View from the Chair

22nd March 2010

Hello and welcome to my latest blog.

I must firstly apologies for the delay in posting this blog. It has been six weeks since the last one, and all because I tried to save a couple of pounds by changing my internet provider. The new one didn't explain that they would send out the modem, router and a mile of cabling that you are expected to fit yourself and when I explained that I am a full-time wheelchair user they didn't have a clue! Well I'm back on line with tried and trusted Virgin. So where do I begin?

Disability Hate Crime has sadly been in the news again. It is reckoned that 1 in 5 anti social behaviour incidents are directed at disabled people. One recent case involved an arson attack on a disabled person mobility scooter that was parked at the front door of her home. This resulted in the death of the disabled woman and her husband. I fully support the calls for the government to class Disability Hate Crime as an offence in its own right.

Staying on a negative note we are all aware how bad the current financial climate is; our local Council has highlighted that they are aiming to make savings of £30million in the next 5 years, and the local Primary Care Trust announced losses of £13million this year. But I didn't expect the news we received last week when NHS Warrington sent out letters to voluntary sector partners including Warrington Disability Partnership which informed us that they were cutting our contracts by 8%. Given the fact they have rolled over the same contracts for several years, this is a huge blow. We now await their decision as to which services they want us to reduce.

On a more positive note the North West Regional Development Agency has signed up as principal sponsor for this year's Disability Awareness Day which will be held on Sunday 11th July at Walton Gardens. We have also received the good news that Halton Borough Council have signed up as a new sponsor. Scubability affiliated members of the international disabled divers association have confirmed their attendance at DAD 2010. Together we are planning to have a 16ft swimming pool, hoist and changing room which will provide visitors with the opportunity to try scuba diving at the event. Another first for DAD 2010 is news that "Spaceships are Cool" will be performing in the Arts Marquee. They starred at last year's Glastonbury festival.

More good news, our young ambassadors Naomi and Rachel joined our partners Leonard Cheshire Disability on stage at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium to pick up the award for Best Sexual Health Project in the UK for the In Touch Project which focuses on relationships, sex and young disabled people. I must also mention the great contributions made by other members of our team including Dawn, Kerry and Karen. Last year I joined Dawn and the team at a workshop she had organised at the Centre for Independent Living. I knew then that the project was very special as it was breaking new ground in an area of disability that is often overlooked. Our thanks also go to Jonny and his team at Leonard Cheshire Disability.

I mentioned fundraising in my last Blog. It provides a vital source of unringfenced income to us as we look to develop new services and sustain those services that are currently unfunded. Our latest Quiz Night raised over £600 which has been doubled by Barclays Bank. But on a personal note our team finished 5th out of 21 which is a far cry from our usual 19th to 21st. Well someone has to come last and we did get a Mars bar each! With Easter coming Anne and her team at the market information point are in full swing with the Easter Tombola. In the first two weeks they have raised nearly £2000.

I don't often mention my professional life, but I want to on this occasion. As some of you know I work for the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust based in Warrington. Last week we received the news that after 18 months of hard work we have been awarded Foundation Trust status. For Simon our Chief Executive and his Executive Team this underlines a great achievement in ensuring that the right business systems are in place to sustain the Trust for the coming years. For our service users and their families it provides assurance that the quality of our services are of a high standard. For me this heralds a new beginning as over 6,000 members of the Trust, which includes over 4,000 members of the public, will have a direct influence on the future development of services. The reason why this relates to me most is that back in the 1990's I joined Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trust as a Disability Advisor. My post was created in an attempt to influence service developments that met the needs of disabled people and their families. As a Foundation Trust we will ensure that our services meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.

Finally an update on the refurbishment works at our Beaufort Street site. Last week Bowsquare, our building contractors handed over the keys to our landlord and partners Warrington Borough Council. We are currently finalising the lease agreement which will ensure we have a first rate building for at least the next 30 years.

We are keen to complete the new projects before we relocate back to the Centre in May. If you have any ideas on fundraising please give us a call. We need £5,000 to complete the mobility training and test track, £20,000 to complete the Conservatory and £40,000 to build a single storey extension to the left hand side of the Care Takers House.
As you can see, it's a very busy time all round.

Until next time, thank you for your interest.