BULLETIN - Bromley Mencap
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
BULLETIN September/October 2018
Help us Bag a Share!
Bromley Mencap is bidding to bag a cash boost
from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its
community funding scheme, which sees grants
of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from their
carrier bag sales awarded to local community
projects.
Three groups in every Tesco region have been
shortlisted and shoppers are invited to vote for
who they think should take away the top grant.
Bromley Mencap is one of the groups on the
shortlist and we are raising money for our
Community Hub which provides training and
employment opportunities for disabled people.
Voting is open in all Tesco stores in September
and October. Please cast your vote for us when
you get a token at the check-out.
1
What’s in this issue?
Hi everyone
Welcome to our autumn edition of
Bulletin. The leaves are falling and the FAMILY SERVICES
nights are drawing in... EVENTS 3
...so settle down and catch up on all the
latest updates and event listings. Make sure CHIEF EXECUTIVE
you see all the great photos from our REPORT 4
recent family coach trip to Howletts (page
15) and of everyone strutting their stuff at BROMLEY WELL
the summer dance (page 12). UPDATES 7-11
And if you do happen to pop out to Tesco, DAY OPPORTUNITIES
make sure you vote for us at the check-out UPDATE 13
with your blue token (see front page).
COMMUNITY
All the best, FUNDRAISING 16-17
Luan
luanlanham@btinternet.com
2
Events and Activities - For more information or to book,
please call the office on 020 8466 0790
SEPTEMBER 18-Oct Day Opportunities
17-Sep Bromley Well Workshop and Drop-in Session for People with Catering Training
Physical Disabilities Bike Recycling Training
18-Sep Day Opportunities Programme Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
Catering Training Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
Horticulture Training Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Bike Recycling Training 19-Oct Day Opportunities
19-Sep Day Opportunities Programme ASD Drop In
Horticulture Training 20-Oct Community Outreach Drop In
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Bromley Well Workshop for People with Learning Disabilities
20-Sep Day Opportunities Programme
Catering Training
22-Oct Day Opportunities
Bike Recycling Training
Monday Afternooners
Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
23-Oct Day Opportunities
Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
Catering Training
21-Sep Day Opportunities Programme Horticulture Training
ASD Drop In Bike Recycling Training
24-Sep Monday Afternooners Family Services Coach Trip
25-Sep Day Opportunities Programme Bromley Well Workshop and Drop-in Session for People with
Catering Training Physical Disabilities
Horticulture Training Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
Bike Recycling Training Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical 24-Oct Day Opportunities
Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Horticulture Training
26-Sep Day Opportunities Programme Adult Dance 18+
Horticulture Training Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Community Outreach Drop In 25-Oct Day Opportunities
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session Catering Training
Bromley Well Workshop for People with Learning Disabilities Bike Recycling Training
Bromley Well Young Carers Activity (5-11yrs)
27-Sep Day Opportunities Programme 26-Oct Day Opportunities
Catering Training Bromley Well Mutual Carers Information Session and Lunch
Bike Recycling Training
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 30-Oct Day Opportunities
Catering Training
28-Sep Day Opportunities Programme
Horticulture Training
Bromley Well Mutual Carers Information Session and Lunch
Bike Recycling Training
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
29-Sep Bromley Well Young Carers Activity (12yrs +)
31-Oct Day Opportunities
OCTOBER Horticulture Training
02-Oct Day Opportunities Programme
NOVEMBER
Catering Training 01-Nov Day Opportunities
Horticulture Training Catering Training
Bike Recycling Training Bike Recycling Training
03-Oct Day Opportunities Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
Horticulture Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
04-Oct Day Opportunities 02-Nov Day Opportunities
Catering Training 06-Nov Day Opportunities
Bike Recycling Training Catering Training
Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Horticulture Training
Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Bike Recycling Training
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
05-Oct Day Opportunities Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
09-Oct Day Opportunities 07-Nov Day Opportunities
Catering Training Horticulture Training
Horticulture Training Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Bike Recycling Training 08-Nov Day Opportunities
Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Catering Opportunities
Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Bike Recycling Training
10-Oct Day Opportunities Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
09-Nov Day Opportunities
Horticulture Training
Bromley Well Mutual Carers Cookery Club
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
13-Nov Day Opportunities
11-Oct Day Opportunities
Catering Opportunities
Catering Training
Horticulture Training
Bike Recycling Training
Bike Recycling Training
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 14-Nov Day Opportunities
12-Oct Day Opportunities Horticulture Training
Bromley Well Mutual Carers Cookery Club Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
13-Oct Outdoor Activities Club 15-Nov Day Opportunities
16-Oct Day Opportunities Catering Training
Catering Training Bike Recycling Training
Horticulture Training Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical
Bike Recycling Training Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions
17-Oct Day Opportunities Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session
Horticulture 16-Nov Day Opportunities
Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 17-Nov Bromley Well Young Carers Activity (12yrs +)
3
CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT
EDDIE LYNCH
MORE ACCESSIBLE ELECTIONS? The measures the government is
considering include:
1. How can it be made easier for people in
care homes to participate in elections
2. Issuing polling card information
electronically, and by post, to assist
people with sight loss
3. Political parties ensuring their
manifestos and information on
candidates standing for election are
more accessible
4. Looking into support for voters with
sight loss in polling stations
The Government has announced plans 5. Expanding the list of people who can
to make elections more accessible for support disabled voters at polling
disabled people. This followed feedback stations
from disabled people around the Voter 6. Improving information around postal
ID Pilots which took place in a number of voting and proxy voting so it’s more
areas including the London Borough of accessible to disabled people.
