beat: Bullying Survey

In aid of anti-bullying week beginning 14th November, Beat would like to know a bit about your experiences of bullying. If you could spare a few moments to answer the questions on their survey.

Lord Low: government should not remove DLA mobility benefit

Removing mobility benefits for disabled people living in residential care would be "a serious step backwards for disability rights", according to Lord Low's review of the issue.

The Welfare Reform Bill has proposed the government stop paying mobility benefits to 78,000 people currently living in residential care. It has already passed through the House of Commons and is currently being debated in the House of Lords.

Low's review, commissioned by disability charities Leonard Cheshire Disability and Mencap, concluded that the disability living allowance (DLA) mobility component, worth up to £50 per week, or its successor under personal independence payment (PIP), should be retained.

Full Article on Community Care

Lansley: Let patients register with GPs near their work

NHS patients in England will also be able to choose to register with a doctor near to their workplace or their children’s school to make services more convenient, in a plan to be tested next year.

The shake up is contained in the new GPs contract, which commits doctors to a pay freeze next year as the NHS faces a “difficult” financial climate.

The deal, agreed between the British Medical Asociation and the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, is intended to increase patients’ “choice” over how they use GP services.

Full Article on Telegraph

Carers Holidays - now open for booking!

Affordable mini-breaks

The Carers' Support Centre (formerly The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Bristol and South Glos) has launched its new holiday scheme. We are now taking bookings for holidays in luxury static caravans at two locations: the Cotswolds and Torbay in Devon. Whether you want a tranquil lakeside break in the country or a fun filled seaside holiday we are sure that you'll find something to suit your needs.

Discounted holiday rate for carers

Our holidays are designed for carers and their families; we recognise that carers need to take a short break from time to time. To be eligible for our discounted carers' rate you must be a carer providing unpaid support to a family member or friend who could not manage without you. There must be at least one carer per booking. You can book a carers' holiday either with or without the person you care for.
These holidays are provided by The Carers' Support Centre Bristol and South Gloucestershire. You don't have to be a local resident to use our holiday service, but we will give priority booking to local carers.
Any money generated through our holiday homes will go back to The Carers' Support Centre, which is a charity that provides a range of services to carers.


To book your holiday contact us:
tel: 0117 965 2365
email: info@carersholidays.org.uk
web: www.carersholidays.org.uk

EVENT: Wiltshire Farm Foods Community Information Fair & Lunch

Friday 11th November
Grassacres Hall
Eden Vale Road
Westbury BA13 3NZ

Lunches will be served between 12noon and 2pm.

Wiltshire Farm Foods would like to invite you to join them for a free two course lunch as part of a special community event.

The event will also feature an information fair involving a variety of displays from organisations and charities offering services, information and activites which will be of particular interest to older people. Similar events in other areas have been a great success giving everyone the opportunity to meet, get some really useful information and have a tasty lunch as well.

If you would like to attend, get in touch with Wiltshire Farm Foods to get hold of a booking form:


Telephone: 01225 776793

Winter weather alerts to be introduced to protect elderly

Winter weather alerts aimed at helping vulnerable people during cold snaps are to be introduced in England.

Agencies such as the NHS and social services will get the Met Office alerts and will then have to take action to ensure people are safe in their homes.

An estimated 27,000 extra people die every winter, a fifth more than during the summer.

Extra cash is also being used to help people keep homes warm, but some question whether this will be enough.

Watch the video report on BBC News

New NHS board will help patients 'shop around' for GP

The new NHS Commissioning Board, which is at the heart of the government's controversial NHS reforms in England, is due to start work.

The board, which will at first operate in a shadow form, will aim to help patients "shop around" and compare GPs.

It will take on the day-to-day running of the NHS, with a staff of around 3,500 and overall responsibility for NHS care worth £80bn.


Full Article on BBC News