Performing Arts Showcase
The Together Trust, a leading disability charity in the North West, is pleased to announce its annual Music and Performing Arts Showcase, taking place on Wednesday 4 June at the Lowry Theatre in Salford. This event will feature performances by students from specialist schools across Greater Manchester. The showcase will commence at 10:00 AM. Participating schools will present the exceptional talents of its students, highlighting their achievements. The Music and Performing Arts Showcase aims to illustrate the transformative power of the arts and the joy, hope, and fulfilment that can arise from fostering inclusion and breaking down barriers. We invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of these students. Tickets are available for £5 per person for adults, and at a reduced price of £2.50 per person for children, senior citizens, students with disabilities, and school groups. For ticket purchases, please visit thelowry.com/whats-on/459/together-trust-music-and-performing-arts-showcase or contact the Lowry’s box office at 0161 876 2000. About the Together Trust charity Since 1870 the Together Trust has been providing life-changing care, support and education services in the North-west of England. The charity works to challenge the negative perceptions and missed opportunities that people with disabilities, autism or complex needs and care experienced people face in society. With a team of over 900 dedicated people, they work flat out to create a society where people are valued within their communities. Find out more about the Together Trust on our website www.togethertrust.org.uk To contact us about this story, email: communications@togethertrust.org.uk
Accessibility app Snowball
Accessibility app Snowball uses TfL data to make it easier for disabled people to plan journeys in the capital Snowball, the pioneering app described as ‘TripAdvisor for the disabled community’, is using Transport for London (TfL) data to integrate all the accessible stations on the London transport network into its mobile app, making it easier for disabled people to plan outings in the capital. The free Snowball mobile app, which operates worldwide helps users find and review restaurants, shops, and other businesses and services based on how accessible they are for disabled people. Features include user reviews, search functionality, and the option to share your review on Facebook – all designed with accessibility in mind. Through TfL’s open data policy, a step-free station map now shows in all London search results in Snowball, allowing users to plan a trip from start to finish in just one app. All TfL stations feature on the map, with information on the growing number of step-free stations in London regularly updated. There are currently 93 London Underground stations with step-free access, including Knightsbridge which recently gained a brand-new step-free entrance with two lifts. More than 60 London Overground stations, all Elizabeth line and DLR stations, and all tram stops have step-free access, and TfL’s bus network is one of the most accessible in the world. London residents with certain disabilities are eligible for free travel at any time on TfL’s services including on buses, DLR, Elizabeth line, London Overground, trams, Tube and river services with London Council’s Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass. To further improve ease of travel, Snowball has introduced a traffic light accessibility system to the app. This feature allows users to instantly identify whether a station has step-free access: These ratings were personally created by Simon Sansome, the app’s founder and a wheelchair user himself, who, alongside his team, visited and tested accessibility at every London station to ensure the system reflects real-world experiences. In the UK, approximately 16 million people are disabled, accounting for 24 percent of the population. In London alone, 13.2 percent of residents are disabled, underscoring the need for accessible public transportation options. The new Snowball offering complements the existing step-free Tube map on the free TfL Go app, which has detailed information about accessibility features at each station and a real-time step-free journey planning tool, while TfL’s accessible bus service provides another reliable way to travel, especially in outer London. Simon Sansome, founder of Snowball, said: “Our goal is to make London more navigable for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. By highlighting step-free stations and introducing our traffic light system, we aim to remove barriers and promote inclusivity across the city’s transportation network.” Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, said: “London is a vast city and it’s so important that disabled people feel confident planning journeys here. Our TfL Go app has long been an essential resource for people with accessibility needs travelling on our network, and now that our step-free data has been integrated into the Snowball app, their users can consider the accessibility of their destination and plan their journey in just one app. “This runs alongside our services such as Turn Up and Go, improvements to toilet provision and work to make more stations step-free, with the recent addition of a step-free entrance at Knightsbridge. Our customer inclusion plan Equity in Motion, now includes more than 100 actions to make London’s transport more accessible, inclusive, and fair.” Paralympic athlete Hannah Cockroft, said: “Using public transport as a wheelchair user in London has always been a complicated and usually avoided situation. Planning journeys between accessible Tube stations takes meticulous planning, and knowing what stations are manned for assistance was a game of luck. Now, having all the information you might need to make a journey in one place will take so much anxiety and research out of travelling in and around London. By adding such a simple but much-needed tool to the app, Snowball and TfL are giving disabled users the confidence they need to get about easily.” Snowball is available for download on both Apple and Android devices.
