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Your Voice, Shropshire Disability Network Newsletter, Issue No 10 April 2011

Your Voice, Your Connections

www.shropshire-disability.net

Item 1

In this Issue:

Out & About

Walk & Roll – You don’t want to miss it! – Item 2 – Page 2

Miles Without Stiles – Item 36 – Page 29

Disabled Sport in Shropshire – Item 43 – Page 34

Care Matters

Carewrite – Item 8 – Page 9

The true face of carers – Item 16 – Page 14

Are you a carer? – Item 18 – Page 16

Young Carers Project – Item 27 – Page 21

Support Dog honoured at Crufts – Item 38 – Page 31

The Cuts

The impact of the Big Society on Shrops – Item 5 – Page 5

March for the Alternative – Item 20 – Page 16

Pickles makes it plain – Item 21 – Page 19

A man walks into a bank – Item 28 – Page 22

Benefits

New funding to help disabled people – Item 4 – Page 4

Get 1/3 off rail fares – Item 11 – Page 11

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme – Item 13 – Page 12

New funding for disabled MPs – Item 12 – Page 12

NHS Low Income Scheme – Item 14 – Page 13

Carers Allowance and state pension – Item 17 – Page 15

Benefit Changes – Item 29 – Page 23

Disabled hit hard in welfare reform – Item 33 – Page 27

Work capability assessment criticised – Item 41 – Page 36

SDN

Street collections – Item 3 – Page 4

SDN General Meeting 10/03/2011 – Item 6 – Page 6

General

Community Sector found-up – Item 19 – Page 16

Learning IT skills at home – Item 10 – Page 11

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Shrewsbury MS Society – Item 15 – Page 14

Age concern Pub Clubs – Item 22 – Page 18

Shropshire VCS Assembly – Item 23 – Page 18

Help urgently needed – Item 24 – Page 19

Whack it Smack it! – Item 25 – Page 20

Independent Living conference – Item 26 – Page 20

BIBEC Outreach Service – Item 30 – Page 24

Cool Kids – Item 31 – Page 24

Disability Football at Manx Youth Games – Item 32 – Page 26

Message in a Bottle – Item 34 – Page 27

How to get website problems fixed – Item 39 – Page 31

A new approach to SEN & disability – Item 40 – Page 32

Listen not label Telford & Wrekin – Item 44 – Page 35

Mental Health & Debt – Item 42 – Page 34

Health matters

NHS managers blocking GP referrals – Item 7 – Page 9

Blood test for Alzheimer’s – Item 9 – Page 10

Health Information News – Item 35 – Page 28

Shropshire hospitals decision – Item 37 – Page 30

What’s On

General Events – Item 45 – Page 35

Events: Conferences etc. – Item 46 – Page 46

The Crippen Cartoon – Item 47 – Page 48

Item 2

Walk & Roll – three times better than rock ‘n roll – you don’t want to miss it!

You are most cordially invited – along with your family and friends – to take part in the Shropshire Disability Network 2011 Walk and Roll in Shrewsbury Quarry on April 10.

Our sponsored spring ramble along the Severn starts at 12.00 but please be there by 11.30.

There will be three routes, all starting at the riverside entrance to the Quarry at the end of Quarry Avenue.

Ramble No 1 is one kilometre in the Quarry, on super paths for wheelchair and scooter users and for families with young children.

Ramble No 2 is four km - a gentle stroll along the River Severn crossing Porthill Footbridge, along the Severn to Longden Coleham, then crossing back at Greyfriars Bridge and continuing along the river to the Caste before turning back and returning to The Quarry along Victoria Avenue (ie, in The Quarry)

Ramble No 3 – for the more energetic - is six km. Starting as Ramble No 2 but continuing along the river to the weir and back along Victoria Avenue.

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Whichever route you take you are bound to see plenty of wildlife and spring blossom. All routes have marshals at regular intervals and St John Ambulance will be in attendance.

The more people with disability, carers, friends, family, and advocates who can take part in this event, the more we will be able to:

raise awareness of disability in Shropshire, through positive press coverage

help Shropshire Disability Network to continue providing its service to disabled people in the county

make the day enjoyable for everyone taking part

Please, please, come along and get as many people as possible to sponsor you. It's only a small time commitment but can help a lot of people with disability in Shropshire.

Just return the form on the next page to Geoff Forgie at The Old Barn, Llwyntidmon Mill, Maesbrook, Oswestry, SY10 8QD (01691 830662 e-mail: geoffforgie@talktalk.net) as soon as possible.

I/We wish to take part in the SDN Walk and Roll 2011

On the 10th April in the Quarry arriving by 11.30am for 12.00pm Start

Name: __________________________________________ Telephone: __________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________ Postcode _______________

No. Adults: ____________________ No. Children: _____________ No. Dogs: ____________

Firstly we appreciate every single penny you are able to raise, and would like you to do what is easiest for you.

You may wish to consider:

1. Start getting your sponsorship a.s.a.p and asking someone each day; or alternatively get it done in 1 go. Either way ensure you have plenty of time to find your Sponsors.

2. Ask your sponsors to give you the money straight way and keep it safe. This saves having to collect it afterwards.

3. It can help to start your list with those you think most likely to be generous.

All money raised will be used for the benefit of persons with disability especially in Shropshire.

Please make cheques payable to Shropshire Disability Network and send to SDN Treasurer, c/o Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care, London House, Town Walls, Shrewsbury, SY1 1TX

1. Bring a bottle of water with you to avoid dehydration.

2. Bring snacks to sustain you throughout the walk and a picnic if you wish to.

3. Wear suitable shoes, walking boots or trainers.

4. Bring a waterproof

5. ENSURE THAT YOU REGISTER AT ALL THE MARSHALL POINTS MARKED WITH A STAR, so we can keep track of everyone’s progress.

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6. You will be given details and telephone numbers at registration to call in case you have an emergency. Please remember to bring a mobile phone along if you have one, however there will be a sweep walker following behind that you can speak to if you have a problem.

7. St John’s Ambulance will be stationed in the entrance to the Quarry, so please call the emergency number given on the day if you need medical help. It is a good idea to take some blister pads with you just in case, and a pack of tissues.

8. Do take a camera along and send us any pictures, we would love to see them and we may use them in the publicity for future walks.

9. I am sure you wouldn’t dream of dropping any litter!

10. Children over 10 and Dogs are welcome on all these walks, but please make sure the children are supervised and dogs are kept on a lead at all

Item 3

Street collections coming up – can you help?

Shropshire Disability Network is holding two more street collections this year, one in Shrewsbury and one in Telford. A collection was held in Shrewsbury last month (March). The details are:

Saturday April 30 - Telford Town Centre

Saturday September 17 - Darwin Shopping Centre Shrewsbury

If you can help, please contact Dave Hewetson on 01743-247019 or email davidhewetson@talktalk.net. You won't be on your own, as you'll have someone else collecting with you.

Our Darwin Centre collection last August raised over £330,cash much needed to keep Shropshire Disability Network going. This was manned by volunteers from the Steering Group, some of whom will be taking part again this year. But we would love members of the Network outside the Steering Group to come along and help us too. Many thanks to all those who have collected in the past, but if you would be happy to put in an hour or two helping us raise much-needed funds, please get in touch with Dave as soon as possible. You won't be on your own, as you'll have someone else collecting with you.

Item 4

New funding to help disabled people become MPs or councillors

Disabled people who want to become councillors or MPs will have access to a fund to help them overcome the barriers they face, under proposals published by the Government.

The fund is just one part of a planned £1 million package aimed at improving access to elected office for disabled people. Proposals also include the creation of new training and development opportunities and the introduction of a mentoring programme that will allow aspiring disabled politicians to learn from people who have already made it to the top.

The Government is seeking views from across the community, including disabled people and those involved in the political process at all levels. The consultation, which follows a coalition agreement commitment to introduce extra support for disabled people who want to become MPs, councillors or other types of elected position, will run for three months, with the scheme expected to launch in late 2011.

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Full details of the consultation can be downloaded from the Government Equalities Office website at www.equalities.gov.uk (Article courtesy of Warrington Disability Partnership, http://www.disabilitypartnership.org.uk/)

Item 5

The impact of the ‘Big Society’ on Shropshire

This was the theme of guest speaker Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, who was a guest speaker at the SDN March General Meeting on 10th March.

Keith Barrow (pictured during his address) began by promising to take away a request, made in AOB, about taxi SMS services for people with hearing disability and to see what could be done about it, as it seemed such an obviously sensible suggestion.

Keith said that his background included 20 years as a swimming coach, during which he had coached swimmers with disabilities to Olympic standard. He recalled that blind swimmers were tapped on the head with a tennis ball to tell them it was time to go into a tumble turn!

There is much debate about what The Big Society means, he said. He sees it as turning back the clock to when people in communities were more caring, and would look out for one another.

There is a lot of confusion because The Big Society has been linked with budget cuts, when they’re really different things.

He had heard something on the Politics Show recently talking about people doing ironing and washing, to give respite to carer families. The Council is trying to look at things differently now. For example, they’re planning to spend £12 million working in partnership with voluntary organisations to offer services and help to people. One example was a large sports centre in Market Drayton, which was sold to volunteers for £1.

The centre’s roof needed repairing, and the Council had been quoted £650,000, prior to the sale, for the work. Post sale, the volunteers got the same firm to do the same work for £160,000.

Another example was in Cleobury Mortimer, where the Council was quoted £180,000 to build a block of toilets. The council is looking at providing access instead to existing community halls which have disabled toilets.

Keith said another way we can do things better is through Personal Budgets. His cousin’s daughter, Jane, who has Down’s Syndrome, is now able to spend some money on going dancing, which she loves.

In summary, he said, we’re recognising that often we haven’t done things right, and are trying to change the way we do things. In a recent radio interview, the implication was taken from what he said that the Council was going to dump stuff onto voluntary organisations. But that’s not the case - what he meant to get across was that the Council has to work in partnership with these other organisations.

He was asked if moving to unitary authority status had made any difference?

The answer was Yes - they had saved £18m just by doing it. A total of 168 posts were saved. But the Council faces bigger and bigger challenges. Next year it must save £30 million, and this will be achieved by savings in mainly back office positions, largely through vacancy management. It must then save £20 million, £20 million, and £9 million, in the following three years.

Another question was: What services are going to be cut?

His answer: It’s not so much about cuts. It’s largely about doing things differently. For example, changing the stops of mobile libraries to match the demand and allowing volunteers to man local libraries. When he came to office, he found there were 12 solicitors employed by the Council, and

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is now reviewing this. Moving leisure centres into management by trust is expected to save hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Council is asking business if they would run leisure centres.

Q. Can we have parking bays outside houses to help people with disability?

A. This is a legacy of houses designed in days when the car population was low, and streets were allowed to be narrow. There isn’t the money to address this at the moment, I’m afraid.

Q. Can you please make sure that the way you promote the changes, and the locations for the promotion, are relevant? And can you make the language you use is equality-proof?

A. Yes. We must do better. Recently, a meeting of a Local Enterprise Partnership (where Council meets business people) was arranged for 2.30pm (in the middle of the business day), which was madness. When it was re-arranged for 6.30pm at Ludlow Racecourse, more than 200 people attended. We are listening. For instance, we have casualties with young people falling in the river after a night drinking. There are more mobile smart phones than mobiles now, and an App is being developed to message young people a reminder to book their taxi after a night out.

Q. It was recently reported that four jobs with the Council would cost a total of £380,000 in salaries. How can you justify that in a time of cuts?

A. Keith said he was angry about this story in the Shropshire Star, which was untrue. It is even more frustrating, since the Council places £400,000 worth of advertising per annum with the paper. The truth is that a Senior Management Review has taken place, which had resulted in a saving of £4m. All Senior Managers were given notice, and had to re-apply for their posts, but they were not all retained. However, four senior posts require appointments from external sources. One was a finance officer, and the others may be shared with other Councils.

Q. Personalisation is great, but there are gaps in provision, e.g. specialised childcare, and there is a cost of training for carers.

A. That is a hard question, which in turn asks questions about our economic development. We must create jobs in the wider economy. We’re pressing ahead with Personalisation, but recognise that it poses problems, which we need to address. For example, in community transport, we have to look at our overall strategy. Can we retain bus routes, but run buses less frequently? Recently, when a bus company cut a route at Shawbury, which was used by one person, more than a hundred people met to protest. Is that reasonable?

Q. Why does Mr Cameron insist the cuts are front-loaded, and not distributed over a longer period, which would ease the load on both the Council and the taxpayer?

A. We really have no choice but to make a major start now. Council spending from 2001 – 2005 increased massively. Between Children’s Services, Education, Social Services, and Care Services, the increase was around £80 million.

Q. Can I expect to see my Council Tax come down as a result of the savings?

A. There will be no increase in Council Tax for the next three years, and a slight reduction thereafter.

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Other highlights from the SDN General Meeting

Chairman Geoff Forgie welcomed 40 people to the meeting, at which the guest speakers were Ann Johnson, SDN Steering Group member and head of our Employment Sub Group, who spoke about changes in the Equality Act, and Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, who spoke about the impact of the Big Society on Shropshire (see preceding article).

