Email Bulletin Issue 1 spring 2012

Welcome to our first Email Bulletin

Dear Member Welcome to the 1st edition of Harrow Mencaps Email bulletin. In these challenging times it can sometimes be difficult to keep up to date with all the changes that are happening. And we will use this Bulletin to update you on national and local disability issues as well as updating you on our work. If you have any questions on any of the articles in this bulletin please contact: yvonne.lee@harrowmencap.org.uk

Campaigns Update
End the Care Crisis Lobby
Harrow MENCAP supported the End the Care Crisis Lobby on 6 March 2012, when more than 1,000 people came to meet their MPs to tell the government that the social care system in England urgently needs reform. This was organised by the Care and Support Alliance, a consortium of organisations, including National Mencap Age UK and RNIB.

We are supporting this because were worried about how government cuts are affecting people who receive support from social services. This problem will only get worse if the government doesnt do anything. As our population gets older, well make more demands on the social care system with no more money available to fund it. Therefore, were urging the government not to shy away from making reforms to social care funding. With the government expected to publish its white paper on social care reform in May, the lobby was an important opportunity for the Care and Support Alliance to get this message across. As well as the lobby, the Care and Support Alliance organised the #twobby, a lobby that used social networks. Thousands of people interacted with the lobby and their MPs online via twitter and Facebook, enabling people who couldnt make it to London to be involved and have their voices heard by their MPs. The outcome that we want to see is new fair sustainable arrangements that ensure the high quality of social care provision for those people who need it. We would like to thank Bob Blackman and Gareth Thomas the MPs for Harrow East and Harrow West for taking the time to see us and discuss our concerns.
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The Welfare Reform Bill

The Welfare Reform Bill received Royal Assent on March 7th. This means that it will become law. The Bill is the biggest reform of the Benefit system for 60 years. We know that many people are concerned and confused by how the changes will affect them. We are holding some workshops to explain the changes. On Wednesday 23rd of April at 7pm and Saturday 12th May 11-1pm at Shaftesbury Secondary School, Headstone Lane Harrow HA3 6LE. You do not need to book a place but if you have any access needs please let us know by contacting:
yvonne.lee@harrowmencap.org.uk 0208 869 8483

Health Focus Groups

We have been asked by NHS Brent & Harrow to find out why there is a low take up of cancer screening by people with learning disabilities and what would help them have these vital checks. We will be running some workshops and doing a questionnaire between May and September. What we find out will help GPs in supporting people with learning disabilities. If you would like to be involved
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in this work please contact shelly.choudhury@harrowmencap.org.uk 0208 869 8482 This work is being led by our

Health Advocacy Project

Harrow Mencap runs a health advocacy service for people with learning disabilities. The aim is to support people who have a learning disability in Harrow to access health services and work with parents, users, carers and professionals. The project helps access services by providing one to one support for people with learning disabilities and their carers and supporting self-advocacy groups for people with learning disabilities in Harrow. For more information contact: Shelly Choudhury or David on 020 8423 7382 or 020 8869 8482 email: shelly.choudhury@harrowmencap.org.uk

New Service
New Day Service at Pinner Green
We are delighted that Community solutions are opening their new day service at Pinner Green. This service will specialise in offering support to young people aged 16-25. We know that there is a shortage of provision for young people and the new centre has been specially adapted to meet these needs. For more information please contact ariane@harrowmencap.org.uk 0208 869 8480

Football Club For young People

As many of you know we have run a successful football club for many years. The club is for adults of all abilities and has had some success in the league. We are therefore delighted to have received funding from Harrow Sports Development Team to run a club for under 18s. The Club will run every Thursday from 6pm to 7pm for further information please contact: rosshensman@harrowmencap.org.uk 020 8869 8481

Events
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Jubilee Fund Raising Lunch Sunday 20th May La Gardia Pinner 1.30pm Mid Summer Buffett and entertainment at Zoroastarian Centre Sat June 16th 1830-2200. Please contact jeremychild@blueyonder.co.uk 020 8 869 8484

Volunteering
You can make a difference to people's lives by volunteering in our adult and children clubs or our days services in Harrow and Pinner. Full training and support is given We also need Volunteers for our shop in Pinner For further information please contact volunteer@harrowmencap.org.uk

Fundraising
We are desperately looking for some reliable volunteers in 2012 to help with various aspects of Fund-Raising for Harrow Mencap. Whether you have an hour every other month or are able to devote many more hours, we need your help to bring in
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those funds to keep our essential services for people with a Learning Disability operating and to hopefully build upon them. We are looking for volunteers to help with our Supermarket collections You may also like to organise a small event like Car Boot Sales Fairs/fetes Hosting Dinners or parties Please contact jeremychild@blueyonder.co.uk 020 8869 8484 If you have had this email bulletin passed on to you and would like to receive a copy in future please contact. volunteer@harrowmencap.org.uk

You can keep up to date with whats happening by following us on twitter @harrowmencap or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/HarrowMencap/191677064210405