Accessible holidays, celebrating volunteers, and free pizza!
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June 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 June issue of the Inclusion Barnet newsletter, with news of all things Inclusion Barnet.
In the last few issues, I’ve been talking about our strategic objectives, and this month I’m going to talk about the fourth one of these, which is that ‘Disabled People can live their lives free of stigma and poverty’. We talk about the two things together – stigma and poverty – because they’re linked. Stigma makes it harder to get well paid work, and harder to claim benefits, and that has an impact which all too often creates poverty.
It’s not a well-known fact, but 48% of households in poverty contain a disabled family member, meaning the link between disability and poverty is strong, and that needs to change. We campaign to change this through our work with the Disability Benefits Consortium and the Disability Poverty Campaign Group, but real change is difficult to achieve. It’s a long-term project.
That’s why we try to tackle stigma also as part of the same strand of work – currently, we’re in the second year of a two-year partnership project, working with Inclusion London and other London DDPOs, to understand how the general public talk about disability, and what messaging would work to make them more aware of disabled people’s needs.
At the end of the project, we expect to have improved strategic communications to help win people over to the disability rights cause. It won’t be a quick fix, but longer term we hope we can influence people’s attitudes. This is something we’ll be talking to all our members about in the future, as it’s a project where we can all work together to influence change.
In the meantime, I wish all our members a good month, and hope that you all have some relaxing and pleasant sunny days to look forward to.
Caroline Collier
Chief Executive Officer
News
Inclusion Barnet volunteers find paid employment
It's Volunteers Week this month, so it's the perfect opportunity to share some news on two of our volunteers!
Volunteers Week is a week when charities large and small celebrate the massive contribution that volunteers make to our communities. At Inclusion Barnet we’re no exception: without them we wouldn’t be able to run South Friern and New Barnet Libraries, in conjunction with Barnet Council.
We very proud to say that two of these volunteers - Rachel and Edjer - have recently secured paid employment, after gaining skills and experience working with us.
Edjer, who is continuing to volunteer with us alongside his new paid role, says:
"Volunteering at the library has helped me in many ways: developed my customer service and team-building skills; given me a great sense of achievement."
At Inclusion Barnet, we say a huge THANK YOU to all our fantastic volunteers. Without you, we couldn’t make such a big difference to the lives of people in Barnet and beyond.
Read our blog below, on volunteers Rachel and Edjer, and the paid roles they've secured.
Interested in volunteering in our libraries? Check out the 'Work or Volunteer with us' section below, for details on how you can get involved. Look out for opportunities to volunteer in other areas of Inclusion Barnet soon too!
Grange Big Local needs your views
The final stage of the Grange Big Local project is about to start and we're looking for your views on how the final £150,000 should be spent.
Grange Big Local is a resident-led community project based in the Grange Big Local area. Hosted by Inclusion Barnet and funded by the National Lottery, the project aims to make a positive difference to the area and asks residents where the money should go.
The team have produced an online survey asking what is important to you and how you would like the money to be spent.
We're also inviting local residents to join us to discuss an exciting research pilot on 'Basic income'. This is the idea that every citizen should receive money to meet their basic needs. There will be onsite childcare available at the event, and free pizza for all who attend!
To complete the survey or register for the event, scroll down to the 'Use your voice' section of this newsletter.
Healthy Heart update
As you might remember, the Healthy Heart team received news last month that the project would be extended for another year. They’ve wasted no time in planning how to spend this time effectively, meeting with members of LBB Public Health team to assess the successes of the project so far and consider what could be done differently.
The HH Team also made a presentation to the Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD) Task & Finish group, attended the Barnet Voluntary Sector Forum and supported Mental Health Awareness Week by attending the Hub Connections session at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre.
As part of their work to identify and address further barriers to access, HH team members Riffat and Salna delivered four sessions to Barnet Asian Older People’s Association too. Using an interpreter for Gujarati speakers, the group were very engaged, and 16 people received a certificate of completion.
In case you missed it:
Staff member's blog for Mental Health Week
In support of Mental Health Week last month, our Comms Assistant, Ed Peston, wrote a blog about anxiety. In it, he shared a recent experience and the tool he gained from it, in the hopes this will be useful to others.
Read Ed's blog on the News page of our website.
Leavers and Starters
No leavers again this month, so let's focus on the great people who are joining us...
Caitie Fisher is the new Communications Officer for our Barnet Together partnership with the Young Barnet Foundation and Volunteering Barnet.
Natacha Israel is the new Project Manager for Grange Big Local (see News section above for more information on Grange Big Local).
Lizzie Hendricks has joined us as CEO Caroline Collier's Executive Assistant.
A warm welcome to all!
Get to know us
Nina Kazmi, Touchpoint Peer Worker
1. How long have you worked at Inclusion Barnet?
I started working for Inclusion Barnet nearly five months ago.
2. What is the main thing you are working on right now?
As Peer Support Worker for the Touchpoint service, I help disabled people who are experiencing barriers to living the life they want. Through agreed goals, I help them build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to manage their situation.
