Sunday 15th July 2012

News

The organisers of Disability Awareness Day keep an up to date local news service on the WDP site, however some exciting things happen that are specifically around DAD and here are some of them:

Launch 2011!

We had a dynamic, fun and musical launch on Saturday. Hundreds of people throughout the day enjoyed the various talented singers and dancers in the sun-drenched Old Market in the Golden Square. Have a look at some photos here.

International DAD

Our twentieth anniversary event welcomes eight senior delegates from Thailand's Health and Social Care Government team. Over here with the international charity Onesteptwostep the team will be visiting WDP's Centre for Independant living on Friday prior to their visit to DAD on the Sunday.

RAF Fly Past

The RAF has confirmed that one of their 2nd World War Dakotas will perform a fly past over Walton Gardens in honour of this year's 20th anniversary event at 2.10pm
Dakota airplane

Big Brother Booth

The BB Diary Room will be available at this years DAD providing visitors with the opportunity to share their experiences of DAD, and what their main concerns are relating to disability today. The feedback we receive will inform improvements to future DAD events and the disability concerns will be raised with the appropriate statutory service providers.
Big Brother Booth

New Shirt Sponsor

DAD stewards and volunteers will be sporting new polo and tee shirts thanks to the kind support from Arena Housing Association. The shirts will include the commemorative 20th anniversary logo.
Arena Housing logo

We Made It!

Thanks to an enormous fundraising effort we have finally bridged the gap in funding this year's event. During the past six months volunteers have been busy with a range of 'Going the Extra Mile' events including the Scuba Challenge, Manchester 10k Run, Kayak Challenge and several Quiz Nights and Tombola's. Great work 'Team WDP'. Thank you.
Success

Charity Begins in our Home Town

NHS Warrington have confirmed their support as Principal Sponsor for DAD 2011. Helen Bellairs, Chief Executive and John Gartside Chairman, were both pleased to pledge the Trust's support for the 20th Anniversary Event. Dave Thompson event co-ordinator said "This is fantastic news the Trust was involved in our first event and has shown leadership in its efforts every year"

Ignite your Life

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have signed up to sponsor this year's mental health and wellbeing entitled Ignite Your Life. This will be held on Thursday 7th of July during the DAD week celebrations. Activities will include an exhibition of service user art, live music, Poets Corner, complementary therapies, a graffiti wall and wellbeing workshops.

In Memory of Francois

Cynthia Salluyts, an ex member of WDP and the DAD team, has responded to our funding shortfall by pledging a generous donation in memory of her late husband and friend of WDP/DAD, Francois who sadly died earlier this year.
Belgium

Call to Action for DAD

Warrington Rotary Club and David Mowat MP are the latest people to provide generous donations towards this year's 20th Anniversary event. Dave Thompson, DAD founder and event co-ordinator said "the team are overwhelmed the the generosity of so many people in these hard times".
Smiling face

Scuba Challenge - Going the Extra Mile

Dave Thompson and Graham Horton from the DAD management team were joined by 22 other scuba divers and swimmers at the Going The Extra Mile Scuba Challenge event held on Sunday 20th February. Supported by Terry Wood from Cybaqua Diving Centre the event aimed to raise бё5000 towards the бё15,000 shortfall.

The Show Must Go On

Great news this week the DAD management team unanimously agreed the proposals presented by DAD founder and event co-ordinator Dave Thompson. The proposals include one or two major changes in promotion, event site facilities and activities. Everyone agreed that the overall aims of the event would still shine through. Dave said "The cuts will mean extra work for our volunteers but discussions with many members of the team confirmed their overwhelming support."It its estimated the custs will save бё30,000 leaving бё15,000 to be raised with fundraising events and efforts.
money

NWDA Funding cut huge blow to DAD

Due to changes imposed by the Government our principal sponsers have been given notice to close. This has resulted in the withdrawal of funding for DAD 2011 which leaves a бё45,000 hole in the budget. The DAD management team are having emergency talks about the future of the event.

