You can find an accessible pdf version here — https://disability-equality.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Bulletin-50-September-Quarterly-2026.pdf
General Contact Details
Lancashire Independent Living Service (LILS)
- Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
- Telephone: 01772 558863 (option 1)
- Email: lils@disability-equality.org.uk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancashireIndependentLivingService
General Advice
- Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 3pm for face to face. Until 4pm for telephone and email advice.
- Telephone: 01772 558863 (option 4)
- Text: 07709 710915
- Email: hello@disability-equality.org.uk
N.B. Do not worry if you are not based in Preston. We can FaceTime, call, or email.
Supported Banking
- Monday to Friday: 9am – 4pm
- Telephone: 01772 558863 (option 2)
- Email: supportedbanking@disability-equality.org.uk
- Feedback link and QR Code link:
https://surveyhero.com/c/DENW-Feedback
N.B. Supported Banking Service Users:
If you would like to receive a monthly bank statement, please provide your email address to Supported Banking.
- Please ensure you keep up to date with sending your timesheets both to:
supportedbanking@disability-equality.org.uk and your designated payroll clerk (for any queries please contact Disability Positive on 01606 331853).
Please send your timesheets at least 3 working days before the wage is due.
Please note payments are made between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.
- Please ensure your agency/self-employed PA are aware of your account with us and where to send invoices:
supportedbanking@disability-equality.org.uk
Any queries, issues, or further information required, please get in touch.
Invoices are paid within 7 working days. Thank you.
Update from LILS
LILS are pleased to welcome a new ILA, starting with the LILS team in early September 2026. Please extend a warm welcome to Adiy Akhtar!
Photocopying and Printing in the DENW Hub
Please note the prices for photocopying and printing in the Hub:
Photocopying/printing
- black and white @ £0.25 per copy
- colour @ £0.50 per copy
DENW Yarden (Yard-Garden)!
Please feel free to enjoy our yarden, located at the entrance of our Community Hub. Kindly remember not to leave any food, rubbish, or bird/animal food behind, and to keep the yarden a tidy and welcoming space for all. Please do not smoke or vape in the yarden. Thank you! 🙂
Donations
We are currently looking for donations to help support our Community Lunches at the Hub. These meals are a really important way for people to come together, enjoy good food, and feel less alone. Donations of the following would be greatly appreciated:
- Tinned baked beans
- Tinned soup
- Bread
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Teabags (ordinary & decaf)
- Coffee (ordinary & decaf)
- Butter (ideally vegan-friendly)
- Biscuits
- Cakes
- Long life milk
- Fizzy drinks
- Crisps
- Take-away cups
- PlayStation Games, up to PlayStation 3, for the PS3 set up in the Casual Café
We are looking to provide hot meals for around 25–30 people, so any support towards this would make a huge difference.
Thank you to all who have made donations since the opening of our Community Hub. We are very grateful to have received donations of food, refreshments, raffle prizes, new goods to sell on our stalls, handmade gifts, cash donations, flowers for our memorial vase, and a number of practical items to enhance our Hub.
If you would like to make a donation, please call in Mon–Fri 9:30am to 4:00pm. Alternatively, please use the QR code:
Contact us on beth@disability-equality.org.uk for further information or queries.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for people with lived experience of disability to support delivery of our services. If you can volunteer a few hours a week to help us, then please get in touch for more details.
Contact: beth@disability-equality.org.uk or Community Hub Team on 01772 558863
Peer Support Network Empowers Direct Payments Users Across Lancashire
Connecting People, Building Confidence, and Supporting Independence
Looking to take control of your own care and support? The Peer Support Network (PSN), established in March 2022, is here to help individuals, carers, family members, and employers of personal assistants (PAs) across Lancashire explore the benefits of Direct Payments.
What is the Peer Support Network?
The PSN was created to encourage more people to consider Direct Payments – an alternative way to pay for their care and support needs. Many find the process daunting or complicated, opting to stick with traditional services or even go without support. The PSN aims to change this by connecting you with experts and people who
have first-hand experience using direct payments, so you can make informed choices with confidence.
Why Choose Peer Support?
