View from the Chair

14th February 2010

Hello and welcome to my Valentine’s Day blog.

On the Tuesday after my last blog I joined my wife Pam, friends Brun, John and Tommy at the funeral of our close friend and supporter of Disability Awareness Day (DAD) and WDP Keith Harrison. For many years Keith, his wife Alice and business partner Karen have supported DAD. Their endless supply of bacon butties provided a welcome respite to the team during our time at Walton Gardens in the build up to DAD. We were all pleased to see a great turn out from his family and friends from the Masons. Simon and Garfunkel’s iconic song Homeward Bound was played as we left the church. Ironically I’ve heard it 3 times since on the radio, and each time I have thought about Keith. Friday the 29th January saw the first of this year’s WDP Quiz Nights. We raised over £550 towards the work we are undertaking at the Centre for Independent Living (CIL). I was really pleased with the number of people who supported us, but it was unfortunate that our resident Quiz Master Gordon wasn’t feeling too well. Everyone sent their thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery. My brother-in-law Graham stepped in and ensured it was a great night.

After an unpleasant turn of events after our recent Annual General Meeting, we arranged an Extra Ordinary Meeting to re-run the voting on the amendments to our constitution. On a horribly cold and wet evening thank goodness for our team of committed Trustees and members who turned out to ensure everything was kept to the letter of the law and the amendments were passed without any further objections.

Last week I took a day’s leave from work and headed off to the Heritage Motor Museum in Warwick as a guest speaker at Assist UK’s Annual General Meeting. I was joined by Julie Boyd from our Independent Living Team and Tommy Hammond from our Equipment Showrooms. After an early start it was inevitable that we got snarled up in traffic outside Birmingham and arrived in the nick of time for my allotted time slot whilst Julie and Tommy set up our display stand. I’m sure most people wouldn’t have seen the panic behind the scenes, everything went smoothly. Julie was amused when I called it "Swan Like". A swan seems to glide across the water effortlessly, but we never see its feet paddling like heck under the water. I told her that every DAD is "Swan Like", everyone seems to think we have everything in hand and that it is planned to precision, well now you know that truth! Whilst we were at the event we met David Russell editor of THIIS magazine (The Homecare Industry Information Service). During a brief chat about WDP’s development and recent success in securing nearly £1 million for the refurbishment of the CIL he described WDP as the Manchester United of disability organisations. I pointed out to David that as a Man Utd fan I was well aware that they are £550 million in debt, and as WDP is currently trying to raise £175,000 to complete the work at the CIL, it does sometimes feel like it £550 million! I thought it was a wonderful compliment that David had made; he has an excellent overview of the national picture surrounding independent living. All of our team present and past should feel very proud. Before we left Julie and I had a quick look around Museum. Julie spotted FAB 1, the huge pink super car owned by Lady Penelope from Thunder Birds. I was too busy dreaming about the Aston Martin driven by James Bonds in Quantum of Solace.

I was pleased to see that the BBC have launched a new series "Dancing on Wheels" which sees stars from Strictly Come Dancing team up with wheelchair users. Call me cynical, but it’s just a pity it’s being aired on BBC 3 and not prime time on BBC 1. But my applause to BBC 1 for their recent coverage of anti social behaviour and the plight of the victims, many of whom are disabled people. The BBC has also dedicated a Panorama special on Disability Hate Crime, which will be aired at 8.30pm on Monday 12th February. I, and many other disabled people hope in our hearts that the exposure provided by the BBC will raise awareness of the horrors endured by the hidden victims. Whilst working in the mental health and learning disability sector of the NHS I regularly see the psychological and emotional damage that Hate Crime does to individuals, families and communities.

Looking back on the past two weeks I have to mention the Warrington Wolves, as a season ticket holder I have to say that until last year’s Challenge Cup success we hadn’t had much to cheer about during the past few years. Well that’s a little unfair; one week we were world betters, the next, well do I need to spell it out! But the first two games of the 2010 Super League season has shown real promise. The players have shown grit and determination wanted by Coach Tony Smith. He has got the lads playing as a team; I hope they can keep it going as it will give all of the 10,000 fans something to look forward to each weekend during the spring and summer months. What do you think, is it too early to be booking my seat for Octobers Grand Final at Old Trafford?

Finally an update on the refurbishment works at our Beaufort Street site. We are only a few weeks off the completion of work on the main building which was covered by the grant from the Big Lottery, and the new Mobility Workshop that cost over £110,000 which is still being raised by our team. The foundations have been laid for the new Mobility Test and Training Track, we now need £5,000 to complete this project and the foundations are also complete for the Conservatory which will provide an excellent outdoor feel to the new Cafe and community space. Once again we now need £20,000 to complete this project. Latest news is that Warrington Borough Council Planning Committee supported our proposal to build a single storey extension to the left hand side of the Care Takers House which will allow us to improve and further extend our computer training facilities. We will be looking to raise £35,000 to complete this project. All in all as you can see we will be very busy during the next few months raising these funds. If you have any ideas on how you, your community group or business can help, please give our fundraising team a call on 01925 240064.

Until next time, thank you for your interest.