Disability Cambridgeshire

Disability Cambridgeshire is a member of DIAL UK network of disability information services.

Disability Cambridgeshire is an advice and information service for disabled people and/ or older people and their carers. We serve people of all ages in South and East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Cambridge City.

For over 15 years, starting as Directions Plus, we have existed to maintain and improve the quality of life of disabled people and carers.

Our level of activity and range of services depends on the funding that we have at the time. Typically we offer:

• Free, confidential and impartial advice on disability issues on a five-day a week advice line, and sessions by appointment at Addenbrookes Hospital and various locations.
• Free support and representation on the claiming of disability and related benefits.
• Free support and representation on matters relating to a range of statutory services for disabled people and carers including community and residential care, education and housing adaptations.
• Online Resources Directory on local and national organisations.
• Assessment of access to buildings or services for public, private and voluntary sectors. All surveys are undertaken by and offer a cost-effective way to ensure that buildings and services comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
• Disability Equality Training - training courses for groups and businesses to explain the environmental, employment and discrimination issues faced by disabled people. For booking contact Gerri Bird:
  call 01480 839 192

  or email gerri@disability-cambridgeshire.org.uk.

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• Anyone who lives in our area who has a disability or a mental health issue
• Children and young people
• Older people
• Carers
• Anyone working with or caring for disabled/older people or carers
• Private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

• Disabled forums and groups. Disability Cambridgeshire works with forums of disabled people and their carers around the county. These groups provide members with social contact, support and an opportunity to campaign and work together. For further information contact Gerri Bird, Forum Project Manager:
  call 01480 839 192

  or email forums@disability-cambridgeshire.org.uk.
• Cambridgeshire User-led Organisation. We work with the ULO to assist with the development of services for personal budgets.
  Cambridgeshire User-led Organisation website »
• Opportunities For Volunteering in partnership with Disability Huntingdonshire
  Disability Huntingdonshire website »
• Plan Vetting for South Cambridgeshire District Council, Valuing People, CAB Advice Hub, Crown Prosecution Service, Cambridgeshire Independent Advisory Network.

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Disability Cambridgeshire is managed by a committee of disabled people and carers who are elected by the organisation's members

President

Lord Fairhaven KStJ, JP, DL

Honorary Life Vice-President

Mrs Ruth Palmer

New trustees to be elected at our coming AGM.

Staff

Acting Chief Executive, Casework and Outreach Manager

Peter Wetherell

Administrator

Sally Cleghorn

Forum Manager

Gerri Bird

Project Assistant

David Challis

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Over the past few years a variety of organisations have supported our work:

• Age UK (formerly Help The Aged/ Age Concern)
• Cambridge City Council
• Cambridgeshire County Council
• Lloyds TSB Foundation (England)
• National Lotteries Charities Board
• RADAR - The Royal Association for Disability Rights
• South Cambridgeshire District Council
• Varrier-Jones Foundation
• From time to time a variety of companies has also helped us.

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