Disability Assist

Fantastic opportunity for a person who is sight impaired...apply by Monday 5th August.

We are recruiting a paid Research and Project Intern to join our team for nine months. This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010.

As Research and Project Intern, you would be responsible for undertaking research and evaluation under the guidance of the Senior Management Team and provide general support to our current projects, including our Mobile Sight Centre (Iris). The ideal candidate will be a competent IT user, have a willingness to travel, and have knowledge or experience of some/all the following sectors – Voluntary and Community, Health and Social Care, Training and Education. Full details can be viewed on our website (which include an application pack): https://www.kab.org.uk/who-we-are/current-vacancies

- Contract type: Fixed Term – 9 months.
- Hours of work: 35 hours per week.
- Salary: Based on the Real Living Wage
- Location: Hybrid, at least 3 days in the office (Maidstone, Kent) with the possible opportunity to also work from other sites in Canterbury or Bromley, or from home, by agreement.

Pocklington Trust and are collaborating with organisations from both the sight loss and wider charity sector as well as corporate organisations to create new opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment through the Get Set Progress Internship programme. KAB is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.

Apply now!
If you wish to discuss this position further please contact April Smith, HR Officer at [email protected] Or apply by downloading our application pack: https://www.kab.org.uk/who-we-are/current-vacancies

Information sharing only….The 3H Foundation help families with a disabled family member to have a holiday in the UK by awarding a modest grant. These holiday grants enable people to have a break away even if for only a few days.

Carers are able to apply for a carer grant enabling them to have a period of respite away without their cared for giving them a bit of ‘me’ time to recharge. They currently have funding available for Kent residents. All applications and enquiries need to be completed through their website https://the3hfoundation.org.uk/holiday-grants/

Each week we team up with wild_with_wheels who organise inclusive nature walks for those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. These walks are a safe way for you to Get Out and Get Active in places you wouldn't usually visit!

Early Autumn walks starting Wednesday 4th September
Who can join our free walks?

We welcome adults and children who are wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Our nature walks are also suitable for people with mobility limitations , chronic illnesses & hidden disabilities, hearing/sight impairments, neurodiverse/learning disabilities.

Wild with Wheels offer 1:1 or 2:1 support for people with higher needs and we understand that our participants have varied needs and restrictions. So we offer a bespoke service to ensure that we cater for everyone.

The GOGA in Action project has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to support, promote and improve physical and mental wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem while developing a variety of opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to be active together.

For more information please email: [email protected] call: 0333 3660 661 or visit our website:
https://yourleisure.uk.com/goga-in-action-dover/

The Royal British Legion is seeking to connect with members of the Armed Forces community who have lived experiences of adult social care and who would be willing to be interviewed.

The registration form for those interested in being interviewed is accessible via this link : https://forms.office.com/e/FNvETCY8tC. Please note that the form was originally set with a closing date of 12 July, but you can still register to take part.

forms.office.com

For families in Ashford needing some help this summer, this generous offer from Radio Ashford 107.1fm and Jay's Soul Food may be of interest.

* FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR £5 THIS SUMMER *

Radio Ashford are teaming up with Jay's Soul Food to ensure children can enjoy a hot meal during the summer holidays.

From the 31st July to the 30th August from 12pm-5pm children up to the age of 16 can receive a hot meal when an adult purchases 1 meal costing £5 (including complimentary tea & coffee)

1 Adult meal at £5 will ensure up to 3 children can eat for FREE

Choose a meal from the menu or specials board and enjoy!

Complimentary colouring from Made in Ashford and crafts for children.

We hope this helps families in Ashford this summer.

12 New St, Ashford TN24 8UU

We have recently experienced some problems with our voicemail system. If you have not been able to leave us a message or have left a message but are yet to hear back from us, please contact us again.

The issue has now been resolved so you should be able to leave us a message as usual. Thank you for your patience.

A reminder that you have until 22nd July to take part in the Government consultation on PIP reform proposals.

Although we have a new government, it is still important that they understand the impact that proposed changes would have on disabled people. This consultation stage gives you the opportunity to make your views known, so please take part. Further information is available using the link below.

UK Government's PIP reform proposals The UK Government has recently issued a Green Paper consultation on proposed reforms to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Their aim is to cut expenditure on this vital benefit and this move signals what could be the biggest shakeup in the benefits system since PIP was introduced ten years ago. T...

Disability Assist's CEO, Sophie, is still looking for participants for her study about Multiple Sclerosis and employment. If you have MS, live in Kent and are of working age, she would love to interview you.