The world’s first accessible pushchair
National disability charity, Designability, is gifting twenty accessible pushchairs to families across the UK following successful early user trials and multiple product award wins. With no accessible pushchair products currently available on the global market, there is no safe way for disabled parents or carers in manual wheelchairs to get out independently with their baby or young child. Parents either resort to having their child sit on their lap, which is often unsafe and uncomfortable, or are left isolated at home or dependent on a non-disabled partner or carer. This can lead to feeling like a ‘lesser parent’ and ‘disempowered’. Fiona Dick, one of the twenty accessible pushchair participants, said “when you see other mums out on their own, it’s heartbreaking. I’d like to be able to go out for a coffee or to the shops or the park, but you can’t as you can’t push a pushchair whilst pushing a wheelchair.” The groundbreaking accessible pushchair can be used by a manual wheelchair-using parent or carer, and has been designed with mass manufacture in mind. The innovative design replaces the traditional rear wheels/footbrake assembly, turning any conventional pushchair into an accessible pushchair. Designability has launched a six-month trial of twenty accessible pushchairs to a range of disabled parents and carers across the UK. Their feedback will provide valuable insight into how the pushchairs are used and their impact on the families. The pushchairs are being gifted to the participants so they can keep them once the trial is complete. Another of the twenty recipients, Paul Sloan, shared his thoughts on the positive impact the accessible pushchair will have on his life. “It’s more than just a pushchair. Having a piece of hardware that takes away one worry means that so many other things will become easier because I can just get up and go.” Paul also hopes that being seen in an accessible pushchair will initiate new conversations around accessible products for disabled parents. “Rather than being the ‘inspirational dad who’s taking care of his kids’ (as that’s what I should be doing, quite frankly), the focus can be ‘here’s this amazing contraption that they’ve never seen before and it’s great!’” The charity worked in partnership with leading UK pushchair manufacturer Mamas & Papas to ensure the pushchair complies with British Safety Standards. Each of the twenty selected families will receive a Mamas & Papas pushchair adapted into an accessible pushchair, completely free of charge. Known for co-designing innovative products with and for disabled people that reduce everyday barriers, Designability launched their revolutionary accessible pushchair for wheelchair users in 2023. It has won multiple international awards, including Best Design for Humanity in the European Product Design Awards and the prestigious 2024 GOOD DESIGN Award for transportation. This six-month trial is a key stage in understanding how the accessible pushchairs are being used and the impact they have on disabled parents and carers, and their families. Designability’s Director of Design & Innovation, Matt Ford, explained the inspiration behind the pushchair design: “As a national disability charity, we have been aware of the need for this product for many years. It is our most requested product, and we estimate that there are around 20,000 disabled parents in the UK alone who could benefit.” “We’re so excited for more manual wheelchair users to use the accessible pushchair and to show everybody what it can do! Our goal is to get a mainstream nursery product out into the world that changes the lives of the disabled parents and carers, and their families too.” http://www.designability.org.uk/
School leaders leaving amid soaring stress levels
English schools could be facing a leadership crisis as workplace stress and poor mental health hits senior figures. A survey of 500 school leaders and head teachers across England has revealed that one in four are planning to leave their roles within the next three years, with nearly a quarter (23%) blaming stress and poor mental health Commercial Services Group, who commissioned the survey, said the impending exodus comes at a time when school leaders are under pressure to make difficult decisions to balance increasingly limited budgets. Nearly a quarter (24%) of schools’ plan to cut back on essential teaching materials like classroom supplies. Fewer than one in ten schools report making no financial cutbacks at all. Matt Johnson, CEO of Commercial Services Group, said:“These findings deliver a clear and urgent message, that school and trust leaders need greater support. They are working diligently in increasingly difficult conditions, often forced to make impossible decisions. This is not a failure of leadership, it’s a universal issue that calls for a collective, sector-wide response. We’re committed to standing alongside education leaders to help create sustainable, practical solutions that support both staff and students.” The ongoing struggle to recruit and retain staff is cited by one in five education leaders (20%) as a key driver of burnout and resignation. Closely followed are frustrations with government policies (18%) and the relentless pressure of accountability measures, including Ofsted inspections and exam results (17%). These findings suggest leaders are not stepping away due to a lack of commitment, they are being overwhelmed by inherent structural challenges beyond their control. Commercial Services Group is a public sector-owned organisation that reinvests every penny back into the communities it serves. Supporting over 22,000 organisations and thousands of schools across the UK, its services span procurement, HR, energy management, recruitment, Special educational needs and disability (SEND) support, legal services, school supplies, and school improvement. Matt added: “There is a real opportunity now to form stronger alignment between government, the education sector, and those of us who support it. Our role is to listen, share evidence-based insight, and help create a collaborative environment that enable leaders to focus on what matters most, delivering high-quality education for every child.” To find out more, visit www.commercialservices.org.uk.
