Networker
Carers
Compass
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Winter 2014/15
O Free
training events O Disabled parenting O Assistance Dogs Enabling and empowering disabled people and carers
Meeting Room Hire in Taunton Close to Railway Station and Car Park Projector & Screen Hire £5 Laptop Hire £10 Flip Chart £5
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Rooms can be laid out in many different styles, as required. Please ask for details or plans. All rooms are fully accessible. Our rooms have a ‘Hearing Loop’ system and accessible toilets. We have limited ‘Blue Badge’ parking, which must be reserved, subject to availability. Ample parking is available on Belvedere Road, @200 metres away.
01823 282823
Refreshments Available
(please request at time of booking) Tea / Coffee - 80p per serving Tea/Coffee & Biscuits £1 per serving Various lunch options starting from £4.50 per person Other catering options are available on request including sandwiches, platters, fruit, cakes, savouries, pasties, vegan or vegetarian.
Please ask for details ** The ‘Mendip Suite’ is also available evenings and weekends. It is ideal for children’s party’s etc. being self contained with a reception lobby and toilets. ‘Mendip’ can also accommodate up to 50 people theatre style and 32 people boardroom style. For evenings and weekends only, there is a minimum booking of 2 hours which is £20 then £15 per hour thereafter. Full details on request.
Contents v Compass Disability Services is an innovative, enlightened and positive organisation.
Winter 2014/15 edition
v Our mission is ‘to enable and empower disabled people and carers to have independence, choice and control in their lives’. Our values, beliefs and mission have allowed us to spread our influence in Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, mid Wales, Warwickshire & Birmingham.
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v Compass Disability Services is a user-led organisation and our Board of Trustees is comprised of at least 80% disabled people.
...............Richard Pitman, CEO
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.....Compass Points - Network
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.............Compass Points - Hub
10 11 ...............Skills for Care - ‘PAs’ 12 13
.....Training - Compass Carers
14 19 ..................Associate members
v Our principles give us the authority to explore options to give a voice to disabled people.
20 21 .......Parenting, with a disability
v Compass Disability Services works through consultation, representation and service delivery, facilitating various projects.
27 29 .............Carers support groups
Disclaimer: The views expressed in ‘Networker’ are not necessarily those of Compass Disability Services. Feedback: Compass Disability Services welcomes feedback on ‘Networker’ or any of the services it provides. Alternative Formats: ‘Networker’ is also available in large print, braille, on cd, cassette, as an MP3, PDF or by email. Editorial or Advertising queries: Contact Clive Rymer, Editor on 0330 333 0089 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk. For further information please contact Clive Rymer, Editor on 01823 282823 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk
23 26 ..Services and useful numbers 30 31 ....................Carers information 32
..................Associate members
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............................Carers events
34 35 .....A carer writes. Anne shares 36
...............Have a warmer winter
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.....Playtime in North Somerset
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..................Associate members
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..........The very best volunteers
40 41
.......Right of way? YOU decide
42 43 ..................Associate members 44
................................Sporty stuff
45 46 ..........Disability Somerset 2014 47
.......Your Compass needs YOU
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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‘Networker’ is produced by Compass Disability Services Unit 11-12 Belvedere Trading Estate Taunton TA1 1BH Tel: 0330 3330089 or 01823 282823 Text: 07568 109960 Minicom: 01823 255919 Email: info@compassdisability.org.uk Website: www.compassdisability.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1099376
Compass Points
Richard introduces the Winter 2014/15 edition
Children & Families Act Event Welcome to the Winter Edition of Networker / Compass Carers magazine. I’d like to start by wishing all of you seasonal greetings from all of us, at Compass Disability Services. There is a lot going on out there in the big wide world that is going to have an impact on us, as disabled people and carers, both young and old. This year the Care Act and The Children and Families Act came into force and are starting to be implemented by Health, Social Care and Educational Services. There are lots of positives when you read the guidance, however it does leave us wondering how they will be able to afford some of these improvements in services, when we are in a time where finances are very short for public bodies. We at Compass Disability Services will be watching very closely and looking to assist these organisations in improving services in the
future. We will be providing more information on this in our Spring Edition. Anyway, back to this edition which has a range of interesting articles; in particular lots of useful tips and information on how to keep warm and well through the winter months. We have a large segment on training as we continue to deliver training to carers across Somerset and we have been fortunate enough to secure funding from Skills for Care to provide training for people in receipt of Direct Payments. We also have the final section on relationships and family life, which this time focuses on being a parent of a disabled child. I would just like to take this opportunity to remind all of our other voluntary sector organisations and commercial and public services that this magazine is reliant on the advertising that we can sell to secure its future. We have a range of advertising opportunities from a nominal cost of £35 an edition to the opportunity of sponsoring a complete section of the publication. We estimate that the magazine reaches at least 15,000 readers every quarter and is a great way to get your message out to the right audience. Please get in contact with Clive (01823 282823) for further information. So finally, don’t forget to wrap up warm in this wet and windy weather and have a great Christmas.
The next edition of our magazine, will be published 11th March 2015. If you would like to comment or contribute, please contact Clive Rymer on 01823 282823 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Compass Points
Join the Network and have your say! News from the Network Don’t forget to update your details! If you would like to change the way you receive information from us, please let us know. For example, if you receive information in written format, we can arrange to send information by email instead. If you just receive the Networker publication we can arrange to send you information on our consultation events as well; please let us know. Also, don’t forget to let us know if you move house or change e-mail addresses.
Somerset Direct New Phone Number Feedback 14 people attended a meeting at The Meadway Hall, Compton Dundon on 22nd September to discuss plans to change the telephone number for contacting ‘Somerset Direct’. Somerset County Council are considering a plan to change to a single ‘0300’ number with automated options available, to transfer to the required department. Disabled people and carers came together to give their views on how to make the new call system as accessible as possible and the best way to communicate the changes. There was also an opportunity to provide feedback about their previous experience of contacting the service. Issues raised included: O Individuals want to keep any automated system simple, without too many options. O The need to ensure you are not waiting longer with any new system. O Promotion of alternative contact methods such as email, is important particularly for people with hearing impairments.
To join The Network, please call Mandy on 01823 282823 or email mandy@compassdisability.org.uk Full reports are available, about these meetings, on the ‘Consultation’ page of our website, or you can contact our office to request a free copy.
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
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Tel: 01823 282823 Minicom: 01823 255919 Text: 07568 109960
Compass Points The most recent meeting of the Sedgemoor Disability Forum took place 21st October at East Huntspill Village Hall. The group welcomed Alison Turner from Sedgemoor District Council with the council’s annual budget presentation. Inspector Andrew Pritchard from Avon and Somerset Police attended to give an update on the best ways to contact the Police locally. John Hall from Sedgemoor Lifeline provided an overview of this service which provides 24 hour assistance with various equipment and Peter Wood from Somerset You Can Do provided information on their services.
Sedgemoor Disability Forum
Sedgemoor Lifeline is a service that offers 24 hour assistance to people living in the community. The system can be tailored to monitor various situations, such as •Smoke, Fall, Flood, Extreme Temperature Sensors •Bogus Caller, Property Exit Sensors •Bed and Chair Occupancy Sensors
customer.services@sedgemoor.gov.uk 0845 408 2540 A report from this meeting is available via our website, or you can request a copy by phoning the office and asking for Mandy or Nat. If you would like to receive information on the next Sedgemoor Disability Forum, please let us know and we will make sure we send information to you.
Taunton Deane Disability Discussion Group The last meeting of the Taunton Deane Disability Discussion Group took place on 24th September 2014. This was the first time we tried a new format for this meeting, extending the length of the meeting to run over lunch and held at a different venue at Ruishton Village Hall. Positive feedback was received and another meeting is planned for February/March 2015. Lucy Nicholls Patient Experience Manager from Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - invited the group to share their views on Somerset Partnership’s Services and were asked What are we doing well? and; What could be improved? Olivia Denis from Taunton Deane’s
Licensing Department asked members to comment on Taxi policy, in the area. Matt Parr Economic Development Officer, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Dan Raymond, JP Gainsford Associates Building Surveyor, discussed proposals to regenerate the market house in Taunton and a project to explore the feasibility to relocate the Tourist Information Centre from Paul Street to the West Wing of the building (near to ‘Clarks’ shoe shop and the High Street). Plans were circulated to the group to view and comment on. Su Saunders from the Somerset Hate Crime Support Service also provide an overview of the help available for victims of Hate Crime. Continued on page 7 . . . .
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Compass Points I declared that I would have the ‘ABC’ tattooed on my arm. A report is now available to view on the First I designed a fingerspelling T-shirt, Taunton Deane Disability Discussion but that was not visible with a jacket on. Group page of the Network website or you I then struck upon the idea of can contact the office to receive a copy. fingerspelling jewellery, which was initially Transport, care and communication made from cardboard. This seemed to be support can be provided to enable you to the answer! With the help of a local craft attend our Forums and Discussion Groups centre, I applied the traced handshapes and we are also able to re-imburse on to plastic. mileage for anyone living in the areas concerned wishing to make their own way to the meetings. . . . . Continued from page 6
Finger Spelling help? One of our Network members promotes the use of sign language finger spelling and produces her own jewellery to raise awareness of signing. Jill Nichols writes . . . “I became profoundly deaf in my late fifties and designed a range of items to promote fingerspelling. I carried a clipboard and pen in order to communicate, even after being introduced to sign language. I was frustrated at the invisibility of deafness. After joking with my husband Graham,
For more information and placing orders, please email Jill Nichols: j.nichols705@btinternet.com
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Following a recent review of our Business Plan and having listened to what our service users have said in recent evaluations, we have decided to make a minor change to our ‘Mission Statement’, this now states that our mission is: “to enable and empower disabled people and carers to have independence, choice and control in their lives”. From the feedback we have received we believe that this is what our service users would like us to concentrate on and therefore all of our efforts will be focused on doing just that, as we move forward. It may take some time for this change to be seen on some of our literature, as we update our stocks.
