20

Registered Charity No. 1096402 Registered Company No. 4391864

Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living

Address: 330 Saxon Gate West, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2ES

Tel: 01908 231344 Fax: 01908 231335

Minicom: 01908 231505 E-mail: info@mkcil.org.uk

Web: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Health/Physical-Health/ Conditions/MKCIL/

Team-Talk

Spring 2014

MK CIL aims to inspire, empower and enable people with disabilities, their families, carers and others in the Milton Keynes Community.

Through the provision of a range of information and services, we will support citizens of Milton Keynes in making informed choices and help to maximise their potential.

Page: 2… Contents 3… Introduction to New CEO, Christine Pearce 4… Games Group 4… Useful Websites 5… Survival Guide 6… Disability Quotes 7… Newlifeable 8… MaD (Make a Difference) 9… “Moving More, Living More” 10… Naidex 11… Disability Benefit Rates 12… Millbrook Healthcare 13… Westcroft Shop 14… Volunteer Profile 15… New Staff Member, Allison Carlton 16… Useful Phone Numbers 16… Bank Holidays 17… Poem 18… Fun Facts 19… CIL Diary 20… Contact Details

For any contributions for future editions of “Team-Talk” please contact:

Annette Holcroft, Editor: annette.holcroft@mkcil.org.uk or Allison Carlton, Network and Engagement Manager: allison.carlton@mkcil.org.uk

2

Contents

Tuesday

1st Tuesday of the month Stroke Peer Support Group Drop-In

10.00am -12.30pm

2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month Deaf Community Drop-In

9.30am - 12.30pm

Thursday

Every Thursday Citizens Advice Bureau

By appointment only

Every Thursday Games Group Drop - In

2.00pm - 4.00pm

Form Filling

Wednesdays and Fridays

PIP (Personal Independence Payment)

DLA (Disability Living Allowance) for under 16

AA (Attendance Allowance)

By appointment only

CIL Diary

19

18

Elephants are the only mammals that can’t jump. “I am” is the shortest sentence in the English language. Only one person in 2 billion will live to be 116 or older. Months that begin on a Sunday will always have Friday 13th. First ever novel written on a typewriter was “Tom Sawyer.” Coca cola was originally green. The most common name in the world is Mohammed. Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine. The average person falls asleep in 7 minutes. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain. A rat can last longer without water than a camel. Sherlock Holmes never said “Elementary, my dear Watson.” Barbie’s measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33. Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) was allergic to carrots.

Fun Facts

.

Christine Pearce, Chief Executive Officer

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Christine Pearce. I am really pleased to have taken up the position of the new Chief Executive Officer at MK CIL.

I have a wealth of knowledge and experience of working within the voluntary sector. I worked for 25 years in charities that provide services to people who are homeless, have drug and alcohol issues or who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.

I am keen to build on strong foundations built over CILs 21 years existence. I look forward to raising the profile, and developing strong working relationships with our partner organisations and local people who require the help and support that MK CIL provides.

I am proud to join the staff and volunteers at CIL, and I look forward to developing all the valuable services that CIL deliver.

Over the coming months CIL is aiming to recruit service users, who we recognise are the “Experts” to share their real life experiences of what it means to live with a disability, and how processes and services impact on their daily lives.

3

Introduction to CIL’s New CEO

The Games Group is friendly, informal and available to anyone who has a disability and their carers.

A variety of table games can be played, for example: Scrabble Chess Dominoes Cards Yahtzee

Cost: £2 a session, including tea or coffee and biscuits. Time: Every Thursday 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Place: MK CIL Meeting Room.

Just drop in, there is no need to book.

4

Games Group

MK Web www.mkweb.co.uk

MK Council www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

Age UK Milton Keynes www.ageuk.org.uk/miltonkeynes

Milton Keynes CAB www.miltonkeynescab.org.uk

Useful Websites

17

Poem

David

The Bell at Hardwick

I often pass that small country pub Where time seemed to stand still With its gentle summer garden

Where cool dark beer was drunk As horses slowly clip-clipped

Along the lane from the church

Now the winter garden is empty Umbrellas folded gather in Like mourners at the grave, The once shady apple tree,

The confessional now stands Exposed like so much dirty laundry

16

CIL will be closed on these Bank Holidays

Useful Phone Numbers

Bank Holidays

Friday 18th April Monday 21st April Monday 5th May Monday 26th May

- Good Friday - Easter Monday - May Day - Spring Holiday

MK CIL Age UK CAB Carers MK Community Alarm MK Council ASCAT Community Transport

01908 231344 01908 550700 01908 604475 01908 231703 01908 222616 01908 691691 01908 253772 01908 266950

If anyone would like a Survival Guide please do come into the CIL offices to pick up a FREE copy. We are open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm.