Dyslexia Awards return
The prestigious Dyslexia Awards are set to make their grand return this year, spotlighting the remarkable achievements of dyslexics and the dedicated individuals and organisations that support them. This acclaimed event, known for its inspiring atmosphere and community spirit, is scheduled to take place this autumn in the West Midlands and individuals, educators and businesses from across the UK are invited to get involved. Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE, the founder of The Dyslexia Awards, is excited to announce the reopening of nominations for the much-anticipated event. As a champion for dyslexics, Elizabeth said: “Each ceremony brings new stories of extraordinary talent and perseverance that truly inspire. Every Dyslexia Awards celebration evening is packed with individuals whose achievements deserve the spotlight.” This year’s awards will feature 10 different categories designed to recognise the diverse talents and contributions of the dyslexic community and their supporters. New for 2025 is the STEMM Award celebrating the achievements of dyslexic individuals who are over the age of 18 that have made significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine. The Young Entrepreneur Award continues to celebrate young dyslexics aged 16 to 21 who exhibit business acumen, demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills and achieved success. The full list of adult and youth categories includes: Amazing Artist (18+), Excellent Educator (18 +), Supportive Employer (18+), Community Shining Star (20+), Innovation (18+), Young Entrepreneur (16-21), Community Shining Star Award (13-19), Learning Support (18+), Entrepreneur (21+) and STEMM (18+). Previous winners have gone on to make significant impacts in various fields, demonstrating how dyslexic thinking can lead to innovation and success. Dyslexia, affecting approximately one in ten people, encompasses a range of challenges primarily related to language processing, memory, and retention. However, Elizabeth, who was made an MBE for her services to the dyslexic community, said: “With appropriate teaching and the encouragement to follow their dreams and strengths, dyslexics can and do succeed in all walks of life and professions.” The Dyslexia Awards started out as a regional awards initiative in Shropshire but its growth to become a nationally celebrated event underscores the growing awareness and advocacy for dyslexic individuals across the UK. Notable figures from various sectors, including arts, sports, and business, continue to share their stories, fostering a more inclusive society. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until 30 June 2025. To nominate a deserving candidate or to find out more about the categories and the nomination process, please visit here. Award winners will be announced on September 20 at a celebration event at the Mercure Telford Centre Hotel in Telford.
Daisy Hill station, transforming access for passengers
Members of the community and accessibility campaigners joined Bolton Council Leader, Nick Peel, and MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell, to mark the official opening of a new lift at Daisy Hill station, providing passengers step-free access for the first time. The completed scheme makes the station – which is run by Northern – much easier to use for passengers, especially those who are wheelchair users, have limited mobility, or are travelling with bicycles, pushchairs or luggage. The new lift is part of a £4m investment in accessibility upgrades at the station, which included installing an accessible toilet, enhancing the station’s accessible car parking facilities and upgrades to the ticket office and booking hall to create a new lift lobby area. Completing the scheme marks the beginning of a rolling programme of accessibility works, with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver step-free upgrades at 10 stations over the next three years – twice as many than in the preceding decade. Currently, fewer than half of the city-region’s stations (43%) are accessible. Using money from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, 63% of Greater Manchester’s stations will be step-free by March 2028. This forms part of Greater Manchester’s wider plans to bring eight commuter rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, building a more inclusive and accessible public transport network and delivering major improvements to stations, services and passenger experience. The Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Bolton was among the first areas to join the Bee Network back in 2023 and I’m proud that we’re now also home to the first of the railway stations that will see accessibility improvements. “Public transport is a vital lifeline for many people in our communities including those with disabilities and I would like to thank our local councillors for their hard work on this campaign. “Making stations accessible is not a ‘nice to have’, it brings an essential service into the reach of more people and improves their opportunities and quality of life.” Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, said: “It’s heartening that Transport for Greater Manchester has a programme of works in place to improve access for people with disabilities. We need to bring our railways up to a standard that adheres to the 2010 Equality Act and into the 21st century. The lack of accessibility across railway stations in Bolton West is something which needs to be addressed. “I’m very grateful for the tireless work that Cllr David Chadwick has put into ensuring that Daisy Hill station has accessible facilities to the platform. He has been a true advocate for those with disabilities to be able to travel on the rail network. Whilst there is still work to be done on other stations to make the railway a truly accessible form of travel, this is a great step in the right direction for the residents of Westhoughton.” Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Thanks to £2.75m of Government funding, a new lift and improved accessible facilities at Daisy Hill station will change how people get around Greater Manchester – paving the way for better connections around the UK. “We’re clear in our ambitions for our transport network to be accessible so people can travel easily, confidently, and with dignity, so it’s great to see the impact our Access for All programme is making.” Passengers at Daisy Hill can now walk or wheel to the station and benefit from step-free travel directly into central Manchester within 35 minutes. Accessibility campaigner, Nathaniel Yates, welcomed the improvements at Daisy Hill station and the rolling programme of improvements. He said: “The installation of the new lift at Daisy Hill station is great progress and I’m delighted that it is now open for people to use. “I’m sure it will make a real difference to the wellbeing of people who require step-free access and potentially it will unlock another mode of transport for people who live in the Daisy Hill area.” Work to install lifts at Irlam station are also due to complete this spring, while step-free access schemes at Swinton, Hindley, Bryn and Reddish North are all scheduled to be underway next year. Improvements at Flowery Field, Newton for Hyde, Bredbury and Levenshulme are to follow. Dame Sarah Storey, Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, said: “People with disabilities or mobility issues should be able to make seamless journeys across the city-region and there shouldn’t be barriers to anyone using trains to reach their destination. “The much-needed accessibility improvements at Daisy Hill station are a welcome first step towards our ambition to make every station accessible for people with disabilities, as well as those with pushchairs and bikes, in Greater Manchester. “Through the Bee Network we can build an inclusive public transport system that truly works for everyone, supporting growth, jobs and access to opportunity. While we look to make more stations step-free we also need to audit and make sure that the routes to them are safe and accessible for people walking, wheeling and cycling that part of their journey.” The improvements at Daisy Hill station are part of a collaborative effort between Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Northern, and Network Rail, with funding provided by the Department for Transport’s Access for All Scheme and GMCA. Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “We’re delighted these fantastic new facilities are open and are confident they will make it easier for disabled customers and people with limited mobility to use Daisy Hill station. “We are working closely with partners like Transport for Greater Manchester to improve accessibility for people who travel across our vast network and give them the confidence to travel by train. Despite the progress we have made, we are not complacent and always welcome feedback so we can continue to make improvements and provide the best possible service.” Tommy Fleming, Network Rail’s sponsor for the project, said: “The newly installed lifts at Daisy Hill station are an important milestone in our commitment to making rail
Children with SEND are being “over diagnosed”.
Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “Nigel Farage’s comments are wildly inaccurate and show that he’s completely out of touch with what autistic children and adults have to go through to get a diagnosis or any support at all. For the record, absolutely no one has got an autism diagnosis through the GP – this is just incorrect, wrong, fake news. Children with SEND and disabled adults, including autistic people, are not victims who are being ‘over diagnosed’. They are people who face huge delays and long fights to get the most basic support across every aspect of their lives, including SEND diagnosis, education, health and social care. Spreading misinformation only perpetuates stigma and makes life harder. We’re calling on all politicians to drop the political point scoring and stand up for their autistic and other disabled constituents.” https://www.autism.org.uk
More than £3,000 was raised for the Wetwheels Foundation
More than £3,000 was raised for the Wetwheels Foundation on Sunday 13 April at the hugely successful Big Boat Jumble, held at Eastleigh Football Club and delivered in partnership with organisers Squidward 3 and charity partners Pantaenius UK. Hundreds of boating enthusiasts turned out to buy and sell second-hand marine gear, grab a bargain, and most importantly, support a cause that makes boating accessible to all. Proceeds from pitch fees, admissions and generous on-the-day donations will help fund barrier-free powerboating experiences for disabled and disadvantaged people through Wetwheels’ national fleet of fully accessible boats. Team organiser, Darren McKell from Squidward 3, commented, “I’d had the idea of a boat jumble to raise funds for the Wetwheels Foundation, a charity close to our hearts. As ambassadors for brands like Suzuki, Lowrance, and