Independent living for disabled people
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much more than an advice service... @ComDevDASL
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Welcome message
David Strong, Director
Welcome to another issue of our newsletter which our Community Development Worker, Louise Holden, has prepared and edited with contributions from the DASL team and some of our partner organisations.
sign as the Organisation, like so many in the third sector, continues to navigate its way through funding challenges on the one hand and an increased demand for its services on the other”.
As ever, it is a lively mix of news, views and information which we hope you will find interesting and enjoyable. Louise is always pleased to hear from you if you have ideas for the newsletter or want to find out more about something you read about here.
We have also had positive developments in other services including an extension of funding for our Into Sport project to March 2018 and involvement in a new Lambeth sport and physical activity, Get Out Get Active, which we will be delivering in a partnership with the Council, Wheels for Wellbeing, other Lambeth community groups working with young women and girls, Disability Rights UK and Lambeth Council. Contact Abs to find out more about the regular activities she is supporting and our forthcoming special Into Sport event on 18 May. We are also looking forward to the first ’Able to Travel’ event organised by Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership on 31st May.
We welcome our new Senior Advice Worker, Charlotte Morris, who has taken over from John Martin who left us in February. I would like to add my own thanks to those we received from many of John’s hundreds of clients for the dedicated work he did for our Advice Service since he joined us in 2005. It was fitting that John was here for our latest Advice Quality Standard audit in February. We have held this important quality mark since 2003: that we again passed with flying colours is a tribute to the excellence of the service which John provided for many years and which Charlotte will now take forward. The auditor found that “There is an impressive number of Areas of Good Practice…where the Organisation has exceeded the requirements of the Standard to a significant extent. This is a most encouraging
At a policy level, we continue to work closely with the Lambeth Equality Commission. We want to ensure that the voices of Disabled People are listened to as the Commission takes its evidence and prepares a report which we hope will influence the Council and other key organisations to better meet the needs of the people which DASL supports and represents at a time of great change and worrying cuts in services.
Front page photo: These lovely photos were part of Intosports photo competition. The winner is on page 4 along with an update from Abs on how things are going with the project and lots of opportunities for us all to meet up!
Contents
6. Younger Disabled People
2. Welcome message
8. Advice Services &Drop ins
3. DASL’s New Advice Worker
10. DASL AGM photos
4. Into Sport
11. Independent Living and Carers’ Partnership services
5. Community Development
12. How to contact us
5. Do You Feel Safe on Buses? @ComDevDASL
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DASL News DASL welcomes our new Senior Advice Worker, Charlotte Morris “I am really excited to be starting work as an Advisor at Disability Advice Service Lambeth. I have a lot of experience of working with user-led disability organisations in South London and have also, prior to this, worked as Tenancy Support Worker in Hackney and in residential projects for people with mental health problems. I am passionate about informing people of their rights in relation to benefits and debt. I look forward to helping people navigate their way around an increasingly complex and difficult system even though I know it will be very challenging. I have so far enjoyed chatting with and meeting different members of staff and learning about all the different organisations at 336.”
Farewell and thank you to John Martin As many of you know, John Martin worked for DASL for over 10 years, providing a unique and vital service to disabled people in the borough, specialising in an holistic approach for people with lived experience of mental health issues.. We want to thank John for his commitment and hard work, he did a great job and was great fun to work with. From all of us at DASL, we wish John all the best as he starts the next phase of his life in his new home in Devon.
