Funding helps people DIAL for disability advice
An organisation in Nuneaton that provides vital information and advice to local disabled people has received funding from Warwickshire County Council’s Social Inclusion Fund.
The grant has funded an important piece of research that could secure the organisation’s long-term financial future.
In January, councillors on Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Area Committee approved the funding for the research – and the results were presented to the organisation, Nuneaton and Bedworth Disability Information and Advice Line (DIAL), on Wednesday 27th June.
Based in Attleborough, Nuneaton and Bedworth DIAL is one of approximately 130 DIAL information and advice services based throughout the UK, and provides information and advice to local disabled people on all aspects of living with a disability.
This can include information and advice on welfare benefits, community care, equipment, independent living, mobility and transport, discrimination, holidays and more.
The majority of DIAL UK’s volunteers and staff are disabled people themselves who understand the needs of disabled people.
The organisation wanted to explore the feasibility of setting up a trading arm to reduce their dependency on grant funding.
This could involve them selling mobility products, offering specialist services such as chiropody and physiotherapy, and launching a local ‘Ability Centre’.
Councillor Barry Longden, Chair of Nuneaton and Bedworth Area Committee, said: “The challenge for Nuneaton and Bedworth DIAL was to explore additional and new opportunities that will guarantee their long-term financial stability.
“We were pleased to be able to offer them this funding so that they could investigate the feasibility of some ambitious plans.”