Helpline ready for take off thanks to Big Lottery funding
Generous funding worth £224,000 from the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund means the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), based in Peterborough, can now launch its much-needed National Helpline and Information Service to bring expert help and advice to disabled people.
News of the funding – worth £224,000 over three years - was announced today to the delight of ASBAH members and the many fundraisers who have been collecting for the Appeal since 2003.
Andrew Russell, ASBAH’s Chief Executive, said:
“ We’ve designed the Helpline with a lot of guidance from disabled people and we know there’ll be a great demand for it. We’re delighted at this recognition from the Big Lottery Fund.”
From 1 June, individuals, families and healthcare professionals across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to access information about every aspect of spina bifida and hydrocephalus by calling ASBAH’s new national Helpline. ASBAH gives help and support to over 15,000 individuals and families, and the new Helpline service will be valued by all of the people who use their services.
Speaking of the announcement, Paul and Tamsin Olney, from Huntingdon who have a two-year-old son, Oscar, with hydrocephalus said:
“Not only will the new Helpline provide an all round information and back up support for us but it will also be an invaluable resource for Oscar’s care team and other family members.”
Jason Clark, aged 32, lives independently in Stratford, East London and works part-time at a local school as a lunchtime supervisor as well as working as a volunteer for an after-school club, hos30.05.06ocial behaviour difficulties.
“The helpline is a great addition to ASBAH’s services. Having hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida can make you feel alienated so having the support a helpline such as this offers comfort for the individual and your friends and family.
“When I was growing-up I felt different to everyone else, I was the only person I knew who had hydrocephalus. Support from a helpline would’ve been really beneficial during these times, not just for me but my friends and family too because they didn’t know how to handle me. The helpline would’ve provided them an opportunity to learn more and understand what it’s like for me.”
Speaking of the major award, ASBAH’s Assistant Director (Services), Mary Malcolm said:
“We were naturally thrilled to hear of the Big Lottery Fund’s tremendous boost for our Helpline and Information Service. It is a very exciting time setting up this new service
“The Helpline will be a fantastic addition to the broad range of services ASBAH already offers. Whenever people pick up the phone and need our help It will be easy for them to reach us.
“A one-to-one conversation can do so much to allay people's fears.Knowing that there's someone at the end of the phone can be reassuring.”
“The Helpline operators will deal with a huge variety of calls, providing help on all aspects of spina bifida and hydrocephalus - from antenatal enquiries, health and social care, education, transition to independence, through to bereavement support. They will be backed by a team of community advisers and specialist medical and education advisers to ensure consistently high quality information is given out, but ASBAH's fundraising efforts for the Helpline service doesn’t end here. Despite the enormous boost from the Big Lottery Fund. The Charity still needs to raise over £40,000 a year to see the Helpline continue beyond the three-year period of the grant. Patron of the Helpline Appeal, Manchester City and England footballer, Danny Mills, will continue to help raise money to ensure that the service continues into the future.
“I'm delighted with the news that ASBAH has been given £224,000 by the lottery fund which will now enable the dedicated helpline to be set up and run for three years,” Danny commented.
“This is a massive achievement. I got involved with ASBAH most importantly to help individuals and families through some very difficult times. The helpline will now provide advice and help when people need it most. The helpline fund has been running alongside ASBAH's normal fund-raising events and special thanks must go to all those who have donated not just money, but time and extra effort to achieve our goal. Hopefully this is just the beginning - we can now carry on building for the future so that everybody who needs help gets help.”
If you can help ASBAH’s helpline appeal, then please get in touch with Colin Roberts on 01733 555988 – or email him at colinr@asbah.org