Spring 2016

Spring 2016

In this issue 2 New chief executive for York CVS

3N HS continuing care

Healthwatch York

10 13

EALTHWATCH YORK 4 HUPDATE:

Leadership group Living with dementia Rock Challenge UK

8 Champions are the face of

Our Community

We welcome three new Partners!

without children 14 Ageing Red Cross Transport

6

Update on mental health services in York

Inclusive Cycling Club York Tandem Club

12 York and District Diabetes UK Group

Age UK

Matters 15 Memory We Are Theatre Online counselling

Which issues did you vote onto Healthwatch York’s work plan?

Healthwatch York’s aim is to put local people at the heart of health and social care services in York.

Every year we run a survey to ask people to vote for the topics they want us to work on, with the top two topics making it onto our work plan for the next year.

We will make sure all the issues people have raised are taken into account when the plans for the new hospital are being drawn up.

50% of people who responded to our 2016 survey this year put the closure of Bootham Park Hospital in their top 3.

The two new topics we are adding to our work plan this year are care and support in your own home and continuing healthcare.

This topic is already on our work plan - our report on the closure and its impact on local people will be published soon. We are committed to working with Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and the other organisations involved over the next 12 months to follow up the recommendations we have made.

Our work on continuing healthcare will start in April 2016. Turn to page 3 to find out more about it, and what we want to hear about peoples’ experiences.

We distributed 1,000 paper copies of the survey, which was also available online. We received 116 responses in total.

What did the people who responded to our survey put in their top 3?

39% of people who responded to our survey put care and support in your own home in their top 3. Nineteen voted it their number 1 priority.

of Bootham

50% closure Park Hospital

33% of people who responded to our survey put continuing healthcare in their top 3.

Twenty people voted it their number 1 priority.

care support in and own home 39% your health

33% continuing care

New Chief Exec for York CVS

Comment from our Chair As this magazine went to print we heard the good news that City of York Council has extended the Healthwatch York contract for another year, until March 2017. This means we will be able to continue with our work to put people at the heart of health and social care in York.

Engaging with people has never been more important. Earlier this year national health bodies, including NHS England and Public Health England wrote to local health and care organisations setting out steps for developing multi-year, place-based Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs).

STPs will show how local services will evolve and become sustainable over the next five years.

A key quote from the letter is: ‘STPs will need to be developed with, and based on the needs of, local patients and communities and command the support of clinicians, staff and wider partners. We therefore anticipate robust plans for genuine engagement as part of the decision making process.’

People will need to be genuinely engaged from the start so services can be developed that reflect the needs of the patients who use, and pay for, the NHS. Healthwatch York needs to hear from as many people as possible about their experience of health and social care services. We were very pleased with the huge response to our request for people to tell us about their experiences around the closure of Bootham Park Hospital. We hope people will also get in touch and tell us what they think about the two topics we have now added to our work plan – continuing healthcare and home care services.

At the end of January York CVS welcomed a new Chief Executive – Sarah Armstrong.

Sarah joined CVS from Healthwatch England, the leadership body for local Healthwatch.

Sarah says: ‘I was Director of Operations for Healthwatch England and this means I have a very strong connection to local Healthwatch. I believe it is vital that people have a say in how their health and care services are delivered locally.

I was delighted when I was successfully appointed to York CVS as it meant I could continue to be a champion for this!

I have met many people since joining York CVS and am very pleased to say they have been very positive about Healthwatch York and the continued work to engage local people in important topics. I look forward to getting more involved in our work in this area.’

Sarah attended her first Healthwatch York Leadership Group meeting in February and was warmly welcomed by Chair John Clark and the rest of the group.

Healthwatch York isn’t here to tell people (commissioners and providers) what you want, we’re here to make it possible for your voice to shape local services.

John Clark Chair, Healthwatch York 2 | Healthwatch York | Spring 2016

Left to right: Sarah Armstrong, John Clark and Siân Balsom

NHS continuing healthcare Feedback from people who responded to our workplan survey told us that this topic has a very significant impact on their lives.

Continuing healthcare is something that affects people at a very vulnerable stage of their lives.

What is continuing healthcare?

