Hello everyone! The next meeting will be here in the Seahorse Centre on Monday 27th October at 2.00 pm. As usual, sign the attendance book and if you visit The Seahorse Centre at other times sign in at Reception and wear a visitor badge. There is no smoking allowed inside or in the vicinity of the building.
Our address: The Seahorse Centre, Stephenson Road, Minehead, TA24 5EB
West Somerset Disability Association Trustees
Martin Greenwood; Peter and Heidi Morse; Sue Horne; Tim Poat; Terry Venner.
Transport
Dave Willett organises a taxi for partially-sighted people to come to the Monthly meetings. This must be booked with him. If you can’t make it, PLEASE RING HIM, to cancel it.
If you cannot access other transport you can register with Atwest community transport 01643 707090 and use the SLINKY bus to come to meetings. You must have a bus pass.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU!!! Transport queries about outings should be addressed to the Events Committee.
Useful Telephone Numbers
West Somerset Disability Association Committee Members
President: Jean Gilbert 01984 641197
Chairman: Gordon Wright 01643 862167
Vice Chairman: Mary Court 01643 702129
Secretary: Molly Newstead 01984 634739
Treasurer: David Kendall 01643 863505
Transport for the monthly WSDA meeting only:
David Willett 01643 708592
Members’ Representatives:
(Minutes) Marlene Saunders 01643 702972
(Welfare) Margaret Bruford 01984 656367
Events Committee:
Peter Kilner 01643 821464
Sylvia Griffiths 01643 704637
IT Tutor Chris Brinkman 01643 708025 Mobile 07971 285878
Seahorse Centre IT room 01643 702021 or 07971 285878 Messages (Reception) 01643 705000
E-mail: wsomersetdisability@tiscali.co.uk or wsomersetdisability@yahoo.co.uk
Web Site: www.westsomersetdisability.org.uk
Computers
The newsletter is also on our website with news of our activities and forthcoming events. Please tell us your e-mail if you have one, as an e-mailed newsletter is free but we must pay to post them. Help us to help you!
If you would like computer training, please let us know or talk to Chris our IT instructor. You must be a member of our association (£10.00 per annum) before you can have lessons, which cost £2.00 per hour. If anyone has a problem with their computer at home and would like help from Chris, he will tell the committee of the problem and they will then decide what to do.
Disability Advocacy Service
The service is provided by A4e. Contact Jackie Churchill at 07841250277. The A4e website is www.a4e.gov.uk. Their address is A4e, 2nd Floor, Victoria House, Victoria Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3JZ. The service will offer help if you need assistance with care arrangements, equipment, housing, blue badges, etc.
President’s Report
Hello everyone. Unbeknown to you this computer nearly went out the window!! It is old, and oh boy does it play up. Never mind, here I am.
I am sorry to have to report the death of two of our members.
Donald Parsons died last month. He and his wife Pat have been members of the WSDA for many years and he will be greatly missed. Our condolences go to Pat.
David Douglas died suddenly a few days ago. This was a shock to us and we send our condolences to Thelma and the family.
Now a change of date and venue for Xmas Lunch. The menu for Foxes Hotel, when it arrived was very plain, so we have made a decision to go for another venue. This wasn’t easy. First I had to get a bus, and with Xmas bookings already in place for so many groups it was difficult. However, cutting out all the nitty gritties we are now going to the Allerford Inn at Norton Fitzwarren on TUESDAY DECEMBER 16TH. Lunch will be at 1pm and the cost to members will be £10. We shall need to know what your choice of food is, as there is a big choice, and someone will come and speak to you or be in touch with you about what you have chosen, so it will be all booked. For those of you who would like the Carvery, Turkey or Beef, there will be assistance for you if you cannot get to the Carvery. The starter and main meal, other than the carvery, and sweet will be brought to you. Please, try and remember what you have ordered, BUT in case you don’t there will be a list to refer to.
I was to speak at the HOPE event October 8th at the Tithe Barn, Dunster, on the subject of discrimination and prejudice but because I have been poorly and the literature for speakers had to be printed I had to say no. Probably a lot of our group don’t even know about harassment or prejudice but believe me it’s around. There is plenty of evidence, which challenge us every day. Access and exit barriers, steps into banks and shops, dropped curbs, and a failure to meet a variety of impairment-related needs. We are very lucky in this area as we have good groups, which support us. If you need help you must learn to ask and ask nicely. Some barriers are obvious but others are more unexpected. If you have harassment please report it, as not doing so makes all the figures wrong and nobody knows. I could go on forever as it is a very diverse subject, but will stop now.
