August 2021

CIL News We open this month’s newsletter with an article on Changing Place Toilets provided by Kerry Thompson, who as well as being a renowned blogger and MK resident is also a National Champion for these essential facilities.

Changing Place Toilets Do you class yourself as one in the 1/4 million that struggle to use a standard ‘accessible toilet? Do you need more than just a pull-down grab rail around the toilet and a red emergency pull cord?

Around 250,000 disabled people and their families including myself have to plan any form of outing around whether or not they can use a toilet. Having that anxiety of leaving the safety of your home – not drinking any fluids or having to change your child or teenager on a dirty toilet floor or just the fear of having that embarrassing moment! Many ‘accessible toilets’ in the UK are unequipped. Too small to fit a wheelchair in on its own let alone adding a carer/caregiver, forget trying to adjust clothes (I don’t fancy flashing my knickers to the world!) and If you are capable of transferring try that when the loo is too low! Grab rails, they are either badly fitted or not enough, then add baby changing tables that have a habit of just getting in the way!

What’s needed.

More Changing Places facilities

Changing Places Toilets provide

• The right equipment • Adult size height adjustable changing bench • A tracking hoist system, or mobile hoist if this is not possible

Enough space/Safe space

• Adequate space - changing area for a disabled person and up to two carers • A centrally placed toilet with enough room either side for safe transfer • A screen or curtain to allow privacy

A safe and clean environment

• Wide tear off paper roll to cover the bench • A large waste bin for disposable pads • A non-slip floor • Some even provide a shower

Below is the symbol you need to look out for. You can also find any registered Changing Places toilet on the Changing Places UK website

In Milton Keynes the registered Changing Places toilets are at:

• CMK Shopping Centre • Tesco, Kingston • MK Gallery • IKEA • MK Stadium • The Odeon

• JD Weatherspoons, Bletchley - Captain Ridley’s shooting party

The government announced a £30m investment to provide Changing Places Toilets for local Authorities to opt in and apply to install more Changing Places toilets across the UK, support and raise awareness of the need for Changing Places toilets, this went live on the 29th of July. Everyone deserves to live a life they choose not one that is chosen for them just because of a toilet! If we can put people into space and they can use the toilet surely we can make it so disabled people and their families can enjoy going out without worry. Kerry Thompson MK CIL fully support Kerry’s view and will support any organisation that decides to install a changing place toilet into their premises Paralympics With all the excitement and success going on in Japan we thought we’d bring you the reminiscences of our own Paralympic medallist, Val Williamson, on her time in the spotlight competing at an earlier event and coming away with two medals. My Paralympic Reminiscences by Val Williamson How things have changed since 1980 when I went to Arnhem, Holland as a member of the GB Paralympic Team. At that time, we didn’t get the luxury of sharing the specifically constructed Olympic Village, but just went to whoever was prepared to hold and won the Committee vote. The Olympics that year had been held in Moscow, Russia, which would have been an interesting visit. It was a new experience for me. I was an archer competing as a novice. I took part in two events: a Short Metric round (72 arrows) and Dartarchery (whereas in darts where you had to score 501). Fortunately, my aim was true on the day and I won a silver and a bronze medal. Very satisfying. At that time there was no funding and the team members had to raise funds themselves to cover the costs, we did this by holding fashion shows, jumble sales raffles etc. As appears still to be true there was great camaraderie, and everyone supported each other both on and off the field staying for the duration of the Games and supporting fellow competitors.