NHS continuing healthcare is a free package of care for people who have significant ongoing healthcare needs. It is arranged and funded by the NHS. People can receive NHS continuing healthcare in any setting outside hospital, including in their own home or in a care home.

For people who receive care in their own home, the NHS covers the cost of the support they need from health professionals such as a community nurse or specialist therapist and the cost of personal care such as help with washing and getting dressed. For people who receive NHS continuing healthcare in a care home, the NHS also pays the care home fees.

Who is entitled to continuing healthcare?

Anyone over the age of 18 who has been assessed as having a certain level of care needs may be entitled to NHS continuing healthcare. If they have a ‘primary health need’, they should be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare.

Assessments are carried out by a team of healthcare professionals who look at the person’s individual needs in detail, including how complex, unpredictable and severe the person’s needs are.

Eligibility is always based on these needs, rather than any particular disease, diagnosis or condition. Regular reviews are carried out and if a person’s care needs change, the funding arrangements may also change.

Healthwatch York wants to hear from you The person who needs care, and their views, should be at the centre of the process. They should play a full role in the assessment and decision making process and get support to do this if they need it. They may ask a friend or relative to help them explain their views.

We want to hear about your, or your loved ones' experiences. Please get in touch and tell us: + H ave you heard about continuing healthcare? + Have you ever been given any information about it? + Was it explained well? + What choices were available to you? + What does it feel like to go through the process? + Were you affected by long waiting times? + If your assessment was unsuccessful – did you know why?

Feedback from our survey: The criteria for continuing healthcare are often misunderstood and wrongly applied, resulting in hardship from wrong assessments."

It’s very important to get these services right for people."

Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 3

Healthwatch York Update

Healthwatch York leadership group

Lesley Pratt, Volunteer lead and vice chair; Graham Collett, Contract monitoring lead; Lizzy Ferguson, Engagement lead.

Our leadership group supports the staff team to deliver the Healthwatch York contract and their feedback and advice is a vital part of our decision making process.

In February we welcomed Louise Wilson to the leadership group as communications lead. Louise has already been working with the staff team to produce our communications strategy and we are all looking forward to working with her in the future.

The group, which meets every two months, is made up of the Healthwatch York manager, a member of York CVS staff and volunteers who lead in a number of roles: John Clark, Chair;

Pictured left to right: Lizzy, Lesley. Siân (Healthwatch York Manager), John, Graham.

Don’t make assumptions about people living with dementia Healthwatch York is identifying ways to improve experiences for people living with dementia in York.

Over the past few months we’ve held monthly meetings on a variety of topics for people with dementia and their carers.

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If you would like information about our meetings, which continue until July 2016, please contact the Healthwatch York office or email Emily Abbott at York Flourish:

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Here is a summary of our key findings from the project so far: If you want to know what people with dementia think about something — talk to people with dementia. This should be obvious, but it isn’t. There is still more work around dementia focussed on the impact on families and carers than on individuals themselves.

People's experiences are not consistent. We know what a good experience is, so we need to make sure everyone’s experience is good.

Making York better for people with dementia makes York better for everyone. For example, fixing wobbly pavements increases confidence so people living with dementia can get out and about, but it does that for all of us.

Being active and involved, being heard, and helping change things has positive health benefits. It’s a win-win as people need less support and stay better longer. So we need to continue to help activities thrive.

Information and advice is available.

However, it’s important that people receive the right information at the right time.

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Rock Challenge Rock Challenge UK promotes healthy life choices by involving thousands of young people in performing arts events every year.

Groups of young people create and perform dance and drama performances. Their challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs.

The Rock Challenge event at York Barbican in March was attended by over three hundred 11-17 year olds from six schools in York and the surrounding area, including one special school.

This wordcloud of the words most frequently used at our meetings shows that ‘do’ is the word used most often.

