Hi All
Welcome to the Inclusion Scotland e-bulletin. We aim to send this out on a fortnightly basis.
If you have any features that you want to promote, email them and they will be included in the next round of the newsletter.
Remember if you have any other articles, stories, suggestions, comments, ideas etc or vacancies/training that you want highlighted in the newsletter, website or e-bulletin (free of charge of course!) please get in contact by email –information@inclusionscotland.org, telephone – 0141 887 7058 or write to me at Inclusion Scotland, 5A Sir James Clarke Building, Abbey Mill Business Centre, Paisley PA1 1TJ.
Have a great weekend!
Best wishes,
Julie McElroy
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News Update
Can you help us with some research?
Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health (SDC) is working with The Audience Business to make arts venues and events more accessible for people with mental health problems.
To inform our work, we would like to hear the views and experiences of people with mental health problems in relation to attending arts events.
We would be very grateful if you could take the time to fill in our short survey about your experiences – it should only take around five minutes. You can access the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/artsneeds
Please be assured that your responses will remain confidential.
Thank you for your time.
Scottish Development Centre For Mental Health (SDC)
Research into the pros and cons of the RNIB REACT wayfinding system
My name is Mary-Anne Rankin and I am one of a group of consultants who have been asked by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to carry out research into:
· use of the RNIB REACT wayfinding systems
· other ways of assisting blind and partially sighted people, and those who have difficulty with accessing visual signage, at railway stations
The research aims to find out how effective the REACT system is, what the pros and cons are and whether there is any other wayfinding technology, service or benefit which people would prefer.
In order to do this, we would like to involve blind, partially sighted people, and those with other impairments who might benefit from the REACT system, or other assistive technologies. Although we are particularly keen to involve those with experience of the REACT system, we feel it is also important to give those who do not use it, or have never heard of it, the opportunity to contribute.
We are informed that the RNIB REACT system is installed at the following stations:
· Glasgow Queen Street Lower and Higher levels
· Inverness
· Kirkcaldy
· Linlithgow
· Brunstane
· Camelon
· Lenzie and
· Larbert
There are a variety of ways in which people can get involved in our research:
1. electronically – by completing a questionnaire
2. talking with us on the telephone
3. participating in a focus group
4. undertaking a site visit with us to a station where the React system is in situ and demonstrating its use
I will be in Scotland from Thursday 17th June - Wednesday 23rd June and this is when the focus groups and site visits will take place. One focus group will be in Lenzie on Thursday 17th and I am looking at setting up others.
Would you be able to send this information to anyone you think might be interested in taking part in the research? It would be particularly helpful to involve people who have already spent some time considering different wayfinding systems.
I would very much welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you. Please contact me either by phone on 01730 818316 or 07717 221490 or email me at maryannerankin@clara.co.uk.
Act Against Harm Banner Project
Act Against Harm is about protecting adults at risk of harm and raising awareness of how to report harm or abuse. The project will develop in an imaginative and innovative way with the creation of textile banners by groups of adults throughout Fife. This project is free to participating groups and will involve working with a professional artist.
The banner project aims to enable service users to be at the heart of developing the Fife Act Against Harm campaign and to develop a positive and uplifting campaign.
For more information contact Shona Davidson on 08451 555555 x 442134 or email shona.davidson@fife.gov.uk.
Adult Protection and the Act Against Harm Campaign
Work to protect adults at risk of harm in Fife is going from strength to strength, as focus continues on delivering integrated, high-quality adult protection services.
The Adult Protection Committee, a partnership involving Fife Council Social Work Service, Fife Constabulary and NHS Fife, aims to ensure the provision of support and protection to adults at risk of harm in Fife, enabling them to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives within their community.
To raise awareness and increase understanding of the importance of recognising the signs of physical or mental abuse, Fife is now developing a regional ‘Act Against Harm’ campaign. This campaign follows in the footsteps of the Scottish Government’s national campaign where the key aims are to explain:
· what adult protection is about
· what ‘harm’ is, and
· how to report harm or abuse.