Bromley.
You can read the full government report,
The series of recommendations will aim including an easy read version, here
to make the electoral system more fair
and equal. This follows the Cabinet Office https://www.gov.uk/government/
launching a Call for Evidence in September consultations/access-to-elections-call-for-
2017 inviting a range of disabled people evidence
and organisations to have their say.
We hope the recommendations will now
256 responses were received with the become firm commitments.
majority being from people with learning
disabilities. Bromley Mencap fed into this
Call for Evidence following a focus group
and feedback from our members.
4
Congratulations Rhiana!
Last month I was delighted to present Rhiana Humphreys with a Level 1 Food Safety
and Hygiene Certificate. Rhiana is the first student on our Lodge catering traininq and
employment scheme to be awarded the certificate - what a fantastic achievement for her.
The course is made up of three elements - classroom learning, practical work experience
and certificated learning.
Eddie Lynch, Chief Executive and Jane Marsh, Catering Facilitator,
presenting Rhiana with her certificate
Rhiana said ‘I have worked hard and am very pleased to have passed my exam. I really enjoy
coming to the Lodge and would like to work towards volunteering in the kiosk here so I can build
my confidence.’
5
NEWS Our round-up of local
and national disability
CORNER news
Care Providers & Care Homes in Bromley Struggle to Hold Down Jobs
The Bromley Adult Care and Support Parents of the UK’s million disabled children
Services Directory 2018 - 19 can support you are struggling to hold down vital jobs. A new
in your search for care in London. If you need report by charity Working Families analysed
support to live in your home in Bromley or feedback from 1,250 parents of disabled
you’d like information on moving into a care children – the majority of whom were
home or whether the council will help you to mothers – and found three quarters (76%)
fund your care, the Bromley directory of parents of disabled children have turned
contains useful information to help you. down a promotion or accepted a demotion to
More details here: https://www.carechoices. meet their caring responsibilities. More here:
co.uk/region/london/bromley/ http://www.tacinterconnections.com/index.
php/allnews/publications/2974-holding-
down-vital-job-a-struggle-say-parents-of-dis-
abled-children-important-new-report
Disabled Living’s August Newsletter
The latest newsletter can be accessed here:
https://issuu.com/disabledliving/docs/dl_
Loneliness and Disabled People newsletter_aug_18?e=26748259/63580394
The government has appointed the world’s
first Minister for Loneliness, Tracey Crouch
and, according to Sense, half the disabled
people in the UK are lonely.
One in four feel lonely every day. More here:
http://enablemagazine.co.uk/the-loneli-
ness-epidemic/
Stakeholder Bulletin
The latest issue of Bromley NHS Clinical
Commissioning Group’s newsletter is
available here:
https://mailchi.
mp/65da6f0f7fc3/stake-
holder-bulletin-summer-
edition?e=b0b24c2c93
6
Mutual Carers News and Events
The Bromley Well Mutual Carers Support Service has had another busy and interesting
couple of months.
The Carers Workshop and Lunches have continued to be well
attended and in this period we have been fortunate to hear
from three informative and engaging speakers.
Our next information workshops and lunches will include
presentations from:
September: Dean Baldwin - Bromley
Well – with an introductory taster session
from his comprehensive Improving Activity
and Lifestyle program.
October: Hannah Germaine – Bromley Well –
talking about Maintaining Good Mental Health
and Wellbeing.
November: Billie-Jane Price Bromley Mencap - will explain the
changes to benefits and pensions that may affect mutual carers
with a presentation called Maximizing your Income.
