all together now magazine - issue 29 - february 2010

YOUR AWARD-WINNING CHARITY MAGAZINE THAT’S BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERSAWARD-WINNING

When you have finished reading this magazine please pass it on to a friend or neighbour

AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNooww!!iiss ssuuppppoorrtteedd bbyy::

FEBRUARY,MARCH 2010

p5

OF BEIJINGOF BEIJINGBELLESBELLES

GET INTO GEAR — p22-23

BELLESOF BEIJING

WIN! WIN! WIN!

GO RUN A MILE

SAILS ATLANTIC

PARALYSED GEOFF

SAYS SOPHIE

GUIDE DOG BOOSTFOR CHILDREN

INSIDE

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p3

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LOVE is in the air!

What dothe starshave instore forYOU?

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NEWS

To advertise call us NOW! 0151 230 0307

Disabledpeopleto takecontrol

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!

DISABLED adults areto get more choiceand control over thestate funding orservices they receive.

Through the Right toControl programmethey will be givenmoney to buy theirown support servicesor equipment .

Jonathan Shaw,Minister for DisabledPeople, said: “Throughour consultation,disabled people havetold us they wantbetter control overtheir lives and controlover the services theyuse.

“One example may bethe way employmentservices are delivered.At present a disabledperson requiringsupport from aspecialist disabilityemploymentprogramme is given alimited choice aboutwho will support themand how.

“Through thesechanges, disabledpeople will be able todecide how they areprovided withspecialist employmentsupport and whosupports them. It’sthese little choices thatothers may take forgranted but build up toa bigger picture ofeverydayindependence.”

There will be noobligation on disabledpeople to buy theirown support servicesor equipment throughRight to Control.

Individuals couldchoose to continuereceiving the servicesarranged on theirbehalf if they prefer, orperhaps have acombination of the twooptions.

The Right to Controlprogramme will betested later this year inaround eight localauthorities in England.

Every picture tells a storyVISITORS to Bolton’s Central Library have beentreated to some stunning and though-provokingimages of disability.

Photographer Terry Speake, lecturer at the Universityof Bolton, was commissioned by the Office forDisability Issues to take photos for its image library.

His work, which highlighted the great contributionthat local disabled people are making to Bolton’scommunity, went on display to celebrate InternationalDay for Disabled People.

Councillor Rosa Kay, executive member for humanresources, said: “It’s great that Bolton isacknowledging this internationally recognised daywhich aims to promote an understanding of disabilityissues and gain support for the dignity, rights and well-being of disabled people.

“Terry’s work is very inspirational.”

SNAP HAPPY: PhotographerTerry Speake with Boltonmayor Norman Critchley

SMILESPLEASE: (Backleft to right):WinifredSidebottomand Leon Rae(NewOpenings);Mayor andMayoress ofBolton, CllrNormanCritchley andwife Delyse;Cllr ElaineSherrington;AndrewKilpatrick(assistantdirector forsocial care);JohnRutherford(director ofadult andcommunityservices) andJeanette Smith(NewOpenings).(Front, left toright): CarleneEvans(BADGE); TerrySpeake; IanCooper(BADGE);Louise Window(partnershipsand accessmanager)

NO, this is not an All Together NOW!humorous caption competition – it’s avery serious matter!

Last year, learning disability charity Mencapcalled on the government to legislate for specialtoilets to be included in all new large publicplaces.

The toilets, called Changing Places, arewheelchair accessible, with a height-adjustablechanging bench, a hoist and enough space for upto two carers.

Adding his weight to the campaign actor CraigKelly turned up at the Department forCommunities and Local Government with a gianttoilet roll – and a petition with 18,000 signatures.

The Coronation Street star was accompanied bya group of people with learning disabilities.

Craig said: “It’s really exciting to be a part of thisimportant petition for the Changing Placescampaign and I’ve added my signature to thethousands already collected.

“The giant toilet roll is a great idea to deliver themessage.”

Building regulations minister Lord McKenziesaid: “I was very happy to meet the delegationfrom Mencap to hear about their campaign on thisimportant issue.

“The government will listen carefully to theirviews when considering what future changes wecan make to the building regulations.”For more information on the Changing Placescampaign visit: www.changing-places.org

Corrie’s Craig in loo campaignCorrie’s Craig in loo campaign

TOILET CAMPAIGNER: Craig makes his point

n All Together NOW! is aregistered charity set up toprovide a tip top news servicefor anyone whose life isaffected by disability, long-term health condtions or age– and raises awareness abouthow people can overcomepersonal challenges.n The charity relies entirely onsupport from its patrons,advertisers and from generalsubscriptions and grants.n If YOU or YOURorganisation can help, we’dbe delighted to hear from you!

33wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk FFeebbrruuaarryy//MMaarrcchh 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!!

NEWS

‘Can you help ourlittle boy, Jack . . ?’

Breakthrough awards

PARALYSED yachtsman Geoff Holthas become the first quadriplegicto sail across the Atlantic.

Geoff, who broke his neck while divinginto shallow waters 25 years ago, said:“Disability need not be a barrier toachieving your dream. It’s about believingin yourself and being prepared to fail onthe journey.”

Geoff single-handedly completed the2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic on a60ft purpose-built catamaran named‘Impossible Dream’.

Accomanied by his carer, Susana, he setoff from Lanzarote in December, arriving28 days later in Cane Garden Bay wherehe revisited the place of his accident.

It was Geoff’s fourth Atlantic crossing,but the first since the life changingaccident which left him paralysed from thechest down.

Engine problems just three days into hislatest voyage meant an essential stop tothe Cape Verde Islands.

Unexpected light prevailing winds alsomade progress frustratingly slow.

In 2007 Geoff sailed single-handedlyaround Britain.

He is also a founding trustee of RYASailability, an organisation which helpsdisabled people go sailing.

Debbie Blachford manager of RYASailability said: “Geoff is truly aninspiration. He has shown that it ispossible for disabled people to live achallenging life and that with hard workand determination we can hope to achieveour dream, whatever it is.”

Geoff’sdreamvoyage

Let’s hope it’s a happy new era for everyoneLet’s hope it’s a happy new era for everyone

ON THE CREST OF A WAVE: paralysed sailor Geoff Holt BUSINESSES that go the extra milefor disabled people are to be rewardedat the third National IndependentLiving Awards.

Categories in this year’s awards –set up by Manchester-basedBreakthrough UK – include goodpractice in employing disabledpeople; accessible public transport;and the provision of accessible,useful, and timely information.

For a full list of categories and howto enter visit the website:www.breakthrough-uk.co.uk

Closing date, March 19

A FUNDRAISING dinner/disco night isbeing planned to help pay the costs ofspecial treatment in America for asix-year-old autistic boy.

Natalie and Mark Armstrong, fromKingsley, Cheshire, are trying to raise£25,000 to send their son, Jack, for anintense Son-Rise therapy programme.

Natalie said: “Jack was a happy andnormal baby, although his speech wasdelayed and at the age of two and halfstarted speech therapy.

“Aged three and a half, whenreturning from holiday, Jackregressed overnight: he no longerplayed with his toys, he pulled at longgrass and string, forgot all the wordshe had learnt, no longer made eyecontact – and didn’t want to be nearpeople.”

When Jack was five his parentslearnt about the Son-Rise programmeand converted their garage into a playtherapy room, and recruited a team ofvolunteers.

“Jack,” says Natalie, “now has greateye-contact and is making hugestrides with his speech and contact.The aim now is to attend a Son-Riseintensive course in America to ensurethat Jack’s development continues.”n The dinner dance, featuring singerDaniel James, takes place at ForestHills Hotel, Frodsham, on March 19.Tickets, £15. Call Natalie on 01928788246. Email: [email protected]

ANEW year, a new decade . . .and let’s hope a new era filledwith new opportunities for

EVERYONE.Remarkably, despite all the economic

doom and gloom, we are now into oursixth year at the Bradbury Centre.

It’s been a real roller coaster ride, allright, but we are still here, still smiling,and still making plans to get even morecopies of All Together NOW! out on tothe streets.

But our success is very much down tothe fantastic and ongoing support fromour sponsors and regular advertisers.

Without their backing we would simplynot be around.

It’s particularly good, therefore, toreport that two of our staunch supporters– Peter Johnson’s Birkenhead-basedPark Group and Liverpool Primary CareTrust – have signed up for another year!

This is really great news – a terrific

start to 2010.From April onwards Liverpool PCT will

have its own branded page inAll Together NOW! that will include allsorts of innovative health initiatives and

opportunities for people in the city.We’re now hoping that some of our

other PCTs and hospital trusts across theregion will also team up with us tospread news of their excellent work . . .

Peter Johnson

HERE’S another piece of good news:Plans are taking shape for a

fundraising golf day at Upton GolfCourse, Chester, in memory of one ofour trustees who died in November.

Tony Owens’ daughter, Alex, says theevent is scheduled for September andwill raise money for Clatterbridge Centrefor Oncology, where Tony spent his finaldays.

We’ll keep you posted!In the meantime, thanks for all the

positive feedback and hope you enjoythis info-packed edition.

We are back again in spring – March29 to be precise – just before Easter!

— TOM DOWLING, editor

Sponsorsmaintainsupport


NEWS

What we think aboutgrowing old . . .

STEPforwardfor yourMBE, Sue

Guide dog boostALL of Britain’s 18,000

blind children can nowapply for their own guide

dog.The move follows a report by the

Guide Dogs’ charity that revealedblind and partially-sighted childrenand young people are often leftfeeling lonely, isolated, unable tomake friends and fearful of thefuture.

Guide Dogs research showsGovernment failure to providenational guidelines and standardsleads to patchy provision by localcouncils with 30% – around 6,000youngsters – receiving no mobilitytraining and 9,000 without supportin daily living.

Eight out of 10 parents also saythey have not received thesupport they need to help theirchildren develop these skills.

The research shows:n Two-thirds have most of theirsocial life within their families.n One-third are bullied over sightloss at school.

Forty per cent make most of theirfriends online as they lack theconfidence and social skills tomake friends with classmates.One in 10 never go out withfriends.

Guide Dogs chief executiveBridget Warr said: “It’s a failure bysociety and the state at bothnational and local level. This lackof support means we are raising ageneration of young people whomay not be able to make avaluable contribution to society.

“The picture that emerges fromour research is shocking. Childrenare being conditioned to expect tounder-achieve for the rest of theirlives, when, in fact, sight loss isno barrier to actively contributingto society when the right supportis in place.

“These young people end up

isolated, excluded and unable toimagine anything but a bleakfuture for themselves. Two out ofthree have most of their social lifewithin their own family. Imaginethat if you are a teenager.”

One 12-year-old told theresearchers: ‘I would have liked tohave learnt to walk with a canesooner, making me moreindependent. I was still holdingmum’s hand at 11.’

Researchers found that visuallyimpaired youngsters aresignificantly more sociallyexcluded than those with cerebralpalsy, cystic fibrosis and epilepsy.

Guide Dogs operations directorStephen Kirk said: “Mobility anddaily life skills training are acritical part of the services weprovide children and youngpeople.

“We believe every blind andpartially-sighted child should haveaccess to these life-transformingservices.”www.guidedogs.org.uk

Young lives tobe transformed

KEY TOFREEDOM:Goodnews forBritain’s18,000blindchildren:

SEVEN out of ten of the British public– of all ages – think that Britain isn’tdoing enough for the elderly in theirretirement.

And three-quarters of us think thereshould be a substantial increase inthe basic state pension.

These are the key findings of anationwide study by Club Vita, thelongevity experts for private andpublic sector pension schemes.

But we are gradually beginning tounderstand the impact of increasedlongevity on the funding ofretirement income, whether by thestate or via our own savings.

Half of the respondents want tocarry on working after they reachtheir formal retirement age, either bykeeping their current job or switchingcareers.

And those just starting out seem tobe the most accepting about the needto work for as long as possible.

Over three quarters (77%) of 16 to24-year-olds said that they would beprepared to work past the officialretirement age, compared with underhalf of those over 55.

Other findings: n Nearly half (47%) of all respondentsdon’t think that the youngergeneration should help their parentsfinancially in their retirement. n 70% think that the youngergeneration will be unable to look aftertheir parents. n Almost 40% of 16-24 year-oldsthought that the younger generationshould provide financial support totheir retired parents. n 35% think that their generation willlive eight or more years longer thantheir parents’ generation. n www.clubvita.co.uk

SUE Banton, founderof national charitySTEPS, received anMBE in the New YearHonours list inrecognition of thegroundbreakingwork she has carriedout over the past 30years.

In 1980 when Sue’sson, Daniel, was

born with club feet,the frustration andisolation she facedmotivated her to setup the STEPS self-help group.

Seven years later,the group became anational registeredcharity that todaysupports over 2,000families a year whoare affected by alower limb condition(includingDevelopmentalDysplasia of the Hip(DDH) and ClubFoot) and wouldotherwise havenowhere to turn.

Sue lives in Lymm,Cheshire.n www.steps-charity.org.uk,

Easy does it! COMPANY SPOTLIGHT . . . GO INDEPENDENT

Go Independentis pleased toannounce the

launch of their NewChrome Shower DoorCollection.

The new range can turnan average bathroominstallation into a modern,stylish showering solutionthat gives the elderly, lessable and the rest of thefamily an enjoyableshowering experiencewithout looking clinical.

The HighgroveEasycare, used inconjunction with a rotating

powered seat, is a baththat can be raised orlowered at the touch of abutton, enabling carers towork at a comfortableheight and avoid backstrain problems.

It’s ideal for homes withmulti-use bathers whomay require help whenbathing.

Go Independent is anindependent companythat has been providingan unbeatable range ofbathing products, backedby a uniquely personalservice, to clientsthroughout the UK for

over 20 years.It has built its reputation

on choice, care andexpert knowledge.

The company offers sitesurveys, following whichthe most suitableproducts can be delivered– either on a supply onlybasis, or with fitting byGo Independent’s owninstallation teams.

n For furtherinformation about GoIndependent’s productrange or installationservice, please call theteam on 0151 922 4455


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SHE may be both deaf andblind – but that didn’tstop Janet Salt from

completing a gruelling walkalong the Great Wall of China.

Janet, 52, originally planned totackle the walk – which includedtreks of up to nine hours at a time– with husband Mike, but sadlyhe died before he could make thejourney.

Instead, she undertook thechallenge in tribute to Mike, evencoping when her guide GlynisHoward was ruled out for a daywith an injured leg.

In total, Janet, from MarpleBridge, Stockport, walked nearly70 kilometres of the wall, raising£5,000 money for HenshawsSociety for Blind People.

Janet said: “We were walkingon unconstructed parts of thewall, at quite a height. In onefour-hour session we had to pass30 watchtowers, which meantclimbing up onto the wall, and upand down the watchtower, whichwas really tough.”

The Chinese guides whoaccompanied the group wereshocked that someone blind was

even attempting the challenge –and the news spread like wild firein Beijing.

“I was something of aphenomenon,” said Janet.

“I think they thought she had adeath wish!” added Glynis. “Butthey were amazed by theachievement. At the end of thetrek she was presented with acaddy of tea by the leader of the

local guides – they said theywere full of admiration for her.”

The challenge got tough for theduo on the fourth day whenGlynis hurt her leg.

“A Chinese guide took overguiding me. She had neverguided a blind person before andconsidering the language barrier,she did a fantastic job.”

And not having sight did have

its advantages, says Janet. “Wedid a huge zip wire from the topof the wall over a reservoir. Theothers told me it was pretty high,but it was good I couldn’t tell!”

While in China, Janet visited theTerracotta Army and was able tohave a ‘touch tour’

“I’m now looking for my nextchallenge,” said Janet.

“Watch this space!”

BEIJING!Deafblind Janetwows Chinesehosts with herfighting spirit

STRIDING OUT: Janet, left,and Glynis on the Great Wall

BEIJING!BELLES OFBELLES OF


Merseytravel is making sure thatPublic Transport on Merseysideis easy for everyone to use.

AD346A

0871 200 22 33Calls cost 10p per minute fromland lines, mobiles may vary

Textphone users can dial 18001 then 0871 200 22 33 for a typetalk assisted call.

We care about the accessibility of ourbuildings, vehicles and information.

All of our staff are trained to be courteous and considerate, particularlywhen our customers have specialrequirements.

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

Among our services and facilities are:Merseylink – a door to door fully accessible transport service for peoplewho are mobility impaired.ree concessionary travel for over

48,000 people with disabilities.Modern, low floor, fully accessiblebuses, which are developed inpartnership with local authorities andbus companies.Information in a variety of formats,including the Merseytravel AccessGuide – containing access details for allbus and rail stations on Merseyside.

MERSEYTRAVEL arelooking to recruit 100Travel Champion

volunteers who will be trainedto offer guidance and supportto people who are wary aboutusing public transport.

The training, which forms partof Merseytravel’s TO GO project,is open to parents, carers,volunteers and residents acrossMerseyside and will carry anaccredited National OpenCollege Network (NOCN) Train

the Trainer qualification. Once qualified, the Travel

Champions can then pass ontheir skills to friends – expandingthe number of people across theregion who have the ability toprovide buddy support andtraining for people using publictransport.

Neil Scales, chief executiveand director general ofMerseytravel said: “Our objectiveis to provide a public transportnetwork that is accessible to

everyone – and that includespeople who for one reason oranother lack the confidence totravel alone. This scheme isdesigned to help them gain thatconfidence.”

Lila Bennett, director ofTransform (in the community)CIC, who are delivering thetraining, added: “It is importantboth from an economic andsocial inclusion point that peopleare encouraged and supportedto travel independently, to open

up their travel horizons and helpthem to access, jobs servicesand educational opportunities.”

Many people aren’t confidentwhen using public transport for avariety of reasons, from readingand understanding timetablesand bus stop signs to a fear ofcrime or anti-social behaviour.

