Free newspaper subscription for people with sight loss during COVID-19 pandemic
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is helping people with sight loss keep up to date during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering a free newspaper subscription or broadcast guide via its Newsagent service. RNIB Newsagent provides plain text email versions of major UK newspapers, and TV and radio guides, which can be easily read with magnification or screen reading software that many blind and partially sighted people use. This offer means that anyone who finds it difficult to read a paper or TV guide in their current print or online formats can get easy access to their favourite newspaper or broadcast guide for free for up to three months. RNIB Library and Newsagent Manager, James Bartlett said: “Now more than ever people are keen to keep up with the news headlines and hear about what is going on in the world. Reducing isolation is one of RNIB’s key objectives and this offer of a three-month free subscription via email from RNIB Newsagent is part of that. We would like to acknowledge the support of NLA Media Access for helping us to provide this offer and encourage anybody interested to sign up via the RNIB Helpline.” NLA’s Head of Publisher Services, Matt Aspinall said: “It’s an honour being able to help support RNIB with this initiative, at a time when consuming the news is so important and increasingly difficult. NLA has been a partner of RNIB for nearly ten years, each day generating accessible content from over 100 newspapers, making sure news can be converted by RNIB into multiple formats for their customer base. We are also always keen to hear from new publishers who wish to support RNIB in this way.” For a full list of what publications are available from RNIB Newsagent or to sign up to the service, contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or by emailing helpline@rnib.org.uk. RNIB is supporting blind and partially sighted people during the coronavirus pandemic with advice and support thanks to generous donations from the public. To help RNIB to continue to deliver these vital services we would welcome contributions from the public. To donate please visit https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising
Heroic support worker saves a life with first aid actions
A support worker from Pegswood has been recognised for his lifesaving first aid action earlier this year while at work supporting people with learning disabilities. Kevin Hope works for national learning disability charity Hft at one of its day opportunities services in Morpeth, where he supports adults with learning disabilities to identify their skills and interests within their communities. While at work in February this year, the support worker noticed that someone who regularly attends the service was choking on her lunch. The 50 year old leaped into action and performed an abdominal thrust, followed by a further two thrusts, which eventually dislodged the food. When paramedics arrived to check the individual was safe and well, they praised Kevin’s quick thinking during a very stressful situation. Kevin’s career as a support worker began 15 years ago when he was looking for a change of direction from his role as a security guard at a Newcastle shopping centre. After looking for a job with more flexible hours and a better work life balance, Kevin applied for a role at Hft where he could combine his previous horticultural experience with making a difference to the lives of vulnerable adults. Over a decade and a half later, Kevin has become a well-established member of the team, who counts introducing a pioneering new outdoor programme among his many achievements. The support worker set up the Happy Diggers initiative nearly three years ago and now spends his days supporting four individuals to grow seasonal produce on an accessible allotment. The group has gone from strength to strength, with members relishing the fresh air and exercise, as well as enjoying a boost in confidence thanks to their new skills. Kevin Hope said: “I didn’t have time to hesitate when I saw someone in trouble. The first aid training course I did last year came back to me immediately and it was only afterwards that I realised the enormity of what had happened. “This is definitely one of the most memorable moments of the years I have spent as a support worker. This job is always rewarding – you can look back at the end of the day at all the things you’ve helped people to achieve. There’s also a great sense of camaraderie and teamwork between members of staff.” Rita Love, Day Services Manager at Hft, said: “Support workers like Kevin make such a difference to the people they support by providing both practical and emotional support so that they can live the best lives possible. Kevin is one in a million, both in terms of his response during an emergency and his role leading the Happy Diggers group. We’ve been pleased to recognise his heroic actions with our staff reward scheme.” Hft currently supports more than 2,500 people with learning disabilities across the country. This includes supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes, providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work, and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities. The need for people to provide care in this uncertain time is greater than ever. Hft is calling on anyone who may find themselves temporarily out of work or seeking alternative employment to apply for a relief support worker role. To find out more, visit www.hft.org.uk/jobs
New Child and Adult Protection Committees Chair
