Newslink is our members bi-annual newsletter - Enable Scotland

Spring / Summer 2012

Issue No:92

Newslink Leading the way in learning disability

Inside this issue:

Sally Ann meets Michael Moore MP Lobbying the Scottish Government on teacher education

Renfrew Branch celebrates 50 years

Also available in audio format

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ENABLE Scotland Newslink - Spring/Summer 2012 - www.enable.org.uk

Want to have fun or an exciting adventure as well as raise money for ENABLE Scotland? Run the Edinburgh Marathon for ENABLE Scotland Places in the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 27th May are now available. The public ballot has been closed so the only way to get a place is through a charity. To secure one of our places the runner needs to pay a £30 registration fee and pledge to raise at least £370 in sponsorship money.

Skydive for ENABLE Scotland throughout 2012 You’ll be taken up in a small bi-plane at Strathallan Airfield, Perthshire, which will ascend to at least 10,000 feet before you leap out into the wide open sky with nothing but gravity and a trained instructor for company. Reaching speeds of over 120mph experiencing the indescribable rush of free fall you will have felt nothing like it before your parachute opens and you behind to glide peacefully over the landscape.

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For more information on any of our events call us on 0141 226 4541 or email [email protected]


Contents

Contents

A match winner at Firhill................................... 4 Education petition reaches the Scottish Government........................................ 7 Launch of the ENABLE Scotland local elections manifesto........................................... 8 Co-operative Charity of the Year comes to a jaw-dropping finish.................................. 11 Sally Ann meets Michael Moore MP in London ........................................................ 17 Renfrew Branch celebrates 50 year anniversary......................................... 19 Burns Night Firewalk....................................... 24 ! Listen Up

March 2012

letter and’s news ilities ENABLE Scotl have learning disab who for people

Also included with this issue is the latest edition of Listen Up! – ENABLE Scotland’s newsletter for people who have learning disabilities.

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If you are not online and cannot access any of the websites listed please contact ENABLE Direct on 0300 0200 101. We can post information to you.

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Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2012 edition of Newslink – ENABLE Scotland ‘s newsletter. Editor: Keegan Friel Contributors: Ashleigh Niven, Nikki Slowey, Jean McElholm, Emma Sterland, Pauline Buchan, Andrew Strong, Willie Mackay, Colin Menabney, Carey Douglas, Christopher Stevens, Jennifer Young, Lisa Sen, Natalie Boyle, John Feehan, Mhairi Maguire, Charlie Newlands Copy deadline for next issue: 3rd August 2012 Email: [email protected] Or write to the address below. ENABLE Scotland, 2nd Floor, 146 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8BL Registered charity SC009024 A limited company registered in Scotland No: 278976 Printed on Edixion Offset which is an FSC© Mixed Sources Product group from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. Extra photos provided by Photo Symbols3.

ENABLE Scotland is the leading charity for people who have learning disabilities in Scotland. We campaign for better opportunities for people who have learning disabilities throughout Scotland and the work that we do is member-led. We run a wide range of services offering advice and support on employment, short breaks, day services, supported living, legal and financial matters and services in the community.

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For more information contact ENABLE Direct, our customer information helpline on 0300 0200 101 or look at our website www.enable.org.uk

Tell us your stories Has something interesting happened to you or someone you support? We are collecting stories for Newslink, our blog and our e-newsletter. Please send any stories you have to the marketing team [email protected]

Newslink comes out 2 times a year. But you don’t need to wait for all the latest news from ENABLE Scotland. You can keep up-to-date by following us online at:

facebook.com/enablescotland twitter.com/enablescotland www.enable.org.uk/blog

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A match


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h winner at Firhill December 2011 saw ENABLE Works launch a joint initiative with Partick Thistle Football Club and S’Porting Solutions to deliver employability skills through the medium of football. Sixteen young people within the ENABLE Works programs were offered this opportunity for free. The group meets each week at the Firhill Complex in Maryhill where they receive football training from Partick Thistle’s coaching team with an emphasis on teamwork, communication, fitness and confidence. Not only has the training gone down a storm with the young people enjoying every moment, it has also been a fantastic opportunity to watch them grow as individuals and improve their skills week on week. The second part of the program launches shortly where clients will be selected for work placements within the football club based on their attendance, attitude and improvement. This will provide opportunities within catering, hospitality, stewarding, retail, administration and journalism at the Firhill Stadium. Partick Thistle F.C. have also stated there would be a potential for employment at the end of these placements. As well as gaining valuable experience, the group were invited to watch Partick Thistle F.C. take on Greenock Morton in February as guests of the club, where the young people were treated to first class hospitality treatment. The project will be running for the rest of 2012, with the hope it will continue beyond this year. It has been a fantastic opportunity for the young people to build on their footballing ability and fitness improving week by week but friendships have since developed both on and off the field. Christopher Stevens, Transitions Co-ordinator

