cambridgeshire alliance newsleter 2013
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The Cambridgeshire Alliance for Independent Living's Autumn newsletter 2013TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to our autumn newsletter and I must
say compared to the last time I wrote we have
had an amazing summer. I hope you have all
enjoyed some sunshine over the last few
months. With this newsletter we hope to keep
you up to date with what we are doing and
what else is happening around the county.
Website
Our website is up and running with lots of
useful information. Our Support Community
pages allow PAs to advertise their
availabilities as well as employers being able
to their vacancies. We have a success story to
share with you from our “shared care” element
of the support community.
Carer D had advertised that her daughter
(N) and PA would like to meet other
service users and their carers for lunch or
other outings. J ( the mother of K ) got in
touch and thought this sounded like a
great idea. N her PA , J and K met up for
lunch.
The meeting was successful with N and
K sharing their interests and J finding
new information from the PA about things
available in the community. They have
all now met for a second time and plan to
try and do something on a regular basis.
This is exactly how we envisaged the shared
care or arrangements working and hope to
hear other success stories. Sometimes
sharing an activity can make costs cheaper
and introduce people to others who they may
not have met any other way.
Training
We have run two lots of our training so far this
year with funding from Cambridge Community
Foundation and have two more to do.
Additionally we are pleased to offer a couple
of drop in sessions for people who may have a
question or to ask about their care package,
their direct payment or employing staff.
Training Drop In Sessions
1) Orwell House – Cambridge
(please note change of venue)
25th Sept, 2nd and
9th Oct 12.30am – 3.30 pm
1) Papworth
Monday 21st Oct 10 -1pm
2) Pendrill Court – Papworth
Monday 28th Oct 10am – 4pm
2) Papworth
Tuesday 12th Nov 1am-4pm
Your Voice AUTUMN 2013
Older People’s Partnership
Board Cambridgeshire Older People's Partnership
Board exists to ensure that there is a co-
ordinated multi-sector approach from all
stakeholders to enable people aged 50 plus to
live active, satisfying and independent lives
whilst ensuring that the needs of the most
vulnerable people in Cambridgeshire are met.
The Older People's Partnership Board is made
up of representatives from Cambridgeshire
County Council, Cambridge and Peterborough
Clinical Commissioning group, Healthwatch,
and relevant voluntary sector organisations.
The Board is facilitated by the Cambridgeshire
Alliance for Independent Living. This ensures
the independence of the board from the
County Council.
It is vital that older people are not labelled as
one single-issue group. The age range alone
is very significant even before we consider
differences arising from gender, race, ethnic
origin, disability, actual or perceived sexual
orientation, gender identity, marital status,
nationality, religious belief or any other
characteristic which may impact upon a
person’s opportunities in life.
Older people (50+) have a lot to offer and the
Older People's Partnership Board recognises
this, as well as working to ensure that their
needs are met. Cambridgeshire Older
People's Partnership Board is fully committed
to recognising and celebrating that diversity,
and treating everyone with dignity and respect.
The Partnership works particularly hard to
include those people who are disadvantaged
because of their difference.
The Board tries to directly influence the
priorities, commissioning and service
developments of the different agencies and to
work together to ensure the highest quality
and best value services for older people in
Cambridgeshire.
It also shares information and good practice
across agencies and identifies gaps in
services and highlights areas of concern to
older people.
Current priority areas of work for the board
include:
Dementia
Community transport
Lifelong learning
Winter issues
Information, advice and guidance
There are two ways to be involved in the work
of this board;
Full membership – This involves attending and
contributing to the board meetings, reading the
relevant paperwork and participating in
relevant sub-groups as required.
Corresponding membership – This means that
you will be on the email circulation list for the
group and can feed in your views and
comments in this way.
The Board meets quarterly at venues around
the county. All venues are fully accessible and
a loop system will be provided. All expenses,
such as travel costs are reimbursed to
members.
If you would like more information about the
work of this board please contact Nadeem
Ahmed
call 0300 111 2301.
The Older People’s
Partnership Board is looking
for new members. Would you
like to join us?
Reminder! If you are a Blue Badge holder, make sure you regularly check the expiry date!
I just got a £40 parking ticket because my badge was out of date in July !
Intro to our Board Member
Judith Margolis
As well as being one of the Directors of the
Cambridgeshire Alliance, I am a Trustee of
Disability Cambridgeshire and Disability
Huntingdonshire. We all share an office in
Papworth where once a week I work as a
telephone advisor for DISH.