Aberdeenshire Council has appointed a new independent Chair of its Child and Adult Support Protection Committees. Susan Maclaren, who is joining the team from the Childcare and Learning Alliance in the Highlands, was Head of Integrated Children’s Services and Chief Social Work Officer at Moray Council until August 2018. Susan explained her “bizarre career path” has taken her from being an aircraft mechanic in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, to a police officer and later a social worker before climbing management ranks. She grew up in Badenoch and Strathspey and has worked in Cornwall and Caithness as well as many places in between. new child and adult protection chair Susan Maclaren [Click and drag to move] Susan said: “As a young police officer I became involved in a number of child protection cases and worked closely with the local social work department which brought me into contact with a number of highly skilled and dedicated social workers. Their commitment to working with families and children to make things better had a lasting impression, and I was lucky to be one of the first police officers to gain a Child Protection Diploma – more than 30 years ago. “I’m really looking forward to working with new and former colleagues in Aberdeenshire. There has never been a more important time to look out for the most vulnerable and the most important thing we can do is to listen to those we are there to protect, and to work in partnership with parents, carers, children, young people and families. It’s important we work well together across different agencies and do everything we can to enable young and vulnerable members of our society to live safely, feel valued and reach their potential.” The Child Protection Committee and the Adult Support Protection Committee both bring together colleagues from social work, health, the police and voluntary organisations to steer the strategic direction of joint working practices. They influence and guide local working groups who meet to ensure service users’ needs are met in the most effective ways possible. The Council’s Chief Executive, Jim Savege, who is also Chair of the local Executive Group for Public Protection commented: “While these are very different circumstances to those we were expecting to welcome Susan in to, teams are adapting well and Susan will be a great asset to an already strong multi-agency team of committed professionals. We are continually striving for improvement and looking for opportunities to improve the life chances of children and young as well as vulnerable people, and we’ll continue to give of our best in the weeks ahead. “Susan’s wide-ranging career in social work as well as Armed Forces and police services means she’s no stranger to partnership working and is very much committed to multi-agency working. We are very much looking forward to working with her.” Anyone looking to report a child protection concern can contact local social work teams using the details on Aberdeenshire Council’s website: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/children-and-families/children-and-families-team-offices/ The main telephone number is 01467 537111 during working hours Monday to Friday and Out of Hours after 5pm and at weekends is 03456 081206. The Adult Protection Network can be reached on 01467 533100 or by emailing adultprotectionnetwork@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Grampian Women’s Aid continue to provide support to those affected by domestic abuse and can be reached on 01224 593381 or by emailing info@grampian-womens-aid.com In an emergency, please dial 999 or to report a crime in a non-emergency situation use 101.
Calls for clarity from Government over planning for young disabled people
Simpson Millar issued a letter before action on behalf of the mother of a child with a number of complex health and learning disabilities calling on the government to put in place clear plans to ensure the needs of young disabled people are met, including reviewing its policy and practice of not testing health and care workers for Covid 19. 17-year-old Francesca Adam-Smith has significant underlying health difficulties, as well as severe learning difficulties, which leaves her more susceptible to disease than others; and more likely to be adversely affected and require hospitalisation if she contracts Covid-19. Her mother Rachel who also has an underlying congenital heart condition is also particularly vulnerable were she to contract the virus. On medical advice, Francesca is not currently attending her special school, although it is currently seeking to remain open. In a letter before action (LBA) issued by leading public law experts at Simpson Millar on their behalf the government was urged to confirm its strategy for ‘meeting the needs of young disabled people (children and working age adults) in the context of the current pandemic’. While the government addressed some of the concerns raised within the letter during the Covid 19 press conference that took place on Wednesday March 18th which have been welcomed by the family, the family’s lawyer says a number of key issues are yet to be dealt with. Dan Rosenberg, an education lawyer at Simpson Millar, said that there remained a ‘lack of clarity and reassurance’ that the Government ‘has a grip’ on a serious matter that significantly impacts thousands of families. He says: “The government has committed to more testing, but we’re looking for clarification that testing for those working in Health, Care and Education will take place.” Rachel said: “In our personal circumstances I know that there are many specialist teaching assistants at Francesca’s school that are trained in, for example, Makaton or the specialist feeding provision needed for those with complex conditions who are currently off self-isolating due to this outbreak. The reality is that these people or people close to them may be displaying symptoms but are just suffering from a minor cold or chest infection. Without clarity on when and if they will receive testing, how do we know? Similarly, there are healthcare professionals in hospitals who are in the same boat, leaving our front-line provisions hugely understaffed. I’m