Direct Payment Support Service Update The Direct Payments Support Service has been working on a new method of gathering feedback from people we have supported. We feel it’s important to demonstrate the quality of the advice and information we provide, and the value of having an independent direct payments support service. We have tried to keep the paperwork to a minimum and are offering people a range of ways to respond. The responses received so far has been overwhelmingly positive: Comments we received included: “I’d be lost if I didn’t have DASL to support me” “You have been very patient and insightful. Thanks for all your advice.” “You followed up on emails and did what you said you were going to – you were really helpful.” We will use the feedback as part of the information we provide to the Council every month to help demonstrate the valuable role our service plays in ensuring individual employers are provided with the support they need to manage their direct payment, not only when it is being set up but for months and years afterwards. @ComDevDASL
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Intosport Lambeth - update from Abs Tripp Monday Lunchtime Walks
planning for the 18 May will include an exclusive tour of a Lambeth Leisure Centre, trying out
Every Monday we meet at 12:25pm in reception at 336 Brixton Road, so join me for a gentle stroll and a chat, explore Slade Gardens or Brixton Street Art. Monthly evening cycling and walks coming soon.
Here’s the warm up stretches. You can do them sitting down or standing up -
Social Cycling Club
polish not Polish - right hand on, left hand off
Nod and wink - chin to chest, ear to shoulder, left then right Twists - hug your self, turn to the left then right Hands up – lean left then right
We are setting up a social cycling club with Wheels for Wellbeing and Brixton Cycles. We will offer one to one lessons and short group rides and have a small fleet including a hand cycle, a tricycle, a recumbent tricycle and three bicycles. Register your interest with me.
Marching - left, right, both together Feet and toes – wiggle your ankles and point your toes
different exercise cycles and gym equipment, “DASL has re Intosport Photo Competition ally been listening to Orchard Hill a great find!” In the last newsletter students tell us how we announced the accessible and friendly Orchard Hill College competition and had Lambeth’s Leisure lots of fabulous entries. centres really are and The runners up are on giving feedback on your experiences of using the front page but the winner, them and joining in some taster sessions with by a country mile, as voted Disability Sports Coach, so this is an event not to for by DASL, Carers Hub and be missed! visitors to the office was ‘Mohamed and Alice on the Exciting news from Wheels 4 side by side’ as seen on the front cover of The Wellbeing Mole Autumn issue! The fabulous New Pavilion is open at New Partnership Herne Hill Velodrome with accessible showers and toilets close to the track with Orchard Hill plus disabled parking. Also free taxi College service to and from the Velodrome. I recently developed info@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk or an exciting new 020 7346 8482 partnership with Do get in touch with me if you have Orchard Hill College. comments about Lambeth’s Leisure Centres or Students are helping me with mystery shopping want to join in mystery shopping, at Lambeth leisure centres and with planning a and of course, if you are interested big Intosport event on 18 May from 10am to in other sport and physical activity 1.30pm, venue to be confirmed. I also went to activities around the borough. the college for its ‘Learner Week’ and ran a workshop with students, which included warm up 07512 566 875 / 020 7738 5656 stretches, sport charades and a discussion on what to wear for different sports. abs.tripp@disabilitylambeth.org.uk In development with Orchard Hill, the event I am @ComDevDASL
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Community Development - update from Louise Holden the need for comprehensive Disability Awareness Training and campaigns to encourage attitudinal change.
Influencing change Lambeth’s Equality Commission has been really busy with many events and meetings around the borough, which I have been attending. DASL are pleased that the Commission recognised the need for some more focussed sessions for Disabled People, the main event being on Tuesday 21st March, at 336 Brixton Road. It was very well attended and lots of issues were raised including:
The commission was due to end in April but has now been extended to June. I have been working with Roger Lewis, who works for Lambeth and is visually impaired. We arranged some additional sessions for visually impaired people and the Deaf community to be able to input into the Equality Commission. Each event is written up and added to the Equality Commission’s website at https://goo.gl/92q3CH
using technology and providing training to use that technology to improve access to general Council services A better coordinated approach to letting people know about services - a constant problem as people felt there was an element of luck involved in getting to know about what support is available in Lambeth
Black Thrive I was invited to join the Black Wellbeing Partnership’s working group on improving access to Mental Health services in Lambeth. The BWP is supported by Healthwatch Lambeth and continues the work started by the Black Health & Wellbeing Commission. Find out more via https://goo.gl/ DG2mgn. Maybe even join a working group yourself?
