Charles has FSH muscular dystrophy, whilst he can still walk unaided, he increasingly uses a wheelchair as he needs to be careful not to stand for too long.
He is very interested in disability issues, and helped establish Cheshire West & Chester Council’s Corporate Disability Access Forum in 2013, which he served as Chair until 2015 and then Vice-Chair until 2023. CDAF won the Accessible Britain Challenge Awards in 2015 and Charles narrated the Council’s CDAF 2015 submission. CDAF’s work was also an important factor in Chester winning the European Access City Award in European Access City 2016. Charles took a Motion to Council in 2017, which led to Cheshire West & Chester Council signing the Motor Nuerone Disease "MND" Charter in 2018.
Charles is a member of Ability: RE which looks at disability and inclusivity issues within the Real Estate and Built Environment sectors.
Charles is involved with the Conservative Disability Group, a former member of its Executive and has been a panel at their fringe events at the 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2018 Party Conferences. Charles is also involved in Ability 2 Win. In 2018 he also spoke on the main Conference Platform on disability issues.
Useful Links and Help for Disabled People and carers:
Caring for someone – Cheshire West & Chester Council, including short term breaks for carers.
Services for disabilities – Cheshire West & Chester Council
Children with disabilities – Cheshire West & Chester Council
Government Help for Households – help with cost of living issues.
Disability Cost of Living Payment – 2023 to 2024
Benefits and Financial Support – if you’re disabled or have a health condition.
Disabled Facilities Grant – Grants to adjust your home.
Disabled People – Includes carers, your rights, benefits and the Equality Act.
New how-to guide to help families access trust funds of disabled young adults
Rough Guide to Accessible Britain.
Council Tax – potential discounts for disabled people.
Foundation for people with learning difficulties – helping people with learning difficulties, families, carers, local authorities and service providers.
Money Saving Expert – 31 MoneySaving tips for disabled people.
Scope – Advice and support from the disability equality charity.
Council for Disabled Children – network of community groups, voluntary bodies and practitioners.
Contact – charity supporting families with disabled children.
Family Fund – Helping disabled children. Provision of grants to families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, or young adult on a low income.
Variety – The children’s charity helping disabled children and children in poverty.
Ofgem Priority Services Register – Extra help for eligible people from energy and network suppliers.
Staying independent at home – Which? magazine advice.
Health and personal care – Which? magazine advice
Royal British Legion – Advice and support for veterans and their families, including care and independent living.
Special Rules – Fast track assistance with the Benefits system for those approaching end of life.
Scope – Guide to planning disability care after a carer passes away.
Hidden Disabilities – Sunflower helping make the invisible visible.
Fun Stuff & Cheshire Initiatives
CEA Card – UK Cinema Association card allowing free carer’s ticket (if carer is over 16 and disabled person pays full price) costs £6 per annum.
Scope – Events and activities, including day’s out guides and discounts.
Dial West Cheshire – providing advice and services for disabled people across West Cheshire, including Shopmobility in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford.
Cheshire Buddies – supporting over 150 young people and their families with new experiences and friendship.
Petty Pool – helping young people with learning disabilities and difficulties.
Petty Pool Plus – days out open to above and other disabled your adults, funded from personalised budgets.
Danielle Ashley Activities – family run business helped adults with learning disabilities.
Northwich Multisports Club – helping children of all ages with disabilities.
Also please see “Charities and Community” page for potential sources of Funding for Charity and Community projects.
(Charles Fifield is not responsible for the content of external websites).