View from the Chair

31st December 2009

Hello and welcome to my last blog of 2009. I don’t know about you but I love Christmas and the buzz that surrounds it, not just for children but also for many adults as well. It’s become tradition that WDP runs a Santa’s Grotto at the rear of Warrington Market: this is supported by our Giant Tombola. It’s a sure sign that WDP's workforce of staff and volunteers is growing as the ceremony for handing out presents for our Secret Santa seems to get longer and longer each year. In the Thompson household some of our family eagerly await the run of Christmas adverts, and of course the first flurry of snow. I hate the last bit as it plays havoc with my wheelchair.

WIRE FM is full of the Christmas selection of songs and advertising, some old and some new, including the WDP Santa adverts. As I was driving home yesterday I was thinking about the content of this blog when I heard John Lennon’s famous song “So this is Christmas”. It contains the words “and what have you done, and another year over”. So I decided to follow Mr Lennon’s advice and consider what have we done at WDP during the last year. But before I do, I’d like to mention a couple of thoughts from the past week or two. Through my work at 5 Boroughs I had the opportunity to interview Dorothy Pritchard, a very well known local champion for carers, and everything to do with learning disability and Mencap. Dorothy had agreed to share her experiences for an article I am writing for Out Look, the Trust’s external newsletter. I have always admired Dorothy’s commitment; I’m amazed how often she appears at the dozens if not hundreds of meetings across Warrington and the surrounding area, but it was during our discussions that I learnt that her voluntary work started over 35 years ago, and since then she has been behind many of the developments in learning disability and carers services in and around Warrington.

Late last week I was overjoyed to hear that WDP was successful in securing funding from the North West User Led Organisation Fund which aims to support the development of grassroots organisations. The funders recognised that WDP has provided inspiration to dozens of disability organisations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, and that many more opportunities lie ahead when we move back to the Centre for Independent Living in Beaufort Street; especially as many organisations will want us to share our experience.

As promised I‘d like to review just a few of WDP’s highlights from 2009:

In March we received a Special Commendation Award at the ‘Cheshire Positive Awards for Business 2009’ ceremony held at Hoole Hall Hotel in Chester.
On the 1st April we opened the doors on Halton Lea Shopmobility, a new service for WDP which had been made possible after months of hard work in rescuing Halton Disability Services from certain closure during the summer of 2008.
Late May saw the largest logistical operation in WDP’s history when we relocated to the Orford Day Centre whilst work started on the refurbishment and new buildings at our Beaufort Street site.
In June we were honoured when it was announced that we were the joint winners of the Kevin Hytt Award for Best Independent Living Initiative at the National Independent Living Awards, organised by Breakthrough UK.
July saw the biggest and most successful Disability Awareness Day in our 18 year history when we ran 13 complimentary events during the week up to DAD 2009 which attracted over 24,000 visitors and a record number of exhibitors that include 2 overseas visitors from Spain and Cyprus.
In August several of our volunteers & learners were recognised for their efforts as part of the celebrations for National Adult Learners Week.
In September it was announced by Buckingham Palace that the Queens Award for Voluntary Services that we received in 2006 is now recognised as an MBE for voluntary organisations.
In November WDP were named Partner of the Year at the national Avanta Awards 2009 at a ceremony at the House of Commons. The award recognised our work, in particular that of our Employment Team.

Everyone associated to WDP can feel real pride as we reflect on Mr Lennon’s words “and what have you done”. Thanks to a great team, I think we did very well. As we look ahead I’m predicting that 2010 will be a real rollercoaster year; the low points will surface as the pressures of budgetary cuts are felt by two of our main partners NHS Warrington and Warrington Borough Council. But I’m sure that this will result in further opportunities to work more closely as we pull together to ensure vital services are maintained. I’m certain that the biggest highs will surround the move back to the Centre for Independent Living after the Ł1.2 million refurbishment and our proudest moment will be the official re-opening which is currently planned for June.

Finally may I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and good health in 2010.

Thanks again for your interest.

Until next time, take care

Dave Thompson