Previously I was head of the Centre of
Strategy and Marketing at the Open University
Business School. In 2008, after two
encounters with breast cancer, I developed
Cerebella Ataxia and had to retire early. Now
I use an electric wheelchair most of the time
and have a great life.
Whilst it’s easy to dwell on the negative, there
are many good things that have happened to
me as a result of my disability. The best is my
wheelchair! Before I had it, I found life very
hard to cope with my condition. I was
exhausted all the time and was so unsteady
on my feet that people thought I was drunk.
Once I sat down, life became much easier.
The next best thing was that I got a chance to
learn how to fly an aeroplane. In 2006 I won a
disabled flying scholarship, and went to flying
school in South Africa for six weeks, it was
absolutely brilliant.
When I applied to have my little dog Alfie
trained as an assistance dog, I naively said
‘if I can fly a plane I should be able to train a
dog’. The Support Dogs Charity specialises in
training dogs owned by people with
disabilities. When Alfie was two, he went to
boarding school for four weeks and we had to
practice for a about year before we graduated.
It was hard work I soon found out that
aeroplanes do exactly what you tell them to
do, whilst dogs have a mind of their own!
But seriously, Alfie has changed my life; as
well as all the jobs he does for me, such as
picking things up and bringing me the phone,
he gives me the confidence to go into strange
places and try new things.
I’ve met loads of new people and made lots of
new friends, The conversations always start
with ‘what a cute dog’, and ‘what does he do?’
My work for the ‘Alliance’ brings me into our
office several days a week. Presently I am
working on the rebranding project, making
sure our new publicity materials and website
are changed to our new name, logos and
house colours. It’s funded by the Office of
Disability Issues which helps user-led-
organisations (like us) develop and grow.
I am determined to make our website reach
the ‘gold standard’ of accessibility.
We are a pan-disability organisation and
should have a website that is accessible to
everyone. It’s a tall order, and may take a
while, but I am determined to achieve it.
In my spare time (!) I work for the Huntingdon
and District branch of the MS Society as their
lead support volunteer, answering their advice
line and helping with welfare claims. Multiple
Sclerosis has very similar symptoms to
Cerebella Ataxia and I find that I can
understand the problems our members face.
In all these activities I am supported by my
husband who has become an excellent cook,
and Alfie the dog. Anyone attending meetings
with me usually can find him doing his bit,
actively sleeping under the table. (that’s the
dog, not the husband).
Getting Around Town
With the introduction of many pedestrian only
town centres, getting around with a mobility
impairment can be really difficult. That’s
where a Shopmobility scheme can come in
handy.
In Cambridgeshire we have four schemes
that have a selection of motorised scooters
and wheelchairs for you to borrow.
All the local schemes are registered with the
National Federation of Shopmobilty and as
many schemes throughout the country, some
run by donation and some ask for a small fee
to join.
It’s always advisable to call ahead to the local
Shopmomility office to ensure that suitable
aids are available.
Did you know?
Many supermarkets and National Trust properties
have scooters that you can loan too. Locally,
Hinchingbrooke Park has a pair of Tramper
scooters that you can loan free of charge. These
rugged, battery powered wheelchairs, can go
around the Park on the harder paths. They have
simple hand controls and can be used after a short
training session.
Hinchingbrooke Park also lend out adapted bikes.
One is for 2 people to ride the other has a seat in
front for passenger to be carried around. We
suggest you 'phone to book your ride in advance as
they are very popular; 01480 451568
Shopmobility Opening Hours
Ely: 01353 666655
Thursday & Friday: 10.30am - 4.30pm
Cambridge
Grafton Centre: 01223 457452
Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Grand Arcade: 01223 461858
Monday - Saturday : 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday : 11:00am - 4:00pm
Peterborough: 01733 313133
Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday : 09:00am - 5:00pm
Huntingdon: 01480 432793
Monday - Saturday : 09:00am - 3:00pm
Would you like to raise some
money for your favourite
charity?
On Thursday 7th November 12- 6pm
Huntingdon Shopmobility is organising a
“Sponsorthon” in the Commemoration Hall
Huntingdon.
You can choose to do a sponsored jigsaw-a-
thon or a knit-a-thon. There is a £5 entry to
cover the hall costs but any sponsorship you
raise will go to YOUR chosen charity. Jigsaws
will be provided but you can bring your own.
You can be sponsored by the hour or by the
number of jigsaws you take part in.
If you would rather knit you can bring your own
knitting or knit squares with wool and provided
knitting needles (limited numbers) and again be
sponsored by the time taken or by the square.
