What we do

Whitby DAG is a user-led organisation, led by a Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are disabled people or carers.

Whitby DAG seeks to enable disabled people to live as independently as possible making informed choices through access to services and information.

We are here to keep you informed about local services, events, welfare benefits etc

Our Objectives

• To provide appropriate information, advice and support to enable disabled people and carers to make informed choices for independent living.
• To ensure reasonable access to goods, services and opportunities for disabled people and carers in compliance with statutory and personal needs.
• To actively raise awareness of all aspects of the needs of disabled people and carers.
• To encourage, by example, effective partnerships with other organisations and agencies.
• To promote, throughout all activities, the social model of disability i.e. that a person has an impairment but is disabled by society and the way that it is organised.

Privacy Statement

In order to meet our obligations under the new GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations), DAG has updated our Privacy Statement relating to the personal data we collect and process relating to our Members, customers, clients and participants.

To view the Privacy Statement contact the DAG office on 01947 511118.

Who's Who?

Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale DAG is a User-Led Organisation (ULO), led by a Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are disabled people and carers.

The DAG team:

Whitby DAG currentlyhas four part time members of operational staff. The staff, with the volunteers, run the day to day general office administration and other ongoing projects and service

Each staff member has specialist roles within the group.

• Phillipa Valentine. The Welfare Benefits information, advice and support service is provided by Phillipa. Phillipa supports people to complete their claim forms and assists with appeals and renewals. She has had many years experience and has a wide range of up-to-date knowledge regarding the benefits system.
• Judith Owen. Judith is the administrator and office co-ordinator dealing with day to day management of the office and a wide range of information enquiries and requests. Apart from producing the monthly newsletter Judith is the access specialist within DAG, helps run the mobility scooter and wheelchair hire scheme, currently manages some of the membership administration, and helps with Blue Badge applications and requests for assitance from the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund (NYLAF).
• Tom Cooper. Tom co-ordinates the use of our accessible vehicles by DAG and other organisations, and the Hospital Transport Pilot Project, including arranging volunteer drivers rotas, He also volunteers as a passenger assistant on trips.
• Mark Watkins. Mobility Equipment Hire Project Worker. Tel: 07956 751 790 (office hours). Mark takes the bookings for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, meets customers, and can deliver/ collect equipment within Whitby town centre.

Membership

Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale DAG has come a long way from the office in the attic where "Whitby & District Disablement Action Group" started in 1992, but our focus still remains the provision of a high quality service for disabled people and carers where it is needed. 

We don't just provide advice and information - we also run a mobility scooter and wheelchair hire service, and have a very successful Membership Scheme - organising activities, outings - for a pub lunch, to places of interest, weekly shoppers (door to door pick up and drop off) - a chance to meet up with old friends, and make new ones.

Being a DAG Member entitles you to reduced rates on our trips. You receive our monthly newsletter (by post or email) which lists the upcoming trips. Members are also entitled to elect our Board of Trustees, and you must be a paid up member in order to be a Trustee.

Our Membership Year runs from 1st April to 31st March. The Membership Fees for 2025-2026 remain the same as 2024-25 : Single £20 and Joint £25.

Click here to Download Membership Form (pdf file)

Volunteering

Based in The Coliseum in Whitby town centre, Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale DAG (DAG) is a user-led organisation, run and managed by a majority of disabled people. Our team of volunteers assist the staff team by carrying out a wide range of tasks. We will always do our best to meet any additional needs to make the role individually accessible, for example, computer set-up, appropriate seating. Our office amd mobility scooter and wheehclair hire desk are located in accessible buildings. Our mobility scooters and wheelchairs are stored in the garage a Whitby Library.

Build up your skills, confidence and feelings of self-worth. Be an active part of a local community organisation which provides help and support. All volunteers are welcome and valued for their contribution to the running of DAG.

Training and support is provided from the start from the start. Volunteers will all have named contact in the staff team linked with their specific role. Some roles require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, at no cost to the volunteer. Two references are required. Agreed out of pocket expenses will be paid. All Volunteers will receive and Induction/ introduction to the organisation.

Contact the DAG office to arrange to come in and meet us, and discuss the role/s you are interested in. We look forward to hearing from you.

T: 01947 511118           E: info@whitbydag.org.uk

 

Mobility Equipment Hire Service

Working alongside DAG paid staff, to manage bookings and provide day to day maintenance of mobility scooters and wheelchairs that are available to hire from DAG.

• We meet customers by appointment. The hours, including some Saturdays, will vary according to the volume of work. 
• Based at Whitby Library, and occasionally at Whitby Foreshore (during the summer season).
• Moving and handling of heavy equipment may be involved, e.g. lifting a wheelchair or dismantled scooter into a vehicle.

Key Tasks

• Liaise with the DAG office to ensure equipment is delivered to local holiday accommodation or local addresses as required.
• Ensure that equipment is checked, cleaned and (in the case of powered equipment) properly charged in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.
• Report any faults that require professional repairs to the Project Worker.
• Demonstrate to customers, how to use the equipment, dismantling for transport and reassembly.

Personal Qualities

• Good personal and professional  manner
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people
• Knowledge of confidentiality
• Ability to work to a good standard
• To be reliable and flexible
• To be well organised and a good timekeeper
• Reasonable physical fitness (for moving and handling of scooters and wheelchairs)

Training and on-going support is provided in the handling and use of the mobility equipment, customer relations, payments system and cash handling, booking system and administration. Volunteers will also be able to provide information for disabled people about getting around in Whitby and the surrounding area.

 

Passenger Assistants

Be part of a team of Passenger Assistants helping disabled people/ DAG members to safely enjoy the outings, run by us in our accessible vehiicles.

Hours will vary according to the number of Members’ trips held in the month. The hours will be pre-arranged where possible and are on weekdays/ during office hours.

All volunteer Passenger Assistants must be willing to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Key Tasks

• Liaise with Membership Worker on a regular basis about trip destinations, pick up points and times for members
• Ensure that passengers on the minibus are safe and comfortable
• Collect any payments due from Members for trips
• Provide assistance when/ if required e.g. to push a Member’s wheelchair or to accompany a lone member (if a Companion is not available)
• Along with the minibus driver, support DAG Members if any accidents or incidents occur
• Help Members on and off the minibus safely. Report any incidents to the Transport Worker 

Personal Qualities

• Good personal and professional  manner
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people
• Knowledge of confidentiality
• Ability to work to a good standard
• To be reliable and flexible
• To be well organised and a good timekeeper

Training & Support

Training will be provided, based on Passenger Assistants Training Scheme (PATS).

 

Office Admin Support

Working alongside paid staff, providing general admin support in the DAG office, particularly at times when paid staff may be in meetings or out of the office.

Hours - during Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4.30pm. Actual hours/ days to be agreed.

Key Tasks

• Answering telephone
• Taking messages from telephone calls and visitors
• Inputting mobility equipment bookings and membership outings on to computer database
• Taking payment (cash/ cheque/ debit card as appropriate) for membership subs/ trips/ equipment hire/ sales.
• Inputting monthly enquiries statistics on to computer database
• Shredding documentation as required

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to take on updating our guides – Where to Go, Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Getting Around Whitby, and keep our website up to date as new information becomes available.

Person Specification

• Good personal and professional manner
• To be reliable and flexible
• To be well organised and a good timekeeper
• An understanding of confidentiality
• To have a good level of literacy
• Computer skills

Training & Support

Volunteers will receive and Induction/ introduction to the organisation. Training will be provided on use of the computer and telephone if required.