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December 2022 newsletter
Your 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
One of the things I like to do regularly is to get feedback from our frontline Touchpoint peer workers about the barriers people are experiencing. Usually, I raise issues with local leaders, but last month I managed to be part of a DPO Forum meeting with Tom Pursglove, who is Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work at the DWP. Colleagues talked about the cost of living, and I reinforced the point by saying that my team was hearing people say they were struggling to afford to get to medical appointments, and that the poverty some disabled people were experiencing put them at risk of getting acutely ill. We didn’t receive any specific commitments except that the Minister would carry on meeting with us, but we are arguing that benefits, due to be raised in April in line with inflation, need to be raised immediately. We will continue to argue for this.
In early November, I spoke at a conference for social services directors, along with Dawn Wakeling, Executive Director for Adults at the Council, and Inclusion Barnet’s Deputy CEO Rebecca Sare.
We talked about coproduction, and how much different work Inclusion Barnet is involved with in Barnet. Of course, there are always things we could be doing better, but it was nice to talk about things that are going really well, such as our Healthy Heart project, on a national stage.
All in all, November was a busy month, and now I am very much looking forward to the holidays. Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I hope you have a relaxing festive season and wish all our members the very best for 2023.
Caroline Collier
Chief Executive Officer
Get involved!
Inclusion Barnet Annual General Meeting
- Thursday 15th December
- 1.30pm to 3pm
- Stay for festive refreshments and social chat from 3pm to 3.30pm
Come along in person to our offices or join via Zoom.
You’ll get to meet lots of our staff and hear from some of them about the projects they’ve been working on this year.
Non-members are welcome to join us, it’s a great way to find out more about what we do and how you can get involved in disability rights.
Inclusion Barnet news
Healthy Heart update
We’re delighted that things are going really well with our Healthy Heart project. Our small but passionate team have now trained more than 55 people from Black African, Caribbean and South Asian communities in Barnet who have, or are at risk from, Cardiovascular Disease because of increasing blood pressure. This included Somalian women, men, individuals from the Grahame Park Community Centre and the Barnet African Caribbean Association.
People on the programme learn how to understand their risk of high blood pressure, how to monitor it and how to reduce risks. This is all done in a supportive environment surrounded by others in a similar position. Thanks to support from Fit and Active Barnet and GLL (who oversee Barnet Leisure Centres and deliver a health programme) we’ve even been able to include some exercise activity in the programme too.
One of the unique, and we think best, parts of this programme is that its run by three amazing women who all have personal lived experience of either high blood pressure or a long term health condition, so they understand the journey they are asking people to embark on because they are doing it themselves!
More programmes are scheduled with the West Hendon Mosque and the Hendon Hub. So, if you or your community organisation would like to find out more about these or future sessions, one to one health coaching or how to sign up to either, please get in touch with the Healthy Heart Team: email healthyheart@inclusionbarnet.org.uk or phone 020 3475 1316 or Text our main switchboard for a follow up reply on 07719 105534 (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm).
Meet our team
Colette Gallagher
Touchpoint Peer Worker
1. How long have you worked at Inclusion Barnet?
I have been working for Inclusion Barnet since September, so for a couple of months.
2. What is the main thing you are working on right now?
The main thing I am working on is managing my caseload. I have a full caseload now and am getting to know my customers and supporting them to identify and achieve their goals.
3. What motivates you in your current role?
I am motivated in my current role to support disabled people and to help empower them to be able to access services and resources independently.
4. The best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet?
The best thing about working at Inclusion Barnet is getting the chance to help make a positive difference in my customer’s lives. Also, the team are so friendly and passionate about what they do.
5. Favourite way to spend time when you’re not working?
My favourite way to spend my time when not working is with my children. At the moment they are getting excited about Christmas, which is lovely.
Community events & activities
If 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,
Better health and fitness
This month, our Engagement Officer, Sarah Chaffey, met with Better, which have five leisure centres in Barnet, to chat about what opportunities they have for disabled people.
Here’s all the FREE sessions that they have going on:
- Ramblers Walk for Health from Barnet Copthall Lesuire Centre. Short walks at a gentle pace. Uneven ground means the route may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility aids.
- Middlesex Association for the Blind Activity Day, welcome to anyone who is blind or partially sighted at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre
- Dementia Friendly Swimming Sessions at Finchley Lido Leisure Centre
To find out more about these sessions, please email Petrit.Krasniqi@GLL.org
Better are also part of the Fit and Active Barnet scheme, which allows you to get discounted access to some leisure centres and activity classes in the borough. All you have to do is apply for a Fit and Active card online, and you can get started! If it’s easier for you, you can also visit one of Barnet’s Better centres (Barnet Copthall, Finchley Lido, New Barnet, Burnt Oak or Hendon) to get a card.
Caritas St Joseph's Centre
Last week, Eve and Sarah from our Engagement team went to visit Gail Williams, the Centre Manager at Caritas St Joseph’s, a local support centre for adults with learning disabilities, to find out more about what they do.
They reported that it is a lively centre with lots of activities going on, like music sessions and Christmas crafting. Adults with learning disabilities pay to attend a range of educational, leisure and social courses.
Campaigns, consultations and more
Workplace rights. Can you help?
Acas is offering shopping vouchers to volunteers who help them improve their website and online services.
Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. They’re doing some research about employement rights and best practice at work.
They’re especially keen to speak to more disabled people to ensure their online services work for everyone. They are offering a range of ways to participate, including online, in person (where possible) and other adjustments or support if needed in order to help you take part.
Claim your energy vouchers
A reminder to anyone on prepayment meters to claim your vouchers for the government's energy support discount scheme.
This will cut your energy bills by £400 from October 2022 to March 2023.
You can claim your voucher at your local Post Office.
London Taxicard update for PIP users
Disabled people who are waiting for an overdue review of their disability benefits can now continue to use subsidised taxis in London, thanks to a successful challenge by disabled women’s organisation Winvisible.
Barnet's recognition by Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer’s Society has recognised Barnet’s commitment to becoming a dementia-friendly borough.
This means that a new Dementia Friendly Barnet Partnership which has been set up by the Barnet Health and Wellbeing Board will be giving free training to individuals, businesses, faith communities, arts and culture venues to help them become more dementia-friendly.
This will be welcome news for over 5,000 residents living with dementia in the borough along with their families, carers and neighbours.
Free Dementia Awareness Training
Barnet Council have commissioned Dementia Club UK to give free one hour ‘Dementia Foundation’ awareness courses to:
- Individuals who are caring for someone living with dementia and they need a better understanding of this disease.
- Local businesses
- Arts and culture venues
- Leisure centres
- Faith communities
- Local high street businesses
The course is CPD certified and designed to give you a core understanding of dementia and its impact.
Cost of Living support
As part of our partnership with Barnet Together, which supports hundreds of organisations in Barnet, we have created a Cost of Living Support blog post, with lots of resources, advice and funding opportunities.
It is mainly aimed at community organisations, but there is some helpful information in there for individuals who might be struggling with the cost of living. This includes things such as the Warm Spaces initiative, with local businesses opening up their venues to save you money on heating your home.
Click the button below to browse the blog post and see if there's anything helpful for you in there.
About us
Inclusion Barnet services
Have you heard about some of the other community services that we run? Click on the logos or buttons for more information.
Independent Living Centre, c/o Barnet & Southgate College,
7 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4BR
Inclusion Barnet is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Registered Charity Number: 1158632
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