Healthwatch York volunteers designed and ran workshops general remember attend night week being through throughout the day to find out what since sure space disabled think council happen visit house together service issues the young people felt had home want everyone different discuss onto does feel a direct impact on the health and hospital understand place love drive stop suggested wellbeing of young people in the look quite change over use right find told area. Healthwatch York Community live always someone again doctor diagnosis Champion Kay Watkins said: ‘The day know let lady friendly went very well – discussion was very some meet lively from all the participating groups both and produced some interesting try were results.’ The top three issues the carer key cross day time young people felt had the most life long come problem work on their health and wellbeing still keep ask family impact were school, stress and body image. colour

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Before we started the project we got a lot of advice on what people with dementia could and couldn’t do but we’ve learned that it’s important not to make assumptions.

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PC Suzanne Asquith, Youth Engagement Officer North Yorkshire Police: “All the Healthwatch York volunteers worked so hard throughout the day and there has been some lovely positive feedback from the schools.

My thanks to the volunteers and I hope to see them again next year.”

More information about Rock Challenge UK is available from their website: ABC

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Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 5

Mental health services in York Healthwatch York’s role is to make sure the voices of people using our health and care system are heard.

When patient services were moved from Bootham Park Hospital following its closure at the end of September 2015 the most useful thing we could do initially was make sure people affected by the closure had the helpline number, listen to any concerns raised directly with us, and pass on information we gathered to Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The closure of Bootham Park had an immediate impact on local people who use mental health services – inpatients, outpatients, current or former patients – their families and carers, the staff involved in treatment and the public in general. In December the Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee asked Healthwatch York to help make sure that as many people as possible had the chance to have their voice heard.

We worked with voluntary and community groups with an interest in mental health services and encouraged people to share their stories.

We put out a request via local media for members of the public to get in touch with us and share their experiences.

6 | Healthwatch York | Spring 2016

Some by letter; some by telephone; some by email; some by written statements; some through conversations individually or with groups; through regular activities like our community drop-ins; through service user meetings.

We also found out about peoples’ experiences by researching online and in the press. Healthwatch York staff and volunteers spoke to people living with mental ill health at a number of local meetings such as the Service User Network.

The report can be downloaded from our website: www. healthwatchyork.co.uk.

Paper copies are available from the Healthwatch York office.

The closure of Bootham Park Hospital has been extremely stressful for everyone involved.

We are very grateful to all the people who came forward to share their views and experiences. We hope our report has given a voice to those affected by the closure, and it reflects the hopes and aspirations of York’s people for the future of mental health in our city.

All these activities enabled us to gather a great deal of feedback from people who might not otherwise have had the chance to have their say.

Every item of feedback has been included in our report – Bootham Park Hospital: what next for mental health in York?

The report, which makes recommendations based on everything people have told us, was presented to the Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee in March.

The closure of Bootham Park had an immediate impact on local people who use mental health services.

Improving mental health services for young people From May 2016 there will be more support available in the Vale of York for young people and their families experiencing a mental health crisis.

Currently the children’s community service is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and outside these hours there is an on call service via the accident and emergency department (A&E) at York Hospital. The extended service will see child and adolescent mental health service practitioners on hand in A&E to provide the service seven days a week from 1pm until 9pm.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which took over responsibility for local mental health services in October 2015, believe that this will lead to shorter waiting times in A&E for mental health assessment and will reduce the need to admit young people to the paediatric ward.

Sharing views and information about mental health and learning disability services Healthwatch York are supporting Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) to involve more people in the future development of mental health and learning disability services for people in the Vale of York.

Drop in sessions took place in early April for people to hear the latest updates on services and give their views on current services. They were also able to find out how to get involved in future developments, such as the new hospital.

TEWV are keen to start to involve more people in the future development of mental health and learning disability services and hope these events will be the first of many opportunities for local people to get involved.

Update on local mental health services Outpatient clinics reopened at Bootham Park Hospital in February.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) are moving clinics back gradually to avoid disrupting existing appointments and patients will receive information about where to attend in their appointment letters.

Ruth Hill, Director of Operations for York and Selby, said: “This is another important step in re-establishing services.

“We appreciate that this continues to be a very unsettling time for local people and we understand their frustrations.

“We would like to reassure everyone that we are doing all we can to bring back services to York as quickly as possible.” + The 136 suite (place of safety) has re-opened at Bootham Park Hospital + Work on the interim adult inpatient facility, to be located at Peppermill Court in York is due to be completed by the summer + TEWV is developing plans to involve local people about the design and location of a new hospital for the people of the Vale of York which is expected to be completed by 2019.