Compass Points - The Hub
Compass Learning & Development Hub ‘The Hub’ is a group of disabled people and carers that are interested in the learning and development of Adult Social Care staff. Compass Learning & Development Hub is a group of disabled people and carers that are interested in the training and development of adult social care staff in Somerset. The Hub was started five years ago and we have been involved in various pieces of work during that time, including making some short films, reviewing a national Social Care project workbook, and delivering training to staff in Somerset. The purpose of The Hub is to bring together disabled people and carers’ experience, knowledge and skills to help inform and develop the learning of adult social care staff in Somerset. We aim to share members’ experience, skills and insight in various ways with the Learning & Development Team at Somerset County Council and with adult social care staff directly too. Members can give their time to The Hub project in various ways; we have bi-monthly meetings to discuss various learning and development issues or topics. Representative role sometimes come up, for example we have two representatives sitting on the Social Care Governance Board, which meets twice per year to ensure that information gathered about the service is fed back into the system. At the moment we are preparing to deliver our next training day to staff that work in adult social care in Somerset. Our next Hub meeting is taking place in mid-December, we will be discussing Social Care Governance with members of the Learning & Development Team, and the following meeting is in February 2015. Transport and communication support can be arranged to enable you to attend and participate in The Hub project and we can reimburse mileage expenses is you are able to make your own way to the meeting.
If you live in Somerset and would like to learn more about ‘The Hub’ project, please contact Nat Stevens at Compass Disability Services. email: natalies@compassdisability.org.uk phone: 0330 333 0089 / 01823 282823 (Monday to Wednesdays only) More information can be found on our website: http://www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk/the-hub 8
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
Compass Points - The Hub “Working with The Hub: Promoting Reflective Supervision” A summary by Sue Walton, independent trainer and educator
Sue, (on the left) with the group
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
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For the last five years I have been delivering a three day Reflective Supervision course for supervisors of social care staff in Somerset. The aim of the course is that staff will reflect on their practice which will result in improved outcomes for service users and carers. In 2012 we were proud to learn that the course was endorsed by the College of Social Work. Collaborating with Service Users and Carers: We wanted to develop the course by drawing on the expertise of carers and service users and include “their voice” within the training. We began with a presentation to the Hub group to provide information about the Reflective Supervision training and volunteers were sought to work with us for a year to act as our Critical Friends; to look at the training materials and challenge our ideas from their own perspective. The group of four volunteers had collective experience of Children’s Services, Adult Care Services, Mental Health Services and services for Carers. Outcomes of our critical friendship: Material used in the course has been altered to remove jargon and to clarify shorthand. For example, the term “anti-discriminatory practice” triggered a debate about power and the use of language. Some slides have been created to illustrate the views of the Hub group which are now being used in the course. One statement has had a particular impact on everyone involved: “Reflection means that social workers are shining a light on their practice and looking at it. If they are not doing this then they are working in the dark. We do not want social workers that are like this” Conclusion: My time spent working with the Hub group has certainly challenged my thinking and had a profound impact on me as a trainer. Hub members remind me of the impact that reflection - or its absence - has on them. This is a motivator for me to continue to advocate for reflection to become embedded in the culture of Social Care organisations. My time working with the Hub group has now come to an end but I am taking my learning forward beyond this course to my work with health and social care students and practitioners in other areas. As an independent trainer, I will definitely take every opportunity to engage in similar processes and would encourage others to do the same.
Compass Points Do you employ a ‘Personal Assistant’, or are you a Personal Assistant? Could you help us review a Learning & Development Guide for Personal Assistants? Ongoing learning and training is important for all social care workers, including ‘Personal Assistants’ (PA’s). From the PA point of view it can help you to grow in your role, learn new skills or refresh old ones. From the employer’s perspective, training can result in better support from your PA and them being more confident in their work; however there can be all sorts of barriers to training, for example it can be difficult to organise training to coincide with your PA’s working hours or maybe you struggle to find the training you are looking for in your area. Compass Disability Services is working with ‘Skills for Care’ to review and further develop a ‘Learning and Development Guide for Personal Assistants’. We are organising some focus group
meetings to enable Personal Assistants and employers to give us their views and to hear people’s experiences regarding training for PA’s. Please note that we are specifically talking about training for paid personal assistants that are employed by individuals via direct payment, personal health budget, or if you self-fund. Transport and communication support can be arranged for these meetings, to enable you to attend and participate, if requested in advance. We are hoping to hear from both employers and Personal Assistants, so if you are able to bring your PA, we would be able to reimburse all or some of this cost as well (when agreed in advance). We are also able to reimburse mileage costs if you are able to make your own way to the meeting/s.
‘Skills for Care’ is a national not-for-profit organisation, with focus on workforce development for adult social care in England; this sector is growing rapidly and currently has around 17,000 employers and a workforce of around 1.5 million workers. Skills for Care works with employers to share best practice and raise quality and standards, the aim is to ensure dignity and respect are at the heart of service delivery. More information on Skills for Care can be found here:
www.skillsforcare.org.uk
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If you would like to be involved in this project please contact ‘Nat Stevens’ at
Compass Disability Services phone: 0330 333 0089 / 01823 282823 (Monday to Wednesday, between 10.30 am and 5 pm) email: natalies@compassdisability.org.uk minicom: 01823 255919 text: 07568 109960
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
Compass Points Do you want to help the Council understand the views of disabled people and carers? Do you want to be involved in a working group with Somerset County Council? Do you want the opportunity to influence and shape Council priorities on a range of subjects relating to care and support services? The Service User Engagement Group is a group of disabled people and carers discussing various topics with Somerset County Council representatives. The purpose of the group is to act as a strategic “sounding board” to the County Council to help improve and develop services, to better meet the requirements of Somerset adults with care and support needs. The group meets every other month from 11am until 3.30pm in Taunton. We are looking for people in Somerset that have experience of using adult social care services to join this group; particularly younger people (18-30) and older people (70+). Transport, care and communication support can be arranged for these meetings if requested in advance. We are also able to reimburse mileage costs if you are able to make your own way to the meeting. Some examples of the topics discussed so far include:
The council’s Care and Support Charter Eligibility for services and assessment process Reablement and independent living teams Direct payments An information, advice and services website Care and Support services delivered within Extra Care Housing Future meetings will be on the theme of ‘care and support services for adults’. As the group develops it is hoped that the agenda will be shaped by group members and Council officers together. To find out when the next meeting of the Service User Engagement Group is, or for more information, please contact Nat Stevens at Compass Disability Services: email: natalies@compassdisability.org.uk or telephone: 0330 333 0089 / 01823 282823 (Monday to Wednesdays only)
q q q q q q
‘RADAR’ keys are available from Compass Disability Services
RADAR keys are available in standard size or with an easy turn/larger head from Compass Disability Services. Orders can be placed by calling 01823 282823 with payment made by credit or debit card (£4.25 each) or collected in person (£3.25 each).
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Providers of accessible toilets fit ‘RADAR’ locks to ensure the facilities are in good condition. Over 25 years, the scheme has been adopted by over 400 local authorities and many transport, retail and leisure providers. RADAR Keys are available to all disabled people and/or their carers. Even if you are a “casual” carer it may be handy to have one of these keys, to access the locked toilets, set aside for disabled people. There is no restriction on who can hold one of these keys, however the scheme exists to specifically assist disabled people. The Radar National Key Scheme key offers disabled people independent access to over 9,000 accessible locked toilets around the country. The availability of appropriately designed lavatories in public places is essential if disabled people are to be able to engage in their communities and take part in everyday activities.
Training from Compass Carers
Compass Carers
Compass Carers provides and facilitates, an extensive array of training
Two new modules were added to the programme of free training courses for unpaid carers, in the Autumn of 2014: Assertive Communications exploresq the importance of planning and preparation q different types of behaviour q being clear about what you want to achieve q asking the right questions q working for a win/win outcome. Lasting Powers of Attorney coversq different types of Powers of Attorney q who can be appointed q the process q drafting & registering the Power q the role of the Attorney q assessing capacity q decision making. Both modules started in October and have had a really positive reception from carers who have attended them. Further dates are coming in 2015. In addition, these regular courses are still being held: Skills for Carers, Managing Health Conditions and Dementia Care. Contact Debbie Ovenden on 01823 255911 for more information and to book your place.
Carers training courses scheduled for early next year Skills for Carers (2 day course, each days runs from 10.00am – 3.00pm) 3rd and 10th March 2015, at East Quay Medical Centre, Bridgwater 19th and 25th March 2015, at Minehead Community Hospital, Minehead Dementia Care (1 day course 10.00am – 3.00pm) 5th February 2015, at Compass Disability Services, Taunton 17th March 2015, at East Quay Medical Centre, Bridgwater Assertive Communications 29th January 2015, East Quay Medical Centre, Bridgwater Lasting Powers of Attorney training will be delivered through carers groups across the county. Dates and times for 2015 are currently being arranged.
