Kidz to Adultz Magazine Issue 20

WELCOME TO OUR LATEST ISSUE

Well, the weather is certainly adding to the Christmas spirit. As I put the finishing touches to the Magazine, the snow is falling, albeit not very heavy, but it really does put you in the mood for the Christmas songs and a mince pie!

Yet another year has flown by, and how quick do they go? I was looking back at the previous editions of the Kidz to Adultz Magazines, and this is our twentieth issue, the first being in November 2018 – four years ago. I hope we have been able to provide you with a wide range of useful articles, information about equipment and services, and showcased many inspirational people.

So, what do we have install for you? I have a fabulous article about a little girl who dreamt of being a nurse, she was told countless times that because of her disability it would be a dream too far, however, she proved them wrong! We have news for you about two recently launched campaigns led by the Bladder & Bowel UK team. The first highlights the need for incontinence pad disposal bins in men’s toilets and the other, offering free continence pads to people who are struggling financially to purchase them.

We are showcasing the launch of a new Award for young people who have quite complex disabilities, and congratulating Amy, on being awarded Student of the Year. In this edition we are highlighting the work of the Children’s Heart Federation and we have so much more…

As always, if you have anything you would like to share with the team or suggestions for future articles, please do not hesitate to contact us magazine@disabledliving.co.uk . May I take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy Christmas.

Adultz Exhibitions

Inspirational

STUDENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

A REMARKABLE STUDENT WHO HAS INSPIRED AND LED HER PEERS AND SPOKEN OUT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, HAS BEEN NAMED AS ADULT STUDENT OF THE YEAR IN THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

Amy Jude, from Hereford, was crowned Adult Student of the Year, after being nominated by Derwen College staff for her commitment, passion and sense of justice. During her time at the college, Amy became an impressive ambassador for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, for women and for all minorities.

Amy graduated from the specialist further education college in Shropshire, earlier this year, after a truly memorable three years as a Performing Arts student.

She is a bold and impressive young woman who has Optic Nerve Hypoplasia – resulting in multiple hormone deficiencies and a visual impairment, autism, hypersensitivity,

learning difficulties and ARFID (food intake disorder). She is a force to be reckoned with.

During her time at College, she represented fellow students as President of the Student Union for two years’ running. She was never afraid to raise issues with the senior leadership team and governors.

She also represented Derwen

College at Natspec Student Parliament. Natspec is an association of organisations which offer specialist further education and training for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, aged 16–25. She was part of the national gathering of student representatives from specialist colleges who come together to discuss and collaborate on issues that are important to them.

She was an ambassador for Derwen College at the 2021 Natspec Conference – the largest national event for further education SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) specialists. Amy delivered the opening speech on the final day, speaking eloquently and with passion about what further

education had meant for her.

These achievements are on top of Amy’s studies and work experience as a Performing Arts student. She is a talented actress, who has embraced lead roles in the College’s Christmas and Summer Shows, taken part in community performances and competitions, written and delivered moving monologues about inclusion, and inspired dancers of all ages while working at a local dance school; not to mention making time to achieve a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award!

Amy has risen to every challenge, never allowing disability to become a barrier to her ambitions. When she heard she had won Student of the Year, Amy said: “I was a little bit shocked at first, but then very happy. Not only have I made myself and Derwen College proud, my family are all happy too. They’ve been telling everybody. I loved being at Derwen and finding my voice!”

Amy’s mum Kirsten said how proud she was of her, and how wonderful it was to see her grow up to be the strong, independent woman she is today.

Kirsten said: “Specialist education was the making of AJ. She flourished at Barrs Court School, in Hereford. She left there as a different person, gaining confidence through school and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“Then at Derwen we saw her confidence soar. She has achieved so much, including her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and now Adult Student of the Year. We are very proud that she’s developed from

that quiet and shy little girl to a young woman who can deliver a rousing speech or star performance.”

Amy is looking forward to a future role in a television pilot, made by Shropshire’s Rocking Horse Media. She will also be able to celebrate her Adult Student of the Year title again in the Spring when she will be invited to a celebration in London to receive her award.

Corrienne Peasgood, President of the Association of Colleges, said:

“Congratulations to Amy, who has won the AoC Adult Student of the Year award. The annual Association of Colleges’ Student of the Year awards celebrate students who stand out from the crowd, have gone above and beyond, whether in college or their local community.

