£100m aid package to support communities through the pandemic
Funding gives a boost to the vital work of charity for disabled and elderly
Born out of one man’s idea to provide good, reliable information for disabled people in 1993, Disability Direct, Derby, has grown into one of the biggest user-led charities in the Midlands and, over the last 27 years, has helped more than 100,000 people.
Although its projects change to meet demand, its aims remain the same, to help disabled and older people live independent lives in Derby and UK-wide.
Disability Direct provides welfare rights and benefits information and has set up a payroll service company which looks after those employing carers or personal assistants to support independent living.
Its Enabled Centre offers a wealth of creative arts and therapies in a safe and supported environment for disabled adults and its Plot to Plate project has grown from a tabletop gardening project into an accessible allotment plot.
Funding from Barclays’ £100m Covid-19 Community Aid Package will go towards volunteer expenses, training and support, and will pay for the salary of the volunteer co-ordinator as well as rent and bills for the Enabled Centre.
Disability Direct chief executive Amo Raju says: “This grant from Barclays is great news for disabled people in Derby and testament to the efforts of our staff and volunteers who stepped outside their job descriptions during lockdown to ensure vulnerable people who contacted us were not going without. Thank you, Barclays for recognising our work!”