West Somerset
Disability Association

Hello everyone! 
The next meeting is in the Seahorse Centre on Monday 25th January, 2010 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:
Chairman: Terry Venner,
Martin Greenwood, Peter Hughes, Peter and Heidi Morse, Susan Horne.

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
Chairman:  David Kendall  01643 863505
Secretary            Margaret Bruford    01984 656367
Accts/Treasurer: Molly Newstead  01984 634739

Transport for the monthly WSDA meeting only:
   David Willett  01643 708592

Events Committee:
   Shirley Williams  01984 632265
   Sandra Kendall  01643 863505

IT Tutor:   Chris Brinkman  Mob 07955 486105
Seahorse Centre : IT room   01643 702021 or 07955 486105
(Monday and Tuesday mornings, all day Wednesday and Thursday)  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!
There is no further news about the future of computer training at the IT centre so presumably it will continue for a few weeks more until the end of March.  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, payable monthly in advance and non-refundable.  There are regular classes on Wednesday mornings, Thursday mornings and Thursday afternoons.
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. 

Chairman’s Report
Hi Everyone
For those of you that did not make the last meeting (30th November) we had Tom Bown from the council as our main speaker, and as usual he has taken away with him lots of your queries and will come back to us later next year. Also we had three people from A4e who sat in on the meeting and made themselves available to anyone, so many thanks to all. They have asked if they can come back next year to be a speaker so we will book then for later.  If there is any person or organization that you would like to have as a speaker next year please let me know and I will do my best to get them to come along.
Well it is that time of year again when we have to get the address book out and start to write all those Christmas cards out and to get some extra food and drink in for Christmas. So from the committee and me we wish you all a very happy and stress free Christmas. I look forward in seeing all of you at the next meeting on Monday 25th January.
 A very merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all
David Kendall
davidalbertkendall@yahoo.co.uk

Treasurer’s Report
The raffle raised £26.00 and we collected £3.90 for the Almoner’s Fund at the November meeting.  Thank you, everyone.

The Events’ Committee:
Sandra Kendall 01643 863505, Shirley Williams 01984 632265.
The trip to Cribbs Causeway went very well even though it was a very wet day.  Unfortunately the Christmas decorations were not up in most places, M & S being the exception, they were very pretty.  Some of us had lunch in John Lewis and found that they could not have been more helpful – three of us on Buggies. 
We discovered that the Buggies borrowed from Mobility were free so that was an added bonus.  Perhaps next time we have an outing we will get more support. 

Future events
Thursday 18th February 2010
Ice show at West Point, near Exeter, when we shall be joining Arthritis Care and sharing the coach with them.  Ridlers Coaches will supply the transport, so a few buggies or wheelchairs will be able to be taken.  The cost will be £22.00 all inclusive but members of the group will be able to go for £11.00

Articles, letters and e-mails
From Mary Court
Sorry I was not at the November meeting, but I was unwell.  I wish all my friends at the WSDA a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stroke Advice (Red Cross leaflet)
Suspect a stroke?  Act FAST!!  Call 999
A stroke, or brain attack, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.  Strokes are the third most common cause of death in the UK and leave many with a long-term disability.
When dealing with a stroke, speed is of the essence.  The earlier the casualty receives treatment, the better.
If you suspected someone was suffering from a stroke, what would you do?
Stroke symptoms
· Facial weakness; drooping eyes/mouth
· Weakness in one arm
· Slurred speech
· Dizziness, blurred vision
· Sudden confusion
If you suspect a person has had a stroke, use the FAST (Face-Arm-Speech-Test) guide:
F – Facial weakness: the person is unable to smile and their eye and/or mouth is droopy
A – Arm weakness: the person is only able to raise one arm
S – Speech problems: the person is unable to speak clearly or can’t understand the spoken word
T – Test the signs and call 999 for emergency help if you suspect the person has had a stroke
Treatment for a stroke
Keep comfortable
Reassure and monitor and record vital signs – level of response
Check breathing and pulse until help arrives
Do not give anything to eat or drink
If casualty loses consciousness: open airway, check breathing
Be prepared to give CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation)
EQUIPMENT TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
The Red Cross also provide other services, such as the loan of medical equipment but do remember that these services are not free. Telephone No. 0845 331 3331. 
CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES They will also provide transport to hospital and will wait for you while you attend your appointment.
Or they will supply support to you home from hospital and make sure you are settled and comfortable. Support and help rebuild confidence.  Shopping & escort shopping.  Make support visits. Collect prescriptions and pensions. Sit with you if your carer needs to go out.  Companionship These latter services are free of charge, but they would be very pleased with a donation.

For Sale
Self-propelling wheelchair for sale.  Immaculate condition.  £100.00 o.n.o.  Contact Judith on 01643 862185
BigKeys computer keyboard, (black letters on a white background.  Ring WSDA on 01643 702021.

RNIB
RNIB has teamed up with British Gas on a scheme to help blind and partially sighted people this winter.  British Gas has relaunched their Essentials Programme which is aimed at providing extra help to older people and those with a disability.  If you are a British Gas customer and claiming Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, or over 70 years old and claiming Pension Credit, then you may be eligible.
Through the Essentials scheme British Gas offers a range of free products and services to customers with sight difficulties, including free home insulation, advice on reducing your energy bills, appliance adaptors, an annual free gas safety check, a password scheme to provide reassurance that British Gas callers are genuine and bills in large print, audio and Braille.
RNIB is one of the charities working with British Gas on the Essentials scheme and can provide extra help to people with sight loss.  For example, RNIB can supply some everyday living products free of charge, such as a big button telephone, a talking watch or clock, extra lighting and kitchen equipment to help make cooking easier.  To receive the free RNIB productas you will need to be assessed first by British Gas who will let you know if you qualify for the Essentials scheme.
RNIB can also give advice and support on issues such as welfare benefits, eye health, emotional support, reading, social activities and local sources of support.
To find out more about the Essentials scheme, contact RNIB on 0845 3304897 or email rnibhelp-project@rnib.org.uk

Handy Numbers
There is one new organisation listed this month.  It is LINks ‘Your voice on local health and social care’.
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
Compass Disability Advocacy Service 0330 333 0089 (or 0844 984 2828) www.compassdisability.org.uk
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
Engage CVS (CVS and Volunteer Centre) 01643 707123 www.engagews.org.uk
Free Directory Enquiries (with adverts) 0800 100 100
Help the Aged 0808 800 6565 www.helptheaged.org.uk
Hospital Transport 01278 727444
Independent Living (Disability and Mobility Aids) 01643 709000
LINks ‘Your voice on local health and social care’ 0300 111 0102 www.makesachange.org.uk
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
Prestige Mobility (Customer Focus Team) 0970 787 1975 www.prestigemobility.com
Samaritans 08457 909090 www.samaritans.org.uk
Sky Helpline for the Disabled 08442 410333
Somerset Association for the Blind 01823 333818 www.somersetblind.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 25th January 2010 at 2.00.  See you all there.