Sian Balsom, manager at Healthwatch York, said: “Involving people in developing health services is extremely important and we’re really pleased to be supporting TEWV to engage with the local community.

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in the future of mental health and learning disability services across the Vale of York who was unable to attend these sessions to get in touch with us’.

Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 7

Our Community Champions are the face of Healthwatch York Healthwatch York is recruiting community champions. If you enjoy meeting and talking to people you could join our friendly group of volunteers and help York residents get the most from local services.

Healthwatch York volunteer Community Champions run monthly information stands at venues across the city including St Sampson’s Centre for the over 60s, the Spurriergate Centre, Sainsbury’s Monks Cross café and Fulford Church. We also have stands at a number of community cafés including NELLI in New Earswick, at Lidgett Grove and St Clements Hall. These cafes aim to prevent loneliness by encouraging people of all ages to call in for a drink, a piece of cake, a chat, join in activities (chess, knitting, board games, etc) and to meet local people.

We have one-off information stands at annual events such as York Pride, the 50+ Fair, community summer fairs and at the universities, the hospital, local libraries, gyms and even a pub!

At the stands our community champions talk to York residents and explain how we need their help to improve health and social care services in the city. They find out about peoples’ experiences of local services including GPs, care 8 | Healthwatch York | Spring 2016

workers, dentists and hospital services and make a note of any concerns, complaints and compliments. The community champions also provide information about local organisations and services which can provide help and advice.

We would very much like to have stands at other community cafes and venues – your local pub, club, gym, church, village hall or library–within the City of York area including the outer villages such as Dunnington, Wigginton, Rufforth, Strensall and Copmanthorpe.

If you think you could be a Healthwatch York Community Champion and would like to find out more or just have a chat about the role, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

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Meet Community Champion Kay Watkins running your own information stall you soon become an integral part of the group and that is very satisfying. Our monthly Wednesday mornings at the NELLI café have resulted in strong links with the local community.’

Healthwatch York volunteer community champion Kay Watkins runs an information stall at the New Earswick Less Loneliness Initiative (NELLI) café in New Earswick every month.

Kay says: ‘If you are outgoing and enjoy talking with people then the role of Healthwatch York community champion could be just the one for you!

By being among people in the community and encouraging

them to share their experiences, further research can be carried out and changes made which result in real benefits to peoples’ lives.

There is a strong sense of ‘belonging’ in York that comes with the job too; if you start

As well as giving her the chance to get involved in local health and social care, Kay has found that since she has been involved with Healthwatch York her confidence has been boosted. She says: ‘You can join other Community Champions in the existing community cafes to learn how it all works, take part in the annual festivals in the city and enjoy monthly meetings with the brilliant office team and the other volunteers!’

What do our volunteers say?

Healthwatch York are very welcoming – it’s not difficult to make the approach to volunteer."

Volunteering with Healthwatch York is an excellent experience."

Volunteering with Healthwatch York gives you increased confidence. You feel you’re making a difference and the training and learning gives you new knowledge."

The volunteering is flexible which suits my lifestyle and I am made to feel valuable by the staff team."

You can get a lot from volunteering with Healthwatch York; it keeps you up-todate with health and social care services and what’s happening in the city."

Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 9

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Healthwatch York’s Partner Programme recognises the valuable contribution that other agencies, particularly voluntary and community sector organisations (VCS), make to putting people at the heart of our health and social care services in York.

d Mainstay, Sustrans an ry urse Brunswick Organic N our have all recently joined d Partner Programme an we’re looking forward to e working with them in th coming months.

Our partners can use their existing communication channels to promote Healthwatch York activities and to target information appropriately.

Mainstay

Sustrans

Mainstay is an organisation that seeks to support people who live in the community and suffer from mental ill health. The services offered are individual support packages and group support.

York Bike Belles, York’s cycling community for women, is a project funded by CYC’s i-travel York programme and delivered by Sustrans.

Steps-Mentoring is a community based support service for people who suffer from mental ill health.

Steps-Drop in is an informal support group that encourages people to meet and enjoy social activity, reducing isolation.

