much more than an advice service... @ComDevDASL
www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk
Welcome message Ebenezer Akinsanmi (Chair) and David Strong (Director) This is our first Mole newsletter for a year and we’re very pleased to be back. There have been many changes for DASL over recent months, some of them difficult for us but others positive. This issue is a mixture of updates on recent developments, information about our services and sharing of some ideas for how we would like DASL to go forward and how we would like you to be involved. Louise Holden, our Community Development Worker, has given the newsletter a revamp and we would welcome your comments and ideas on the new look. As our budget for the newsletter is now very small, it is vital that we are able to reach as many current and potential new DASL members by email as possible. This will save us money and help us to involve more disabled people. If you receive it by email or download it from our website you will also be able to enjoy it in glorious full colour! Please contact Louise (see back page for details) to give her your email. Louise is also leading on building DASL’s membership and volunteer base and helping us to make the most
of the brave new world of social media! Make sure you check out our new Twitter service @ComDevDASL for news of events and activities, information and comment. We have had a large reduction in our overall funding from Lambeth Council this year and this comes at a time of everincreasing demand for our services and those of our partners following the introduction of the Care Act from April. Nevertheless, our key services are responding well and this year we have passed our Advice Quality Standard again and gained the new Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. We are also working with a range of organisations on issues of importance to disabled people including hate crime and looking at what DASL can offer to young disabled people. We would love to see you at our AGM on Friday 4th December where you can hear more about our plans and give us your views.
Contents
7. New Directions
2. Welcome message
8. More than an advice service
3. About the ILCP
9. Pan-Disability Forum
4. Professional Advocacy
10. Disability Hate Crime
5. Direct Payments Support
11. Get Involved - Events
6. Get Involved
12. Contact Us
@ComDevDASL
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Independent Living & Carers’ Partnership - ILCP The ILCP is a new Partnership of four respected local charities including DASL which are providing a range of free services to support disabled and older people and carers in Lambeth. The ILCP is funded by Lambeth Council and includes information, advice, advocacy, support with Direct Payments and community development. Age UK Lambeth leads the Partnership; each of the organisations is delivering a number of key services:
Enquiry Line and Advice Surgeries Carers’ Advice Volunteer Befriending Community Development with Older People
Carers’ Advice, Support & Development Support for Mental Health Carers and Older Carers
Direct Payments Support Professional Advocacy
Young Carer’s Project [Crossroads Care
South Thames]
Community Development with Disabled People
Learning Disability Carers’ Advice and Support Community Development with Adults with Learning Disabilities
How to contact the ILCP General Enquiries about ILCP Services, Information and Advice Tel: 020 7346 6800 Email: info@ageuklambeth.org.uk Professional Advocacy Tel: 020 7501 8966 Email: advocacy@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Direct Payments Support Service Tel: 020 7501 8960 Email direct.payments@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Carers’ Hub Lambeth Tel: 020 7346 6800 Email: connect@carershub.org.uk Website: www.carershub.org.uk @ComDevDASL
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Independent Professional Advocacy Being listened to, having choice and control and leading the life that you want to is something that many people take for granted, but for others this is not so easy. Professional Advocacy provides vital support for people who have difficulties expressing themselves, understanding choices and information to ensure that their rights are respected and that they are listened to. DASL has provided a highly respected independent advocacy service
since late 2011. Now, with the introduction of the Advocacy duties under the Care Act 2014, the team continues to go from strength to strength supporting significant numbers of vulnerable people. We support people with a range of different issues including community care, health and keeping safe from abuse. We can also assist people to access advice and legal representation.
DASL Professional Advocacy Team (L to R): Claire Camplin (Team Leader), Tom McDonough, Anna Fairbank
The DASL Advocacy Team are delighted to announce that they have been awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark, which means that they have demonstrated the level of knowledge and skills, and the quality of service, needed to enable people to have their voices heard and lead independent lives. Holding the Advocacy QPM: 
Enables independent advocacy providers to demonstrate and promote their commitment and ability to provide high quality advocacy

Gives commissioners of advocacy services reassurance that providers they are engaging have been assessed to ensure their organisations are robust and focused on the delivery of quality services

Helps organisations to review, improve and develop their organisational systems, policies and practices
For more information about the Advocacy Service at DASL or to make a referral please visit our website www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk/dasl/advocacy, call a member of the team on 020 7501 8966 or email us at advocacy@disabilitylambeth.org.uk www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk @ComDevDASL 4
Direct Payments Support
DASL Direct Payments Support Team (L to R): Joseph Healy, Lauren Johnson (Team Leader), Anna Cook, Hortense Donaldson (PA) Sean McGovern, Tricia Reilly
There have been several changes to the Direct Payments Support service in recent months, as we waved goodbye to Margaret Farrell who has moved on to pastures new after 11 years at DASL.
