Chief Executive s Message

Transcription

1 The EBS Newsletter 02/2016 Chief Executive s Message We have a very full ViewPoint for this edition. Because of space we have edited down some of the articles, so please ask us for more details if you aren t sure. With summer on its way, we have included some information about the Disabled Persons Bus Pass, a Journey Assistance Card and Companion Passes, all designed to make travelling about a little easier. There is information about the Polyphony Concert on May 27th and the Open Day on July 21st. Please put these dates on your handy EBS calendars and plan to come along if you are able. We have also included a lovely poem, popped anonymously into our letterbox, which we found very encouraging. Thank you, whoever you are! We wish you all a very happy summer with, hopefully, some warmth to cheer us all. Deirdre. Friday 27th May Concert at 7.45pm in aid of EBS Global Polyphony & The World In Song All Saints Chapel Meads. Choir concert tickets 5.50 available in advance from the office on the door. -Page 1 -

2 Open Day We are holding a reduced Open Day again this year in the morning on Thursday 21st July. Dolphin Computer Access, Enhanced Vision and Calibre are the main exhibitors. We hope to also have some of the local service providers in attendance as we have had in the past. Flier is attached with details. E B S This is a unique charity Eastbourne Blind Society A place we can find support and care Meeting friends who also share Experience of solitary life out there EBS really is salvation especially from fear of isolation Just ask yourself, YES, ask yourself, how would life be Without Eastbourne Blind Society. A very grateful member Silver Line Helpline The Silver Line is the confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year. The specially trained helpline staff: Offer information, friendship and advice Link callers to local groups and services Offer regular befriending calls Protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect. Helpline Page 2 -

3 Health Complaints Advocacy service / seap Advocacy Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that provides free independent advocacy services to help resolve issues, or concerns you may have about your health and well-being or your health and social care services, including services from the NHS. Their aim is to ensure that: You are in control of decisions which are made about you. Your experiences, views, wishes and feelings are heard. You can contribute to improving the health and care services you use. You can contact your local team by calling the central number Disabled Person s Bus Pass Eligible disabled people are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses throughout England. You will need a bus pass, which must be shown to the bus driver on each journey. Who is eligible for a disabled person's bus pass? You're eligible for a disabled person's pass if you live in England with qualifying disabilities and you are of fare paying age (from age 5). Eligibility is not based on the level of benefits paid to you. The disability should have a substantial effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities and must: be permanent, or have lasted at least 12 months, or -Page 3 -

4 be likely to last at least 12 months, or be likely to recur To apply you will need the following: proof of your disability (blue badge issued after 1 January 2012, or a certificate of visual impairment, or a signed letter from a consultant ophthalmologist stating your eligibility for registration) also proof of your address and a photograph of you. Please send photocopies only. East Sussex County Council cannot accept any responsibility for items that are mislaid in the post. No documentation will be returned. Companion passes If you are disabled and need help to travel, you can apply for a companion pass which allows someone to travel with you free of charge. A specialist's opinion (someone independent who understands your medical condition) on travel arrangements would be taken into consideration when the application is being assessed. Please submit this in addition to your evidence of disability. You do not have to always travel with a companion. You may not be able to use the companion element (if applicable) of a Companion pass outside of East Sussex. If you have a question, please speak to their information centre: phone (local rate) concessionarytravel@eastsussex.gov.uk -Page 4 -

5 Journey Assistance Card The Journey Assistance Card concept has been specifically developed to help passengers with hidden disabilities use public transport with confidence and remove. the potential conflict or upset situations that can occur on boarding a bus. On boarding the bus present the card to the driver indicating a request for specific assistance. The passenger should know that they will be able to carry a Journey Assistance Card in the knowledge that it will be accepted and that they will receive assistance from all drivers, regardless of the operator or the bus service. These cards are not permit to travel. They are an aid to assist the journey. We have produced one for the society and you can obtain one by contacting the office. An example is shown below. Please Be Patient I am Visually Impaired Eastbourne Blind Society -Page 5 -

6 Carers Card What is the Carers Card? Care for the Carers is delighted to offer the Carers Card. Funded by East Sussex County Council and the NHS, this new multi-use card builds on existing services: the Carers Emergency Alert Card, CRESS and the Carers Discount Card. If you already have any of these cards don t worry, you can continue to use your existing card. Carry the card in your wallet to notify emergency services that you are a carer. Notify the emergency services that you have a backup care plan through the Carers Respite Emergency Support Scheme (CRESS) There is a directory of the businesses taking part in this scheme and participating businesses may display a Carers Card sticker in their window. Get savings, discounts and special offers at retail and leisure venues across East Sussex. All three services have now come together to form the Carers Card, so that you no longer have to carry more than one card. You can access the card and set up a CRESS backup plan through Care for the Carers. If you are an unpaid carer, live within East Sussex, and would like to receive your Carers Card or you would like to make a suggestion of businesses that you feel would be beneficial on the directory, please call Page 6 -

7 NHS Accessible Standard By July 2016, the new NHS Accessible Standard comes into force. The new standard means that all healthcare providers must provide information in a format their patient can read. We have a recognised template that will assist you to register your needs with your GP Surgery, Dentist and Hospital. In order to benefit from this new NHS standard as soon as possible register soon. Contact the EBS if you would like a template or speak to your surgery. Please can we make a SPECIAL REMINDER that David does not work on Mondays or Wednesdays. You will not be able to see him or speak to him on those days. To save your time, and ours, please do not try to reach the Resource Officer on these days. -Page 7 -

8 Free Will Writing Service Making A Will When planning for the future, making a Will is often something which people put off and for obvious reasons! But making a Will is an important and relatively straight forward process. Once completed, your Will ensures that your estate is administered by a person of your choice, your assets are directed to those people (or charities) that you wish to benefit and can set out your wishes for the care of any minor children or dependents. Around 25% of deaths each year result in an intestacy (ie. an estate with no valid Will in place. Making a Will stops your beneficiaries joining this number and ensures your wishes are carried out. I am pleased to be working with Eastbourne Blind Society to provide free Will writing surgeries based at the Centre on a monthly basis. Appointments can be arranged through the Centre. I look forward to meeting you. Claire Burgum Solicitor, Cornfield Law LLP Cornfield Law are providing a free will writing service at the centre on the 17th May and 21st June between 2.00 and 4.00pm. Appointments must be made by ringing the office on or by speaking to your welfare officer. -Page 8 -

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13 Please detach this for ready information Resource Centre Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays Benefits Surgery Wednesday, am to noon. Contacting the Centre Telephone calls to the centre can only be answered during opening hours so please don t ring out of those hours or you will be disappointed. EBS phone number is A reminder of our Opening Hours. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00 to 4.00 Wednesday 9.00 to 1.00 Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays Closed Disclaimer Any items mentioned in this newsletter are for information purposes and their inclusion does not imply their suitability for anyone. -Page 9 - Edited by Deirdre Dean and David Dick