DISABILITY

NEWSLETTER

Issue

Vale Royal Disability Services celebrates its 25For 25 years we have been providing a range of services to improve the life of

physically disabled people and people who have limited mobility. It’s been quite a journey! We’ve had some wonderful times and some bad times but throughout it all we

have been supported by some wonderful friends and colleagues who believed in us and supported the organisation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. I would also like to thank our trustees, staff and volunteers for without their combined commitment and enthusiasm the organisation would cease to operate and the local

community would be denied access to a very valued service.

Christine Pickthall MBE, Editor

THIS MONTH PLEASE DON’T MISS:

Page 2: Are you a carer?

Page 4: Barnardo’s support

Page 5: Age UK Cheshire

Page 7: Channel 4

DISABILITY

NEWSLETTER

Issue 118 February 2016

Reg Charity No. Company No.

Vale Royal Disability Services celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

For 25 years we have been providing a range of services to improve the life of physically disabled people and people who have limited mobility. It’s been quite a

journey! We’ve had some wonderful times and some bad times but throughout it all we supported by some wonderful friends and colleagues who believed in us

and supported the organisation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. I would also like to thank our trustees, staff and volunteers for without their combined

ent and enthusiasm the organisation would cease to operate and the local community would be denied access to a very valued service.

Well done everybody! Christine Pickthall MBE, Editor

THIS MONTH PLEASE DON’T MISS:

carer? Page 3: Evacuation app

s support Page 4: Citizens advice

heshire Page 6: DWP pilot video

Page 8: Keep safe and warm

Charity No. 1123915 Company No. 6396331

Anniversary. For 25 years we have been providing a range of services to improve the life of

physically disabled people and people who have limited mobility. It’s been quite a journey! We’ve had some wonderful times and some bad times but throughout it all we

supported by some wonderful friends and colleagues who believed in us and supported the organisation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. I would also like to thank our trustees, staff and volunteers for without their combined

ent and enthusiasm the organisation would cease to operate and the local community would be denied access to a very valued service.

Evacuation app

s advice

DWP pilot video

safe and warm

ARE YOU ‘FIT FOR WORK’? More than 2,500 sick and disabled benefit claimants have died after being found 'fit for work' in just two years, shock figures recently reveal. The government has released the total after 250,000 people signed a petition calling on them to do so. The Department of Work and Pensions tried to stop the figures being released in full, mounting a legal challenge to publish only 'age-standardised' numbers instead. The figures show 2,650 benefit claimants died shortly after being found 'fit for work' between December 2011 and February 2014. To find out what you can do if you are wrongly declared fit for work visit: http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/2380-esa-claimants-die-after-6329172 ARE YOU A CARER? WOULD YOU LIKE A FEW HOURS TO YOURSELF? The British Red Cross in Cheshire is running a Carer’s Hub, offering unpaid carers the opportunity to take some time away from their caring role. These free sessions will be offered for up to 6 weeks and will include: time to meet and chat with other carers; simple first aid sessions; relaxing hand, arm & shoulder massages; advice on topics of interest; a free lunch and refreshments; return transport from your home; and a trained volunteer to provide respite care. For more details contact The British Red Cross Carer’s Hub. Telephone: 07885 963 808. Email: carershub@redcross.org.uk ARE COUNCILS FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE? A committee of MPs has called on the government to stop local authorities discriminating against disabled people who need financial help following the introduction of the Spare Room Subsidy (often called the “bedroom tax”). The work and pensions select committee’s report on the local welfare safety net warns that many councils are failing to follow government guidance when deciding whether disabled people should be awarded discretionary housing payments (Dips). The committee has been told that three-quarters of councils count disability living allowance (DLA) and personal independence payment (PIP) as part of a claimant’s income when deciding on their eligibility for Dips, when the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the courts have said this should not happen. But when, during its inquiry, the committee asked the government’s welfare reform minister, Lord Freud if he would consider putting its guidance on a statutory footing, he told the MPs that he saw “no particular benefit” in doing so. The committee’s report is now urging him to think again. NETWORK RAIL NEWS The public body responsible for 18 of Britain’s biggest rail stations is following the lead of the Olympic Delivery Authority and putting disabled people at the heart of its design process. Network Rail has launched an inclusive design strategy and is about to implement new standards that reflect inclusive design principles, not just for improvement work on the big stations, but also for its huge estate of depots, offices and training centres across the UK. Visit: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/access-for-all/ PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP) GUIDE This is a step-by-step guide to claiming the new benefit. What is PIP and when it’s being introduced; What happens to people already on DLA; The qualification criteria and new points-based assessment; How to claim, including step-by-step instructions on completing the claim form and helpful tools and tactics. Telephone 020 7250 8181 or visit: http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

