Steve Spencer, a United Response support worker, and two friends will be taking part in a European car race called the Screwball Rally in September 2012, to raise £3,000 for a group of people we support in Suffolk.

Steve said: “A road trip around Europe is something we have all wanted to do for a while, but we’ve never had a good reason to do it. Until now. It was by chance, whilst looking on a car website that I saw an advert for it, looked into it and signed up as the ‘Madhatters’.”

The rally involves driving from Dover to Nancy in France, where they camp overnight. From there, they go to Asti, Lichtenstein and then toDijon in France. The final day sees them driving from Dijon back to Dover for a big party and celebration. All in all, the journey covers around 1,600 miles. Quite a feat – I’m sure you’ll agree!

So far, in preparation for the race, the team-of-three has picked up their car: a Volvo V70 T5, in a nice shade of blue, which has (a not inconsiderable) 85,000 miles on the clock! Fingers crossed it will make it through the whole journey…

The guys have also started to gather the necessary equipment, such as a tent, and sleeping bags for everybody. They are certainly organised, nevertheless a lot remains to be done: paint the car, make some repairs, as well as getting the car taxed and insured. Most importantly, they also need to fundraise!

- Visit the Madhatters’ donation page

“We are primarily raising money for the service I work for in Ipswich,” explains Steve. “We want to try and get a new summerhouse and garden furniture, as the people we support here love to be outside in the sun, in the garden. The problem is, the place is in disrepair – the shed needs a new roof and the furniture is falling apart. We’re hoping to fix this.”

Steve and his two friends, Ed Miller and Christopher Adams, know they could face some challenges in taking on the Screwball Rally. “What with spending all that time together, there’s a risk we could fall out during the week – we’ll all have to be on our best behaviour. There’s also the possibility of the car breaking down, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. We’re not too daunted, though – this is something completely new to all of us, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

If you would like to support the Madhatters in the Screwball Rally by making a donation, go to: www.charitygiving.co.uk/stevenspencer

Jennifer Daniels, marketing assistant.

As we – alongside 80 other charities supporting disabled and older people – argued in an open letter to the Prime Minister earlier this week “care is in crisis – the system is chronically under funded and in urgent need of reform. Without this, too many older and disabled people will be left in desperate circumstances: struggling on alone, living in misery and fear.”

In its first year, the Coalition Government made some very encouraging decisions on social care, recognising it as the urgent concern it is, and publishing a well received vision for social care. It also commissioned economist Andrew Dilnot to investigate the system and provide a blueprint for future funding. Until recently, it was hoped that there would be a social care white paper published earlier this year, and a bill scheduled for this Parliamentary term.

Neither has happened and although the Queen’s Speech did say there would be a draft bill on social care it did not include the firm commitments and timetable that would reassure the hundreds of thousands of disabled and older people facing an uncertain and frightening future.

On 1st May, our Chief Executive, Su Sayer OBE, made her argument for why the Queen’s Speech needed to address the crisis with urgency: “At a time when the public purse is looking bare, it is understandable that additional spending in any area is viewed with caution. But the problem with this approach where social care is concerned is that failing to invest now could cost us dearly in the future. Already far too many disabled people – particularly those with mild and moderate needs – are not receiving the support they need and are struggling to cope with day-to-day life as a result. Left unmet, these needs will simply escalate, resulting in deteriorating physical and mental health and more costly support being required later on.”

Although the Queen’s Speech did not provide the reassurance we were hoping for, we will not give up in our efforts to make sure the Government prioritises disabled and older people. Hopefully the social care white paper will appear soon, and provide the substance and the properly funded and properly timetabled proposals that are currently lacking. If not, we will continue to campaign vigorously alongside the rest of the voluntary sector and disabled people to make sure that the Government does not miss this once in a generation opportunity to create a social care system we can be proud of, now and into the future.

Please keep reading this blog for opportunities to make your voice heard in the coming months.

Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs

Presenter of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and Sky Sports F1, Steve Rider, will be hosting an exclusive charity golf day on Monday 18th June, in aid of the national disability charity, United Response (www.unitedresponse.org.uk)

The event, which will take place at the historic Richmond Golf Club, in Surrey, will begin with a buffet breakfast for golfers in the Grade 1 listed clubhouse. This will be followed by a round on the 18-hole 6,091 yard course, which will include several on-course competitions, including ‘Beat the Pro’ and ‘longest drive’. Golfers will then return to the clubhouse, where they will enjoy an exquisite three course lunch with wine and coffee. Lunch will be followed by prize giving and auction (including the opportunity to bid for afternoon tea at the Petersham Hotel and a four-ball and lunch at the Richmond Golf Club) and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Steve Rider about his career in media and sport.

 Speaking about the event, Steve Rider, who is vice president of United Response, said:

“Whilst there are many charity sporting events happening up and down the country, having been involved in previous United Response Golf Days, in my view this one really is a bit special. I’ve been a supporter of United Response for over eight years now, and have always been impressed by the work they do supporting people with disabilities to live the lives they choose.”

