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January 2012

Go4M ‘Celebrating Our Lives’ event and AGM

Anyone who wants to find out more about organisations in Merton that are run by disabled people, or that positively include disabled people, should attend the Go4m ‘Celebrating Our Lives’ event on Friday 9th March at Morden Baptist Church. Read the PDF for full details.

October 2011

National Personal Budget Survey Results

A social care survey of the experiences of over 2,000 people who have received a personal budget, and their family carers, has been completed. Download the full report here or the summary report here.

A similar poll was conducted by Mori to examine the users experience of personal budgets – download it here.

A big thank you to Morrisons Solicitors of Wimbledon

Very special thanks to Morrisons Solicitors of Wimbledon for choosing Merton Mencap as their charity for fundraising for their annual quiz night on 6 October. This is the second event Morrisons Solicitors have chosen to raise funds for Merton Mencap and we are all very grateful for their encouragement and support for the work that we do. The event raised over £2,000.

The quiz night was made special by Dave Beasant, the former England goalkeeper, who also attended and joined our Merton Mencap quiz team. Many will know Dave as the captain of the 1988 FA Cup Final winning team Wimbledon as, during the match, Dave became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty during an FA Cup Final. On the night, Dave was definitely our man on our quiz team for all the sport questions! A big thank you to Dave too!

Rogue doorstep trading

The office of Fair Trading tell us that rogue doorstep trading is a serious problem in the UK. A substantial proportion of these complaints are vulnerable customers such as disabled people (23%) or elderly people (49%).

The Office of Fair Trading offers helpful advice in this area, if you or the person you care for needs it.

Download their guide

'Look Here!' SeeAbility event in London, 3rd November 2011

People with learning disabilities are 10 times more likely to have serious sight problems than other people.
SeeAbility is holding an event on 3rd November in London to advise people with learning disabilities and their supporters about good eye care.

For more information, download the leaflet, download the directions and download the booking form.

'Time For You' day

If you're a carer, it's important to take some time to look after yourself. On Thursday 20th October 2011,you can come along to The Vestry Hall, London Rad, Mitcham for some FREE therapy taster sessions.

Read the leaflet for more details.

September 2011

Advertisement: Books Beyond Words Facilitator Training: Friday 9th September 2011

An essential interactive workshop for family carers, support workers and professionals.

Who are we are:

Beyond Words publishes an award winning series of books for people with learning disabilities or communication difficulties. The books communicate through pictures designed to help people understand and cope with a wide range of challenging situations. The books can be used by family carers, support workers and other professionals — anyone who wants to help someone with a learning disability to understand their world. Professor Baroness Sheila Hollins has edited all 38 titles in the series since 1989.

The aim of the workshop will be:

To demonstrate how pictures can be effective communication tools in support of people with intellectual disabilities for a variety of situations including in the home, in social and health care settings and in the community.

To equip participants with techniques and enhance their communications skills in using pictures with people with intellectual disability.

To achieve a level of proficiency for participants who wish to become certified facilitators for Beyond Words and lead a Beyond Words Book Club or work with individuals and groups using the Books Beyond Words series.

How will we learn:

• By watching short films of people using pictures to communicate.
• By practicing using pictures in small groups.
• By watching a demonstration of a book club.
• By communicating with people with learning disabilities using pictures.

What the workshop will teach:

Why are Pictures Better than Words?

• Expressive and receptive communication.
• Visual literacy
• What are Books Beyond Words?
• Ways to Use Books Beyond Words.
• Preparing somebody for a new situation
• Making sense of something that’s happened
• Getting consent from patients
• Helping people to tell their own story
• Educational uses with a group
• Educational uses one-to-one
• Using the books in therapy
• Using individual pictures
• Using the books in professional training

How to run a book club:

What you need to know:

Where: Boardroom 2, Hunter Wing, St. Georges, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW170RE.

When: 10:30 am - 3.30 pm Friday 9th September 2011

Cost: £145 per person, includes lunch, refreshments and training folder.

If you book two or more places the cost reduces to £125 per person. To sign up for this workshop, please send a cheque for £145 made payable to "Books Beyond Words", together with your name and contact details to:

David Brown
Beyond Words
6th Floor Hunter Wing
St. George’s, University of London
Cranmer Terrace
London SW17 0RE

0208 725 2784
Email
www.booksbeyondwords.co.uk

August 2011

Meeting

Merton Centre for Independent Living is holding a meeting for all disabled residents in Merton to have their say about services and priorities in these difficult times. Senior officers from the London Borough of Merton will be present. The day will provide opportunities for disabled people and their carers to discuss in small groups and identify key services. Signers and graphic communicaters will be present to ensure all views are heard.