Other issues such as adisability or long term illness,general lack of confidence andlow motivation can also have amajor impact on a person’s

ability to use public transportindependently.

The To Go programme wasdeveloped by Merseytravel’sCorporate PartnershipsDepartment for the EuropeanYear for Disabled People andsupports organisations providingservices to help people to travelindependently.nFor further details contact0151 546 5514 or [email protected] [email protected]

ALL ABOARD:Merseytravel want tohelp more people to usepublic transport services

Will YOU beWill YOU bea Travela TravelChampion?Champion?


HELP . . .

FLOWERS: If yoursnowdrops or winter aconiteshave grown into congestedclumps, wait until theirflowers fade then divide theclumps while the leaves arestill green.SHRUBS: Prune winterjasmine, Jasminumnudiflorum, when the yellowstar-like flowers die. Cutback all the side shootswhich have flowered, leavingjust 3cm-4cm (about 1.5in) ofshoot. Towards the end ofMarch, prune the butterflybush, buddleia, down to30cm (12in) from the ground.Strong new shoots will flowerthis year.LAWNS: Keep lawns clearof twigs, wormcasts andother debris by brushingthem off. Do not walk onlawns when frost is on theground. If new growth isbeginning, give a light trimtowards the end of March.PONDS: Check electricalequipment and cables.Remove slippery algae frompaths and decking. As theweather becomes milder tryfish with a little food but ifthey ignore it remove thefood and wait anotherfortnight.VEGETABLES: Sow broadbeans and plant onion andshallot sets if there is a mildspell in February; otherwisewait a few weeks. Sow peas,carrots and beetroots inMarch.FRUIT: Prune gooseberriesand redcurrants if youmissed them in the autumn,aiming to produce a gobletshaped bush on a singlestem.HERBS: In March, sow afew herb seeds in pots in agreenhouse or indoors on awindowsill. Start with chivesand tarragon.GLASS: Greenhouses andcold frames containing plantsneed a good airing on sunnydays but make sure they areclosed by late afternoon. Thetemperature can zoom upvery quickly yet the nightsare still cold and, if you don’ttrap the warmth of day,plants could rot.HOUSEPLANTS: Removefading flowers and dyingleaves. Give plants as muchlight as possible but in mostcases only water when thecompost surface is startingto dry out. Exceptions areazalea, cyclamen andmaidenhair fern, which prefermore moisture.

TOMATOES . . . they look good, taste good – and do you good. Asingle fruit supplies 35% of your daily vitamin C requirement, butthe lycopene in tomatoes also helps fight cancer.

Research shows that the higher the lycopene level in the blood, the less likely theindividual is to suffer from cancer.

And we all have the ancient Incas and Aztecs to thank. They were the first to cultivateand refine the plant whicheventually reached Europearound the start of the17th century.

It was originally knownas pomme d’oro (goldenapple), which becamecorrupted to pommed’amour, meaning loveapple.

There’s no evidence thatthey are a spectacularaphrodisiac but you’rewelcome to carry out yourown research . . .

The first plants grown inBritain had small, cherry-like fruits. People thoughtthe tomato was poisonous– it is in fact botanicallyrelated to deadlynightshade – and yearslater cookery writers werestill advising folk to cookthem for at least threehours to kill off thepoisons.

Now, as well as being afavourite vegetable forgardens, the tomato isgrown commercially in amulti-million-poundbusiness.

MOUTH-WATERING: Cherry tomato Sakura

WIN! WIN! WIN! Your veryown summer wonderland

To meet the all-year demand,growers use vast glasshouseswhere light, heating, watering andfeeding are controlled bysophisticated computers. Growth isboosted in winter by pumpingcarbon dioxide into theglasshouses.So, which varietiesshould you choose?

The easiest to manage arecordon (indeterminate) types thatshould be trained up a cane andhave the sideshoots removed as

they appear. Pinch out the leadingshoot when four to six trusses offruit have set, or up to eight oncherry tomatoes.

For the largest fruits, choosebeefsteak types, all of which have arich flavour for cooking and arealso good for slicing intosandwiches.

The varieties Beefeater andCountry Taste are among the best.

Good medium-to-large fruitsinclude Stupice, a Czech-bred type,

which tolerates colder conditionsthan most and ripens early; Ferline,for which blight resistance isclaimed; and the popular old varietyShirley.

For tasty medium-sized kinds,grow Horn of Andes (aka AndineCornue), with tasty, long, pointedfruits – great for soup; Alicante; andAilsa Craig.

Among the best small kindsincluding cherry tomatoes areSakura, a fine-flavoured Japanese

variety; Merlot; Sun Baby, a yellow-fruited cherry; Gardeners’ Delight,which is the oldest popular varietyof cherry tomato, and SuncherryPremium, one of the newest.

If you are a beginner, buy youngplants. The best range is to befound online through leading firmssuch as Thompson & Morgan,whichlists 20differenttypes.


TURN your back on winter,open Thompson & Morgan’sseed catalogue and settle downto plan a summer wonderlandfull of colourful flowers anddelicious produce – absolutelyFREE if you are one of thewinners of this competition.

Our FIVE winners will eachreceive £30 worth if voucherswhich can be exchanged for anyitems in T&M’s current mail ordercatalogue or online before June30 this year.

Here are just a few of thedelights to be found in the 204-page catalogue:n New, exclusive sweet peaHeirloom Bicolour Mix – a blendof highly fragrant, old-fashionedkinds in shades of red, pink,purple, blue and white.n The first red-floweredrudbeckia, Cherry Brandy, a long-flowering bedder also suitable forcutting.

n Allspice Mixed, a spectaculartrailing viola for tubs and baskets,in a range of colours - scented,too.n Top-quality vegetables such assalad leaves Speedy Mix - readyin only 25 days, beetroot Red Ace,new carrot Sweet Candle andaward-winning runner bean StGeorge, with red and whiteflowers and long succulent pods.

Our winners will receive a copyof Thompson & Morgan’scatalogue. Free copies areavailable to everyone online atwww.thompson-morgan.com orby phone on 0844 573 1818.

To enter the competition, answerthis question: What is the firstred-flowered rudbeckia?Send your entry with your name

andaddress on apostcard or sealed envelope,stating where you picked up yourcopy of All Together NOW! to:T&M Competition, All TogetherNOW! The Bradbury Centre,Youens Way, Liverpool L14 2EP,to arrive by Friday, March 21.

Or you can enter online atwww.alltogethernow.org.uk

Please also tell us what youthink (good and maybe not sogood!) about All Together NOW!

Love applesLove applesburstingburstingwith healthwith health

CHECKLIST

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


Your at-a-glance guide to theatreland

For the best in the arts visit our online magazine

Jan 19-Feb 13: Les Miserables. PalaceTheatre, Manchester.Jan 29-Feb 27: Funny Money. Royal Court,Liverpool. Comedy about a man who finds£2m on the bus. Feb 1-6: Chicago. Charter Theatre,Preston. Marti Pellow as Billy Flynn. BSL,Feb 5, 7.30pmFeb 1-6: Disney’s High School Musical 2.Liverpool Empire. School’s out and the EastHigh Wildcats are diving into the enchantedworld of Lava Springs Country Club.Feb 2-6: The Mikado. The Brindley,Runcorn. Bentley Operatic Society.Feb 2-8: Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: MyPart in his Downfall. Grand Theatre,Blackpool.Feb 4-Mar 6: A Midsummer Night’sDream. Octagon, Bolton. Described, Mar 4,7.30pm. BSL, Feb 25, 7.30pmFeb 4-20: Ghost Stories. LiverpoolPlayhouse. Described, Feb 11. Captioned,Feb 20, 5pm.Feb 4-27: To Kill A Mockingbird. ClwydTheatr Cymru, Mold. Simon Armstrong headsthe cast in this powerful story of a fight forracial justice. Described, Feb 13, 2.30pm andFeb 18, 7.30pm. Captioned, Feb 20.Feb 8-9: Die Fledermaus. Regent Theatre,Stoke.Feb 8-13: Dancing in the Streets.Liverpool Empire. Direct from the West End.Feb 9-20: Calendar Girls. The Lowry,Salford. A group of women pose for a charitycalendar. Described, Feb 13, 2pm. Touchtour, 1pm. Captioned, Feb 17, 7.30pm.Feb 9-13: The Diary of Anne Frank. TheBrindley, Runcorn. Moving wartime play abouta Jewish family in hiding from the Nazis.Feb 11-13: The Dreadful Hours. LiverpoolEveryman.Feb 11-Mar 6: Arden of Faversham.Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold. Elizabethandrama in which desire, envy and greed leadto death. Described, Feb 20, 2.45pm, andFeb 25, 7.45pm. Captioned, Feb 27, 2.45pmFeb 15: Snow Queen. Victoria Hall, Stoke.Hans Christian Andersen’s evergreen fairytale.Feb 15-16: Noddy in Toyland. LiverpoolEmpire.Feb 15-20: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.Regent Theatre, Stoke.Feb 17-18: Spymonkey’s Moby Dick.Grand Theatre, Blackpool.Feb 18-20: Traces. Liverpool Empire. Highlevel circus skills with electric street energy.Feb 19-20: Hoof! And Hoof Junior!Liverpool Everyman.Feb 22-27: Dreamcoats and Petticoats.Manchester Opera House. Musical set in ntheFifties and Sixties.Feb 22-27: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.Liverpool Empire.Feb 22-27: The 39 Steps. Regent Theatre,Stoke. Alfdred Hitchcock’s classic spy thrillerrecreated as the smash hit Olivier Award-winning Best New Comedy.Feb 23-26: Opera North: La Bohème. TheLowry, Salford. Sung in Italian with Englishtitles. Described, Feb 26, 7.30pm. Touch Tour,

6.15pm.Feb 23-27:Euripides’ MEDEA.Liverpool Everyman.Feb 24-27: Opera

North: Ruddigore. The Lowry, Salford. BSL,Feb 27, 7.30pm. Feb 24-26: Bad Boy Johnny and theProphets of Doom. Charter Theatre,Preston. Australian grown rock musical.Mar 1-6: Lord Arthur Savil’s Crime. GrandTheatre, Blackpool. Mar 2-6: George’s Marvellous Medicine.Charter Theatre, Preston. Roald Dahl’s storyof a boy’s magic medicine for his granny’stemper. BSL, Mar 5, 7.30pmMar 4-6: Hugh Hughes in ...360. LiverpoolEveryman.Mar 4-6: Stop Messing About. LiverpoolEmpire. Direct from West End, the KennethWilliams’ extravaganza.Mar 4-7: The Moscow State Circus.Regent Theatre, Stoke. Mar 8-13: Witness for the Prosecution.Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Agatha Christieclassic.Mar 8-13: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime.Palace Theatre, Manchester.

Mar 8-13: Dreamcoats and Petticoats.Liverpool Empire. Musical recapturing goldenmoments from the Fifties and early SixtiesMar 8-13: Morecambe. LiverpoolPlayhouse. Direct from West End, BobGolding’s extraordinary one-man tribute toEric Morecambe.Mar 10-13: Footlose. The Brindley,Runcorn. Musical about a small Americantown where dancing is banned.Mar 10-13: King and I. Regent Theatre,Stoke. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s timelessclassic musical.Mar 11-Apr 10: And Did Those Feet.Octagon, Bolton. Heartwarming tale offootball in the community. Described, Mar 31,7.30pm. BSL, Mar 18, 7.30pm.Mar 13: Rhos Male Voice Choir. FloralPavilion, New BrightonMar 15-17: The Rat Pack. Grand Theatre,Blackpool.Mar 16-Apr 3: Hansel & Gretel. LiverpoolEveryman. Described, Mar 30. Captioned,

Apr 1.Mar 17-21: Snow White On Ice. RegentTheatre, Stoke. World famous Russian IceStars with a spellbinding version of the bestloved fairy tale.Mar 18-20: The Woman in Black. GrandTheatre, Blackpool.Mar 20: Bring Me Sunshine. Victoria Hall,Stoke. Sanders and Martin recreate the comicgenius of Morecambe and Wise.Mar 22-24: Porridge. Liverpool Empire.Laughs a’plenty in this stage production ofRonnie Barker’s hit TV series.Mar 22-Apr 3: Whistle Down The Wind.Manchester Opera House. Musical based onhit filmMar 22-27: The History Boys. RegentTheatre, Stoke. Alan Bennett’s much lovedplay set in a sixth form of a northern school.Mar 23: Barbara Dickson in concert. FloralPavilion, New BrightonMar 23-27: The Canterbury Tales.Liverpool Playhouse.Mar 23-27: Horrible Science. GrandTheatre, Blackpool.Mar 25: Royal Liverpool PhilharmonicChoir. Floral Pavilion, New BrightonMar 27: Swan Lake. Floral Pavilion, NewBrighton. Vienna Festival Ballet.Mar 28: Swan Lake. Pyramid and Parr Hall,Warrington. Vienna Festival Ballet.Mar 30-Apr 3: Serenading Louie. TheLowry, Salford. Described, Apr 3, 2.30pm.Touch tour, 1.30pm. Captioned, Apr 1, 8pm.Mar 30-Apr 3: When Harry Met Sally.Charter Theatre, Preston.Mar 30-Apr 3: Oklahoma. LiverpoolEmpire. Brand new revival of the classicRodgers and Hammerstein musical.Mar 30-Apr 3: Oh What a Lovely War.Liverpool Playhouse.Mar 30-Apr 3: George’s MarvellousMedicine. Regent Theatre, Stoke. RoaldDahl’s amazing story about a boy’s magicalmedicne to cure his granny’s temper.Mar 31-Apr 3: Oliver. Southport Theatre &Floral Hall. Cameron Mackintosh’s newstaging of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece.


BLACKPOOL GRAND 01253 290190BOLTON OCTAGON 01204 520661CREWE: LYCEUM 01270 537333LIVERPOOL: EMPIRE 08444 999 999LIVERPOOL: EVERYMAN/PLAYHOUSE0151 709 4776LIVERPOOL: ROYAL COURT 0870 7871866LLANDUDNO: VENUE CYMRU 01492872000MANCHESTER: PALACE THEATRE0870 401 3000MANCHESTER: OPERA HOUSE 0870401 9000MOLD: THEATRE CWYD 0845 3303565NEW BRIGHTON: FLORAL PAVILION0151 666 0000PORT SUNLIGHT: GLADSTONE

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BOX OFFICE CONTACTS

THE HEROES are back!Since calling it a day in 2008, there

have been many calls for the award-winning, all-ability band to performagain.

Well they are – for one night atMiddleton Arena on Friday March 5.

They will be repeating their FondFarewell in support of ForeverManchester, which helps smallgrassroots groups in GreaterManchester.

There is a full supporting showfeaturing special guests GeorgeBorowski, Room Thirteen and theMelody Maker Experience.

Advance tickets are £7.50.Bookings on 07946 424075www.forevermanchester.com/events

Heroes return!


www.alltogethernow.org.uk


SOME of the UK’s most talented disabledand deaf artists were recognised for theirinnovative work at the ninth DaDa Awards

at the new Hilton Liverpool.Ruth Gould, founder and chief executive of DaDa,

said: “The awards are a magnificent celebration ofall the work and achievements of deaf and disabledartists and performers.”

The glittering ceremony featured comedy groupSo Many Excuses and the DaDaSings Choir.

Roll of honourWriter’s Award: Julie McNamara.All of Julie’s productions are disability-led. Herwriting has taken her onto international stages;from mental health conferences, to war zones, andto disability arts festivals across the globe.Arts Award: Rachel Gadsden.Rachel is currently engaged with art projects forthe London Paralympics 2012. In March she wasappointed the first artist to work with ParliamentaryOutreach for the Breaking Barriers Exhibition.

Newcomer Award: Carrie Beckwith.A photographer and digital artist who was blind for18 months, but who continued her photographicwork. After regaining her sight, Carrie kept the‘blind photography’ style that shaped her work. Shenow creates digital portraits of disability.Community Event/Group Award: Heavy Load.Brighton-based punk band with learning disabilitiesknown for their chaotic and energetic sets andfeatured in the award-winning documentary, alsocalled Heavy Load. They play all over the UK andperformed at this year’s Glastonbury as well asBerlin and New York.Lifetime Achievement Award: Nabil Shaban.Writer, performer, producer and political activistNabil Shaban’s career in the disability arts worldhas spanned over three decades. He founded theGraeae Theatre in 1980, the world’s first disabilitytheatre company, and is a tireless campaigner forequal opportunities for disabledpeople in the performing arts.

CHEERS: Ruth Gould with WarrenBradley, Liverpool City Council chief

ON SONG: The DaDa Sings Choir in action

ArtistsArtistsget theirget theirjustjustrewardsrewards


Tell 250,000 readersabout your events

0151 230 0307


Is your company a caring organisation . . ?

Please, time to stopcalling us midgets

We want action NOW!

Alzheimer’s prize

MEMBERS of the Restricted GrowthAssociation have unanimouslyvoted to campaign for an end to“midget” being used as adescriptive term for any person withrestricted growth.

Restricted growth is defined ashaving a final height of less than4ft10in.

RGA member Stephanie Birchsaid: “Many of our members aredeeply affected by the term‘midget’, which is used to ridiculeand dehumanise people with adisability.

“People with restricted growthconditions consider this term to begrossly offensive and do not wantto be called it anymore.”

n www.restrictedgrowth.co.uk

A MOVING, personal account aboutcaring for someone with Alzheimer’sdisease has won the first WellcomeTrust Book Prize.

Andrea Gillies’ book Keeper – Livingwith Nancy: A journey intoAlzheimer’s, scooped the £25,000literary award.

Comedienne and formerpsychiatric nurse, Jo Brand, whochaired the judging panel, said: “It’sa fantastic book - down to earth anddarkly comic in places. The judgesfound it compelling.”

