February 2013

Registered Charity No 1148256 Free: donations welcome!

Independent Living Fund - councils to get the last word - 2 Anyone Fears that more disabled people will fall into poverty - 4 for tennis? SDN December meeting - Blue Badge, hate crime and help in India - 6 Sport and Disabled slam Ludlow buses - 7 IG NIGHT disabilities Carers in Shropshire and Telford - 8 !! SDN’s B T’S MAGIC S I OR DETAIL page 3 ‘The bedroom tax’ - 9 OUT - P4 F COUNTING DOWN Welfare experts spell out what the TO CHANGE! future may hold It is only a matter of weeks until the Government’s welfare reforms start to kick in. Before long PIP, Universal Credit and much else will be more than things we just read about in the papers. They will be changing our lives, our incomes, and possibly even the way we see ourselves.

In recognition of the seriousness of the issues, SDN joined forces with Damian Carter of Shropshire Council (above right ) and one of the audience groups, with the Community Legal Advice Service a BBC Radio Shropshire reporter recording the lively discussion. At left, Colin Smith of the DWP makes a point about PIP. The other two speakers were Kairen Francis of Job Partnership, the Pan Disability Centre Plus and Jackie Jeffrey of Citizens Advice Shropshire. Forum and the VCS Assembly to bring together four experts to explain Audience member Evelyn Sonia Roberts, chair of SDN and of Suszko spoke for many and answer questions on key the VCSA, called the event a great when she said to one success and praised the four speak - aspects of the new welfare system. speaker: ‘It needs to be simplified. People need to ers for their input. ‘They all brought a ‘Welfare Reform: The Big Debate’ be able to see on a single great depth of knowledge in their took place at Shrewsbury Town Foot - piece of paper what they subjects and audience members get now and what they will were able to tackle them on impor - ball Club on January 17, with speak - get in the future.’ ers from Citizens Advice Shropshire, tant but little understood topics,’ she the Department of Work and Pen - The topics were said. ‘We hoped it would be an in - sions, Job Centre Plus, and Shrop - oSupporting People formative and educational event and oPersonal Independent Payment (PIP) shire Council. that’s how it turned out. This is the oUniversal Credit first of many dialogues we are oRelacement schemes for Housing having across Shropshire. We have Rather than each taking a turn to and Council Tax benefits speak formally to a large room full of a meeting on 13 March for SDN people, the audience was divided opportunities for comments, ques - members to hear the latest update into four and the speakers moved tions and frank discussion. There and will continue to publish informa - from group to group. That maximised was plenty of the latter! tion on our website and newsletter.’ 2 ILF clients concerned over switch to councils Councils are to gain control of the Sue Bott, chief executive of the ‘We would be very concerned if the Independent Living Fund's budget National Centre for Independent ILF just shuts up shop and all in England after the abolition of Living, has raised concerns about current funding is distributed to the Social Care Agency in 2015 - transfer of ILF cash to councils. local authorities.’ with no guarantees that disabled clients will have their funding ‘It really makes a difference to local She fears a repeat of the closure of maintained. authority budgets how many people the original ILF in 1993. Two new with high support needs they have funds were subsequently created, The ILF provides cash payments to in their area,’ she says. ‘That can merging in 2007 into groups one almost 20,000 disabled people. Its skew budgets and it's not reflected and two. clients tend to have large weekly in the funding that goes to local care packages. authorities. ‘Money was distributed (in 1993) to compensate local authorities who A funding crisis led the ILF to close ‘People with high support needs were expected to make a contribu - to new applications in June 2010 should either continue to be funded tion, but it wasn't ring-fenced and and later that year the Department from a national pot, or the funding the vast majority did not go to for Work and Pensions said it would that goes to local authorities should disabled people,’ she said. be abolished in 2015. The DWP will reflect the real number of people in protect existing care packages until that situation. [From Community Care, 12.2012] April 2015 but not beyond. Justifying the abolition of the ILF, the ent ways by the transition. More than "We are particularly concerned that DWP said running a parallel social 80%, who became eligible after any reallocation of ILF funding to care fund to local authorities has led 1993, already receive council local authorities could lead to dis - to duplication of functions, unneces - funding as a condition of their ILF abled people not receiving the same sary bureaucracy and a lack of payments and have their needs level of support," said Neil Coyle, integration of care around the jointly reviewed. They may be director of policy at Disability Rights service user. eligible for council funding for their UK. whole care package. The DWP rejected ring-fencing the He also raised concerns about how budget, on the basis that this would However, some 3,000 ILF users the ILF budget in England would be prevent councils using their (group one) became eligible be - distributed to councils, given that resources flexibly to meet local tween 1988 and 1992 when council take-up is much higher in some needs. Councils strongly opposed funding was not a condition of sup - areas than others. ring-fencing in their responses to the port. consultation. Almost half are not recorded as By making space available for paid advertising ILF users have receiving a local authority contribu - SDN hopes to offset the costs of the printed their care needs tion to their care package. version of YourVoice, which is proving a great reviewed every two years. From The DWP says this group will find asset to readers who do not use computers. now onwards the transition to council funding these will be ‘particularly challenging’ and the This is a basic advertisement space - conducted as transition review will be ‘particularly 98mm by 66mm. It costs £10 per issue, and ‘transfer reviews’ important’. advertisers get a free design and copywriting but ILF funding will be unchanged The DWP is to produce a code of service. Their product or service will be seen until 2015. practice on how councils should both by our print and online readerships. support ILF clients during the transi - It’s a bargain! Interested? Users will be tion process. Many councils want the affected in differ - DWP to fund the reviews 3

This is an extract from an article by As I serve, he stands stock-still, hyper Annalisa D’Innella. It was 20 years alert. Not a muscle moves until that ago when she last hit a tennis ball. first, tell-tale bounce. Then he is She says that to do it again made her propelled into action, like Basil Fawlty feel superhuman... trying to swat a fly.

‘I’m at the National Tennis Centre He laughs at me too – particularly at holding a child’s short-handled tennis my girly screams as I inadvertently racket and crouching like Venus career into walls, nets and nearby Williams. Across the court my oppo - players. But we do more than just nent, Sid, is limbering up to serve. mock one another here at Soundball Panting rather too loudly in the London, which is part of a charity corner, his guide dog Dotty is in called Metro Blind Sports (they also danger of putting me off my game. do cricket, although I have yet to I’m 35 and I haven’t played tennis in discover quite how). 20 years. The reason for this is that I have retinitis pigmentosa, a degener - On the court next to us are Amanda ative eye condition that can result in and Odette. Odette is reigning extreme tunnel vision. My patch of national women’s sound ball cham - sight (four degrees) is a tiny fraction pion. She has no central vision, only of the 160-degree field enjoyed by peripheral. Amanda is totally blind on most people. Sid is completely blind. Annalisa D’Innella takes a master class in her left side. Odette hits all the balls blind tennis from blind tennis coach Odette Battarel of Metro Blind Sports at the National to Amanda’s left side. Amanda is When Lord Coe made his speech at Tennis Centre (Picture: Gretel Ensignia) hitting everything to Odette’s centre. the Paralympic closing ceremony last These ladies are fierce. Amanda and year, he said the Games had ‘lifted Odette have been playing this game the cloud of limitation’. I was so taken Playing for five years and are responsible for with this that I typed three words into bringing it to London... Google: ‘Blind sports London’. I wasn’t alone. During the 11 days of ‘Isn’t it so liberating to be able to play the Paralympics, the Parasport web - a real without your eyes?’ says Odette as site (www.parasport.org.uk)received we stop for a break. ‘Isn’t it great not 37,500 visitors, 25 times more than having to apologise for yourself the over the same period the previous blinder! whole time?’ I am too out of breath to year. reply. I lie down on the floor, hoping Lack of sight and she won’t see me but she forces me So now here I am, across the net back up. After winning our game, Sid from a blind man who is shouting at tennis really do mix says he lost his sight late in life from me. It’s protocol in sound ball (tennis diabetes. He tells me about blind for the visually impaired) to shout at your opponent. You swimming. ‘It’s like Wacky Races,’ he says. ‘Everyone have to holler ‘ready?’ before you serve. The ball jingles crashes into each other but it’s good fun. Wanna come?’ noisily as soon as he hits it, because this is not a standard tennis ball. It’s bigger, softer and contains ball bearings. It The session ends, a snoring Dotty is woken and several can bounce three times before a totally blind person hits it white canes are unfurled as players make their way out or twice for someone partially sighted. into the night.