“Each year the level of applications is extremely high, and it goes to show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. Well done Amy on winning you should be extremely proud.”

Take a look at the short video below of Amy’s achievements https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGU_ nF5lyu8

AMID COST OF LIVING CRISIS ‘incontinence poverty’

A NEW INITIATIVE IS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF ‘INCONTINENCE POVERTY’ BY DISTRIBUTING ESSENTIAL INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS FREE OF CHARGE TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

As the cost of living crisis worsens, we hear that more and more people are unable to afford essential products to manage incontinence. Bladder and bowel continence problems are common. 1 in 10 adults in the UK are affected by faecal incontinence, and the issue is closely associated with advanced age, and it is estimated that 34% of women are living with urinary incontinence. Incontinence poverty is a growing issue where people can not afford to buy the products they need to manage the problem, which can lead to significantly lower quality of life for individuals and their families, as well as other physical and mental health problems.*

The initiative, devised and delivered by Bladder and Bowel UK and NRS Healthcare, is using networks of community pantries, ‘warm banks’, luncheon clubs and community centres to share information about the provision of free essential products. Packs of incontinence products can also be requested over the phone. The items will then be posted free of charge to the individual’s home. †

“It is all-too-common that people don’t have the products they need to stay hygienic and comfortable, and the rising living costs we have seen will only make this true for more people,” says Karen Irwin, Bladder & Bowel UK’s Service Manager and Specialist Nurse. “We know that not having the right products can stop people leaving the house, seriously affect mental health, and also cause a massive strain on relationships.

“Having access to the correct products is essential to manage incontinence, an issue which affects so many people across the UK.”

Matthew Stead, Managing Director at NRS Healthcare says: “As the UK’s leading online living aids retailer we are delighted to partner with Bladder and Bowel UK to raise the issue of incontinence poverty in the UK, As the cost of living crisis continues to

bite, some of the most vulnerable in society are hit the hardest. That’s why we and our suppliers have donated over £150,000 worth of products to this extremely important cause. We encourage anybody affected with incontinence who is unable to afford suitable products to get in touch with us.”

Requests for products can be made by phoning NRS Complete Care Shop on 01772 675 048, while stocks last. For guidance on managing bladder and bowel conditions, visit www.bbuk.org.uk

*Patrick DL, Martin ML, Bushnell DM, Yalcin I, Wagner TH, Buesching DP. Quality of life of women with urinary incontinence: further development of the incontinence quality of life instrument (I-QOL). Urology. 1999 Jan;53(1):71-6

† While stocks last. Maximum two orders per household.

THE

CHILDREN’S

Heart Federation

THE CHILDREN’S HEART FEDERATION (CHF) IS THE LEADING NATIONAL CHARITY CHAMPIONING CHILDREN WITH HEART CONDITIONS.

For nearly 40 years CHF has been dedicated to empowering these children, their families and carers. CHF works in partnership with cardiac networks, units and teams across the country to support children with all heart conditions, both congenital and acquired.

CHF helps and supports children with heart conditions and those who

care for them in many ways.

Sharing information via information sheets, these include details of 24 different heart conditions and information relating to caring for heart children e.g. advice on feeding a child with a heart condition, dental care, talking to doctors and many more topics.

CHF also offers support and advice

via an information phone line which is answered by a team of dedicated healthcare professionals to provide support and guidance in times of need.

Other resources we provide include supporting medical needs, such as INR machines (to check coagulation levels in children on blood thinners) which reduces

regular trips to hospital. We also provide support tools for children with heart conditions; Molly’s Dollies are provided free of charge for children undergoing surgery or having treatment for a heart condition. The dolls can be scarred to match the children’s surgical scars. As well as using the dolls to help them understand their own scars, children can take them to medical appointments and to accompany them on hospital stays. CHF also produces Rosie goes red, Violet goes blue a booklet that explains about a heart condition to young children and Sky the expert, a book for primary school children, which follows a day in the life of Sky, a little boy with a serious heart condition.

