Editorial

Hello. It’s so weird not being the author of

this newsletter from now on.

However, I am confident that it is in safe

hands with our new Information Officer. DD Nottingham has been on a marathon

lately; we advertised for five posts and

received an amazing response - over two

hundred and fifty applications!

The standard of the applications were

second to none and as a result we have

recruited some fabulously skilled

individuals. I am very pleased we will be

able to provide the one-stop-shop we

promised when we first arrived in

Nottingham.

Nottingham DD also has a new office! See

page for more information

I want to take this opportunity to say a

much deserved thanks to everyone who

has got DD Nottingham to where it is

today.

• The Disability Syndicate, for helping

to secure funding and getting

CredAbility off the ground.

• To Nottingham City Council for

working alongside us and promoting

• Our intentions to their staff and

service users.

• To Dave Pearce the chairperson of

DD Nottingham

• To the Big Lottery Fund.

To DD’s very valued volunteers who have

provided support in many areas including

admin, promotion, and general office

tasks.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to

seeing and hearing from you soon.

Charlotte Throssel, Service manager

In this issue

Comments from Amo Raju, the

CEO of the Disability Syndicate

Hello from Claire Maskery, Our

New Information Officer

DD Payroll Services

Trent Sound

The West Area Project

Tears in the Sand, by Steve Rigby

And Much Much More!

Distinction A Disability Direct Newsletter for Nottingham Issue 5, Summer 2011

A word from our

CEO, Amo Raju

Welcome to another fantastic edition of

“Distinction”. What better way to start

this edition than to congratulate the

Board of DD Nottingham about the

fantastic four year lottery funding –

remember this is your User Led

organisation (ULO) – get involved in any

way you can. Watch out for volunteering

opportunities as well as much needed

direct advice provision.

We are delighted that Nottingham finally

has its own ULO with Centre for

Independent Living (CIL) status.

The Boards of both Derby and

Nottingham will also be pleased about

the commitment from Nottingham City

Council about Quality Assurance for

service providers which is a subject close

to my heart. Watch out for the

CredAbility mark which will appear in

shop windows, in and around the city.

Once again, congratulations to you all for

the long-awaited and well-deserved

beginnings of DD Nottingham.

Amo Raju CEO

Disability Direct has moved to:

6 – 7 Church Square Maxwell Close, Nottingham NG7 1SL. 0115 9583948

The move to the new office went very well, in part thanks to the hard work and help of various

people and organisations, so Disability Direct and all of the Nottingham team would like to take

this opportunity to thank the following people, and organisations, for all of their hard work.

We would like to thank Fiona, Kirsty and everyone at the Dunkirk & Lenton Partnership for their

help in making the move as smooth as possible. We would also like to say a big thank you for

giving Charlotte and the team a very warm welcome, and making us feel part of the Lenton

community. Sue and the team at the Lenton Centre for all their help. Sue’s patience in getting

the Disability Direct team in and out has been invaluable and Jane at the Lenton Centre who

went ‘above and beyond’ in helping us out!

We are always looking for people to be involved in the steering

group; if you have a disability, provide care for someone, or are an

older resident of Nottingham city then come along and make sure

your voice is heard! These are exciting times and just the right time to

be involved with DD-Nottingham.

“It was approximately eighteen months

ago that whilst working alongside

Nottingham City Council that I met

representatives from Disability Direct (DD)

at a health event in Newark. So I was

pleased that from this event that Disability

Direct Nottingham was born, and since

that initial concept and a year down the

line DD Nottingham has come a long way.

To summarise we have;

• An expanding Member list

• Successful in making a bid to the Big

Lottery Fund to sustain our initial

workings over the next four years

allowing us to fill several identified

roles, these being;

• Welfare Rights Adviser

• Information Officer

• Volunteer Coordinator

• Moved into new premises giving us

a more accessible shop-front office

• Creating, in hand with the LA, an

accreditation mark called

• CredAbility. This quality mark shows

that providers are disability aware

and accessible.

• The employment of two personnel

to facilitate the CredAbility mark.

For more information on how to get

involved with Disability Direct call

0115 9583948

Dave Pearce, Chair Person for

Disability Direct Nottingham,

Claire Maskery

Information Officer

“Hello. My name is Claire Maskery and I am very pleased to be the new

Information Officer for Disability Direct Nottingham.”

Here are a few things I’m doing at the

moment; firstly, I’m responsible for this

newsletter - so you know who to blame

for any typing mistakes! I find people and

organisations which have something to

say, and talk with them to create the

newsletter. Disability Direct is a User Led

Organisation so this is your newsletter - if

you have something to say we would like

to hear from you.

If you’re a disabled person, an older

person, or a carer in Nottingham consider

this newsletter a forum to share your

experiences of living in the city; what has

worked well – what hasn’t worked so well;

would you like to compliment someone

who has gone ‘above and beyond’; what

do you wish someone had told you, to

make your life easier? If you have

something to pass on to the rest of the

Nottingham community then let me know.