Partnerships in action

The success of Disability Awareness Day relies heavily on a team of volunteers named "Dads Army". The staff and cadets from HMS Obdurate (Warrington Sea Cadets) have become regular members during the past five years. Led by Captain Tina Stanier over 30 staff and cadets were involved in this year's DAD. Dave Thompson DAD event co-ordinator visited the team at one of their training nights to present certificates to all the staff and cadets, a trophy for the best cadet and a cheque for ё100.

Slice of Life

Great news! Mary and the team from the Petty Pool Trust in Cheshire have confirmed that they will be hosting the Slice of Life Film Festival at this year's DAD. If you have produced a film that you want to show at this years event contact the Petty Pool Trust.

Leg or spoke before wicket

The Cricket Factory in partnership with the UK wheelchair Cricket Team will be attending this year's DAD. Come and try your hand at this fast exciting sport for free!

Return to Golden Square!

This year's launch event will return to our tried and tested successful format of an Arts Extravaganza including a wide range of dance and music. The event will be held in the Old Fish Market in the Golden Square Town Centre Warrington. We will be joined this year by special guests from Warrington's twin town Nachod, in the Czech Republic.

Partnerships for Change

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have accepted our invitation to be our partner at this year's VIP Reception. The Trust will be promoting their Stamp Out Stigma campaign.

Motability

The DAD team were delighted to open one envelope this week which was received from a DAD exhibitor. It contained an application form from Motability, the UK's leading disability mobility charity.

DAD - the alternative to the World Cup

As you know by now this year's DAD will be held on Sunday 11th July, the same day as the World Cup final. Initially people far and wide requested that we might consider changing the date, but the management team decision was taken to maintain the date which had been advertised for over a year. Wire FM, a local radio station in the Warrington and Halton area, hailed DAD as the Alternative to the World Cup.

Strictly Wheelchair Dancing

A latest addition to the lineup at this year's event is the team from Strictly Wheelchair Dancing. Hot on the back of Sky One's successful show the team promise to be displaying their latest moves.

Autistic Superstars

Carly and Martin, friends of DAD and fresh from their success with the BBC's Autistic Superstars have confirmed their appearances at this years DAD. Carly will also be appearing at this year's launch which will be held on Saturday 3rd July in Golden Square Warrington Town centre.

Press Release

A press release for this years DAD has been finalised and is being circulated to news media across the UK including TV, radio, general newspapers and specialist disability and carer magazines. If you produce a newsletter please feel free to download the document and help promote DAD.

Learn to scuba dive at DAD

Shaun Connell from Scubability and UK co-ordinator for the International Association for Disabled Divers has confirmed their attendance at this years DAD. Shaun and his team will be offering budding scuba divers the opportunity to try diving in a large swimming pool that will be located within the Sports Zone; facilities will also include a hoist and changing area. Dave Thompson DAD Event co-ordinator and Graham Horton co-ordinator of the Stewards Control Point have both recently undertaken the PADI Open Water course and are looking forward to sharing their new hobby with visitors to DAD 2010. If you are interested in taking part please contact Dave Connor at Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064 or email d.connor@disabilitypartnership.org.uk

Good News!

Our partners from the North West Regional Development Agency have signed up as principal sponsors of DAD 2010. Dave Thompson Event Co-ordinator expressed the delight of the whole team on hearing this news which also extends to principal sponsorship of the nationally recognised North West Postitive Action Awards which will be held later this year.

Breakthrough Art teams up with DAD!

Breakthrough Art is a community interest company that promotes positive mental health through the creative arts. Founded and run by Angie and Tony Russell, it develops and influences national policy on art and mental health, shares positive practice and develops an international network for anyone with similar objectives. We hope to see them at DAD soon and both organisations are exploring the possibilites. In the meantime enjoy the amazing artworks on their website at www.breakthroughmhart.com/

Glastonbury band signs up for DAD

Spaceships Are Cool, one of the first disability bands to appear at Glastonbury have confirmed they will be performing at this years Disability Awareness Day. Event Co-ordinator Dave Thompson hopes that their appearance won't bring with it the usual rain and mud and storms of Glastonbury! On a positive note it is great to have a band of national standing performing alongside the other great acts that will be in the line up for the Arts Marquee at DAD 10

DAD partners GAG

The team from Disability Awareness Day have formed an online partnership with the Good Access Guide website, to advise their users of our event and to point our visitors to this excellent source of information for disabled people.
Check their site out!

