Darlington AssociationDAD Newsletter
Break Through!
April 2011
Contents
Information in Other Formats
Welcome
Dates for your Diary
DAD news
DAD Stakeholder Forum
DAD Young Leaders Update
Investing in Children Award
Are you E-safe?
Text DAD
DAD's 25th Birthday!
What does Customer Service mean to you?
The True Face of Carers
Darlington Young Adult Carers Project
All Change!
National News
Disability Rights Watch
U turn on DLA mobility for care home residents
Welfare Reform Update
The Hardest Hit
Are you entitled to higher rate DLA mobility?
Gas Safe Register Advice
Rail Travel Savings
Free Cinema Passes for Carers
Local News
CDCD
D1GITS
Disabled Parents' Group
When a hearing aid is not enough
Neighbourhood Watch needs you!
Free detectors
Times are Changing - What does it mean to you?
Time to quit?
Stroke Club
Come on in
Information in Other Formats
If you need this newsletter in another format, such as audio or large print, please contact Jane Woodward, based at DAD office in Horsemarket.
Telephone 01325 489999
Fax 01325 488188
Email jane@darlingtondisability.org
If English is not your first language and you would like more information, contact our Head Office by telephone on 01325 489999.
Welcome
Darlington Association on Disability (DAD) began as a charity in 1986. Our aim was to bring disabled people together through regular meetings and social events as well as provide a personal support service using volunteers. We set out to influence planners locally and campaign for improved services. Since we started we have grown and now have ten projects. We continue to grow as all of our projects expand and evolve. We maintain our position as a focal point for services and support and our expertise is valued by the Local Authority and Health as well as by disabled people locally.
Dates for your Diary
• Carers’ Week 13th to 19th June
• The Hardest Hit 11th May
• LINk AGM 11th May
DAD news
Citizen of the Year!
Congratulations to our Chair, Gordon Pybus, on his recent awards: Citizen of the Year and Contribution to the Community. You can view Gordon receiving his accolades on the Northern Echo website www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
DAD Stakeholder Forum - register your interest now!
Darlington Association on Disability is a user led organisation. To help us to be as user led as possible we are proposing to hold a regular Stakeholder Forum. Members of the Forum would consist of all the Trustees, the Senior Management Team, service users or their representatives, representatives from DAD projects, interested DAD members and other DAD staff when relevant. The Stakeholder Forum would have a non-decision making role, but would offer opportunities to bring new ideas and influence DAD Trustees and the Senior Management Team. For example, DAD members could:
• bring ideas and concerns about our day to day operations;
• suggest how alternative funding might be obtained;
• contribute to or challenge our policies;
• put forward proposals on how we could do even more for disabled people and carers.
DAD projects, particularly new ones or ones that have changed over time could use the Forum to explain what they do and how, as well as encourage members of the Forum to voice their opinions. All proposed new projects would use the Forum as a valuable sounding board. Any Forum member would also be able to put relevant items on the agenda within a set timescale.
We propose to hold a Stakeholder Forum two or three times a year, taking up a full morning or afternoon. We propose to vary meeting dates to include school holiday periods so young people can attend as well as term time to accommodate those with childcare needs.
The decision to go ahead with this proposal is yours.
If you are a DAD service user, DAD volunteer, DAD member or representative of a DAD project and you wish to be a member of DAD’s Stakeholder Forum please contact our Chair, Gordon Pybus, to register your interest. Email gordon@darlingtondisability.org phone 01325 489 999 or call into our main office in the marketplace and ask someone to give Gordon your name and contact details.
DAD Young Leaders Update
On Saturday 9th April, DAD Young Leaders were invited to a Disability LIB (DISLIB)* conference, highlighting what the young people have achieved throughout the project. One of our Young Leaders, Lewis, co-chaired the event, with a young person from another Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) and Liz Bentley, a comedienne. The Young Leaders enjoyed the opportunity to promote DAD and the group, to make contacts with other organisations and to work together.
The Young Leaders presented about leadership, what has been achieved and plans for the future – which involve expanding the group and being more politically active. Another Young Leader, Gerry, shared his views on the world in DISLIB’s got Talent, giving a five minute speech on his political views. The graphic facilitator captured Gerry’s words in an image of 10 Downing Street, as many believe this could be where Gerry is headed! DAD’s Chair, Gordon Pybus was invited to be part of a question time panel, giving advice to other organisations on working with young disabled people and the benefits of this. Redweather productions created two films. One shows Young Leaders giving their opinions on the project, and the other can be used to inspire other Disabled Peoples Organisations to work with young disabled people.
