Our Information Services

Warrington Disability Partnership was originally founded on the philosophy that information can be the key to independent living. Back in the early 90's a group of like-minded people set up the Warrington Information Group for the disabled. The original aim was to collate information on local support services and accessible facilities. The work involved in collecting this information led to Cheshire County Council becoming interested in our work. Council officers invited us to participate in a pilot project named Inches, which is an acronym for Information Cheshire. The project focused information on independent living around a computer database. The information was then made available to clients using local daycare services operated by Social Services.

Volunteers at WIGD rose to the challenge and collated over 3000 individual records including accessible pubs, restaurants, support groups, services, mobile hairdressers, equipment suppliers, etc. In an attempt to share this information as widely as possible we developed and launched the Warrington Disability Helpline which still operates today on 01925 240064.

We promoted the Helpline throughout the town via Health and Social Care staff, local networks, fetes and carnivals, newspaper articles, and innovative areas including buses and the back of the door of accessible toilets. The interest generated hundreds of calls per month to the Helpline and in October 1993 the Helpline recorded its busiest period which included 1863 enquiries in four weeks.

We have a wide range of leaflets from voluntary organisations, service providers, and businesses. These are available to disabled people, their carers and members of their family, students, health and social care professionals and other interested parties.

Inches
We have continued to develop the database as the main bank of general disability information. Information contained on the database is available via the helpline, the Information Point in Warrington Market, and our Centre for Independent Living.

Helpline
The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and is staffed by volunteers most of whom have direct experience of disability.

Market Stall
Open six days a week Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. An interesting quote was used to describe this innovative service "Where else in the country can one pick up a five pound bag of potatoes, a pair of mens socks, a lightbulb and a leaflet on MS? Warrington Market!" Click here for information

Centre for Independent Living
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (early closing Friday at 4pm). The following staff are available at the CIL: The equipment showroom Team , Independent Living Team, Leisure Recreation and Sports Officer, IT Training Officer, Disability Awareness Training Officer, Access Advisor, Fund Raising Team, Helpline Staff, Volunteer Support Workers and organizational management team and support staff. Click here for more information.