BULLETIN March/April 2020 Top fun in Diggerland! During February half term, 25 excited families went on our Children’s Wellbeing Service coach trip and had a fun-filled day at Diggerland, thanks to funding from Children in Need. With over 20 different rides and driving experiences to choose from, the children drove real JCBs and 180/360 excavators, enjoyed an off-road ride on the Groundshuttle, took in the views on the Skyshuttle and had a go on the dodgems and go-karts. The thrill seekers among us took a head-reeling turn or two on the Spindizzy: a ride which involved being strapped into a super-sized digger bucket and being hoisted up and tossed around – not for the faint-hearted!
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BULLETINMarch/April 2020
Top fun in Diggerland!
During February half term, 25 excited families went on our Children’s Wellbeing Service coach trip and had a fun-filled day at Diggerland, thanks to funding from Childrenin Need.
With over 20 different rides and driving experiences to choose from, the children drove real JCBs and 180/360 excavators, enjoyed an off-road ride on the Groundshuttle, took in the views on the Skyshuttle and had a go on the dodgems and go-karts. The thrill seekers among us took a head-reeling turn or two on the Spindizzy: a ride which involved being strapped into a super-sized digger bucket and being hoisted up and tossed around – not for the faint-hearted!
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What’s in this issue?
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 3
CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT 4 BROMLEY WELL UPDATES 9-13
INTRODUCING OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS 14-15
NEW DISABILITY WALKING AND CYCLING CLUB 16
COMMUNITY 19-21 FUNDRAISING
Hi everyone,
We’ve got all the usual catch ups with some of our activities and groups. Unfortunately, future events may be subject to change and cancellation due to coronavirus. Please keep an eye on our social media and website and phone the office on 020 8466 0790 for updates.
We are very excited to tell you about our new Disability Walking and Cycling Club - sounds like a fantastic way to keep yourself healthy and get some fresh air.
We also have some new faces here at Bromley Mencap - you can meet them all on pages 14-15. Welcome to them!
I hope you enjoy our spring-time edition of Bulletin.
Luan
Events and Activities
Unfortunately, all our regular events and activities
have been affected by the coronavirus.
Please call the office on 020 8466 0790 for further
details.
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GREAT NEW LEISURE OPPORTUNITIESAs part of our new Strategic Plan, we have committed to providing more social and leisure opportunities for disabled people. This was high on the list of people’s priorities when we consulted on our five-year plan.
This year we are launching our new Disability Walking and Cycling Club. The club has been developed from our Outdoors Activity Club and will include coach trips, cycling sessions and, of course, walking tours! We are delighted to have been awarded three-year funding from Transport for London to launch this new club.
Our new Disability Walking and Cycling Club will build on the free cycling sessions which take place at our Lodge community hub in Norman Park. We are pleased to be working in partnership with Wheels for Wellbeing, an organisation which supports disabled people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling, to deliver additional cycling sessions at Croydon Sports Arena.
The walking tours will incorporate nature and ecology lessons as well as provide an opportunity for friendships to develop and people to benefit from peer support. Our first coach trip will be to Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest on 18th April and we expect it to be as popular as our other coach tours.
The new club will be supported by volunteers. It will enable activities to be opened to a wider group of disabled people leading to improved physical health and mental wellbeing.
For more details on the Disability Cycling and Walking Club, call Sue Saeed on 020 8466 0790 or email [email protected]
Please note that events may be postponed due to the current situation with coronavirus. Please phone the office on 020 8466 0790 for updates.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT
EDDIE LYNCH
NEWS NEWS CORNERCORNER
Pre-school FundingHave you got a child in pre-school who has additional needs? Are you claiming Disability Living Allowance for them? If the answer is yes, then the pre-school setting can claim £615 Disability Access funding each year for your child. The pre-school can use this to help make reasonable adjustments, access training or to buy resources to support your child in their learning environment.