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)Love: Friendship could turn to romance withvery little prompting in February. You’ll havelots more time to spend with friends, lovers,and relatives during this golden period. Keepa love affair under wraps between Februaryand early March, as you’ll want to savourthis courtship phase without interferencefrom nosy people. Spring brings a wonderfulopportunity to improve your looks andupdate your image. Don’t be surprised whenyou start attracting a lot more romanticattention. Family time will be at the top ofyour agenda from late May through earlyJune, when your nesting instinct will beoverwhelming. As summer heats up, so willyour love life – no matter if you’re single orattached. This relationship will be warm,generous and tons of fun. If you’ve beenthinking of starting a family, highlight themonths of June and July. The best time toget engaged or married falls between Augustand September.Health: A relaxed mind will respond morepositively to the trials and tribulations ofeveryday living and psychologically youwill feel happier and more balanced

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21)Love: This is a great time to pack up andhead to a sophisticated city with yourbeloved. If you’re single, you could find loveon this fateful journey. Falling in love with afriend is a distinct possibility in the waningdays of winter. Don’t be surprised if a palstarts shooting flirtatious glances your waybetween February and March. A secret loveaffair heats up during the month of March.Keeping this relationship under wraps will bea delicious sensation. You’ll look and feelyour best throughout April. Family timeprovides a profound sense of contentment inearly summer. Spend every spare momentfrom June through July with your nearestand dearest. A heady romance takes flowerin late summer. An engagement or weddingis favoured between September andNovember, and then again in December. Health: You could do with more time forrelaxation now. Getting out into the openair will also do you good.

GEMINI (May 22-Jun 21)Love: 2010 starts with a bang when yourlove life takes centre stage. It may be hardfor you and your beloved to keep your handsoff each other during this intense phase.Improving your looks in late spring will makeyou a hot commodity on the romancemarket. If you’re single, you could meetsomeone special in the waning days ofsummer. Keep your eyes open for a sexysophisticate between August and September.An old love could make their way back intoyour life sometime in November. Considerwhether you really want to go down this pathagain. If you’re already in a relationship, thiswill be a divine opportunity to recapture theearly days of your courtship. The two of youneed some time to reconnect. Health: After all the recent festivities,

there is something of ananti-climax and you need tofind ways to burn off someof your surplus energy.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 23)Love: The early part of the year are ideal forgetting engaged or married. If you’re alreadyin a relationship, your beloved could giveyou a beautiful token of their affection. Yoursensual side in out full force until mid-February. Spending the days locked in yourlover’s arms will make this one of the mostexciting times of the entire year. If you’resingle, you could meet someone special viaan online dating service during this phase. Asecret love affair could get underway thisspring. You’ll be looking and feeling yourbest in the final weeks of spring. Capturingthe object of your affection will be as easy ascrooking your finger at them between lateMay and mid-June. An impassionedromance consumes your thoughts thisautumn – and an ardent admirer will spendDecember in hot pursuit of you. Health: Recent high-energy trends nowtake their toll. Don’t be surprised if youstart the year feeling one degree under.For this reason, try not to push yourselftoo hard.

LEO (Jul 24-Aug 23) Love: If you’re in a relationship, your unionwill assume an idyllic, dreamlike quality thatwill last the whole year. If you’re single, youcould meet your soul mate in 2010. You’restrongly attracted to rebellious visionaries.An engagement or marriage is favoured forthe depths of winter. Set your sights on thedays before mid-February. Your love lifepulsates with passion from February throughMarch. It will be hard to keep your hands offthe object of your affection during thispassion packed patch. Sneak off to a secret

rendezvous with your beloved throughoutMay and June. Your radiant good looks willattract admirers from every corner betweenJune and July. Winning a special person’sheart will be child’s play this summer.Schedule some quality time with yournearest and dearest throughout the month ofDecember. Health: Health matters will need moreattention than usual. If an old nigglingailment returns, it shouldn’t be ignored.

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)Love: If you’re single, you could fall headover heels in love in the opening weeks of2010. Keep your eyes open for a sexyexecutive. If you’re attached, you and yourpartner could decide to put down roots andmake things more permanent in early 2010.An engagement or marriage could take placeany time between mid-February and earlyMarch. This will turn out to be a lifelong lovematch. Your sensual side comes out fullforce as spring approaches. You may spendmost of the month of March in bed with yourbeloved! Friendship could turn to romance inthe late days of spring. Your radiant goodlooks will attract plenty of romantic attentionthroughout July and August. You could easilywind someone around your little finger duringthis golden period. If you’ve had a hard timefinding love, you could change your luck bygetting a head to toe makeover during theheight of summer.Health: Regular exercise and ample restand recreation are recommended. In allareas of your life your efficient waysstand you in good stead and others trustin your methods and ideas.

OH, WHAT A OH, WHAT A


YOUNG disability rights campaignerspresented Number 10 Downing Streetwith a petition demanding improvedtransport, education and leisureservices.

The campaigners were from theTrailblazers, the Muscular DystrophyCampaign’spressure group of16 to 30 year olds.

Since July 2008the Trailblazers havepublished three hard-hitting reportswhich revealed that:n Wheelchair users regularly paymore to use public transport thantheir non-disabled peers and aremade to feel like second-classcitizens on public transport becauseof inaccessible stations and a lack ofawareness from staff;n One in 10 disabled students don’thave accommodation, cooking anddining facilities that are integratedinto mainstream university life;n Four out of five young disabledpeople say they cannot pursue aleisure activity spontaneouslybecause access is so often restrictedfor disabled people.

n MD helpline: 0800 652 6352.www.muscular-dystrophy.org

RUSSELL GRANT gazes into hiscrystal ball to see what’s instore for us all this year . . .

OH, WHAT A


up at HolyroodSigns are looking

New tourism site

. . . we’d love to get you on board – 0151 230 0307

HOLYROOD, home of the ScottishParliament, has launched free audiovisual tours - with British SignLanguage - for deaf and hard ofhearing visitors.

The guided tours give visitors abehind-the-scenes insight into someof the Holyrood building’s uniquearchitectureand artcollection, andvisitors willlearn all aboutthe role andwork of theScottishParliament andits 129 MSPs.

The toursinclude visitsto the DebatingChamber, committee rooms, thegarden lobby area and to historicQueensberry House.

The Parliament introduced freetours in English in September - thefinal step to making all aspects ofvisiting and engaging with theParliament free to the public. Audio-visual tours are now available in arange of languages including Gaelic.

Presiding Officer Alex FergussonMSP said: “We pride ourselves as aParliament on being open andaccessible. Removing the lastexisting charged-for service forvisitors is something to celebrate.

“The inclusion of a BSL option aspart of our free tours package shouldenable more people than ever beforeto experience the Parliament forthemselves.”

PEOPLE with disabilities are tobenefit from a new online tourismservice that will provide detailedaccess information on holiday andleisure venues.

Tourism for AllUK andDisabledGo haveteamed up tolaunch the newwebsite, whichwill containaccess details ofmore than50,000 inspectedvenues.

OpenBritain, launched in July 2009,aims to become a one stop shop forall those with access needs,providing a wide range of informationand contact resources together withdeveloping social networking andsupporting communications betweenusers and providers.

The first OpenBritain print guide isavailable online for £14.98.n Details on the website:www.OpenBritain.netwww.disabledgo.com

LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23) Love: 2010 will turn out to be one of themost exciting years for love you’ve everexperienced. The entire year has you lookingat life through rose coloured glasses. Ifyou’re single, you’ll be on a perpetual questto find your soul mate. If you’re in arelationship, you’ll try to recreate the earlydays of your courtship. Several admirers willbe clamouring to get your attentionthroughout February. Choose the cool rebelwith an original outlook. If you’d like to getengaged or married, set your sights onMarch, when the planets urge you to make arelationship official. Your sensual side comesout full force in April. Teaming up with a boldadventurer is favoured between May andAugust. Friends will be shocked by thisalliance. If you’re in a serious relationship,your partner could make a stunning decisionthat puts you both on the path to adventurethis summer.Health: There are so many different waysyou might choose to get fit and healthy.Friends are full of suggestions of whatthey like to do and you might feel spoiltfor choice.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)Love: 2010 abounds with plenty of romanticopportunities, continuing through early June.You could fall deeply in love with a starryeyed dreamer. If you’re already in arelationship, you may decide to buy a hometogether or even start a family in the first halfof 2010. Whatever your relationship status,falling in love will feel like an incrediblerollercoaster ride this year. A glamorousoverseas trip is favoured between late Mayand mid-June and you could find love atsomewhere scenic and historic by the water

at this time. Spend the month of August withyour amour at a secret hideaway, far fromprying eyes. Your allure will be overpoweringfrom September through to November. Don’tbe surprised when you tempt an old loveback into your web of intrigue. It will beimpossible to keep admirers from your doorthroughout the month of December.Health: Physically you have energy inabundance. Art, music or getting stuckinto a new hobby will help you controlyour feelings

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)Love: An attentive admirer will shower youwith affection and luxurious gifts throughoutMarch. An engagement or marriage couldtake place in late April or May, sendingshowers of excitement into the atmosphere.If you’re single, you could meet someonespecial at a sporting event, outdoor party orcar showroom! Keep your eyes open for atrim athlete who isn’t afraid to express theirdesire. If you’re in a relationship, you andyour amour could go on an adventurousvacation sometime between June andSeptember. Stolen moments at secrethideaways will fill most of your days throughSeptember and October, and then again inDecember. Keeping your love under wrapsgives a relationship a forbidden feel in thefinal months of December. Health: You need to feel free from therestraints of everyday commitments andrelationship ties. Not everyone willunderstand you and that’s why you willchoose a fitness schedule that helps youspend more time on your own.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan20)Love: Be sure to give yourself a New Year

makeover. Getting a new hairstyle, addingfashionable items to your wardrobe orundergoing a fitness regime will make youvery attractive to romance. Family time isfavoured throughout the month of March.This is a good time to extend an olive branchto a relative from whom you’ve beenestranged. You could hook up with a sensuallover at in April. Keep your ears open forsomeone with a velvet voice. Anengagement or marriage could take placefrom late May to mid June! Your love lifesimmers with excitement in early summer.Friendship could turn to romance thisautumn. Don’t be surprised if you start fallingfor a close pal between September andNovember.Health: Even the smallest effort toimprove the quality of your life will makea difference in the long-term if you stickwith your intentions. Taking more walksor starting a yoga class will make you feelas if you’re doing something positive.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19) Love: Keep a love affair under wraps - youdon’t want anybody meddling in yourpersonal life. You’ll be looking and feelingyour best during February, enabling you tolure someone attractive into your web ofintrigue. Spending time with family and lovedones makes April a happy and joyous time.This would be a great time to host a reunion.If you’re single, you could join hearts with awitty admirer in late spring. The two of youcould meet at a bookstore, library orclassroom. An engagement or marriagecould take place in early summer, setting offa round of parties between mid-June andearly July. Sparks will fly between you andan amour from mid-July through earlyAugust. Going on a relaxing vacation inAugust or September will put you on the pathto romance.Health: Very soon you will be committingto an exercise discipline that issomething you’ve never tried before. Thevery thought inspires you.

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)Love: Friendship could turn to romance, ifyou’re so inclined. A secret love affair addsexcitement and intrigue to life from lateJanuary through early February. Yourenhanced good looks will attract lots ofromantic attention between February andMarch. Use your allure to seduce the objectof your affection during this powerful phase.A family reunion that takes place any timefrom late April through mid-May will makeyou feel loved and appreciated. An attentiveadmirer will sweep you off your feet in latespring. If you’re already in love, the two ofyou will return to the early phase of yourcourtship during this romantic time. Gettingengaged or married is favoured during theheight of summer. Set your sight on the daysbetween July and early August. The month ofNovember could be spent locked in youramour’s arms. Health: At times it might seem as if youhave a surplus store of energy and thiswill help you sail throughyour responsibilities withno bother at all.

LOVELY YEAR!


LOVELY YEAR! LOVELY YEAR!


Treginegar, St Merryn, Padstow, North Cornwall PL28 8PT

Self Catering Holiday Cottages

Treginegar self catering cottages benefit from level accessthroughout, some have ’wet’ rooms, and all are ideal forwheelchair access or those with mobility difficulties. A showerchair is available for hire (£10 weekly) for disabled guests.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2009Book your 2009 holidays with us before the end of September 2008

and we’ll give them to you at 2008 prices

For details on bookings and availabilitiesRob and Tracey Cleary on: 01841 521920 (Int: +44 1841 521920)

BlackpoolHOTEL

120, Bond Street,Blackpool, FY4 1HG

ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAYS

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www.bondhotel.co.uk Booking hotline 01253 [email protected]

PARTY at the Bond Hotel Blackpool, where the great fun atmosphere is a very popular choice for many of our guests. The hotel has 65 bedrooms, most of which are wheelchair-accessible, and all the extra facilities that you might require during your stay. With great food, and nightly entertainment, this hotel offers the perfect Blackpool holiday!

RELAX in our sophisticated new hotel in St Annes. Recently refurbished to the highest possible standard, this stylish 26-room hotel overlooks the sea, and offers a choice of luxurious wheelchair-accessible accommoda-tion - from single rooms up to 3-room suites. The new Bond Hotel, St Annes is the ideal venue for those looking for the chance to unwind in style.

ENJOY our de-luxe holiday homes at scenic Marton Mere. If you would prefer a self-catering break, these superbly appointed holiday homes could be just the thing. They sleep up to six, have central heating and all mod cons, are fully accessible, and overlook the beautiful lake and wildlife area at this popular resort.

LUXURY travel wherever you choose to stay, you will have access to Bond Accessible Coaches Ltd who will pick you up and take you home at very reasonable prices

So come and explore a whole world of special holidays for very special guests. Whether it's a week with the stars of “Coronation Street or Emmerdale”, a break on a nature reserve, or a luxury room with a great sea view, we can provide it - and at a great price too!

Specialist holidays for carers & service users

BOOKS

Holiday Breaks in the Lakesnear Keswick

Self catering apartments for 2-6 people.Specially designed with the wheelchairin mind. No steps. Beautiful views in a

superb location. Friendly owners inresidence. Open all year.

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For a colour brochure

Tel: 01768 776380www.disabled-holiday.net

email: [email protected] now!


ADVERTISE WITH US – THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

[email protected].

Call ChrisGroves NOW!

0151 230 0307

Shared Experiences: Theexperience of having andparenting children with upperlimb deficiencies, by CharlotteFielder. Price, £10 from Amazon

CHARLOTTE Fielder wasborn with a missing lefthand and shortened

forearm into the type of familywhere you just went withwhatever happened andwhatever came your way.“My dad was an ex Royal Marine

and he had a very positiveoutlook,” she says.

“My mum was very protectiveand hated it when strangers wouldpeer into my pram and demandedinformation about ‘what waswrong with me’!

“In adulthood I realise how hardit was for her to cope withintrusive comments.

“There is a much used sayingthat babies don’t come withinstruction manuals. I always jokethat they don’t come with furtherinstructions about faulty ones!”

Charlotte has just had her firstbook published - a collection ofexperiences of other parents insimilar situations.

“It’s all about helping each otherand learning from each other,” shesays. “And I’ve factored in someof my own stories.

“I believe my missing hand hasmade me the person I am. I amvery positive. My glass is not justhalf full, it’s totally full and not onlythat I have another full glassround the corner!

“I do have a very positive mental

attitude to life in general and I aman occasional inspirationalspeakers to groups such asRotary and the Women’s Institute.

“I have also done somedevelopmental coaching with thePrinces Trust.

“My philosophy is borrowed fromthe old Dale Carnegie quote: ‘Iflife gives you lemons - makelemonade’ “

n All proceeds from Charlotte’sbook go to Reach. Tel. 0845 1306225 www.reach.org.uk

Charlotte’s bookCharlotte’s bookfor parentsfor parents

Alzheimer’s - The Essential Guide,published by Need2Know, £8.99(www.need2knowbooks.co.uk or call 01733898103)

ALZHEIMER’S disease is the most commonform of dementia, affecting around 417,000people in the UK.

This guide looks at how to spot the firstsigns and how to prepare and take control ofthe condition.

Information is included on treatments -drugs and alternative therapies.

With a family member dying withAlzheimer’s, and working with her husbandwho has cared for Alzheimer’s sufferers forthe past 16 years, Jackie Cosh feels her bookwill help people understand the disease andfind ways of controlling its development.

Alzheimer’s is a life changing condition, butwith some understanding of the disease it canbe managed effectively.

Alzheimer’s . . . how to cope with the disease

Defying Disability, the Lives andLegacies of Nine DisabledLeaders by Mary Wilkinson(Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

LABOUR politician Lord (Jack)Ashley, broadcaster PeterWhite, former chair of theDisability Rights Commission,Sir Bert Massie, andParalympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson have more incommon than just theirdisability.

They have all fought throughhardship and discrimination tobecome leaders in the disabilityfield.

Mary Wilkinson’s book looks atnine prominent disabled people whohave helped to change publicattitudes and government policytowards disability.

Bert Massie, for example, is aquick-witted, fast-talking Scouser,who caught polio aged threemonths and spent his first five yearsas a guest of the new NHS.

Hequicklybeguiledpeople withhisintelligenceandhumourwhich latermorphedintoexpertiseanddiplomacy.

Rachel Hurst, on the other hand,a campaigner for human rights fromthe UK up to the UN, is known forher angry outbursts againstinjustice, which she first met whenshe took to a wheelchair and foundthat was what defined her in theeyes of other people.

Mat Fraser, with his short armsand flipper hands, has oftenhighlighted the ‘freak’ label as rockmusician, performer andwriter/actor, while Phil Friendturned his disability into an asset,building a training and consultancyservice that promoted the businesscase for employing disabled people.

Andrew Lee, helped by hisparents and a growing self-advocacy movement, overcame thebullying and low expectations metedout to people with learningdifficulties to become head of acharity and a prolific spokesperson.

