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August 2024 newsletter
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Welcome to the August 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 future of PIP: still waiting
In the last issue, we talked about the previous Government’s plan to change Personal Independence Payment (PIP). They wanted to cut the number of people getting PIP or stop it completely. Instead of PIP, they suggested giving people vouchers or making them show receipts to prove they spent money before getting paid back.
So far, the new Government is still considering these plans.
Inclusion Barnet will shortly be writing to the new Government as part of a national campaign we’re launching soon. We’ll be calling on them to reject the previous plans and explaining how we think the Government should work with Disabled people to review disability benefits.
we think the Government should work with Disabled people to review disability benefits.
Read more about our letter to Government...
Geoff Fimister
Head of Policy, Inclusion Barnet
We co-hosted a successful feedback event last month with the People's Voice group and Barnet Council to hear directly from Disabled residents on social care and wellbeing matters.
From accessible sport to transport and lots more, your feedback was loud and clear. These insights will now be helping to shape future social care services.
Thank you so much if you were able to attend. Stay tuned for future opportunities to make Barnet a better place for everyone!
We met lots of amazing young people, their families & other local organisations at East Barnet School's Community Inclusion event in July. It was fantastic to be able to support our Barnet Together partners, Young Barnet Foundation, at this event too.
Barnet Forum mental health event
Our Outreach and Engagement Officer Eve was delighted to attend this month’s Barnet Service User and Carer Forum North London Mental Health Partnership. These friendly meetings are a great opportunity to discuss mental health services in the borough with staff members from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (BEH-MHT).
They run on the third Thursday of each month from 2-3.30pm, and can be attended either in person or online. They are open to anyone who wishes to come, you can just turn up!
For more information, visit the Barnet Forum website or contact jessica.lashko@nhs.net.
IB signs letter to Government urging for more accessible housing
We’ve joined Inclusion London and other DDPOs (Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations) in signing a letter to the government to take action on the shortage of accessible and affordable homes.
Inclusion London hosted a Day of Action and march on 29th July, handing in the signed letter to the Government.
Read our blog post to find out more about this campaign.
Apologies to our newly appointed Mental Health Charter Implementation officer, David Hart. Last month we mis-spelt his name. The correct spelling is Hart, not Hall.
We welcome Sally Sonia Simmons this month who has joined our Healthwatch Barnet team as Senior Peer Research and Participation Officer.
We were sad to say goodbye last month to James Little from Grange Big Local and Libaharan Ravindran from our Community Organisation Support team.
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:
Autism Champions Network
Could you use your lived experience as an autistic adult to improve Adult Social Care?
Barnet Council are looking for autistic adults in Barnet to join their Autism Champions Network to work with council staff to improve understanding and the experience of adult social care for autistic people. You will have the option of a voucher or payment for contributing to the network.
If you would like to know more or sign up, email engage.adults@barnet.gov.uk.
Help train adult social care staff
Share your experience of being a carer to help train adult social care staff
Barnet Council are looking for carers who would be willing to be recorded talking about their experience of caring, and the carers’ assessment process. This will influence the council's staff training and will inform how they undertake carers' assessments in the future.
For more information, email Engage.Adults@Barnet.gov.uk.
Watling Avenue Car Park redevelopment plans
The council want to hear about your views on redeveloping Watling Avenue Car Park. The plans include creating new homes and community facilities in Burnt Oak Town Centre.
The questionnaire closes 9 August 2024.
Feedback on footpath accessibility
The Barnet Loop by Barnet Council aims to connect Barnet for those who walk, cycle or wheel. You can use their interactive map to add comments and feedback on what is not accessible about local footpaths and pavements.
Closes: 30 August 2024.
They are also holding drop-in events this month:
- Monday 12 August, drop-in between 2pm and 6pm, at Hendon Library. (Access: Level access to enter and ground floor only).
Wednesday 28 August, drop-in between 2pm and 6pm, at Finchley Church End Library. (Access: Level access to enter, lift access to the basement level for events).
Barnet Council are proposing to change the way short breaks for Carers are paid for, this would be through a pre-paid card with a set amount each year. They would like to hear from families who may be impacted by this.
Share your experiences and how this change would impact your family.
Closes: 18 September 2024.
Burnt Oak Central Controlled Parking Zone
An Experimental Controlled Park Zone is being introduced in Burnt Oak Central and will operate from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6.30pm. Share your feedback on its effectiveness and your views.
Closes: 9 November 2024.
Burnt Oak North Controlled Park Zone extended
The Barnet Experimental Controlled Parking Zone is being extended and new measures are being proposed. Share your views to shape parking services and be a voice for accessibility.
Closes: 10 November 2024
South Mead/ Corner Mead Parking spaces consultation
New parking bays are being proposed in South Mead/ Corner Mead, to provide more parking spaces for residents in the area. Residents with CL2 permits and visitor vouchers will be eligible to park in the new parking areas, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Share your views.
Closes: 23 January 2025.
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
The planned closure of the Northern line between Golders Green and Edgware has been postponed and will now be closed for four days from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 September. The service will be running as usual outside of the closure, but will not be stopping at Colindale station.
Barnet Wheelchair Services update
Barnet Wheelchair Service is now run by Ross Care. They have started to contact all service users and those with a referral. Ross Care will be prioritising urgent referrals and those with the highest clinical needs. If you have any urgent issues or queries, you can contact Ross Care by email barnetwcs@rosscare.co.uk and phone 0208 090 3708. For more information, please read their press release.
Get Free Travel Support with East and North London Hubs. They offer free advice for Disabled people and older people to make traveling easier and help you stay connected with your community. Visit their website.
Befriending Service for people experiencing isolation or loneliness
Barnet Wellbeing’s Befriending Services matches adults, between the ages of 18-55, who feel lonely with friendly volunteers. It’s a great way to meet people, find support and find information about local activities.
Free prescriptions for care leavers
Care leavers in North Central London between the ages of 18-24 may be eligible for free Prepayment Certificate. You will need to contact your Personal Advisor to apply. Find out more on the Barnet Council website.
Childs Hill Library are hosting a drop-in session on Wednesday 14th August 3-4.30pm to provide free sim cards. Please see the poster details to check if you are eligible.
Hospital care for autistic people and people with Learning Disabilities
Barnet Mencap are holding an event for autistic people & people with a learning disability, their families & carers. The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust want to hear YOUR views about their services.
It‘s a chance for people to talk about hospital care for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, including admission, discharges, communication with the hospital, so it is a good chance for people to come and make their points.
Date: Thursday 12th September 2024
Time: 10am Doors open, 10.30am Event starts, 1.15pm Event finishes. Refreshments will be available.’
Location: Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, 2 Britannia Road, Finchley, London, N12 9RU. Access: There is step free entry and on site parking.
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
Be an Access Champion
Need to convince a venue to improve accessibility?
Attitude is Everything is a charity dedicated to making live entertainment accessible to all. They offer a comprehensive guide outlining the business, legal, and creative case for accessibility. Let their expertise help you make a strong case for change.
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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