Accessible Belper Off To a Great Start

Accessible Belper is a new group dedicated to improving and raising disability awareness in the town; it had a packed room for its first training session.

Of nearly 30 people attending the free session at the Strutts Centre, there were representatives from local shops, businesses and care organisations, as well as Belper residents.

A portable hearing loop was provided to help those who were hard of hearing.

An introduction to disability awareness was delivered by Siobhan Fennell, the chair of Accessible Belper, aided by actors who performed a sketch. She then gave information about disability and using appropriate language. Public health worker Trevor Gee delivered Dementia Friends training, with everyone receiving a badge and a card to sign up for actions they could undertake following the training.

“The training was very well received, and helped make the first step towards a more accessible town centre for everyone,” said Mary McLean-Farmer from
Accessible Belper.

Photo: Siobhan Fennell and Trevor Gee at the end of the
training session.