worried that if vulnerable individuals such as Francesca, or even myself, need care as a result of exposure there may not be enough people there to look after us.” While welcoming the fact that the Government has confirmed that there will still be education for those with EHCPs, as part of a further letter to the government issued Simpson Millar sought further clarification regarding any additional support for parents looking after severely disabled children such as Francesca who cannot take them to education either because of health issues, or because relevant staff are not able to get to school. While also acknowledging that the Government is dealing with the major crisis at hand, the letter calls for reassurance that this issue, which ‘will affect tens of thousands of families with children with significant learning and health difficulties, if not more’ is being addressed as a priority. Rachel, who lives in Yorkshire, said: “Having sought medical advice on the matter I feel I have had to take my daughter out of school to keep us both safe. “I know this is a very challenging time for everyone, but I have real concerns that due to the lack of testing taking place outside of a hospital environment we do not know whether or not those who help to care for Francesca have, or are free from, the virus. Staff shortages will be an issue anyway, however, as long as there is no confirmation of who is infected and therefore needs to go into isolation vs those who have simple cold symptoms but are otherwise fit and healthy serious staff shortages feel like an inevitability. I desperately want some reassurance that the government has a plan of action for my family, and other families facing the same challenges.” For similar articles please visit our features section
Naidex 46: 10 Reasons to Attend This Year’s Naidex Event
Naidex 2020 and all co-located events postponed due to coronavirus. The show will confirm the new dates by Monday 16th March. For more details, please visit the Naidex website: www.naidex.co.uk. With the 46th edition of Naidex fast approaching, it’s time to give you the lowdown on what the event is all about. Hitting the halls of Birmingham’s NEC on the 17th and 18th March, Europe’s most established event dedicated to the disability and independent living industries will be boasting 400 world-class suppliers and 300 inspirational seminars all available to you for the price of nothing. The tickets to attend the event are completely free. But if free tickets, extraordinary suppliers and incredible seminars don’t convince you alone, we’ve compiled below 10 reasons why you must attend this year’s event: This TGA sponsored feature allows visitors to test a large variety of mobility scooters and powerchairs available at the event, as well as test your own. The track includes various artificial off-road terrain, ramps, and obstacles – brimming with activity and excitement as attendees gather to see for themselves the present and future of mobility technology. Be the first to witness the latest product innovations set to hit the industry. The products at the Naidex event are a look into the present and future of the disability and independent living industries, and you could be the first to interact or even purchase, these life-changing designs before they reach the mass market. There is such a large amount of useful ideas and concepts available in hundreds of seminars. You can get tips, advice and strategies to move forward in whatever direction you want to go. With our keynote speakers and inspirational talks you will learn from renowned names such as Microsoft, Sainsbury’s, Stanley Security, BBC, Monzo and more. Inclusion and interactivity are the main focus of this feature. An Arena specially created for visitors to try their hand at a wide range of activities brought to the exhibition by some of the biggest sports associations. You can find your next passion and unlock the sportsperson in you! Big businesses bring fierce competition, and exhibitors have gone all in to provide you with the best deals possible. You can expect special discounts on the products and services available at the event, so make sure to speak with exhibitor representatives to find the best deal best suited for you! The Panel Theatre at Naidex will host a variety of discussions and debates around the current topics that are affecting the disability and independent living sectors. You can gain expert advice on topics such as employment, mobility, digital healthcare, disability blogging and so much more, and have all your questions answered. Naidex 46 is seeing the launch of a brand-new trail exclusively dedicated to children with disabilities – Naidex event Junior. It is designed to help highlight those exhibitors who provide the latest innovations and informed professional advice from the creators of the most advanced technology created specifically with children at heart!. Whilst Naidex has always been much more than a marketplace where visitors can find the latest innovations, that does not mean it doesn’t feature an outstanding range of exhibitors. Each business or association is showcasing their most innovative products, services and solutions – with huge names on site from the likes of Kymco and TGA – where else will you have such an assortment of key suppliers under the same roof? There have been forty-five editions of Naidex, the forty-sixth coming this march. In that space, Naidex has grown a tightly knitted community consisting of people living with a disability, carers, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers in companies in the disability and independent living industry. They not only attend the event each year but strive to help each other make a difference. Yes, you read that right. We may have mentioned it before but it has to be reiterated. Tickets to attend are free, so with all of this on offer, why wouldn’t you grab yours now at naidex.co.uk?
