Disabled Living Newsletter
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March 2019
MOTHER'S DAY Gifts she'll love!
IN THE DOCK Watch our new video
NEVER WRESTLE A PIG What does this have to do with training?
CERVICAL SCREENING FOR WOMEN WITH A DISABILITY
Charity number: 224742
Welcome to Our Supplier Directory The following suppliers have recently joined our directory...
Explore Our Key Features
Cervical screening for women with a disability..............................................................................4 NEW film for In the Dock with an Expert Witness.........................................................................5 Win prizes at Kidz to Adultz Middle...............................................................................................7 Why you should never wrestle a pig..............................................................................................8 Shop online with Disabled Living this Mother's Day....................................................................12 Grants for children and adults......................................................................................................14
World Down Syndrome Day
Thursday 21st March 2019
Improving Advice and Information for Potty Training Children with Down Syndrome Following calls to the BBUK helpline and workshops with parents of children with Down syndrome (DS) we realised not only the lack of support available for parents thinking about toilet training but also how much misinformation is out there. Working with the charity 'The Ups of Downs' a Facebook page has been developed specifically to help support potty training children with DS and all health care professionals with a specific interest in this area are welcomed to join. It is a closed group and will be an opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and promote best practice. To request to join the group please visit: www.facebook.com/groups/219984462212935/
Cervical Screening for Women with a Disability by Jo's Trust
The link below explains what cervical screening is to people who have learning disabilities, where you'll also find a video with further information. www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervical-cancer/cervical-screening/cervical-screening-learningdisability Below is the latest stats on the health and care for people with learning disabilities, which highlights only 31.2% of women with learning disabilities attend cervical screening. https://files.digital.nhs.uk/BA/4F4C1D/healthcare-learning-disabilities-1718-sum.pdf Cervical Cancer awareness session Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust are working in Manchester within communities and GP practices to increase the uptake of cervical screening. Screening attendance is very low in Manchester, especially amongst 25-29 year olds, over 50’s and Black, Asian and Ethnic minority women, with almost 1 in 3 women missing their appointments. Consequently, we are offering free awareness sessions to community groups on screening and signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, to save lives. If you are interested in having a session, please contact saimah@jostrust.org.uk 4
Community Connector training Interested in improving women’s health? Want to raise awareness of cervical cancer? Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is offering FREE community connector training to community groups, organisations, health care professionals and non-clinical staff to share cervical health messages to communities. The training will raise awareness of cervical cancer, cervical screening, risk and prevention. It will also explore the barriers to attending screening and how to respond effectively to challenging questions. Community connectors will have the opportunity to reflect on how best to engage with their communities to change behaviour and overcome barriers to awareness and screening. For further information, please contact saimah@jostrust.org.uk or visit: www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervicalcancer/cervical-screening/cervical-screeninglearning-disability
NEW Film for In the Dock With an Expert Witness
Click here to watch the video via our website
A Workshop for Healthcare Professionals There are different scenarios which could end up with someone being summonsed as a witness. Whether it is a coroner's court or a civil negligence case this workshop will help you to understand what will be required and how to improve your practice so that a court appearance will be less intimidating. Using real life scenarios, expert witnesses and solicitors will lead you through the process and highlight areas you can improve and share good practice in. On this interactive day you will work on a project which culminates in you appearing in the dock in front of a Judge and Jury. Find out how to protect yourself in your reporting and recording at work, what your responsibilities are and how to be confident in your work and not be afraid of being taken to court. Our next workshop Date: Thursday 25th April 2019 Venue: Manchester Cost: ÂŁ65 + VAT (includes light lunch and refreshments) Please visit our website to book your place and for more information: www.disabledliving.co.uk/training/our-workshops/in-the-dock-with-an-expert-witness/ 5
Never Wrestle a Pig!