Perhaps, like Yvonne Pearson the Manager

of the West Area Project, and one of the

contributors for this newsletter, you

provide a service and would like the

opportunity to tell everyone what you do.

DDN is proud to highlight, and signpost to,

the good work that Yvonne and the team

at the West Area project do. If you have a

service you would like to tell people about

then e-mail me at

claire.maskery@disabilitydirectnottingha

m.co.uk

The other key part of my role is to arrange

and attend ‘roadshows’. These are events,

such as a care show or fun day, where I

and some of our Members ‘man’ a stand

and answer questions. As well as larger

events like this I aim to visit hospitals, GP

surgeries, libraries and lots of other places

where I can help answer any questions

you may have in relation to services

available in the Nottingham area.

If you are organising an event and would

like Disability Direct to attend, please give

us a call as soon as possible to ensure that

we have it in the diary and are able to

attend

01158 523 035.

The Derby Wheelblazers

My name is Simon Harrison and I, along with Robin Gaze and Carolyn

Marriot, coach the Derby Wheelblazers.

The Derby Wheelblazers are a wheelchair basketball team who play

both recreationally and professionally in the National League.

We play at Derby College in Mackworth, Derby, DE22 4LR. (You may not know it’s easier to

get to, than the Nottingham team venue!) We have three training sessions per week.

Training sessions are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm, and Sunday afternoons

from 1 pm – 5.30 pm.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are structured towards our first team and

are attended by invitation only, as these sessions require a good

working knowledge of the sport and a high level of fitness.

Sunday afternoon sessions are split into two. First of all we have a

junior team training session from 1.00 – 2.30, which is attended by

anyone who is between 6 – 16 years of age. This is a fun way for

our juniors to learn about wheelchair basketball in a friendly and

safe environment. Our coaches are all level 2 providers and CRB

checked.

We provide wheelchairs and expertise coaching to anybody

who wants to attend. Although this is a more relaxed training

session there is plenty of opportunity to progress to first team sessions, with professional

coaching delivered in a relaxed, fun way. Wheelchair basketball can be played by anybody,

you do not have to be disabled to play. We presently have a mix of disabled and non-

disabled player, but we are predominantly manned by disabled players

For more information call or text 07875416513

www.derbywheelblazers.com

“we are always looking for

new players so come down

for a warm welcome.”

The West Area

Project

The West Area Project is an independent voluntary

organisation which is registered as a charity. We are a

small, friendly group of people with learning disabilities.

We are based in a community centre in Lenton.

The project was started over 25 years ago by the families of people with learning

disabilities. The project now employs three workers; Brian, Tez and Yvonne. We are open in

the day time from Monday to Friday and we do all kinds of activities either at the centre or

‘out and about’.

The West Area Project is committed to:

• Offering a very individual service to each of its members.

• Remaining ‘small and beautiful .

• Ensuring its members are involved in the how the service is designed and delivered.

Its aims are to:

• Promote active, healthy living and well-being.

• Encourage better accessing of mainstream community

resources and facilities.

• Support people to maintain their existing skills in daily living

and foster personal development.

• Encourage the development of new interests and hobbies.

There is a charge for using our service (we cost £24 a day) but most

of our members have arranged for this to be paid by the City or

County Council through something called their ‘Personal Budget’.

We are always keen to get more people involved. If you have

learning disabilities, please do come along and see what we have

to offer!

Give us a ring on 01159 056 060 and leave a message and we will

ring you back. Or you can e-mail us on wapnottm@hotmail.co.uk

Martin Stiegler

“We are happy for you to

try our service free for a

few weeks to see if it suits

your needs.”

I recently met Jevan Lloyd, Programme Controller with Trent Sound, and he told me all

about the exciting things going on at the station. Trent Sound is a new radio station just

for Nottingham. At the moment you can find them on the internet (just search for Trent

Sound, and bookmark the page) but later this year they hope to be live on the airwaves

for the whole of December - and if all goes to plan they hope to get their licence and be

on air full-time from 2013!

If you remember how Nottingham’s local radio sounded in the 80s, then you’ll like Trent

Sound – they’re putting the fun back into radio, and making it relevant to the people of

Nottingham. It has taken two and a half years to make the station happen, but they are

now broadcasting and have 9 staff (including 7 DJs!). There are live DJs from 9am – 12am,

and 7pm – 10pm. During the week they play music from the mid 70s, through to the mid

90s.

Jevan brings his years of professional experience,

working in commercial radio for Viking FM and

KCBC, to the station and is keen to emphasize the

station’s social conscience.

“A station of the people, for the people -

listen up for news that effects you!”

