Issue 64 oct nov2015

£1,000

p11

WORTH OF TICKETS TO BE WON!

TAKE ME HOME!

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2015

p5 p5

WIN £553HAMPER £553 HAMPER

p22-23

War on booze, fags and cancer

p31

Six apple trees up for grabs

VANTASTIC! Steve Morgan hands over new delivery van

opening doorways . . .

p12

Crisis in care: who’s to blame?

p18-19

broadening minds

p6

Great news for wheelchair fans

2

All Together NOW!

What’s inside NEWS

NEWS

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

p2-6

MORGAN FOUNDATION

p7

HIGH FLIERS

p9

EYE TEST SHOCKER

p8

p10

MAYORESS WITH MS

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC p11 YOUNG AT HEART

UNITED UTILITIES

MOTORZONE

p12

p13

p14-15

LETTERS/SIR BERT MASSIE

p16

CONTACT BOARD

p20

INDEPENDENCE ZONE

HEALTHZONE

p17

p21-27

THEATRE GUIDE

p28-29

GARDENING

p31

SPORT

p34-35

HOROSCOPES/BOOKS PUZZLEZONE

p30

p32-33

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

0151 230 0307

Editor: Tom Dowling email: news@alltogethernow.org.uk

Advertising/sponsorship 0151 230 0307

email: sales@alltogethernow.org.uk

Editorial Support: Gerry Corner IT Support: Ken Almond Website: Pharos Design www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NEXT EDITION

TUESDAY 1 December 2015

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

Real cool cats rock the Arena

M

EET the Supercats – Liverpool’s up and coming cheer squad who have been wowing thousands of people all over the country.

Members of the city’s Elektric Apple Theatre Company, which provide artistic opportunities for people with learning disabilities and special needs, the squad boosted their reputation with a creative performance at the European Jamfest Cheerleading

competition at the ECHO Arena.

Supercats supporter Carol Darby said: “The squad are just magnificent and are coached by Nicola Broadley, who was shortlisted for the Liverpool Echo Sports Personality Pride of Merseyside Award 2015.”

The Supercats squad includes Andrew Moore, Kevin Lockett, Leann Darby, Danielle Fieldstead, Kate Fitzgerald, James Ashcroft, Jordan Smolka, Kim Murray, and Donald Birchall. n Contact Carol on 07825 165066.

Farewell to Emmerdale’s blind Kitty

TRIBUTES have been paid to TV’s blind Emmerdale actress Kitty McGeever, who has died at the age of 44.

Kitty, who became the first blind actress to have a starring role in a British soap, played the character of Lizzie Lakely for four years after joining Emmerdale in 2009.

Emmerdale producer Kate Oakes said Kitty was awaiting a kidney transplant when she died.

She said: “Sadly she ran out of time on that, but what she did do was donate her liver and also her

corneas, so hopefully she has given the gift of life to someone else through this tragedy, which I think is just a wonderful thing.”

Kitty lost her sight at the age of 33, shortly before winning her role on Emmerdale.

She had been diagnosed with diabetes aged 19 and developed the life-threatening condition preeclampsia while pregnant with her first son, Felix.

When he developed heart and lung conditions at the age of four months, she became ill with stress – triggering heart problems, kidney failure and diabetic retinopathy, which eventually resulted in the loss of her sight.

Tea up time for pets in need

IT WAS tea up time for animal lovers in Cheshire when the vet charity PDSA held a fundraising tea party for pets in need.

The event, at Mere Golf Resort and Spa, was supported by the Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Olivia Hunter.

Cllr Hunter said: “PDSA is a lifeline for thousands of pet owners across the region.”

PDSA runs 51 pet hospitals and over 380 pet practices across the UK. Every year veterinary teams carry out 2.7 million treatments on 470,000 pets. n Tel. 0800 731 2502. n www.pdsa.org.uk Deputy Mayor Cllr Olivia Hunter, right, and Stacey Teech from PDSA

Be a special Friend – see back page

Students missing out on grants

STUDENTS with a disability are being urged to find out if they are eligible for Disabled Students Allowances.

Over half of eligible students do not claim DSA, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The money can be used to pay for software, hardware and extra learning support to ensure students complete their studies successfully.

Nigel Lewis, CEO of the AbilityNet charity, said: “Disabled Students Allowances can help with all sorts of extra needs – you don’t have to be registered disabled to claim it.

“This extra funding has been a vital part of helping disabled people achieve success in higher education for many years and is under threat of further cuts, but it’s still available.

“Many parents, teachers and students still don’t know that students with a disability such as dyslexia are eligible for a DSA at university or college. DSA is a direct grant that doesn’t have to be paid back.” n Students with hearing, visual and mobility impairments are eligible for DSA, as are students with a learning difficulty, mental health conditions such as depression, and health issues such as diabetes. n DSAs are paid on top of the standard student finance package, or on their own. n Students don’t have to pay DSAs back and they’re not counted as income when working out whether you get benefits or tax credits. n Full-time students are allowed up to £5,212 to spend on specialist equipment for the duration of their course, up to £20,725 per year to cover the costs of a non-medical helper or personal assistant and a general allowance of £1,741 each year. n Post-graduate students can get a lump sum allowance of up to £10,362 each year.

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2015

OUR PAGE THREE BOYS!

NEWS

PROVING that gardening can help to keep you young, six horticultural journalists with an average age of around 80 – all named Peter – are pictured at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds press day at the firm’s Suffolk trial ground.

From left, ATN!’s own Peter Surridge; photographer Peter Bisho; former gardening magazine editor Peter Jackson; top writer and broadcaster Peter Seabrook; Yorkshire-based fruit guru Peter Blackburne-Maze; and Midlands expert Peter Pashley.

Welcome aboard LETER FROM THE EDITOR

I HOPE that you like this info-packed issue as much as did producing it.

My thanks again to all our partners and advertisers, whose commercial support keeps the paper alive.

If YOU think you might be able to help with our funding, then please get in touch – I’d be delighted to speak with you!

Meanwhile, enjoy the autumn . . .

Christmas is on the way!

We’re back on December 1.

Onward and Upward!

TOM DOWLING, editor

A

NEW delivery van, some fantastic cash donations from our supporters – including £500 from Heswall Round Table – and three new trustees who are determined to help drive forward your FREE All Together NOW! charity newspaper.

It’s the perfect start for the charity’s next decade . . .

Public relations gurus Jon Brown and Joel Jelen – together with my lifelong friend, Phil Wellings – have come on board to make All Together NOW! better than ever.

Jon, a director with Influential PR, and Joel, who set up Ubiquity PR 14 years ago,

PHIL WELLINGS

have been big fans of the paper since it was launched in May 2005.

Jon said: “All Together NOW! is a great example of how the media can really have a positive impact on people’s lives.

“My goal is to help the charity to develop more relationships with some of the region’s leading organisations.”

Joel said: “I’m obviously proud to be involved – and determined that All Together NOW! maximises its potential.

“It is by far one of the most comprehensive media platforms covering disability, health and wellness in the UK. Let’s recognise this even more and help it grow.”

Council Approved Contractor & Suppliers Covering The Northwest

JOEL JELEN

JON BROWN

Phil, meanwhile, is a former high-ranking officer with Cheshire Constabulary, who went on to serve as a Coroner’s Officer at Warrington for six years until retiring in 2014. He knows all about the restrictions that disability can place on individuals and families.

“I am really looking forward to working with the charity,” he said.

“All Together NOW! is doing a very worthwhile job, which is recognised throughout the region. I am hoping that I too will be able to make a positive contribution to this fantastic project.”

Our other trustees are Andy Churchill (chair), Gordon Viner, Mark Hancock, Eileen Eastwood and Nancy James.

Free Home Demonstrations

SALES, REPAIR & SERVICING OF ALL MOBILITY & DISABILITY PRODUCTS

All Together NOW!

3

Luciana takes on mental health role

NORTH West MP Luciana Berger has been appointed the first Shadow Minister for Mental Health.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was “delighted” to create a cabinet position for an issue he has long been interested in.

Ms Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree (pictured), said she would campaign in Parliament and around the country to raise mental health issues.

“We need fresh thinking on how to tackle the challenge of mental health in our society. We must achieve a cultural shift so we end stigma and prejudice.” n Currently 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year in the UK, according to the Mental Health Foundation. n Mental health news – Page 6 and Page 26

Welcome to the ball

BRADBURY FIELDS, one of the North West’s oldest charities for blind people, holds its annual Corporate Ball fundraiser at the Marriott Hotel, Queens Square, Liverpool, on Saturday November 7.

Founded in 1857 as Liverpool Voluntary Society for the Blind, the charity provides a range of service that helps visually impaired people across Merseyside with their independence. n Contact tel: 0151 221 0888

Running in the dark

RUNNERS and walkers are wanted for a ‘Life Style Run in the Dark’event in Manchester that aims to raise funds to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

Organised by Mark Pollock, who became blind in 1998 and then paralysed in a car crash five years ago, the Manchester runs (5k and 10k) are part of a global event taking place on Wednesday November 11 that involves 50 cities across the world and includes runs in London, Belfast, Cork and Dublin. n Contact tel 0203 642 6755 n www.runinthedark.org

Call Us On:

01744 602602 Also At:

0151 423 3738

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All Together NOW!

NEWS

New cash to support spinal cord patients THOUSANDS of people who are affected by paralysis are to get new help when leaving hospital.

A Big Lottery grant of £404,884 has been awarded to Back Up, the national charity for people affected by spinal cord injury.

The charity’s Join the Dots Outreach and Support project will give people the practical and emotional tools to make the transition from hospital to home and to reclaim their independence.

Telephone support, residential courses and community-based wheelchair skills training will be available.

Louise Wright, CEO of Back Up, said: “We are seeing more people return home without the confidence and skills they need to live active, fulfilled lives in the community.

“Our staff and volunteers will teach vital skills and offer support to help them to adjust to life with a spinal cord injury, to reduce isolation and increase independence.” n Every eight hours, someone in the UK has their life changed forever through spinal cord injury. n There are about 40,000 people affected by spinal cord injury in the UK. n Every year more than 1,000 people sustain a permanent spinal cord injury. n Back Up Trust, Tel 020 8875 1805 n www.backuptrust.org.uk

Why I love this paper

All Together NOW! is a wonderfully informative publication and I eagerly look forward to every issue.

Brian Knowles, Wallasey Village, Merseyside

Fears for children

THE number of children registered as having special educational needs is dropping sharply as schools respond to Government policy changes – and possibly to pressures on their budgets.

Commenting on the research by Bath Spa University, Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of national charity Ambitious about Autism, said: “The SEN reforms are about supporting young people with autism and other SEN being able to thrive and achieve at school – not about an arbitrary change in the way that we classify SEN. “Our Ruled Out report found that over half of parents of children with autism say they have kept their child out of school for fear that the school is unable to provide appropriate support. This points to an under – rather than over – identification of needs.

“Identification of SEN should be based on an assessment of a child’s needs and nothing else.” n Ambitious about Autism, Tel. 020 8815 5444.

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.ukAll

‘National pride to shame’ Calling DISABLED actors Mat Fraser and Nickie Wildin have hit out at the way the Government is treating disabled people.

Fraser said: “After the glory and highs of the 2012 Paralympics, it seems unthinkable that this Government could have taken away so many rights and services from disabled people.

“Far from their rhetoric of getting more disabled people into sports, they’ve removed the ILF (Independent Living Fund), which, for many budding para athletes, means the transport services they need to get to their sports club have been CUT!” Wildin said: “Three years ago I played Miranda in the Paralympics

Opening Ceremony 2012. A time of national pride. Proud to be disabled.

Three years on I feel that attitudes to disabled people have changed. What does our future hold? Has that glass ceiling been cemented back on? I hope not!”

The actors appear in a new video that reflects on what has happened to the lives and rights of deaf and disabled people in the three years since the London Paralympics.

Fraser added: “It seems utterly hypocritical to be on television saying how proud you are of these people and then to pull the carpet from underneath them.

“It goes from national pride to national shame.” https://vimeo.com/137592371

ROBOTS IN HIGH COURT VICTORY! HITTING OUT: Mat Fraser

T

WO men with spinal cord injuries have won insurance payouts for the costs of revolutionary robotic walking aids.

Ben Barnes, 30, who was paralysed four years ago in a road traffic accident, has become the first recipient of a British High Court damages settlement to pay for a REX, the robot that enhances the mobility of wheelchair users.

Included in Mr Barnes’ settlement was £550,000 to cover the purchase of a REX robot, its replacements and associated costs.

He was represented by Ben Rogers, partner at Stewarts Law LLP, who was able to show that the REX would be beneficial to Ben Barnes’ health and sense of wellbeing.

Mr Rogers said: “This is a landmark award of damages which means that Ben Barnes can purchase his own REX to use at home.”

Mr Barnes said: “Having been told I would never walk again, you can understand my excitement when I first heard about REX and the freedom it provides for people like me with paralysis.

“The initial feeling of being upright and at eye level is priceless, not to mention the health benefits. This truly is a life-changing piece of technology.”

In a separate case, a man who sustained spinal cord damage as a result of alleged clinical negligence has been provided with interim

Scaling the heights

IT”S BEEN an exciting time for fundraisers at Nugent Care.

First, Hayes & Finch company director Andrew Ware raised £1,400 from his 300-mile London to Paris bike ride.

Then a band of 20 daredevils abseiled from the roof of the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool – raising more than £3,000.

funding for an intensive course of robot-assisted physiotherapy with REX, pending a final settlement of the insurance claim.

Crispin Simon, CEO at Rex Bionics, said: “These awards are an endorsement from the courts and from the insurance industry, of the principle that the REX robot technology can enable people with spinal cord injuries to remain

healthy, and to resume activities they may have thought were no longer available to them.

“I believe everyone can see that REX is breakthrough technology but it still needs to be paid for. There is a long way to go, but these two cases are really significant milestones in our mission to make REX available to everyone who needs it.”

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all carers – it’s time to claim

IF YOU provide care for a relative, friend or neighbour you might be missing out on financial help.

National charity Carers UK wants carers to contact them for advice about benefits following the Department for Works and Pensions’ figures that revealed 95% of carers were not claiming Carer’s Credit, which boosts state pensions.

Carer’s Credit helps build the National Insurance contributions of those who have taken time away from work to care for loved ones.

Nearly 200,000 people who care for a disabled, seriously ill or older loved one, who are not entitled to Carer’s Allowance (the main benefit for carers), could receive a boost of more than £200 extra per year in State Pension when they retire.

Women in their 50s are particularly likely to be among those missing out.

Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Carers tell us that it can take years for them to fully understand the support they are entitled to; so it is of little surprise that 95% of carers who are eligible to receive Carer’s Credit are not claiming it.

“When people take on a caring role for a loved one, they can face serious financial hardship. Many carers see a steep drop in income if they have to leave work or reduce their hours to care, and this impact can intensify if the person being cared for also has to give up work.

“Any opportunity to ease the pressures of financial hardship on carers should be seized. It is vital that carers are able to access good quality, timely advice on what support is available to them.” n Helpline: 0808 808 777. n www.carersuk.org

TAKE ME HOME!

WIN £553 HAMPER

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

ENTRY FORM

All Together NOW! has again teamed up with one of our key parners, Park, to give you a fantastic chance to win their top-of-the-range Christmas hamper.

The Empire hamper is worth £553.50 – and it will be all yours if you win our super prize draw.

It’s the FIFTH successive year that Park have donated their monster hamper, which contains a huge range of Christmas food and drink to keep even the biggest family fed over the festive period.

Park CEO Chris Houghton said: “Our previous competitions in All Together NOW! have all been extremely popular. We are confident that this one will attract even more interest.”

So get your entries in now! n For more information about budgeting for Christmas, go to: www.getpark.co.uk/atn

THE first entry drawn out of the hat on Friday, November 6, will win the hamper. You can also send your details on the back of a postcard to: n Park Hamper Competition,

ADDRESS

This could be your best Christmas for ages!

POSTCODE

TEL NO:

MOBILE NO: EMAIL:

At least one telephone number is required

By entering you agree with Park’s terms and conditions – please see below.

Park Group would like to send you marketing material Yes please No thanks

Third parties would like to send you marketing material Yes please No thanks

O Spread the cost of Christmas 2016 with easy weekly instalments and say goodbye to huge credit card bills in the New Year O Choose from a wide range of gift cards and vouchers. Including Love2shop Vouchers that can be spent at over 20,000 high street stores. Plus, we are adding new retailers all the time to give you even more choice!

O Enjoy your Christmas shopping knowing it’s all been paid for in advance

Helping you plan your perfect Christmas! flexecash® is the pre-paid card platform which issues the Love2shop cards. This facility is provided by Park Card Services who are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to issue electronic money. FRN: 900016.

Please send me a FREE PARK Christmas 2016 Catalogue

OTHP35W16

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(I am over 18)

FIRST NAME (in full):

SURNAME:

ORDER ONLINE TODAY www.getpark.co.uk/atn

ADDRESS: POSTCODE: TEL (incl Area Code):

All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP.

n You can also enter online www.alltogethernow.org.uk

NAME

Plan for a debt free Christmas 2016

the power behind the card

5

REQUEST A CATALOGUE

MOBILE:

EMAIL:

DATE OF BIRTH: D D M M Y Y

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

You should be aware that your account with Park is not a bank account or equivalent and that any pre-payments made to Park are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your pre-payments are however held in an independent trust designed to improve protection of pre-payments made by you and agents in respect of orders. You can see full details of the trust on our website.

C P A CHRISTMAS improved security for savers

®We

are a founder member of the CPA which has developed a Code of Practice, which we must adhere to in

PREPAYMENT order to provide customers with the possible service and to improve ASSOCIATION best the protection of customers’ money.