For more information or to book places, contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911 or check the website www.compasscarers.org.uk
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Compass Training
Free Training for Employers and Personal Assistants! of a Personal Assistant’ training gives Personal Assistants a better understanding of their role and how this fits into the caring profession more generally. Topics include; the personalisation of care, employment rights and responsibilities and what makes a good employer. We at Compass Disability Services, already offer a series of training courses for unpaid carers, and this new project is allowing us the welcome opportunity to support the training needs of paid carers and their employers as well. There is no charge to attend any of the courses and materials, refreshments and lunch are provided! Our upcoming training is taking place at Tor Sports and Leisure in Glastonbury on the following dates; Being a Good Employer: 13th, 14th and 15th January 2015 Manual Handling: 19th January 2015 Dignity in Care: 23rd January 2015 Role & Rights of a Personal Assistant: 27th January 2015 Further training dates in Birmingham will be announced soon! For more information and to book onto a course please contact us on 01823 282823 or email EllieJ@compassdisability.org.uk.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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Thanks to funding recently received from Skills for Care, we are delighted to be able to offer a series of free training courses for Direct Payment employers and Personal Assistants. These courses have already begun in Taunton and we are looking forward to running the four modules at our Glastonbury venue in the New Year. The first module of training, named ‘Being a Good Employer’, is directed at those Direct Payment recipients who employ, or are looking to employ, a Personal Assistant. This three day course covers a variety of practical knowledge, giving attendees the confidence to deal with things like writing a contract of employment, paying their Personal Assistant and understanding the employer/employee relationship. This can all seem a daunting prospect without support. In addition to this course for employers, we are also offering three one day courses for Personal Assistants. The Dignity in Care course is designed to highlight the importance of placing dignity at the heart of all care and to help Personal Assistants put this into practice in the workplace. Our session on Manual Handling then tackles a more practical aspect of the Personal Assistant role and develops the skills of those who undertake tasks of moving and handling objects and people; enabling them to work more safely. Finally, the ‘Role and Rights
Associate members Somerset Total Communication Announces the Launch of the new and exciting STC Simple Symbols and Signing website Louise Lisle, Somerset Total Communication manager thanked everyone for attending the launch, on Friday 26th September 2014 including Jane Jones whose original inspiration and innovation lie behind these STC developments.
Neil Bird, creator of Silver Lens Media, his wife and daughter travelled down from Bradford, Yorkshire to share his web design results converting STC signing media clips and symbol graphics of the categories of vocabulary used in STC training delivery, optimised for use with iPads and other touch screen devices. STC were also very pleased to welcome Richard Hunt who appears on the new website. Thanks were expressed for Caroline Male’s enthusiasm and ICT skills as STC’s social accessibility has ‘webbed’ worldwide. Since this web site went live in July 2014, STC has received 592 visitors, 315 during September! Visitors have used various types of equipment to access the site including desktops, phones and iPads. 54 visitors have even spent over 30 minutes using the site. During September, seven organisations including three preschools have become new STC Members. Just a reminder to STC Member schools to request your free password to use this new STC resource. With even more help from Neil, STC has now joined the realms of social media! So far STC has received 108 ’likes’ on Facebook page: Search: ‘Somerset-Total-Communication’
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You can also follow them on Twitter. ‘Inclusive Media’ designers Will Briton and Adam Burley, from Bristol were also invited to present their work in partnership with STC which uses STC signing and symbols using ‘Easy Video’ which: • aims to bring ‘Easy Read’ accessible documents into the 21st century • uses a person centred combination of signing, symbols, audio etc. • can be accessed by using a QR code scanner App, 'InclusiveQRscanner'. Users download this app for free from their mobile device App store and scan literature to play the video • can be used on websites and in office reception areas • can be replayed to suit the user and provides an inclusive communication environment without specific support staff being present.
Please see: www.easy-video.co.uk for more information.
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Associate members
This is Waffle, a Miniature Poodle, two years old in July. From birth Waffle and many other such dogs, are boarded out with volunteers who socialise, walk and house train potential Hearing Dogs.
can say hand on heart, Joan has enjoyed the experience. Waffle alerts her to sounds, sometimes even those he had not been trained to alert. He is very intelligent. He loves a walk, especially with a ball, he can run like the wind and throughout it all is a very well trained dog. He wears a special coat and lead when we are out, in the shops, in restaurants, or wherever. This allows him entrance to places where others dogs are banned. He knows the times for his food and walks, Joan is reminded by a gentle nose nudge if we lag behind too much! Joan’s Grandchildren adore him and so it seems does everyone else he meets. She is constantly stopped when someone asks about him and is always pleased to say her piece. Waffle is always well behaved. He greets other dogs and cats politely and is always ready for a cuddle and fuss. Joan can relax more now that she has 'ears' listening for the sounds she misses. Her little shadow barely let's her out of his sight. He's always ready for action be it the doorbell or a walk. Anyone reading this who has a hearing loss and no dog, is urged to look into having a Hearing Dog. Backup from the centres is second to none. The pressure is off, the dog hears for you. You meet so many people who want to know all about the dog and you have a companion by your side always.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, www.hearingdogs.org.uk
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Every puppy is constantly assessed by trainers at ‘Hearing Dogs’. Most pass through stringent training/tests and continue to the next stage. This takes place at one of three training centres. Waffle was trained at The Grange, in Buckinghamshire. Hearing Dogs are as well trained as a Guide Dog; the difference being, of course, one is for the visually impaired and the other for the hearing impaired. All such dogs are known as Assistant Dogs. Joan Pinder has been 'deaf' since the age of three due to ‘Measles’, or so it was thought. In the early days of Hearing Dogs she had 'William', sadly he did not stay with her for very long. Life goes on and she coped with the daily problems met with a hearing loss. Eventually she felt the need for a bit of extra help and applied for a dog. The waiting list was very long this time round and waited five years for a dog. She was given forms to fill in and had interviews etc; so they knew what she hoped for. Joan asked for a small dog, who would be trained to alert her to sounds such as doorbells, phone ringing, timers buzzing etc. The dog would have to be good with children and other animals. They were the basic requirements from Joan’s point of view. Off she went to their centre, to meet Waffle. He was lovely and was such a gentle little dog. Each recipient then spends a week at ‘The Grange’ getting to know their dog and, for Joan, a cat person, how to work with and handle a dog. Waffle showed her how!! Since April, they have been on a learning curve and
Hearing Dogs? Who needs them? Why?
Associate members This includes sign language, deafblind signing, braille, drawings and photographs. Most important is having the qualities of patience, kindness and the ability to listen, watch and encourage. IT developments and more sophisticated gadgets can help. This technology can be Support for people with fun, stimulating, aid independence and ‘sensory impairments’ include talking labelers, braillers, digital recorders, subtitles and audio description on TVs, talking watches, clocks and even To be known as ‘deafblind’, a person will talking microwaves. Simple developments have both a vision and hearing impairment. Each person will have unique such as braille labels on doors, lifts, toiletries and medicine can help feelings needs, depending on the sight and of inclusion and independence. hearing they have. Older people will A service user says “My talking mobile experience this increasingly as they age phone tells me who is ringing and I can and can often become isolated. Some change the settings to my preferences, infants are born deafblind due to a by listening to the audio menu. Braille particular syndrome and will need to find labels on tablets and shampoo can help ways to communicate both their physical needs and their emotions, to parents that me not get mixed up, which is good news. My talking labeler means I can label best are probably sighted and hearing. before dates on my food, which I find very At Sense we tailor support around each person, whether the impairment is through useful because I don’t need to ask for help. I can do it on my own.” the aging process or is congenital. In our Glastonbury service, we support people For information on services for with a single sensory impairment and people with sensory impairments other disabilities. in Somerset The support team undertake a journey, telephone 01458 830212 of learning specialist communication and developing the personal skills to empower people to determine their future.
www.sense.org.uk
Sensory Garden at Ferne Animal Sanctuary The sensory garden has been designed as an inclusive environment, created for everyone to enjoy. It is fully accessible by wheelchair, as is the rest of the Sanctuary. There is an array of tactile and fragrant grasses, herbs, and flowers; water features including a small pond, and bubble wall; gravel and wood chipping, and interactive musical chimes to create different sound experiences. Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Chard, Somerset tele: 01460 65214
www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org
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Associate members
A brand new wheelchair dance group has opened in Nailsea, North Somerset. The group opens up the joy of dance to wheelchair users and ‘ambulant’ dancers alike. If you would like to take part or to find out more please contact Vickie on 01275 852 012 or 07902 465 002, or email dancing4fun@virginmedia.com The club provides an introductory offer of £20 for five sessions.
“Gangnam Style” at Disability Somerset 2014 North Somerset Council’s Sportarray initiative aims to increase the number of disabled people regularly participating in sport locally. You can download their list of the inclusive sports clubs supported by Sportarray and find a local club they are working closely with, to develop opportunities for disabled people. www.n-somerset.gov.uk/sportarray Wesport is one of the 49 County Sport Partnerships across England established by Sport England to be the strategic lead for sport in the West of England.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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The group is led by local Dance Instructor Vickie Mitchell who also runs the ‘TLF Dance Centre’. The group is keen to grow and welcomes new participants of all abilities. Over the past year Vickie has set up a number of new inclusive dance groups and has recently qualified to teach wheelchair dance through support from Sportarray, North Somerset’s inclusive sport initiative and the County Sports Partnership, Wesport. This is the first group of its kind in North Somerset and offers something for anyone who wants to learn dance, enjoy a friendly atmosphere and get more active at the same time. Vickie says “There is great potential for the class. Wheelchair dance can be challenging but once you learn the techniques, understand musicality and can move in time to the music it is easier to pick up the routines. This is an opportunity for absolutely everyone to take part in dance.” The group runs every Tuesday from 8pm to 9pm at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, Nailsea. It’s open to all ages and abilities and suitable for users of self-propelled, pushed or motorised chairs, as well as ambulant partners.
Associate members
‘Open to All’ is a new project for the churches in the diocese of Bath and Wells, which aims to help churches to be as inclusive and accessible as possible for people with disabilities. The diocese covers the whole of Somerset, North Somerset and Bath and Northeast Somerset. This is quite a lot of churches and people!
