Disability Pride Month, cost of living payments, Mental Health Charter + more!
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July 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 Head of Comms
Welcome to the July issue of the Inclusion Barnet newsletter! Caroline is taking a well-deserved holiday this week, so I'm here to introduce you to this month's packed newsletter!
One of the topics covered in this edition is Disability Pride Month (DPM), which takes place throughout July. Being a Deaf and Disabled People's Organisation (DDPO), most of our staff at Inclusion Barnet are disabled, so we got together to discuss what the month means to us as individuals. You can find out more below.
This issue also includes Disability Cost of Living Payments, a new Mental Health Charter, and Disability Expo, as well as the usual updates and proposals needing your views.
I hope July is a good month for you, whether you choose to celebrate Disability Pride or not. Fingers crossed for a good mix of sunshine and rain for the gardens!
Claire Fisher, Head of Communications and Engagement.
News
Disability Pride Month: What it means to our staff
July is Disability Pride Month but a lot of people aren't aware of it and even among those who are, there can be confusion about who and what it represents.
In general, it's an opportunity for all disabled people to celebrate their identity, to raise awareness of the obstacles they face in society, and to promote discussion and positive change. On a personal level though, our experiences of disability can vary greatly, so how does this affect our views on 'disability pride'?
Inclusion Barnet staff met to discuss what Disability Pride Month means to us as individuals, with surprising results. Take a look at this month's blog to find out more...
New Mental Health Charter for Barnet
We were delighted that some of you were able to meet us online last month to discuss the Barnet Mental Health Charter. It’s important to us to be truly representing the views of disabled people in Barnet, including those with mental health issues or health conditions.
Whenever we get the opportunity to do this, we make sure we cast the net out to all our members. We create a safe space where we can all share our views, and feed them back to decision and policy makers.
A huge thank you to all who were able to attend on the evening. The promised recognition and reward vouchers are making their way to you as we write.
If you have any thoughts on this, please do drop us an email to bvmh@inclusionbarnet.org.uk by 31 July and we will make sure we include that as we develop the Charter.
Healthy Heart update
Inclusion Barnet's Healthy Heart team members Salna, Judi and Riffat, with Ukrainian Support Officer, Patrick, at Central London Community Healthcare Trust's open day.
Our Healthy Heart team have been preparing their report on the first year of the project and met with Public Health England to discuss plans for year two. They’ve also taken part in many community activities as usual, such as the Central London Community Healthcare Trust's open day on 8 June (see photo above) and a Diabetes Awareness event on 23 June in Brent Cross shopping centre.
Continuing with their regular slot on Wednesday mornings (11-1pm) at the West Hendon Hub, the team is now running a second weekly hub as well. This time at the Centre of Excellence, taking place on Tuesday afternoons (2-4pm).
Lastly, great news on the resource packs; these are currently being translated into Somali and work will start on the Gujarati version soon too.
Leavers and Starters
We have no new starters to announce this month, but two members of our staff are moving on.
Sami Read will be leaving her role as Head of Consultancy Services at Inclusion Unlimited, and Carter Weleminsky is leaving his position as Communities and Faith Officer to provide pastoral support to university students. They've both made a huge contribution to the inclusion Barnet team and we wish them all the best.
Get to know us
Edward Phoenix, User Voice Lead
If you think you've seen Edward in the 'Get to know us' slot before, then you're right! Since he last featured, Edward has taken on a new role at Inclusion Barnet, so we invited him back to tell you more...
1. How long have you worked at Inclusion Barnet?
For about eight months now. I spent the first six months working as the Ukrainian support officer but my new role is User Voice Lead. I still help Patrick with the Ukrainian work as well.
2. What is the main thing you are working on right now?
In my role as User Voice Lead, I’m currently focused on building Inclusion Barnet membership. We want to build a robust membership of disabled people who are experts by experience, in the barriers they face. I’m also working with Barnet Council to ensure the voices of disabled people are not just heard but actively listened to.
3. What motivates you in your role?
I am a disabled person myself and a wheelchair user. I have experienced both an invisible and visible disability, and I'm aware of the enormous barriers that society has created for disabled people. I'm keen to tear down these barriers where I find them, by strategically advocating for the needs of disabled people.
4. What’s the best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet?
The flexibility of work which inclusion Barnet offers is incredibly helpful for me as a disabled employee. I also really appreciate my colleagues and managers. Everyone wants to improve other people's lives, which means inclusion Barnet is a very nurturing environment that encourages you to learn more and be your best.
5. What's your favourite way to spend time when you're not working?
I am hugely into wildlife gardening and grow many plants for pollinators, butterflies and the bird population. I will sometimes sit in the garden in the morning with a cup of tea while the birds are all feeding around me. It is a lovely feeling to know that, in some way, I'm supporting the Avian community.
Interested in sharing your experience on the barriers you face? Become a member of Inclusion Barnet and influence positive change for disabled people. Email membership@inclusionbarnet.org.uk or complete the form on our website.
Barnet Community News/Events
Not received the disability cost of living payment?
Most people who qualify have now received their disability cost of living payment, but don't worry if you haven't. From 5 July you can report a missing payment online.
The disability cost of living payment is £150. This is separate to the £900 cost of living payment for households on low-income benefits. If you're waiting to receive confirmation that you qualify for the disability payment though, you might have to wait a bit longer to get it.
Not sure whether you qualify for the disability payment? Check the criteria on the Money Saving Expert's website below.
Need to report a missing payment? Find out more on the government's website below.