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Moving forward with confidence in 2012 2011 in my opinion felt like an incredibly quick year, perhaps because it was full of so many challenges. It had, however, just as many highlights, including the many individual success stories across the organisation that largely go unrecognised throughout the year. I would like to extend my thanks to ENABLE Scotland staff and our members who continually go above and beyond their roles within the organisation to maintain and build a bright future for individuals who have learning disabilities. ENABLE Scotland as an organisation completed a Governance Review in 2011. One of the outcomes of the review will be the merger of ENABLE Scotland, the campaign and membership organisations, and ENABLE Scotland (Leading the Way), the service delivery organisation. Many people were unaware of the existence of these two separate companies, and perceive the organisation as the one entity already. There will be no real impact to members or staff with this change, however it will improve our governance, reduce bureaucracy and help ensure we are fit for purpose for the challenges ahead. The implementation of this merger has already started and will continue throughout 2012. This merger gives us an opportunity to review our constitution. We have also been able to recruit new Trustees to the Board allowing us to gain knowledge and wisdom from their wide range of experience. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Linda Pollock, Colin McKay, Bob Cowie and Marcella Boyle to the Board, and to thank the remaining Board Members who will continue their valuable work. Finally, I would also like to extend my gratitude and thanks to those former Board Members who stepped down at our Annual General Meeting in October. Although they are no longer members of the board, all will continue to play an important role in our organisation. I am confident that the work and commitment of these individuals will continue to play a major role in our development at local and national levels. Although 2011 has come to an end it will live on in the history of ENABLE Scotland as an incredible year of fundraising thanks to our partnership with the Co-operative Group. I have been delighted to hear how enthusiastic Co-operative staff members were to take on the various daredevil challenges and sponsorships that we set for them. A thank you must also be given to all of our members, branches and supporters across the country who also made a big contribution to the fundraising efforts. I would also like to thank ENABLE Scotland fundraising staff members Jennifer Niven, Fiona Smith, Anna Daniel and Ross Ward who visited all corners of the country and set an impressive amount of challenges and events to the Co-operative Group. This was an incredible achievement in itself and I am very proud to hear that the enthusiasm of this team has contributed so much to Co-operative staff achieving their fundraising goals. The amount raised for both ENABLE Scotland and Mencap has more than doubled in comparison to their previous fundraising efforts. This is down to the hard work of ENABLE Scotland and Mencap staff and the enthusiasm of Co-operative Group employees. All in all, this was a fantastic campaign which will leave a lasting legacy for years to come through the “Inspire Me” program which you can find more details about on Page 11. I have no doubt that 2012 will just be as successful as its predecessor and I look forward to speaking of further successes this time next year. Peter Scott, Chief Executive


education campaign

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Bridging the Training Gap Members of ENABLE Scotland lobbied the Scottish Parliament to highlight the problem of a lack of training for education staff in learning disability and autism. Pupils with disabilities are twice as likely to be excluded from school and those with additional support needs are five times more likely to be excluded than other children. Only five of Scotland’s thirty two local authorities offer training in supporting pupils with additional support needs. The situation on teacher education courses is little better. Research carried out by ENABLE Scotland members showed that although general training is provided on additional support needs, inclusion and equality issues, specific modules on learning disability and autism are only included in the mandatory curriculum of three universities. This is less than half of the Scottish universities providing initial teacher education. In one case this consisted of just two lectures. There are currently over 11,500 young people with learning disabilities in mainstream schools in Scotland. Bridging The Training Gap, a petition launched in May 2011, received widespread support from parents, pupils, teachers and other professionals. After hearing evidence given by ENABLE

Scotland members and staff, the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, COSLA, The Educational Institute of Scotland, and The Association of Head Teachers and Deputes Scotland, for their views. Linda Whitmore, Development Officer (Children and Young People) for ENABLE Scotland said “This is an issue which has been discussed at length by ENABLE Scotland’s Young Families Support Committee (YFSC) over the last couple of years. The YFSC took a while to get to grips and explore this issue – but decided that the strong point of the campaign should be about supporting teachers. The YFSC and our members have been the driving force behind the campaign.” Mandy Bradley, Chairperson of the YFSC spoke about the future of the campaign: “It’s important to maintain this as a burning issue and so we will be encouraging case studies to come forward as well as writing blogs and press releases. We would like to keep this in the media for as long as possible to make sure we can capitalise on this. At the same time the Public Petitions Committee plans to write to the Scottish Government and others to find out their views.”

