“Its been a challenging year as we vacated Church Street premises and finalised the end of the lease, and then the move into half of Bannister House whilst waiting for all the building to be available. This made delivering accessible services more challenging than usual, but we did it and I’m really grateful to the volunteer, staff and trustee team that chose not to temporarily close, but instead to look at alternative ways to deliver – and, as you’ll see from the numbers, you continued to support us too as we were really busy. Onwards and upwards now as the next financial year, 2025/26 will see us take full occupation of Bannister House and our vision of a bigger, more accessible community hub for disabled people become a reality.” Mel Close, DENW CEO’s Welcoming Address
With massive thanks to all our funders and supporters, including…
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National Lottery Community Fund – Main funder of the Safety First Project.
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Lancashire Constabulary (South Division Hate Crime Team) – Partner in the Safe Place Initiative.
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Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust – Partner during Hate Crime Awareness Week.
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Preston City Council – Supported community initiatives like Strive 2 Thrive and use of the MET Tent.
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University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) – Partnered on Safety in the Summer event.
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Caritas Care – Co-hosted Disability Pride Preston.
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Foxton Centre – Ongoing collaboration for wellbeing activities and community engagement.
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Safenet – Delivered Domestic Violence awareness workshops.
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Revolution (Sexual Health Services) – Partner for sexual health sessions.
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Let’s Grow Preston – Community-based partner organisation.
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The VI Forum – Co-ran Together Against Hate event and feedback collection.
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Linkability – Hosted online safety and scam awareness training.
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Harris Museum – Partnered on UK Disability History Month art banner.
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Shelter (charity) – Provided legal aid and housing support for clients.
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Fire Service / Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service – Delivered safety talks.
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Local Churches (Central Methodist Church, Foxton) – Hosted peer groups and social sessions.
Our year in numbers…
Between April 2024 and March 2025, Disability Equality (NW) supported thousands of people through a range of advice, guidance and community services. This included…
- 5,000+ disabled people through advice, independent living, and community services.
- 2,349 were supported by the LILS service (Lancashire Independent Living Service) – helping disabled people live independently by providing information, advice, and practical support on all aspects of independent living.
- 726 Supported Banking accounts – helping people manage their personal finances safely and independently.
- 179 community hub attendees.
- 157 cases of individual advice or casework sessions, ranging from disability benefits to housing topics with the Advice and Information Service.
- Satisfactory rating of 95% from all participants surveyed
The National Lottery funded Safety First Project ran concurrently (Dec 2023–Nov 2024), reaching 1,751 disabled people during the period, of which eight months overlap with this annual reporting cycle, however we continue our work on hate crime, continue to report and support and thanks to the lottery for funding that work, the staff and volunteers that worked on it and the partners.
Ongoing from last years report we have continued our Friendship Fridays weekly peer sessions (running since May 2023, Central Methodist Church, Preston).
• Weekly sessions average 25–28 people, covering safety, inclusion, and wellbeing topics.
• 48 sessions delivered between Dec 2023 – Nov 2024 (≈ 1,192 attendances).
Topics included – Personal Safety at Home & in Town, Financial Abuse, “Good Friend / Neighbour”, Domestic Abuse, Sexual Health, Online Safety, Basic IT.
Here’s just some of things we’ve done in April 2024 – March 2025 with a collection of some lovely photos!
April 2024 – The Big Move for DENW!
DENW relocated to Bannister House, Sedgwick Street, Preston – New local accessible community spaces sourced for events. Grand opening happening in May 2025, fully accessible to all!
From our old home on Church Street, Preston…
To the outside of the new building – lots of renovations going on to make is an accessible venue for all! So…
While building works were under construction, the DENW team utilised local community venues to continue to provide regular events and support programmes, like the Olive Grove Coffee Shop at the Preston Methodist Church.
Here’s a small taster of what we got upto in that time…
May & June 2024 – DENW involved in organising Preston’s First Ever Disability Pride Day – Read More Here
Preston Disability Pride on Preston Flag Market – photo of participants with rainbow coloured celebration attire and a DENW branded photo sign.
June 2024 – Volunteers Week – Read More Here
DENW team attended a presentation at Preston Town Hall as part of National Volunteers week.
July 2024 – Preston Mela – Read More Here
The team and stall at the Preston Mela – a key event in the south Asian community and the locals calendar here in Preston.
August 2024 – Safe Places Initiative – Read More Here
DENW team and volunteers visited local businesses old and new to ask if they would support the initiative by displaying a sticker in their window, many agreed proving Community spirit is alive.
September 2024 – DENW were consultation partners for Festival Republic who were responsible for accessibility to make the BBC Party in the Park accessible – Read More Here
Shot of DENW CEO Mel Close and friends in a wet Preston event at Radio2 Festival – 20% of the attendees being disabled people.
November 2024 – DENW Sponsors the Preston Light Switch on to provide BSL Live Interpretation – Read More Here
Live BSL Interpreter on stage for the big-light switch on in Preston.
Throughout the year we’re also invited to lots of fabulous community events, including this Diwali celebration event!
Celebrating Diwali in style!
December 2025 – DENW’s Festive Social – Read More Here
Lots of DENW team, volunteers, members and invited community guests all welcome for our festive social.
January 2025 – Weekly Peer Support Sessions continue into 2025 as Winter Warmers Events – Read More Here
Welcome to Preston, Winter!
February 2025 – DENW’s Valentine’s Afternoon Activities Day – Read More Here
Love, quizzes and prizes were in the air at the Central Methodist Church in Preston.
March 2025 – Highlighting the monthly wellbeing Walks – Read More Here
Group Photos of Ashton Park Monthly Monday Wellbeing Walk – an ongoing DENW project.
Onwards and upwards, and here’s to another great 12 months!
Mel 🙂