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EVACUATION APP ‘COULD SAVE LIVES’ Thousands of disabled people have signed up for a new mobile phone app that is designed to make it easier – and safer – for them to evacuate public buildings. The DirectMii app was the idea of disabled access experts at the consultancy Access and Evacu8, and has sparked international interest. The app, due to be trialled at the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, allows disabled customers to use their mobile phones to view pictorial directions to a location within public venues such as cinemas or hospitals. But it can also alert staff that a disabled person is in the building, and provide a series of pictures that direct a disabled customer to the most appropriate emergency exit for someone with their access needs if there is an evacuation. It also allows the customer to contact the venue if their access needs are not being met. Although organisations pay a small fee of about £10 a year to join the scheme, individual disabled users can access the basic service free of charge, and in its first six weeks more than 5,000 people have downloaded the app. Organisations including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Liverpool airport, as well as several universities, hospitals and local authorities have all signed up. Visit: http://www.evacu8me.com/ PAW-CASSO PAINTS A dog with an artistic flair has put her talents to good use to raise money for a disability charity. Ruby's painting - a white canvas filled with blue streaks - is to be sold for Dog Assistance in Disability (Dog A.I.D.). The charity helps people with disabilities train their pet dog to carry out tasks to help them. Ruby lives in Surbiton with Megan, her 19-year-old owner, and since a head injury in 2011 Megan has been training Ruby to become an assistant. As well as being a dab hand/paw with a pot of paint, Ruby primarily helps Megan with day to day tasks. She paints by clamping brushes in her mouth and moving them across the canvas. CARERS RIGHTS GUIDE If you are new to caring or have never been sure of your rights the “Carers Rights Guide” will help. The booklet includes an overview of the benefits system, details about help with council tax and practical help including details of assessments. Download the guide at www.carersuk.org or call Carers UK on 01933 221 781. WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TASTER SESSIONS On 28th February, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby is providing taster sessions at

Mancunians, Hough End Centre, Manchester M21 7SX. For young people the session is from 2.00pm to 3.00pm. For adults with physical impairments the session is from 3.15pm to 5.00 pm. Suitable equipment and wheelchairs will be provided. For more information call Stuart McLindon on 07956 411 706 or email stuart.mclindon@gbwr.org.uk Visit: http://gbwr.org.uk/

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BARNARDO'S SUPPORTING YOUNG CARERS Barnardo's provide support to young carers by providing fun activities and breaks from their caring role. It allows the young carers to spend time with other young people in a similar situation to themselves. They also provide short breaks for disabled children to enable them to enjoy new experiences and much needed respite for their families. Barnardo's run a large number of projects around the UK. To find out what's provided in your local area check their interactive map and list. Visit: www.barnardos.org.uk or call 0151 488 1100. CITIZENS ADVICE – HELPING TO SAVE ENERGY If you’re in the Health and Social Care sector and are working with people who meet any of the criteria below and could do with some help, refer them to CAB for energy advice - Low income; Pensionable age; Long term health condition; Disability; Unemployed; Family with child dependants etc. Advice is available in the most appropriate setting, such as One-to-one appointments in a local Citizens Advice office, Home support visit (limited places available), or as a Group session for consumers and frontline staff. For more information, availability and details of how to refer clients to the service please contact: Linda Crosbie, Energy Advice Champion. Tel: 07715 634185. Email: linda.crosbie@cwcab.org.uk DISABILITY AID TRUST HOLIDAY FUND The Trust help towards the extra cost of helpers to ensure that severely disabled people can go on holiday or have a short break. Applications are open to individuals and groups of disabled people and must be supported by a bona fide organisation, a doctor or social worker. Funds are allocated twice a year: 1st February for summer holidays and 1st August for winter holidays. Download an application form from their website: www.disabilityaidtrust.org.uk TUC MANIFESTO The TUC has launched a Manifesto for Disability Equality. The Manifesto is about recognising Britain’s ten million disabled people as citizens with equal rights and supporting disabled people to play a full part in work and society. It sets out the policies needed to achieve this in employment, social care, transport, politics, arts and culture, and in social security. It is a tool to help trade unionists and others to resist government policies that hit disabled people badly. Download a copy at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/DisabilityManifesto. To help trade unionists and others to win the arguments and to gain supporters for the manifesto, the TUC has also published a guide for activists: Using the TUC Manifesto for Disability Equality: a guide for trade union activists (pdf). DPAC RESEARCH Disabled employees can't afford justice when facing workplace discrimination, according to research by the Public Interest Research Unit (PIRU) and Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). They suggest that many disabled workers are being effectively prevented from taking discrimination claims to employment tribunals since the introduction of fees in 2013 – usually amounting to at least £1,200. Although there now is a scheme in place to reduce or waive the fees, disabled people who get Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment may be disadvantaged as these payments may be treated as “disposable capital”.