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manifesto

Launching the local Council Election

Manifesto

As the battlegrounds for the forthcoming Council elections are drawn right across the country, ENABLE Scotland is busy asking candidates across Counc il Elec tions 2 Scotland to consider 012 people who have learning disabilities when drawing up their plans for the future. Council candidates are currently drafting manifestos and knocking on doors to get your support in the upcoming www.e nable .org. local authority elections. They know that if they are elected they are likely to oversee big changes up and down Scotland. Local authorities play an important role in the lives of people who have learning disabilities, not least through the provision of social care services. Good services and support can make all the difference to people who have learning disabilities and their parents and carers. ENABLE Scotland has written a booklet to Council candidates across Scotland that outlines what Council candidates can do to improve the lives of people who have learning disabilities and their parents and carers. This is called a manifesto. A number of candidates have already asked us for feedback on their own plans and we want to make sure that as many people as possible know what ENABLE Scotland wants to see happen in the future.

Manif

esto

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What is happening? • Councillors are locally elected politicians who oversee the decisions made by a local authority. • Councillors are elected to local authorities once every four years. • The next elections will take place on Thursday 3 May 2012. • An election will take place in each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.


manifesto Written by Andrew Strong, Policy Officer

What can you do?

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anifest

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If you support our manifesto, please tell your local Councillors and other candidates about it. You could ask them what their party will include or has included in their election manifesto. While we have already sent our manifesto to candidates across Scotland, it is extremely valuable for candidates to hear from their local voters. You can usually find contact details for your local Councillor through the local authority’s website or via the “Write to Them” website at www.writetothem.com There is an easy read version of the manifesto on our website.

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You can download a copy of our manifesto from www.enable.org.uk or by contacting ENABLE Direct on 0300 0200 101.

What are our main asks? • More choice and control over services for people who have learning disabilities • Greater consistency and fairness in charges for care and support services • Investment in preventative services, like Local Area Co-ordination, to stop people moving into a crisis and requiring more expensive interventions • Support for income maximisation projects for people who have learning disabilities and their family carers • Improved support to older family carers – helping them plan for the future when they are no longer able to care • Teachers and other staff to receive mandatory training in learning disability and autism awareness issues • More support to assist people who have learning disabilities to find and sustain a job

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campaign update

Campaigns Update ENABLE Scotland’s Campaigns Update is a regular email newsletter which contains the latest information about ENABLE Scotland’s campaigns and how you can take part. Signing up to the Campaigns Update is free and easy and we will get the latest information on our various campaigns into your inbox on a regular basis so that you can stay bang up to date with our work. So whether its benefit changes, college cuts, older carers or any of our other campaigning work that you are interested in, please sign up today.

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You can sign up to the Campaigns Update by emailing us at: [email protected].

Welfare Reform The UK Government has decided to continue with its plans to reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA). From 2013, DLA will be replaced by a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Everyone who applies for PIP will have to undergo a medical assessment before they are eligible to receive it. In February, the Welfare Reform Bill, containing these proposals, was approved by Members of the UK Parliament. However, opposition politicians and disability campaigners have won some vital changes that will mean the implementation of PIP is taken at a slower pace than it would have been. This will give the Government more time to make sure the assessment process is done correctly.

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Read more at www.enable.org.uk/ campaigns

Cuts to college courses In our last issue we mentioned the significant number of students who have learning disabilities who lost their access to college courses in the summer. Since then, ENABLE Scotland and its partners from the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability (SCLD) have been working hard to highlight this issue. In December 2011, SCLD invited representatives of the Scottish Government, Scotland’s Colleges and ADSW to join us to discuss the issue. The Scottish Government has since put more money into its budget for college places – but there are still expected to be a lot of changes and we are still concerned that more people who have learning disabilities will miss out on college opportunities.

