning difficulties

Need a little

ExtraCare?

How to contact us If you have a water meter: 0845 746 222 If you don’t have a water meter: 0845 746 1100 Minicom: 0808 143 1195

To find out more call 0845 746 1100 • password scheme • personal notification of or Minicom 0808 143 1195 water shut-offs Our services include:

• large print, Braille and talking bills 09/06/UUNW/DC/1691

All Together Now!

30

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

HELP ON THE PHONE n

CHESHIRE Disabilities Federation Tel 01606 888400 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY Disability Concern Tel 0151 480 4090 n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People Tel 0151 263 8366/Text: 260 3187 n Disablement Resource Unit, Local Solutions Tel 0151 709 0990 n Glaxo Neurological Centre Tel 0151 298 2999 n Merseyside Society for Deaf People Tel 0151 228 0888

n GREATER MANCHESTER Coalition of Disabled People Tel: 0161-273 5154 / 5155 / 8141. n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership Tel 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500 n SKELMERSDALE West Lancs Disability Helpline Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH Tel 01744 453053

NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY CIL Tel 01248 750249 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Forum Tel 01352 755546 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n WREXHAM Tel 01978 262955

CARERS’ CENTRES n

CHESHIRE Unit 8, Albion Walk, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5XU. Tel 01606 330 853

n

KNOWSLEY 149 Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, L32 8SE. Tel 0151 549 1412

n

MANCHESTER Beswick House, Beswick Row, Manchester, M4 4PR. Tel 0161 835 2995

n

RUNCORN 62 Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LD. Tel 01928 580182 n

WIDNES Unit 16, Windmill Centre, Widnes, WA8 7TN. Tel 0151 257 7767

n

SALFORD 1 St Philip’s Place,

Salford, M3 6FA. Tel 0161 833 0217 n

SEFTON Third Sector Technology Centre, 16 Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 0NY. Tel 0151 285 4000 n ST HELENS Millennium House, Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens, WA10 1DH Tel 01744 675 615 n

WARRINGTON The Bungalow, Garven Place, Warrington, WA1 1GP. Tel 01925 644 212 n

WEST LANCS 49 Westgate, Sandy Lane Centre, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 8LP. Tel 01695 733737 n

WIGAN & LEIGH 27 Charles Street, Leigh, WN7 1DB. Tel 01942 683711

NORTH WALES: n ANGLESEY 27 Church Street, Llangefni LL77 7DU. Tel 01248 722828 n

BANGOR Carers Outreach, 60 Fford Deiniol, Bangor, LL57 1AA. Tel 01248 370 797 n

CONWY 74 Conwy Road, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7LD. Tel 01492 533714 n

DOLGELLAU Swddfa Ganol, Plas y Dre, Dolgellau, LL40 1AD. Tel 01341 421167 n

PORTHMADOG St David’s Building, Lombard Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9AP. Tel 01766 513 975

SHOPMOBILITY CENTRES n n

ALTRINCHAM Tel 0161 929 1714 ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD Tel 0151 647 6162 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: 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT Tel 0151355 1420 n KENDAL Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan Tel 01942 777 985 Minicom Tel 01942 777 986 n LIVERPOOL Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre Tel 0161 747 8046 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre

Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 353525 n ORMSKIRK, West Lancashire Tel 01695 570055 n OSWESTRY Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 717445 Minicom Tel 01928 717999 n SHREWSBURY Tel 01743 236900 n SOUTHPORT Tel 01704 546 654 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPOR Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 231941 n WARRINGTON, Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN Tel 01942 776 070

Peter smashes the records by MARSHALL THOMAS

GREAT Britain’s reigning Paralympic champion Peter Norfolk won the quad singles title at the 17th British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Nottingham.

The 45-year-old, from Fleet in Hampshire, captured the 10th Super Series title of his career with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over unseeded Israeli, Shraga Weinberg.

It means Norfolk has now won three British Open crowns in four years.

“I’m delighted to retain my title and consolidate my position as world number one,” he said.