By 1992 when I went to Barcelona for my second experience the Paralympic movement had grown to include more countries, more sports, and more disabilities. The same venues and accommodation were used for both the Olympics and Paras. The accommodation had been specially built for the Games and was to become affordable housing after the event. There were ‘kneeling’ buses as well, so travel from the village to the events was made a lot easier. The food was excellent and gave opportunity to try foods from all over the world. Things regrading facilities and accommodation have clearly got better, but whether things have improved for the athlete though is swings and roundabouts. Facilities, as said, are clearly much improved and the funding now available in the sport means that you no longer have to struggle to pay for the travel etc, nor lose your wages by having to take unpaid leave as I did, but with lottery funding and sponsorship everything has become more intense and pressurised in my opinion. Athletes lose their funding if they are not achieving their targets. Just when they need it most!! One area that has definitely improved though is the media coverage, I want to thank Channel 4 for their brilliant coverage. It shows how sport is becoming more accessible to people with disabilities and a showcase of achievement at the highest level. Valerie Williamson BEM

Thanks for that Val, and still succeeding at everything you try. Does raise something that we wrote on in the last newsletter, what is there available in MK? We’re more than happy to put together a Directory of Sports Clubs and Facilities if you let us know. We had no response to the comment in the July newsletter I hope that doesn’t mean that there is nothing. A search on the MKC website for Disabled Sports Facilities or Clubs reveals nothing. Disturbing when you consider that in 2020 we were the European City of Sport. Participating in sport is a great benefit to Health and Wellbeing as well as great fun. I know that individuals in MKC are of a same view, possibly it’s the high level and political will. I do know that a search of the Cabinet Portfolios does identify that nobody any longer has the responsibility for Health and Wellbeing as was the Deputy Leader in the previous Cabinet. Also, interestingly, there is nobody with responsibility for Disabled issues, mind you, from what we recollect, there never has been. On that specific point of somebody responsible for Disability Issues a review of the stated Cabinet responsibilities identifies that to discuss with the cabinet means regarding the totality talking to every one of the 8 portfolio holders, but not the leader. How progressive is that for a Progressive Alliance!

Ernie Boddington

Other news Disabled people paying vastly more for care in past two years

According to research undertaken by the BBC Disabled people are asked to pay vastly more for their care by Local Councils.

In fact, it was found that some adults with learning disabilities are being forced to pay thousands of pounds more, with six councils doubling the amount of money they were previously requesting.

The BBC looked at charges in 83 areas, we note that only 83 local authorities out of 151 responded, which in itself, is a bit of a concern, you have to be left to assume that those that didn’t respond have imposed even greater increases. Half of those that did report informed that on average cost rises of at least 10% have occurred in the past two years.

Is that the case in MK? If so let us know. Possibly the Council can inform us.

Enhanced support D/deaf patients to contact Primary Care

There appears now to be some confusion with quite what is being offered, so much so that Access Ambassadors and Access Bedford are combining and have called for a meeting with BLMK CCG which is scheduled to be held early in September. We’ll let you know the outcome next newsletter, but Access Ambassadors will no doubt inform their members once something definite is known.

White Ribbon Accreditation

An interesting issue has been brought to our notice in that Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council are to pursue White Ribbon accreditation. This is an accreditation to prioritise ending violence against women

The Press release issued by the Women’s Equality Party stated that they are celebrating a decision by Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council to make ending violence against women and girls a local priority. They voted unanimously to support this proposal.

Amanda Carter-Philpott, a member of Women’s Equality Party Milton Keynes, and Councillor for Bletchley & Fenny Stratford and a Trustee of CIL, put the proposal, said:

“I was horrified to discover Bletchley & Fenny Stratford is one of the most dangerous small towns to live in Buckinghamshire according to crime statistics. The most common crimes in our community are sexual and violent offences so clearly this is an area in which we need to actively engage to promote a safer environment for all. Accreditation with White Ribbon will drive social change, strengthen gender equality and stop male violence against women in our community and organisations by training staff to recognise and address gender-based violence.”

The proposal to become White Ribbon accredited was done with the support of the community in Bletchley & Fenny Stratford, especially women, who came forward to share the need for ending violence against women and girls to be made a priority in Milton Keynes.

Advice & Info

Again, nothing of specific note although demand continues at a high rate and is becoming slightly heavier, so much so that we are bringing back our paid staff member from furlough early to meet this demand and to spread the heavy workload that Edith and Val have been dealing with.

We also have two volunteers who have put themselves forward to be trained to be able to provide benefit advice and support which we have happily taken up. Of course, all this incurs us in outgoings whilst our income is still greatly affected but as the saying goes “Needs Must” and it’s one of the reasons we are here.

