Research reveals 69% of families never receive support caring for their disabled children outside their close friends or family.

The UK’s leading children’s charities will fight for better health and social care for disabled children, young people and their families under the newly-formed Disabled Children’s Partnership.

The new coalition, which comprises of 28 charities, has formed as new research reveals a staggering 69% of families never receive support caring for their disabled child beyond their own close friends or family.

Recent figures estimate that £3.2bn was cut from a range of children’s early social care and welfare services between 2010 and 2015, leaving service and provision severely lacking across the UK.

The gap in health and social care services means that British families face enormous difficulties in accessing even the most basic support.

The Disabled Children’s Partnership will launch a major new campaign in England in the summer of 2017 to tackle this challenge.

With nearly half of the British public claiming not to know anyone with a disability, the campaign will bring the realities of the challenges that disabled children, young people and their families face closer to the public and decision-makers. The Disabled Children’s Partnership will call on the Government to urgently address the current gap in provisions.

Jane is a mum of twins – Jemima and Jessica, aged 19. Jemima is severely autistic and according to her special school, ‘the most complex young person at the school’. Her autism, along with her other health needs, make life very difficult and at times incredibly painful.

Jane said:

“Throughout her life, Jemima has had no support from anyone other than myself, her sister, Jessica, and our immediate family.

“I’ve never spent a night away from Jemima. Help is not something I knew I could ask for and not something that was ever offered outside school and Challengers.”

Amanda Batten, Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership and Chief Executive of Contact a Family, said:

“It is shocking that in this country 69% of disabled children never receive support outside their close friends or family. Yet, disabled children and their families still remain a glaring absence from the Prime Minister’s social reform agenda.

“This must be urgently addressed if the Government truly aspire to deliver a Britain that works for everyone.

“That is why the Disabled Children’s Partnership will be campaigning to ensure that the services and support disabled children and their families deserve are there when they need them, are easily accessible and more consistently provided.”

Stick ‘n’ Step, the North West charity that provides support to children with cerebral palsy and their families, is looking for a headline sponsor for its cycle race team at Revolve 24. This is a major 24 hour cycling endurance event being held at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit later this year.

Taking place on 16 and 17 September at the iconic Brands Hatch race track in Kent, Revolve 24 consists of a number of cycling endurance events, where entrants can race as part of a team or as an individual. Stick ‘n’ Step is one of the event’s official charity partners for 2017.

The sponsorship presents some great opportunities for publicity including branding on event materials and team cycling tops, social media coverage and inclusion in event press releases.

Hettie Miles, fundraiser from Stick ‘n Step, says:

“Taking part in a Revolve 24 is a great way to involve workmates in a fundraising challenge. We have reserved four places for our sponsor to enter a team of colleagues. We will provide fundraising ideas and materials, a personalised cycling jersey and loads of support on the day!”

For information about the sponsorship package or to find out how you can help raise money for Stick ‘n’ Step by taking part in the cycle challenge as an individual or part of a group, contact Hettie at the charity on 0151 638 0888/ hettie@sticknstep.org.

For more information about the charity, visit www.sticknstep.org.

The Muscle Help Foundation and Upbeat Drinks join forces to put muscle health on the national agenda with the #657challenge.

Because Every Muscle Matters.

Family charity the Muscle Help Foundation and family-owned protein drinks brand Upbeat are delighted to announce a new 3-year partnership to increase the awareness of muscle health. In coming together, they aim to promote the importance of looking after all 657 muscles and to deliver transformational experiences to those whose muscles are broken through Muscular Dystrophy. Because every muscle matters.

The Muscle Help Foundation delivers life-changing, personalised experiences, known as ‘Muscle Dreams’, to children and young people (aged 8 to 28) with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and allied neuromuscular conditions. CEO, founder and speaker, Michael McGrath, who was diagnosed with MD at the age of 18, is the first disabled person to have reached both the North and South Poles.

To mark the partnership, Upbeat is launching the #657challenge to encourage the nation to look after each and every one of their 657 muscles and in so doing, raise money for the charity. The two brands are hoping the challenge will go viral, in the same way as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge did in the summer of 2015!

HOW TO TAKE THE #657challenge

The challenge itself is quick and easy and can be done anywhere, anytime. Simply drop from a standing position into a sitting position and back up again, all the time balancing a full cup of water on your head – the less water you spill, the more impressive! It’s a full-body test of mobility, strength, balance and co-ordination and is designed to get all your muscles moving and hopefully provide a few laughs at the same time!

• STEP 1: Fill a plastic cup with water and place on your head with both hands

• STEP 2: From standing, hold the cup in place on your head with both hands

• STEP 3: Bend your legs to lower yourself to the ground until you’re sitting fully cross-legged on the floor – bottom must be in contact with the ground!

• STEP 4: From sitting, lift yourself back up from the floor, without removing the cup from your head – this is where there could be some water spillage!

If you haven’t lost a drop, that means you have excellent mobility and muscle strength. If you now have a wet head, don’t worry, practice makes perfect and it’s a good daily drill to keep all your muscles moving!