We crash about the court, launching ourselves to the For more information about retinitis pigmentos visit ground and celebrating unnecessarily with every point. www.rpfightingblindness.org.uk or for more about sport for He’s great fun to watch. the disabled try http://www.disabled-world.com/ This is not a recommendation for There are some 11 million disabled physical activity. Partners include the the website because people in the UK, but fewer than two in National Disability Sport Organisations some of its content is ten take part in sport. The English and National Governing Bodies of rather whacky, but it Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) Sport. It wants sport and physical does include stories was established in 1998. It works activity to be a meaningful experience, about people with closely with a number of key partners to whatever the individual’s level of disabilities who have improve and increase the opportunities choice. The website for the English overcome awesome offered, ensuring disabled people have Federation of Disability Sport is challenges not just to a memorable experience of sport and http://www.efds.co.uk/ compete but to win. 4 Fears grow that poverty looms for more disabled This information is from Disability Rights UK, which is run A third of disabled people live in poverty in the UK and controlled by disabled people, and campaigns for a and one of the objectives of Diswability Rights UK is society where all those with lived experience of disability to break the link between disability and poverty. How- are treated as full citizens. A sequel next month will ever, it says: ‘We are fearful that the Welfare Benefits compare benefits with public sector salaries. Up-rating Bill will undermine this aim and impoverish thousands more disabled people.’

An Evening of Magic, The Government has suggested that all disabled people Music, Comedy and are protected from the lower 1% increase in benefits. Impersonation with Paul This is not the case. ‘We welcome DLA being up-rated at a higher rate than & Geoff Ray the 1% standard proposal for other benefits. We also wel - come that some disabled people in the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Support Group – for disabled people assessed as being unable to undertake any work related activity – will also be afforded some protection.

FRIDAY 15 MARCH 2013 at 7.30 pm ‘However, the Support Group component of ESA pay- ments is worth just £34.05. Most of the payment that dis- BAYSTON HILL MEMORIAL HALL abled people in the Support Group receive is the Basic Lyth Hill Road Allowance component of £71 which will be up-rated at 1% under Government proposals. This penalises dis- Bayston Hill abled people even in the Support Group with a 1.4% up- Shrewsbury rating overall (i.e. even the disabled people the Government suggests are protected will experience a 1% Bring your own drinks, we will provide nibbles, up-rating on almost 70% of their out-of-work suport).’ tea and coffee. Why not join us for a great evening of Assessments often leave disabled poorer fun & laughter! The Government has also acknowledged that all ESA re - cipients are disabled people. To access ESA requires a rigid ‘Work Capability Assessment’ process which often TICKETS £7.00 each - call Ruby 01743 340832 fails to identify the impact an impairment or health condi - (also from Magic Snips 58 Ennerdale Road tion has and leaves disabled people with a lower pay- Shrewsbury and various outlets in Bayston Hill) ment and support package provided through Jobseeker’s Allowance. Cheques should be made payable to Shropshire Disability Network Most people receiving ESA are in the Work Related Activ- Registered Charity Number 1148256 ity Group (WRAG). This group includes people with can - cer, learning disabilities and progressive conditions for All proceeds for the work of example. The Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill proposes Shropshire Disability Network this large group of disabled people receive just 1% more. We hope you will not support this measure!

Some 991,000 people were receiving ESA in 2012 and all would feel the impact of the 1% up-rating. Most would lose the equivalent of a loaf of bread and a pint of milk A powerful collective voice for disabled people in Shropshire per week (£87.65 per year). This represents a significant and Telford & Wrekin, run totally by volunteers proportion of disposable income to an already impover- ished and disadvantaged group of UK citizens. 5 Sale success will help fund YourVoice in print The SDN table at a sale organised toy stalls, refreshment by Allcare for Hope House proved area, face painters, make- very worthwhile, and after the dust up stall, etc, were kept had settled and the pennies were very busy with a steady counted we banked some £65. flow of buyers from noon Left, Liz and Ruby to 4 pm. They had a fan - staff the SDN stand, So thank you very much Allcare, a tastic raffle with prizes do - and above Allcare Manager Wendy great friend in the business commu - nated by Dobbies, Marks Beesley with her nity. Not only that, we had some nice & Spencer, and Cake grandaughter Faith. gifts left over, including wine glasses Creators, to name just a and posh chocs, which went on sale few. Hope House is better members who have no IT access or at our quarterly meeting in December off by well over £1200 as a result of who for some reason cannot use a and helped offset the hire costs. this event. computer. This is a very important part of SDN's outreach work. Ruby Hartshorn said: ‘It was great to ‘We are really pleased at raising £65 go to pastures new as we met a lot and very happy that Allcare Shrop - ‘Mobile phone users can support this of people and promoted the work of shire Ltd invited us to have a table. work by donating to us easily and SDN while raising funds for two Some of this money will be used for simply. All you have to do is text worthy causes. There was a lot going the printed edition of YourVoice. We SHDN12 £1 to 70070. The text is on, such as the bran tub, sweet need to raise about £100 a month for free so your £1 is fully donated. You stalls, homemade crafts, cake stalls, this, which enables us to reach our can even Gift Aid your donation.’ Branch set to bloom! Local MS to hold major fund-raiser at gardens The Shrewsbury and District strong support lately. Staff at Dechra more than 18 should by now have Multiple Sclerosis branch will be Veterinary Products raised a very received a questionnaire. holding its biggest fundraising generous amount by raffling prizes The results of this survey, which will event of the year on Sunday 24 donated by their suppliers – and be announced during the 2013 MS February – an open garden day at Dechra then matched the amount Week, will provide the information The Patch, Acton Pigott, near raised. Shawbury Young Farmers essential to campaign for change, Acton Burnell, by kind permission Club raised funds by selling bagged and help to develop services which of Mrs Margaret Owen MBE. manure locally and baking and better meet the needs of people with selling cakes. MS. Called ‘Snowdrops & Hellebores’ the open day will include much else as This information will be analysed well, such as winter flowering both nationally and locally, with a shrubs, cyclamen, and small nar - view to understanding ‘postcode lot - cissi. tery’ issues.

It will run from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, Members urged to take Shrewsbury branch says the ques - with hot soup lunches on sale, along tionnaire should only take 15-20 min - with tea, coffee and cakes. part in major MS survey utes to complete. Entrance is £3 per person, but the In November, the Multiple Sclerosis MS branch advises that the venue is Society launched a major survey to Anyone with questions regarding the not suitable for wheelchairs. help understand how well the UK is questionnaire or the survey in meeting the health and social needs general can contact the research Strong support of people with MS. team on 020 8438 0822 or email The samel MS branch has had some All those with MS who are aged [email protected] SDN quarterly meeting - with three great speakers 6

The SDN quarterly meetings always provide As well as being able to speak to members Find your opportunities for businesses and charities personally on the day, many exhibitors have to ‘show their wares’, and are an ideal gained extra publicity through mentions and marketing and information opportunity for photographs in meeting reports on the SDN audience reaching potential customers. website and in YourVoice. The next quarterly meeting will be held on Previous exhibitors have found themselves 13 March in Shrewsbury and there is still at our with an attentive audience for at least two time to book a table. The cost is just £25, hours and many opportunities to speak to with a £5 non-returnable deposit required potential customers one-to-one during when the booking is made. Contact Ruby on meetings! breaks in the programme. 01743 340832

SDN chairwoman Sonia Roberts with the three guest Council officer speakers at Meeting Point House. In front is Margaret explains how Williams of Wellington Inner Wheel, who spoke about the Blue Badge Limb India. Behind her (right) is Grania Miller of rules work Shropshire Council who explained much about Blue Controversy Badges, and Sergeant David blew up in Braid of West Mercia Shrewsbury Constabulary whose work is last Remem - central to the police brance Sunday response to hate crime. when a Above, the new style of disabled ex- Blue Badge, which Three speakers had the audience spellbound at SDN’s quarterly meeting serviceman members could see at in December, held at Meeting Point House in Telford. Here and on the next was given a the SDN meeting page we can only give the briefest summaries of what they said - next time parking ticket for displaying his Blue come along and listen to speakers first hand and join in the discussions Badge incorrectly on his dashboard. that follow! He was attending a memorial service at the time.