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Don’t forget, if you, or someone you know, has been affected by cuts to college courses please contact Andrew Strong on 0141 226 4541 or by email: [email protected]


Co-operative Partnership raises £7mil across the UK

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Thank you so much… The Co-operative announced they raised an incredible £7 million to help young people who have learning disabilities across the UK as part of their Charity of the Year partnership with ENABLE Scotland and Mencap. Every penny raised by The Co-operative’s staff, members and customers will allow ENABLE Scotland and sister charity Mencap to launch ‘Inspire Me’ – a new project to provide activities and training that will give thousands of young people who have a learning disability the chance to learn new skills. Young people will have access to employment and volunteering opportunities and will also be able to set up their own projects to benefit their communities. Peter Scott, ENABLE Scotland’s Chief Executive, continued: “We have been astonished at the commitment shown by The Co-operative Group, employees, members and customers. The creativity and generosity of staff has been quite remarkable, and the money raised will give thousands of young people who have learning disabilities the opportunity to build a brighter future. ENABLE Scotland would like to thank each and every person who has contributed over the course of the partnership.” This story continues on the next page >

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The Co-operative Group Charity of the Year partnership

Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative, said: “Eight out of ten children with a learning disability are bullied. Young people with a learning disability face prejudice every day and a lack of opportunities which can make life a desperate struggle. “The Co-operative is a national brand, but our roots have always been in the community and it is this shared commitment to community projects that sets us apart. This money will leave behind a lasting legacy for a generation of young people who have a learning disability. I am thrilled to say that together, we have been able to take a massive stride towards creating a cultural shift in the way young people are viewed and treated in this country - a key objective of our commitment to ‘Inspiring Young People’.” ENABLE Scotland’s Fundraising Manager Jen Niven reflected on the year past saying:


The Co-operative Group Charity of the Year partnership

“Dedicated and enthusiastic staff from throughout The Co-operative Group have dressed up, walked on fire, abseiled and skydived. Well known high street brands Cadbury’s, Procter and Gamble and Andrex also got on board with marketing drives to help raise funds. Co-operative staff, including Chief Executive Peter Marks, even formed a band and released a Christmas single. “It has been a pleasure to work with so many great people, and it is wonderful to see the money being used to support young people who have a learning disability”. Inspire Me will work with local communities to change negative attitudes towards young people with a learning disability. Support will also be available for parents, families and carers with information events on issues including supported living, benefits and leisure activities.

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What’s On May 12th May

ENABLE Scotland Annual Conference An “Inspirational” themed conference including guest speakers with inspirational stories, from the world of sports, business and the arts. There will also be various inspirational workshops to attend and information on how to be inspired within the community. Where: Stirling Management Centre, Stirling, FK9 4LA Time: All day Cost: Free Contact: ENABLE Scotland Marketing Team Email: [email protected] Call: 0141 226 4541

May 31st May

…in the next few months June

27th and 28th June

European Song Festival Cope Foundation presents the European Song Festival 2012 for people with an intellectual disability. The festival will feature a conference, workshops, an International song competition, performances and a celebratory dinner. Where: Cork, ROI Time: All day Cost: Free Contact: Please contact Email: [email protected] Call: 00353 21 4643428

November 3rd November

ENABLE Scotland Annual General Meeting

The 58th Annual General Meeting of ENABLE Scotland will take place at the ENABLE Scotland Parents Stirling Management Centre on Saturday 3rd Together Conference November. Guest speakers and talks are still There will be workshops and information stands, to be confirmed but places can be booked in for parents, carers and family members of advance by getting in touch with a member of children with additional support needs. There the Marketing team at ENABLE Scotland. will also be relaxation therapies “taster sessions” Where: Stirling Management Centre, available and lunch is provided. Parents don’t Stirling, FK9 4LA have to attend for the full day, you can “drop in” Time: All day for one of the workshops or for half a day. Cost: Free Where: Rothes Halls, Rothes Square, Contact: ENABLE Scotland Marketing Team Glenrothes, KY7 5NX Email: [email protected] Time: 9.30am-2.30pm Call: 0141 226 4541 Cost: Free Contact: Natalie Boyle If you want to know about any exhibitions, conferences or Email: [email protected] workshops we are planning please take a look on Call: 0141 226 4541 www.enable.org.uk/campaigns/events


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Peter Johnston receives support from ENABLE Scotland to live the life he wants to live. His Mum, Julie, tells us not only how much this has changed Peter’s life for the better, but also how much it has changed the family life too. “Peter was excited when we asked him if he wanted to go to Perth and tell other people about how he uses his budget at a Personalisation event. On the way up in the car Ashleigh [Niven, Personalisation Development Manager at ENABLE Scotland] and Peter enjoyed the sing-a-long to Peter’s favourite Disney albums.

