Thomas speaks up for the Hardest Hit

Mencap Liverpool

November 2011 - Autumn Editionwww.mencapliverpool.org.uk

Mencap Liverpool joined hundreds at the Hardest Hit rally in Manchester last month. The event was one of several taking place across the country, as a follow up from the Hardest Hit protest which happened in London earlier this year.

The Hardest Hit campaign, which is organised by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) and the UK Disabled People’s Council, brings together individuals and organisations whose aim is to urge the government to stop the cuts to disability services.

At the rally we heard speeches from ‘The Broken of Britain’ campaigner Kaliya Franklin, Manchester-based Labour MPs Tony Lloyd and Paul Goggins, and many other individuals who voiced their own personal experiences of disability, as well as how the cuts were affecting them.

The highlight of the day was Mencap Liverpool’s lead campaigns volunteer, Thomas Butler, who battled nerves to get up on stage to make his own speech. Thomas wowed the audience with his emotive and inspirational words, and managed to get our message across brilliantly.

We also heard words of support and encouragement from Julie Hesmondhalgh, the actress who plays Hayley in Coronation Street. Martin even managed to get his picture taken with her which he was extremely chuffed about!

Again, our campaign efforts were the result of some great team work with National Mencap. Lois and Thomas have been working closely with Stephen

John (Regional Campaigns Officer for the North) to encourage MPs from around the country to attend the event, and the trip to Manchester was funded through Simon’s ‘Inspire Me’ Community Impact Project for young people.

Since starting as Campaigns Volunteer in June, Thomas has made a real impact taking issues forward that affect people with a learning disability. He has worked particularly on issues such as transport, speaking to National Express and also attending various transport meetings at the Labour Party conference which was held recently in Liverpool.

Phone: 0151 707 8582 Email: contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk Mencap Liverpool, Federation House, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BWRegistered Charity Number 1004262. Company Registered Number 2146838 (England)

• We went to the ‘Hardest Hit’ rally in Manchester.

• Brave Campaigns Volunteer Thomas Butler gave a speech to the audience.

Martin meets Hayley from Corrie!

Thomas delivers an inspiring speech

Pictured (l-r) Shane Karcioglu, Thomas Butler, Lois Nash, Martin Boyd, Gavin Constable and Simon Huthwaite

Bowling with the Learning Disability Coalition Members and staff from Mencap Liverpool recently took part in a bowling match organised by the Learning Disability Coalition (LDC).

The group, which included office volunteers Brian Stewart and Jean King, met with Roy Gladden, local councillor and Assistant Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, who shared many of their concerns about the proposed reforms to social care, and who agreed to meet with Mencap Liverpool at a later date to discuss the possibility of working on some campaigns together.

Chester ZooLaura, James and Lois, accompanied by a couple of willing volunteers and a group of excited members, caught the train from Liverpool Central to enjoy a fantastic day out at Chester Zoo in late October.

The trip was a great opportunity for some of our long-standing members and volunteers to meet some of our newer ones, and everyone got along brilliantly. We encountered elephants, orangutans and penguins, and Kyle took loads of great photos for our website and Facebook pages.

At the end of the day, the group said: “This day is definitely a ten out of ten. We just all want to say a massive thanks to Lois for organising it!”

Thank you to Merseytravel for their contribution of £100 towards the trip. A special thanks to the staff at Liverpool Central station for being so accommodating and going out of their way to ensure the train was accessible to all of our members.

As well as being a popular choice for members, we also wanted to mark the fact that Chester Zoo now has a Changing Place – a fully accessible facility for people who need support when going to the toilet.

Please contact us on: 0151 707 8582 or email contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk if you would like a copy.

t: 0151 707 8582 e: contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk w: www.mencapliverpool.org.uk

• Our members and staff had a great day of fun at Chester Zoo.

• Changing Places offer fully accessible facilities for people who need support when going to the toilet.

• Office volunteers Brian Stewart and Jean King took part in a bowling match organised by the Learning Disability Coalition.

Get InvolvedWe really need the help of members to provide support to others. We have lots of different roles available and we appreciate all offers, no matter how small. Email lois.nash@mencapliverpool.org.uk to get involved.

Photograph by Andy Sawyer. www.andysawyer.com

Thomas makes a new friend

Derek and Brian on the way to Chester Zoo

Staff and members have fun bowling with the Learning Disability Coalition

Make it BetterFollow-up event at the Royal

The Royal hospital kindly hosted our ‘Make it Better’ follow-up event, to look at what progress had been made since the launch of our report in 2010.

We were pleased to be joined by representatives from Merseycare, Liverpool and Wirral PCTs and the Women’s hospital, as well as some of our members, at the October event.

It was great to hear about the new ‘Changing Places’ facilities in both the Royal and Broadgreen hospitals, a direct result of our event last year. We also saw pictures of the new signage which has been developed by working with Mencap Liverpool’s Access to Heritage forum. This should make it a lot easier to find your way around the Royal hospital!