Garden transformation by volunteers at learning disability service in Barnet
Learning disability service run by national charity Hft has been given a makeover thanks to the hard work of volunteers who have been involved with their garden transformation. The generous group from Welbeck Health Partners embarked on a two-part volunteering mission, seeing them raise funds for a much-needed garden renovation at their local Hft service in Barnet, which supports ten adults to live in their own homes, and then bring the ambitious project to life. To raise the £2,000 needed for the garden work, the health professionals took on fundraising activities ranging from a bake sale to a sponsored swim by the organisation’s CFO. A team of 25 then spent a day in October getting their hands dirty at the service, where they transformed the outdoor area from an unused basic space to a sensory garden for people supported at the service, all of whom have sensory impairment. Tasks taken on included clearing the garden, painting walls and a shed, assembling and digging new flower beds and fitting a brand new water fountain. The volunteers also had the chance to meet people living at the service, who showed them round and even helped out with planting flowers, herbs and vegetables. Lorna Bird, Programme Coordinator at Hft, said: “We’re so grateful to the team from Welbeck Health Partners for taking the time out to see this project through from start to finish. The renovation has been a huge success with staff and people supported at the service, who are delighted with the new and vibrant space, which is full to the brim of sensory equipment. It’s great to see a vegetable and herb patch that will come in handy for cooking, and several benches to provide a space for people to relax and enjoy their new environment.” Incorporating a range of sounds and textures, the garden transformation is designed to stimulate all five senses and allow people to experience the outdoors in a safe and stress-free environment. Sensory items include a path in the middle of the garden made up of four different textures, colourful flowers set to stimulate the sense of smell, a shed painted in different colours and a wall painted with blackboard paint. Karen, who is supported at the Hft service, said: “I was very pleased and excited to see our new garden transformation. The blackboard wall is brilliant – I can use it to write down my thoughts. I’m also excited to see the flowers grow.” Ben Harrison, CFO at Welbeck Health Partners, said: “It was such a pleasure to be involved in this garden transformation project – helping Hft with their goal of boosting independence and fulfilment for their residents. It was great to see our team working through the extremely challenging October weather to build the key foundations of the sensory garden – and even better to see them working with many of the residents to plant up the borders and get the garden transformation off to a great start. “We wish Hft and the residents all the best and will be back in the Spring to check on the green shoots of progress.” Hft currently supports more than 2,500 people with learning disabilities across the country. This includes supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes, providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities. For more information about learning disabilities, please visit www.hft.org.uk/resources-and-guidance
All-terrain wheelchairs available to Ferry Meadows visitors
Nene Park Trust is excited to announce that two all-terrain wheelchairs will be available to help visitors with access needs explore Ferry Meadows in the New Year. Ferry Meadows, Orton Meadows, Orton Mere, Woodston Reach, Thorpe Meadows and The Rural Estate together form Nene Park – Peterborough’s and the region’s favourite place to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Thanks to a generous and thoughtful donation, specifically given for the purpose of improving the visitor experience of those with access needs at Ferry Meadows, Nene Park Trust has been able to place an order for two all-terrain wheelchairs from The Mountain Trike Company, a wheelchair company who produce and manufacture all-terrain wheelchairs from their premises in the UK. The revolutionary and award-winning all-terrain wheelchairs, as seen on BBC’s Countryfile, offer users the freedom and independence to travel off the beaten track and to explore and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Ferry Meadows will be the first venue in the area to offer Mountain Trikes for use by the public. Visitors will be able to choose the all-terrain wheelchairs that match their needs at Ferry Meadows; Susan Evans, Access Development Officer at Nene Park Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted that we are going to be able to offer this service at Ferry Meadows and hopefully open up this well-loved Park to people who may not have been able to visit before, as well as helping existing visitors explore further and in more comfort. We know how much access to quality green space matters to the health and wellbeing of everyone, so to be able to provide equipment to help people with mobility impairment explore the Park is really exciting.” Tim Morgan, CEO and Founder of the Mountain Trike Company, says, “We are thrilled that Nene Park Trust have chosen our all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors with limited mobility to access all areas of Ferry Meadows. With accessible changing room facilities already in place, the addition of the Mountain Trike and MT Push will enhance the visitor experience and I am sure visitors of all abilities will keep returning to discover all that Nene Park has to offer.” The all-terrain wheelchairs will be provided at Ferry Meadows alongside the extremely popular mobility scooter loan service the Park already offers. This service is made possible through continued donations from users and supporters, alongside other fundraising efforts. For updates on the launch of the all-terrain wheelchairs at Ferry Meadows, due early 2020, keep an eye on the Nene Park website www.nenepark.org.uk and social media pages or speak to the team at Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre or on 01733 234193.