George Bernard Shaw: “I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” This quote makes me chuckle but it’s so true. I used to feel like I was wrestling with a pig when I was trying to get my team to learn how to do their job. Deborah Bell, Enablement Team Manger at Disabled Living explains what she means... Before working at Disabled Living I was nursing with a team of staff who cared for a young chap (let’s call him M) in his own home. I did this both part-time and full-time for around six years. M had been in an accident in his late teens and had spent a long time in hospital in various parts of the country. He had close family and friends who would appear at all times of the day and night to keep him company. M was ventilated and as a quadriplegic could only move his head. Whilst he made great effort to remain positive, he did at times have bouts of grumpiness and understandably could be quite sharp tongued. 8
His voice was the only way he could control things and sometimes the team members would get spoken to in a way that could upset them. This would lead to times when there was a high turnover of staff which in turn led to some difficult days when there wasn’t enough staff to care for M. On these days he couldn’t go out as two people were needed for this. We spent one year in particular where this had become a vicious circle. Members of staff were not staying, which in turn made M less confident in the staff that were new. He would become critical and point out mistakes and they would leave. It was a very difficult situation to work in and I am sure it was a very difficult situation to live in.
I couldn’t get the staff to training on their days off and if they were working nights it wasn’t reasonable for them to attend training either before or after a night shift.
When well staffed, M was active despite his very complex needs and he had an active social life which involved members of my team. As I said, he always had two people with him at all times and regular trips to the pub were the norm. Team members varied in age and experience, originally all employed via an agency. Eventually they were all employed directly by M who was their employee. Some had been there a few years and knew how to perform the everyday tasks whilst others had no experience in care and had come from very different walks of life.
It was at a point when we were trying to organise a series of mandatory training around food hygiene that I felt like I was really trying to wrestle a pig. I felt like I was always nagging staff about their time and effort. It made me feel more stressed than I should have been. Something needed to change. As a nurse I had undertaken some online training and I decided it was time to see if this method would be more attractive to the team and to M who was adamant that the training was high quality and relevant to him. We chose some courses initially and began to implement the new process where staff could log on in the afternoon of their shift when M had visitors so they could do their training during work time.
There were different personalities, some loud and some quiet which was evident with the volume in the house sometimes. As with many care situations the common issue of staff leaving and new staff coming on board was just part of the job. When I first started I found it challenging to keep up with organising the inductions and mandatory courses needed alongside all the specialist knowledge the carers needed in order to look after our employer. At the time I started, all the training was done on a face to face basis. There needed to be 10 regular staff working a 24 hour rota 7 days a week. You can imagine how difficult it was to ensure everyone was available to attend the training. There were regular occasions when training would be booked and paid for and the number of staff who actually attended made it financially unfeasible.
The first course we chose was Food Safety. It went down a treat. Within two weeks all the staff had completed the course and were up to date with their skills. The next course we chose was Equality and Diversity followed by Communication which I felt was important for the team to become highly skilled in. 9
The transition to training online for this team was smooth and effortless. I cannot say whether it was the support the team felt from being offered the training or whether it was this particular group of people. But the same team stayed for the next three years (I know! Almost unheard of). M calmed down quite a lot in this period, he even went on holiday abroad which took a lot of organising but was so worth it in the end. I’m sure that not all the improvements were down to online training. However, the staff were definitely more motivated. They could ask for training on specific subjects knowing they would be listened to. I wouldn’t have been able to arrange all the training they received on a face to face basis. It wasn’t financially possible.
However, e-learning gave us a much wider opportunity to include subjects relevant to M and his condition. For some subjects such as Moving and Handling, face to face training is necessary and invaluable. But I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend online training for many other subjects. Disabled Living have partnered with Innovue to deliver these very popular courses; the majority are £15 each per person. It is so easy to do and it makes investment in your staff a no brainer. I highly recommend it if you want to stop wrestling with pigs. Have a look at the wide range of courses we have available on: www.disabledliving.co.uk/training/elearning/ Deborah Bell, Enablement Team Manager
Disabled Access Day
Saturday 16th March 2019
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Vibrant Office Accommodation 5 Minutes Manchester City Centre is Redbank House.
Available from 1st April 2019
Office accommodation will become available on 1st April from individual rooms to a suite of offices. Our fully accessible, bright work environment is competitively priced and available on flexible terms. With access to on-site discounted meeting and training rooms, we provide a comprehensive package for our tenants.
Redbank House, St Chad's Street, Manchester, M8 8QA Web: redbankhouse.com Tel: 0161 214 5959 Email: info@redbankhouse.com
Shop Online with Disabled Living This Mother's Day
The Equipz team will answer any queries you may have about the suitability of equipment for your relatives. Here are a few suggestions for practical gifts.
