Noticeboard - News about people, services and opportunities
See also: Wanted (people, donations and support)! or Items for sale or hireYou Can Do It! - inclusive arts and sports activities, Horsham added 22.8.08
Club facilitating inclusive sports and arts activities such as drama, art, music, football, cricket, hockey, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, trampolining and swimming, for children with additional needs such as Downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and others. Siblings and friends are also welcome and the club provides support to their families. To discuss your child's individual needs so that support can be provided contact Paul Taylor on 01403 215637; to book an arts activity phone 01403 756098;to book a sports activity phone 01403 215191. For information on the services You Can Do It! provides phone Caroline Johnston on 01403 273301 or email carolinemjohnston@btopenworld.com
Free promotion for events added 22.8.08
Littlehampton Town Council are offering community organisations a chance to promote fundraising events and activities through their website. Email a PDF or Word document to rosie.parfitt@littlehampton-tc.gov.uk or visit www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk
VAT relief for people with disabilities added 1.8.08
Many goods and services are zero-rated, such as vehicles for people with disabilities, stair lifts, electrically-adjustable beds, building of ramps, etc. HM Customs and Excise have produced a booklet "VAT reliefs for disabled people" which explains in detail who is eligible and which goods and services can be obtained VAT-free. The booklet can be obtained from the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000.
In Case of Emergency contacts added 25.7.08
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory, but if we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the emergency services attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Hence the 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign from South East Coast Ambulance Service. ICE is a method of contact during emergency situations. All you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name ICE. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number stored as ICE. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc. (verified with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust).
Trading Standards News added 22.7.08
Throughout August, Trading Standards are encouraging all West Sussex residents and West Sussex-based businesses to pass details of any scams to them. Trading Standards will review all of the information they receive. They will not reply directly to each person who submits paperwork. If you think you have been a victim of a scam, or you suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct, for clear practical consumer advice on 0845 04 05 06. This is an information gathering exercise with the intention of gauging the current problems in West Sussex. This project follows-on from the Office of Fair Trading `Scamnesty` project which ran in February 2008. Contact details: Trading Standards Service, West Sussex County Council, Centenary House, Durrington Lane, Worthing BN13 2QB, Tel (consumers): 08454 040506; Traders: 01243 642125; email: trading.standards@westsussex.gov.uk; www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Charities Utilities Initiative (CUI) added 14.7.08
Initiative which helps charities manage their energy expenditure more effectively. It offers charities and not-for-profit organsiations an affordable solution to current major problems in the industry, such as inaccurate gas/electricity bills and spiralling energy costs, by introducing Smart Metering. For details phone 080 8178 8170 or visit www.utility-aid.co.uk
CCC - Create, Compete, Collaborate added 14.7.08
Initiative aiming to ensure that all young people in the South East has a chance to take part in an activity with another young person from a competitive country between now and 2012. It is being organised by a stakeholder group comprising major cultural, sporting and governmental organisations in the region. Details of how the initiative will be delivered are being developed; there will be events, tournaments and festivals around the region, with a web-based community to drive the initiative forward. Any project that involves young people (born after 1983) and which has an international link is potentially a CCC project. Joining CCC will enable projects to gain wider recognition and inspire and support others to run similar projects, share outcomes of projects you have run, engage in the region's 2012 activities, and help change the lives of young people across the region. To become part of CCC visit www.createcompetecollaborate.org
Free software for people with little or no sight added 8.7.08
www.screenreader.net is a not for profit company delivering no cost or low cost software to people with little or no sight. It has produced 'Thunder', talking software for people with little or no sight and is free for individuals and organisations, courtesy of Sensory Software Ltd. Read more here
Let's Talk about Sxx - new guidance to support young people with life-limiting conditions added 8.7.08
ACT - Association for Children's Palliative Care - has launched new guidance on sexuality, relationships and sexual health for professionals working with young people with life-limiting health conditions, with an opportunity for young people to experience relationships and explore their sexuality in a safe, supportive and empathetic environment. The guide is available to download free at www.act.org.uk
Help for disabled people and their carers: Consultation - Independent Living Association (ILA), Worthing added 7.7.08
the ILA, which supports and represents disabled people throughout Sussex, has embarked on a consultation programme to gather the views of people who receive services from West Sussex County Council. Events will be held around the region to publicise planned developments to care service and give people on the receiving end a chance to provide feedback and input. People who receive a care service from the county council or who arrange their own help through Direct Payments, as well as people using the community equipment service are encouraged to make their views known at their nearest event. Times and venues are available from Ben Hockliffe on 01903 227814.
