Doncaster disability charities stage farewell after forty years
Two Doncaster disability charities which have helped generations of people over several decades have closed their doors.
DIAL Doncaster, which was first set up in 1983, has shut along with Live Inclusive, bosses have announced, with the closures due to a loss of funding.
DIAL, which was based at Woodfield Park in Balby issued the news via social media earlier this year.
This week, staff met up for a farewell event to mark the closure of the organisation.
Earlier this year a spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we must announce that DIAL Doncaster is closing on 31 March due to loss of funding.
“It has been our absolute privilege to serve the residents of Doncaster for the last 43 years.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
The charity’s shops in Armthorpe, Balby and Intake closed earlier this month.
The spokesperson added: “Our welfare benefits service will no longer be able to take on new clients and existing cases will be transferred to Citizens Advice Doncaster.
“We are working in partnership to ensure a smooth transition.”
DIAL Doncaster was formed in early 1983 when John Gaskell was seconded by ICI to the Doncaster District Association for the Welfare of the Disabled under a Government sponsored scheme.
His role was to visit disabled people in Doncaster to ascertain what they thought was needed most.
An Information and Advisory Service covering all aspects of disability was the result of his survey.
DIAL's service began in Bentley Library with two paid workers and, after various moves, transferred in 1995 to shared premises at The Disability Resource Centre.
In August 2020, DIAL relocated to its own premises based at Woodfield Park.
The charity worked to raise awareness of disability issues and helped to enable disabled people to live more independent and enriched lives.
Meanwhile, Live Inclusive has also closed after 30 years.
A spokesperson said: “Due to the charity coming to an end, we are no longer accepting new referrals.
“We would like to thank everyone in Doncaster and Rotherham who has supported Live Inclusive over the past 30 years. It has been a privilege to serve our disabled community.”