Tel: 0800 130 0783 Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ParkChristmasSavings

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RULES: By entering the competition you confirm that you understand and agree that the information you provide will be held on a Park Group database and that it will be shared by all companies within the Park Group. A full list of those companies is available by writing to the Data Controller, Park Group Plc, Valley Road, Birkenhead, CH41 7ED. Park Group plc shall be the data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you provide will be used by Park Group and any necessary third parties to provide you with the goods and services you request.

Companies within the Park Group may wish to contact you for customer care purposes or to keep you informed about the latest offers, promotions, prize draws, and competitions, using post, telephone, e-mail, SMS and any other appropriate means, including new technology. If you wish to be contacted via email or SMS, please provide us with your email address and/or your mobile telephone number as appropriate.If you do not wish to be contacted by any member of the Park Group for marketing purposes, please indicate this on your entry. The winning entry must agree to having a photograph taken for promotional purposes.

6

All Together NOW!

Charity to help the fight over cash cap

DISABLED people are at risk of being forced into nursing homes by local NHS bodies refusing to fund them to live at home, say campaigners.

Already, in two parts of the country, rules have been brought into force denying disabled people the support to reside independently in their own homes if it is more than 10% above the cost of a nursing home place.

Disability Rights UK fears for many former users of the Independent Living Fund – scrapped by the Government at the end of June – as other parts of the UK follow suit.

Faced with responsibility for an influx of service-users with high support needs, it is feared that local authorities will argue that many former ILF-users should instead be funded by the NHS. If CCGs then cap the cost of support packages, it could force some ILF-users into nursing homes, says DR UK. NHS continuing healthcare, introduced in 2007, allows packages of ongoing care for people with complex health needs that are arranged and funded solely by the Health Service.

But earlier this month, the board of Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group approved guidelines that allow new patients to receive continuing healthcare at home only if it costs a maximum of 10% more than nursing home care.

The Spinal Injuries Association warned such a policy could breach both the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and pledged to support members who challenge the policy in the courts.

Language appeal

DEAF charity Signature is calling on the Government to appoint a British Sign Language Commissioner to promote the use of BSL. The call was made in evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and disability.

Jim Edwards, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Discrimination on the grounds of disability is prohibited by the Equality Act. And discrimination on the basis of language is prohibited by the Human Rights Act. “The problem is these legal mechanisms aren’t accessible because of the time and money it takes to bring a case.

“A commissioner would help them challenge discrimination – and help us spread the word that BSL is a language like any other.”

BSL is the only or main language of thousands of people. Numbers vary; 15,000 claimed it as their main language in the 2011 Census but the IPSOS Mori GP Patient Survey 2009/10 estimated 125,000 adults and 20,000 children.

Despite this, the Government has not ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of BSL. It has done so for Cornish, which less than 1,000 people claimed as their first language in the 2011 Census.

NEWS

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Help for jockeys who feel the pressure

B

RITAIN’S jockeys are to benefit from a dedicated mental health helpline, bringing them into line with their colleagues in cricket, rugby and other sports.

The service for members of the Professional Jockeys Association is being operated by LPP, one of the country’s leading organisations dedicated to mental health, wellbeing and people performance.

The 24-hour-a-day welfare helpline is being funded by Great British Racing, which pledged £25,000 as part of the Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship which was launched earlier this year.

AP McCoy, the recently retired 20-times champion jump jockey, said: “The life of a jockey can have many highs, but given the

been set up for jockeys who would like to talk to a professional counsellor or therapist in absolute confidence.”

Recently retired three times champion flat jockey Richard Hughes said: “This is a tremendous and most welcome development which will be of great help to jockeys.

“I know from my own experience earlier in my riding career that this would have assisted me when I was facing some personal challenges.

“I would have certainly have taken advantage of the chance to talk through some of these issues with an expert adviser.”

LPP provides confidential counselling in elite and professional sport, already covering football, cricket, both codes of rugby, rowing and athletics.

What a GOAL for footie fans A LL Premier League clubs have agreed to give disabled supporters a much better deal.

Fifteen out of 20 clubs – including all four North West Premier League clubs – will have to increase the number of wheelchair spaces to comply with guidelines on accessible stadiums.

Manchester United will add another 150 spaces to bring their total to 282; Liverpool will provide another 109 (220); Everton 92 (210), and Manchester City 27 (226).

A Premier League statement said: “We are undertaking our own assessment by surveying every Premier League stadium to determine improvements for disabled access.

“Disability access was discussed at the Premier League shareholders meeting last week with several new proposals agreed.

“All Premier League Clubs have agreed to make their stadiums compliant with the Accessible Stadia Guide by August 2017.’

Joyce Cook, chair of the Level Playing Field charity, welcomed the news: “It has been a very long time coming (more than 14 years) but we wholeheartedly welcome this announcement.

“The promises will ensure that many more disabled fans can finally enjoy a fair and equal experience alongside fellow fans, friends and family.

“For disabled football fans this is huge news but as always, the proof will be in the pudding. Level Playing Field looks forward to working with the PL and its clubs to deliver on their promises.”

SUPPORTER: Former champ AP McCoy

lifestyle – restricted diet, self-employed with no guaranteed income, risk of injury, long hours – it can also be very demanding.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health. The confidential helpline has

Schools mental health champ

THE first ever mental health champion for schools has taken up her role.

Natasha Devon, a leading campaigner for people with mental health problems, has been appointed by the Department for Education.

The television pundit and writer was chosen for the role after extensive work with young people, which includes launching two organisations giving young people practical tips on dealing with mental health and body image concerns.

Natasha said: “I’m so excited by this opportunity to improve the lives of UNACCEPTABLE . . . better views on the way for wheelchair fans even more young people.

At present, three children Other complaints include: per average classroom has n Not being able to move around a diagnosable mental the stadium easily. health problem, with many n Disabled parking spaces being more struggling with taken up by limos or TV crews. undiagnosed conditions n A lack of disability awareness such as anxiety.” among stewards and staff, Health Minister Alistair particularly when dealing with Burt, who is responsible hidden disabilities. for mental health, said: The report – compiled jointly by “Mental health is a priority the Department for Work and for this Government.

Pensions and Department for “I’m proud that we are Culture, Media and Sport – investing £1.25 billion in recommends: services for children and Planning attendance: Clubs Access table – p35 should provide information such as young people over the next five years, as well as stadium distance from local A Government report had earlier parking and gradient of pavements. introducing treatment criticised inadequate facilities and targets for the first time so Buying a ticket: Clubs should support for disabled fans at they get the help they need allow disabled spectators to buy Premier League grounds. tickets online. They should provide when they need it.”

The Inclusive and Accessible wheelchair seating that allows Stadia Report highlights the disabled spectators to sit with frustrations of disabled sports fans across the UK and found that some family and friends.

TAKE ME HOME! Travelling to and from the are unable to sit with their children, venue: Clubs should provide up to or with fellow supporters, when date transport information. attending matches.

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October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

Making a difference . . .

H

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

Over the past decade we have helped hundreds of organisations across the region,

committing over £30 million.

This year we will be giving away a

supports charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire.

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

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

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

RIDING HIGH!

whopping £5 million to good causes.

Created in 2001 by businessman Steve Morgan OBE, founder and chairman of Redrow plc, chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, the Morgan Foundation

DID you know that The Morgan Foundation has committed more than

Help is on the way for disabled riders

B

EECHLEY Stables Riding for the Disabled offers fun and therapy for people with disabilities of all ages, from six years upwards.

In addition to riding lessons, the Liverpool-based centre also provides educational programmes and opportunities.

Activities are designed to cater for different disabilities and involve both horse riding and horse care.

With only two members of staff, over 60 volunteers help

with the horse care, lessons, maintenance, fundraising and administration.

It’s the only RDA centre in Liverpool and has a long waiting list of potential riders.

In order to help reduce this, The Morgan Foundation is funding a new part-time instructor. n They are having an evening of spooky activities on Friday October 30. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

To find out more call 0151 724 4490, or email beechleyrda@hotmail.com

£30 MILLION to good causes in our region in the past ten years?

CHARITIES benefiting from our latest round of funding – worth more than £904,000 – include:

Our funding is the perfect tonic for support group

PICTURED left to right, CANSupport trustee Edna Ashton, Lymphoedema Therapist Emma Gwynne, Morgan Foundation trustees Vincent Fairclough and Ashley Lewis, CANSupport Chair of Trustees Ian Downing

www.morganfoundation.co.uk Tel 01829 782800

L

YMPHOEDEMA is a chronic and often painful condition that causes swelling of limbs and other parts of the body when the lymphatic system is not able to drain fluid properly.

It can be a side-effect of cancer treatment and particularly affects breast cancer patients.

While it isn’t curable, with careful management and therapy it can be controlled.

CANSupport, based at the Delamere Cancer Support Centre in Halton, offers treatment from a specialist lymphatic drainage therapist.

Demand for the service is increasing and, with three years funding from the Morgan Foundation, this part-time post has become full-time.

The Morgan Foundation

n Beechley Stables Riding for the Disabled n CANSupport n Dolcorsllwyn Hall Association n Involve NorthWest Leapfrog Programme n Karma in the Community n MD Productions n Merseyside Domestic Violence Services n Sefton Women’s & Children’s Aid n South Liverpool Domestic Abuse n Stick’n’Step n Tom Harrison House

Get in touch

n WE LOVE to hear your stories of how funding from The Morgan Foundation has given your charity a new lease of life, or enabled more families to overcome hardship – it makes our job worthwhile! n Please get in touch via Facebook, Twitter, email, our website, or even by phone on 01829 782800.

@Morganfound

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All Together NOW!

Fighting back for disabled children

A NEW guide is out to help parents with disabled children seek redress if the childcare system fails them.

Amanda Batten, of Contact a Family, said: “We welcome the current political focus on childcare generally but disabled children continue to be sidelined.

“Disabled pre-schoolers are missing out on the early education and social opportunities enjoyed by their nondisabled peers and too many of their parents are being denied the opportunity to work because suitable childcare simply isn’t available.

“Our new guide is a first step towards levelling the playing field by helping parents understand their rights and showing them what they can do if the system lets them down.” n Helping You Access Free Childcare For Your 2, 3 and 4 year-old is available from Contact a Family. n Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555 n email: helpline@cafamily.org.uk n www.cafamily.org.uk

It’s time to play fair

PARENTS of children aged up to five with multiple needs are being asked to take part in a new investigation about play opportunities – or lack of them!

Sense, the national deafblind charity, has launched The Case for Play inquiry and wants to hear from families, specialists from the disability sector and practitioners.

Former Education and Employment minister David Blunkett will chair the inquiry, alongside Lesley Rogers, a parent of a deafblind child with multiple needs. Julie Jennings, from RNIB, will provide expert guidance.

The evidence submitted will form the basis of a report setting out recommendations for national and local government and organisations that provide play opportunities.

David Blunkett said: “Play is an essential part of a child’s development.

It’s how we begin to understand the world around us.

“I hope this inquiry will help lift the lid on the barriers that are preventing children with multiple needs from enjoying play activities, and potentially holding back their development.”

The deadline for submitting evidence is November 27. n Tel. 02075202600 n www.sense.org.uk/content/play

NEWS

October/November 2015

STAR ROLE: Thomas undergoes treatment during the BBC show Epilepsy and Me

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Give us a chance, say TV teen stars

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OUNG disabled people took starring roles in BBC Three’s acclaimed documentary series, Defying the Label, focusing on what it’s like to have a disability in Britain today.

Among them were four students, Jack, Amy, Olivia, and Thomas who all told their stories in Epilepsy and Me. It’s rare that 21-year-old Jack gets through a day without having a convulsive seizure. He needs constant supervision but as the film showed, was determined to take his new girlfriend, Olivia, on a date to a pub, which was made more complicated by having to bring his support worker along.

Amy, 24, was leaving her residential college and needed to find somewhere to live. But where will be safe and allow her more independence?

Olivia, 21, hadn’t had a seizure for four years and wanted to prove to others that she was ready to learn to drive, something most people around her believe isn’t possible.

And Thomas, 14, recently developed epilepsy because of a newly discovered brain tumour.

Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, said: “This incredibly powerful range of programmes was designed to challenge the views of our savvy audiences while questioning perspectives and attitudes towards young disabled people in the UK.” n Young Epilepsy Helpline: 01342 831342

One appointment changed a life

LANA has profound learning disabilities and cannot move or speak. A sight test revealed that her vision is blurred, but Lana’s new glasses allow her to focus better and access a high tech system called an Eye Gaze. It means she can now communicate

EYE TEST SHOCKER T

HOUSANDS of vulnerable children with disabilities are missing out on crucial eye care – despite the high risk of sight problems.

Nearly four in 10 pupils attending special schools have no history of eye tests, according to research

by SeeAbility, the national sight loss and disability charity Children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other children.

There are 100,000 children in special schools. If these findings are replicated nationwide 37,000 children with disabilities are missing out on the eye care they need.

“We are calling on the Government to make sight tests available in every special school in England,” said David Scott-Ralphs, SeeAbility’s chief executive.

“Children with profound disabilities may not be able to tell someone they have a sight problem, or get to a high street optician. Let’s bring much needed eye care to them instead.

“We want people to join our Children in Focus Campaign and sign the petition on our website.”

The report draws evidence from the charity’s research project with Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Science.

READING TIME: Nathaniel learning to read

SeeAbility’s team has been delivering specialist sight tests to pupils in a cluster of London-based special schools since October 2013.

Mr Scott-Ralphs added: “Making sight tests available in every special school in England would be a start in making the reforms needed and help thousands of children with disabilities.” n Watch the Campaign video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=grlsEsXEPeI. n SeeAbility, tel 01372 755000 www.seeability.org

Pure gold

EUREKA! The National Children’s Museum is celebrating bringing home gold from the prestigious VisitEngland Awards.

The museum topped the Access for All category for their programme of inclusive facilities and services for disabled children and their families.

Eureka!’s inclusion programme, called Access All Areas, includes a changing places washroom facility, free Saturday and holiday clubs, and the innovative Extra Pair of Hands service, where disabled children and their families receive the support of their own dedicated member of the Eureka! team during their visit.

The museum, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was previously awarded bronze at the VisitEngland Awards 2013 and silver in 2014.

Reach half a million readers . . . Call us

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October/November 2015

NEWS

HIGH FLIERS! F LYING High – without a care in the world! That’s how it was for a 28 would-be pilots with a wide range of disabilities who took to the skies.

Everyone had the chance to operate a specially adapted aircraft and some took over the hand controls.

The plane was one of four brought to Liverpool airport by the Aerobility charity, which is hoping to start a branch at Speke.

An electric hoist helped to get some of the young pilots into the planes.

The event marked the 50th anniversary of the Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Fund, which provides holidays for disabled boys, some with high care needs.

Nicola Cannell, mum of Jacob, 12, said: “Thank you to EVERY single person who’s been involved in one way or another to make this project happen!

“You’ve given these children experiences and created memories that may otherwise never have been possible.”

Steve Barker, operations manager for Ravenair, which hosted the day, said: “It was with great pleasure that we were able to support this exciting event, a great

n If you or someone you know has a disability and would like the chance to fly an aeroplane call 0303 303 1230, email info@aerobility.com or visit www.aerobility.com

opportunity for the children and support staff.

“We have been working long and hard with Aerobility to adapt one of our training aircraft to offer disabled people the chance of flying, something that is currently not available in the area. “ This is the beginning of something huge, exciting and very rewarding for all concerned.”

Alex Krol, a former Royal Marine from Liverpool who flies with the charity, said: “I’m thrilled that flying for the disabled people of Liverpool is starting to happen and I will be volunteering to help coordinate disabled flying from the airport.

“It’s a fantastic way TAKE ME HOME! for disabled people to focus on ability.”

0151 230 0307

All Together NOW!

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The people missing out on protection PEOPLE with disfigurements should be given increased protection by the Equality Act, says the Changing Faces charity.

The Act, which came into effect in 2010, considers severe disfigurement within its disability protections. But Changing Faces claims this is insufficient and confusing, with shockingly low awareness of the protections available.

The charity’s Henrietta Spalding said: “Since the coming into force of the Equality Act five years ago, there haven’t been any prosecutions relating to discrimination based on disfigurement.”

In evidence submitted to a House of Lords inquiry into disability protections in the Equality Act, Changing Faces claims that fewer than 2% of its supporters knew where to turn when faced with discrimination.

Ms Spalding added: “More than a million people in the UK live with a disfigurement, and all the evidence suggests they are not being effectively protected.” n Changing Faces: Tel. 0207 391 9270.

Why I love this paper

I LOVE All Together NOW! I get it from Ness Gardens and read it while my wife wanders round the gardens for hours on end.

Dave Flewett, School Avenue, Ness, Cheshire

Police under fire

MAJOR problems with the way four police forces handled complaints of discrimination has led to action aimed at avoiding future failings.

The move follows a number of critical reports from the Independent Police Complaints Commission. All found “significant failings” in the way the forces carried out such investigations and dealt with complainants.

As a result the IPCC has issued new guidelines to improve the handling of discrimination complaints.

Training workshops for police professional standards departments are being held by the IPCC across the country to support the roll-out of the guidelines.

Liz Sayce, head of Disability Rights UK, said: “Disabled people have historically found it difficult to complain: their credibility may be doubted or they may face practical or communications barriers in the complaints process.

“We want all disabled people to know that if they do experience discrimination they can complain and will be taken seriously. These guidelines should help.”

Brilliant!

A year as Mayoress with MS FEATURE

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October/November 2015

EALING with the everyday issues that multiple sclerosis throws at you can be difficult enough.

‘

It’s even more of a challenge if you have agreed to be Mayoress for a year – with all the pressures of attending functions and speech-making!

But that’s just what former teacher Jean Almond took on three years ago when her husband, Geoff, was appointed Mayor of St Helens on Merseyside.

It was only as her 12-month term of office drew to a close – and as she lay in a hospital bed recovering sepsis, a potentially life-threatening triggered by infection – that Jean, 64, realised what she had achieved.

