Melanie Hawman

The Disability Resource Centre

A growing regional charity that provides services to disabled people. Most of the work is funded by contracts with local authorities and NHS Trusts. We support disabled people and local authorities using the Direct Payments system to employ carers by providing administration, recruitment, payroll, financial management and advice services. This service is currently provided in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough. Plans are in hand to widen the service to include the personalisation of a wide range of social services and health services. We also operate an information and advice service for disabled people. This operates from our Dunstable headquarters and covers a wide geographic area. We have a substantial display of aids and equipment and access to a database and library of further information. We have ambitious plans to widen the range of services we provide and the areas where we have contracts.