Robin Ammerlaan, from the Netherlands, won the men’s singles title, with compatriot Esther Vergeer winning the women’s singles.

Parlaympic champions Nick Taylor and David Wagner took the quad doubles title.

Michael Jeremiasz (France) and Martin Legner (Austria) won the men’s doubles, with Esther Vergeer and Jiske Griffoen (Netherlands) taking the women’s doubles.

SMASH HIT: Quad tennis star Peter Norfolk

Now for the States . . .

PETER NORFOLK and some of Britain’s other leading wheelchair tennis players are set to compete in the US Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in San Diego.

Joining Norfolk will be Jamie Burdekin, (Merseyside), Jayant Mistry (Loughborough, Leicestershire), Alex Jewitt (Dronfield, Derbyshire), Lucy Shuker

Europeans win deaf titles HUNGARY’S Gabor Mathe and Barbara Oddone (Italy) cleaned up at the third British Open Deaf Tennis Championships, winning the Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles titles.

This British Open is Mathe’s first major international deaf title, his previous best being runner-up at last year’s Austrian Open.

In the Women’s Singles, five-time Deaflympic Games champion Oddone eased past German third seed, Heike Albrecht, before taking the Doubles title with partner Suzannea Ricci Bitti.

In The Men’s Doubles, Mathe collected his second title of the day when he partnered Mario Kargl of Austria to a 6-3,

7-6(5) victory over national champions and top seeds, Sinclair (Crawfordsburn, Northern Ireland) and Willcox (Tiverton, Devon).

The all-British Junior Boys Singles final was won by Jamie King (Southampton, Hampshire), who came from 2-4 down in the second set against Max Thorne (Dunstable, Bedfordshire) to seal a 6-2, 64 triumph.

King and Thorne then paired up to win the Junior Doubles final, defeating Shaun O’Brien (Liverpool) and Michael Hadley (Wimborne, Dorset) 6-1, 6-0.

The Juniors Girls Singles was won by Shilpi Jaiswal (India), who beat Fatima Tebibel, of Sweden, 6-0, 6-2 in the final.

Stay ahead of the game . . .

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

All Together Now!

31

in association with . . .

Britain’s cyclists in top gear BRITAIN’S David Stone bagged a brace of gold medals on the road at the UCI/IPC Paralympic World Cycling Championships.

The 25-year-old, from Birmingham, won the CP2 tricycle time trial and followed that up with victory in the CP2 tricycle road race in Aigle, Switzerland.

His successes helped the GB team add two golds, four silvers and a bronze on the road to the haul of seven golds and two bronzes the team had already netted in the track events at the championships.

Manchester’s Sarah Bailey won a silver medal in the women’s LC1 time trial, finishing in 25.55 – just two seconds behind Australia’s Claire Maclean.

She followed that up with silver in the road race, this time behind China’s Ju Fang Zhou.

Darren Kenny, a double gold medallist on the track, added a pair of silvers on the road to his personal medal haul.

He took silvers in the CP3 time trial and CP3 road race, finishing behind Spain’s Javier Ochoa on both occasions.

Mark Bristow collected his second bronze of the championships when he finished third in the LC1 road race, which was fought out in atrocious weather.

Row for it!

G

REAT Britain’s adaptive rowers won two golds and a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships.

Twenty-six year-old Helene Raynsford got GB off to a flier at Dorney Lake, Eton, with a comfortable win in the inaugural women’s arms only single scull.

Helene, who is also part of the GB women’s wheelchair basketball squad, is no stranger to picking up medals, having won silver at the 2005 and 2006 Paralympic World Cups.

“It was very hard work, but an amazing experience,” said Helene, who trains at Guildford Rowing Club.

“I could hear my friends and family shouting ‘Go Helene’ even though I had blocked out most of the noise.

“I missed six weeks of training after a car accident, so to make it here at all is miracle but to become World Champion is just amazing.”