Peer support is at the heart of the PSN. By drawing on personal experiences, members can share valuable insights, offer advice, and provide encouragement. Speaking with others who have successfully managed direct payments and employed their own staff can make the process less intimidating and help you feel supported throughout your journey.
Joining the network gives you the chance to:
- Meet others who use or are interested in direct payments
- Share ideas, ask questions, and receive practical advice
- Support and encourage each other in managing care and employment
How Can I Get Support?
The PSN offers a friendly peer support group, providing opportunities to connect and learn. If you prefer a private conversation, a peer support volunteer can speak with you individually before you approach social services.
In-person peer support meetings in Preston are also in the works and are expected to take place soon.
Get Involved!
Peer Support is available every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm. To be added to the register for future sessions, call 01772 558863 and select option 1 (LILS). Alternatively, email lils@disability-equality.org.uk with the subject “PEER SUPPORT REQUEST”.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to connect with others on a similar path, the Peer Support Network is here to help you.
Arts and Crafts Group @ DENW
Every Monday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
The Group welcomes anyone to start an art project here or bring an existing project to continue. Art Supplies that we have are available to use.
Takes place at Disability Equality (NW) Community Hub, 23 Sedgwick Street, Preston, PR1 1TP.
Coffee with a Cop @ DENW
Meet local Police Constables (PCs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), discuss issues, share your experiences, and learn how to report crime to make your area(s) safer to live and work in. Have your say, meet others, and please feel free to join us in a supportive Peer Support environment.
Date: Every Thursday @ Disability Equality (NW) Community Hub, in the Casual Café.
Time: From 12pm to 1pm
Community Lunch Club @ DENW
Free Community Lunch at:
Disability Equality (NW) Ltd.
Community Hub
23 Sedgwick Street
Preston
PR1 1TP
Join us every Thursday from 12:30pm-3pm.
Food will be served until 1:30pm. Please inform us of any allergies and dietary requirements you have, prior to attending. Tea, coffee and biscuits available till 4pm.
Monthly Monday Walking Group
Local, accessible walks for all abilities.
2026 March – October Walks:
All walks are 1pm-2:30pm approx. We leave for walks at 1:15pm. No need to book.
- 14th September – Meeting at Disability Equality NW
- 12th October – Meeting at Foxton
Addresses for meeting points:
- Disability Equality NW, Sedgwick Street, PR1 1TP
- Foxton Youth & Community Centre, Preston PR1 3SA
November and December walks will available by request, and will be weather-permitting. Timings will be 1pm to 2:30pm. We welcome any suggestions of walk routes, points of interest, and/or topics, by phone, via email to:
matthew@disability-equality.org.uk
or in-person at the Hub whenever we are open (9:30am to 4pm on weekdays).
Walks follow a circular route, and are step-free, without any major declines and inclines.
New Weekly Session @ DENW: Build & Brew
Every Tuesday from August 2026 onwards, we will be hosting Lego Sessions where you can play with Lego, build, chat and have a brew. Each week, please feel free to join us from 12pm to 2pm, to build with our Lego bricks. Build whatever you want to – no skill level required. Please note: we welcome donations of Lego and similar Building Toys, to support these sessions.
Hate Crime Awareness Week 2026
Now in its 3rd year, this annual collaboration between the Visual Impairment Forum for Lancashire, and, Disability Equality (NW), will be a ceremony hosted by local service providers related to Hate Crime and Reporting.
This will be a morning-into-afternoon event on Wednesday 14th October 2026, from 11am to 2pm. Now in its 3rd year, this annual collaboration between the Visual Impairment Forum for the Lancashire Area, Disability Equality (NW) Ltd., and other local service providers. This will be a ceremony relating to Hate Crime, Reporting, and related topics.
DENW’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
On Friday 25th September 2026, from 12pm until 4pm, we will be kick-starting our 30th Anniversary with an afternoon-long party featuring activities, food from throughout our past 30 years (think 90s, 2000s, to present-day) a quiz, and information on how to get involved with projects marking this occasion throughout 2026-2027, and beyond.
Please let us know if you are planning on attending, along with your dietary requirements and any allergies, so that we know how many people to cater for.