Our offices are located in The Christ the Cornerstone Church at:

Address: 330 Saxon Gate West Central Milton Keynes MK9 2ES

Phone: 01908 231344 Email: info@mkcil.org.uk

5

Survival Guide

Milton Keynes Survival Guide

2013

for people living with a disability

The Survival Guide is a comprehensive guide that lists all the local services and organisations, in and around Milton Keynes, that might be able to help people living with a disability.

A very useful book to keep by the telephone!

6

Disability Quotes

DISABILITY ISNT A CHOICE, DISCRIMINATION IS

Milton Keynes CIL has a new Network and Engagement Manager. Allison Carlton joined the organisation in December 2013, Allison comes to the organisation from a background working for NHS Milton Keynes as a Communications and Engagement Manager and has many links and connections within MK.

Allison’s role involves raising the organisations profile, building strong links with MK CIL Choice & Support’s stakeholders and audiences, including ULO Networks, individual members, local groups, regional DPULOs and the local media. Allison will be responsible for the production of all communications material, including the use of electronic media. Since starting her role Allison has established an engaging Facebook and Twitter profile for the organisation and is currently working on the organisations website.

Allison also Project Manages the Experts Unlimited project. A project to deliver real ‘Experts’ living with a disability, experiencing difficulties when services breakdown. This panel will engage in direct discussions with local decision makers.

15

New Staff Member

Allison Carlton - Network and Engagement Manager

Hi my name is Sabrina! I am 21 years old and I live with my family in Newport Pagnell. I have a pet cat called Suzie. I have cerebral palsy and at the age of 16 I had an operation to loosen my hamstrings.

I went to Ousedale secondary school and then moved to Milton Keynes College to study childcare, which was quite hard for me. In my spare time I

love reading books, playing on my I pad, socialising on facebook, and playing games. I love watching ‘Come Dine with Me’, ‘The Bill’ and ‘Murder She Wrote’. My favourite foods are lasagne, spaghetti bolognese and curry.

I have been volunteering at CIL for about a year, I work on a Friday morning as an Information Officer. I really enjoy volunteering at CIL, it has helped build my confidence so I am able to talk to new people and talk in front of groups of people. I enjoy helping the people who come into the office, and I feel like I am making a difference to people’s lives.

14

Volunteer Profile

Sabrina Sultan - Volunteer

7

Newlifeable - Free Equipment Service. Every day, Newlife nurses hear of children who are desperate for essential equipment that will make a real difference to their lives. Equipment that can enable a child to go to school, sleep at night free of pain, speak to their parents for the first time or visit grandparents. Newlife is committed to making a difference through its equipment grant and loan service. With a UK wide chronic shortage of such equipment, Newlife have responded by creating a suite of equipment that has been donated by local authority services. These items may not be needed in one local area but could help thousands of children who need the equipment across the UK. Each item has been clinically cleaned, refurbished and certified in line with Medical Health Regulatory Authority guidelines and is now readily available, free of charge to help a disabled child.

Items available to loan include: Wheelchairs and pushchairs Special seating Walking and standing aids

For more information contact: Phone: 01543 462777 or Freephone 0800 9020095 Email: newlifeable@newlifecharity.co.uk Web: www.newlifeable.co.uk

Newlifeable

8

Mondays 12pm - 1pm Yoga in the Studio

Wednesdays 5pm - 6pm Health and Fitness Training in the Studio

Thursdays 5pm - 6pm Street Dance in the Studio

Fridays 5pm - 6pm Tennis in the Main Space

MaD (Make a Difference) offers a range of activities for young people aged 8 - 25.

MaD has just launched some new Weekly Disability Fitness Sessions at The Buszy, called “Activemate,” for 14 -30 year olds, supported by MaD volunteers.