Small as this sample may be, itshows that disabled leaders cannotbe lumped together with the sameviews and strategies. Their commonachievement, though, has been tohelp mainstream disability.

Leaderswho defydisability

CHARLOTTE FIELDER: Positive mental attitude


EMPLOYMENT . . . TRAINING . . . EDUCATION . . . BUSINESS . . . RIGHTS

Better for school leaversBetter for employment skillsBetter for career developmentBetter for businessesBetter for higher education

For more information about courses call: 0800 068 8585or visit: www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk

City College Manchester andMANCAT have come together to formThe Manchester College

Better for you, better for Manchester

Jobs helpon the wayPEOPLE with mental health

conditions are to get newsupport to help them stay in

work or get back to work asquickly as possible if they losetheir job or have never worked.

The new support includes:n The launch of a network of mentalhealth coordinators in every JobcentrePlus district to better coordinatehealth and employment support at alocal level and improve the

employment chances of JobcentrePlus customersn Nine occupational health advice linepilots to give small businesses inBritain the support they need to keeppeople in work when health issuesarise. This advice line will giveemployers direct access tooccupational health professionals anddirect employers to the advice andservices they require.

(Continued on Page 17)

WINNING LINE-UP: Award winners at Knowsley’s John Rainey Inclusion Awards . . .Graham Barker, manager of KPAC, and Lila Bennett with (left to right) Martin O’Neill(Jobcentre Plus), Seamus Brady (Board Member, Knowsley Chamber), KenGreensmith (Knowsley council), Chris Roderick (resource manager, KnowsleyDisability Concern), Alan Walker (financial controller, Jaguar Land Rover) and SheenaRamsey (chief executive, Knowsley council) Full report – Page 20

Go places with the BEST* college

*The BEST FE College in Merseyside according to Government league tables 2008, 2009 and 2010

(based on point score per examination entry)

**Based on contextualised value added score Jan 2010

Open eveningThursday 11th March 4pm – 7.30pm

Hugh Baird College, Balliol Road, Bootle L20 7EW www.hughbaird.ac.uk

0151 353 4444The College is committed to Equal Opportunities

A vast selection of qualifications including A Levels,National Diplomas, the New Diploma, even Higher Education Courses

A wide range of long and short courses from Art through to Uniformed Services

Top results and achievements – with 100% passes in our A levelsand top for exam points score in the government league tablesfor Merseyside FE colleges

Top 5% nationally for progressing students**

Quality marks for our services and support as well as anExcellence Matrix Award for Advice and Guidance

A welcoming adult environment…

Plus so much more, so come along and find out for yourself!


EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . . TECHNOLOGY

Interested in acareer in sport?

Greenbank College inpartnership with Liverpool John

Moores University hasvacancies for its

Foundation Degree InclusiveSport Development

starting this Autumn.

For a course factfile andan application pack contact

0151 733 [email protected]

Greenbank College, Greenbank LaneLiverpool L17 1AG

greenbankcollege.org.ukRegistered Charity No 513814

A LEADING charity claims theLamb inquiry into specialeducational needs has missed achance to eradiate disablismwithin the SEN legal Framework.

Simone Aspis, policy coordinatorat The Alliance for InclusiveEducation, said: “It’s all well andgood for Ed Balls to endorse theLamb Independent inquiry byissuing a statement with a numberof initiatives to make the SENassessment and statementingprocess more transparent.

“However, an independent help-line and piloting differentassessment models, for example,

will have limited positive impactfor parents of children with SENwho will still continue to fight for amainstream school placement.

“The SEN legal framework cannever be transparent unlessparents have a right to amainstream school placement.

“We hoped the IndependentInquiry and Ed Balls would haveused this opportunity to eradicatethe inequality of access tomainstream education betweenparents of children with andwithout SEN which has beencreated in the SEN legalframework.”

Children with SEN do notcurrently have a right to amainstream education.

Both Local Authorities and SENTribunals can force children withSEN to attend a special schoolagainst both their parents’ andpupils’ wishes.

Children with SEN are the onlygroup of children that can bediscriminated against whenaccessing mainstream education.

The Alliance for InclusiveEducation promotes the rights ofchildren with special educationneeds to mainstream educationn www.allfie.org.uk

ASURVEY has identified asignificant talent pool of“disabled high fliers’

with more than 100 peopleearning more than £80,000 ayear.

Another 186 people earnedbetween £40,000 and £79,000.

But the national survey ofdisabled workers in seniormanagement, undertaken bydisability charity RADAR, alsofound that disabled workers stillexperience inequality on their wayup the corporate ladder.

Many of the respondents hadsignificant, longstandingimpairments, including paraplegia,multiple sclerosis and bi-polardisorder.

Those surveyed agreedoverwhelmingly on the factors thatenabled them to progress –mentoring and career-longsupport from senior managers.

Helen Waygood, a seniormanager with a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder, said: “I sometimesthink I should go back to myuniversity and tell the students mystory. I want to talk aboutsuccesses. My illness is only 10%of me.”

Tony Walsh, who has had a

successful career in finance andnow occupational psychology,also has a physical impairment.

He said: “I think disabledpeople’s life experiencescontribute something on thetransformational level too.

“We can be very good at seeingthe world from the point of view ofother people, which makes usgood at sharing a vision.”

The survey compared 911disabled and 550 non-disabledrespondents and found:n Non-disabled people were morethan three times more likely thandisabled people to earn £80,000or above; and twice as likely to beboard-level directors.n Disabled people weresignificantly less likely to getmentoring and senior support –the very supports that thedisabled high fliers said made

such a difference to theirprogression.n There are also inequalitiesbetween disabled people. Thosewith mental health conditionswere significantly less likely thanother disabled people to earn£80,000 or above and to beboard-level directors - as werewomen, reflecting wider genderdifferences in the labour market. n 75% of those disabled peoplewho could keep a disability orhealth condition hidden at workdid so sometimes or always.n For some this was becausethey saw the impairment asirrelevant to their work lives.But others, especially with mentalhealth conditions feared beingpigeonholed, stereotyped orstopped from progressing.

Liz Sayce, chief executive ofRADAR, said: “The disabled highfliers in this study show what canbe achieved and how, andcompanies are realising they needall the talents they can find tocome out of the recession strong.

“It is alarming that so manypeople in this survey feared that ifothers at work knew their ‘secret’their careers would bejeopardised.”

POOL OFTALENT:LizSayce,boss ofRADAR,saysbossesarerealisingtheyneed allthetalentsthey canfind

Why highfliers arestill theexception

They showwhat canbe achieved‘

Inquiry misses opportunity for SEN pupils


Course information:

0151252 3000www.liv-coll.ac.uk

‘ The college has woven an intricate web oflearning opportunities and support ’ Ofsted, March 2009

The report highlights the following key strengths:

� high pass rates on most courses

� outstanding teaching and learning

� innovative and high quality partnership working

� exemplary responsiveness to the needs of thelocal community

� outstanding support for learners

� outstanding management of change by theprincipal and senior leaders

� outstanding curriculum management

� outstanding approach to equality ofopportunity and inclusion.

Liverpool Community College

‘This is anoutstandingcollege’

Summary of Ofsted inspection report, March, 2009

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . .

APROFOUNDLYdeaf student hasbeen given the

dream start to 2010.Rebecca French beat

candidates countrywide to a¤6,000 scholarship fromthe Cochlear UK GraemeClark Scholarship Award, tohelp to support her throughuniversity.

Rebecca, who is studyingfor a BA in modern historyand politics at theUniversity of St Andrews inFife, was chosen for theaward - worth more than£5,200 – from a number ofexceptional candidates.

Her ambition is to becomea lawyer and she hasreceived excellent results inher studies.

Rebecca also takes partin a number of sportingactivities and says herimplant has enabled her tolive life to the full.

“I’m delighted to acceptthe award,” she said. “It issuch an honour, I didn’texpect it at all!”

Rebecca, 19, fromDurham, was given thesensation of hearing from acochlear implant at the ageof three.

The implant is a smallelectronic device consistingof an external processorthat sits behind the ear anda second element that issurgically placed under theskin.

It does not restore normalhearing but can givesomeone with a severe toprofound hearing lossaccess to a world of sound.

More than 200,000 peopleworldwide are benefitingfrom the implants.

The scholarship is aunique award open toCochlear Nucleus implantrecipients nationwide, and

is awarded on the basis ofacademic achievement, aswell as the company’sideals of leadership andhumanity.

Gaynor Booth, marketingand business developmentmanager at Cochlear UK,said: “The sponsorship is awonderful opportunity tohelp our recipients bysupporting them financiallywhen they continue theireducation.

“It also highlights howlives are enhanced throughaccess to our technology,together with the help ofhealthcare professionals.”

BrilliantBeckyhits thejackpotHONOURED: Topstudent RebeccaFrench celebrates

Dyspraxia help for young people

THOUSANDS of teenagers couldface a frightening future ofunemployment and loneliness

due to a lack of support andawareness of dyspraxia – a commonbut often unrecognised condition.

Research has shown that young peoplewith the disorder, which can affect any orall areas of development, are five timesmore likely to suffer from psychiatricproblems than the average child by thetime they reach the age of 16.

Usually, it’s said to be an impairment orimmaturity of the organisation ofmovement, but associated with this maybe problems of language, perception andthought.

Sixth former Ben Smith, from the West

Midlands, said: “I have been one of thelucky ones and received good supportfrom my school and college tounderstand the condition.

“I have found teachers who allow me towork in the way that suits me. I generallyuse a laptop for lessons as I have writingproblems and when we are set tasks theyhave been adapted to my needs.”

Rachel Matthews, from Hertfordshire,said: “I am 18 and I can only name fiveteachers/tutors who have understooddyspraxia and tried to help me. Peoplethink you grow out of it but you don’t.”

The Dysprexia Foundation has a rangeof factsheets to help young people andteachers. n www.dyspraxiafoundation.org

11771166

EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . . TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . . TECHNOLOGY

AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! FFeebbrruuaarryy//MMaarrcchh 22001100 wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk FFeebbrruuaarryy//MMaarrcchh 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!!

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME! — a big THANKSto all oursupporters . . .

Continued from Page 13Ministers are also looking at

ways to extend the highlysuccessful Access to Workprogramme to specifically helpmore people with mental healthconditions to get and stay in work.

Secretary of State for Work andPensions Yvette Cooper said:“The vast majority of people withmental health conditions work, butfor some people it can be veryhard to stay in a job. If people fallout of work and onto benefits it iseven harder for them to get backinto work as it can be a real knockto their confidence.

“We know that work is good forpeople and that’s why we want togive everyone the support theyneed to stay in a job, or get backto work.

“We are giving people withmental health conditions thissupport. We are also helpingemployers understand what theycan do to help people stay in theirjobs and manage their conditionso that they don’t have to leavework and fall onto benefits at all.”

Mental ill-health is the mostcommon reason for claiminghealth-related benefits and coststhe economy between £30bn and£40bn through lost production,sick pay and NHS treatment, quiteapart from the personal andfinancial costs that result frombeing out of work.

The human, social andeconomic cost of mental illness isimmense. One in six people havea mental health problem and it isthe second most common causeof death in men aged 14-44.

An occupational health adviceline for small businesses is beingpiloted in seven regions ofEngland (East Anglia; Merseyside;North East; North and WestYorkshire; Portsmouth, SouthHampshire, East Sussex & Isle ofWight; South Buckinghamshire,South Oxfordshire, WestBerkshire; and West London), andacross the whole of Scotland andWales.n The advice lines for all pilotsMonday to Friday, 9am to 5pm(9am to 4.30pm on Friday inScotland).Health for Work Adviceline -0800 0 77 88 44www.health4work.nhs.uk

A networkof help tokeep youin your job

New helpfor carerslookingfor work

THOUSANDS of carers are set tobenefit from improvedemployment support, giving themthe chance to combine paid workwith caring and help reducefinancial hardship.

Jobcentre Plus customers withcaring responsibilities will also beable to access replacement carefunding while they are taking partin employment training.

Yvette Cooper, Secretary ofState for Work and Pensions,said: “Many carers really want towork, but find it hard to get thesupport or flexible work theyneed, to combine it with caringfor relatives.

“We know that one in five carershave left or turned down a jobbecause of their caringresponsibilities. That is why it’sso important to give carers extrahelp, advice, funding forreplacement or respite care andeasier access to training too.”

Imelda Redmond, chiefexecutive of Carers UK, said:

“With three in five people caringfor an ill or disabled relative atsome point in their lives, how tojuggle work and care issomething we may all need tothink about at some point.

“Replacement care to allowaccess to training and support,and staff with the expertise tohelp with the real challenges thatface those trying to juggle workand care, are big steps towardsgiving carers new opportunities tostay in or return to work.”

The extra support includes:n Ensuring carers have access toappropriate employmentprogrammes - including one-to-one work focused support forcarers.n Funding for replacement carefor participation in approvedactivities.n A Care Partnership Manager inevery Jobcentre Plus district.Specialist training for adviserswho work with carers.n www.carersuk.org.uk

IF YOU had the chance to create anawareness-raising poster thatchallenges prejudice what would

you come up with?That was the brief given to graphic design

students at Mid-Cheshire College. And what aterrific collection they produced . . .

Graphic design tutor Jayne Fox said: “Thisbrief not only allowed the students to developcreative ideas, it also gave them the chanceto explore their own prejudices andtolerances and to look into the prejudices ofothers.

“Everyone had to promote awareness oftheir own prejudice. This included racism,homophobia and mental health.”

The research part of the project was hugelyinformative and changed many of thestudents’ views.

Bethany Callister, 18, from Ellesmere Port,said: “It made me realise just how muchprejudice there is and how superficial some ofthe things are that we worry about. It is quiteshocking.”

National diploma student Joe McGrath, fromKnutsford, added: “Researching disabilitieshas given me a greater understanding of theproblems some people face.”

The graphic design department is nowcontacting the relevant charities with a viewto using the students’ posters to fightprejudice in the North West.

AGAINSTPOSTERS PREJUDICEPREJUDICE

‘

POSTER POWER:More arrestingdesigns by(clockwise from left):Hannah Kralev; MeganWilkinson; BethanyCallister; andJennifer Wakefield

Students had thechance to exploretheir own prejudices


THOUGHT-PROVOKING: The work of Jessica Allen SHOCKING: Joe McGrath’s attention-grabbing poster STRIKING: The design of Holly McQueen

THE DESIGNERS: Natalie Oughton, JoeMcGrath, Jessica Allen, Hannah Kralev,Holly McQueen and Bethany Callister


EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . .TECHNOLOGY

‘ ‘

Each question has four possible answers and is worth from one to 15 points. Circle your

chosen answers and keep a record of your points total. Maximum total points 120.QUESTION 1 – for 1 point:How many birds were given by ‘my true love’ in the song The Twelve Days Of Christmas?

A 23B 25C 27D 29QUESTION 2 – for 2 points:Which of Frank Sinatra’s records spent a record 122 weeks in the US pop charts from January 1970 onwards?

A ChicagoB WitchcraftC My WayD That’s LifeQUESTION 3 – for 3 points:Which of these fruits grows on a vine?

A KiwiB AvocadoC GrapeD StrawberryQUESTION 4 – for 4 points:Which of the following has a White Silkie variety?

A MothB BantamC RabbitD SheepQUESTION 5 – for 5 points:Where can the words tab, shift and enter be seen?

A On a telephoneB On a keyboardC On a car dashboardD On a digital radioQUESTION 6 – for 6 points:What gives pesto sauce its colour?

A Olive oilB Pine nutsC GarlicD Basil leaves

QUESTION 7 – for 7 points:How many degrees from the Greenwich Meridian is the International Date Line?

A 90B 180C 240D 270QUESTION 8 – for 8 points:What are bleak, dace and flukes?

A Card gamesB FungiC FishD Parts of a barrelQUESTION 9 – for 9 points:Which state in the USA is commonly known as ‘The Cowboy State’?

A WyomingB KansasC South DakotaD Nevada

QUESTION 10 – for 10 points:What is the collective noun for a group of leopards?

A PrideB LoungeC LeapD Skulk

QUESTION 11 – for 11 points:Which London terminus serves the West Coast route to Glasgow?

A PaddingtonB King’s CrossC St PancrasD Euston

QUESTION 12 – for 12 points:Which 1981 film, directed by Terry Gilliam, featured Kevin and his exploding parents?

A BrazilB Jabberwocky C Time BanditsD The Fisher King

QUESTION 13 – for 13 points:What name is given to the 14 books of the Bible that are not held to be divinely inspired?

A ApocryphaB PentateuchC TorahD Septuagint

QUESTION 14 – for 14 points:Which was Britain’s first nuclear-powered submarine?

A HMS ResolutionB HMS EnduranceC HMS DreadnoughtD HMS Trident

QUESTION 15 – for 15 points:Which dish is made from a large cheese melted before a fire?

A RacletteB GarbureC PoutineD Gaudes

Director Terry Gilliam. See Question 12

1. Ovation (8)5. Maple tree (4)9. Vehicle for hire (7)

10. Small firework (5)11. Fate (3)12. Spirit (6)15. Caribbean republic (5)17. Small particle (4)19. Muslim salutation (6)22. Protruding stomach (6)24. Dandy (4)26. Flat (5)27. High estimation (6)30. Paddle (3)32. Trunk (5)33. Promiscuous (7)34. Show excessive love (4)35. Grasped tightly (8)

1

9

10

16

19

26

32

34

12

2

20

13

23

3

14

21

24

30

31

14

17

22

35

4

11

25

27

33

12

18

22

5

8

10

15

28

5

10

23

24

6

29

7

31

★★

★★

★★

★★

1. Sparkling wine (4)2. Small fairy (5)3. Berkshire racecourse (5)4. Subtle (anag.) (6)

6. Warning (7) 7. Trashy (8)8. Respiratory disorder (6)

13. Beverage (3)14. Crippled (4)16. Detached (8)18. Musical work (4)20. First-year hare (7)21. Flowering (6)23. Yorkshire river (3)25. Antenna (6)28. Lure (5)29. Foxhole (5)31. Sleigh (4)

Can you find the celebrity name hidden in this StarspotCrossword? Complete the crossword in the normal way thenmake a note of the letters contained in all the squares whichare marked with shaded stars. These letters will make ananagram of the name you are looking for.