If your pre-school child has additional needs but you aren’t claiming Disability Living Allowance for them, you might want to consider applying. For more information, see here
For help with form filling, please contact the Bromley Mencap office on 020 8466 0790 or email [email protected]. If your child’s pre-school would like more information about how to claim this money, they can contact: [email protected]
Disability Rights UK Metro articleAnna Morell from Disability Rights UK has written a powerful piece about claiming the term ‘disabled’ and how implementing the social model of disability helps everybody in society. Click here to read the Metro article.
Bromley Parent Voice AGMThe AGM will be on Wednesday 25th March from 10.30-11.30am at Community House, South Street, Bromley, BR1 IRH followed by a complimentary lunch.Email [email protected] if you would like to attend.
SEND MattersThis newsletter is designed to give you the latest news and updates from the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reforms happening across Bromley right now. Click here for further information.
TutankhamunThese relaxed sessions on Monday 30th March at 6pm and Thursday 2nd April at 9am are for anyone who might benefit from visiting the exhibition at a quieter time.Visitors with a disability pay a concessionary rate and companion/carer’s entrance is free. https://tutankhamun-london.com/accessible-tickets/
Our round-up of local and national disability news
• We support people with physical disabilities to maintain independence and become more resilient. We offer free workshops, providing useful information to help people to learn new skills as well as an opportunity to socialise. We also hold regular drop-in sessions.
• Our outreach service operates in Mottingham and Cotmandene from 2pm – 4pm on alternate Thursdays. If you would prefer to meet at one of these venues, please contact us or simply drop in on one of the dates detailed below.
Future Dates: Please phone the office for an update on 020 8466 0790.
Cotmandene Community Resource Centre64 Cotmandene Crescent, St Pauls Cray, BR5 2RG, Thursday 2-4pm,Tel: 020 8402 0123
Future Dates: Please phone the office for an update on 020 8466 0790.
Monthly Workshops We held two well-attended workshops at the beginning of the year. In January we met to talk about Cooking on a Budget and discussed ways to save money on our food bills.
Chetan gave a live cookery demonstration on how to cook chana masala. He cooked the delicious low-cost curry for us all to taste and spoke about the health benefits of the spices used.
Supporting People with Physical Disabilities
In February we met to talk about Preventing Falls at Home. We spoke about the things we can do around the home to keep ourselves safe, including simple steps such as ensuring we have good lighting, non-slip rugs and decluttering our homes to keep walkways clear. We spoke about aids and adaptations and services clients could be referred to.
Several of our clients also shared their own personal stories about falls they had in the past, their recovery and the effect it had on them.
NEWS - Physical Disabilities
Disabled talent calls on film industry to act nowLeading actors and writers ask the film industry to improve the access and opportunities for disabled talent. Click on the link below to find out more information.
University leaves disabled student segregatedA disabled student was left feeling isolated by Hull University’s failure to make lectures accessible to her.
Full story below.https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/uni-versity-leaves-disabled-student-segregated-at-the-back-of-lectures/
Sepsis amputation surgeon back to workA surgeon who has amputated thousands of limbs during his career has returned to work after having both of his legs removed. To read more about this story, click here.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cornwall-51416030/sepsis-amputation-surgeon-back-at-work-after-losing-legs
In Touch 2020All the news from TfL about their Dial-a Ride service and other accessible services.
To read their newsletter, click on the link below:http://content.tfl.gov.uk/in-touch-2020.pdf
Paralympic games to remain on free-to-air televisionThe government has confirmed that it will remain free and has added it to the ‘crown jewels’ list of protected events. Click below to read more. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/51238375
Contact Us:If you are interested in attending one of our workshops or to find out more about our
We support people who have a learning disability or learning difficulty through one-to-one appointments, assisting in meetings or contacting organisations.Our approach is to run a person-centred service giving information, guidance and support. The Learning Disability Pathway has recently supported in such matters as housing appointments, benefit assessments and tribunals, general correspondence and Freedom Pass Renewals.
OutreachWe have continued to attend the outreach sessions in Cotmandene and Mottingham 2pm – 4pm on alternate Wednesdays. If you would find it easier to meet us at one of these venues rather than at our office on Masons Hill, please let us know and we will allocate you a time. Or you can just turn up on the day where we will see people on a first-come-first-served basis.
