Following our very successful ‘DAG Day’ at Whitby Dock End on 23

rd July, where we

raised over £800 for DAG, we held a ‘Books & Bakes Day’ on the Church House forecourt on 23

rd August. One month on

and we raised an additional £213 for DAG. So, again it is my pleasant duty to thank everyone involved for their help to make this Day such a success. We have received news from North Yorkshire Stronger Communities that they are going to part-fund our Mobility Equipment Hire Service over the next two years. This is really encouraging and will allow us to develop the service and to look at the possibility of selling small disability aids such as walking sticks, ferrules and stick holders. The service will move to a town centre location which will once again give us a base there and so bring us into contact with many more local

September 2016 ISSUE 220

DAG News Newsletter of Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale Disability Action Group

This Newsletter is available by e-mail

(PDF), and in large

print.

An audio cassette version is

available on request.

Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale DAG Church House Centre, Flowergate, WHITBY, YO21 3BA T: 01947 821001 E: info@whitbydag.org.uk W: www.whitbydag.org.uk

Reg. Charity No: 1131037 Company Reg: No: 6956837 Patron: The Marquis of Normanby

DAG News Page 2

people who may find the service useful, or who, perhaps, have never heard of DAG. Our former Trustee, Jean Fairey, who died in the spring has left DAG a substantial legacy in her Will. We are very grateful for this type of support and, in fact, are putting the final touches to a Legacy Leaflet which will explain to other people wishing to donate to DAG in this way how to go about the process. I’ve just been reading in my newspaper this morning that the MS Society reckons around 10,000 Multiple Sclerosis sufferers may lose their disability benefit with the switch from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Under DLA 93% of the 100,000 people in the UK with MS received the benefit whilst under PIP only 70% have so far received the benefit. The MS Society’s Chief Executive - Michelle Mitchell - said: “It’s absurd that those who were once deemed to be in need of this crucial support now face having it reduced or taken away.” If you have concerns about this or if it has affected you already please contact Mo at the DAG office. As you can tell, I’m still at my desk and awaiting my heart by-pass operation (it’s a long story!). Thank you to every-one who has asked after me and given their best wishes. I really do appreciate it. Until the next time (which, again, may be next month or not!). Richard

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DAG Updates

The Embroidered Tablecloth Craft Group will start to meet again at Church House, every Tuesday (except the third Tuesday of the month), from Tuesday 6th September 2016, 10.30am—12.30pm. The room we use at Church House is a little restricted for space so we can’t accommodate a large number of people. If you would like to come along, please contact the DAG office to let us know. Transport can be arranged. At the moment there is no charge but we ask that group members make a small donation towards tea and coffee, and an amount towards the cost if you need transport.

Caring Together Whitby will be holding

regular drop in sessions in Whitby Library the first Thursday of every month 10am – 12noon. Come along and have a chat.

Are you a carer? Caring Together can help by offering a couple of hours break through their free volunteer visiting service and emotional support from their carers support groups and activities. Could you be a volunteer? Would you like to make a difference to the lives of local carers and older people living alone.

Contact Caring Together on 01947 605757.

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Making Improvements in the Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services

This article has been written by DAG Member Ian Lawson, who is a very active campaigner for the improvement of services for disabled people. You too could be involved in giving feedback about the Wheelchair and Community Equipment services. “As part of my campaigning for people living with MND (Motor Neurone Disease) I got involved with Harrogate & District Foundation Trust 18 months ago. I was aware that people living with MND were being left in powered wheelchairs that took an age to get repaired. If a replacement chair was provided, whilst the service user’s chair was taken away, it did not meet the prescription for the chair. This situation left a friend of mine, paralysed by MND, stuck in his house unable to attend both hospital appointments and social events. When I asked why these unacceptable delays were happening all I got were excuses. Hambleton, Richmondshire & Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRW CCG) asked me last year to attend Wheelchair Services Rapid Improvement days at Harrogate looking at how the service could improve. The result is a new service specification and the appointment of a new service provider - NRS Healthcare in partnership with Blatchford Clinical Services. They take over the service 1st December 2016. I hope this means that no-one, not just people living with MND, gets left in a useless wheelchair.

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It has been recognised by the Commissioners that the service may not be meeting the needs of those who could benefit from the provision of a wheelchair. North Yorkshire falls below the level of national NHS statistics predictions of the number of wheelchairs that could be provided. I would encourage anyone who is disabled to ask for a referral to the Wheelchair Service (after 1st December ) if they feel that they need a wheelchair. The Commissioners expect an increase in referrals so let's hope that Whitby DAG members give them one! Harrogate and District Foundation Trust have funded the Community Equipment & Wheelchair Forum that meets monthly at either York or Knaresborough. I am attending it as a service user. Healthwatch York who host the Forum need more service users to attend the Forum to make sure that the Trust receives feedback on both Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services. Anyone living in either the Scarborough CCG or HRW CCG areas, who wants to help the NHS help us to receive improved services, should contact Carol Money at Healthwatch or further information”. E-mail: carole.money@yorkcvs.org.uk Tel 01904 621133 (This is the York CVS switchboard. Just ask to be put through to Healthwatch). Regards Ian Lawson A critical friend of HRW CCG

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SHOPPING & LAUNDRY SERVICES

We collect your list, deliver your shopping with your itemised till receipt. We can also unpack and put your shopping away for you. Contact Paul on: 01947 604839.

Your laundry will be collected from your home, washed, dried and even ironed. Contact Eileen on: 01947 606104.

There is a small charge for these services.

Diana Richardson Mobile Hairdressing

Ladies, Gents,

Children

Cutting, Colouring, Styling, Perming and

Setting.

Cleaning Service For all your domestic

requirements.

Covers Whitby District. Reasonable rates.

Ring Di on 01947 602477or 07870 321 477

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ALLCARE MEDICAL LIMITED UNIT B3, ST. HILDA'S BUSINESS CENTRE,

THE ROPERY, WHITBY, YO22 4ET

Telephone/Fax: 01947 825555 Mob: 07584220247 E-mail: info@allcare.co.uk

Website: www.mobilityemporium.com

Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs Sales – Servicing – Repairs

Accessories – Hire

Stair Lifts Installation - Servicing -

Repairs

Authorised Dealer Insurance and Warranties. All work guaranteed

Part-Exchange considered

For a FREE, no obligation home demonstration, contact Colin Thirkill

Advertise your Item for Sale/ Item Wanted

We request a donation of £2.00 per month

Stuart McClure

Experienced builder, handyman, gardener, repairs etc. No job too small. Reasonable rates.

Tel: 01947 601826

WhitbyDAG News Page 8

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the

information in this newsletter. However, Whitby, Scarborough &

Ryedale DAG can accept no liability whatsoever for any matters in

any way connected or arising out of use of this information. No

recommendation is implied by the insertion of such information.

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Send the details to the DAG office by the 20th of each month.

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£