Urgent appeal to lift people out of crisis

Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity, has launched an urgent appeal to continue the work of it’s Advice Team to lift people with disabilities out of crisis and towards a path of stability and hope.

Last year, 1 in 5 disabled people supported by Diverse Abilities’ Advice Team were homeless. That’s 300 local people without a permanent place to live. 300 local people who must make impossible choices between food and heat, medication and rent.

Last year, a family contacted Diverse Abilities, fearing they would lose their home. They were caring for their daughter with physical and learning disabilities, on low incomes and struggling to hold down employment due to their care duties and the constant pressure they were under. They had accumulated significant debt and were facing losing their home.

They didn’t know where to turn and how to navigate the minefield of benefits and assessments.

This is where Diverse Abilities’ Advice Team came in. They were able to help them to claim the benefits they were genuinely eligible for, and deserving of, but didn’t realise or know how to access.

Elaine Ewing, Advice Team Manager at Diverse Abilities, commented: “With our support they were able to change their circumstances so much that not only were they pulled from their housing crisis and risk of homelessness, but they were able to move to accommodation that is in better condition and even has some outdoor space for their daughter to access.”

Diverse Abilities’ Advice Team help disabled people of all ages, and their families, navigate benefits applications, appeals, and tribunals to ensure they receive what they are entitled to and what they need. We provide interpreters, including for British Sign Language. We make sure their voices are heard and their needs understood.

The charity is asking for donations to ensure this vital service can help as many people as possible. Donations can be made online at diverseabilities.org.uk/urgentappeal.

Alternatively, you can get involved by signing up for the Big Sleep Easy (in partnership with YMCA Bournemouth) and raise money to support homeless people with disabilities through the Advice Team. This event takes place at The Treehouse in Hurn for the first time, on Saturday 18th October. Participants set a fundraising target, wrap up warm, build a cardboard shelter, and spend a night sleeping rough so others don’t have to.

Not only does the event raise funds for this vital cause, but it also fosters team building, a personal challenge, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to supporting our homeless and disabled community. 

Find out more and sign up at diverseabilities.org.uk/daevents/ymca.