We provide digital support tools for parents and carers including a series of Coffee and questions online events. The events have covered a range of subjects relating to heart conditions in children, presentations from guest speakers

and a head teacher. We run ‘Pulse Parents’, a private Facebook forum, where parents can discuss topics relating to their child’s condition and share congenital heart disease news and research via the e-newsletter Heart2Heart.

CHF are dedicated to supporting research projects across the globe to help make the future a brighter place for children with heart conditions. We recently worked on a priority setting partnership for children’s heart conditions due to be published soon.

CHF also works tirelessly to advocate for the needs of children with heart conditions to be recognised; advising policy makers and service providers on how the needs of children with heart conditions should be met, campaigning for improvements in health and social care, educational provision for young CHD patients and promoting better awareness and support for heart children and families via a social media presence

cardiac

country.

Rajwant spoke of the mission and vision for CHF. “Our vision is that all children with heart conditions have their medical and social needs met, so they can live the fullest life possible. Our mission is to provide recognition, research, and resources to support those affected by children’s heart conditions. We work collaboratively with individuals and organisations to inform, inspire and improve the lives of children with congenital and acquired heart

With this new appointment, CHF are planning the next steps and preparing a new five-year strategy to continue to support children with heart conditions and those who care for them across the country.

CHF would love parents and carers to become more involved with our work and activities.

To find out more subscribe to the CHF e-newsletter email info@chfed.org.uk

A SHOUT OUT TO SCHOOLS: new award

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LAUNCHES

THE CHARITY, DIVERSE ABILITIES EXTENDS THE REACH OF THE ‘OUR PERSONAL TRANSITION’ (OPT) AWARD TO CELEBRATE PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT TO A WIDER AUDIENCE.

WHO ARE DIVERSE ABILITIES?

Diverse Abilities is a disability charity based in Dorset. The charity was set up in 1955 by Phyllis Edwards, when her young daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and discovered there was no support locally. The only option she was given was to send her daughter away. Fast forward

to now, and the charity supports over 1,000 children and adults across Dorset. The charity runs a specialist school - Langside School, The Beehive (an activity and therapy hub for adults), as well as respite services and school holiday activities. The charity also provides a Supported Living Service so adults can live in their own bungalow and take part in all the activities they enjoy with 24hour care provided.

WHAT IS THE OPT AWARD?

Langside is a specialist school for children aged between two and nineteen with profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex medical needs. It was within the upper school at Langside, the OPT Award was born, out of a need to provide a structured award for young people who wanted to experience a wide range of activities from age sixteen through to their transition to adulthood.

Lynda Larke, creator of the OPT Award and Assistant Head Teacher at Langside School, commented: “Students such as ours at Langside, are rarely recognised for their achievements and abilities, yet face extraordinary challenges in their daily lives, both physical and mental. Students with very complex medical needs often don’t have the same access to accredited schemes as those in mainstream schooling.”

Lynda continued: “The children I have taught for the last 20 years inspired me to create an accredited scheme that caters specifically for children with complex needs, I felt determined to create an award that provided opportunities to enrich children’s lives, whilst enabling positive risk taking and personal challenges.”

The students, aged sixteen and over, at Langside School have been trialling The OPT Award over the last year. Now students at the Northern Counties School in Newcastle and

Percy Hedley School in Killingworth are continuing trials. We are keen to get other schools involved from across the country.

The OPT Award gives students the opportunity to complete three strands across three school terms, each earning an OPT Award badge:

• The Helping Award

• The Personal, Social, and Emotional Wellbeing Award

• The 48 Hour Challenge

THE HELPING AWARD

The Helping Award encourages students’ involvement in activities to benefit their local community, such as caring for animals, fundraising, and volunteering for different charities. As well as carrying out errands such as washing cars or helping to cook a meal.

THE PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL (PSE) WELLBEING AWARD

The PSE Wellbeing Award involves activities that come under the categories of Group Co-Operation, Skill Development, and Engagement in Physical Education. Suggestions of activities include hydrotherapy, kitchen skills, and meditation, or sport such as ice skating. However, like the rest of the award, the choice of activities can be adapted to suit a particular school or student.

THE 48 HOUR CHALLENGE

The challenge element of the award is to take on two days of activities that the students would not normally experience, plus an overnight stay away from home. Suggested activities include a high ropes challenge, a water sports experience or abseiling. Alternatively, the activity could be going for a sensory visit to a place the students do not visit regularly, such as a woodland or beach. The overnight stay gives the group an opportunity to experience a night away from their main carers. It could be away at a hotel or residential centre, or it could be a camp out at the school where you have all the necessary equipment to hand.

