RICHMOND AID Issue 27 Winter news 20109

Chair Hoist for Hampton Pool: Your Help is Needed!

Two Wheelchair users at the Gym

Report on the International Day of Disabled People 2009

Plus our regulars: New CEO Lucy’s Column, Bulletin Board, Events and News 1

Before joining Richmond AID I worked Welcome in Richmond Housing Partnership and Chief Executive of Richmond AID managed the Community Development Team. I have a background in project management, fundraising and community engagement. Also, for many years I have also worked as a literacy and numeracy tutor. I am really keen to get to know more of our service users and local disabled

people and to work together to remove barriers to equal access and rights. If you are interested in having your views heard please do contact me, Lucy Byrne, or any of the team at Richmond AID on 020 8831 6070 or email: Dear Readers, [email protected]

I’m very excited to have started my new role as Chief Executive of Richmond Front page: AID. I started on the 4 January 2010 4 year old Daniel at the Making and it has been a fantastic beginning to Sense event to celebrate the the New Year. International Day of Disabled

The team and I have lots of plans for People. For full report see page 6. this year. As well as our core work in the Photographer: Andrew Harris Advice Service, SPADE gardening project, Benefits Advice Service to name a few, we are also starting an Employment project (see page 5). Hello & Congratulations

The main focus for this year will be to We are very glad to welcome our new have lots more user engagement. We Volunteer Advisor Stephanie Forse and would really value your input to help us Benefits Advisor Yvonne Baxtrem. to improve our services, to let us know Our new work placement student, what the local gaps and needs are, to Shogufah Samimi is working with our work together to find solutions and to service users to gather feedback and represent your views at local and case studies. Get in touch if you would national level on subjects that matter to like to be a part of this! Also welcome to you. We plan to do this in a number of Joe Esposito who is working with us on different ways. We would like to invite employment issues, and Barbara Lis on service users who would like to reception. Of course, welcome to our participate in focus groups, a community new CEO Lucy Byrne. action group, through the internet via Congratulations go to our volunteer our Facebook group or by email Elias Kopti who has been awarded consultation. NVQ Level 2 in Business and Admin.

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Chair Hoist for Hampton Pool: Your Help Needed

Support Hampton Pool to she thought New Zealand would be a bit more exotic. The Strait is the same buy a disabled chair hoist distance as Lake Zurich, which Emily has swum, but will take longer as conditions are so unpredictable. It

should take around 11 hours.

The chair hoist will cost about £5,000 to purchase and install. This would ensure that the pool would become fully accessible to the whole community all year round. Hampton Pool already has

fully accessible disabled changing rooms and users can have items from the café delivered to the bright and airy seating next to the pool. Hampton Pool is close to Emily’s heart. As an asthmatic she finds swimming outside very therapeutic. Emily also works with disabled people and children with special needs. For swimming tuition with Emily contact her in April after her epic swim! Her number is: Between 21-25 February 2010 Emily 07776 251 514. Morris, manager at Hampton Pools, will attempt to swim the Cook Strait, which separates New Zealand’s north and south islands. The money raised will fund a disabled chair hoist for Hampton pool, bringing the opportunity to enjoy Hampton Pool to more disabled people. It is a tough swim and has a high failure rate due to unpredictable weather, tides, cold water and marine life such as sharks and jelly fish. Only 64 people have successfully completed the swim: Please support Emily to achieve this if Emily succeeds, she will become the challenge by sponsoring her. first British female to swim the Cook Strait. You can donate on her online page Emily has been open water swimming below, or at Hampton Pool or Richmond since 2005. She has swum the Greek AID in . Islands, the English Channel, and the Visit the website now: length of Lake Windermere. After uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmilyMorris swimming the English Channel in 2006

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Photograph with kind permission of Peugeot and licensing policy. Cab Direct www.cabdirect.com The Council then agreed to add the A New Choice in Taxi? accessible E7 taxi to the list of vehicle Over the past three years, disability types licensed in the city as a hackney groups in Liverpool have campaigned to t axi. enable a new type of vehicle to be licensed as a public hire taxi. This This ruling set a new precedent in terms vehicle – called an E7 taxi – is accepted of giving legal force to public bodies’ by most UK local authorities. obligation to take positive steps to

remove discrimination, wherever Wheelchair user groups have possible. The judge noted that his demonstrated that many users of larger findings were likely to have wider wheelchairs are unable to be correctly implications for other authorities, positioned and secured in existing including London. ‘London-style’ taxis, because of the size What does this mean for London? How of these vehicles. Wheelchair users can do you find using taxis? We want to be left to travel seated sideways and hear from you! unsecured during taxi journeys. Call us on 020 8831 6070 to discuss.