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AGE UK CHESHIRE INFORMATION AND ADVICE BUSThe bus will be visiting The Barbour Institute, Tattenhall every First and Third Tuesday of the month, until the end of June 2016, from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. Drop in for free impartial advice on topics such as Benefits, Home help, Consumer issues, Planning for the future and Paying for care. Dates: 4th and 16th February, 17th and 21st June.

INTO HIGHER EDUCATION 2016This is a guide for anyone with a health condition, learning difficulty or disability thinking about studying in higher education starting September 2016. This guide aims to answer common questions such as whether colleges or universities will be accessible, how to choose a course and what support will be available. It also covers the student finance system and has upmethods and the support that will be in place for 2016 entry. For a copy call the Disabled Sthttp://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2016/january/higheravailable

MEANS-TESTED PREMIUM A shadow minister claims that cfrom the government’s decision to people with high support needsThe Department for Work and Pensionsabolish Severe Disability Pwhich is gradually replacing six benefits with one single, monthly, meanspayment. But a parliamentary answer this week by the Justin Tomlinson appears to confirm that although SDP is being claimants are moved to the new universal credit over the next four years, there are no plans to provide funding to help councils meet the resulting pre

NOOZIE A Noozie is a rechargeable, electric hot water bottle that is filled with filtered water. It charge and does so in 10-12 minutes, this short amount of charging time gives you up to 6 hours of heatplace it under the charger for 10unplug and hey presto, up to 8 hours of warmth! Available in 3 colours, it stays warm for up to 8 hours when used inside a bedwith no risk of burns and scalds. Dimensions: 28cm x 18cm, Weight: 1.1kg. RRP: £44.95 (Online price: £39.95). Phone: 020 3637 4760. Customer enquiriesWeb: www.nooziecomfort.com MORE THAN MOBILITY They sell a wide range of mobility aids and disability products including mobility scooters, electric and manual wheelchairs, adjustable beds, recliner chairs, stairlifts, hearing, bathing & toilet aids, ramps, walking aids, daily living aids and a lot morTel: 0800 046 3949. Visit: www.morethanmobility.com

AGE UK CHESHIRE INFORMATION AND ADVICE BUS The bus will be visiting The Barbour Institute, Tattenhall every First and Third Tuesday of the month, until the end of June 2016, from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. Drop in for free

dvice on topics such as Benefits, Home help, Consumer issues, Planning for the future and Paying for care.

February, 1st and 15th March, 5th and 19th April, 3

INTO HIGHER EDUCATION 2016 This is a guide for anyone with a health condition, learning difficulty or disability thinking about studying in higher education starting September 2016. This guide aims to answer common questions such as whether colleges or universities will be

e, how to choose a course and what support will be available. It also covers the student finance system and has up-to-date information on tuition fees, repayment methods and the support that will be in place for 2016 entry. For a copy call the Disabled Students Helpline on 0800 328 5050 or download http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2016/january/higher-education-

D PREMIUM A shadow minister claims that councils could be left to “pick up the pieces” resulting from the government’s decision to abolish a means-tested premium for disabled people with high support needs. The Department for Work and Pensions has always made it clear that it plans to

remium (SDP) as part of its move to which is gradually replacing six benefits with one single, monthly, meanspayment. But a parliamentary answer this week by the Minister for Justin Tomlinson appears to confirm that although SDP is being claimants are moved to the new universal credit over the next four years, there are no plans to provide funding to help councils meet the resulting pressure on social care.

A Noozie is a rechargeable, electric hot water bottle that is is compact and super easy to 12 minutes, this short amount of

charging time gives you up to 6 hours of heat. All you do is place it under the charger for 10-12 minutes, once charged, unplug and hey presto, up to 8 hours of warmth!

it stays warm for up to 8 hours when used inside a bedo risk of burns and scalds.