Visit www.optaward.org.uk for more information about the OPT Award, and how your school or organisation can get involved.

MAKING ACCESSIBILITY accessible to children

MY NAME IS BEN ANDREWS, I’M 30-YEARS OLD, FROM SALFORD, GREATER MANCHESTER, AND I HAVE A DEGENERATIVE VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA (RP)

It’s a hereditary condition, something I share with my mum and my grandad and involves the rapid deterioration of my eyesight, with people usually having very little vision beyond the age of 40. For now, it means I’ve got general poor sight, struggle with differentiating between colours and have night blindness - so loads of fun in cinemas, restaurants and anywhere not particularly well lit.

Growing up with and around a condition like RP, you become very aware of how many barriers the world poses to you. For me, these look like streets with posts, signs, and trees in the middle of walkways, buses with no auditory notifications and venue signs with small text, to name a few.

For the past 13-years, I’ve used this experience as a driver to work to make places more accessible to disabled people, working with the the NHS, local authorities, sport and leisure, infrastructure and design,

helping them make what they do work better for disabled people.

As much as I enjoy this work, it did get me thinking that I may be leaving it a little late to talk to people on issues around access and inclusion. Does it make sense for the majority of adults to go all those years not having to think about access and inclusion until it’s prompted by the likes of me? Or, would it make more sense to start this conversation at a much younger age, so access and inclusion for disabled people is something children grow up with? It would then be part of who they are and how they operate. Well, this certainly made sense to me.

So, since 2018, I’ve been exploring ways to make the topic of accessibility more accessible to children and young people which has led me to write a series of picture books, Better Places, to help children think about how places can be made better for disabled people.

The first book in the series is Better Places Nicky and Candy’s Street which explores the barriers those with visual impairments may experience in street settings, offering the reader the opportunity to put them right.

Future books will focus on people with different access needs, such as wheelchair users, Autistic people, Deaf people and people with physical disability.

As well as the books, I’ve also developed some wraparound resources for schools to extend the impact of the books beyond the read itself.

My hope for the books is that they’ll help make the topic of accessibility more accessible to children to support a more aware, understanding, and inclusive world in the future.

And hopefully help a few adults along the way too.

Better Places Nicky and Candy’s Street is available for pre-order here – https://www.tinytreebooks. co.uk/shop/p/better-places-nickycandys-street-ben-andrews - and you can keep updated on all things Better Places via the better places website at www.betterplaces.uk

NEVER GIVE

UP on a dream

My name is Chloë and I am a nurse. I am the only nurse in the UK who uses a wheelchair and has an assistance dog. It hasn’t been an easy road, but I’m so proud of the journey I have been on, the person I have become, and the amount of lives I have touched.

When I was younger I was admitted to hospital with multi-organ failure. I was in an adult hospital being looked after by nurses with very little / no experience of working with children and young people. I decided right then that I wanted to be a nurse.

I worked really hard and got the grades I needed for college, despite having an attendance record of less than 20% at school.

I went to college and did my A-Levels. My college tutors were lovely and really supportive of my dream to go to university and become a nurse. They didn’t see my disabilities, they just saw my hard work, determination and my desire to succeed.

That’s when I hit my first road block. Despite getting 9 A*- C’s at GCSE and being predicted brilliant

grades at A-Level, I didn’t get accepted by any of my university choices. I wasn’t told a reason. But, at the university interviews people made comments and raised concerns that maybe a career in nursing was not for me and perhaps not quite the direction I should be going. I was warned that I couldn’t be taking extended periods out as sick leave during the course and that I would always be subject to occupational health clearance as a student and as a qualified nurse. But I didn’t give up. I knew what my dream was, and I

CHLOË HAMMOND SHARES WITH US, HER DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE THE CAREER AMBITIONS SHE HAD AS A CHILD AND THE HURDLES SHE FACED ALONG THE WAY.

wanted to make it happen. I went through ‘clearing’ and was offered an unconditional place at University of West London.

