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Call for strategic approach to end poverty in CambridgeshireOn Monday 16th June, The Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission was proud to launch its report ‘A call for a strategic approach to end poverty across Cambridgeshire‘.
Our Chief Executive, Tracy Hyland, was involved with this innovative publication with a number of other colleagues from across Cambridgeshire. The premise of the report was summed up in the foreword ‘From the outset, our aim has been clear: to better understand the reality of poverty in Cambridgeshire and to help shape meaningful and realistic recommendations that can influence change. Our work has taken place within a tight timeline and against a backdrop of growing need, rising inequalities, and increasing pressures on services and communities alike.’
Tracy commented,
It was a privilege to be involved to work with like minded colleagues who wanted to suggest solutions to the ever growing rise in need across our county. Together, we can affect change.
You can find out more about the Poverty Commission and read the full report on the Cambridgeshire County Council website. [...]June 16, 2025View
Tracy Represents DISH at His Majesty’s Garden PartyOn Tuesday, 20th May, our Chief Executive, Tracy Hyland, had the privilege of attending His Majesty’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Tracy received this esteemed invitation in recognition of DISH’s outstanding efforts in supporting individuals across Huntingdonshire, Fenland, and South Cambridgeshire.
Reflecting on the occasion, Tracy shared,
“It was a tremendous honour to be among the invited guests, representing the work of DISH. Visiting the palace grounds and meeting wonderful people made the experience truly unforgettable.”
Tracy was accompanied at the event by her son, James. [...]May 27, 2025View
DISH introduces nominal fees for additional services to safeguard core supportDisability Huntingdonshire (DISH), a leading local charity supporting people living with a disability, has announced the introduction of nominal fees for a select range of services to ensure the sustainability of its core offerings within Huntingdonshire, Fenland, and South Cambridgeshire.
Due to increasing demand and a challenging funding landscape, DISH has made the difficult decision to charge for some additional services they don’t currently provide. However, the charity remains committed to offering its core services free of charge. The newly introduced paid services include:
Mandatory Reconsiderations – Support for where DISH has not been involved in the initial application. However, if the mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, DISH can submit the tribunal appeal online. Although, DISH would not be able to support through the tribunal appeal process.
Document Review – A professional review of applications before submission.
Change of Circumstances Forms – Assistance for clients needing to challenge existing awards.
These additional paid for services will be restricted to Personal Independence Payments and Attendance allowance only.
Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive of DISH, stated,
“The funding landscape for charities is grim. It is necessary to safeguard our ability to continue to provide free services where they are most needed. These small fees will allow us to continue helping more people.”
DISH acknowledges that each client’s financial situation is unique. The charity will continue to monitor the impact of this change and welcomes feedback from the community.
For further information, please visit our website or contact us at info@dish.org.uk.
Note to Editors
For media enquiries, please contact Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive, at ceo@dish.org.uk. [...]March 31, 2025View
DISH’s chance to win £1,000Disability 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 for the seventh year.
It’s quick and easy to nominate DISH online at www.movementforgood.com
Winners will be drawn at random and the more times DISH is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. In 2024, 11% of charities who won had received less than 10 nominations which shows that every nomination matters and can really make a difference.
£1,000 would enable us to support initial appointments for up to 30 clients in our community. Enabling them to obtain their independence and live with dignity.
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.
Tracy Hyland, Chief Executive, said:
Since April 2024, we have supported over 700 people in obtaining their welfare entitlement to live independently and with dignity. As a charity we raise 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, and we would be so grateful if you could share with your friends/family.
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. I am delighted we are once again donating over £1million to good causes through our Movement for Good Awards as we approach £250million donated since 2014. None of this would be possible without 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. [...]March 5, 2025View
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
