Darlington Association on Disability

Darlington Association on Disability Darlington Association on Disability is a voluntary and charitable organisation led by disabled people and carers to promote independence and choice.

Darlington Association on Disability
Centre for Independent Living

Registered Charity No. 1125848

We support disabled people and carers through the provision of services, support and information and by tackling issues affecting disabled people both locally and nationally. Visit our website at www.darlingtondisability.org for more detailed information and contact details. Continue for a brief out

line of Darlington Association on Disability (DAD). We are a Centre for Independent Living, offering support and services for disabled people including children, older people, people who have a learning difficulty or experience mental ill health. We support people of all ages and impairments. What does DAD Centre for Independent Living do? Advocacy: giving every person a voice of their own, making sure they are not excluded. Improves access for disabled people. Peer Support for disabled people to learn from one another. Works in Co-Production with others to make decisions and develop services that work for everyone. Offers support to people exploring and using Personal Budgets and Direct Payments. Training, advisors, practitioners, the voluntary sector, disabled people and carers on many topics, including Disability Equality. Campaigns on issues affecting disabled people’s lives. Information and advice Service, including disability rights, supports disabled people and carers to access the community, work, learning and playing independently; with choice, control and flexibility over their lives. Access Interest Group brings disabled people together to improve access for disabled people by addressing physical and attitudinal barriers. Carers’ Support Service provides free information and advice to anyone providing support to a family member, friend or neighbour because of age, illness or impairment. Children and Young People’s Service provides inclusive and accessible play and leisure opportunities and support. It runs DASH inclusive play and leisure sessions during holidays for disabled and non-disabled children between the ages of 3 to 16 years. Direct Payments Support Service provides a range of support about Direct Payments; one way to get more choice and control over social care support. Volunteer Project recruits and supports volunteers to work in DAD. Independent Living Hub offers support to disabled people to increase self-confidence; to identify and work towards personal goals. It also offers opportunities to meet new people, peer support and take part in a range of social activities. Independent Supporters working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their families to increase choice and control.

Fully Funded Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training – September & October 2026Book now – funding is currently only available ...
03/09/2026

Fully Funded Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training – September & October 2026

Book now – funding is currently only available until the end of October.
Are you an NHS health or social care professional?

The nationally recognised Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training helps build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to provide safe, compassionate and informed care for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Training includes:
Fully funded for NHS staff through the Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Tier 2 face-to-face training
Training delivered in Darlington

September & October dates
September: 7, 8, 10, 15, 22, 24, 28 & 29 September
October: 1, 5, 6, 15 & 20 October
Sessions run approximately 9:30am–4:00/4:30pm.

Places are limited and funding is only available until the end of October. Book as soon as possible to guarantee your place.

Book your place:
academy.boost.org.uk/events

Need training for your whole team?
Bespoke sessions can be arranged at a date and time to suit your organisation.

If you work in social care or the voluntary sector and would like to find out more, please email [email protected].

Please like, share and tag colleagues who may benefit from this important training opportunity.

Skills for People have shared a helpful post and video about the importance of annual health checks for people with a le...
02/09/2026

Skills for People have shared a helpful post and video about the importance of annual health checks for people with a learning disability.

An annual health check is a free check-up for people aged 14 and over who are on the learning disability register. It’s a great opportunity to talk about your health, medicines, wellbeing and any support you may need.

Regular health checks can help spot health problems early and make sure you get the right support to stay healthy and independent.

To book an annual health check, contact your GP surgery. You can bring someone you trust with you and ask for reasonable adjustments to make your appointment easier.

Watch Harshi and her mum share how they keep Harshi healthy and why annual health checks and a health action plan are so important.

Harshi, her mum Khilna and their GP explain why it is important for...

Sharing NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Programme’s  post for Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.Gynaecolo...
02/09/2026

Sharing NHS England Learning Disability and Autism Programme’s post for Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month.

Gynaecological cancers can affect women, some transgender men, and non-binary people who were assigned female at birth.

The post provides useful information about gynaecological cancers, the different types, and the importance of recognising symptoms and seeking medical advice if there are any concerns.

It also includes an easy-read guide on how to spot the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

September is gynaecological (gynae) cancer awareness month. These are cancers that start in the female reproductive system which helps to make babies. These cancer types can affect women, some transgender men and non-binary people who were assigned female at birth.

The treatment you need depends on where the cancer started. Knowing the type of cancer means you can get the correct information about it.

If you are worried or have any concerns about this, please speak to your doctor.