Distinction is proud to link with Trent Sound to bring you information in a whole new way!

Make sure you tune in to hear an interview with our Services Manager, Charlotte Throssel

in the near future.

You can contact the station live by e-mailing info@trentsound.com when you can have your

requests and comments read live, on air. Or you can call 01159 160 238

Claire

Trent Sound

The CityCare Partnership are looking for people to be involved in their

Member’s Group

CityCare was formed on 1 April 2011. It was created from CitiHealth NHS Nottingham,

previously part of NHS Nottingham City (the local primary Care Trust) and Nottingham

Emergency Medical Services (NEMS CBS), who provide urgent Primary Care services when

local GP surgeries are closed. They are committed to working in partnership with

Nottingham City Council and other healthcare providers to further improve the way that

health and social care is delivered across the city of Nottingham.

The Citycare Partnership are responsible for over 40 separate areas of healthcare provision

including District Nurses, Community Nurses, School Nurses, the Community Neurology

team, Occupational Therapists, Physios, Podiatrists, as well as many others.

The services are provided by a range of dedicated health professionals in a range of settings

from GP Practices, health centres, Joint Service Centres such as The Mary Potter Centre and

Clifton Cornerstone, Children’s Centres and in people’s own homes.

If you use healthcare services, or are a carer for someone who uses services, then they

would like to hear from you!

If you are interested in joining the membership scheme and giving your opinion about the

services you use, then please contact Shahnaz Aziz, Head of Patient and Public Involvement,

on; 01158 839 678 or Email shahnaz.aziz@nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk

The Chairperson of the Disability Syndicate, Steve Rigby, has had his first book

published.

His book, ‘Tears in the Sand’, is a moving and inspirational account of a dream

holiday where, despite the severity of his disability, he swam with dolphins,

learned to scuba dive and had many life-changing experiences – even more

surprising when we learn that this emotional journey of self-discovery came

about after a call out of the blue from an old army colleague.

Distinction offers readers a unique opportunity to be amongst the first to obtain

a signed copy. Call 01332 40 40 40 where you can order your copy, signed by

the author, for £8.50 (excluding postage).

Steve Rigby, Chair of the

“They do everything for you so you can get on with what’s important.”

“I use DD Payroll for my son’s respite Direct Payments. I feel the pressure of paperwork is

relieved by your services – always a quick response and helpful.”

“Always very helpful and explained the process very clearly when I first started using Direct

Payments.”

“Every time I ring I am taken seriously and my mind is set at rest. When you are dealing with

dementia in a person you love, you just want someone to make life easier. You do this all the

time.”

DD Payroll Services gives you the opportunity to outsource

your needs and focus on what’s important: Your Life!

What is DD Payroll?

DD Payroll Services offer a very cost-effective solution to your payroll needs; whether it’s

3rd

Party Managed Accounts, personal Budgets, Direct Payments, or Independent Living

Fund – DD Payroll Services are here for you. We take the stress out of paying your

employees and provide a professional, friendly service.

Just a few of the positive comments from our customers;

For more information or to join the DD Payroll service;

Telephone: 01332 293 612 Fax: 01332 987 157

E-mail: info@ddpayroll.co.uk Website: www.ddpayroll.co.uk

Twitter: @disyndicate

Charity number 1079831

Disability Direct, Nottingham, is growing……

Along with the move to the new office we have some new members joining the team. Not

all of them are here yet, but the team will be here soon. Look out for articles about…

CredAbility

CredAbility, is the quality assurance

system, for Brokers, Providers and

Personal Assistants.

This is designed to give service users confidence in the standard of quality in any services

which they purchase.

Philip Jackson is the Welfare Rights Officer who works with disabled

people, older people and carers to help them complete benefit forms

and answer any questions you may have on this subject.

Steve Boseley is the Volunteer Coordinator who helps

volunteers with all aspects of volunteering.

This service is not limited to disabled people, but open to

anyone who wants to volunteer, for example you may be

looking for a position to showcase your skills to

prospective employers.

We’ll hear more from all of the guys in upcoming editions of Distinction and get the

lowdown from them!

The Do What You Want directory (DWYW) is an easy way to find the information you need;

Simply log on to www.dowhatyouwant.org and select the Nottingham section by clicking

on the Nottingham button.

Then click on the section that matches your needs such as ‘leisure’ and then you can view

all the groups / companies / organisations that provide those services.

Then simply select the organisation that you wish to contact by clicking on their name, and

this will then take you through to a page dedicated to that organisation. This will show

information about their service such as their accessibility, contact details and much more.

If you are part of a group or organisation and would like to add your details to the Do What

You Want directory, then feel free to add them online or call one of the team at Disability

Direct on 0115 9583948

And finally in this issue……………………………

A BIG THANK YOU

To our Members, Volunteers and Steering

Group Members.

Without you, none of this would be possible!