In the men’s arms only single scull former bodybuilder Shaun Sewell, 31, from London, powered home to take the bronze behind the defending world champion, Australia’s Dominic Monypenny, and two-time world-

Two golds and bronze for adaptive rowers GB wheelchair basketball player Helene Raynsford helped Britain off to a flyer in the world rowing championships championship bronze medallist, Ron Harvey from the USA. There were then high hopes for the British crew in the mixed coxed four event, with three of the crew – Alan Crowther, Naomi Riches and Alastair McKean – returning to the championships to defend the title won last year in Gifu.

Led by Crowther, the crew did not disappoint and cruised to victory ahead of Holland in second and Canada in third.

Forty-one year-old Crowther, who

has now won his third consecutive world championship title, said he is looking towards the Beijing Games in 2008, where rowing will make its Paralympic debut.

He said: “Since rowing has been included in the programme for the Beijing Paralympics the standard has definitely improved.”

Britain’s crew in the trunk and arms mixed double scull – Karen Cromie and James Roberts – were less fortunate on finals day, finishing in sixth spot.

GB swim squad Continued from p32 BRITISH Swimming performance director Tim Reddish said he was pleased with the mix of youth and experience.

The IPC World Swimming Championships take place in Durban, South Africa from December 2-10 with around 600 competitors from 60 countries expected to take part.

The full squad is: Natalie Jones (Manchester); Matthew Walker (Stockport); Rachel Latham (Wigan); Danielle Watts (Oxford); Fran Williamson (Cambridge); Jane Stidever (Leicestershire); Claire Warne (Luton); Nyree Lewis (Hereford); Liz Johnson (Newport, South Wales); Eleanor Simmonds (Aldridge); Kate Arnold (Newport, South Wales); Clare Cashmore (Kidderminster); Louise Watkin (Merstham, Surrey); Kate Grey (Thornbury, Britsol); Angela McCowan (Irvine, Scotland); Emma Cattle (Harlington); Rhiannon Henry (Bridgend, South Wales); Graham Edmunds (Swansea); Robert Welbourn (Market Deeping); David Ellis (Derbyshire); James Anderson (Broxburn, Scotland); Kenny Cairns (Paisley, Scotland); Anthony Stephens (Swansea); Matthew Whorwood (Newquay, Cornwall); Gareth Duke (Cwmbran, South Wales); Sascha Kindred (Hereford); Andrew Lindsay (Cowdenbeath, Scotland); David Roberts (Pontypridd, South Wales); Jonathon Fox (St Stephen); Giles Long (London); James Crisp (Nottingham); David Hill (Exmouth, Devon); and Callum Lawson (Mansfield).

Athletes turn on the heat in Holland BRITAIN’S athletes finished with nine gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals at the end of the IPC Athletics World Championships in Assen, Holland.

CRUISING: Stephen Miller going for gold in Assen, Holland

Blackpool wheelchair racer Shelly Woods rounded off the championships by winning bronze in the T54 marathon on the last day of competition.

She finished behind Diane Roy of Canada, in gold-medal position, and Swiss racer Sandra GrafMittelholzer, who took silver.

Twenty-year-old Woods said: “It was really hurting. The first 10k was so fast. We went through it in 22and-a-half minutes, which for the

girls is like lightning.

“I dropped out after about 10k and a gap of about 200m opened up.

The gap stayed pretty much the same for much of the race, I just couldn’t close it.

“I knew I was in fourth place and I was trying to push hard to get a fast time so getting bronze is great.”

However, Brian Alldis, Tushar Patel, Kenny Herriott, competing in the T54 men’s marathon, and Bob Matthews, in the T11 marathon, all missed out on making the podium.

Earlier in the week Surrey’s David Weir topped off a superb season, medalling in all four of his events – winning three golds and one silver medal.

And 16-time Paralympic Games medallist Dame Tanni GreyThompson, who said this would be her last world championships, won the full-set, taking gold, silver and bronze across her four events.

There were also gold medals for Paralympic champions Danny Crates in the T46 800m, Daniel Greaves in the F44 discus and Stephen Miller in the F32/51 club.

