October-November Newsletter In Full

Do you want to improve the quality of life of people with learning disabilities ?

We are looking for a Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for the Leeds Learning Disability Partnership Board.

Are you:

• A person who is committed to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities in Leeds?

We think People with a learning disability living in Leeds should be supported in having a lifestyle which offers the same opportunities as any other adult in the local community.

Interested?

To get an application form and find out more information please contact:

Janet Wright or Louise Mills
Joint Commissioning Service for People with Learning Disabilities
79 Roundhay Road
Leeds
LS7 4AA.

Or you can call  247 8894

The closing date for completed application forms is Friday 22 October 2004

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Interview with Chris Passey about Direct Payments

By Philip Hawley
Question 1: What do you use your direct payment for?

I use my direct payment to employ Jennifer. She is my support worker for 15 hours a week.

We do all sorts of things, like go into town, bowling, going to bingo and going to my local club on Saturday nights

On Tuesday morning Jenny comes with me to Belle Isle Foundation, where I do a money skills course. Different people can use direct payments in different ways.

Question 2: What made you decide to use direct payments and why?

I don't like going to a day centre all the time. I have some good friends there, but there wasn't enough for me to do. I've already done all the college courses that are interesting and there wasn't anything left for me to learn. Now I have direct payments I just go to the centre on Wednesday mornings and do other things the rest of the week.

Question 3: How do you feel about direct payments?

I think they are good. They give me a choice. It helps me to do something different. With direct payments, if you want to do something, you do it.

Question 4: How did you go about finding your support worker?

We found Jenny by word of mouth. We had already met and knew each other.

Question 5: What are the good things and bad things about your support worker?

She understands me and what I try to do. We have some of the same interests and tastes. We can talk about films and the latest music. She doesn't mind going to bingo with me. Jenny is good because she can work flexible times. The bad side about having a support worker is when she has to go home.

Question 6: Are there any bad things about direct payments?

Pat, Chris' Mum: Direct payments expects a lot from a carer. I employ Jennifer on Chris' behalf and it can take up quite a bit of time to sort out. It also took a long time to set up. Direct payments just show how much carers are expected to do for free and how badly treated we are. I do what paid people do, but for free.

Question 7: If you could change anything about direct payments what would you change?

Pat: I would like to be able to pay the support worker for a few more hours a week so they can sort the direct payments things out. I lose a morning a month having to travel into town to sort out the direct payments.

Question 8: Would you recommend direct payments to somebody?

Chris: We already recommend direct payments to friends. It gives me more control over my life.

Pat: Direct payments means that people aren't stuck in with their parents all weekend. It means people can have their own life and do their own thing.

If you would like more information on Direct Payments contact
Elizabeth at Real Life Options on  263 9544 or
Leeds Centre for Integrated Living on  214 3595.

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Report from the Learning Disability Reference Group Meeting.

The meeting started with Jon Rudette and Karina Jenkins giving a report about what happened at the last Partnership Board meeting.

We then split up into groups and asked people to think about what things they would like to say to the Partnership Board.

Everyone then found out about the Task Groups, which work on behalf of the Partnership Board. This is another way people can get involved and speak up.

People interested in the Task Groups put their names down. The User Involvement Project will work with the Task Groups so they can get involved.

For more information about the Reference Group contact Les France at the User involvement Project on  244 0606

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Can you vote?

Voting is an important way of showing what you think about things that are happening. Voting in elections is how we choose who we want to make decisions and do things on our behalf. You can vote in different elections for the Council, the Government or elections about the European Union.

Anyone over 18 can vote, but you have to put your name and address on a voting list, or register, to do this.

If you would like to add your name to the register, so you can vote in elections, contact the Registrations and Elections office on
 247 6726.

They will send you a form. The form is also available in other languages, Braille, large print and on tape.

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Getting About and Doing Your Own Thing

Paul Thomas has recently moved on from the Next Step course at the Inclusive Learning Service based at West Leeds Family Learning Centre.

When he was on the course Paul followed a 1-to-1 travel programme and learnt to travel from home on his local bus to several places in Leeds.

Paul said "I'm doing well. I go to Leeds, Pudsey and Armley on my own. I like it because I go shopping by myself and go for a drink in a cafe. I'm hoping to meet friends in Leeds in the future. It's given me freedom and confidence to do things on my own."

For more information about the Next Step Course call the Inclusive Learning Service on  203 8775.

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"Up for it!"

Helping people with learning disabilities get the life they want.

Connect In The North are running a 5-day training course for people to become volunteer person centred planners.

This is on 17 to 19 November and 16 to 17 December.

To do this you need to be creative, enthusiastic and passionate about helping people with learning disabilities get the same chances in life as anyone else. You do not need to have experience of working with people with learning disabilities but you must be confident and good with people.

After the course, you will work alongside another planner, someone with learning disabilities and their family and friends. You will help bring about the changes the person with learning disabilities wants to make in their life. You will have ongoing support from other planners and further training opportunities from Connect in the North.

If you are interested to find out more call Connect In The North on  270 3233.

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Meeting for Leeds Mental Health Learning Disability Services

Leeds Mental Health is organising a big meeting for the people who use its Learning Disability Services.

The meeting will be a chance for people to hear about how they can have more of a say in the services they receive.

The meeting will take place on Thursday November 11th at the St Matthias Centre in Burley.

If you would be interested in coming, or would like more information please contact John Burley on  305 5047

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Discovery Weeks - choices for lone parents.

Five events across Leeds are planned to help lone parents find out about their future choices for work. The Discovery Weeks are happening Family Learning Centres (or FLCs) across Leeds:

• 25 to 29 October at West Leeds FLC (Hollybush)
• 15 to 19 November at East Leeds FLC, LS14
• 6 to 10 December at Technorth FLC

Discovery Weeks give lone parents a chance to think about their existing skills and future work and training opportunities. Advisors can help parents develop an action plan towards their career goals. Free childcare, travel expenses and shopping vouchers or lunch will be provided.

For more information about the weeks telephone Sacha on  2243680 or Thuja on  07930 698869.

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Shine Night

Sunday 7th November
Walkabout Bar, Cookridge Street
7pm to 11pm
Tickets cost £6 in advance and £8 on the night.

Shine is a night of music and fun for adults with learning disabilities, their carers and support workers.

The evening includes a quiz, sing-alongs and karaoke. It Includes the Shine Like A Star competition. Three singers with learning disabilities will be chosen before the night, and the audience then picks the Pop Star of the Night.

For more information, or to book tickets call High Spirits Entertainment on  0783 595 2956.

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Volunteer supporters at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College has many part-time courses for people with learning disabilities. These include arts and crafts, computing, maths and English. The college is looking for people who can spend 2 hours a week to support people on these courses.

If you would like more information contact Pam Exley on 2432210.

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