DENW’s AGM 2025-2026 (Provisional Date)
Join us for this year’s AGM, which will provisionally be taking place on 24th November, from 1pm to 3pm in our Community Hub. We will have updates from each service, along with opportunities to get involved with DENW, and many insights into the past year. To pre-register your attendance, please let us know by emailing:
heather@disability-equality.org.uk
Halloween Lunch
On Wednesday 28th October, from 2pm to 4pm, we’ll be hosting our second annual Halloween Party at the Hub! There will be seasonal refreshments, spooky activities and music.
Halloween-themed Lunch Club
The Community Lunch Club on 29th October will be themed around Halloween, with Autumnal hot food, crafts from the previous day’s Halloween Party @ the Hub, and activities related to the season after the meal. Hot food will be served until 1:30pm. Please inform us of any allergies and dietary requirements you have, prior to attending.
Volunteers for Restorative Justice Panel
Criminal Justice are looking for volunteers to join their Restorative Justice Panel.
As a Restorative Justice Volunteer you will help deliver Restorative Justice and mediation within communities across the East Division of Lancashire, covering Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen.
Restorative Justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict, together with those individuals responsible for the harm into a safe environment to allow constructive communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward. They welcome volunteer applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
For more information and to apply:
RNIB- Call on MPs to support Clause 48
Please support RNIB’s call on MPs to add their names to support the inclusion of the new Clause 48 into the Representation of the People Bill by writing to them.
The secret ballot has been a cornerstone of our democracy since the Ballot Act of 1872. Yet more than 150 years later, blind and partially sighted voters are still waiting for this right to be realised.
RNIB data shows that current provisions in the Elections Act 2022 fail to ensure blind and partially sighted electors can vote independently and in secret.
RNIB urges Parliament to seize this opportunity to correct this longstanding inequality in our democracy by introducing a New Clause 48 that enshrines functional minimum accessibility standards in legislation, mandating the provision of tactile and audio voting solutions in polling stations.
You find your MP via: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
Dads and Male Carers Group
Every third Saturday of the month, 9:30am-11am.
Ages 0-11
Starting on 19th September 2026
Location: West Paddock, Family Hub, West Paddock, Leyland, PR25 1HR
Please scan QR code to book.
Cheaper Broadband and Mobile Deals for Individuals Receiving Benefits
Please see the websites below:
https://www.fasterbroadband.co.uk/social-broadband-tariffs
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs
Good News Stories from DENW
Read on for positive news stories and feedback from users of our services!
Lancashire Independent Living Service (LILS)
Feedback Quotes:
“Service user is very happy with LILS service as she has felt supported and the information was provided in way that she understood.”
“Working well, he felt the advice was very easy to understand and straight forward, no issues – very happy and will keep in touch with LILS.”
“The advice has been provided in a way that has been clear and easily understood.”
“LILS have been good and the advice provided has been helpful in making a decision on how they wish to move forward.”
Activities, Workshops & Events
TryTheTrain 2026:
“Now I feel Completely Confident navigating a Train Station on my own”…“looking forward to more similar workshops on travel like this”.
“I enjoyed it all and me and my carer enjoyed the travel trip that we joined”.
Art Group on July 27th 2026:
“The group and DENW help me think about my projects out of the box”.
“I’m coming up with ideas I wouldn’t have explored before coming along”.
“it is a calming place to be to do my colouring when I can make it”.
Coffee with a Cop (July 2026):
“It’s a really friendly space to chat to police in the café. Anna was really approachable”.
