5 October 2007
Tell us who's the best
Business and voluntary groups in East Hampshire are being urged to take part in the 2008 East Hampshire Access to Service Awards, designed to celebrate organisations that take positive action to improve access for disabled people.
This exciting scheme, now in its second year, promotes equal opportunities for everyone who wants to use local products and services. Building on the first and very successful event, the Access to Services Awards for 2008 are now being launched.
Hilary Robinson, who operates a holiday lettings scheme for the disabled at Scotland Farm, Hawkley, was the 2007 overall winner. She said: "The awards event drew awareness of the needs of disabled people, whatever their disability, not just those in wheelchairs, and it has been a very positive experience which has brought a 100 per cent return of visitors for further stays."
As well as business and voluntary groups nominating themselves for an award, local people can get involved too, by nominating an organisation which they think is taking steps to ensure that their products and services are easily accessible to everyone.
There's more information on page 18 of the autumn edition of EHDC's Partners magazine.
Iain Speed, project leader and chairman of the Access to Service Awards steering group, said: "One in eight of us in the UK has a disability. Many contribute to the economy by doing busy and demanding jobs, and all are customers using a wide range of products and services. It makes sense for businesses and service providers to try to win some of that spending power - around £50 million a year – by doing all they can to be as inclusive as possible.
"The Access to Service Awards will celebrate small, inexpensive measures to improve access, as well as major works. The project will help to raise the profile of access to disabled people in our area, and it's also a fantastic opportunity for the business, voluntary and public sectors to work together for the benefit of our area, and the people who live and work here."
Councillor Hilary Ayer, East Hampshire District Council's Portfolio Holder for Youth and Community, explains: "I'm so pleased that the District Council was able to make a grant of £5,000 towards this innovative scheme in 2007. It's a great opportunity for local organisations to show off the positive work they are doing to make sure that all our local services and products are truly accessible to all members of our community."
Nominations
Nominations must be submitted by 15 December and the awards will be presented at a sparkling event in April 2008 that will include a buffet supper and special guest presenters.
There are eight nomination categories covering:
Village Halls and Community Centres
Hospitality (e.g. pubs, restaurants, hotels, guest houses, etc.)
Open Spaces (e.g. country and town parks, etc)
Leisure (e.g. sports centres, health clubs, social clubs, etc.)
Retail (e.g. shops, malls, etc.)
Health and Councils
Service Industry (e.g. insurance, solicitors, banking, etc.)
Voluntary Organisations
Each one of the above categories will be divided into five awards:-
Low budget solutions
The Best Toilet
Alternative Access (more service-based, e.g. Internet shopping rather than physical)
Most Accessible Employer
Best Innovation
Once entered for an award, nominees will receive a free access inspection and the winners will be championed as models of good practice.
How to enter
To obtain a nomination form, please contact Gwil Williams, EHDC’s Community Access Officer at East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 or e-mail
gwil.williams@easthants.gov.uk
Official Launch
The Access to Service Awards will be officially launched at an event for guests from the local media, business and voluntary sectors, to be hosted by Pauline and Tim at The Master Robert public house in Buriton, who were award winners last year, at 2.00pm on Friday 12 October 2007.
Pauline and Tim have devoted their time and energy in so many ways for the community in Buriton. Not only do they offer a very warm welcome to all, sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities and their families at the hostelry, they also run the village shop and post office from the same premises.
Support and Sponsorship
The East Hampshire Access to Service Awards project is supported by All Inclusive, Kingsley Organisation, South Downs Association of Disabled People, East Hampshire Disability Forum, Community First East Hampshire, Treloar College, and East Hampshire District Council. Grayshott Pottery is continuing sponsorship for this second year, and now National Lottery Awards for All.
There are further sponsorship opportunities for local organisations that would like to support the project.
Contacts:
Iain Speed at All Inclusive, tel. 01420 479 114, email all.inclusive@btinternet.com
Sue Williams, chairman of East Hampshire Disability Forum, tel 01730 823 664, email glynn.williamsmbe@btinternet.com