“Geoff and I should have been sitting in sunny Majorca, recharging our batteries,” said mother of two Jean. “But here I was in bed in Whiston hospital feeling pretty low.

Friends and those close to me will confirm that I have never been one to complain, but looking around at those four hospital walls instead of a beautiful view of Cala D’Or, I could easily have become severely depressed.

You can do more than you imagine

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Jean and Geoff Almond during their Year of Office

“However, Geoff’s question to me some 15 months previously come back to me . . . and brought a smile: ‘Would you be my Mayoress?’

“Mayoress for a year? Ludicrous!

“I could have listed many reasons why I should not to do it! For starters, how about that I have to spend all my waking hours in a wheelchair; have no mobility in my arms or legs; and need a full time personal assistant?

“But I duly accepted Geoff’s invitation and the truth is I enjoyed every second of that year . . . well almost!

Thoughts and discussions as to whether or not to tell her story ebbed and flowed for months through Jean’s mind.

Finally, she decided to put it into print – with the help of her friend, Graham Roberts.

“The sole purpose of writing the book was to inspire people who have recently been diagnosed with MS that life need not end with such a diagnosis,” said Jean, who has two grown-up children.

“Fifty years ago people with my condition – with no arm or leg movement – would have been nursed in bed and kept out of public view. We are lucky in modern times that the world is more accessible.

“I want the book to inspire others – to tell them that they can do more than they imagine.

“My humble origins are also explained in the book: It was beyond my wildest dreams to speak to the Queen.”

The former Bishop of Liverpool James Jones writes in the preface to the book: ‘The phrase ‘blazing a trail’ doesn’t automatically go with wheelchairs. But in Jean Almond’s case it most certainly does!’ n The Mayoress with MS, £4.95, is available at the St.Helens Carers Centre in Baldwin Street and can be ordered by phoning on 01744 736518 or emailing misteralmond@yahoo.com. All profits will be donated to the St Helens MS branch.

The myths and realities about sight problems

THE UK’s first online course aimed at helping people understand the everyday issues faced by people with visual impairments has been set up by Liverpool-based Christopher Grange Visual Rehabilitation Centre.

The course, designed by the centre’s team of rehabilitation specialists, volunteers and service users is for anyone who may come into contact with a person who has sight

problems – as a customer, service user or student.

The 11 modules, with exercises and questions, take people through the facts and figures about sight problems, discusses some of the myths and realities about blindness, and also provides straightforward practical advice for making everyone’s lives easier.

Centre manager Mike Bailey said: “Almost two million

people in the UK already have some level of sight loss, and this number is increasing sharply.

“We come across a lot of people who ask us about the visual impairment training course we deliver at Christopher Grange.

“They cannot come here themselves, but they are very keen to find out the essentials of how to accommodate the needs of the people with visual

impairment.”

The centre already provides training for taxi drivers, medical students and businesses in the Merseyside area.

The new online course is available through NCC Resources and is backed by Visionary, the national membership organisation for local sight loss charities. n Contact Mike Bailey: Tel. 0151 220 2525. www.christophergrange.co.uk

Reach almost HALF A MILLION readers . . .

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October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

ito Rick V TAGE: S N O ACK

Fleetwood Mac shows are back – and we’ve £1,000 in tickets to be won

Rumours are true!

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NE of the world’s best tribute bands are back in action – and All Together NOW! has a stash of tickets worth more than £1,000 to give away!

Rumours of Fleetwood Rick, who first performed with the original band in 1987, and appeared on the legendary Tango in the Night album, are playing at TEN top venues across the region in their new 64-gig tour.

And we have TWO pairs of tickets to give away for each show!

Joining the band at selected shows will be original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Rick Vito.

“It’s going to be tremendous fun,” said Rick. “I met the guys last year and we hit it off straight away.

“They are all great musicians and they really manage to capture the live spirit of Fleetwood Mac. I can’t wait.”

Allan Cosgrove, RFM drummer, said: “Wow! Rick Vito performing live on stage with us. It can’t get any better.”

With the seal of approval from founding member Mick Fleetwood, this stunning new show will take you on an epic musical journey through changing eras and styles,

from the exciting sound of the Sixties London blues scene right through to the staggering commercial success of the Seventies and Eighties, and beyond.

So get set for some fantastic versions of ‘Black Magic Woman’, ‘Albatross’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘Dreams’, ‘Gypsy’, ‘Say You Love Me’, ‘Sara’, ‘Oh Diane’, ‘Little Lies’, ‘Everywhere’ and much much more besides.

The band start their tour at Grimsby at the end of October. Then it’s non-stop action right through until the spring!

To stand a chance of winning tickets for the region’s gigs all you have to do is tell us the year Rumours of Fleetwood Mac appeared with the original band.

Entries to: RFM Competition, All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP. You can also enter the competition online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk Please indicate your preferred gig and include phone numbers and full address.

And please also tell us where you picked up your copy of All Together NOW! – and what you think of the paper.

WE HAVE two pairs of tickets to be won for each of the following gigs:

Mon Nov 7: Burnley Mechanics Theatre (deadline for entries Mon Oct 26) Wed Nov 11: Southport Theatre (deadline for entries Mon Nov 2) Sun Nov 22: New Brighton Floral Pavilion (deadline for entries Mon Nov 16) Tues Dec 1: Llandudno Venue Cymru (deadline for entries Mon Nov 23) Wed Dec 9: Stoke on Trent, Victoria Hall (deadline for entries Mon Nov 30) Fri Jan 22: Crewe, Lyceum Theatre (deadline for entries Mon Jan 11) Tues Jan 26: Buxton Opera House (deadline for entries Mon Jan 18) Sat Jan 23: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (deadline for entries Mon Jan 17) Fri Mar 5: Blackpool Winter Gardens (deadline for entries Mon Feb 22) Sat Mar 6: Salford Lowry (deadline for entries Mon Feb 22)

June highlights hidden problem

DEAFBLIND charity Sense has responded to the news that EastEnders actress June Brown is battling deafness — months after revealing she is losing her sight.

The charity’s deputy chief executive, Richard Kramer, said: “June Brown has highlighted an issue that is incredibly common in older people.

“There are 250,000 people aged over 70 with dual sensory loss in the UK, a figure that is set to rise to over half a million by 2030.

“People with sight and hearing loss may start to struggle with daily life and find it hard

Call us NOW . . .

DOUBLE BLOW: June Brown

to get out and about. It is easy to assume that this is just a ‘part of getting older’ and that there is nothing that can be done.

“However, with the right support people with sight and hearing difficulties can continue to live active and independent lives.”

Sense has produced a digital booklet that helps explain what an older person is going through, how you can help and where to go for more support. n Sense: Tel. 0300 330 9256. n www.sense.org.uk/content/enjoy-life

. . . 0151 230 0307

HOW YOU CAN PLAY A VERY SPECIAL PART IN THIS

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YOUNG AT HEART

October/November 2015

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Life is fragile, handle with care

Why the Don’t be caught out by the car tax changes crisis in I care is inevitable MONEY MATTERS

O

LDER people are being let down by the very government that many of them voted for, says STEPHEN BURKE, director of www.goodcareguide.co.uk

FIVE of the top care providers have written an open letter to Chancellor, George Osborne warning of the potential ‘catastrophic collapse’ in care.

The crisis is inevitable. While demand for care rises with a growing number of older people needing support, the funding for care has been cut substantially.

And the pressures are going to get worse as government tightens public spending and care providers face a rise in the national minimum wage next year, which will lead to higher care fees.

As a result families are increasingly being expected to pick up the rising cost of care.

The cuts and the scrapping of the cap on care costs mean the bills for care will have to be paid by more older people, particularly those with dementia, and many will be forced to sell their home to pay for their care.

So is it all doom and gloom?

Not necessarily – but only if the Government takes action.

First it must recognise the problems faced by councils. Unless councils’ funding crisis is eased, they will continue to reduce the fees they pay care homes and home care providers which will further impact on the quality of care. And councils will continue to restrict the number of people they help.

Secondly, the Government must continue to push for care and health to be integrated to make better use of resources, to support people at home and in their local community, and to make the system easier for families to use.

Thirdly, the Government could help families on low and middle incomes pay for care by increasing the assets threshold from £23,250 to £250,000 – the average price of a home in this country. This would cost the same as the cap but would be much easier to implement and would be better targeted.

As families realise what is going on – that they are being expected to pay more and more for care themselves - this will become one of the big political issues in the lead up to the 2020 election. n If you are being asked to pay for care, then you should seek specialist financial advice via the Society of Later Life Advisers. Tel. 0845 303 2909. www.societyoflaterlifeadvisors.co.uk

AM sure all you car owners out there are aware that a year ago the tax disc was discontinued.

However, you still have to tax your vehicle – as many people are finding out to their cost in the shape of expensive fines!

Persons of authority often have access to the DVLA database which will tell them if the car is taxed, insured or has an MOT certificate, if required.

with GORDON VINER

If you don’t want to be one of those receiving a summons through the post or a sticker on the windscreen, PLEASE make sure that your car`s tax, insurance and MOT certificate are all up to date.

Errors can occur at DVLA, so don’t wait for their contact. If you know you need to tax your vehicle, go online and do it. www.gov.uk . Or you can write to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DZ .

It’s best to put dates on your calendar

My other job, by a radio legend

T

HE veteran radio broadcaster Johnnie Walker and wife Tiggy both know how stressful life can become when you are caring for a loved one . . .

Twelve years ago, Tiggy began caring for Johnnie when he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer.

And last year, their roles were reversed when Tiggy was diagnosed with breast cancer and Johnnie became her carer.

The couple are now patrons of Carers UK, the charity that’s just clocked up 50 years of making life better for carers; providing advice, information and support services for people who care, unpaid, for a disabled, seriously-ill or older loved one.

Johnnie, who has just turned 70, said: “Tiggy and I both know how hard looking after someone can be. And you can’t do it alone.

Carer roles of Walker and wife

for these sorts of things so you will not be caught out.

Another change was that when you sell your car, either privately or to a dealer, any unused tax will be refunded direct to you but only after DVLA have been notified that you no longer own the vehicle, so get those forms to DVLA ASAP to tell them that you`ve sold your vehicle.

G VINER FCA CTA

SHOWING SUPPORT: Johnnie and Tiggy are both patrons of Carers UK

You need someone to be there for you, too.

“Caring for someone can turn your life upside down. You go from being equals, to one of you being dependent on the other.

“And the thing about life is you never know what it’ll throw at you next.

“Having completely recovered from my illness, we then found out that Tiggy had breast cancer. It was traumatising watching the woman I love suffer so much.

“Carers can easily end up feeling completely cut off from the world.

“I know how important it is to get the right support at the right time. You just can’t do it by yourself and that’s where Carers UK comes in.

SENIOR MOMENTS . . . with FRANK HARRIS

They really need your help to carry on their work and reach the thousands of carers who are cut off and isolated.”

Tiggy, 54, said: “I’d rather be a cancer patient than a carer. There’s no two ways about it.

“Caring for Johnnie almost destroyed our marriage.

“It was the hardest and loneliest time of my life and at the time I thought I had to do it on my own.”

Like Tiggy, many carers don’t know where to turn for help. In fact, six in10 carers say that they missed out on the right support for more than two years.

Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Tiggy and Johnnie’s experiences highlight just how caring can, and will, affect all of us at some point in our lives. Carers UK has one mission – to make life better for carers. We want anyone who is caring for a loved one to know that we are here for them.”

Last year, the Carers UK Adviceline responded to almost 20,000 enquiries and their online forum grew to support more than 9,000 carers.

There are currently 6.5 million carers in the UK. By 2037, Carers UK predicts there will be nine million carers in the UK – a 40% increase. n If you are a carer and need advice or support, visit the Carers UK’s website www.carersuk.org or Forum www.carersuk.org/forum, or contact the Adviceline on 0808 808 1111

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

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All Together NOW!

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October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Free advanced driving lessons

F

REE advanced driving taster sessions are being offered to Britain’s motorists.

In a bid to improve driving standards, the Institute of Advanced Motorists is offering a free taster session to any UK licence holder.

The campaign has won the backing of someone who knows a thing or two about top quality driving - 1992 Formula 1 world champion and IAM president Nigel Mansell (pictured) Nigel said: “Everyone can benefit from advice on how to drive better.

“Unlike Formula 1, driving on our roads is not a competition.

Keep the racing for the track, and take a responsible attitude on the roads so you end your journey smiling, not scowling and your trips will become much more enjoyable and safer.”

The informal, 60-minute session will be carried out by a qualified assessor from the IAM and will take place in your own car. The taster sessions, normally worth £39 a person, must be booked by 31 December this year. n To take advantage of the free sessions, which are available in England and Wales, visit the webpage www.iam.org.uk/lovedriving

Independence days

IT CAN be a real problem finding the right vehicle when you have to stay in your wheelchair when travelling.

But the Peugeot Independence, with its spacious interior and easy to use ramp, was the perfect solution for Donna King and her parents, Mary and Patrick.

The family were impressed by the vehicle’s features like

the electric winch and reverse parking sensors which come as standard via the Motability Scheme.

The Independence, based on the popular Peugeot Expert, is available to buy, rent or via the Motability Scheme. n Allied Mobility, tel n info@alliedmobility.com n www.alliedmobility.com

0800 916 3028

www.alliedmobility.com

PEUGEOT PARTNER HORIZON ™

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

Unique EasyLift™ ramp Easy-clean lowered floor

£1,195 * S model

Full original Peugeot seating throughout* Up to four seats plus wheelchair passenger Easy-use electric winch and parking sensors PLUS CD player, air conditioning and privacy glass.

VW CADDY MAXI VISTA > Five seats plus wheelchair passenger > Unique EasyFold™ ramp, folds flat when not in use > Easy-clean lowered floor > Full original Volkswagen seating throughout > Easy-use electric winch > Parking sensors

NEW MODEL

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

£3,995

PEUGEOT EXPERT INDEPENDENCE > EasyFold™ ramp > Up to seven seats plus wheelchair passenger > Wide choice of seating layouts > Easy-use electric winch and parking sensors

ADVANCE PAYMENT from only

£3,195

Vehicle hire service also available on all cars

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Euro parking boost

D

RIVING in Europe can be a stressful prospect for anyone, but negotiating local parking laws and finding an accessible space when you’re a disabled driver or have a disabled passenger can create additional frustration.

Driving regulations vary by country, and sometimes it’s difficult to find out what disabled parking concessions do and don’t apply within Europe.

What’s more, drivers may also have to overcome additional barriers, such as language, which can cause unwanted stress when it comes to your parking card being accepted or recognised.

For this reason, iCarhireinsurance.com have created a simple print-out for drivers to display next to their Blue Badge.

The print-out explains that the card holder is a disabled visitor to the country and that the Blue Badge Parking Card should allow the driver the same parking concessions as a disabled citizen of that country.

These have been translated and plotted on a map of Europe so you can easily select and print the one(s) appropriate for the country you’re visiting. n Visit: https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/disableddriving-in-europe to download & print yours today!

October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

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All Together NOW!

READERS’ LETTERS

Great news for asbestos claimants

THE news that mesothelioma sufferers contracting the killer disease as a result of negligent employers will NOT now have to pay thousands of pounds in legal fees to bring a claim is brilliant news for those living with asbestos-related cancers.

Secretary of State for Justice Michael Gove finally conceded defeat over two pieces of legislation aimed at forcing victims to pay £10,000 just to go to court to claim compensation for criminal negligence.

This legislation took no account of the unique position and reduced life expectancy of innocent victims with asbestos-related diseases.

Forcing them to use funds essential for their care would inevitably mean less of them would be inclined to go to court and the Secretary of State’s U-turn is a victory for common sense.

If the Government wishes to cut the costs associated with such claims, the long term solution is to tackle the issue of asbestos in the workplace and the ongoing negligence of employers, many of which the HSE continues to prosecute.

Asbestos remains a serious problem and dealing with asbestos without proper training remains a fatal mistake.

UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association) sets standards in asbestos training and ensures that its members meet those standards.

Our members are delivering asbestos awareness, non-licensable and licensable training nationwide and a full list of approved asbestos training providers near you can be found on the UKATA website, www.ukata.org.uk or call us on 01246 824437.

Craig Evans, General Manager, UKATA

Lighten up for polio

AS CEO of The British Polio Fellowship, I’m delighted to announce our latest project to raise awareness of the late effects of polio and post polio syndrome (PPS).

We’ll be projecting the colours of British Polio’s PPS Day emblem onto high-profile landmark buildings across the UK; and we’re extremely pleased to confirm the first landmark building as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge on Thursday, October 22!

Showing the well-known landmarks in a different light will allow us to draw attention to the issues that surround those living with the late effects of Polio and PPS, estimated to affect around 120,000 people in the UK. We’re putting a call out to the authorities of landmark buildings throughout Britain that would like to be involved. There will be no cost; all we need is permission to project onto the building.

Please call Fatema at British Polio Fellowship on 0800 043 1935.

Ted Hill, CEO, The British Polio Fellowship

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

October/November 2015

OPINION

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Give me independent living rather than assisted suicide

B

EFORE the General Election an attempt to change the law to allow assisted suicide was defeated but in this column I said there would be another attempt to introduce such law following the election.

Bob Marris MP introduced an Assisted Dying Bill into the House of Commons and it was debated in September. The Bill intended to allow those with fewer than six months to live to be prescribed medicine (poison?) to end their lives.

Many people, including some with disabilities, support such a law. But no disability organisations support it and disabled people campaigned against it. The Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People was vocal in its opposition.

The Bill was defeated by 330 votes to 118. This means there is no realistic prospect of such a Bill being considered again for at least five years.

This gives the Bill’s supporters the time and opportunity to listen to the arguments of those who opposed such legislation.