The meeting will take place on 16 September 2011 between 11am- 4pm at the Chaucer Centre in Canterbury Road, SM4 6PX. A buffet lunch will be provided. Please book your place by email or leave a message on 07710 576267.

Mental Capacity Act

Please click the link for a guide to the Mental Capacity Act - what it means for the family carers of adults with a learning disability. http://www.hft.org.uk/Family_Carer_Support/MCA_Resource_Guide

Therapists at the JMC day centre planning to offer a service to carers

A resource that not everyone knows about is the team of therapists based at the Jan Malinowski Centre in Mitcham. This includes art, music, drama and dance therapists, and they currently work with over 70 adults with a learning disability in the borough. The good news for us is that they are thinking of also providing a service for carers in the future - they are shortly going to be getting in touch with people to find out who might be interested, when and where they'd like the service to be provided etc. If you don't hear from them but would like to know more, the person to contact is Becky Ware at the JMC.

Toenail Cutting Service

The Podiatry Department is no longer commissioned to cut toenails; this has left a lot of adults with Learning Disabilities without a toenail cutting service.

The Community Nurses have proposed piloting a basic toenail cutting service for these individuals.

The aim of this service is to provide regular toenail cutting to these individuals who no longer receive a service from Podiatry.

Anyone can make a referral to this service and an assessment will be carried out to ensure the person is eligible for a service.

The eligibility criteria are as follows: -

• The person used to receive a toenail cutting service from Podiatry
• The person is not able to or has no-one who can support them to cut their toenails

There is no charge for this service but every person accepted for this service will have to commit to buying a foot care kit, which will consist of Toenail clippers, foot file, emery boards or a metal nail file and a pair of nippers.

Feet and toenails will need to be thoroughly washed on the day of the appointment. It is not advisable to wear tights on the day of the appointment. A clean towel will need to be provided.

This service can happen at the day centre or at home to suit the needs of the person. The service will be available between Monday - Friday 9am–5pm. If it is felt more specialist foot care is required, it may be necessary to access a qualified Podiatrist where there will be a charge.

For more information, download the leaflet and referral form.

June 2011

Learning Disability Week : 20th - 26th June 2011

Mencap thinks that almost 1 million people with a learning disability have been a victim of disability hate crime. We want to see local authorities housing, social care and education come together to stop it.

In preparation for Learning Disability Week, Merton Mencap and national Mencap have been working together to raise awareness of the Stand by Me campaign, in which we want to see an end to hate crime against people with a learning disability in Merton.

We have also been working with the local police to raise awareness of this issue and to gain their support in stopping hate crime.

On Saturday 25 June, Merton Mencap, Sutton Mencap, and police officers and police community support officers came together for a sporting event in Morden. Footballers from Merton Mencap (‘Top Cats’) and Sutton Mencap joined with the police officers and staff for football training and matches. It was a super event in which everyone came together and had great fun!

If you want to know more about the Stand by me campaign, and support us, please download the Stand by me information (PDF).

 

 

 

June 2011

St George’s Hospital

The Consultant Nurse for Learning Disabilities at St George’s Hospital, Jim Blair, is away until 6 July. If you need to speak to someone in Jim’s absence about a person with a learning disability at St George’s Hospital, contact David Flood on 020 8725 1624 or 020 8672 1255 and ask for BLEEP 8031.

May 2011

Government strategy on mental health

If you support an adult with a learning disability who also has a mental health problem, you may be interested to download an easy-read version of the government’s strategy on mental health.

March 2011

Community care law and the cuts on learning disability services

National Mencap have published a short video to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the cuts on learning disability services. The video is an interview with Luke Clements, who is a leading expert in community care law. See the video

March 2011

Accessible information about the Census form

If you would like some accessible information about the Census, download this document. If you would like help to complete your Census, contact Lisa Gallacher on 020 8687 4657 or Email her.

Download Easy Read version of: “It’s time to complete your census form”

January 2011

Merton Mencap were delighted to be chosen as the charity for fundraising at the first birthday celebration at the Wimbledon Young Professionals Group. Read more