Dressed for success thanks to cash help (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Dressed for success thanks to cash help
11:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Emma Dunn
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From left, Dave Papworth (AFL ), Joanne Lawrence ( AFL), Margaret Harman ( AFL), Andrew Hawker (Dressability) Sian Barrie (Dressabilty manager)
A CHARITY that makes and alters clothing for disabled people is set to buy new equipment after a generous boost.
Dressability, which moved into its new premises in Dorcan a year ago, has been given a £1,565 donation by AFL Telecommuni-cations.
The charity adapts clothing for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities and will use the money to buy an adjustable table and dressmakers’ chairs.
Manager Sian Barrie said: “The donation will make a big difference for us. We are going to use it to buy a special cutting table which has an adjustable height. That will make it a lot easier for our dressmakers to work at the same piece of equipment.
“We will also use the money to pay for four proper dressmakers’ chairs, which again are adjustable. Before we were just using ordinary office chairs.”
Dressability helps disabled people, their families and carers who have problems with dressing and undressing by offering the garment alteration and dressmaking services.
Its outreach service is available to all clients and provides information about specialist clothing for disabled people.
The charity appealed for new premises through the Adver at the end of 2011. It moved from Even Swindon Primary School to York House in Edison Park, Dorcan, a year ago this weekend.
“It is going really well and the premises are ideal. We co-located with two other charities, Tech4d Technology for Disabled and New Dimensions, and that arrangement is working very well indeed,” said Sian.
“The new premises is easier to access for the people who are able to come to the office. It is a good location.”
Dressability helped nearly 500 people last year.
“Most clothing is designed for upright mobile people who conform to standard sizes,” she said.
“Disabled people have different clothing requirements because their garments may have to conceal medical accessories, minimise physical differences and accommodate limited mobility.”
For more information visit www.dressability.org.uk or phone 01793 512878.