Wendy Bryant, the Open to All Adviser, is working with churches and parishes (of the Church of England) to eliminate or reduce barriers for people with disabilities or impairment. Wendy is very keen to stress that this is about all kinds of disability. People often only think of wheelchairs when they think of “disability”, and may not be aware how they can make church services and activities more accessible to more people by improving their printed or screen materials; marking edges of steps and ramps with white lines or other contrasts; improving lighting to aid lip reading; purchasing a variety of chairs to suit different needs, or understanding more about autism, to give just a few examples. Churches up and down the land have done a good deal of work to improve their
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access since the early days of the Disability Discrimination Act, back in the 1990’s and of course this work is ongoing. Now we want churches to move on to understand that it’s not just about improving access, but about inviting and expecting the participation of people with impairments, in leadership roles as well as in the congregation. Wendy is recruiting volunteers to help with this work, people who have personal or professional experience of any aspect of disability, or carers or partners of people with disabilities. Volunteers will join in with the work of access audits for churches, by contributing observations and recommendations from personal experience. Even if you have very limited availability, she would love to hear from you if you are interested in the work of Open to All!
Please contact Wendy Bryant to find out more. tel: 01275 848934 / 07813 338129 email: wendy.bryant@bathwells.anglican.org
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Associate members
‘Crowdsourced’* accessible rail website goes from strength to strength! A recently launched website to help people with access requirements use trains across the UK is seeing an upsurge in interest, following ongoing improvements to the rail network and ever-increasing dependence on public transport. D-trekkers was launched in 2012 to make using public transport less daunting for wheelchair users and those with special access requirements. The site is inspired by the likes of ‘Wikipedia’ and Social Networking sites like ‘Facebook’. D-trekkers invites users to update information; for example the location of accessible toilets, stair-free access availability, which accessible cabs are best, information about rail stations and the stops they use. This helps other site visitors find real and trustworthy, up-to-date information, before they set out on their journey. The site also incorporates a route planner. “The idea was my Aunt’s,” co-founder Luke Richards explains. “She had Multiple Sclerosis
* ‘Crowdsourcing’ is the process of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially from an online community. **A ‘wiki’ is an on-line database, of the simplest type, that can be easily updated or amended.
(MS) and was a campaigner for disabled access in Brighton , overseeing improvements to accessible cabs and public spaces in the City. She was frustrated by turning up at railway stations to find ramps ‘temporarily unavailable’ or completely non-existent and figured that with the right kind of information before travelling, she might be able to make more informed plans and travel with greater independence.” “It’s people with access requirements, including wheelchair users and those using walking aids, who have the best knowledge when it comes to this information. D-trekkers was designed to collect that information and make it available for others who are planning journeys.” The website is free to join, and users are welcomed to come and leave as much or as little information about their rail travels as possible. They can do this by editing the ‘wiki’** text directly, leaving comments and giving a quick star-rating. Users don’t need to sign-up to plan journeys or access any information. Luke and the developers are currently planning the next phase of the site’s development, making it available on mobile devices and expanding the types of public transport it covers.
For more information or to join up the website is: www.dtrekkers.co.uk. You are welcome to email Luke directly with criticism, praise or ideas at: luke.dtrekkers@gmail.com D-trekkers is also on Facebook and Twitter
Disabled Persons Railcard
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult you might qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard. The Disabled Persons Railcard allows you to get 1/3 off most rail fares throughout Great Britain. If you're travelling with an adult companion they also can get 1/3 off their rail fare, so you can save money for your friends too! The cost is currently: £20 for a one-year Railcard, £54 for a three-year Railcard. Get more information here: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk email: disability@atoc.org telephone:0345 605 0525 (7am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday) minicom: 0345 601 0132 (for customers with hearing impairments)
Disability and having children In the June edition of the magazine we considered relationships for people with disabilities. In the September edition of the magazine we considered sex and sexuality, for people with disabilities. After all that getting together and getting it on, what then does the future hold for people with disabilities, when they find out they are going to be parents? We are fortunate to have an article from a very generous person Penny, who gives an insight into her life as a Wife and Mother, with a disability. Penny has Achondroplasia which is the most common type of dwarfism. She calls herself a dwarf, which most people with the condition do. Penny and her husband Arthur, who also has Achondroplasia, have been married since 1972 and have three children and two grandchildren. Life as disabled people, and parents especially, has not always been easy for Penny and Arthur. They tried for many years to have a child of their own and in 1978 although successfully becoming pregnant the baby was born prematurely and died. They had a very supportive Consultant who had heard from a colleague, that local adoption services were struggling to place a baby who had been born with the same condition as them. After the appropriate checks they were able to adopt Nichola. Penny and Arthur then conceived another baby, Michael, who also had Achondroplasia. He was born with a very small chest, meant he would have trouble breathing, from the outset. Michael was in hospital for all eleven months of his life. When it became obvious that he was not going to survive, Penny and Arthur were sad beyond belief. They were also coping with Nichola, who was only about four. This was a very difficult time for them both.
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Arthur with Penny Penny remembers vividly a doctor saying something like, “These people shouldn’t be allowed to have babies.” After losing Michael, Penny and Arthur had a further child with Dwarfism, called Kimberley. Penny remembers vividly a doctor saying something like, “These people shouldn’t be allowed to have babies.” Regardless of their disability, people with Dwarfism are the same as anyone else with the same hopes, dreams and ambitions. They just happen to have short bones. Penny and Arthur went on to adopt another dwarf called Matthew, who was fit and healthy and made their family complete.
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Achondroplasia is due to a mistake in the ‘FGFR3’ gene. If both parents have the condition, each will have one copy of the gene with the ‘mistake’ and one ‘normal’ gene. The child could therefore inherit regular Achondroplasia, getting the mistaken gene from one parent or the other; the child could have normal stature with both normal genes; or it could inherit two copies of the mistaken gene. This is a lethal condition. Penny and Arthur’s eldest daughter Nichola, now has a family of her own after meeting and marrying her Danish husband, Stefan. They planned a family, but things didn’t go well to start with. They sadly lost three pregnancies because of a double dose of the problem gene, but
after three years of trying, they gave birth to a little girl called Ava, who has Achondroplasia. Ava then had a sister called Eben, who is of normal stature. This was quite a shock for everyone. Penny and Arthur have never let their disability get in the way of having a normal life. Apart from their family life they have been active members of their community and earlier this year they both received an OBE for their services to Disability Sport as founding members of the Dwarf Sports Association, (DSA). “We are both very proud of our family and what they have achieved” says Penny “There is no reason why life as a disabled person should restrict having a family and enjoying everything that this brings”.
Arthur Dean Kim Dean Nichola Garde Stephan Garde Penny Dean Ava Garde Eben Garde
Contact Us ‘RGA Helpline’ 0300 111 1970
Dwarf Sports Association UK
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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The Restricted Growth Association (RGA) is a registered charity that provides information and support to people of restricted growth and their families.