Despite this, and calls from a number of disability organisations, Liverpool City V.I.S.O.R. Council refused to allow the new-style Visually Impaired Society Of taxis to be licensed. A wheelchair user, Richmond together with wheelchair-accessible vehicle specialist Allied Vehicles, then Annual General Meeting and Event sought a Judicial Review at the High Planning Meeting Court in London in 2009. 2pm on Wednesday 28 April 2010 The judge ruled in favour and found the The Vestry Hall, Paradise Road, Council guilty under the Disability Richmond Discrimination Act (DDA), of direct discrimination by failing to make a Address by the Mayor at 2.30pm reasonable adjustment to its taxi Close 4.30pm. Free afternoon tea

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IT and Employment

New Employment Project at Richmond AID Jamie Cutler, Employment Officer: What does this involve? I am working with employers to ensure their recruitment processes and employment practices are based on equal IT Can Help is a network of volunteers opportunities. Much of this involves who offer free local computer help to providing disability awareness sessions disabled people. They can diagnose (tailored to local businesses), and fix most computer problems; install reminding them of their duties under and set up hardware, software, the Disability Equality Duty and getting internet, email and access settings. more companies signed up to the Two Computers have transformed the lives Ticks Scheme. of many disabled people. The web and email has given access to new The Two Ticks scheme encourages opportunities, not only by helping to organisations to think about the solve practical problems, such as doing following issues: the grocery shopping online—the web Are you in business to make the most has also provided a means to socialise of your people? for those who could otherwise not get Do you encourage disabled people to out to meet friends and family. apply for jobs in your organisation? However, computers are still Do you aim to develop your employees complicated beasts, but that shouldn’t to their full potential? deter someone with a disability from getting the full benefits of using a Employers can then gain accreditation computer. Organisations such as IT and get to use the Two Ticks ‘Positive Can Help can assist those most in about Disabled People’ logo. need to ensure that their computers remain a lifeline and vital means of I a m speaking to lots of people over the communications for them. Other advice coming months, visiting recruitment for disabled people that would like to and employment agencies, colleges, get the most from a computer is online. volunteering projects and other Tuition courses for software are community groups. provided by ‘UcanDoIT’. I am looking forward to continually Web: www.ucandoit.org.uk. develop our access audits, disability awareness training and working to give IT Can Help works in partnership with disabled people a greater input into life AbilityNet. and activities in the borough. For any More information is available at the information on employment and website: www.itcanhelp.org.uk disability, whether you are looking for Tel (& textphone): 0800 269545 work or you’re an employer then please contact me on 020 8831 6072. Email: [email protected] 5

Report: International Day of Disabled People 2009

“I attended the Making Sense Workshop Making Sense: with my four year old son Daniel, who is An event to mark the International autistic. I want to say how much Daniel Day of Disabled People benefitted from the Drumming workshop. Daniel has sensory deprivation and really enjoys music. Phillip and Surish were wonderful with him, using drums rhythm and poetry to open the door of communication. The workshop had a profound effect on my son Daniel. I was amazed at how calm and focused Daniel became and remained for the rest of the day. He was trying very hard to communicate with me, using single words in context. I wish we could have a session such as this every week, as it was so beneficial. If you’d been in York House on 3 Thank you to all who were involved in December 2009 you might have met setting up this project. Daniel will be Mustard the Owl, discovered how to definitely getting a drum for Christmas paint with music, explored the Sensory from Santa Claus!” Garden, spent some quality time with the Fire Poet or even discovered who the Mushroom Man was. Talking nonsense? Certainly not, this was all part of ‘Making Sense’, our event to mark the International Day of Disabled People on 3 December.