*Disability LIB (DISLIB) is an alliance of 7 organisations offering capacity building support and advice to Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) in England using rights based principles and business skills, at a time of financial crisis and political opportunity. ALLFIE (Alliance for Inclusive Education) is one of the 7 organisations in the DISLIB alliance. ALLFIE provided funding for the DAD Young Leaders project, and established the project in 2009.
Graphic facilitation of the Disability LIB conference
Investing in Children Award
Investing in Children is about the human rights of children and young people. In particular, Investing in Children works to ensure that children and young people have a voice and are able to influence the services they use. Darlington Association on Disability has demonstrated that change has come about as a result of young people/children who use the service being involved in dialogue.
The Young Leaders took part in the consultation process, completing a chart of evidence of children and young people's participation and meeting with the Investing in Children team. This led to a report recommending DAD for Investing in Children status. The certificate was presented to the Young Leaders at the Youth Forum on Saturday 19th March.
Young Leaders at the Youth Forum being presented with the certificate for DAD in recognition of Investing in Children.
Are you E-safe?
DAD has produced a guide to Essential E-safety, primarily aimed at young people, but with useful tips for all on keeping safe when social networking. To get your free copy contact DAD Information Service, phone 01325 489 999 or email info@darlingtondisability.org
Text DAD
Is text is your only method of communication? Do you find it easier and quicker to communicate by text? DAD now has a text service up and running. You can text any DAD service or project on 07624818780. Don’t forget to tell us your name when you contact us so we know who the message is from! You can’t phone this number; the DAD phone number is still 01325 489 999.
DAD's 25th Birthday!
In August DAD will be 25 years old. We are planning an event to celebrate. Find out more in our Summer edition of Break Through!
What does Customer Service mean to you?
Do you have ideas and examples of excellent customer service? What standards do you expect? DAD is producing a customer charter and we welcome your views and input. Contact Jane Woodward at DAD main office in Horsemarket with your ideas and examples.
Phone Jane on 01325 489 999 or email jane@darlingtondisability.org
The True Face of Carers
DAD is celebrating National Carers’ week 2011 with a health and wellbeing day on Friday 17th June and information stands at Morrisons, Darlington throughout the week. This year, Carers UK is asking carers about the reality of caring. How hard is life as a carer or how easy? What can really make a difference to the lives of carers? For more information and to book a place for the health and wellbeing day contact DAD Carers’ Support Service, phone 01325 357 533 or email carers@darlingtondisability.org
Darlington Young Adult Carers Project
DAD has formed a partnership with Tees Valley YMCA to give young adult carers in Darlington a voice. Funded by NHS County Durham and Darlington, this project is the first of its kind in the North East. Targeted at Young Adults aged 16 to 25 years, who care for someone, the project is young person led and aims to offer support to face the challenges of adulthood, the community and the wider world. The project provides one to one and peer support, access to accredited qualifications, possible routes to employment and training opportunities, as well as some fun events and residential breaks.
For more information, please contact Rachel at YMCA, phone 01325 462452 ext.31, email rdyne@ymcateesvalley.org.uk or Jennifer at DAD Carers’ Support Service, phone 01325 357533, email jennifer@darlingtondisability.org
All Change!
DAD Carers’ Support Service and Direct Payments Support Service have moved offices. Carers’ Support Service is now based at Enterprise House, where Direct Payments Support Service used to be. Direct Payments Support Service has a new office, still on the ground floor. Telephone numbers and contact details remain the same.
National News
Disability Rights Watch
Disability Rights Watch UK is a project of United Kingdom Disabled Peoples’ Council (UKDPC), and is supported by the Disability LIB Alliance and Scope.
The project aims to ensure that disabled people, Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) and our allies, are fully involved in monitoring the UK's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Disability Rights Watch will monitor the Convention by collecting evidence about the experiences of disabled people in the UK. They want to know if you have experienced discrimination because you are a disabled person, or you are unable to enjoy your human rights.
We think that it is important that DAD contributes to this evidence. For example, have you experienced:
• Inappropriate attitudes, bullying and harassment?
• Barriers to justice, the environment (both public and private), independent living, access, family life and relationships?
• Barriers to education and employment and a decent standard of living?
• Barriers to participation in public life?
• Loss of life, abuse, undignified or degrading treatment or loss of integrity?
If you have and you would like to send evidence, please contact Jane Woodward at DAD. Phone Jane on 01325 489 999 or email jane@darlingtondisability.org
You can also send CD, video, photo or written evidence direct to Disability Rights Watch UK, c/o UKDPC, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX. For more information visit www.disabilityrightswatchuk.org or email info@disabilityrightswatchuk.org
U turn on DLA mobility for care home residents
The Government has withdrawn plans to remove the DLA mobility component from people living in residential care as part of welfare reform in 2012. The mobility component of DLA is used by about 80,000 people living in residential care to enable them to leave their homes, get out and about in the community, go shopping and visit family and friends. Meeting the mobility needs of people in residential care will now be considered as part of wider reform of DLA reform.
