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Festive opening hours 2024Our office will close at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday 19th December 2024, and reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Monday 6th January 2025.
Any referrals, emails or phone messages will be picked up once the office reopens.
Office opening breakdown:
Thursday 19th December – 9.30 am-2.30 pm
Friday 20th December – OFFICE CLOSED
Monday 23rd December – CLOSED
Tuesday 24th December – CLOSED
Wednesday 25th December – Christmas Day (Bank Holiday)
Thursday 26th December – Boxing Day (Bank Holiday)
Friday 27th December – OFFICE CLOSED
Monday 30th December – CLOSED
Tuesday 31st December – CLOSED
Wednesday 1st January 2025 – New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday)
Thursday 2nd January – CLOSED
Friday 3rd January – OFFICE CLOSED
Monday 6th January – 9.30 am-2.30 pm [...]December 10, 2024View
Giving TuesdayGiving Tuesday: Let’s Make a Difference Together!
This #GivingTuesday, we’re calling on businesses, organisations, and individuals to come together to support our mission of helping older adults in our community. Your generosity fuels our essential services and there are so many ways to get involved!
Here’s how YOU can help:
Choose DISH as your Charity of the Year and align your business with a powerful cause.
Sponsor our events, lottery, or fundraising efforts—gain local visibility while making a real difference.
Make one-time or regular donations to help us sustain and grow our impact. You can donate here.
Run, walk, or tackle a personal challenge in support of DISH! Turn your milestones into meaningful change.
Host bake sales, charity collections, or other creative initiatives at work or in your community.
Donate gift vouchers, raffle prizes, or items we can use to raise funds.
Send us unwanted office supplies (mobile phones, stamps, etc.)—these small items can make a big difference.
Become an official sponsor of our year-round lottery or gift lottery tickets to your staff.
Feature DISH in your company newsletter or share our leaflets with your team.
We’d love to hear your unique idea for supporting DISH!
Together, we can create lasting change for our older neighbours. Every effort counts whether it’s through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering.
Contact us to discuss how we can work together, email Kenny at kenny@dish.org.uk.
Donate
Unity Lottery
Fundraise whilst you shop [...]December 3, 2024View
Gifts for GrandparentsJoin Disability Huntingdonshire’s New Lottery Campaign ‘Gifts for Grandparents’: Win Big and Support a Great Cause!
We are thrilled to announce the relaunch of a brand-new lottery campaign from Disability Huntingdonshire (DISH), and we’d love for you to join in, starting with our first campaign ‘Gifts for Grandparents’! Whether you’re eager for the chance to win a grand prize of £25,000 or want to make a meaningful difference in your local community, this lottery is your opportunity to do both.
Starting this November and running through February, our lottery offers a fun way to give back while standing a chance to win amazing cash prizes. By purchasing a ticket for just £1, you’ll not only be in the running for fantastic rewards but also help fund crucial services for older individuals and those living with disabilities. It’s a win-win!
Why Participate?
Supporting DISH through this lottery means directly contributing to life-changing services for people with disabilities across Huntingdonshire. Your participation helps fund vital programs, including benefits advice, guidance, and support for disabled people and their carers. At the same time, you’ll be part of a broader community effort to improve the lives of our local older generations who need it most.
Here’s why your involvement matters:
Help older Individuals with Disabilities: Funds raised will be reinvested into improving the quality of life for older generations who rely on DISH’s essential services.
Exciting and Rewarding: While supporting a great cause, you’ll also have the chance to win cash prizes ranging from £25 to the grand prize of £25,000!
Easy and Affordable: Tickets are just £1, and every ticket helps make a difference.
How to Play and Win
Joining the lottery is simple! Head over to our dedicated lottery page or sign up directly through the link provided. Once you’ve entered, you’ll be in with a chance to win exciting cash prizes based on matching numbers:
Match 3 digits: Receive 5 entries into the next draw.
Match 4 digits: Win £25.
Match 5 digits: Win £1,000.
Match 6 digits: Win the grand prize of £25,000!