Themed around how we use our senses, the event featured a giant sensory garden put together by a small team from gardens, drumming and poetry workshops and many local groups exhibited on the day. The event was also attended by Her Worship the Mayor of the London Several local schools got involved and Borough of Richmond upon Thames, freestyled it on drums and spoken word Cllr Celia Hodges. A keen gardener with Fire Poet Philip Wells. Kew Prep herself, the Mayor demonstrated superb had a stand with Richmond Crossroads multitasking abilities by exploring the Care to highlight the unique partnership sensory garden, then talking to work they are undertaking. Local exhibitors whilst also being resident Deborah Kemp certainly interviewed by the Richmond Talking appreciated the drumming: Newspaper.

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Report: International Day of Disabled People 2009 The stand featuring the Surrey History Otakar Kraus Music Trust Centre also proved to be especially A registered charity providing music popular. Some of the results of the therapy for children and young people groundbreaking Surrey Heritage Tactile with special developmental needs. Book Competition were on display. Museums, galleries and heritage Web: www.okmtrust.co.uk organisations took up the challenge to Tel: 020 8894 2007 turn part of their collection into a tactile book. For a visually impaired child, Richmond Music Trust being able to feel, hear or even smell their way through a story can heighten Provides a range musical and the experience and understanding. educational opportunities for the benefit Numerous true stories from Surrey’s of young people and others in and history were recreated as sensory around the borough. books. Highlights included the cat’s tea Web: www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk party and the Mushroom Man. Tel: 020 8538 3866 We send out our heartfelt thanks to all the people who kindly gave their time and effort to make Making Sense Richmond Crossroads Care happen! Special thanks must go to the A charity providing much needed respite wonderful team at who for Richmond Borough Carers of all put together such an amazing sensory ages. garden. Also to the Otakar Kraus Music Web: www.crossroads.org.uk Trust, Richmond Music Trust and the Darrell Primary School for kindly loaning Tel: 020 8943 9421 us lots of drums. For more information about music The Fire Poet: therapy in the borough contact: www.thefirepoet.com

Richmond Carers Centre

A local charity that supports people who are caring for a relative or friend. If you are a carer who lives in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, or you support someone who lives in the Borough, and you need support or advice please call us on: 020 8867 2380.

Take a look at our film about local carers by following this link: www.satorimedia.co.uk/richmondcarerscentre.htm

You can see more information about our charity at: www.carers.org/richmond

5 Briar Road, , TW2 6RB / Email: [email protected]

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Benefits and Welfare Update

Changes to Incapacity Benefit, receive the increase immediately. There Income Support and Severe will be changes to Housing Benefit and Disablement Allowance Council Tax Benefit too as part of the

transfer so people do not lose out. The Government have announced that anyone who currently receives Some people may find that they are Incapacity Benefit, Income Support due assessed as fit for work and advised to to an illness or disability or Severe claim Job Seeker’s Allowance. If you Disablement Allowance (SDA) will be think their decision is wrong you can gradually moved onto Employment appeal.

Support Allowance (ESA). People claiming ESA are given a work

They call this process a ‘migration’. capability assessment to see if they are They will start in October of this year not capable of work and will not have to with a few test cases to see if the look for work to get ESA or they may be system will work. Once they have sorted found capable of some work and will get out any problems they intend to start ESA but be expected to attend work moving everyone else onto ESA starting focused interviews to encourage you to in February 2011 and ending in March find training and get back into work with 2014. People on Incapacity Benefit and the right help and support. Again, if you Income Support because of illness or think you shouldn’t be expected to do disability will be transferred first. After this you will have the right to appeal. that is complete people getting SDA will All claims to Incapacity Benefits after 31 be transferred. You won’t have to make January 2011 will be treated as a claim a new claim and the change will happen to ESA so there will be no linking back to on the date your case would normally be earlier claims for Incapacity Benefit/ reviewed. You will only be given the new SDA. benefit (ESA) if you meet the new work capability assessment – this replaces This is a very brief overview of what’s the medical test used for Incapacity happening and we will give you more Benefit. detailed information in future editions.

