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Personal Budgets
New film showcases the benefits of Personal Budgets
NCODP has worked with Norfolk County Council to produce a DVD and information booklet on Personal Budgets. A Personal Budget is a new way for disabled people to plan the support they need and choose their own goals and as a result they will be more in control of their life and social care support.
Some disabled people who are already using a Personal Budget agreed to take part in the DVD to show how they planned their support and used their money. NCODP would like to say a big thank you to those people who participated for all their time and effort.
Picture by Steve Adams
The Personal Budget DVD and information booklet was launched on Thursday 3rd December 2009 at the Forum in Norwich. People who featured in the DVD were invited to the launch.
The DVD is already being used to give Norfolk’s five Independent Living Groups, other voluntary sector organisations and individuals across Norfolk information on Personal Budgets and support planning.
You can watch the film on our website at: www.ncodp.org.uk/personal-budgets-film
Or, if you would like a copy of the Personal Budget booklet and DVD, please contact Independent Living Norfolk.
Disability Pride
Join us and celebrate the lives of disabled people in Norfolk!
What is Pride
Disability Pride is about celebrating our identity as disabled people and our community. It is about showcasing talent, achievements and successes in arts, culture and music.
We believe that having an impairment or long term health condition is part of being human and nothing to be ashamed of. By rejecting negative stereotypes and embracing our identity, we are stronger, we are proud!
Disability Pride is for anyone and everyone who considers themselves to be a disabled person; be it through mental health, physical and sensory impairments, learning disability or any other kind of long term condition.
What will Pride Involve?
Disability Pride will take place in June 2010.
The main day is Saturday June 5th, which will see a full day of events at The Forum in Norwich.
The day will see activities, performances and celebrations.
These will include International Musicians, Poetry from renowned artists and Sporting events from a number of local teams.
Disability Pride Benefit Gig
As a prelude to this amazing day we have planned a benefit evening of entertainment at the Norwich Arts Centre on Friday June 4th.
The event will be headlined by international musician Johnny Crescendo and include a wide range of local bands and performers.
This event will be a fun relaxed night with profits benefiting Disability Pride.
Tickets are available from the Norwich Arts Centre website: www.norwichartscentre.co.uk or call 01603 660352.
Sponsorship
To help us put on this amazing event we are currently seeking sponsorship from businesses and individuals alike.
For businesses we have developed a package scheme which enables a business to select from a range of sponsorship options and give them a visible connection and link to all Pride promotions.
For individuals we have a number of options such as sponsoring half an hour of a performance or purchasing a brick from our duplo wall.
This wide range of sponsoring options will enable members and companies alike to feel part of Disability Pride.
If you would be interested in more information regarding Pride or sponsorship please visit www.ncodp.org.uk/disabilitypride
or
contact Ann Young
- E. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- T. 01508 491218.
CIL Team
The idea of the Centre for Independent Living (CIL) stems from a Government report, (Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People), which identified specific areas where disabled people face discrimination and unequal treatment.
Since last year, our members have involved in working groups to discuss and identify gaps in service provision. Two specific projects for development have been proposed:
- an Independent Living Bus to provide information, advice as well as promote disability awareness to all areas of the county
- the setting up of a training and development centre focussed on training for disabled people to help build confidence and teach life skills and to support and encourage disabled people to live an independent life.
We have a new team of people in place to assist the development of the CIL programme: Kelly Nesbit, Hazel Simons and Penny Parker. They will very soon send out a dedicated CIL newsletter with further background information and also how you can get involved.
LINK
Anne Telfer
I recently joined NCODP as LINk co-ordinator, a role previously held by Ann Young.
My job is to engage with disabled people regarding Health and Social Care services. I also have a specific remit to make contact with disabled people from different cultures and lifestyles for example, refugees, migrant workers, Gypsies and Travellers to ensure that their voices are taken into account.
ILN Payroll Users
This is a quick note to all our Service Users who use ILN’s payroll service that we are fast approaching our busiest time of the year; March, April and May.
We are required to send an end of year return to HM Revenue & Customs (Inland Revenue), informing them of any tax and national insurance due for this tax year. We would really appreciate your assistance in ensuring that all timesheets are sent in on time. This will help us to keep to the deadlines set by Inland Revenue.
Please bear with us during this time as it may take a little longer than usual to answer your telephone enquiries and deal with holiday calculation requests. We will get back to you as soon as we can but please let us know if you have an urgent enquiry.
Could you be a Care Ambassador?
More and more people are choosing to employ their own personal assistants (PAs) through direct payments. With this growing demand for PAs, it is important that enough people are interested in becoming a PA in the future.
The Care Ambassador scheme is being run by Norfolk & Suffolk Care Support Ltd. Under this scheme, people who work in the care sector can act as Care Ambassadors and visit local schools, colleges and jobs fairs, to encourage people to find out more about working in the care field or as a PA.
The average time involved is about 1 or 2 days a year and training is given on how to be a good Care Ambassador.
So far, Care Ambassadors have mainly been people working for care agencies or in social care. However, it would be really good to have some Care Ambassadors who are people who use the support of a PA, or PAs themselves, to promote direct payments and a much more personalised way of working.
If you are interested in becoming a Care Ambassador, or would like to find out more, please contact Lucinda Starling at Norfolk & Suffolk Care Support Ltd.
- Tel: 01263 823232
- Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Volunteers needed for one of our advice services
Disability Rights Norfolk delivers a comprehensive advice service that covers all benefits relating to illness and disability. We offer support, advice and information to disabled people, their families and carers.
The need for this service is growing as more people need find out about us. Currently we run 12 outreach services in Norfolk but due to increasing demand we are aiming to set up outreach services in rural areas.
This will enable disabled people in more rural areas to access our services so we can assist them to claim the right benefits they are entitled to.
There are a variety of volunteering roles available and we are looking for people that are willing to offer two days per week of their time in return for a very rewarding and supportive volunteering environment.
Volunteers need
- Excellent communication skills
- Good basic IT skills
- An ability to understand the rules and regulations of a variety of benefits
- To be non-judgmental
- To record necessary data for record keeping
- Welfare Benefits Advisors
- Appeal Clerks
- Receptionist
- Telephone Advisors - General Advice
The need is for
In return we will provide training, a supportive and fun place to volunteer. We also hold regular meetings with our volunteers to refresh knowledge, to keep up to date with developments and support each other.
This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and experience in providing support, advice and information to disabled people, their family and carers.
We are able to provide this service through our team of volunteer advisors who are either disabled themselves or have a working knowledge of the needs of disabled people.
If you are interested in volunteering for us please contact Tricia or Eileen on telephone number 01508 491570 or via e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Audio Newsletter version
Mp3 newsletter for you to download and listen to