That would certainly make a change for a job advertisement wouldn’t it? but in truth this is more or less the situation with Accessible Travel & Leisure.  This Gloucester based company has been providing quality overseas holidays for the less mobile traveller for 10 years.  They have now decided to grow the business by recruiting franchisees in local areas.  These Specialist Travel Consultants differ from high street agents in that they either suffer from disabilities themselves, or are closely associated with someone who does.

Accessible Travel & Leisure (ATL) was created with the vision to offer quality holidays, specifically designed for the less mobile.  The company was started by 3 wheelchair users on the premise that holidays for disabled people need to be individually tailored to clients’ particular disabilities and needs. Booking on line or through non-specialist agents is just too risky for those with essential requirements

Managing Director Andy Wright is a wheelchair user and says, “this is a British Franchise Association approved scheme and is a very exciting new venture for us.   Several of our recent franchisees have been on one of our holidays.  They’ve seen the benefits and now want to spread the word by helping others in the same way.”  Andy continues “we believe that their insight and understanding of the problems encountered while travelling, plus their likely network of contacts, will enable disability associated people to become ideal partners for the organisation.”

ATL are currently recruiting 95 franchisees, all with designated territories.  MD Andy Wright feels that with the excellent training programme on offer, franchisees can quickly acquire the underpinning knowledge and skills required to become specialist travel advisers; whereas qualities such as empathy, understanding and good communication are less easy to acquire.  As Andy says “No one understands the needs of the less mobile traveller more than the less mobile themselves.” This will give them an empathy with less mobile customers.

The ATL franchise was launched in July 2007 at the Mobility Roadshow, where visitors braved Gloucestershire’s worst flooding in decades to hear about the scheme.

This is where Tracy McFall signed up.  Tracy is bursting with enthusiasm as she describes her new role.  “I visit clients in their own homes if needed, and we can discuss their particular holiday requirements over a cup of tea.  This is far better for them than queuing at a high street travel agent, or risking a disaster by booking on line; with no guarantee of the accessibility of accommodation or resort.”

Tracy continues “not only is the support from Head Office fantastic, but also the support from fellow franchisees.  We all like to help each other.” 

This has to be a win win situation.  It ensures a challenging, rewarding and flexible home-based travel business opportunity, for those who might find mainstream employment difficult; as well as increasing the travel options for those with mobility problems. 

With the emphasis on quality and service, a comprehensive initial training programme, a progress monitoring system and a dedicated franchise manager, franchisees will help this go-ahead company strengthen its position, as a leading travel specialist helping the less mobile access the world.

To find out more about Accessible Travel and the franchise programme go to:

www.accessibletravel.co.uk

Charity ones I mean … I still have recurring memories, or are they nightmares from my childhood of being trussed up in a purple velvet ‘Little Lord Fauntleroy’ suit in order to present bouquets of flowers to local Mayoresses or other female dignitaries at one or other of my parents many (and there were many) charity events .......... Does anyone other than me remember ‘beetle drives’ ? 

Charity Balls still happen and here in rural Cornwall cake stalls  and jumble sales are still rampant. 

BUT – for the 21^st. Century there is a ‘new kid on the block’ and like everything else in this increasingly online world of ours it involves t’internet’ … the good old w.w.w.

In particular www.justgiving.net                          

Founded in 2001, Justgiving is the UK’s leading charity fundraising website based in Central London, but accessible to anyone with a PC.

They make it easy to donate and raise funds for good causes.

It used to be a hassle. Lots of fussing around with cheques and envelopes and paper sponsorship forms. But thanks to the internet, it’s not like that any more.

Now anyone can create a fundraising page on Justgiving to collect donations in support of any sponsored event or appeal.

They’re just like paper sponsorship forms used to be, except they’re online, so they don’t get all tatty round the edges. Instead of traipsing round your office asking people to give you cash, you simply create a fundraising page, email it out, and your supporters donate online.

You can create an online fundraising page for absolutely anything. Whether you’re running a marathon, launching a personal appeal, collecting donations in lieu of birthday presents or doing absolutely nothing.

Plus they save charities time and costs by automating donation payments and reclaiming 28% Gift Aid on all donations from UK taxpayers. You raise more, your charity gets more.

More than 3 million people have used the site to donate or raise funds. Over 300,000 fundraising pages have been created, raising an average of £534 each.

If you are a local branch of a National Charity, check if they already have a donations page on the ‘justgiving’ site !!

Is this giving anyone any ideas ?

If so, read more about it  by clicking on the link ..

(I would mention to the ladies of Cornwall that we would like them to continue with the baking – PLEASE !! The Ed. )

 
My able partner once ran out of cash at home and had to drive to the local bank to get some. The car park was very busy but there was a disabled space very near the ATM machine. Thinking that he would only be a few minutes ... he parked in the space.

Within a matter of seconds, a crowd had gathered and started berating him about taking a space that was reserved for a disabled person. One man even offered to move his own car and let him have his parking space to ensure that the space was left clear for a disabled person. Shamefaced he got his cash and left with his tail between his legs.

Where did this happen ? .... TURKEY.

            ACT HOTEL - ICMELER - TURKEY

A.C.T was formed from a unique partnership; combining the skills of the Project Manager Emma Smith, with 10 years experience of the UK's Social Services Care Workers Sector, along with Turkey's leading medical facilities from Caria Private Hospitals, offering the highest quality practices and with a UK run Construction Company, Dreams-in-Turkey. The hotel centre within the town of Icmeler near Marmaris has been designed and landscaped to offer complete open access and equality for people with disability or individual needs.
 

