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Welcome to this week's Independent Living newsletter
27.07.16 Contents:
Carer's Voice: Brexit fears
Short breaks budget cuts illegal
Personal Budget Holders – funds for training
Captain Chino – access superhero!
Derek's View – Ornamin inclusive tableware
Latest updates - New minister; Vitamin D
1. Carer's Voice: Brexit fears

Brexit is having its impact already, notably on the economy, with businesses freezing investment decisions (this morning's good news from GSK notwithstanding); shoppers holding off on planned purchases; house prices falling; and unemployment predicted to rise. The scientific community is also finding the landscape more complicated, apparently, with EU funds being lost to some long-term studies, and British scientists excluded from some new projects, for fear that their presence will jeopardise the chances of successful funding.

Even those in favour of leaving Europe anticipated economic problems – which they expect to be short-term – and our latest article from carer, Laura Graham, highlights the difficulties family carers face from further austerity and other consequences of Brexit.

Click to read Carer's Voice: What Does Brexit Mean to Carers?

 

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2. Short breaks budget cuts illegal

West Berkshire Council acted illegally in cutting its budget for short breaks for disabled people, according to the High Court in a landmark ruling last week.

Two families, both with a severely disabled child requiring 24-hour care, brought the action, as the occasional short breaks they receive from caring are essential in order for them to carry on with their responsibilities. The council was in an extremely difficult financial position, but nevertheless the law requires that they give proper consideration to the needs of carers, and there was no evidence that they had done so.

You can read more about the case here.

If you are still in any doubt about the importance of being well-informed when it comes to the legal aspects of social care, listen to Belinda Schwehr of Care and Health Law talking about her Wednesday Webinars.

 

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3. Personal Budget Holders – funds for training

Some interesting news for anyone who employs a PA to help with their care needs.

The charity Skills for Care has funding available for people who receive a personal health budget and employ their own personal assistants or carers. The money can be used for training for the individual themselves to improve their own skills (for example to help them be a better employer - Microsoft Excel, pensions, insurance etc.), or for the personal assistants (for example communication skills, moving and handling, diplomas in health and social care). The funding is only available in England.

You can read more about it here

 

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4. Captain Chino – access superhero!

We have an interesting new guest blog contributed by Gordon Smith aka Major Mocha, trusted sidekick of Captain Chino, the latest superhero to travel the streets of Newcastle!

This photograph ensures their essential anonymity. While the tone is light-hearted, the underlying purpose – highlighting access problems for wheelchair users – is anything but.

Captain Chino found his new metier, checking out the accessibility of coffee shops and other venues in the north-east, after Guillain-Barré syndrome left him without independent mobility.

You can read more about the enterprise here

 

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5. Derek's View – Ornamin inclusive tableware

Ornamin, the German company that manufactures inclusive tableware to make eating enjoyable again with limited dexterity or strength, tremor or swallowing problems, has just launched their new UK website.

As bright and colourful as their tableware, the site also includes downloadable information sheets with really useful advice on eating with a range of conditions, including dementia, Parkinson's, stroke and MS.

You can also follow what they're up to on Facebook and Twitter

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

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6. Latest updates - New minister; Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been all over the news lately, with updated advice that everyone should take a supplement in autumn and winter, as there just isn't enough sun in Britain during these months. Who knew?! Our resident nutrition expert, Mary Farmer, has written two informative articles about this important vitamin, which you can find here.

It took a while for the news to filter out, and in case you have missed it, there is a new Minister for Disabled People. Penny Mordaunt replaces Justin Tomlinson, and interestingly, the status of this role has been upgraded to what it was previously. Tomlinson was a Parliamentary Undersecretary, whereas Mordaunt is Minister of State at the Department of Work and Pensions, as were previous holders of the position. Hopefully, this may mean a higher priority accorded to disability issues – though her voting record, courtesy of TheyWorkForYou website, doesn't inspire confidence...

As always, there are various ways you can get in touch with Independent Living: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances

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Frances Leckie
Editor

e: editor @ independentliving.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628
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