My Story: Peter Johnston

“He wanted to tell the audience about his workers and what they do - like getting to college, going swimming, going to art class and sometimes going shopping. “Peter also wanted to tell them about his family based respite experience. He enjoys staying with Carol and Chris and even got invited to a wedding! He also spoke about the animals that he visits as well. “He spoke about his visit to Skye, going to the castle, and getting to know my friend Linda’s Dad as if they had known each other for years. Peter took some photos to show what he’d done and some of the art work from his art class. “At the event one young man in the audience said that Peter’s presentation was the best of them all. On the way back Peter asked Ashleigh when we could do it all again. “Shortly after Perth, Peter went to London with his sister Louise on the sleeper train (another bit of his respite) and they went to Camden Market. Peter bought a vintage car that looked a bit like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and some film pictures to put on his wall. He also went to buy some DVDs. “Peter’s life before Personalisation was a bit boring because he wasn’t getting a chance to do things that he maybe could have done if he had support – life today now is a lot better with the support from ENABLE Scotland, both for Peter and for the rest of the family – it gives us the flexibility to do what we want as a family.”

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Budding Artist My Story: Ronnie Stokesley Let me introduce you to Ronnie Stokesley, ‘Budding Artist’. Ronnie has been going to Project Ability classes once a week for quite some time and enjoys painting and meeting up with others who share this interest. In addition Ronnie has been painting at home with support from his support worker Gordon who also shares this passion. He and Ronnie have painted side by side both doing the same scene. In the picture we can see Ronnie with three of the paintings he did at home, and which are hanging on his bedroom wall. Ronnie did two versions of the middle painting entitled ‘Anglers Hideaway’ and Gordon has exhibited it for sale along with some of his own work, most recently at a couple of Christmas Fayres. Ronnie also likes to visit Museums and Art Galleries and especially likes going to Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Pauline Buchan, Support Co-ordinator

Alan sets to the sky – 3rd time lucky!!! After being postponed twice before due to bad weather, Alan Hayes finally gets to soar the skies with his support workers, Stephanie McNamee and Graeme Downs, in his helicopter experience. This is not the first time Alan has taken to the skies! A few years ago Alan boarded the sea plane and thoroughly enjoyed the thrill and watching the world beneath him. This time round Alan enjoyed the Glasgow Scenic Tour, tracking along the River Clyde witnessing Glasgow’s famous sights. Alan loved the whole buzz and excitement of being in the helicopter. We can now say Alan is well and truly a high flyer!!!


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Against Welfare Benefit Cuts Sally Ann visits the UK Parliament Most ENABLE Scotland members will probably be aware of the wide-ranging reforms and cuts currently proposed to welfare benefits by the UK government. Like most organisations concerned with the well-being of people who have disabilities, ENABLE has real concerns about how this will affect the people we support, and we have been part of a number of campaigns to raise awareness of this issue and try to persuade decision-makers to rethink some of these changes. As part of this, ENABLE Glasgow Committee member Sally Ann Elfverson visited the UK parliament during January as part of a Learning Disability Alliance Scotland delegation which aimed to make the views of Scottish people who have learning disabilities known. This included attending the Westminster Parliament All-Party Group on Learning Disability, which was considering this important issue. Delegates also held a meeting with Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, at which they

passed on the fears of many of their colleagues north of the border, especially regarding the new Personal Independence Payment, proposed assessment procedures, and the affect of new claim systems on people with limited literacy or capacity. Mr. Moore said he would do what he could to make sure that the most vulnerable people were not affected and that he will pass on our concerns to the Department of Work and Pensions. He also said he would raise these issues with Iain Duncan Smith, the Minister in charge of welfare reform. Sally Ann is worried that she will be directly affected by these reforms, as will many of her friends. She’s also aware that welfare benefits changes coupled with other cuts in funding for services will have a particularly severe affect on cities such as Glasgow. It’s always really effective when people who have learning disabilities talk directly to politicians, and we’re grateful to Sally for taking the initiative and doing so. Written by Colin Menabney, ENABLE Glasgow Branch

My Story: John Feehan Hi, my name is John Feehan and I am ENABLE Scotland’s new Participation Officer. The job will be about getting people who have learning disabilities really taking part in how the organisation works. I was so pleased to get the job because I haven’t had a real job in a long time. I think I will do it well because of my experience - I was a member of national ACE for 10 years and I also get 16 hours support from ENABLE Scotland so I know what it is like to get support. I have been a member of ENABLE Scotland’s Ayr branch since I was 13 years old and it is still a big part of my life.