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The Short Course Programme offers half day courses on topics such as managing stressful days, life writing and art activities.

The Short Courses for Recovery has been created to bring people together to encourage them to progress through their recovery journey and to enable access to the York Recovery College Programme.

The Programme also complements the individual support service available at Mainstay which encourages personal development, confidence building, volunteering and career guidance.

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It’s the first of its kind in the country and provides a friendly, supportive community for women who would like to cycle more. Bike Belles inspires through a combination of motivational communications and confidence building activities such as bike maintenance workshops, social rides, ‘bike-buddying’ and cycle skills training, all in a fun and relaxed environment.

Mandy joined York Bike Belles in early 2014 as she wanted to get back into cycling, make new friends and lose weight. She started coming on rides every month, gradually increasing her distance. By the end of the year, she’d lost over a stone in weight. Mandy is now a qualified Ride Leader and leads rides for Bike Belles and colleagues at York Hospital.

Mandy says: ‘Bike Belles has honestly changed my life.

I came to York not really knowing anyone, never really going out. Now I’m finding excuses to go on my bike, to go and meet people. I’ve made loads of new friends and feel much more confident to try new things.’

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For more information: 322993 or

07823 ljamesmainstay@yahoo.co.uk

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For more information visit:

www.itravelyork.info/cycling/york-bike-bellesyorks-new-cycling-community-for-women @YorkBikeBelles

Bike Belles York

CANDI have changed their name Update

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Healthwatch York Partners

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CANDI - the forum for parents and carers of children and young people – have changed their name. On 1st April 2016 they became York Parent Carer Forum. The business address 15 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET and telephone number 07751 828369 remain the same.

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Their new web and email addresses are: www.yorkparentcarerforum.org.uk

info@yorkparentcarerforum.org.uk

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Brunswick pumpkin growers Phil and Lee with the fruits of their labours

Brunswick Organic Nursery work of Healthwatch through actively supporting people to give their unique feedback on services they receive and seeking to decrease the significant health inequalities we see around people with learning difficulties.’

Brunswick Organic Nursery is a productive work place for adults with learning difficulties based in Bishopthorpe.

Adam Myers, Brunswick’s manager says: ‘We offer opportunities to be involved in horticulture, gardening in the community, craft work, sales, office work and cooking.

This work is based at our site in Bishopthorpe and we have developed the Archbishop's Walled Garden in the village as well. Brunswick also has an office at the Priory Street Centre in York.

The project runs a farm shop selling its products on the site on Appleton Road Bishopthorpe. The shop is open

seven days a week and sells organic fruit and vegetables a wide range of perennial plants for the garden, organic vegetable plants and bedding plants as well as groceries, crafts and gifts.

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In the late spring and throughout the summer the project runs a cafe at weekends selling their own fabulous cakes, teas, coffees and light lunches. It’s a busy place!

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For more information, contact Brunswick: ABC

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org.uk www.brunswickyork.org.

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Adam says: ‘We are delighted to be a partner of Healthwatch York. We can contribute to the Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 11

Healthwatch York Partners include:

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Explore York Libraries deliver York’s public library service and manage access to the City Archive. Libraries have a responsibility to reach everyone who lives, works and studies in York. fiona.williams@exploreyork.org.uk

005044 07825

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York and District Diabetes UK Group

St Nicks is York’s leading organisation promoting sustainable living and they endorse the benefits of outdoor activity to physical health and mental well-being in a natural environment. ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk

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York and District Diabetes UK Group is a small friendly gathering of people who either live with or have an interest in diabetes.

We have just received an Achievement Award from Diabetes UK for our work at local level and for our fund raising efforts to promote exciting new research projects. We would welcome any new members who have similar interests or newly diagnosed people with diabetes Type 1 and 2, to our future meetings.

Royal Voluntary Service works alongside hospitals, local authorities and other organisations, providing much-needed support for older people – delivered with warmth and friendliness by their dedicated volunteers. sarah.wallis@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

378205 07469

A diabetes diagnosis is a dreadful shock to the patient and their carers. People find that attending meetings where they can meet other people with diabetes, their families and friends is undoubtedly a great comfort. Parents whose children have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes find it especially difficult but sharing experiences with other parents can be a great reassurance at such a difficult time.