ACROSS DOWN

The Accumulator QuizSTARSPOT CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

13 7 2 8

5 8 16 9 3 5

1 3 4 26 4 55 8 1 4

1 4 9 7 6 22 3 4

THERE is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, andso must each 3 x 3 box. This is a logic puzzle, and you should not need to have to guess.

EASY DIFFICULT

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.

24 24 419

16 19 1610 23

9

10

19

13 3

1615

9 1424

11 6

MEDIUM

KAKURO

8 79 3 5

1 66 4 8 3 7 1

17 6

4 3 95 2 3 6

TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME! WHAT a fantastic magazine (picked up from my local library). I justwished I had known about All Together NOW! a few years agowhen I was caring for my parents who were poorly. It would havegiven me a voice when I needed it most.

— Anne Stevens, Bedford Avenue, Swinton, Manchester

All Together NOW! is a great paper. I read it fromcover to cover. I get my copy from the counciloffices in Llangefni.— A Jones, Bwthyn Bryn Awel, Pentraeth, Anglesey


EDUCATION . . . TRAINING . . . JOBS . . .RRIIGGHHTTSS . . . BUSINESS . . . TECHNOLOGY

3 10 23 15 10 9 13 26 1 16 9

18 23 8 24 25 9 26 14 10

2 25 13 24 13 23 18 18 4 25

9 10 23 10 18 26 21 26 13

20 10 18 18 23 2 12 26 25

23 24 10 12 12 26 3 4 8 10 2

13 25 25 6 3 5 25

11 26 24 20 10 10 9 25 18 18 17

26 20 12 25 15 7 18 10 12

24 26 7 7 10 24 18 7 12

24 23 1 10 18 18 10 25 12 9

10 19 5 25 9 10 10 25 23

4 13 12 7 25 13 22 18 26 4 3

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?

A

B

C

D F

E

1 2

3 4

5 6

CROSS CODE

SPOT CHECK

D E N A W S T N O C H

I L S E A Y R E V U T

N O O I L B R I E O M

B U P V R O E F L D Y

G R R E O E T F E P L

H O R W U P O U H S A

D N Y I G H S T S G L

E R B C H E A H W O G

E L A C N K M R M I M

L T S W E O P I B N A

E E D S S T T O N G H

Starting from the central shaded letter, move one letter at atime (up, down, right or left, but not diagonally) to find 15British cities with mainline stations.

PATHWORDS

DIALLING CODES

DITTANY

Here is anunusual wordwith threedefinitions, onlyone of which iscorrect. Can youidentify the rightdefinition?

WORD WIZARD

1) An aromaticshrubby plantof the mintfamily;

2) A thumb keyforsharpening alute or guitarstring by asemitone;

3) The repetitionof words orphrases by aprinter whencopying amanuscript.

Telephone dialling pads combineseveral letters on one key. Herewe have encoded several sets ofwords or items by using numbersrather than letters. Then we havedivided them into groups ofthree characters and run all thenames one after another to makeyour task a little more difficult.Can you crack the codes?

1. creatures classed as game

945 336 951 427 317 432

726 817 331 333 719 663

262 517 824 517 647 319

453 126 271 763 133 371

252 251 476 873 178 276

442 6

345 664 215 874 616 278

878 486 176 273 724 661

324 791 227 628 466 179

338 194 554 261 335 744

648 615 623 542 178 635

693 7

4. herbaceous flowers

2. parts of a church

783 375 317 747 316 742

615 638 135 946 412 888

737 718 378 791 628 312

797 812 475 313 663 136

681 785 748 172 274 789

187 267 378

893 331 437 742 612 688

661 276 223 318 358 381

885 531 326 275 174 551

225 426 154 636 126 738

769 172 846 183 568 712

443 366

5. fabrics

3. heraldic terms

339 837 172 672 681 722

531 569 364 314 278 371

273 723 681 998 376 187

336 451 726 484 631 372

882 436 617 277 268 173

425 42

268 681 372 285 215 624

163 771 666 783 719 373

965 312 443 668 146 394

552 137 246 619 662 431

372 653 678 346 171 666

783 7

6. monsters from film and fable

1[ ] ’ –

2ABC

3DEF

4GHI

5JKL

6MNO

7PQRS

8TUV

9WXYZ

Spaces and any punctuation marksare represented by 1.

Each pair of words has a missing word between them that actsas a link to both (e.g. FRONT – DOOR – MAT). The initial lettersof the six answers (reading downwards) will spell out the nameof an aquatic animal.

BAY – – – – – – BOX

HEART – – – – – – FORCE

DEAD – – – – – BEST

SLEEP – – – – – AGE

GREAT – – – – – – – – – JOINT

TOP – – – – HEAD

MISSING LINK

In which year did all three of these significant

historical events take place?

1. Star Trek, the classic science fictiontelevision series, debuts with its firstepisode, titled The Man Trap.

2. The Beatles hold their last public concertat the Empire Pool, Wembley.

3. Muhammad Ali defeats Henry Cooper inthe sixth round of their London fight afterCooper had earlier knocked him down.

WAS IT?a) 1964; b) 1966; c) 1968; d) 1970; e) 1972.

MAKE A DATE

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

Clue: Use toothed instrument to make hollow.

_ _ _ _ + O = _ _ O _ _

Accumulator Quiz1 – A; 2 – C; 3 – C; 4 – B; 5 – B; 6 – D; 7 – B; 8 – C; 9 – A; 10 – C; 11 – D; 12 – C; 13 – A; 14 – C; 15 – A.Starspot CrosswordAcross – 1 Applause; 5 Acer; 9 Taxicab; 10 Squib; 11 Lot; 12 Mettle; 15 Haiti; 17 Atom; 19 Salaam; 22 Paunch; 24 Beau; 26 Level; 27 Esteem; 30 Oar; 32 Torso; 33 Immoral; 34 Dote; 35 Clutched.Down – 1 Asti; 2 Pixie; 3 Ascot; 4 Sublet; 6 Caution; 7 Rubbishy; 8 Asthma; 13 Tea; 14 Lame; 16 Isolated; 18 Opus; 20 Leveret; 21 Abloom; 23 Ure; 25 Aerial; 28 Tempt; 29 Earth; 31 Sled.Star Name: LIV TYLER

Word WizardNo 1 is correct. Dittany is a plant.Dialling Codes1. wildfowl; hare; pheasant; red deer; woodcock; quail; snipe; wild boar; roe deer; black grouse; ptarmigan.2. steeple; spire; organ loft; flying buttress; vestry; nave; crypt; aisle; dome; font; pulpit; sacristy; transept.3. dexter; rampant; sable; lozenge; garter; crescent; wyvern; trefoil; sanguine; escutcheon; passant; regalia.4. begonia; lupin; nasturtium; snapdragon; daisy; carnation; sweet william; delphinium; lobelia; sunflower.

5. tweed; hessian; cotton; brocade; velvet; tulle; damask; silk; calico; linen; corduroy; satin; velour; chiffon.6. Count Dracula; Loch Ness monster; werewolf; bigfoot; Godzilla; dragon; zombie; Frankenstein’s monster.Spot CheckA = 4; B = 6; C = 1; D = 3; E = 5; F = 2.Missing Linkwindow; attack; level; rough; universal; seed. Animal: walrus.Make a DateThe year was 1966TransformerComb + O = Coomb.

C1

W2

G3

N4

U5

Z6

P7

H8

T9

E10

B11

S12

R13

V14

M15

J16

Y17

L18

Q19

F20

X21

K22

O23

D24

A25

I26

516342879793568142482179653624983715871256394935714268247635981159827436368491527

518467293637129584492358167281694735975813426364572918756281349149736852823945671

SUDOKU EASYSUDOKU DIFFICULT

CROSS CODE

2424419

1619161023

9

10

19

133

1615

91424

116

973

721689

397

9412

21489

3815

5172

81

KAKURO MEDIUM

PathwordsPeterborough; Southampton; Birmingham; Glasgow; Sheffield; Plymouth; Coventry; Swansea; Liverpool; Edinburgh; Derby; Norwich; Newcastle; Leeds; Stoke.

ALL THE ANSWERS

EACH number in our Cross Code grid represents a differentletter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control gridto start you off.Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, thenuse your knowledge of words to work out which letters shouldgo in the missing squares.As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the samenumber in the main grid and control grid. Check off thealphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9E

10 11S

12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19F

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


‘ ‘All Together NOW! is a people’s paper with something foreveryone. It’s also very interesting and informative. I get mycopy from Gordale Garden Centre, Wirral

— Mrs Sylvia Smith, Hermitage Road, Saughall, Chester

I THINK All Together NOW! is one of the verybest papers for older people. Good luck for thefuture!

—Mr T Grundy, Swinburne Road, St Helens


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

Helping to build a stronger

future for the local community

With a proud heritage which includes thedevelopment of the world's first commercialnuclear power station, Sellafield Ltd hasemerged from the groundbreaking re-organisation of the country's nuclear assetsand liabilities as the team responsible for thesafe delivery of multi-million poundcontracts at Sellafield and Capenhurst onbehalf of site owners the NuclearDecommissioning Authority.

The challenge of managing the UK's nuclearlegacy comes with the responsibility to ensurethat our operations and activities leave thelightest environmental footprint. To that endthe company, in discussion with theEnvironment Agency, undertakes an embeddedprogramme of monitoring of our environments.

We have a long history of supporting our localcommunities. Working with the NDA our socio-economic plans encourage employeeinvolvement in local activities, charitabledonation schemes and inward investment.

Our endeavours in this area are born from awish to protect the current skills base,encourage new businesses and, wherever wecan, help the overall socio-economic well beingof our local communities.

We take great pride in being able to make apositive impact on people's lives.

We have invested over £2million through oureconomic development programme.Sustainability and enhanced prosperity in ourlocal regions is the focal point of our economicregeneration policy. We encourage skillsdevelopment for both businesses andindividuals enabling them to take control oftheir own future.

Our support builds upon the efforts andenthusiasm of our partners in the community,and our own employees, where we are allstriving to achieve a vibrant and healthycommunity.

For more information, please visit www.sellafieldsites.com

WORKERS at Brighter FutureWorkshop have yet anotherreason to celebrate.

Last autumn the Skelmersdale-based charity was voted England’sSocial Enterprise of the Year.

Now the charity that employsdisabled workers to recycle and repairused mobility equipment has beennamed as the UK’s Social Enterpriseof the Year by the Social EnterpriseCoalition.

The awards reward the mostsuccessful and inspiring socialenterprises – businesses trading forsocial and environmental purposes – inthe United Kingdom.

Boss Peter Cousins said: “Winningthis prestigious award will lead to morepeople with disabilities becoming

aware of BFW and the services weprovide for the community.

“We can see the difference we’vemade in the lives of many disabledpeople, both through our recyclingbusiness and our training scheme.

“In the last four years we haverecycled and repaired over 3,800pieces of equipment with an estimatedvalue of £211,000 that would haveended up in a landfill site.

“This equipment helps local disabledpeople to gain or regain mobility andplay a fuller role in society.”

The award comes after the BigLottery’s £400,000 grant to the charity– ensuring their future for five years.n Brighter Future Workshop,Greenhey Place, Gillibrands,Skelmersdale. Tel. 01695 724361.

Future looks very bright for Peter and his team

Simplythe best!

THE SECOND annual JohnRainey Inclusion awardswere handed out at anevent to raise awarenessof the benefits toKnowsley’s businesses ofemploying people withdisabilities.

The organisational awardwent to Knowsley ParentsAdults Carers (KPAC), whileLila Bennett, chair of theKnowsley disAbilityPartnership, won theindividual award.

KPAC run a range ofprojects to help disabledpeople achieve their goals.They have supported morethan 70 people this year,and 75% of their ownworkforce has a disability.

Lila Bennett has workedwith Knowsley’scommunities for more than30 years, and has beensupporting disabled peopleinto work for the last 25years.

Sponsored by KnowsleyChamber of Commerce, theawards were presented bythe Chamber’s Boardmember Seamus Brady andSheena Ramsey, chiefexecutive of Knowsleycouncil.

Cllr Graham Morgan,cabinet member forregeneration, economy andskills, said: “It was fittingthat KPAC and Lila Bennettwere honoured, as theyhave both worked tirelesslyto improve employmentopportunities for disabledpeople.

“It makes perfect sense tosupport people withdisabilities intoemployment.”

The awards are presentedin memory of the late JohnRainey, a former Knowsleycouncil access officer whoworked tirelessly to helpdisabled people overcomesome of the barriers theyface during everyday life.

There were alsopresentations from AlanWalker, financial controllerof Jaguar Land Rover, andMartin O’Neill fromJobcentre Plus, whohighlighted the benefits toboth employers andemployees of their Accessto Work programme, whichprovides funding and adviceto help disabled peopleovercome the barriers theyface at work.

ShiningexamplesTOPS: Peter

Cousins withwife, Kathleen,left, and BFWcolleagues Derekand Jackie Tittle

wwwwww..aallllttooggeetthheerrnnooww..oorrgg..uukk FFeebbrruuaarryy//MMaarrcchh 22001100 AAllll TTooggeetthheerr NNOOWW!! 2211

NEWS

THE NUMBER of olderand disabled peoplepaying for residentialcare without financialsupport from their localcouncil has risen by athird since 2002.

The figures for those whoare having to pay for alltheir care in a care homethemselves has increasedto 41% of all residents(155,000 in total) in 2009,according to the LiberalDemocrats.

Worries about how to payfor a care home stayremains the biggestconcern for people whocontact Counsel and Care.

Enquirers continuallyexpress concern abouthaving to use largeamounts of their savingsand capital to pay for care,and about how the cost ofcare home placements isgetting more and moreexpensive.

The charity’s chiefexecutive, Stephen Burke,said:“These figures showhow doing nothing is notan option for 2010.

“The forthcoming WhitePaper on the future of caredue in the New Year mustanswer the concerns of thegeneral public. It must beclear about what carepeople will get and howmuch they and their familywould be required tocontribute.

“We need to end thepostcode lottery in terms ofcost, accessibility andquality of care andtogether work towardsdelivering a care andsupport system everyonecan be proud of.”n Helpline: 0845 300 7585.

Care costsup 33% in8 years

PROSECUTIONS for disability hatecrime have more than doubled in ayear, says a new report from theCrown Prosecution Service.

Figures for 2008-2009 reveal that393 defendants were prosecuted fordisability hate crime.

Keir Starmer QC, Director of PublicProsecutions, said: “Safety andsecurity, and the right to live freefrom fear and harassment arefundamental human rights and theCPS recognises the widercommunity impact of disability hatecrime.

“This increase in disability hatecrime prosecutions suggests thatour prosecutors and police areimproving their ability to recognisethese particularly serious cases.

“However, we know there is stillsome way to goand we are workinghard to make the public aware of thesupport that is available to victimsand witnesses with disabilities.”

The Hate Crime Report 2008-2009shows that in the four years endingMarch 2009, more than 49,200defendants were prosecuted for hatecrime, which also includeshomophobic and racist and religioushate crime.n www.cps.gov.uk/publications/equality

ANEW three-yearresearch project aimsto find out how the

criminal justice system canbe improved to give peoplewith mental health problemsa fair hearing.

The research, which is beingconducted with charities VictimSupport, Mind, and the Instituteof Psychiatry, is being fundedby a £480,000 grant from theBig Lottery Fund.

The study will involve asurvey of around 400vulnerable people to see howoften they have been victims ofcrime.

A smaller group will then takepart in more detailed interviewsto find out what difficulties theyhave faced in trying to reportoffences.

Vari Drennan, Professor in theFaculty of Health and Social

Care Sciences, run jointly byKingston University and StGeorge’s, University of London,said: “We will be analysing theexperiences of people withmental health problems to try tounderstand how they can bebetter supported through thecriminal justice system.”

She said the final report wouldrecommend improvements topolicy makers and publicservices from the courts andpolice to housing, social workand health agencies.

“Mind has suggested thatmany people with mental health

problems do not come forwardto report crimes because theyfind the criminal justice systemdaunting and are fearful thatthe process may be detrimentalto their mental health.”

Professor Drennan, a formercommunity nurse, health visitorand senior NHS manager, saidshe was particularly interestedin how health professionalscould help victims to access thejustice system.

Angela Antonatos, of VictimSupport, who is leading theresearch, said: “We need tomake sure that victims withmental health problems haveas much help and support aspossible.

“The study will give them avoice, highlighting theirexperiences as victims andimproving their access tojustice.”

justice planMental health Disability hate crime

cases doubles

We must give people more support ‘

THE Freemasons’ GrandCharity has donated£50,000 towards a vitalresearch project at theUniversity of Cambridgethat aims to create anartificial pancreas that willprevent overnighthypoglycaemia in adultswith Type 1 diabetes.

Meanwhile, the ScottishNational Blood TransfusionService has opened alaboratory in Edinburgh tooffer around 12 people ayear islet cell transplanttherapy.

Islet cells, which produceinsulin, are destroyed inpeople with Type 1diabetes.

Freemasons’diabetes grant

HENSHAWSSociety for BlindPeople provides

expert support, adviceand training to anyoneaffected by sight loss.

Nearly all their servicesare free, and they want toattract more residentsfrom in and around thecity of Liverpool.

Manager Bill Milnersays: “There are over2,000 people registeredblind or severely sight-impaired in Liverpool andwe’d like to meet them.

