Newsletter - March 2010 - Issue 17
Welcome to Disability Backup's Newsletter; please scroll down to see all the notices.
Hackney Museum wants you!
Send us your photo and a comment about yourself for our bodies exhibition this summer!
Our next Forum Meeting is on: Thursday 25th March 2010 11am-1pm
Where?
City Edge, 125 Mare Street, Hackney, E5 3DL
What?
It's all about us!
Find out more about other Forum Members and tell us more about yourself, Come tell us about your skills, interests and hobbies!
Esther Norman from Hackney LINk will also be coming to talk to the group about what the LINk is and how we can get more involved.
For more information or to arrange transport please contact Catherine on: 020 7275 0088 ext 209
Focus Groups
- Leisure
When? Thursday 11th March 11-12.30
Where? Disability Backup Office, 3rd Floor,The Print House, Dalston, E8 3DL
What? Thomas Smith and Tamsin Fudge will be attending. We will be exploring the issues raised about local Leisure services and creating an action plan to resolve these issues.
- Hackney Homes
Hackney Homes Residents Disability Forum is on Wednesday 10th March 2010, 11.30am-1.30pm, at Lower Clapton Road.
Call Mariarosa on 020 8356 6133 for more information
Feedback
Forum Meeting
Parking: We had a good session with parking service. We gave lots of feedback about our experiences of parking in Hackney. The group gave lots of feedback about blue badges, companion badges and parking bays. Disability Hackney were unable to attend.
Please see February's minutes.
Hackney Museum
We met with Hackney Museum to discuss the development of our exhibit. The museum wants snapshots of a range of people to be part of the exhibit.
They want to challenge people's perceptions and would like to show a photo of someone and a caption about them that might surprise people.
We would like to include as many members as possible, we can take your photo or you can send one in with your comments!
Call Catherine 020 7275 0088 ext 209 to join in!
Sign Language
In response to some request, We will be starting a basic British Sign Language Course.
Open to any forum members who would like to learn some basic conversational sign language.
When? Fridays:
26th Feb
5 March
12 March
19 March
3-4.30pm
Where? at Disability Backup Offices (3rd Floor) The Print House 18 Ashwin Street E8 3DL
Call Catherine on 020 7275 0088 ext 209 to book
Sport and Leisure
Adults over 19+ are given the opportunity to learn some new sporting activities.
Including special sessions for D/deaf and hard of hearing.
Try things like:
Sailing and Canoeing
Climbing
Fitness
Swimming
Call 020 8356 2230
or
email leisuresports@hackney.gov.uk
Other Services
Hackney Support provides assistance to vulnerable people to help them live independent lives, prevent homelessness, maintain temporary accommodation and resettle into their own home. Examples of support include:
Applying for welfare benefits, Housing advice and move on, Dealing with rent arrears or debt, Arranging repairs or aids and adaptations, Practical living skills, Dealing with anti-social behaviour, Accessing care and counselling services, Developing skills and training to obtain
work.
This service is available in your own home from 9am to 8pm on weekdays and between 10am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. The level of support provided will vary and will depend on your needs.
You can make a referral by calling 020 7428 4236
Or write to:
Hackney Support
5 Laburnum Street
London
E2 8BY
By Fax 020 7033 0572
Or via e-mail to hackneysupport@onehousinggroup.co.uk
Hackney LINk
Hackney LINk is researching Home Care provision in Hackney and would like to hear from you.
If you would like to share your experiences of either:
Receiving homecare from Hackney's in house team
Receiving homecare from an agency or charity
Caring for someone who receives homecare.
We will be asking for volunteers to be involved in our project by keeping diaries about the care you receive.
We will also be gathering peoples experiences about the care they receive to be part of our report.
We aim to produce a list of recommendations to take to Hackney Council about possible improvements to services.
If you would like to be part of our research or would like more information please call Catherine on:
020 7275 0088 ext 209 or email catherine@hfbu.org.uk
Hackney LINk Members Event
Where? The Carers Centre, Tyssen Street, Dalston
When? 30th March 11-1pm
Come along to Hackney LINk Members Event to find out what the LINk has been working on and how you can get involved!
If you are a member of Hackney LINk and interested in joining this group
please call Rushena on 020 8510 1974 email rushena@hackneylink.org.uk
deaf PLUS
Deaf Plus is holding a forum for Hackney residents on March 15th at Hackney Voluntary Action. The time will be from 2pm till 4pm.
The forum is to discuss services in Hackney, your involvement is important and will benefit the residents and Hackney borough. Contact Leo 020 7001 1793
Future Dates
March
Fri 5th 3-4.30pm British Sign Language Class (DBU Office)
Thurs 11th 11-12.30pm Leisure Focus Group (DBU Office)
Fri 12th 3-4.30pm British Sign Language Class (DBU Office)
Thurs 25th 11-1pm Forum Meeting City Edge, Mare Street, E8 3RG
April
Thurs 8th April 2-3.30pm Transport Focus Group (DBU Office)
Thurs 22nd April 11-1pm Forum Meeting survey of door to door services, City Edge, Mare Street, E8 3RG
Blue Badge Fraud
Hackney Council has brought its first prosecutions against Blue Badge fraudsters found abusing the borough's disabled parking scheme.
A special anti-fraud team to crack down on people abusing the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme was established last July.
Cllr Alan Laing, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "Hackney Council takes the abuse of Blue Badges extremely seriously.
"The prosecutions send out a clear message that those abusing blue badges will not get away with it.
"Blue Badge fraud is a thoughtless crime that can limit the independence of disabled people, potentially preventing them from accessing crucial services and amenities."
An estimated 200 badges are stolen from vehicles every year and there are as many as 1,000 instances of Blue Badge misuse occurring in London daily.
To report suspicions of fraud, contact the Blue Badge Hotline on 020 8356 8866 or email
bluebadgefraud@hackney.gov.uk
Contact us
Disability Backup
Hackney Family Backup
The Print House
18 Ashwin Street
London
E8 3DL
Phone: 020 7275 0088
Fax: 020 7241 0088
Text: 07593 508 288
Text Phone: 18001 020 7275 0088
Email: catherine@hfbu.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1017015 - Company Registration No: 2422896