SPREAD THE WORD

Now you know how to do it, here’s how to challenge your friends, raise awareness for the Muscle Help Foundation and support those with Muscular Dystrophy.

• STEP 1: Take the #657challenge and make sure someone is filming you

• STEP 2: Upload the clip to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page – or all three!

• STEP 3: In your accompanying text, tag three of your friends and include the hashtag #657challenge. For example:

“I nominate XXX, XXX and XXX to take the #657challenge in support of the Muscle Help Foundation. To donate, text MUSC13 with the amount of £5 to 70070.”

Both brands will be approaching as many of their celebrity contacts, patrons, ambassadors and friends to take part in the #657challenge. Guaranteed to be lots of fun, it’s also hoped that more awareness will be raised about the important work and impact of the charity.

Michael McGrath, CEO of The Muscle Help Foundation, said:

“Over the past few months, we have had a chance to get to know Mark and the team at Upbeat. There’s a clear alignment of values and we’re very excited about this new collaboration. The charity’s focus is on providing life-changing experiences for those whose muscles are broken and don’t work and for whom doing the #657challenge would be nigh on impossible, whilst Upbeat wants to encourage the nation to keep their muscles healthy, so there’s a natural synergy between our two organisations.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Upbeat over the next 3 years and we love the idea of the #657challenge. We’re hopeful that the fundraising mechanism will help the charity move closer to its goal of delivering 657 ‘Muscle Dreams’, that’s one for every muscle in the human body. In the same way that the Ice Bucket Challenge brought worldwide awareness of ALS, we want the #657challenge to bring attention to Muscular Dystrophy and by default, our cause. Bring on the next 3 years!”

Mark Neville, Managing Director of Upbeat said:

“Meeting Michael and experiencing first-hand the direct impact that he and The Muscle Help Foundation make on the lives of others is truly inspirational. To have found a charity local to Upbeat in Hertfordshire with a similar mission (the importance of muscle), but from two different worlds has been a serendipitous journey. Using the MHF’s #powerof657 campaign message, we can help spread awareness of the importance of muscle health, and how many of us take it for granted, then we can finally get the British public talking about this crucial health indicator. We cannot wait for the #657challenge to become a success and for the nation to not only realise just how much every muscle matters but also help this small charity change more lives.”

For a comment from Michael McGrath, please contact Lydia Drukarz at Wavelength PR on: 07977 454180 or lydia@wavelengthpr.com.

For a comment from Mark Neville, please contact Alex Moss at Dirt and Glory Media on: 07977 133705 or alex.moss@dirtandglorymedia.com.

Key to the company’s renewed agreement with nasen – the UK’s leading organisation for the promotion of education, training, advancement and development of all those with special and additional support needs – is that Axcis will provide resources via the SEND Gateway, a key online portal offering education professionals free, easy access to the latest information, resources and training to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

In addition, Axcis will take lead sponsorship at nasen LIVE in  2017 and will also hold exclusive sponsorship for promoting the nasen-Harris Federation Partnership – a special needs training programme  for this not for profit  education provider.

Other notable highlights featured in the agreement

Aside from its event support and participation, Axcis will also be able to share and showcase its expertise and good practice with other educators with the provision of relevant newsletters, e-bulletins and conference information both nationally and regionally.

In response to the announcement, Dr Adam Boddison, Chief Executive of nasen explains:

“nasen has a well-established partnership with Axcis Education that is based on the principle of providing an inclusive, high quality teaching and learning experience for all children and young people. I am delighted that our partnership has been extended for a further two years and I am very much looking forward to our supporting education professionals with their SEND requirements through our collaboration.”

Paul Gold, Axcis Education Executive Chairman, adds:

“Our relationship with nasen has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, thanks to our respective, mutual goal to deliver outstanding training and professional development for education professionals. As such, we are delighted at the prospect of the continuation of our successful and important partnership. We are especially pleased to be supporting and attending nasen’s landmark 25 year anniversary celebrations next year.”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 08: Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on September 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Raphael Dias/Getty Images for the International Paralympic Committee)

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Ottobock have extended their worldwide partnership until the end of 2020.

An international partner since 2005 and the longest serving partner to the Paralympic Games, Ottobock has provided technical services for equipment used by Paralympians since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, where the company’s ‘Passion for Paralympics’ was born.

Today Ottobock’s Sportsline provides the equipment for Para athletes to enjoy a wide range of Para sports, from athletics to wheelchair basketball. Combined with IPC programmes to increase capacity and professionalism, the two organisations are committed to growing participation at every level and using sport to improve the quality of life and socio-economic opportunities for people living with impairments around the world.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said:

“Ottobock’s ‘Passion for Paralympics’ started when four Australian prosthetists set-up an improvised workshop to support athletes at the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games. Since then, they have been involved in every Paralympic Games and in 2005 became the IPC’s first Worldwide Partner.

“Because of their lengthy involvement, I think they, under the leadership of my good friend Professor Hans Georg Näder, have observed more than most the evolution of the Paralympic Movement.

