King Charles III representative opens Disability Direct’s charity exhibition at Derby QUAD

One of Derby’s prominent charities celebrated 30 years of service to disabled people and carers with an exhibition launch at Derby QUAD/

There were over 60 people in attendance, one of whom was Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Colonel John Samuel Wilson, OBE DL, representing Lord-Lieutenant Elizabeth Fothergill and King Charles III.

The exhibition features an interactive timeline and oral histories showcasing key events in the history of Disability Direct and disability rights over the last 30 years.

Artwork created by members of The Enabled Centre, which is also part of Disability Direct charity, adorns the walls.

Striking creations include figures of house elf Dobby from Harry Potter and the alien from Steven Spielberg’s smash hit E.T.

Speaking at the launch, Colonel John Samuel Wilson said: “I am delighted to be here today to share what is a fantastic celebration of Disability Direct.

“Three decades for some, is a lifetime.

“For the charity, that’s 30 years’ of dedicated service for disabled people in and around Derbyshire and their carers.

“In those 30 years, people working in this charity have delivered over 70 projects with over 300 employees, have trained over 300 volunteers to benefit - and these statistics are incredible - over 150,000 disabled people and their carers.

“The people that work in this charity have done it in a ‘can do, nothing is impossible’ attitude.

“Amo and his team, and everyone involved have done such a fantastic job, serving disabled people in and around Derby.

“So I thank them and congratulate them for those 30 years and I wish them all the very best for the next 30 years.”

History of Disability Direct

In August 1993 a group of disabled people sat in the living room of the late Richard Shaw and created the concept of an information and advice service for disabled people, run by disabled people.

Disability Direct say, prior to that moment, the city never had user-led service and many thought the idea would not amount to anything significant.

However, with the award of seed funding and then recruitment of the first set of disabled staff, the charity grew from strength to strength and became the influential body it is today, simultaneously delivering over twenty projects employing over 70 staff across four companies, as well as three additional staff in India.

CEO of the charity, Dr. Amo Raju OBE DL said: “Wow, what a journey!

“I’m privileged to have joined just a couple of weeks after the charity first opened its doors all those years ago and have witnessed firsthand the remarkable difference Disability Direct has made for the lives of so many.”

Amo paid tribute to the hard workers at the charity which is now said to be one of the largest user-led charities in the East Midlands.

Amo said: “We employ so many caring staff who go above and beyond their job descriptions to ensure our services reach as many as possible.

“The board of trustees and I are indebted to their commitment to the cause.

“In 2004, the charity took the bold decision to begin trading elements of its service for a fee creating a streak of entrepreneurship never before seen in a disability charity and has now become a beacon for social enterprise.

“‘The trustees backed my plan to generate our own income and to eventually become self-sufficient.

“In fact, today 95% of our income is self-generated.

“Our philosophy has been adopted by similar charities across the UK.”

Rights and Independence: The Story of Disability Direct exhibition is on display at Derby QUAD gallery from today (Friday) September 8 to Sunday September 10, from 12pm to 6pm.

Entrance to the exhibition is free.

For more information about the exhibition please visit this website here.