Whitby DAG: Empowering disabled and elderly communities since 1995
Wednesday 24th July
Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale Disability Action Group, or Whitby DAG as most people know us, has been providing information, advice and practical and emotional support for disabled people, elderly people and their carers since 1995.
For 27 years we operated from Church House Centre on Flowergate, but this year, following the sale of the building, we took the decision to move out and relocate to the Coliseum Centre. The big move on May 28th was a huge task to undertake, from moving all the office furniture, sorting the phones, computers and internet and finding somewhere to store the huge amount of “stuff” we had accumulated over the years. After a testing few weeks we have now settled into our new home and operating as “normal”.
Who are DAG you might ask? People often identify DAG with one aspect of what we do, such as running a Scooter and Wheelchair hire scheme or helping people to apply for benefits, or we run trips and outings, or help with all kinds of advice and information. The truth is that we do all of these things, and more! We offer information and advice, a Welfare benefits advice service, advice on improving access, trips and outings, and a monthly Newsletter. DAG also works actively to raise awareness of the needs of disabled people and carers, and promote the social model of disability.
When people hear about all the different aspects of the work we do, they often assume that we are a much larger organisation than we actually are, when in fact there are four of us. Our Manager is Ian Peck, Phillipa is our Welfare Benefits Advisor, Tom organises all of our trips and outings and Judith takes care of just about everything else!
The only way can provide this number of services and activities is with the help of volunteers. However, particularly since the Covid pandemic, the number of volunteers helping out with our work has greatly reduced.
We have a number of opportunities available including driving, helping out in the office, becoming a Trustee and supporting our fundraising. We are also incredibly busy during the summer with our Mobility Equipment Hire Scheme (and right into autumn if the weather is nice!) This involves taking bookings, meeting customers, delivering scooters, and making sure that all of our equipment is clean and in good working order. We will provide the training and support you need in whatever role you might be interested in, so if you enjoy helping others, have a few hours a week spare or have read this and like what we do and want to know more, we would love to hear from you. Our office number is 01947 511118 so why not give us a call.
Article kindly submitted by Ian Peck
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