The Disabilities Trust is a leading UK charity providing support for people with complex needs

Following trials in the North West, this week saw the full implementation of the new disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This means that new claimants can no longer apply for DLA, instead they will be directed to apply for PIP. Disabled people rely on their DLA benefit to help with their mobility and daily living costs.

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) is delighted to announce that on Sunday 9th June, nearly £23,000 was raised on behalf of the charity's Eyes Alight appeal and The Teenage Cancer Trust. The money was raised through a star studded charity cricket match organised by former pupil Harry Judd at Uppingham School in Rutland. The event attracted over 2000 people.

I was very pleased to hear about the success that the students at Heathermount have had in securing work experience placements from now through to July. The numbers this year are significantly up on previous years. The range of opportunities has also increased, with placements taking place at Waitrose, nearby Charters School, Oxfam and Skidz, which is a project offering young people the opportunity to learn vehicle maintenance and the associated health and safety regulations.

The Disabilities Trust and the Care and Support Alliance are working together to highlight the underfunded social care system which continues to see working age disabled and elderly individuals miss out on the vital care and support they need. There has been a strong indication that the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in June will see further cuts to try and reduce the deficit, we are concerned this will negatively impact on our service users, their families and carers.

The ability to use assistive technology for communications has been life-changing for some of our service users. A variety of devices have already give individuals a voice and a way to live a more fulfilled, integrated and independent life, with choice. We are therefore launching an appeal to raise money for new assistive technology devices for all of our Disability Lifestyles services in the UK. Our aim is to provide a full range of assistive technology devices, including eye trackers for each of our six Disability Lifestyles services across England. This is a big task, so, we are launching our appeal and you can help us on the road to making a difference.