Money will help disabled

DIAL Worcester has been given the money from the Lloyds TSB Foundation. It will help the charity to continue with its outreach work by providing drop-in information services in Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore, Evesham and Broadway.

The charity was established in 1987 to provide a free, accessible specialist information service to people with disabilities and their carers, friends and family.

It provides information on issues such as welfare benefits, disabled access, transport and local services. Last year, it fielded more than 4,000 enquiries and this May is set to publish the third edition of its Guide to Services.

The donation will enable DIAL Worcester's outreach worker, Irene Walker, to continue to offer an outreach service in villages and towns around Worcester.

The outreach service is run twice monthly from the Wychavon Information shop in Evesham and the one-stop shop in Droitwich.

People can also visit the service once a month at the Civic Centre and library in Pershore. It is also available monthly at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Malvern and in the church at Broadway. Home visits can also be made on request.

"The outreach work has already made such a difference to local people with disabilities in that they can access information more easily," said John Lander, of DIAL Worcester.

"Some people with disabilities find it difficult to make regular trips to Worcester to seek advice from our centre. It's therefore essential to maintain our outreach work and ensure that people are aware of their rights and services available to them."

Richard King, senior business banking manager at Lloyds TSB Worcester, said when disability impacts on a person's mobility, it could make them feel isolated.

"Worcester DIAL is taking steps to support more and more people in and around the town and it's good to see the Lloyds TSB Foundation is supporting such a valuable local resource," he said.