Unfortunately, unlike some other organisations we don’t receive funding for this activity. We have again recently reviewed whether we should charge but that would be against our ethos. We are trying to help people who have very little, and charging wouldn’t help their position.

Accessibility

Let us IN to buildings and housing

AND LISTEN TO US

GET ABOUT on transport and the streets

PARTICIPATE get involved with what affects us ie. ‘EVERYTHING’

Equal Pavements Pledge

Back in July an Access organisation based in London, Transport for All, published this pledge for councils and other relevant organisations to sign up to.

https://www.transportforall.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Equal-Pavements-Pledge-full-A4-WITH-LOGOS.pdf

At that time a couple of London local councils had already signed up and we forwarded to MKC with a recommendation to follow suit. To date we have heard nothing. At the time we stated that we had no doubt that the GLA would sign-up to it, well I have just learnt that the London Assembly has adopted it. Something for MK with some adaptions to fit our unique environment to follow suit on?

In addition to this I have just been forwarded a booklet that RNIB produced around the same theme a couple of years back to help their volunteers persuade local councils to “make streets and pavements safe for disabled people to use”. Something that is still drastically needed.

Had this have been adopted we could have been in front of London!

WHAT’S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? Please let us know.

Buses & MK Connect (DRT)

In response to our comments in the last newsletter re Disability Champions, MKC Bus management have decided to take up the suggestion and have appointed one, Craig Scotney, who will try to provide answers to the situations raised by us or will escalate up to the decision makers.

We have agreed at the moment that we will forward comments and queries to Craig so that we have an awareness of issues to raise them ourselves. When I say we, the we, is either CIL or a representative within your own disability group, so if you have an issue, concern or question then let your office know or send us an e-mail or give us a call (details at the end of this newsletter).

Continuing on Buses, MKC are consulting to put together a Bus Service Improvement Plan, this in response to a requirement from the Government, which should be starting to take shape shortly. More news on this in the future.

MK Parks – Campbell Park

A report on its accessibility has now been forwarded to them and not too surprisingly to anybody who has visited there are considerable problems. Now the issue will be what can be done and at what cost to make it disabled friendly.

We have however found them an organisation that endeavours to make everywhere in their responsibility safely accessible to all so hopefully something can be achieved.

Accessibility Fund / Dropped Kerbs

Details of the locations where Dropped kerbs have been installed have now been provided to us and we have been invited to the next meeting to discuss future locations.

So, if you have any thoughts where you feel there is a need, like pavements you travel regularly to get somewhere but have to make major detours because you can’t get down the kerb, then please let us know and we will forward the details for consideration for adding to the programme.

Pavements going no where

We have been sent this photo of a pavement going nowhere, a feeling we often get with what we’re trying to do.

Do you know of any in MK, if so you could let us know. Also we’re compiling a log of Accessibility nightmares places you can’t get into, streets you can’t travel etc you know the real “I don’t believe it scenes”. If you are aware of any of these in and around MK, there must be some, please let us know about it, where etc plus if possible, a picture.

Upcoming Events and other bits and pieces

Nothing has been highlighted to us as happening in MK, sure that there must be something but we’re not aware.

There is something however happening in Bedford and forwarded to us by a fellow organisation over there. They are holding a Disability Awareness week from Tuesday 21st September till Saturday 25th at the Higgins Centre.

There’s something different going on every day plus daily Awareness sessions, see the attached Programme.

If your able to get over to it, it might be well worth a visit.

For latest details about MK Gallery visit their website: https://www.mkgallery.org Or phone 01908 676900 Follow the link on the MK CIL website, for further details about upcoming events - http://www.mkcil.org.uk/eventlist

MK CIL

Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living

330 Saxon Gate West Central Milton Keynes

MK9 2ES

Tel: 01908 231344 Minicom: 01908 231505 Email: info@mkcil.org.uk

Web: http://www.mkcil.org.uk/

MK CIL is a Charity

All donations gratefully received