"The A.C.T centre is the first of its kind in Turkey. The Hotel is determined to offer a memorable holiday experience to every individual, respecting  their individual needs and high standards of care, irrespective of mobility and social needs. The hotel resort is fully risk accessed and high standards of delivery care and flexibility at ACT Hotel offers unique experiences to reach your specific needs and requirements on every visit."

 Wheelchair accessible vehicles can be arranged to meet your flight and there is a free shuttle service into Icmeler Town and the neighbouring resort of Marmaris throughout your stay. Trained staff are on hand at all times. The Hotel clients are a mix of disabled and non-disabled so it doesn't feel like a nursing home.

72 rooms in total- 25 of which are fully accessible
 2 restaurants- 1 al a carte
 1 poolbar
  Fitness centre, fully equiped beauty salon, turkish bath, sauna, sensory room, cinema, conference room and semi-olympic swimming pool with hoist. with mobility and individual needs clearly in mind We understand your needs for equality and freedom of movement, so you can relax and enjoy your stay, without the need to worry about “Can I or can’t I”. Equally we understand the needs of family’s or groups to find opportunities and holidays where every person is catered for, where can share in these fun experiences in a collaborative and fully inclusive way.

Icmeler: Situated 9km west of Marmaris, a well-planned, purpose-built resort with a cosmopolitan, international flavour, luxury yachts bobbing in the bay and holidaymakers sipping cocktails at the sea-front bars. At the foot of lush green mountains, it has a stunning beach flanked by an abundance of scented colourful flowers in well-kept gardens. There is a wide range of sporting activities to burn off excess energy, when the beach is crowded in high season, or for a more relaxing escape take a boat trip around the bay and seek out one of its deserted beaches.

More information in Icmeler and the ACT Hotel can be found at
http://www.icmeleronline.com

A stunning new range of clothing has been launched specifically to cater for the needs of wheelchair users.

WheelieChix-Chic

Founder, Louisa Summerfield, MD of WheelieChix-Chic, herself a wheelchair user, created the range as a response to the lack of suitable clothing available. “I was fed up with making do with ill fitting designs and uncomfortable fabrics from the high street, so I decided to put together my own collection of clothes suitable for women in wheelchairs.  

 "I chose award winning designer Amelia Ursache, as her work demonstrates exactly what I want to achieve with the range. The clothes are for independent, sexy, fashion conscious women, designed to flatter and accentuate, whilst being comfortable and allowing freedom of movement.”

She admits however, that there were challenges to creating the range: “I am the only one doing high end designer wear  -  I believe things will change, but the problem with disability is it is so diverse and you can’t cater for every disability under one umbrella - which is why I specialise in fashion for women sitting down. I do think manufacturers and big stores could make some adjustments that are universal for example easier fastenings, wider openings and clothes where you can adjust the length or sleeve.

“Our range specialises in women in wheelchairs. But having said that, because our clothes have many hidden features, women with restricted mobility or hand dexterity will benefit from wearing the range, also able bodied people as the range is designer and contemporary. I think a lot of disabled women lose confidence and my challenge is to make them look & feel special. I’ve always said being in a chair means people look and stare so give them something to look at & feel proud they are looking at you.”

The clothing was launched to much acclaim, with a fashion show and evening gala event at London’s trendy venue, the Play Room. The clothing is all designed specifically with female wheelchair users in mind, and a proportion of ticket sales were donated to national disability charity, Motability. The range has received coverage on ITV’s ‘This Morning’, GMTV’s "LK Today", BBC1 and BBC News24. All the models in the show were wheelchair users themselves.

When I spoke to Louise she told me she had received an high response from the South West. I explained to her the general lack of shopping facilities especially in Cornwall. She is producing a standard catalogue for those who do not have internet access. She asked me to mention that her next big fashion show will be at Kent Racecourse on the 25th/26th July, where her wheelchair models will be presenting the Autumn/Winter collection. She is also launching a nationwide search for models in wheelchairs, any age & size.

To find out more about Louisa, her Company, her designs and to shop online go to:-

www.wheeliechix-chic.com

For someone aged just 26 years to have enough material to write an autobiography, they must be very special.

Leanne Grose is very special.

 She has turned a potentially devastating situation - a rare form of tumour and the loss of a limb at the age of 20 - into a life full of achievements and inspirations to others.

Leanne comes from a big, loving family and had, in her own words "a great childhood". She grew up, had boyfriends, got a good job and did everything atypical woman her age would enjoy until one night when she suddenly collapsed in pain as her ankle gave way. Initially an innocent sprain was suspected but it then became clear that the diagnosis was far more serious. A tumour the size of a tennis ball was removed but eventually part of her and left leg had to be amputated.

Leanne had not walked for four years and as further operations, weeks of radiotherapy, pain treatment rehabilitation followed Leanne became less and less mobile. She needed modifications to the house to help her cope and decided to organise events to raise the money. She held a fashion show and then organised Leanne's Summer Ball - both were a great success. Her next project was to organise and star in a DVD of exercises for people of all abilities, whether in wheelchairs, suffering from illness or those who simply wanted to work out sitting in their armchair. While working on the DVD, Leanne also appeared on 'Jade's PA', an Apprentice-type show in which Big Brother star, Jane Goody, was looking for a personal assistant. Her dreams is to walk down the red carpet on one leg and crutches. She truly believes 'if you are handed lemons - make lemonade'.

Written with refreshing honesty, Just a step is a story of someone with gritty determination, and incredible spirit and sheer zest for life. Leanne Grose is an inspirational young woman. This is her amazing story.

For more information about the Book or the DVD go to:-

www.justastep.co.uk