New disabled centre opens in Sale (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford Council praised for supporting revolutionary new centre on Atkinson Road, Sale, Trafford

9:20am Saturday 12th March 2011 in News

A ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ centre run by disabled people is opening in Sale early next month.

Breakthrough UK, a charity supporting the disabled across the north west, is developing the centre for Independent Living (CIL) on Atkinson Road with Trafford Council, who have donated around £250,000.

”The real experts about disabled people's lives are disabled people.

“This will promote disabled people’s independence,” Lorraine Gradwell, chief executive of Breakthrough UK, said.

Ms Gradwell, who has advised the Government on disability issues, said the centre can help disabled people in Trafford find work and take advantage of opportunities.

“It’s about being in control of your life and providing more satisfactory and better quality services,” she said.

The CIL will give wide-ranging information for disabled people in the Trafford area, including advice on the Right to Control (RTC) ‘trailblazer’ scheme.

Raised by Labour in a report six years ago and taken up by the Coalition, RTC is designed to streamline all the funding channels for disabled people into one single payment support plan, making it easier and less bureaucratic.

Carey Bamber, chair of Greater Manchester RTC Board, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Breakthrough UK to support disabled people, “This is a great opportunity.”

Ms Gradwell was full of praise for Trafford Council’s support, particularly for providing the building rent-free and presenting funding in the current economic difficulties.

“Trafford Council is really bucking the trend,” she said.

For more information visit trafforddisability.org/centre-independent-living.