Shropshire Council quickly cancelled The facts of hate the penalty and just as quickly got in Police Sergeant David Braid gave a de - gangs, malicious complaints, and physical touch with SDN to ask if Environment tailed analysis of hate crime as it affects attacks against a person or their property. Forces Management Officer, Grania Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. He Three Acts of Parliament related to differ - Miller, could come along and talk to spoke particularly about hate crime ent forms of hate crime – the Crime and members. against people with disabilities but Disorder Act 1998, the Criminal Justice pointed out that there were several forms Act 2003, and the Racial and Religious So Grania was one of our guest of hate crime, the most common of which Hatred Act 2007. speakers in December, and she had was racial. some very interesting things to say He said several police forces have joined about Blue Badges. For instance, Between April and October in the year together to provide a single self-reporting although the scheme is national, local 2012-13 a total of 11 disability hate crimes and information pack that allows people authorities can apply their own under - were reported in Shropshire and eight in to report hate crime directly and simply. standing of the rules. As a result, for Telford & Wrekin. These were out of hate The self-reporting system, True Vision, example, disabled drivers can park in crime totals of 94 and 76 respectively. ‘allows the victim, witness, parent, carer loading bays in Shropshire but not in The figure for Shropshire was slightly or any concerned person to report to the Telford. higher than the previous year, but for police,’ he said. ‘They can give us as little T&W it was lower. The total of all reported or as much personal information as they A good Q&A followed with many hate crimes and incidents in the West wish.’ But the more information the police people recounting their own experi - Mercia area for that period was 623. have, the more fully they can investigate ences or asking questions. A large a complaint and the better support they proportion of parking tickets issued to Sgt Braid said the key word in defining can offer. disabled drivers are in fact cancelled hate crime was ‘differences’. It was any People who don’t want to report an by Shropshire Council, said Grania. It criminal offence motivated by prejudice or incident to the police can instead report it all depended on circumstances. If driv - hatred of someone simply because they to local agencies such as Citizens Advice ers felt they had been unfairly treated were different. It could take several forms, or housing agencies which will report it for they should get in touch. The council including verbal abuse, threats such as them and help them with advice and wanted to make parking as simple and offensive letters or abusive phone calls, support. There is a freephone number for practical as possible for the disabled bullying at school or work, intimidation by “Stop Hate UK” – 0800 138 1625 but it had to work within the rules. 7 SDN quarterly meeting, continued from previous page Margaret Williams, a member of ever was needed.During the week just Wellington Inner Wheel Club, explained ‘I watched under 2000 patients benefited to the that she had “been privileged to be tune of 433 limbs, 1096 callipers, 400 involved to a small degree through crutches and 20 wheelchairs. Rotary and Inner Wheel with a society in someone India that aims to help the poorest ‘I was able to watch the creation of a disabled members of their country. prosthetic leg – cost around £30 – from Despite India having many millionaires stand for the start to finish. To actually watch there are still millions of disadvantaged someone stand for the first time in their people.” first time ... lives because of a prosthetic limb that has taken a matter of a few hours to She showed a short video by a non- produce is a very humbling experience. governmental, voluntary, non-religious, thanks to a non-sectarian, non-political society “At the Limb Camp free food and accom - called BMVSS that helps the disabled, prosthetic modation, when necessary, is provided especially the poor disabled. Based in for the beneficiaries and their atten - Jaipur it was started in 1975. dants. In some cases the whole family limb that had arrive with the patient. “In 1985 a local Wellington Rotarian, the late Gerry Powell, was instrumental in ‘ A very basic kitchen provided 400-500 helping to set up the Rotary Jaipur Limb taken a few breakfasts, 1500 lunches and 1500 din - Project (RJLP),” said Margaret. “This ners each day using the best quality in - became a registered UK Charity in 1995. hours to gredients. The ladies in our group In the 27 years of its existence it is helped serve the lunch one day – quite estimated that well over half a million an experience. amputees, polio victims and many oth - make’ ers have been helped in various ways. group that visited India and saw several “Towards the end of my visit to India we Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs raise Limb Centres. ‘One highlight was time visited a permanent limb centre in funds in support of the charity and many spent at the 13th annual Limb Camp Dhanbad in the north east. It is a coal of the projects have connections with organised and funded by a local Rotary mining area as was Wellington many BMVSS.” Club with the support of RJLP. BMVSS years ago. The Centre there is named In January 2010 Margaret was part of a technicians were there to make what - after Gerry Powell.’ Disabled hit out at repeated failures of Ludlow bus service Claims of unreliability on Ludlow it hard to get onto the buses. But it is Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0JJ. bus services has brought a flood not only people with disabilities - par - of complaints from disabled ents with prams are also being de - Access Group outings people of all ages in the town. nied the use of a regular and reliable Vivienne Parry said that this year bus service.’ South Shropshire Access Group The chair of South Shropshire would like to enable all members to Access Group, Vivienne Parry, said Vivienne Parry said that appropriate enjoy outings to different parts of the the problem stems from the number low-floor buses are needed to meet county, including visits to country of bus breakdowns without any the needs of passengers. ‘We as the pubs with reasonable prices and adequate backup available. Access Group want to see the stan - good food. dard of service improved and shorter “Replacement services are often waiting times,’ she said. “Thanks to the Rotary bus for getting lacking in facilities for the disabled,’ us there last year with lots of help at she said. ‘In one recent incident a ABOUT YOU: Please tell us about the other end,” she said. “This idea youth was left to wait for an hour your experiences with buses and was new last year but has given only to find out when the bus did turn trains, wherever you live in Shrop - members of the group a chance to up that the ramp to get him on board shire or Telford & Wrekin. These may get to know one another more and was jammed, meaning that the bus be good experiences as well as bad! also to talk about one another's dis - had to go back to the depot. You can email to newsletter@shrop - abilities. Watch this space, we have shire-disability.net or write to the Edi - a new disabled book coming out all ‘Elderly people with knee injuries find tor of YourVoice, c/o 8 Gorse Lane, about Ludlow.” Carers in Shropshire and Telford 8 Huge increase in number of carers across county Census data recently released by caring starts to impact significantly member or friend who is ill, disabled, the Government shows that the on the health and wellbeing of the frail or elderly who can’t manage number of carers increased from carer, and their ability to hold down without your support, then you are a 5.2 million to 5.8 million in paid employment alongside their car - carer. England and Wales between 2001 ing responsibilities. and 2011. Shropshire has seen a You can benefit from information and staggering increase of 14%, with Recent research by Carers UK support for yourself to help you in over 34,260 people now caring. shows that the care provided by your caring role, whether that might friends and family to ill, frail or dis - be time for yourself, or feeling This is not an estimate but a real abled relatives saves the state £19 stressed by your responsibilities, figure based on the 2011 census billion every year. The main carers’ feeling lonely, uncertainty about your returns. More than 33% of that total benefit, Carers Allowance, is £58.45 rights, or anything else. now spend over 20 hours a week for a minimum of 35 hours - or £1.67 caring, and over 35% dedicate over an hour. It is currently received by The RCC says that wherever you 50 hours a week to their caring role. some 600,000 people. live in Shropshire, if you are a carer it is there for you: ‘Always remember, The greatest rise nationally has been Shropshire Rural Community Council you are not alone.’ Contact the RCC among those providing over 20 (RCC) points out that if you provide on its Carers Support Line 01743 hours of care - the point at which unpaid help or look after a family 341995 (Mon-Fri, 9 am - 4 pm) Carers’ Forum may Learning disabilities: launch in summer In the last couple of months a Telford wants to hear few people have got together to discuss the possibility of having a Forum for Carers. There are your views on care already some carers’ groups but Telford & Wrekin Council is asking sonalised, offer choice and control, they need a stronger and for views on ‘in-house’ provider and be more cost effective? concerted voice. services for people with learning • What would these changes mean to disabilities, for example in you as a family carer? It is hoped a new forum will be residential homes, day services, launched this summer with the community support and shared A number of workshops are being aim of bringing carers together lives. held to find out carers’ views. Or you to create a more united voice on can contact Clare at Carers Contact things which matter to them - As a new ‘co-operative’ council TWC Centre on 01952 262065 or email and ensuring this is heard in the is keen to work with the people who [email protected] to right places,such as the Family use its services, including gaining have your say. Carers Partnership Board and views from family carers, to help plan other key bodies. towards the future. Something for everyone! Telford Carers have a wide range of It will be independent of statutory So have your say and put forward events to suit all tastes, so take a look services and open to all carers ideas on how things can be further at the website or give a phone call to and carers groups. Anyone improved. The questions the council find out more. interested in helping to set up the would like to ask are: forum or who would like to • What works well with the service/s Don’t be a lone and lonely carer, register interest in joining can you are currently involved in? there are plenty of people out there contact Jackie Taylor on 01743 • What do you feel doesn’t work so helping each other and talking to 253796 or call Ruby Hartshorn well? each other. of SDN on 01743 340832. • What changes would you like to see From Telford Carers at to help services become more per - www.carerscontact.org.uk 9 The ‘bedroom tax’ may mean sleepless nights A new welfare reform will cut the a week. Housing association tenants how the bedroom tax will operate amount of benefit people can get are expected to lose an average of under housing benefit and under if they are deemed to have a spare £16 a week. Universal Credit when it is intro - bedroom in their council or duced. Any income from a lodger housing association home. This The proposal will affect an estimated will be deducted pound for pound measure, widely called the 660,000 working-age social tenants from benefit apart from the first £20. bedroom tax, will apply from this – 31% of existing working-age However, this reverses under Univer - April to tenants of working age. housing benefit claimants in the sal Credit – income from lodgers will social sector. be disregarded and will not impact The changes will restrict housing on the amount of a claimant’s Uni - benefit to allow for one bedroom for But the regulations do not define a versal Credit award. But taking in a each person or couple living as part bedroom. The Government says it is lodger may seriously impact on of the household. But there are ex - up to landlords to specify the size of home contents insurance policies. ceptions: the property and this ought to match • Children under 16 of same gender what is on any tenancy agreement Households where there is a room expected to share and reflect the level of rent charged. kept for a student studying away •Children under 10 expected to The bedroom tax will not take from home will not be deemed to be share regardless of gender account of whether a room is a under-occupying if the student is •Disabled tenant or partner who single or a double bedroom. away for less than 52 weeks (under needs non-resident overnight carer housing benefit) or six months will be allowed an extra bedroom There are some differences between (under Universal Credit).