Thanks to Sam Rawle and Tim Bowen from the Council and Andy from the Waste Disposal Department for taking time out to come and talk to us on the disability issues you had.
Thanks to Ian Galloway for his efforts in getting another dropped kerb for wheelchair users in Minehead.
Jean
Chairman’s Thoughts
Another West Somerset Disability Association year draws to a close and as we prepare to vote for our new committee for the coming year it is perhaps the time to look back at what has happened over the last year. I know it has been a very eventful year for Una and myself with many major changes. I am aware that I have not been able to attend all the meetings of the group but thanks to the guidance and good offices of the rest of the committee the various meetings have all gone ahead, (I don’t think they missed me) as have the various outings and coffee mornings. Someone has always been prepared to stand in for me in my absence. I would like to extend to all the members of the committee both my and your grateful thanks for all their efforts on our behalf. The group is still enjoying a full and active programme thanks to our events committee and I hope that you all feel that you are getting all the support you need which is what the group was set up to achieve.
All best wishes
Gordon
Vice-Chairman’s Report
Hello Mary here
I would like to thank the speakers at the monthly meeting, who gave a very informative session about disability issues such as rubbish collections from the doorstep rather than the roadside. It makes life so much easier… The meeting seemed very interesting this time.
Condolences to Pat Parsons and Thelma Douglas on the deaths of Donald and David. They will be missed by us.
Please remember to fill in the voting forms and send them back in the envelopes provided or if you get the newsletter by e-mail, then e-mail the form back or print it and post it to:
Molly Newstead
6 Brook Road
Williton
TA4 4TE
Happy voting! See you at the AGM next month.
Mary
Treasurer’s Report
We collected £48.00 with the raffle and a member gave us £2.31 of loose change, which we put in the Almoner’s Fund. We had one new member this month as well.
David
Events’ Committee Report
Trips and Events for the rest of 2008
Saturday 4th October Bristol Hippodrome: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Tuesday 25th November Christmas Shopping at Clarks Village, Street
Tuesday 16th December: Christmas Lunch at the Allerford Inn at Norton Fitzwarren. Lunch will be at 1pm;the cost to members will be £10. Saturday 20th December One of Ireland’s favourite Singers, Curtis Magee, at the Royal Ordnance Factory Social Club, Puriton, near Bridgwater.
Announcements
Speakers at our monthly meetings:
October 27th: Barbara Mullen from Magna Housing, explaining all the services they offer.
November 24th: Roy, who is talking about hearing dogs for the deaf.
December: no meeting
Articles, letters and e-mails
Making Local Food Work
In these days of rising fuel prices and concerns about food security, Somerset is very fortunate to have won funding to wave the flag for local, sustainable food. A nation-wide project has been developed with partners passionate about good access to local, healthy food and the Big Lottery Changing Spaces fund will be investing £10m over the next 5 years.
Reconnecting people and land through local food is the primary aim of this programme and in Somerset work is focussed on supporting the wide range of flourishing food co-ops across the county, learning from their experience and sharing it with the rest of the country.
So what exactly is a food co-op? In essence it’s where people come together to use their collective purchasing power to buy local food, often in places where local food is just not easy to find anymore or to proactively support local producers or to achieve economies of scale. They are usually run in a ‘not for private profit’ way by volunteers based in community centres, family centres, schools, workplaces or from a member’s front room or garage!
The idea is that you regularly order a weekly bag or box of lovely fresh seasonal local produce, which is delivered to a convenient location near you. Both you and the food get to minimise the distance needed to travel, saving on fuel costs. The result: maximum freshness, less carbon emissions, shorter and more secure supply chains, direct income for the producer plus new friendships and experiences into the bargain.
If you’d like to know where your nearest food co-op is or you’d like advice on how to set one up in your street, village, local community centre, school or workplace get in touch with either Linda or Caroline at Somerset Community Food on 01458 832983 or visit www.somersetcommunityfood.org.uk
caroline.lewis@communityfood.plus.net
linda.hull@communityfood.plus.net
“More over 50s than anywhere else in country”
A new study reveals the district will have more people aged 50 or over than anywhere else in the country by next year.