The Older Carer Lunches are open to all carers aged 55+. We are always happy to welcome
new carers and learn about speakers that you would like to hear from.
The Cookery Club has also been well attended with the group
learning new skills and recipes that they can practice at home.
The group have learned how to create a simple a range of easy yet
delicious recipes including fish pie, Mediterranean vegetables and
a white rice lunch using vegetables that some of the group had
never tasted before. We have been exploring the use of different
vegetables, new tastes and have learned how to replace some of
the ingredients with pre-prepared quick and nutritious frozen
alternatives so that the group can cook healthy meals in a fraction
of the time. Clean plates all round!
7
Supporting People with
Physical Disabilities
We continue to support people by providing information and advice about services available
to them. We are able to help with paperwork, letters, and offer support for clients at
appointments and meetings. We also hold monthly workshops, which are an opportunity to
learn something new, meet new people and a chance to relax in an informal setting.
Monthly Workshops and Drop-ins
In July, our workshop was about
making people aware of frauds and
doorstep crime in the area. We invited
along two police officers to talk to our
group. The session was very informative
and made us all aware of what to look
out for.
In August we had a talk from the
Bromley Well Long Term Health
Conditions Team who spoke to us about
Pain Management. The presentation
was very interesting and helped us to
understand pain and learn about
coping strategies to deal with it.
Both events were well attended and
received.
Our workshops are free of charge and
refreshments and a light lunch are
provided.
Our next workshop is on Monday 17th
September and we will be providing information about First Aid for common accidents around
the home. It will be held at the United Reformed Church, Widmore Road, Bromley.
If you are interested in attending, or would like to find out more about our service, please
contact one of our Support and Information Officers:
Sue Fuller on 07484673090 email sue.fuller@bromleywell.org.uk
Chetan Raval on 07421106922 email Chetan.raval@bromleywell.org.uk
Alternatively, you can call us in the office on 020 8466 0790.
8
NEWS -
English Blue Badge Scheme Extended
People with hidden disabilities, including
autism and mental health conditions are to
Physical Disabilities be given the right to a Blue Badge. More here:
h t t p s : / / w w w. d i s a b i l i t y r i g h t s u k . o r g /
n e ws / 2 0 1 8 / j u l y / e n g l i s h - b l u e - b a d g e -
Clothes designed with wheelchair users in scheme-include-those-hidden-disabilities
mind
ASOS has been praised for designing clothes
with wheelchair users in mind. Chloe Ball-
Hopkins, a Paralympic athlete and reporter
for BBC Bristol has been working with the
retailer and tells her story below.
Disability Consumer Review Site
Rate it! is a new website that offers disabled
and older people a space to share their views
and reviews of products (both specialist and
mainstream) that can help to make life easier.
More here: https://rateit.ridc.org.uk/
Inclusive Transport
The government has released a new strategy
https://w w w.independent.co.uk/life - which aims to improve accessibility across all
style/fashion/asos-wheelchair-users-dis- types of travel for people with visible and less
abled-fashion-jumpsuit- online -shop-
visible disabilities. More here:
ping-a8432351.html
https://www.gov.uk/
Accessible Shopping Day government/publica-
Major retailers are backing the UK’s first tions/inclusive-trans-
Accessible Shopping Day on 13th port-strategy
November. This will see retailers introduce
new measures to benefit their disabled
customers. For more information click on
the link below. Bus Services Act Consultation
The Department for Transport invites
feedback on the Bus Services Act 2017 and
accessible information policy proposals. They
want to introduce regulations that require
bus operators to provide better audible and
visible information on local bus services.
More here: https://www.gov.uk/government/
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessi-
retailers-back-uks-first-accessible-shopping- ble-information
day/
9
Referrals: We have seen more new referrals over the past few months and have seen plenty of people coming back to use the service again for support with new issues. I have met a number of groups for people with a learning difficulty or disability and I attended the recent Art Exhibition at Community House by the Bromley Together group. Monthly Workshops and Drop-ins We have recently started our workshops, at the Lodge Community Hub in Norman Park, on the theme of technology. We will be looking to set everyone up with an email address and using the internet safely. I will be expecting a lot more emails in the future! Outreach I have continued to attend the outreach sessions in Cotmandene and Mottingham on alternate Wednesdays. If you are in the Cotmandene or Mottingham areas, look out for our flyers in the window to see when I am there next. Spaces are first-come-first-serve and we have been getting busier so I would recommend that people get there early! I have also begun outreach sessions from Bromley Jobcentre Plus on Thursday afternoons. If you would like to meet me there, please ask your work coach or advisor and they will make you an appointment. Call or email Rob Morgan if you would like any more information about the Bromley Well Learning Disability service on 020 8466 0790, mobile 07482 558 660 or email robert.morgan@bromleywell.org.uk 10
NEWS -
Learning Disabilities
People with a learning disability and people
with autism will be one of the top priorities The Bubble Club
for the NHS in the next 10 years. The NHS is
currently asking for opinions on its work so An East London club has been holding
far and on what needs to happen next. bi-monthly nights for people with a learning
There will be meetings all over the country disability. It describes the event as a “super
to discuss the work that has happened on fun and inclusive club night that is safe and
making health services better, Transforming hosts some of London’s most fantastic per-
Care, Learning from death reviews (LeDeR) formers”.