“We’ve got so manyservices to offer – andmany are completely free

of charge. We havesomething to suiteveryone!”

From their accessiblecentre opposite the LiverBuilding on The Strand,Henshaws run socialgroups, training coursesand organise a widevariety of activities.

For parents or childrenwith visual impairments,Henshaws providesinformation, centre-basedactivities, day trips andshort breaks.

For those interested incomputers, Henshawshave IT training and drop-in sessions, also offering

Skillstep pre-vocationaltraining courses.

Social groups includeBraille, tai chi, healthyfood preparation, a lunchclub and writers’ group.

They also hold partiallysighted and maculardisease support groupsand give expert advice onaids and equipment.

n For more informationabout Henshaws, call0151 227 1226, or [email protected] You can also visit theirnew website –www.henshaws.org.uk

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: Henshaws Society for Blind People

We’re here to helpMUSIC TIME: Henshaws provide a variety of activities for all ages


n Wrightington MobilityCentre, Hall Lane, AppleyBridge, Wigan, WN6 9EP.Tel. 01257 256409www.mobility-centre.org.ukn The North Wales DrivingAssessment Centre,Disability ResourcesCentre, Glan ClwydHospital, Bodelwyddan,Denbighshire.Tel. 01745 584858n Regional DrivingAssessment Centre, Unit11, Network Park,Duddeston Mill Road,Birmingham.Tel. 0845 3371540n Motability, Goodman

House, Station Approach,Harlow, Essex, CM20 2ET. Helpline 0845 456 4566(voice), 01279 632273 (text).www.motability.co.ukn National Association ofBikers with a Disability,Unit 20, The BridgewaterCentre, Robson Avenue,Urmston, Manchester,Tel. 0870 759 0603.www.nabd.org.ukn Disabled MotorcyclistsAssociation, Ada House,77 Thompson Street,Manchester, M4 5FY. Tel. 0161 214 8314, 07947138303.www.thedma.org.uk

MOTORING CONTACTS

MOTABILITYMORE than 300 cars are now

available on the Motability scheme– with no up-front payment.

Highlights of the new Motability price listinclude the top selling Ford Focus 1.6TD Zetecwith parking sensors, the stylish MINI One 1.4,and the popular seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira1.6 Exclusiv.

Also available are the Vauxhall Astra 1.6Exclusiv, the Volkswagen New Polo 1.6TDI SE,the Smart fortwo 0.8CDi Passion Coupe andthe newly launched Citroen New C3 1.4 HDiVTR+, each with CO2 emissions lower than115 g/km.

Motability’s worry-free motoringpackage means customers exchangetheir higher rate mobility allowancefor a brand new car every threeyears including insurance, servicingand maintenance and full RACbreakdown assistance.

There’s also a motoring allowanceof 60,000 miles over three years aswell as tyre and windscreenreplacement.

Mike Betts, chief executive ofMotability Operations, said: “Keepinga keen eye on prices, especiallyduring harder economic times, is akey aim of Motability. The good newsfor 2010 is that not only are we ableto offer low prices, this fantasticvalue applies to some of the mostpopular car models on the market.

“In fact, there are cars of everyshape and style at some of the best

value prices ever seen.”Nigel Sharp, Ford managing

director, said: “Anyone whorecognises good value will seize onthe Ford cars available throughMotability in 2010.

“Disabled motorists and theirfamilies will enjoy one of the largestselections of cars, including thehighly popular Ford Focus, at noadditional cost, as well as the entire

GET INTO GEAR!

ALLIED Vehicles’ wide range ofaccessible cars and vans are a big hitwith lots of disabled motorists.

Their reputation is also now growing withdisabled students . . .

The company’s specially convertedPeugeot Monarch minibus is currentlyhelping to ferry students across NottinghamUniversity’s five campuses.

The university’s fleet manager DavidSkinner said: “We needed a wheelchairaccessible minibus with high quality safetyfeatures and rear passenger lift and thePeugeot Monarch offers both.

“It also accommodates multiple wheelchairpassengers so it’s the perfect choice.”

Safety features include wheelchairpassenger lap and diagonal seat belts, and

wheelchair restraints. There is also space forup to two wheelchair passengers and anelectric side step.

David added: “This year we have moredisabled students than previous years andthe new minibus is proving to be a greathelp.

“We are dedicated to improving ourdisabled access throughout the universityand we continue to receive great feedbackfrom our students and interest fromprospective disabled students.” nFor more information on the PeugeotMonarch or any of Allied’s accessibleminibus range, call on 0800 916 3018email [email protected] – andplease tell them you saw this article inAll Together NOW!

WHEELS FOR ALL: AlliedVehicles’ specially convertedPeugeot Monarch minibus

The Monarch of Nottingham


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If you’re disabled driver you can drive a better deal with Fish Insurance. As the UK’s leading disability and Independent Living insurance

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CRACKERS

Ford range available with reverse parkingsensors. Getting on the road has never beensuch great value.”

Duncan Aldred, managing director,Vauxhall, said: “The choice available toMotability customers looking at a newVauxhall car is excellent.

“Models such as the New Astra, the seven-seat Zafira, and others, are available fromno additional cost to the monthly payment.

“The wide range and great value means

there is a Vauxhall car available throughMotability to suit everyone regardless of theirfamily, budget or mobility needs.”

n Look out, too, for great valueWheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)such as the Partner Tepee 1.6 Urban fromAllied Mobility and the BerlingoMultispace 1.6 from GM Coachworks –both from £495 advance payment.n www.motability.org.uk


Dr Katy GardnerIs an experienced doctor who has been practicing as a GP for 30 years and can answer all your general health questions.

Dear Shirley...

Dear Dr Rob...

HealthMatters

Dr Rob says… Although the number of people contracting swine flu is decreasing, swine flu can be a particularly severe illness for some people, especially younger children. This is why the Swine Flu vaccine is being offered to children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years as they seem to be most seriously affected by swine flu.

Parents will get an invitation from their local NHS – usually GP practices – to take their children along for vaccination over the next few weeks. This is needed because younger children are particularly vulnerable to developing serious health effects from swine flu and have needed a higher level of hospital treatment compared to the rest of the population. Some parents will be concerned that their children may develop side effects from having the swine flu vaccination, but it’s worth remembering that these symptoms are usually much milder than having swine flu itself.

As well as having the vaccination the other good way to protect yourself and others from swine flu is by always using a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a sanitizer gel. This helps to prevent the spread of swine flu as viruses can live on hard surfaces for several hours.

Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can get advice from the National Pandemic Flu Service on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 513 for information or call 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.

Is there still a need for my children to be vaccinated against Swine Flu? Carolyn, Aigburth

Shirley says…The key to eating healthily on a budget is planning. With the right ingredients, a large chicken can be used for a number of meals.

A chicken can be roasted, and leftovers can be diced, mixed with lentils, onions,tinned tomatoes, then add curry spices and serve with boiled rice.

It’s when the cupboard is bare that weresort to takeaways. A good way to avoid this is to make a list of what you need for the meals you’ll be preparing before you go shopping.This will help to prevent you succumbing to impulse buys, such as 3 for 2 offers that will only bolster an unhealthy snack drawer. Short sell buy date offers are helpful as you can always cook them and then freeze them for use later on in the week.

Fruit and veg are particularly dear in winter months, so keep an eye out for short date stock and use frozen basic ranges of vegetables and soft fruit which is a good buy at £2 a pack. They bring a zingy taste of summer into dark dreary winter days tasting great with low fat yoghurt, fromage frais or stirred into sugar free jelly. Frozen produce is just as nutritious and fresh.

Its also worthwhile spreading your shopping around, this way you can get the best deals from a range of shops, given competition for products is so fierce. Own brands are consistently similar in price though, but not always cheaper than all named alternatives.

Building up your own store cupboard of spices, herbs and flavouring ingredients

such as Worcester sauce, soy sauce and mustard is another option; a Cajun style spice mix for example is only paprika, cayenne, dried sage & marjoram,costing a few pence per portion instead of packet mixes that are much dearer and also very salty.Own brand tinned tomatoes with herbs/spices and onions are far cheaper than a ‘cook in’ sauce bought alternative and again a lot lower in salt.

If you’re still finding the prospect of preparing your meals from scratch a little daunting, Liverpool’s Community Food Workers can help you to extend your cooking skills using a wide range of budget foods available locally.They have some great recipes too.

You can find out where your local sessions are running by ringing the North Liverpool team on233 4421; South Liverpool team on 280 7512 and Central Liverpool team on 207 5382.

A few months ago I lost my job,since then i’ve found it almost impossible to eat well on a low income. January is proving especially tough, how can I eat healthily on a budget?Karen, Garston

Shirley JuddIs a registered dietitian who was Chief Dietitian at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital before moving to Liverpool PCT.

SIsab

Dr Rob BarnettSecretary of Liverpool Local Medical Committee.

If you would like some advice on a health-related question email:[email protected]

LIVERPOOL PCT OFFER HEALTH ADVICE YOU CAN REALLY TRUST

DSM

Be sure to consult your General Practitioner (GP) before attempting any health, �tness or diet-related activity. No warranty, expressed or implied can be taken that the information is appropriate for every individual, situation or purpose.


by Beatrice Fraenkelchair, Mersey Care NHS

Award for virtual dementia tour

Churchill’s cancer fight

Smell link to Alzeimer’s

Healthy messages regularly reaching 250,000 readers . . .

AN internet guide to what it’s like forpeople who have dementia has beensingled out for a top award.

Health and social care charity PSS wasvoted Britain’s best provider of learningand development by Skills for Care - theGovernment body that monitors thetraining of people caring for those withdementia.

The Liverpool- based organisation’s“virtual dementia” tour was one of theground breaking training tools that

caught the eye of judges, along with theironline dementia centre.

The tour simulates what it can be like tohave dementia, helping carers andprofessionals understand what theperson they are looking after is goingthrough.

Pam Stopforth and Carolyn Goble, fromPSS, accepted the award at a ceremonyin London, hosted by former GMTVpresenter, Fiona Phillips.

Fiona has personal experience of

WINSTON Churchill, grandson andnamesake of the former British PrimeMinister, has joined the battle againstprostate cancer.

Mr Churchill, former MP for the inner-cityManchester seats of Stretford and Davyhulme(1970-1997), has signed up to be anAmbassador of The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Having been diagnosed in May 2008 withadvanced metastasized prostate cancer, he hasvolunteered his services to the charity.

Mr Churchill said: “To those facing thechallenge of cancer I would commend thewords of my Grandfather: ‘Never Give In! Never,never! Never, never! Except to convictions ofhonour or good sense!

“I would merely add, ‘Never Give In —especially to cancer!”n www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

ALTHOUGH brain tumours arerelatively rare, survival ratesremain alarmingly low in

comparison with other types ofcancer. says the charity Brain TumourResearch.

New research shows that more peopleunder 40 die from brain tumours than anyother cancer – and every year there is a4% increase in incidence.

It is also now the biggest hard-cancerkiller of children.

Despite this, brain tumour research isextremely under-funded.

Lisa Connell, 30, was diagnosed with abrain tumour three years ago and hasmade it her personal mission to raise£1m for brain cancer charities to supportmuch needed research.

To help her achieve this goal she set upRent A Date For Charity, in collaborationwith brainstrust, The Meg Jones BrainCancer Charity.

Lisa said: “It saddens me that however

much we push for brain tumourawareness very few people seem to beinterested.

“Considering brain cancer is now themost common type of hard-cancer inyoung people there really should be moredone to promote the cause. I am hopingthat through my campaign and with theright support we can help take the fightagainst brain cancer to the next level.”n www.brt.org.ukn www.rentadateforcharity.com

LISACONNELL:battlingagainst abraintumour

Lisa’s hope for 2010

dementia – her mother wassuffering from it when shedied a few years ago andher father has Alzheimer’s.

Pam said: “We try to breakdown the isolation thatcarers can feel and givethem the skills to cope withwhat can be a very difficultsituation.

“We offer practical adviceand support that helps themday to day but we also showthem how to deal with thestress that builds up.

“We have a support linethey can call, to talk tosomeone at the end of abad day and an internet caféwhere they can talk online tostaff and other people in thesame situation.”

Pat Davin, 65, who caresfor her husband who hasdementia, has been throughthe PSS training and was atthe awards ceremony.

She said: “I learnt how tounderstand my husband’sbehaviour and realise thatwhat could seem like badtemper was simply that hedidn’t understand what I wastrying to tell him to do.

“I might be trying to gethim changed but he feels heis under attack and is tryingto protect himself. I’ve learnthow to read his reactionsand try different techniques.” www.big.dh.gov.uk/node/2PSS, tel 0151 702 5565www.dementiacentre.com

WINNING SMILES: Carolyin Goble, FionaPhillips and Pam Stopforth

AMERICAN scientists working with micehave linked a loss of smell function with thebuild up of amyloid, the toxic proteininvolved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Their findings could translate into a means ofenhancing early Alzheimer’s diagnosis inpeople.

Previous work has shown that Alzheimer’sdisease can cause a loss of the ability to smell– but it is unclear why.

This research on mice shows that that loss ofsmell function could be linked to the build up ofthe amyloid protein.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of theAlzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “We hopethat further studies can help us understand andbetter diagnose Alzheimer’s in people.”n Alzheimer’s Helpline: 01223 843899www.alzheimers-disease.org.uk

AS THE Mersey Care DesignChampion I am anxious tolearn more about how the

physical environment of NHSfacilities impacts clinically (for thatread emotionally) on the peoplewho access our mental health andlearning disability services, and theway design quality impacts on staff.

As a professional in design but notan expert in mental health I know wecan all feel either welcomed orunwanted when walking into anybuilding. Sometimes it comes down tosimply the “look and feel” of it,combined with the first impressionsyou get from staff.

Board colleagues and I have beenvisiting premises to learn more abouthow our services are being delivered. Ialso asked everyone to feed back theirfirst impressions of our buildings, witha view to improving the quality ofentrances and reception areas, de-cluttering and ensuring clear signage.

We must consult and listen to serviceusers and carers too. Their responseaffirmed the need for a larger, morewelcoming reception area at one ofour community drug services.

I was privileged to open the newbase for Alcohol Services Knowsley inHuyton last month. This light and airybuilding has a welcoming reception,cosy and private outpatient rooms,and large meeting rooms being usedfor a therapeutic art group.

We will continue to improve both oldand new buildings, and I will assist inour appreciation that design qualityand understanding at every level canimpact on the senses, and thereforesense of wellbeing, and should begiven the importance it needs.

This approach will be fully reflectedin our design of new mental healthcentres as well as improvements toexisting facilities over time. I amdelighted to be working with the TIMEProject (To Improve Mental healthEnvironments) on our new generationof what will bewarm andwelcomingfacilities.



HEALTH leaders in the North Westare urging those who are eligibleto have the swine flu vaccine as

soon as possible.Latest figures show that since the outbreak

of the virus in April last year 44 people acrossthe North West have died as a result of swineflu.

Most victims had underlying healthconditions.

Dr Ruth Hussey, regional director for publichealth in the North West, said: “It looks likecases of swine flu are now on the decline,which is fantastic news.

“But I’m concerned that this might put off

some people who should get the vaccine fromdoing so.

“The virus is still circulating, and if peoplewith conditions such as asthma, heart andlung disease, with weakened immune systemsor who are pregnant catch the virus, they canbecome seriously ill.”

Since last July, 2,720 people in the NorthWest have needed hospital treatment due toswine flu, 250 have needed critical care, and48% of people who have needed hospitaltreatment have had an underlying healthcondition.

Dr Hussey said: “The swine flu vaccine reallyis the best protection against swine flu.

“The take-up rate for the the vaccine has

been good, but we want to ensure that asmany people as possible who are eligible arevaccinated.”

GP practices are rolling out the vaccine tochildren aged over six months and under five,who are also particularly at risk of developingcomplications if they contract the virus.

If you have any questions about the swineflu vaccination programme, contact your GP.

n Anyone who thinks they may havecontracted the virus can contact theNational Pandemic Flu Service online atwww.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 08001 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100for treatment.

n IF YOU think youcould have swine fluand have chronic lung,kidney or heartdisease, are over 65,are pregnant, or if youhave a child under onewith symptoms, youshould telephone yourusual GP servicerather than use theNational Pandemic FluService.n The initial symptomsof swine flu can besimilar to those ofother illnesses, so it isimportant for people tobe vigilant.n Parents with youngchildren need to beparticularly aware ofthis, as acute illnessesmay be more difficultto diagnose in a youngchild.n If you are taking anti-viral medication andyour symptoms fail toimprove after a fewdays, or get suddenlyworse, telephone yourGP for advice.VACCINATION CALL: Dr Ruth Hussey

What toTogetherwe cando more

look forSwine flujabs arestill vital

UK top mental health nurse visits Chester

NEW bodies thatcombine the expertiseof industry, health andeducation have beenformed to promoteinnovation in the NHS.

Health Innovation andEducation Clusters(HIECs) are cross sectorpartnerships betweenNHS organisations, thehigher education sector,industry and other publicand private sectorpartners.

Of the 17 HIECscurrently operating acrossthe country, three are inthe North West working ondifferent areas of care:n Lancashire and Cumbria– stroke, mental healthand end of life care.n Merseyside andCheshire – drug safety,children’s health, mentaland physical health andcancer. n Greater Manchester –long-term conditions,cancer, mental health,dementia and stroke.

Almost £3m is cominginto the North West overthe next two years to helpestablish these newpartnership organisations.

NHS North West chiefexecutiveMikeFarrar,pictured,said: “Thisis excellentnews forthe regionandrecognisesand buildson the innovation anddevelopments in healthcare in the North West forthe benefit of all patients.

“The HIECs are anotherexample of how the NHScan work in partnershiptowards our goals ofworld-class health andhealth care.”

Through joint working,HIECs will provideprofessional educationand training and promoteinnovation in healthcareby speeding up theadoption of researchinnovation and goodpractice.

