We would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Easter

Smile, No Bullying Campaign

Following funding to Wrexham Forum from the Local Health Board, Gaynor Pugh, coordinator has organised a numbers of seminars in Wrexham for people with a learning disability entitled ‘Smile, No Bullying’.

Two groups have already successfully completed the course with another three groups booked during April and May.  Upon completion, each participant received a mug with the logo, to give them a reminder of the day.

The anti-bullying pack plus DVD has been produced by Mencap at Nottingham, and the project has become so successful other Counties are interested in arranging similar courses in North Wales.

Dates for your Diary

Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday 4 May 2006 at the Brymbo Sport and Social Club, stating 7.30 p.m. until 9.30 p.m.  Guest speaker will be Damian Keogh – Welfare Rights department, giving members an update on all the latest news.

A buffet will be provided, and a bar service available. Everyone welcome.

Healthy Eating Help

Healthy Eating for people with a learning disability at the Cunliffe Centre, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham.

There is a weigh-in every week on a Tuesday evening 7 – 9. All are Welcome. FREE

Don’t Forget..

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New Information Service

Macmillan Cancer Relief is funding the first information service for cancer patients with a learning disability. Cancer incidence in people with a learning disability is increasing, with one in ten expected to die from the disease.

Tel: 01223 460 473

or email: info@natnetpald.org.uk. Lines are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm.

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On Yer Bike!

Pedal Power Cycling Project offers free supervised rides to children and adults with learning and physical disabilities. Ride special bikes and hand cycles, on a purpose built 1 mile tarmac circuit track around the largest country park in Wrexham, safely away from traffic and with fantastic views. Now extended to opening week-ends, and also with a Café serving excellent food.

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Are You Entitled?

You may be entitled to a concessionary travel pass if you live in the County Borough area and are:

·   A man or woman aged 60 or over.

·   In receipt of Disability Living Allowance (with HIGHER rate mobility content)

·   In receipt of a war pensioner’s mobility supplement

·   Registered blind, partially sighted or profoundly deaf

·   Without arms or without use of both arms.

·   Without speech

·   Registered as having a learning disability

·   Unable to drive a motor car due to a medical condition other than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

You may be entitled to a pass, which will enable you to travel free on all local bus services.

If you need assistance to make use of public transport, an additional concession may be issued for a necessary travelling companion. You will normally need to supply independent medical evidence to support this.

For further information and application form go to: http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/travel/bus/concessionary travel.htm

Or  contact: Concessionary Travel, Wrexham County Borough Council Transport Co-ordination, Crown Buildings, PO Box 1293, P O Box 1293, Wrexham LL11 1WQ

Or telephone 01978 290000.

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Free MENCAP Info

If you are leaving money by will there is free information  available.

The legacy department of Mencap provide free information on how to make financial provision for a family member with a learning disability.

For information on leaving money by Will, Discretionary Trusts or specialist solicitors in the area, contact gina.Collins@mencap.org.uk or telephone 02076966996.

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D.A.S.H. Card

The aims of the DASH ( Disability Access to Sports and Health) card scheme are to:

Remove barriers and increase participation in sport and physical activity.

Improve communication in order to identify needs and improve service delivery.

Improve health and fitness levels amongst people with disability.

Cardholders are allowed to use all the facilities at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Gwyn Evans Sports Centre, Waterworld, Queensway Sports Stadium, Chirk Leisure Centre, Ruabon Sports Complex and Darland Sports Centre at all times and at half price.

One accompanying adult or carer is also permitted free access with the card holder. To qualify for the DASH card scheme applicants must be in receipt of the following benefits;-

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disabled Persons Tax Credit (DPTC)

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Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales would like to hear of instances where children with Learning Disabilities living in Wales are not gaining access to the services which they need or to which they are entitled. 

The contact phone number is 01492 523333 (Colwyn Bay). Ask for the Duty Officer.  Email – post@childcomwales.org.uk The web address is: www.childcom.org.uk

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Carers Info Packs

The North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) updated their Carers Information Packs.  The pack is in a loose-leaf format and presented in a plastic A4 wallet, thus ensuring that the pack is both easy to update and that Carers can store various information together in one handy place.

There is also a range of promotional material available and both this and the Carers Information Pack can be obtained by contacting either Helen Webster or Genny  Bove at NEWCIS on 01978 310414.

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Mencap’s Free Wills and Trust Advice Service

If someone in your family  or someone you care for has a learning disability they need a secure future, especially when you are no longer here.  You can take steps now to ensure they are well looked after by including them in your will, or setting up a trust.  Royal Mencap has organised a FREE information session where you can find out about how to take care of your family and loved ones now to save them having to worry about it when you are no longer here.

Thursday 18 May, 1.30 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. at the Council Chambers, The Guildhall, Wrexham LL11 1AY

There will be a local solicitor speaking, who has experience of drafting wills for the benefit of people with a learning disability.  Please book a place by calling 020 7696 6925 quoting ref. PFFE06WE/346638.

Clair  Gibbs is the wills and trusts co-ordinator for Mencap with a responsibility to promote the free wills and trusts service. Clair, and her team advises over 2,500 people each year on how best to make a will and set up a trust, to ensure people are able to organise secure future financial support in the best possible way for a loved one who has a learning disability. Clair  Gibbs (pictured right)

Wills and Trusts Co-ordinator,has been working with the wills and trusts team since August, her main responsibility is to manage the planning for future seminar programme, promote their wills and trust service through direct mail, advertising, internet and PR campaigns.  Her other important role is to, of course, thank their generous supporters that have left us money in their wills!

Tel: 0207 696 5550

Fax: 0207 696 6014

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Hijinx back in Town

The Hijinx Theatre’s new play, ‘Seize the Day’ for their spring tour will arrive at Yale College, Wrexham on 29 June, 2006.

The play features Mary, the new maid downstairs, struggling to learn the ropes in the house of Lord and Lady Webb. Stripped of her freedom and her name, Mary is drawn into the world of ‘upstairs’ by the daughter of the house. When her love for Lord Webb’s groom, Harry blossoms, the danger of losing her job as well as her heart, grows. Perceptions will be challenged, obstacles overcome, and prejudices will be

re-evaluated in this thought-provoking tale of breaking out. Features Sarah Gordy, an actress with Downs Syndrome, as Mary.

For more information and booking enquiries please contact Michelle Whittick, Tour Booking and Publicity Officer on 029 2063 5624.

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Disability Rights Campaign

Look out for a £1.2 million campaign, running until the end of April, on posters, print, radio and the internet, bringing to the public’s attention the unfair treatment, poverty and exclusion faced by people with a learning disability. The Disability Rights Commission at their campaign launch said inequalities stood between the Government and its much talked about targets to reduce child poverty and increase the number of disabled people in work.  Successive governments have failed to break the culture of  low expectations that holds disabled people back-including the present administration. It stated that examples of this could be seen in current government policy which had resulted in a ‘steep rise in levels of institutionalisation of people with learning difficulties and the refusal to introduce lifetime homes standards into regulations governing new homes’.  It was suggested setting up a 20% target for disabled people’s representation on public bodies as one way of tackling the issue.  The advertising campaign will help raise wider awareness of the Disability Rights Commission disability debate on the future of people with a learning disability equality in Britain.

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Speaking Out

Growing Up, Speaking Out is a guide to community-based advocacy for young people with a learning disability in transition.  It explains what transition is and why advocacy is important at this time in a person’s life. The guide also includes examples of projects and the issues they face.  To get copies of the guide or to download go to: www.advocacyresource.net

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