PO Box 4269 Dronfield S18 9BG UK Phone: 01246 296 485 Mobile: 07889 922 736
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www.compassdisability.org.uk
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email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk
Networking Networking
Useful Numbers for Readers
Networking
Compass Disability Services Compass Disability Network Compass Carers Somerset Hate Crime Support Service Compass Know How Compass Independent Living Personal Health Budgets in Somerset Disability Somerset Exhibition Funding for Training
All Services contact on: Tel: Tel: Minicom: Text: Fax:
Adult Social Care Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Somerset County Council Somerset Direct
01823 282823 03303 330089 01823 255919 07568 109960 01823 351790
0845 3459133 01278 432000 0845 3459166 0845 3459133
ABUSE (Safeguarding) Domestic Abuse 0800 6949999 Hate Crime Somerset 01823 282823 Text Phone Mankind Initiative 01823 334244 Somerset Direct 08453 459133 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support 01823 324944 / 0117 929 9556 Womankind 08454 582914 ADVOCACY Advocacy in Somerset 01458 253053 Mental Health 01823 334906 SEAP 03003 435717 Total Advocacy 01823 339494 Text Phone AUTISM Autism Somerset 01278 788776 Autism Wessex 01202 703193 BIBIC 01458 253344 NAS Adult & Community Services 01179 748413 Taunton Aspergers Group 01823 368396 BENEFITS Turn 2 Us 0808 8022000 CARERS Breaks for Carers 0845 3459133 Carers UK 0808 808 7777 Compass Carers 01823 255911 Text Phone Compass Disability 01823 282823 Minicom Emergency Social Care Team 01458 253241 Emergency Social Care Team 01823 257185 (6pm - 8am) Social Care Team (Sat 10am-4pm) 0845 3459133
www.compasscarers.org.uk
07568 109960
07777 333 4555
07568 109960 01823 255919
01749 836606
Text Phone 08457 909192
This list is for information only and while each number was checked prior to publication, errors may sneak in. If you are aware of any error or believe a useful number should be added, we will endeavour to update our list each edition with “not for profit” contacts. We also have a “Services for Readers” section, currently on pages 23 and 26, where an organisation or service provider can apply to be added for a very small fee. Additions and updates please, by email to clive@compassdisability.org.uk
www.compassdisability.org.uk
Networking
Text Phone
Networking
0845 606 46 47
Networking
Text Phone
Useful Numbers for Readers
LOCAL AUTHORITIES Mendip District Council 01749 648999 Sedgemoor District Council 0845 408 2540 South Somerset District Council 01935 462462 Taunton Deane Borough Council 01823 356356 West Somerset District Council 01643 703704 Wellington Community Office 01823 667279 HEALTH Age UK 0845 643 4621 Alzheimers Society 0300 2221122 Dementia Somerset 01935 473597 Dental Helpline 08457 697691 Info Line 01823 342253 Musgrove Hospital 01823 333444 NHS Direct 111 PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison) 0800 0851067 Patient & Practitioner Services 01823 333491 Patient (Hospital) Transport 01278 432025 Red Cross Medical Loan 01823 273746 Yeovil Hospital 01935 475122 LEGAL ADVICE Somerset Community Care Matters 01823 334906 MENTAL HEALTH Advocacy in Somerset 01458 253053 Alzheimers Society 0300 222 1122 Carers Services -Mental Health 01749 836633 CRUSE 01278 426808 Mindline 01823 276892 Mind Infoline 0845 7660163 Rethink 0300 5000927 The Samaritans 01823 288998 TRANSPORT (ASSISTED) Blue Badge Scheme 0845 3459133 British Red Cross Somerset 01823 273707 Concessionary Bus Pass 0845 3459155 Disabled Coach Card 08717 818178 Disabled Persons Railcard 0845 6050525 Mendip Community Transport 01749-344141 Patient Transport Advice Centre 01278 727444
Services for readers
Helping people make the most of their lives 01278 439177 www.brunelcare.org.uk somersetenquiries@brunelcare.org.uk
Your details here for ÂŁ35 For full details telephone 01823 282823 email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk
0300 500 5000
Taunton & District Citizens Advice Bureau St Mary’s House, Magdalene St, TA1 1SB. 01823 282235 Taunton: 01823 324944 Bristol: 0117 929 9556
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers Support Groups Details of these groups are checked before publication, but errors may sneak in. Please check dates and times before making special arrangements or travelling. If in doubt call our Helpline on 01823 255911, 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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Bridgwater Upstairs Gallery (venue has accessible lift), Bridgwater Library, Binford Place, Bridgwater, TA6 3LF. Refreshments available. Every 4th Thursday of the month. 10am - 12pm Contact Compass carers on 01823 255911 Bruton Bruton Community Hall, Silver Street, Bruton, BA10 0EB Every 3rd Wednesday of each month 10.30am - 12pm Sandra Consalvey (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Burnham on Sea Burnham Community Centre, Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2ET Last Tuesday of each month, 10am to 12pm Contact Compass carers on 01823 255911 Chard The English Martyrs Church Hall, 2 East Street, Chard, TA20 1EP Second Monday of each month, 10.30am to 12pm Pat 01460 220026 / 07708866717 Cheddar Cheddar Carer Support Group. Meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at Hannah Moore Cottage, Lower North Street, Cheddar, BS27 3HQ. Meeting 10am until 12 noon. The building is fully accessible and parking is available. Cossington Cossington Carer Support group will be held on the second Tuesday of the month from 10am until 12 noon at the new Surgery, Woolavington. For up to date information please call Compass Carers on 01823 255911. Crewkerne The Henhayes Centre, South Street Car Park, Crewkerne First Tuesday of each month, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Gill Charnock 01460 271776 Dulverton Exmoor Medical Centre meeting room, Dulverton TA22 9EN. Held on first Tuesday of each month from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. Contact Surgery Carers Champion, Karen Hunt, on 01398 323333 to reserve a place (as spaces are limited to 12) More information from Anna Statham (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 (updated 22/10/14) Frome Frome Cricket Ground, The Showground, Fromefield, BA11 2AH First Wednesday of each month, 10.30am to 12.00pm Joan Paynter 01373 302128 or Sheila Nicholson 01373 461940
Carers Support Groups Glastonbury See entry for Street & Glastonbury ‘HenTempMil’ Carers Group (for Henstridge, Templecombe and Milborne Port) Henstridge Village Hall Ash Walk Henstridge BA8 0QB Held on last Tuesday of the month from 10.30am to 12noon. More information from Sandra Consalvey, Compass Carers 01823 255911 Langport and Somerton Venue TBC Fourth Wednesday of each month, 11am to 12.30pm Sue Cockle 07508 744292 scockle.1@btinternet.com Minehead Quaker Meeting House, 9 Bancks Street, Minehead, TA24 5DJ LAST MONDAY of each month, 10.30am to 12.00pm. Anna Statham (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Porlock Porlock Medical Centre TA24 8PJ 01643 862575 Last Wednesday of every month, 10.30am to 12.00 noon Anna Statham (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Shepton Mallet Fire Station Community Room, Board Cross, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5DX 2nd Thursday of every month, 10.30 to 12.00 David Gray at Compass Carers 01823 255911 Street & Glastonbury Street Parish Rooms, 6 Leigh Road, Street 01458 440588 Second Monday of each month between 10.30am and 12.30pm Debbie Hall at Compass Carers 01823 255911 Taunton Deane Robin Close, Community Hall, Bishops Hull, Taunton Third Friday of each month, 1.30pm to 4.30pm Liz Pooley 07523 350772 Taunton Priorswood Priorswood Community Centre, Priorswood, Taunton First Thursday of every month, 2pm to 3.30pm More information from Vidette Quinnell (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Wells Wells Fire Station Community Room Burcott Road,WELLS, BA5 2EF 1st Tuesday of each month between 10.30 am and 12.00pm Debbie Hall at Compass Carers 01823 255911 Wellington Wellington Medical Centre, Mantle Street, Wellington, TA21 8BD 01823 663551 First Monday of every month between 2pm and 4pm (2pm - 3.30pm from January 2015) Contact Surgery ‘Carers Champion’ for more information.
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www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers Support Groups Westonzoyland Ups and Downs "Littlies" The Old School', Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, TA7 0LN Group dates vary - please phone. Ups and Downs Southwest 01278 691100 Williton ‘New Group’ Wiliton Childrens Centre, Killick Way , Williton, TA4 4QA Second Monday of the month, from 2pm until 3.30 pm. Supported by Compass Carers, but run by Ann as before. Wincanton Wincanton Memorial Hall, High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JF Second Monday of each month,10.30am to 12pm Sandra Consalvey (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Yeovil - Birchfield Birchfield Hall,Birchfield Road,Yeovil New W illiton Group Second Thursday of each month, 10.30am to 12pm. Joan Wilcox on 01935 706466 Yeovil - Old Barn The Old Barn Club, Old Barn Way, Yeovil, BA20 2NX Runs approx every 6 weeks but please contact the below for more info on dates. For carers of people with learning disabilities. Malcolm Campbell (Chair) 01935 478032 Yeovil Ups and Downs Ups and Downs - "Littlies" Birchfield Children's Centre, Yeovil BA21 5RL Please contact the number below for information about future dates Sharon Williams/Mandy Beasley, Ups and Downs Southwest, 01278 691100
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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t up a group, If you would like to se isting group get support for an ex what all the or just want to know contact fuss is about, please our Helpline: 11 telephone: 01823 2559 19 minicom: 01823 2559 text: 07568 109960 carers.org.uk email: info@compass
Somerset Carers Partnership
Somerset Carers Partnership Board News Carers who belong to the Somerset Carers Partnership Board will be attending a special workshop in January to start work on: “Somerset’s Commitment to Carers”. The purpose of this workshop will be to gain a clearer understanding of the new ‘Care Act’ and its potential impact on carers. Board members will work together to identify and agree the key priorities for carers in Somerset. The workshop will enable Board members to collate their recommendations which they will then put forward and discuss with the key decision makers at the local authority. Are you a carer and would you like to contribute to making a difference to the lives of carers? Would you like to share your vision? Would you like the opportunity to work with others to solve problems? Does this sound like you? In January the Board will be setting up “Vision Groups” across the county. The purpose of these groups will be to discuss matters that will be addressed at future board meetings. These groups will provide additional opportunities for anyone who is carer to become involved in the work of the Board. Every group will have a Vision Group Leader who will facilitate the meetings and feedback to the Board. If you are interested in either attending a group, becoming a group leader or would like further information, please contact: Deborah de Mornay Penny (Debbie), Somerset Carers Partnership Board Support Officer Rethink, Keward House, Jocelyn Drive, Wells, BA5 1QH Tel: 01749 689028 Mob: 07818 523487 Email: deborah.demornaypenny@rethink.org
There are still places available on our “Being a Good Employer” course, being held in Glastonbury in January, along with 3 courses for Personal Assistants. For more information or to book a place, please contact Ellie Jeremy or Debbie Ovenden on 01823 282823 or email elliej@compassdisability.org.uk. Here is a quote from a previous delegate: “Just a short email to say how much I enjoyed the recent course for ‘Being a Good Employer’ on the 18th, 19th and 20th of November, 2014. Thank you for arranging the transport to and from the course, that was a great help. Not only did I find the course enjoyable but I have gained a great deal from it. It was a nice friendly group and the instructors were very helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend such a course to others.
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Being a Good Employer
Some previous delegates
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers Support As a carer you may be worried about getting ‘flu’ because it would affect your ability to care for the person you’re looking after. You may be able to get a free flu jab because of this, or because of your age or your own health. Government policy is that the flu vaccine should be offered to the following groups:
Flu ‘jabs’ for carers
C C C C
Everyone aged 65 years and over. Everyone aged six months or over who is in a clinical risk group. People living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities, where the infection could spread easily and put lives at risk. People who are receiving a Carer’s Allowance, or are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
Vaccinations can often be given on an individual basis at the GP’s discretion, depending on your need. If you’re not aged 65 or over, tell your GP if you receive a Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for the person you're looking after. Explain your concerns for the welfare of the person you’re looking after if you should fall ill, for example Brendon Hills Surgery ‘flu clinic’ if there is no one else who would be able to Washford Memorial Hall, 30 September step in. If you have health problems of your own, your GP should also check to see if you fall into one of the clinical risk groups. Your GP will decide whether you need a flu jab based on this information.
