Annual General Report 2007-2008

Click here to download the full AGM Report for 2008 (4MB PDF).

On behalf of our team at Warrington Disability Partnership I am delighted to welcome you to the Annual Report for 2007 to 2008.

The title of this years report “Actions - Louder than Words” was chosen because we believe that it symbolises what we have achieved throughout the year.

One of our aims in last years report stated that “we will explore opportunities to upgrade the environment and physical facilities of the Centre for Independent Living”, I also mentioned that together with our partners at Warrington Borough Council we submitted a bid to the National Community Assets Fund for nearly £1million to refurbish our Centre for Independent Living.

I’m pleased to report that the bid was successful. Throughout the year we have been developing plans that will transform our worn out building into one that will be “fit for purpose” that will match the quality of the services offered by our excellent team of staff and volunteers. Building work is scheduled to start early/mid summer 2009 and completion is expected summer 2010.

Although the team have been stretched by the work surrounding the Community Assets funding we have continued to deliver, and further develop services and partnerships aimed at ensuring disabled people have a “choice of opportunity” in relation to independent living.

Our services reach out to a wide audience including disabled people, their carers and families, managers and staff from the statutory and voluntary organisations, local businesses, schools, and the public.

Not to be overshadowed by the news about the successful bid; these are a few of the highlights from the past year:

• Against a background of doubt from several key partners our Employment Team met, and in some areas exceeded our contractual targets
• Our first Young Ambassador has succeeded in her ambition to secure a place at university. Our second Young Ambassador is now in post and is involved in a National Project with our partners at Leonard Cheshire Disability
• Of our 46 Trustee/Directors and paid staff, 54% are disabled people, 37% are carers and 52% started as volunteers
• Working with partners from statutory services we helped to organised two workshops on Disability Equality Duty and the development of a Disability Strategy
• Artwork produced by participants of our arts project with partners from the International Arts Collaborative was exchanged with work produced in Osaka Japan and displayed at this years Disability Awareness Day
• Our aim to explore partnership opportunities across the North West has been met with enthusiasm. We are current working with Halton Borough Council and Primary Care Trust on several exciting developments
• Our Independent Living Team supported Warrington Borough Council with their successful bid for a Dignity in Care Award
• Our partnership with Warrington Radio resulted in disabled people presenting and producing shows on their international on-line radio station
• In recognition for their work with WDP - Phil Edwards, Pam Thompson and Christine Molyneux received Local Hero Awards from WIRE FM. Clive Crossingham received an Employment Award from TNG and Tom Horton was recognised as the Young Citizen of the Month from the Mayor
• Our Centre for Independent Living received visitors from across the UK and Europe including the Czech Republic, Gibraltar and Germany „« We procured services from local sources including printing, advertising, IT support, telecommunications, surveillance equipment, security, office supplies, repairs and maintenance to our premises, van, narrow boat and other facilities
• The Mayor of Hilden (Germany) joined us at the launch of this year's Disability Awareness Day (DAD). On his return he setup links between the main disability charities in Hilden and aims to join us at DAD 2009
• In keeping with our ambition to operate as a "Social Enterprise", a third of our services were 'self funded' through a programme of fundraising activities li>North West Regional Development Agency were the principal sponsor for DAD and our Positive Action Awards. Tom Dowling from “All Together Now” hailed the events as the best yet
• My wife Pam and I represented the team at a reception held at Buckingham Palace and at the TV Soap Awards, I was invited to speak about WDP services at conferences in London, Blackpool, Liverpool, Halton and Warrington
• Key supporters signed up to contracts and sponsorship packages, including Warrington Borough Council, NHS Warrington, TNG and Leonard Cheshire Disability

As you can see it’s been another action packed year at WDP. We know that the next two years will bring new challenges. We must find a suitable temporary base so we can move out of the Centre whilst the refurbishment work is undertaken.

Our aim will be to ensure the least disruption to our services and to support our staff, volunteers and service users through the anxiety and frustrations that this will no doubt cause. We know that the reward for overcoming these challenges will be the keys to a building that will be “fit for purpose”.

On behalf of the team I would like to thank all of our partners for their continuing support. I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees/Directors, our staff and volunteers, the people who use our services and everyone who has supported us during the past year. I would like to acknowledge the work of three Trustees/Directors who have retired this year, Victor Pomfrett, Anne Thorpe and Kate Fox, all three played vital roles in developing the services we offer today, I’d also like to remember three supporters who sadly passed away during the year, Alan Smith, Tommy Summerset and Ted Lafferty, Finally I would like to invite you to read the following pages and consider if actions really do speak louder than words!

I look forward to working with you all next year.

Thank you.

Dave Thompson MBE DL