Time to kill off this obscene tax . . .

Supporters argue that the Bill is not about disabled people but those who are terminally ill, yet most of the examples they use are of disabled people.

The Bill contained insufficient safeguards to protect people against coercion or the sense that they do not wish to be a burden.

A recent report by the international accountancy company KPMG drew attention to the small but growing number of families who seek to defraud elderly relatives and relieve them of their money.

Loving families are common but not every one is fortunate enough to be part of one.

Not wishing to be a burden is one of the most common reasons people give for wishing to end their lives.

Britain is the fifth wealthiest country in the world but we are unable to provide sufficient support for people to retain their independence without relying on their families. As a result people feel a burden.

The way forward is to develop ways to support independent living rather than assisted suicide.

SOUNDING OFF

London cabbies shamed

I VISIT London regularly and discovered long ago that when it is raining very few London cabbies will stop for a wheelchair user.

One reasion for this is that the driver has to get out of the vehicle to deploy the ramp.

This was reinforced during a recent visit to the capital. I attended a meeting at the House of Lords and wanted to get to Euston station. It was raining heavily.

I eventually had to do the whole journey of two and a half miles in the rain in my wheelchair and was soaked to the skin.

On the way I saw three taxis displaying their “hire” light. Two of the drivers saw me, looked at me and then turned away. The other one stopped and through his window asked: “How are you going to get in?” I asked him to get the ramp out. He replied, “I can’t do that. It’s raining and I haven’t got a coat or umbrella.”

With that he closed his window and drove off.

Like most disabled people, I have plenty of experience of discrimination. But taxi drivers are permitted to use bus lanes and have their right to pick up passengers at stations or in the street. In return they should surely be required to pick up passengers who hail them.

Perhaps they should also be required to carry raincoat.

Bedroom farce T HE PRINCIPLE behind the “Spare Room Subsidy” – or bedroom tax – is to reduce the amount of housing benefit paid by the taxpayer for people who live in social housing and have more bedrooms than they need.

As a rule a single person or a couple needs only one bedroom and if they have more they must move to a smaller property or lose housing benefit. It was recognised that this would disadvantage disabled people who often need more space and a fund was created for “transitional protection” but this is short term.

One consequence of the Bedroom Tax has been disabled people being forced to leave their homes even when they have been adapted at public expense to meet their needs.

SIR BERT MASSIE

During the summer we learnt of Rob, from Southport, who has cerebral palsy. His housing association home had been adapted at a cost of £70,000 but when some of the family left home he was deemed to have too many bedrooms and was forced to move because of rent arrears caused by the withdrawal of housing benefit.

Before he was eventually found an accessible home he had to rent in the private sector and the only way he could have a bath was in a paddling pool in the living room because he could not get to the bathroom. His former accessible home was eventually occupied by an elderly couple who used just one of the four bedrooms but are exempt from the bedroom tax.

In Liverpool a small charity, Raise, which is funded by housing associations, has been helping disabled people to fight back. It is supporting John Smith, a full time

wheelchair user, who lost part of his housing benefit because his bungalow has two bedrooms.

One room is used to store disability equipment and his shower chair. Last year he won an appeal, which found this the extra room was essential. Now DWP are appealing and the case will be heard in the Supreme Court. By any humane definition this is an obscene tax that should be abolished.

Housing Benefit costs over £25 billion a year, which is a huge sum. It reflects higher rents caused by Government policy to make public sector rents nearer to those in the private sector, and the shortage of housing.

Would it not be better to return to low and controlled rents so less would be needed to subsidise them? The money released could then be used to build the homes the nation needs.

INDEPENDENCE ZONE

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

October/November 2015

How does this grab you . . ?

H

OTEL bathrooms for disabled guests could in the future have no permanent fixed items like grab rails if a leading supplier gets its way.

Instead, grab rails and shower seats will be added to brushed steel plates on walls as and when required.

Stephen Maley, of HEWI, said: “With our system, hotels can put good quality brushed steel blanking plates on the wall and when a disabled person is staying, grab rails and shower seats can easily be added wherever they are needed.

“The UK hotel market is going through a huge expansion phase for building new hotels and refurbishing existing properties.

“Many of these are using cheaper poorly designed imports from the Far East and

creating accessible bathrooms that are more akin to hospitals or care homes. With our system there is no need for this to happen.”

Arnold Fewell, a former hotel general manager and now a permanent wheelchair user, said: “When I am staying away from home I want both ease of use and accessibility. I don’t want to feel as if I am at a hospital appointment.

“We need a new era in building accessible bedrooms otherwise we are laying up issues that will be around for 10 to 20 years.”

The accessible tourism market is worth a potential £33 billion but HEWI claim many hoteliers are missing out on this business by having only a limited number of accessible rooms or offering hospital-style accessible accommodation for disabled guests.

Mr Fewell continued: “If wet rooms were built as standard then they would have much

All Together NOW!

17

Forever young . . .

MORE than 150 exhibitors of products and services for young disabled people have booked their place at the Kidz to Adults up North exhibition at EventCity, Barton Road, Manchester, on Thursday 19 November. Free entry, fully accessible – and plenty of parking. n Contact, Disabled Living, tel 0161 607 8200 info@disabledliving.co.uk www.disabledliving.co.uk

more appeal to all hotel guests. The research

by HEWI shows that 76% of people are using some form of shower at home so I am amazed hotels are still building so many bathrooms with a bath – and especially low sided baths as these are useless for many disabled people such as amputees.

“If hotels want to attract more business from disabled people then they need to get more information about their specific needs when bookings are made.

“Then the room should be set up specifically for their additional requirements such as grab rails being fitted on the appropriate side.”

The new HEWI system, known as Comfort to Care, is currently being rolled out across several hotel groups and independent hotels worldwide. n www.hewi.com

Irton House Farm

HAPP Y HO LID AWAR D 2 AY 0 12 !

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

www.irtonhousefarm.com 017687 76380

18

‘

WE’RE GOING All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow

This excellent paper deserves all our support . . .

STEVE MORGAN OBE

New Vauxhall Combo will help us to reach even

B

IG-HEARTED businessman Steve Morgan OBE has handed over a brand new delivery vehicle to YOUR free ALL Together NOW! charity health and disability paper.

Mr Morgan, founder and chairman of The Morgan Foundation and Redrow Homes, said: “There’s no denying the important social contribution that ALL Together NOW! is

making. It is an excellent newspaper which provides news and information that so many people who are affected by disability and ill health just can’t get anywhere else.”

Mr Morgan added: “We are proud to be a long standing supporter of the newspaper and wish it every success.

“One of our fully branded Smiley Vans will bring many benefits.”

“Apart from making it easier to distribute

the paper it will raise awareness about the charity and will, hopefully, attract even more supporters.”

More than 100,000 copies of the bimonthly newspaper are now being distributed to about 500 venues across the North West – with more than 50,000 copies going into Merseyside’s supermarkets and health centres.

As regular readers will know,

The Morgan Foundation are one ALL Together NOW! ’s key partn Editor Tom Dowling said: “This Vauxhall Combo is a fantastic bo is the perfect tenth anniversary “It means we will no longer hav on our volunteer drivers using th vehicles to distribute the 10,000 every week to more than 150 loc across the North West – and we

PLACES NOW!

w.org.uk

October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

more people

e of ners. s new oost – and present! ve to rely heir own papers cations will be

able to carry more papers on each journey, saving on fuel costs, too.

“The ALL Together NOW! brand will also now be seen by millions of people across the region.

“I can’t thank The Morgan Foundation and our other partners enough for their fantastic and on-going support.

“Without all this help we just wouldn’t be around.”

GOING PLACES: Steve Morgan OBE with All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling Picture: KEN ALMOND

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All Together NOW!

SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURN AND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349 427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTER Arndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 716971 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD. Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 292065 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827 709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781 n WEST BROMWICH: Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943 n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel 01902 556021

October/November 2015

TEN out of TEN!

CONGRATULATIONS to the TEN winners of our super gardening competition. All winners will receive a set of Darlac compound pruners ideal for gardeners with weak or smaller hands.

Helen Bottomley, Seymour Avenue, Manchester D Finigan, The Vineries, Liverpool Mary Goldman, Aspen Grove, Liverpool Jeannette Hedley, Larkfield Lane, Southport Mrs Gay Headley, Llwyny-Moelyn, Rectory Lane, Llanferres, Mold (email) Helen Holdswort, Plungington Road, Preston (email) Audrey Jamieson, Cresswell Street, Everton Road, Liverpool Mr L Massie, Recreation Drive, Billinge, Lancs Miss A Sinclair, Rookery Rise, Winsford Cheshire (email) Bill Taylor, Audenshaw Road, Audenshaw, Manchester

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Brain gain

PEOPLE in Sefton, merseyside, who are affected by neurological conditions such as brain injury, stroke or dementia are invited to attend FREE weekly craft classes.

The classes, run by The Brain Charity (formerly Neurosupport), are held on Mondays (3pm-5pm) at the May Logan Healthy Living Centre, Knowsley Road, Bootle; and Thursdays (2:30pm4:30pm) at the Living Well Centre, Scarisbrick Avenue, Southport.

The Brain Charity also hold regular coffee mornings and evening events in Sefton. n Contact Maryam Rahman, tel 07930 180 861

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n ANGLESEY: TARAN Tel 01407 721933 n BLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support.

Tel 01253 472 202.

Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC Tel 01524 34411 n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. Tel 0151 263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076 n MERSEYSIDE Coalition of Inclusive Living.

Tel 0151 260 4001 n NEUROSUPPORT Centre Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR) Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863.

Textphone 01772 204 787 n RHYL Tel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064

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

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

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

Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161 872 234 Tel 0151 708 7055 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888: Action for Bind Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER: Action for Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON: Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019 n ROSSENDALE Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West) Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877

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

Tel 0161 941 4549.

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

CARERS’ CENTRES

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

Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith.

Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness.

Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal.

Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE Helpline: 0800 085 0307 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711 MIDLANDS n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810 NORTH WALES n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE Tel: 0800 276 1070

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

Liverpool to lead the way

A

N INNOVATIVE plan is in place to make Liverpool the fastest place in the UK for creating specially tailored treatments for patients.

The Precision in Medicine (PRiME) five-year plan highlights the region’s unique genomics facilities and spells out why Liverpool City Region can become a global leader in precision medicine.

Sir Munir Pirmohamed, executive director of Liverpool Health Partners, said: “Liverpool City Region serves a population of more than half a million and includes some of the highest levels of deprivation and poverty cross the country.

“Some of our mortality rates are 76% higher than the European average.

“Liverpool City Region is also commonly referred to as the cancer capital of Europe so we believe this plan will be widely welcomed.”

LCR is already at the heart of the Government’s Health North initiative with the aim of unlocking the potential of the north through partnership with life sciences minister George Freeman.

Dr Liz Mear, chief executive at the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network, said: “Precision medicine is the key to predicting and preventing disease and targeting treatments so they are bespoke to individual patients.

“This is an exciting change in how we provide health care and we will be working on ways to speed up the introduction of

SIGHT HOPE

n AMD is a painless eye condition that causes loss of central vision, usually in both eyes. This makes reading difficult, colours appear less vibrant and faces can be hard to recognise. Peripheral vision remains unaffected. n AMD is more common with age and there are two main types – wet and dry. n DRY AMD is the most common and least serious type and develops when cells at the back of the eye become damaged by the build-up of deposits n WETAMD develops when abnormal blood vessels form and damage the cells at the back of the eye. n There is currently no cure for either type, which affects about 600,000 in Britain. potentially halt their vision loss.

The London Project to Cure Blindness was established a decade ago to try to reverse vision loss in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Prof Peter Coffey, of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, who is co-leading the London Project, said: “We won’t know until at least Christmas how good her vision is and how long that may be maintained, but we can see the cells are there under the retina where they should be and they appear to be healthy.”

There are also 40 AMD patients already treated at Moorfields with cells taken from their own eyes.

Prof Da Cruz said: “We saw extraordinary recovery, with some people being able to read again and drive, and that recovery being sustained for years.”

He explained that using the patient’s own cells was complex and carried risks, which is why the London Project opted for the embryonic stem cell line, which can produce a limitless supply of specialist cells.

partnerships, industry and government.”

Four priorities will drive the ambitious vision of Liverpool PRiME. Along with a focus on industry engagement and strategic communication, they include the Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre and the FUTURE initiative, which aims to create a database of 3,000 healthy volunteers who will be fully genotyped for drug disposition genes, enabling studies for industry and healthcare. n Liverpool PRiME has been created by the Local Enterprise Partnership, the North West Coast Academic Health Science Network, and Liverpool Health Partners. n www.liverpoolhealthpartners.org.uk

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Enjoy comprehensive cover for your everyday healthcare needs including optical and dental costs, plus get access to a great range of EHQHƂWV including: · Personal Accident cover · Specialist consultations and diagnostic tests · Save £250a year with our exclusive member discounts.* As well as our individual and family cover we also offer a great variety of corporate schemes for all businesses, big or small.

fro rting m as l sta

s le a itt

The procedure was performed in August at London’s Moorfield’s Eye Hospital on a woman aged 60 who has the ‘wet’ variety of age related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of sight loss in the developed world.

Prof Lyndon Da Cruz, who carried out the surgery, said: “This is truly a regenerative project. In the past it’s been impossible to replace lost neural cells.

“If we can deliver the very layer of cells that is missing and give them their function back this would be of enormous benefit to people with the sight-threatening condition.”

If the treatment is successful, the scientists say, it would also help patients in the early stages of dry AMD, and could

personalised medicine and bring about real benefits for the population.”

Also welcoming the report Robert Hough, chair, Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The PRiME report is a further example of how Liverpool City Region is putting science and innovation right at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse and establishing itself as a global leader in the life science and health sector.”

Jo Pisani, partner with Price Warerhouse Coopers, who led the work on PRiME and who runs the company’s UK Pharma & Life Sciences consulting practice, said: “Liverpool PRiME represents the front line of cross-sector collaboration between life sciences, pharma, the NHS, local enterprise

o Up t £230 ck ba cash

P

EOPLE living with sight loss caused by age have been given new hope, thanks to a pioneering stem cell operation.

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LIVERPOOL can be a global leader in Precision Medicine, says Sir Munir Pirmohamed

Cov er

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

.50 per week

Call 0800 011 2222 or visit www.medicash.org *Average saving as at 30.11.12.

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All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

Beating our booze culture is a MUST

in association with Healthy Liverpool

L

IVERPOOL is a vibrant city, well renowned amongst stag and hen parties alike for a “great night out”.

Our five-year mission . . .

DR NADIM FAZLANI

HEALTHY LIVERPOOL aims to ensure that by 2020 everyone in the city will be enjoying longer, healthier lives.

Health and city council chiefs are determined to create a future in which everyone receives consistent, highquality healthcare, wherever they live in the city; with care delivered in the home, in communities, and in excellent hospitals.

Dr Nadim Fazlani, chair NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, says: “I have been a practising GP for 25 years in Kensington, Liverpool and have seen first-hand the health challenges which the city faces.

“Health and care services in Liverpool are good but there is much more still to be done.

“We need to improve primary care, provide more support for people to manage their own care, invest more in illness prevention, provide more services in our communities and ensure we have the best hospital services in the country.

“Some families and communities have become almost accustomed to ill health and that their expectations are low. We must find ways to raise expectations so that Liverpool people are ambitious for their own health and for that of their families.

“The Healthy Liverpool programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform health and social care in Liverpool for the better. We want the people of Liverpool to play their part.”

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Plenty of bars and a lively atmosphere encourage thousands of visitors to the city every year.

In the last 40 years it’s become easier and cheaper to buy alcohol than ever before.

In Liverpool alone, there are 2,148 premises licenced to serve alcohol – that’s one premise for every 175 adults.

There’s also increasing evidence which suggests that both adults and children are coming to harm in Liverpool as

by Dr FIONA OGDEN-FORDE a result of alcohol misuse.

Currently, an estimated 11,300 people in Liverpool drink at high levels. This means they are regularly drinking more than the Government recommended guidelines: approximately 10% of all hospital admissions in the city are estimated to be alcohol-related.

If we are to achieve our Healthy Liverpool vision by 2021, it’s fundamental we reduce the amount of alcohol people are drinking.

Working with a number of organisations, we’ve developed an alcohol action plan that focuses on a five key areas.

1. Achieve more sensible drinking patterns and prevent alcohol problems.

2. Provide high quality treatment and care after treatment for people with alcohol problems.

3. Reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and violence associated with alcohol.

4. Support children, young people, and families affected by alcohol.

5. Control how easy and cheap it is to buy alcohol.

Dr FIONA OGDEN-FORDE

Tell us what YOU think

n EVIDENCE shows alcohol misuse is having a significant impact on families. n An estimated 23,400 children and young people in Liverpool are living with adults who are binge drinkers. n The true scale of how alcohol misuse is affecting families can often be difficult to estimate, as research shows these harms remain hidden and unreported.

What it’s like in the city today HERE’S a snapshot of what’s happening in Liverpool right now: n 76% of people aged 55 and over drink at least once a week. n 63% of men in Liverpool drink alcohol compared to 49% of women. n 60 - 67% of people who work full or part-time drink alcohol compared to 49% of those who are unemployed.

n People who consider their health to be “good” drink more than those who consider their health to be “bad”. n Between 2011- 2015 there were 1,793 sexual offences in Liverpool, of which 302 (17%) were alcohol-related. n During that time there were 3,219 offences of alcohol violence with injury, which accounted for 26% of all violence with injury offences.

WE ARE really interested to hear what you think based on your own personal experiences.

Throughout October residents have the opportunity to comment on a range of issues, including alcohol pricing and the support available for those with drinking problems.

Maybe you’ve got a story you want to share, or have an idea of how our action plan should work.

You can share your thoughts in a number of ways – by taking our survey or leaving your comments in our discussion forums.