the reality of accessing support greatly differs from how services appear; the importance of being asked what would be most helpful instead of being “done to” using the Blind Register to engage more with visually impaired people to ask what they need and inform about support and events
Do you feel safe using the local buses? Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership (LDHCP) has been in contact with the Able to Travel Team in Lambeth and we have an exciting event planned so put this date in your diaries! It will take place on a London bus that will be picking us up at a stop very near to 336, probably Villa Road, on Wednesday 31st May. Sessions last
approximately 90 minutes, the first starting at 10am and the second at 12:30pm. Role play scenarios and discussions on how to deal with different and challenging situations faced by disabled passengers. Not to be missed! To book for this event please contact Laura Cheyne, Road Safety Officer at Lambeth Council via LCheyne@lambeth.gov.uk or Louise Holden at DASL via lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk / 020 7501 8976. LDHCP’s third annual event to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week was held on 12th October 2016 at 336. It was the only hate crime event held in Lambeth. Over 60 people attended on the day. The full report on the event is available to download via DASL’s website https://goo.gl/H9yiKl or you can request a copy from Louise Holden on 020 7501 8976. @ComDevDASL
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Are you a younger disabled person Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005 (now part of the Equality Act 2010), the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill.
We are stronger, together
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Independent Living Fund (sadly, closed down by the Government in 2015), which was underpinned by initiatives developed by disabled people such as Direct Payments. Development of the Social Model of Disability. DASL is a Disabled People’s Organisation, so we All of these achievements were a result of know how much of a lifeline it can be to speak to disabled people organising and campaigning for someone who has a real understanding of the change over many years, and cannot be taken for challenges involved in getting the right support granted, especially in this current climate of cuts and accessing opportunities to enjoy life; and how to public services, welfare benefits and reductions empowering it can be to get involved in work that in support to access education and employment. influences change. DASL is a member of Inclusion Disabled People's Organisations are also under London which supports the network of Disabled threat from funding cuts, at a time when they are People’s Organisations throughout London. DASL needed the most. also works with other important strategic DPOs As the future generation of Disabled People, we such as ALLFIE (Alliance for Inclusive Education) want to encourage you to get involved, we need and Transport for All. There is a long history as to more younger Disabled People to get on board why organisations like DASL were set and carry on campaigning; we are DASL has a new page up, with the motto of, “nothing about stronger, together! on our website us, without us” and campaigning for “Ways to Campaign” You can join DASL as a member via Disabled People’s rights to equality our website at https://goo.gl/e6iBjI or Check it out at and quality of life being the driving by contacting Louise on force to effect change and to improve https://goo.gl/bu03KG 020 7501 8976 the lives of disabled people. Over the lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk past 40 years, disabled people have achieved much to be proud of: Find out more about the history of the Disabled Major new laws extending civil and human People’s Movement via https://goo.gl/US8eEJ rights in the UK, including the Disability
Young Adults @ Mosaic The Young Adults programme at Mosaic is aimed at people aged between 16 and 35. There are over 90 young adult members working alongside each other towards achieving their potential whilst enjoying the exciting programme of events Mosaic Clubhouse has to offer, find out more via www.mosaic-clubhouse.org/young-adults @ComDevDASL
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living in Lambeth? Join Young Lambeth Coop and have your voice heard Are you a parent, child or community member who lives, works or studies in Lambeth?