You will be asked about your views, experience and attitudes towards employment, regardless if you are working or not. The interview will take up to one hour and can be online or at a location of your choice. You will receive a £20 high street voucher as a thank you for taking part. For further information, please email [email protected]

This may be useful for anyone who is in need of a meal.

Until 14th July, anyone who mentions or 'Asks For Henry' at a Morrisons café will get a Cheesy Beanz and jacket potato meal for free, no questions asked.

Please spread the word, you never know who may need to hear it.

Morrisons and Heinz have once again teamed up to provide free meals to those who need it. 🍽️

To get it, you can discreetly 'ask for Henry' at any of its Cafés once per day till Sunday 14 July (normally £4.25).

Find your nearest, and pass it on ⬇️
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/morrisons/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=deals&source=FBORG-DEALS #54811

Our July e-newsletter is out now! If you haven't already received it, you can read it here: https://www.disabilityassist.org.uk/so/a3P1FEmLY?languageTag=en

Sign up on our website to receive the newsletter in your inbox each month.

Latest News July 2024

Have a say in the future of community health services around the county by signing up to one of the NHS Kent and Medway events

We want to hear from you about community health services in west Kent.

Come along to our listening event on Monday, 8 July and help shape the future of health services in your area.

Register here👉 https://ow.ly/eGZU50SlM9n

A UK Health Security Agency Yellow Heat-health alert has been issued and is in effect from 24 June 2024 at 08:00am to 27 June 2024 at 05:00pm.

Please look out for family, friends and neighbours who may need a little extra help to keep cool in the hot weather this week.

Learn more at: https://news.kent.gov.uk/articles/staying-well-in-hot-weather

If you are planning on voting in the upcoming general election and would like to apply for a postal vote, you have until 5pm TODAY to do so.

You can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote This website will also tell you which details you will need to provide, including a photograph of your signature.

Join Carers Stepping Out for The Big Step Out walking festival on 25th June, to celebrate unpaid carers in beautiful Mote Park. There are three different scenic walks to suit all capabilities.

This is a FREE event and open to unpaid carers and the people they care for in Kent, plus friends and family. The event will have live music, entertainment, prizes, lunch and a carer's wellbeing marketplace.

Open from 10am - 2.30pm, walks begin at 11am, at Mote Park, Maidstone, ME15 7RN.

For more information and to book your place, email [email protected] or visit www.carerssteppingout.co.uk

We are currently experiencing high demand for our services and kindly ask for your patience while waiting for us to get back to you. We aim to respond within 5 working days.

If you are calling Disability Assist and get through to our voicemail, please remember to leave us a message with your details so that we can return your call.

If you have accessed adult community health services, or care for someone who has, NHS Kent and Medway would like to hear from you.

Please take part in their online survey to share your views and help improve community health services in your area: https://www.haveyoursayinkentandmedway.co.uk/adults

If you would prefer to share your views over the phone instead, please contact Disability Assist on 01233 633187.

Adults' community health services Help shape the future of community healthcare We want to hear your views on community healthcare to help shape its plans to improve services across the area. Thousands of specialist healthcare professionals work across communities in Kent and Medway every day helping

A researcher from University of Gloucestershire is looking into the barriers that people with physical disabilities face in engaging with environmentally friendly actions (e.g. energy use, travel, activism). If you would like to take part in the research, please see below for more information and a link to a survey.

Researchers from the University of Gloucestershire are conducting a study to better understand the challenges individuals with a physical disability face when carrying out environmentally friendly actions. Every voice is crucial in shaping an accessible and sustainable world.
Interested? Take part today by following the link:
https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/glos/barriers-to-pro-environmental-behaviours
By participating in this survey, you'll be contributing to knowledge that could help create environmental strategies that work for all.
Not eligible for our research but know someone that would love to take part? Please feel free to tag them in the comment section below

The Disability Assist telephone system is being upgraded this the weekend. We don’t envisage any disruption and you should be able to leave a voicemail as usual. However, if you experience any difficulties contacting us or if you don’t receive a call back within a few working days, please get in touch again.

We understand that there is a lot of concern about the Government's proposals to reform the benefits system so we have put together a blog post to give you more information. You can read more here: https://www.disabilityassist.org.uk/post/uk-government-s-pip-reform-proposals

Disability Assist also joined other Disabled Peoples Organisations in signing Disability Rights UK's letter to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, which was sent today. The letter condemns the Government's actions against disabled peoples' rights. Links to this can also be found in our blog post.

