Although the we are unique and independent in West Lancashire, it is important to remember that we are not an isolated organisation.
We have been a full member of DIAL UK since 1992, which is a national organisation for the DIAL network, providing a range of specialist support services to DIAL groups like us. We can access services such as welfare rights support, training, social policy and management support. We also acquired the DIAL UK Quality Mark in 2003, meaning this is now the fourth quality mark we have - and we are the very first organisation in the country to be awarded this.
We are a full member of Access Lancashire, previously known as the Lancashire Disability Information Federation or LDIF. We were accepted as the first group in the region in 1994 to meet its core quality standards for information services. Access Lancashire offers training, funding advice and quality standards support.
We have been a member of the Legal Services Commission since 2001. This Partnership consists of various groups like the Helpline and helps to influence the provision and improvement of general advice and assistance throughout the region. In 2001, we were awarded the Community Legal Services Quality Mark at General Help Level, specialising in welfare benefits casework and disability.
We have been a full member of the West Lancashire Council for Voluntary Service since 1994, which supports and develops local voluntary and community organisations. We have received training and high calibre volunteers via the Volunteer Centre, which is a project managed by West Lancs CVS.
We became a member of the Meeting Without Moving Foundation in 2005, which is a charity of which the TV personality Noel Edmonds is the Chairman and he has provided training to us on video conferencing techniques. The Meeting Without Moving Foundation exists to promote video conferencing in other organisations.
In 2007, we established the very first Alternative Office partnership in West Lancashire with Department for Work and Pensions. This designates a voluntary organisation to receive and verify claims for specified welfare benefits from people of qualifying age. We can now offer more choice about where to make a claim as well as making things easier for people who prefer to deal with a trusted voluntary organisation such as us, rather than through officials. We can now not only accept claims for the above at our office but can also collect information requested on the form and can check any documents or other evidence provided by a client in support of a claim.
In 2009 we set up an arrangement with TWL Training who help young people, adults and employers achieve their true potential through learning. Based in Skelmersdale, they have a network of centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Also in 2009, we set up links with Remploy. They help those who have a disability or health condition who want to start, or return to work.
The following organisations are instrumental in helping us to grow by providing funding:
Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust
West Lancashire Borough Council
....... together with many others who have helped us over the years (see previous years' Trustees' Report & Accounts for full details).
If you wish to support our charity, you can either send us a donation or complete and send us a Standing Order form.