Fife’s campaign will spell out a range of harm that adults at risk may face. Harm can take many forms including psychological, physical, sexual or financial harm, or neglect. The campaign also highlights the importance of speaking to someone if harm is suspected and directs people to sources of help and advice.
A number of initiatives are being undertaken to raise awareness of the Committee’s work and how the community can help take a stance against harm. These initiatives include the roll-out of staff training programmes on adult protection, updating multi-agency protection procedures and talking to service user groups. Most people are all too familiar with harm against children but adults can also be just as much at risk from harm. Perhaps someone is experiencing depression, has learning difficulties or is just not coping with life as well as others, or as well as they used to. These scenarios can all make them susceptible. Anyone worried about someone they think is at risk from harm can phone the National Helpline on 0845 389 4000.
For more information contact the Adult Support and Protection Team on 08451 555555 x 476943 or visit www.fifedirect.org.uk.
Gonnae No Dae That
Adult Protection Conference
Thursday 17 June, 9.30am-3.30pm
Dean Park, Kirkcaldy
This conference will give you more information about Adult Protection and how services in Fife are working together to protect adults at risk of harm. Conference highlights include:
· Keynote speakers
· Uplifting and energising music from Buddybeat
· Interesting workshops and discussions
· Chance to share ideas and opinions
· Meet other service users and carers.
For more information or for a booking form contact Helen King on 08451 555555 x 441924 or email helen.king@fife.gov.uk.
Kit for Work Changes Direction
For a number of years Fife Employability Network has offered Kit for Work, an assistive technology loan scheme to help people with disabilities starting or trying to stay in work by lending assistive technology until a permanent arrangement can be made, either through Access to Work or by the employer. Kit for Work has also been available to people with disabilities on national training programmes.
Since the scheme was launched, the world of assistive technology has moved at an unbelievable rate and the present ‘kit’ is no longer completely fit for purpose. This situation is not entirely negative as many of the solutions now available are in the form of freeware which can be downloaded from the internet, allowing people to find solutions they can use at home as well as at work (as long as at work they comply with the employer’s IT regulations). To meet these changes and challenges, Kit for Work has now changed direction.
While it will still continue to lend equipment where appropriate, Kit for Work has been rebranded as more of an advisory than a loan service. This change means that, if you’re trying to source a piece of equipment such as a fall alarm or magnification software, you can contact Fife Employability Network to find out what’s available, where you can get the product and what it will cost. This extended service will save you time and potentially save several people chasing round after the same product. The scheme is now open to anyone with a disability at any stage of the employability journey, whether at a very early stage or ready to move into work.
To find out more contact Sandra Wilson at Fife Employability Network on 01592 583378 or email info@fenlink.org.uk.
New Service for Stroke Survivors in Fife
Chest, Heart, and Stroke Scotland and Citizens Advice and Rights Fife have introduced a new Welfare Benefits Service for stroke survivors living in Fife. Modelled on the successful Macmillan Welfare Benefits Partnership which, for the past 3 years, has been providing a similar service for those affected by a cancer diagnosis, the new service will offer stroke survivors:
· advice on benefit entitlements, eg Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
· advice on eligibility for tax credits
· help in making applications to the social fund
· help with completing application forms for benefits and tax credits
· help in dealing with letters from the Department for Work and Pensions
· advice on asking for reviews of benefit decisions
· help in accessing the Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland Personal Support Grant scheme and other charitable grants and loans
· advice on ways to maximise their income.
David Holcombe, the newly appointed welfare rights adviser, will be happy to take referrals from agencies or self-referrals and can see clients:
· in their own home - if they are unable to get out and about
· in any of the local Citizens Advice and Rights Fife offices throughout Fife
· in community use venues, GP surgeries and hospitals.
For more information call 0845 1400 095 and ask for the Chest, Heart and Stroke Welfare Rights Adviser.
Tourette Scotland
Tourette Scotland is a registered charity which supports all those in Scotland affected by the lifelong condition known as Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Scotland provides advice and information for children and adults via a helpline, a website and local face to face support groups. The organisation also provides newsletters, training, factsheets and information packs for professionals. Events include spring and autumn meetings where members meet to share their experiences.
