News
It's spring and a young man's fancy lightly turns toTOILETS! 06 Apr 2008 |
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It's spring and a young man's fancy lightly turns to ...TOILETS!
Apologies to Alfred, Lord Tennyson but having an accessible toilet in
For Jonathan this will mean that he can meet his friends at the last minute with no need to rush home.
At the moment, there are only 33 'changing places' toilets in England and 2 of them are in Herefordshire situated in Hereford and Leominster swimming pools. However, they are not open 24 hours a day and critically the swimming pools close at 6pm and 5pm respectively on a Saturday night – so no boogieing for Jonathan.
Jonathan is supporting Herefordshire Mencap's campaign for 'changing places' toilets in the new retail development within the Edgar Street Grid and in Maylord Orchards. The next step will then be to campaign for toilets in Ledbury and Ross. Local stories are needed to highlight the campaign. What would a 'changing places' toilet mean to you? Please send your stories to Rose at Herefordshire Mencap.
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2008 Annual General Meeting 06 Apr 2008 |
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Annual General Meeting 22 April 2008, 7.30pm Tan Brook Centre,
Transition: 'What's next?' The path from school to a bright future explained
Chris Sholl: Fran Dancyger: Royal Society Mencap Transition Lead
Chris is well-known to many Herefordshire families for her work over several years. Fran has worked for several years for RS Mencap and now leads for transition. Come and ask them anything about what can be a very difficult period for the whole family. Fran is also the mother of a young man with learning disabilities.
Also! What do YOU want from Herefordshire Mencap? Come and tell us —warts and all! !!CREAM BUNS ARE ON OFFER AGAIN THIS YEAR!!
CONTACT Rose if you can come: tel: 01885 400379 email: rose@herefordshiremencap.co.uk |
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making a will and people with learning disabilities 06 Apr 2008 |
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The ability of someone with a learning disability to make a will comes down to the capacity of the individual to understand the concepts involved. It is not therefore the case that it is impossible for all people with a learning disability to make a will. It usually comes down to the solicitors judgement as to wether or not the individual has capacity to make a will - if there is a concern about someone's capacity to make a will then a doctors opinion can be sought. If it is deemed that an individual does not have capacity to make a will then an application can be made to the Court of Protection for the creation of a what is known as a statutory will. I have copies of the following documents - please ask me to send you a copy.
These are all available via the Ask Mencap website - http://www.askmencap.info/ . For your information I also have copies of mencap's guide to the Mental Capacity Act For more in depth wills and trusts advice please contact national mencap's in-house wills and trusts solicitor - Aarti Puri. Aarti can be called on 020 7696 5533 or emailed on aarti.puri@mencap.org.uk. Mencap's website is also an excellent source of information on this subject - www.mencap.org.uk/willsandtrusts |
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September 2007 28 Sep 2007 |
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Mencap Christmas Card competition * A chance to design a Christmas card for Christmas 2008 Mencap, the national society, is once again asking for anyone with a learning disability to design cards for Christmas 2008. You can be of any age. There are some rules: * Any age, supported or unsupported, (at school or college or wherever) * You must choose a category o Under 16 o Over 16 * Each entry must have an official entry form with it * The design must be original and never been used before * Free to enter * The card can be of any size * The closing date is 3 December 2007 For more details please contact Rose, see contact details above or visit the mencap website :– |
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September 2006 30 Sep 2006 |
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News UpdateSeptember 2006NATIONAL MENCAP CAMPAIGNSBreaking PointMencap wrote a report called 'Breaking Point' in 2003 about families' experiences of caring for children and adults with severe and profound learning disabilities and the general lack of short breaks. They have been working hard since then trying to make national and local governments understand the importance of having a break from caring. Mencap has now written a new report which says that many things have not changed for these families. If you are interested in joining Herefordshire Mencap to campaign locally for more short breaks, please contact Rose. Do you know a parent who has been a carer for 60 years? As part of their 60th birthday celebrations, Mencap wants to acknowledge parents who have been caring for a son or daughter with a learning disability for 60 years or longer. Do you know anyone? Please contact Rose or: Wills & Trusts Mencap would like to invite you to a FREE information session where you can find out how to take care of your family and loved ones now to save them worry when you are no longer here. Wednesday 25 October, 12.30pm – 2.30pm Withington Village Hall There will be a local solicitor speaking, who has experience of drafting wills for the benefit of people with a learning disability. Please book a place. Contact: Gina Collins 0207 696 6925 Sport 1st National Cross Country Championships for athletes with a learning disability. Saturday 11 November 2006. This is a new event for athletes across Great Britain. It is for athletes aged 15 years and over. Athletes must hold a national or international registration. Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The Youth Opportunity Fund The Council has this pot of money. It is to spend on things that young people aged 13-19 want to do in their spare time. The Council wants ideas from young people about what to spend the money on. Contact your local Youth Service to find out how to get involved. Football FREE FA Child Protection & Best Practice Workshop Rugby Holidays Blackpool – The Bond Hotel Exclusive offer to Mencap members Beatles Experience Monday 6 November – Friday 10 November 2006 Dinner, bed & breakfast £229.00 Contact: 01253 341218 International Day of Disabled Persons 2006 Sunday 3 December 2006
All the above will be made, performed and given by local disabled people. This is a great opportunity for all local groups to meet, share information and have fun. If you are interested contact: Lynsey Radmore, Corporate Diversity Team, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0XH. Tel: 01432 260244. Gateway Gardens Trust The Trust creates and pays for special tailor-made visits to historic parks and gardens in the West Midlands and Wales for people who may have very little money because of disability, illness and school children. Contact: www.gatewaygardenstrust.org For any information on any of the above contact Rose, see contact details above. And remember, Contact Herefordshire Mencap If you use it, you don't lose it!! |
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April 2006 26 Apr 2006 |
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April News items
HOLIDAYS AdCare is National Mencap’s holiday fund. It can give a grant of up to £500 towards the cost of a holiday. The amount of money is limited, so only people who will find it hard to pay for a holiday themselves will be helped. Ask Rose for details.
LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK 18 – 25 JUNE 2006 Mencap’s latest campaign - ‘Make it clear’ – all about easy read information, will be launched during this week. Mencap says that phone bills, letters from hospital, any information for people with learning disabilities should be understandable. Herefordshire Mencap will be announcing further details in May. WATCH THIS SPACE.
I’ve been reading an excellent copy of ‘Community Living’ magazine. Here are some items I think will be of interest.
‘Community Living’; vol 19, no3
chip and pin – banks or card companies should provide an alternative such as a chip and signature card. When the card is placed in the terminal, it will ‘ask for a signature’ and people can sign their name instead of using the PIN. Those who cannot use a PIN or find signing difficult can ask the bank or credit card company to agree to them using a signature stamp. This is a rubber stamp with their signature and the person is given an official letter confirming they are entitled to use it. Contact your bank or credit card company as soon as possible.
Website for people with learning difficulties: http://www.choiceandvoice.com. This is brilliant.
See what
There was also a report on recent presentations given in Wiltshire by John O’Brien and David Pitonak. Many people will know that John and David have been visiting « See each other’s life as a gift « Serve one another and commit to one another, instead of compliantly serving paper. « Offer opportunities rather than controlling people « There are three sources of happiness: o Having a pleasant life o Having an engaged life o Having a meaningful life § Our support for people should not stop at just the first « Dreams depend on relationships « There are so many gifts unopened David’s message was about loneliness. People come into a person’s life, become important and then leave. He said: « Services should learn to tell the difference between ‘coverage’ and ‘relationship’. Imagine coming home and finding your wife not there, but a stranger saying she’s gone, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! |
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February 2006 19 Feb 2006 |
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Herefordshire Mencap has been talking about its future - should the Society continue?
We talked about:
Therefore, the committee decided that the following are the key parts of Herefordshire Mencap's structure: · Charity status · Neutral and independent · Key activity: advice and help, requiring a depth of knowledge · Unique selling point: only source in the county.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE LET US KNOW!
Annual General Meeting This will take place on 20 March 2006, 4pm at Tanbrook, Rockfield Road, Hereford.
Leominster swimming pool The pool opened in January 2006. The disabled changing facilities generally look good, but there is still some essential equipment to be made available for people with high support needs. The people who have been campaigning and fundraising for hoists etc are working on this. I am assured that the water is WARM.
Holidays Award winning specialist hotel for disabled people in Blackpool. I have details for their 2006 programme or contact 01253 314218. There are now also specially designed caravans.
Carers and Pensions Carer Benefits – Many carers don't know about the State Second Pension or Home Responsibilities Protection Benefit that they might be entitled to. Carers who have been entitled to Carers Allowance (formerly Invalid Carers Allowance), or Income Support can make a claim for the State Second Pension.
Some carers may be able to claim for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) based on their caring responsibilities. This HRP is for people whose working life has been interrupted by caring and helps to make up a shortfall in National Insurance contributions so that you can improve the rate of a reduced rate pension.
It is all quite complex so if you're not sure if you are eligible or not you can call The Pensions Service on 0845 731 3233 giving reference number SSPDRM or visit the website at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk. Staff from the local Pensions Office will be able to advise and you can arrange a visit or drop in to one of their surgeries around the county (see Help Starts Here on our website for details).
Accessible Benefits Guide This is now available on the website. It covers Disability Living Allowance; Incapacity Benefit; Severe Disablement Allowance; Working Tax Credit; Living in a residential home; Income Support; Prescription charges; Where to go for help. |
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November News 30 Nov 2005 |
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Mencap and Sport
Why not write to him and tell him what you want? Mencap wants to hear your stories. Mencap are looking for stories for 'Mencap Matters', a newsletter written and edited by people with learning disabilities. Contact: For more information, contact Rose. |
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October News 31 Oct 2005 |
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Art Spider – a new website for learning disability arts – a great place to share ideas and information. |
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