Meldrum, the Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Gill Vickers, Director of Adult Social Care. Our Peer Support meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month between 11-1pm so please feel free to come along.
Lauren Johnson is the new Direct Payments Team Leader and we have also welcomed a new Direct Payments Worker, Anna Cook. Joseph Healy, Sean McGovern and Tricia Reilly all remain in their roles as the team continues to support people living in Lambeth to make the most of their direct payment. We have extended this support to people using personal health budgets and also those who pay for their own support.
The Peer Support group have joined our most recent training sessions, which we provide jointly with PB Partners, for people who receive direct payments. The Being a Good Employer and Support Planning courses are both 10-week half day courses and enable people to learn more about - and have greater control over - their direct payment. We assist people to get funding from Skills to Care to pay for the training.
We work with more than 100 people a month to provide advice, support and training on a range of issues, including information about payroll options, tax and National Insurance, recruitment of Personal Assistants, staff management and monitoring.
We have re-launched our drop-in service for people who receive - or who are in the process of receiving - direct payments. The drop-in is at our office at 336 Brixton Road. People will be able to call in at a regular time each week, without needing an appointment, to speak to the team, have their questions answered or complete any paperwork. Visit our website or give us a call for more information. Our contact details are on the back page.
We facilitate a Peer Support group who meet monthly to discuss managing their direct payment, share their experience and learn from one another. We have had a number of speakers who have attended the group to listen and learn, including Councillor Jackie @ComDevDASL
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Get Involved - membership matters Why membership matters
12 Pillars of Independent Living access, transport, equipment, housing, personal assistance, money, education, information, advocacy, peer support, healthcare and employment.
for disability benefits; adjusting to a new way of living, social activities, hobbies.
DASL supports anyone who is disabled and/or has a DASL supports people long-term h e al t h with these practical issues condition. We work to but is also committed to the Social Model of Disability and the 12 working with other disability organisations, Pillars of Independent Living. groups and individuals to create a powerful voice for change The Social Model of Disablism still exists in our society. Having a and better services Disability disability or long-term health condition can in Lambeth. We are mean much more than the diagnosis and often partners o f Society can change everything, possibly calling into disabled Inclusion London excludes question things you have believed about who have recently people and fails to yourself and others around you. As a group, started a London- include them in full do disabled people tend to bond over their wide project to economic, social and conditions? The answer generally is no, one tackle Disability cultural lives. This is of the reasons being that the disability world Hate Crime (see because of the way has an extremely diverse range of people, page 10 for more on our society is built, all with different interests and values. DASL’s local work the barriers put in people’s on this issue). We disabled What is "Disablism"? also support the way, the ‘disabling’ of Lambeth Pan - a t t i t u d e s Term used to describe discriminatory, Disability Forum to individuals, the way oppressive or abusive behaviour arising are build membership s e r v i c e s from the belief that disabled people are and get involved in developed and the inferior to others. local issues such as criteria by which the ’Your New Town these services are 83% of people acquire a disability or longHall’ project (see accessed. term health condition later in life; 17% are page 11). born disabled. Individual, Organisation or Associate Common issues that affect disabled people membership is available and it is free to include navigating the health and social join DASL. Becoming a member of DASL care system; dealing with lots of different can help towards getting the services you agencies and professionals to arrange care need, asserting disabled people’s rights, and support and ongoing treatment; meeting new people and getting more negotiating different working environments / involved in your local community. Email hours; having to give up work or change lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk or call career; going back to education; applying 020 7501 9876 for a membership form. @ComDevDASL
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New Directions for DASL Louise Holden, DASL’s new Community Development Worker, has lots of exciting projects on the go. We want to connect with the local community more and are also supporting the Lambeth Pan Disability Forum to build capacity and encourage more people to join its committee. We are also really keen to make DASL an organisation which younger disabled people want to be involved in. We have been working with ALLFIE’s Inclusion Champions project to get ideas and training on how we can develop the services and support which young disabled people need and our awareness of how to design and
Fundraising
Going Digital & Social Media
DASL is prioritising fundraising this year. Our services are recognised as highly professional and of an excellent standard and we want to continue supporting the disabled community in Lambeth. We have a dedicated page on our website which gives a variety of ways to help us financially. Check out www.disabilitylambeth.org.uk/ dasl/about/a-funding
Getting online is really important if you want to be able to keep in touch with us. We need to be “more digital” and “less paper” to keep costs down and speed up how we link with you. If you have an email address and want to receive our newsletter, please email Louise with the subject line “DASL News”.
