Dial West Cheshire

19/06/2026

City of London Police are issuing a renewed warning to the public as courier fraud continues to evolve across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics that are driving significant financial harm to victims.

Fraudsters often deliberately focus on older victims, exploiting trust in institutions such as the police and banks, as well as using pressure tactics, fear and urgency to manipulate them into complying with instructions.
A growing trend identified in 2025 involves the use of jewellery and gold to carry out high-value frauds. In many cases, victims are persuaded to visit multiple jewellers to purchase expensive items over a period of time before handing them to a courier. This method often results in the highest amount stolen and can involve repeat victimisation, with offenders maintaining contact to extract as much money as possible.

How to spot the signs of courier fraud
Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals and anything handed over is lost.
How to protect yourself from courier fraud:
• Transferring money: Your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account.
• Couriers: Your bank or the police will never send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuables such as jewellery.
• Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on official websites, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank.
• Caller ID: Don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone - it’s not proof of ID.
• Report suspicious calls: You can report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the caller’s number.
If you think you have been a victim of fraud contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website: reportfraud.police.uk.

18/06/2026

Please be aware of scam calls using ‘spoofed’ phone numbers.

Criminals use ‘spoofing’ software to intentionally cover up their real caller ID and instead, mirror the phone number of a legitimate organisation. They do this to make it appear that calls or text messages are coming from a trusted organisation like the police, banks or government agencies.
These scam calls may be automated, or from a real person. Their main goal is to trick you into sharing personal information or to transfer money.
This week, the City of London Police launched its courier fraud campaign to raise awareness of this type of fraud as it evolves across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics.
Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals, and anything handed over is lost.
Report a suspicious phone call
If you've lost money or have been hacked as a result of responding to a phishing message or scam call, you should report it to Report Fraud.
In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, visit https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland by calling 101.
You should also report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ and the caller's number.
If you’ve shared personal information with a suspicious caller
• Learn how to protect yourself if you think you’ve shared personal information.
If you’ve visited a website you think is suspicious, you can report a scam website or link to us.

18/06/2026

On Tuesday, 16th June, Lyn Hand, a T Club member, gave an informative talk to our group on her memories as a Chester Tour Guide. She brought back fond memories of Browns of Chester, Owen Owen and the old Market. Thank you, Lyn, for taking us on a trip down Memory Lane!

12/06/2026

Looking at the smiling faces in our Community Café this afternoon, it looks like the café team have once again served an ace. Today's Lunch Club menu consisted of Homemade Tomato and Basil Soup, Chicken Korma with Basmati Rice, followed by delicious Homemade Chocolate Brownie. All very well enjoyed with clean plates all round.
If you would like to join the Lunch Club in the coming weeks, with next week's main meal being Sausage Casserole, with soup as starter and, let's face it, there's always room for cake, please pop into our café or reception, or give us a call on 01244 345655, or use the link below to book yourself a place. Vegetarian options are available, too.

https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/izouZqpGEotKRP8iEAUL

08/06/2026

Visitors, staff and volunteers attended the launch of our first lunch club on Friday. It was a great success and the food was delicious!
They enjoyed a hearty meal of leek and potato soup, followed by cottage pie with vegetables, finished with a slice of Bakewell cake, which, with the weather being not very summery, was all very welcome.

We have already received bookings for Friday 12th June, but there are still places left for you to join us for another delicious meal as detailed in the pictures below. A lovely, three course meal for £12 is really great value, so please follow this link and book your seat!

https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/izouZqpGEotKRP8iEAUL

Alternatively, please pop into Dial House and speak to our café or reception team.

05/06/2026

"I would have been lost on my own."
"I couldn't have done it without Dial."
"A weight of worry was lifted."
"Your help will make my life so much easier."
"Without your help, I would never have received PIP."
"A huge thank you."
"Thank you for your help and kindness."
"Your kindness helped to make it easier."
"I nearly abandoned my PIP appeal due the stress of it all, but your support helped me carry on, and my appeal was successful, which just proves how essential disability-specific support services are. Thank you so very much."

Above are just a few of the messages of thanks which we receive from clients grateful for our help with their benefit applications and appeals. Thank you to all our clients who take the time to show their appreciation of our services. We are here to help.
If you are over the age of 18, live in a Cheshire West and Chester postcode, and have a disability benefit application form to complete, please give our friendly reception team a call on 01244 345655 and ask for our support.

https://dialwestcheshire.org.uk/home/services/information-advice/

05/06/2026

UPDATE: Unfortunately, there is a temporary IT glitch in our CRF application procedure, which is preventing the upload of supporting evidence. If you wish to apply, please email all the supporting evidence to [email protected]
Thank you.

Dial West Cheshire is supporting Cheshire West and Chester Council to distribute the Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund by providing essential support to the area’s most vulnerable, disabled residents.

This fund is designed to provide effective crisis support to those that encounter a financial shock and help individuals build their long-term financial resilience, reducing their dependence and repeat need for emergency assistance on things such as food parcels. Please see below for more information and a link to the DWC website.

04/06/2026

Tomorrow sees the launch of the Friday Lunch Club at Dial's Community Café. Our café team are working hard to prepare the food for tomorrow. We are booked for tomorrow's session, but if you would like to join us here for a three course meal in the coming weeks, please see the link below for details of how to book, or pop in to speak to the café or reception team.

https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/izouZqpGEotKRP8iEAUL

03/06/2026

KALEIDOSCOPE FESTIVAL 2026
A week of creativity, celebration, community and joy returns to Storyhouse (Chester) this July.
From Chester's Disability Pride Parade and fashion shows to creative workshops, dance, podcasts, exhibitions, gameshows and Kaleidoscope's Got Talent - there's something for everyone to get involved in.
6-10 July 2026
All events are FREE or Pay What You Can
Come celebrate disabled voices, creativity and connection in a welcoming space for all. Please book in advance where possible so we know to expect you.
Check the link for the full programme and to book your place!

Kaleidoscope Festival is a weeklong programme of performances, events, workshops, and activities that are programmed specifically for and by the learning-disabled community.

01/06/2026

This week is Volunteers Week, and we would like to thank all of our amazing volunteers for their help. You are all stars, and we couldn't run DWC without the time that you give to support our charity.
DWC volunteers have been volunteering for a cumulative total of 298 years with DWC, which is pretty impressive. Thank you!