'TALKING ABOUT MONEY'

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to introduce you to our 'TALKING ABOUT MONEY' project. This is the development of a training programme for people with a learning disability and their supporters. This is a development from the 'My Money Matters' and 'Managing My Money' training research and resources that ARC have previously developed. This new training programme has been written and is being piloted by some of the people who have worked with the 'Managing My Money' development. It is anticipated that the pilots and any re drafts will be completed in June. We are now setting up initial 'Talking About Money-Train the Trainer' events in July for all interested parties, both events to be held at ARC office, in Chesterfield. The dates are:

Wednesday 16th July; or

Tuesday 22nd July.

The idea of each day is to give you an introduction to the 'Talking About Money' training programme. The 'Talking About Money' programme is designed to be delivered to individuals with a learning disability and their supporters. the Train the trainer the day will introduce you to the 'Talking About Money' project, the training and offer additional information and advice about delivering this programme. On completion of the one day course trainers will then be equipped to deliver the 'Talking About Money' training to individuals with a learning disability and their supporters in their organisation. We will give each person attending a FREE COPY of the 'Talking About Money' training materials in return we ask for an agreement that you will deliver this training at least once within your organisation and send the evaluations from the training to us, plus a small contribution to the cost of the day (£15.00 per person). Part of our project also includes delivering 'Talking About Money' training across all 9 English regions and in Scotland and Wales in the Autumn. If you or your staff would like to attend either of these events then please send you completed form with payment to, Shirley Potter, at the ARC address below. On receipt of the forms , I will send out a confirmation letter, maps and outline of the day, (Click on this message to get a booking form and a copy of our cancellation policy for your information) or copy and paste this link into your browser http://www.choiceforum.org/tambkg.doc

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours , Shirley Potter

Training and Development Officer ARC

Marsden Street

Chesterfield S40 1JY

Telephone: 01246 555043 - Fax: 01246 555045

Email: shirley.potter@arcuk.org.uk

New Social Arena for Carers and Care Sector Workers

A new website and forum has been developed for Carers, whose domestic

situation can often be isolating and those who work in the Care Sector

for whom unsociable hours and stressful situations may well affect their

social life. By sharing experiences with others who understand, we hope

to lighten the load and have some fun, an ingredient often missing when

undertaking a caring role.

We would be very grateful if you could advise your staff and carers of

our new website, and if possible even display our details on your notice

board. Full Membership of our site which includes access to the forums, live

online chat, and private messaging is FREE.

For the website see: www.carersconnect.com

For the forums see: www.carersconnect.com/community

To Register Free right now: www.carersconnect.com/community/index.php?action=register

Kind regards,

Kevin Hannan - Site Administrator: kevin@carersconnect.com

Lynne Heath - Site Owner: lynne@carersconnect.com

ARC Conference: 18-20 November 2008 in Southport, Lancashire.

The ARC Conference will be held this year on 18-20 November 2008 in Southport, Lancashire. The theme is 'Voyage of Discovery' and we are currently calling for workshop proposals. For full details and to download a proposal form please go to the ARC website: or contact Janet Fairley on 01246 251979.

Have you been involved with, or have heard of, any new and innovative practices in the learning disability sector? We are particularly interested to attract workshops on initiatives that give people who have a learning disability the following:

More choice and control

Better acces to good health and health care

More involvement in planning where they live

Opportunities for fulfilling days

Access to paid work

With thanks,

Maggie Udell - Information Officer, ARC

Person Centred Planning ‘Young Love’

Skills for People have made a DVD called ‘Young Love’ which may help Person Centred Planning, email: info@skillsforpeople.org.uk

Tim Keilty

Person Centred Planning Co-ordinator Newcastle - Tel 0191 2818737

Learning Disabilities and Abuse - Learning the lessons from inquiries

Date: Friday 6 June 2008

Venue: Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, Ireland

Concerns about the care provided for people with learning disabilities have increased sharply following recent reports in the media. This conference examines the factors that can create situations in which people with learning disabilities are abused, whether in service settings, in their families or in public places and communities. The conference will provide a clear framework for defining abuse and understanding the different combination of neglect, cruelty and indifference that lie behind the statistics. It will also present findings of some recent serious case reviews in the UK so delegates can see how these situations have arisen and been allowed to persist and consider what they teach us about prevention and response. Speakers at the event include: Hilary Brown Professor of Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University; Margaret Flynn Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Learning disabilities, University of Sheffield; Dr Anne Good Senior Research Officer, National Disability Authority. The conference aims to address some serious questions. Aims of the conference:

What is meant by abuse and is it a helpful term?

Does it make sense to think about 'types' of abuse?

In what relationships and settings does abuse take place?

What should be done to prevent abuse?

How can lessons be learned in an Irish context?

