WHAT’S ON
www.alltogethernow.org.uk
WE LIKE the sound of this . . .
Blackpool’s Grand Theatre – compulsory stopping point for many award-winning touring productions – has a new audio guide for visually impaired arts lovers.
Recordings promote shows including The Grand’s own production, Around the World in 80s Days, West End hit The Woman in Black, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Bizet’s Carmen produced by the Ellen Kent Opera company. A-list comedians Rob Beckett, Jason Manford and Alan Carr will be bringing their particular brand of stand-up to the Grand’s stage. Altogether, details of more than 50 shows are included in the audio version of the guide, which is a joint effort by the theatre and former employee Anne-Marie Flood, who
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2021
Theatre’s grand plans for everyone
recently launched a voice audio company. Andrew Howard, marketing manager at The Grand, said: “Accessibility is one of our major priorities and we want all theatregoers to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.” n Available on Sound Cloud, theatregoers can access the Audio brochure online www.soundcloud.com/black poolgrandtheatre/sets/theguide-blackpool-grandtheatre-autumn-winteraudio-21 IN TUNE: Anne-Marie Flood with the new guide
All Together NOW!
Your at-a-glance guide to all the big stage shows coming your way
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Spotlight on young carers
Y
OUNG carers are set to take centre stage at the Lowry and Unity theatre, Liverpool.
Written by Matt Woodhead, Who Cares aims to help identify young carers in the UK – those who provide care under the radar of their friends, schoolteachers and local authorities – as well as signpost them to the support available. Matt Woodhead said: “Sharing
Disabled people leading change
the inspirational stories of young carers is a real privilege and a vital part of the campaign to raise awareness of this, often hidden, issue.” The play premiered to critical acclaim at The Lowry in November 2016. Last February, it was performed on BBC Radio 2 reaching over 800,000 listeners. n Nov 15-17: The Lowry n Nov 18-19: Unity, Liverpool
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
D
ISABILITY Rights UK is the largest national charity led by, run by, and working for disabled people.
It works with Disabled People’s Organisations and Government across the UK to influence regional and national change for better rights, benefits, quality of life and economic opportunities for disabled people.
DR UK’s distinctive position means it can put concerns strongly and directly to government, infrastructure and service providers, and care regulators. It was strongly involved in lobbying the major supermarkets to provide priority shopping and online delivery slots for disabled customers. It continues to provide vital information to disabled people across the country through its helplines, news updates and factsheets. Unique services, such as its Student Helpline, provide information about how to access support at university. It also partners with various grass roots organisations in the North West to run projects enabling disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity. Naturally, the charity’s resources have been stretched during the Covid-19 pandemic and donations are very welcome at
www.justgiving.com/disabilityrightsuk.
Everything you need to know
THE Disability Rights Handbook provides in-depth, comprehensive guidance on the benefits system, explains how social care operates around the UK and includes information about other services and resources for disabled people. And it’s full of tools and tactics to help you make a successful claim. Written in plain English by benefits specialists and legally referenced, it’s the only user-friendly benefits guide designed for both claimants and advisers. Fully updated for 2021/22 and easy to find your way around, it has the answers you need, to claim what you’re entitled to, or challenge an unsuccessful application for benefits or social care. n Reduced price copies of the Handbook for individuals are available online at www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop or by calling 020 3687 0790.
Genuine Radar NKS Key Get priority access to accessible public toilets
If you have a health condition or disability, finding an accessible toilet that’s clean, tidy and available for you to use can be a challenge.
And they’re often kept locked.
l The Radar key gives you access to over 9,000 locked disabled public toilets around the UK.
l Disability Rights UK manages the Radar NKS Scheme and relies on key sales to maintain it. l Don’t risk buying a cheap copy that may not work.
l All keys manufactured and guaranteed by the makers of the Radar locks themselves Genuine Radar Key £5.00 including P&P Available from: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop Alternatively call 020 3687 0790
You can also send a £5 cheque made out to ‘Disability Rights UK’
Disability Rights UK, Plexal, 14 East Bay Lane, Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3BS