Supporting People with Learning DisabilitiesMonthly Workshops and Drop-insWe held two workshops at the beginning of the year. These were on the topics of ‘Scams and Doorstep Crime’ and ‘Benefits’.During our discussion on Scams and Doorstep Crime, we heard from Beverley Nicklin, Senior Consumer Protection Inspector at Trading Standard’s Environment and Community Services. When we met to talk about Benefits, we discussed the many benefits, grants and extra assistance that is available to those with a disability, people on low incomes or people in short-term crisis. Please contact us if you would like our benefit fact sheet.
We also discussed our Annual Health Check and Bromley Well’s Emergency Contact Cards.Our next workshop will be ‘Exercise and Wellbeing’. Date to be confirmed. Please call the office to check.
Call, text or email Rob Morgan if you would like any more information about the service on 020 8466 0790, mobile 07482 558 660 or email [email protected]
NEWS - Learning Disabilities
Annual Health CheckAt our February workshop we watched an excellent video from the Misfits Theatre Group which showed the importance of receiving an Annual Health Check.
Watch the video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4T9QrUchTU
Freedom Pass (an update) If your Disabled Persons Freedom Pass expires on 31st March, it is important to complete the renewal form or your pass will not be valid after 31st March.
Please contact us with any queries about Freedom Passes or contact the Freedom Pass department at Bromley Council.
New Study about Learning DifficultiesA recent University of Cambridge study found that different learning difficulties do not correspond to specific regions of the brain, as previously thought. Instead poor connectivity between ‘hubs’ within the brain is much more strongly related to difficulties. The research suggests that interventions should be less reliant on diagnostic labels.
Read more about the study here:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200227114457.htm
The Mutual Carers Support Service provides specialist support for mutual carers where one of the carers is aged 55+ with a disabled adult son/daughter/sibling living at home.The monthly carers’ information workshop and lunch held at St Augustine’s church on Southborough Lane is always well attended and provides a good opportunity for carers to relax and chat to other people in similar situations along with the chance to participate in workshops.
Sharon O’Connor from SELCE (South East London Community Energy) attended our February lunchand gave us some top tips on how to save energy and money. Carers lunch dates for your diary – Please call the office to confirm.
The guest speaker at our next lunch will be Clare Levy, regional administrator from Action on Hearing Loss. Carers can have a free hearing test at the workshop.
To book your place please contactTina Penn, Mutual Carers Support Worker On 020 8466 0790
Cookery ClubThe monthly cookery club was also well attended with the group learning new skills and healthy recipes they can practise at home. In January we cooked up mini burgers in pitta bread with salad, followed by easy Eton mess – This was a big hit with everyone wanting seconds!
Cookery club dates for your diary – Please call the office to confirm.
Supporting People with Autism We support people aged 16 and over who have an Autism diagnosis or who are seeking a diagnosis through one-to-one appointments, assisting in meetings or contacting organisations.Our approach is to run a person-centred service giving information, guidance and support. The Autism Pathway has recently supported in such matters as social care appointments, general correspondence and Freedom Pass Renewals.
OutreachWe have started a new outreach service at the CASPA Café at Anerley Town Hall. Dates to be confirmed. If you would find it easier to meet us at this venue rather than at our office on Masons Hill, please let us know.
Monthly Workshops We will be holding a workshop at Community House in association with CASPA on the last Tuesday of every month. Our first Workshop in February was well attended. People had the opportunity to introduce themselves and discuss how Autism affects their daily lives. Please ring the office to check on the next workshop date due the current situation in regards to coronavirus.
If you would like any more information about the Autism Support service/or to book a place on our next Workshop, please call, text or email Chris Towers on: 020 8466 0790, mobile 07597 048 674 or email: [email protected]
In the news:It’s Everyone’s Journey
The Department for Transport is running a new Campaign called It’s Everyone’s Journey which is being supported by the National Autistic Society. The campaign is encouraging everyone to make small changes to their behaviour when travelling, such as giving up a priority seat, keeping the noise down, respecting all accessible toilet users and being patient with fellow passengers. More information is available here
World Autism Awareness Week: 30th March – 5th April We will be organising an event to celebrate Autism Awareness Week. More information to follow.