Minehead Carer Support
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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The ‘Minehead Carer Support Group’ on 27th October was well attended, with Debbie de Mornay giving a talk about the Carers Board and her involvement with them. Shobha Jaikar, a Nurse with over 30 years experience in Minehead, gave a talk about carers and her experience with medical conditions suffered, both physical and mental, the isolation and how to manage these. The group were especially interested in what she said and as a guest speaker, she raised some interesting issues, that many attendees hadn’t considered before.
Associate members
Carers relationships Most people have heard of Relate, we have been around a while. But what are we doing today and what relevance do we have to you? Relate continues to offer the safe, non-judgemental environment with professional empathetic counsellors who are experienced in supporting people to explore their relationships. We provide the space for people to say the things they feel unable to say to others. In our lives we plan many things our work schedule, children’s play dates and family holidays. Do people plan to be an informal carer? Becoming a carer can happen out of the blue and it’s a huge adjustment for all involved. Many informal carers who care for a loved one, family or friend will tell you they are happy to do what they do, it’s done out of love, but it does often mean huge changes. Relate is here for you throughout your caring experience. We can offer couples and individual counselling to help keep your changing relationship strong and help you keep talking to each other. We have counselling available for young carers too, so
they can talk freely about how their caring role impacts on their life, how they feel and how it impacts on the way they see themselves. There is even a bespoke course for bereaved carers. There is now bursary funding available in South Somerset and Dorset for informal carers. Carers can gain access to Relate counselling services for free, funded by Dorset County Council and Somerset Community Foundation. Carers can be seen for ongoing work in Yeovil, but will need to have an initial session either in Dorchester or by telephone. Carers are as important as the person they care for. Your wellbeing matters. Our aim is not just to hear you but to listen to you, give you space to explore your caring role with or without the cared for person and help strengthen your relationships. Contact Penny or Emily at ‘Relate Admin’ on 01305 262285 or email enquiries@relatedorset.org.uk to find out about making an appointment
HARD OF HEARING SOCIAL CLUB IN TAUNTON (Excellent loop system)
Meets on the third Thursday, every month 2pm - 4pm Forthcoming events: January 15th ~ Games February 19th ~ Spring Lunch Outing March 19th ~ Hatchers April 16th ~ Age UK Would you like someone to accompany you to your first meeting? Wheelchair accessible. Tea / Coffee available. Do bring a friend! tel: 01643 703706 email: anne@edlmann.freeserve.co.uk
TANGIER SCOUT AND GUIDE CENTRE CASTLE STREET, TAUNTON TA1 1AS 32
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers Support
SOUTH SOMERSET, CARER CHAMPION EVENT PALMER’S GARDEN CENTRE, YEOVIL Mike Fitzgerald, Carer Support Worker, reports.
For Adults with Learning Disabilities Blossom provides opportunities to meet people, to participate in new and fun experiences, challenge yourself and develop new skills
Plus so much more! Every day is different Activities are client led and suitable for the majority of disabilities Short term and holiday placements available
In Bridgwater Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday from £35 a day Out and About in Somerset - Each Wednesday we visit various places of interest participating in different activities including forest school Tracy Rolph - 01278 424346 ~~ Jo Huxtable ² 07516491797
www.blossominsomerset.co.uk email: info@blossominsomerset.co.uk Find us on facebook ² Blossom in Somerset
www.compassdisability.org.uk
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Compass Carers representatives were once again invited to take part in the bi-annual information event for carers, organised by our partners in the South Somerset Healthcare Federation, the ‘Carers Champions’. Other invited guests included ‘Somerset and Dorset Fire Service’, ‘Careline’, ‘Care and Repair’ and ‘Alzheimer’s UK’. On September 4th, Palmer’s Garden Centre staff made us very welcome and provided excellent support in our location and with furniture to display our free magazines, support literature and sign-posting information. What a busy day. My colleague Sandra Consalvey and I, aided and abetted by the Carer Ambassador Susan Hartnell-Beavis met 47 carers. All of these carers were given advice or signposting relevant to their situation and took away prepared packs of carer advice leaflets. Six of the Carers we met that day were offered and accepted a home visit as soon as possible, for further discussion and to be supported in their need. What was interesting was the reasons for being at the garden centre on the day. Some carers said they had heard about
the event and came along out of interest and some were just visiting and took the opportunity to speak to the teams. One lady just popped in to have a coffee and use the facilities … as they say. For Sandra and myself it was a great day to meet carers, forge relationships with the other partners supporting unpaid carers and build knowledge, to help us provide the best we can for carers in South Somerset. Finally, a massive thank you to Julie Woan from the South Somerset Healthcare Federation for all her hard work. We look forwards to the next event in early 2015 at the Otter Nursery Garden Centre, Wincanton.
A reader writes . . . Anne Lambert shares some experiences of her encounters with the ‘Compass Carers’ project at Compass Disability Services
wonderful services that you offer to the community. More recently I telephoned my Carer Support Worker at Compass who kindly sent out the Somerset Care and Support for Adults/Somerset Directory. As a family we did not link the Adult Social Services and the NHS to Compass Disability Services. I guess being relatively new to the country we did not expect facilities such as these to be available to ‘everyone’. In early September 2014 my mother and I, both carers, saw a small write up in the local newspaper advertising a Carers Day at the Palmers Garden Centre in Yeovil which looked promising, (see page 33). We attended the day and discovered several organisations were available at various ‘stands’ to provide a wealth of information for Carers. In our household we have one person My family and I were initially introduced to with mobility difficulties and another with various Compass Disability Services in June 2013, when medical problems together with memory loss. On sadly we experienced an incident of racial that particular day my own GP surgery’s Carer harassment by our neighbours. We are Champion was available and she kindly spent a ex-Zimbabweans and owned our home for 14 years good while talking to me, pointing me in the right with the said neighbours being tenants for 7 years. direction, including to the Compass Disability ‘table’ Following involvement with the Housing Association where I met (co-incidentally) my ‘Compass Carers’ regarding the perpetrators, we were referred to the Support Worker. A great introduction to a very kind, ‘Compass Hate Crime’ team and visited by a helpful and understanding gentleman who took wonderful lady. She visited us at home, together note of the multiple and complex interlinked with the Hate Crime Officer from the local Police situations within our family unit. He made sensible force. Both of them could not have been kinder, suggestions towards perhaps reducing some understanding, helpful or informative during our tension in the household by considering volunteer very difficult times. She talked us through all visiting, days out, ‘time out’ for each of us and the possible eventualities, kept in constant contact and promise of a home visit for further discussion. explained legalities; offering to attend the Court Following the day which was a complete success, process, should the outcome be down this route. we arranged the visit with him. Until this point, we had never heard of Compass Disability Services. Following this visit, we were put in touch with the local Fire Brigade who updated our fire alarms, provided additional safety information to me and my disabled parents. She also put me in contact with a Carer Support Worker from Compass Disability Services, who offered further support, a wealth of information and sent useful literature in the post; including the ‘Networker’ magazine and became aware of the
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. . . we blush (a little). In the meantime we attended the Compass Disability led independent living exhibition, ‘Disability Somerset’ day at Junction 24. It comes recommended as an event to obtain plenty of information related to unpaid carers and people with disabilities. See page 45. Returning to the home visit from my Compass Disability Carer Support Worker, it is with genuine appreciation that I would like to thank the gentleman who visited. He discussed several vital points regarding our everyday situation in the home/community, made suggestions and has arranged to contact me again to follow up. I have to mention that the continuity of having a nominated point of contact within Compass Disability Services is very reassuring, especially with someone to whom one can relate. In the meantime and having been urged to find a resolution to the what appears to be ever increasing problems, regarding managing a combination of caring and working (from home in my case), we have since been in touch with Adult Social Services and had contact from an Adult Social Care Worker and an Occupational Therapist, both with ongoing and positive outcomes. It was because of the initial contact with Compass that just over a year later, that I have reached the
point of understanding I am now at. I am attending a Carers Skills Course with Compass Disability, run by an efficient co-ordinator and a dedicated trainer. Having attended day one, of the two day course I have found this to be another useful and positive experience and am arranging to attend the Dementia course at a date in the future. I cannot praise Compass Disability highly enough for the moral and practical support they offer and the useful advice/sign posting service that is available to members of the general public, especially to carers. Ask enough questions and you receive all the answers you need and Compass Disability treats you as an individual, as someone important and they recognise the work and efforts of the carers they champion. I honestly feel that I never need be alone in dealing with what may be in store in the ‘care world’. By my own admission I have by no means balanced my care/work commitments and I am sure that I will need to ask for help again and would not hesitate to contact my dedicated Carer Support Worker in the times ahead. I have not as yet accessed the local Carers Support Group or the telephone befriending service, but they are still opportunities available should the need arise. Thank you Compass Disability Services. Anne.
Awareness Session for ‘GP Carers Champions’
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Compass Carers delivered an awareness session to 9 carers champions from the Bridgwater Bay and North Sedgemoor area. The purpose was to give direction for the champions role and help recognise carers issues, the importance of championing these issues and the benefit to practices in doing so. The session was made up of group work and discussion around how the role should, or could look . “How to identify carers that do not choose to self identify”. The session was also attended by a carer, who gave her own account of what it’s like to be a carer and what would have been beneficial to her, at the time. All of the champions agreed that the session was beneficial and had the confidence to take the role forward. ‘Compass Carers’ have now delivered these sessions in South Somerset, Bridgwater Bay/North Sedgemoor and are planning to deliver in the Mendip, West Somerset, Chard and Illminster/Crewkerne areas.