The conference will be particularly helpful to people working to develop policies and practice that safeguard the rights of people with learning disabilities and protect them from abuse. For further information please see: http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/conferences/showfull.asp?Conference=692

Alternatively try: http://tinyurl.com/4fkpgw

CIEH LEVEL 2 AWARD IN HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE - TUESDAY 20TH MAY 2008

Places available on the above course, which will take place at Orleans House, Edmund Street, Liverpool, L3 9NG and commence at 9.00am with a 4.30pm finish. If you would like a place on this course please contact: Claire Bridson, Programme Support Officer / PA to the Executive Director on 0151 236 6608. Website: www.healthatworkcentre.org.uk

The Education Bulletin - FREE Download

I am absolutely delighted to announce the launch of my new not-for-profit education and special educational needs magazine, The Education Bulletin. As a parent of a child with disabilities, I have strived for many years to launch a magazine of this kind. The magazine is free to download, by clicking http://www.educationbulletin.co.uk/bulletin040408.pdf. I would be very grateful if you could forward this to all of your members and i would be delighted to receive any feedback as well as any stories that may be used in our next publication, launched on June 20th 2008. Any feedback or comments can be left by filling out the form at http://www.educationbulletin.co.uk/contact.php

Yours sincerely,

Diane Clarke - The Education Bulletin

April 2008 Report on PAT Parent Solidarity Available Now!

Click on the PAT Solidarity page on this website to download the latest report on the PAT parent solidarity funding for families in the developing world. PAT parents sent Kiva Christmas gift certificates instead of cards and presents. The money has been invested with 'microfinance' organisations to support families in developing countries.

Parents with Learning Disabilities: Rights Report from Baring Foundation

An increasing number of adults with learning difficulties are becoming parents. In about

50% of cases their children are removed from them, usually as a result of concerns for

their well-being and/or an absence of appropriate support. This study set out to map the

issues confronting parents and professionals in this area, along with strategies for

positive practice in providing parents with learning difficulties and their children with

‘the right support’ to stay together as a family. There are no precise figures on the number of parents with learning difficulties in the population. The most recent statistics come from the first national survey of adults with learning difficulties in England, where one in 15 of the adults interviewed had children (Emerson et al, 2005). Whatever the figure, it is generally acknowledged that their number is steadily rising and that they ‘represent a sizeable population whose special needs have so far not been adequately addressed by the health and social services’ (Booth, 2000). Click on this message to download report now!

Gifted and Talented

Some of our disabled children are also academically gifted or talented, and it may be more difficult for disabled children to receive the support necessary to achieve their full potential.

The 1 day Lancashire able and talented event is taking place in Chorley on Friday 16th May. lt is open to "all those who are concerned to improve learning and teaching opportunities for more able children."

You can find out more at www.learningexcellence.net

What About Us - Conference free for all delegates

30th June 2008 11am - 3pm Church House, Westminster

A Conference for family carers of adults with learning disabilities. Hosted by Advance, Hilt & Work in Progress

Conference Flyer and Booking Form http://www.choiceforum.org/familycarers.pdf

Now it's offical - It's all my fault! My children knew this about me anyway.

Parents of autistic children are twice as likely to have had psychiatric illness, researchers have discovered. Doctors studied patient records for more than 30,000 children and found that rates of autism rose substantially if parents had suffered schizophrenia, depression or a range of other personality and psychiatric disorders.

A child's risk of autism was 70% greater if one parent was diagnosed with a mental illness, and twice as high as average if both parents had psychiatric disorders, according to a report in the Pediatrics journal. The finding suggests autism and psychiatric problems may sometimes have a common cause and genetic link.

Extract from The Guardian, 06/05/2008 - Source and full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/may/06/medicalresearch.genetics

CSCI Quality Assurance Website

At last a really useful resource that works. I simply put in my postcode, specified the care services I wanted and limited the search to 3 stars. I got two pages of names and addresses to follow up complete with telephone numbers. I would rate this resource as excellent. Service users and their carers and advocates now have an objective tool for choosing a service provider.

Click on this message to go there and try it out for yourself.

http://www.csci.org.uk/registeredservicesdirectory/rsquicksearch.asp

Access IT awards 2008 - Your Personal Invitation

Dear Colleague,

e-ISOTIS and AbilityNet are delighted to personally invite you to attend the first ever Access IT awards ceremony at Microsoft Victoria in London on July 18 beginning at 13.00. This ceremony is a unique event, as it is the first of its kind to be hosted in the UK focussed entirely upon Technologies and people with a disability, these awards will provide a springboard for exciting new developments in 2009.