Distraction Burglary added 4.7.08
Help to identify the victims at risk using the following criteria: age 70-95; lone resident or carer for partner; no immediate family support; you are concerned over someone’s vulnerability; the individual has had contact with a cold caller, suspicious visitor, or has a casual gardener or workman either now or historically; or they keep large amounts of cash or valuables in the house. Please contact Sussex Police with their name and address to: worthing.nst@sussex.pnn.police.uk, or call crimestoppers on 0845 6070 999 or if an emergency dial 999.
Guidance on CRB checks for volunteers added 30.6.08
The Cabinet Office have published guidance to help organisations that use volunteers to be clear about when they do and don't need to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers. The guidance can be downloaded from www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk [pdf 197kb ]
Trustee Voices - new magazine for Trustees added 30.6.08
New magazine from the Governance Hub team to bring together articles by trustees on trustee issues. The Team’s aim is to encourage trustees to share experiences and to signpost useful resources that can help them get the job done. Download a copy from www.governancehub.org.uk
Books on Prescription added 30.6.08
Book scheme from West Sussex County Council's Library Service, Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and West Sussex Primary Care Trust to assist people with mild to moderate mental health and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, phobias and eating disorders, to take charge of their own well-being in order to support and aid recovery. Following an assessment from their GP or mental health professional, patients take a written prescription to their local library where self-help books are available on loan. For more information contact the West Sussex PCT Communications Office on 01903 707447 or email media.enquiries@westsussexpct.nhs.uk
DisabledGo-Education added 30.6.08
New service from DisabledGo for disabled students to find out which universities and colleges are accessible. For details visit www.DisabledGo.info/Education
Telecare Project added 30.6.08
Project using technology to support people in their own homes. Promotes independent living by reducing the risks associated with falls, fire, wandering, leaving the gas on, etc. Detectors and monitors trigger a warning to a response centre with no active input from the home occupier. Five pilot projects across West Sussex include a Hospital Discharge Scheme in Chichester and Bognor, Health Monitoring for people with long term conditions in Horsham and Chanctonbury, Intermediate Care and Admission Avoidance and Dementia Outreach in the Worthing area, and Falls and Remaining Independent in Mid Sussex, particularly Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint. Telecare assessment training and awareness raising sessions are offered to professionals who would like more in-depth information about the project. For details email Iris Morton, Telecare Training and Development Officer, at iris.morton@westsussex.gov.uk
Employment Support Allowance to replace Incapacity Benefit added 17.6.08
Employment Support Allowance (ESA) is a new work-focused benefit for people too ill to work. The ESA will not include the incremental increases that occur after six months and one year with Incapacity Benefit. From October 2008 all Incapacity Benefit claimants will undergo a medical test that will put them into one of two groups. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that 90% of all claimants will be identified as capable of taking part in work-related activity and will receive £84.50 per week. The remaining claimants who are identified as unfit for work will receive an increased allowance of £102.10 per week and will not be obliged to seek work or training.
Caring for people with dementia - Age Concern, Haywards Heath added 17.6.08
Age Concern is hosting Saturday Clubs in Haywards Heath for carers of people with dementia where they can have some respite whilst their cared for person is cared for in a safe and friendly environment all day. For more details phone 07840 652054
Support for people with Parkinson's added 17.6.08
The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) provides support and information for people with Parkinson's, their families and carers in West Sussex. Their Information and Support Worker (ISW), Jonathan Smith, can visit people in their own homes, in residential or nursing homes, or in hospital, and by answering general telephone enquiries. The ISW service provides up-to-date information on Parkinson's, emotional support to people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, information about welfare benefits and how to access them, information about and access to local statutory and voluntary services, advocacy with issues such as pursuing complaints and support during assessments and reviews, and access to other PDS services. Jonathan states that people do not have to have a specific enquiry to contact him; they may just want to talk about their future, how Parkinson's is affecting them, or carers might want to talk about the pressures they are under. To talk to Jonathan phone 01273 452278.