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Geoff passed on apologies once again from our Patron, Emma Suddaby, whom he has visited at the Orthopaedic Hospital several times. “Every time I speak with her I am inspired,” he said. “She truly is a hero and an inspiration in her fight to make the most from her challenging life”.

Ann Johnson began her address by asking: “Is treating someone with a disability equally, fair?” The short answer is NO. Persons with disability should be supported by legislation that makes special provision for them. The Equality Act 2010 replaces nine separate Acts. It is being introduced in 3 parts – October 2010, April 2011 and April 2012. Ann said it would bring common threads together, close loopholes, covers additional discriminations, and aim to improve people’s lives. There are changes to all protective characteristics

Age

Disability

Gender Re-assignment

Marriage and Civil Partnership

Pregnancy and maternity

Race

Religion or belief

Sex

Sexual Orientation

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is still relevant, and the objectives of the Social Model remain, namely, protecting in the workplace, provision of services, and reasonable adjustments.

But much more emphasis is now being but on Disability Equality Duty, i.e. it’s more about what you are proactively doing as an employer or whatever. Changes include a change of the word “involvement” to “engage” with people with disabilities when reviewing policies and work practices.

Ann mentioned a free workshop she was planning for March 23 about the implication of this wording change. There is no change to the definition of disability as in the DDA 1995, namely: “A person has a disability if he/she has a mental or physical impairment which has a substantial and adverse long-term effect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”

Some changes are:

Now given the right to modify the home in communal living areas, as well as in individual homes.

Generic pre-recruitment health forms have been outlawed

We can say, “You’ve discriminated against me”. They have now to prove they haven’t

It is recognised that circumstances can arise “as a result of” disability, e.g. tiredness during the day

You can now take action on two different grounds at the same time

How to enforce the Act? Ann said she believes always in education first. Only once has she had to take things beyond education to get things changed. The Equality of Human Rights Commission website www.equalityhumanrights.com fully describes the processes available, if you need to take action under the Act. You get free support, and a caseworker assigned to you. In the end, we need to

Be better informed

Inform others

Empower

Share understanding

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Enable

Two speakers

Julie Davenport of the Parents and Carers Council and Jim Struthers of EAGA had stands at the meeting and both spoke briefly.

Julie explained that PACC members are all parents of children with disabilities. It is used as a consultation body by public and official organisations, like the Council. It holds events for families so that they can get together. A current promotion is the Shropshire Face to Face Befriending Scheme.

Jim is a regional co-ordinator of the TV Switchover scheme, which is being run by the BBC, supported by Government. It reports to the BBC Trust. He said Shropshire switches over to digital on April 6, with a follow-up on April 20. A number of people will be eligible for free assistance, and these will be mailed. If you get a letter, please respond, even if it’s just to avoid further letters.

Website and Newsletter

Geoff said our website continues to move forward, with Gavin Martin dealing with day-to-day issues, and with the help of Paul Nash, our new webmaster. The number of visits to the website has increased from about 800 per month to 1000 per month. As a result of this and the newsletter, the regular contact list is approaching 500.

A web editorial team is being formed to help make SDC information even more useful to individuals with disability. Val Lewis and Trevor Dickenson are currently on the Editorial Team, and Val appealed for volunteers to join them. Six would be a good number for the team, including people with disability, who can provide the insight needed to ensure the website remains relevant.

Regarding the Newsletter, Geoff said that further to Sally’s pending retirement, he was pleased to welcome to the meeting Peter Staples, a newly retired volunteer who is discussing production of the Newsletter with Sally.

Sally is staying on to the beginning of May. In the meantime if anyone would like to be involved in helping with the Newsletter, please contact Geoff on 01691 830662 or Sally/Peter at newsletter@shropshire-disability.net

Geoff went on: “I would once again like to publicly thank Sally for the tremendous job she has done in getting Your Voice up and running and for the very valuable contributions she has made to our Steering Group.” He also thanked volunteers Susanna, for her continued help with graphics, and Marina, for producing the vocal version of the newsletter, adding that Marina would love some more volunteers to help her.

Volunteering Opportunities with SDN

SDN is constantly on the lookout for volunteers. Here are posts we are currently looking to fill:

Fundraising co-ordinator

Newsletter assistants

Event co-ordinator – SDN Disability Challenge, September 4

Event co-ordinators – Shropshire Disability Awareness Day, October 16

Marketing officer

Social events co-ordinator

For further information please contact Geoff on 01691 830662 , email geoffforgie@talktalk.net or Sally/Peter at newsletter@shropshire-disability.net

Treasurer’s Report

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Tom Memery said there is a current bank balance of £2,938, of which £688 is uncommitted. He paid tribute to the huge effort put in by SDN volunteers. Not all volunteer hours are reported, but what has been reported amounts to 2,500 hours per year.

Care & Health Issues

Phil George of CINCH (shortly to be renamed HealthWatch) invited SDN to attend their Care & Health Issues Group meeting on April 7. His colleague David Beechey said they have monthly meetings, addressing concerns about issues with care and health services, and report to the Care & Equality Commission. They would like important groups like SDN to be involved. Currently the group is looking at the Ambulance Service Patients’ Charter. Val Lewis asked if they were involved in querying the changes to hospital bus services. David replied that they were involved in the group looking at those issues, and also with clinical groups. Carol George mentioned there are a number of public meetings (roadshows) where people can bring their stories and voice concerns.

On the buses?

Val Lewis mentioned the survey on our SDN website. It includes a question that asks what people will do if the hospital bus service is cut. How will you get there? She asked that people don’t just answer, “I wouldn’t!” SDN wants to know the real difficulties people would experience if they have to continue to make the journey by alternative means of transport.

Item 7

NHS managers accused of blocking GP referrals

NHS managers are blocking hospital appointments for patients to save cash, according to a poll of GPs. As many as one in eight patients are being denied a referral made by their GP for services including hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery, allergy services, IVF and removing tonsils, the survey suggests.

Some 380 GPs responded to the poll for Pulse magazine, with a third saying their referrals were being screened by a referral management centre. The NHS uses these centres to assess the clinical appropriateness of GP referrals before treatment is allowed, and trusts admit they help cut costs.

In the latest poll, 21% of GPs said their patients faced restrictions in access to hip and knee replacements, 13% to cataract surgery, 13% to allergy services and 10% to services for chronic fatigue syndrome or ME.

(www.telegraph.co.uk/wirecopy/8343574/NHS-managers-blocking-GPreferrals.Html)

Item 8

Carewrite

Carewrite is an innovative creative writing project which enables housebound family carers to send work in for tutorial support and to have their work published on the project blog (www.carewrite.blogspot.com). The blog has had over 80 postings of carers’ work and has had over 800 hits from all over the world since it started in January 2010. WE also have monthly tutorial sessions for those who can attend.

Carewrite launched their first anthology, ‘A Door Wide Open’ in December at the Gateway Arts and Education Centre in Shrewsbury. The project is backed by Shropshire Council and Director of Transformation, George Candler opened proceedings. ‘A Door Wide Shut’ is a collection of stories, poems ad short pieces of autobiography written by family carers in Shropshire. At the launch carers read selections from the anthology which had been chosen from the blog.

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If you are a carer and would like to join us contact Dave Bingham carewrite@gmail.com or ring 01952 432112 for further details.

If you would like a copy of the anthology (£2.50) contact Sarah Bromley at the Gateway, Education and Arts Centre, Chester Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1NB (or ring 01743 355159). To obtain a copy by post please send a cheque for £3.00 (including postage and packaging) to the Gateway at the above address, cheques made payable to Shropshire Council.

Item 9

Blood test for Alzheimer’s offershope for early diagnosis

By Shaoni Bhattacharya, consultant, New Scientist, 7-01-2011, http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2011/01/blood-test-for-alzheimers-offe.html

It seems like a new test for Alzheimer's disease emerges every few months, yet are we any closer to dealing with this debilitating and incurable disease? On Thursday, US researchers in Cell unveiled a new technique that could lead to a blood test for Alzheimer's. Is this one any more promising than the rest?

Many diagnostic tests utilise antigens - proteins which are modified or foreign that provoke the body's immune system to respond by producing antibodies. If you can test for the antibody, you can test for the disease.

However, as an accompanying editorial by Tamsin Lindstrom and William Robinson at Stanford University points out, we don't know which antigens are provoking the production of antibodies in Alzheimer's.

Thomas Kodadek at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, and colleagues hypothesised that the antigens in Alzheimer's might be natural biomolecules somehow gone wrong in people with the disease, so they would represent naturally found molecules within the body modified in shape in some way.

With this in mind they synthesised thousands of so-called peptoids based on biomolecules naturally found in the body but with a slightly different shape, and then used these vast libraries to "fish" for antibodies.

The team first tried their approach in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, and found they could distinguish between healthy and sick mice. They then used the same approach to test the blood serum of six people with Alzheimer's, six with Parkinson's and six healthy controls. This allowed them to identify three antibodies specific to Alzheimer's.

Further work suggested the test was 93 per cent accurate according to UK newspaper the Daily Mail.

The study potentially offers a way to test for Alzheimer's using a simple blood test. Currently the only way to be sure is to examine the brain at autopsy for the disease's characteristic plaques and tangles.

Doctors make diagnoses on the basis of clinical symptoms - by which time the disease is already much advanced.

Simon Ridley, head of research at the UK's Alzheimer's Research Trust says:

“This very early research poses a new way of testing blood to diagnose Alzheimer’s, but much more research must be done. We need to know how accurate and sensitive the test is and it also needs to be trialled in larger and more diverse groups of people.”

But a major problem in tackling Alzheimer's disease remains. Despite decades of research there is no cure, and no drug that can halt the progression of this neurodegenerative disease.

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Kodadek tells HealthDay News:

“It’s unclear whether people would want to know a couple of years ahead of time they are going to get Alzheimer’s if they can’t do anything about it. But I can say with some certainty that we will never get a good therapy for Alzheimer’s without early diagnosis.”

Item 10

Learning IT skills athome – a first-hand account

UCanDoIT is a charity teaching blind, deaf and other disabled people a range of computer skills including email, the Internet and basic word processing in their own homes. Over the past 10 years nearly 3,000 learners, with over 80 different disabilities, have graduated from its course.

UCanDoIT teaches disabled learners from all backgrounds and all ages. Many disabled people are unable to attend classes, which is why UCanDoIT provides a CRB checked tutor to give them lessons on a one-to-one basis, in their own homes, on their own computers.

This is the story of Beryl, 79, who lives near Telford:

“I was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration seven years ago - I had laser treatment but the degeneration couldn't be halted. When this happened I was retired from teaching but I still taught on a one to one basis.

I was determined that my life should go on as normally as possible. As a sighted person and keen reader I had little interest in computers and had always enjoyed writing by hand. I quickly realised that a computer was going to be a necessity.

I have always been interested in current affairs and I so miss being able to read newspapers. I need to learn how to operate the web to keep myself informed and up to date. For instance - how do I access a ‘blog’?

Last year, together with three other macular suffers/carers we set up a Telford branch of the Macular Disease Society. As you can imagine, this very much necessitates the use of the computer.

I tried my local college and signed on for a six month course which I attended every session. They were totally incapable of loading up the programme that I was supposed to be working on - it was a total waste of time and money.

I also was directed to the local library that had the computers but no tuition! I needed and still need help from someone who understands the specific problems of a macular condition and has the patience to work with an impatient, frustrated but keen elderly student. Where else could I get it?”

UCanDoIT is a registered charity and charges just £5 per lesson for learners on a low income and works on a sliding scale for those on higher incomes. It receives no funding from central Government and very little from local government and relies on grants and donations to continue its work. To find out more about UCanDoIT contact: Telephone/Minicom 020 7730 7766 email: enquiries@ucandoit.org.uk or visit the website at www.ucandoit.org.uk

Item 11

Get 1/3 off rail fares

Article from Warrington Disability Partnership News, Issue 17, http://www.disabilitypartnership.org.uk/newsletter/index.shtml

If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult you might qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard.

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The Railcard allows you to get 1/3 off most rail fares throughout Great Britain. If you're travelling with an adult companion they also can get 1/3 off their rail fare. £20 for a one-year Railcard. £54 for a three-year Railcard. You need to give proof that you are eligible for a Railcard. You might qualify if you: have a visual impairment, a hearing impairment, have epilepsy or are in receipt of a disability-related benefit. To find out how to apply

see the leaflet ‘Rail Travel Made Easy’ (available at stations) or call 0845 605 0525. Textphone 0845 601 0132. Web:

http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

Item 12

New funding to help disabled people become MPs or councillors

Disabled people who want to become councillors or MPs will have access to a fund to help them overcome the barriers they face, under proposals published by the Government.

The fund is just one part of a planned £1 million package aimed at improving access to elected office for disabled people. Proposals also include the creation of new training and development opportunities and the introduction of a mentoring programme that will allow aspiring disabled politicians to learn from people who have already made it to the top.

The Government is seeking views from across the community, including disabled people and those involved in the political process at all levels. The consultation, which follows a coalition agreement commitment to introduce extra support for disabled people who want to become MPs, councillors or other types of elected position, will run for three months, with the scheme expected to launch in late 2011.