“Last year’s event was great fun, with Steve Burridge, the pro at Richmond, taking on all comers in the ‘Beat the Pro’ competition, and this year’s event is set to be equally exciting with prizes on offer for the ‘longest drive’ and ‘nearest the pin’. I hope you will join me for what is set to be a fantastic day.”

Tickets are priced at £175 for individuals and £700 for a team of four. Lunch only tickets are also available for £100. To find out more and to book your ticket, go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk/golf-event/

Ends

For more information, please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or email sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk

One such person is Sinead, who has a part-time, paid job at United Response’s Trafford Supported Employment service. “Sinead is one of the 150 people we have placed in paid employment, over the last seven years,” said Ali Bishop, our manager at Trafford Supported Employment. “It’s a pleasure having us work with us. She’s organised and dedicated - a real asset to the service.”

We asked Sinead to talk through a typical day in the office.

“In the morning, I go by tram to the office. I’m very confident on the tram, and they are better than the busses because if you miss one it’s only 5 minutes wait until the next one! I used to start work at 9:00 but now it’s been changed to 10:00 so that my journey is better. Earlier on there are lots of school children on the trams and I used to be squashed in with them, which I didn’t like. They were very noisy and I’ve got sensitive ears. Also, they used to do things which they’re not supposed to!

“As well as working in the office I have a second job talking to children about what it’s like to have a learning disability. I love doing that and I hope it will help other people like me who need to travel on busy trams.

“The first thing I do when I get to work is to move my name on the name board into the part for people who are in the office. I also check who else is in, and put their names in the right place too –because sometimes they forget. Then I go to my jobs tray, and look for my jobs. I work out which one is the most important and start on that one first. I really enjoy my work, filing is my favourite and I also like computer work, especially typing. I also do all the photocopying and laminating.

“The best thing about working is being part of a team. I also like answering the phone but it can get confusing when they are talking about something I don’t know about. If I don’t understand I just go to my manager or work colleague for help. My manager, Laura, is very nice, and also very good at jokes. We like to have a bit of a laugh as well as getting the work done.

“I really enjoy my job, and it’s great getting paid too, but I don’t like spending money on myself – I buy things for other people. Recently I bought some clothes for my Mum. She was going to get them but she said they were too expensive so I bought them instead. Her first words were “don’t buy them for me” but then she was really pleased. I also take Mum for lunch and sometimes I buy her some groceries because I like to contribute. We’ve also just got a puppy, who is lovely, and I pay for the puppy training too.”

Sinead is now independent in her job role, but a lot of hard work goes into the start of the process – both from the job seeker and our employment service staff. “Finding work for an individual with learning difficulties is a complex process,” said Ali Bishop. ”We start by meeting with them and drawing up a one page personal profile, including their experiences, skills and what kind of work interests them.

“Then we look to match their skills, preferences and interests with an employer. We have good relationships with local employers and this helps us with the next stage – the interview – some people find interviews very daunting so to help with this we can often arrange a work trial instead. This gives the person an opportunity to show what they are really capable of, and we find this works very well.”

The fundamental role of all our supported employment services, is to help people assess what’s right for them and enable them to go about achieving it.

- Find out more about supported employment at United Response

- Find out more about Trafford Supported Employment

Jane Mordaunt, fundraising database manager.

 Opened in partnership with the London Borough of Hillingdon, Perfect Start offers local people with learning disabilities the opportunity to develop the life skills and experience they need to move towards greater independence and employment. Support can range from providing information on local training and employment opportunities, to supporting people to get involved in the local community.

 Perfect Start has a dedicated IT suite which service staff use to offer vocational IT training to people we support, to enhance independence through the development of skills such as budgeting, opening a bank account and paying bills. However, the computers at Perfect Start are currently in a state of disrepair and in great need of replacing.

 Therefore, in an inspiring display of team spirit, eight people associated with Perfect Start will be taking part in In the Swim 2012 to help fund new computers at the centre. They will form two teams of four, comprising of people supported at the service and staff members.

  ”Although our current computers have served us well, they really need replacing,” says Maggie Narbeth, service manager at Perfect Start. “We’re hoping the money raised from In the Swim 2012 will help us kickstart this refurbishment. Without the IT suite operational, we cannot offer important skills and training to the people we support at the service. In these difficult economic times, this can have a really negative knock-on effect on people’s lives.”

 In the Swim 2012 promotes inclusivity in sport and is designed to enable everyone to participate – regardless of swimming ability.  Everyone takes part in groups of four, with each team challenged to swim 2012m between them – there are no restrictions on how much an individual swims, as long as everyone chips in!

 If you have been inspired by the teams from Perfect Start and would like take part in In the Swim 2012, why not sign up today?  The minimum sponsorship target is only £250, and the £25 registration fee contributes to this!  

 If getting wet isn’t your thing, why not sponsor Perfect Start to take part in ‘In the Swim 2012’ instead? Just visit our donate now page and once you have added your details write ‘Perfect Start’ in the donation target box – every penny will be gratefully received!

 Mark Schueler, fundraising officer.