York Carers’ Centre work in partnership with carers, statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure carers throughout York have access to confidential information, advice and support. carole.zagrovic@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk

01904 715491

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Priory Street Nursery provide a happy and safe environment for children, staff and families and firmly believe in children learning through play, working in partnership with families and helping children to become unique individuals ready for school. nursery@yorkcvs.org.uk

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Whitworth’s Chemist provide a great range of healthcare services, from advice on how to stop smoking to how to have a balanced diet and blood pressure checks. Many of their services are free of charge and the friendly team members are always ready to offer useful and reliable advice on health matters. melrosegate@wcl-ho.co.uk

01904 410987

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York and District Diabetes UK Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month (except January and August) at 7.30pm in the Diabetes Centre at the York Hospital. Members meet to share experience in diabetes with others and feel that is a great help; we have speakers usually on diabetes and related medical subjects. Our meetings are warm and friendly and welcoming to new members.

The Programme for May 2016 to April 2017 is still being organised.

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12 | Healthwatch York | Spring 2016

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Please contact Christine Guy, Secretary, 13

Millfield Lane, York, YO10 3AN or: yorkdiabetes@hotmail.co.uk

york-adult.diabetesukgroup.org

www.facebook.com/groups/yorkdiabetesuk

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Dealing with financial services

Inclusive cycling club

From April until October City of York Council’s disability sport are running an inclusive cycling club for adults and young people aged 11+.

Specialised bikes for disabled people are available. The sessions take place at York Sport Village, Lakeside Way (University of York Heslington East campus)

All businesses involved with your money – banking, credit, energy, telephone, water, Post Office – say they take special care of vulnerable customers.

However, last year the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) discovered that vulnerable customers faced problems at every stage of their dealings with financial institutions, mainly because of poor communication and poor staff training.

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People can be temporarily vulnerable, for example at times of bereavement, redundancy or illness. Others have permanent physical or mental difficulties that require different solutions.

+ E very Tuesday 10am to 12 noon + Every Thursday 2pm to 4pm + Every Sunday 3pm to 5pm

Sessions cost £5 per hour, please pay at sports centre reception.

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Companies should make reasonable adjustments for each individual customer who has a special need. With banking, for example, if you have a visual impairment you can use telephone banking, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can insist on using online banking and receive printed information in a font large enough to read.

Or you can ask for information in an audio format.

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For more information contact Glyn Newberry: 01904 553377

glyn.newberry@york.gov.uk

www.york.gov.uk/disabilitysport

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York Tandem club for disabled people Experience the quiet country lanes and cycle paths around York riding a bicycle made for two.

The front rider will do all the steering, braking and tricky bits, so you just need to have good balance, concentration and pedal really hard! + E very Tuesday at 6pm from April till September

No one with mobility problems can be forced to visit a branch, however much the staff insist.

If English is not your main language you can ask for paperwork to be sent in your native language. To avoid having to repeat your difficult circumstances every time to contact the organisation you can ask for it to be clearly noted on your file and you can ask for a main point of contact you can always speak to.

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£4 per ride for rear riders. First two sessions are free Meet at Askham Bog car park, off A64/A1036 slip road near Copmanthorpe ABC

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For more information and to book a place, please contact David Shaftoe: ABC

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01423 507227

info@opencountry.org.uk

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British Red Cross Transport Support Service The British Red Cross helps people in times of crisis, providing a range of short-term services.

Their transport service, for people who cannot get out and about easily or use public transport, provides door to door transport using a private car or minibus.

The service is available to anyone who needs transport assistance, particularly those who live on their own and older people, or who need help with mobility.

Ageing without children - York Group It is estimated that 1 in 5 people over 50 in the UK have no children. By 2030, the Institute for Public Policy and Research estimates that 2 million people in the UK will be over 65 without children. Yet there is an increasing expectation by Government that families will play a bigger role in providing care for older people.

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So where does that leave those people without children for whatever reason – children who have died or moved away or have become estranged, those who couldn’t have children or never wanted children, or those who don’t want to be a burden to their children?