Barnet Libraries highlight range of accessible books
As part of 'HiVis Fortnight' in June, Barnet Libraries raised awareness of their range of books for readers with visual and/or print impairments. These include large print, dyslexia-friendly and audio books.
Digital ebooks and audiobooks are also available 24 hours a day online, with accessible features such as adjusting the size, font and line spacing. All you need to access the digital library for free is your library card and PIN. If you're housebound, you can have books and audiobooks delivered to you at home using the Home Library Service.
Find out about all these library services and more, at the link below.
Return of bus service: Barnet to Potters Bar
This Autumn should see the return of a bus route connecting Barnet and Potters Bar which was previously axed last year. The proposed number 84 route includes Potters Bar Community Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital unit, which currently can't be accessed by public transport. It would also serve Barnet Hospital and High Barnet underground station.
Hertsmere Borough Council has put the bus route out to tender and hopes the service will begin in September.
Programme launches to make streets safer
To help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Barnet, the council have launched new measures. These include community hubs, where residents can anonymously report or raise concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour. The first hubs are opening in West Hendon and Edgware, with more to come.
From November, the council will also arrange 'Ward Walks', where local councillors and police will visit neighbourhoods and investigate residents' concerns.
Find out more about the hubs and walks on Barnet Council's website below.
Use your voice
It's time for Disability Expo (6-7 July)
On 6-7 July, this year's Disability Expo will take place at ExCel London. If you haven't heard of it, it's an event for people with lived experience of disability to come together, find ways to improve daily life, and bring change.
Find out more and register for free to attend (in person or online), at the link below.
Have your say: play equipment in Hendon park
Barnet Council is asking for your views on proposed play equipment and the location for it, in Sturgess Park, West Hendon. £115,000 has been allocated to the project and some inclusive pieces are in the proposal.
See the proposed layout and complete the questionnaire, at the link below.
What should the GCSE in BSL include?
The Department for Education has proposed the content for a new GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) and this has been followed by the Department for Education's (DfE) proposal on how it should be assessed.
The DfE is now asking for your response via an online survey. Everyone is welcome to contribute but the department is particularly keen to hear from certain people, such as members of the D/deaf community and potential students of the qualification.
Share your views: rented property licensing
From summer 2023 all privately rented accommodation in Colindale North, Colindale South and Burnt Oak will be required to be licensed.
Property licensing is a way to ensure safer and better conditions in private rented properties with a particular focus on areas where poor quality private accommodation is more prevalent.
The council is now consulting on new property licensing proposals for the private rented sector in other parts of the borough. Find out more and have your say below.
Be an inclusion champion
Support online access to events
When many events went online during Covid, they opened up access to a much wider audience and this included literary festivals. Many of us hoped that this change would be a permanent one but already an increasing number have returned to in-person only, often citing cost as the reason for ending online access.
Some of the literary festivals still offering digital access include the Ledbury Poetry Festival, the biggest poetry festival in the UK (30 June - 9 July) and the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF), which takes place in August.
By continuing to demonstrate the need for this access, event organisers and funders can be encouraged to maintain it. One way you can support this is to share events which include online access with friends and family. Another is to book tickets and passes for digital access yourself.
To attend Ledbury Poetry Festival online, you can sign up for a digital pass for £20. EIBF has three payment options for its online events: pay the suggested amount, pay-what-you-can, or select a free ticket if you need to.
For non-disabled people, watching events online can be cheaper and more convenient than attending in person, but for many disabled people it can be the only way to take part at all.
Try an accessible cycling activity or holiday
Many of our staff are taking well earned breaks over the summer holidays and talk at our last team meeting turned to accessible breaks and activities amongst some of us who use wheelchairs.
Try a Dalby Forest tour in Pickering for a great way to experience being up in the forest canopy, using one of their adapted bikes. If you're looking for a cycling experience closer to home, Cycling for All are based in Finsbury Park and offer a wide range of adaptable bikes.
Tip of the month: Accessible presentations
Many people can find it difficult to access or fully participate in meetings and presentations where lots of new or detailed information is being shared. Visual impairment, D/deafness, auditory processing disorder, and other impairments or conditions, can all impact how someone accesses the world.
Wherever possible try to ask invitees about access needs at preparation stage and offer to send out materials at least 24 hours ahead if you can. Pre-reading materials can help enormously and will ensure you have a more engaged participant who is better able to absorb and reflect on content or participate if relevant.
Work or Volunteer with us
Could you be our new Communities and Faith Officer?
As Carter is sadly leaving us, we're on the look out for a new Communities and Faith Officer with lived experience of disability, which may include long term conditions or mental health issues.
If you're passionate about the important role that community and faith groups play in their localities, and believe you can support these groups to achieve their potential in Barnet, take a look at our job advert below to find out more.
Deadline for applications is 14 July. We look forward to receiving yours!
Volunteer at South Friern or New Barnet Library
Interested in volunteering with us?
We still have vacancies for volunteers at New Barnet and South Friern Libraries. You’d be working with our managers, who would welcome you and show you the ropes. We especially need help for Saturday mornings at New Barnet (9am-12pm) but other shifts are available too.
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, phone or text: 07732 901 129, or look at our dedicated web page below.
Apology: Name spelling in June issue
We'd like to publicly apologise to our fantastic Library Volunteer, Ejder, for misspelling their name last month. We corrected this on our main blog immediately, but unfortunately the newsletter had already gone out.
Here's another peek at the corrected article if you missed it last month.
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