Many of Britain’s younger athletes also put in personal best performances, including 18-year-old Ben Rushgrove and 16-year-old Elizabeth Clegg, who won bronze and silver respectively for the T36 and T12 200m. n www.paralympics.org.uk

log onto our super website: www.alltogethernow.org.uk

All Together Now!

32

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2006

Everton In The Community sign up with All Together Now!

E

VERTON In The Community has teamed up with All Together Now! to improve and expand our already tip top sports service.

The partnership is great news for all sports lovers.

Graham Lewis, EITC’s chief executive, said: “This is an obvious partnership for us.

“All Together Now! is a quality publication and the chance of partnering with a non-competitive, like-minded charity that is driven with emotion and trusted by its readership is a tremendous opportunity.

“We are keen to give even more value and opportunities to both

readers and our commercial partners, and we will support a number of joint initiatives throughout 2006/2007.”

All Together Now! editor Tom Dowling said: “We have a terrific publication and website that’s becoming more and more valued by our readers..

“Teaming up with Everton In The Community is a fantastic opportunity to get our work more widely known, and hopefully supported by other major organisations and businesses.

“With Everton In The Community’s help, we will continue to deliver a terrific sports section, packed with news and features on everything from tennis to table tennis, from athletics to archery, from football to fencing. And much, much more!”

THREE North West swimmers have been named in Britain’s 33strong squad for the IPC World Swimming Championships in December.

TEAMWORK: Graham Lewis, left, chief executive of Everton In The Community, with All Together Now! editor Tom Dowling.

Picture: KEN ALMOND

CHAMPIONS T

HE new Northwest Ability Counts League season for disabled footballers will be the best yet, says league chairman and Everton In The Community’s disability manager, Steve Johnson.

“This is our third season,” says Steve, “and with 28 teams playing in four divisions it’s going to be the most competitive ever.

“More than 350 players with wide-ranging disabilities from across the

whole of the North West now have a regular competitive football opportunity.”

Teams include Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley Deaf, Bury, Chester, Everton, Llandudno, Liverpool, Man City, Oldham, Preston, Sheffield and Stoke.

All Together Now! will regularly feature results, fixtures and league tables. n Contact Steve Johnson at Everton in the Community, tel 0151 330 2307.

Everton’s Dan Hill in action against Manchester City’s Shaun Kelly

Team up with us We’re going places fast — and we want YOUR club on our side.

By becoming one of our partners/sponsors or regular advertisers you will be telling more than 200,000 readers about your services, facilities and commitment to the community . . .

Tel 0151 230 0307 news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Top of the world feeling for swimmers

BEAT THIS! Some of Britain’s best performances of the year were recorded at the IPC world championships in Holland — like John McFall’s (left) bronze in the 200m.

Turn Turn to p31

Natalie Jones (Manchester), Matthew Walker (Stockport), and Rachel Latham (Wigan) will be lining up with Paralympic champions Sascha Kindred, Nyree Lewis, David Roberts and James Anderson.

The squad includes a mix of both established competitors and rising talent, with the likes of 12 year-old Eleanor Simmonds, from Aldridge, 13 year-old Claire Warne, from Luton, and Surrey’s Louise Watkins, 14, among the youngest named.

This will be the first major international swimming competition since the Athens Paralympics when the British team took home an impressive 52 medals, to place second in the overall medals table. n Turn to page 31

Rugby round-up ENGLAND beat Wales to clinch wheelchair rugby’s inaugural Triple Crown title.

Wales had won all of their round-robin matches in the contest at the University of Bath’s Sports Training Village, including a 32-31 victory over England.

But England reversed the result to win 32-26.

Ireland beat Scotland, 4441, to take third.

However, there was disappointment for Great Britain who just missed out on the medals at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in New Zealand.

The GB team went down 23-19 to Canada in the bronze medal match.

The USA won the title, beating the host nation, 3430, in the final in Christchurch, making it three victories out of the four World Championships that have been staged. n www.paralympics.org.uk