These awards will celebrate significant contributions in the field of accessible IT for people with a disability against the benchmarks produced by the EC funded e-Abilities project. These awards are being jointly organised by e-ISOTIS (Greece) and AbilityNet (UK), and is being hosted by Microsoft UK. We are delighted to announce that the European Project e-Abilities (www.eabilities-eu.org) have agreed to be the ‘Platinum’ sponsor for the 2008 awards. Key speakers at the event will include;

Matt Lambert – Director of Corporate Affairs, Microsoft, UK and Francesca Martinez, the award winning comedienne and actress will be offering the keynote address. Further speakers to be confirmed in the near future. Further details of the awards can be found at www.access-it-awards.org. This event is by invitation only and places are strictly limited – please confirm your place by email to access-it-awards@e-isotis.org.

David Banes - Director of Development:AbilityNet

Oh yes....We all want Polyclinics! Government want to bamboozle us again!

The NHS will today claim public support for a radical plan from Lord Darzi, the health minister, to amalgamate GP surgeries into "polyclinics", each offering a range of services to about 50,000 patients. The proposal - regarded by ministers as potentially the most radical reform of health services since 1948 - was designed to halve the number of patients needing hospital care by providing most routine treatment and diagnostic tests in super-surgeries run by teams of about 20 GPs.

Extract from The Guardian, 06/05/2008. Source and full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/may/06/nhs.health

Other links of interest

'Our NHS, our future' website http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/

Our NHS our future: NHS next stage review - interim report summary http://snipurl.com/27gcy

FREE Seminar - Wednesday 18th June 2008

The Together Trust Conference Centre Cheadle, Cheshire

Free policy seminar on 'Post 16 education and disabled young people', for professionals working with and for disabled young people in transition to adulthood.

Wednesday 18th June 2008 The Together Trust Conference Centre Cheadle, Cheshire 10.45am to 3pm.

The seminar includes speakers from the Learning and Skills Council, Bridge College, and Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities. Further speakers to be confirmed. For further information, please contact Victoria Wright on vwright@ncb.org.uk

Annual Mentoring and Befriending Conference 2008: A force for social cohesion and inclusion

Join over 300 mentoring and befriending stakeholders and practitioners at the annual mentoring and befriending national conference. This event gives you the opportunity to learn and network with the community and is specifically designed to tackle current issues. It is being held on 22 May 2008 at Hilton Deansgate in Manchester.

Conference highlights include a panel discussion - Turning policy into practice, 30 interactive workshops relating to policy, research and strategy; commissioning, partnerships and funding; programme development and management. Book your place by completing the booking form online (click on this message to go there now) or calling on 0161 787 8600.

Dear Forum Members,

If you work with parents in any capacity, we need your help. The parenting strategy is now being updated/completed. The consultant invited to undertake this task, Julia Stoddard, has offered to meet with all relevant individuals to discuss elements of the existing strategy and to inform the development of the complete document. Two dates have been arranged and Parenting 2000 has offered their facilities for each:

Monday 12th May 3pm at Parenting 2000, Litherland (Alexandra Mount)

Tuesday 13th May 3pm at Parenting 2000, Southport (The Lodge, Mornington Road)

Should you be able to attend at such short notice, please email Anne Burman at anneburman@parenting2000.org.uk. In the event that you are unable to attend this will now be included on the agenda for the next Every Child Matters Forum meeting, 21st May, 10 – 12 pm at SING plus, Seaforth, where you will be given the opportunity to express your views.

Many thanks,

Clare Lawson

Hello from www.lookupinfo.org .

We would like to announce the launch of our new forum, which is now live and online. This is an extension to the information service we offer via the website and helpline. We'd like to help people to help one another and share views on eye care and visual impairment in adults with learning disabilities. Our email forum is in 3 sections:-

1. News and information - an opportunity to post information regarding new resources, events, courses and jobs for people with learning disabilities, their carers and professional supporters.

2. Ask Look Up - please ask our experts and others if you have a problem regarding eye care and sight loss for adults with learning disabilities.

3. Discussion groups - opportunity to debate about all issues relating to eye care and visual impairment in adults with learning disabilities.

Anybody who visits the site will be able to read all current posts and threads, and to pose questions and contribute to debate will need to register at the site. The site is moderated and managed by the same people who run this email forum. To visit the forum go to :

http://forum.lookupinfo.org/ and to register and enter the debate go here:

http://forum.lookupinfo.org/register.php

We really look forward to seeing you all,

Thank you - Leigh Harris Project Lead - Pan London

Seeability Eye2Eye London 0208 555 8622 0780 9658106

www.seeability.org

www.lookupinfo.org

Social Enterprise! What are YOU doing?

