The Timeline of WDP

1991

• Launched Warrington Information Group for the Disabled at Dallam Day Centre

1992

• Changed name to Warrington Disability Information Services (WDIS)
• Launched first Disability Awareness Day now recognised as the world’s largest voluntary led, pan disability event.
• Invited to participate in two European exchange projects, Access Europe and HELIOS II. They were aimed at sharing best practise in independent living, involved 48 visits to sites across Europe.
• Launched Warrington Wolves Disability Sports Club at the Dallam Day Centre

1993

• Launched Warrington Disability Sports Forum

1994

• Opened our Disability Information Point in Warrington Market

1995

• Opened Warrington Shopmobility in Legh Street Multi Storey Car Park (3rd in UK)
• Launched our annual Appreciation of Efforts Awards

1996

• Received BT Getting the Message Across Award

1998

• Received Leonard Cheshire Enabled Award

1999

• Partners in launching the Centre for Independent Living

2001

• Transferred WDIS offices to the Centre for Independent Living

2003

• Launched Warrington Disability Partnership bringing together Warrington Committee for Disabled People, Warrington Disability Information Services, Warrington Disability Sports Forum and Warrington Shopmobility
• Launched Warrington Disability Forum

2004

• Launched the North West Positive Action Awards

2006

• WDP received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services from Duke of Gloucester during his visit to the Centre for Independent Living
• Received award for Best Contribution to the Community in Warrington Guardian Business Awards

2007

• Purchased first new Caravan in Pensarn North Wales
• Took ownership of the Wizard Narrow Boat

2008

• Secured nearly £1million funding from the Community Assets Transfer Fund to refurbish the Centre for Independent Living
• Purchased second new Caravan in Rhyl North Wales

2009

• Relocated to temporary accommodation during the refurbishment of the Centre for Independent Living
• Launched the Warrington Access Guide
• Received Avanta national employment award for Best Partner
• Received national award for Best Independent Living Initiative from Breakthrough UK
• Received Prime Service Delivery Award from Cheshire County Council in their Cheshire Positive Awards for Business

2010

• Returned to the refurbished Centre for Independent Living
• Opened our new Learning Centre
• Opened our new Mobility Training Track
• Opened our new Mobility Workshop and Service Centre
• Opened our new Galleries Community Café
• Received Best Sexual Health Project of the Year in the National Brook Awards

2011

• Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire officially re-opened our refurbished Centre for Independent Living
• Launched the Disability Trading Company, WDP’s social enterprise
• Countess of Wessex visited our Disability Awareness Day 20th Anniversary event
• Announcement of our Community Patrons at WDP’s 20th Anniversary event held at Warrington Town Hall
• Opened our first Mobility & Independent Living Store (MILS) in Golden Square
• Received Employer of the Year Award from WIRE FM's Local Heroes Awards

2012

• Opened our second Mobility & Independent Living Store (MILS) in the LifeHouse in Liverpool
• Extended our Mobility Workshop and Service Centre

2013

• Launched our Mobility and Independent Living Recycling Project
• Extended our Learning Centre and renamed it the Marjorie Griffiths Learning Centre

2014

• OWCH pain management group joined WDP
• Launched our first Lunch Club for older people

2015

• Received Supportive Employer Award for Armed Forces Reserves from SABRE
• Founder Dave Thompson MBE DL joins team as Chief Executive

2016

• 25th Anniversary year, launch of our Legacy Appeal (This is an ongoing project)
• Launch of the Accessible Warrington pledge
• Launch of 25th Disability Awareness Day
• Launch of our Phoenix Project in partnership with St Mark Universal Copts Care

2017

• Launch of the Scoota Safe campaign
• Two apprentices employed through funding from our Legacy Appeal
• Launched Avitar Project
• Beyond the Scars joined WDP
• Launched our Monday Club - lunch club for young disabled people

2018

• Launched the Information, Advice, Guidance and Sales service in Warrington Hospital
• Opened Smart Flat, the assistive technology showrooms in our Marjorie Griffiths Learning Centre
• Launched collaboration with Expanse Learning
• Beyond the Scars joined WDP
• WDP Founder Dave Thompson MBE DL received Lifetime Achievement Award at the Warrington Business Awards.
• WDP received Highly Commended in the North West Charity Awards and in the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards.
• WDP Founder Dave Thompson MBE DL named in UK Brain Charity Top 50 Influential Disabled People

2019

• Overall winners of the High Sheriff of Cheshire's Enterprise Awards
• DTC Commercial Director Gavin Thompson named in AMP Power Awards
• WDP employment team shortlisted in National Employer Awards
• Relocated Golden Square Mobility and Independent Living Store to larger premises in Sankey Street
• Relocated Santa’s Grotto from Warrington Market to Walton Gardens, attracting nearly 2,000 children
• Overseas donations of recycled mobility and independent living equipment through the Phoenix Project tops £750,000
• Fundraising from charities attending Disability Awareness Day hits milestone £1million

2020

• Opened new Mobility and Independent Living Store in Birchwood Shopping Centre
• Launched new Shopmobility Scheme in Birchwood Shopping Centre
• Held first virtual Disability Awareness Day
• First Warrington organisation to achieve Leader accreditation in governments Disability Confident scheme

2021

• Launched COVID Community Champions project
• Donations of recycled mobility and independant living equipment hit 1 million pounds
• Distribution of free PPE to disabled people, carers and PAs tops 2 million
• 30th Anniversary DAD held live
• Received Cheshire High Sherrifs award for WDP, two WDP volunteers and DAD
• Two young WDP volunteers received Cheshire Re-Awards
• Launched Long COVID support service
• Received high praise during reaccreditation of MATRIX quality mark.
• Record visitor numbers at Santas Inclusive Grotto.

2022

• Launched Springboard COVID employment project
• Ellie and Chloe, two young WDP volunteers received Cheshire Re-Awards (again!)
• Launched Loved B4 recycling scheme at the 31st DAD.
• Back to basics with the recruitment of a Disability and Older Person's Information officer (supported by Cheshire Community Foundation and Steve Morgan Foundation)
• Launched online sales platform through Disability Trading Company website
• Developed a storage and distribution centre for DTC services.
• Sensory area added to WDP's inclusive grotto
• Record numbers of people (2921) enjoyed Santa's Grotto in Walton Hall and Gardens

2023

• Launched Energy Efficiency scheme targeted at disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
• Launched Hubs Mobility Advice Service supporting people who are no longer able to drive.

2024

• Launched complex pain project in collaboration with various statutory and voluntary sector organisations
• Launched Cream Tea Cruises, on our Wizard narrowboat.