News

Expedition cruises are one of easiest, most reliable and least stressful options for people, of all ages and physical capabilities, wanting that truly epic holiday adventure.  With more cruise lines than ever before departing to exotic climes directly from the UK – and from a number of easily accessible, new, regional departure ports too, such as Falmouth, Newcastle, Liverpool and Swansea –  cruise lines are helping UK travellers avoid all the hassle of air travel, with the forever possibility of flight cancellations, lengthy check-in procedures and over-crowded planes. A number of cruise lines have also introduced special onboard features that enhance the experience for travellers with disabilities.

Following the success of last year’s Superhero Series, the only sports series dedicated to the UK’s 13.3 million people with disabilities and long-term injuries, event partner npower has launched an innovative new service to enable even more families to participate in the inspirational Superhero Tri. 

The new ‘npower support squad’ will provide support dinghies and volunteers to give participants even more confidence to enter the swim section and enjoy the rewarding experience. In addition to providing assistance in the water at Dorney Lake on 18 August, 2018, the support squad will be fully involved on land from leading participants in the warm-up to cheering them across the finish line. 

Low back pain (LBP) is an increasingly widespread and expensive condition worldwide, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified back pain as being the global number one reason for disability. According to the Office for National Statistics back pain accounts for almost 31 million days of work lost in 2013 costing the UK economy £14bn a year - but this could now change thanks to an AI app which launches in the UK, and has significantly reduced the pain intensity of LBP by 40% in a recent clinical study.

Whether it’s climbing up the side of the O2 Arena in Greenwich or scaling the heights of a treetop assault course, nothing is too big a challenge for former rugby player Grace Matthews.

Which is remarkable, given her whole world was turned upside down after a devastating injury during a match less than two years ago.

Playing in the front row for Bletchley Ladies, Grace, 26, of Milton Keynes, dislocated her knee during a game against Olney, an injury that eventually led to her losing her leg above the knee.

Elgin has given Julie Barrett and her Mum Sue, from Beer in Seaton, Devon, the freedom to enjoy their life as they know they can rely on his incredible skills. 

As well as being trained to help with everything from dressing and undressing, shopping, and fetching the phone, Elgin also warns Julie when her blood sugar is too high or low, alerts her when she is going to have a seizure and, incredibly, fetches help when she chokes.

Elgin was awarded an Honour at the ceremony hosted by Alastair Stewart OBE at the Royal Society on July 11. 

The ceremony was attended by celebrities including Kate Lawler, Deborah Meaden, Peter Egan and Jo Brand. 

Owner Julie said:

Nine months ago, Ashford Borough Council took steps to tackle the waiting times for Disabled Facilities Grants assessments (DFGs) in a determined bid to improve the quality of life for disabled and vulnerable people.

As a result, the waiting list for the grants has been hugely reduced and the council's Cabinet voted to go one step further by changing the means test formula and by introducing a system of discretionary grants aimed at reaching even more people in need of help.

Disabled Facility Grants are used to pay for essential adaptations to allow disabled people to continue to live within their own homes and to achieve as independent a life as possible.

CARE home staff raised hundreds of pounds for the Stroke Association and its stroke survivors and their families after helping supermarket shoppers with their packing.

Staff from The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton on Tees, organised the Stroke Association fundraiser at Tesco Extra, on Durham Road.

They spent the day on the checkouts, collecting £219.92 in donations from generous shoppers.

Helen Wood, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, said:

Rudding Park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire was awarded the 2018 ‘Catey’ Accessibility Award announced last night at Grosvenor House, London. Over 1200 of the great and the good from UK hospitality attended the award ceremony, considered as the Oscars of the Hospitality industry.

Peter Banks, Rudding Park Managing Director said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Rudding Park has received the Accessibility Award. We understand our guests have different needs and our philosophy is to continually invest in the business to ensure the products and services are of the highest standard and accessible to all.  

Shropshire charity founder and athlete, Kelda Wood will row 3000 kilometres solo - from La Gomera to Antigua in the Talisker Whiskey Challenge for her project Row to Raise.

Kelda, a professional sportswoman, suffered a life changing injury to her leg in 2002. Since then, she has gone on to become a member of the GB Paracanoe Squad, just missing out on selection for the Paralympic Games in Rio. She later became the first recorded adaptive woman to summit Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.

In 2010 Kelda founded the charity Climbing Out, which runs 5-day outdoor activity programmes that use Kelda's life-long passion, sport, to help rebuild confidence and self-esteem in the young people taking part.