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Can a person with a learning disability make a Will? This is a tricky question, and lots of people don’t know the answer to it. The simple answer is yes, but (there’s always a but!) there are a couple of conditions that have to be met before the Will can be prepared. The first condition is that the person who is making the Will is over 12 years of age. The second is that he or she has enough understanding about what a Will is and what it does to know what they are doing. This is called legal capacity. When you decide to make a Will, or your son or daughter or loved one decides to make a Will, the first thing to do is to contact a solicitor. It is best to have a Will prepared by a solicitor. This is especially the case if the person making it has a learning disability as this means that if someone challenges the Will, there is a lot more chance of the terms of the Will standing. You might find that some solicitors are not too happy at preparing a Will for someone who has a learning disability and this can be for a variety of reasons. One of the reasons for this is that a Will might be challenged at a later date on the basis that the person who made the Will did not have legal capacity when it was made, and it can come back to the solicitor. Another reason might be that the solicitor isn’t comfortable preparing the Will. He or she may not have experience of working with people who have a learning disability or may not be confident that the individual understands the process. Although family and friends can help someone with a learning disability to understand what is involved, it has got to be the person’s own decision to make the Will – this is one of the few things that a Guardian or someone acting under a Power of Attorney cannot do. At ENABLE Scotland, we find that some of the most common things people say about why they don’t have a Will is that they don’t have much to leave in it. This shouldn’t be a reason for you not to make a Will. One good thing is that if it is quite a straightforward Will, it shouldn’t be too expensive, and it will give peace of mind of knowing that the people you want to leave things to will get them. If someone is unable to leave a Will, this means that when they pass away, their belongings and personal possessions (“the Estate”) will be divided among family members according to the rules of ‘intestacy’. This means that the Estate will start with the closest family members and work out from there. Making a Will is an empowering experience for anyone, no less for someone who has a learning disability, as it gives comfort in the knowledge that you have left clear instructions to provide for those you love. Mhairi Maguire - ENABLE Trustee Service Paralegal


ENABLE Renfrew Branch celebrated 50 years of care in the community this year, with a Civic Reception, a Golden Dinner and a Friends Dinner. Provost Celia Lawson of Renfrewshire Council hosted the Civic Reception on Thursday 2nd February in the Glynhill Hotel for committee members and supporters. In attendance were the Lord-Lieutenant Guy Clark, Council Leader Brian Lawson and Chairperson of ENABLE Scotland, Jo Armstrong. Before the meal, the Provost praised the work of ENABLE Renfrew while the Lord-Lieutenant highlighted the work of volunteers in society, especially those on the night. Jo Armstrong presented a surprise Honorary Life Membership to branch secretary Charlie Newlands. After an excellent meal, Charlie presented a slide show covering the 50 years of the branch, which brought back many memories. The Provost then presented Commemorative medals for 50 years service to members Nan Crawford and Ann Baird who have been active in the Branch since the opening night in 1962 and are still there fifty years later. David Gibson, Alan Morris and Harry Mclachlan also received their medals for 50 years attendance. Harry brought the house down with his impromptu vote of thanks, especially when he turned round and asked the Provost “who are you”? On Thursday 16th February, the Golden Dinner for the Clubbers was held when 110 branch members descended on the Glynhill Hotel for another classic evening. We have many reasons in our Branch to celebrate and plans to have many this special year.

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Renfrew Branch Celebrates 50 Years

Charlie Newlands - ENABLE Renfrew Branch

Caithness Branch begin their 50 Year Celebrations The Caithness Branch of ENABLE Scotland is now entering their 50th Anniversary year, and kicked off proceesings with two very successful days bag packing at the local Cooperative store in Thurso. On Christmas Eve, customers gave generously throughout the day to raise £1,171. A week later on Hogmanay, Branch members were back in the Thurso Co-operative and raised a handsome £999, bringing the total up to £2,170 for branch funds.

