Shropshire Disability Network

YourVoice February 2012

Pestaples — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:33:07 +0000

Welcome to the first YourVoice for 2012. Stay with us throughout the year for all the news and views for the disability community. The year begins as last year ended – with battles raging over the cuts. Happy reading!

For the full version of YourVoice, click here

Shropshire’s Blue Badge Holder’s Parking Extensions – decision soon

val — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:23:35 +0000

If you have been following the story on Shropshire Disability Network website you will remember that there has been quite a bit of dialogue between disabled members of Shropshire Community, and the Shropshire Council Prinicipal Transport Planner, Samantha Tharme (click here to refresh your memory) .

In fact, the intervention of PatrickMcDermott of Market Drayton in particular, has given the Council some pause for thought and they have temporarily agreed to a one hour extension for blue badgeholders in all Shropshire Council Car Parks. However, this very temporary decision was made as part of a decision for a wider temporary freeze on parking charges. The latter is to be discussed by Shropshire Council Cabinet in early March, and yet there has been no mention in the news of the equally important matter of the time extension for blue badge holders.

Shropshire Disability Network have been in contact with the Transport Planning Dept asking for some clarification of the situation and an assurance that this is going to be discussed and agreed soon. We have today (1st February) had correspondence from Shropshire Council assuring us that we will have sight of the Cabinet Recommendation when it has been prepared but this gives no indication of whether there will be a concession to Blue Badge Holders or not and neither does it give any indication of whether the recommendation will tell the Cabinet that elsewhere in the UK local authorities are offering a TWO hour extension to blue badge holders.

Shropshire Disability Network will keep you informed and let you know immediately when the Cabinet Recommendation is sent through. If it does not contain positive recommendations to support you, as blue badge holders, we may ask you to lobby Cabinet Members before their meeting on 7th March. Watch this space.

National Volunteers Week! – are you doing your bit?

val — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:41:20 +0000

NationalVolunteers Week in June celebrates, in all sorts of ways, the work of volunteers, whether you describe yourself as a volunteer or not, if you do something for others for nothing, occasionally, regularly, or as a one off, you are a volunteer! Shropshire Disability Network is wholly organised and run by volunteers, and we are always keen to welcome more people to volunteer with us and give us ideas and the capacity to do more for others.

So, do you have half an hour a week you could spare? Are you stuck at home because of lack of transport, lack of a job,because you have a disability but with a brain keen for some stimulation, or a personality keen for some social interaction? We might be your solution. We don’t need people to travel, we volunteers mostly communicate by phone or internet connection and give a bit of time that helps us with our newsletter, our content and articles for our website.

If you do want to get out and about we would welcome seeing you at our meetings, or helping us with our fundraising events but most of all we just want you to share with us your ideas and thoughts about the ways that Shropshire Disability Network might give out better information, be in the right place at the right time to raise our profile, take up a cause on behalf of disabled people, or just help out now and again. The choice is yours, but if you could do any of the above we would love to have you with us and would make sure you could celebrate National Volunteers week too! We really are a friendly bunch who care about enabling people with disability to participate and be involved in lvining a full and active life!

Get in touch to chat: 01948 840726 or email info@shropshire-disability.net to find out more.

SDN issues challenge to Shropshire MP’s over Welfare Reform Bill

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:17:33 +0000

Shropshire Disability Network has invited them all to respond to a series of Questions about the Welfare Reform Bill and their personal views on this. We will publish any replies from them verbatim, and invite comment from you. You may wish to encourage your own MP to respond yourselves as some have not yet replied to our request which was sent on 20th January, and others such as Mark Pritchard MP will not respond to anyone who is not a constituent. Your help in encouraging a response would be much appreciated. If you do wish to add your voice you will find their email addresses below:

MP’sName	MP’s email address	Constituency	Date reply received
Philip Dunne MP	philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk	Ludlow	None received yet
Daniel Kawcynski MP	kawczynskid@parliament.uk	Shrewsbury & Atcham	Has said reply on way
Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP	patersono@parliament.uk	North Shropshire	Reply received 27 Jan 2012 (we will publish this after the deadline)
David Wright MP	wrightda@parliament.uk	Telford	Reply received 2 February 2012(we will publish this after the deadline)
Mark Pritchard MP	pritchardm@parliament.uk	The Wrekin	Has emailed to say he will not reply to any emails from outside his constituency – Anyone help here?

This is a copy of the email which has been sent to all 5 of the MP’s who represent people in Shropshire constituencies.

Dear Sir

As an MP representing Shropshire and Telford residents we are sure you will be well aware of the level of concern being expressed by residents with disabilities, and those caring for them, over the controversial passage of the Welfare Reform Bill and its inevitable impact on the estimated 27,000 people in Shropshire who have a disability.

As an MP you are responsible for either supporting or rejecting significant reforms to disability related benefits, via the Welfare Reform Bill, which we believe will adversely affect people with disabilities and their carers. We do not believe that there has been sufficient time or effort put into the design of P.I.P.’s framework, and are very concerned about the findings in the Spartacus Report – Responsible Reform which set out many examples of misrepresentation of evidence by Government when they report. e.g. Government consistently repeat the assertion that they will make a 20% saving in benefit payments, implying that fraudulent claims equal that number, when in fact all the evidence sets fraud at less than 0.5%.

