AN ORGANISATION supporting disabled people has a 'bright future' despite losing council funding.

TheFDF has been supporting people with disabilities and sensory impairments across the county for the past 20 years.

But after a recent tendering process by Flintshire Council the organisation, formerly Flintshire Disability Forum, was not successful in receiving the core grant.

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Jan Thomas, chief officer at TheFDF, said her team is in consultation with current funders but have already secured a small lottery grant which will enable them to develop their transport services.

She added: "Our members tell us their major concerns and obstacles are toilets, transport and technology.

"We recognise that disabled people have the right to live independently, to live where they want, how they want and with whom they want. They have the right to enjoy the same opportunities and experiences as their non-disabled peers.

"The right to have a job, go to college, go to the pub, to the theatre or cinema, to access public places like the Welsh Coastal path and public transport. In fact, to be independent.

"We have a philosophy that as non-disabled workers, we will never talk for disabled people. Only they have that lived experience, our members know that we believe in the phrase 'nothing about us without us'."

The service provides daily social groups for the people of Flintshire, of which about 150 members who do not receive statutory services, attend and was awarded Centre for Independent Living (CIL) status last year.

TheFDF is the second CIL in Wales, the other being in Pontypridd and Jan told the Leader that for the past 20 years the group has been a lifeline for its members and the lack of funding has been a big blow to them.

She said: "It's been a tough couple of months but we know TheFDF has a bright future and look forward to many more years supporting the disabled community not just in Flintshire but across North East Wales."

The Leader reported at the start of the month that Mark Isherwood, AM, raised concerns in the Assembly Chamber that local people are often not being involved in changes to their care and support services until after decisions have been made.

The Assembly Member added: "Earlier this summer, in Flintshire, the council awarded its service contract to provide Disability Support Services, but not to the local provider who'd had it previously."

Flintshire Council has said it is 'fully committed to providing the best possible service' for people with disabilities and will maintain the current level of services with no reductions.

Neal Ayling, chief officer for social services, explained the authority re-tendered the service fairly and robustly, adding that they "are looking forward to working with the four successful voluntary organisations to ensure we deliver even better services within the county."