Full details of the consultation can be downloaded from the Government Equalities Office website at www.equalities.gov.uk (Article courtesy of Warrington Disability Partnership)

Item 13

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

From Shropshire ME Group Newsletter, http://www.shropshiremegroup.org.uk/ newsletters.htm

You may be able to claim a refund under the 'Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme' (HTCS) of the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic test arranged by a doctor or dentist.

To qualify for help with travel costs under the HTCS, you must meet three conditions:

1. At the time of your appointment, you or your partner (including civil partners) must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits or allowances, or meet the eligibility criteria of the NHS Low Income Scheme (see below)

2. Your journey must be made to receive NHS-funded non-primary medical or non-primary dental care services, to which you have been referred to by a GP, dentist or hospital consultant.

3. For referrals made by a GP or dentist, the service must be provided on a different day and in premises other than those occupied by the GP or dentist who made the referral.

You can claim travel costs for your children if 2 or 3 above applies to them and you are in group 1 above at the time of the appointment. Any young person aged 16 or over may make their own Low Income Scheme claim – there is more information in leaflet HC11- Help with health costs (PDF,

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287.10 kb.)

You can claim travel costs for an escort, if your doctor, dentist or consultant says that for medical reasons you need someone to travel with you. You cannot claim help with travel costs, if:

you are visiting someone in hospital. However, visitors in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits may be able to receive assistance in the form of a Social Fund payment. Further information about this assistance can be obtained from Jobcentre Plus offices

you are visiting your local GP or dentist for routine primary care services, such as check-ups, vaccinations, cervical cancer screening or minor surgery, as these are excluded from the scheme. Urgent primary care services during the out of hour periods (i.e. between 6.30pm and 8.00pm weekdays, at weekends or on bank holidays) are also excluded.

You may be eligible if you or your partner (including Civil partners) receive:

Income Support,

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or

you are named on, or entitled to (use your award notice as evidence), a NHS tax credit exemption certificate, or

you have a low income and are named on certificate HC2 (full help) or HC3 (limited help.)

To apply for this certificate, you should complete form HC1 available from your local hospital, Jobcentre Plus offices, or from the DH publications order line on 0300 123 1002.

1. You should use the cheapest most appropriate means of transport, which in most cases will be public transport. If you travel by car you will be reimbursed the estimated cost of fuel used plus unavoidable car parking and toll charges. Where you are using a taxi for transport it is recommended that you check with the hospital or PCT before you travel to agree this.

2. You should be able to receive payments in advance of travel to your appointment. Please contact the hospital or PCT concerned for further information on how to do this.

3. You should take your travel receipts, appointment letter or card and proof that you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits to a nominated cashier’s office to claim your reimbursement.

Note: In some hospitals, the name of the office that you need to go to may be different e.g. the General Office or the Patient Affairs Office. If you are not sure, ask reception or Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) staff where you should go.

Alternatively, you can complete an HC5 form - claim travel charges and post this together with your travel receipts to the address given in the form. You can make a postal claim up to three months after your appointment has taken place.

Item 14

NHS Low Income Scheme

The scheme provides income related help to people who are not exempt from charges but who may be entitled to full or partial help if they have a low income. It covers:

NHS prescriptions

NHS dental treatment

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Sight tests, glasses and contact lenses

Travel to receive NHS treatment

NHS wigs and fabric supports

The scheme is designed so that you can claim for a certificate before you need any treatment and are able to budget accordingly. However, if you have already paid for something, you can apply for a refund at the same time you apply for a certificate. [Generally you need to be in receipt of benefits already.]

Just go to this website for details: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1125.aspx

Item 15

Shrewsbury & District MS Society

Could you edit our newsletter?

We need an editor for our newsletter and would love to hear from you if you can spare a few hours each month and have good IT skills and access to a PC. Would you enjoy writing articles, editing the newsletter and proof-reading copy from our contributors? Why not get in touch to find out how we can put your skills to good use!

Putting the newsletter together is fairly straightforward but we would welcome suggestions to improve it. To find out more, please contact any committee member or Hilary Fisher on 01743 351017 or daveandh@talktalk.net

Residential respite centres

The MS Society is in talks with a shortlist of organisations which are interested in taking over its respite centres in England. It had hoped things would have been clearer by now regarding the transfer or closure of the centres, but the details have proved more complex than expected. Although it can’t say much about the organisations which have made bids, they are all small to medium size and a mix of charities and private companies. The bids received are for both continuing to provide respite care and long-term care at Helen Ley Court and for closure of the current service. If you have any questions about short breaks contact the care services team on respitecare@mssociety.org.uk or phone 0808 800 8000.

This article was taken from Teamspirit Issue 175 March 2011

Item 16

The true face of carers

Welcome to Carers Week 2011 - The True Face of Carers.

Carers Week 2011 takes place from June 13 to 19. How hard is life as a carer? How much help do carers actually receive from statutory agencies and government, local and national? Or should that be: how little? What can really make a difference to a carer’s life? Is caring a perpetual struggle

All this and more will be revealed during the biggest awareness week in the UK from 13-19 June 2011. Carers will be centre-stage to speak about The True Face of Carers and sweep away the myths.

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To find out more about Carers Week, and how to take part, go to www.carersweek.org/, email carersweek@carersuk.org or call our hotline 0845 241 2582.

Carers Survey

It is from this survey, from the experiences and opinions of carers, that we create the overall picture that is at the centre of Carers Week, being held this year from 13-19 June.

Your direct knowledge of caring and personal stories of the stresses and strains; the ups and the downs of being a carer are what Carers Week is about.

Our theme is The True Face of Carers and we will be asking - What is the reality of caring in the UK in 2011?

What have been the biggest surprises you have encountered since you started looking after someone?

How much help do carers actually receive from government? Or is that 'how little'? Is caring a perpetual struggle with no thanks and no recognition? Or a richly-rewarding experience that brings out the best in the human spirit?

What could really make a difference to your life as a carer?

Each year over 100,000 carers take part in Carers Week, with over 1,200 local organisations arranging events and activities. We are immensely proud that, thanks to the enormous amount of work by carers and carers' organisations, our Week - your Week - is now the biggest such awareness event in the UK.

Most of the questions in the survey are optional, but we do ask everyone taking part to provide basic contact details. This will ensure the authenticity of the survey and to enable us to provide both regional and national results. All of the information you provide is private and confidential, and will not be passed on to any other organisation outside of Carers Week.

Finally, to say that this survey is open to every carer in the UK, so please do spread the word, tell other carers about it, and help to ensure that carers’ voices are heard loud and clear.

To take part in the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm= v4FBpBb9O5xVzih4SVCIed13HVWo8VJO6KlSRHApcoY%3d

Item 17

Carers Allowance for people who receive a state pension

If you are a pensioner you can claim Carers Allowance (CA). This may come as a surprise to many people as the message seems to be that they cannot claim this benefit if they are of pensionable age.

You cannot be paid both CA and a pension. However, you can still claim Carers Allowance that gets you what is known as underlying entitlement to that benefit. This has a knock-on effect regarding other entitlements. It is worth your while claiming Carers Allowance as it may give you:

Eligibility for Pension Credit

Extra pension credit (a carer’s premium)

Housing and Council Tax benefit

Other things will be taken into account when your eligibility for benefits is assessed but claiming Carers Allowance can only help your case - to make a claim call 0845 6084321.

Taken from Carers Newsletter from the Community Council of Shropshire, sent in by Alan Turner, chairman

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Item 18

Are you a carer?

Do you provide unpaid help or support to a relative, friend or neighbour, young or old, who cannot manage at home without your support due to frailty, long-term physical or mental health problems or a learning disability?

If so, then you are a carer. And quite often it is the carer who needs help to be able to cope with looking after someone with a disability. Don’t leave it too late!

The ‘Carer Support Service’ can help you get all the help and support available, both financial and otherwise, through contact with other agencies. They can offer training in handling and moving of people confined to bed or wheelchair, and ways to cope with stress; listen when you feel low and need support; keep you up to date on carers’ issues with a free regular newsletter and information.

Don’t feel alone - they are there to help.

To contact the Community Council of Shropshire, email carersupport@shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Item 19

Community Sector Round-up

OSCA

Oswestry and Shropshire Citizen Advocacy needs volunteers to support and represent people with learning difficulties. For more information contact OSCA on 01691671700 or e-mail admin@citizenadvocacyshropshire.org.uk. Website http://www.osca-advocacy.org/

Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund

The Department of Health’s HSCVF provides a combination of grant funding and support to organisations, aimed at enhancing their capacity and ability in the health and social care field and is launching its second local grant scheme. The HSCVF differs from other many other grant funding schemes as it aims to help organisations grow and develop, not just provide a short term input of grant moneys. Local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations will be able to submit a maximum of one application. Applicants will be asked to apply under one of the following themes: Patient-led NHS; Delivering Better Health Outcomes; Improving Public Health; and Improving Health and Social Care.

For more information see www.volunteeringfund.com/

HUSK website

Have a look at the new Husk website, with 10 top tips for practically applying the Equality Act - with fortnightly updates on equality issues it’s one to watch. www.husk.uwclub.net/

Item 20

March for the Alternative

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Shropshire Fights Back - http://www.shropshirefightsback.org.uk/ – reports that amongst the 250,000 peaceful protesters at the TUC March for the Alternative in London on 26th March were 1,000 from Shropshire. JMac says:

The heart of London came to a standstill on Saturday when over 250,000 people (seemed like a lot more) travelled to London to protest against the cuts. There was a carnival atmosphere as many drums, jazz bands, Scottish pipers and even a brass band took part. Marchers made as much noise as they could with vuvuzelas and whistles as they made their way from the embankment, up Whitehall and into Hyde Park. All walks of life were represented and carried placards, many made by themselves emblazoned with their own personal message to the government.

18 buses travelled to London from Shropshire. Many represented their unions - Unison, Unite, PCS, GMB, POA, and many members of the public who had signed up to march either at the Shrewsbury March in February or through this website.

Within an hour the streets were taken over by traffic again and the smell of fumes re-claimed the air, but memories will remain of the day the streets of London were taken over by people worried about the effect the cuts will have on them, their families and friends.

Item 21

Pickles makes it plain

Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has said he expects local authorities to “behave reasonably” in the way they manage their relationship with voluntary and community groups.

In a speech to the NCVO annual conference he set out three tests of reasonableness.

First, that councils should not pass on disproportionate cuts to local and voluntary groups. Secondly that they should talk to voluntary and community groups at a very early stage about how services need to change. Thirdly, that they will give at least three months’ notice of the need to end or alter a grant or other support.

The Secretary of State defined disproportionate cuts in his speech as bigger reductions to budgets than they take on themselves. He also gave a commitment to consider giving statutory force to these expectations should local authorities fail to meet them.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), says this is a very important statement from the Government.

It fires a warning shot across the bow of local government not to make disproportionate cuts to the vital services that the voluntary and community sector provides.

The Secretary of State also made it clear that he expects those Local Authorities that have made disproportionate cuts to the sector to reconsider. Eric Pickles speech can be read in full at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/networking-discussions/blogs/20591/11/03/01/eric-pickles-mp-secretary-state-communities-local-govern

Compact Voice responds to Pickles

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Compact Voice chair, Simon Blake, issued a statement following the speech by Eric Pickles. See: www.compactvoice.org.uk/news/2011/03/02/statement-simon-blake-chair-compact-voice-response-eric-pickles-speech

Item 22

Age Concern Pub Clubs

Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin has over 50 pub clubs in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and there are more in development. Pub Clubs give older people an opportunity to meet at a local pub, enjoy a lunch and socialise, usually once a month. Over 1500 people attend the clubs every month giving them a chance to get out of the house, develop friendships and enjoy activities. Once set up they are run entirely by volunteers, and the Age Concern Coordinator can offer help and support if they encounter any difficulties.

As part of their overall budget savings Shropshire Council has reduced the grant they give to Age Concern by 20% over the next 3 years. This has meant cuts to a number of our services in Shropshire, including the pub clubs coordinator’s post, which was going to be lost. This step was being taken very reluctantly as we know how much the Pub Clubs are valued by older people across the County.

Since then we have been working very hard to consider how to replace the funding that we are losing from Shropshire Council. After investigating possible funding opportunities, we have found that there are a number of funders that we could apply to that might consider offering us funding to cover the activities of the Pub Clubs. As a result our Trustees have decided to fund the post for a further year using some of our reserves, while we fully investigate all of the funding opportunities that could be available to us.

We are now doing all we can to seek alternative sources of funding to continue to provide vital services for older people in the county and we are working with our Day Centres, Pub Clubs and Living Well groups to support them in whatever ways we can.

If anyone would like more information about our pub clubs please contact our pub clubs coordinator Sandra Ingerson on 01743 233123. We are continuing to deliver a range of vital services to older people, all our funds are raised locally. We are looking at other ways of raising the money we need to continue to deliver and develop our services. If anyone would like to make a donation please contact our Shrewsbury office on 01743 233123.