However, my journey to the start line hadn’t been an easy one. During training I suffered persistent knee problems, injuries to my back and shin splints – but I soldiered on. Just two weeks before the race things were looking ok, but then -  I came down with tonsillitis followed by a chest infection! How unlucky can you be?

But, anybody that knows me, knows how stubborn I am, so come the 22nd, I made my way, nervously, to the start line.

On balance, I think it was the toughest challenge of my life, so far. After 10 miles my chest felt ready to explode, but I carried on. At mile 21 I twisted my knee, but I carried on. At mile 26, for most of the rest of the race there was terrible wind and rain, but I carried on. I was determined to cross that line.

The crowds were fantastic and really helped my morale. They cheer you on all the way and really do help you get around the route. It was also amazing to see people in the crowd that I know – friends, family and colleagues. They provided me with a real boost – big thanks to them all.

And when I did finish, it was the best feeling ever.

A mood improved even further when I saw all the messages of support I had waiting – 60 text messages, 20 instant chat messages and over 250 comments and messages on Facebook! It took me most of Monday to reply to them all.

The support from home and around the marathon course is what got me though all this – so I want to say a massive personal ‘thank’ to all those people. A final thank you to the United Response fundraising team for all their support, and for hanging on for me at the reception party – that was really appreciated.

And now for the best news of all… drum roll please… I raised over £2,150 for United Response. However if you didn’t get the chance to sponsor me before the race, there is still time! Just head to www.virginmoneygiving.com/trudykent – thanks in advance!

Trudy K.

United Response was appalled by what we saw, and blogged heavily on the topic at the time, demanding that we finally learn the lessons needed to prevent such abuse. Along with many organisations who work with disabled people, we lobbied MPs for change and spoke out in the media.

Soon after, the Government announced that it would conduct a review, looking at the reforms that are needed to stop anything like this happening again. The review will be published after the prosecutions of the people charged in relation to what happened at Winterbourne View, and once the serious case review has been completed.

We, along with several other charities, are determined to do all we can to ensure that the review’s recommendations are strong enough to truly stamp out the kind of systematic abuse we saw at Winterbourne View. We have joined with partners including Mencap and The Challenging Behaviour Foundation to campaign on this crucial issue.

If you would like to join us in the campaign to close large assessment and treatment units that make people vulnerable to abuse, then you can support us by contacting your MP today. People with learning disabilities should all have the right to live in community-based services that keep them close to their family and friends, not hidden from sight.

Please email your MP today by clicking here and asking them to call on the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley MP, to set out plans to ensure people with a learning disability are protected from abuse and supported in their communities.

Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs, United Response

Seventeen United Response runners put months of sweat and toil into preparing for this one special day – all to raise much-needed funds for United Response, to help our work supporting people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental heath needs.

All the runners did a fantastic job to complete the twenty-six mile course successfully, and they are all heroes due to their efforts for United Response. Special mention goes to nine-time United Response London marathon runner Kate Knight and first-time runner Trudy Kent who has shed eight stone and six dress sizes since October 2010 in order to lose weight and take part in the marathon.

Sam finds the energy to tell us how his run went.

The weather on the day was typically British, with a testing mix of warm sun, cold wind and torrential rain but the runners all dug deep and performed brilliantly.

Some of the runners were able to carry their sore limbs to United Response’s post-race reception at the 5* Duke’s Hotel in Mayfair, where they were welcomed by our Chief Executive Su Sayer and members of the Communications and Fundraising team. They were also able to refresh with a shower and were pampered with a massage.

United Response would like to say a massive thank you to all seventeen runners. So far they have raised a whopping total of over £27,000 – and there is more sponsorship yet to be collected!

All in all, the day was a great success and we look forward to welcoming a new team of runners next year!

-  Apply for the Virgin London Marathon 2013 ballot

The Ballot opens this year on MONDAY APRIL 30th 2012 at www.virginlondonmarathon.com.

Mark Schueler, fundraising officer.

Lizzie on the beach

Tell us about yourself, Lizzie.

I am 27-years-old and from the New Forest but currently living in London. Following a three-year-journalism career, I am currently looking to find work as a press officer at a charity, ideally in the social care/welfare sector.

What inspired you to take part in In the Swim 2012?

I have been looking to take part in a fundraising event for United Response for a while but have been pretty busy. Swimming is something I can do – I’m no Fran Williamson, but I’ll just doggy paddle if worst comes to worst!

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in the event and why?

Just being there on the day, really, and taking part. I know it is going to be a lot of fun (possibly a bit embarrassing as I’m pretty out of shape, but still fun). Knowing that the money I raise is going to be spent improving the lives of the people United Response supports is just brilliant.

What did you think of Fran’s exclusive training videos?

Fran is inspirational and her Youtube training tips are superb. She has accomplished a lot during her swimming career and it’s great that she is being so hands-on about raising interest in the swimathon. It looks set to be a memorable day and I’m really looking forward to meeting her.

Tell us a little about your swimming experience. Are you a regular swimmer? How far are you hoping to swim on the day?

I’m not a regular swimmer at all. I swim about twice a year. I grew up by the sea, though, and love the water so am not a bad swimmer. I’m going to be practicing a couple of times a week and hope to contribute my fair share to the 2012 lengths. Gulp.