“Through its ‘Quality for Life’ philosophy, Ottobock shares the IPC’s desire to make for a more inclusive society for all. This is why they are such a good partner for the IPC, and I am delighted that Ottobock has agreed to extend their Worldwide Partnership with the IPC for a further four years to beyond the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.”

“In the 11 years Ottobock has been an IPC Worldwide Partner, we have seen tremendous growth in the popularity of the Paralympic Games, and the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport,” said Ottobock President Hans Georg Näder.

“However, there is still a long way to go. Ottobock’s business network spans the globe and over the next four years we are looking forward to working alongside the IPC to strengthen the Paralympic Movement through improved access to mobility equipment and patient care.”

The announcement comes at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Ottobock has a team of repair technicians providing comprehensive equipment repair services. As the official prosthetic, orthotic and wheelchair technical service provider for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Ottobock opened its technical service repair centre on 31 August and has already completed over 1,000 repairs. The service will continue throughout the Games from repair
centres in the Paralympic Athletes’ Village and as well as 14 competition venues.

Built on a foundation of shared values and commitment to quality, extending the partnership for another four years will ensure Paralympic athletes continue to have access to world class technical service and keep the Paralympic Movement going from strength to strength.

Mbongwana Star, credit Florent de La Tullaye

Attitude is Everything and ATC Live partner on 100% accessible tour for Mbongwana Star

• Eleven-date UK tour starts on June 9th, including performances at Field Day, Glastonbury Festival and Liverpool’s Africa Oye, aims to be fully accessible for both disabled audiences and artists

• The tour sees more yet venues sign up to Attitude is Everything’s Access Starts Online campaign

Attitude is Everything, the music charity campaigning for improved access to live music for millions of Deaf and disabled fans, are proud to announce their involvement in the upcoming UK tour by hugely acclaimed Kinshasa band Mbongwana Star, watch video here www.youtube.com/watch. 

Working in close partnership with the band’s booking agent ATC Live, the resulting 11-date headline tour, which starts on 9 June at Cardiff’s Festival of Voices, will be 100% accessible for both band members and audiences.

All of the venues and festivals involved either qualify for Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice or have pledged to support the charity’s Access Starts Online campaign, a recently-launched initiative that aims to improve the quality of access information available on venue and festival websites.

This simple and affordable step is vital for Deaf and disabled fans, who may not buy a ticket if they are unsure about the access facilities provided.

The tour has also helped further enhance relationships between Attitude is Everything and the live music sector. For instance, Brighton’s Komedia, having refreshed it’s website to meet the requirements of Access Starts Online, will soon be making the step-up to Charter status.

Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is Everything CEO, said:

“Helping to develop this all-accessible tour for Mbongwana Star has been a real highpoint for Attitude is Everything, and encapsulates what our charity is about – working with a truly forward-thinking partner like ATC Live to help bring one of the world’s most exciting live bands to fans from all backgrounds. This is truly ‘music without barriers’. I hope it leads to more venues and festivals coming onboard and supporting our Access Starts Online campaign.”

Cecile Communal at ATC Live, Mbongwana Star’s booking agent, said:

“We’ve worked closely with Attitude is Everything to book this tour for Mbongwana Star. It was surprisingly rather difficult to find venues across the UK that were accessible for the band backstage, as well as for the audience – but we’re proud to have successfully made this tour 100% accessible and hope it will encourage agents, bands, managers and venues alike to think more deeply about accessibility and to support initiatives like Access Starts Online.”

Lex Hollingworth, Production Manager, Komedia Brighton, added:

“At Komedia we have always aimed to continuously improve accessibility to our venue and working to join Attitude is Everything’s Access Starts Online campaign was a great process for us to go through. It helped us to make improvements that we wanted to make but were not sure how, and it was also very quick and easy. It’s great to know that this has helped us to let people know about the work that we have done to assist both customers and performers with disabilities accessing our building and performance areas. The work we have done to create an accessible venue enables us to host great bands such as Mbongwana Star (13 June 2016).”

The dates will be Mbongwana Star’s first full headline UK tour, and comes 12 months after the release of their debut record ‘From Kinshasa’ on World Circuit.

The album has been described as ‘astonishing’ by The Independent and ‘… a gripping mix of excitement, apprehension and sensory overload‘ by The Guardian. It appeared in several end of year charts including Uncut, Q, Mojo, The Quietus, New York Times and The Observer. Following a few exclusive sold out shows in London last year, the band were invited to perform on ‘Later… with Jools Holland’.

Watch their performance of Suzanna here.

The full list of tour dates is as follows:

09/06/2016     Festival of Voices, Cardiff

11/06/2016     The Sage, Gateshead

12/06/2016     Field Day, London

13/06/2016     Komedia, Brighton

14/06/2016     Arts Centre, Norwich

16/06/2016     CCA, Glasgow

19/06/2016     Africa Oye, Liverpool

21/06/2016     The Lantern, Colston Hall, Bristol

22/06/2016          Howard Assembly Room, Leeds

23/06/2016     Band on the Wall, Manchester

25/06/2016         Glastonbury Festival

Tickets available from www.mbongwanastar.com.