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2 My Life

An ENABLE Glasgow Branch Member triumphed at an award ceremony for a film he produced, examining discrimination suffered by people who have disabilities. Peter McMahon was highly commended at October’s Mental Health Arts and Film Festival for his film, “My Life 2”. Speaking to The Glaswegian in November, Peter said: “One of the main reasons that I made the My Life short film was because I had travelled on the public bus service for more than 13 years. “The so-called ‘normal people’ who travel on public transport are often school kids who give me a hard time. “They make fun of my disability, calling me a mongol, spastic and other names.” In 2008, Peter was confronted by three girls on a bus who verbally and physically abused him. After the incident, Peter went to his home and didn’t leave for a full month. The incident knocked Peter’s confidence to continue to lead the life he wanted to live. As a keen fundraiser in the past, he stopped his fundraising for sick children, decided against attending writing groups and stopped work on a horticultural project. Thankfully, Peter found the strength to tell his story so others wouldn’t need to go through the same situation. He said: “If I had given up, those who make fun of people with a learning disability would have won. “The film presents the audience with an insight to a problem faced almost daily by myself and many of my friends. “If others can begin to understand the difficulties we face and how we try to deal with them, life can be better for all in the community.”

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You can watch Peter’s award winning film by visiting www.enable.org.uk/mands/ what-our-members-do/


Safe and Secure Last autumn ENABLE Scotland’s Lifelong Carers got together with Equal Futures to hold a series of joint workshops for family carers of people who have learning disabilities in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The workshops were aimed at providing information to help the carers plan for the future and included topics like emergency planning, wills and trusts, guardianship and housing along with a special social event to launch the Safe and Secure book. The first event in the series was a workshop titled “Why Plan?” which discussed the value of emergency It has highlighted planning and featured the need to start a guest speaker planning now and from Equal Futures not to wait until an who spoke to the emergency happens. group about Circles of Support, how they worked, what they could be used for and the difference they have made to the lives of people who have a learning disability. Many of the carers present spoke about how the event had reinforced the need to plan for the future which they recognised but had not yet addressed. The Housing event included a talk from a representative of Housing Options in Edinburgh, who spoke to the group about the different options available to access housing for individuals who have a learning disability, for example, ownership options and group living in the community. Feedback from the carers indicated that they found the event very informative and useful. The Wills and Trusts and Guardianship event featured a talk from ENABLE Scotland legal team Laura Moore and Susan Sweeney,

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It helps to focus your mind on what is needed for the future.

followed by the opportunity for carers to attend individual surgeries with Laura and Susan. This event was particularly popular with carers who reported increased confidence in understanding how to make financial provision for the people they care for. The Ayrshire workshops culminated with a social event at the Burns Centre, Ayr, to celebrate the launch of “Safe and Secure”, the book produced with the assistance of Denis Rowley of Equal Futures. Carers enjoyed the opportunity to consolidate what they had learned in the workshops so far in a social setting in such a fantastic venue. Lifelong Carers Manager Kathy Hunter said: “The Safe and Secure events were well attended in both Ayrshire and in Dumfries and Galloway and we were delighted to welcome some new faces who have since signed up with the Lifelong Carers Project. “We were pleased that many of the carers who came along found the information provided useful in helping them to plan for the future – for some of the carers, it was the first time they had ever thought about planning for the future.”

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For more information on the Lifelong Carers Project, which works with family carers (aged 50 plus) of people with learning disabilities, please contact Kathy Hunter ([email protected]) or 0141 225 1651. For more information on Equal Futures please go to their website at www.equalfutures.org.uk

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Join the Young Family Support Committee Are you interested in making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people who have learning disabilities and their families? Are you the parent or carer of a child with a learning disability and/or autism aged between 0 and 18? Then why not join ENABLE Scotland’s Young Families Support Committee... The Young Families Support Committee was formed in 1993 when ENABLE Scotland’s governing body, Scottish Council, realised members were parents or carers of children and young people who have learning disabilities, and wanted to give them a stronger voice both within the organisation and nationally. The committee aims to identify and campaign on issues affecting the lives of children and young people who have learning disabilities and their families, and to influence national policy on issues relating to children and young people who have learning disabilities. For more information and how to join please contact Linda Whitmore, Development Officer for Children and Young People on 07889 456 104 or email [email protected]