What advice would you give to anyone else who is thinking of taking part, but who hasn’t signed up yet?

It’s easy to delay these things, but I’d say grab the moment, call up/email and get a fundraising kit sent out to you. You won’t regret it! It’s a good way to get in shape and, clichéd as it is, to feel great! AND you’d be raising money for United Response. What could be better?! If that’s not incentive enough, you can laugh at me as you swim effortlessly past me puffing and wheezing my way round the pool.

Find out more about In the Swim 2012

Sign up for In the Swim 2012

A shapely size 14/16, Trudy Kent radiates confidence, is constantly laughing and loves life. Fifteen months ago, it was a very different story. While confident on the outside, she felt ‘awful’ on the inside. She hated clothes shopping and going out because she was so self-conscious about how she looked.

“People can be very cruel,” Trudy said, referring to the insults she regularly received. Back then, Trudy weighed 21 stone, and was a size 26. Now, after joining Slimming World and sticking to a gruelling fitness regime, she’s over 8 stone lighter – and six dress sizes smaller.

Deciding she needed more of a challenge, Trudy signed up to run the Virgin London Marathon, raising money for United Response. After that ‘moment of madness,’ she realised there was no going back.

With just weeks to go, Trudy has recently been regularly running the equivalent distance of a half marathon and is slowly building up her distance, but has suffered problems with her knees and ankles along the way. Though she finds all the running tiring, what keeps her going is knowing that when she achieves her marathon goal, she’ll be helping the people United Response supports.

United Response set Trudy a fundraising target of £1,500, but Trudy has already smashed that and has now set herself the goal of raising a staggering £2,500. The money raised by Trudy, along with the 17 other runners completing the marathon for United Response will go towards various aspects of the charity’s work. For example, £110 could provide travel training for an adult with learning disabilities and help them access public transport.

To sponsor Trudy, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/trudykent.

“United Response ensures people they support lead ordinary lives and are an active part of their community,” Trudy said. “It’s a great charity that recognises the diversity and talents of the people we support. The money raised will make such a difference to people’s lives.”

If you’d like to make a difference yourself, you can donate to United Response online.

While she’s excited about running the marathon, she’s also looking forward to the relief of it being over. “I’m looking forward to having a massage, Kentucky Fried Chicken meal and a large glass of Baileys!” she laughed.

Talking tactics, Trudy said: “My strategy is not to start off like Usain Bolt – I’m going to set my GPS watch for 26.2 miles and it should keep me on track for 12-minute miles throughout.”

Trudy currently weighs 13 stone, 9 ½ pounds – heading ever closer to her target of 12 stone. “It feels great not buying size 28 any more! I can go into any shop now and know I’ll find clothes that will fit me – before I was limited to two or three shops. Clothes are now much cheaper, and I feel a lot more confident when I go out,” she said.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my friends, family and Slimming World,” Trudy said. “They’ve been amazing in so many ways, and really supportive – it’s meant so much to me.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Trudy can visit her sponsorship page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/trudykent.

Lizzie Thornton, Press Assistant.

On 18th June, I have the pleasure of hosting United Response’s fourth annual Charity Golf Day, taking place in the idyllic surroundings of Richmond Golf Club.

Whilst there are many charity sporting events happening up and down the country, having been involved in previous United Response Golf Days, I can tell you that in my view this one really is a bit special. I’ve been a supporter of United Response for over eight years now, and have always been impressed by the work they do supporting people with disabilities to live the lives they choose.

Last year’s event was great fun, with Steve Burridge, the pro at Richmond, taking on all comers in the ‘Beat the Pro’ competition, whilst prizes were also on offer for the ‘longest drive’ and ‘nearest the pin’.

After an exhilarating round on the 6,091 yard, par 70 course, the players made their way back to the club house for a 3-course lunch, prize giving, charity auction and post-lunch anecdotes from the world of sport and media. Many of the questions and discussions focused on the then forthcoming Rugby World Cup – and I’m very much looking forward to sharing some behind-the-scenes stories at this year’s event!

- Find out more about the day

- Book now!

For me, one of the highlights of the day was hearing the story of ‘John’, a person supported by United Response for six years. He’d previously been shut away in an institution, however thanks to the support of United Response’s skilled staff, his life has been transformed. He has learned new skills, needs far less support, and his family says they are ecstatic about how his life has been turned around.

Stories like this remind me of why we do this sort of thing, and of the difference United Response can make to people’s lives, thanks to money raised at events such as this.

This year’s event promises to be even better than the last, so why not join me on the 18th June to enjoy an exceptional round of golf and a 3-course lunch, all whilst supporting the work of United Response?

- Find out more about the day

- Book now!

See you there!

Steve Rider.

The Times letter, which is signed by the leaders of all 15 leading LDC members including United Response chief executive Su Sayer, points out “the stark reality of the crisis in social care” and warns that this will worsen without urgent reform. The letter goes on to say:

“Cuts are having a significant impact, and there is real hardship ahead for people with a learning disability.