Tourette Scotland raises awareness through its training sessions, seminars and research, and by lobbying for changes to perception and management of Tourette Syndrome.
Tourette Syndrome is very misunderstood, being projected in the media as a ‘swearing disease’. People who live with this condition day by day often suffer prejudice and isolation and much of Tourette Scotland’s work is to bring them confidence and to increase their self worth.
To find out more contact Tourette Scotland, Algo Business Centre, Glenearn Road, Perth PH2 0NJ, tel: 01738 450411 or visitwww.tourettescotland.org.
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Information
Inclusion Scotland Membership
Inclusion Scotland is Scotland’s leading organisation of disabled people. We aim to draw attention to the physical, social, economic, cultural and attitudinal barriers that affect our everyday lives as disabled people in Scotland.
If you or your organisation would like to join Inclusion Scotland, see our website www.inclusionscotland.org for more information. Or contact info@inclusionscotland.org or telephone 0141 887 7058.
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Events & Training
Breakthrough UK consultation meetings
Breakthrough UK has been commissioned to develop a protocol to make clear the roles, relationships and responsibilities between:
· Disabled People’s Organisations
· Carers’ Organisations
· User Led Organisations
A protocol is a set of rules that everyone agrees to.
There will be a series of 3 consultation meetings for these groups to help write it.
The meetings will be in Manchester from 11am to 4pm on:
Tuesday 29th June
Wednesday 1st September
Tuesday 19th October
Travel expenses will be paid.
Small organisations will also get a fee for participating
To apply for a place please contact
Gary Timperley
Breakthrough UK Ltd
BEVC
Aked Close
Manchester M12 4AN
Phone 0161 273 5412 Text 0161 273 5727
Email g.timperley@breakthrough-uk.co.uk
Renfrewshire Carers Centre Carers Week Monday 14 June – Friday 18 June 2010
Renfrewshire Carers Centre is part of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and provides services to carers in Renfrewshire who are looking after a family member, neighbour or friend with an illness or disability. The Carers Centre will be holding a week of events and activities for carers in Renfrewshire between Monday 14 June and Friday 18 June as part of National Carers Week under the theme ‘A life of My Own’.
Carers Centre Working Carers Evening
Calling all working carers! Renfrewshire Carers Centre will be holding an Information Day for working carers as part of Carers Week activities. The session will be held at the Carers Centre premises (ground floor of the Embroidery Mill, part of the Abbey Mill Business Centre on Seedhill) on the evening of Tuesday 15 June. The Centre will be open from 6pm till 8pm for working carers, where one to one relaxation therapies will be available as well as information on carer services in Renfrewshire. Book a relaxation appointment for the 15 June, or to find out more about Carers Centre services contact the Carers Centre on 0141 887 3643.
Please see below for more details on the other planned Carers Week events in Renfrewshire.
Monday 14 June 11am - Carers Centre AGM
Including presentation of Investing in Volunteers Award, and talk by Volunteer Development Scotland, lunch
Tuesday 15 June - Information Day
Local services for carers including the Minor Ailments Scheme, Employability, Direct Payments and Message In A Bottle
10am – 12pm
Information on Hobbies for Carers 1pm – 3pm
Information and Relaxation for Working Carers 6pm – 8pm*
Wednesday 16 June 10.30am – 2.00pm - Fun-Day
Wii Fitness, Line Dancing, Circus Skills, Face Painting and More!
Thursday 17 June 10.30am – 2.00pm - Arts and Crafts Day Including Jewellery Making, Hair Braiding, Knitting and Crochet,
The Carers Lunch
Information Stall at Braehead Shopping Centre
Friday 18 June 7.00pm – 11.00pm Beetle Drive Competition
Bring your own bottle!
There will also be an Information Stand at the RAH throughout Carers Week
Unless stated otherwise, all events for Carers Week will take place at our new premises: Unit 55 Abbey Mill Business Centre, The Embroidery Mill Seedhill, Paisley PA1 1TJ. Call 0141 887 3643 for further details or check our website:www.renfrewshirecarers.com
We have free parking and are close to the Lonend Morrisons which is served by the No 70, No 17 and No 3 bus routes.