Hi there

What about something on people with a learning disability being involved social enterprise? there are lots of good examples around where people have moved on from going to day centres to having some meaningful occupation that doesn't need to be paid work. You could try:-

Piccadilly gardens, Lancaster 01524 381513

Furniture matters (which includes pedal power) Lancaster 01524 426622

Pure Innovations, (which have cafes and a radio station) Stockport 0161 474 5900

Prosperity recycling, Accrington 01254 230123

SAMS (Scrap Art Metal Store), Blackburn 01254 505055

There are loads more too but this is a good start.

Thanks,

Samantha

Email: samantha.leonard@blackburn.gov.uk

Dear Larry

EDCM knows that many families with disabled children live in poverty. Poverty wastes the talents and denies the aspirations of far too many disabled children and their families. As part of the Campaign to End Child Poverty (ECP), we want the government to keep the promise of a generation - to end child poverty by 2020 and halve it by 2010.

On Saturday 4th October 2008, ECP are holding the UK's biggest ever child poverty event, taking place in Trafalgar Square as part of the Keep the Promise campaign. We are urging all our supporters to show your support for End Child Poverty by signing up to the Keep the Promise campaign and by joining the thousands of others at the Keep the Promise event on 4th October. For more information and to sign up to Keep the Promise campaign please go to http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/promise

The Government has made the promise of a generation - to end child poverty. With your support we can make this happen. As always please do get in touch with any questions

All best wishes,

Pamela Shaw

Campaigns Assistant

Every Disabled Child Matters

National Children's Bureau

8 Wakley Street

London EC1V 7QE

More from EDCM

News story: Government urged to Keep the Promise

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_6070ng_51197745667637d17d_2006972153f

News story: Parliamentary meeting highlights success of AHDC programme

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_3658kz_20967607321619a64r_200857289v

News story: Mencap make disabled children matter in London

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_9163cj_22393906128448w72u_2008575227g

Sefton parents represented at All Party Parliamentary Meeting (6th May)

Lord Andrew Adonis addressed a packed meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Children, Youth Affairs, Autism and Disablilty attended by MPs and peers from all parties with an interest in children's and disability issues. Lord Adonis highlighted the 'dramatic investment' in grassroots services for families with disabled children and asserted that it had been a 'genuine miracle' that ring-fenced funding had been secured for the transformation programme. A key success of the programme is that by 2010/11, there will be a national short breaks service meeting a wide range of needs.

Lord Adonis also highlighted the visit he had made earlier this year to Sutton, a short breaks pathfinder area, where he had seen excellent examples of consultation with disabled children and young people in the design of short breaks services. The meeting also focused on recent developments within education policy including particular emphasis on the new SEN improvement test, which requires local authorities to show that decisions on changing the pattern of special and mainstream provision must lead to improved outcomes for children with SEN.

In response to a question from SENSE on looked-after children status for disabled children placed away from home for long periods, Lord Adonis said that he was not persuaded that looked-after children status should apply automatically, but that in 'a high proportion of cases' such children should have looked after status. Christine Lenehan, Director of CDC and board member of the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign, comments:

'We thank the APPG on Children and all the other groups involved for their continuing commitment to pushing disabled children up the political agenda. There has been so much change, so quickly, that we all need to work together to make the most of this opportunity. But we can't rest on our laurels - EDCM wants to see a further change to the Children and Young Persons Bill to make sure that the Minister's commitment that a high proportion of disabled children placed away from home should have looked after status becomes a reality.'

Where does all the money go?

Contact-a-Family are conducting a survey about income, expenses and debt for families with disabled children. Click on this message to take part in the survey.

VPST Families Newsletter April 08 http://www.choiceforum.org/vpstap.pdf

Hello PAT parents,,

Please find attached the latest newsletter from the Valuing People Support Team. It is about some of the important things families of people with a learning disability need to know to have more choice and control in their lives. Please could you send it on to other people who may be interested in it. You can also find it on our website at: http://valuingpeople.gov.uk/dynamic/valuingpeople60.jsp

Thanks

Sue Carmichael and Mary Clifton - Joint Programme Leads

Valuing People - Valuing Families Assistive Technology Workshop for Family Carers

Wednesday 21st May, 10:30 - 2pm, Swindon

Would you like to learn more about how technology can be used to support people with learning disabilities but don't know how to start? HFT's Family Carer Support Service is offering a FREE workshop for family carers focusing on how people with learning disabilities have been able to improve different aspects of their lives through using technology. This includes things like mobile phones, Telecare, environmental control, computer software and other gadgets and we will bring some examples for you to look at and try. If you want further information or would like to book a place at the workshop, please contact Naomi Shannon by telephoning 0117 930 2608 or emailing Naomi.shannon@hft.org.uk

‘Lost in transition? A Home of My Own’ 26th November 2008, Inmarsat Business Centre, London.