“More than three quarters of local authorities are facing difficulties in funding support for people with a learning disability and have made cuts or savings; nine out of ten councils expect to have to make more cuts in the future.

“Despite the Government’s welcome commitment in the coalition agreement to addressing such desperately needed reforms, the highly anticipated White Paper continues to be delayed. For people with a learning disability, reform cannot come soon enough.”

The full letter can be read only on The Times paywalled website, at www.thetimes.co.uk.

The 6 O Clock News item was also a serious and detailed examination of the funding crisis, and interviewed people with learning disabilities who had seen their support cut, as well as relatives and support workers who were deeply concerned about the future. It can be viewed here, with the segment beginning at 19 minutes.

While it is unfortunate that it takes a rather bleak report to get the media to pay attention to the lives and concerns of people with learning disabilities, it is still very welcome. People with learning disabilities need the public to understand just why support is crucial to them and why funding needs to be protected and indeed increased, as our Life Support report earlier this year showed. Media attention like this can only help in that long term goal.

The full Social Care in Crisis – the Need for Reform report can be found here.

Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs.

Taking place at Kensington Leisure Centre on 21st May, In the Swim 2012 is a 2012m relay swimming event, raising funds to support our vital work with people with disabilities.

Fran, who recently retired from professional swimming after achieving 23 international medals will be the official starter at the event. The swimmer, who achieved silver and bronze medals at the Paralympics in Athens and Beijing, will also be giving an inspirational speech about her own swimming experiences, and presenting medals to all participants.

- You can find out more about Fran on her website.

Speaking about In The Swim 2012, Fran said: “Open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, the event really allows people from all walks of life to do something proactive that will truly make all the difference. Getting active is a great way of feeling a sense of achievement. I would encourage as many people as possible to take part and do something noteworthy that makes them feel proud.”

Below is the latest in our series of exclusive video swimming tips from Fran:

Take part in In the Swim 2012

United Response is still looking for swimmers of all ages and abilities to take part in the event.

- Find out more about the day

- Register for the swimathon

- Watch Fran’s exclusive video swimming tips on our Youtube Channel

Or, for all enquiries, you can call Mark Schueler in United Response’s fundraising team on 020 8246 5202.

Donate a Tweet!

If you can’t make the event, or maybe swimming isn’t your bag, you can still help us by spreading the word about In the Swim. Please ‘donate a Tweet’, by telling your follows about our event. Something like the following would do nicely:

Check out @unitedresponse inclusive swimathon #InTheSwim http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/challenge-events/swim-for-all-2012-challenge-event-fundraiser/ - hosted by Paralympic medallist Fran Williamson

Once the url is shortened, it should fit just fine. Thank you for your help!

James Dodd, web and digital media editor.

Don’t be taken for a fool on 1st April by making sure that you get along to ‘Silly Sunday’, a free live music and entertainment event at the Cricketers Arms in Keighley, in aid of the national disability charity, United Response.
 
Five local music acts will be performing at the event including Joe Tilston and Brand New Analogues. There will also be bingo presented by local beatboxing dinner lady duo, Doreen and Nana Moon. The Town Mayor of Keighley, Cllr Tony Wright, will be drawing the big prize raffle. Prizes will include a day’s recording at Small World Studios and a photoshoot and prints donated by H Andrew Photography.
 
Everyone involved in Silly Sunday has donated their time free-of-charge. Money raised through the event will go towards building a sensory room for people with learning disabilities at a service run by United Response in the Keighley area. Sensory rooms can help to increase opportunities for social interaction, particularly for people with complex learning disabilities who may not communicate verbally.

You can contribute to this cause on our donate page.  

NB. Please be sure to enter ‘Keighly’ into the Donation Target box, so we know where the money should go to.

Demi Young is a support worker for United Response and has helped to organise the event. She said:
 
“We’re just so grateful to everyone involved in Silly Sunday, from the staff at the Cricketers Arms, to all the local music acts and businesses for their contributions and to all the United Response staff for the enthusiasm and extra hours they have put in to make the event happen. It is truly wonderful to see a community come together like this for such a good cause”
 
“We have some great acts lined up and the money raised will make a huge difference to lives of local people with learning disabilities. Why not come along and get involved in the fun? You’d be a fool to miss it!”
 
Silly Sunday is taking place from 3-9pm on Sunday 1st April at the Cricketers Arms in Coney Lane, Keighley. Entry to the event is free. A full line up for the day is below. To find out more, call Demi on 07816310881
 
The False Tarts 3:15pm-3:45pm
Theo & Jay 3:45pm-4:15pm
Doreen & Nana Moon Present Bingo 4:15pm-4:45pm
Luke Parker 4:45pm-5:15pm
Joe Tilston 5:30pm-6pm
Mayor draws raffle 6:10pm-6:30pm
Brand New Analogues 6:45pm-7:30pm
 
Ends

For more information, please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or email sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk

The Chancellor made much of how this week’s Budget would be “fiscally neutral”, but if he was hoping it would also be politically neutral, he’ll have been dismayed by the media’s reaction. While the removal of the 50p top rate of tax generated most headlines before the Budget was announced, next day’s newspapers focused on the worrying implications for pensioners.