Hilary Knight,

Deputy chief Executive, Age Concern Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

www.ageconcernshropshireandtelford.org.uk

Item 23

News from Shropshire Voluntary & Community Sector Assembly

Overview on managing charity assets and resources

The Charity Commission has produced a new guidance document 'Managing charity assets and resources: an overview for trustees' (CC25).

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/ Publications/cc25.aspx

VCS Engagement with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

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West Midlands Rural Community Action Network have secured resources through RAWM for work to be undertaken to explore how the voluntary and community sector in the Marches area may be able to engage and influence the work and priorities of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Details of this work are available at www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly. This will also be explored in more detail at the VCS Annual Assembly on the 7th April (see Events below).

More charity consortia to deliver service contracts (from VolResource)

The Social Investment Business plans to launch a series of consortia, involving up to 10,000 charities, to bid for local and national government contracts, Third Sector reports. SIB is expecting to announce up to three contracts shortly.

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/article/1060132/

New £20 Million Lottery Fund Invests in Children's Futures

The Big Lottery Fund has launched a new scheme, Improving Futures, with an application deadline of 12 May 2011. The scheme will fund up to 20 voluntary and public sector partnerships with grants of up to £900,000 to offer targeted support to families with children aged five to ten years old. The scheme was created following consultation with organisations working in the field and is supported by the sector. Applications are welcomed from UK-based partnerships between voluntary and public sector organisations, and must be led by voluntary organisations. Partnerships must be locally based and can address needs including housing, health and employment.

With this new funding, the Big Lottery Fund wishes to make a difference for the children, families and communities supported through the programme, as well as demonstrate to others that there are better ways of organising support around families rather than specific services or individual causes. Eligible applicants must submit an Expression of Interest by 12pm on 12 May 2011.

Government minister's reasonableness test for council cuts (from VolResource)

The government minister for Communities and Local Government stated at NCVO's Annual Conference this week that he expects local authorities to behave reasonably in the way they manage their relationship with voluntary and community groups. Three tests of reasonableness are: not passing on disproportionate cuts, talk to sector groups at a very early stage about how services need to change, and at least three months' notice of funding changes.

Online source of surplus goods

Charity Giving World Online is promoting its solution for companies with surplus goods to pass them on to charities and community groups: http://www.givingworldonline.com/en/home.

Sarah Dodds, VCS Assembly Coordinator , Telephone 01743 252740, Email: sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk, www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly

Item 24

Help urgently needed with Digital Switchover in Shropshire

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Clare Huckett, DOL Lead Organisation Project Manager, who is based at Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, needs Shropshire based people to run an information stand on the two Digital Switchover dates plus the day after each (so four days in total) in Ludlow (dates 6th, 7th, 20th and 21st April). The advice point itself will be in the Assembly Rooms in Ludlow and will run each day from 10am to 4pm.

Support for any volunteers will be provided ahead of time and there is training of volunteers on either 21st or 22nd March in Telford.

There will be someone from the Help Scheme available at the information stand so volunteers will not be alone.

If you or someone you know can help, please contact Clare Huckett on:

Telephone: 01452 528491

Mobile: 07956 510768

Email: clareh@grcc.org.uk

Item 25

Whack it Smack it!

We are a group of musicians, specialising in playing and making instruments from scrap, working in The West Midlands. We have recently worked at Severndale Specialist School and 'Smile' Special Needs youth club, both in Shrewsbury.

Here we are with Xylo-chairs, Elephant horns, Pan-de-moniums, Pop tubes, Buckets, Bowls, Games and Happiness.

Our road show caters for:

Youth Groups

Schools / Colleges

Village fêtes / Festivals

Women's Groups

Special Need Groups

Fund Raising Events

Secure Units

Birthday Parties

Contact: Mal Brown, mal@whackitsmackit.co.uk, Telephone: 01743 861 159, website http://www.whackitsmackit.co.uk/

Item 26

Independent Living – report from Birmingham

Trevor Dickenson from SDN attended an event in Birmingham on our behalf and here he shares his findings from the day. It should be useful to anyone considering moving to a Personal Budget

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The first presentation was entitled “Is there a future for Independent Living”, there was a short presentation and this was followed by some lively debate on the subject. There seemed to be a consensus that Independent Living was being threatened by Personalisation and the onset of personal budgets with some delegates putting up evidence to support this theory. Some delegates even said that they thought that under the Big Society “care in the community actually means care by the community”. Most people seemed to agree that “the full understanding of independent living is less than it was” and that we all need to “fully resist Government attacks on our quality of life and our personal aspirations”

The meeting then went on to look at two surveys being undertaken by a group called In Control in conjunction with Lancaster University The two surveys were directed at people who have a personal budget and their family members and/or carers and they were entitled:

1) People who have a personal budget and

2) Family members or carers of people who have a personal budget.

After much discussion and a good look through the paper copies of the two surveys the whole group were encouraged to discuss the surveys with their own individual groups and if possible install links on their group websites to encourage people with personal budgets and their families and carers to fill out the surveys online.

If you have a personal budget you can take part in the surveys by going to www.in-control.org.uk/what-we-do/research-and-evaluation/national-personal-budget-survey-%28poet%29.aspx

Or you or your family or carers can also print out an EasyRead version of the survey and fill it in on paper, sending it back to: Institute of Health Research, FREEPOST, NWWW10276, Lancaster, LA1 4ZZ

If you do hold a personal budget, please try to fill in this survey and get your own views heard.

Item 27

British Red Cross – Young Carers Project

The British Red Cross young carers’ project was established in 2000. The project supports young people aged 15-18 years who provide a caring role for a family member who is ill, disabled, suffers with mental health difficulties or has alcohol/drug related issues. It is estimated there are more than 900 young carers in Shropshire and their average age is 12.

The aim of the project is to give young carers an opportunity to take a break from their responsibilities at home and have some time out to enjoy a variety of activities such as arts, crafts, music, sports activities and trips. Young carers also have access to advice and support.

The young carers’ project is organised into five areas: Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry, Market Drayton, and Shrewsbury. Groups meet every month in a variety of settings. As well as supporting young people through groups, the project has developed a secondary school PSHE session that it plans to deliver to all secondary schools in Shropshire, and this year is writing a PSHE session plan for primary schools. The service also offers advice and guidance to school staff and delivers training.

For more information contact: Vanessa Turner, Young Carers Project Manager, British Red Cross, 01743 280071 or email: VTurner@redcross.org.uk, website http://www.redcross.org.uk/ Where-we-work/In-the-UK/Wales-and-Western-England/Herefordshire-Shropshire-Worcestershire/LocalServices/Young-carers-service?dpid=05ee9cc3-ba53-4f95-a3bb-88372a360177

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Item 28

A man walks into a bank …

From the Directory of Social Change April e-News http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/News/Amanwalksintoabank?dm_i=6S7,E5R5,N94BN,14KZ3,1

A light-hearted sketch about a small charity in conversation with a Big Society Bank clerk, regarding their application for an unrestricted grant…

Bank clerk (chirpily): Welcome to the Big Society Bank sir, what can I do you for today?

Small charity (hopefully): I’ve come for my unrestricted grant.

Bank clerk: I’m sorry sir, I don’t follow you. What’s a grant? And what’s unrestricted?

Small charity: You are the Big Society Bank aren’t you?

Bank clerk: Yes sir.

Small charity: Well, I’ve been told you’ll give me money for my charity so that we can help people.

Bank clerk: Have you? Erm….ok. Well, we do have some money but we won’t give it to you, we’ll give it to another bank who might lend it to you.

Small charity (looking bemused): Eh? Another bank might lend it to me? Do you mean I’ve got to pay it back?

Bank clerk (patronisingly): Well, yes, if you borrow money you have to pay it back, unless of course you’ve borrowed it from the taxpayer …but that’s a different matter…

Small charity (puzzled): But I don’t want to borrow money – our charity’s been going for 60 years without getting into debt, by raising money from people who just want to help. I was under the impression that that’s what the Big Society Bank would do.

Bank clerk (laughing disbelievingly): Where did you get that idea from?

Small charity: Well, erm…the Government?

Bank clerk (mockingly): And you believed them…..?!

Small charity: Well, yes. They said the banks would put up the money for this – you know, as part of this Project Marlin or Melon or something like that…

Bank clerk: Do you not read the newspapers?! The banks haven’t got any money! They’ve been borrowing from the taxpayer for years.

Small charity: Look, all I want is £27,500 to pay for my part time volunteer services manager for the next 2 years , so that we can keep providing counselling services to children whose parents have died.

Bank clerk: £27,500 for a volunteer? I thought they weren’t paid?

Small charity (patiently): Volunteers aren’t paid, but we do have to pay people to recruit, train and manage them…anyhow, if you won’t give me £27,500 how much will you lend me?

Bank clerk (impatiently): I’ve already told you we can’t lend you anything. You’ll have to approach one of the banks who we’ve given the money to. And based on current commercial banking rates if they lend you the full £27,500, at an APR of 8.9% over 5 years, you’ll repay around £42,118.

Small charity (squeaking!): What?! That’s daylight robbery!

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Bank clerk: No it’s not. As I said, it’s only based on normal commercial banking rates. It’s part of the government’s deal with the banks. Otherwise no one makes any profit.

Small charity: But I’m a charity! I’m not using this money to make a profit…I’m trying to help children to be happy.

Bank clerk: Ah….very laudable sir. But the bank isn’t interested in helping children to be happy – [goes into drone-mode] our… mission… is… to… lead… a… step-change… in… the… provision… of… finance… for… sustainable… enterprising… civil… society… organisations…

Small charity (increasingly irked): What?! I don’t understand what that means for goodness sake. All I want to do is help bereaved children. And I’m supposed to convince my donors that some of the money I raise from them will actually be used to pay interest on a loan?!

Bank clerk: Erm, well, yes. What’s the problem?

Small charity: That’s outrageous….don’t you see I’m desperate, otherwise we’ll have to close down because my local authority has given my funding to Crapita. What are my chances of getting a loan from one of these banks you’re giving money to then?

Bank clerk (sighing): I don’t know sir. Let me have a look at your latest annual report and accounts so I can establish whether or not they’re likely to think you’re an acceptable risk.

Pause while bank clerk reads Trustees’ Annual Report.

Bank Clerk: Ah. I’m so sorry sir. I’m afraid you are highly unlikely to be eligible for a loan.

Small charity: What? Why not?

Bank clerk (exasperated): Seriously sir, do you really not read the papers. Banks don’t lend to sub-prime any more.

Item 29

Benefit Changes

From Social Welfare Training Benefits Newsletter, www.socialwelfaretraining.co.uk

U turn over 10% reduction in Housing Benefit

Proposals to reduce housing benefit (HB) by 10% of the initial award after 12 months for claimants receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) from April 2013, have been ditched.

Amongst the critics were the Salvation Army who said that the cut would make hostel accommodation unaffordable and could cause hostel closures and an increase in rough sleeping.

U turn over 10% reduction in the Financial Inclusion Fund

Proposals to cut the Financial Inclusion Fund have been delayed off for 1 year. The cuts, due in March 2011, would have meant the loss of 500 specialist debt advisers based in CAB and other not for profit organisations.

The BBC reported that the advisers help 100,000 people in debt per year – see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12435845

Blue Badge Reform Programme

The Department for Transport have issued a press release explaining changes to the Blue Badge scheme which currently benefits 2.5 million people in England. Some of the changes to the scheme are-

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providing improved powers for local authorities to tackle abuse and fraud: extending the grounds available to local authorities to refuse to issue and to withdraw badges, provide local authorities with a power to cancel badges that have been lost, stolen, have expired, or have been withdrawn for mis-use, provide local authority-authorised officers with a power to recover, on-the-spot, badges that have been cancelled and misused and amend existing legislation to clarify wrongful use of a badge and the powers to inspect badges.

new badge design that will be harder to copy.

raise the maximum fee for a badge that local authorities can charge from £2 to £10.

eligibility will be extended to more disabled children between the ages of 2 and 3 with specific medical conditions.

independent mobility assessments to determine eligibility, including where previously the assessment was carried out by a GP.

good practice guidance to local authorities.

Blue Badge advice line to close by on 30/ 3/ 2011. Queries to be handled by Local Authorities instead.

Health in Pregnancy Grants Scrapped

The £190 grant to expectant mothers has been scrapped from January 2011.

Sure Start Maternity Grants

Grants will be paid for the first child only in a family for those expected to be born or have claimed (with the baby being born) on or after 11.4.11. The £500 grant is paid for families on a passporting benefit when a child is born.

Item 30

BIBIC Outreach Service in West Midlands

bibic is a national charity with more than 37 years’ experience of working with children, young people and families. They are a registered charity (Reg No. 1057635). Their mission is to help children with conditions affecting their social, communication and learning abilities to achieve their potential. They work with children and young people who have developmental problems such as Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down’s syndrome, Dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, brain injury, and challenging behaviour. Their team of developmental therapists work with children, young people and families to assess their areas of difficulties and strengths. Core assessments and programmes are non-judgemental, supportive and are at no cost to the family apart from an initial £50 administration charge. The core two day assessments are provided at no extra cost. Only specific activities, or identified and selected programmes, may incur a small cost if required. Many families do make an affordable donation, small or large - but it’s their choice.