Just call us on 0151 295 8607 Or visit our website at: www.liverpoolccg.nhs.uk/whatdoyouthink

Visitors to the website can also use an interactive map to highlight areas of the city where there are particular issues with alcohol, as well as places where there are positive things happening for people with drinking problems.

Why we have every reason to be optimistic . . .

GREAT progress has been made in Liverpool to support people to drink less. n The city’s first ’dry’ bar, The Brink, opened in 2011 giving people the opportunity to socialise in an alcohol-free zone.

For further information visit ...

n Twenty bars and clubs in the Ropewalks area have voluntarily signed up to the “say no to drunks” scheme that prevents people from being served alcohol if they are already drunk, and . . . n Between 2011-14, 1,649 licensee holders across

Liverpool underwent training to combat underage drinking. n In addition, over the last 10 years the rate of alcohol specific hospital admissions in under 18’s has fallen from 173.3 per 100,000 population to 48.6,

and while rates of mortality due to chronic liver disease in the city are on the rise again, they did fall between 2006/08 and 2009/11.

This demonstrates that with the right action plan we can support people to “Live Well” and drink less.

www.healthyliverpool.nhs.uk

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All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

in association with Healthy Liverpool

‘

Why Peter is backing bowel cancer campaign

MY LIFESAVER!

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RANDAD Peter Matthews is starring in a new Cancer Research UK awareness campaign.

Peter, 68, from Litherland, Merseyside, is fronting the campaign which highlights the role of bowel cancer screening in helping to save lives like his.

People aged 60-74 receive an NHS bowel cancer screening kit routinely through the post, every two years. It’s a simple test that can be done at home and detects the early signs of bowel cancer.

Posters showing Peter holding up a test kit are featuring in newspaper adverts and on buses, bus stops and phone boxes across Merseyside.

Peter, who is married with three children and has seven grandchildren, was diagnosed with early stage bowel cancer earlier this year after taking part in the bowel cancer screening programme.

He said: “I know from personal experience that bowel cancer screening really can save lives.

“I hope that when men and women see my picture and then receive the kit they will be encouraged to complete it and send it back.”

Peter, a retired council worker, had not experienced any bowel related symptoms prior to completing the screening test, which he had done routinely since first receiving a kit six years ago.

He said: “I had no problems with the kit

FIGHTING BACK Peter Matthews with one of the kits

I feel very lucky that my cancer was caught early

and found it easy to use. I sent back the first test straight away, as I always do, but was asked to complete another when they found a trace of blood. After the second test I had a number of polyps removed and tested and they came back as cancerous.”

Peter underwent surgery at Aintree University Hospital to remove a piece of his bowel. The cancer had not spread and he did not need any further treatment.

“I feel very lucky indeed that my cancer was caught early. The whole process only took a few months from diagnosis to completing my treatment. And I will continue to have regular check-ups over the next three years.

“We’re just enjoying getting back to normal now – and I am being kept busy helping to look after my grandchildren.”

Every year 2,000 people aged 60 – 74 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the North West and 600 people of the same age in the region will die from the disease.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “We hope that Peter’s experience will help more people to see bowel cancer screening as a normal part of looking after their health.

“The awareness campaign also emphasises the fact that completing the test is easier than people might think.

“Some don’t return the test kit because they don’t understand why they need to take part if they aren’t ill.

“But screening is designed to detect bowel cancer before it has a chance to develop; therefore it’s relevant even for people with no bowel related symptoms.

“We also know people are confused about how to use the test kit or are put off by the idea of using it. But the kit comes with clear step-by-step instructions.

“Once the sample has been checked in the lab, the NHS will send a letter confirming no further action is required or inviting the participant to go for further tests. Even if something does show up, it doesn’t mean it will turn out to be cancer.

“Anyone who wants more information can pick up the phone to one of our Cancer Research UK information nurses and discuss any concerns they have confidentially.” n Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second most common cause of cancer deaths.

Having a screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 25%. n For more information visit www.cruk.org.uk/bowelscreening or call Cancer Research UK’s information nurses on 0808 800 4040.

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Together YOU can do it . . .

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MOKERS are being urged to sign up to Stoptober with friends, family and colleagues to boost chances of quitting.

The Stoptober campaign calls on smokers to sign up together as research shows they are 67% more likely to quit if their partner also stops smoking, and 36% more likely to quit if a friend stops.

In 2014 a total of 7,028 people in Liverpool got support to quit smoking through Roy Castle Fag Ends – and just over half were successful.

By signing up to Stoptober quitters will get humorous supportive messages from some of the nation’s top comedians – Bill Bailey, Al Murray, Shappi Khorsandi and Rhod Gilbert.

Combining online support from comedians with a smoker’s ‘real world’ social groups can help increase their chances of getting through 28 days smoke free.

Dr Sandra Davies, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said: “Signing up to quit smoking is singularly the best thing you can do for your health.

“If you have tried unsuccessfully to stop smoking before, it doesn’t matter, because it will make you more determined to succeed next time.

By stopping smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good. This year we are particularly targeting women aged from 30-44.”

The good news . . .

Lisa Williams, service manager for Roy Castle FagEnds, said: “Giving up smoking can be very difficult and we know it often takes more than one attempt for people to break the habit. The good news is that if you quit smoking for four weeks then we know you have a much greater chance of quitting for good.”

Roy Castle FagEnds has supported over 100,000 smokers in Liverpool through their quit attempt, with over half of those successfully giving up.

The charityprovides a variety of free support, including sessions with trained advisors and medication such as patches, gum and Champix that can support people in quitting.

Over a quarter of a million people across the country signed up to Stoptober last year with more than half making it to 28 days. This year it is expected the campaign will welcome the millionth sign up.

This year’s campaign also coincides with new legislation in England and Wales making it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with someone under the age of 18 present. n To sign up to the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt, call Roy Castle Fagends Support: 0800 195 2131; search Stoptober online; or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober

e-mail: healthy.liverpool@liverpoolccg.nhs.uk. Follow us on Twitter at: @healthylvpool

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All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

MEDICAL NOTES

Likelihood of heart disease ‘starts at 6’

THE chances of developing heart disease or diabetes can begin to accumulate at the age of only six.

A disturbing new study shows that children aged six to eight who are overweight and take part in very little physical activity have the stiffest arteries – one of the first signs of cardiovascular disease that can be measured.

The research showed that children with the most physical activity or with the best physical fitness had the most flexible arteries and the best arterial dilation capacity, another measure of conditions like peripheral arterial disease.

Better physical fitness and a low body fat percentage were associated with more flexible arterial walls already in primary school children.

This is a major concern because the cumulation of risk factors in childhood significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, vascular diseases and premature death in adulthood, according to the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study.

But lifestyle changescan reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases developing later in life, say the researchers at the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland.

Why I love this paper

I GOT my first copy of All Together NOW! while I was in Clatterbridge hospital with throat cancer.

That was two and a half years ago.

Wow! What a great read – plus FREE to anyone.

It’s the finest and best paper I’ve read from front to back page – packed with interesting things and telling you where you can get help.

Please don’t stop printing it. I love it. John Winstanley, Woodend Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool

Top place to work

MID CHESHIRE Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been named as one of the top employers in the NHS. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital, Crewe, Victoria Infirmary, Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre, Winsford, was named by the Health Service Journal, the Nursing Times and NHS Employers as one of the top 120 places to work for within the NHS, putting it in the top 25% of NHS organisations.

Tracy Bullock, MCHFT chief executive, said: “To hbe named one of the best places to work is a great achievement.

“This is backed up by the findings of the latest NHS Staff Survey in which we were named in the top 20% of all Acute Trusts for the number of staff who recommend us as a place to work or receive treatment.”

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Dementia study

A STUDY that will shape the future of education and training around dementia in the NHS has been launched by health researchers at three Yorkshire universities.

Claire Surr, pictured, professor of dementia studies at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Research shows that effective education and training can lead to better quality care.

“However, we also know not all training is effective – wasting time and money.”

The What Works? study involves teams from the Universities of Bradford and Leeds, and will be completed in July 2017.

Easy Strider

A world first gives Justin his freedom

A

REVOLUTIONARY device is helping Justin Ashton walk normally for the first time since a stroke seven years ago – yet you would hardly know it was there.

Justin has become the first person in the world to be fitted with the new nerve stimulator cuff – and it has changed the 40-year-old’s life.

The device is so discreet that when worn to aid walking, it is barely noticeable. And it could now help thousands of people in the UK living with MS, and the effects of strokes and brain injury.

Even with six months of rehabilation after a stroke, Justin struggled to walk, tripping and falling, often due to drop foot – the inability to raise the foot due to a weakness or paralysis of muscles.

“Following my stroke, I thought my life was over. I was unable to even sit up by myself and had to re-learn all the simple tasks you take for granted,” said Justin.

“It would be fair to say I was a fit and active 33-year-old when I suffered the stroke; I loved my job as an electrician, I was a keen golfer and would also coach my son’s football team at the weekend.

“When I was unable to get out of bed it was devastating to not be able to do my daily activities and only be able to see my children when they visited me in rehab.”

Justin was fitted with the Ottobock MyGait Cuff Soft, the world’s most advanced Functional Electrical

Stimulation (FES) cuff – and the slimmest – used to treat drop foot.

“I’ve tried all sorts of treatments for my drop foot – from orthoses right through to other FES devices on the market and can honestly say the new MyGait Cuff Soft is worlds apart,” added Justin, from Kettering, Northants.

“It’s more comfortable than anything I’ve tried and is slim enough to wear under any of my jeans and trousers, even the narrow ones – which is a first for me!

“It fits really nicely, is easy to put on and off and has allowed me to go out and do so much more. I have my confidence back and have lost the fear that comes when you’re unstable and immobile.”

The MyGait Cuff Soft works by providing an electrical impulse that is delivered to the nerve which stimulates the muscle into movement.

A heel switch sensor communicates wirelessly with the cuff and electrodes to stimulate the appropriate nerve at the right time and frequency during walking.

Knee and hip control can be improved by stimulating different muscles using a second channel.

“Drop foot can leave sufferers with complex mobility challenges that effects quality of life and confidence,” said Lynn Vale, from Ottobock.

“We are delighted to introduce this exciting new product to the UK that is helping people like Justin get their life back on track and improving their walking ability.”

STEP CHANGE: Justin can walk normally again

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October/November 2015 longer healthier lives

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25

Another top award for the Liveability team

G

ETTING older people fit, active and happy is something the awardwinning Liveability team are pretty good at.

The team hold weekly exercise classes and gym sessions at the Austin Rawlinson Lifestyle Centre, promoting health and independence among the over 50’s.

They also provide home assessments to reduce the risk of falls and social isolation.

Liveability’s efforts were rewarded again when they picked up the Best Older Persons Agency prize at the Liverpool Older People’s Awards, hosted by actor and comedian Ricky Tomlinson, and held at The Devonshire House Hotel.

Organised by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Mutual Homes, the awards

pay tribute to the achievements of remarkable older people from within the community, and to volunteers who support older people.

Diane Singleton, Liveability Service Lead for LCH, said: “This award recognises the continual hard work and commitment of all of our staff and community volunteers. They help to make an invaluable difference to the overall health, wellbeing and quality of life enjoyed by many older people here in Liverpool.”

Carmel Fraser, Public Health Service Manager at LCH, added: “The service has made a significant difference to hundreds of people’s lives, by enabling them to be more active and independent through a range of different activities, and to live longer healthier lives.” n Liveability Team, tel 0151 295 9700 liveability.service@liverpoolch.nhs.uk

New partnerships will benefit patients

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LANS that could see community health services joining forces with GPs, social care and other experts to help more patients get the care they need closer to home have passed an important hurdle.

Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust’s Board are focused on finding new ways of organising NHS community services that are more joined-up and able to keep pace with the changing health needs of the area’s population.

A formal process will now take place to help select the right partners to work with the Trust in developing the plans.

The move follows the Trust’s decision in January to halt plans to become a Foundation Trust and instead focus on hiring extra nurses and providing better out-of-hospital care across the city.

The steps to safeguard these improvements, by

WINNING SMILES: From left: Denise Mohan, volunteer; Fran McConlough, volunteer; Tess Reid, volunteer; Danielle Llewellyn, Fitness Instructor/Coordinator; Rob Otten, volunteer; Diane Singleton, lead nurse for older people/Liveability Service Lead; Margaret Caslin, volunteer; Councillor Gerard Woodhouse, Mayoral Lead for Older People; Joyce Percival, service user who nominated Liveability for the award; and John Singleton, volunteer

developing more joined-up NHS care, are in line with a big plan for the NHS over the rest of the decade.

The NHS Five Year Forward View was published in the autumn of last year and calls for more integrated services outside hospitals to better meet the needs of the increasing numbers of people with more than one long-term health condition.

Exploring the options

Over the summer, the Trust has been working Liverpool CCG, South Sefton CCG, other commissioners, and the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) to explore different options.

To help choose the right NHS partner to work with services, a selection process will be held over the coming months Once selected, work will take place from the middle of next year to create the new type of NHS

organisation, which is expected to be up and running by April 2017.

In the meantime, the Trust’s commissioners will continue to plan and purchase NHS services and ask providers of care to ‘bid’ to run services periodically in the normal way.

Carole Panteli, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust’s Director of Nursing, said: “Without this reform, as the recent BBC Panorama programme about NHS care in Liverpool made clear, we will see services buckling under rising demands and unmet expectations.”

“The improvements we have made in the last year have seen the recruitment of more than 150 district nurses, health visitors, therapists and other frontline clinicians. More than 92 per cent of our patients now say they would recommend the care they receive to their friends and family.”

Stephen puts Guinness World Records in a spin

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PORTS mad Stephen Rainey doesn’t need a wheelchair to get out and about – he’s as fit as any Premier League footballer!

But he’s also an expert in making, repairing – and handling wheelchairs.

And what’s more, he’s just set a new Guinness World Record for making the most wheelchair spins – on the rear wheels – in a minute.

Stephen, 24, achieved 66 spins, three more than the previous record held by Gulshan Kumar from India.

“This was a really special achievement for me,” said Stephen, who is a wheelchair engineer at Liverpool’s Wheelchair Service, based at Lifehouse at Brunswick Business Park.

“I hope that my success now helps influence wheelchair users to take part in sports and activities.”

Stephen’s dad, John, was Knowsley council’s highly respected disabled access officer who died ten years ago.

“Dad and I spent years playing wheelchair basketball. He taught me

everything I know about wheelchairs. His coaching skills helped me get my place in the Vikings wheelchair basketball team.

That’s great fun and I think he would be proud. But gaining this Guinness World Record would have put an even bigger smile on his face!”

Stephen’s record-breaker was made at Lifehouse and coincided with the launch of the National Wheelchair Charter, which aims to improve the quality of wheelchair services across the country.

Walk-In back to happiness

MORE than 160,000 people have been treated during the past year at Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust (LCH) Walk-in Centres.

Anne Twist, Clinical Nurse Manager at LCH, says the top five reasons patients visit the WICs are: 1. Minor injuries, sprains and strains 2. Sore throat 3. Ear problems 4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) 5. Cuts and burns Anne said: “We want to remind people that our Walk-in Centres are staffed by experienced teams of nurses. They are open when GP surgeries are closed and they operate throughout the 365 days of the year.

“Patients don’t need to be registered to a local GP, and no appointment is necessary either – you can just walk in.”

The Walk in Centres are based at: n City Centre: 6 David Lewis Street n Old Swan: Crystal Close, St Oswald’s Street n South Liverpool Treatment Centre: Church Road, Garston n Smithdown Road Children’s Centre: Smithdown Road n Litherland Town Hall, Hatton Hill Road

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

26

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

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£4m boost for war on liver disease

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EW ways of fighting chronic liver disease are being funded through an EU grant worth over £4m.

Beatrice Fraenkel chair, Mersey Care NHS

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HERE is a natural beauty to the autumn especially when the trees adapt to their changing surroundings and their leaves transform to a copper colour.

It reminds me that two principles of the Five Ways to Wellbeing (a set of evidence-based actions that promote wellbeing and prolong life) encourage us to ‘take notice’ and ‘connect’ with the things around us.

It also seeks to remind us why it’s important that we as a health provider must understand the relationship between our buildings (both ward and outpatient environments) and the impact they can have on patients, staff and visitors.

We have achieved some great things with the therapeutic environment of our newest mental health hospital in Walton, called Clock View and it has been shortlisted for several national design and art awards.

The latest addition to Clock View’s art is a statue made of worn copper called Imago – one definition of Imago is to undergo ‘metamorphosis.’ Imago is another beautiful object that hopefully prompts people to stop, take notice, reflect and contributes to their wellbeing.

As good as Clock View is, with its light and airy spaces, single en-suite bedrooms, comfortable wards, access to garden areas and array of artwork, it is now the minimum standard to which we as a trust must aspire.

With this in mind I have established a Design Board which will oversee all future major refurbishments and newbuilds of our estate, with a view to ensuring the needs of people who use our buildings are fully met in terms of their beauty, sustainability and quality, not to mention the detail.

I long for the day when no-one will feel ashamed, self-conscious or embarrassed at having to visit a mental health venue – these should be beautiful places, valued by the whole community for the contribution they make to health and wellbeing.

OCTOBER brings opportunities for the whole community to join together in tackling the stigma associated with mental health.

By the time this edition hits the streets we will have organised our ‘Talk Walk’ 5 kilometre walk around Aintree Racecourse on October 4 (doors open noon) as part of our Big Brew campaign, and joined partners in Williamson Square, Liverpool and Tate Liverpool as part of World Mental Health Day (October 10).

Nearly £200,000 of the cash will aid trials of a new and safe carbon that acts in the gut to reduce the entrance of bacterial products into the blood which exacerbate liver injury.

