Rough Guide Scoops International Prize
The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, created by a partnership between Motability and Rough Guides, has won the Publications category in the Ability Media International (AMI) Awards run by Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Brimming with exciting ideas for days out, The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain returned for the third successive year in 2010. The Guide, supported by Motability Operations (the operators of the Motability car scheme for disabled people), is available FREE to Blue Badge holders and includes advice, reader recommendations and practical ideas for making the most of the UK’s attractions.
The AMI Awards identify creativity that encourages a more inclusive world for disabled and marginalised groups of people. Covering every aspect of the arts, the winners were chosen for producing work that positively represents, involves or assists people facing major physical, mental, emotional or social challenges.
Head of Marketing for Motability Operations, Delia Ray, said. ”We are honoured to receive this award for The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain. We are delighted the Guide has been recognised as an initiative which encourages everyone in society to enjoy exploring the world around us”
Sarah Rathbone, Rachael Sweetland, Delia Ray & Emma Beatson at the AMI Awards
The Chairman of the Ability Media Creative Board, Wayne Drew, added: “The winners demonstrate outstanding creativity and are all socially and culturally of the highest importance, and Motability Operations is no exception to this. The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is destined to promote a more fair, just and inclusive society for the benefit of us all”.
Leonard Cheshire Disability Innovative Projects Director Jane Jutsum said: “It is a particular honour to recognise Motability as a worthy winner. The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is an inspiring testament to how disabled people make the world a more inclusive and better place. We hope to ensure that disabled people will be better represented in the media industry and have more influence on society as a result.”
More: The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is available FREE to Blue Badge and Disabled Persons Railcard holders. To order a FREE copy call 0800 953 7070 or visit www.accessibleguide.co.uk. An audio guide, with a special introduction by Ben Fogle, is also available to download FREE from www.accessibleguide.co.uk.
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
“It’s like when you’re in a plane and they say to put on your own oxygen mask before you help put on anyone else’s,” says Minna Marfo about Al-Anon’s emphasis on the families and friends of problem drinkers. “First and foremost, it’s about making sure that people look after themselves. Even as the non drinker they will have been affected by the problem drinkers behaviour whether they realise it or not. By getting help for themselves it may encourage the drinker to seek help as well. Whether it does or it doesn’t the families and friends of problem drinkers need support.
Al-Anon Family Groups is a national self-help group that believes alcoholism affects more than just the drinker – that between five and six people can experience physical, psychological and financial consequences as a result of somebody’s problematic drinking. “We’re trying to make sure that whatever damage the alcoholic does within the family is minimal,” says Minna.
“Our self help groups are open to anyone from the age of 12 upwards.; we have meetings, much in the same way as Alcoholics Anonymous does, but for friends and families. These are completely free; anyone who has been affected by someone else drinking can turn up, and can come and go as they please. Everything is done anonymously; we only use first names and won’t chase you up,” she explains.
With some 800 groups across the country, it’s likely that there will be one close to you. If not, you can contact Al-Anon Family Groups through their helpline, by email or their website. Whichever route you choose, however, you will be able to share your experiences with people who have themselves been affected by somebody else’s drinking. “They know where you’re coming from,” says Minna.
More: Al-Anon Helpline: 020 7403 0888, www.al-anonuk.org.uk