Every little helps!
DASL now has a Twitter account, which is a great level playing field in terms of who you can interact with. Follow Louise @ComDevDASL for news, debates and campaign updates. Let Louise know if you need help to access Digibuddies, which offer free IT training, or other IT support .
ALLFIE, the Alliance for Inclusive Education, is led by disabled people and campaigns nationally for inclusive education and is instrumental in affecting change in the UK’s educational system. www.allfie.org.uk Inclusion London supports Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) in London and campaigns for equality for Deaf and Disabled people.
@ComDevDASL
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DASL is much more than an advice service... Into Sport DASL’s Into Sport project is part of a London-wide initiative lead by Inclusion London and takes a creative approach to supporting disabled people to make sport and physical activity a regular part of their lives. Our Into Sport worker, Tricia Reilly, has made some inspiring videos of project members to prove it! You can watch them at http://tinyurl.com/owfotdw. Keep in touch at www.facebook.com/ daslintosport and twitter.com/daslintosport.
Stroke Network and Stroke Odysseys Since the Network started in 2009, DASL has worked with well over 100 people recovering from stroke. Many have regularly attended the great range of activities organised by Manuela Gouveia, providing a safe and welcoming space to meet others and socialise. The activities offered support recovery from stroke by helping with speech, preventing depression and loneliness and encouraging physical activity. You can try out the games club, swimming, singing and watching films, no experience necessary! One of the two weekly swimming sessions is also open to anyone with a physical impairment. Our main grant funding for the Network has now ended and we will need financial support to keep the activities going. One generous individual donation has already paid for the tutor’s fees for the Stroke Choir, based at Morley College, for a term. So if you can help us please get in touch. Manuela has also recently started working for Rosetta Life, a charity running a new project called Stroke Odysseys, which is expanding into the world of music and dance. There will be great opportunities to learn different moves and, most importantly, have fun doing it! Contact details for Manuela are on the back page.
… but if you do need advice ... Enquiry Line & Specialist Mental Health Advice ServiceHHHHHHHHHHH Our Specialist Mental Health Advice Service can help with lots of issues, from welfare benefits to housing and debt. We give priority to adults with mental health problems and have close links with Lambeth & Southwark MIND and the Community Support Network (CSN). Although Age UK Lambeth provides the main enquiry and general advice service for disabled people as part of the ILCP (see page 3), you can also contact DASL’s Enquiry Line for initial help and to be pointed in the right direction. Our service involves volunteers, several of whom have gone on to employment after gaining experience and confidence in the DASL workplace after long periods of unemployment due to illness .
Royal Association for the Deaf (RAD) If you are deaf or hearing impaired, Royal Association for Deaf People provides a weekly advice and guidance surgery every Wednesday from 10am - 4pm here at DASL.. @ComDevDASL
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Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum Sean McGovern, Chair, invites more disabled people to get involved in the Forum: The Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum is striving to become the campaigning voice of disabled people across Lambeth. The Forum will endeavour to open the Town Hall and all its services to disabled people in order that they can determine disability policy within the Borough of Lambeth. As a group we should look to target a few areas of activity that impact on our daily lives. Here are three suggestions to get the ball rolling: Transport: Accessible and door-to-door public transport is an issue close to the hearts of many disabled people. From qualifying for a Freedom Pass through to our freedom to travel without being impeded by poor and inaccessible transport systems are problems encountered by many disabled people. Hate Crime: The government’s austerity programme and its constant attacks on disabled people via its tame newspapers have seen an increase in disability hate crime. Stories in newspapers that seek only to ridicule and humiliate disabled people often drive the disability hate crime agenda. Disability hate crime can be low level, like name calling and insults, yet left unchecked can grow into more serious cases of violence against the disabled person. Access: Disability access can at one level be inconvenient yet at its worst can lead to social isolation for disabled people. Lambeth has a particularly poor record on disability access to both public buildings and private business establishments such as shops, bars and restaurants. Lambeth Pan Disability Forum welcomes new members, get in touch to hear about meetings so you can come along and bring your ideas and thoughts. DASL is working with, and supporting, the Forum. Contact Louise at DASL for more information. @ComDevDASL
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Disability Hate Crime Any incident or crime, which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated because of a person's disability or perceived disability should be recorded as such. This can be committed against a person or property. If bullying or harassment is targeted at you because of your disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation, this type of incident is a 'hate incident' or 'hate crime'. Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can be confusing and frightening. By reporting them when they happen to you, you may be able to prevent these incidents from happening to someone else. You will also help the police understand the extent of hate crime in your local area so they can better respond to it. Disability hate crime is very under reported in all areas of the country including Lambeth and DASL is the lead organisation for the Disability Hate Crime Partnership Lambeth, working with many other organisations in Lambeth to help prevent hate crime and support people who want to report it. If you feel you have been a victim of hate crime, you can call the police on 999 in an emergency or contact the police on 101. There is also a weekly drop in service provided by Victim Support, here at 336 Brixton Road every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm.
Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership presents “No Place for Hate” Main Event Calling out to all disabled people in Lambeth Wednesday 14th October 2015 10.30am (tea/coffee from 10am) to 1pm at “We are 336”, Brixton Road SW9 7AA Come and find out about what disability hate crime is and
what to do about it. Meet your local police and Lambeth’s Hate Crime Prevention
Coordinator plus DASL and other helpful organisations. Find out about the work the Disability Hate Crime Partnership
have been doing and how you can get involved Share your experiences in the video box; learn through role play situations and other
activities including our graffiti wall. For further information, contact Louise at Disability Advice Service Lambeth on 020 7501 8976 or email lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk / follow at @DHCPLambeth @ComDevDASL
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Get Involved - events New Social Group for anyone who has a Disability and/or long-term health condition
New DASL services leaflets contact us for your copies
Drop in between 1pm to 4pm, starts on Wednesday 21st October, then every third Wednesday of the month Meeting room 2, Streatham Library, 63 Streatham High Road SW16 1PN
JOIN US AT DASL’S AGM
Call Louise on 020 7501 8976 for details
Friday 4th December 2015
Organised by DASL and Lambeth Mencap
“We are 336”, Brixton Road SW9 7AA 10.45am to 1pm followed by lunch Members will receive invitations in November but all are very welcome
UK Disability History Month is a national event which runs every year between 22nd November and 22nd December. This year’s main theme is “Portrayal of Disability: Then and Now”, examining the way disability and disabled people have been portrayed in literature, pictures, sculpture, photographs, advertising, journalism, media and film in past periods and now. Find out more including details of any events in the London area by visiting the UKDHM website at www.ukdhm.org Your New Town Hall There are going to be some radical changes to how services are run in Lambeth, one of which is the new town hall complex, which will become the focal point for most of the Council’s services in two years time. Work on the scheme commenced in September when the Town Hall closed for refurbishment. The structural plans have been agreed but DASL wants to ensure that the Council gives high priority to access issues affecting disabled people and would like to hear from you if you are interested in attending some meetings or giving your views. This is part of some wider work that DASL is developing around accessibility in Lambeth, working with Lambeth Pan-Disability Forum, and we are in discussions with DisabledGo about getting local disabled people properly involved. You can also find out more about the Council’s plans at yournewtownhall.org @ComDevDASL
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Contact Us Write to us at: “We are 336” 336 Brixton Road London SW9 7AA
much more than an advice service...
General Enquiries call 020 7738 5656 or email enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Direct Payments Support: 020 7501 8960 or email direct.payments@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Professional Advocacy: 020 7501 8966 or email advocacy@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Specialist Mental Health Advice Service: 020 7738 5656 (leave a message) or email enquiry.line@disabilitylambeth.org.uk RAD Advice and Support for Deaf People: 07749 965 727 or email advice@royaldeaf.org.uk Stroke Network: 020 7642 0040 / 07773 810 264 or email stroke.network@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Into Sport Project: 020 7501 8964 or email patricia.reilly@disabilitylambeth.org.uk Community Development, Membership, Volunteering, Newsletter and Social Media enquiries Louise Holden on 020 7501 8976 or email lholden@disabilitylambeth.org.uk
DASL’s main funders are Lambeth Council, and Sport England Charity No. 1087399 A company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales No. 04214688
@ComDevDASL
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