Tel: 01278 684060 www.bibic.org.uk/

Item 31

Cool Kids

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From the Telford DCD Group Newsletter, Spring 2011, http://www.parentpartnership-shropshireandtelford. org.uk/resources/DCDNewsletterMArch.pdf

Telford DCD Group are encouraging schools to become involved with the Cool Kids Programme. The following information, which our members have found extremely useful, is extracted from the Cool Kids Parents Booklet Children's Occupational Therapy, Stepping Stones, Malinslee.

Cool Kids i s a school exercise programme, designed to develop co-ordination, be enjoyable and fun.

As parents, you can help your child with their difficulties by encouraging them to do some of the activities in this booklet on a regular basis.

The sensations that are most important for co-ordination are touch, roprioception and vestibular.

Touch refers to our ability to explore objects in our environment with our skin, usually fingers or mouth. Please note that some children are very sensitive to sensations such as touch, sound and smell. Please do not force your child to do any activity that they find uncomfortable—instead do more activities involving proprioception.

Sand play or finger painting—drawing pictures, patterns, letters.

‘Feely bags’ - hiding objects in a bag for your child to find, match and/or describe.

Leaf rubbing with a wax crayon.

Writing patterns in shaving foam on a worktop.

Paper-tearing/papier-mâché games.

Pegboard patterns.

Proprioception is the sensation from the muscles and joints that gives us our sense of position in space (where we are in relation to objects around us). We receive more proprioception when we actively use our muscles.

Pushing e.g. helping to move furniture.

Pulling e.g. tug-of-war.

Crawling—through tunnels or just around the house.

Climbing—frames or official climbing walls.

Country walks with boots and a rucksack.

Swingball—children can hit the ball as hard as they like!

Wheelbarrow walks.

Obstacle courses including rolling, crawling and jumping.

Fine motor play with playdough, plasticine, pastry or clay.

Reaching overhead—this stretches muscles for good posture prior to homework.

Hand squeezes and making ‘stars’ (stretching fingers wide) - excellent activity to do prior to writing.

Vestibular is our sense of movement and gravity. We receive more vestibular input when we do activities that involve movement and change of head position. Of all the senses, this one requires most caution—some children appear to seek vestibular input, but then their nervous system can over-react to it much later (e.g. nausea, appearing ‘spaced out’, misbehaving, being overly emotional).

Be guided by your child’s reaction!

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Swinging.

Bike/scooter riding.

Hanging head upside down (with close supervision).

Spinning, twirling, rough & tumble play.

Rocking e.g. rocking horses, rides.

Running.

Mini trampoline (also good for proprioception).

Also...

Hidey holes—good for escaping from our sensory world.

Oral motor control—blow pens, blowing bubbles in water, sucking/blowing through a straw, blow toys.

Leisure pursuits—martial arts, trampolining, rock climbing, horse riding, swimming, cycling, music, arts & crafts, drama.

Item 32

First time for Disability Football at the Manx Youth Games

Disability football will make its debut at the 2011 Manx Youth Games. The tournament is held annually at the National Sports Centre in Douglas, Isle of Man in May.

Across the island children between 8 and 15 will be invited to training sessions and participation in the opening ceremony on the 21st May.

Disability sports development officer Zoe Carney told BBC Isle of Man: "It will be a great way to learn about the sport from highly qualified coaches."

The games will involve over 1,200 children on Saturday, 21 May.

Weekly football training sessions will occur in all four regions of the island in preparation for the event. Sessions are scheduled to start the week beginning 14 March and will last for six weeks.

Carney added: "The programme will give children with either learning or physical disabilities the chance to learn new skills and techniques in a fun and inclusive environment."

Disability football will make its debut at the 2011 Manx Youth Games. The tournament is held annually at the National Sports Centre in

Douglas, Isle of Man in May.

Across the island children between 8 and 15 will be invited to training sessions and participation in the opening ceremony on the 21st May.

Disability sports development officer Zoe Carney told BBC Isle of Man: "It will be a great way to learn about the sport from highly qualified coaches."

The games will involve over 1,200 children on Saturday, 21 May.

Weekly football training sessions will occur in all four regions of the island in preparation for the event. Sessions are scheduled to start the week beginning 14 March and will last for six weeks.

Carney added: "The programme will give children with either learning or physical disabilities the chance to learn new skills and techniques in a fun and inclusive environment."

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Item 33

Disabled are ‘the hardest hit’ in welfare reform

A report by the Disability Benefits Consortium, a coalition of 41 charities and organisations, shows how welfare reform changes may harm disabled people. The report highlights concerns over the impact of reforms to vital benefits like Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance on thousands of disabled people and their families.

Called “Benefiting disabled people?” the report presents the findings of recent surveys. The Disability Benefits Consortium surveyed 6,000 disabled people and found that:

43% who had been for a medical assessment for ESA said it made their condition worse because of the stress and anxiety caused;

Nearly 7 out of 10 believed the assessment failed to take account of how their condition fluctuates; and

Co-chair of the DBC policy group, Rebecca Rennison from Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “Our research shows the difficulties thousands of disabled people face when seeking support from the benefits system. Much more work is urgently needed to ensure that benefits like ESA help disabled people, in particular as the Government presses ahead with plans to reassess over one million people currently receiving Incapacity Benefit.” Chair of the DBC campaigns group, Federico Moscogiuri, from Arthritis Care, said: “The shakeup of the benefits system is set to hit disabled people particularly hard, with future spending on DLA expected to be cut by a huge 20%.”

On May 11 thousands of disabled people and their families will protest outside Parliament and lobby their MPs to help them realise the impact of changes to vital benefits like ESA and DLA.

Please visit: www.hardesthit.org.uk to find out how you can take action to support the campaign or to download a copy of the report, Benefiting disabled people?

From a link on the Parent and Carer Council Shropshire website, www.paccshropshire.org.uk/home/

Item 34

Lifesaving Message in a Bottle

A “bizarre” idea to store a person’s medical details in a bottle in the fridge could prove a “lifesaver,” say charity raisers who are spreading the word about the scheme with the help of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters are helping a county Lions Club distribute hundreds of tiny green and white bottles which will contain crucial details about a householder’s medication, allergies and who to contact in case of an emergency.

The essential information will be easily accessed by paramedics and emergency crews in case of an accident or sudden illness, said Alison Teece, a Community Fire Safety Officer with the brigade.

“They will be distributed by firefighters as they carry out routine home fire safety checks in Shropshire homes and at open days and community events.”

Bridgnorth Councillor John Hurst-Knight, a member of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, praised the voluntary scheme organised by Lions Clubs across the UK which Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service was “delighted” to support.

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“This is a campaign to improve safety in the community and we are very proud to help. The fire service has a great reputation working in partnership in many areas such as road safety and schools and this is just another worthwhile scheme that we can offer our help.”

Bridgnorth Lions adopted the successful scheme two years ago with the help of lottery funding which bought 10,000 of the 10cm high plastic bottles with forms. Since then they have been distributed at post offices in Worfield, Claverley and Rudge Heath, and handed out to churches, pubs and corner shops.

“It is a bizarre idea but by putting the bottle into the fridge it is a brilliant way of putting people’s details where they can be easily and quickly found in case of an emergency,” said Clive Davies, a past president of Bridgnorth Lions.

Lions President Neil Bennett said they had been doing a series of public presentations at old people’s homes and day centres to explain what the scheme was all about.

Over the past few weeks a total of 3,500 bottles had been distributed in the Bridgnorth area, he said.

The free bottles are available from Bridgnorth Lions Club, PO Box 17, Bridgnorth WV16 4HH, call 0845 833 8552 or visit www.bridgnorthlions.org.uk

Item 35

Health Information News

Items from Health Information News, available at http://nhslocal.nhs.uk/news/newsletters/equip-newsletters

Mental Health Factfiles

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) has published 7 short factfiles outlining key facts and figures on Mental Health:

Factfile 1: Mental Health and Employment

Factfile 2: Mental Health and Housing

Factfile 3: The costs of mental ill health

Factfile 4: Public mental health and well-being

Factfile 5: Equalities in mental health

Factfile 6: Stigma and discrimination in mental health

Factfile 7: Ensuring greater access to talking therapies

Go to http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/search/?keywords=factfile

Talking Therapies: a four year plan of action

DH has published ‘Talking Therapies: a four year plan of action’ (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/ Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_123759). This plan and related Impact assessment and Analysis of the impact on equality outlines how the Government’s commitment to expanding access to psychological therapies will be delivered in the four years from April 2011, with business continuity during structural reform of the NHS.

New dementia campaign

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A Government campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia was launched this week. Aimed at challenging misconceptions about the disease, the campaign targets the family and friends of people at risk of dementia who are likely to be the first to see the signs and can encourage their loved one to see their GP. The £1.2 million campaign will feature TV, radio and print ads. It will initially be piloted in two regions – the North West and Yorkshire and Humber – and if successful will be rolled out across the country.

Read more at http://www.pifonline.org.uk/new-dementia-campaign-/

New web accessibility Code of Practice

The British Standards Institution has developed a web accessibility Code of Practice, which is the first British Standard to address the growing challenge of digital inclusion. The new standard is designed to ensure any web product you commission or design is accessible for all. It has been designed to introduce non-technical professionals to improved accessibility, usability and user experience for disabled and older people.

More information at http://www.pifonline.org.uk/new-web-accessibility-code-of-practice/

Research: Defining information need in health

This paper extends and applies knowledge of information behaviour to considerations of information need in health, exposing a working definition for patient information need that reiterates the importance of considering the patient’s goals and understanding the patient’s context/situation. A patient information need is defined as ‘recognition that their knowledge is inadequate to satisfy a goal, within the context/situation that they find themselves at a specific point in the time’.

Read more at http://www.pifonline.org.uk/research-defining-information-need-in-health-/

Standards of Care guides

The Care Quality Commission has published two guides for people who receive care in a care home or in their own home.

What standards to expect from the regulation of your care home

What standards to expect from the regulation of agencies that provide care in your own home

(See http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=37177&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false)

Both booklets provide information on important changes to the way care is regulated in England. These changes mean that services must meet new standards that protect client safety and respect client dignity and rights. They contain helpful information on what can be expected from the service, and how to make a complaint. There is also a BBC News report (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12595486).

Item 36

Miles Without Stiles in the Lake District National Park

Miles Without Stiles are 39 routes in the Lake district National Park suitable for wheelchairs, buggies and anyone unable to climb a stile easily. Details of them are available at http://www.lakedistrict.gov. uk/index/visiting/outdoors/ mileswithoutstiles/mwsmap. htm which includes a map to show the location of all the routes. Links to each route give details of everything you need to know, including a map of each route; the routes vary in length from 1/3 of a mile to 6 miles (most are under 2 miles). So if you’ve left your foldable, lightweight, all terrain and very expensive buggy at home, you can still manage to experience some fantastic scenery with

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someone pushing you! My only criticism is that the list of walks does not give the length of the walk with the name – you have to bring up the walk to check that out.

There are also details of 4 Gardens and Grounds suitable for wheelchair users and 5 Miles Without Stiles – Viewpoints, and a wheelchair accessible boat for hire at Coniston Boating Centre.

Picture: View of Ennerdale

Item 37

Shropshire hospitals decision made, but many worries remain

by Dave Morris, Shropshire Star, 25/03/2011, http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/ 2011/03/25/blog-shropshire-hospitals-decision-made-but-many-worries-remain/

Blog: Health bosses have given their backing to a big shake-up of services at Shropshire’s two main hospitals.

Someone asked me, as I left the last of four meetings called to discuss the proposals, whether I was surprised the plans had won support.

No was my reply.

Since last August, when we first got to hear of the ideas for change, I have always felt there was a good chance they would be approved.

Adam Cairns, the “new” chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, has been far more convincing over the need to reshape (or reconfigure, as officials say) services at the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal.

He has stressed time and time again that maintaining the status quo is not an option, that the plans have been driven by clinicians, and that changes are necessary to main safe and sustainable services.

Mr Cairns has also been very forceful with warnings that if key services are not reorganised then Shropshire risks losing them to other centres such as Stoke and Wolverhampton.

But not everyone is happy – far from it.

A strong campaign has been run to keep women and children’s services at Shrewsbury with more than 33,000 people from across Shropshire and mid Wales signing a petition.

Some clinicians at the Royal Shrewsbury have also voiced concerns.

However Mr Cairns appeared to have won the argument with influential players even before the county’s NHS trusts had met to decide whether or not to sanction the proposals.

Support in principle had come over the last few weeks from the Shropshire Council cabinet, Telford & Wrekin Council and health watchdogs.

That said, 33,000 people cannot be ignored and they have raised genuine fears, in particular over the danger extra travel times pose for mums and babies in emergency situations.

Mr Cairns and other NHS leaders have said the recent consultation has been tremendously worthwhile, and that they will on board the concerns that have been expressed as they now move forward to draw up more detailed business plans.

They will need to work hard to carry the public with them and allay worries. They will have to prove that the changes they want are safe and in fact services will be better.

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If they don’t, then the road ahead is going to be extremely rocky – and 33,000 people will be ready to pounce on the first failed promise or serious incident.

