DIAL SOUTH ESSEX
Disablement Information & Advice Line
DIAL is unique in the fact that it deals with problems relating to all disabilities (physical, sensory, mental health and learning difficulties) and disability issues by people who are disabled.
We provide advice and information on a wide range of issues affecting disabled people of any age. Our volunteers understand the problems that can be encountered, as many have been in the same situation themselves. This enables them to give advice with understanding and we feel that this puts us in a better position to give a quality, specialist service to disabled people.
Please look through the rest of our site and see if there is anything there that can help you or somebody you know who has a disability related problem.
Background
A small group of people set about starting a DIAL office in Basildon in 1985. It was their vision, hard work and dedication that set the foundation for today’s DIAL. Our office is based in Grays but we cover the Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock areas of the county
The original founders had a vision of hard work and enthusiasm, creating an organisation that supports local disabled people, assisting them to gain a better quality of life and then 38 years later we are still providing a first class service to individuals with disabilities. DIAL conducts the helpline through our outstanding volunteers who have in depth experience and knowledge of disability led issues and are passionate about the work they conduct. Our aim is to help as many individuals affected by disability as possible.
Over the years we have come to understand beneficiaries needs and have extended our target groups to also offer advice and guidance to anyone affected by a disability led issue thus we don’t just deal with disabled people.
Meet the team
DIAL currently has 5 part time employees working as part of a team interacting with each other and volunteers. There are currently twelve volunteers that work at DIAL, all fully trained and with relevant experience of disability.
Development Manager, Jan Stevens
Responsibilities include the running of the office, organisation of events, meeting with clients, partners and funders, representing DIAL at meetings and formal events, fundraising, business planning, evaluation and monitoring and overseeing the progression of DIAL and services being offered across all locations.
Outreach/Home Visiting Officer, Christine Tarbard
Adviser dealing with a variety of disability issues at our outreach locations and in peoples homes when necessary. Appointments are needed for Home Visits and form completion but drop in is available at all outreach locations for general information and advice once they start operating again.
Deputy/Claims Manager, Sally Wiseman
Is experienced and equipped with the knowledge to support and advise clients with complex benefit enquires and assist with Mandatory Reconsiderations, Appeals and Tribunal paperwork surrounding benefit entitlements. The Adviser offers one to one support and individual tailored guidance which is dependent on individual circumstances. She is also responsible for helping with the daily running of the office and supervising and training the volunteers.
Project Development Officer, Kasia Walton
To create social and self-help groups throughout the Basildon & Thurrock districts and to promote volunteering through the groups.
Administration Assistant, Ev Coe
To help in all areas of administration but with particular emphasis on statistics.
Trustees
There are currently nine Trustees on DIAL’s Management Board. They comprise of a variety of experience and are a fundamental component of DIAL.
Committee members are responsible for the overall running of DIAL including financial and legality issues. 95% of DIAL’s current management board are disabled and most come from a professional background.
They are representative of the local disabled community. Some trustees started as volunteers working on the helpline and were elected at the Annual General Meeting.
If you would like to help with DIAL’s decision making and future plans and have any experience that will benefit the organisation please get in touch. New members are always welcome.
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