“LEARN ING TO B COMMI SSIONE ECOME A YLC RM IT DOES Y N’T MAT ADE ME REA OUNG LIS OPINIO TER WH NS ARE ERE I’M E THAT IMPORT FROM, ANT.” MY
Join Young Lambeth Coop (YLC) today and get access to a range of opportunities to have your voice heard in youth and play services in Lambeth. It’s free to become a member, simply visit www.younglambethcoop.co.uk YLC has developed their commissioning and click ‘Join’ or call us on 020 7095 1018. approach to fund YLC is a cooperative that was ‘spunorganisations to work out’ from Lambeth Council (becoming together around each operational in 2015) to coordinate and young person, to commission youth and play services, provide better journeys guided by the needs, wants and and outcomes for young aspirations of young people. people. Youth and play services can mean everything from adventure playgrounds and sports clubs to cookery lessons. YLC has 7,000 members (35% are under 19) who work or live in Lambeth and believes in a 'whole community' response to social issues, and in ensuring that individuals and organisations have the skills and YLC currently tools to lead, influence and deliver commission 55 services quality services. YLC commissions across outcome areas services valued at £800,000+ each including: year, guided by its young members. YLC trains young people to Improved emotional commission and assess youth and health and wellbeing play provision in the borough. Decreased risk of violence victimisation and perpetration
Last year, over 4,000 young people have engaged with YLC funded work delivered by the commissioned organisations and 1,500+ achieved measurably improved Increased employability social and emotional capabilities as a result. Throughout the year, the YLC run events and consultations with young people, building their skills in self-advocacy and community leadership. YLC also runs the youth programme behind Lambeth’s Youth Council, including their Advisory Board.
YLC has: 80 young champions (attracting new members) 40 young commissioners (choosing the organisations we fund to run services) 40 young assessors (evaluating the effectiveness of commissioned services) 12 steering group members (guiding our strategy)
The next round of commissioning is for the Summer Activity Programme, so if you have some ideas for a fun-filled Summer, 1 young member on our then be sure to sign up today and have your say! board of Trustees
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Do you need advice? Don’t know where to go? With all the changes to advice services happening, we thought it would be helpful to list the advice services and drop-ins around the borough that we know of. If you know of any that are not listed here, please let us know via enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk. overpayments, credit/store cards and bank loans. Also offers financial capability training for Lambeth residents at 'Managing your Money' workshops & monthly sessions to help any Lambeth resident experiencing difficulties with their council tax resolve the matter and come to a suitable arrangement with the council.
One Lambeth Advice - 0800 254 0298 Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm, Email using contact form at http:// onelambethadvice.org.uk/contact-us/ Website https://onelambethadvice.org.uk/about/ One Lambeth Advice, operated by Merton and Lambeth Citizens’ Advice, is the ‘gateway’ for the public into the independent advice services offered by the Lambeth Advice Network agencies :
Advising London Drop in sessions (no appointment necessary) Held every month at the following locations: Every 1st Monday 10am-1pm Brixton Job Centre, 422 Brixton Road, SW9 7AE Every 3rd Tuesday 1pm-4pm Streatham Library, 63 Streatham High Road, SW16 1PN
- Brixton Advice Centre - Centre 70 - Lambeth Law Centre - Merton and Lambeth Citizen’s Advice Offers a range of services and support: Using on-line information, tools and materials; Working with one of the volunteer ‘Advice Guides’ located in a number of GP surgeries, Council offices and advice agencies to support people to access on-line resources; Helping users work out the next step that they need to take; Providing advice and casework through access to the Lambeth Advice Network agencies.
Advising London APPOINTMENT ONLY For debt and money issues at the following locations: Every 2nd Tuesday 10am-1pm and 4th Monday 1pm4pm, Streatham Job Centre, Station Approach, SW16 6HW - Appointment ONLY Every 4th Tuesday 10am-1pm, Springfield Centre (Central Income Office), 110 Union Road, SW8 2SH - Appointment ONLY
One Lambeth Advice offers casework in welfare benefits, debt and housing and some advice on employment and consumer matters.
If you would like to request an appointment please email debtadvice@advising.london and be sure to include your name and telephone number and a brief summary of the matter you require advice on.
GP Surgeries offering advice via One Lambeth Advice - If you are a registered patient of one of the practices below, speak to your GP about any welfare issues that are affecting you and the GP can refer you.
