Direct Payments Support Service Newsletter

Issue 13 - Winter 2006/2007

Also available in large print, on tape or paper, and by email or in other formats by request

We have moved!

DAD's Direct Payments Support Service has moved to our nice new modern offices with more space at:

Enterprise House
Valley Street North
Darlington
Co. Durham
DL1 1GY.

The new, bigger, DAD meeting room is also in Enterprise House.

We are on the ground floor, and there is an accessible route from the Darlington inner ring-road to our front door: this route has been made accessible at the request of DAD. There is also a ramp to access our entrance (although this still needs some improvements which we are arranging to have done), and there is a bell to call for assistance if required.

If you are coming on foot, scooter or wheelchair, please enter by the South Entrance (on the far right of the building as you face it, with “South Entrance” written above it).

To get to Valley St North from St Cuthberts Way on the ringroad (accessible route): come out of town and use the crossing on St Cuthberts Way (near Halford's), then turn right onto the pavement, and left onto the little footpath alongside the river; then turn right onto the pavement, cross the driveway of Halford's car park, and then cross Russell St and turn left onto the pavement, then immediately turn right down Valley St North; you will come to Enterprise House on your right, and you want the South Entrance which is the first entrance you come to. There is a bell to call for assistance if required.

If you would like more detailed directions to find us, or if you get lost, please give us a ring on 01325 360524 (we have kept our old phone number).

If you are coming by car, there is parking available: drive in on the left of the building and keep going as far as you can, then turn right (by the big blue rubbish things), drive along behind the building, and then turn right again into our parking area - we will be on your left.

You can get to Valley St North if you leave town by the A167 (Northgate - the main road coming out of Darlington towards Newton Aycliffe) after the ring-road and take the second right (between the Bedding Centre and the pointy church) into Chestnut St, then the third right (just after crossing the river) into Valley St North: you will find Enterprise House on your left (but please note this is not a wheelchair accessible route).

Temporary staff at the Support Service

Stacey Allan is on maternity leave, and her 10 hours per week as a recruitment support worker will be covered by Geraldine Williams, who has previously worked with the Support Service on a student placement.

We also have another student on a placement with us, Debbie Johnson, who will be working part-time with the Support Service for the next 4 months.

Disabled people's organisations: an event in Newcastle

The government wants there to be a local organisation led by disabled people (a bit like DAD) in every area that has a Social Services Department, by the year 2010. They have organised an event for disabled people, their families and their organisations to look at how to make this happen.

It is on 13th February, from 10am to 3.45pm, at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Places are limited, and we do not yet know how many places will be available through DAD, so if you would like to attend, please let us know as soon as possible, and we will find out how many places we can have, and look at whether it is possible to organise transport if necessary. If it is not possible for you to attend, you may still be able to have your say by completing a pack. Ring us (01325 360524), email simon@darlingtondisability.org, write, or drop in at our new offices.

Contact us:

Direct Payments Support Service
Darlington Association on Disability
Enterprise House
Valley Street North
Darlington
Co. Durham
DL1 1GY
Telephone: (01325) 360524

Email: tracy@darlingtondisability.org

DAD website: www.darlingtondisability.org

The Direct Payments Support Service aims to answer the telephone and answer our door between 10.00am & 12.30pm and between 1pm & 4pm on weekdays (although this may not always be possible). Voicemail is available (on the phone number above) at all times, and is checked at least twice a day from Monday to Friday.