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Bowling Night Out The young people who took part in the Edinburgh community impact projects over the summer got together recently to celebrate their achievements. The group met and went bowling. It was a super social event and gave those involved with “Inspire Me” a chance to catch up with each other and chat about their volunteering experiences. In between the serious business of trying for strikes, Isobel said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time with the Green Team and in particular enjoyed making a hot chocolate using a storm kettle. Isobel said “it was a horrible day but we had loads of fun”. Sophie also enjoyed the day “we got a drenching but it was worth it, we had a good laugh”. During the break the group discussed whether they felt volunteering was worthwhile. They agreed that it was and that they would definitely volunteer again if the right opportunity came along. The night continued and there were definitely a couple of bowling sharks in our midst. Tony who had not bowled before got a strike! Mark and Sophie smashed it and were the winners of the night. The “Inspire Me” Co-ordinator was well and truly beaten, the strain of two games was just a bit too much for her! An excellent night out had by all. Carey Douglas, Regional Co-ordinator


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Talk to ENABLE Direct on 0300 0200 101 ENABLE Direct is a new helpline for people who have learning disabilities, their families and carers throughout Scotland. It can give people the information they need to access the services and support that’s just right for them. It links people into our local services as well as providing advice on a wide range of issues – from finding a local support group to getting exemption from council tax or how to decide about guardianship. ENABLE Direct aims to give people the information they need or to signpost them to the right source.

Open Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm, it has a lo-call number 0300 0200 101 (calls charged at local rates) to make it easy for people to call from any part of Scotland. You can also email [email protected]

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If there’s something you want to know about learning disabilities or about ENABLE Scotland’s services then call ENABLE Direct on 0300 0200 101.

Parents and carers pool expertise create the first online ‘Special Needs Handbook’ www.netbuddy.org.uk is the first online resource of its kind offering hundreds of simple, yet ingenious solutions to everyday issues experienced by parents, carers, teachers and therapists working with learning disability. From brushing teeth to managing challenging behaviour, Netbuddy lists more than 1,000 practical tips and suggestions from people with first-hand experience of special needs. And the tip count grows daily as more people contribute. Netbuddy Director Deborah Gundle, who’s son has learning disabilities, said: “The idea for Netbuddy came about when my son was small. I spent so much time and energy solving day-to-day problems, which I felt sure other people had overcome before me. Then, one day it came to me – I should start writing down my ideas for other people to use, and encourage them to share their own.” Deborah’s original plan was to write a ‘Special Needs Handbook’ but, as she started collecting tips, the idea evolved into an interactive website, where people could add suggestions and help create the resource themselves.

“People can come to Netbuddy for practical suggestions, they can talk to other people on the interactive forum and they can share their own breakthroughs within a community that understands and appreciates the hard work that has gone into those successes,” Deborah said. In January, just four months after launching www.netbuddy.org.uk the site won a Media Trust ‘Inspiring Voices’ Award for its work in empowering the learning disability community through digital media. A month later, it was a finalist in the About.com Readers Choice awards. “I think Netbuddy has hit a chord because there is nothing else quite like it,” said Deborah. “It’s all about people supporting each other in a very real, practical way. It is the perfect example of a community of people using the internet to create something uniquely valuable for themselves.”

Burns Night! A walking success

Our annual fundraising Burns Night Firewalk took place on Wednesday 25th January at Glasgow’s ALEA Casino. Putting politics on the back burner for the evening, MSPs Jackie Bailie and Jim Eadie joined 30 others in walking over red hot coals encouraged by the sounds of a piper and the promise of a toast to the Bard on completion. Prior to taking to the coals, firewalkers were taken through a two-hour ‘Learn or Burn’ seminar hosted at ALEA Casino to prepare them. MSP Jim Eadie said: “I believe society is judged on how it cares for our most vulnerable citizens. I am therefore delighted to help promote the excellent work done by ENABLE Scotland, who do a tremendous job supporting people with learning disabilities to live an independent, productive and fulfilling life”. MSP Jackie Baillie said: “ENABLE Scotland has worked for decades to make sure people who have learning disabilities have the same choices and same opportunities in life as everyone else. Their work has made such a difference to people in our local area that I didn’t hesitate to say yes when they asked me to take part in the Firewalk. “It has been great fun to be part of this event and raise awareness of the vital work that ENABLE Scotland does. I’m looking forward to working with them in the future to ensure people who have learning disabilities are given a fair chance in education, at work and in society”. Also taking part on the night was Vodafone employee Kirsty Townsend who was also celebrating her 21st birthday that day. Kirsty commented “A staff member from ENABLE Scotland was in chatting to one of my colleagues about the Firewalk, and I ended up signing up with several other colleagues – one of those “I’ll do it if you do it!” situations. “He came back later with the leaflets only for me to find out that it was on Burns Night which is my 21st! A memorable way to spend it I suppose!”