Directions

Disability Direct c/o the DD Enterprise Centre, 20 Royal Scot Road, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8AJ. Tel 01332 299449 Type Talk 18001 01332 299449 Fax 01332 404041www.disabilitydirect.com info@disabilitydirect.com

Part of

Issue No. 71 - November 2011

Disability Direct is a registered Charity (No. 1079831) and welcomes donations from all individuals and/or businesses. Directions is printed with the help of such donations. If you would like to contribute, please make cheques payable to “Disability Direct” and return to the address below.

Editorial. Hi Folks…Welcome to another informative issue of your favourite newsletter! For this and future editions, I’m delighted to welcome back Mick Watts who I’m also delighted to report has not only joined our board of trustees but is now our Vice-Chair!!

In a time of doom & gloom, we are pleased to give members of Disability Direct an opportunity to have the first ever members discount card – Yes that’s right, hail “The Disability Syndicate” card!!! Our Donna has been busy negotiating discounts for you with local and national suppliers. Read more on page 3.

Anyway, I’ll shut up now and let you enjoy reading on……

Amo Raju CEO

My name is Tina Lacey and I have recently joined Disability Direct as the Personal Assistant Register Co-ordinator.

My background has been quite varied, from spending life as an Air Stewardess in the Middle East to working for various UK companies & Charities. Throughout my career I have always been involved working with people, from varying backgrounds and cultures and this is something that I tremendously enjoy. I have gained great skills and attributes over time and feel that I can utilise this experience in my present position.

Since starting this role in May, I have been made to feel extremely welcome. I am really excited to work with everyone whilst making this project a success.

Hello to Tina

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Derby City Council in association with Disability Direct have created an online Personal Assistant Register of all Personal Assistants who support disabled/older people in the Derby area.

The aim of the Register is to make it easier for Customers to find Personal Assistants and offers Personal Assistants a place to advertise their skills and availability, therefore creating a more productive service.

FREE training will be offered to Personal Assistants signing up to the register, giving the key skills and knowledge needed to offer a high standard of care/support to a vulnerable adult. The training includes moving and handling, emergency first aid and food hygiene.

We have also created a Personal Assistant Jobs Page which is on our ‘Do What You Want’ website.

This page shows any Personal Assistant job vacancies that we may have plus it also has the opportunity for any Customers who want to advertise their vacancies.

When you enter the main site click on the ‘PA Vacancies’ button which is along the top on the toolbar.

For Personal Assistants there is a list of all the current vacancies which you can apply for by clicking on the application form, downloading it then submitting the form.

For the Customer/Employer there is an Advertisement Form which you can click on, download then fill in with all the details of the vacancy. Once completed email the form back to us and it will be processed to go onto the Website.

People are starting to know it’s there and use it, so get logged on

If you would like more information please contact Tina Lacey Tel: 01332 299449 Email: tina.lacey@disabilitydirectderby.co.uk

Personal Assistant Register

Derbyshire Carers Association are pleased to announce a project called ‘Carers as Ambassadors’, which benefit carers who access services, either for themselves or for the person they care for, within Derby city.

Carer Ambassadors:

• Help Derby City make decisions which are supportive to carers

Carers as Ambassadors• Talk to other carers and represent their

collective needs at decision-making meetings in the city

• Help shape new, and existing, Derby services which support carers and/or those they care for

• Give talks and presentations on the role of informal carers, and the support needed, to teams and groups of people

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Membership Card ready to launch...At our AGM in July, our Chief Exec spoke about a membership card scheme which we would soon be launching. The time has come to reveal the benefits and discounts available exclusively to our members!

If you have recently signed up to be a member then your membership cards will be dropping through your doors in the coming weeks - you don’t need to do anything.Your welcome letter will have details of the businesses who want to offer you fantastic discounts.

We’ve got gyms, beauty salons, hairdressers, carpet shops, restaurants and takeaways on board already and the list just keeps on growing.

In addition to being part of a fast paced organisation with disabled people at the forefront, as a member you will:

• Vote on matters pertinent to the governance of the organisation

• Receive a FREE copy of Directions Newsletter

• Nominate board members

• Get invited to special events

• Be part of the biggest User Led Organisation in the region

• and much more..!

If you are a disabled person in Derby and would like to apply to become a member of the UK’s largest User Led Organisation please contact us on 01332 404040 to request an application form. If you are already a member of DD but have not sent back the form to confirm your personal details, (sent to you during the summer) please do so asap – your membership card is waiting for you!

• Signpost individual carers who would like help and support to DCA for assessment.

All Ambassadors are either carers themselves, or have cared for someone during the past two years. Some have been full-time, unpaid carers for many years. Carers as Ambassadors are keen that services provided really do help to support carers in their role

If you are a carer living in Derby city and would like to find out more about how you can make a difference or would just like to chat to one of our carer Ambassadors, please call: 01773 743355 or e-mail: ambassadors@derbyshirecarers.co.uk

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National ExpressOn Monday 31 October 2011 the Government removed the coach concessionary discount scheme. The scheme allowed people over 60 or with a disability to travel by coach for up to half price.