West Somerset Free Press, 18th July 2008
Come along to a workshop about…
Ageing Well in West Somerset
9.30 – 15.30
Thursday 9th October 2008
Halsway Manor
Join us to discuss issues that will affect people aged 50 and over, including what you can do for us, and what we have to offer you.
Who should attend?
Anyone who is over 50 or is closely involved with the issues that affect people over the age of 50 and is living in West Somerset.
How do I register for the event?
If you would like to join us, please call 01984 635208 or email ageingwell@westsomerset.gov.uk. If you need transport to and from Halsway Manor, we can assist you with arranging this – just ask.
Supported by Somerset County Council, Avon and Somerset Police, West Somerset Strategic Partnership, Somerset NHS, Magna Housing and West Somerset Council
World Sight Day and a new card program for visually impaired people
Thursday 9th October is World Sight Day, which is this year dedicated to raising awareness of visual loss amongst older people. To coincide with this awareness-raising event a visually impaired couple are launching an innovative venture which hopes in some way to help partially sighted older people and younger ones too! Jim and Linda Lawson, who have a considerable experience between them of visual impairment and older people, are launching Easy2C, a company producing a very different type of greetings card which is as it says on the tin easy to see for anyone with sight loss who can still read a little large print. Both the artwork and print size have been carefully designed to match the needs of those losing vision and those with conditions such as Macular Degeneration or Glaucoma.
The card designs are produced by a visually impaired artist qualified to degree level, Rachel Duerden, and the paper, envelopes and inserts are made from managed forests, thus environmentally friendly. 5% of the profits will go back to charities supporting and selling their work, commencing with Henshaws Society for Blind People who have very kindly offered their knowledge and assistance to get the venture off the ground and host the points of sale for Jim and Linda.
Easy 2C was created because so many people receive cards they cannot read and often have to ask others to read them for them or just guess the name of the sender. It is sad to think that you could be sending a card that they cannot read to struggle to do so. Of those who have seen these new cards, the reaction has been fantastic. The greetings can be tailor made for different occasions as well as buying the standard greetings off the shelf at £2.00 per card.
The ageing population of this country will see an increase in eye problems as we are all living longer yet using our eyes as much if not more. There are now over 2.5 million visually impaired people of whom we are aware in this country and a lot are elderly…
For further information contact Easy2C on 01704 573199 or Henshaws in Liverpool on 0151 227 1226.
Handy Numbers
A4e Disability Advocate: Jackie Churchill 07841 250277 www.a4e.co.uk
Age Concern Information Line 0800 00 99 66 www.ageconcern.org.uk
Arthritis Care 0808 800 4050 www.arthritiscare.org.uk
A Taste of Exmoor: Home cooked food delivered to your door! 01643 709856 or 07919 816197
AT West Community Transport 01643 709701
Blue Badge (Disabled Parking Scheme) 0845 3459133 or 01823 335285. Renewals at 01278 437255
Breast Cancer Care 0808 800 6000 www.breastcancercare.org.uk
CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) Minehead 01643 707484
Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 167 1677 www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Depression Alliance 0845 123 2320 www.depressionalliance.org
Diabetes UK 0845 120 2960 www.diabetes.org.uk
Free Directory Enquiries (with adverts) 0800 100 100
Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 www.helptheaged.org.uk
Hospital Transport 01278 727444
NHS Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
MIND (National Association for Mental Health) 01643 708 765 deborah.melmoth@mindinwestsomerset.org.uk
Open DAWS (Cathy McGill) 01643 821112
PALS (Patient Advisory and Liaison Service) Ruby Haq 01278 437013 www.somerset.nhs.uk/pals
Piper Lifeline (Cynthia Lewis) 01643 709234
Prestige Mobility (Customer Focus Team) 0970 787 1975 www.prestigemobility.com
Samaritans 08457 09090 www.samaritans.org.uk
Sky Helpline for the Disabled 08442 410333
Somerset Association for the Blind 01823 333818 www.sab-fund.org.uk
Stroke Association 0845 303 3100 www.stroke.org.uk
Talking Newspapers 01984 640 471
West Somerset Advice Bureau (similar to a Citizens’ Advice Bureau) 01643 704624
Winter Warmth Helpline 0800 085 700 www.dh.gov.uk
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be in the Seahorse Centre on Monday 27th October at 2.00 pm.
