AGM for disability charity
AN AWARD winning West Lancashire disability charity has announced the date for its annual general meeting for 2017.
Disability Advice West Lancs (DAWL) – also known as West Lancs Disability Helpline – is holding its AGM on Wednesday, September 27 at its office on the second floor of Whelmar House in Skelmersdale, starting at 10.30am.
As in previous years it will be discussing its performance over the past year and its aims for the future.
The Queens Award winning charity, established in 1981, provides high quality, confidential information, advice and support to disabled people and their carers in West Lancashire, empowering them to make informed choices about how they wish to live their lives.
One client told the charity that it changed her life from her first meeting.
Because of the advice and support provided she was much less stressed and not as anxious; she was more able to do her housework and this was very important to her as it also enhanced her selfesteem.
Another client said that she felts that she did not have to worry when she received official documentation.
She felts safer as she knew she could ask for help if she did not understand the content.
A third client appreciated being visited at home and the charity brought their welfare advice service to her, so she would not be excluded because she was housebound.
The advice and support provided enabled her to successfully claim the higher rate of attendance allowance and she reported that she felt things were much tidier and better, as she is able to pay a cleaner and a gardener weekly.
Examples of services provided include: information and advice regarding holidays, equipment, leisure, mobility, community care, transport, welfare benefits advice, form-filling, guidance during the appeal process and signposting.
The charity deals with almost 5,000 inquiries each year and generates approximately £1m in welfare benefit income for clients.
DAWL can be contacted by Freephone on 0800 220676, email inquiries@ dawl.org.uk or people can call in to its second floor Whelmar House office in person Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm. It is closed to the public on Friday.
Peter Wren, chairman of DAWL, said: “We are looking to expand our volunteer base and we would welcome talking to anyone who thinks they meet our criteria.”