All claimants who are deemed to have at least one spare bedroom will Over 2000 county tenants affected be affected. The cut will be a fixed In this county some 2130 tenants will be affected by the bedroom tax, percentage of the Housing Benefit according to figures in a new Shropshire Council report. It shows 1696 rent - 14% for one extra bedroom ‘under occupying’ by one bedroom and 434 by two bedrooms. Citizens and 25% for two or more extra bed - Advice Shropshire is urging worried tenants to get in touch, with chief rooms. The Government says those executive Jackie Jeffrey saying she is very concerned. The numbr to affected will lose an average of £14 call is 08444 991100 or visit the website, www.cabshropshire.org.uk Mobility tips: Walkers and grab rails SDN member Martin product. If you are already using a with painful hands or wrists. Maley concludes his walking stick try setting the height of Fixed grab rails are only as secure series of 10 top tips your walker handles 2” to 3” higher as the wall and fixings used – it on mobility for the than the walking stick. This will make helps to hold them in different posi - disabled. Martin runs you more upright and also closer to tions with the user present before Mobility Homecare, the product, thus making it easier to permanently fixing them to the wall. which is based in manoeuvre. Suction grab rails can be easily Shrewsbury Market but covers the Grab rails – fixed or removable? moved or taken away on holidays whole county. Grab rails can help improve personal but if the tiles are not flat or have a safety for people moving around the raised pattern on them the strength Walking Aids - Handle Height home who need some assistance of the grip will be reduced. Three and four wheeled walkers (tri with balance and support. They are Grab rails are not designed to walkers and rollators) are sometimes usually mounted vertically but if support the full weight of the user set too low, causing the user to angled can also provide forearm and do not carry maximum user stoop and walk further away from the support which is useful for people weight guidance. 10 Volunteering ‘must remain’ at heart of charities sector ‘The voluntary principle is at the things they think will help their heart of the charity sector’ - that Community society. was the key message from Lord Hodgson in his speech at the 50th The voluntary principle is at the AGM of Shropshire RCC. Lord Council heart of the charity sector . The av - Hodgson has recently undertaken erage person would probably say a major review of charities on hosts “charities rattle tins in the street. Vol - behalf of the Government. He unteers are filling gaps that the state compiled a report with 115 recom - speech doesn’t fill”. Those may be big gaps mendations, which is now out for like the RNLI or smaller gaps like the consultation. by leader Shropshire Hospice. However, there are charities that employ only paid He said many thousands of charities staff and have no volunteers at all, and voluntary groups are doing of charities others who get all their money from really important and valuable work the state and raise no money at all throughout the country, and he wants review from private individuals, those that to see that grow not shrink. Here is a only use professional fund raisers, summary of his address, including regulator. The sector needs to be and those that sell services under the seven principles the review is free to get on with its work and not the charities name such as house or based on: be subject to micro-management. car insurance. And there are chari - The same is true of the regulator, the ties that are, by any other name, Judgement not process . If we are Charity Commission. government departments. to roll back red tape and reduce box ticking, people are going to have to Regulation needs to be proportion - There is a gap between what the use their judgment and say ‘this is ate, transparent and comprehensi - public thinks and what is actually what I want for my charity’ and be - ble. We want information that is happening. We need to think how lieve that the law will provide them clear, transparent and understand - the charity sector in its new guise - with appropriate protections. able - and that may mean that less is hugely growing, developing and in - more. novative – can come to terms with Charitable status is a privilege not a and explain this to the public which right. There is quite a lot of evidence The regulatory structure needs to still sees charity operating at a very of moribund or semi-moribund chari - be focussed, practical, and afford - local level. ties whose assets could usefully be able. The structure needs to be A full transcript of Lord Hodgson’s re-deployed in areas more up to date flexible, able to encompass new speech is available from Shropshire in modern society. developments, and carry with it the RCC, email enquiries@Shropshire- opportunity to enable people to fulfil rcc.org.uk Independence of the sector and the their dreams, meet their pain, do [From SIP Newsletter, 14 December 2012]

Transport Solutions was set up last April, ice so they can get to interviews, work with the aim of providing any sort of trans - placements or appointments. Transport port solution to people who are eligible to receive housing related support (ie, in re - ‘We can also provide financial assistance plan set up ceipt of benefits) and live in Shropshire. by issuing bus or train tickets and we have the option of being able to utilise taxi The service can offer short term interven - services in some situations.’ to help tion to help people make their travel arrangements sustainable for themselves The service also provides signposting and in the future. advice to individuals and services, for those on whatever travel problems they may have. For example, says organiser Ollie benefits Wheeler, ‘we can provide free cycle loans For more details contact Ollie Wheeler at: from hubs to people referred to the serv - [email protected] 11 Deafblind studies diploma a big success The Shropshire-based Woodford and marginalised people in the works with vulnerable deaf and hard Foundation has helped to set up the world – living without communica - of hearing people in Shropshire and first specialist Deafblind Studies tion, financial security or protection,’ Telford & Wrekin. course in the UK – with great Woodford says. results. A total of 113 people ‘This is such a good opportunity for successfully completed the course, Deaf children are eight times more Woodford and Scad to work more with 80 of them achieving the likely to be victims of sexual abuse closely together and learn from one diploma. These include people on than hearing children, and so have another. It is also a great way to bursaries funded by Woodford. a much higher risk of contracting forge links between deaf people in diseases such as HIV/AIDS. the UK and further afield, to share Woodford is a registered charity ideas and concerns,’ says the latest working to improve the lives of deaf They will most likely be rejected by Woodford newsletter. children and young people around their community and sometimes the world, ‘helping them to become even their family, because of fears The Woodford Foundation can be full and active members of their and superstitions about deafness. contacted at 9 College Hill, families and communities’ in the Less than a third attend school Shrewsbury, SY1 1LZ; words of its website. compared to three-quarters of [email protected]; hearing children. tel 01743 364644 It currently supports projects in Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Woodford is now sharing its office Scad can be contacted on 01743 Zambia. ‘To be a deaf child or with the development manager for 358356, 07887 361509 (voice/text) young person in sub-Saharan Africa Shropshire Christian Association or email [email protected]. is to be one of the most vulnerable with Deaf people (Scad), which Its website is www.shropdeaf.org.uk Small disability groups get £1m Dementia signs up More than £1m has been awarded its profile and build on the suc - as part of a programme to help cesses you have already achieved.’ for a national tour! bolster small grassroots disability The DPULO programme is making a A conference about dementia is now organisations, the Minister for significant difference to grassroots doing a national tour! How often does Disabled People, Esther McVey, has organisations and their local com - that happen? Usually it’s pop stars announced. The total in the pro - munities, she said. and the like who are in demand gramme is £3m. across the nation ... but dementia! One of the DPULOs received an Esther McVey said the idea of the award after developing a smart When you think about it, that’s hardly fund was ‘based on feedback we phone navigation app for blind peo - surprising - there are some 800,000 had received from small disability ple. It has since won the Google people living with dementia, a condi - organisations that a little funding at prize ‘Outstanding Use of Technol - tion that costs society more than £23 the right time can make all the differ - ogy in the Field of Diversity’. billion a year. The prediction is that ence to the support they are able to there will be more than a million de - provide to disabled people. We still Any organisations wishing to bid for mentia sufferers by 2021. have millions of pounds left, so if money for specific projects can do you are already part of a Disabled so by visiting Having sold-out in Manchester, the Peoples User Led Organisations, www.odi.gov.uk/dpuloprogramme or conference organisers - Public Serv - then this is an opportunity to raise www.facebook.com/dpulos ice Events - moved it on to Birming - ham and it is now scheduled for Partners sought community interest company Harrogate on 24 April, after which Shropshire Council is asking for interested parties to come forward re - dates are set for Bristol, London, and garding participating in the potential establishment of a Community Inter - then Scotland in May, June and July est Company under the Government’s Right to Provide policy for the respectively. provision of a range of its adult social care services. The aim of the CIC will be to provide Shropshire with a flexible, responsive and innovative DON’T MISS MARCH! SDN’s range of services for adults with learning disabilities, older people and MEETING ON 13TH AND BIG people with dementia, working in partnership with service users, NIGHT OUT ON 15TH. carers/families and the local community [From VCSA Newsletter 04.12.12] ALL DETAILS IN THIS ISSUE. 12 Why businesses Charity shock as should look donations drop to the disabled UK Giving 2012 is Britain’s biggest yearly survey of charitable giving. The Office for Disability Issues, which The annual report reveals that donations to charity fell by 20% in real is part of the Department for Work and terms during 2011-12. This means that charities’ income was reduced Pensions, is trying to make business by £1.7 billion in cash terms. Adjusted for inflation, this represents a fall people more aware of what people with of £2.3 billion. disabilities have to offer.

