Big news on Healthy Heart project, our Work with Acas on recruitment guidance and more!
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May 2023 newsletter
Your monthly update on Inclusion Barnet services, plus community events and news affecting Disabled people including mental health issues and long-term conditions.
Update from our CEO
Welcome to the May issue of the Inclusion Barnet newsletter. I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather, and finding some time to relax in it.
In the last few issues, I’ve been talking about Inclusion Barnet’s strategic objectives, and this month I’d like to discuss our commitment to tackling health inequalities.
For a lot of different reasons, disabled people don’t always get the best care and support from the NHS, and one of our priorities is to improve this situation. It’s why we run perhaps the only user led Healthwatch programmme and use our Equalities Network of local groups to explore barriers to healthcare.
It’s also why we run our Healthy Hearts project, so that more people can find out about the issues that can result from high blood pressure, and I’m absolutely delighted this has been funded again for another year, thanks to colleagues in Public Health.
As a local organisation, we can’t influence everything, but we’re committed to influencing for change where we can. Thanks for all you do as our members to support this.
Caroline Collier
Chief Executive Officer
News
Inclusion Barnet contributes to change in Acas wording
Inclusion Barnet has worked with Acas on updating their recruitment guidance for employers, relating to reserving roles for disabled people. Working with our colleagues at Inclusion London, we participated in a meeting with ACAS advice experts and also commented on a series of drafts.
Our CEO, Caroline Collier, said:
“This guidance was needed because it’s not widely known that you can reserve any role for a disabled person. You only need to support that with a ‘genuine occupational requirement’ when you want to recruit someone with a specific impairment."
With the current rate of employment for disabled people almost 30% behind that for non-disabled people, it’s vital that the message gets out there.
This work was made possible due to the support of City Bridge Trust, as it’s through their funding that we can carry out this user voice work for disabled people.
Healthy Heart receives funding for a second year
We are thrilled to share that our Healthy Heart Peer Project has received funding for another year! Healthy Heart provides support and advice to members of the African, Caribbean and South Asian communities, who are at higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
Financed by Barnet Council and the North Central London Integrated Care System, the project uses an intensive programme, support groups, one-to-one sessions and community events to spread its message.
In its first year, almost 100 people went through the programme and over 250 received vital information on heart health. One of the keys to the project's success is the fact it's led by people with lived experience of the conditions and also that the team have listened to the needs of the communities, enabling them to identify more of the barriers they face. The further funding will enable them to continue this important work.
More updates from the Healthy Heart team later in this newsletter!
Inclusion Barnet writes to MP on social care charges
Inclusion Barnet has joined nearly 3,700 others in writing to their MP about the social care charging scandal. Despite 29% of UK disabled people living in poverty and many others also facing high and unaffordable costs, councils are chasing people for failing to pay for their social care support at home.
According to a BBC report, over 60,000 disabled adults were chased last year, but many simply couldn't afford it on top of rising energy and food prices, and the additional costs disabled people often face.
Healthy Heart update
As well as planning for their second year, the team have had another busy month of talks, meetings and support sessions. Members of the team met staff from Metropolitan and Thames Valley Housing, the Centre of Excellence, Barnet Borough Partnership Board, among others, to discuss how to reach many more people on keeping their hearts healthy.
The team also did a big mail-out of the new resource packs, that we announced in last month's newsletter.
Leavers and Starters
No leavers this month, so let's focus on the great people who are joining us...
Jon Bartlett and Sarah Campbell have become our Healthwatch Managers on a job-share basis, as part of our Healthwatch Barnet team.
Thang Mach is the new Engagement Manager for the Grange Big Local Project, a resident-led, lottery funded community project in East Finchley.
Lizzy Collinson is the new Comms and Admin officer for Grange Big Local.
Charlie Hall has joined us as our Peer Comms Coordinator.
Get to know us
Sami Read, Head of Consultancy Services at Inclusion Unlimited
1. How long have you worked at Inclusion Barnet?
I joined Inclusion Unlimited, the consultancy and training arm of Inclusion Barnet, in January of 2023 so I’m still quite new!
2. What is the main thing you are working on right now?
I’m currently working to get Inclusion Unlimited ready for a very busy period over the summer. At Inclusion Unlimited, we work with the statutory, charity and corporate sectors to help provide training on the social model of disability, coproduction, peer support work and lived experience in the workplace. We do this through our pre-existing training models but also through the creation of bespoke projects and programmes.
3. What motivates you in your role?
I’m a big believer that we can help create a better world through kindness and understanding, it’s the main reason the role appealed to me so much. I love being part of something where I can help educate and train people to move forward with kindness.
4. The best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet?
Definitely the people!
5. Favourite way to spend time when you’re not working?
I’m lucky enough to live somewhere where huge mountains and lakes are only a short distance away so I love being outdoors and going on walks in my spare time. I’m also an avid film and tv enthusiast and love dissecting the most recent episode of Succession with my friends over a cuppa.