We would therefore invite you to give us your views on:

the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill and your personal stance on this
the likely impact on people with disability of Welfare Reform in the next 2 years.
whether you believe the proposals are fit for purpose and the framework is ready to roll out with minimal disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable
what you think of the Responsible Reform (Spartacus report) attached and its very different analysis of the same data used by Government (the report is attached for your information)
share with us your views on the likely impact on levels of trust between disabled people and their families, and national government caused by this process.

We would like to share your response with our wider membership and would wish to publish it on our website and invite comment from our membership.

We look forward to receiving your response by Friday 10th February 2012. Please email it to

enquiry@shropshire-disability.net

Shropshire Disability Network is a wholly voluntary organisation which has gained a significant reputation in Shropshire and Telford for its work in enabling the voice of people with disabilities, and their carers and wider family. Our website www.shropshire-disability.net is widely used both by our members and by professionals who work with those with disability in the county as it “provides up to date, relevant and accurate information and support related to disability”. We are constantly being told that we often have information on our website before statutory organisations have been made aware of it.

We look forward to receiving your response soon.

Yours sincerely

(on behalf of Shropshire Disability Network)

Carers – Gentle Walk – Meres Meander, Ellesmere

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:37:37 +0000

The Event below is one of many for Carers in Shropshire – to find out more and to find out what is on in your area please go to the website www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk and click on the Carers Tab near the top of the page. You will then see two options, one for Carers Social Events and one for Carers Drop In Sessions – All are listed on that page

Event details

Event title: Meres Meander-Gentle walk for Carers
Start date: 24/04/2012
End date: 24/04/2012
Start time: 10am
End time: 11.30am approx
Venue: Starting from The Meres Visitor Centre. Ellesmere SY12 0PA
Event description: This walk is being led by a Meres Ambles walk leader and is suitable for wheelchair users. Please join us for this walk among wonderful scenery with good company. Tea and coffee will be available afterwards. To book a place please call 01743 341995
Weblink: www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Contact details

Name: Angela Evans
Contact email: angela.evans@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
Contact number: 01743 341995

Carers Lunch – CravenArms

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:34:08 +0000

The Event below is one of many for Carers in Shropshire – to find out more and to find out what is on in your area please go to the website www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk and click on the Carers Tab near the top of the page. You will then see two options, on efor Carers Social Events and one for Carers Drop In Sessions – All are listed on that page

Event details

Event title: Carers Lunch at The Craven Arms Hotel
Start date: 15/03/2012
End date: 15/03/2012
Start time: 12.30pm (sat down)
End time: 2pm approx
Venue: The Craven Arms Hotel, Shrewsbury Road, Craven Arms SY7 9QJ
Event description: This is an informal opportunity for carers to meet and chat to each other and to meet support workers. Cost Â£7.95 each payable on the day. To book your place, please telephone Jenny or Dice.
Weblink: www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Contact details

Name: Jenny
Contact email: carerssupport@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
Contact number: 01694 722024

Carers Lunch – Brooklands Hotel

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:25:33 +0000

Event details

Event title: Carers Lunch at The Brooklands Hotel
Start date: 21/03/2012
End date: 21/03/2012
Start time: 12.30pm (sat down)
End time: 2pm approx
Venue: The Brooklands Hotel. Mill Road, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury SY3 9JT
Event description: Carers lunches provide an informal opportunity for carers to meet and chat to each other & have a much needed break. Care support workers will join you to chat and enjoy lunch with you. Â£6 for 2 courses plus tea and coffee, payable on the day To book your place please call 01743 341995
Weblink: www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Contact details

Name: Angela Evans
Contact email: angela.evans@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
Contact number: 01743 341995

Carers Support – Drop In Surgery – Pontesbury

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:22:37 +0000

Event details

Event title: Carers Drop in Surgery at Pontesbury
Start date: 16/02/2012
End date: 16/02/2012
Start time: 2pm
End time: 4pm
Venue: Pontesbury Library, Bogey Lane, Pontesbury, Nr Shrewsbury SY5 0TD
Event description: Members of the Care Support Team will be available on an informal basis to offer advice on a range of issues or to lend a listening ear. Please call in for a chat. We can offer information, sign post you to other services and organisations, help you to complete forms, give advice on accessing practical aids/equipment & so much more. No appointment is needed.
Weblink: www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Contact details

Name: Glenda Jordan
Contact email: carersupport@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
Contact number: 01743 341995

Carers Support – Drop in Surgery – Oswestry Library

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:20:55 +0000

Event details

Event title: Carers Drop in Surgery at Oswestry Library
Start date: 06/03/2012
End date: 06/03/2012
Start time: 10am
End time: 1pm
Venue: Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry. SY11 1JN
Event description: No appointments are necessary for this Carers Drop in Surgery. Please come and have a chat. Members of the Carers Support Team will be available on an informal basis to offer advice on a range of issues, even to lend a listening ear. We can help you complete forms, sign post you to other services and organisations as well as offer advice on practical aids and equipment. Just call in for a chat, we will be pleased to see you
Weblink: www.shropshire-rcc.org.uk

Contact details

Name: Glenda Jordan
Contact email: carersupport@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
Contact number: 01743 341995

Advance Notice – Fundraiser for Shropshire Disability Network

val — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:25:48 +0000

Shropshire Disability Network would like to give everyone advance notice of a Fundraiser that we are holding on 14th April 2012.

We havebeen fortunate to be able to secure the fabulous ‘Three Men in a Bow Tie’ team who all hail from Shropshire, but are well known right across the UK for their wonderful comedy, anecdotes, songs and music. Please put the date in your diary and full details of time and place will be posted here as soon as they are confirmed.