Welfare Reform Update
On 16th February 2011 the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill calls for the biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years.
It introduces a wide range of reforms aimed to get more people into work, including:
• Replacing DLA in 2013/14 with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled adults under 65 years. This is not means tested but entitlement will be greatly reduced. The new benefit is still being considered for disabled children and adults 65 years and over. All existing DLA claimants will be reassessed for PIP once it is introduced.
• Reassessing the 1.5 million people that are on Incapacity Benefit (IB) and placing them into one of three groups:
1. Jobseekers’ Allowance, if they’re fit for work.
2. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) work-related activity group, if they need support to prepare for work and need continued support in the work place.
3. ESA support group, if their impairment prevents them from working.
Incapacity Benefit, Income Support paid because of an illness or disability and Severe Disablement Allowance has started to be phased out. If you are getting any of these benefits, your claim will be reassessed and you will be placed into one of the three groups listed above. A Work Capability Assessment is usually part of the assessment process. This change will not affect you if you claim Employment and Support Allowance already or if you are due to reach State Pension age before 6 April 2014.
Scope say that Government welfare reform plans could end up penalising disabled people who find it harder to find jobs. The Government’s proposed changes to employment benefits and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will see many people losing the support they need to participate in society, access employment or live independently.
There are fears that the Work Capability Assessment could be wrongly finding many disabled people immediately fit for work. Scope Chair Alice Maynard said “Disabled people who want to work face a myriad of barriers. They have fewer opportunities to develop skills and experience, face practical obstacles such as inaccessible transport and face negative attitudes from employers.” Scope Chief Executive Richard Hawkes added: “The government is driving more disabled people into the jobs market and threatening to cut support if they don’t find work. But without sufficient tailored support and incentives for employers the prospects for disabled people look very bleak indeed.”
Scope’s ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’ campaign is raising awareness of how disabled people could be affected by the Government’s spending plans. Phone 020 7619 7370, email campaigns@scope.org.uk or visit www.scope.org.uk
For advice and support on welfare and benefits contact Scope Response, phone 0808 800 3333 or email response@scope.org.uk or contact DAD Information Service and we will signpost you to a local advice agency. Phone 01325 489 999 or email info@darlingtondisability.org
The Hardest Hit
On Wednesday 11th May disabled people and their families from all over the country will come together to protest with one voice outside the Houses of Parliament. It will be a powerful demonstration of the shock, concern and outrage felt by many disabled people in response to the Coalition’s cuts and plans to overhaul DLA.
If you’re interested in joining Scope, United Kingdom Disabled People's Council (UKDPC) and other major disability organisations taking part in the ‘Hardest Hit’ March, you can sign up online, visit www.hardesthit.org.uk
Are you entitled to higher rate DLA mobility?
Changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) rules from 11th April 2011 mean that some blind people will be entitled to claim the higher rate mobility component. To be considered for the higher rate, you must be:
• under 65 on 11th April 2011 and
• registered or certified as severely visually impaired (blind) and
• able to meet the requirements for visual acuity and visual field.
Visual acuity is the measurement of your central vision and how well you can see detail. Your visual field is what you can see around you; this is also called your peripheral vision. For more information visit RNIB www.rnib.org.uk, phone 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Gas Safe Register Advice
Get your gas boiler, gas fire and gas cooker checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep you safe and your heating and hot water working properly. The Gas Safe Register (previously called CORGI) is the only official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to carry out work. All Gas Safe registered engineers carry an ID card. Always ask to see it. You can call Gas Safe Register free on 0800 408 5500 to check if the gas engineer is on the list and qualified to do the work.
Rail Travel Savings
Did you know that as well as offering a third off rail travel for the cardholder and a friend, the Disabled Persons Railcard offers a range of great value discount offers? Cardholders can get 10% off hotel bookings with Octopus Travel, a free Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, up to 35% off weekend breaks with InterContinental Hotels, 1/3 off Mobilise membership, £2 off OpenBritain and OpenLondon Guides plus many more offers. For information visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or contact DAD Information Service, phone 01325 489 999 or email info@darlingtondisability.org
Free Cinema Passes for Carers
The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association produces a national card that can be used to verify that as a disabled person you are entitled to one free ticket for a person/carer accompanying you to the cinema. The Odeon cinema in Darlington is part of the scheme. The card costs £5.50 and is valid for one year from date of issue. To apply for a card you need to provide a passport photo and evidence of DLA or AA or be a registered blind person. For more information contact the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association, at www.ceacard.co.uk phone 0845 123 1292 or email info@caecard.co.uk
Local News
CDCD
Carers of Disabled Children in Darlington (CDCD) is run by parents, for parents and aims to bring parents together through term time events and forums to share information, concerns and ideas. The steering group meets regularly. If you would like to know more contact DAD on 01325 489 999.
