Big Cuts EVENTS

Do you have a learning disability, or care for someone who does? Are you worried about cuts to services?

From January to March 2012, Mencap will hold a series of events to tell people about cuts happening in their area, and to explore ways we can fight them together.


The Big Cuts events will highlight a range of services being cut across the country, and show how these cuts are affecting people with a learning disability and their families. If you are worried about how the cuts could change the help, support and benefits you get, come along to one of the Big Cuts events.

Join the fight against cuts!

• Find out about cuts that might affect you.
• Find out how to protect learning disability services and keep the support you need.
• Get together with other people with the same concerns.

There are sixteen events around the country between January and March 2012.

• 26 January - London
• 23 February - Pity Me, Durham
• 29 February - Angmering, West Sussex
• 2 March - Walsall, West Midlands
• 3 March - Leeds, West Yorkshire
• 7 March - Braintree, Essex
• 9 March - Liverpool, Merseyside
• 10 March - Bristol
• 15 March - Dorchester, Dorset
• 17 March - Redhill, Surrey
• 20 March - Altrincham, Cheshire
• 20 March - Lewisham, London
• 26 March - London
• 27 March - Worksop, Nottinghamshire
• 29 March - Downley, Buckinghamshire
• 31 March - Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Book a Place

The events are free to attend. To book your place now at one of the events please download the booking form and email it to Wendy Mobbs.
Email: wendy.mobbs@mencap.org.uk
Telephone: 01905 740500

NHS must spend more on adult social care, say MPs

The NHS should spend more on adult social care to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of support for older and disabled people, MPs said today.

A government mandated transfer of £648m from primary care trusts to councils had been effective in boosting funding on adult social care, said a report from the health select committee.

Similar annual transfers are due from 2012-15, alongside further NHS spending on reablement social care services. However, the total spend - about £1bn a year - is just 1% of annual NHS funding, the MPs added.

Full Article on Community Care

Health reform in new crisis at MPs savage Andrew Lansley's plans

Andrew Lansley's health reforms face a fresh crisis as a powerful committee of MPs says the changes are obstructing efforts to make the NHS more efficient and that they fail to address the most urgent health challenge of modern times – how to care better for an expanding elderly population.

A highly critical report by the cross-party select committee on health, due to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday, comes as the medical establishment prepares to stage its own summit on Thursday to discuss concerns over the health and social care bill. The report, a late draft of which has been seen by the Observer, will cause alarm in Downing Street as it is the work of a committee with a Tory and Liberal Democrat majority and is chaired by Stephen Dorrell, a former Conservative health secretary.

Full Article on Guardian

EVENT: Inspiration 4 Ability

 

Inspiration 4 Ability, in association with Able Magazine, is a new national event in the South West for people living with disabilities, their carers, families and health professionals.

There are many shows and exhibitions that focus on helping people with disabilities with day-to-day living but this event is about inspiring full and active living, with an exciting programme of speakers and performers.

Alongside Channel 4’s Katie Piper is Falklands Hero Simon Weston OBE and three times Gold Medalist Peter Hull. Liverpool comedian Laurence Clark will be performing his show “Health Hazard” that wowed packed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Lap slide guitar and singer/songwriter Tom Doughty is to speak and perform as well as Deaf Men Dancing, plus local groups Concordes Wheelchair dancers and Misfit Theatre. Many living with disabilities find doing art or engaging in performance a real liberation as Ruth Gould the CEO of Dada (Disability and Deaf Arts) will share. In addition a representative from WECIL will be speaking about the changes to benefits, alongside the latest news from health professionals. Ambassadors from Help for Heroes and a Military band will be opening the event on Friday morning. Formula One Experience who have an adapted formula one car simulation. There is also a fantastic chance to win a life-changing trip on a tall ship, courtesy of the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Bristol’s UWE Exhibition and Conference is great venue, loads of parking and facilities and has good access off the M4 and M5.

Register free online at http://www.inspiration4ability.co.uk/