Dimensions: 28cm x 18cm, Weight: 1.1kg. RRP: £44.95 (Online price: £39.95). Customer enquiries email: contact@nooziecomfort.com

www.nooziecomfort.com.

They sell a wide range of mobility aids and disability products including mobility scooters, electric and manual wheelchairs, adjustable beds, recliner chairs, stairlifts, hearing, bathing & toilet aids, ramps, walking aids, daily living aids and a lot mor

www.morethanmobility.com

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April, 3rd and 17th May,

This is a guide for anyone with a health condition, learning difficulty or disability thinking about studying in higher education starting September 2016. This guide aims to answer common questions such as whether colleges or universities will be

e, how to choose a course and what support will be available. It also covers date information on tuition fees, repayment

0800 328 5050 or download from: -2016-now-

ouncils could be left to “pick up the pieces” resulting tested premium for disabled

made it clear that it plans to (SDP) as part of its move to Universal Credit,

which is gradually replacing six benefits with one single, monthly, means-tested Disabled People,

Justin Tomlinson appears to confirm that although SDP is being abolished as claimants are moved to the new universal credit over the next four years, there are no

ssure on social care.

it stays warm for up to 8 hours when used inside a bed, and

Dimensions: 28cm x 18cm, Weight: 1.1kg. RRP: £44.95 (Online price: £39.95). contact@nooziecomfort.com.

They sell a wide range of mobility aids and disability products including mobility scooters, electric and manual wheelchairs, adjustable beds, recliner chairs, stairlifts, hearing, bathing & toilet aids, ramps, walking aids, daily living aids and a lot more.

GROWING UP, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS This guide has been written to support parents of disabled children, including parents of learning disabled teenagers. They have tips on developing your child's self-esteem and keeping them safe, encouraging friendships, and how to talk to your child about puberty and the changes that are happening to them. The guide also covers safe sex and contraception, and what to expect of sex and relationships education in school. Free to parents who call the freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555, or it is free to download from http://www.barnardos.org.uk/. PILOT VIDEO RELAY SERVICE FOR DWP British Sign Language Users can now access some Department of Work and Pensions services with this pilot Video Relay Service. It is being trailed with the call centres for Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Access to Work, and the Access to Work advisers in the Hearing Loss Team. The service is used by clicking the link on the gov.uk webpage for any of the above, for example, the Disability Benefits Centre contact page. To see the press release from the Department of Work and Pensions, go to: DWP services more accessible MOTABILITY NEWS More than 100 disabled people every week are losing their Motability vehicles after being assessed for the new disability benefit, the charity has confirmed. The figures appears to confirm fears that the replacement of working-age Disability Living Allowance with the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would see at least 100,000 disabled people lose their Motability car. Some estimates have suggested that as many as 180,000 DLA claimants could eventually be forced to give up their Motability vehicles after being reassessed for PIP. Only those qualifying for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP – or the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA – are entitled to obtain a car through the Motability scheme. Of the 8,000 Motability customers who have been reassessed for their PIP eligibility so far, 3,000 have lost their entitlement to be on the scheme and have been told to hand their vehicles back. THE FUTURE OF ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE The government has announced proposals to end all new attendance allowance claims and transfer the savings to councils, but says its plans do not include scrapping disability living allowance for older people. The provisional local government finance settlement for 2016-17 includes plans to abolish attendance allowance (AA) for new claimants, and pass the funding to local authorities in England and Wales to help them “support older people with care needs” through their adult social care systems. AA is paid to over-65s who need significant levels of supervision or help, with a lower rate of £55.10 a week and a higher weekly rate of £82.30, and is designed for those who acquire those support needs after turning 65. Those who are already claiming disability living allowance (DLA) or its working-age replacement personal independence payment (PIP) when they turn 65 continue to claim that benefit, rather than AA, and are not currently affected by the proposals. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) insisted that its planned changes to AA – which are subject to consultation – will not apply to existing AA claimants, although more details of its plans will be revealed when it publishes a consultation document in the New Year. Visit: Provisional local government finance settlement