Picture caption: Adam Cairns, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, arrives at the meeting.

Item 38

Support Dog honoured for Crufts Friends for Life Award

A dog that lives with its disabled owner in the small village of Western Under Lizard (near to the Shropshire border) has won an award at the annual Crufts show.

Joanne Day suffers from a rare condition that causes her muscles to spasm and lock into fixed positions. However with the help of the golden/retriever Kaiser, Joanne can live more independently. Jobs Kaiser can undertake include

Pulling the chair to the side of the bed so Ms Day can get up.

Carrying the washing into the kitchen.

Loading the washing machine.

Opening and closing doors with a rope.

Retrieving items from the fridge for the owner.

Get the phone if Joanne falls over.

Even comfort her by putting his face on her lap when she’s upset.

But it certainly wasn’t an easy decision to make for the judges. Kaiser was up against four other dogs who had undertaken good deeds themselves. A Metropolitan Police sniffer dog had searched Tavistock Square for the bus wreckage after the 2005 London bombings. When the Haiti Earthquake struck another contestant, who was a Manchester Fire and Rescue dog searched for survivors. Also a medical detection dog which can let her owner know when her 7 year old diabetic owner has low blood sugar and a support dog who can assist an autistic child.

Chris Moorcroft

Item 39

How the disabled and elderly can get website problems fixed

Led by Citizens Online, Fix the Web is a volunteer-based project which aims to “make it super easy for disabled and older people to report problems with websites” and hopefully get them fixed in the process.

Rather than taking on the responsibility of getting the problem sorted yourself by trying to explain it to an organisation or site owner, just report the difficulty to Fix the Web and someone else will do the rest. You don’t need to be technical or know the right terminology.

Anyone can raise a report by sending an email, filling in a simple form on the project’s website, posting a message on Twitter, or by downloading their toolbar.

The FixTheWeb Bar, as it is known, is a new addition to the project and can be downloaded from the web site. It uses technology developed by the University of Southampton for their own

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Assistive Tech Bar product which has over three million users globally. As well as giving you the option to report a problem with a website, Fix the Web's toolbar includes a spell checker (useful if you're filling out a form or adding a comment to an article), the ability to adjust font and text on the page and an option to have the site read aloud.

Once your issue has been listed, it joins the pool of all other outstanding reports, ready to be tackled by a volunteer or “fixer”. Fixers - usually web designers, developers or other technically minded types - select the reports they feel able to take forward based on their own skills and experience. Using their knowledge and research, plus some suggested text, they then contact the problem site. If the owners are interested in addressing the issue, the fixer can then signpost advice and sources of help available.

Fix the Web launched in November last year, and since then 125 users have reported problems with more than 500 websites and 36 of these have been fixed so far; over 400 volunteers have signed up to help resolve future issues.

The project was thrust into the spotlight in early February when actor, writer, technology enthusiast and prolific Twitter user, Stephen Fry, heard about it and tweeted the following: "Shocking so much of the web can't be used by disabled people. We can all help #FixTheWeb - here's how:

www.fixtheweb.net"

Stephen Fry’s message was then passed on - ReTweeted - almost a thousand times in 24 hours; the website received over 10,000 hits that day.

The ongoing direction and development of Fix the Web is determined by a steering group of reporters and fixers. This sub-group is currently looking for more people to join them. One issue the group is addressing at the moment is around how the flow of information between reporters and volunteers can be improved, so that the person who first experienced the website problem is kept better informed of any feedback or results.

The whole project is funded for a limited time. The founders are hoping that once a community of reporters and fixers has been established, the whole process will become self-sustaining.

by Adrian Higginbotham BBC Ouch! assistive technology guru, http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/

Picture: Stephen Fry

Item 40

Support and Aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability

This government green paper makes wide-ranging proposals to respond to the frustrations of children and young people, their families and the professionals who work with them. The vision for reform set out in this Green Paper includes wide ranging proposals to improve outcomes for children and young people who are disabled or have SEN, minimise the adversarial nature of the system for families and maximise value for money. This publication marks the start of a four month period of consultation and a period of testing proposals in local areas from September 2011. The Department will work across government and with local and national partners to set out detailed plans by the end of the year. The consultation will run from 9 March to 30 June, and the Department welcomes your views on the proposals.

Go to http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/ CM%208027

Item 41

Work capability assessment is assessed, and found lacking

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By Amelia Gentleman, 7/03/2011, http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2011/mar/07/work-capability-assessment-criticism

The eligibility test for the new employment support allowance is widely condemned to MPs at a pilot scheme meeting

If they expected positive accounts they will have been disappointed. Speaker after speaker at the public meeting at Burnley football club gave negative accounts of their experience of being tested for eligibility for the new employment support allowance, the replacement for incapacity benefit, which is to be introduced nationwide from the start of next month.

About 50 people attended the highly charged, emotional meeting. Most did not introduce themselves by name but simply with a brief description of the nature of their medical condition, and their accounts provided MPs with a detailed picture of what it feels like to undergo the work capability assessment (WCA) – the new computer-led test.

The test has been vigorously criticised by charities such as Citizens Advice and by a government-commissioned independent review, saying that the process is impersonal, and ill-equipped to gauge the seriousness of mental health conditions, or the nuances of complex medical problems.

One by one, individuals outlined the difficulties they had experienced. "I just seemed to be a number. The health professional didn't know what one of my conditions was," one man said.

"It was a complete farce," a second man said. "They asked: How did you get here? How are you going to get home? Do you shop? Do you bathe yourself? But not how does it hurt? Where did it hurt? None of that. "I've got arthritis in my legs, my knees, my shoulders."

"My wife scored zero points," another said. "The test was a total waste of time; it was all physically orientated, nothing about her mental state. They asked things like 'Can you brush your teeth?' How that relates to mental health issues is beyond me. It was overthrown at tribunal. I can only describe it as mental torture; she was a mental wreck after it."

Paul Hogarth, from the local Citizens Advice Bureau, said the system had been widely portrayed as a process of "rooting out the shirkers", but argued that the test was not fit for purpose, frequently declaring people with serious health conditions fit for work. The advice centre had supported many people to tribunals, 80% of whom had seen the assessor's decision overturned, he said.

Among those who successfully appealed was Ean Williams, 45, who told MPs that he had originally been given zero points in his assessment, despite having multiple sclerosis, and providing a letter from a surgeon stating he was too ill to work.

To qualify for the benefit, claimants need to be awarded 15 points.

"I'm sure that some people do scam the system, but why were they targeting me? I have hard medical evidence saying I had MS," he said.

Kevin Nuttall, a welfare rights adviser working with Action for Blind People in Lancashire, said he had supported someone through a test which concluded that he had "mild visual impairment" and was fit for work. "He was in fact registered blind," he said.

Over the next three years 1.5 million people currently claiming incapacity benefit will undergo the work capability assessment, carried out by a medical and IT company, Atos. The new test is tougher than the old version, and the government expects to save £1bn over five years by encouraging people into work, or failing that on to a lower-paid benefit.

Oliver Heald, the Conservative MP for North East Hertfordshire, asked whether it was not a good thing that people with mental health problems were being helped into work. "Isn't it about changing attitudes? Trying to find out what are the capabilities of that person - and shouldn't that person be able to use their talents?" he asked.

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There was loud disagreement from the hall. "But the work capability assessment isn't like that. It's hostile," one man said. One woman described the frustration of trying to get in contact with the Atos headquarters to query her assessment result, stating she had dialled the number "about 125" times. "There's a recorded voice saying, Sorry, all our advisers are busy. And the line goes dead."

Others said the large number of appeals meant a long wait for cases to be heard, and in the meantime they were allocated the lower rate of benefit, £65 a week, rather than £91. "I am waiting for a tribunal, but I'm told that it won't be before June, because there are so many people waiting. I'm stuck on the £65 benefit until then," a woman with ME said, and began to cry.

The chair, Dame Anne Begg (Labour, Aberdeen South), said this was the first time in her nine years on the committee that MPs had ventured out and talked to real people. "We should do this kind of thing more," she said.

Afterwards she said she was concerned about the speed with which the reform was being pushed through: "Personally, I see there are serious problem with the WCA. My view is that either they should be slowing down the national rollout or speeding up the implementations of changes to the system."

Item 42

Mental Health & Debt

One in four people have mental health issues in any one year and they’re five times more likely to be in debt crisis, says moneysavingexpert.com founder Martin Lewis.

‘Mental Health & Debt’ is the title of a 40-page booklet which can be downloaded free as a pdf. from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/mental-health-guide. It is written in collaboration of Mind, CAB, Rethink, Consumer Credit Counselling Service, Christians Against Poverty and Consumer Financial Education Body.

‘Before you even begin reading, it’s important to know one thing. For as long as I’ve been the Money Saving Expert, I have never once seen a case of debt that can’t be solved. No matter how bad it seems, while it may not always be easy or quick, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Of course, when mental health is involved, sometimes just having the energy to deal with it is tough. And that’s what this guide is about: recognising that mental health and debts are a marriage made in hell, so we’ve easy practical steps you can take to get back on track.’

Item 43

Disabled Sport in Shropshire

With ‘able bodied’ sport dominating the sporting calendar so much it can often be assumed that disabled sport is ignored. However this far from the case, the Paralympics directly follow the Olympics even though it doesn’t receive the same attention and the wheelchair section of the London Marathon is as much a part of it as the main men’s and women’s races.

Closer to home there are many opportunities for disabled people to take up sport both on an individual and team basis. Shrewsbury Sports village has a number of different sports disabled sportsmen and women can participate in. The Shropshire Hornets Junior Wheelchair Basketball Club and the Shropshire Disabled Cricket Association (see below) both use the venue and the later also play elsewhere.

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In addition the Indoor Bowles Centre provides both wheelchairs and facilities for people with severe visual impairment. If you’re into dancing however the Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company might be worth contacting. They are based at the Lantern in Shrewsbury but also produce work that tours nationally and internationally.

In Telford, the Indoor Ice Rink wheelchair users can take their wheelchairs onto the ice. A concessionary fee for users and carers applies but no booking is necessary.

Elsewhere in Shropshire, Wheelchair users can play Ten-pin bowling at The Venue in Oswestry, go paragliding at Church Stretton even play Paintball at Rednall Airfield in West Felton.

So there are certainly lots of opportunities out there for disabled people whether it’s for physical exercise, to meet new friends or to just have a good day out.

Chris Moorcroft

Item 44

Listen not label Telford and Wrekin

Having a Voice in Decision Making

Listen not Label a User Led Organisation developing under the umbrella of the Council for Voluntary Services in Telford and Wrekin. Listen not Label operates as a “Community Board” that is made up of local Disabled people including (older people and) Carer’s.

Pan Disability; The Community Board have developed a terms of reference and have a maximum of 12 places for members that have Physical , Mental , Sensory and Visual impairment, Learning Difficulty and Older People and Carer’s

Having a Voice at Community Forums and Partnership Boards. Listen not Label members have a volunteer role description and have made a commitment to be a source of communication to the client group they represent. This happens through established disability and carer forums in Telford and Wrekin. For example the board member that represents Mental Health attends the Mental Health Forum and feeds issues back to the Community Board. Many members also have a seat on local Health and Social Care Partnership Boards.

Listen not Label members have had a predominant role in the consultation of the Putting People First Programme discussing the proposed changes and influencing future practice. Other areas of being involved in the decision process include the Scrutiny Transport Review, Shaping the future of Mental Health Services and the Keeping it in the County Hospital consultation.

Listen not Label also work closely with Links and Telford Race Equality and Diversity Partnership in ensuring Disabled people and carer’s have a voice in different policy making decisions.

Members use their knowledge and experience as Disabled People and Carers to influence decisions that have a high impact on their life choices.

Listen not Label also works closely with local Disabled people’s and carers' voluntary organisations.

Anyone who is a Disabled person, is a carer, runs a voluntary or community group can become involved by contacting Tina Jones on (01952) 458021 or tina.jones@listennotlabel.org.uk

From the Regional disability Network West Midlands E-bulleltin April 2011

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Item 45

General Events

Learning Together

Practical workshops for families affected by drug &alcohol use

Understanding Family Dynamics

This one-day course aims to enable families affected by drug and alcohol use to better understand the dynamics in their lives as a result of substance misuse

Learning Objectives

Identify the four levels at which family dynamics operate

Recognise the internal processes that family members go through

Identify the dynamics between two family members, including co-dependency

Describe the stages families typically move through when they are affected by substance use

Recognise how dependent substance use can affect family dynamics

Identify how wider social contexts can affect family dynamics

Friday 8th APRIL 2011, 10am-4pm

Setting & keeping boundaries

This one-day course enables the families of drug and alcohol users to set and then keep boundaries with the user in their life, and thereby reduce the impact of drug- and alcohol-related behaviour

Learning Objectives

Prepare a boundary

Describe how to set a boundary with a drug or alcohol user

Recognise the importance of assertiveness in boundary-setting and have examples of how to behave assertively

Identify appropriate actions when trying to keep a boundary

Recognise options for re-setting a boundary if it is broken

Identify appropriate actions families can take if they find it difficult to maintain boundaries

Friday 20th May 2011, 10am-4pm

Coping with conflict

This one-day course aims to enable families coping with drug- and alcohol-related family conflict to both understand their conflicts and have new ideas about how they can cope better

Learning Objectives

Outline the ways people deal with conflict

Recognise how conflict is created

Describe and use the ‘drama triangle’ – a recognised model for understanding family conflict

Identify ways that people can influence conflict

Recognise the impact anger can have on conflict

Identify ways of coping better with anger

Friday 8th July 2011, 10am-4pm

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All at The Community Council, Shrewsbury Business Park, SY2 6LG

About Adfam

Adfam is the national umbrella organisation working to improve the quality of life for families affected by drug and alcohol use.