Autism and Technology Event at the Hub, Beckenham. Free open day including a presentation on the benefits and uses of technology for Autism support. There will be an interactive session with virtual reality headsets, Amazon Echo Dot and Alexa, and a selection of tools and devices for use around the home to demonstrate just how useful tech can be.More info/tickets here
Chris TowersI joined Bromley Well in January working in the new Autism Support Service. My role is to support indi-viduals aged 16+ who have been diagnosed with Autism or who believe they may have Autism. Support options include accessing social and leisure activities, accessing health services (GP or hospital appointments), managing money, benefits or grants, managing communications (letters, forms), monthly workshops (delivered by CASPA) and signposting to other services.
I have previously worked for Bromley Well at our Single Point of Access joining as a volunteer in 2018 and, later, was fortunate to be offered a part-time paid role. I have extensive knowledge of the other support services within Bromley Well.
In my spare time I like to volunteer at a miniature railway in Hertfordshire. I regularly help out with the station/platforms, ticket office and most recently I have been signed off to drive three of their trains! It is such a rewarding opportunity seeing the smiles on the faces of the families who visit the railway.
Lorna HammerI joined Bromley Well back in January as the new Young Carers Support Worker. I provide practical and emotional support to young carers aged 4-19 through workshops, talks and fun activities.Before joining Bromley Well, I worked at Langley Park School for Boys, Beckenham as a specialist autism learning support assistant. Having worked within a mainstream secondary school for over nine years I am now excited and looking forward to transferring my skills to help the young carers of Bromley and their families.
Outside of work I enjoy popping up to London to visit a gallery or two, I also enjoy watching most sports - my favourite being cricket!
Julie CookHi – I am Julie Cook and I am the new Children’s Wellbeing Officer. My role will be deliver the following workshops to families and children: Hopes and Ambitions (setting aspirational goals for the futures), Visual Communications (exploring different ways to communicate with your child) and Being a Sibling (an opportunity to meet with others who live with a sibling with additional needs). I will also be organising fun family coach trips in the school holidays.I am very excited to be joining Bromley Mencap having worked in a SEN educational environment for the last eight years.
In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and love walking my 8-month-old golden retriever puppy called Cookie Cook!
Alex Powell
Hello, my name is Alex Powell and I am Bromley Mencap’s Communication Officer – a brand-new role that I am really excited about it. I am responsible for promoting Bromley Mencap’s services through our communications and making sure our digital content and publicity material such as leaflets, flyers and newsletters are visually appealing and easy to understand.
Prior to starting my position at Bromley Mencap, I had been working as a freelance social media manager
and copy editor. And before that, I worked in various support worker roles for a local authority and a homelessness charity. In my spare time, I am busy being mum to my two young children aged four and seven. I also enjoy eating out and visiting the theatre.
Meet Bromley Mencap’s new
staff members...
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Disco!
February saw the return of our popular Adults’ Disco to Coney Hill Baptist Church in West Wickham.
This was the first disco evening of 2020 and was attended by 52 adult members who were entertained by our usual DJ Steve. It was a lively event and enjoyed by those who wanted to ‘express themselves on the dance floor’ and catch up with friends. Light refreshments were also provided.
The Monday Afternooners
We braved the stormy weather in February and visited The Historic Dockyard in Chatham. On arrival we had a guided tour from on board our minibus and viewed the various buildings on site and their uses. We then looked around the galleries displaying the history of the dockyard and finished with a tour of the Victorian Ropery. Here we were shown the process of rope making and learnt about its uses within the dockyard. Despite the bad weather we had a really enjoyable day!
New Disability Walking and Cycling Club
Exciting news…. we are delighted to be launching our new Disability Walking and Cycling Club funded by Transport For London – Walking and Cycling Grants.
What does this mean?