London South Bank University Legal Advice Clinic - Clarence Centre for Enterprise and
The practices offering appointments with advisers are:
Innovation, 126 London Road, SE1 0AE Tel: 020 7815 5450 / Email: legaladvice@lsbu.ac.uk / www.lsbu.ac.uk/legaladviceclinic
Beckett House Practice Brixton Hill Group Practice Hetherington Group Practice Lambeth Walk Group Practice Mawbey Group Practice Myatt’s Field Health Practice Paxton Green Health Centre Stockwell Group Practice
Free public drop-in service staffed by LSBU law students working under the supervision of practicing solicitors. Drop-in or referral. Term time only. Does not provide advice by phone or email. Legal Advice Clinic Drop-ins Tuesdays 10am – 12noon; Wednesdays 10am – 12noon; 3 – 5pm (term time only) Generalist advice on any social welfare law matter except immigration.
You can also make your own appointment by calling the receptionist at the surgery during practice opening hours. The adviser will see patients by appointment at the designated GP Surgery. Further information http://love.lambeth.gov.uk/freeadvice-in-gp-surgeries/
Advising London Lambeth Drop in Sessions
Specialist legal advice in family, housing, employment, (Thursday evenings, accessed through initial assessment at daytime drop-in)
Tel: 020 3752 5520 www.advising.london/our-services/advice/advisinglambeth
Lambeth Law Centre - Morning and Evening General Advice Sessions
Offers specialist debt advice at various outreaches across Lambeth. At these sessions clients can drop-in for advice regarding a variety of debt or money management issues such as rent, council tax, benefit
LLC, UNIT 4, The Co-Op Centre, 11 Mowll Street, SW9 6BG. Lambeth Law Centre collaborates with a number of volunteer lawyers from Clyde and Co who staff free
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generalist advice sessions on Monday evenings (Lambeth Evening Advice Sessions or LEAS) and Wednesday mornings (Lambeth Morning Advice Sessions or LMAS). The service is supervised by staff from Lambeth Law Centre and supported by admin volunteers from BPP. One-off advice is given - can’t take on lengthy pieces of casework. Most enquiries dealt with concern housing deposits, unpaid wages, consumer law, parking fines, small claims and general litigation. To book an appointment for one of these sessions call 0207 840 2000.
Royal Association for the Deaf (RAD) Drop in Advice Sessions advice@royaldeaf.org.uk Textphone 0845 688 2527 SMS 0791 263 0786 In partnership with DASL, RAD offers appointments and drop in for BSL users. Every Wednesday 10am – 4pm DASL offices, 2nd Floor, 336 Brixton Road SW9 7AA
Every Pound Counts (Lambeth Council) Tel: 0800 254 0298 / Email: EveryPoundCounts@lambeth.gov.uk www.lambeth.gov.uk/everypoundcounts
Advice for older people, disabled people, mental health service users, carers
Welfare benefits advice. Telephone and face to face benefits check. Available to disabled people, older people (55+) and carers but will normally only accept cases at the mandatory reconsideration and/or appeal stages unless the client is one they have already worked with.
Independent Living and Carers’ Partnership (ILCP) We are 336, 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA Tel: 020 7346 6800 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Email: info@ageuklambeth.org.uk Weekly drop-in advice surgeries – see www.ageuk.org.uk/lambeth/information-advice-advocacy/information--advice-surgeries/ General advice and information on all subjects relevant to disabled and older people Basic casework in welfare benefits, debt and housing Advocacy casework in health and community care services, housing, family matters, safeguarding issues
The Living Well Network Offer advice, information and support to people who live in Lambeth and / or who have a Lambeth GP.
Mental Health Drop In sessions across Lambeth
ILCP Drop in advice sessions
Monday 10am to 5pm at 336 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AA Tuesday 11am to 4pm at St Luke’s Hub, 25A Wincott Street, Kennington SE11 4NT Thursday 10am to 12pm at Stockwell Park Community Centre, 21 Aytoun Place, Stockwell, SW9 0TE Please contact Matthew Davison on 0203 691 5080 or email mdavison@lwnhub.net if you have queries or for more information.