Shimano, and with regular time on the water onboard Squidward 3, we’ve seen how fishing and boating boost mental health. Wetwheels offers that same joy to those who might never have the chance, which really struck a chord. Pantaenius jumped at the idea and, through their link with Eastleigh Football Club, helped secure a venue and build a plan. The marine community’s support was incredible – with raffle prizes donated by Pantaenius, Suzuki, Lowrance, Mendez Marine, Spinlock, Railblaza, Cox & Rawle, Mustang Survival, and many more. But the biggest thanks go to everyone who came, booked pitches, bought tickets and showed support. We raised a fantastic amount for an amazing cause – and can’t wait to make next year even bigger!” With everything from winches and wetsuits to ropes, radios and rare finds on offer, the jumble was as much a community celebration as it was a fundraiser. The car park was busy from start to finish, creating a fantastic atmosphere with a shared purpose—to give more people the freedom and joy of being on the water. Wetwheels founder Geoff Holt MBE said, “We were delighted to be involved with the Big Boat Jumble. With Pantaenius UK already a major supporter and our mutual fishing friend Darren McKell behind the idea, everything clicked from day one. Darren did an amazing job organising the event from scratch – the Eastleigh Football Club venue was perfect, and it was fantastic to see so many familiar faces turn out to sell boating bargains and raise money for our cause. £3,000 is a huge amount, and on behalf of all the trustees and Wetwheels operators, a massive thank you to everyone who attended – buyers, sellers, and sponsors – and to those who donated some amazing raffle prizes.” Pantaenius UK played a key role in the event, with a well-stocked pitch and strong industry backing. Simon Hedley Head of Commercial Partnerships, commented: “When Darren approached us with the idea, we were keen to support however we could. Wetwheels has been our national inclusivity charity partner for years, and we love what they do to promote barrier-free boating. We were blown away by the generosity of industry friends – Spinlock, Lewmar, Highfield RIBs and SMG Group – who donated raffle prizes and stock for our stand. The funds raised will make a real difference.” Wetwheels extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part, donated, or came along to show support. Events like this help fund unforgettable experiences at sea for those who need them most—and bring the boating community together in the best possible way. For more information or to support the Wetwheels mission, visit: www.wetwheelsfoundation.org
Dancer with Down Syndrome
An up and coming Cheshire dancer with Down Syndrome says he has ‘found his purpose’ and is now set on a professional career in dance. Twenty-year-old Ben Wilson from Northwich was named an associate artist at Winsford-based Cheshire Dance in 2023 and has now also won a coveted place on a training programme for d/DEAF, disabled, and neurodivergent dancers with Frontline Dance in Stoke on Trent. Since starting his training, Ben, who has been dancing since he was 13, has also discovered a talent for choreography. He will premiere his new dance piece, which features himself and three other dancers at Now Northwich Festival in May 2025. Called Step Ahead, the work is suitable for audiences of all ages and explores themes around friendships and relationships. It features different styles of dance including contemporary and hip hop and even some poetry. The group will perform several times throughout the day at Barons Quay Square. Ben, who first experienced dance as a young teenager at the Down’s Syndrome Cheshire and Cheshire Dance run DS Dance group in Winsford, is also a football fan and is a regular assistant coach at Egerton Football Club in Knutsford. But he says dance is his first love and hopes to one day run his own dance studio in the local area. Ben said: “Being a Cheshire Dance associate dancer means so much to me. I get to work with different teachers and dance artists and have time to really develop my career in dance. “Before this, I didn’t know that I could become a dancer or a choreographer. Cheshire Dance has shown me that this is an option for me. “Dancing makes me feel free and lets me express all kinds of emotions, both good andbad. I love the freedom of it: it’s like a fire inside. It means I can express my emotions and it helps me to deal with things that can be difficult for me. “I believe that lots of different types of people and bodies can dance, no matter howdifferent they are!” A local lad through and through, Ben is delighted to be bringing his work to the free Now Northwich festival of dance and street arts on Saturday 3 May 2025. He said: “My whole life is based around Northwich and so, to be able to present my first dance piece for four dancers at the Festival feels amazing.” Emma Thomas, producer, Cheshire Dance, said: “Ben has been working with us as a dance associate for the last two years and is on an incredible dance journey. “He is open to trying new things and is very hard working. He is a beautiful mover with a unique style and voice. “Watching him grow and learn about a dance world that isn’t created for someone with more challenges is an incredible process. He rises to every challenge presented to him and I see great things ahead for him. I believe Ben has a very bright future in dance.” Ben Wilson’s Step Ahead is at Now Northwich on Saturday 3 May 2025. More information at www.nownorthwich.co.uk