Rooms for hire at Quaker Meeting House, Bognor added 17.6.08
The Quaker Meeting house has two rooms which may be hired together or separately. The larger room seats up to 28 people and the small room seats 12. The building has disabled access as well as off-street parking. For details contact the Warden on 01243 823980 or email bognorquakers@talktalk.net
Two things your mobile phone can do in an emergency (clarified with various mobile phone providers) (added 16.6.08)
Emergency The emergency number worldwide for a mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you; this number can be dialled even if the keypad is locked.
How to disable a stolen mobile phone - to check your mobile's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15 digit code will appear on the screen which is unique to your handset and should be kept somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, phone your service provider and give them the code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes your SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.
Partnership at Work - Employment Helpdesk added 9.6.08
Free and confidential Helpdesk for organisations wishing to improve the quality of working lives in youth, community and play organisations. Can provide help on Employment Law, Best practice, and Using policies and procedures. For more details contact helpdesk@partnershipatwork.org.uk or phone 0870 770 7907 (national rate) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and 4pm.
CYPNet - network for third sector workers who support children and young people added 9.6.08
Free email network which is open to anyone working directly with children or who support others who do. For more information visit www.navca.org.uk. The network is open to non-members of NAVCA.
ICT Support added 9.6.08
The ICT Hub website contains a range of free advice and support for charities and community organisations to help make the most out of technology, from developing a database to building a website. The site also contains practical advice in ICT issues, trusted ICT products and services, advice on finding a volunteer to help with ICT, computer accessibility, advice on circuit riders and tips for writing an effective funding proposal and how to cost and fund your ICT. Visit www.icthub.org.uk, email helpdesk@icthub.org.uk, or phone 0800 652 4737
Housing Advice Service from Shelter added 16.5.08
Shelter provides free confidential advice on any housing-related issue and has set up a new housing advice service every Friday at Bognor Regis Citizens Advice Bureau. For more details search Event Listings. For other related information phone Shelter on 01293 419255 on Tuesdays 10am-1pm.
Bereavement Support Visitor Training
Benefits advice for elderly and vulnerable people from Littlehampton and District Citizens Advice Bureau added 6.5.08
Littlehampton and District Citizens Advice Bureau have two specialist Benefits Advisers who can help people claim for Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and other DSS Welfare Benefits. The advisers will visit elderly or vulnerable clients in their own homes if they are unable to get to the bureau due to disabilities or vulnerability and will help them to complete the claim forms and give advice on other associated benefits to which they may be entitled. For more information or a referral phone Liz or Kathy on 01903 725960.
Spotting Mental Health Problems at Work added 29.4.08
Acas, the employment advisory body, has outlined advice on how to recognise and deal with mental health problems at work. Visit www.acas.org.uk. They have also released a guide: 'Health, work & wellbeing', which includes a checklist to assess how well you are doing against key indicators. The guide can be downloaded as a large pdf from www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=854&p=0 or see the news item at www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2039
Accreditation for volunteer youth workers proposed added 29.4.08
The development of a volunteer youth workers accreditation scheme has been proposed by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services as a main component of the government's youth workforce reform plans. Find out more on the Workforce Hub's website: www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk
Digital TV 'Easy to Install' badging scheme added 25.4.08
A new scheme to badge certain digital TV products as 'easy to install' for older people and people with disabilities has been launched by Ricability. The 'Easy to Install' research programme will test a wide range of digital TV recorders, set-top receivers and interactive digital TV sets to identify those which are easy to install and re-tune at home without specialist assistance, including packaging, labelling and instructions, accessories - leads/batteries, on-screen menus and remote controls, and customer support including helplines and websites. Six TV recorders have passed Ricability's tests, details of which can be found at fastlink.headstar.com/ric2
www.clearthoughts.info
New website for the 'Mental Health in Learning Disability Knowledge Centre' project. The project is funded by the Department of Health for individuals, their families and carers and front line social care staff; the website gives information on many mental health issues.
Free sexual health advice for teenagers in the Littlehampton area added 29.1.08
Free advice on sexual health, contraception, pregnancy and relationships is available to young people under 20 at a new confidential drop-in clinic on Mondays from 3pm-5pm. Nurses with specialist training will run the clinic at Littlehampton's East Street surgery - you do not need to be registered at the practice. A GP will be available to be referred to if needed, and referrals made to other agencies such as social services, specialist counselling services, etc, where necessary.
