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July 2024 newsletter
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Welcome to the July edition of your Inclusion Barnet member newsletter!
It's packed with info on consultations, services, community events and ways to be heard. You'll also find some of the top local and national news affecting Disabled people including those with mental health issues and long-term conditions.
To find out more on each article, just click on its title.
Inclusion Barnet News
The new Government and the future of PIP
So, we now have a new Government, Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister and Liz Kendall is Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Just before the General Election was called, the previous Government launched a consultation on the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) setting out options designed to reduce the number of claims, or abolish PIP altogether, replacing it with perhaps a voucher scheme, or an expenses system based on presentation of receipts.
With an election campaign under way, it wasn’t clear at first whether the consultation would go ahead. Then Ministers announced that it would, but without any in-person or virtual events prior to polling day on July 4th. There would then be an announcement about next steps. At the time of writing, we are waiting for that announcement – and along with a lot of other disability and anti-poverty organisations, we are calling on the new Government to scrap the proposals.
Meanwhile, Inclusion Barnet has written a submission to the consultation, making it clear exactly what we think. Let us know if you would like a copy by emailing us at info@inclusionbarnet.org.uk.
Inclusion Barnet, working with other Disability and Disabled People’s Organisations, will always campaign against proposals that would reduce disabled people’s incomes, whatever party is in government.
Temporary pause - Touchpoint Benefits advice service
Unfortunately, Due to unusually high demand, we’re temporarily pausing new referrals until further notice. We’ll let you know when it reopens. You can also check on our website and social media platforms.
Your feedback is helping make Barnet more inclusive!
Last month we supported the Council with their parks and open spaces consultation to ensure the voice of Disabled people was represented in their 10 year plan. We are delighted that some of you were able to attend in person, we hope you enjoyed the thank you vouchers! Lots of fantastic ideas and suggestions. The council was so impressed they're considering another session! Do get in touch with us if you’d like to participate in future sessions. Email: uservoice@inclusionbarnet.org.uk or phone / text Edward on 07719 105107.
We're excited to announce a new campaign in the works, and we need your help to make it a success. More details to follow, but in the meantime, we're looking for real stories from Disabled individuals like you to show why Disabled people need more accessible employment opportunities and decent levels of benefit. You can stay anonymous if you want to. Read our “Tell your story” blogpost for more information.
No leavers this month but we warmly welcome two new starters:
David Hall joins us as Mental Health Charter Engagement & Implementation Officer. As part of our partnership work with Barnet Together, he’ll will be working with business, community organisations and services throughout Barnet to ensure the Barnet Mental Health Charter has a positive impact in the borough.
Salman Khalid steps into a new role at Inclusion Barnet as Senior Comms and PR Officer. Salman will be working with our Community Organisation Support team, Healthwatch team and VCSE (Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise) Alliance projects.
Opportunities to create change
Visit our consultations and campaigns page on the Inclusion Barnet website for all the latest opportunities to have your say on local and national issues that impact disabled people in Barnet.
Did you know? Some local consultations receive as few as 14 online responses*. With just 15 members like you we can sway decisions on accessibility, support, and resources in Barnet.
Here's some of the top opportunities to get involved this month:
Drop in session with Barnet Council on adult social care
Great news for Disabled adults in Barnet who use social care services. Our User Voice team has teamed up with the Council’s People’s Voice representatives to hear your views on adult social care. Join our drop-in session on Tuesday 16 July (2pm-4:30pm) at the Old Library, Graham Park Concourse. Share your experience and help shape the future of care in Barnet!
Coffee and Bingo - feedback can be fun!
For adults (18+) with Learning Disabilities who live in Barnet. A fun morning to play Bingo, talk about Adult Social Care, and hear about ways to get involved. £15 voucher for those who join on the day. Barnet Council are hosting this event.
Date: Monday 29 July
Time: 10:30am till 12:30pm
Location: The Hendon Town Hall
For help with booking: email: engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk
or phone: 0208 359 7476
Carers with a story to tell..
The Council are looking for carers who would be willing to be recorded talking about their experience of caring and the carer assessment process. Your involvement could help make assessments work better in future. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please email Engage.Adults@Barnet.gov.uk or call them on 02082597476 for further details.
Mental health and Autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities.
NHS England want to hear from autistic adults and adults with a learning disability in Barnet, or their informal carers, about experiences of mental health services. You can help by taking their online survey:
Easy Read Bespoke support - Making a Start: (People, Family and Supporters) North Central London (NCL) https://forms.office.com/e/609MTPgzjm
Bespoke support - Making a Start: (People, Family and Supporters) North Central London (NCL) https://forms.office.com/e/qAwzTYFasf
More ways to get involved
- Find all of Barnet Council's consultations on the Engage Barnet website.
- Visit our consultations and campaigns page on the Inclusion Barnet website.
*For example: Barnet Council's proposed Fees and Charges 2024-25 for services, which got 14 online responses.
Local news
Community Inclusion Evening
An event for families, young people, parents and carers hosted by East Barnet School, EN4 8PU. Meet other families and find out about local disability charities and organisations (Inclusion Barnet will be there!). Thursday 18 July 2024, 5 – 7pm. Accessibility: Venue is wheelchair accessible, BSL interpreter supporting and a separate quiet space for respite.
National issue - local impact
What still needs improving for Disabled voters?
The Electoral Commission want to find out the impact of the Voter ID changes and assess the support at polling stations.
They want to hear from as many Disabled voters as possible, so please complete the survey. Let's make our voices heard!
Voter Survey (Includes link to Word version and postal address)
Survey closes: 19 August 2024
Join us
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Individual membership is FREE and is for disabled people, which may include long term conditions or mental health issues and/or carers. Find out how being a member and sharing your lived experience can lead to positive change:
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About Us
Inclusion Barnet is a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO), based in Barnet, North-West London. This means that all of our Trustees and most of our staff have lived experience of disability. Learning to use lived experience for social change is a skill. We use this understanding to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services.
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