They will also provideprofessional educationand training.

THE Department of Health’s leadnurse for mental health, BenThomas, has praised the work ofstaff at Bowmere Hospital andCheshire and Wirral PartnershipNHS Foundation Trust.

Ben said: “It’s really important to visitfront line staff and to congratulate themfor all their hard work. CWP has asuperb reputation and the staff I’ve metmore than live up to that.”

Avril Devaney, CWP director ofnursing and patient partnership, said:“All of our staff work extremely hard tomaintain the highest standards ofpatient care and it’s great for that to be

recognised by Ben’s visit.” As part of the visit, Ben called in at

Cedar Ward which recently becamethe first ward in the country to receivelevel one organic Acute InpatientMental Health Services (AIMS)accreditation for its dementia services.

He also spent time talking to nursesabout the recently published NHSdocument ‘High Impact Actions forNursing and Midwifery’ which outlineseight actions on improving care qualityand efficiency.

CWP has fully embraced all actionsas part of its commitment tomaintaining high standards of care.

n WARM WELCOME: Left to right: CWP modern matronJoy Halliwell, director of nursing Avril Devaney, leadnurse for mental health Ben Thomas and Cedar wardmanager Brenda O’Brien

Cases are falling –

on the risebut deaths


CANCER patients fromblack and minority ethnicbackgrounds are to get agreater voice.

The National Black andMinority Ethnic (BME)Cancer Patient AdvisoryPanel is the latest initiativefrom the National CancerAction Team.

Professor Mike Richards,National Cancer Director,said: “The panel willprovide an opportunity forBME patients and carers toshare their experienceswith us.”

The National CancerAction Team is nowrecruiting panel membersfrom BME communitieswho themselves havecancer or have had anexperience of cancer –either as a patient or acarer, who are aged 16 andabove.

The aim is to gather over1,000 panel members fromacross England.

The Action Team will berunning up to four surveysa year.

The results will bepublished on the PatientExperience National CancerAction Team website,www.cancerinfo.nhs.uk

THE Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank, based atClatterbridge Hospital, has enrolled its400th donor.

Launched six years ago, the milk bankhouses special equipment to test, pasteuriseand store donor breast milk, which is thenused to treat sick and premature babiesacross the North West.

Nyree Fairbairn, 37, from Meols, said: “Ihad previously been a blood donor and sowhen I found out that there was also a realneed for donor milk, it seemed like anobvious choice to make.”

The milk bank is part of Wirral UniversityTeaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,which runs Arrowe Park and Clatterbridgehospitals.

Since opening in 2004, more than 2,000litres of human milk have been donated by400 mothers living in Wirral and other partsof the region. n To find out more about milk bankingcontact the Wirral Mothers’ Milk Bank on0151 334 4000, ext 5000. n www.ukamb.org

PEOPLE in Zimbabwe are benefitingfrom University Hospital Aintree’sequipment upgrade.

Beds, mattresses, trolleys – and even anoperating table – have been shipped toAfrica.

The donation of the medical equipment wasthe result of a special friendship betweenmanual handling advisor, Ken Cookson, andhis Preston childhood friend Bill Moore.

When Bill moved to Harare 27 years agothey remained in touch.

Ken said: “During his time in Zimbabwe, Bill

has become involved in a number ofcharities, particularly St John Ambulance.

“When he visited England last year he toldme about how the cholera epidemic hadbeen going around some of the more remotehospitals where they had nothing.

“At that time I was leading a project at theTrust to replace all trolleys in our Accident &Emergency department so I told him to applyto see if the disused equipment could bedonated to the Zimbabwe hospitals.”

Bill was delighted when the Trust agreed todonate the equipment.

SDB Engineering, who work in the hospital,and the Trust’s maintenance department,loaded up the container with equipmentwhich otherwise would have been scrapped.

More than 90 pieces of medical equipmentwere eventually shipped out, includingtrauma trolleys, patient hoists, suctionmachines, hospital beds, and an examinationcouch.

Bill said: “Everyone at the Trust has beenwonderfully co-operative and the effect thisequipment will have on the lives of thosepatients in Harare is unimaginable.”

Dignity:£50k upfor grabs

Milk bank’s 400th donor

DO YOU have an idea thatwill ensure people’sexperience of careservices is a good one?

Would your idea helppeople to feel they are ableto retain their personaldignity and self respect?

If so, you could get ashare of a £50,000 fund tohelp you turn that idea intoreality.

The Bright Ideas Grant ispart of the Dignity in CareCampaign that aims tochange the culture of careservices and place agreater emphasis onimproving the quality ofcare and the experience ofcitizens using servicesincluding NHS hospitals,community services, carehomes and home supportservices.

The competition closeson March 18.n www.big.dh.gov.uk/node/2

ALL NHS organisations are nowlegally obliged to take account ofthe rights and pledges set out inthe NHS Constitution when makingdecisions about the services theyprovide to patients.

The NHS Constitution sets outpatients’ rights to NHS servicesand safeguards theNHS for the future.

Among other things,it gives patients thelegal rights to:n Access NHSservices. n Drugs andtreatments approvedby NICE. n Choice about wherethey receive their care. n Be treated with dignity andrespect.

Health Secretary Andy Burnhamsaid: “This landmark documentgives patients and staff real powerto know what they can expect andwhat they can demand – demandsthat cannot go unchecked by the

NHS.“As the NHS strives to move from

good to great and become morepeople-centred, all theimprovements it makes can besafeguarded for futuregenerations.”

As well as protecting patients, theConstitution alsoensures that the NHSprovides a high-quality workingenvironment for its1.3m staff.

It brings togethertheir legal rights, andpledges to providestaff with rewardingjobs that make a

difference to patients andcommunities, support andopportunities to maintain their ownhealth and well-being and theopportunity to give their view ondecisions that affect them and theservices they provide.n For more information go tohttp://tinyurl.com/yfl7fnq

n PICTURED LEFT: Nyree Fairbairnbeing presented with a gift by StaceyHughes from Mothercare, alongside hertwo children Dante, two, and Torin (sixmonths), Diane O’Brien, Milk BankVolunteer and Gill Brady, Milk BankCo-ordinator.

From Aintree to Zimbabwe BME panelsto fight cancer

Constitution now law!

LOADING UP: Ken helps to load the container


. . . with JAN LOCKYER

n BLACKBURNIndependent Living Centre,Mill Hill St,Mill Hill, Blackburn.Tel. 01254 269 220n ELLESMERE PORTPool Independent LivingCentre, New GrosvenorRoad.Tel. 0151 337 6399n HALTONCollier Street, Runcorn.Tel. 01928 582 920n HANDFORTHEast Cheshire IndependentLiving Centre, RedsmereRoad, HandforthTel. 01625 374080n HARTFORDHartford IndependentLiving Centre, HartfordBusiness Park, ChesterRoad, Hartford, NantwichTel. 01605 881980n LIVERPOOLDisabled Living Centre,Lifehouse, Summers Road,Brunswick Business Park,Liverpool.Tel. 0151 296 7742Minicom 0151 296 7748n MANCHESTERAssist UK,4 St Chads Street,Manchester.Tel. 0161 834 1044n STOCKPORTSt Thomas’s Hospital,Shawheath, Stockport.Tel. 0161 419 4476n WARRINGTONBeaufort Street,Warrington.Tel. 01925 240064n WILMSLOWRedesmere Road.Tel. 01625 374080n WIRRALSt Catherine’s Hospital,Birkenhead.Tel. 0151 678 7272

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAM StMarks Street, Springhill.Tel. 0121 464 4942/9525n DUDLEY St GilesStreet, Netherley. Tel. 01384 813 695n SHREWSBURY TheLantern, Meadow FarmDrive. Tel. 01743 210820n WOLVERHAMPTONBell Street. Tel. 01902 553 648

In the summer of 2007 the following services moved to Lifehouse:an accessible, newly renovated building at Brunswick Dock.

Wheelchair Service 0151 296 7765 Fax: 0151 296 7764

Disabled Living Centre 0151 296 7742 Fax: 0151 296 7743

Moving and Handling Team 0151 296 7750 Fax: 0151 296 7749

Communication Aids 0151 296 7408 Fax: 0151 296 7764

Adaptations Team 0151 296 7757 Fax: 0151 296 7758

Falls Team 0151 296 7769

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled and olderpeople in Liverpool. Having all these services under one roof will improveaccessibility.

Services will be able to work together to provide the independent information,advice and practical assessment people need to make the right choices aboutequipment. The existing services will be joined by others which will greatlyincrease the range of information and advice available.

LifehouseUnits 4–5 Dempster BuildingSummers Road, Brunswick Business ParkLiverpool L3 4BLMain Reception: 0151 296 7733www.liverpoollifehouse.org

Lifehouse is a new approach to providing services for disabled andolder people in Liverpool.

All these teams are now under one roof, working together toprovide the information and advice people need to be as safe andindependent as possible .

For further information call the service you require or visit a Lifehouse Open Day

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

Disabled Living Centre Tel: 0151 296 7742 Minicom: 0151 296 7744Independent information, assessment and advice on choosing daily living equipment and how to get it.

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

Communication Aids Tel: 0151 296 7408Assessment and provision of communication aids for people who live in Liverpool.

Adaptations Team Tel: 0151 296 7757Installation of adaptations to safely assist people in managing in their own home.

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

Telecare service Tel: 0151 296 7733Advice, assessment and installation of Telecare equipment.

LifehouseUnits 4–5 Dempster BuildingSummers Road, Brunswick Business ParkLiverpool L3 4BLMain Reception: 0151 296 7733www.liverpoollifehouse.org

0151 296 7748

0151 296 7782

ifehouseLifehouse

For further information call the service you require or contact our main reception for alist of Open Days.ifehouseLifehouse

DID YOU know there are over 20,000products designed to assist older anddisabled people on the market?

If you need equipment to help youstay independent how do you makethe right choice?

Disabled Living Centres provideindependent information and adviceand the opportunity to see and try a

vast range of products with the aid ofexpert advisors

From beds to bath aids, showers tostair lifts, local Disabled LivingCentres provide equipment infohelplines.

So for information on equipment andhow to get it contact your localDisabled Living Centre. Many

products can be provided free on loanthrough local Community EquipmentServices.

All Together Now! has teamed upwith Liverpool Disabled Living Centreto help readers of all ages and abilitiesstay independent. If you have aquestion contact the team on 0151 2967742. Minicom: 0151 296 7748.

20,000 ways to help you remain independent Help onthe line

What car next?What car next?

QI ENJOY a nicebig hot drink,but I can’t feel

temperature with myhands so handling hotcups is risky. Are thereany cups that wouldsuit me?

ATHERE areinsulated cups thathave a double wall

so the drink stays hot butthe surface of the cup iscool.

You can also getceramic cups with verybig handles that wouldkeep your fingers wellaway from the cup.

Also useful for youwould be an inexpensivevisual temperatureindicator or floatingthermometer.

These devices aregreat for checking thetemperature in the sinkor bath.

QI’M THINKING ofchanging my car. I amsure you will agree

there’s a lot more to take intoaccount when you’redisabled. Where do I start?

ARICA, the ResearchInstitute for ConsumerAffairs, is a pretty good

starting point.A national research charity

dedicated to providingindependent information fordisabled and older consumers,RICA researches and publishesconsumer reports.

They are all based onrigorous research and providepractical information needed bydisabled and older consumers.

“Choosing a Car” is aRicability guide for older anddisabled people.

The guide also describessome of the simpler equipmentthat can make driving the careasier.

There is a section onfinancing a car if you have adisability and details of whereto go for simpler adaptations,information and help.

On the Ricability website youwill also find the “Find a Car –car measurement database”.

This helps you find the carmodels that are easiest for youto get in and out of and carry awheelchair or other equipment.

It includes detailedmeasurement data on over 400cars. New ones are addedcontinuously.

This database can help youdraw up a shortlist of cars ifyou have a disability. Other

Ricability guides include“Getting a wheelchair into acar”

This describes whatequipment is available to helpget a wheelchair into a car andtransport it safely. It hasinformation about differenttypes of hoists, racks andtrailers.

“Getting in and out of a car” isa useful guide for people whouse wheelchairs or just find itdifficult to get in and out of acar.

It starts with advice ontechniques you may find useful,and then covers aids for peopleto get from a wheelchair andinto a car.

Ricability also produce sevenguides on motoring if you havea particular disability with tips,information about adaptationsand suggestions of where to gofor further help.

These cover motoring afteramputation, brain injury, stroke,motoring with arthritis, cerebralpalsy, multiple sclerosis andrestricted growth.

n Ricability, 30 Angel Gate,City Road, London EC1V 2PT.Tel. 020 7427 2460.Textphone, 020 7427 2469.Email, [email protected]

This guidewill get

Too hot to handle

you going!

NEW WHEELS: There is so much choice . . .

Are you in need of care, live in the Liverpoolarea and want to remain in your own home?Let us help you.

If your home is where you are most comfortable and where you feel safe, we believe that you shouldbe allowed to continue to live there surrounded by your own belongings for as long as you wish.

We supply a wide range of care, according to your personal needs and wishes.

We pride ourselves on our caring, professional approach. We will ensure that you have as muchcontinuity as possible when it comes to your carer, restricting the number of different people enteringyour home. We always provide you with a carer who is best suited to your individual needs. Carersare trained to the highest standard and are reliable and dependable.

To find out more please contact Sterling Care & Support. 0151 482 2011

0800 33 00 33Call our Leakline or visit unitedutilities.com

01/10/SD/3966

Need a littleExtraCare?We offer a range of free services to help customers who:• are older• have a disability• have a serious illness• have sight, hearing or learning difficultiesOur services include:• password scheme• personal notification of water shut-offs• large print, Braille and talking bills

To find out more call 0845 746 1100 or textphone 0808 143 1195or visit our website unitedutilities.com/extracare

An unprecedented number of callswere received from customersabout leaks on their properties andthose spotted in roads andfootpaths. Over six days thecustomer service centre receivedmore calls than they did in thewhole of November.

Even after the extreme weather,the work goes on to reduce leakagethroughout the North West to saveessential water resources and tokeep taps flowing.

United Utilities has launched their‘you spot it, we’ll stop it’ campaignto highlight the issue and to askpeople to report leaks.

United Utilities’ regional waternetwork manager, Scott Beard said:

“Reports about leaks are essentialand help us to maintain the watersupply to homes across the regionas well as reducing the amount ofwater being wasted.

“If you spot a leak or burst on astreet or pavement, the pipeprobably belongs to us. Please don'tassume that we know about it orthat someone else will havereported it, we're very grateful toanyone that reports a leak.”

So, if you're out and about andspot a leak, call Leakline on0800 33 00 33 or visitunitedutilities.com/reportaleakform

For more information visitunitedutilities.com/YouSpotItWellStopIt

You spot it.We’ll stop it.United Utilities had to gear up for the big thawwhich followed the big freeze back in January asthey experienced record increases in the numberof leaks and bursts to hit the water network astemperatures rose.



SHOPMOBILITY CARERS’CENTRES

Email your news to us at [email protected] .uk

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

nACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444

n BLACKBURN with DARWENTel 01254 688www.bwdcarers.org

n BLACKPOOLBlackpool Borough

Council,Tel 01253 477 716

nCUMBRIACarlisle. 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

nKNOWSLEYTel 0151 549 1412

n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475

nLIVERPOOLTel 0151 705 2307

n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995

n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456

n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173

n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182

n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 7767

n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217

n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060

n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615

n STOCKPORTTel 0161 456 2808

n WARRINGTON Tel 01925 644 212

n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 733737

n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 683711

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAMTel 0121 675 8000n SOLIHULLTel 0121 788 1143n WALSALLTel 01922 610 810

NORTH WALESn ANGLESEY

Tel 01248 722828n BANGOR

Tel 01248 370 797n CONWY

Tel 01492 533714n DENBIGHSHIRE:NEWCIS,

Tel: 0845 603 3187nDOLGELLAU

Tel 01341 421167n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS,

Tel: 01352 751436

n ALTRINCHAM. Tel 0161 9291714n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel0161 339 9500n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 6476162n BLACKBURN ANDDARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or07757 502217n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946n BURY. Tel 0161 764 9966n CARLISLE. Tel 01228625950n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260888n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492533822n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151355 1420n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 7070877n MANCHESTER TraffordCentre. Tel 0161 747 8046n MANCHESTER ArndaleCentre. Tel 0161 839 4060n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel01606 353525n ORMSKIRK, WestLancashire Tel 01695 570055n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691656882n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204667n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865986n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel01928 717445n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743236900n SOUTHPORT. Tel 01704 546654n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613388n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 6661100n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925231941n WARRINGTON. BirchwoodTel 01925 822 411n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070n WINSFORD. Tel 01606557550n WREXHAM. Tel 01978312390

MIDLANDSn BIRMINGHAM. Snow HillRailway Station. Tel 0121 2368980. Level 2, Centre CarPark, Bullring. Tel 0121 6162942n STAFFORD. Tel 01785619456n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel01782 233333n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel0121 355 1112n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827709392 n WALSALL. Tel 01922 650781n WEST BROMWICH:Sandwell. Tel 0121 553 1943n WOLVERHAMPTON. Tel01902 556021

nANGLESEY: TARAN Tel 01407 721933

nBLACKPOOL Disability Information and Support. Tel 01253 472 202. Textphone 01253 476 450

nCHESHIRE Dis Federation Tel 01606 888400

nCHESTER Dial House Tel 01244 345655

nDENBIGHSHIRE Tel 01745 354445

nELLESMERE PORT DICETel 0151 355 1420

nHALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222

nKNOWSLEY DISABILITYCONCERN. 0151 480 4090

nLANCASTER DISCTel 01524 34411

n LIVERPOOL Association of Disabled People. Tel 0151

263 8366. Text 0151 260 4076nMERSEYSIDE Inform.