Bogus Callers added 21.1.08
The Home Office has produced a comprehensive online guide Keep an eye open for Bogus Callers. This booklet has important information to help people, particular older or vulnerable people, avoid falling into the bogus caller’s or rogue trader’s (known as distraction burglary) trap. Although the guide is intended for care professionals and carers, it has simple and useful tips to reduce the risk of distraction burglary which will apply if to anyone living independently, or if you care for older people living independently. For a copy of the booklet visit www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/boguscaller/boguscaller23.htm
Government reforms to State Pensions for women added 28.1.08
Women's State Pension age is changing, gradually rising from 60 to 65 between year 2010 and 2020. For women born between 6th April 1950 and 5th April 1955 their exact State Pension age will depend on their date of birth. To find out exactly when they can claim, there is a State Pension age calculator on www.thepensionservice.gov.uk - follow the link from the home page. Women retiring on or after 6th April 2010 will only need 30 qualifying years of National Insurance Credits (NIC), instead of 39 years, to qualify for a full state pension. A new Carers' Credit would give NIC credit to women who stay at home as carers for a minimum of 20 hours per week (reduced from 35 hours at present).
Community Partnership Team to Support Older People in Adur and Worthing added 7.1.08
New multi-agency team aimed at helping older people to stay fit, healthy and independent in their own home. They provide advice and support over the telephone or in people's own homes. They can check the general health and wellbeing of older people and direct them to other services available in the area that are best able to meet their needs. For example, they can advise on how to stop smoking or take up exercise, assist with benefit or pension queries, provide information on services to help with shopping, cleaning or gardening, or local transport services. Volunteers are also required to help run the service – particularly older volunteers. For more information, or if you think the team may be able to help you or someone you care for, phone them on 01273 268900, or write to Glebelands, Middle Road, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6GA
Priority for vulnerable people during a power cut added 30.11.07
EDF Energy Networks, which maintains the electricity network for London, the South East and East of England, is responsible for getting electricity power back on following a power cut, regardless of who the electricity supplier is.
They have a free Priority Services Register for any customer who is dependent on medical equipment, is chronically sick, has a disability or has a special case that they would like considered. They will keep in touch with regular updates and, if necessary, will arrange for WRVS to visit and provide a hot meal if the electricity supply cannot be restored quickly. This service is available to anyone living in London, Anglia and the South East; information is not shared with any other company. To join the register contact the EDF Energy Networks Power Cut Helpline (Anglia, London and the South East) – 0800 169 9970
Benefit checks for the over 60s added 16.11.07
The Citizens Advice Bureau in Worthing are working in partnership with WSCC to make sure pensioners don’t miss out on pension credit or attendance allowance. They have a dedicated advisor on Mondays only, Jan Cannon, who can advise on eligibility for both of these benefits. Jan’s phone number is 01903 532234 (Mondays only). When calling, you will need to provide the following information: Date of birth, National Insurance No. and details of any savings or income coming in. This is a totally free service and the aim is to secure monies that people over 60 are entitled to.
Support Finder - searchable database added 23.10.07
A free online searchable database to help third sector organisations find support to improve their performance. For details log on to www.performancehub.org.uk/supportfinder
Outreach work in Worthing added 2.4.07
West Sussex Mediation Service are taking part in a two year project, based in the community flat at 50A Shelby Road, Durrington, Worthing, and have a case worker, Pam Chatterton, who will be available on Thursdays from 9am-2pm to speak with anyone needing mediation in resolving community or neighbour disputes.
Freedom Through Fun added 13 Oct 2006
The Local Network Fund has funded Chris North to provide free workshops, shows and activities for local voluntary groups. Chris is a trained teacher, specialist child social worker, qualified drama teacher and professional clown 'Bungle'. He tailors his work to the needs of any group including children and under 18's with disabilities. His work can include the development of communication, imagination, use of the senses, social skills, movement and much more. For more information contact Chris on 01243 774392 or 07952 977567. Email: chris@fun61418.wanadoo.co.uk
This page was last updated on: 22 Aug 2008
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