My disabilities fluctuate. I spent my Uni-life on crutches or walking unaided. I tried as hard as I could to keep my hidden disabilities just that, hidden! I graduated with a 2:2 in Child Health Nursing in 2013.

I struggled to get a job after leaving University. I had taken an extra month to submit my dissertation and had needed some sick leave when I had been admitted to hospital again and had surgery. I think this put some employers off. I did find a job shortly after our graduation ceremony, 4 months after my nursing friends.

As I got older my conditions deteriorated. I was struggling to walk without significant pain and fatigue and was using crutches all the time at home. My employer had made it clear that they didn’t feel my current workplace was really suitable for me anymore. I applied for, and got, a new job within the same trust. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. But it was a job I could do, and it kept me in healthcare. I went from doing a hands on job I loved to being in an office. My conditions continued to worsen and I had to take time off sick. I was advised to start using a wheelchair by my physiotherapist. When I tried to return to my office-based nursing job I faced discrimination and was made to feel generally not welcome in my wheelchair. I was told my wheelchair couldn’t fit in the office and I would have to leave it somewhere and walk to my desk. When I challenged this, I was told that I wasn’t putting

in enough effort, and wasn’t willing to meet them half-way. I ended up leaving the position. If enough people tell you you’re not good enough you begin to believe it.

I applied to be an activities coordinator but I was ‘over qualified’. I applied to be a deputy manager at a learning disability home but was told I wasn’t suitable because they had concerns my dog would pose an infection control risk and my wheelchair would be a fire hazard. I even applied for a position as a Team Leader in a children’s home and was told the building isn’t accessible. I was ready to give up. I was so sick of being told I wasn’t able to continue the career I had worked so hard to make possible. Eventually I was given the chance to be a Nurse Manager in a care home and quickly proved my skills working my way up. I showed everyone that a wheelchair user (with an assistance dog) can still be a nurse, and can still be a valued employee.

After catching covid twice last December I was at a crossroads again. Covid had made my fatigue worse and my ability to battle through it had diminished. The long shifts were no longer possible and a 24 hour shift over Christmas was the final straw. I needed a new position again. I was contacted by an employment agency who told me they had the perfect position for me. We arranged an interview, and I loved the company and the position they had available. I am currently working for an organisation called Radis Community Care, as a community lead nurse for complex care. This means I help get people out of

hospital and back into their own homes with the care and support they need. It is a very rewarding job.

Radis Community Care didn’t see any issues with me being a wheelchair user, and they loved the idea of welcoming their first assistance dog to the business. They have worked with me to create an advertising campaign that aims to encourage more people with disabilities to apply for positions in care. They have embraced my differences and can now see what a valuable perspective I can bring to the care industry.

It saddens me that even organisations that are set up to support people with disabilities are too quick to make discriminatory comments, or suppress a child or young persons’ dreams just because they have a disability. An organisation I was recently trying to support to get international recognition told me they “don’t need to worry about that because their clients have autism, so they’ll never leave the country”.

As I said at the start, I am the only wheelchair using nurse with an assistance dog working in the UK. But I hope I can help change this in the future and encourage children and young people to have dreams and aspirations that the people around them, can get behind and support them.

I would be delighted to talk to anybody interested in a career in healthcare or just like to know a little more about me and Ocho.

Follow Ocho on Instagram @watchochogrow

The ‘Stalls for All’ campaign is working to deliver ‘washroom dignity’ for everyone regardless of age, gender or need, by ensuring that they have access to the washroom facilities they require.

An estimated 14 million people in the UK suffer with bladder problems and an estimated 6.5 million adults suffer with bowel problems*. Whilst incontinence is typically associated with women or older men, research from Initial Washroom Hygiene has found that nearly two in five (39%) male respondents with the issue are in fact aged between 18-34, a higher figure than those aged 55+ (35%), and aged 35-54 (26%). Furthermore, half of sufferers (50%) are even afraid to leave their homes and are unwilling to discuss their condition with close friends or family.

As Brits head into pubs, rugby clubs and other venues to watch the Rugby Union Autumn Internationals, Moody is encouraging men to speak more openly about their health. Having suffered from ulcerative colitis throughout his playing career, the former England Rugby Union captain is all too familiar with the symptoms of male incontinence – in his case bowel incontinence – and has campaigned to break the stigma around the subject.