One thing which didn’t make many front pages, but which attracted a huge amount of attention online, was the warning that £10 billion of further savings would need to be found from the welfare budget by 2016. This comes on top of the vast savings already being sought through the Welfare Reform Bill, and which have caused great concern among disabled people, charities and the wider public. Although the Chancellor gave no indication of where these new savings were to be made, many commentators feared that the poor, the sick and the disabled would bear the brunt.

It was perhaps timely then that the Campaign for a Fair Society had just launched its manifesto. On the day of the Budget itself, Bob Tindall – who is on the steering committee for the Campaign, as well as being United Response’s managing director – wrote a long article for politics.co.uk arguing that a simpler welfare system and equitable taxes were two of the eight steps that were needed to create a fairer society for all.

The debate over the Budget will eventually fade out. The debate over our country’s future must not. Read the full politics.co.uk piece here and sign up to the Campaign for a Fair Society.

Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs.

In a recent profile on Jim’s life, the Guardian described him as having “brought learning disability out of the shadows” and this is a fitting description for a man who did so much to bring light into the lives of people who had for decades been isolated and abandoned in institutions.

As The Guardian noted, “In 1970, there were 60,000 adults and children with learning disabilities living confined, institutional lives in long-stay hospitals. That autumn, a young student newly arrived at Cardiff University agreed to help take a group of children from the city’s Ely hospital to the cinema on a Saturday morning. From that point on, the hospitals stood no chance. The student was Jim Mansell. His experience that October day was to change him, his direction in life and, arguably, the very basis of how we support people with the most profound intellectual disabilities.”

In addition to being a major contributor to the fight to close long term institutions, Jim also pioneered alternative ways of supporting people with severe and profound learning disabilities to live in ordinary community based settings and wasthe country’s leading expert on how to work with people with challenging behaviour. He passionately believed that everyone, regardless of their disability, can and should actively engage in all aspects of life and inspired many individuals and organisations to make that happen in various parts of the world

Su Sayer, chief executive and longtime friend of Jim, said, “He was the perfect Trustee, regularly visiting people we support and giving us honest, sometimes tough, feedback which inspired us all to do better and never to be complacent. He will be greatly missed.”

Baroness Hollins, the host, welcomed the Campaign For A Fair Society’s “attempt to build consensus” on a way forward that is fair for all, and argued that in a time of spending cuts it is crucial for all of us “to keep a watchful eye” on how they affect vulnerable people.

Simon Duffy, representing the Campaign, spoke about the eight proposals the manifesto puts forward, including a stronger focus on human rights, a clearer and fairer benefits system and social care provision which offers people who require support far more choice and control over their own lives.

Kaliya Franklin speaks out at Campaign For A Fair Society manifesto launch

Disability activist Kaliya Franklin made an impassioned speech about disabled people’s fears for the future, and argued that 40 years of progress could be reversed if spending cuts continue to fall disproportionately on disabled people at the same time as rhetoric about “benefit scroungers” is ramped up in some parts of the media. She also argued that the general public was compassionate at heart: “if the general public understood what was happening, they would be up in arms.”

At the same time as the manifesto was launched, Community Care ran a thoughtful blog on the Campaign.

“The reason this is interesting is that one often sees the personalisation agenda and the anti-cuts agenda as being in tension. One reason is that the former is endorsed by the government and the latter is firmly anti-government. Another is that the cuts to disabled people’s services and benefits is sometimes couched by government and its supporters as attacking a dependency culture that is in opposition to the pro-independence ethos of personalisation.

But this manifesto makes the point that the two agendas are one; that independent living for disabled people requires financial security and choice and control over the services you receive.”

The manifesto is only a starting point, however, and is intended to be a living document which will evolve as more and more people sign up to the Campaign and add their voices to ours. To sign up for a better future click here. 

by Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs

United Response is a  member organisation of the Campaign For a Fair Society, which is launching its manifesto for a better future at an event at the House of Lords today (12th March).

The campaign was born in 2010 in response to concerns that spending cuts would fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable groups in society. Using the Government’s own figures, the eight-point manifesto being launched today shows that £23.7 billion of annual cuts will fall on disabled people, older people and those living in poverty – 58% of all cuts. Furthermore, the manifesto highlights that 25% of all cuts will target the 2% of people who need the most support.

The manifesto argues that not only are these cuts unfair, but they are also inefficient. Failing to invest now will lead to more costly problems later on as people’s physical and mental health deteriorates and incidences of family breakdown and institutionalisation increase.

The manifesto calls on governments in England, Wales and Scotland to recognise the right of everyone to live a full life, with meaning and respect and puts forward eight proposals for a fair society. These measures include strengthening of the current Human Rights Act, better access to early support, a clearer system of entitlements and the right to a fair income.

Steven Rose, Chair of the England Steering Group of the Campaign for a Fair Society, said:

“The current system is inherently unfair. It fails to recognise the right of everyone to be treated as full citizens, with a valuable contribution to make and a full and meaningful life to lead.