D1GITS
Darlington’s 1st Group In It Together Support (D1GITS) is a user led group for all parents/carers of disabled children aged 0 to 19 years. Weekly drop in sessions run every Tuesday in term time 10am to 12noon, at The William Stead, Crown Street, Darlington. Your first tea or coffee is free! For more information, telephone Di on 07929908702.
Disabled Parents' Group
DAD has set up a group that provides disabled parents somewhere to get together socially, support each other, get information and advice, campaign and raise awareness. If you would like to attend, or for more information, phone our DAD office at Enterprise House on 01325 360 524.
When a hearing aid is not enough
Durham Deafened Support (DDS) is now working in Darlington. Starting in East Durham 13 years ago, DDS support people who have become isolated because of sudden hearing loss. Hearing loss changes lives, not just the lives of the deafened person but their families also. Their social life changes, communication breaks down and relationships give way under strain.
We offer:
• Free services to all who need them.
• Drop in sessions at local community centres, with a range of equipment for you to try.
• One to one support for anyone who isn’t coping with hearing loss.
• Local community support groups and lip reading classes.
• Tinnitus support and counselling.
• Non residential rehabilitation weeks (3 each year).
• Information about cochlea implants from a user’s perspective.
A rehabilitation week is planned on 6th June to 10th June.
If you or someone you know has a hearing loss and aren’t coping, or for more information about any of our services, please get in touch. Phone DDS on 0191 518 3358, Fax: 0191 518 2980, Email admin@ddsupport.org.uk
Neighbourhood Watch needs you!
• Do you report suspicious activity to the police?
• Are you aware and neighbourly?
• Do you care for your community?
• Would you like to receive free police messages?
Neighbourhood watch gives you the opportunity to work with friends and neighbours to make you feel safer and reduce your risk of becoming a victim of crime. It offers an easy link with the police to receive and pass on information about crime and safety in your local area. To find out more and start a scheme in your street or community, contact Community Liaison Officer PCSO Louise Buckley, phone 01325 346 832 or email louise.buckley@durham.pnn.police.uk
Free Detectors
Funded by Darlington Borough Council, the Darlington Handyperson Service offers free installation of carbon monoxide detectors to anyone over the age of 55, who is disabled or has long term ill health, at risk of falling or unable to do jobs themselves. Contact the Handyperson service on 01325 460 114.
Times are Changing - What does it mean to you?
Come along to the LINk AGM on Wednesday 11th May 5.15pm to 8pm in Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington. There will be presentations about the new GP consortia in Darlington and the Intermediate Care Plus Strategy as well as election of the LINk Committee. For further information, to book a place or request a nomination form to please contact the LINk office before 4th May. Phone 01325 380 145, or email info@darlingtonlink.co.uk
Time to Quit?
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. Quitting reduces your risk of illness and disease and improves your breathing and fitness. You’ll be able to enjoy the taste of food more, look and feel better and save money. Someone smoking 20 cigarettes a day could save around £170 a month or £2000 in just one year! Local quitter Pauline Wilson says “my asthma has improved and my skin looks and feels younger. In fact, I feel younger all over”. If you would like to see the benefits of quitting for yourself, you can get free support from County Durham and Darlington NHS Stop Smoking Service. You can access the service at GP practices, pharmacies and informal drop in sessions in your local community. To find out more, phone 0800 011 3405 or drop into any of the Darlington clinics:
• Cockerton Library, Darlington Tuesday 12.30pm - 1.30pm (come along at any time)
• Darlington Library, Crown Street, Darlington Thursday 11.30am - 1.00pm (come along at any time)
• Dolphin Centre, Darlington Thursday 5pm - 6.30pm (new starters to come at 6pm)
Stroke Club
Darlington Stroke Club supports people who have had a stroke or who are carers. It meets every Monday 10.30am to 2.30pm at Bradbury House, Beaumont Street West, Darlington. It costs £2, including refreshments. For more information, phone 01325 362832.
Come on in
Many disabled people already visit museums and galleries in the North East. ‘Come on in’ is a series of open days for disabled people who live in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Teesside to come in and tell museums what you think. Open days are on Wednesday 4th May at Monkwearmouth Station Museum, Sunderland and Sunday 15th May at Stephenson Railway Museum, North Shields. To book a place and for more information contact Robert Latham at Discovery Museum, Newcastle, phone 0191 277 2313 or email robert.latham@twmuseums.org.uk