Also, between 2010-11 and 2011-12, the total amount donated has de - In a website article called ‘Growing creased by 15% on the unadjusted totals and by 20% in real terms. your customer base to include disabled people’ it points out that disabled The proportion of people donating to charitable causes in a typical people contribute more than £80 billion month has decreased over the last year from 58% to 55%. a year to the national economy and account for some 20% of the customer The typical amount given per donor per month in 2011-12 was £10 (the base. median value). This is down from £11 in 2010/11 and £12 in 2009-10. Despite these compelling figures, the The estimated total amount donated to charity by adults in 2010-11 was needs of disabled people are poorly £9.3 billion. addressed, says the ODI.

For the first time since the survey began, the proportion of donors using ‘By ensuring disabled people have the Gift Aid has dropped. same opportunities to use your busi - ness or service as everybody else you The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Charities Aid will gain new customers, increase cus - Foundation have launched a “Back Britain’s Charities” campaign, ask - tomer loyalty and enhance your reputa - ing government, individual donors and companies alike to prioritise tion.’ their charitable giving at this time of public spending cuts, rising costs It has produced a guide for businesses, and increasing demand for services. available from http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/involving-disabled- Individuals can show their support for the campaign by signing up on people/business.php the website http://backbritainscharities.org.uk/what-do-we-want/, using #backingcharity on twitter, or contacting their MP. For the full report go to: http://www.ncvovol.org.uk/sites/default/files/uk_giving_2012_full_re - port_1211.pdf [From SIP Newsletter 03.12.12] Pat tries again with petition ‘Pat’s Petition’ just failed to get enough signatures to require a debate in the Commons on cuts in benefit for the disabled – so she’s trying again.