UK Government's PIP reform proposals The UK Government has recently issued a Green Paper consultation on proposed reforms to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Their aim is to cut expenditure on this vital benefit and this move signals what could be the biggest shakeup in the benefits system since PIP was introduced ten years ago. T...

If you missed our May newsletter last week, you can read all the latest news here: https://www.disabilityassist.org.uk/so/90OykZRst?languageTag=en
This issue also includes information about the Government consultation on benefits.

To avoid missing out on future issues, please visit our website to subscribe.

Latest News May 2024

NHS Kent and Medway is conducting a survey to make urgent care services work better for everyone living in Medway and Swale. Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) or Minor Injury Units (MIUs) are an integral part of urgent care. They help remove demand from Emergency Departments and provide access to a range of services closer to home.

Medway and Swale has the following urgent treatment services available:
• Minor injury unit co-located with Emergency Department and minor illness unit at Medway Hospital
• Sittingbourne MIU at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital
• Sheppey MIU at Sheppey Community Hospital
• GP Walk-in Centre at Sheppey Community Hospital run by Minster Medical Group

They would like to hear your views and experiences of using UTCs or MIUs. The survey is open until 5th May so have your say here:

Urgent care services in Medway and Swale NHS Kent and Medway need your help to make urgent care services work better for everyone living in Medway and Swale. Medway and Swale has the following urgent treatment services available: Minor injury unit co-located with Emergency Department and minor illness unit at

Do you use the patient transport service? If the answer is yes, you have the opportunity to share your thoughts until Monday 29th April.

The non-emergency patient transport service (NEPTS) is a planned transport service, provided by the NHS, to help take patients with a medical need for transport to and from hospitals and medical centres that provide NHS healthcare.

The current service is reaching the end of its contract and they are looking for as many views as possible to help shape and design a new service. You can complete a survey to tell them about your experience of the service, what your views are about it and how you feel patient transport can be improved in Kent and Medway. The survey can be found here:

Patient Transport Service (Non-Emergency) - NEPTS Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

Did you hear our CEO, Sophie, on BBC Radio Kent yesterday morning? She was talking to host, Anna Cookson, about the problems caused by the of lack of accessible public toilets for people with disabilities.

You can listen back to the interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hlrjch The segment starts at approximately 1:06:55. Please note that you will need to be registered on the BBC website to listen but this is free and easy to do.

A Dementia Awareness Day event will be held in Rochester Cathedral next Monday, 15 April 2024. There will be a marketplace with stalls from various groups and charities and opportunities to share ideas and offer mutual support. A quiet space will be available and refreshments are sold in the café. For enquiries please email: [email protected]

Our April e-newsletter is out now. You can read it here: https://www.disabilityassist.org.uk/so/adOvxaj1N?languageTag=en

If you haven't already signed up to receive our monthly newsletter, you can do so on our website. Simply add your email address in the box at the bottom of the homepage.

Latest News April 2024

Happy Easter to all our followers, from the team at Disability Assist! 🐣

Stay healthy this Easter. For NHS help and support and over the Easter, visit www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk to find information on local services in Kent and Medway. There is also a list of pharmacy opening times over the bank holiday weekend under the "Pharmacy" section.

Stop Think Choose find the right health service for you

Money for training – The Skills for Care individual employer funding is closing soon. We previously shared information about this in our e-newsletter but the closing date is this Sunday so please apply ASAP if you are interested.

People who employ personal assistants can apply for funding to pay for training to develop the knowledge and skills of their personal assistants. The funding can be used to pay for training as an employer of personal assistants. The funding can cover the direct costs of completing training/qualifications, hiring replacement support whilst the usual PA is attending training courses and travel.

This opportunity is open to people who are in receipt of a social care direct payment and those that use their own money to employ personal assistants. Applications can be submitted until17:00 on 31 March 2024. Find out more here:

Individual Employer Funding The Individual Employer Funding can be used to cover training costs to develop your skills as an employer, direct costs of completing training/qualifications, hiring replacement support whilst your usual PA is attending training courses and travel.

If you have ever been curious about how AI could help you, this webinar from AbilityNet might help. It's on 17th April and registration is free.

Curious about the role of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in enhancing accessibility? Don't miss our upcoming webinar featuring AbilityNet's Robin Christopherson and Michael Vermeersch from Microsoft. Discover how AI is revolutionising assistive technologies and breaking down barriers for disabled people.

Secure your spot today and learn more about the webinar and panellists: https://abilitynet-org-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/6417110377591/WN_ib8FXJ0FSPeFcFmqgLN7nA