Changes to the Gold cardFrom 1st August 2011, Derby residents who hold the Gold Card are no longer able to use it for discount rail travel or for free transport on community transport buses, although it can still be used for free off-peak bus travel. Older people and disabled people are still entitled to apply for either a Senior Railcard or a Disabled Persons Railcard. The Dial a Bus service to supermarkets now charges a flat fare of £1 each way.

Arriva BusesArriva buses have produced a pdf leaflet entitled “Using a wheelchair or mobility scooter on Arriva buses”

This provides plenty of useful information about access to their buses and any restrictions with regard to the weight and size of mobility equipment. This includes both wheelchairs and some mobility scooters.

The leaflet can be downloaded by following the following link on the internet www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Resources/Global/Using_a_wheelchair_or_mobility_scooter_on_Arrivas_bus_services.pdf

If you have no internet access but would like a leaflet, either call Arriva Customer Services 0844 800 4411 or call Raichel at the DD office and she will send you a printed version.

CamTAD will be moving along with Audiology to what is currently Junction 6, The London Road Community Hospital. They will now be in the same area as Diabetic Retinopathy. The rooms will be a little smaller but have the use of a comfortable waiting room.

The CamTAD Office will be closed on Thursday 17 November and will re-open on Monday 21 November.

Derby City Council Consultation

– Future grant aid Deadline for consultation 30 December 2011

Before making a final decision about the future grant aid allocation for the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector, the Council wants to gather views from the public, service users and local agencies that work with the voluntary organisations affected. The consultation outcome will be reported to Cabinet on the 21 February 2012 when final decisions will be made.

For a list of affected groups and online questionnaire go to www.derby.gov.uk/yourcityyoursay

New Job club for Deaf peopleA new job club for unemployed Deaf people is now held at the Arboretum Cafe, in Arboretum Park, off Reginald Street, Derby. The Job Club is held every Wednesday from 10am till – 4pm. Support is provided by Jobcentre Plus , the Deaf Employment Advisor and a Disability Employment Advisor and interpreters will be available.

Useful Information...

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Mick’s ColumnYes, I’m back by popular demand. Well, perhaps the words ‘popular’ and ‘demand’ might be stretching things a little bit, but it’s great to be asked by the Directions editor to once again write a column.

Well, it’s now over six months since I took early retirement from the City Council. People always say that when you’ve been retired a while you’ll wonder how you ever had time to work. Well it’s true!

The days may be different but they’re just as full, but with different things.

Having been one of the founder members of DD I was really pleased to be asked to join the board. It’s like things had gone full circle. I’m getting to learn and understand better the whole range of services that DD and the Syndicate provide. It really is amazing, the breadth of services that are provided by the organisation, and the number of people employed. What’s the saying “from acorns oak trees grow”?

I’m learning fast that the voluntary sector needs more than ever to have a business focus. The days when council’s sent a cheque each year to run an organisation have gone, I suspect never to return.

DD’s objective has always been, from the day it started until today, to ensure that disabled people can make the same choices, and have the same opportunities in their lives as non-disabled people. These values are at the heart of all the organisation does, and I hope to be able to continue to make a contribution in achieving this aim.

I hope, Directions editor permitting, to be able to continue to share with you DD news and developments as they happen, with perhaps the odd personal take on issues thrown in.

Here’s looking forward to a beautiful relationship with Directions readers.

Mick Watts DD Board Member & Vice Chair

We are delighted to welcome back Mick Watts who has kindly offered to continue contributing to Directions.

A4E Derbyshire Alison Hicking

IN 2010 A4e helped over 322,000 people improve their lives.

Finding Work - Whatever your situation, we can help, and we are with you every step of the way. We’ll do whatever it takes for you to find and keep a job, including:

Training, work skills and gaining self-confidence

Job search support and preparing CVs

Benefits information

Help with managing a health condition

Advice and Guidance – Free Legal and Money advice

Training Skills – work-related qualifications to help you find work

If you would like more information please contact:

Alison Hicking – Community Manager (De rbysh i re) 07436246082

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Warm Home Discount SchemeThe Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a £120 rebate on your electricity bill in winter 2011/12. You may qualify for this energy rebate if you get only the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date (11 September 2011). You will not qualify if you get the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit.

If you qualify you don’t need to take any action now, as your energy supplier will be contacting you and you’ll receive £120 towards your electricity bill in winter 2011/12.

The first energy rebates will be made in winter 2011/12. If you qualify you’ll get a letter this winter to confirm this.

Energy companies may also give a £120 rebate to some customers who don’t receive Guarantee Credit. Participating energy companies will identify customers who they think could be eligible. In addition The Warm Home Discount Scheme is also open to low income customers who have a long term illness or are disabled, although it seems there is a limited amount of money available and people who are eligible are advised to make an application as soon as possible.

Customers of EDF energy can use an online application form available at www.edfenergy.com/supportplus or call 0800 096 9000British Gas customers can call 0800 072 8625 for more information.Customers of the other energy suppliers involved in the scheme should contact their supplier directly and ask about applying. The following suppliers are participating in the Warm Home Discount Scheme:Atlantic, British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Equipower, Equigas, Manweb, M&S Energy, npower, Sainsbury’s Energy, Scottish Gas, Scottish Hydro, ScottishPower, Southern Electric, SSE, Swalec and Utility Warehouse.

