Founding chief of New Forest Disability Information Service Jacki Keable steps down as support charity marks 25 years
THE founding chief of a New Milton-based charity supporting disabled New Forest residents stepped down as it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Jacki Keable had been at the helm of New Forest Disability Information Service (NFDIS) since launching it in 1998 to provide free advice and guidance to disabled people of all ages, families, carers, and professionals.
Having suffered a life-changing injury which left her having to use a wheelchair, she was inspired to help others like herself navigate a complex welfare system.
Jacki handed over the reins to Dr Heidi Harrison during a recent silver anniversary party at New Milton Memorial Centre attended by staff, volunteers, trustees and friends.
Praising NFDIS’s team’s support and dedication, Jacki told them she was looking forward to continuing as a volunteer.
“The team is not scared of change and provide huge support to me – especially at tricky moments,” she said. “I’m sure they will help Heidi too.
“The staff’s dedication and commitment is to be praised and their knowledge is boundless.
“The volunteers have been selfless, giving, loyal and a huge melting pot of knowledge and transferable skills.”
She added: “It has been an honour and a privilege to work with you all. Here’s to the next 25 years!”
Jacki and her team had worked to develop a charity empowering people with disabilities to live their lives with dignity and independence.
Over the last quarter of a century, NFDIS has helped more than 100,000 people in the New Forest and surrounding areas.
As well as advice, it provides practical assistance on a wide range of daily issues including mobility assistance equipment, disability-related benefits, blue badge applications, and tribunal support.
Over 2,000 people living with disabilities are supported each year, with over 15,000 disability-related enquires answered; and over £1.4m of financial assistance secured.
NFDIS also works with the NHS to deliver the Just Got Home programme and the Independence Matters project in hospitals and healthcare settings to support independent living.
It has consistently held the Advice Quality Standard Award for excellence in quality of advice since 2000, and was recently awarded disability confident leader.
Dr Harrison succeeds Jacki with 20 years’ experience in senior leadership from across the charity sector under her belt.
“It is a real honour to take over the helm from Jacki following years of dedicated service to our community,” she said.
“It is clear how highly she is thought of across the charity, and I have little doubt that none of it would have been possible without her.”
The charity is continuing to expand, taking on more volunteers, most of whom are from a healthcare setting including GPs, occupational therapists and nurses.