With 26 years of experience in supporting families and driving forward good policy and practice, Adfam is uniquely positioned to deliver targeted and effective training.

They offer a range of training courses for professionals and volunteers working with families, and also for family members.

Please visit www.adfam.org.uk, Tel: 020 7553 7640, email:training@adfam.org.uk

How to book this training

Free workshops

Lunch included

Provided by:

Learning Together

The Community Council of Shropshire, The Creative Quarter, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LG www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk Tel: 01743 341995 carersupport@shropshire-rcc.org.uk

You can attend all three workshops or select those that best suit you

We can help with transport costs

The Carer Support Service at The Community Council of Shropshire, offers support and information to all carers over the age of 18.

For further details or to book your place call Glenda 01743 341995

Telford & District MS Society

Gym Sessions - Wednesdays 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Gym at the PRH. Assessment required prior to joining this group. Please call Sian to arrange an assessment.

Yoga Classes *NEW*- Fridays 11am-12.30pm, The Wellbeing Centre, 76- 83 Severn Walk, Sutton Hill, Telford TF7 4AS. Jenny Smith is our new instructor

Swimming - Wellington Leisure Centre allows the branch to have a small section of the pool during public swimming on Thursdays at 3pm. This is NOT a supervised session, swimmers swim at their own risk. Call the leisure centre on 01952 382720 for more information.

Monthly Social - Come and join us for an informal session of chat, gentle exercise, light refreshments and a guest speaker/demonstrator. Time and place: 2nd Thurs of the month, 12.30pm till 3.30pm at the Salvation Army Hall in Oakengates (adjacent to the railway station). Thurs 14th April ~ Telford & District branch Annual Meeting (formerly the AGM )

Club MS provides young people with a fun, friendly and relaxed atmosphere where similar experiences of Multiple Sclerosis can be shared. Join them for regular social events, including Under 5s events, bowling and meal groups. Text or call the CLUB MS mobile: 0797 261 4307, or find CLUB MS on Facebook, and on our website www.mssociety.org.uk/telford

Bowling: The next bowling evening will be 25th April, 6pm, at Telford Ten Pin.

More information from 01952 250038

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Shrewsbury & District MS Society

The Abbey Lunches

Join a group of MS Society members and friends for a relaxed lunch at The Abbey, Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury. Choose and pay for what you like to eat. If you just want to join us for an afternoon drink, you are more than welcome. At 12 noon, on the following Thursdays: April 14th, May5th, June 9th, July 7th.

There is plenty of parking, ramp access and a downstairs disabled toilet and the staff are always very helpful.

Hamar Centre, RSH, Sessions

Thursday 7th April: 10.30 – 11.30 Exercise session, 1.00 – 3.00 Trevor Blackshaw, ’Garden bird Watch’

Thursday 5th May: 10.30 – 11.30 Exercise session, 1.00 – 3.00 speaker Martin Carruthers, ‘Diamonds’

Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund Events

Saturday 2nd April - Charity Concert at Wattlesborough Village Hall

Monday 4th April - Coast 2 Coast Cycle Ride (Andrew Wilson)

Friday 8th April - Ceilidh and Fish & Chip Supper at Hadnall Village Hall

Saturday 9th April - Hot Cross Bun & Coffee Morning at Ellesmere Town Hall

Thursday 28th April - Cheese & Wine Evening at Wistanstow Village Hall

More information at http://www.lingendavies.org.uk/Fundraising/events.htm

Look Out For: the Easter edition of

All In activities!

This was not available at the time of going to print but you will find it at http://www.parentpartnership-shropshireandtelford.org.uk/7.html as soon as it does come out.

Easter Activities with Autism West Midlands

For families of children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome (parents/carers/brothers and sisters all welcome).

Come Hiking Friday 15th April 11am—2pm (Oswestry Race-course) and Thursday 21st April 11am—2pm (Nesscliffe Hill)

Multi-Activity Session for under 11s Thursday 14 April 1.30 – 3.30 pm at Meole, Shrewsbury

Roller skating for all ages Monday 18th April 1.30 – 3.00 pm at Oswestry

For more information and to book a place contact Jane Bannington on 07500 885137

email bannington.j@shropshirelg.net

Shropshire ME Group Informal Meetings

For those affected by myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome or post-viral fatigue syndrome). www.shropshiremegroup.org.uk

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Informal meetings are held around the county and all are welcome to drop in for a chat.

Bridgnorth: Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from around 12–2 pm. Please ring the area contact Liz Gilson for venue details.

Oswestry: At The Wynnstay Hotel, Church Street, Oswestry 11.00-1.00, on the third Thursday each month. Please phone Meg Campbell to confirm venue before the meeting.

Shrewsbury: Meetings are held in the front foyer lounge of The Lord Hill Hotel, Abbey Foregate on the first Thursday each month between 11 am – 1.00.

Telford: Suspended through lack of support. Please contact Daphne Caton 01952 272613 if you wish meetings to restart at the Community Centre in Ketley.

North Shropshire: Meetings are no longer viable because of low numbers. If you are interested in reviving them, please contact Amelia at 01948 770471

Parent Partnership Service

Has your child got special educational needs (SEN)?

Would you like to find out more about how the SEN system works and meet other parents?

We invite you to our local meetings led by Parent Partnership Service. No need to book – just turn up on the day.

All meetings are 10:00am – 12 noon term time only

Craven Arms 2nd Wednesday of month (from 9th March 2011) Craven Arms Community Centre, Newington way, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9PS

Oswestry 3rd Wednesday of month (from 16th February 2011) Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1JN

Shrewsbury 3rd Thursday of month (from 20 January 2011) The Lantern, Sundorne, Shrewsbury, SY1 4NG

Market Drayton 4th Thursday of month (from 27 January 2011) Market Drayton Library, 51 Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, FT9 1PH

For more information, contact Alex Hiam Tel 01952 458018 email: alex@pps-shropshireantelford.org.uk

Parent Partnership Service

Has your child got special educational needs?

Parent Partnership Service is running monthly meetings in Telford for parents/carers who need to know more about how the special educational needs system works.

Old Park Primary School Centre, Malinslee, Telford, TF4 2ED

1st Thursday of month, term time only, 10:00 – 12:00 noon

Do you have a child with Autism or other development and behavious difficulties? Would you like to meet other parents? Would you like to talk to professionals who can offer information and advice?

You are in invited to our meetings on FIRST Wednesday of each month (term time only) 1pm – 3pm, 2 March, 6 April, 4 May, 6 July 2011

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Highley Primary School, Grasmere Drive, Highley, Nr Bridgenorth, WV16 6EH

Everyone welcome – you child doesn’t have to be a pupil of Highley School. Sessions are informal – ok if you need to arrive late and leave early for school / nursery pick ups. No need to book, just turn up on the day.

For more information call Marie Southall at Highley school on 01746 861541

Cygnets: A friendly and welcoming group for parents and carers of children under 5 who have additional needs

Mondays 1:00 – 3:00pm (term time only) starting 7th March 2011

Ellesmere Sure Start children’s centre, Ellesmere Primary School site, Elson Road

Come along and meet other parents and carers and have fun with your children

Speakers will be invited to attend the group to offer helpful information and advice. Crafts and sensory play, snacktime, music... plus lots more

For more information, please ring Helen on 01691 690677 nor Amanda on 01691 624086

InteGreat Theatre is proud to bring back... Words, Signs & Vibes Youth Theatre

Come and join us, open to all, no experience needed!

Every Saturday (term time) 4pm – 6:30pm Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, B5 4TB

Words, Signs & Vibes is a drama group for D/deaf and hearing young people aged 13-18 yrs old. Fully qualified interpreters are at every session. For more information, contact Angela Twigg, email: angela@integreattheatre.org.uk mobile: 07515939806, www.integreattheatre.org.uk

Parent Partnership Service

2nd April 2011 World Autism Day

Come and see us in Telford Town Centre. We will be launching an information pack about Autism. Come along and get yours. We will have lots of information available including: parental support, parents getting involved by having a voice locally-come and meet PODS (Parents Opening Doors), information about Telford and Wrekin’s Autism Coordinator, the NEW information hub for families.

New opportunity for Disabled People in Oswestry and the surrounding area to get together and socialise

For further information please telephone 01691 657840

Wellington’s ‘Wednesday’ Group

Wellington's Sure Start Children's centre have started a new group specifically for parents with children aged 5 and under who have additional needs.

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The friendly group meet every Wednesday between 1 and 3pm. It is a free group where you can meet other parents and carers whilst having fun with your children.

For more Information on the above group please contact: Jaimie on 01952 388077.

Wellington Children's Centre, Wrekin View Primary School, North Road, Wellington, TF1 3ES.

Bridgnorth Buddies

02/04/11 Multi Activities 10.30am-12 St Leonards Church Hall 50p per childFun & games for all with Ping Pong John & other guests.

17/04/11 Swimming 5-6pm Bridgnorth Leisure Centre Free Buddies have exclusive use of the pool. Bring the family!

07/05/11 Multi Activities 10.30am-12 St Leonards Church Hall 50p per childFun & games for all with Ping Pong John & other guests.

Carers Contact Centre

Carers Walk - Granville Country Park 13th Apr 10:30am start. Meet at Granville Country Park Car Park

Pamper Day 3rd May 0930am-12.30pm at Haybridge Hall, Hadley.

Booking essential, phone 01952 240209

Carers Walk - Stirchley 11th May 10:30am start. Meet outside Stirchley Leisure Centre

Shropshire Down’s Syndrome Group Swimming Party – 2ND April 2011

An afternoon of fun has been arranged for 2nd April 2011 at The Flash Leisure Centre, Salop road, Welshpool, SY21 7DH. A swimming session is booked for 3.15-4.30pm followed by a tea party until 5.30pm. Everyone welcome but we need to know who will be coming so please email events@dsa-shropshire.org.uk with your details.

Empathy Group – 2nd April

Family group and activities (and Autism Awareness Day event), 2 – 4 pm at Craven Arms Community Centre. Contact Sam on 077905 84987

Wound up by Stress? Or is ‘Low Mood’ dragging you down?

A fresh approach called Mindfulness could help you give you back your life!

Next course: At the Mayfair Centre, Church Stretton. 8 consecutive Wednesday evenings 7:00pm – 9:30pm from April 27th

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If you are experiencing stress associated with work, relationships, loss or the complexity and pace of modern life, the Breathworks ‘Living Well’ Mindfulness Course can help you manage your body, thoughts and emotions so you can get the most out of life.

On the basis of clinical evidence The National Institute for Clinical Excellence increasingly recognises the value of MINDFULNESS BASED approaches in helping to reduce symptoms of stress and helping to prevent relapses into depression.

For booking/information call Fiona Robertson 07814 404325 or 01588 638416

“I feel like I have been given the opportunity/choice to really improve how I manage stress. Thank you. Everyone should do this course”

“The Mindfulness of Breathing has particularly helped. I now enjoy long periods when I am free of anxiety and can have a run of nights where I can actually sleep!”

“The Body scan has been absolutely fundamental – its helped me to feel very centred. I can now step back in a situation that would have previously triggered an angry reaction”

(Feedback from participants on a previous course)

It’s in your hands... From Shropshire LINk to Local Health Watch Working 4 You

Changes to the NHS include an expanded role for CinCH from the Shropshire LINk to the Local HealthWatch. Its main purpose is to help improve local health and care services, by your stories, experiences and issues of concern, all backed up by statutory powers to demand results from service providers. And there are other potential benefits for you and yours. TO gain the most from those proposals, your input is needed. So do come along to one of the roadshows to learn about those possibilities and make your suggestions on further improvements.

Each roadshow facilitated by Eric Smith of BBC Radion Shropshire:

Thurs 14 April 2:00 – 4:00pm Shrewsbury, The Barnabas Centre, Longden Coleham, SY3 7DN

Wednesday 20 April 2:00 – 4:00pm Bridgenorth, Community Hall, Severn Street, Low Town, WV15 6BB

Haughton Drop-in session, Telford – 5th April

For parents of pupils with complex special needs, 2 – 4 pm at Haughton School, Telford, contact Joy or Mike 01952 387551 / 387552

Naidex Exhibition, Birmingham NEC – 5th – 7th April

The UK’s largest disability, homecare and rehabilitation event. Register for free entry at www.naidex.co.uk/preview

PPS Parent Network Meeting – 7th April

For parents of children with Special Educational Needs. 10 – 12 noon, at Old Park Primary School Centre, Malinslee,Telford. Contact Julie Collins on 01952 457439

Spectrum Meeting – 7th April

Parents’ group for ASD, ADHD and associated difficulties, 8 – 10 pm at the Lord Hill Hotel, Shrewsbury. Contact Alison 01939 220567 or Jeannette netgriffiths@gmail.com , website http://spectrum.t83.net/

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SKID Meeting – 7th April

Shropshire Kids Insulin Dependent Evening Meeting at the Hummingbird Suite, royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Contact Irene 01743 873724 for more information.