Barnet Community News
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, we've packed in even more news this month, half of which is dedicated to mental health events.
Jami raises awareness of suicide prevention app
Local charity Jami is working with Barnet Council and Grassroots Suicide Prevention to raise awareness of an app to help prevent suicide. The app, called 'Stay Alive', helps to address one of the risks of the cost-of-living crisis among vulnerable communities. It provides info on how to talk about suicide safely, find life-saving resources and create free, private collections of positive reminders and images.
Head Room Cafe officially reopens in Golders Green
In case you weren't aware, local charity Jami officially reopened the Head Room Cafe in Golders Green at the end of March.
Open 8am - 4pm, Sunday to Friday, the cafe runs sessions on mental health and there is no need to book; you can walk in straight off the street and join in.
Wellbeing Service hosts mental health awareness event
Hub Connections, part of the Barnet Wellbeing Service, will be holding a community event as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, honouring the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers.
The free event will include talks, workshops, food and drink, live music and more. It takes place on 15 May, 11am - 3pm, and the location will be shared with those who register to attend. If you have any problems registering, email info@communitybarnet.org.uk.
Parking fees introduced at New Barnet Library
New Barnet Leisure Centre has started imposing car park fees, affecting New Barnet Library. The library is one of two run by Inclusion Barnet and Barnet Council.
The car park will remain free for cars with blue badges, and for members of BETTER gyms.
New playground for disabled people gets green light
The first of its kind, a playground for disabled children and adults has received the go-ahead to be built on the Victoria Recreation Ground in New Barnet.
The 'Fair Play Barnet Playground' was designed with input from experts, parents and carers of people living with a range of impairments. The plan is for the site to be built by Autumn 2023.
Barnet Council launches benefits calculator
Barnet Council have launched a new benefits calculator to help Barnet residents check what Housing Benefit and other support they might be entitled to. The calculator is easy to use but it's important to remember that results will be based purely on the information you provide. The calculator suggests what you might receive but of course is not a guarantee that you will.
Use your voice
Share your views on the end of TfL Day Travelcards
The Mayor has opened a discussion on withdrawing Day Travelcards, which would mean these cards no longer being sold or accepted by Transport for London (TfL).
Day Travelcards are only available as paper tickets and give unlimited travel on TfL services, including bus, Tube, Tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Underground, London Overground and the Elizabeth line, and National Rail services in London.
The government says they are required to consider this option 'due to the devastating impact of the pandemic on TfL’s finances' and so have opened a conversation but it seems that the only ways to respond are by registering your interest to receive updates or asking a question, on the Transport for London website.
Take part in the disabled students survey
Disabled Students UK will soon be launching the first ever Annual Disabled Student Survey. If you are a disabled student, or have been in the past year, sign up to hear more when it launches and ensure you get to have a say. You can also apply to take part in the video they're making to accompany the launch.
Disability Horizons website closes after 12 years
The website Disability Horizons shut down in April after 12 years of providing disability lifestyle content and a community space for like-minded disabled people. The site also gave hundreds of disabled people a voice as writing contributors.
Disability Horizons will be kept live so that past articles can be accessed and many of the projects which sprung from it will continue, such as Purple Goat marketing agency and the Disability Health Shop.
Share your views on housing
Barnet Council have launched four housing-related consultations and would like to get your views. The 4 consultations cover: housing, homelessness and rough sleeping, tenancy and the housing allocation scheme. All close on 31 May.
Be an inclusion champion
Support Mental Health Awareness Week
There are many ways you can support Mental Health Awareness Week this year, from sharing the Mental Health Foundation's resources, to making a donation or wearing one of their green ribbons. Find out more on the Mental Health Foundation website.
Tip of the month: Transport for London badges
Tell your friends and family about the TfL (Transport for London) 'Please offer me a seat' badges and cards. These are for disabled people and can be particularly useful for those with less visible impairments or conditions.
Badges and cards are free and can be applied for by completing the form on the TfL website or calling Customer Services on 0343 222 1234. Items take about 3 weeks to arrive.
Work or Volunteer with us
Join us as our Healthwatch Volunteer Coordinator
We've got an exciting opportunity for someone with lived experience of disability (which could include a long-term condition or mental health issue) to join a small team delivering Barnet’s Healthwatch service.
The role is permanent, part-time (21 hours a week) and remote working. The deadline for applying is 19 May 2023.
Volunteer at South Friern or New Barnet Library
We’re looking for volunteers to cover various shifts at both New Barnet and South Friern Libraries. You’d be working with our managers, who would welcome you and show you the ropes.
The libraries are both on the ground floor, accessible for wheelchair users and have a disabled ground floor toilet. The libraries are co-run by Inclusion Barnet and Barnet Council.
For more details, email nick@inclusionbarnet.org.uk, or phone or text: 07732 901 129.
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