“In cirrhosis, current therapy to prevent recurrent complications of advanced cirrhosis is to use poorlyabsorbed antibiotics,” said Dr Susan Sandeman, pictured, from the University of Brighton’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, who will carry out the work. “ But long-term antibiotic therapy has problems associated with bacterial resistance and this can prove costly.

cost-effective strategy for disease management.”

Cirrhosis of the liver affects 29 million people in Europe, claims 170,000 lives every year and costs the EU almost £12bn.

There are several causes of liver disease but the increasing incidence of obesity and excessive alcohol consumption is causing a rapid rise in the number of cases seen across the continent.

Changes in the bacteria that populate the gut in patients with liver disease make the condition worse and leads to a range of additional health complications.

Current treatments include antibiotics to kill the gut bacteria but long-term use of these drugs can result in antibiotic resistance and be very costly.

DIGGING DEEP “We will be part of a consortium investigating the safety and efficacy of this novel nanoporous carbon in patients with liver disease – and developing an innovative and

Children’s

£6m mental health unit will put patients on fast track to recovery

wellbeing wins cash

NEW fundng from NHS England to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people has been welcomed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

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NEW £6m mental health treatment and recovery centre is to be built in the North West.

The 24-bed facility aims to put people with complex mental health needs on a fast track to recovery.

Located on a 1.5 acre site in Ardwick, Manchester, the centre will be run by Alternative Futures Group, a charity supporting more than 1,200 people with learning disabilities and mental health needs every year across the region.

“We already have a strong track record of giving people the ability to exercise choice and control in their recovery in an environment designed to optimise their health and wellbeing,” said Neil Campbell, head of AFG. “Our added value is providing a

DIGGING IN: Neil Campbell, head of Alternative Futures Group, at the new development in Ardwick, Manchester link to our community services to further help people when they have finished their treatment to reclaim their lives.”

AFG has successfully operated a treatment and recovery centre in South Manchester for 13 years. The new facility will open next autumn and create 45 new jobs.

The development was marked by a ground breaking ceremony at the

The perfect tonic . . .

site. Councillor Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Alternative Futures Group has an excellent reputation of delivering positive outcomes for the people that it already supports in Manchester.

“It will deliver high quality care for people with complex needs allowing them to be rehabilitated back into the community.”

President, Professor Sir Simon Wessely said: “This funding represents a major step forward in improving care, coming as it does after years of both rising demand and cuts which have left services failing young people on a daily basis.

“Around half of the cases of adult mental illness, excluding dementia, originate before the age of 14, and scaling up the ability of child and adolescent mental health services to deal with these problems early on has the potential to dramatically improve the clinical outcomes and quality of life of those affected, as well as reducing the impact that mental illness has on society more broadly - estimated to be £105 billion/year in England.”

Improving community based eating disorder services for children and young people will also benefit from the funding.

HALF A MILLION

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All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

Daily glass of wine risk to women

J

UST one glass of wine a day can seriously increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

A new study shows that by drinking even a moderate amount on a daily basis, their chances of contracting the disease can go up by as much as 12% Campaigners have now issued a stark warning about the harmful effects of daily drinking – and they are urging women to take a break from the booze.

Alcohol Concern have revealed figures from the Million Women Study by Oxford University which says that drinking small amounts of alcohol every day increases the risk of breast cancer by 7-12%.

The study advises that, although there is no “safe” level of alcohol, women should drink no more than 14 units a week and avoid daily drinking to minimise their risk.

between booze and breast cancer in a yearlong partnership between the Foundation and The Alcohol-Free Shop.

Joan Collins, a patron of the Pink Ribbon Foundation, tennis veteran Martina Navratilova, Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, socialite Tara Palmer Tompkinson, and Dianne Abbot MP, were among those who spread the word to their thousands of twitter followers.

Christine Risby, co-director at The AlcoholFree Shop, said: “The fact that the number of women under 50 being diagnosed with breast cancer has reached an all time high, when so many of us are drinking more alcohol, more often than our mothers did, can’t be ignored.”

The Million Women Study began in 1996 when those over the age of 50 where invited to join in the study as part of the NHS breast screening programme.

A recent study by the charity Age UK warned of an “epidemic” of harmful drinking among the middle aged.

The number of women under 50 diagnosed with breast cancer topped 10,000 for the first time in 2013 and it is believed that 3,000 cases of breast cancer a year may be directly attributable to alcohol consumption.

“Any strategy that reduces regular drinking, such as days off alcohol each week, can only help to reduce overall consumption and the burden of diseases like breast cancer,” said Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance.

The Pink Ribbon Foundation, which raises money for education, research and patient support, has funded Alcohol Concern’s drive to publicise the dangers.

Alcohol-Free wine drinkers helped raise nearly £6,000 pounds to highlight the link

FIGHTING BACK

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IKE many young people, Melanie Williams thought nothing could hurt her.

She regularly hit the beaches – and the sunbeds – to keep her tan topped up, with no thought for the possible dangers.

Even when she first noticed the little black mark on her thumbnail, the mother-of-three thought little of it.

But what she assumed was just a bruise that would soon disappear, quickly began to grow and become painful.

Only then did Melanie, 36, discover it was a cancerous tumour and had to be removed along with half of her thumb.

Rather than hide away or look for sympathy, Melanie, from Lymm, Cheshire, is campaigning to raise awareness of skin cancer.

Using Facebook to share her story and warn others, Melanie posted a selfie of herself with thumb in plaster – the photo struck a chord with the public who have shared it over 120,000 times.

Melanie is one of the lucky ones – her cancer had not spread.

“I’ve come to terms with my diagnosis,” she says, “and now I want to direct my energy towards raising awareness of the dangers of tanning.

CAMPAIGNING: Rather than hide away, Melanie Williams is helping raise awareness

encourage them to give better protection to their skin.

SunSense UK has also produced a video to highlight the dangers of tanning, using powerful footage of the Dying for a Tan campaign and live reactions to the UV camera.

“I hope that by continuing to share my experience, it will help others to see that the risk of skin cancer is very real.

“It isn’t just something that happens to other people or in the future – it happened to me and it happened in my thirties.”

Melanie is supporting a campaign by the sunscreen brand SunSense UK to educate people about the dangers of UV rays and

n You can see it on www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h9kaja6tJk

. . . but poll shows we are ignoring warnings

THERE’S no such thing as a healthy tan – that’s the warning from experts as Britons carry on ignoring the deadly risks.

In a new study, nearly three quarters of people questioned believed there was a safe way to achieve a natural tan.

Research also found: n 60% would still sunbathe despite the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing n 70% changed tanning attitude upon seeing hidden skin damage under an

ultraviolet camera Over 1,200 participants were surveyed

by SunSense, revealing that more than half of people believe it is safer to build a base tan before going on holiday.

Despite being told that exposure to UV rays is a major cause of skin cancer, the survey also found that nearly two-thirds would overlook the long-term health risks for the sake of a sun-kissed appearance.

SunSense is now urging people to

remember that any change in skin colour may be a sign that the body is trying to repair damage caused by UV rays.

Excessive UV can cause premature ageing and may lead to skin cancer.

Dr Kerryn Greive PhD, at SunSense, said: “There is no such thing as a healthy tan, but having one makes us feel good. Unfortunately, exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other sources, including sun beds, is a major cause of skin cancer.”.

people are reading these pages . . .

27

MEDICAL NOTES

Breakthrough test to speed treatment

A NEW cervical cancer test that provides faster results that will lead to earlier treatments is a step closer.

The GynTect test detects changes in cells of the cervix uteri that may indicate the presence or development of cancer.

In contrast to other methods available in cervical cancer screening, GynTect will have the potential to decrease the high number of unnecessary cervical biopsies and surgeries and it has now gained European approval.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide.

Within the 28 EU countries 34.000 women are diagnosed with the cancer, 13.000 die from it annually.

Currently, screening for cervical cancer is mainly based on the analysis of cellular samples (cytological scrape, the so-called Pap smear) of the cervix uteri.

This test indicates if cellular changes are already present.

Biotech startup oncgnostics (www.oncgnostics.com), who developed the test, will launch it in the coming months in Germany and some other European countries.

Why I love this paper

I PICKED up my copy of All Together NOW! in the Liverpool Dental Hospital. I must say I was surprised to find how tightly packed the paper is, not only with interesting articles that provide a sweeping range of coverage on core issues of immediate concern to the paper, but also on matters of more general interest, as well as including pieces that are sheer fun. I also enjoyed the puzzles section!

Keep up the good work!

C.J. Austin-Seal, Groveside, Liverpool

The sunshine factor

RESEARCHERS have discovered a link between Vitamin D – known as the “sunshine vitamin” – and depression.

The team at at Oregon State University measured both depressive symptoms and vitamin D in 185 healthy women. They discovered that vitamin D insufficiency was associated with depressive symptoms and that this association can vary, depending on season.

According to Christina Lorenz, president of the European Sunlight Association: “Sun is life and we need the power of UV rays to produce vitamin D, for example. This study provides additional confirmation of the importance of TAKE ME HOME! vitamin D

sufficiency.”

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One advert goes a long, long way

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October/November 2015

TAKE ME HOME!

BOX OFFICE SENSATION!

Until Oct 10: Puttin’ On The Ritz.

Liverpool Empire. Song and dance extravaganza.

Until Oct 10: Thriller Live. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Tribute to Michael Jackson.

Until Oct 11: Shrek The Musical.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Musical based on the film. Audio Described, Wed Oct 7, 7.15pm. Signed, Thurs Oct 8, 7.15pm.

Until Oct 17: The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead. Liverpool Everyman.

Audio described Thurs Oct 8, 7.30pm.

Captioned Sat Oct 17, 2pm.

Until Oct 17: Dirty Dancing. Llandudno Venue Cymru. The classic story on stage. Audio Described, Tue Oct 13, 7.30pm.

Sundays until Nov 1: Ken Dodd.

Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Oct 7-31: The Glass Managerie.

Liverpool Playhouse. Audio described Thurs Oct 29, 7.30pm. Captioned Sat Oct 31, 2pm.

Oct 7: Jackson Live. Manchester Opera House. Tribute to Michael Jackson.

Oct 8: John Otway. Runcorn Brindley.

Oct 8-31. An Enemy Of The People.

Bolton Octagon. Play based on Arthur Miller’s adaptation of Ibsen’s story. Audio Described, Thu Oct 15, 7.30pm.

Captioned, Thu Oct 29, 7.30pm.

Oct 8-31: Little Shop of Horrors. Mold Theatr Clwyd. Sci-fi spoof musical.

Oct 8-Nov 14: Let It Be. Liverpool Royal Court. A celebration of The Beatles.

Oct 9: The Magic of Motown.

Manchester Opera House. Celebrating 50 years of Motown in the UK. Oct 9: Whitney – Queen Of The Night.

Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Whitney Houston.

Oct 10: Killer Queen. Preston Charter Theatre. Tribute to Queen.

Oct 12: Halfway To Paradise – The Billy Fury Story. Manchester Palace Theatre.

Oct 12-17: Hairspray The Musical.

Liverpool Empire.

Oct 13: Nosferatu. Runcorn Brindley.

Oct 13-14: It’s A Wonderful Life.

Blackpool Grand Theatre. The iconic film retold as a radio play.

Oct 13-17: An Inspector Calls. Stoke Regent Theatre. Award-winning production of the classic thriller.

Oct 14: The Upbeat Beatles.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Oct 15: An Evening of Dirty Dancing.

Tribute show. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Oct 15: Wishbone Ash – UK Pilgrimage Tour. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton Oct 16: Roy Orbison and Friends with Barry Steele. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 16: A Vision of Elvis. Preston Charter Theatre.

Oct 16: Bouncers. Runcorn Brindley.

Unique adaptation of the classic play.

Oct 16: How Sweet It Is – Motown’s Greatest Hits. Runcorn Brindley.

Oct 16: Paul Potts. Live In Concert.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Oct 16: Sing-A-Long-A Grease. St Helens Theatre Royal.

Oct 16: The 39 Steps. Llandudno Venue Cymru. A hilarious whodunit.

Oct 17: Ken Dodd Happiness Show. St Helens Theatre Royal Oct 17: Let’s Hang On. Preston Charter Theatre. Tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

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BOX OFFICE NUMBERS

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre: 01253 290190.

BOLTON Octagon: 01204 520661.

LIVERPOOL Empire: 08444 999 999.

Everyman & Playhouse: 0151 709 4776.

Royal Court: 0870 787 1866.

LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru: 01492 872000.

MOLD: Theatr Clwyd: 0845 3303565.

MANCHESTER Opera House: 0870 401 9000.

Palace Theatre: 0870 401 3000.

SALFORD The Lowry: 0843 208 6000.

NEW BRIGHTON Floral Pavillion: 0151 666 0000.

PORT SUNLIGHT: Gladstone Theatre: 0151 643 8757.

PRESTON: Charter Theatre: 0845 344 2012.

RHYL: Pavilion Theatre: 01745 330 000.

RUNCORN The Brindley: 0151 907 8360.

SALE: Waterside Arts Centre: 0161 912 5616.

STOKE: Regent Theatre: 0844 871 7627.

SOUTHPORT: Floral Hall: 0844 847 2380.

ST HELENS: Theatre Royal: 01744 756000.

Citadel: 01744 735436.

WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre: 01902 429212.

Go on . . . make a night of it

compiled by ROBERT DAY

Oct 17: Nearly Dan. St Helens Citadel.

Tribute to Steely Dan. Oct 17-18: The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Musical play based on the children’s book.

Oct 18: Milton Jones. Salford Lowry.

Stand-up comedy.

Oct 18: Sinatra – The Centennial Concert. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Oct 19- 24: Orpheus. Liverpool Everyman.

Oct 19: Lee Nelson. Runcorn Brindley.

Stand-up comedy.

Oct 20: The Carpenters Story. Liverpool Empire. Tribute act.

Oct 20: The Proclaimers. Salford Lowry.

Oct 21: Kevin Bridges – A Whole Different Story. Stoke Regent Theatre.

Stand-up comedy.

Oct 21: Steve Hackett: Acolyte to Wolflight. Llandudno Venue Cymru.

Oct 21: That’ll Be The Day. Runcorn Brindley. Hits from 50’s, 60’s and 70’s Oct 22-24: Jekyll and Hyde – The musical. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 22: Ministry of Science Live.

Southport Theatre.

Oct 22: Paddy McGuinness.

Liverpool Empire. Stand-up comedy.

Oct 22: The Illegal Eagles. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Tribute band.

Oct 23: Limehouse Lizzy. Tribute act.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 23: An Evening With Sir Roger Moore. Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Oct 23: Dave Spikey – Punchlines.

Preston Charter Theatre. Stand-up comedy.

Oct 23: Ella Henderson UK Tour. Rhyl Pavilion.

Oct 23: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular Show. Stoke Regent Theatre. Tribute to The Rat Pack.

Oct 24: ABBA ‘As Good As New’ Tour.

Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Tribute band.

Oct 24: Islands in the Stream. Preston Charter Theatre. Celebrating Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Oct 24: Ministry of Science Live. Llandudno Venue Cymru.

Oct 24: Paddy McGuinness.

Stoke Regent Theatre. Stand-up comedy.

Promote your shows here . . .

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All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

Macbeth meets Blood Brothers

NOT many theatre groups would dare mixing Macbeth, Saturday Night Fever and Blood Brothers all in the same show.

But that’s what the fantastic New Centre Stage group did – and what a hit they could have on their hands.

The ‘house full’ signs went up at Bootle’s SPACE arts centre for the Comedies and Tragedies show, featuring a 40-strong cast and taking the audience on a fascinating journey from Shakespeare to Simon Cowell.

Previous productions have included Scrooge, Grease and Mamma Mia. The group is backed by social care provider New Directions who provide support for people with disabilities across Sefton.

Producer Denise Airey said: “The quality of the performances was top class.

Our inclusive approach means everyone has their say in which shows we do, and we find a role for everyone who wants to appear in the production.

“It’s all about providing people with the opportunity to express themselves, boosting their confidence and giving them a voice.”

Oct 24: The Magic of Motown.

Liverpool Empire.

Oct 24-Nov 1: The Wizard Of Oz. St Helens Theatre Royal. Magical Show.

Oct 25: Sounds of Philadelphia and Motown. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 26-31: Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Oct 26: An Evening With Sir Roger Moore. Liverpool Empire.

Oct 26-31: Blood Brothers.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Audio Described, Sat Oct 31, 2.30pm.

Signed, Thurs Oct 29, 7.30pm.

Oct 26-31: Hairspray The Musical.

Manchester Palace Theatre.

Oct 27-31: Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern. Liverpool Everyman.

Oct 27-Nov 7: Jersey Boys.

Manchester Opera House. Smash hit musical Oct 28-31: Legally Blonde The Musical. Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Oct 29: Letz Zep: Runcorn Brindley.

Tribute to Led Zeppelin.

Oct 30: Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced. New Brighton Floral

Chilling out with Charlie

RELAX! A special performance of the award-winning Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will ensure audience members with autism have nothing to fear.

The West End production of Roald Dahl’s classic story will mount the special relaxed show early in the new year.

A chilled and supportive atmosphere, changes to the sound and lighting, trained staff and volunteers and a guide for carers are among the preparations being made.

There will also be advice available online, via www.mousetrap.org.uk to help families prepare for their trip. These include a Visual Story video – following “John” on the journey from his house to the theatre. n The performance, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, is at 6pm on Tuesday, 19 January. Tickets for the Relaxed Performance will range from £2.50 to £20.

Pavilion.

Oct 30: The Morgue Table. Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre. Musical comedy ghost story.

Oct 30: Will Young. Liverpool Empire.

Oct 31: Warnings to the Curious.

The Ghost Stories of R M James.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 1: Freddie Flintoff: 2nd Innings. Liverpool Empire.

Nov 1: Jimmy Carr. St Helens Theatre Royal.