Leading learning difficulty support provider Dimensions is hosting its second national transitions conference on November 26th 2008, called ‘Lost in transition? A home of my own’.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite housing, social work, voluntary and education professionals to contribute to the day’s programme. The conference will be for transitions professionals and will share best practice about supporting young people with a learning difficulty to move into their own home; particularly around choice and planning. If your organisation has examples of best practice in this area that you think others could learn from, we’d like to hear from you. If you would like to discuss a proposal, or would like to find out more about the conference, please contact Hayley Carter on 0114 241 2112, or email hayley.carter@dimensions-uk.org. Web: www.lostintransition.org

Press enquiry

I am looking for you help with a feature I am writing. I am writing a feature for My Child magazine on challenges and solutions to days out when you have a child with a disability. I am looking to speak to some parents on the subject. Could you put me in touch with any?

Best regards, Jackie Cosh

Tel: 0141 776 3438

jackie@jackiecosh.co.uk

Free resource for frontline workers!

Are you working with children with a mental health problem or learning disability?

Candle (CAMHS and New Directions in Learning Disability and Ethnicity) Resource is a Department of Health project undertaken by the Association for Real Change. It offers guidance and resources for frontline workers covering the key areas of Mental Health, Learning Disability, Ethnicity and Transition. To download the resource please go to www.clearthoughts.info and follow the link or click on this message to go there now.

Training Research Proposal 2008

http://www.choiceforum.org/jtresearch.doc

The Judith Trust is looking for interested researchers to carry out a 2 year study. The study will examine the training opportunities, knowledge, skills and experience of staff working in residential learning disability services on the subject of mental illness and mental health promotion. To read more please see above attached file or visit www.judithtrust.org.uk and the 'Calls for Research page'

Discrimination & Transport

Can I warn you about a serious story about major discrimination against disabled people by rail companies. Disability Now have taken up the matter. This needs to be a national campaign.

http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/train-firm2019s-railcard-move-w ill-hit-disabled-commuters

Alternatively try: http://tinyurl.com/69j7xv

Stephen Brookes MBE Disability and Diversity Consultant 01253 594114

NUJ Disabled Members Council

TUC Disability Committee Chair

CPS Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel

'Wild Things – sounds of the disabled underground vol. 1' is a compilation gathering together 16 different artists/bands involving musicians with learning disabilities and is being released this summer.

Last year, Heavy Load, the mixed ability punk band, toured their Stay Up Late campaign around the UK. On their travels they came across loads of talented musicians with learning disabilities making fantastic music. This gave them the idea of collecting some of these artists together on one album so that other people can hear them. There was only one rule – the work must be an original piece of music.

Heavy Load are also the subjects of the feature length documentary – 'Heavy Load, a film about happiness' being released later this year and they are hoping that the release of this compilation and the film will help to make the general public much more aware of the vibrant world of learning disability arts. (see www.heavyloadthemovie.com for more details and sign up under 'see the film' to help see it at a cinema near you). For more information contact Paul Richards at Southdown Housing Assn p.richards@southdownhousing.org

Adult Learners Week

14 May - 24 May 2008 - World Museum

Adult Learners Week is a national campaign, running this year from 19 to 24 May. The organisations involved offer learning opportunities, from fun short courses to formal qualifications - and actively support a diverse rang of disabled learners.

It is an informal day and is open to all, whether you wish to find a new hobby, increase your skills and knowledge, improve your employability or just simply meet new people.

The event is put on once a year and is organised by Liverpool's Adult Learners Forum. The Forum consists of organisations across Merseyside that offer learning opportunities. The organisations are made up of universities, colleges, Liverpool Adult Learning Service, community and Third Sector Organisations.

For further details of the event visit: www.ljmu.ac.uk/alw

The 'My Way' project has been honoured with an exciting 'Award' at Community Care Live.

This innovative transition method for young people with individualised budgets, is now also been put into practice for people of all ages. These projects have led to highly positive feedback from all involved, both in terms of finance and the support solution put into place. Please see the link below for more information or to download the Workshop presentation from the Community Care Live conference yesterday. For discussions with the project lead, please contact: Kathryn Forster kathryn.forster@macintyrecharity.org. Tel: 01706 362279

Introducing http://www.chattervine.blogspot.com

Here at Grapevine in Coventry we are gearing up for Learning Disability Week. The media project have reached an agreement with our local BBC radio who are offering us live radio interviews everyday, during that week. The local newspaper is interested in running features on learning disability issues during the week and we have a couple of events planned to promote positive awareness. The 1st is a photography competition for anyone with a learning disability living in Coventry or Warwickshire, closing date is 30th May. We hope to have a public exhibition of the entries during learning disability week, but we will also launch a flickr website so anyone can look at the photographs. I will email the address when we have it up and running. The second event is a series of expression walls in our area where people can write about what learning disability means to them. It can be about how it feels to have a learning disability; what it is like to be a family/paid carer; a professional working within learning disability or a member of the public. We have at least 6 walls planned and again will get some press coverage. Finally, can I remind people about the media team's 2 blog sites: the 1st is for people with learning disabilities to talk about whatever they want. www.chattervine.blogspot.com and the 2nd is for anyone to catch up with our team news and have their say about how the media portrays learning disability www.grapevinemedia.blogspot.com Both are very easy to use and it would be great if in the run up to and during learning disability week we get lots of new voices added to the blogs.