*please call us to make a booking for a relaxation session.
How can public authorities meet their FOI obligations economically, efficiently and effectively?
A One Day Conference on Friday 18 June, 2010
King James Thistle Hotel, Edinburgh
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Dunion, Scottish Information Commissioner
Also featuring: Jane Irvine, Chair, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, Donald Henderson, Information Compliance Manager, Perth and Kinross Council and Alan McKirdy, Head of Information Management, Scottish Natural Heritage
Five years on from its introduction, Freedom of Information legislation in Scotland is widely regarded as an international example of good practice. Designed to ensure accessibility, openness and transparency in the Scottish Public Sector, the Act has, in the words of Scotland's Information Commissioner, ‘the minimum of formality so that anyone could make a request to any of Scotland's public authorities'.
For further information please contact Lesley on 0131 202 9816 or email lmcclelland@mackayhannah.com
Conference Fees
Full - £270.00 + VAT private sector
Standard - £235.00 + VAT public sector
Reduced - £190.00 + VAT professional bodies, trade unions, charities with turnover greater than £1M, universities and colleges
Supported - £120.00 + VAT
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Jobs & Volunteering
Hear to Help Volunteers required – RNID Scotland
Volunteers will provide support and information to deaf and hard of hearing people about hearing aids. This could be providing assistance with fitting a hearing aid correctly, cleaning and re-tubing hearing aids as well as fitting new batteries. In addition, volunteers will provide information about equipment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people as well as demonstrating equipment. Volunteers may be required to undertake home visits to provide support and information to hard to reach sections of the community. Volunteers may also provide the Hearing Aid support service on an outreach basis in various locations within the local community. Volunteers may also become trained to deliver talks to groups within the community about the work of RNID.
Skills & Experience
An interest in or personal experience of Deaf and Hard of Hearing issues would be an advantage. Flexible and positive attitude would be welcomed.
Travel Details
The Project is based in Glasgow; however there will be volunteer opportunities across the city in a variety of local settings.
Training and Induction Details
An initial Volunteer Induction (3 hours). Follow up training on hearing aids and RNID equipment carried out by the Project Co-ordinator
Requirements
Application Form, Induction/Training, Interview, Police Check, References, Trial Period
For more information contact Louise Barry Tel: 01324 590888 or Email: louise.barry@rnid.org.uk
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Young People Corner
Fast Track - Starter For Six
£1 million from the Creative Scotland Innovation Fund has been committed to Starter for 6 to support the Creative Industries in Scotland, an initiative being administered by The Cultural Enterprise Office.
Fast Track is a new element to Starter for 6 offering creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn valuable business skills, progress their product, service or business idea and pitch for up to £10,000 cash investment over an intensive five week period.
Now open for applications, Fast Track is ideal for those who have spent some time developing their idea and are ready to set up in business.
You can find out more about what the programme offers at Roadshow events which will be held in Edinburgh (at Inspace on 27 May) and Glasgow (at Trongate 103, on 3 June) with former Starter for 6 participant and grant awardee Johanna Basford.
Further details including application forms and criteria are available on the Starter for 6 website .
Deadline for applications for Fast Track is 24:00, Wednesday 28 July 2010. www.scottisharts.org.uk
West Dunbartonshire Transitions Project
We operate a free independent support and advice service to young people with additional support needs (aged 13-19) and their families in West Dunbartonshire. We will help you gain the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to move into employment, education, independent living, and to be more involved in the community.
How do I sign up?
If you are aged 13-19, live in West Dunbartonshire and have either ADHD, a learning disability or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder you can use this free service.
To get involved you can either:
Contact your social worker or social work department and tell them you want to be referred to the West Dunbartonshire Transition Project. We accept self-referrals either from family members or young people.
To get in touch, please use the contact info that applies to you:
Autism/ADHD Learning Disability
Transitions Team Transitions Team
Cornerstone Share Scotland
3 Bruce St 8a Silk Street
Dumbarton Paisley
G82 1HX PA1 1HG
Email: enquiries@cornerstone.org.uk Email: enquiries@sharescotland.org.uk
Tel: 01389 767160 Tel: 0141 848 5068
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