Mental health charity helps Historic Northumberland Port with a green makeover.
A mental health charity has helped with an environmental makeover of the landscape around Northumberland’s largest port. Blyth Star Enterprises’ Stakeford Nurseries service users have been busy with planting trees and shrubs at the Port of Blyth’s South Harbour, thanks to a new landscaping maintenance contract. A contract forming part of the work which the mental health charity has carried out, thanks to their, ‘Next Steps’ project, provides users, who have taken part in a horticultural training programme at Stakeford Nurseries, with experience in community-based volunteer environments. “Blyth Star Enterprises has worked closely alongside the Port of Blyth for a number of years,” said Dan Hedley, horticultural services manager at Stakeford Nurseries. “For our service users, getting out into the local community to deliver projects like the one at the Port is really important as it helps them to develop their social and interpersonal skills, as well as provide them with a new outlet for what they have learned through the course of their training. In the past, we have helped to carry out general maintenance work around the Port of Blyth but this is the first, larger-scale landscaping project we have been involved with. The staff and service users thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we hope that this will be the first project of many.” Tom Chaplin, PR and communications manager at Port of Blyth, said: “The Port of Blyth has been an integral part of Blyth town’s history for hundreds of years, which is something we are very proud of. Supporting the community is really important to us and we like to ensure that we support local businesses as much as possible in our activities. The work carried out to help provide people living with learning disabilities and mental health issues with real work experience is fantastic and we value the services they provide to the Port.” Blyth Star Enterprises supports over 350 people living with severe and enduring mental ill health and or learning disabilities. As part of its unique pathway to independent living, the charity operates two social enterprises, The Woodfuel Centre and Stakeford Nurseries, which provide service users with real-life work experience in a sheltered environment where they can be supervised and cared for. To find out more about the mental health charity Blyth Star Enterprises, visit www.blythstar.org.uk.
Disabled people must have better access to public transport before London car-free day
A leading not-for-profit business and disability organisation is calling on the London Mayor disabled people to have better access to public transport, following the announcement that there will be a car-free day across London on 22 September to raise awareness of the air pollution crisis. Angela Matthews, Head of Policy and Research, at Business Disability Forum, said: “While Business Disability Forum agrees that air pollution is an urgent issue, we would ask the capital to consider how a car-free day to promote “walking, cycling, and use of public transport” would affect disabled people. Many disabled people are reliant on their own adapted vehicles, cars driven by a carer, or taxis, to get about in London because better access to public transport is needed for people with a range of disabilities. For these people using cars is a necessity not a choice. Disabled people care about the environment as much as anyone else. We would question whether disabled people were considered in the design of this campaign and what plans there are to ensure they everyone can take part on 22 September.” Sadiq Khan’s announcement comes amid heightened campaigning around the inaccessibility of public transport across the UK, the implementation of the Government Inclusive Transport Strategy, and reviewed guidance on the Blue Badge parking scheme in recognition that car transport is a necessity for many disabled people because public transport and crowded, inaccessible pavements fail them. Business Disability Forum is currently conducting its own research on the accessibility of public transport. To find out more and to take part, go to https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/media-centre/news/survey-on-accessible-transport-and-parking-opens/