Denise

Health & Social Care Forum - Access to Benefits Training

Sefton Compact are working together with the CAB to provide training sessions. The sessions are for Health Care Professionals (including GP’s, Midwives and School Nurses), Social Care, Voluntary Agency workers & Counsellors, as they often work with hard to reach, vulnerable groups. With basic benefit knowledge and awareness they would be able to identify people who have “fallen through the net” of help available. I have now new dates for the CAB training (see information below) The dates are:

29.07.08 9.30-12.30 Bootle Cricket Club, Wadham Road, Bootle

16.09.08 13.30-16.30 Formby PDC, 225 Park Road, Formby

13.11.08 9.30-12.30 Bootle Cricket Club, Wadham Road, Bootle

Aims & Objectives:

To raise awareness and assist in the identification of cases requiring referral to a CAB Advisor by providing information about the following areas -

· Disability Living Allowance & Attendance Allowance – specifically eligibility criteria.

· Eligibility for assistance with Prescription charges and what options are available.

· Incapacity Benefit – when is it paid and who is eligible?

· How to write an effective report for Benefit Purposes

· Exploring common areas where patients may lose out on benefit claims

· How to identify Discrimination and what CAB can do to help

· Supporting letters and identifying when they are appropriate

· Grants that CAB advisors can access for the benefit of your patients

Gill Blane - Training and Development Manager

Tel: 0151 928 2233 ext 324 e-mail: gill.blane@seftoncvs.org.uk

Family drug strategy conference

I would like to draw your attention to an upcoming conference: Protecting Young People, Families and Communities - Evidence based responses to the new drugs strategy. The conference will take place on 21st November at the Holiday Inn, Liverpool. If you have any queries, please go to this website address: www.drugpreventionevidence.info

Please sign this petition

Hi i am the mum of a wonderful disabled little girl .Jodie is at a special school that my council refuse to fund .It is a fantastic school and she is doing really well there .Would you consider signing our petition for 10 downing street that i have running at the moment if you would please take a look at Jodie's web site where you will find the petition and you can also read our full story.Thank you so much for looking the web site is http://www.jodiesappeal.co.uk

I ALSO WAS ON NATIONAL TV LAST YEAR FOR JODIE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KAs8a-3MNgQ

Strategic Health Facilitator – Band 6 1 year fixed term contract/ secondment)

Hours: 37½ per week (flexible working available)

Salary: £23,458- £31,779 p.a (pay award pending)

Oxfordshire Learning Disability Partnership Board is seeking to appoint a Strategic Health Facilitator to build on the work already done in improving health services for people with a learning disability. The post holder will work strategically across Oxfordshire to co-ordinate services to provide better health outcomes for people with a learning disability. They will ensure the implementation of Health Facilitation/Health Support and Health Action Planning and work with Acute Hospital services and Primary Health Care teams to improve a person’s experience when accessing services.They will influence the implementation of health promotion initiatives across Oxfordshire to make them relevant for people with a learning disability. The Strategic Health Facilitator will work autonomously; developing working partnerships at a senior level with all mainstream NHS services, specialist Learning Disability services, families, carers and service users.They will achieve measurable improvements in the health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability in Oxfordshire.

The post holder will be expected to have project management, presentation and analytical skills and be able to work across organisational boundaries. The post is a key role in the development of proper access to ordinary health services for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. For individuals interested in applying, all relevant professional qualifications will be considered. Closing date: Friday, June 13th 2008. Interview date: Week commencing 30th June 2008.

For application information please go to: www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912015051&nosession=YES&include_expired=YES&no_app=1&caid=247.947.1211543622 Alternatively try http://tinyurl.com/4a3nry

For further information about the post please contact: David Proudfoot Service Manager Learning Disability Team on 01865 228139

Local action on Changing Places toilets http://www.choiceforum.org/asda.doc

Can everyone take a few moments to email ASDA to lobby them to install a changing place in all of their superstores - log onto link below or write to you local store - see above attached.

http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/customer_service/contact_us.html

As many of you will remember, some time ago Asda agreed to look into installing a Changing Places toilet at one of their new superstores as a trial. Asda have completed design work, but unfortunately have decided against installing because they have not received requests from customers asking for a Changing Places toilet and therefore they do not think there is any demand for them. Here's where you come in...