Pat’s second petition urges the Government to ‘Stop and review the Y o u a r e n o t a l o n e cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on dis - Going to our site is all it takes to meet others abled people, their carers and families. We the undersigned would like who understand what you are going through: the Government to review the Welfare Reform Act and amend its con - www.shropshire.gov.uk/community.nsf tents in a fairer and more socially acceptable format.’ Shropshire Self Help Groups It can’t be put much more plainly than that. So please, whether you are Telephone disabled, a carer, a sympathiser, or just a general reader who has 01691 656882 stumbled across this article, sign the petition!! Sponsored by Shropshire Council, The link is: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41122. Just copy and Telford & Wrekin Council, paste this into your browser and it will take you to the petition. and the NHS 13 Social care costs limit ‘will just help wealthy’ The Government ‘signalled’ that it Government is believed to support a ernment’s plans and are deeply dis - will limit individuals' liability for limit of about £75,000. The Dilnot appointed that we got neither. Mean - long-term care costs in its recent commission, which was appointed by while the social care system is mid-term review. However, chari - government, said a cap outside the careering towards breaking point, ties have slammed the lack of £25-£50,000 range would ‘not meet starved of funds, with investment detail provided and other critics our criteria of fairness or sustainabil - failing to keep pace with the growing have warned that it is a ‘mansion ity’. needs of an ageing population.’ tax in reverse’ with the wealthy being safeguarded but not those The Treasury is believed to have Andrew Chidgey, director of external on more modest incomes. concluded that Dilnot's proposals affairs at the Alzheimer's Society, would be unaffordable and a higher said: ‘We have yet again been left Promised are ‘two big reforms to pro - cap would be needed. without any detail of how this will be vide dignity in old age: an improved done. People with dementia and state pension that rewards saving But critics warn that a £75,000 cap other conditions are being hit with and more help with the costs of long- would not give adequate protection huge bills for inadequate care or term care.’ for people with moderate levels of care that arrives too late. They de - wealth. Shadow health secretary serve to know an end to this injustice Detail are promised ‘in due course’, Andy Burnham wrote on Twitter: ‘A is in sight.’ but this is likely to involve a cap on care cap of £75,000 sounds like a Dilnot also proposed raising the individual contributions to long-term reverse of the mansion tax. Those means-test threshold for residential care costs to give people some with modest homes will still lose care from £23,250 to £100,000. It is protection against huge care costs. them, but large properties protected.’ not clear if the Government will back this measure. Currently, people with This was proposed by the Dilnot Age UK’s director general, Michelle assets of more than £23,250 receive commission, which suggested a cap Mitchell, said: ‘We were hoping for no state funding for residential care. between £25,000-£50,000. But the clarity and certainty about the Gov - [From Community Care 07.01.13] Wheelchairs to Benefit cap will hit families get cool look Despite repeated government denials her to look at the rules again, saying: ‘A Boyzone star and that disabled people will be included in household comprising parents and a dis - professional motorsport the £500-a-week benefit cap that is due abled adult dependant receiving disability driver Shane Lynch has to come into force in April, it has been living allowance will not be exempt from announced an innovative confirmed that the cap will apply to those the cap, despite the minister's promises partnership between his looking after their disabled offspring. that they would be.’ company, Prestige Wrap & Customs, and national If a parent is still looking after a disabled McVey then admitted: ‘Should there be charity Caudwell Children child when he or she reaches adulthood, another adult in the house, that is then a to customise children’s even if the child's mental age is as low as separate household, so both have to be wheelchairs. ‘Dream eight, the parent and the child will be assessed separately.’ Wheelz’ promises to add treated separately, and the parent will be some personality to chil- subject to the benefits cap. The change in the rules is already start - dren’s wheelchairs by pro- ing to bite with letters being sent to carers viding individual paintwork According to work and pensions minister with offspring aged over 20. and customised seating. Esther McVey: ‘In practice most carers One mother has been told she is to lose ‘A kid’s wheelchair is so will be exempt [from the cap] because about £80 a week even though she looks important to them it is their partner or child is in receipt of dis - after her 20-year-old son, who is in need essential that it looks and ability living allowance.’ of 24-hour care and has a mental age of feels cool,’ said Shane. Labour MP Andrew Gwynne challenged eight. [The Guardian] 14 Disabled should work for less than minimum wage - MP A Tory MP’s suggestion that the The remarks stunned MPs on all Dame Anne Begg, the Labour MP disabled should work for less sides and forced Downing Street to who heads the Commons work and brought a quick reaction from disabil - distance the Prime Minister from Mr pensions committee and who uses a ity charities and red faces at No 10. Davies. Charities and equality cam - wheelchair, said Mr Davies’s re - Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, paigners condemned the suggestion. marks were “outrageous and unac - claimed the disabled or those with ceptable”. mental health problems were at a During a Parliamentary debate, Mr disadvantage because they could Davies said the minimum wage of A Downing Street spokesman said not offer to work for less money. £5.93 per hour meant disabled peo - the Government rejected the sug - ple who wanted to work found the gestion. Relaxing the law would help some to door being ‘closed in their face.’ compete more effectively for jobs in The MP was warned that he would ‘the real world’ in which they are ‘by ‘The people who are most disadvan - be questioned over the remarks by definition’ less productive than those taged by the national minimum wage the Equality and Human Rights without disabilities. are the most vulnerable in society.’ Commission. [From The Telegraph] Stats give a snapshot of disability across country A new statistical summary gives a This subject is so vast 7% of their non-disabled peers. The ‘snapshot’ of disability in the UK. gap increases between the ages of It covers important areas such as that we can’t begin to do 16-19 to two thirds employment, housing, transporta - it justice in one issue p21% of disabled people aged tion, education, and much else. of YV, but the 16-24 have no qualifications, com - pared to 9% of their non-disabled pThere are some11 million disabled information is a priceless peers adults (20% of the population) in the tool for campaigning. So pAbout 200 babies are born every UK, including includes limiting, long- week with a learning disability standing illnesses this month we are pPeople are more likely to become pSome 770,000 children aged kicking off with some disabled if they have a low income, under 16 (6% of the child population) general stats and will are out of work or have low educa - have a disability tional qualifications pOnly 17% of disabled people were follow up with more. pThe incidence and experience of born with disabilities disability differs by socio-economic pAcquired Brain Injury is the largest ability; 31% of 50-59 years; and 78% status, gender, age, religion and cause of disability amongst the work - aged 85 or over ethnicity ing age population pThere are about 1.5 million (nearly pDisability also shows marked re - pMost impairments are not visible 3%) who have a learning disability gional variations. While only 17% of pLess than 8% of disabled people pOnly about 33% of people with a households in the South East have use wheelchairs; there are some 1.2 learning disability take part in some one or more disabled adults under million wheelchair users in England, form of education or training the pension age, in the North East 72% of whom are over 60. p15% of young disabled people are this rises to 27% pDisability strongly relates to age – not in any form of education, em - [From www.papworth.org.uk Disability in the 2.1% of 16-19 year olds have a dis - ployment or training as opposed to United Kingdom, January 2010] Hot Chocolate Fund with lolly for small projects VCSA’s new website The VCS Assembly published the The Galaxy Hot Chocolate Fund is not just about chocolate. The fund is looking final edition of its newsletter in to help small, local community based projects and community minded people, December as part of its ICT and has 60 £300 awards to help with community programmes. The fund closes modernisation programme, so for on 31 March so act now if interested. Go to: future contact the place to go is the http://www.hotgalaxywarmheart.com to apply. [SIP Newsletter] new website - www.vcsvoice.org 15 NHS funding transfer to local ‘Slow down’ call on authorities The Department of Health has written to the NHS Commis - speed of changes sioning Board with provisional The Commons Work ‘we have serious con - that they will fall into debt information on the transfer of and Pensions Commit - cerns about how more and hardship before extra £859m from the NHS to local tee recently concluded vulnerable people will support can be provided. authorities in 2013/14 to that the Government cope with the changes, support adult social care has designed a welfare especially the online ‘We believe the Govern - services. system which should claims system and the ment should reflect on the help ease the transition proposed single monthly possible consequences of The letter describes the from benefits to work, payment. these major benefit conditions of the transfer and but it warns that signifi - changes for some of the allocation to each local cant concerns remain ‘Some claimants will not most vulnerable people in authority. about the potential im - be able to make an online society and that it should pact of the changes on claim and others may consider modifying its The NHS contribution to some of the most vul - struggle to adapt to implementation timescale social care is seen as a real nerable benefit monthly payments,’ she if those consequences opportunity for integrated claimants. says. cannot be adequately working between health and addressed before na - social care. It urges the Government ‘The measures the Gov - tional roll-out begins.’ In previous years, the transfer to slow down. Chair of the ernment plans to put in Universal Credit pilots has supported services such committee, Dame Anne place to help these (called Pathfinders) begin as reablement and the Begg, says that although claimants may be difficult in the north-west of Eng - interface between hospitals the Universal Credit sys - to access and too slow in land in April with full na - and care services. tem is likely to be acces - identifying who these tional roll-out due to start [From Welfare News Service] sible to most claimants, people are, with the risk in October. Changes in Gift Aid system HM Revenue and Customs is Headway launches new changing the way that Gift Aid repayments are made. From April, a new online claims system will be support group for carers introduced, replacing the existing form and the online system will Donna, the outreach meeting room at also be used for the Small worker at Headway Headway House in Donations Scheme. Shropshire (pictured) Shrewsbury and will Find more information via will be running a Car - be held monthly from http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/online/ ers Support Group, 6–7pm). Anyone who [SIP Newsletter] starting on 14 Febru - would like to attend ary. can Donna on 01743 365565 or email her Cheap and simple Headway says it at: websites offered realises that carers are often forgotten [email protected] An organisation called Stardotstar about and that there is very little op - with funding from the Nominet portunity for people to get together and There are several Headway Shrop - Trust gives support to VCOs to set talk over any issues they may have, shire publications available, including up simple, one page websites and especially where Acquired Brain Injury 'Effects of Brain Injury', 'Coping with will host them for just £1 a month. is concerned. Memory Loss'. It’s called Madewithjam. If you are looking for your project/organisa - Donna is also able to provide an infor - The national organisation, Headway tion to have a web presence but mation service and signposting when UK, also has a vast selection of infor - don’t need an elaborate site then practical advice is needed. mation and factsheets covering the this may be for you. See many symptoms and practical issues http://www.madewithjam.org/ [SIP The meeting will take place in the associated with Acquired Brain Injury. Newsletter] 16 Society ‘can disable someone more easily than a condition’ Disability and employment statistics ment’s lead partners in the delivery with 80% of non-disabled people The Shaw Trust is a national charity of employment programmes for dis - • Employment rates vary greatly ac - which supports disabled and disad - abled and disadvantaged people. cording to the type of impairment a vantaged people to prepare for work, person has; only 20% of people with find jobs and live more independ - “Society can disable people more mental health problems are in em - ently. On its website it says: “We be - than their health condition or disabil - ployment lieve everyone has the right to work ity, with attitudes and assumptions • 23% of disabled people have no and we have campaigned for 30 preventing people from reaching qualifications compared to 9% of years to turn our vision into a reality. their work-related goals. Employ - non-disabled people ment statistics show the imbalance • Nearly seven million (or 18.6%) in ‘Every year we work with over between disabled and non-disabled Britain have a disability 75,000 clients who face barriers due people in employment. • The average gross hourly pay for to disability, ill health or social cir - disabled employees is £11.08 com - cumstance. Thousands of employers “Everyone should have the right to pared to £12.30 for non-disabled and public sector organisations also work. employees.” benefit from our range of services for • There are currently 1.3 million dis - (Source: Office for National Statistics business. abled people in the UK who are Labour Force Survey, Jan - March available for and want to work 2009) ‘We are the UK’s largest third sector • Only half of disabled people of From Shaw Trust website provider and one of the Govern - working age are in work, compared http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk

Just what is a poor child, asks Duncan Smith Ian Duncan Smith has launched a consultation on how child poverty should be defined. The thinking is that we may need to take into account additional factors beyond the current system of relative poverty measured by those below 60% of the median household income level.

A number of potential dimensions are proposed, including: income and material deprivation, workless - ness, unmanageable debt, poor housing, parental skill level, access to quality education, parental health and family stability.

The (official) spirit of Christmas Like Dickens’s Ghost of Christmas Past, the doings around 25 December 2012 might be dead and gone but there are still stories worth telling ... like the one about the traffic warden in Nottingham who ticketed two ambulances collecting disabled children from a carol concert. The nice part is that several appalled passers- Wheelie impressive by begged him not to, but Jobsworth persisted and stuck Transport for London (TfL) has more than 8,500 buses, £70 penalty notices on each vehicle. A red-faced city virtually all of which are low floor, wheelchair accessible council later apologised and rescinded the tickets. and fitted with wheelchair ramps that are checked every day before buses enters service. The number of accessi - CRB survey feedback ble bus stops in the capital has more than doubled since Volunteering England has been surveying organisations 2008 with more than 65% of bus stops now fully accessi - about their experiences and thoughts on the changes to ble (up from 29% in 2008). TfL is working with the Mayor the disclosure and barring system, included changes to to develop a range of improvements to make the trans - Criminal Records Bureau checks (now called DBS port network even more accessible and is currently run - checks). Feedback is being used to help establish how ning a campaign to remind other passengers that well the new system is understood. [SIP Newsletter] wheelchair users have rights on buses. 17 Cameron finds Changes to Hearing Aid Services a bright side to Any Qualified Provider is part of the Government’s Health Reforms. It means that any healthcare provider including NHS, independent, voluntary and massive rise in third sector organisations can deliver NHS services, providing they meet NHS quality requirements, prices and contracts. food handouts

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME? David Cameron was branded ‘out of touch’ after If you need a reassessment of your hearing because hailing the huge increase in reliance on food your hearing has changed you will be able to attend banks as an example of the Big Society he wants your GP who will offer you a choice of provider. to build.