The event proved a really useful opportunity to share good practice and work on ideas together for how we can improve things even more in future. One great tool is the Hospital Passport which is

an important document which has information about the person with a learning disability, their health needs, how they like to communicate and what support they might need. When this is filled out and taken to hospital, it is a very effective way to ensure that the individual has a good experience of hospital.

Copies of Hospital Passports are available from the Mencap Liverpool office.

If you would like a copy please contact us: call 0151 707 8582 or email contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk

We can also make sure you or your carer have the right support to complete it.

• It is important to fill out a document called the Hospital Passport if you haven’t already done so.

• This is a good way to make sure you have a better experience when you visit hospital.

Fighting fit!Mencap Liverpool is teaming up with former British Boxing Champion and health promotion guru, Lydia Morgan, to help our members lead a healthier lifestyle.

Third-year JMU student Lydia, will deliver a range of sessions designed to help our members understand and recognise what it is to be healthy/unhealthy, and how they can improve their well-being and physical activity levels through healthy-eating and suitable exercise programmes. Lydia, who also works as a personal trainer and boxing instructor, said: “I believe the key to good health is making thing fun, challenging and engaging for all members.”These brand new workshops will run every Wednesday between 1.30pm - 3pm.

Festive fundraiserThis year we will celebrate Christmas with an evening of live music. Liverpool singer/songwriter Anna

Corcoran will provide the entertainment for the night, showcasing a mixture of great

original material and classic covers, in popular city centre venue Leaf on Wednesday, 7th December.

We will have sole use of the upstairs space which is fully accessible, and a full bar will be available for you to enjoy a drink while listening to the beautiful voice of this fantastic singer.

Tickets cost £6 in advance or £8 on the door. They are available to buy on the website www.mencapliverpool.org.uk or from the Mencap Liverpool office.

• Every Wednesday, Lydia Morgan will be working with our members to help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

Lydia is looking forward to working with our members

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Local singing star Anna Corcoran will provide the

festive entetainment

Thank youTo the shops who continue to support us by hosting one of our collection boxes.

To staff and inmates at HMP Liverpool for their fundraising efforts. Thanks also to Sarah Cavanagh for baking cakes and coming along with Jamie Meyrick to sell them in the staff canteen.

To all who ran in the Liverpool marathon on 9th October 2011.

To the Insurance Institute of Liverpool who are supporting us this year.

Hello

To Shane Karcioglu, who will be working with Simon Huthwaite on the ‘Inspire Me’ Project as Learning Disability Consultant.

In November we also welcomed Matthew and Nicole from Aigburth High School who completed two weeks’ work experience in the office.

GoodbyeTo Mencap Liverpool Vice-Chair Alan Griffiths who has been a trustee for a number of years and has been instrumental in the success of the Access to Heritage Project. Alan remains involved with national Mencap and is chair of Mencap St Helens. We’d like to say thanks to Alan for his contribution and wish him the very best for the future.

Get In Touch! Email: contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk Phone: 0151 707 8582Write to us: Mencap Liverpool, 4th Floor, Federation House, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BWBecome a fan of Mencap Liverpool on Facebook and find out about events and volunteering opportunities first! You can also follow us on Twitter.

Dates for your diaryPlanning for the future events If someone in your family or someone you care for has a learning disability, you can take steps now to ensure their finances are well looked after when you are no longer around. National Mencap have organised some FREE information sessions where you can find out more about setting up Wills and Trusts for the benefit of someone with a learning disability.Monday 21st November, 12.30pm – 2.30pm Warrington Friends Meeting House, Buttermarket Street, Warrington, WA1 2NR

Festive fundraising evening with Anna CorcoranWednesday, 7th December, starting at 7pm65-67 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4EZ.

Volunteer for a couple of hours at Christmas time We at Mencap Liverpool are looking for 12 people to help pack shopping bags at Marks and Spencer (M&S). In return we hope the Christmas shoppers will make a donation to our charity. The fundraising bag pack will take place at:M&S city centre store, Church Street, Tuesday, 20th December, 10am – 4pm.If you would like to take part, please contact Lois Nash, Volunteer and Campaigns Officer, call 0151 707 8582, or email lois.nash@mencapliverpool.org.uk

Mencap Liverpool Social Events These events are open to everybody and are FREE to attend. It’s a great way to meet new people and share experiences.

Coffee Mornings. Fridays 11am-12.30pm, 18th November and 16th December. These will be held at our office.

Social Afternoons. Wednesday, 30th November, between 1.30-3pm. We often go to a local café, so please keep a check on the website for location details or meet at the office at 1pm.

Members Drop-In. Every Wednesday afternoon our members with a learning disability will be especially welcome to drop in to the office to hang out. Friends, carers and support workers also welcome.

Carers Drop-In. Carers are welcome to come in for a cuppa and a chat on Thursdays from 10.30am – 12pm.

Job Club. Get advice on writing CVs, application forms and letters. Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm.

t: 0151 707 8582 e: contact@mencapliverpool.org.uk w: www.mencapliverpool.org.uk

Shane Karcioglu