Over the next three years we shall be planning bigger, and more exciting events. This includes coach trips to attractions and parks in London and the South East of England together with cycling events at the Croydon Arena and Herne Hill Velodrome (thanks to Wheels for Wellbeing). Please note: No previous experience of cycling is needed and a range of specially adapted cycles will be provided to suit everyone. Guaranteed to provide some fun-filled memories!
We would also like to introduce you to our recently recruited ‘Club Leader’, Ian Breslin. You may recognise him from pre-vious events at the Outdoor Activity Club, pictured top left with Matt Yule (Adult Support Services Manager) taken on the recent walk in the city of London – ‘You’re so vane’ guided tour. As you can see from the photos, everyone had a great time!
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Music from theMo
Challenges!
Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100
Join #TeamBromleyMencap on Sunday 16th August for the opportunity to pedal like a pro on closed roads through iconic London streets and the beautiful Surrey countryside. The ride can be challenging, particularly on the hills, but the event is suitable for novice and experienced cyclists alike.
Celebrating the legacy for cycling created by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 starts at 5:45am from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s picturesque countryside. With leg-testing climbs and a route made famous by the world’s best cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics, it’s a truly spectacular event for all involved. The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 finishes on The Mall in central London, shortly before 150 professional cyclists race in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on a similar route.
We have limited guaranteed spaces.Register here today by emailing [email protected] fee: £25 Minimum pledge: £400
The Vitality Big Half
Congratulations to our runners who took part in this half marathon on the 1st March. The stunning 13.1-mile course started at Tower Bridge and finished at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Thank you to Stephan Daggenvoorde for completing the course and raising over £400 so far! Money is still being collected for this event so the final total will be reported in our next bulletin. If you want to take part in next year’s event, email [email protected] to register your interest.
Summer RaffleOur summer raffle tickets are now on sale. The draw will be held at our Summer Fair on Saturday 13th June. 1st prize £250 cash, 2nd prize £100 cash, 3rd prize £50 Love2shop gift vouchers, plus other prizes including a voucher to spend at Chapter One, tickets to Cirque du Soleil, champagne and much more.
Community Fundraising - Jane Barnes
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Sundridge Park Golf ClubThe annual Ladies Captain, Michelle Quinlan, hosted a charity coffee morning which raised almost £1,800. Many members attended bringing their friends and even some husbands along to enjoy the flower stall, tombola, CD and DVD stall, Stuart’s Precision Putting, and bingo with guest bingo caller, Club Captain Alex Yazdani. The silent auction alone raised over £750 thanks to generous donations from The Bank House Restaurant Chislehurst, Kings Hill Golf Club, Cooden Beach Golf Club, Toni & Guy Bromley and club members Shirley Beglinger, Christine Ross, Bill Leo, Sara Mills, Sandra Nadin, and David and Tita McCart. Ryland from Kure London Mobile Massage Therapy also gave neck and shoulder massages in return for donations to Bromley Mencap. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day and supported this event.
Thanks go to the following fundraisers and supporters:• The Crown and Anchor, Bromley for raising £753.65 in 2019 from
monthly quiz nights and a Christmas hamper• Grove Pension Solutions for regular monthly donations to
support our work and to staff member Kevin Gallafent for donating £225
• Family Choice for collecting donations of £22.76• The Cooking Shed for donating £10• Addiscombe & Shirley Rotary Club for a generous donation of
£300• Cannon Cars Ltd for donating £200 raised from their 30th
birthday charity raffle• TKMaxx for a generous donation of £250 shopping vouchers• Thank you to all the customers shopping via SmileAmazon for a
donation of £38.38
Please ring the office on 020 8466 0790 to find out if scheduled events are taking place due to the situation around coronavirus. You can also follow us on social media for updates.
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Copy deadline for May/June 2020 is 1st May Editor: Luan Lanham, email: [email protected]: Bromley Mencap, Rutland House, 44 Masons HillBromley Kent BR2 9JG TEL: 020 8466 0790
The opinions expressed in Bromley Mencap Bulletin are thoseof the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Bromley Mencap. We reserve the right to edit articles before publication.