“As more and more cuts are made to the income and support available to the most vulnerable and those living in poverty, the worse things will get for everyone.

“The Campaign for a Fair Society’s manifesto shows that there is an alternative – a society where everyone is treated equally, regardless of age, differences or disabilities.  If we all have the vision and are willing work together to realise it, then we can create a society that is fair for everyone.”

To read the manifesto in full, go to www.campaignforafairsociety.org

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For more information, please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5237/ 020 8246 5122 or email sarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk

With so many world class disabled athletes coming to compete in the capital this year, this is the perfect time for raising awareness about diversity and inclusion.

At United Response, we have launched In the Swim 2012 to give everyone – world class athlete or not – the opportunity to take part in an Olympic year event. To tie in with the theme, swimmers are being asked to swim, in relay fashion, 2012m up and down the pool.

Some swimmers may not be able to swim anywhere near the whole distance, but that is the point of the event. People are being asked to work together to contribute what they can and to achieve the 2012m as a team. Age, disability and swimming prowess are not what matters; it’s all about using the skills you have to reach the end goal together.

This approach to equality and diversity however, goes beyond just this one event. It is inherent to everything United Response does as an organisation, from providing support to disabled people to employing staff. We believe that everyone has something to offer and that diversity is one of our greatest assets.

This year, we can all play our part in making real inclusion a reality and you don’t have to be an Olympian to do it (or even have a ticket for the Olympics for that matter). We just have to recognise the potential that is around us and encourage others to do the same.

You can read more about United Response’s equality and diversity work and our In the Swim 2012 event on pages 13 and 23 of this month’s Care Talk magazine.

Sarah Bartlett, Press Manager.

United Response is a member of Disability Works UK, a not-for-profit consortium of eight national disability charities that have come together to provide tailored employment support to disabled people. Disability Works UK is not involved in the delivery of the government’s Workfare scheme.

Disability Works UK has secured a number of sub-contracts to deliver the Work Programme; the government’s employment initiative aimed at supporting long-term unemployed and disabled people into work. This programme is not related in any way to the Workfare scheme.

Through the Work Programme, Disability Works UK provides tailored support and training, including interview practice, skills development, help with job applications, CV writing and in-work support. We also work with employers to ensure that people are well supported in their roles.

Given the combined expertise of our members, we feel that we are ideally and uniquely placed to be able to offer disabled people high quality support that meets their individual needs. We are engaging with the Work Programme to ensure that people receive this tailored support, which we know works; and to give disabled people the best possible chance of success of securing a job.

United Response and Disability Works UK do not believe that sanctions incentivise disabled people to look for work, nor do they give them the confidence to do so. United Response and Disability Works UK will only seek contracts with providers whose values are compatible with our own and will not play a role in the imposing of sanctions. This will continue to be the role of the DWP via Job Centre Plus.

United Response share the concerns raised by some about Workfare and the principle of coercive volunteering and will not accept any volunteers that have come through mandatory placements.

DISABILITY WORKS UK STATEMENT

Disability Works UK is a not-for-profit consortium of eight national disability charities that have come together to provide tailored employment support to disabled people. Disability Works UK is not involved in the delivery of the government’s Workfare scheme.

Disability Works UK has secured a number of sub-contracts to delivery the Work Programme; the government’s employment initiative aimed at supporting long-term unemployed and disabled people into work. This programme is not related in any way to the Workfare scheme.

Through the Work Programme, Disability Works UK provides tailored support and training, including interview practice, skills development, help with job applications, CV writing and in-work support. We also work with employers to ensure that people are well supported in their roles.

Given the combined expertise of our members, we feel that we are ideally and uniquely placed to be able to offer disabled people high quality support that meets their individual needs. We are engaging with the Work Programme to ensure that people receive this tailored support, which we know works; and to give disabled people the best possible chance of success of securing a job.

DWUK believes that sanctions do not incentivise disabled people to look for work, nor do they give them the confidence to do so. DWUK will not be directly involved in delivering sanctions. This will continue to be the role of the DWP via Job Centre Plus.

ENDS

For more information, please contact diane.lightfoot@unitedresponse.org.uk

All the more reason to celebrate success when it happens, and in Trafford, Greater Manchester, there are some great examples of how a supported employment project run by United Response can get people with learning disabilities into work, helping them thrive as individuals and contribute to their employers. The service has just entered its seventh year, and has helped hundreds of individuals.

Last week the Manchester Evening News celebrated those achievements in a full page story. One of the people featured was Luanne Horton, 21, who approached us last year in the hopes of finding work. Luanne has Down’s Syndrome and struggles with reading and writing, so she received help from job coach Maria Williams to put together a CV. Luanne felt she was best suited to practical work and so, inspired by Luanne’s love of fashion, went job hunting together in shopping areas close to her home in Sale.

JLF hairdressers in Sale Moor agreed to take her on as an assistant and Luanne is now responsible for greeting customers and making drinks, sorting hair products, and cleaning the salon. Jess France, owner of the hairdressers, says Luanne is an asset to the business: “She’s very reliable and she has really come out of her shell since she’s been here.”