Telford Anti-Cuts Meeting – 13th April

7.30 – 9.30 pm – more details from http://www.shropshirefightsback.org.uk/apps/calendar/ showEvent?calID=5131842&eventID=126240691

Shrewsbury & District MS Society Spring Lunch and Annual Meeting – 15th April

12.30 pm at Radbrook Community Centre, Calverton Way, Radbrook Green, Shrewsbury, SY2 6DZ.

Book with Carole Thomas by 8th April, on 01743 247650

Followed by the Annual Meeting at 2.15 pm

Cookery Workshop – 12th April

For parent and disabled child over 10

Come along and cook your lunch and eat it at Brompton Cookery School

Brompton, Nr Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY9 6LE

On Tuesday 12th April from 10am—2pm

For further details and to book your place call Jan or Liz on 0121 415 4624 (Spaces limited)

Shropshire Disability Network Walk & Roll Shrewsbury 2011

Sunday 10th April at the Quarry 11:30am for 12:00 pm

Phone Geoff on 01691 830662 to register and get a sponsorship form

Empathy Group – 16th April

Family group and activities,2 – 4 pm at Craven Arms Community Centre. Contact Sam on 077905 84987

PPS Parent Network Meeting – 28th April

For parents of children with Special Educational Needs. 10 – 12 noon, at Old Park Primary School Centre, Malinslee,Telford. Contact Julie Collins on 01952 457439

Empathy Group – 30th April

Family group and activities,2 – 4 pm at Craven Arms Community Centre. Contact Sam on 077905 84987

Shrewsbury Anti-Cuts Meeting

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7.30 – 9.00 pm. More details at http://www.shropshirefightsback.org.uk/apps/calendar/showEvent?calID=5131842&eventID=126241803

Telford DCD Group Meeting – 6th May

Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist Mark Willetts will be attending the session—to raise our awareness and understanding on sensory difficulties our children may have.

We are also hoping to run a Circus Skills event to include family members with support from ontact A Family. Please contact us if you have ideas for ‘speakers’ or topics for future meetings.

Our meetings are held on the first Friday of every month - term time only at 9.45am -11.30 am, The Andrew Broughton Family Room, Stepping Stones Centre, Brunel Road, Malinslee, Telford, Shropshire. TF3 2BF

See and Hear Shropshire 2011 – Wednesday 11th May

10am till 4pm, Admission £1.00. The Sports Village, Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, SY1 4RQ

Exhibitions, stalls, equipment, services & Information about Sight Loss, Hearing Impairment, Deafness, Deafblind. Services on display will range from: Sarabec, RNIB, RNID, Action for Blind People, Optelec, Shropshire Council, Guide Dogs, Low Vision Services, Hearing Therapists and many more. Please call Vicky on 01743 463517 (Voice) or email vtts@shropshire.gov.uk to book your place. See: http://www.bionicearshow.org/

Being sustainable in the long term – 26th April

Regional Disability Infrastructure Support Service training will be available in April and May on “Sustaining Disability Organisations – Developing a Plan for the future”.

Details are: April 26 The Engine House Visitor and Education Centre in Herefordshire; May 17 at Highley Train Museum. For details call Sue on 01691 774368 or email Rachel at admin@disabledholidayinfo.org.uk, or by post to DHI, PO Box 186, Oswestry, SY10 1AF

Hardest Hit campaign march and rally - May 11th

Location: London

The day is part of the Hardest Hit campaign. 'The Hardest Hit campaign is led by UKDCP with the support of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC). RNIB, with the support of Leonard Cheshire Disability, are leading on the organisation of the march and between them liaising with the police, TUC, etc. UKDPC is leading on the rally and will be organising the various aspects of this.

The March: Thousands of disabled people as well as family and friends will be marching to express solidarity and anger at the cuts threatening our benefits, services, jobs and rights. The march will take us past the Houses of Parliament

The Lobby: After the march the group will be lobbying MPs as the Welfare Reform Bill reaches a critical stage in the House of Commons.

The Rally: On the afternoon of the march the group will meet in Methodist Central Hall to hear from disabled people about the deep unfairness of the cuts for their lives and futures. They will also listen to politicians from

the main political parties to find out how they plan to uphold the rights, equality and participation of disabled people as promised in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

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Where and When: People will gather for the march from 11.30 on the Embankment by Horseguards Avenue. It will start at 12.30 and take in Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Millbank and finish in Dean Stanley Street at around 13.30. The lobby is expected to take place in Westminster Hall and to run between 14.30 and 17.30. Everyone hoping to see their MP during the afternoon is encouraged to write in advance to get an appointment. The rally will take place in Methodist Central Hall (close to the Houses of Parliament) with

speeches between 15.00 and 15.30.

To take part you must register at www.ukdpc.net.

Shropshire Disability Network, General Meeting –

9th June

The next Shropshire Disability Network General Meeting will be held on Thursday June 9 at the Mereside Community Centre, Sutton Farm, Shrewsbury.

Annual Conference 2011

Do Treatments For ME/CFS Work?

Main Speaker

Jane Colby FRSA

Medical Author and Lecturer

Executive Director of the Young ME Sufferers TrustOpen to anyone with an interest in

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Memorial Hall, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury.

2.00 – 4.00pm, Saturday, 7th May 2011.

Admission free (Donations to Group funds welcome)

Raffle and Refreshments available

Further Information on the illness and Shropshire ME Group will be available at the conference.

Shropshire Down’s Syndrome Group Canoe Trip – 19th June 2011

We are planning a canoeing session on the River Severn at Frankwell in Shrewsbury. This event is open to everyone, siblings too but very small children would need to be accompanied by an adult. We would require a £5 non-refundable deposit per family to secure our booking, forms will be sent out for this. More details to follow from events@dsa-shropshire.org.uk

Shropshire Disability Challenge

This has been provisionally booked for Sunday September 4 in Cardingmill Valley. Teams of 6-8 will transport wheelchair users over a route of 4 – 6 km.

Deaf Access at Latitude

Tickets are on sale now. Ask for Guest/Disabled camping for easy access to the communication team. MRSLIs, Tis & JTIs will interpret shows in comedy, literary and theatre arenas, outdoor

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theatre and more. Level 6 communicators available on site and for children’s area. BSL tour available on arrival. Loop systems installed in literary, poetry, comedy and guest/disabled box office. This is a very visual festival, with many events needing no communication support. Festival information at www.latitudefestival.co.uk. Deaf access information from Carole: hands4uaccess@hotmail.com. Updates to follow, see you there!

This is my last issue of Your Voice. Working on it has been a most enjoyable and interesting experience, but family commitments force me to retire.

Sally Barrett

Send your news, stories and events to:

Peter Staples, Newsletter Editor,

newsletter@shropshire-disability.net

Disclaimer

SDN aims to provide a forum for people to air their concerns about matters affecting people with a disability as well as providing a central source of information for them, their families and carers. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those held by SDN. If you have a problem with any of the content of this newsletter, please contact the Editor, Sally Barrett, on newsletter@shropshire-disability.net.

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Events: Conferences etc

Regional Disability Infrastructure Support Service training for “Sustaining Disability Organisations – Developing a plan for the future” find out what you need to do to be sustainable in the long term.

Benefits: FREE training, FREE support, FREE business health check, £20 travel expenses paid.

Key themes: finance, income streams, commissioning and procurement, partnership and clustering, impact measurement

A free training session will be held on: Friday April 8th 10:00am – 3:00pm at the Engine House Visitor and Education Centre, Station Road, Highley, Shropshire, WV16 6NP (for sat nav)

Lunch will be provided with a chance to explore this interesting railway heritage attraction. For more details, please contact Sue on 01691 774368 or email Rachel at admin@disabledholidayinfo.org.uk, post to DHI, PO Box 18, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 1AF

Meeting the challenges in Health Information – April 7th 2011

Patient Information Forum conference be in Birmingham. The theme for the conference is 'Meeting the Challenges in Health Information' and we hope to bring you sessions on the Information Revolution and Choice consultations, the evidence for health information, shared-decision making, the barriers to information equality, such as health literacy and digital exclusion and ways of producing cost effective information. Please contact Sarah Smith at operations@pifonline.org.uk

SIP Social Media Surgery – 4th June 2011

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At HCS Computers’ Log Inn Internet Café, 55 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY1 2EJ

(Also 7th June, 5th September, 7th November, 9th January, 5th March and 14th May).

For more info and to book go to http://shropshirevcs.org.uk/our-services/training/shrop shiresocialmediasurgery/

How can online tools transform your services? For ideas and discussion and inspiration come to ShropCamp 19th April 2011 12:00 – 17:00 Harper Adams UC (its free)

A national conference looking at how social media, open data and other online tools can help councils, charities, social enterprises and other local service providers improve their services and strengthen their partnerships. For more information visit shropcamp.tumblr.com

Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Annual Assembly

We hope you can join us on 7 April 2011 9:00 am arrival – 1:00pm at Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Social Media Surgeries

Bringing Social Media Surgeries to Shropshire

Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership together with Likeaword Consulting

1. Do you work for a Voluntary/ Community Organisation or Social Enterprise?

2. Ever thought about using blogs, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter and other free Social Media sites but do not know where to start?

3. Does your organisation have a website but you find it not easy to update?

4. Are you looking for an easy way to promote your activities and to share information, pictures and video clips on line?

5. Would you like to use free websites and services to promote your organisation, raise funds, collect feedback and keep records but have no idea what is out there?

The Shrewsbury Social Media Surgery is a free advice session for the Voluntary/Community Sector in Shropshire.

It’s informal and relaxed. Bring your laptop and use the wifi supplied to hook up to the internet (with assistance if required). Don’t have a laptop, don’t worry there will be kit to use. Learn from people who understand good ways to use the internet and who can show you useful free tools. Have a chat over a cup of coffee/tea

The full programme is

Monday 4th April ‘11

Tuesday 7th June ‘11

Monday 5th September ‘11

Monday 7th November ‘11

Monday 9th January ‘12

Monday 5th March ‘12

Monday 14th May ‘12

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These will all be held at the new venue the HCS LogInn Internet Café, 55 Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury and run from 17:30 – 20:

How Deaf People Can Succeed in Management – 16-17 May 2011

How to Get the Best Out of Deaf Staff and Managers – A Training Course at heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Who should attend the course

Deaf Managers and Executives

Managers responsible for Deaf Staff, including Deaf Managers

Aspiring Deaf Manager

Course Fee: £395 per person. Further details from http://www.sml.hw.ac.uk/business/cpd/deaf-managers-facing-the-challenge.htm, Tessa Padden T.E.M.Padden@hw.ac.uk and Saiqa Anne Qureshi S.Qureshi@hw.ac.uk

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Crippen’s Blog – Disabled People United!

http://www.disabilityartsonline.org.uk/?item=882&itemoffset=1&unique_name=crippen-blog

18 March 2011

More and more disabled people are turning out for the various anti-cuts demonstrations that are taking place across the length and breadth of England and making their voices heard. And it looks as though the big rally planned by the TUC in London on 26th March will include members from all of the anti cuts groups run and controlled by us crips; in effect the largest turn out of disabled protesters that this country has ever seen.

Even those of us who can’t be there physically are being facilitated by groups like ‘Black Triangle’ (who originated this idea at the Inclusion Scotland Conference earlier this year) and ‘Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)’ who are both planning on carrying banners with absent disabled protesters names printed on them. There is also going to be a virtual protest blogs set up so that those who can’t participate physically can do so on-line.

Accessible transport is being arranged, a buddy support system is being organised and the TUC have announced the setting up of a large video screen for those who can get to Hyde Park but can’t access the actual march itself. I’ve also just heard that there’ll be a static protest point in Hyde Park for those of us unable to participate in the actual march.

And it also looks as though the mainstream press are starting to take notice of us too. The recent demonstration in Birmingham at which our own Bob Williams Findlay spoke was shown on television that night. Also several excellent videos about the protests from the likes of John McCardle and Craig Lundie from Black Triangle, and Eleanor Lisney and Linda Burnip from DPAC are currently doing the rounds on UTube.

Protest groups that mainly consist of non-disabled people are also now beginning to realise that we have a vital part to play in the nationwide protest against this government’s punitive actions. Albeit with some heavy lobbying by disabled activists, they seem to be taking on board issues around accessibility and inclusion.

Call me optimistic but I think that after the 26th March demonstration, bully-boy Cameron and his cronies will be in no doubt that disabled people in this country are determined to put a stop to their slash and burn tactics. I can foresee the biggest U-turn in political history coming up with regard to

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benefits reforms and this will be down to those disabled people who protested and shouted ‘rights not charity’!