We need as many people as possible to write to Asda to ask them to install a Changing Places toilet. Please write to Asda and encourage as many people as possible to do the same.

Introductory seminar on autism in Manchester on Saturday June 28 at the Manchester Conference Centre.

Hello, The organisation 'Treating Autism' is holding a one day introductory seminar on nutritional interventions for autism in Manchester on Saturday June 28 at the Manchester Conference Centre.

Speakers will be:

Paul Shattock from the Autism Research Unit, Sunderland

Jean Muscroft, Nutritional Therapist

and parents who have seen how changes in diet and the use of nutritional supplements have improved communication, sleep, learning, behaviour and sensory issues in their children.

More information is available from www.treatingautismconferences.com Please circulate this information to parents of children with autism who you are in touch with.

Thanks, Zoe Thompson - Friend of Treating Autism

National Volunteering Week 2-7 June 2008: Volunteering Excellence Awards

We are delighted to announce that Volunteering England certificates have been awarded to the following people recognising their contribution and commitment as volunteers with Parent Advocates Together :-

Valerie Todd

Sheila McCoy

Catherine Taylor

Liz Taylor

Margaret Keith

Larry Gardiner

Dillys Prout

Dot Shaw

Steven Prout

Stephen Guyers

John Oldland

Parent Advocates Together have also been nominated for a national volunteering excellence award. Click on this message to see the YouTube video clip for National Volunteering Week.

Co-ordinator for Self Advocacy Group (Fixed term contract - Salary £29,000)

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Self Advocacy Co-ordinator to support people with Learning Disabilities to run a self advocacy group in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. We are looking for a committed, enthusiastic and dynamic person who will support our self advocacy group - 'Safety Net People First' to continue and develop high profile work in the borough. You will be accountable to people with learning disabilities. This organisation has a powerful user voice and has already made a significant difference within the borough.

Closing date: 10th June 2008. Interview date: 16th June 2008. Please apply for an application form and pack to: Liz Clark at Hammersmith and Fulham Mencap - Email: hafmencap@hotmail.co.uk

Photo Shoot "people with learning difficulties have a right to have sex and sexual relationships."

Hello, my name is Chris Bishop and I am from the ethical agency. We are an advertising agency and we are working on a small project for the family planning association. The project is a series of posters and the theme of the posters is "people with learning difficulties have a right to have sex and sexual relationships." We are looking for people to be photographed for these posters. one of the poster ideas is a couple with learning difficulties who are in a relationship kissing passionately. Another idea shows a couple in bed together. Another idea has a naked man standing behind his naked girlfriend hugging her in way that covers them both up. we are finding it difficult to find models so we may have to stop the project. But if anyone is interested or knows anyone who is interested can they please email me. They must be over 18. This is quite urgent, thanks. chris@theethicalagency.co.uk http://theethicalagency.co.uk/

Strangerous Pursuits - Sun 8th Jun 7:00am - 7:30am 30 mins

http://www.communitychannel.org/content/view/2068/75/

This film's subtitle is 'the making of an action hero' and it documents the last stages of Ged Watts' transformation from a mild mannered man with Down's Syndrome into the world's first learning disabled action hero. The journey took Ged and the Shoot Your Mouth Off film team into gyms and dojos (martial arts training places) all over the country to meet martial arts practitioners and stuntmen keen to give Ged the benefit of their experience as on-screen fighters and actors. Director Steve Carolan and crew had 2 months to bring out Ged's inner tiger in the mode of Jet Li or Tony Jaa. Strangerous Pursuits shows if the mission succeeded.

For more screenings on Sun 8th Jun please see http://tinyurl.com/3hz6ny

Mental Capacity Act Event

Dear All,

I am writing to you all with a request. This event is currently undersubscribed. It is important we tell people with learning disabilities, their family and friends about the Mental Capacity Act, about making decisions and how it may affect their lives. The event is free and lunch is provided. Please can you publicise this people you come into contact with via your work or forward it onto people you may know who would find it beneficial. If you can print is off please do so and put up in appropriate venues. It is crucial we get a good attendance so that everyone who attends can benefit. We are also looking for a number of volunteers to assist us on the day. Get involved and become a member. If you are a service user, carer or member of the public and want to have a say about mental health and learning disability services go to: http://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-foundation-trust-application /how-to-get-involved Alternatively try: http://tinyurl.com/3t6n8v Many thanks for your help.

Best Wishes,

Jane Danforth Involvement Officer Involvement Team

Duncan Macmillan House Porchester Road Nottingham NG3 6AA

Tel: 0115 9934568 Mob: 077 869 15464

Family Centred Approaches to Planning with Older Carers - Friday 18 July 2008 at Harris Park Conference Centre, Preston

Hi All

For the past 3 years, Tom Lawton , Geraldine Wadsworth and myself, have been working on a project planning with Older Carers for the future. We are near to completing our work and we have organised a conference to share our findings and to launch a publication.