Keeping warm this winter If you are worried about your fuel bills, can’t pay your fuel bills or would like information on how you could stay warmer and safer this winter? There are many agencies willing to help. Call our helpline on 01823 255911 and we will aim to put you in touch with the correct one.
unless they are for “all night use”. T Get your electric blanket tested every three years for safety. T If the temperature falls below 16 degrees the elderly and those with limited mobility could be at risk from hypothermia, heart attack or stroke. T If it is very cold and bills are a great problem, living and sleeping in just one room may be a last resort. Get some friends or family to move your bed It is a good idea to prepare for the winter and into the living room, rather than sleeping in an lengthy spells of cold weather, just in case. armchair overnight. Give some thought to these simple, but often T Be careful if there is a gas fire in the room. Turn forgotten tips : T Have you got enough food and drink supplies? it off before getting into bed T How will you get your shopping if the weather is T Keeping moving. Try not to stay sitting down for long periods of time, get up and move around a bit. really bad? Any kind of activity from walking to the shops to T Keep your home warm. Do you have plenty of doing the vacuuming gets your circulation going fuel and know who to contact if you have a problem and makes you feel warmer. with your heating? T If you have difficulty walking, moving your arms T Make sure you will be able to get your medica- and legs and wiggling your toes & fingers will help. tion from the chemist.T Whatever type of heating T If it is very cold outside or icy you have, it is underfoot, try to keep active indoors rather than important to keep both your living room and venturing outside. bedroom warm. T Dress for warmth. Wear plenty of thin layers, T Draw your curtains at dusk and keep doors rather than one thick one closed, to block out draughts. T Put on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm T Heat your main living room to around shoes or boots, when you go outside. 18-21degrees C (64-70 F) and the rest of the house T Wear clothes made of wool, cotton or fleecy to at least 16 degrees C. synthetic fibres. All which trap heat. T Make sure that you keep your living room warm T Wear socks and thermal underwear at night. throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed. T Set the timer on your heating to come on WISH is a service which before you get up and switch off when you go to can help people in bed, (try to keep your bedroom at 18 degrees, so Somerset stay warm and well in their keep heating on overnight, if necessary). homes.You can contact them by T Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as phoning 0800 082 2234. They will electric blankets, even if the blanket is switched off. give you advice over the telephone, T Unplug electric blankets before you go to bed, or organise a visit in your own home.
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Playtime in North Somerset
Yeo Valley Lions Special Needs Playground
The play equipment was specially selected for the children and included a cargo net, which could swing several children at a time, a rocking basket they could sit in and a sensory garden. Also installed was a water fall with a bridge across which started up as people walked past with a small fountain that did the same. The favourite by far however, was the wide slide on a mound reached by steps, which could take a carer with a child on their lap, or just children on their own. The most recent acquisition, is a wheel chair swing, which allows the carer to sit opposite a wheel chair user and sway back and forward. Building work included a shelter and storage cupboards with bikes and scooters. Parents and carers can sit in the shelter and watch the children on the equipment, knowing they can’t escape from the playground.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Yeo Valley Lions and how you can get involved, or would like to come along and attend one of their meetings, give Geoff Gibbs a call on 07966 498676 or e-mail: yeovalleylions@btinternet.com
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The Yeo Valley Lions provide a children’s playground, designed specifically for children with special needs in Kingston Seymour, North Somerset. To use the playground families and organisation’s need to register with Yeo Valley Lions Club as only registered users can gain access. More information about the playground and how to gain registration can be got from Lion Graham Marshall at email: grahamliz@waitrose.com. Yeo Valley Lions built the playground following a two year funding effort, which raised the best part of £45,000. The land was donated on a quiet farm owned by William Travis who had a special needs brother who died at a relatively young age. Keith Palmer, father of a special needs boy himself and former Club President, had the original idea. He wanted somewhere that was a safe, secure environment, with facilities and equipment designed to engage, interest and stretch children; and for parents to relax, safe in the knowledge that their children can play in an unfettered way, enjoying to the full their new found freedom. To this end the playground had to be fully enclosed. Long serving member Joe Palmer an architect, drew up the plans.
Associate member
The vision: An opportunity to experience diversity; from relaxation, massage, creative writing, experimenting with poetry, creating a collage and learning mindfulness techniques or join the book club. The Revolution Health & Wellbeing Centre is all about creating community, within a community. A sanctuary that aims to provide help in understanding and maintaining wellbeing. To be able to offer confidence building and mindfulness. Revolution have a wealth of experienced trainers, coaches, teachers and therapists. The aim is to provide information, signpost, engage all, create community led groups and to provide courses which boost and maintain the mind, body & heart. Founder Mitch Jones is an ex-nurse, Neuro-linguistic programming practitioner and carer. Having teamed up with fellow practitioner Allison Ward, an Autistic Spectrum condition trainer, with ten years experience working within Mental Health and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) therapist and counsellor ‘Revolution’ is a place that was created to help. Berrow Road Community Centre 5 Berrow Road Burnham-On-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET 01278 773 400 / 07585906166 email: revolutiontrainings@hotmail.com Facebook: search-’Revolution Trainings’
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2015 MONDAY WRITERS GROUP Explore your Creative Writing Skills. 23rd & 30th March 6th & 13th April RELAXATION GROUPS Open to all 10am-Noon 16-18 Year olds only 6pm-8pm Carers session 6pm-8pm EXPLORING EXERCISE Introducing exercise to fit lifestyle 6 Weeks of 1 hour sessions Thursdays 10am-11am or Noon-1pm Groups of 5 Where possible, events are FREE to carers
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Volunteer update service for four months and almost 60 unpaid carers are receiving the benefit of the service. We are in the process of Volunteer recruitment inducting and training another four Talk has been really and Support volunteers, to join the four successful at already in place. Compass Carers and We have recently recruited a volunteer Compass Disability trainer, Andrew Carrigan, who is a Services in the past Solicitor. He has been leading training few months. We are courses on legal issues that affect carers. really grateful for the Carers are really benefitting from this input all our help. Volunteers also play a big part in Jane Allin volunteers bring to our supporting our Compass Disability organisation. Services projects and we now have As Volunteer Coordinator, it is my several volunteers in our Finance Team, pleasure and privilege to meet with a volunteer handyman, a volunteer in our potential volunteers and when appointed, Office Support Team, volunteers who help to supervise their induction. In the with training and some general volunteers, Compass Carers Team, we now have a who help us at events and with a variety group of volunteers, who between them, of tasks. Our thanks go to all our fulfil a number of essential roles. Some volunteers, whose input is greatly help to develop the service itself by being appreciated. members of our ‘Steering Group’, while others help facilitate Carer Support If you would like to join our team of Groups and attend awareness events. We volunteers, please contact Jane Allin are really proud of our ‘Talk and Support’ Volunteer Coordinator on volunteers, who make regular phone calls 01823 255911 or to unpaid carers offering friendship and email: jane@compassdisability.org.uk. support. We have been running this
In Praise of Volunteers
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Andrew Carrigan’s presenting ‘Power of Attorney’ at Wellington Medical Centre Andrew Carrigan is the ‘Trusts and Estates’ around the county. Solicitor for Ashfords Solicitors, based in He explains the process, the documentation, Taunton. He has been providing support to the legal requirements and the costs, and gives Compass Carers on a voluntary basis, running out a pack of information to take away. a series of training sessions on ‘Lasting Powers The feedback has been very positive and more of Attorney’ through carer support groups sessions are planned for 2015.
Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2 for Somerset Have Your Say! Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2 for Somerset ‘Rights of Way’ is a collective term for all the paths that you might use when in the countryside, e.g: public footpaths or bridleways, or even when walking about town, as there are many urban public footpaths too. The ‘Improvement Plan 2’ identifies how Somerset County Council proposes to improve the provision of public rights of way and other access in Somerset for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and those with visual or mobility impairments.
Cabinet member for Highways, Harvey Siggs said “Public Rights of Way are more than a valuable recreational resource. They are an important asset in terms of the rural economy, tourism, sustainable transport, social inclusion and health & well being. The public rights of way network is key to enabling residents and visitors alike to access services and enjoy the beauty of Somerset’s diverse natural and built environment. This second Improvement Plan states our ambition to make Somerset a destination for enjoyable walking, riding & cycling. Over the next few years the focus is going to be chiefly on performing our statutory duties”. The existing network of public rights of way dates back over 60 years and in many areas there has been little change to paths. However, the landscape has changed in this time, as has the way that we move about the countryside with an increased use of public rights of way for
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recreational purposes. Therefore, Somerset County Council, along with landowning bodies and other agencies will seek to provide a network of routes that meets the current and future needs of the public, for both residents and visitors. However, this has to be achieved within the current restrictive legal framework. Some of the key policies and actions in the Improvement Plan to help improve the path network are as follows: Liaise with all Local Planning Authorities to ensure that any Public Open Space Strategy and their Local Development Framework in general has regard for the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, any priority routes and the Public Rights of Way network. Continue to ensure that improvements to the rights of way network are secured through planning applications and that the necessary funds and agreements are sought to implement improvements. Maintain the 2012/13 percentage ease of use until 2023 and if possible, improve it. When significant expenditure is required on the maintenance of a right of way, we will consider a diversion of the route to reduce installation and future maintenance costs. Continue to review how we prioritise and process the backlog of applications to modify the Definitive Map & Statement and ensure that the Statement of Priorities accords with RoWIP principles. Rationalisation of rights of way will be a key consideration when changes to the network are proposed through public path orders or development. Future network maintenance will be an important factor when improvements are sought as part of a public path order or development proposal. Work with developers and relevant stakeholders to streamline, develop and improve the PRoW network within and in the vicinity of development. Local mitigation and strategic improvements will be sought through public path orders and where necessary, physical works.