and other important work. Go to http://
www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/ It has been running for 13 years, and
news/planning-for-the-next-10-years-of- provides an opportunity for people with a
the-nhs/?platform=hootsuite to see how learning disability to enjoy a night out.
you can get involved. The organisers say that employing staff with
a learning disability or living experience of a
learning disability can “be helpful for
personal confidence and opening up
Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board opportunities for potential conventional
employment”.
The Board has produced its first newsletter The organisers ensure the night is accessible
which can be accessed here in every way, from easy-to-read menus to a
https://bromley.mylifeportal.co.uk/me- carefully chosen line-up.
dia/24324/bsab_issue01.pdf
Anna, a support worker at Mencap, said “It’s
very difficult to get funding for these kind of
NHS Easy Read Newsletter events because people don’t see the value.
I like to be with my mates, I like to go to the
The latest NHS England Learning Disability pub. People don’t see that as a necessity but it
and Autism Forum newsletter is out now and
is, of course it is. Otherwise it’s loneliness; it’s
available here
depression; it’s not meeting up with people.”
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/
uploads/2018/06/nhs-england-learning-dis-
Here is a link to their Facebook page https://
abilities-news-summer-2018.pdf
www.facebook.com/bubbleclubeast/
You can ring them 07545034542 or email at
info@bubbleclub.org
11The Monday Afternooners
In July, the Monday Afternooners enjoyed a visit to Kew Gardens. It was a warm and sunny day
and on arrival, we had a great picnic lunch.
We then explored the beautiful gardens, glasshouses and the plant collections. We were also
able to view the gardens from the treetops by taking the lift to the Tree Top Walkway.
Our next outing is to The Poppy Factory, Richmond, Surrey, on September 24th.
Summer Dance
On 8th August our adult members aged 18 years and over, danced the night away to popular
songs played by our resident DJ Steve. Light refreshments were available throughout the
evening and provided a welcome break and opportunity to socialise with friends.
A great evening of singing, dancing, meeting friends and socialising was enjoyed by all who
attended.
12Day Opportunities
Metrobank
During the summer holidays, the Day Opps group
were invited to visit Metrobank in Bromley for a
tour. To make sure everyone could make the most
of the trip, Metrobank kindly offered us two visits,
so we could go in smaller groups.
The staff at Metrobank spoke about the services
the bank provides and also about the importance
of budgeting – a vital independence skill.
After a tour of the vaults, a chance to use the money counting machines and a question and
answer session, the group were delighted to be given goody bags from Metrobank.
Thank you to the team at Metrobank for arranging this visit for us.
Day Opps Xtra
Due to the success of our day service projects, we are pleased to advise that we will be
expanding the Day Opps Xtra project from October half term.
The Day Opps Xtra project will run on Mondays and Fridays during school/college holidays
and is specifically aimed at our younger clients, aged 16-23 years and in full time education.
We will run these sessions from our Community Hub ‘The Lodge’ in Norman Park, Bromley.
Our West Wickham sessions have been filling up and so this second site will enable us to offer
more spaces, without either project becoming too large.
Our main Day Opps project will continue to run from Tuesday to Friday in West Wickham, and
younger clients will be able to book to attend Tuesday to Thursday at this project during the
holiday if spaces are available. If you have any questions please call the office.
We are already starting to work on the half term programme, so please watch out for more
information.
Date for your diary
Please keep the morning of Saturday 1st December free for our
Christmas Fair. The Lodge will be open to showcase the work of some
of our clients who run their own micro-enterprises. The Lodge and Day
Opps clients will also have stalls to sell items they have been making over
the last couple of months.
We would really appreciate your support and will have hot chocolate and
mince pies available to start the festive season in style!
