Disability Information Bureau

24/06/2026

Due to the forecast extreme heat Macclesfield Shopmobility will be closed tomorrow.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as possible.

24/06/2026

The Disability Information Bureau is delighted to welcome Darren Bee, who will be heading up the charity from the 24th June. Darren brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, advocacy, and relationship building. Through his work with National Mind (Time to Change) Changing Minds Global mental health anti-stigma programmes and as Stakeholder and Volunteer Manager at Time Out Group, he has developed a strong track record of supporting communities and fostering meaningful partnerships. We are confident that his skills and expertise will be a tremendous asset to the Disability Information Bureau as we continue to develop and expand our programme of work.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Aoife Middlemas, Deputy CEO of CVS Cheshire East, for her outstanding support over the past two years. Aoife has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the organisation at a critical time, helping to steer it from the brink of closure and laying strong foundations for its future. Her leadership has built upon the dedication and achievements of our staff and volunteers, whose commitment has been instrumental in sustaining and strengthening the organisation.

We are deeply grateful to Aoife for her guidance, dedication, and belief in the Disability Information Bureau, and we wish her every success for the future, although we know she will still be there for support when we need it.

03/06/2026

We're very grateful for all the support and hard work our volunteers have put in over the years, and one of our longest serving, Dom, has kindly shared his volunteering story with us.

Thank you Dom for everything you've done and continue to do for the DIB, we really appreciate it :)

"I had a chronic alcohol problem and was out of work. I had my detox at Macclesfield Hospital and then moved into a hostel. There I got help from my support worker with my benefits and got registered with a GP and a dentist. I went to daily support meetings for my alcohol issues. After 6 months I felt I was ready to volunteer.

I made an appointment with the local volunteer office, and they put me in touch with the DIB. I had an interview with the Manager and was honest and explained my health issues. After the necessary checks I was offered a position working on the reception desk at the DIB.

I received excellent training and was soon ready to man the desk on my own. My duties were to greet clients, make them feel welcome and made appointments for them to see our benefit adviser and put the client details on to our database. . I also answered the phones, and sign posted them to other agencies. During my time there I received training for Safeguarding, IT and Equal Opportunities. I also learned about the various benefits available, and this helped me explain in detail with our clients.

One of the most rewarding feelings is that when I leave I know that I have made a difference and have put the client in a better state of mind. Through volunteering my confidence and self-esteem have improved vastly, and I feel I have made an excellent contribution to the local community. I also attend public events to promote the DIB.

I would recommend volunteering to other people as it gives a sense of purpose and it can help with mental health issues. Also, the work can be put on your CV and obtain a reference from them.

In my spare time I enjoy watching cricket and playing table tennis. The staff at the DIB are always very supportive and make me feel very welcome."

01/06/2026

28/05/2026

Could you be our Community Champion?

The Community Champion will lead the project’s outward-facing disability inclusion work across Cheshire East.

The post will build relationships with local residents, voluntary and community groups and employers; gather insight from people with lived experience; and deliver targeted awareness activity that challenges stigma, misconceptions and discrimination.

The aim is to increase knowledge, confidence and practical inclusion skills in communities and workplaces, contributing to more accessible, welcoming places and improved opportunities for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.

For more details please have a look at the recruitment pack linked here: https://www.cvsce.org.uk/job/community-champion-welfare-wellbeing-and-work-project

To apply, please follow this link: https://www.tfaforms.com/5222197

26/05/2026

https://www.campaignfordisabilityjustice.org.uk/access_to_work_carving_our_own_career_path

The Campaign for Disability Justice will be sending evidence to the inquiry, and we want to include your views.

18/05/2026

Are you passionate about empowering disabled people across Cheshire East to improve their lives and wellbeing? Are you committed to the provision of holistic, person-centred support helping to address the root causes of poor health, poverty and isolation?

If so, you could be who we're looking for! Join our dedicated, inclusive and supportive team and help us grow our vital services.

We are looking to fill 2 new roles, made possible by the funding we received from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Project Manager
Information and recruitment pack:
https://www.cvsce.org.uk/job/project-manager-welfare-wellbeing-and-work-project
Apply here:
https://www.tfaforms.com/5221264

Community Champion
Information and recruitment pack:
https://www.cvsce.org.uk/job/community-champion-welfare-wellbeing-and-work-project
Apply here:
https://www.tfaforms.com/5222197

11/05/2026

The Disability Information Bureau is excited to announce that we have received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to continue our work.

Michelle SImpson, Chair of the Board of Trustees commented:

"We are excited and proud to announce; we have received grant funding from the National Lottery. This will enable DIB to continue to provide crucial and much needed support for disabled people and communities across Cheshire East.

Our support is entirely client-led, with no fixed time limits, and is delivered face-to-face, by telephone, online or via home visits as directed by the client. This funding will assist in strengthening local systems, improve early intervention, reduce crisis escalation, and strengthen local partnership working.

A huge thank you to the National Lottery, as this funding will open so many exciting opportunities for the DIB and the communities we serve."

Aoife Middlemass, Interim CEO of the DIB said:

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this grant funding from the National Lottery. It's a major boost for the DIB and, most importantly, for the people and communities we support across Cheshire East. This investment will help us continue providing vital welfare, wellbeing and advocacy support, while also strengthening our work to tackle isolation, inequality and barriers to inclusion. We are very grateful for this confidence in our work and excited about the difference this funding will make."

08/05/2026

We’re looking forward to attending the CORE Information and Support Event on Tuesday 12th May, 10am–12pm at CORE – Church of the Resurrection, Upton Priory, Macclesfield.

The event will bring together organisations offering information, advice and support on topics including:
Cost of living
Benefits
Employment
Housing
Social isolation
Debt and energy advice

There’ll also be free tea, coffee and toast available thanks to the CORE Coffee Club ☕🍞

It’s a great opportunity to connect with local support services in a welcoming community space, everyone is welcome, so please do come along and chat to Sasha.

07/05/2026

Check out The Campaign for Disability Justice which currently has information on how you can feedback your views on PIP:

https://www.campaignfordisabilityjustice.org.uk/responding_to_the_government_review_of_pip

"The Government is reviewing Personal Independence Payment (PIP). If you have experience of PIP, you can shape its future by sharing your experiences and views...The deadline for submissions is 28 May."

Click the link above for information on how to give your feedback.

Our connection to others gives us strength, purpose and a sense of belonging.

When we work and act together, we can do great things. And the decades-long disability movement has been and is an inspiring example of this. So many brilliant wins for Disabled people.

That’s why this campaign is so important. It’s a place where, together, we can roar for the change we need.

Read more about the disability movement as a force for change in our blog post and join the campaign.
🔗https://www.campaignfordisabilityjustice.org.uk/alone_we_speak_together_we_roar