No images? Click here November 2022 newsletterYour monthly update on all things Inclusion Barnet, as well as local and national goings on which impact the lives of disabled people in Barnet, including people with mental health issues and long-term conditions. The latest from our CEO, Caroline Collier As Barnet’s Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation, we only deliver services to disabled people in Barnet. However, in terms of influence, we do try to be part of wider national conversations to get people thinking about disabled people and their rights. We’ve managed to do two useful things towards that influencing role in the last month. Firstly, myself and colleagues met with ACAS to help them improve the guidance on their website. It’s a little-known fact that any employer can reserve any job for disabled applicants if they chose to do so. They’ve promised to go away and improve their guidance on that in the coming weeks, which is great news. If that helps even one extra disabled person get a job in the future, it’s made a difference. We’ll share the link when it’s available. Secondly, my deputy Rebecca Sare and I spoke at a national conference for directors of social services in Manchester last week, encouraging them to engage with co-production and setting out all the ways they could work with their local DDPO to improve their engagement. We were sharing a platform with Dawn Wakeling, Barnet Council’s Executive Director for Communities, Adults and Health, and we hope it will prompt more local areas to think about the potential for more services to be delivered by and for disabled people. Disabled People’s Organisations don’t often get the attention they deserve, so anything that raises their profile has to be a good thing. It's going to take a lot of work before disabled people achieve full equality, and as a local organisation we can’t solve everything. But I’m keen to let our membership know what we are doing, as where we can influence on behalf of disabled people, we do. And we’ll keep doing that to the best of our ability. Do contact me at caroline@inclusionbarnet.org.uk if you’d like to feed in any other ideas. Wishing you all well for November as the run up to the festive season begins. Caroline Collier
Get involved!Inclusion Barnet Annual General Meeting Thursday 15th December Festive refreshments You're invited! Join in person or online We always welcome non-members to this meeting too so if you're not a member but are interested in what we do, please do join us. Members: do check your email inbox for your invitation and Zoom link this week. Vacancy - senior role This is an amazing opportunity for someone with lived experience of disability (which could include experience of mental health issues or a long-term condition) to lead on our Peer Services function. If you have an ability to engage with people as equals, a solid understanding of casework and safeguarding, a collaborative and encouraging management style and would love the chance to campaign for a fair deal for disabled people, we want to hear from you. Inclusion Barnet newsStarters and leavers Last month we welcomed Edward Phoenix to the team as our Ukrainian Support Officer. And sadly, we are saying goodbye to our Touchpoint Peer Support Officer Carole Thompson who supported many people in the borough to overcome barriers they faced as disabled individuals. Carole will be very much missed by all of us and especially our Touchpoint team and we thank her for her terrific contribution.
Healthy Heart update The Black History Month celebrations during October brought lots of opportunities for our Healthy Heart team to connect with locals from African, Caribbean and South Asian communities. In the photo above (left to right) is our Healthy Heart Peer worker, Salna Abdallah, with Alesia from Barnet wellbeing and prevention team, Pastor Hope Yale from Livingway Ministry Church in Grahame Park and Jonah Care Services in Barnet. Please get in touch if you'd like to hear more about this project. Meet our teamDhibla Mahamud 1. How long have you worked at Inclusion Barnet? I have worked at inclusion Barnet for just over a month. 2. What is the main thing you are working on right now? I am currently working alongside Healthwatch Manager, Banos Alexandrou, on a big health and social care project. It is a research project which is assessing health and social care in Barnet. 3. What motivates you in your current role? My current role is motivated by my own experiences with health and social care. I would like to improve services in any way I can. I have gratitude and admiration for the health system in the UK. I would like to do my part in ensuring it is effective for everyone. 4. The best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet? The best thing about working for Inclusion Barnet is its inclusivity (I know!). I have autism and due to that, I have felt as though I have had to hide parts of myself at previous jobs. At Inclusion Barnet, I can bring my whole self to work without fear or shame. 5. Favourite way to spend time when you’re not working? In my spare time, I like to research something that interests me. My current interest is around privacy. I read books or listen to podcasts and lectures around the topic. Community events & activitiesIf you run, or know of any, local accessible activities or events in Barnet and the surrounding areas please tell us about them! We’d love to include things that have either been designed with disabled people mind or includes specific accessibility info and is free or heavily subsidised: info@inclusionbarnet.org.uk, Barnet Borough Sight Impaired Our colleague Eve Byers, from our User Voice project visited Barnet Borough Sight Impaired (BBSI) last week to find out what services they offer to people with visual impairment in the borough. Eve was delighted to be welcomed by a friendly, diverse group of people from all walks of life, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the meeting. The group meetings are very social occasions with plenty of time for chatting and a cuppa. There are plenty of activities and trips to join in too if you want to, such as day trips to the theatre (with audio description) and singing. They’re open to anyone living with visual impairment (but not exclusively) and are keen to bring new members on board. They meet on the first Tuesday every month at St Mary's Church Hall, Hendon Lane, Finchley, N3 1TR. Campaigns, consultations and moreWeakened immune system? If you've not already had your Flu and Covid booster jabs, it's not too late to get booked in. Book an appointment with your GP or online: nhs.uk/wintervaccinations Find your local COVID-19 walk-in clinic at: bit.ly/Local-walk-in
Carers survey - last chance Last chance to complete the survey for carers and young carers in Barnet. Barnet Carers Centre and Barnet Council are developing their strategy for carers so have your say by Friday 4th November 2022. Debt recovery policy - Adult Social Care costs If you receive support from Barnet Adult Social Care Services, you should have already heard from them about this survey. Barnet Council are reviewing their debt management policy which will look at how debt for non-payment of social care costs is recovered "in a way that does not cause any undue distress". They are also interested in hearing from council staff, voluntary sector partners, and care providers. North Finchley Town Centre Improvements
Interested in improving walking & cycling in and around the North Finchley Town Centre? Barnet Council has arranged a series of workshops for residents to share ideas for how North Finchley Town Centre might better serve them, including how it can become more accessible. The first workshop is focussed specifically on accessibility is this weekend! Saturday 12 November, 10:30-12pm All mobilities welcome, bring your cycle, buggy, kids, walking stick, wheelchair etc. (They’ve promised to go at different speeds and shorter routes to accommodate everyone). To join members of the Public Realm design team, including a transport consultant book your place using the button below.
About usInclusion Barnet services Have you heard about some of the other community services that we run? Click on the logos or buttons for more information. Sign up to this newsletter If this newsletter was forwarded on to you, why not sign up and get the next edition delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here www.inclusionbarnet.org.uk You are receiving this email as a member or friend of Inclusion Barnet, or because you signed up to receive it. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please: |