For this year my focus will be on fund and awareness raising for disability, accessibility and mobility issues (and projects) in Poynton. I'm delighted to say that I will be working with the following groups:

Poynton Disabled Swimming Club provides free swimming lessons and swimming activities to anyone with a disability and can be a lifeline for many people who feel they don’t have access to other clubs and activities in their local area. The charity, who are based at Poynton Leisure Centre, need funding to help pay for the day to day running costs of the club. The group relies heavily on volunteers, with a qualified teacher and three lifeguards attending each session.

Open Hands is a friendly local charity, based in Poynton. Their primary role is to help vulnerable people, who would otherwise find it difficult to use public transport, to get to appointments. They arrange transport to clinics, dentists, doctors, hospital appointments and visiting for the elderly and disabled. Open Hands’ principal expenses are the rent for their office and the payment of one part-time employee who coordinates the day to day activities, billing, management of the volunteers and general enquiries. Open Hands provides an invaluable service to people in our area, and without it many would struggle to afford taxi fares to their appointments. Others are very lonely, and for some our volunteer drivers are the only human face at their house in a week. Last year they made over 1200 trips.

Poynton Breeze is a relatively new group comprised currently of lady cyclists. They are hoping to encourage many residents to join them on easy, flat rides with a friendly group of people. They would also like to be able to offer cycling experiences to disabled children or adults and wish to purchase two adapted bicycles.

Deva Park Play Area has left a space in the current scheme plan to have an inclusive roundabout. The roundabout is £20k so my fundraising cannot cover the cost but I hope to help to raise the profile for other groups to contribute. I’m aware that there are other examples of inclusive play equipment and given there are going to be improvements to the path that allows for pushchairs/wheelchairs and there are inclusive picnic tables – it makes sense to me, to have some equipment that is also inclusive.