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss and you are The Trussell Trust, which organises food handouts over 55 years old you will have a choice of who across the country, estimates it fed 230,000 people provides the hearing test and subsequent aids. last year, up from 26,000 the year before. That’s ddoesn’t seem so much a big society as a failing If you have complex hearing loss or moderate to society. profound hearing loss and you are between 16 and 55 years old, you will remain under the care of NHS David Cameron tried to make a virtue of this huge Shropshire Audiology Services. Your GP would refer increase in the Commons, saying he shared concerns you into the Audiology system. ‘about people who are struggling to pay the bills, who are struggling to deal with their budgets.’

HOW DO I MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE? He claimed to be helping hard-up families by bringing You will be contacted by a Referral Assessment Serv - down inflation, generating jobs and freezing council tax ice (RAS in Shropshire and TRAQS in Telford) and be - without mentioning cuts to tax credits and other ben - given a choice of who you would like to receive your efits. care with. You will remain with your provider of choice until you require a reassessment of your hearing or MP begs for reassessment of your aid needs replacement and is out of warranty. policy after disabled man’s suicide In the same debate Mr Cameron was faced with a question about a 51-year-old man who killed himself WILL THE AIDS BE DIFFERENT BETWEEN after being forced off disability benefits. Labour MP Ian DIFFERENT PROVIDERS? Lavery was heard in complete silence about the All Providers will provide digital hearing aids, but the suicide note left by his constituent who had been choice range may differ between different services. reassessed and told he no longer qualified for The regulations state that: Employment Support Allowance. •Providers must not promote their own private treatment service, or an organisation in which they ‘Across the UK there are over 1,000 people who have have a commercial interest; died only months after being told to find work. We are •Providers must not encourage patients to “trade-up” supposed to be a civilised society. We should be look - (ie to privately purchase more expensive hearing ing after the disabled citizens here in the UK,’ said an devices than is necessary) emotional Mr Lavery.

He pleaded with the PM to ‘finally, finally, please order WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY HEARING AID? an assessment of all the changes hitting disabled There is a set price of £50 for lost aids to be paid for people in this country.’ by the patient unless there is a diagnosed sight loss (blind/partially sighted), learning disability or dementia. Although promising to look at the ‘tragic case’ Cameron said: ‘The actual money we are putting in to Further information on Any Qualified Provider can be disability benefits is going up and not down. But every - obtained at: www.supply2health.nhs.uk body knows and everyone accepts we need to have a review of disability benefits.’ 18

Parent & Carer Council Shropshire www.paccshropshire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups PACC provides an index of support groups for children with disabilities in Shropshire. The following groups are listed on the PACC site. Where PAGE X possible we list direct contacts, but refer to the PACC site for full details) Names and numbers that might help Allsorts (South Shropshire, for behavioural conditions) 07813043841 www.paccshropshire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups/71-allsorts Bridgnorth Buddies (Parent-led, Special Needs) 07968 544182 or 07790 If your organisation or cause is not listed here please let us know. 780631; email [email protected] Email the editor at [email protected] or write to www.paccshropshire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups/72-bridgnorth-bud - him: Peter Staples, 8 Gorse Lane, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0JJ dies Haughton School, Telford, drop-in for parents of pupils with more com - Shropshire Council Disability Services - plex special needs) 01952 387551 or 01952 387552; www.paccshrop - www.shropshire.gov.uk/disability.nsf shire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups/83-haughton-school-drop-in Onevision (visual impairment) 01952 385269 Telford & Wrekin Adult Social Care Directory - services available and how /www.paccshropshire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups/77-onevision to access them STACS (Aspergers,16+) 01952 254594 or 01939 260273; email http://www.telford.gov.uk/site/scripts/download_info.aspx?fileID=116&cat - [email protected] www.paccshropshire.org.uk/parent-and-carer-groups/76-stacs egoryID=100010 Autistic Supporters (if you suspect your child is autistic, or has recently ...... been diagnosed) 01743 356298 A4U Disability Advice Centre - Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury www.shropshireautisticsupporters.co.uk/?q=node/2 SY3 8HQ; 01743 256218; [email protected] Deaf Children’s Society 01952 770019; email: [email protected] www.ndcs.org.uk Autonomy - self-help and social for Aspergers in Shropshire, Telford and Down's Syndrome 01743 233802, 01948 880110 or 01588 640319 Borders - [email protected] www.dsa-shropshire.org.uk Dyslexia Association 01743 231205; www.thesda.org.uk Care Farming West Midlands - www.carefarmingwm.org.uk; Wheelchair Users 01743 350460 or 01952 252243 [email protected] or Mobile:07957 839634 SKiD (Shropshire Kids Insulin Dependent, associated with Diabetes UK) 01743 873724 or 01743 364366; email: [email protected] Carers Direct - 0808 802 0202 SPECTRUM (Autistic Support group) email: [email protected] www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx www.spectrum.t83.net/ Telford STAA (supports parents/carers of children with ASD, ADHD, and Community Council of Shropshire - www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk/ challenging behaviour) 01952 457439 or 01952 617758; email: julie@par - 4 The Creative Quarter, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, entpartnership-shropshireandtelford.org.uk or lesley@parentpartnership- SY2 6LG; 01743 360641; fax: 01743 342179 shropshireandtelford.org.uk Steps (help for parents/carers, lower limb abnormalities) 01743 355363 Community Directory for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin PODS (Parents Opening Doors - Telford, forum for views on services) http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/community.nsf 01952457439; email: [email protected]

Disability Arts in Shropshire -01743 272939/271676; www.dasharts.org Marches Community Enterprise 01584 878402 or 07891094901 Disability Directory – Information, aids and mobility services www.ableize.com/Disabled-Groups-and-Clubs-by-County/Shropshire/ ME Connect - Helpline 0844 576 5326 between 10.00-noon, 2.00-4.00 and 7.00-9.00; [email protected] Disability Football Directory 01952 407198 http://www.disabilityfootball.co.uk/Madeleysports.html Motor Neurone Disease Association - MND Connect 08457 62 62 62 [email protected] Disability-friendly holiday accommodation www.friendly-places.com/categories/disability-friendly/disability- Multiple Sclerosis Society - 01952 250038; friendly.asp?Location=Shropshire www.mssociety.org.uk/telford

Disability Resource Centre , Lancaster Road, Shrewsbury, SY1 3NJ NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx 01743 450 912; [email protected] www.the-svab.org.uk. RNIB: Omega (National Association for End of Life Care) - www.omega.uk.net/ www.info.rnib.org.uk/exe/Agencies/Details.pl?480 Parent and Carer Council (PACC) Shropshire - making parents and Disabled and Wheelchair Athletics Directory carers aware of developments that affect their children and giving them a www.apparelyzed.com/disability-directory/adaptive-sports/disabled-athlet - voice - www.paccshropshire.org.uk; PO Box 4774, Shrewsbury, SY1 9EX; ics/ 0845 661 2205; [email protected]