By entering, you’ll not only be in the running to win serious cash but also help DISH continue delivering critical support services to those who need it the most.
Who Can Get Involved?
Our Gifts for Grandparents campaign and lottery is open to everyone! We are reaching out to the public, local businesses, and our existing supporters – giving everyone a chance to participate and make a real difference. Whether you’re an individual wanting to support our older generations and disabled community or a business seeking to boost its profile through sponsorship, there’s a place for you in this campaign.
Community and Corporate Support
We also invite local businesses to get involved by promoting the lottery or offering vital support through various methods. This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your company’s commitment to supporting people with disabilities while also benefiting from valuable local exposure.
If you’re a business owner interested in partnering with us, contact Kenneth Brown at kenny@dish.org.uk. There are many ways that will provide your business with excellent branding opportunities while helping a fantastic cause.
Making a Lasting Impact
The funds raised from this lottery campaign will have a real and lasting impact on the lives of local older individuals and those with disabilities. Whether it’s helping them navigate benefit claims, offering one-on-one support, or guiding them through complex applications for Attendance Allowance claims, your contributions will make a direct difference in our community.
With this lottery, we aim to attract new supporters and long-term players who share our vision of building a more inclusive and supportive Huntingdonshire, Fenlands, South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. The excitement of winning, combined with the chance to do good, is a winning formula we can all rally behind!
How You Can Help
Even if you don’t want to play the lottery, there are still plenty of ways you can support our cause:
Spread the word: Share news of the lottery with your friends, family, and social networks.
Follow us on social media: Keep up with the latest news and promotions by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Partner with us: If you’re a local business, explore partnership opportunities to showcase your support for this important cause.
Ready to Play?
Don’t miss out on this exciting initiative! Buy your ticket today and start making a difference in the lives of people in our community who need it the most. Head to our DISH Lottery page to get started!
Let’s make this season one of giving, winning, and supporting those who matter most. Every ticket purchased helps change a life.
For more information or any questions, feel free to contact Kenneth Brown at kenny@dish.org.uk. [...]November 18, 2024View
Service Update DLA’sAs a charity that generates its income through grants and donations, in an increasingly difficult financial landscape for charities. We must make some very difficult choices to keep offering our service to the hundreds of people who come to us every year for help.
Therefore, as of today, Friday, 1st November 2024, we have suspended Disability Living Allowances applications due to very high demand for the service. This decision will be reviewed in March 2025. Whilst we realise this may be disappointing, we simply do not have the resources or the capacity to support the volume of requests we are currently receiving.
All cases currently being supported will continue to their conclusion, but no new applications for support will be accepted.
If you have any queries, please email us. [...]November 1, 2024View
Exciting New Animation Video LaunchedWe are pleased to announce the release of our new animation video. This video explains who we are, the support we can provide and how to make a referral.
This animation was made possible through the generous funding from Huntingdonshire District Council‘s Community Chest and brought to life by the talented team at King Bee Animation.
Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive of Disability Huntingdonshire, said:
“I am delighted to introduce our new animation, developed by King Bee Animations, and supported with funding from Huntingdonshire District Council Community Chest. We made the film to explain who we are, what we do and how you can access support from our wonderful team.”
Martyn Niman, Managing Director of King Bee, commented:
“King Bee had the pleasure of working with Dish to create this friendly and clear animated video to help walk through the steps in making a referral. We hope it helps give clarity and reassurance and is well received!”
Awareness Sessions
We are holding 30-minute online awareness sessions for organisations to discover more about the support we provide. Visit our events page for upcoming dates and how to book.
Events [...]October 21, 2024View
#TickTheBoxToday, 3rd October, is Gift Aid Awareness Day. A day to encourage donors to ‘tick the box’ and explain why this tax relief is vital to charities.
Donations to DISH make a huge difference, enabling us to support individuals in accessing the support and entitlements they need to live an independent life.
Charity Finance Group (CFG) launched the first Gift Aid Awareness Day in 2018. The campaign captured the imagination and today the #TickTheBox hashtag has become synonymous with Gift Aid in the minds of many.