Nov 1: The Fabulous Buddy Holly & The Cricketers. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Tribute show.

Nov 3-7: Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather. Liverpool Playhouse.

Nov 3: Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes. Liverpool Empire.

Nov 3-7: Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Murders. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Audio Described, Fri Nov 6, 7.30pm.

Nov 4: The Merseybeats plus Special Guests. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 4: Halfway To Paradise: The Billy Fury Story. Liverpool Empire.

Fury’s Tornados relive his timeless hits.

Nov 5: The Nutcracker. Llandudno Venue Cymru.

Nov 7: The Movie Doctors. Liverpool Everyman.

Nov 9: An Evening With Roger Moore. Manchester Opera House.

Nov 10-14: Flare Path. Liverpool Playhouse.

Nov 10-14: Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs). Liverpool Everyman.

Nov 10-11: It’s A Wonderful Life.

Mold Theatr Clwyd. The iconic film is re-imagined as a radio play.

Nov 10-14: Hairspray.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Nov 10-14: Sister Act. Runcorn Brindley. Musical.

Nov 10-21: Jersey Boys. Llandudno Venue Cymru. Smash hit musical.

Nov 11: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Southport Theatre. Tribute band.

Nov 11: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular Show. Liverpool Empire.

Nov 12: The Blues Band. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 13: Before The Dawn. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Kate Bush.

Nov 13-Jan 9: The BFG. Bolton Octagon. Story adapted for stage.

Nov 15: Rick Vito. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 15: The Circus of Horrors.

Manchester Opera House.

Nov 16-17: Fame The Musical.

Preston Charter Theatre.

Nov 16-21: And Then There Were None. Manchester Opera House.

Nov 17: Joe Longthorne. Runcorn Brindley.

Nov 17-21: The Winter’s Tale.

Liverpool Playhouse.

Nov 17: Die Fledermaus. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Ellen Kent’s reproduction of Johann Strauss’ opera.

Nov 17-21: Last Night A DJ Saved My Life. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Musical starring David Hasselhoff. Audio Described, Sat Nov 21, 2.30pm. Signed, Thurs Nov 19, 7.30pm.

Nov 18: Carmen. Blackpool Grand Theatre.

Nov 18: Halfway to Paradise – The Billy Fury Story. Stoke Regent.

29

Nov 19: Roy Wood and His Band.

Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 19: Let’s Hang On. Runcorn Brindley. Tribute to Frankie Valli Nov 20: Ralph McTell. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 20: Ga Ga – A Tribute To Queen.

Runcorn Brindley.

Nov 20: We Three Kings Of Rock N Roll. St Helens Theatre Royal. Tribute to Billy Fury, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.

Nov 21: Nils Lofgren Live in Concert. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 21: Ken Dodd. Southport Theatre. Stand-up comedy.

Nov 21: The Floyd Effect.

Runcorn Brindley. Tribute band.

Nov 21: Will Young – The Love Revolution Tour. Llandudno Venue Cymru.

Nov 22: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, Floral Pavilion, New Brighton.

Nov 22: Saturday Night Bee Gees.

Runcorn Brindley. Tribute band.

Nov 23-25: Miracle On 34th Street.

Manchester Opera House. Musical.

Nov 24-28: A Murder Is Announced.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Agatha Christie’s murder mystery.

Nov 25: The Dolly Parton Story.

Runcorn Brindley. Tribute act.

Nov 25-Dec 6: Shrek The Musical.

Liverpool Empire. Musical.

Nov 26: The Story Of The Beatles.

Runcorn Brindley.

Nov 27-28: Faulty Towers Dining Experience. Runcorn Brindley.

Nov 27-Jan 16: Pharoah ‘Cross The Mersey. Liverpool Royal Court. Stand-up comedy.

Nov 27-Jan 23: Cinderella – The Panto with Soul. Mold Theatr Clwyd.

Pantomime. Audio Described, Sat Dec 19, 2pm. Signed, Sat Jan 9, 2pm. Captioned, Mon Jan 4, 6pm.

Relaxed performance, Mon Jan 4, 6pm.

Nov 28-Jan 23: Rapunzel Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto. Liverpool Everyman.

Nov 29: Jasper Carrott & Alistair McGowen. Salford Lowry. Stand-up comedy.

Dec 1: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. Llandudno Venue Cyrmu. Tribute band Dec 1-5: White Christmas.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

Musical. Signed, Thurs Dec 3, 7.30pm.

Dec 2-3: It’s A Wonderful Life.

Salford Lowry. Stage production of the iconic film.

Dec 4-Jan 3: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Blackpool Grand Theatre. Pantomime. Audio Described, Sat Dec 12, 2pm. Signed, Sat Dec 12, 2pm.

Dec 4-Jan 10: Cinderella. St Helens Theatre Royal. Pantomime.

Dec 5-Jan 3: Cinderella. Manchester Opera House.

Dec 5-Jan 3: Peter Pan. Stoke Regent Theatre. Pantomime.

Dec 7-Jan 2: Sleeping Beauty.

Preston Charter Theatre.

TAKE ME HOME! Pantomime.

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Books

30

All Together NOW!

The Karate kids

Autism and Martial Arts: A Guide for Children, Parents and Teachers, by Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis, Amazon, £12

SANDRA Beale-Ellis – a 6th Dan Master in karate – received a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome just a few years ago while studying at Sheffield Hallam University for a Doctorate in Education specialising in autism.

She has also had to overcome cancer, osteoarthritis and multiple operations.

Her book is based on her doctoral research completed late in 2013 which explored the learning experiences within sport – including martial arts – from a wide range of autistic individuals’ perspectives, as well as her own personal experiences as a teacher and as a student.

Young cooks

The Cookbook for Children with Special Needs, by Deborah French, JKP, £14.99 This fullyillustrated book introduces children with special needs to the fundamentals of food preparation, healthy eating and cookery skills.

No holds barred

Autistic Blessings and Bipolar Me, by Emma Plows, Amazon £7.99

A FRANK and no holds barred account of family life with two boys with autism, from a mother who’s living with bipolar affective disorder.

A born battler Does it Wet the Bed? By Aideen Blackborough, £6.99, Amazon

EARLY in her life Aideen Blackborough got used to the idea of battling for what she wanted: from a place at primary school to a social life at university, a fulfilling career or to walk down the aisle.

“Upon arrival at school, one of the nuns took one look at me, and without blinking, asked Mum, ‘Does it wet the bed?’

Brought up in a Catholic family in Birmingham, Aideen tells what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy and being a wheelchair user – her struggles to get into mainstream school, her battles with loneliness at university, moving away from an established career to pursue a self-

October/November 2015

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

rest and relax, while the Full Moon on the 27th finds you falling deeper in love with the object of your affection. You’ll be in great demand during the opening days of November. If you’ve been yearning to change your look, the New Moon on the 11th poses the perfect opportunity. The Full Moon on the 25th forces you to abandon a difficult work project. You simply don’t have the time to do justice to this endeavour. Hand it off to an eager colleague.

YOU will have to make a choice between your personal and professional lives. It’s simply not realistic to spend every spare moment at work.

You’ll have a lovely opportunity to make amends during the second half of the month.

The Full Moon on the 27th puts a big beauty of a bonus in your bank balance. Your pulling power is at an all time high in early November.

Use it to your advantage. The Full Moon on the 25th warns against arguing with relatives and neighbours. There is no way you will change someone’s mind, especially regarding politics, religion, or culture. Agree to disagree and steer clear of controversial subjects.

SAGITTARIUS November 23rd - December 21st

TAURUS April 21st - May 21st

LOVE is in the air – so make the most of it.

Money from a lawsuit or court settlement will help make ends meet in the second half of the month. Good news about a contract or partnership is music to your ears on the 27th, when the Full Moon brings emotional and financial support.

The opening days of November will prove wonderfully romantic. Don’t challenge an expert’s authority in late November, or you will make a powerful enemy. The Full Moon on the 25th brings an end to a source of income. This will prove to be a blessing in disguise. You’re tired of working on behalf of an employer you do not respect.

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

RESIST the urge to pressure your romantic partner into making a decision. Beware of devoting all of your time to a child or lover in the second half of the month, or friends will become resentful. Strive for a better balance in your private life. The Full Moon on the 27th will shed light on a secret. The opening days of November are ideal for launching a new health regime. Give careful thought to what you eat, when you sleep and how much you exercise.

Someone will accuse you of being selfish on the 25th, when the Full Moon prompts you to put your needs first. Although you hate turning down requests for help, it’s important to be good to yourself as November turns to December.

CANCER June 22nd - July 23rd

DON’T let family comment on your personal life. Your needs are distinctly different from those of your relatives. The sooner they learn this, the easier it will be to get along. Your love life takes an exciting turn during the second half of October. It will be virtually impossible to resist your allure. A writing or research project will bring profound pleasure at the beginning of November. The New Moon on the 11th is ideal for embarking on a romance. The second half of the month is ideal for launching a fitness regime. Learning advanced computer skills is strongly advised as November turns to December.

LEO July 24th - August 23rd

BE HONEST about your feelings or problems will arise. The second half of the month finds you spending more quality time at home. Being surrounded by your family makes you feel grounded. True, your relatives can drive you up the wall at times, but they also make you feel loved and needed.

Let them lavish you with affection.

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RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

Spending time with the one you love will give the opening days of November a magical quality. The Full Moon on the 25th forces you to shift the focus onto a group project. You hate cancelling a fun outing for the sake of this job, but it can’t be helped. The quicker you fulfil this responsibility, the less painful it will be.

VIRGO August 24th - September 23rd

YOU won’t get much sympathy from loved ones during the first half of the month, perhaps because you’re being too pushy. Try to relax and enjoy life. The minute you loosen up, good fortune will find you. The Full Moon on the 27th brings the successful conclusion of a legal matter. The opening days of November will be intellectually stimulating. A good book, research project, or piece of writing will keep your mind firing on all cylinders. The Full Moon on the 25th finds you facing off with a stuffy authority figure. You won’t be able to get them to bend the rules for you, no matter how hard you try.

LIBRA September 24th - October 23rd

A POWER struggle between you and a relative will erupt in early October. The New Moon on the 13th marks an unexpected conflict with someone you thought was an ally. Fortunately, the Full Moon on the 27th poses a wonderful opportunity to satisfy your sensual side. Early November is ideal for a romantic rendezvous.

The New Moon on the 11th attracts a fresh source of income. It appears you’ll be able to make money working from home. This arrangement will make life much easier, giving you more time for the activities you love. The Full Moon on the 25th finds you facing off with an unpleasant authority figure. It’s best to just follow their directions, rather than challenge these orders.

SCORPIO October 24th - November 22nd

EARLY October finds you engaged in a pointless argument with an authority figure.

The New Moon on the 13th makes it difficult to

THE opening days of October are ideal for self-promotion. The New Moon on the 13th warns against cancelling a social engagement.

The Full Moon on the 27th marks the successful culmination of a job. People will be very impressed with the results. Prepare for an uptick in business as October turns to November. Your allure will be stronger than ever in the beginning of November. Taking charge of a group project on the 24th proves a good channel for your restless energy. The Full Moon on the 25th warns against putting pressure on your best friend or romantic partner. A gentle approach will work best. If your loved one decides to take a different path than the one you wanted, be respectful.

CAPRICORN December 22nd - January 20th

WORK will be a tremendous source of pressure and the second half of October will be especially difficult for work, but wonderful for love. The Full Moon on the 27th brings favourable publicity for a creative project.

Friendship could turn to romance in early November, if you are so inclined. Someone who has loved you from afar will come forward and confess their feelings. The Full Moon on the 25th brings a health problem to your attention. You or a loved one may have to visit several medical professionals before pinpointing the issue. Solitary pleasures will prove soothing as November turns to December.

AQUARIUS January 21st - February 19th

VICIOUS rumours will be circulating in early October. Don’t jump to any conclusions; wait for the facts to arrive. The Full Moon on the 27th brings a satisfying conclusion to a household or family matter. This is a great time to buy or sell property. During early November you will be called in to cover for an ailing colleague. Take this as an opportunity to prove yourself in another capacity. The Full Moon on the 25th pushes you to make up or break up.

Choose carefully, because you won’t be able to reverse your decision. The final days of November will be spent in the company of sympathetic friends.

PISCES February 20th - March 20th

YOU will be very busy with work during the beginning of October. The New Moon on the 13th sparks a power struggle over joint finances. The second half of the month is ideal for scheduling a long distance trip. Be sure to check your messages throughout the day on the 27th, when the Full Moon will bring exciting news. Early November affords plenty of opportunity for romance. A family argument over money could erupt during the second half of November. Don’t let a pushy relative deprive you of an heirloom or inheritance that was meant for you. The Full Moon on the 25th will prompt you to make a painful decision about a domestic matter. It may be time to break ties with an emotionally abusive relative.

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October/November 2015

All Together NOW!

SIX TASTY APPLE TREES TO BE WON A FABULOUS new dessert apple variety for courtyards and small gardens is launched this autumn – and we have six worth £25.90 each for ATN! readers to win, plant and enjoy.

Fruit breeders Lubera have called their new tree Redini “Cuckoo” because, during the breeding, the variety was like a cuckoo in the nest – it appeared where it was not planned or intended.

However, it was quickly realised that this variety has many qualities. Lubera reckon it is the world’s first really tasty, red-fleshed, red/pink-flowering columnar apple which is tolerant of the fungal disease scab.

As a columnar tree Cuckoo can be grown in limited spaces, reaching a final height of 2m-3m (6ft-10ft) and width of 60cm-80cm (2ft-2ft 8in). It is beautiful as well as productive, producing

stunning red-pink blooms in April and May, and is ready for harvesting in August or September.

The taste is tangy yet sweet. Lubera state that Cuckoo is not self-fertile but is readily pollinated by other apple trees blooming at the same time within 300 metres.

To enter the competition, answer this question: What colour are the blooms of Cuckoo?

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 Cuckoo Competition, All Together NOW!, The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP, to arrive by Friday 20 November, or enter online at www.alltogethernow.org.uk n For the full range of Lubera plants go to www.lubera.co.uk

GROW EASY

RAISING EXPECTATIONS: Higher beds and level paths can make the going much easier. Pictures: RICHARD MONNERY

B

RITAIN’S top flower shows rarely take much account of the problems faced by gardening enthusiasts with mobility problem.

But a notable exception was staged at the Royal Horticultural Society’s spectacular Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

The entry, called ‘A Garden for Every Retiree,’ set out to demonstrate how enjoyable and accessible gardening can be, both before and in retirement, but was equally inspiring for people of all ages who have issues with mobility, suppleness and sight.

Created by award-winning garden designer Tracy Foster and sponsored by Just Retirement Ltd, a specialist in retirement products and services, the exhibit won a silver-gilt medal, just one step below a coveted the RHS gold medal.

Key features for easy accessibility, many of which can be reproduced in private gardens, included: n Wide paths that allow easy access for

wheelchair and mobility scooter users. n Smooth surfaces. Gravel may be a cheap option but paving is better for wheelchairs – as well as wheelie bins, children’s toys and pushchairs – and paving with strongly contrasting colours can help make the garden safer for people with partial sight. n Raised beds which can be maintained and harvested without having to stoop and can be designed to incorporate seating. n Good colour choices. Flowers, fencing and furniture in blue, white and yellow can aid those with poor eyesight. n Grow the best close to home. People who have

difficulty in getting very far into the garden can gain most pleasure from colourful, scented plants and attractive features near the back door.

Expert praise for the garden came from Bella D’Arcy Reed, a retired garden designer and creator of www.accessiblegardens.org.uk, a website giving accessibility reports on gardens open to the public.

Bella visited the Just Retirement garden on her mobility scooter. She said: “What I like about this garden is that, while small, it has space for people-on-wheels to turn round and sit with friends.

“I love the raised beds with walls you can sit on to tend the plants, and they were just the right height for the wheelchair. The veggie beds were raised too, and could be extended.” n More information is available on www.justretirement.com where ‘The Just Retirement Book of Gardening,’ full of helpful hints and creative ideas, is on sale.

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CHECKLIST

31

FLOWERS: Pinch out the tips of long shoots on wallflowers to help them grow bushy. Check borders for self-seeded foxgloves, forget-me-nots and other flowers. Plant them in groups of their own kind which will have more impact. Plant spring bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and hyacinths. Leave tulips until November.

SHRUBS AND TREES: Plant new specimens. 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 re-securing.

PATIOS: Move pots into the sunniest position and raise them on bricks or pot feet.

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 major problem, use red sand that contains iron, a natural mosskiller.

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

VEGETABLES: Plant overwintering crops – the broad bean Aquadulce and onion sets such as the variety 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 the leading shoots harder, to half their length, to promote growth.

HERBS: Move patio pots of herbs such as parsley and chives to an indoor windowsill.

Grow fresh basil from cuttings – stand the cuttings in a glass of water on an indoor windowsill until roots appear then plant in pots of compost.

HOUSEPLANTS: Those that flowered earlier in the year require just enough water to keep the compost slightly moist.

Plants that are still to bloom, like Christmas cactus and cyclamen, need TAKE ME HOME! food.

All Together NOW!

32

October/November 2015

The Accumulator Quiz

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

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ACROSS 4. Exceed (7) 8. Wrench (7) 9. Cutting edge (5) 10. Tables of data (5) 13. Sweet course (7) 17. Podded vegetable (3) 18. Merciful (6) 19. Sailor’s song (6) 20. Allow (3) 22. Boat race meeting (7) 25. Broom of twigs (5) 28. Faint (5) 29. Insubstantial (7) 30. Refuge (7) 31. Rear of ship (5)

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11.

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21.

22.

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27.

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

QUESTION 1 – for 1 point: What type of animal was the TV puppet Basil Brush?

A Squirrel B Badger C Rat D Fox

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points: Which of these football clubs escaped being relegated from the Premiership in 2014?