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Continue to liaise with landowners and other key stakeholders to collate and map permissive and other route information and formalise permissive access with agreements where necessary. Continue to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders when developing, maintaining and implementing improvements to the Public Rights of Way network. Continue to develop and maximise the benefit of the Community Paths Partnership and review and celebrate the success of individual initiatives. Continue to work in partnership with neighbouring authorities to resolve cross-border maintenance, legal and improvement issues and to ensure consistency in the signage and maintenance standards of promoted routes. The Improvement Plan 2 has now been revised and updated, and it is important that any views on the Draft are received, at the latest, by Tuesday 10th March 2015. Copies of the Draft Plan are available for inspection at your local council offices and your local library. A copy can also be viewed at County Hall, Taunton.
If you would like a copy of the Draft Plan 2 please contact the Rights of Way Service, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY. email: rightsofway@somerset.gov.uk or telephone: 0845 3459155 The document and its appendices can also be viewed and commented on at the Somerset County Council website:www.somerset.gov.uk/ROWIPConsultation Representations may also be sent to the above addresses. www.compassdisability.org.uk
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Utilise information from the network survey to create a list of routes currently available to those less able and also put forward for assessment those routes that could be improved. When improving PRoW or creating new PRoW, an inclusive approach will be taken from the outset, so that wherever possible the routes will be accessible to horse riders, cyclists, walkers and those with visual and mobility impairments. When creating, improving or diverting PRoW, we will endeavour to improve connectivity of the network and improve safety when emergence onto or crossing a road is part of the proposal. Work with Policy Planners and others to identify PRoW on the urban fringe that link to nearby communities, schools, services, public open space etc. that could be upgraded/improved to restricted byway or bridleway to serve as multi-use routes. Develop the interactive mapping website to provide detailed information on easy access paths. Enhanced signage and waymarking e.g. destination, distance, etc, may be considered on promoted routes (national, regional & local).
Associate member
Healthwatch Somerset is the independent voice of local people on health and social care services in the county; whether they be service users or carers, children, young people or adults.
We identify trends and themes. On behalf of the people of Somerset, take these up with service commissioners and providers, who then have to respond to us, always with the aim of improving or maintaining services. We inform ‘Healthwatch England’ so that the same scrutiny is applied nationally.
Want help to find a service? We provide free information and signposting for health and wellbeing groups and organisations in Somerset and the surrounding areas. ‘Well Aware’ is an online directory that can be searched at www.wellaware.org.uk. We also have a free telephone service. You can call our team on 0808 8085252 and we will do the search for you. If you want to find out about community and social groups, assisted living or mobility equipment, help with transport, help with making a complaint and indeed much, much more why not give ‘Well Aware’ a try?
Volunteering with Healthwatch Somerset Our biggest asset is our ‘Corps of Volunteers’. We offer three different volunteering opportunities: Healthwatch Champion: you will be a member of a group in your local area. This can be a health or social care related group or otherwise. For example, a “faith group”, Neighbourhood Watch or maybe a sports club. In fact, virtually any group. We will ask you to tell us the experiences of your group members on health and social care services and sometimes we will ask you to seek their views on particular aspects of services. As you are already a member of the group we wouldn’t expect this to take up much more time than you already give to the group. Healthwatch Representative: you will be a Healthwatch Champion (above) who wants to get a bit more involved. You will represent Healthwatch, for example, on a Board in the NHS or with Social Services, or maybe help us promote Healthwatch at events in the community. You will not need to be an ‘expert’ although we are looking for people who are enthusiastic about helping us ensure we have the best health and social care services possible. Enter & View Volunteers: the law entitles Healthwatch volunteers to enter and view health and social care services as they are being delivered. You will be asked to record
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Associate member your observations in a report to be sent to service providers. This report will also become a public document when it is placed on our website, with the aim of recognising good practice and identifying areas for improvement.
Want to Know More? If you want to know more about our volunteering opportunities, or to arrange an informal chat, you can contact us via any of the ways listed below. We look forward to hearing from you.
( 8 7 *
01278 264405 info@healthwatchsomerset.org.uk www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/tell-us-your-stories Healthwatch Somerset, c/o Unit 2 Suprema Estate Edington, Bridgwater, TA7 9LF @HWatchSomerset
Project Management and Business Development experience and the last eight years in health and social care. His Wintenders.eu is a small company easy going and open style of working is consisting of two freelance consultants refreshing in what can often be a tense, and an administrator. We offer project tough, task driven environment. Mike has management, business development, a severely disabled granddaughter. bid/tender writing and funding applications Consultant Yvonne Bray has 20 years’ for organisations who don’t have the experience working with disabled people capacity or resources internally. Our in various organisations including Leonard experience and expertise in these Cheshire, where in addition to working specialist, often complex and time driven across the South West of England she fields, leaves others to get on with their also worked with government ministers day jobs. overseas, developing new services for Our customers include large charities and people with disabilities in the less small independent companies. Mostly, salubrious parts of the Caribbean and though not entirely, the work is in the Cyprus. Yvonne has a daughter with a social care field supporting organisations severe learning disability and a working with adults and children with granddaughter with complex needs. learning disabilities, physical disabilities and/or mental health issues. In the past six months successes include securing a large Cornwall contract for domiciliary care and support, with £150,000 Dept. of Health funding for a dementia project; acquisition and set-up of new services for 6 people with complex needs. Consultant Mike Harrison has 30 years
Wintenders.eu
www.wintenders.eu
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Yvonne
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Mike
Sport for All
Are you interested in playing Goalball? Or becoming a coach or an official? Goalball UK are launching a new club in Weston-super-Mare and are holding a free ‘have a go’ session for anyone to attend, visually impaired or sighted, young or old, male or female, no experience necessary but if you are experienced come and show us how!
Saturday 7 February 2015 12 noon – 2pm Hans Price Sports Centre Marchfields Way Weston-super-Mare BS23 3QP For more information, and to register your interest, please contact Becky Ashworth: telephone: 0114 223 5670 or email: becky.ashworth@sysport.co.uk
The development of this club is supported by North Somerset Council’s Sportarray initiative, creating more opportunities in inclusive sport.
Friend of Compass Disability Services, Danny Nobbs, (see April edition 2013, online), has switched from ‘Shot Putt’ to ‘Javelin’ as his field event of choice, due to a change in the rules for contestants. Danny plans to be on Team GB, for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
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Disability Somerset 2014
We always listen to feedback and comments from previous years events. This encouraged us, this year, to work directly with ‘Motability Operations’ to deliver a “Transport Zone” with local Motability dealerships on site to help answer any motoring queries.
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The fourth ‘Disability Somerset Exhibition’ took place on Wednesday 10th September at ‘Junction 24’, Sedgemoor Auction Centre. By 10am all the exhibitors were set up and an influx of visitors arrived in the beautiful autumn sunshine.
Disability Somerset 2014
The BBC Outdoor Broadcast bus was in attendance, as in previous years, broadcasting live. Many of the Compass Disability staff were interviewed on the day, as part of the morning show feature on ‘Disability and Living in Somerset’.
With a record number of visitors and 100 stands, Disability Somerset 2014 saw exhibitors old and new displaying some of the premier services and products available for people with disabilities.
Our sponsors for the event were Buses of Somerset (part of First Group). Not only did they support the event through sponsorship, but also by diverting all their services passing Junction 24 to allow visitors to get off directly outside the venue. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support of the event.
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Trustees
Could you be a Trustee? We are recruiting new Trustees, with a range of skills, to join the existing board. Compass Disability Services is looking for people who are committed to its mission, values, aims and objectives and are passionate about the work it does. As a Trustee you would be expected to ensure that the organisation complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. Trustees use their specific skills, experience and knowledge to help the board reach sound decisions.
Becoming a Trustee will involve: • • • • • •
Scrutinising board papers Focusing on key issues Providing special expertise Leading discussions Promoting the organisation whilst enhancing and protecting its reputation Being a good ambassador for the organisation
For more information, please contact Paula Ingrey on 0330 333 0089 or email: paula@compassdisability.org.uk
Current Board of Trustees
Chair Val Palmer
Treasurer Mark Oldershaw
Trustee Denise Hole
Vice Chair Karen Attwell
Trustee Trevor Selby
Tracy Oldershaw
Trustee
www.compassdisability.org.uk
Trustee Pauline Tilley
www.bridgwater.ac.uk
DO YOU RECEIVE DIRECT PAYMENTS TOWARDS YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS AT HOME? You can now access FREE training for your carer/personal assistant Are you an independent person who employs a personal carer/personal assistant at home to meet your individual needs? Do they have little in the way of formal training? If so, you can now access FREE professional training for your carer/personal assistant in a number of subjects, enabling your care to be carried out more effectively. These short training programmes are EPP REXMSREPP] VIGSKRMWIH UYEPM½GEXMSRW delivered by Bridgwater College, either in the home or at the College, with no cost to you or your carer. There are a wide variety of subjects available, including: • • •
HABC Safe Moving and Handling/ HABC Moving People Safely Emergency First Aid at Work RSPH Food Safety in Catering Level 2
• • • •
• • •
• •
CIEH Fire Warden/Fire Safety Level 2 2'*) 'IVXM½GEXI MR XLI 7EJI Handling of Medicines Level 2 2'*) 'IVXM½GEXI MR 4VMRGMTPIW SJ Dementia Care Level 2 2'*) 'IVXM½GEXI MR Understanding End of Life Care Level 2 NCFE Award in the Prevention and Control of Infection Level 2 Introduction to Duty of Care in a Health and Social Care Setting 'IVXM½GEXI MR 4VITEVMRK XS ;SVO in the Adult Health and Social Care Sector Understanding in Working in Mental Health Level 2 'IVXM½GEXI MR XLI 6SPI SJ the Health and Social Care Professional.
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