It’s Spring!
The days are brightening and the flowers are starting to bloom—Spring is here!
Contents
General Contact Details
DENW Celebrates New Home in Preston – Press Release
DENW’s Letter to the Chancellor about the Cuts to Disability Benefits
DENW at the #WelfareNotWarfare National Day of Action
Supported Banking Update
Volunteer Opportunities
Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme Update
Community Hub on Tour Visit to the Mayor’s Parlour
Easter Celebration with Disability Equality (NW)
Cooking Group
Monday Group Walk April 2025
WorkWell Pilot
Smart Skills Free Training
Step Together Volunteering
General Contact Details
Lancashire Independent Living Service
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 – 4pm
Telephone: 01772 558863 (Option 3)
Text: 07709 710915
Email: hello@disability-equality.org.uk
Supported Banking
Monday to Friday: 9am – 4pm
Telephone: 01772 558863 (option 2)
Email: supportedbanking@disability-equality.org.uk
DENW Celebrates New Home in Preston
Disability Equality North West (DENW) is proud to announce a major milestone for disabled people in the region, with the charity officially signing a lease on the entire building at Banister House in Preston, with their aim to create a new Community Hub for disabled people.
“This is a significant and positive move for disabled people and in the history of our organisation. DENW is a ‘User led Disabled People’s Organisation’ (DPO), run and controlled by disabled people. Having a new, larger base means more opportunities to support our community, deliver inclusive events, and continue building a stronger voice for disabled people.” – Disability Equality North West’s Chief Executive, Mel Close.
Although having only completed the move from Church Street at Christmas, there has been a long wait to get the all-clear to sign the lease on Bannister House – but that took place on Monday of this week. During this time DENW has kept its community connections as strong as ever, running ‘Community Hub’ On Tour events across the city, to stay connected with members and offer support in creative ways and spaces. These events have been a real success and will continue throughout the coming months, when the team are then looking forward to hosting events and delivering services in their new home at Sedgwick Street, we’d also like to thank those who have helped with venues; the Foxton centre, Preston City Council, Plungington Community Centre, Lune St Methodist Church and others, we’ve appreciated the support.
While it will take some time to get the building ready to open, all of DENW’s services remain fully operational and can be accessed via email or phone. The new Community Hub will be a warm, welcoming, and much more accessible environment, offering an exciting space for both the DENW team and it’s members, and the wider community.
DENW extends heartfelt thanks to everyone for their patience and support during the move. An official opening and VE Day celebration is being planned for May, so keep an eye on our member emails and social media platforms for more details !
Before the official opening in May, DENW is inviting members, supporters, and local residents to a soft opening drop-in session to take a look around on Thursday 24th April 10.30am – 1.00pm – No booking required – just drop in for a tour and a chat. Feedback is warmly welcomed.
As preparations continue, DENW is appealing for local businesses to help – decorators, donations of paint, kitchen equipment, and vinyl flooring to help bring the space to life. If you can help, please do get in touch via email: melanie@disability-equality.org.uk
To receive further information on the community hub official opening, information on our support services, membership news and future events, email: heather@disability-equality.org.uk to join the membership list.
DENW’s letter to the Chancellor about the cuts to Disability Benefits
FROM: Disability Equality (nw) Ltd, First Floor, Bannister House, 23 Sedgwick Street, Preston, PR1 1TP
Tel: 01772 558863 hello@disability-equality.org.uk
Disability Equality North West Limited is registered in England and Wales Registered Charity No: 1114622 Registered Company No: 5506903
TO: Rachel Reeves MP Chancellor HM Government 24th of March 2025
Dear Chancellor,
I am writing to you on behalf of disabled people in Lancashire to urge you to think again about cuts to disability benefits, and more specifically to ask that you take time to listen to the lived experience of disabled people and the DPO’s (Disabled People’s Organisation’s) that represent them, before making any definitive decisions about the changes.
Disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work Amount, can be a lifeline for disabled households and can enable people who receive PIP to work.
Making the cuts to disability benefits, that you’re proposing, would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people in Lancashire and up and down the country. Personal Independent Payment is not an ‘out of work’ benefit as the media would have us believe, it’s an additional benefit for disabled people who have significant care and mobility needs, that on average cost them an additional £975 per month (Scope Extra Costs Commission Report 2023), without it thousands of disabled households could be pushed into poverty.
Life costs more for disabled people. Huge numbers already live in poverty as a result of these extra costs. The impact of any cuts to disability benefits would be devastating. We agree with the Government’s ambition to support more disabled people into work. However, making cuts to disability benefits will not achieve this goal or fix the system. In fact, there is little evidence to suggest cutting benefits increases employment outcomes. We know the benefits system is broken and needs reform. That there are disabled people out of work who want to work given the right support. And for some disabled people work isn’t appropriate. Changes to welfare must start here. Not with cuts.
We ask the Government to work with employers and disabled people to remove the barriers disabled people face accessing paid employment and to review the Access to Work system, ensuring that, going forward, we have a support system that enables those who want to work, have the right support to move into paid employment and that those who are unable to work are supported to live full and active lives in their local communities.
We want disabled people to be heard, listened to and supported by the Government. The needs, voices and lived experience of the disability community should be at the heart of the Government’s plans. Disabled people should not be an afterthought, we were there for you at the polling stations because we believed that you would be there for us when we needed, please do not prove us wrong.
Yours Sincerely,
Melanie Close Chief Executive Disability Equality (nw) Ltd
We know the recent announcement about disability benefits has left many disabled people feeling anxious and worried, we’ve written to the Chancellor (letter above) asking the Government to sit down with disabled people to review the changes, before implementing and we will continue, on your behalf to ensure disabled people are not left in poverty.