Ali Bishop, who has been the driving force behind Trafford Supported Employment since its inception, points out that not only does the service help individuals and businesses but actually saves the taxpayer money as it helps people “take the first steps towards financial independence. They might be people like Luanne who, may not be able to come off benefits entirely, but when she is working she is not accessing things like day care services…It’s about being less reliant on the state.”

The Manchester Evening News agreed in a resoundingly positive leader column backing the scheme. “The scheme offers people with learning difficulties extensive support, including help from a dedicated job coach. Could that be replicated for others finding it hard to get work? It would, of course, cost money. But can we afford not to try?… With the scheme in Trafford we have a successful model. Perhaps it’s time to widen its reach.”

But here’s the kicker. Far from investing more in supported employment during a time of rising joblessness, many existing supported employment services are under financial threat or have already been the victim of cuts. Up and down the country, fewer people with learning disabilities are getting a fair opportunity to find work and the increased independence that comes with it. And yet we know that up front investment in the right support really does save money in the long run.

The Government, in its 2010 Vision For Adult Social Care, explicitly states that “Preventing people’s needs from escalating will help to reduce the costs of intensive care packages. Employment is also an important part of helping people to stay independent for as long as possible.” That’s why it needs to work closely with local authorities who, unlike Trafford, are not investing in supported employment. As the Manchester Evening News says, “can we afford not to try?”

By Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs

Tomorrow the ADASS and the NHS will be holding a conference, in Birmingham, organised predominantly for commissioners of services for people with learning disabilities. The conference aims to improve things for the future – not only in social care support but in healthcare too, where people with learning disabilities have also received poor and sometimes very neglectful support.

I’ll be running a workshop which looks at what we can do to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive high quality support based in community settings, near to their families. Even for people with very challenging behaviour, supported living in ordinary housing really works, and it is cheaper too.

The key is understanding the person well and having skilled staff to provide the support. People don’t need to go into hospitals and special units to get such support, and indeed going out of their local area to such places can actually make people’s behaviour worse, not better. Not many of us, if we were in a distressed state, would react well to having the remaining vestiges of what is familiar to us removed, and so it is with people who have challenging behaviour.

We have a lot of experience in supporting people who have challenging behaviour in ordinary settings. The repeated problems of institutional care need addressing fully and a new way of approaching people with complex needs and challenging behaviour needs to be established – as an outcome of the enquiry into Winterbourne View which is currently taking place. This conference is a welcome step along the path of achieving that goal

Bob Tindall, managing director.

Furthermore the event will be guest-hosted by ITV’s 2011 Rugby World Cup presenter, Steve Rider.

You can get an idea of what the day is all about, by viewing our video of last year’s proceedings:

If that’s inspired you to dust off your clubs and help raise much needed funds for United Response – good news! When you sign up before the end of April, you can take advantage of our early bird prices and make savings of up to £100!

- Golf day early bird booking form

Why not play a round of golf and contribute towards enabling people with disabilities to take control of their lives?

See you at the dogleg!

James Dodd, web and digital media manager.

For more infomation, please contact mark.schueler@unitedesponse.org.uk

United Response is one of the eight members of Disability Works UK, a not-for-profit consortium of national disability charities that have come together to provide tailored employment support to disabled people. Neither Disability Works UK nor United Response are involved in the delivery of the government’s Workfare scheme.

Disability Works UK has secured a number of sub-contracts to delivery the Work Programme; the government’s employment initiative aimed at supporting long-term unemployed and disabled people into work.

Through the Work Programme, United Response and Disability Works UK provides tailored support and training, including interview practice, skills development, help with job applications, CV writing and in-work support. We also work with employers to ensure that people are well supported in their roles, building on United Response’s many years of experience in delivering supported employment.

Given the combined expertise of our members, we feel that we are ideally and uniquely placed to be able to offer disabled people high quality support that meets their individual needs. We are engaging with the Work Programme to ensure that people receive this tailored support, which we know works; and to give disabled people the best possible chance of success of securing a job.

Ends

For more information, please contact Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on 020 8246 5122 or email jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk

What you may not know is what you can do about it.

Hopefully this blog will change that. On Tuesday March 6th, the Care and Support Alliance – of which we are one member – is hosting a lobby inWestminsterdesigned to make politicians listen to the voices of disabled people and their supporters and to act to end the care crisis. Even if you can’t be there in person, there are other ways you can support the campaign – writing to your MP, or encouraging friends to be there on the day – so that you can feel you are taking positive action.

To register to come along, or to find out more, please visit here.

We know that the Government is due to announce their plans to reform social care in April 2012. It is really important that we make sure MPs and ministers act now to reform our social care system ensuring a fair and sustainable care system which delivers dignity, independence and peace of mind for older and disabled people and their families. Failure to act will lead to more of the cuts, neglect and abuse in social care, at great cost to our economy, public services and society.

We need a social care system which:

- is fairly and suitably funded;

- offers high quality care;

- delivers dignity, independence and choice

- supports and offers peace of mind for disabled and older people.

If you agree, this is your chance to be heard.

Jaime Gill, head of press and public affairs