Disability Huntingdonshire

Disability Huntingdonshire Enabling individuals with disabilities to achieve independence and live with choice and dignity. We offer specialist benefits support and advice.

Disability Huntingdonshire (known also as DISH) is a charitable organisation that has worked with people with disabilities in our locality for 30 years. Our caseworkers are willing to make home visits where it is hard for a client to travel to our office. We offer face to face, telephone and e-mail advice. We also support with tribunal preparation and attendance at tribunal. To make a referral or

an enquiry, please visit:
www.dish.org.uk/contact

Our services are free, independent and impartial. We work from our offices at The Maple Centre, Huntingdon and we are available on Monday to Friday from 9-30 to 2-30, we can take telephone consultations on 0330 3553 256, e-mails on info@dish.org.uk

11/07/2025

Today, I held my second forum with local organisations to discuss the Government’s changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Bill, and to see what actions I can take to continue supporting affected people in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.

The group acknowledged that the Government’s decision to remove changes to PIP eligibility activities and descriptors was positive, but there is great concern about the PIP assessment review which is being led by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, over the next year.

There were also concerns raised about the impact of changes planned to the eligibility criteria for the Universal Credit health element, which will create a two-tier system with new applicants from November 2026 being assessed on different criteria, even if they have the same conditions as those currently receiving it.

Other discussions included:

💬 The need for proper co-production on welfare reform - not just consultation on the changes, but real work alongside people in receipt of PIP and the local organisations who work with the most vulnerable people every day.
💬 Wording of the Universal Credit health element eligibility criteria - people with fluctuating conditions, such as MS and arthritis, are often not treated fairly as they do not fit qualify as a 'constant'
💬 Reports that the basic rate of Universal Credit is not enough for people the live on - Cambridge City Foodbank told me that hunger is making people unwell and exacerbating other health conditions.
💬 The limbo that many people feel they are in - they feel out of control of their lives and finances, and the fear of having PIP removed is preventing people from being independent, according to one young man from Switch Now.

Over parliamentary recess, I will be working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues on how we can push for better co-production of welfare reforms while keeping vulnerable people safe. Testimony from these local organisations, as well as from the many messages and emails I have received from constituents, are incredibly valuable in pushing for a fair deal for disabled people and their carers.

Thank you Citizen Hub for hosting us again, and thank you to all the organisations who participated and continue to do such fantastic work helping those in need in our community.

Cambridge & District Citizens Advice; Citizens Advice Rural Cambridgeshire; Money Advice St Neots (MAST); Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridge City Foodbank; Carers UK; Switch Now; MS Society UK; Disability Huntingdonshire

Lucille will be at The Coneygear Centre & Coneygear Park on Thursday from 9.30am to 12noon. Pop along and have a chat wi...
08/07/2025

Lucille will be at The Coneygear Centre & Coneygear Park on Thursday from 9.30am to 12noon. Pop along and have a chat with Lucille about support with Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment benefits. Our friends from Cambridgeshire Skills will be there too for careers advice.

We were so proud to be part of this initiative.
01/07/2025

We were so proud to be part of this initiative.

Willingham Community Hub was bursting at the seams this week as it welcomed newcomers from around the village.

The hub welcomed about 60 people through its doors, including South Cambridgeshire District Council staff and local councillors.

They had invited residents aged 70+ to pop in for help claiming Attendance Allowance and the Household Support Fund.

Disability Huntingdonshire and our local NHS were also here to help people with information and advice. And the reporting team from BBC Look East popped in to find out more about how residents have benefitted.

It was a super busy day and we hope many of the visitors will come back to our hub as regulars on Monday mornings at The Octagon, St Mary and All Saints Church, Church Street.

😇🤍 A huge thank you to our amazing Hub team today: regular volunteers Sue, Gail and Janet plus reinforcements Pauline, Sue, James and Gillian, who all kept their cool on a very hot day and kept everyone supplied with food, drink and smiles. Here's local resident Trish, left, pictured with Kelly from our local NHS Integrated Neighbourhood Team and Chris Riches from South Cambridgeshire District Council.





Shout out to all our fellow small charities this week as we celebrate Small Charity Week. We all play a huge role in sup...
27/06/2025

Shout out to all our fellow small charities this week as we celebrate Small Charity Week. We all play a huge role in supporting our communities in challenging times. Keep up the incredible work!

Do you live in Whittlesey?Pop along to the Golden Age Fair tomorrow at Manor Leisure Centre, 10am to 1pm. Karen will be ...
19/06/2025

Do you live in Whittlesey?
Pop along to the Golden Age Fair tomorrow at Manor Leisure Centre, 10am to 1pm. Karen will be there to provide advice on our support available, along with many other organisations that can support you and your loved ones.
https://www.fenland.gov.uk/goldenage/

Please be aware there  is a new scam doing the rounds. This was sent to our CEO and it is completely untrue. Any assista...
13/06/2025

Please be aware there is a new scam doing the rounds.
This was sent to our CEO and it is completely untrue.
Any assistance for energy costs are made via Citizens Advice or by speaking to your local council.
Official information can be found via www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills

Please share.

This Thursday, Lucille will be at The Coneygear Centre & Coneygear Park for their Community Café, 9am to 12 noon. Lucill...
10/06/2025

This Thursday, Lucille will be at The Coneygear Centre & Coneygear Park for their Community Café, 9am to 12 noon. Lucille will be able to provide advice and support on Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payments.

Karen will be at the Golden Age Fair in Whittlesey on Friday 20 June, 10am-1pm. Come along to discover the support we ca...
06/06/2025

Karen will be at the Golden Age Fair in Whittlesey on Friday 20 June, 10am-1pm. Come along to discover the support we can provide you, along with many more organisations and services in your community.

https://www.fenland.gov.uk/goldenage/

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers! Their dedication, kindness and commitment make a real difference to our work...
05/06/2025

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers!
Their dedication, kindness and commitment make a real difference to our work and the clients we support. Thank You!

Address

Papworth Everard

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 2:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 2:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+443303553256

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