QUESTION 2 – for 2 points: What was the title of the only No 1 hit record to be achieved by the West Country band The Wurzels?

A Threshing Machine B Combine Harvester C Muck Spreader D Grain Elevator

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points: Which event is commemorated by the Monument in the City of London?

A B C D

A B C D

Rope fibre (5) Harvests (5) Negative (5) Pace (6) Picture puzzle (5) Rapidly (5) Brushed (5) Accustom, harden (5) Jewelled headdress (5) Compass point (4) Form (5) Proportion (5) Fur (4) Christian festival (6) Corrodes (5) Sphere (5) Belief (5) Additional payment (5) Tally (5) Worker in stone (5)

QUESTION 5 – for 5 points: How many arms does an octopus have?

A Four B Six C Eight D Ten

Battle of Waterloo Black Death Gunpowder Plot Great Fire of London

A B C D

A B C D

Triangular Square Oval Oblong

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points: Three of these UK Nobel laureates won the prize for physics. Which did not?

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points: Desdemona was the wife of which Shakespeare character?

A B C D

Antonio Timon of Athens Othello Pericles

Martin Ryle Peter Higgs Robert Edwards John Cockcroft

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points: How many sheets does a ream of paper contain?

A B C D

Table tennis Water polo Volleyball Snooker

Five hundred Twenty-four One hundred and forty-four One thousand

QUESTION 9 – for 9 points: Which of the following military bodies has the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra?

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points: Which flower has recognised cultivars called Cedric Morris, Khedive and Lighthouse?

A B C D

A B C D

SUDOKU

Royal Marines Royal Air Force Special Air Service Royal Navy

Rose Carnation Poppy Lily

KAKURO

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

EASY

8 9 7 1 3 9 4 7 6 9 8 7 5 4

A B C D

QUESTION 8 – for 8 points: In which sport are the Swaythling Cup and the Corbillon Cup contested?

QUESTION 6 – for 6 points: Who was Alex Salmond’s immediate predecessor in the position of First Minister of Scotland?

A Henry McLeish B Nicola Sturgeon C Jack McConnell D Donald Dewar

West Bromwich Albion Norwich City Fulham Cardiff City

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points: What shape is a lateen sail?

Politician Alex Salmond. See Question 6

QUESTION 4 – for 4 points: What is the correct name for a ship’s kitchen?

A Galley B Heads C Wardroom D Bilge

DOWN

1. Disorderly struggle (5)

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your

QUESTION 3 – for 3 points: What is a joule?

A A precious stone B A person who is dearly loved C A unit of energy D A sword fight

★ 28

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DIFFICULT

6 5

8 7 1

5 2 1 8 9 5

4 8 9 1 4 4 5 3 9 7 8 9 2

9 7

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REACH 450,00 READERS

5

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4 8 3 1 7 5 6 TAKE ME HOME!

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

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

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

MEDIUM 9

38

11

6

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30

9 6

36 5 6

8 29

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7 12

27 16

ADVERTISE HERE 0151 230 0307

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

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

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

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

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

, 7

1

2 ABC

3 DEF

4 GHI

5 JKL

6 MNO

7 PQRS

8 TUV

9 WXYZ

1. percussion instruments 269 235 518 467 264 182 626 874 631 842 727 466 312 278 263 871 266 461 378 619 956 746 631 456 253 677 435 129 622 516 272 221 244 631 227

2. insects 262 576 224 147 277 467 737 132 794 412 331 667 784 861 782 412 338 531 288 837 359 126 814 676 381 372 466 359 152 392 473 162 935 919 277

3. musicals 691 324 715 239 165 524 662 193 781 743 317 867 916 548 371 384 821 489 712 631 365 571 848 213 673 837 126 643 142 477 772 917 478 371 228

4. worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest lakes 642 444 261 842 867 421 946 647 341 642 272 482 122 452 517 873 746 718 264 269 452 147 328 123 271 848 422 221 487 661 225 542 741 625 294

5. English football teams 868 836 426 146 877 871 243 573 212 786 618 455 212 522 528 761 768 377 162 624 378 371 248 912 773 625 163 922 785 318 648 331 548 377 665

6. card games 728 436 231 222 227 281 653 162 431 252 255 225 176 537 128 284 661 274 343 122 627 821 243 646 133 133 712 742 224 317 668 666 173 836 187

PATHWORDS

SPOT CHECK

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at a time (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 14 beer and lager brands.

Can you place the six dominoes (right) into the grid below in such a way that the number of spots in all four rows across and all four rows down totals 13?

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MISSING LINK Each pair of words has a missing word between them that acts as a link to both (e.g. FRONT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DOOR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAT). The initial letters of the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out another word for intelligent.

1 []â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

Spaces and any punctuation marks are represented by 1.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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AGGRADATION

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

1. The secret ballot is introduced for UK general elections.

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HOME

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

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FINGER

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TOURIST

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L O B G R B TRANSFORMER

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â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

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1) The raising of the height of land through the deposition of sediment; 2) The wearing away of resistance to change through prolonged argument; 3) The collecting together of elements having a common property or feature.

MAKE A DATE

O

RACER

TURKEY

3

Here is an unusual word with three definitions, only one of which is correct. Can you identify the right definition?

J

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

E

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C

WORD WIZARD

2

C

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TALL

SMALL

33

DIALLING CODES

CROSS CODE

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

2. Yellowstone Park in the US Rockies becomes the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first officially designated national park.

3. The cargo ship Mary Celeste is found abandoned off the Azores apparently undamaged but with no crew aboard.

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

Clue: Make entertainer universal.

WAS IT? a) 1832; b) 1842; c) 1852; d) 1862; e) 1872.

_____ +S=__S___

ALL THE ANSWERS Pathwords: Coors; Budweiser; Carling; Heineken; Fosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Corona; Stella Artois; Carlsberg; Kronenbourg; Beckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Grolsch; John Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; Boddingtons; Old Speckled Hen.

6 2 1 3 8 5 9 7 4

8 4 3 9 7 6 2 5 1

9 7 5 4 1 2 8 6 3

3 6 2 5 4 8 1 9 7

SUDOKU EASY

1 5 7 2 6 9 4 3 8

4 9 8 7 3 1 6 2 5

7 3 6 1 2 4 5 8 9

5 8 4 6 9 7 3 1 2

2 1 9 8 5 3 7 4 6

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SUDOKU DIFFICULT

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KAKURO MEDIUM

1 5

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Accumulator Quiz 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; B; 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; B; 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; D; 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C; 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A; 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; C. Starspot Crossword Across â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Scrum; 4 Surpass; 8 Spanner; 9 Blade; 10 Lists; 13 Dessert; 17 Pea; 18 Humane; 19 Shanty; 20 Let; 22 Regatta; 25 Besom; 28 Swoon; 29 Tenuous; 30 Shelter; 31 Stern.

Down â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Sisal; 2 Reaps; 3 Minus; 4 Stride; 5 Rebus; 6 Apace; 7 Swept; 11 Inure; 12 Tiara; 14 East; 15 Shape; 16 Ratio; 17 Pelt; 21 Easter; 22 Rusts; 23 Globe; 24 Tenet; 25 Bonus; 26 Score; 27 Mason.

Star Name: RACHEL BILSON

Word Wizard No 1 is correct. Aggradation is a geological term for the raising of land.

Dialling Codes 1. cowbell; timpani; tambourine; vibraphone; castanets; bongo drum; xylophone; glockenspiel; cymbal; maraca; chime bar.

2. cockroach; grasshopper; earwig; bee; mosquito; stag beetle; butterfly; ant; hornet; dragonfly; ladybird; mayfly; wasp.

3. My Fair Lady; Oklahoma; West Side Story; Oliver; Evita; Guys And Dolls; Viva Forever; Annie; Hairspray; Sister Act. 4. Michigan; Victoria; Winnipeg; Nicaragua; Baikal; Superior; Tanganyika; Great Bear; Titicaca;

Huron; Balkhash; Malawi.

5. Tottenham Hotspur; Chelsea; Aston Villa; Blackburn Rovers; Manchester City; Arsenal; Newcastle United; Liverpool.

6. patience; baccarat; old maid; blackjack; poker; auction bridge; canasta; chemin de fer; cribbage; pontoon; seven up.

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

Missing Link boy; run; index; guide; hose; talk.

Intelligent: bright.

Make a Date The year was 1872.

Transformer Comic + S = Cosmic.

34

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

SUBSCRIBE!

All Together NOW! is helping and inspiring tens of thousands of people whose lives are affected by disability.

But the charity needs to find ways to balance the books.

You can help in a big way by becoming one of our loyal subscribers. For a suggested £15 donation (more, if you can afford it!) we will send you the next SIX editions.

NAME

ADDRESS

Shootingstars Disabled players scoop top awards

POWERFUL DUO : Jordan Duke, left, and Noah Cunningham with Bryan Oviedo

F

OOTBALL stars at Everton in the Community won top praise at the charity’s annual awards night.

Blues midfielder Bryan Oviedo said: “It was fantastic to celebrate and reward these players for their hard work and dedication.

“Everyone had big smiles on their faces and it is clear how much they enjoy their football.”

Brian and club ambassadors Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin handed out the prizes at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, Stanley Park.

Roll of honour . . .

Please send this coupon and a cheque payable to All Together NOW! to: Subscriptions Dept., All Together NOW! The Bradbury Centre, Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP — THANKS!

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

U13 Pan Disability Players’ Player – Kyle Taylor Manager’s Player – Brandon Kennedy U16 Pan Disability Dunes Players’ Player – Jared Harbon Manager’s Player – James Brocklebank U16 Pan Disability ABB A Players’ Player – Michael Lawrence Manager’s Player – Josh Power

Steve Johnson, the charity’s disability manager, said: “The football coaching we deliver is just a small part of what we do within our disability programme.

“We help disabled people in everyday life and assist them in accessing a variety of different opportunities including work placements and qualifications.”

The charity’s disability programme is one of the largest in the world and provides football and physical activity opportunities for thousands of disabled children and adults each year.

U16 Pan Disability ABB B Players’ Player – Sam Meadows Manager’s Player – Hugh Evans Down’s Syndrome Players’ Player – Gus Renshaw Manager’s Player – Daniel Daley Powered Wheelchair Players’ Player – Jordan Duke Manager’s Player – Noah Cunningham Pan Disability B band Players’ Player – Eddie Flynn

Stay ahead of the game . . .

Manager’s Player – Michael Taylor Pan Disability C band Players’ Player – Lee Fairclough Manager’s Player – Adam Jones Pan Disability D band Players’ Player – Ryan Randles Manager’s Player – Antony Flynn Deaf team Players’ Player – Marc Boland Manager’s Player – Mathachen Abraham

Pedal power boosts goalball

BLIND goalball players got on their tandems for a gruelling fund-raiser.

Players from across the UK rode the Way of the Roses – a 170-mile route from Morecambe to Bridlington.

The ride helped to raise much-needed funds for Goalball UK, the charity that encourages visually impaired people to take up the sport.

Goalball is the only Paralympic team sport designed specifically for visually impaired people, though sighted players can also take part.

Two teams of three players compete to score a goal by bowling an audible ball along the floor so that it crosses the goal line of the opposing team.

All players wear eyeshades, and the court has tactile markings (string taped to the floor}.

The sport was originally developed to help with the rehabilitation of soldiers after World War II. In the past two years, the number of active clubs has soared from 18 to 30 across the country.

Mike Reilly, CEO of Goalball UK, said: “It’s been an incredibly exciting few years for goalball with involvement, both on and off the pitch, reaching new heights.

“With more new clubs in the pipeline, and others growing rapidly, we need to make sure that we can support Goalball players old and new around the country.” n Blackburn: Paul Blythin, Tel. 01772 299839. n Bury: Paul Miller, Tel. 0161 253 6364. n Greater Manchester: Sheraz Cohen, Tel. 07581 351786. n Staffordhsire: Matt Greenwood, Tel. 0114 223 5670. n Wolverhampton: Tim Jukes, Tel. 01902 880111. n Goalball UK, Tel. 0114 223 5670. www.goalballuk.com

All Together NOW!

October/November 2015

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

35

DAVID’S ON CUE

S

NOOKER mad David Faye not only organised and hosted the first All Together NOW! snooker tournament – he went on to win it!

“And it was all fair and square,” he was quick to say, when he called in to the ATN offices with his fabulous trophy.

The tournament was played at David’s own snooker room, built for him on the site of his parents’ garage at their home in Blundellsands, Merseyside.

David, 35, has been playing the game for as long as he can remember. “I love snooker,” he said, “and I love All Together NOW! “I have read every issue since the newspaper launched ten years ago. It’s brilliant. I think the title says it all. And I thought a snooker tournament with the same name would be good, too.”

Born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, David plays on a three-quarter size table that’s been adapted for his powered wheelchair.

US Open glory for Brit No1 B

RITAIN’S top wheelchair tennis players clinched sensational victories at the US Open.

Jordanne Whiley made history by becoming the first British woman to win a wheelchair tennis Grand Slam singles title.

And Gordon Reid claimed his second Grand Slam doubles title with French partner Stephane Houdet on a thrilling last day of competition in St Louis.

British No.1 Whiley, playing in her first women’s singles Grand Slam final, beat defending champion and world No. 3 Yui Kamiji (Japan) 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 in a match of fluctuating fortunes.

“It really hasn’t sunk in that I’ve done it – I’m a singles Grand Slam champion! It was so strange playing Yui as she’s my best friend and we’ve achieved so much in doubles together but it

by MARSHALL THOMAS

means I know her game so well,” said Whiley, who will now go to a new career best singles world ranking after starting the US Open ranked at No.5..

Top seeds Reid and Houdet extended their unbeaten sequence as a partnership to 19 matches with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over the all-French duo of Michael Jeremiasz and Nicolas Peifer in the men’s doubles final.

Runner-up in the men’s doubles in New York in 2014, Reid joined forces with Houdet this year to gain the crucial breakthrough midway through the opening set in Sunday’s final.

They then won the last five games of the match to make it two titles in two weeks after winning the final Super Series title of the season in St Louis.

log on to . . .

RIDING HIGH . . .

WITH £325,000 IN THE SADDLE!

FIRST LADY: Jordanne Whiley with the Grand Slam singles trophy

Premier League’s wheelchair access league table - see page 6

Team Arsenal AFC Bournemouth Swansea City Southampton Manchester City (1) West Bromwich Albion Leicester City Newcastle United Sunderland Stoke City West Ham United Everton Chelsea Crystal Palace Liverpool Norwich City Manchester United Aston Villa Watford Tottenham Hotspur

Total Home Away wheelchair w'chair w'chair spaces spaces spaces 250 237 13 221 196 25 191 179 12 172 156 16 199 190 9 145 138 7 154 146 8 170 158 12 160 154 6 116 100 16 111 105 6 118 105 13 113 103 10 85 68 17 111 103 8 84 69 10 132 120 12 89 81 8 54 46 8 56 51 5

Number of wheelchair spaces needed to be % Compliance 100% with compliant guidelines 250 100% 110 100% 150 100% 186 92% 226 88% 168 86% 186 83% 234 73% 228 70% 174 67% 195 57% 210 56% 214 53% 168 51% 220 50% 171 49% 282 47% 216 41% 153 35% 198 28%

THE GREATEST show on earth for disabled riders and carriage drivers is celebrating a remarkable three-day event on British soil.

Riding for the Disabled’s National Championships involved more than 400 participants competing in events like visually impaired dressage, countryside challenge and carriage driving.

Among those soaking up the atmosphere was the Princess Royal, who met riders and drivers, presented rosettes and awards to competitors and volunteers, and thanked supporters including players of People’s Postcode Lottery – from whom she accepted a cheque for £325,000 on the charity’s behalf.

TAKE ME HOME! n RDA, Tel. 01926 492915. www.rda.org.uk

www.alltogethernow.org.uk

36

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October/November 2015

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BIG THANKS to everyone at Heswall Round Table for their generous £500 donation to help keep YOUR free All Together NOW! newspaper alive and kicking!

Address DATE: The Wirral-based charity do some sterling work for community groups and when they heard that we It may be that having read the information on this form you feel that your donation does not qualify for Gift Aid. too were in need of some DOWLING, If this is the case please tick TOM the relevant box below..editor help they rallied to the call!

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All Together NOW! charity you helping the charity would be “Our members thoroughly * Please be aware that you must have paid an amount Tel No: will have the satisfaction of for readers in employment to enjoyed the slide of income and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the knowing you have a direct try and persuade their amount of tax reclaimed by all charities and presentation that editor involvement in keeping this organisations to get involved Community Amateur Sports Clubs on all your Tom Dowling gave, essential and unique news with the newspaper either as April one year to 5th–April donations in the tax year (6th the 40-year story If youexplaining are a UK taxpayer, the value of your service in good fettle. an advertiser, partner the next).We can currently receive an extra 25p for or a Aid donations can the increase by 25% under behind newspaper, and the GiftYou can every either£1 complete thePlease Corporate Friend! you donate. let us know if your tax scheme – at no additional cost to you! Please tick were very keen to lend a circumstances or name/address so NOW! that we is helping All change Together form on this page, text a the box below to join the Gift Aid scheme. canyour update our records. and inspiring hundreds of donation on mobile helping hand.” thousands of people Please ATNOW return this form with your donation to:across The donation will bePlease used treat allphone (DONATE I am a UK taxpayer*. the North and beyond. a regular donations make or have towards the Ipurchase of made to 88802), or commit to All Together Now, TheWest Bradbury Together we can secure the monthly donation via the All of Together Now for the past 4 years as more our strongly Centre, Liverpool future L14 2EP newspaper’s – and make Charity Checkout linkYouens on our Way, Gift Aid donations until further notice. branded “pick-up” boxes it your even bigger and better for website Thank you for support that are situated in EVERYONE! www.alltogethernow.org.uk Thank you supermarkets and health centres.

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