The campaign is widely recognised by charities and the public, and helps to strengthen the message that Gift Aid is a vital source of income for charities. Gift Aid is worth around £1.6bn a year to UK charities. It’s a huge amount, but it could – and should – be even more!
Every year, around £560m goes unclaimed. CFG want to see that amount reduced by a) encouraging every eligible donor to #TickTheBox and b) supporting charities to not miss out on a single potential claim.
Donating to DISH
You can donate to DISH online here and tick the gift aid box.
Donate here
If you donated to DISH in the last four years and would like us to claim Gift Aid, you can complete this simple online form here. [...]October 3, 2024View
Vote for DISH with your Tesco Blue TokenDisability Huntingdonshire (DISH) is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme.
Stronger Starts provides grants of up to £1,500 to local community projects.
Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive grant awards and Tesco customers can vote for the group they think should take away the top award in their local Tesco store.
Disability Huntingdonshire is one of the groups on the Ramsey, Somersham and Chatteris shortlists.
Disability Huntingdonshire supports people living with disabilities and older people receive advice and claim the benefits that they are entitled to. Disability Huntingdonshire operates across Huntingdonshire, Fenland, Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.
“We are thrilled to be one of the chosen charities for Tesco Stronger Starts Scheme in Ramsey, Somersham and Chatteris stores. DISH services are free to people who use them, but it costs DISH £50 to support an initial disability benefit application appointment so if we win £1500, we can support another 30 people making their application for support. Your votes would help us keep supporting members of your community.”
Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive
Stores where you can cast your votes are:
Tesco Superstore, Neil Way, Ramsey, PE26 2SB
Tesco Express, High Street, Somersham, PE28 3EE
Tesco Superstore, Fenland Way, Chatteris, PE16 6RT
Voting is open in all Tesco stores from 1st October to the end of December. Customers will cast their vote by using a blue token given to them at the check-out each time they shop. [...]September 26, 2024View
Help us win £1000 with your nominationDisability Huntingdonshire is calling for nominations to win a £1,000 Movement for Good Award from Benefact Group.
Disability Huntingdonshire (DISH) is encouraging people to nominate them for a chance to win £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s annual Movement for Good Awards, which is giving over £1million away to charities and good causes.
It’s quick and easy to nominate DISH online at www.movementforgood.com here.
Winners will be drawn at random and the more times is nominated the more chance it has of being selected.
Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive, said:
“Last year, DISH supported nearly 700 people making their applications for disability benefits. We raise all our own funds to enable us to carry on supporting our community. £1000 can help us support initial appointments for up to 30 clients. Please nominate us, it only takes 2 minutes and we would be so grateful if you could share with your friends/family”
DISH is encouraging everyone to use their social media channels to ask people to nominate them to give the charity the best possible chance of winning.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, says: “Benefact Group is a family of award-winning specialist financial services companies and the third largest corporate donor to charity in the UK. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. All of our available profits go to good causes and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give.
“We are delighted to be able to donate over £1million to good causes each year through our Movement for Good Awards and are grateful to all our supporters, including the customers of the trusted insurer, Ecclesiastical, and the responsible and sustainable asset manager, EdenTree. Our Movement for Good Awards help charities change lives for the better and we know that for many charities, £1,000 can make a real difference.”
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group. [...]September 9, 2024View
Benefits Caseworker HuntingdonshireJoin #TeamDISH as our Benefits Caseworker in Huntingdonshire.
Job title:Benefits Caseworker HuntingdonshireHours:20 hours per weekAccountable to:Senior Benefits Caseworker LeadSalary:£12,561.48 (actual)Location:The Maple Centre/home working as arrangedContract:Fixed-term contract until 30th September 2027
This post is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and will end on 30th September 2027.
Purpose
You will be supporting people with disabilities to claim disability-related welfare benefits and help to challenge unfavourable benefit decisions in preparation for appeals. Working with your colleagues to identify wider services and signpost/refer people with disabilities to teams and services that can support them.