Please click on this message for a flyer advertising this event. It will be held on Friday 18 July 2008 at Harris Park Conference Centre, Preston starting at 11 00 am and finishing at 3 00 pm. Buffet lunch included, plus a free copy of the publication. Could you please circulate this out to whoever you think would like to come along. If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact the office. Kind regards,

Kath McInsky federation@supported-living.org

NNLDN conference Trinity College Dublin on 23 and 24th June 08.

Dear colleagues,

The annual NNLDN conference is to be held at Trinity College Dublin on 23 and 24th June 08. The programme for the event is attached (above) and brings together excellent presenters who will focus on health inequalities and people with intellectual disabilities. I understand there is still the possibility to book places and would ask that you forward across all your networks and invite colleagues to apply. Many thanks for your assistance.

Regards, Rick Robson

Developmental Neurosciences & Learning Disabilities Directorate Mytton Oak Shrewsbury SY3 8XQ South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 01743 261181

LATEST ADVOCACY VACANCIES

INPATIENT ADVOCATE(Chertsey, Surrey) Full time £21,412 - £24,545 per annum

(NJC26-30 depending on experience)

To provide an in-patient advocacy service for adults with Mental Health problems on two wards. In addition, the post will provide support to two part-time in-patient posts, and post discharge support for clients for a short period. Previous experience in providing in-patient mental health professional advocacy is essential.

OLDER PERSONS IN-PATIENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE (HOUNSLOW & EALING, WEST LONDON) Full Time up to £25,314 (NJC30 incl. LW) depending on experience

To provide in-patient advocacy for older people with Mental Health problems on two wards (sites in Hounslow and Ealing), and support for a short-period post discharge. In addition the Hounslow site will include cover of respite patients on the ward.

Both posts require a commitment to good patient care, excellent communication skills, and a familiarity with the problems facing the client group.

INDEPENDENT MENTAL CAPACITY ADVOCATE (IMCA, Berkshire) (as per the Mental Capacity Act 2005) Part Time- 22.5h p/w (NJC29) £ 23,749 pro rata

To provide an IMCA Service to people lacking capacity and facing serious medical treatment and/or a planned move of accommodation. Using non-instructional models, the advocate will ensure the client’s rights, wishes and beliefs are considered/respected. This will involve liaising with health/care professionals, gathering information, attending meetings, report writing, etc.

Please contact ian@matrixsdt.com (preferred) or call 01932 875116 for an application pack

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 13th June Expectation is that interviews will be held in the week beginning 23rd June

The new National Family Carer Network website www.familycarers.org.uk will be launched on 10 June to mark Carers Week.

It will offer accessible information about local support groups/ organisations, regional and national events, and policy issues of interest to family carers and carers workers.

Best wishes,

Joan Cox - Director, National Family Carer Network c/o HFT, Merchant's House Wapping Road Bristol, BS1 4RW Direct line: 0117 968 6698 Mobile: 07747 460727

Dear Larry

Please ask everyone to email their MP now!

Housing

Firstly, thanks to the hundreds of supporters who have already taken action on our housing campaign. Every single email matters. If you haven't yet, please take a moment to email your MP from http://www.edcm.org.uk/housing. We are writing today to the Secretaries of State to set out our demands for action to end this housing crisis.

Children's health

Secondly, the government wants to get parents' views on the new Child Health Strategy. It is vital that this strategy sets out what the plans are for disabled children's health services. A consultation event is running between 12-4pm on Thursday 26th June in central London. The organisers say that 'Those selected to take part would be given £100 to compensate them for their time and to put towards any additional child care costs; and transport would be arrange for those who require it.' If you or any parents you know are interested in taking part, please email Ben Knight on BKnight@opinionleader.co.uk and copy your email to info@edcm.org.uk. We will then contact you with a briefing of the key issues to help you take part. You can also call Ben for more information on 020 7861 3285. For all those who can't attend, look out for more campaigning from EDCM and our partners on health funding issues next week.

Tax credits

Finally, some good news! Up to 30,000 families will be better off thanks to changes to the tax credit system after campaigning by EDCM and Contact a Family. Find out if you or families you know can benefit at http://www.edcm.org.uk/taxcreditwin

Many thanks as always for your support for the campaign. All best wishes,

Pamela Shaw

More from EDCM

News story: Carers Strategy leaves parents of disabled children in poverty

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_8178ep_68327086640418x34a_20086104948d

News story: Families with disabled children face biggest increase in poverty risk

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_6785au_981619028646t70p_2008610123h

News story: Financial victory for families with disabled children

http://www.edcm.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_9868ga_10981933210095z15d_200869567y