People who reach State Pension Age during the transfer period (2010-2014) Crossroads have moved! will not go through the transfer process After being at the Disability Action & onto ESA but will stay on their existing Advice Centre for 8 years, Richmond incapacity based benefit until they have Crossroads Care have moved to new their pension birthday. offices. Crossroads provides respite care for carers, the Caring Café for If you are found eligible for ESA but people with dementia and their carers would be worse off, your benefit will be and the two Children’s Saturday Clubs. safeguarded at the higher rate and will Their new address is: 1 Beverly Court, be brought into line gradually over time. 26 Elmtree Road, Teddington, If you are better off on ESA you will TW11 8ST. Tel: 020 8943 9421

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Experiences at the Gym

cannot work out for longer than an hour NNeeww yyeeaarr——NNeeww rreessoolluuttiioonnss.. but hopefully with more exercise will LLoottss ooff ppeeooppllee wwaanntt ttoo ggeett f i t tfeitr- come more fitness and I will be able to atenrd a hneda hltehaieltrh bieurt bhuotw h odwoe dso tehsa t spend more time at the gym. Because it that work for wheelchair users? work for wheelchair users? is in Queen Mary’s Hospital in SShhiirrlleeyy aanndd PPaattttyy tteellll uuss tthheeiirr Roehampton it is absolutely accessible ssttoorriieess bbeellooww.. for wheelchairs, people who use crutches and anyone with a walking disability. Shirley Smith On my first day at the gym I feel like I was made very welcome. I had to do an induction and the staff were very helpful and had a lot of time for me.

When I go to the gym and do my workout I feel very good; it does me good and keeps me fit. I think it’s very important in doing it as I am in a wheelchair all day. I try to warm up on the cycle, about 15 This photo shows what I am doing minutes and then I do at least 50 reps during my time at the gym. on the other pieces of equipment. They Shirley Smith at the gym also have free weights that I can use. There are 3 assistants to help you master the use of the equipment. All are very helpful. I need help in getting the straps round my feet for the cycle; one of the gym assistants will help me. Also changing the attachment on one of the pieces of equipment. We have keys that you slide into a piece, usually involving weight deferential. Since I started about 12 months ago I have gotten gradually stronger and have increased the weight accordingly.

Patty Lloyd The Douglas Bader Rehab Gym is based at St Mary’s Hospital in On Friday I go to the Douglas Bader Roehampton and provides people Gym at Queen Mary’s Hospital with various conditions and Roehampton. I use a variety of disabilities with physiotherapy. exercises like cycling, fly-pecs, and For more information call: pull-downs and pull rows. I do find that I 020 8487 6042.

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NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...

Sibling Workshop Transport Accessibility For 9-11 year olds at Me Too & Co There are some consultation events Saturday 13 March. 9.30am-1.30pm. about transport happening in March: “Richmond Council is aware that Crossway, 306 Richmond Road, residents use a wide range of TW1 2PD transport services, and not all forms of Does your child have difficulties coming transport are as accessible as needed. to terms with their sibling’s additional The Council is reviewing the needs? We are organising a day of accessibility of transport within the special activities surrounding these borough and are interested to hear

issues. There will be games, pizza and your views, experience and

lots of fun! Come and join us. satisfaction with the services available. To book a place call 07946 646033 The services being reviewed include: Email: [email protected] NHS Patient Transport Service, Web: www.metooandco.org.uk Transport for London bus, Underground and Overground Richmond upon Thames services, National Rail train services, Inclusive Sport and Dial-a-Ride and voluntary sector transport. Also, Council-managed Exercise (RISE) Event transport and schemes such as school Promoting sports and exercise for and day centre transport, Blue disabled people of all ages Badges, Freedom Passes and Taxicards are being reviewed. The Saturday 27 March 10.00am - 3.00pm Council are hosting two open meetings Shene Sports and Fitness Centre to provide residents the opportunity to Park Avenue, , SW14 8RG share their views with the Council and