If you wish to add your personal experience to our campaign please email hello@disability-equality.org.uk
If you need any further help or advice on this issue please contact DENW. We may not be able to help, but we’ll listen and signpost you to further support.
DENW at the #WelfareNotWarfare national day of action
On 26th March 2025, DENW members and staff supported the #WelfareNotWarfare national day of action. DENW are calling on the Government to sit down with disabled people and their organisations before finalising any cuts or changes.
Supported Banking Update
Supported Banking Clients- Important changes in place from April 25:
You have until APRIL to rise your PAs wage. Have you accounted for the rise in minimum wage? Unsure what to do? Read on.
If in any doubt regarding the Rise in minimum wage please Contact payroll or LILS.
New rates as of April 1st 2025:
21 and over: £12.21
18-20: £10.00
16-17: £7.55
Using our payroll service?
From April 1st Your PA’s wage will have to go up according to the new minimum wage.
Unsure of your budget?
Get in touch with your supported banking account manager.
Know your budget, but unsure how to calculate how many hours your PA can do with the new wage?
Get in touch with Lancashire independent Living service.
Not enough in your budget to rise your PA’s wage without affecting services provided to you?
Get in touch with social services.
Using an agency?
It’s very likely your agencies fees will rise in line with minimum wage. Please ensure you have enough in your budget to cover the hours used when the new fees are implemented.
Unsure of your budget?
Get in touch with your supported banking account manager.
Know your budget, but unsure if you have enough to cover your fees?
Get in touch with Lancashire independent living service.
Not enough in your budget for the new fees?
Go back to social services.
What is the employers’ National Insurance rise?
- In the 2024 Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the rate of employers’ NICs will increase from 13.8% to 15%, from April 2025.
- The level at which employers start paying NICs (the secondary threshold) will also reduce from £9,100 to £5,000 per year.
Useful contacts:
Supported Banking—01772 558863 (option 2)
Disability Positive (Payroll) – 01606331853
Social services—03001236720
Additional updates from the Supported Banking Service:
- We may need service users to complete new agreements to comply with Barclays. If you do receive a supported banking agreement, please sign, date & return as soon as possible.
- If you would like to receive a monthly bank statement via email please contact us to provide your email address.
- It is important that your contact details are kept up to date so please inform us if you have any change of address, phone number, email etc.
- New Team Member: We are happy to announce that Racheal, our new administrator, joined the service in January, and is working 2 days a week Monday and Wednesday. Welcome Racheal!
Volunteer Opportunities
For details of volunteer vacancies or to express an interest in volunteering, please see website for details: https://disability-equality.org.uk/about-us/volunteer). Vacancies are advertised there when they become available. If you would like to register your interest please email communityhub@disability-equality.org.uk and we will keep your enquiry on record.
Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme Update
In December 2024, proposed sites were announced for two new hospitals in Lancashire. A series of public and colleague engagement events, and a survey, were announced In January 2025, in order to collect feedback on the proposed sites. Following a Government review, the timescales are now delayed. The review demonstrates an ongoing commitment to delivering the two new hospitals, on two new sites, replacing Royal Preston Hospital (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), and Royal Lancaster Infirmary (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust),
Construction work on a replacement for Royal Preston Hospital is expected to start between 2037 and 2039, while Construction work on a replacement for Royal Lancaster Infirmary is expected to start between 2035 and 2038.
Due to the delay in timescales, the local NHS has suspended public engagement on the proposed sites. The survey closed on Monday 27th January 2025.
To view future updates, visit the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme website: https://newhospitals.info
Community Hub on Tour visit to the Mayor’s Parlour
On Tuesday 1st April our Community Hub on Tour visited the Town Hall Foyer for an accessible tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and council chambers.
The Mayor spoke about the history of Preston and the role of being Mayor. He even allowed the group to try on his Mayoral chains!
The tour was thoroughly enjoyable, and we would like to thank him for his kindness in letting us visit. Here are some photos of Beth (DENW), Stephen, and Sarah (one of our volunteers), enjoying the tour:
Thank you to all Members who attended the Community Hub on Tour visit to the Mayor’s Parlour; to request a future visit and tour of the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chambers, please email communityhub@disability-equality.org.uk or call us on 01772 558863.
Easter Celebration with Disability Equality (NW)
Thursday 17th April 2025 1-3pm
Venue: Olive Grove Café, Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, Preston, PR1 2NL
Feel free to join us for a peer support session celebrating Easter, Maundy Thursday, the arrival of Springtime, and other seasonal festivities, with members of Disability Equality NW in-attendance hosting the session.
Light refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there! No registration required; for any questions, to make us aware of any allergies known to yourself/other prospective attendees, or any access need(s) you may have, please let us know on:
communityhub@disabilityequaility.org.uk or call us on 01772 558863 with a message for the Community Hub team.
Cooking Group
Our first Cookery Workshop of the year is at-capacity now with registrations, but, please let us know of your interest to join in future sessions, and we will add you to our Reserve List of attendees for monthly sessions from May 2025 onwards! Thank you to all who expressed their interest since we announced this series of workshops alongside Foxton and Chef Alina.
Monthly Monday Wellbeing Walk
Join us for our Monthly Monday Wellbeing Walk with Disability Equality North West (DENW), and Foxton and Friends of Avenham Park (FoAM).
Our monthly walk this April will feature a guided tour around Avenham Park by Friends of Avenham and Miller Parks’s Alan Rampling, alongside links to ongoing Easter and Springtime Activities happening in Preston’s Parks, across the City, and in the North West! As always, this will be an accessible, circular route, suitable to all persons of any level of mobility, starting and finishing at our meeting point in the Avenham Park Pavillion Café.