One type of gynaecological cancer is ovarian cancer. Here is an easy read guide on how to spot ovarian cancerhttps://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/ovarian_easy_read_leaflet.pdf

Introducing Health SquadToday we launched Health Squad — a new service bringing healthcare directly into local communiti...
02/09/2026

Introducing Health Squad

Today we launched Health Squad — a new service bringing healthcare directly into local communities and helping people who face the greatest barriers to accessing support.

Delivered by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, the service provides flexible, person-centred support for people who may have experienced stigma, discrimination, poverty, trauma or negative experiences with healthcare.

Since June 2026, Health Squad has already supported more than 40 people, helping residents access GPs, medication, housing support and other services they need to improve their health and wellbeing.

The team works Monday to Friday across community venues and can also meet people at locations that are convenient for them.
Health Squad is about listening, building trust and making sure people don’t fall through the gaps.

The right support, at the right time, in the right place.

29/08/2026

Dash outings week recap for the Honeybears Busy bugs and The Buzz

29/08/2026

Outing week recap video for the 18-25s

💛✨ LAST DAY OF DASH SUMMER 2026 — BUSY BUGS! ✨💛Today was our last day of Summer DASH 2026 — and what a perfect way to fi...
28/08/2026

💛✨ LAST DAY OF DASH SUMMER 2026 — BUSY BUGS! ✨💛
Today was our last day of Summer DASH 2026 — and what a perfect way to finish! 🎉 The Busy Bugs had an FABULOUS day at Hall Hill Farm 🚜🐑

They loved exploring everywhere — feeding and seeing all the lovely animals, soft play, the park, and brilliant tractor rides! So much fun, laughter and happy memories to end the summer with. 🥹💛

It’s been such an amazing summer — We hope you’ve all had a lovely summer — and we can’t wait to see you all again very soon in October! 👋😊

💛🚜🐄

🐻✨ HONEY BEARS — FINAL SUMMER SESSION! ✨🐻What an absolutely FABULOUS way to finish summer with the Honey Bears! 🥳 We hea...
28/08/2026

🐻✨ HONEY BEARS — FINAL SUMMER SESSION! ✨🐻
What an absolutely FABULOUS way to finish summer with the Honey Bears! 🥳 We headed off to Hall Hill Farm for their final session/outing — and what a day it was! 🚜🐑

So much fun packed in — soft play, feeding all the animals, sand play, park play AND amazing tractor rides! 🚜🐄🐖 Everyone had the best time — so many happy faces and so much laughter! 💛

It’s been such a wonderful summer with you all — We hope you’ve all had a fab time — and we can’t wait to see you all again soon! 👋😊

💛🚜🐑
Se

Wheelchairs & Mobility Equipment for Children 💙Whizz Kidz has announced that, thanks to the generous support of local tr...
27/08/2026

Wheelchairs & Mobility Equipment for Children 💙

Whizz Kidz has announced that, thanks to the generous support of local trusts and foundations, applications are now open for wheelchairs and mobility equipment in selected areas across the UK.

If you live in one of the areas listed below, your child may be eligible to apply for support.

Eligibility criteria:
Your child lives in one of the eligible regions.
Your child is under 18 (applications must be made before their 18th birthday).
Your child has a physical disability that permanently affects their mobility and participation.
You have approached your local NHS wheelchair service and the equipment your child needs is not available or cannot be provided.

If you can answer yes to all of the above, Whizz Kidz may be able to help. 💙

Areas currently open for applications:
Northumberland • Cumberland • Tyne and Wear • County Durham • Westmorland and Furness • Hartlepool • Darlington • Stockton-on-Tees • Middlesbrough • Redcar and Cleveland • North Yorkshire • Lancashire • Blackpool • York • East Riding of Yorkshire • West Yorkshire • Kingston upon Hull • South Yorkshire • Greater Manchester • Blackburn with Darwen • Halton • Warrington • Merseyside • Cheshire East • Cheshire West and Chester • Flintshire • Denbighshire • Conwy • Isle of Anglesey • Gwynedd • North Shropshire (west of the M6, including Oswestry, Wem, Market Drayton and Whitchurch) • North Lincolnshire • North East Lincolnshire.

📌 Find out more and apply:
https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/apply/

Please share this post so it reaches families who may benefit from this support. 💙

Find out how to apply for mobility equipment from Whizz Kidz

Address

Whessoe Technology Centre
Darlington
DL14WB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441325489999

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