Lewis Moody MBE, former England Rugby Union Captain, said: “Suffering with incontinence was debilitating, but even more so was the taboo that surrounded talking about ‘toilet problems’ and the lack of sanitary waste facilities available. I was at the height of my career when I started experiencing problems. At first, I

found it too embarrassing to speak to my teammates, friends and family about what I was going through, but when I did I felt more at ease and able to deal with it.

“Sadly people often think incontinence only affects older people, but it can affect people as young as 10. So it’s important that we create an environment where sufferers feel comfortable sharing their experiences and accessing the support they need. I hope this campaign ignites a nationwide conversation and helps to break down the stigma around incontinence.”

CALL FOR BETTER SANITARY WASTE FACILITIES

While it is normal to have sanitary or period waste bins in female toilet cubicles, the vast majority of public washrooms across the UK do not have sanitary waste bins in male washroom cubicles. This facility is vital for sufferers so that they can discreetly manage their condition when away from the home. In fact, Initial Washroom Hygiene’s research shows that just a fifth (17%) of sufferers have access to dispose of sanitary waste in male washrooms in their offices. Three in ten (29%) have even been forced to carry a used incontinence pad in their bag or coat due to a lack of disposal facilities.

Initial Washroom Hygiene and Bladder & Bowel UK are calling on the Government to help this disenfranchised group, by legislating

for the provision of disposal facilities in all public washrooms.

Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical & Innovation Manager, Initial Washroom Hygiene commented: “It is a shocking reality that many men suffering with incontinence in the UK do not currently have access to the washroom facilities they need. Everyone has the right to a dignified washroom experience - businesses and local authorities need to urgently address this to ensure sanitary bins are available for male visitors, employees and customers.”

Karen Irwin, Specialist Nurse and Service Manager, Bladder and Bowel UK said:

“Bladder and bowel problems are a common occurrence, but all too often stigmatised and subsequently undiscussed. Many people with incontinence do not seek help due to embarrassment, lack of awareness of treatment options, or consider incontinence to be a normal part of the ageing process. Incontinence can affect anyone at any stage in life and may be related to other medical issues, for example poor general health, stress, physical disabilities, cognitive impairment, stroke, urinary tract infections, prostate problems, diabetes and many more causes.

“With severe strains on the NHS in a post-pandemic world, fewer men are visiting their GP to get checked. It is therefore crucial that we create an environment in society where men feel comfortable talking openly about their experiences, and receive the support they really need.”

Discussing the campaign’s goals, Woodhall says: “Not only do we want to recognise and support anyone who has ever faced an undignified or uncomfortable experience when using public washroom facilities, but we want real change. The Government must recognise that a nationwide conversation is long overdue, and new legislation would go a long way in helping this disenfranchised group.”

stay safe at home?

DISABLED LIVING ARE DEVELOPING A REMOTE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSESSMENT SERVICE.

This phase of our project is focusing on keeping older people safe and independent in their own home. To benefit from a free assessment, people can live anywhere in the UK, be over 65 years and they will need somebody with them whilst the assessment takes place, who has a mobile phone with a camera.

The person may already be struggling with their mobility, you may feel they could be at risk of a fall, or they are finding it difficult to do everyday tasks they once took for granted. The person, if suitable

for a remote assessment will be assessed by one of Disabled Living’s Occupational Therapist’s (OT’s) and recommendations made, of practical solutions or equipment which may improve their quality of life. As this work is part of an independent research project, the OT who accesses your relative will not be able to provide free equipment via Local Authority/NHS Loan Stores. We anticipate, once this work has concluded the remote assessment software may be available to Occupational Therapy services in your local area.

Your participation in this project, would be so appreciated, as we try to find ways to reduce NHS waiting lists.

For more information, please contact info@disabledliving.co.uk

DISABILITY positive

It is a Disabled People’s Organisation (or DPO) which means that it is a representative organisation of disabled people: 100% of its members have lived experience of disability, and it is majority led, directed, governed, and staffed by disabled people. This

means that everything Disability Positive does is guided by people who know how much it matters.

