THIS is European Year of the Disabled and Worcestershire County Council is keen to move disability equality issues up the agenda.

As part of its commitment to raising awareness, the council ran the Today, Not Tomorrow campaign which came to an end last Friday. Organisers aimed to celebrate the talents and achievements of disabled people throughout the county.

Jennie Bashforth, Worcestershire County Council's social services director, said: "We are working towards improving the quality of life for people living in Worcestershire who either have a disability or are caring for someone affected by one."

"At Worcestershire County Council we have a team in force to promote and raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities. I am pleased that we have people in this team who use our services involved with the decision-making and development of the services that affect them."

Evesham's Shopmobility scheme has proved a success with residents and visitors of the town since its launch four years ago. Workers at the scheme's town centre shop, where disabled people hire out scooters, have fully backed the council's campaign

Manager Denise Moss said: "Hopefully the scheme will make people aware of what disabled people are up against, especially in the town when it comes to doing shopping. All through the town there are drop curbs and quite a few of the shops are wheelchair-friendly.

"But there are one or two places that do not have wheelchair access, especially the banks, and for someone to have to do their banking business on a pavement is not nice. It is not just disabled people but also those with a temporary mobility problem like a broken leg."

"Shopmobility has brought a lot of people into Evesham and it helps to give people their independence back, which means a lot if you are having to rely on other people. It is nice that they can come here and we see a smile on somebody's face.

"One of my members did a mini-survey around the town and on the whole Evesham is quite wheelchair-friendly. People come to the shop for advice, for example a lot of people are not sure what benefits they are entitled to, so I point them in the right direction."

The Today, Not Tomorrow campaign culminated in a 'grand finale' at county hall last Friday. The event included music, live performances, stands, guest speakers and workshops focussing on employment opportunities, access and choices for disabled people and their carers.

Evesham and Pershore MIND has been running for 30 years and was one of the associations that organised a display stand on the final day. Their presence is a reminder not all disabilities are physical and prominent to other people.

Co-ordinator Sally Padfield said: "With any sort of mental health problem there are no outward signs sometimes and we would not know there is a problem. It is very important to promote our services because there is not a lot of support in the Evesham area."

Counselling sessions and a members' support group are just some of the services the organisation runs. Ms Padfield said: "This was a very positive event to take part in - I think mental health issues are always put to the bottom of the pile and there is a big stigma, although people are trying to right this."

For more information about Evesham's Shopmobility contact Denise Moss on 01386 49230 and to find out more about the services run by Evesham and Pershore MIND call Sally Padfield on 01386 502486.