All Information taken from www.direct.gov.uk and www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox

The CEO of The Disability Syndicate & Disability Direct has urged disabled & older people as well as families af fected by the recent announcements about day centre service closures, to look at the benefits of using Personal Budgets to buy day care and activities from a variety of sources.

Amo says - “ Naturally there are concerns about the gaps in day care activity and respite, but the closures bring an opportunity to shape your own service around your own particular needs and interests. Perhaps they don’t recognise it, but individuals have the power to develop their own day activities and The Disability Syndicate are on hand to encourage and develop your ideas. If your allocated budget doesn’t stretch as far as you would like then why not join up with others and pool your funds

CEO pledges Syndicate support for individuals to develop own day service/activities in response to Council Day Service closures

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together? We’ve got the tools to help make your day activity idea a reality with all the support you need to get it off the ground ”

10 years ago a small number of disabled people did just that and created Enabled Art which today has over 60 members each week buying their own activity with on-site care.

Amo continues “As the biggest Centre for independent living in the country, The Disability Syndicate is keen to talk to individuals about what they want to do with their budget. Our staff can help co-ordinate this. I look forward to helping create day activities that give the power and freedom of choice back to disabled people, where it firmly belongs”.

YMCA Derbyshire, a charity with nearly 165 years’ experience of working with the local community, has launched a new social enterprise company to undertake all types of maintenance work and to provide opportunities for young trainees.

Renew Maintenance Ltd was launched with the help of a grant from Spark, a pioneering development and investment programme that aims to inspire organisations to build social enterprises that will prevent and tackle homelessness. The company employs a team of experienced and highly skilled tradesmen who can undertake all types of maintenance and renovation work on private and commercial properties throughout the Midlands. The team is complemented by trainees who are studying for an NVQ Level Two award in Property Maintenance, giving them valuable experience and equipping them with the skills for a future career.

Renew Maintenance can take on all types of maintenance work, from small projects to full scale renovations They can also project manage schemes of all sizes.

For more information call 01332 579559 Email: info:renewmaintenance.com www.renewmaintenance.com

Property Renovation, Refurbishment and Maintenance. Dominic Baster, YMCA Derbyshire

Renew Maintenance Ltd

Directions is also available in other formats upon request

Disclaimer: Whilst Disability Direct endeavours to provide accurate up-to-date information at all times, no responsibilty nor liability will be accepted for any information which may subsequently prove to be wrong or misleading

Designed & Printed by Go Digital Print, 62-64 Osmaston Road, Derby, DE1 2HZ.

©Disability Direct 2011

DD Staff Contact ListAll staff can be reached on 299449, or by email simply by adding @disabilitydirectderby.co.uk after their name as they are displayed here:

Personalisation Manager:sally.austin

Direct Payments/ Personalisation Support:raj.johal, shirley.peacock

Big Help Project:amandeep.bains

Information & Carers Service:raichel.collis

Young Persons Worker: naomi.hope

Disability Discrimination:liz.freeman

Shop 4 You & Chores 4 You:michele.sworder

Stroke Activitiesamandeep.bains

Enable Projectnaomi.hope

DD Payroll: use (@ddpayroll.co.uk) for gill.marshall, tim.watson, michelle.derbyshire, dave.hawkins, nicola.birks, simon.kimm, tim.geraghty, charlotte.marshall, dan.richardson, laurence.hunt

PA Register tina.lacey

Management:amo.raju, martin.austin

The DCDSC have introduced a new membership for this season called “Friends of the DCDSC”. It allows non disabled supporters to join the DCDSC and receive the same benefits as full members,including:

• Regular Newsletter

• Website Access & Facebook – (A members only area is planned for later).

• FREE Social Events per Season – at Pride Park - Home of The RAMS.

• Priority Ticket Access to DCDSC Party Nights & Events

• Access to DCFC Awards Night tickets Dinner

FANTASTIC VALUE! “Friend” membership costs just £10 a Season (Disabled membership is £10.00 with a carer)

We created the new “Friends” membership, primarily for older supporters and also for family and friends of disabled supporters, so they can join in the fun too. As DCDSC is a charity, the membership fee goes towards helping provide and maintain the accessible facilities at Pride Park. We work closely with Derby County and feel proud that our contribution may have helped them achieve their recent recognition from C.A.F.E, (Centre for Access to Football in Europe), as a leading light in the provision of accessible facilities for disabled football supporters in the UK and Europe.

So join in the fun, become a ‘Friend ‘& support us. Together, we can “ROAR on The RAMS!”

Tim Rees Chairman-DCDSC www.dcdsc.co.uk(Registered Charity No – 1081638)

For a DCDSC application form visit the website www.dcdsc.co.uk you can either download one, fill in your email details and one will be emailed to you, or call Julie Taylor on 01332 835979 . The form is also available to download on the Disability Direct Derby website or call Raichel at DD and she will send you one.

Derby County Disabled Supporters Club