The RISE event is to highlight the to some of the transport providers inclusive and disability-specific activities directly. that are available in the borough and the W h e n: Tuesday 23rd March 2010: surrounding area. meeting for parents/carers of children

The day will include taster sessions and with special educational needs. information on disability specific and Thursday 25th March 2010: open inclusive sports and exercise activities. meeting for all residents, with focus on The programme of activities will be older and disabled people available nearer the date. Light Where: Venue within Twickenham refreshments will be available all day, The chosen venue is accessible and and individuals are welcome to bring refreshments will be available. To lunch with them if they would like to stay attend either meeting, please register for longer. For more information contact: with The Accessible Transport Unit, 4 Lizzy Walne Sports Development Officer. Waldegrave Road, Teddington, Email: [email protected] TW11 8HT. Tel: 0208 831 6094 / Phone: 020 8831 6134 0208 831 6097. Full details will be Web: www.richmond.gov.uk/RISE provided at registration. 10

BULLETIN BOARD

Quingo Air Five-wheeled Scooter: A very compact scooter, intended for regular indoor and outdoor use and hard surfaces at 4mph. Ideal for short / medium journeys. It can be easily transported in most small hatchbacks. DanceAct Shopping bag and stick holder included, Landmark Arts Centre solid tyres and three years insurance. Bought for £2864 in July 2009, used only Adults' Classes & Courses twice. For sale at £2000. For adults with learning disabilities Wheeled Walker:

From Easter 2010. Constructed from light-weight aluminium, folds flat for easy storage. Fully height Dates to be announced. adjustable with locking loop brakes. Comes with storage bag and basket. If you enjoy acting, singing or dancing Never used. For sale for £30. and would like to meet other people who For either item, contact Diane Thomas on share the same interest, then come and 07866 398 194 or email: join DANCEACT. [email protected]

Customized Craftmatic Sleep System Led by 2 experienced tutors, everyone adjustable bed: works hard and has lots of fun putting together a show twice a year which is Price to be discussed. staged for family and friends. Please call Colin Davis on: 020 82553837

Contact: Lydia Hansbury (Richmond Homes and Lifestyle Trust) Richmond AID News: although Tel: 020 8977 5447 Richmond AID checks all information Email: [email protected] carefully, it cannot accept legal liability

Landmark Arts Centre for any inaccuracy or omission. Ferry Road, Teddington Richmond AID does not recommend any product or service, nor do the views London, TW11 9NN Web: www.landmarkartscentre.org expressed in Richmond AID News necessarily represent the views of the Tel: 020 8977 7558 organisation. 11

Richmond AID Patrons: Sir Trevor McDonald, Sir Donald Gosling, Cllr Pat Parsons, Dr Vincent Cable MP, Mat Fraser & Susan Kramer MP

Getting to us: We are located next to Teddington Library MOBILITY BUSES BY BUS (stops indicated in brackets) All buses are now 33 Fulwell (A,F) Hammersmith (B,E) wheelchair accessible 281 Hounslow (D,F) Tolworth (C,E) 285 Heathrow Airport (D.F) Kingston (C,E) BY RAIL 481 Kingston (E,H) West Middx Hospital (G, F) South West Trains services to: R68 Kew Retail Pk (C,E) Hampton Ct (D.F) London Waterloo, Kingston, X26 Heathrow (E) West Croydon via East Richmond, Shepperton & Croydon (F) Twickenham.

4 Waldegrave Road Teddington TW11 8HT Phone: 020 8831 6070 Email: [email protected] Web: www.richmondaid.org.uk

If you want advice on any disability issue, our team of volunteers is here to help you from 11:00-16:00 Monday to Friday.

Other Services at the Disability Action & Advice Centre

LBRuT Accessible Transport Unit: Wednesdays only: VISOR Issues Blue Badges, Disabled Person’s (Visually Impaired Society of Rich- Freedom Passes, Taxi Cards & mond): Vouchers and a Shopping scheme. Provides advice and organises trips RUILS (Richmond Users Independent and social events. Living Scheme)—provides advice and Drop in to see us or call reception on assistance for people using Self 020 8831 6080. Directed Support.

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