Washable Chair Protector
Shopping Trolley with Seat
Shampoo Cap
Decades Discussion Reminiscence Pack
Wheelchair Fleece Seat Cover
Wentwood Fireside Chair
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www.disabledliving.co.uk/online-shop Disabled Living Equipz Team 0161 607 8200 Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk
Shop Online with Disabled Living This Mother's Day
Gift ideas for your mum to help her remain independent and continue to do the things she loves!
Stocking aid
Velcro Slippers
Bath Shortener
Bed Tray Table
Moisturising Gel Gloves
Moisturising Gel Booties
www.disabledliving.co.uk/online-shop Disabled Living Equipz Team 0161 607 8200 Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk
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Grants for Individuals Disabled Living has access via the Directory of Social Change to over 1,500 charities who provide grants to children and adults. The grants may range from £10 food vouchers to larger contributions including grants for domestic items such as washing machines, wheelchairs and housing adaptations. Via the Equipz helpline we may be able to assist you or your clients to access funds which may be available from: General Charities Occupational Charities Charities by Beneficiary Illness and Disability Charities Livery Companies, Orders and Membership Organisations
Armed Forces Charities
Grow Wild Youth-led Project Funding
The Percy Bilton Charity
Eligibility Grow Wild are offering anyone aged 14-25 the chance to apply for £500 to lead a project that celebrates UK native wildflowers and fungi in exciting and engaging ways.
Eligibility People who are on a low income and are either over 65 years old, have a physical or learning disability, or are receiving hospital or other medical treatment for long-term illness (including mental health illness).
Types of grant You can use visual art, music, poetry, dance, or theatre… whatever it is that you and your friends are good at. Use your imagination; the more creative the better!
Types of grant One-off grants of up to £200 for specific essential items only. For example, laundry equipment, cooking and heating appliances, basic furniture and much more.
www.growwilduk.com/creative
www.percy-bilton-charity.org/
Newby Trust Ltd Eligibility People in the UK. The grants have supported people with disabilities or ill health. Types of grant One-off grants for up to £250. Grants are occasionally made to support household adaptations and mobility equipment, travel costs, training equipment, rent deposits and respite breaks in the UK. www.newby-trust.org.uk/ 14
Disabled Living Equipz Team 0161 607 8200
Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk
Grants for Organisations Disabled Living has knowledge of a wide range of charities who provide grants to organisations. Each month we will highlight new funding opportunities.
Age UK
Eligibility Independently constituted, not-for-profit organisations that are accessible to all people in later life. Research organisations. Types of grants Capital; one off; running costs; salaries; and start-up costs. Funding is available for up to three years.
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Eligibility Registered charities only, or where it is clear the objects of the appeal are for charitable purposes. Types of grants Mainly the arts, medical/welfare charities and the environment. www.doylycartecharitabletrust.org
www.ageuk.org.uk
Hedley Foundation Eligibility UK. Registered charities benefiting young people, particularly those in risk groups, individuals with disabilities or terminal illness and young carers. Types of grants Mostly one-off grants for specific projects. A limited number of recurring grants for up to three years. www.hedleyfoundation.org.uk
Disabled Living Equipz Team 0161 607 8200
Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk 15
Visit Disabled Living's Online Shop
Visit: www.disabledliving.co.uk/online-shop/ or call: 0330 053 5930.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Complete Care Shop to provide you with a comprehensive online shopping facility for equipment and products to make life easier. Complete Care Shop has over 250,000 in stock items at competitive prices offering you choice from a wide range of manufacturers including mobility aids, daily living products, continence supplies together with telecare and telehealth equipment. In addition, Complete Care Shop has a reputation for excellent customer service which made the decision to enter into this partnership an easy decision to make! The main advantage of purchasing via the Disabled Living website, is the opportunity for you or your clients to speak to Occupational Therapists or Continence Specialists for free impartial help and advice, ensuring unnecessary purchases are not made.
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@DisabledLivingUK
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Get in Touch with Us Disabled Living Head Office - Disabled Living, Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LY
Telephone 0161 607 8200
Email info@disabledliving.co.uk
Website www.disabledliving.co.uk
For training rooms and sensory rooms contact Redbank House Tel: 0161 214 5959 Email: info@redbankhouse.com Website: www.redbankhouse.com