Monday 1pm – 4pm Brixton Vida Walsh Centre, 2B Saltoun Road, SW2 1EP Wednesday 1pm – 4pm Vauxhall The Tate South Lambeth Library, 180 South Lambeth Road, SW8 1QP Thursday 9am – 12.30pm Brixton (building opens at 8.30am) 336 Brixton Road SW9 7AA
Tuesday 9.30am to 10.30am (No need to book), then pre-booked appointments from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Mosaic Clubhouse, 65 Effra Road, Brixton SW2 1BZ For the Mosaic drop in Contact South East locality team on 07468 727 879 or email mbuckley@lwnhub.net if you have any queries or for more information.
Friday 10am – 1pm Streatham 2-8 Gracefield Gardens, SW16 2ST
Disability Advice Service Lambeth (DASL) We are 336, 336 Brixton Road, London SW9 7AA Tel: 020 7738 5656 (General enquiries) Email: enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk Advice casework for disabled adults, especially those with mental health problems. Welfare benefits, housing problems, community care issues and some areas of debt. Initial advice and information on a range of other subjects. Home visits for people unable to attend office. Referral: Phone, write, email or use the website contacts page. Casework by appointment only.
Thursday 10am to 10.30am (No need to book), then pre-booked appointments from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Clapham Methodist Church, Clapham High Street, SW4 7JR For the Clapham drop in please contact South West locality team on 07468 727 861 or email carly.parker@lwnhub.net if you have any queries or for more information.
Information about services and support in Lambeth via DASL website at www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk/dasl/advice/i-advice-andinformation-resources/
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DASL’s AGM December 2016
Thanks to everyone who came to support DASL and talk to Lambeth Equalities Commission about the issues which most concern disabled people. We had a great meeting! @ComDevDASL
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DASL is proud to be part of the ILCP The Independent Living & Carers’ Partnership, in which DASL is a key partner, provides a range of free services to support disabled and older people and carers, including young carers, in Lambeth. It is funded by Lambeth Council and includes information, advice, advocacy, support with Direct Payments and community development.
Enquiry Line and Advice Surgeries Carers’ Advice Volunteer Befriending Community Development with Older People
Carers’ Advice, Support & Development Support for Mental Health Carers
Direct Payments Support
Learning Disability Carers’ Advice, Support and Development
Professional Advocacy
Older Carers’ Peer Support Young Carer’s Project
Community Development with Disabled People
Help for Carers
Community Development with Adults with Learning Disabilities
How to contact the ILCP Advice and support for Deaf People 0791 263 0786 advice@royaldeaf.org.uk
General Enquiries about ILCP Services and Information and Advice Tel: 020 7346 6800 Email: info@ageuklambeth.org.uk Professional Advocacy Tel: 020 7501 8966 Email: advocacy@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Direct Payments Support Service Tel: 020 7501 8960 Email direct.payments@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Carers’ Hub Lambeth Tel: 020 7346 6800 Email: connect@carershub.org.uk Website: www.carershub.org.uk
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Contact Us Write to us at: “We are 336” 336 Brixton Road London SW9 7AA
much more than an advice service...
General Enquiries call 020 7738 5656 or email enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Direct Payments Support: 020 7501 8960 or email direct.payments@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Professional Advocacy: 020 7501 8966 or email advocacy@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Specialist Advice Service: 020 7738 5656 (leave a message) or email enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Into Sport Project: 07512 566 875 or 020 7738 56556 or email abs.tripp@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Community Development, Membership, Volunteering, Newsletter and Social Media enquiries Louise Holden on 020 7501 8976 or email lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Services for Stroke Survivors including London Stroke Choir: 07773 810264 or email manuela.gouveia@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Disability Hate Crime Advocacy: 020 7642 2054 or email hatecrime@disabilitylambeth.org.uk
DASL’s main funders are Lambeth Council, Trust for London, Sport England, Spirit of 2012 and Skills for Care Charity No. 1087399 A company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales No. 04214688 DASL is proud to be part of the Independent Living & Carers’ Partnership
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