Enable - supported employment services for people with disabilities in Parent Partnership Service - www.parentpartnership-shropshire - Shropshire and Telford. 01743 276900; [email protected]; andtelford.org.uk/#/useful-links/4551168089 www.shropshire.gov.uk/enable PODS - independent forum in Telford for families of children with disability Headway Shropshire (brain injured and families) or additional need; Jayne Stevens 0777 534 2092 or 07824 631 297; Holsworth Park, Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY3 5HJ [email protected]; www.podstelford.org 01743 365271; www.headwayshropshire.org.uk/ Primary Care Trust www.shropshire.nhs.uk/Get-Involved/ Landau - supported employment services for people with disabilities, 5 Landau Court, Tan Bank, Wellington. TF1 1HE, 01952 245 015, Scope (Cerebral Palsy) - www.scope.org.uk/services/shropshire [email protected] Shrewsbury Dial-a-Ride - Sundorne Trade Park , Featherbed Lane, SY1 4NS. Enquiries 01743 440350; Direct Line 01743 440744; Mobile Listen Not Label - User Led Organisation for disabled and carers in 07891094901, [email protected] Telford and Wrekin (Tina Jones, manager), 01952 211421 Meeting Point House, Southwater Square, Telford, TF3 4HS Shrewsbury Hard of Hearing Club - URC Church Hall, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BJ; Contact Erica Horner 01743 873540, erica - 19 Pontesbury Potter back PAGE X continued to boost hospice funds Shropshire MIND - www.shropshiremind.org Observer House, Holywell St, Shrewsbury, SY2 6BL 01743 368647 Severn Hospice is looking for runners and ramblers to take part in its popular countryside challenge event to be held on Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service Saturday 9 March. The 13 mile run or ramble around Pontes - www.shropshirepcas.co.uk/default.htm bury attracts hundreds of people from across the region each Shropshire Volunteering Team - Promote your volunteering opportuni - year who raise funds through sponsorship they collect. ties. http://shropshirevcs.org.uk/site/volunteering/ Route Designer Alan Morris said: ‘The Pontesbury Potter is a Shropshire and Staffordshire Heart and Stroke Network wonderful event that people really enjoy. We have a number of Lambda House, Hadley Park East, Telford, TF1 6QJ participants who take part every year. I think one of the draws Email: [email protected] 01952 228490 of the Potter is you never know where you’re going to end up Telford & Wrekin LINk - Suite 1, Conwy House, St Georges Court, St as we do not reveal the route until the morning of the event.’ Georges Road, Donnington, Telford, TF2 7BF 01952 614180 Registration is £10 for adults and £5 for children. You can reg - VCSA - Voluntary & Community Sector Assembly ister online atwww.severnhospice.org.uk or call the Appeals www.shrop.net/shropvcsassembly Team on 01743 354450. Voluntary Association for the Blind (linked to RNIB) Events for carers over YV services directory the coming weeks This is a ‘bulletin board’ of services to the disability community. Any service that is genuinely for the benefit of Wyldwoods charity, which is supported by Telford & Wrekin people with disabilities is welcome to up to 40 words free. If Council and Community Health Services, runs many events you have a logo or artwork we will try to include it, but can’t for carers. Wyldwoods is based at Dean Corner Farmhouse, promise. Email your text to the editor at newsletter@shrop - Broseley, just off the B4376 Broseley to Much Wenlock road. shire-disability.net or write to him: Peter Staples, 8 Gorse Lane, Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, SY3 0JJ Are you a registered carer? Would you like to be registered with Telford and Wrekin PCT/Council and gain information and Sign as you speak: 1Starfish - to become a better communica - support? Wyldwoods can direct you to the people you need to tor learn how to sign as you speak. Total Communication Training speak to and also tell you about other free activities available Courses for private, public and voluntary sectors. Also Makaton courses. Contact Mandy at www.1starfish.co.uk or 01743 891885 in the county. Below are current event themes and dates, but or 07939 600126 for full details call 01952 884224 or email [email protected] or [email protected] Used medical and mobility equipment: The British Red Cross sometimes has donated medical and mobility equipment for Carers’ Days, running from 11am-3pm, offer free artist-led sale for a reasonable donation. At present we have two of the workshops for carers every week. Refreshments and light three-wheel rollators and one four-wheel rollator with a seat lunches are usually available to buy on site. If you have trans - available. We also have two wheelchairs and various other small items. Call Christine Hunt on 01743 280073 for further port problems, Wyldwoods may be able to help. information. The donations received help maintain the medical Tuesday 5 Feb - Paint like the post impressionists - with loan department, which is an invaluable service offered by the particular reference to Vincent Van Gogh. Red Cross. Wednesday 13 Feb - Early springtime floristry -bringing early Shropshire Handyperson Service: Small jobs at £15+ VAT colour into your home. per hour, no call-out fee, 01743 458 347 mhishropshire.en - Tuesday 19 Feb -Still life painting - ‘Spring’ [email protected] Thursday 21 Feb - Young Carers - Make bath bombs. Learn how to create vampire bites, gashes and plague pustules with Mental Health first aid course special effects make up. Shropshire Independence Advocacy Scheme is running a Tuesday 26 Feb: Springtime ‘Smellies’ – to include potpourri, mental health first aid course on 12 and 17 April at The Red - scented exfoliates and hand cream. woods Centre, in Somerby Drive, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury. Thursday 28 Feb - Male Carers - Walk and Sketch Sixteen places are available per course, for which the cost is Wednesday 6 March: Springtime Ploughman’s - herby scones, £190. Sessions run from 9 am-4.30 pm. Parking is available potted cheese, springtime relish as are lunch facilities in the on-site cafe/canteen. Tuesday 12 March - Carers & Cared For - Easter Traditions Wednesday 13 March - Sketching The course aims are to preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others; to help prevent a mental Tuesday 19 March - ‘Spiritual spring cleaning’ health problem from developing into something more serious; Thursday 21 March - Male Carers - Green-wood working to raise awareness of mental health and reduce stigma and Tuesday 26 March - Make an Easter wreath discrimination; to promote recovery of mental health; and to Thursday 4 April - Young Carers - Creative art activities Thurs - provide comfort. Contact organizer Carys Baskeyfield at day- 11 April 2013 - Carers and Cared for - Relax and Unwind [email protected] for more details. - a chance to meditate and have some peaceful time 20

celebrates the achievements of adults in its care. The award was Double honour for presented to Ben by the mayor of Shrewsbury.

Ben after saving Ben lives at Merrington House in Bomere Heath, which is run by girl from drowning Adelphi Care Services and provides residential care for adults with austism, aspergers and learning dif - A young Shrewsbury man with mum could onlywatch on helplessly ficulties. learning difficulties has won a brav - as she was holding her other young Alan Roberts from Adelphi Care ery award after he saved a toddler child. said: ‘Ben, who suffers with learning from drowning. Ben Williams was difficulties, did not think twice about on holiday in North Wales when he He was able to grab hold of her and helping the little girl despite the saved the little girl from being taken pull her to safety before lifeguards strong current and the whirlpool. under water by the rapids at the re - could reach the scene. Since this event we have seen sort swimming pool. Ben’s confidence bloom and he en - Ben has since received a bravery joys telling people the story. Being Ben, aged 21, was at the side of the award from Hafon-y-Mor in Pwllheli recognised for this has further pool when he saw the toddler, in a and a further trophy from Adelphi boosted his morale and the award rubber ring, being taken by the Care Services at its annual Celebra - and trophy from Adelphi Care Serv - strong current of the rapids. Her tion of Success awards which which ices was thoroughly deserved.’

Older People's New 111 emergency medical ‘Atlas’ updated The West Midlands Pub - lic Health Observatory has updated the Older hotline ready to launch soon People's Heath and Workshops on the new 111 emergency urgent healthcare- by directing people to Wellbeing Atlas. The up - telephone service are being held in the local service able to meet their needs, dated Atlas can be used Shropshire, with the last in the series taking into account their location, the time to identify deficits in the planned for Grays Hotel in Telford on 7 of their call and the capacity of services. health and care of older February, starting at 12.30. Many people people and to highlight have questions regarding the new service, It aims to help people use the right service large variations between which is expected to start in the West first time, including self care. local authorities across Midlands next month and will be running England. [From Health nationally within the next few months. 111 will not only provide a clinical assess - Information News] ment at the first point of contact and direct 111 will be available to patients needing people to the correct service, it will also Health Info ‘ too urgent NHS support and advice. It will be a provide commissioners with management complicated’ freephone number for those who feel their information regarding the usage of serv - Research at London condition does not warrants dialling 999 for ices. South Bank University an emergency ambulance. 111 will be shows that health infor - available for patients registered with an The service will gather comprehensive mation is too complex, English GP practice. information on people’s needs and the with 43% of people aged services available, showing where there 16-65 unable effectively Health advisers, supported by experienced are gaps in service. to understand and use clinicians, will use a clinical assessment everyday health informa - system to assess callers’ needs and deter - Although 111 will be a service across tion. This means that mine the most appropriate course of England, it is being managed by individual 15-21 million people action. This could include dispatching an regions. may not be able to un - ambulance, referring someone to an NHS derstand and use the in - service, or giving advice on self care. For the West Midlands region, NHS Direct formation they need. will manage the service. [From Health Information 111 aims to Improve public access to [From the VCSA website] News]

SDN seeks to provide a forum for information and all points of view on matters affecting people with disability, their families and carers. Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those held by SDN or anyone connected with it. SDN and this newsletter do not endorse commercial products or services; any mentioned here are for information only. If you have a problem with any of the content, please contact the editor on [email protected]