Dates for your Diary (DENW Activities)
| WHEN | WHAT | WHERE | WHO TO CONTACT |
| Mondays Fortnightly
10am to 12pm For Sep: 7th & 21st For Oct: 5th & 19th For Nov:2nd, 16th, 30th For Dec:14th |
Digital Inclusion Workshops | Community Hub Casual Café | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Every Monday
1pm to 3pm |
Art Group session | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Every Tuesday
12pm to 2pm |
Build & Brew: Weekly Lego Event | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Cancelled/Postponed until Further Notice | Free Haircuts for Disabled People, in partnership with Yilmaz Mobile Barber | Community Hub | melanie@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Every Thursday
12:30pm to 3:00pm |
Community Lunch Club | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| SEP. 2026 | |||
| Monday 7th
12pm to 3pm |
Good as New Sale | Community Hub | beth@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Monday 14th
1pm to 2:30pm |
Monthly Monday Wellbeing Walk | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Friday 25th
12pm to 4pm |
DENW’s 30th Anniversary Celebration | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Saturday 26th
10am-5pm |
Preston Pride 2026 | Preston Flag Market PR1 2AP | melanie@disability-equality.org.uk |
| OCT. 2026 | |||
| Monday 12th 1pm-2:30pm | Monthly Monday Wellbeing Walk | Foxton Centre | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Wednesday 14th
11am-2pm |
Hate Crime Awareness Week Event | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Wednesday 28th
2pm to 4pm |
Halloween Party @ Disability Equality (NW) | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| Thursday 29th 12:30pm-3:00pm | Halloween-themed Lunch Club | Community Hub | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
| DEC. 2026 | |||
| Thursday 17th
12:30pm-3pm |
Christmas Lunch Club | LF Room | matthew@disability-equality.org.uk |
Recipe of the Month:
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Preparation time: less than 30 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 3½ tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 500g/1lb 2oz lamb mince
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs (or 1 level teaspoon of dried thyme)
- 1 anchovy, finely chopped (optional)
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 450ml/16fl oz chicken, beef or lamb stock
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the mash:
- 700g/1lb 9oz potatoes, peeled and cut into halves or quarters
- 55ml/2fl oz milk
- 85g/3oz butter
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Method
- In a large saucepan, heat 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the onion, reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened.
- Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and fry the mince, stirring, until browned all over. While the meat is frying, break up any lumps with the back of the spoon.
- Stir the flour into the onions. Add the bay leaves, thyme and anchovy (if using). Stir in the chopped tomatoes, stock (keep a little aside, for putting into the mince pan to de-glaze the pan) and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add the cooked mince and then pour the reserved stock into the empty mince pan, scraping off any bits of mince left in the pan. Pour the remaining stock into the saucepan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring regularly.
- For the mash, boil the potatoes until tender. Drain well and leave to steam for a few minutes. Add the milk and butter, then mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid to keep warm.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
- Pour the meat mixture into a 1.4 litre/2½ pint ovenproof dish and spread the mash on top. Smooth the surface of the mash and use a fork to make lots of ridges (which will go crispy in the oven). Bake until the surface is golden-brown.
- Serve hot with seasonal veg on the side.
Recipe tips
If you cook the mash while the meat filling is simmering (so they are ready at the same time and everything is still hot), Shepherd’s Pie can be finished under the grill instead of heating the oven.
Freeze the meat filling for this Shepherd’s Pie and mashed potato separately in freezer-proof containers. These will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To cook from frozen, defrost the meat and mashed potato in the fridge overnight and then continue from step 7, making sure the Shepherd’s Pie is piping hot all the way through before serving. Alternatively, you can make the pie a day ahead, let it cool then keep it in the fridge. Reheat at 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4 for 30 minutes.
Anchovy adds a savoury richness to the meat sauce but you can skip this if you wish.
Recipe from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shepherdspie_2077
If you have a recipe you would like us to add to our next bulletin, please send it in to:
beth@disability-equality.org.uk
Membership
Become a Disability Equality NW member! Members receive regular updates, event invites, and links to the latest edition of our monthly bulletin. There is no charge to become a member.
To join, please visit https://disability-equality.org.uk/members/ or scan the QR code below. Alternatively, email heather@disability-equality.org.uk with the subject line “Disability Equality NW Membership”.
Room Hire
We have rooms to hire here at 23 Sedgwick Street, Preston PR1 1TP. There are a variety of room sizes to suit small groups or larger events. To hire a space, please scan the QR code/ follow the link below:
https://disability-equality.org.uk/services/room-hire/
Revisions:
18/09/2026: Amended to note the fact that the future Monthly Barber Sessions on Tuesday are currently postponed/cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. (for the remaining 2026 sessions in October, November and December)