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This is not taken into account by the Government in their cuts to local councils which have left social services only able to provide support to those with the highest needs.

Ageing without children (AWOC) is seeking to ease the burden on the NHS and social services by setting up local self-help groups.

Visit their website to find out more: www. awoc.org A new local group in York had their first meeting in January 2016.

Phone Sue Lister on 01904 488870 if you’d like to attend future meetings or are interested to stay in touch with developments.

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British Red Cross ask for a contribution to their costs, based on the distance travelled, but noone will be refused the service because they cannot pay.

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Requests for assistance can be made to the office in York by phone or by using the online booking service: ABC

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01904 692550/693027

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Age UK Age UK York offer a wide range of services for local people + F or information and advice for over 50s and the Home Services Directory contact First Call Information on 01904 634061 + F or Befriending, Day Clubs and In Safe Hands contact 01904 627995 + F or Hospital Services, Keep Your Pet and Internet Shopping contact 01904 726191 + F or money and benefits, Insurance and Funeral Plans contact 01904 627995 + F or Computer Training, Cleaning, Shops, Toe Nail Cutting and all other enquiries contact 01904 627995 ABC

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ageukyork@ageukyork.org.uk

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Memory Matters

We Are Theatre

Alzheimers’s Society, The Retreat, Explore York and City of York Council have arranged a series of drop in sessions for people with dementia and their carers at York Explore Library.

We are a Yorkshire based theatre company and part of our work involves running theatre groups for adults with learning difficulties/disabilities which include dance, drama and singing.

We have a variety of abilities and disabilities in our groups, including some with mental health problems and others who come along to use the group simply as a means to gain confidence.

The sessions aim to: + I mprove understanding of dementia by providing up to date and relevant information + P rovide opportunities to talk to health and wellbeing specialists + E nable people to find out about relevant local and national services The monthly sessions take place on Mondays from March to August 2016, 11am until 1pm.

For more information and dates contact 01904 567701 ABC

among others, Judge Doom and Bob the Builder (naturally!).

We believe in promoting choice, raising aspiration and supporting our members to achieve their potential. The groups are positive, supportive and offer a safe environment in which individuals can be themselves.

We have members who have little to no speech and some who choose not to speak and we cater for all in an inclusive manner.

We have a York based group in Huntington that runs all year round on Wednesdays from 4pm-5.45pm. All of our groups are member led, so they choose their own characters, music and input ideas into the script.

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We always offer a free taster session and we welcome new members, from ages 16/17 upwards, all year round.

If you'd like any more information or to meet and talk about the group, contact Charlotte or Donna on 07521 364 107

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www.wearetheatre.co.uk

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www.qwellcounselling.com.

The service is free and confidential – you can be completely anonymous and create your own username when you sign up.

Spring 2016 | Healthwatch York | 15

Contact us:

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Healthwatch York 15 Priory Street York YO1 6ET 01904 621133

07779 597361 – use this if you would like to

leave us a text or voicemail message healthwatch@yorkcvs.org.uk

@healthwatchyork Like us on Facebook www.healthwatchyork.co.uk ABC

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Visit our website and leave your feedback about local services

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Healthwatch York will help you and your family get the best out of your local health and social care services. You can be involved in shaping these services according to what your community wants or needs.

Provide information about local services to make sure you know how to access the help you need Signpost you to independent complaints advocacy if you need support to complain about a service you’ve received

Healthwatch gives us the opportunity to create a health and care system that really meets our needs.

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Healthwatch York helps you influence local health and social care services – hospitals, care homes mental health services, GP surgeries, home care services and others.

Listen to your views about local services and make sure these are taken into account when services are planned and delivered. We want to know what is working well, and what isn’t

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What is Healthwatch York?

We want to put you at the heart of health and social care services in York. We:

Healthwatch York is a project at York CVS. York CVS works with voluntary and community groups in York. York CVS aims to help these groups do their best for their communities, and people who take part in their activities or use their services.

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We are here

Healthwatch England As well as operating locally, Healthwatch plays a role at national level.

Local Healthwatch passes on information and recommendations to Healthwatch England. Healthwatch England takes evidence from local Healthwatch and uses it to create a strong picture of what matters most to consumers up and down the country.