For more information contact:

Address: The Buszy 401 Elder Gate CMK MK9 1LR Tel: 01908 231312

Email: info@mad-uk.org Web: www.mad-uk.org

MaD (Make a Difference)

13

MK CIL benefit greatly from a third share of the proceeds from Westcroft Community Shop, with MK Brook and the Samaritans.

Any kind donations to support the good work that the staff and volunteers at the shop do, would be very much appreciated.

They want what you don’t need. All those unwanted Birthday, Wedding or Christmas presents that you don’t know what to do with. Take them to the shop and pop in for a browse around, you will be pleasantly surprised at what is on sale.

If you have any unwanted goods or would like to volunteer in the shop please contact:

Aline Porteous, Manager, Westcroft Community Shop Address: Winbourne Crescent Westcroft MK4 4DE Phone: 01908 506640

Westcroft Community Shop

Millbrook Healthcare have taken over the Equipment Service and Wheelchair Repair Service, in Milton Keynes.

If an individual has been issued a wheelchair from the Wheelchair Services they can contact Millbrook Healthcare for any repairs or maintenance needed to the chair.

If an individual needs a piece of equipment it may be possible for them to access the Community Equipment Service through their Healthcare Professional. Some examples of equipment which could be available to individuals, with a need, and who meet the eligibility criteria include: bath lifts, shower chair/stools, hospital beds, perching stools, grab rails, commodes and toilet frames. Individuals must contact their health professional, this could be a GP, Occupational Therapist (OT), District Nurse, Physiotherapist, or a professional from MK Hospital or Willen Hospice. An assessment will be carried out to determine eligibility to receive the equipment on long term loan, free of charge.

For more information contact: Address: Millbrook Healthcare Unit 3 Denbigh Hall MK3 7QT Phone: Equipment Service: 0333 240 8995 Wheelchair Repairs: 0333 240 8996

12

Millbrook Healthcare

9

“MOVING MORE, LIVING MORE” – THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC LEGACY FOR THE NATION

The UK Government, the Mayor of London and Sebastian Coe, as the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Ambassador, have made a commitment to promote physical activity across the country’s population, as part of the legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

One of the key objectives of the Paralympic Legacy is to support opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity. We know that there has been an increase in the number of disabled people who participate in sport.

Government and the Mayor of London are challenging themselves, and others, with the “Moving More, Living More” campaign to get people moving and to be able to sustain a more active nation for the longer term.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-more-living-more-olympic-and-paralympic-games-legacy

We all know what the benefits can be from being more active. So if anyone would like to contribute to the Public Health England consultation on physical activity they can submit comments and ideas to: physicalactivity@phe.gov.uk

Mike Penning MP, Minister for Disabled People 4th Floor, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9DA

“Moving More, Living More”

10

Naidex 2014

Products and Services include: Children’s equipment Bathing and showering Charities and advice Leisure and sports Mobility and transport Communication and telecare Access equipment Daily living aids

Naidex National is the largest UK exhibition showcasing a comprehensive range of products and services for people with disabilities; it is held at the NEC.

Opening Times Tues 29th April 10.00 -17.00 Weds 30th April 10.00 -17.00 Thurs 1st May 10.00 -16.00

For more information contact: Tel: 0844 588 8076

Email: Naidex@i2ieventsgroup.com Web: www.naidex.co.uk/

11

Disabilty Benefit Rates

In April 2014 the Disability Benefits change. Here is a list of the old and new rates.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

DLA is being replaced by PIP, for people aged 16 – 64. The changes will affect existing DLA claimants, as well as those making a new claim. Existing DLA claimants, will need to satisfy the conditions for PIP on reassessment, to receive the benefit, and will be contacted automatically.

Benefit 2013/14 2014/15

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Care component - higher rate Care component - middle rate Care component - lower rate

Mobility component - higher rate Mobility component - lower rate

Attendance Allowance (AA) higher rate lower rate

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Daily Living component - enhanced rate Daily Living component - standard rate

Mobility component - enhanced rate Mobility component - standard rate

£79.15 £53.00 £21.00

£55.25 £21.00

£79.15 £53.00

£79.15 £53.00

£55.25 £21.00

£81.30 £54.45 £21.55

£56.75 £21.55

£81.30 £54.45

£81.30 £54.45

£56.75 £21.55