Yearly Archives: 2015

The Indika Festival has established it’s self as one of the most significant festivals of Indian arts in Europe. Now in its fourth year, it brought together brilliant, innovative artists who created original concepts of collaboration and music making. The festival was held in conjunction with Milapfest who aim to unite heart through arts.  It also brought together Indian dance, music and education to present at least four brand new European Premiers. Mesmerising morning ragas, delightful Doodles in the Dark and inspirational daily lecture demonstrations were also included.   The festival which ran from the 24th to the 31st July [...]

It is estimated that there are 3.5 million homeless people in the UK of which 5-10 percent have dogs or cats. That’s according to the National Coalition for the Homeless who are a national network of people who are currently experiencing such issues. Their mission is to create a world where everyone has a safe, decent, affordable and accessible home.   For those homeless people who have pets and are struggling to care for and provide food and shelter for them, there are organisations who can give a hand to make sure that your loyal friend remains healthy and is [...]

The league structure with in English football is built up in to a kind of pyramid system. This is where the Premiership is step one, the Championship is step two and leagues one and two are steps three and four respectively. The Football Conference which is known as step one of the non-league pyramid is also known as step five of the National Pyramid. There are various divisions and leagues which form part of the Non-League Pyramid where different teams compete against each other in an effort to reach the Football League.   The North-West Counties Football League which was [...]

A new identification card aimed at helping disabled people avoid the hassle of carrying round all their paperwork to prove they were disabled has been introduced in the UK. The National Disabled Identification (DID) card was introduced in response to large numbers of disabled people posting comments on social media sites about how they were tired of carrying round all of their paperwork which showed that they were licenced to have a form of disability benefit to obtain a concessionary rate.   The parents of children with disabilities may also find it hard to explain their child’s condition if it is not immediately obvious. People with disabilities often do not want to let the whole world know that they have an impairment. There is some stigma involved when someone asks for disabled rates when purchasing something.   Holding a DID card lessens the need for the holder to carry round paper documentation with them at all times. It can also be used as proof that they are eligible for some sort of benefit and concessionary rate.   The card was launched after Tanya Beaney from Caversham Park Village in Reading entered the Virgin Pitch to Rich competition with her business plan for the Disabled Identification (DID) card. She lost her mobility nearly three years ago and has spent over a year perfecting her business plan.   “It’s an ID card for disabled people to get concessionary rates. A lot of companies want proof of disability,” claimed the mother of one. “The card has a photo, a unique number and an expiry date. You can keep it in your wallet and save the embarrassment of sharing out your personal information.” The card will also work as certified ID for anyone who receives qualifying benefits.   The 46 year old experienced an embarrassing incident when a man rudely questioned her son’s disability. She had to show all his legal documentation in order to gain a concessionary rate.   For more information on the disabled ID card and how to apply please visit: http://www.did-card.co.uk/    

  A team of eight homeless football players has been selected by The Jason Roberts Foundation to represent Grenada at the Homeless World Cup taking place in Amsterdam in September. Trials were held in the first and second week of May where the lucky candidates were chosen to travel to the tournament to represent their country. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people from the Caribbean and Jason Roberts is excited to see his motherland being only the second country from the region to give representation at the international event. They will be the first ever Grenadian team to participate in the Homeless World Cup joining over fifty five other countries to compete in the international football event which has been running since 2004. Over two hundred thousand spectators are expected at the event.   The Homeless World Cup uses the power of football to energise homeless people so that they can change their own lives.   According to Jason Roberts, trustee and founder, playing in this tournament would be a dream come true for most people but seeing as most of these players have never left Grenada, let alone the Caribbean, it will be just amazing.   You can get involved by sponsoring or contributing to flights, trials, equipment, coach and staff support and a quality kit (complete with sponsor branding) to get them out on the pitch.   You can contact them on: info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org or sponsor the team via their Just Giving page which you can find at: http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/jasonrobertsfoundation/hwo   You can also read more about the Homeless World Cup by checking their official web site which you can find at: https://www.homelessworldcup.org/news/volunteer-at-amsterdam-2015-homeless-world-cup  

An exhibiting event which invites visitors, organisations and authorities to promote their services to disabled people is to start holding roadshow events right across the country. After gaining investment from “Key Fund,” Choice Unlimited is to start holding events at a national level to highlight and voice the opportunities that are available through Independent Living to raise disabled people’s awareness of the support that is available to them.   The first of these events will be taking place on 8^th July at the University of East London in association with Sport England’s new scheme “Let’s Play.” Further events will also be taking place in Birmingham, Lincoln, East London, Nottingham and Cheshire.   Choice Unlimited is a powerful and innovative catalyst in thinking about social care, support and independent living in an entirely different way.   The Leicester Centre for Integrated Living which is based on Andrewes Street is a user lead organisation run and controlled by disabled people to support and promote their independence. They provide a range of professional disability services in Leicester and Leicestershire that empower disabled people, their family and friends. LCIL aims to support and promote independence, inclusion and equality. Support will be provided through LCIL and also through organisations, businesses and professionals