Great news for all DAD Travellers!

Rail travelers using the Trans-Pennine route can now use Warrington Central Station after major refurbishment works have opened access for all. Passenger lifts are now available on the east and West-bound tracks.

501

Not darts but yet another milestone for the DAD team. Over 500 exhibition spaces have been reserved by this year's exhibitors which sees them travelling from all four corners of the UK. This is in addition to the ever increasing international enquiries received through this website.

DAD teams up with GAG!

Shadow Minister for Disabled People Drops in on DAD Team

Mark Harper MP Shadow Minister for Disabled People joined David Mowat local Conservative candidate and Clr Paul Kennedy at Walton Gardens on Friday 4th July by meeting up with staff and volunteers from Warrington Disability Partnership the team behind Disability Awareness Day.
Check the WDP site for more details

Great news for all DAD Travellers!

European Visitors to DAD 2008

Guests of honour at the launch of this years DAD include a delegation from Warrington's twin town of Hilden in Germany and the Mayor of Warrington, Graham Welborne. Our guests will be visiting the Centre for Independant Living to give moral support to the DAD administration team .

Wheelchairs of the Future

Formula One technology will be on display at DAD 2008. The worlds lightest wheelchairs weighing less than 6.3kg (complete with wheels) will be on display on the "Futurechairs" stand. With carbon fibre frames this ground breaking wheelchair will set the standard for years to come. For further details www.futurechairs.co.uk

Making recovery from mental illness a reality

Richmond Fellowship, one of the UK's largest mental health charities, have confirmed that they are delighted to have been invited to organise a mental health event on Thursday 3rd July as part of the build up for DAD 2008. For an invitation follow this link.

TNG Confirmed as Official DAD 2008 Partner

TNG, one of the UK's largest employment support and recruitment organisations, have confirmed that they will join the DAD team in promoting their services at this years VIP Reception.DAD organisers WDP are a major support agency for TNG's Pathways To Work programme. For more information visit their website at http://www.tng.uk.com/

501

Buckingham Palace reception

DAD founder Dave Thompson and his wife Pam were guests of honour at Buckingham Palace where they met over 200 fellow Queens Award recipients. Dave and Pam were amazed when they secured a ten minute conversation with Her Majesty. The Queen enquired about DAD and was interested to hear about the partnerships that have been built through the event locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

DAD 2008 International

The backdrop to the stage in this years Arts Marquee will have a Japanese theme to celebrate a partnership between DAD and the International Arts Collaberative "Joining Hands Across the Water" project. Internationally reknowned artist Scott Barron has designed the set and will be displaying art produced in Osaka Japan.

DAD Gibralter

Elizabeth Harrison and jennifer Poole from the Gibralter Social Services team recently visited Warrington on a fact finding mission, part of which was to discuss relaunching DAD Gibralter in 2009. The two ambassadors joined the DAD stewards and management teams at a recent planning meeting. Both stated that the warmth anhd enthusiasm shown to them had give them a great boost.

DAD Accessible Bus

WDP the organisers of DAD have worked with Warrington Borough Transport to design the paintwork on a new low floor wheelchair accessible bus. The vehicle will be seen on the roads out and about around Warrington promoting Disability Awareness.

Lottery Success!

WDP the organisers of DAD are delighted to announce that, in partnership with Warrington Council they have won an award of ё922,055 from the Big Lottery Community Assets Fund.
Check the WDP site for more details

Queens Award

In 2006 the DAD team were presented with the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service! Dave Thompson MBE DL, DAD Event Co-ordinator said, "It was an honour to receive this prestigious award. It is recognition to the hundreds of people, past and present, who have volunteered their support in making a vision into a reality."