Squares will be used to make blankets for a
Ugandan Orphanage.
Contact Debbie on 01480 432793 or
Get your cameras ready
“ON THE MOVE 2013”
On the Move is the annual photographic
competition for people with disabilities and is
organised by Mobility Choice and The Disabled
Photographers Society.
This year's theme of Travel & Leisure offers
opportunities to capture the atmosphere of
being out and about, whether to destinations
near or far, holidays or short breaks, the
transport to get you there, the people you meet.
There are three age categories: under 12, 12-
18 and over 18 years. Winning and shortlisted
images will be printed, mounted and displayed
at a public exhibition and award ceremony at
Calumet Photographic in London. Each
category winner will receive a Merlin Annual
Pass for a disabled person and carer, offering
entry to a range of top UK attractions; such as
the London Eye, LEGOLAND Windsor
and Madame Tussauds; Calumet photographic
accessories and £150 cash. Closing date is
31st Oct 2013. Up to four JPEG images can
be sent to
[email protected] with a
completed entry form.
Stepping Stone
Free advice, support and funding are available
to help you get involved in local sporting
opportunities.
The project, Stepping Stones, offers children
and adults with a disability or long-term health
conditions; information, advice and support to
help them engage in regular sporting activities
within mainstream sports settings, clubs and
organisations.
They also offer free training and advice to
coaches, officials, administrators and
volunteers so they can support you effectively.
The initiative is one of 44 projects
nationwide and is being delivered by Action
For Children and co-funded by Sport England
and Cambridgeshire County Council.
Stepping Stone will run during the next 18
months and hopes to help about 200 people.
If you or anyone you know can benefit from
Stepping Stone, please contact either, Emma
Yates or Ryan Armes; at Action For Children on
01223 301756 or e-mail
MOTABILITY- update
First All-Electric Vehicle through
Motability
The Nissan Leaf plug-in vehicle is available on
the Motability scheme, the first time that an
all-electric vehicle has been offered.
You can see the Nissan Leaf, which has a
£999 upfront payment on the Motability
scheme, here. The freephone number for
Nissan Mobility, if you would like to find out
more: 0800 731 9633 or you can email
Useful telephone numbers
Adaptations for Council owned property:
Cambridge City Council
Housing Department 01223 457833
East Cambridgeshire -
Hereward Housing Properties 0800 9161422
South Cambridgeshire (Shire
Homes) 08450 450 051
Fenland Housing Department 01354 654321
Huntingdonshire Housing
Partnership - (Home
Improvement Agency) 01480 388720
Addenbrooke’s Advice Line 01223 217 397
Blue Badge 0345 045 5204
Cambridgeshire Alliance for
Independent Living 0300 111 2301
Cambridgeshire Direct
General enquiries 0345 045 5201
Children’s Disability Team 01223 568 808
Children’s Services 0345 045 5203
Countywide Physical
Disability Team: 0345 045 5202.
Disability Cambridgeshire 01480 839192
Disability Huntingdonshire 01480 830833
Occupational Therapists 0345 045 5205
PALS 01223 216 756
Papworth Trust Helpline 0800 952 5000
Pension Credit Help line 0800 991 234
Personal Independent Payments 0800 917 2222
Red Cross Mobility Aids &
Equipment Loans 01480 213376
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults 0345 045 5202.
Social Services
Adult & Older People 0345 045 5202
Village Benefits Service 01353 666 990
Websites
www.reallyusefulstuff.co.uk
Take a look at this useful gadget. An
egg cracker and separator for cracking
eggs one handed.
www.independentliving.co.uk
Independent Living have got a good
article on wheelchair passports and the
benefits of having one of these. If you
are a wheelchair user get a look at this
site
www.fixmystreet.co.uk.
If you have problems with uneven
streets, potholes or dropped kerbs. You
can report your issues on this site and it
will go straight to the CCC highways
team. You can even track the progress
of your complaints.
http://www.openbritain.net/
When looking for information on
accessible holidays or travel the
information the information always
seems to be scattered in lots of different
places,
This new website may be the answer
and is the brainchild of the charity
Tourism for All UK, Open Britain aims to
bring together information from a variety
of sources, VisitEngland and
DisabledGo are major partners in this
venture. They have carried out access
inspections and have given award
ratings for accommodation under the
National Accessible Scheme. If you
want extra assurance, inspected
venues carry the logo of the
organisation who visited them.
Some of the information is
provided by the venues
themselves and the listings carry
the ‘i’ sign.