More details to follow…
13Keep Fit 2018
‘Twist, turn and tap’ Through Time
This year’s Keep Fitters worked out to unforgettable songs
of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and the tweens. Despite the
World Cup and the hot weather all the classes were well
attended - well done to you all. The final presentation to
parents/carers and Bromley Mencap trustees took place on
25th July. Congratulations to all the ‘Keep Fitters’ for a great
performance.
This year the Ann Kean award and cash prize, which is awarded to the most improved
person, was presented to Teresa Durman. Teresa was very surprised and delighted to receive
the award … Well done Teresa!
And finally … the evening was rounded off with a lovely buffet and an amazing cake, which
was enjoyed by all. A big thank you to our fantastic and dedicated volunteers Kathy Barrett,
Marion Gee and Sue Scrase.
A few quotes from this year…
Laura Frewin: I look forward to coming to the classes and seeing everyone, it’s really good for me.
Thank you to the volunteers
Gillian Rees: I enjoy the classes and look forward to coming and meeting up with my friends
From all the Keep Fitters: We are looking forward to next year!
14Family Coach Trip
On Tuesday 28th August we had our summer coach trip for families to Howletts Wild Animal
Park. The coach set off from Norman Park and took just over an hour to arrive at Howletts. 17
families had a fun filled day ahead and fortunately the weather was warm and sunny.
31 children enjoyed looking at various species of wild animals, the adventure playground and,
for the very brave ones we had the Tree Top challenge!!
Everyone had an adventurous day and there were some very tired children on the coach
journey home.
15Community Fundraising - Jane Barnes Quiz Night – Saturday 6th October Our annual Quiz Night is back! It will be held at our usual venue, St George’s Church Hall, Bickley Park Road at 7.30pm on Saturday 6th October. Book for teams of 6 – 8 people. Tickets cost £5 each and can be booked by contacting the office. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles. Don’t forget there will be a small prize for the best dressed table so get your creative side thinking too. Christmas Raffle It may seem early but Christmas is coming so it’s time for our raffle too. Books of raffle tickets will be sent out shortly. Please return stubbs and payment in the freepost envelope provided. First prize is £250 cash! Please support us by buying or selling the tickets to your family and friends as this can help raise much needed funds. Details of the many prizes on offer will be available in due course so keep an eye out on social media and E-news. VYP Annual Sponsored Walk We are delighted to have received a very generous donation of £3,700 from the Volunteers Youth Project (VYP) at Orpington Methodist Church raised from their annual sponsored walk. Thank you for everyone involved for all your help and support. This amount will make a huge difference to Bromley Mencap. 16
Forthcoming Events
We have lots of collections coming up and many of them will be during the festive season. It
is always a very busy time for us and we need as many volunteers as possible to make these
dates a success. If you know anyone that is willing to spare an hour or two to support us then
please put them in touch with me.
Date Event & Location Help needed Times
Friday 28 September Bromley South Station Collectors 5pm – 7pm
Saturday 06 October Quiz Night Teams of up to 8 6pm to set up,
St George’s Church Hall, volunteers needed to 7.30 pm start
Bickley Park Road, Bromley help set up and organise
Thursday 11, Friday 12, Sainsbury’s Bromley Collectors 10am – 12pm
Saturday 13 and Sunday 12pm – 2pm
14 October 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday 07 November Mencap Tea Party Details to be advised
Thursday 22, Friday 23, Sainsbury’s Bromley Collectors 10am – 12pm
Saturday 24 and Sunday 12pm – 2pm
25 November 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday 05 December Carol Singing at Glades, Collectors 11am – 1pm
and Wednesday 12 Bromley 1pm – 3pm
December 3pm – 5pm
5pm – 7pm
Friday 14 December Astley Christmas Bazaar Volunteers to man the TBA
stall
Sunday 16 December Tesco, Orpington Collectors needed 10am – 12pm
Carol singing 12pm – 2pm
2pm – 4pm
Jane Barnes, Corporate and Community Fundraiser
Email jane.barnes@bromleymencap.org Tel: 020 8466 0790
17Copy deadline for November/December 2018 is 1st November
Editor: Luan Lanham, email: luanlanham@btinternet.com
Publisher: Bromley Mencap, Rutland House, 44 Masons Hill
Bromley Kent BR2 9JG TEL: 020 8466 0790
Copyright © Bromley Mencap Charity Number: 800685
The opinions expressed in Bromley Mencap Bulletin are those
of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Bromley
Mencap. We reserve the right to edit articles before publication.
18You can also read
