West Somerset
Disability Association

Hello everyone! 
The next meeting is in the Seahorse Centre on Monday 26th October 2009 at 2.00 pm.  There should be the Annual General Meeting and election of a new committee.  There are so many changes afoot, that who knows what will happen.  This is just what should happen.  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 Hughes; Peter and Heidi Morse; 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:  Vacant
Chairman:  David Kendall  01643 863505
Vice Chairman: Vacant
Secretary:  Vacant
Accts/Treasurer: Molly Newstead  01984 634739
Transport for the monthly WSDA meeting only:
   David Willett  01643 708592
Welfare:  Margaret Bruford  01984 656367

Events Committee:
   Shirley Williams  01984 632265
   Sandra Kendall  01643 863505
   Peter Kilner  01643 821464

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.  For the computer literate among you, our Facebook group now has ten members.  If you want to see the group page log into Facebook (www.facebook.com), type WSDA into the search box and there it is.  If you are not a member of Facebook, then you will have to register first.  If you want to join but are not sure how then ask Chris or Mary for details.  Phone numbers are given above.
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 £10.00 per month, payable 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. 

Changes at the WSDA
Following a committee meeting held in the middle of September Jean Gilbert, our President for the last few years, resigned with immediate effect.  Mary Court, the Vice-Chairman, carried on until the meeting at the end of September and then resigned.  As far as I know, two other officers are considering their positions at the moment.
At the committee meeting, the decision was taken to discontinue the computer classes after the end of March next year, on the grounds of cost.  One grant for £2,000 was turned down and an application for a grant of up to £7,000 was not proceeded with.  It seems that there may be more than just money involved here.
A new computer class was organised for more advanced learners (last May) and the learners use the computer room here in the Seahorse Centre, paying an Adult Skills and Learning tutor directly.  The WSDA derives no benefit from these classes, though they use our computers, ink and paper.  The students whom I teach contribute to running costs.  WSDA members pay £2.00 per hour, which raised over £1,000 last year and has raised over £750 so far this year.  The Seahorse Centre contributes paper and ink as needed, for the Seahorse learners.
So, as things stand at the moment, half of the committee have resigned and there are not enough committee members left to make a quorum and hold another meeting.  The WSDA computer classes will stop next year and the Adult Skills and Learning class on Friday may or may not continue….
Watch this space.
Chris Brinkman, IT tutor and (unofficial) editor of the newsletter. 

President’s Report
Dear Friends
It is time for me to retire.  Everyone including all the Trustees and agencies have been a real pleasure to work with and I thank them for all their support.  Good luck to the group.
Jean Gilbert

Chairman’s Report
Hello all.
Sorry that I was not at the last meeting, but we were away on Holiday, Well what a time to be away. As most of you will by now know that our President Jean Gilbert has retired due to the pressure, as many of you know she has been poorly for some time and now feels that she should start to take things easy, so I am sure that I say this on behalf of every body in our association we wish you well and thanks for all that you have done for us. Also Mary Court and Marlene Saunders have also resigned from the committee but not from the association so hopefully we will still see them at our meetings. This will not mean the end of the association and when you get to the events you will see that we will be going to Cribbs Causeway and are still taking names for that and the Christmas dinner so please put your name down. I look forward in seeing you at the next meeting.

David Kendall
davidalbertkendall@yahoo.co.uk

Vice Chairman’s Report
To the members
I have resigned as you know from the committee but I am at present staying on as a member.
Mary

Treasurer’s Report
The raffle.  I have no information about how much was collected at the raffle at the September meeting.  Sorry.

Events’ Committee Report

The Events’ Committee:
Sandra Kendall 01643 863505, Shirley Williams 01984 632265 and Peter Kilner 01643 821464
Forthcoming Trips and Events:
Tuesday November 10th: Cribbs Causeway shopping centre, Bristol, leaving Porlock at 9.00am and picking up on the main road to Williton.  Anyone needing scooters and wishing to book, please contact Margaret Bruford.
Friday December 4th: Christmas Lunch at the Wyndham Arms, Williton at 12.00 noon.  £10.00 per person.

Articles, letters and e-mails

Stoke Advice
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)

(Red Cross leaflet, left by the speaker at our September meeting)

Judith O’Brien sent us pictures of her cat:
To all cat lovers everywhere – an autumn smile!

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.

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
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
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 26th October 2009 at 2.00.  See you all there.