Events

Tuesday 27 September 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Keith Burns, Interim Assistant Director for Commissioning and  Roopa Mudhar, Direct Payments and Financial Assessment Teams Manager

If your son, daughter or relative qualifies for support from social services following a needs assessment, you can (providing certain criteria are met) choose to receive direct payments from the local authority to buy the assessed services your loved one needs to meet their assessed needs.

This is instead of receiving the services directly from the council via a commissioned service.  

Find out more about Direct Payments at this information session.
Hear the latest news, ask your questions & raise any issues you may be experiencing using Direct Payments. 

Thursday 28 July 2022, 2 to 3pm

with Phil Howell, Interim Assistant Director: Adult Social Care and
Gill Moore, Head of the Integrated Learning Disabilities Service

Merton Council is reviewing the future of day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism in the borough, which includes day centres run by the Council, services purchased from care providers & activities in the community.
Phil & Gill are returning to share the latest information about this review & the next steps.

Thursday 23 June 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Dilys Martin, Curriculum Quality Officer, Merton Adult Learning, Ian Barnett, Head of SEND, Richmond & Hillcroft Adult & Community College (RHACC), Melissa Shepherd, Assistant Principal, Orchard Hill College & Sonia Rosum, Programme Leader for Supported Learning, Sutton College

An update on supported learning courses in Merton delivered by RHACC, plus information from Melissa, Sonia & Ian about the supported learning courses
at Orchard Hill College, Sutton College & RHACC.

Friday 27 May 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Andrew Whittington, Chief Executive of Merton Mencap, , LD Carers Advisor, Carolyn Doyle, LD Carers Caseworker, Dymphna Graham, Community Facilitator

The latest news and information at the time on Merton Mencap’s services for adults with a learning disability or autism. Carolyn, Dymphna & Yvonne spoke about what support they can offer family carers & their relatives with LD/ASD. At the time of the meeting Carolyn & Dymphna had recently joined the team at Merton Mencap. Carolyn has taken on the newly created role of LD Carers Caseworker & Dymphna is the new Community Facilitator.

Tuesday 10 May 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Melissa Shepherd from Orchard Hill College, Bethany Madigan and Sarah Darby, Project SEARCH tutors at St Georges University Hospitals and Christine Towers, Director of Together Matters

An information packed session where we heard from Melissa, who oversees the Employment & Workstart courses at Orchard Hill, a specialist college offering social & vocational opportunities for students aged 16 plus with a range of special needs. Melissa provided information about the courses & some exciting new employment pathways the college are offering as part of the Workstart programme.

Bethany and Sarah spoke about Project SEARCH, a 9 month training and employment opportunity for adults aged 18-24 with a learning disability and Christine spoke about the latest addition to the Thinking Ahead guides called ‘How to be part of the world of work’, one of a range of guides produced by Christine to help families looking at the future needs of their young people and adults with a learning disability.

Tuesday 19 April 2022, 10am to 12pm

With Jodie Hunt & Harriet Purvis, Wellbeing Practitioners from Merton Uplift

The past couple of years has been a challenging time for parents, carers and their families. Looking after your own wellbeing is important for you and the people you care for.

This session focussed on the importance of taking care of yourself.
Learning relaxation techniques and self-management skills to improve your overall wellbeing and dealing with feelings of isolation.

Merton Uplift offers talking therapies and wellbeing support for Merton residents experiencing common mental health problems, including stress, anxiety and depression.