Grant gives Dial extra staff

4:31pm Monday 27th November 2000

A CHARITY which helps disabled people in Dartford and Gravesham has been awarded a grant of more than £125,000 by the National Lottery.

The money will enable the Disablement Information and Advice Line (DIAL NW Kent), to take on two new staff members.

It will also help the charity, whose volunteers themselves are disabled, to raise its profile in local villages and to expand its training programme for volunteers.

Celia Kennedy, Chairman of DIAL, said: This is a great moment for us at DIAL.

We will be able to take on a full-time Development Manager and a part-time Disability Rights Co-ordinator.

The grant will allow us to extend our services to the people of Dartford and Gravesham.

It will allow us to create greater opportunities for the people who are volunteering with us, many of whom have significant disabilities themselves.

DIAL, which was formed in 1983, helps around 2,500 disabled people in Dartford and Gravesham to be able to get the right benefits and services.

The charity was set up on the principle that information is power and that if disabled people know about their rights they can improve their position.

Mrs Kennedy also added: Thirteen out of 14 of our current volunteers are disabled, so we understand all the issues that the disabled face.

Disabled people have much to give to society and this grant is a vote of confidence in our ability.

If you are disabled or if you are a carer and would like more information on Dial, call 01474 537666.

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