3. What motivates you in your role?
The success stories that I help customers to gain, the passion of my colleagues and the team at Inclusion Barnet to do better. When a team like Inclusion Barnet have a great morale, it spurs you on.
4. The best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet?
I am accepted: I am accepted as who I am and what I can offer, my disability is seen and not judged. I feel as though I am a part of something real.
5. Favourite way to spend your time when you are not working?
I can’t mention just one, but I love going for a push and writing poetry.
Find out more about our Touchpoint Peer Support Service on the dedicated web page below.
Planning a summer holiday? Check out Nina's advice on accessible travel in the 'Be an inclusion champion' section below!
Barnet Community News/Events
Inclusion London launches tool to reduce social care charges
Inclusion London have launched a free tool to help people reduce their social care costs. The tool is a chatbot which guides you through the process of Disability Related Expenditure claims and can be found on the website below.
Weekly drop-in provides mental health support
Building Friendships is a free, weekly drop-in for people experiencing mental health difficulties. It takes place at East Barnet Baptist Church Hall every Friday between 10-12pm and involves free refreshments and a friendly chat.
For more information email: buildingfriendship@gmail.com or leave a message with your name and contact number on 020 8449 5320.
Age UK Barnet extends hardship grants for 55+
Age UK Barnet is extending their fund for people aged 55 plus in Barnet, who are facing financial hardship. The one-off grants come from the Household Support fund which Age UK is distributing on behalf of Barnet Council. Funds can be used to help with utility bills, food costs and wider essentials.
To find out more, email support@ageukbarnet.org.uk, phone 020 8 203 5040 or click on the link below.
London Festival includes architecture of disability
The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) takes place across London in June and this year's theme is how to make the most of what we have in common. The programme includes several events around the architecture of disability.
On the LFA website you can filter all the events by access requirement and location.
Use your voice
Survey for Grange Big Local residents
As mentioned in the article in 'News' above, this is a resident-led community project based in the Grange Big Local area of East Finchley. The project aims to make a positive difference to the area and is asking local residents to complete an online survey, sharing where they think the money should go.
'Basic income' discussion with free pizza
As mentioned in the 'News' section above, the Grange Big Local project is also inviting local residents to attend a discussion about an exciting research pilot. The research will explore the idea of a 'basic income' for everyone and all who attend will get free pizza!
Flood risk strategy proposal
Flooding can affect people's mental and physical health as well as causing damage to property. With Barnet seeing episodes of severe flooding in recent years, the council is proposing a strategy to address the problem.
Have your say on this consultation by reading the documents on the Engage Barnet website and completing the online questionnaire. Alternatively you can attend one of their drop in sessions. Details on the website below.
'Limited stop' bus route proposal
Transport for London are proposing a new express bus service with limited stops. The bus would run between Harrow and North Finchley, part of a proposed 'Superloop' to connect areas of outer London.
Transport for London would like to hear your views on the idea and are asking you to complete their online survey. The survey, and more details on the service, are on the website below.
Be an inclusion champion
Looking for an accessible holiday?
With Summer nearly here, we asked staff member Nina Kazmi for her advice on holidays. Nina’s always been passionate about exploring the world. Since becoming a wheelchair-user a couple of years ago, she’s gathered a lot of useful knowledge about accessible travel. Here’s her top tips if you're planning a break:
1. Give it a go: If you haven’t been away from home before, try taking a holiday with Backup Trust. They provide accessible trips in groups with several payment options, as they believe that even if finances are tight, you deserve a holiday.
2. Expand your horizons: Organisations like Limitless Travel offer package holidays that are more expensive but offer travel to places you might never have thought possible.
3. Book assistance: Always book assistance at the airport before you go. The service is there to support you, so don’t be afraid to use it.
4. Shop around: If you just want accommodation, Airbnb, booking.com and Wheel the World all have accessible sections.
5. Get insured: Travel insurance is a must and many provide insurance for disabled people: Allianz, Lloyds Bank and Penguin, to name a few.
6. Plan ahead: You have lots of options for travel as a disabled person, just remember to do some planning first.
So there you have it. Whether it's a short break in the UK or a fortnight abroad, we wish you a very happy holiday!
Tip of the month: Use ALT text as an accessibility tool
A recent trend on social media has involved using ALT text to add jokes to memes and images. The trend created a backlash, as its misuse of a crucial accessibility tool left many disabled people unable to share in the jokes.
When Specsavers responded to the trend, their post went viral. Their tweet had the same image as the joke posts - black text saying 'Click here' and a black arrow pointing to the ALT text box - but on their post, the alt text didn't contain a joke. Instead it described the image, with a 'side note for everybody' on why the tool should be used to increase accessibility, not reduce it.
EXTRA Tip of the month: Use colour contrast in content
To make documents and web content accessible, there needs to be a high contrast between the text and the background, otherwise it can be hard to read for people with sight loss or colour blindness.
High contrast means two colours are very different; when the colours are similar it can be difficult to tell them apart. Find out more about colour contrast and making websites more accessible, by clicking on the link below to the Culture Hive website.
Work or Volunteer with us
Volunteer at South Friern or New Barnet Library
As mentioned in the Volunteers Week article above, we 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.
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