Lynne Turnbull, Chief Executive Offer at Disability Positive said: “Many charities for Disabled people are not representative of the people they support. That’s what’s unique

about being a DPO. Disability Positive like all the other DPOs across the country offer something different because the services we design and deliver, the opportunities we offer, and the way we give a voice to our clients and members is in equal partnership with people who have

DISABILITY POSITIVE IS A CHARITY BASED IN CHESHIRE THAT OFFERS SERVICES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND A VOICE TO PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF DISABILITY OR LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

that lived experience.”

“It also means that we can design new services based on what we know matters most to disabled people and that when our clients speak to our staff, they know that we really understand.”

Like other DPOs, Disability Positive supports disabled people in all kinds of ways, including:

• Payroll services for disabled people who get a direct payment and pay their own Personal Assistant (PA). The charity understands how difficult and confusing it can be to become an employer and manage payroll and so their service can take all this hassle away, with a named Payroll Clerk who can get to know a persons’ needs.

• Arranging Care and Support for people who get a personal budget. Disability Positive’s team helps people to understand how to use their personal budget and support them to direct their own care.

• Supported Banking for those who may find it difficult or time consuming to manage their bank account and payments when directing their own care.

• A learning service to help both employers of Personal Assistants (PAs) and the PA themselves to understand their role and how to get the most from their care

• North West Care Cooperative which is for disabled people who want a new way of controlling their care without the hassle of managing the care themselves. Instead, they get to share safe, quality personal and social care under

their control and informed by their own experience.

• Support for businesses. The charity love working with people who think like them and who want to better support their employees and customers. Disability Positive can support with things like disability equality training, customer experience audits and more.

• Opportunities to socialise for children and adults with a range of social groups. Buzz is Disability Positive’s social group for children and Good Company is for adults. All these groups offer the chance to meet new friends, try new (and often very adventurous!) things and learn valuable life skills. Some of these groups are very popular and have long waiting lists. Disability Positive can also offer carers a break from their caring responsibilities whilst their child or young person has fun doing an activity in their local community and a befriending service to support people who may be feeling isolated and need some friendly support.

• A voice to those who may need help saying what they want and understanding their rights though its award-winning

Advocacy service. Disability Positive also works closely with other DPOs across the country to be the voice of its members and clients by talking to decision makers locally and nationally to influence positive change.

Lynne Turnbull continues: “There are DPOs working across all the countries of the UK, and like us they bring a unique perspective to everything they do. As we say at Disability Positive, we know it matters, because we have lived experience of disability and longterm conditions too.”

You can find out more about all of Disability Positive’s services on their website www.disabilitypositive.org

Many of their services are available across the country, or if not, there is a map of other DPOs available on their website too so you can find out about services near you.

Many people don’t understand autism and how things they take for granted might cause difficulties for people on the spectrum.

Our cards are a great way to let them know you, your child or relative are autistic and that you might need some extra time or help in certain situations. Visit www.autism.org.uk to get your card today

LIVING Disabled

THIS IS WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO….

DISABLED LIVING

A charity which provides impartial information and advice about products, equipment (assistive technology) and services for disabled children, adults, older people, carers and the professionals who support them. We have a range of services which you can access via our helpline, through the website or at our Kidz to Adultz exhibitions. www.disabledliving.co.uk

EQUIPZ

The team comprises occupational therapists, trusted assessors, moving and handling specialists, physiotherapists, nurses and continence specialists. We respond to enquiries via our helpline and website. Some people opt to visit the Disabled Living Centre based in Manchester for a free equipment assessment.

Helpline: 0161 214 4590

BLADDER & BOWEL UK

The team provide information and advice for children, young people and adults with bladder and bowel problems. We provide a confidential helpline managed by a team of specialist nurses and knowledgeable information staff. In addition, the website offers a wide range of downloadable free resources.

Helpline: 0161 214 4591 www.bbuk.org.uk

KIDZ TO ADULTZ EXHIBITIONS

We organise the largest FREE UK exhibitions totally dedicated to disabled children, young adults, their families, carers and the professionals who support them, with over 100 exhibitors at each event. We currently deliver five events nationally in Coventry, Farnborough, Newport, Edinburgh and Manchester. www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk

TRAINING

We run a comprehensive training programme for professionals and carers. Most of our courses are accredited by Open Awards and others provide CPD opportunities. Our training courses can be ‘tailor made’ to suit your organisations requirements and can be delivered throughout the UK. www.disabledliving.co.uk/training