This post holder is responsible for
Enabling the client to complete the benefit application form ensuring they have all the relevant information to make a complete application.
Conducting the appointment in the office, over the phone or visiting clients at their homes if they are housebound.
Answering clients’ questions and providing advice on welfare benefits.
Signposting clients to the relevant agencies for issues/services that DISH is unable to support.
Assisting claimants with the 1st stage of the appeal process against decisions to refuse or stop benefits.
Developing relationships with agencies and organisations on behalf of clients.
Keeping confidential and up-to-date records using Charitylog database.
To support carers of clients by signposting them to services which can support their needs.
Researching information using reference material and relevant websites.
To work collectively with colleagues to ensure the best possible service and outcome for our clients.
Organising publicity to encourage the public to claim benefits they are entitled to.
Work pro-actively with GP surgeries and other community/voluntary organisations that support the community from the area as determined by the terms of the grant.
About you
You will be passionate about your work.
You will have empathy and an understanding of DISH and our values.
You will not be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions.
You will be comfortable working on your own initiative but love being part of a great team.
You will want to learn and develop your skills.
General Responsibilities
Comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
To be available for support sessions and contribute to the activities of DISH.
Create and maintain positive and supportive relationships with staff, volunteers, clients and other stakeholders.
To engage with appropriate training opportunities to promote professional effectiveness in this role.
Be aware of and comply with requirements in relation to data management and confidentiality, under data protection legislation.
Be aware of and comply with safeguarding policies and procedures aimed at the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Reporting all concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Adhere to all health and safety processes and procedures, reporting any concerns as per the policy.
Be aware and comply with the code of conduct, regulations and policies of DISH and its commitment to equal opportunities.
Person specification
Essential:
The ability to deal sensitively with people who have issues that prohibit them from claiming disability benefits.
The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, especially with challenging clients
Ability to respond sensitively to clients from a variety of backgrounds who are under pressure and negotiate with third parties to minimise conflict.
The ability to cope with challenging situations, manage own time and deal with competing demands.
Proven ability to undertake casework and record effectively and appropriately, both the case itself and supporting data as may be required by the project
A commitment to self-development, and the ability to work alone.
IT literate with a working knowledge of outlook, Microsoft and software programmes although full training will be given on our client system.
Hold a current valid driving licence and have unrestricted use of private transport.
Desirable:
At least a year’s experience in this field either in a paid or voluntary capacity.
Excellent understanding and knowledge of welfare benefit law and related subjects.
An understanding of local organisations that can support clients with benefits, housing and money/debt-related enquiries and casework.
Closing date: 5pm on 1st December 2024.
Download the application pack for more information and application form from the links below. Completed application forms should be sent to apply@dish.org.uk.
Application Pack
Application Form
Benefits-Caseworker-Huntingdonshire-Application-Pack [...]August 15, 2024View
Pension CreditFrom December 2024 the Winter Fuel Payments will only go to pensioners who get pension credit or other means-tested benefits. This applies in England and Wales.
Figures released by the DWP show that 850,000 households who are eligible to receive pension credit do not claim.
DISH encourages anyone of state pension age to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.
You could be eligible if you are above state pension age and have an income of less than £218.15 a week or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account. The first £10,000 of your savings and capital are ignored.
If you claim any of the following disability benefits you could get an extra £81.50 per week:
Attendance Allowance.
The middle or high rate from the care component of DLA (Adult Disability Living Allowance).
The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment.
Armed Forces Independence Payment.
The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (standard or enhanced).
How to claim Pension Credit
If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, you can call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 from 8am – 6pm, Monday to Friday (text phone number 0800 169 0133).
DISH is unable to help with the application, however, the Pension Service staff can help you make an application over the phone.
Claims can also be made online by visiting:gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
To claim Pension Credit you will need to provide the following information about yourself (and your partner if you have one):
your National Insurance number.
information about your pensions and other income.
details of your capital, savings and investments.
How to Apply
Factsheet
Pension Credit
Please do not make a referral to DISH for support with Pension Credit. [...]August 1, 2024View