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INADEQUATE ASSESSMENT? Central Bedfordshire Council has to pay a woman £7,000 after assessments left her without proper care for more than two years. The woman complained about the way the council administered her direct payments and that it did not follow its complaints procedure when investigating her complaint. She claimed that this caused her significant avoidable distress, and meant she has not had as much care as she should have had. The ombudsman warned local authorities must help disabled people negotiate the complex disability payments system. If you have a problem with your care package contact: Cheshire Centre for Independent Living on 01606 331 853 / 0845 340 2777 or Radar’s Personal Budgets Helpline on 020 7250 8181. SHOPMOBILITY Increasing numbers of Shopmobility services are struggling to stay open, according to the organisation that brings together many of the schemes across the UK. The National Federation of Shopmobility UK (NFSUK) spoke out after the only Shopmobility scheme in Birmingham said it was set to close after its local authority withdrew financial support. Donna Eade, co-ordinator of NFSUK has seen seven of about 150 members close their doors in the last 18 months, while its latest survey saw about half of those that responded facing some form of funding cut. The situation is less clear for Shopmobility schemes that are not members of NFSUK, but Eade fears a similar picture. She said many schemes were facing problems because their local councils had withdrawn funding, as has happened in Birmingham, with grants “disappearing at a rate of knots”. CARE ACT HELPLINE This Helpline is run by Advice Cheshire East and is available on 01260 288 353 for information and advice on how the regulations will affect you or someone you care for. Call 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. www.adviCE.org.uk CHANNEL 4 LAUNCHING ‘YEAR OF DISABILITY’ Channel 4 is launching a “year of disability” with a commitment to double the number of disabled people appearing in its 20 most high-profile shows such as Gogglebox and Hollyoaks. This includes a £300,000 fund to foster new talent, some of which will be used to help support the careers of 20 disabled people working behind the camera in Channel 4’s biggest suppliers, and the channel will also ring fence half of its apprenticeships and 30% of work experience places for disabled applicants. The year of disability will coincide with Channel 4’s broadcast of the Rio Paralympics this year.

KEEP SAFE AND WARM

You should receive Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 5th January 1953. If you have any questions telephone: 03459 151515.

The Benefits Advice Team are on: 0300 1237021.

For a free home fire safety assessment and a free smoke alarm, telephone Cheshire Fire and Rescue on 01925 411310.

Snow Angels is a service that supports older people in their own homes. For more information telephone 01606 813348.

The Energy Saving Advisory Service can be contacted on 0300 1231234.

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INVESTIGATION INTO ILF CLOSURE Disabled members of the Conservative party have launched their own investigation into the closure of the Independent Living Fund (ILF), following widespread concerns about its impact across the country. The Conservative Disability Group has issued an appeal to former ILF-users and those who had friends or relatives who were recipients of ILF funding to help with the research. Visit: http://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-tories-launch-investigation-into-impact-of-ilf-closure/ THE DISABILITY LAW SERVICE The Disability Law Service has been offering free legal advice to disabled people and their carers since 1975. The DLS provides free legal advice over the telephone, as well as a range of factsheets which are available on their website. The DLS also provides legal representation in a limited number of community care law and employment law cases, for clients who are in receipt of legal aid. See their Website, or call: 0207 791 9800. Mon to Fri, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm. THINKING OF BOOKING A HOLIDAY? ‘Insurancewith’ is a specialist pre-existing medical condition travel insurance provider. Having a medical condition may result in you having to pay an excessive premium for your travel insurance. But by using their own in-house medical screening system, which has been designed using input from doctors, charities and people who have themselves encountered problems obtaining cover, they are able to ask the relevant questions about particular conditions which ensure that the rates and cover offered match your personal circumstances. The result is travel insurance for medical conditions that provides comprehensive cover at affordable premiums. They also offer a range of single trip travel insurance policies so that you can choose the policy that best suits your needs and budget. Call 0203 8293875 or visit: http://www.insurancewith.com/single-trip-travel-insurance/ __________________________________________________________________________________

VALE ROYAL DISABILITY SERVICES Hartford office Telephone: 01606 888400 Northwich Shopmobility Telephone: 01606 288820 Winsford Shopmobility Telephone: 01606 557550 Northwich Infirmary Telephone: 01606 564096

Supported by:

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If you have any news that you would like us to publish, or comments you want to make, then send them to us. To receive your personal copy of this

newsletter, please refer to the newsletter page on our website www.vrds.org.uk, or telephone us on 01606 888400 or email newsletter@vrds.org.uk

Published by: Vale Royal Disability Services, 4 Hartford Business Centre, Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2AB.

Editor: Christine Pickthall MBE. Registered Charity No. 1123915.

Important disclaimer: Please note that much of the information in this newsletter is acquired from third parties. The views expressed may not in any way reflect the views of Vale Royal Disability Services.