Tel 0151 260 4076. nNEUROSUPPORT Centre

Tel 0151 298 2999nMANCHESTER (GTR)

Coalition of DisabledPeople

Tel 0161-273 5154nMOLD Flintshire Disability

Tel 01352 755546nNELSON: Pendle Pakistan

Welfare Association. Tel 01282 603 616

nPRESTON DISC: Tel 01772 558 863. Textphone 01772 204 787

nRHYL Tel 01745 350665nSTOCKPORT: Disability

Stockport. 0161 480 7248

nWARRINGTON Disability Partnership. 01925 240064

nWIRRAL WIRED Tel 0151 670 1500

nWEST LANCS HELPLINE Freefone 0800 220676

n ST HELENS DASHTel 01744 453053

nWREXHAM Tel 01978262955MIDLANDSBIRMINGHAM DisabilityResource Centre Tel 0121789 7365Disabled People’s NetworkSolihull Tel 0121 788 1544STOKE: Disability SolutionsTel 01782 683800WOLVERHAMPTON Elderand Disabled Group Tel01902 448552ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE BLINDnACCRINGTON

Tel 01254 233332nBARROW Tel 01229 820698nBIRMINGHAM Action forBlind Tel 0121 665 4200nBLACKBURN

Tel 0125 554143nBLACKPOOL

Tel 01253 792600nBURY Tel 0161 763 7014nBURNLEY Tel 01282 438507nCARLISLE: Action for Blind

People Tel 01228 595121CHESHIRE & N WALES:Vision Support. Tel 01244381515nCUMBRIA (West)

Tel 01946 592474nCUMBRIA (Sth Lakeland)

Tel 01539 726613nGUIDE DOGS Tel 0118 9835555nHENSHAW’S 0161 872 1234

Tel 0151 227 1226nLIVERPOOL: BradburyFields.Tel 0151 221 0888:Action for Bind Tel 0151 7089008n MANCHESTER: Action for

Blind Tel 0161 787 9252nPRESTON: Action for Blind

People Tel 01772 320550n OLDHAM Tel 0161 682 8019nROSSENDALE

Tel 01706 873256nSIGHTLINE (North West)Tel 0800 587 2252nWIGAN Tel 01942 242891nWIRRAL Tel 0151 652 8877ORGANISATIONS FORPEOPLE WHO ARE DEAFnBIRMINGHAM Institute forDeaf Tel 0121 246 6101nCHESHIRE Deaf Society

Tel 01606 47831nCUMBRIA Deaf Society

Tel 01228 606434nLANCASHIRE (EAST)

Deaf SocietyTel 01282 839180

nMANCHESTER Deaf CentreTel 0161 273 3415

nMERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888

nST HELENS: DeafnessResource CentreTel 01744 23887nWOLVERHAMPTON Centrefor Deaf Tel 01902 420904nN WALES Daf Association,

Tel 01492 542235

WINNERS of our Christmasgardening competition are . . .Mrs M Timmis, Willow Green, Knutsford, Cheshire.Mr J Bailey, Briggs Fold Road, Egerton, Bolton (byemail).Mrs M Owens, Mill Hill, Moss Side, Formby.Diane Caldicott, Alice Street, Accrington (by email).All winners should receive their prizes – £40 worth ofclematis plants, courtesy of Highfield Nurseries – bythe end of February

WINNERS of our Christmasbooks competition are . . .Look At It My Way by Ken Dodd:Gwynneth Carter, Cranborne Avenue,Warrington.Brian Crank, Broad Lane, Stapeley, Nantwich(by email)Miss Sarah Jane Jones, Chapel Close,Comberbach, Northwich (by email)Mrs Diane Slater, Sandy Hill, Werrington,Stoke-on-Trent.Anne Stevens, Bedford Avenue, Swinton,Manchester.Shelley White, Eastbourne Close, Ingol,Preston (by email).

Dummy Bullets by Walter Huntley:Mrs M Beaton, St Paul’s Close, Crewe,Cheshire (by email).

Jane Frampton, Mill Lane, Ness (by email)Mr G A Graham, Warrington Drive, WestwoodPark, Leek.Mr T Grundy, Swinburne Road, St Helens.Will Redfearn, Curzon Road, Prenton,Birkenhead, Wirral (by email).John Rossington, Bond Street, Dewsbury.

COMPETITION WINNERS


Stay ahead of the game – www.alltogethernow.org.uk

Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association . . . www.gbwba.org.ukGreat Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association . . . www.gbwba.org.uk

POWERED wheelchairfootball has been givena huge boost.

The Football Foundation hashanded over £134,000 to theWheelchair Football Association toemploy a full-time coordinator todevelop the sport across England.

Ricky Stevenson, chairperson atWheelchair Football Association,said: “This is great news for theassociation and for disabled peopleacross England.”

Paul Thorogood, chief executiveof the Football Foundation, said:“We warmly congratulate theWheelchair Football Association fortheir hard work and dedication insecuring this award.

“The Foundation is investingmoney into the grass roots to helpgive everyone the opportunity toplay it and stay healthy.

“This exciting new project is thelatest example of how we areworking with key partners to createa level playing field across the

country and opening up access tosports.”

The grant will also provideequipment to enable theassociation to stagedemonstrations and support newand existing clubs.

Last August, The EvertonFoundation organised its firstpowered chair camp at Liverpool’sGreenbank sports academy,attracting widespread interest fromright across the region.

So successful was the event thatthere are now moves to get a teamin the North West league.

The four-a-side game – 20-minutes each half – is played inmotorised chairs that are fitted witha front “buffer” used to control andpass the ball.

“Good team work is essential,”says Everton Foundation coachAndrew Brady. “There are nogoalkeepers and no off-side rule.”

n www.thewfa.org.uk

SUPER LEAGUESat Feb 13: Steelers v Knights, NorthernGeneral Hospital, Sheffield, noonSat Feb 13: Steelers v Outlaws, NorthernGeneral Hospital, Sheffield, 4pmSun Feb 14: Owls v Knights, West Hill SportsCentre, Stalybridge, noonSun Feb 14: Raiders v Aces, Mile End ParkLeisure Centre, London, 4.30pmSat Feb 20: Outlaws v Knights, Riverside Ice &Leisure, Chelmsford, 3.20pmSun Feb 21: Raiders v Knights, Mile End ParkLeisure Centre, London, 12.30pmSun Feb 21: RGK TCAT Rhinos v Aces, City ofWolverhampton College, 1.30pmSun Feb 21: Steelers v Owls, Northern GeneralHospital, Sheffield, 1pmSat Mar 6: Knights v Steelers, Antrim Forum,2.30pmSat Mar 6: Owls v Aces, West Hill SportsCentre, Stalybridge, 3pmSun Mar 7: Outlaws v RGK TCAT Rhinos,Riverside Ice & Leisure, Chelmsford, 2.20pmSun Mar 7: Eagles v Raiders, Percy HedleySchool, Killingworth, 12.30Sat Mar 27: Aces v Steelers, Aylesbury HighSchool, 2.30pmSat Mar 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos v Owls, TCAT,Telford, 7pmSun Mar 28: Knights v Eagles, Jordanstown UniSH, 2pmSun Mar 28: Raiders v Outlaws, Mile End ParkLeisure Centre, London, 12.30pm

1st DIVISION NORTHSat Feb 13: Jaguars v Lothian, Magnus SportsCentre, Newark, 2.15pmSat Feb 13: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Greenbank,City of Wolverhampton College, 2pmSun Feb 14: Steelers 2 v Lothian, NorthernGeneral Hospital, Sheffield, 11amSat Feb 20: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Cobras,TCAT, Telford, 7pmSun Feb 21: Lothian v Greenbank, BathgateAcademy, 2pmSun Feb 21: Steelers 2 v Owls 2, NorthernGeneral Hospital, Sheffield, 3pmSat Mar 6: Jaguars v Steelers 2, MagnusSports Centre, Newark, 2.15pmSat Mar 6: Owls 2 v Cobras, West Hill SportsCentre, Stalybridge, 1pmSat Mar 27: Jaguars v Greenbank, MagnusSports Centre, Newark, 2.15pmSat Mar 27: RGK TCAT Rhinos 2 v Owls 2,TCAT, Telford, 5pmSun Mar 28: Cobras v Steelers 2, LeicesterLeys Leisure Club, 3.30pm

2nd DIVISION NORTHSat Feb 13: Warriors v Spitfires, Darland SportsCentre, Wrexham, 2.30pmSat Feb 13: Mavericks v Steelers 3,YClub/Castlefield Hotel, Manchester, 6pmSun Feb 14: Bolton Bulls v Wheelblazers,Smithills Sports Centre, Bolton, 1.30pmSun Feb 21: Steelers 3 v Warriors, NorthernGeneral Hospital, Sheffield, 11amSun Feb 21: Spitfires v Mavericks, DimensionsL/C, Stoke, 2pm

Sun Feb 21: Wheelblazers v Furness Falcons,Derby College Sports Hall, 2.30pmSat Mar 6: Warriors v Furness Falcons, DarlandSports Centre, Wrexham, 2.30pmSun Mar 7: Bolton Bulls v Mavericks, SmithillsSports Centre, Bolton, 1.30pmSun Mar 7: Wheelblazers v Steelers 3, DerbyCollege Sports Hall, 2.30pmSat Mar 27: Warriors v Wheelblazers, DarlandSports Centre, Wrexham, 2.30pmSat Mar 27: Furness Falcons v Bolton Bulls,Hoops Basketball Centre, Barrow in Furness,2pmSun Mar 28: Spitfires v Steelers 3, DimensionsL/C, Stoke, 2pm

3rd DIVISION NORTHSat Feb 13: Jaguars 2 v Leeds Spiders,Magnus Sports Centre, Newark, 12.20pmSat Feb 13: West of Scotland v Eagles 2,Playdrome, Glasgow, 2.25pmSun Feb 14: Steelers 4 v Vikings 2009,Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 1pmSat Feb 20: Eagles 2 v Jaguars 2, PercyHedley School, Killingtworth, 1pmSun Feb 21: Leeds Spiders v Bury Blue Devils,Crawshaw School - Len Hutton SH, Leeds,11.30amSun Feb 21: Vikings 2009 v Cardinals,Lansbury Bridge School, St Helens, 1pmSun Feb 21: West of Scotland v Jaguars 2,Playdrome, Glasgow, 11.25amSat Mar 6: Jaguars 2 v Steelers 4, MagnusSports Centre, Newark, 12.20pmSun Mar 7: Leeds Spiders v Cardinals,

Crawshaw School - Len Hutton SH, Leeds,11.30amSun Mar 7: West of Scotland v Bury BlueDevils, Playdrome, Glasgow, 2.25pmSat Mar 20: Eagles 2 v Bury Blue Devils, PercyHedley School, Killingworth, 1pmSat Mar 27: Jaguars 2 v Cardinals, MagnusSports Centre, Newark, 12.20pmSun Mar 28: Bury Blue Devils v Steelers 4,Castle Leisure Centre, Bury, 5pm

3rd DIVISION CENTRALSat Feb 13: Phoenix Flyers v Cobras 2,Moulton College Sports Centre, tbcSat Feb 13: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v BuryBombers, City of Wolverhampton College, noonSat Feb 20: Mansfield Maulers v Bury Bombers,Oak Tree Leisure Centre, 12.30pmSat Feb 20: RGK TCAT Rhinos 3 v Cobras 2,TCAT, Telford, 5pmSun Feb 21: Sporting Club Albion v PhoenixFlyers, WBA Community Sports Hall, 3pmSat Mar 6: Mansfield Maulers v RGK TCATRhinos 3, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, 12.30pmSun Mar 7: Bury Bombers v Sporting ClubAlbion, County Upper School, Bury, 1.30pmSun Mar 7: Crusaders WBA v Phoenix Flyers,The Woodlands School & Sports College, 11amSun Mar 28: Cobras 2 v Mansfield Maulers,Leicester Leys Leisure Club, 1.30pmSun Mar 28: Phoenix Flyers v Bury Bombers,Moulton College Sports Centre, tbcSun Mar 28: RGK TCAT Rhinos3 v Crusaders WBA,City ofWolverhampton College, 1.30pm TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!TAKE ME HOME!

SPIRITS are high asBritain’s disabled skiteam get set for the

Winter Paralympics in Canadain March.

The team got off to a flyingstart to the season with greatresults in both an IPCAS levelrace and European Cup levelraces in Austria.

And there was more successin Sestriere where Sean Rosewon Britain’s first IPCASWorld Cup gold in the firstdownhill race.

“The last few days oftraining has been amazingand put me in a great frame ofmind for racing,” said Rose.

“My run was fantastic untilsix gates from the finish. I rantoo straight and totally over-jumped it at more than 70mph,landed and just managed tostay inside the last gate to thefinish.

“Hearing the national anthemfor the first time at the WorldCup prize giving was afantastic experience.”

Team manager Dave Chuggsaid: “This is a fantasticbeginning to the season.

“Years of training is payingoff and they are all so proud.We are incredibly optimisticfor the Paralympics inVancouver.

“Our skiers are earning ahighly respectableinternational track record aselite athletes, and Britain israpidly becoming a strongcontender for podium finishesthis spring.”

Sky high hopes for Paralympics

HIGH FLIER:Sean Rose onhis way togold inSestriere– and all setfor the WinterParalympicsin Canada

GOAL!New grant puts wheelchairfootball firmly on the map


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BRITAIN’S top wheelchairtennis players got theyear off to a great startDown Under.

Marc McCarroll, GordonReid and Lucy Shukercollected the men’s andwomen’s doubles titlesbetween them at theAdelaide Wheelchair TennisOpen in Victoria.

It was McCarroll’s andReid’s second ITF 3 Seriesmen’s doubles title insuccessive weeks, repeatingtheir victory over Australiansecond seeds MichaelDobbie and Ben Weekes atthe Queensland Open final inBrisbane.

McCarroll’s bid to win back-to-back men’s singles titlesat the start of the 2010 NECWheelchair Tennis Tourcame unstuck at the lasthurdle as he slipped to astraight sets defeat toAustralian top seed Weekes.

Meanwhile, British No 1Shuker starts her seasonwith a women’s doubles titleafter partnering Australia’sDaniela di Toro to victory.

Shuker and di Toro,runners-up in the 2009Wimbledon Women’sWheelchair Doubles event,produced a dominant displayto win their decisive secondround-robin match againDutchwoman Jiske Griffioenand Rosalie Turnbull ofAustralia 6-0, 6-0.

SPORT Relief is back – andit’s coming to the greatNorth West!

Forty sponsored fun runs are takingplace throughout the region onSunday, March 21 – and AllTogether NOW! readers are beingurged to sign up and put on theirrunning shoes (or their wheelchairgloves).

Manchester will be hosting the NorthWest’s main Sainsbury’s Sport ReliefMiles event, which has threedistances – one mile, three miles andsix miles.

And for the first time ever, runners

will be going past the Rovers Return,Dev’s Corner Shop, The Factory, andKen and Deirdre’s front door alongthe way.

Yes, that’s right, the course will betaking in the cobbles of CoronationStreet!

World boxing champion Amir Khanis among celebrities backing theevent. He said: “It’s your time toshine. Show your mates that you’refitter and faster by challenging themto enter.”

This year’s official Sport Relief T-shirts have been exclusively designedby the whole Beckham family. Victoria

and David, along with their boys,Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, havecreated a series of one-off designs.

All net profits from sales will gotowards helping people living toughlives both across the UK and theworld’s poorest countries.

Manchester’s Councillor MikeAmesbury said: “With the option ofrunning one, three or six mileseveryone can be involved - it’s a greatopportunity for families and friends toget fit and take part together, whileraising money for this fantasticcause.” n www.sportrelief.com

FUN RUN:BrookeVincent, whoplays SophieWebster inCoronationStreet,getting the2008ManchesterMile off to agood start

MERSEYSIDELiverpool Mile, Monarchs Key;Maghull Summerhill Mile,Poverty Lane; Widnes HaltonMile, Wade Deacon HighSchool; Skelmersdale Mile, UpHolland.

LANCASHIREBlackburn Community SportsClub Mile, Harrison PlayingFields; Burnley Mile,Towneley; Chorley Mile, AstleyVillage; Clitheroe CastlefieldMile; Lancaster & MorecambeMile, Salt Ayre Lane; PrestonAvenham and Miller Park Mile;Stanley High Sports CollegeMile, Southport.

GTR MANCHESTERCulcheth Community SchoolMile; Gatley Mile, HawthorneRoad; Leigh Sports VillageMile, Leigh Harriers; OldhamCommunity Mile, Hunt Lane,Chadderton; Sale Mile,Danefield Road; StockportMile, Woodbank AthleticFacility.

CHESHIREChester Racecourse Mile;Crewe Mile, Thomas Street;Ellesmere Port Whitby ParkMile; Helsby and 10 BridgeMile, Chester Rd, Frodsham;Marbury Country Park Mile;Warrington Victoria Park Mile.

STAFFORDSHIREAshbourne Recreation GroundMile; Burton upon Trent Mile,Shobnall; Church Eaton YouthClub Mile; Essington RugbyClub Mile; Keele UniversityMile; Leek Moorlands Mile;Market Drayton Grove SchoolMile; Stoke-On-Trent Mile;Tamworth Castle MileWalsall Campus Mile.

NORTH WALESBala Adventure andWatersports Mile; Colwyn BayMile, Eirias Park; MachynllethMile, Aberystwyth Road; MoldLeisure Centre Mile; Roe PlasMeadow Mile, St Asaph;Wrexham Pure Mile,Queensway.

ISLE OF MAN: LochPromenade, Douglas.

nFind your mile:www.sportrelief.com/the-mile/find-a-mile

Brits serveup in style

Sign upfor a runnear you

Go run a mile!Go run a mile!

all together now magazine - issue 29 - february 2010

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