Bromley Mencap has been shortlisted for the 2013 Charity Times Award in a Charity of the Year category. The Charity Times Awards celebrate best practice in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector. The Charity of the Year category recognises charities for outstanding service to beneficiaries, having a clear strategy and demonstrating excellence.

This is the third year in a row Bromley Mencap has been shortlisted for a prestigious

national award. In 2011 Bromley Mencap won the Guardian Public Services Award for Carers, Families and Communities. In 2012 Bromley Mencap was shortlisted for a Children & Young People Now Award.

The winners will be announced on 16th October at a Gala Dinner in the Lancaster London Hotel. The full shortlist can be found here: http://www.charitytimes.com/awards/shortlist.php

July / August 2013

Bromley Mencap Shortlisted for National Award

BULLETIN

Hope you’ve all been enjoying the gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Thankfully, summer did eventually arrive, even if it was with a vengence!

Bromley Mencap continues to be recognised for its outstanding service and excellence in its sector and for the third time in a row has been shortlisted for yet another well deserved award. This time, for the 2013 Charity Times Award in the Charity of the Year category.

In other great news £3200 was raised by Bromley Mencap members who took part in the ‘Do it for charity’ fun run in Regents Park. A great time was had by all, including myself.

To continue the mood of celebration there’s a special feature in this edition to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Jobmatch. It’s a very interesting and insightful read of how over the years Jobmatch has been instrumental in securing over 438 jobs for people with disabilities and with at least 158 of those candidates sustaining their positions in this anniversary year. Keep up the fantastic service Jobmatch team!

Hi Everyone!

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DO IT FOR CHARITYFUN RUN PG 3

FAMILY SERVICESEVENTS PG 4

CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT PG 6

THE MONDAYAFTERNOONERS PG 8

JOBMATCH ANNIVERSARY PG 10

COMMUNITYFUNDRAISING PG 16

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On Sunday 19th May, Bromley Mencap members Peter Bevan, Lynda Bunce, Betty Lowing, Sarah Ellis-Keeler, Susanne Dowswell and I, dressed up as Super Heroes to raise money for Bromley Mencap in the ‘Do it for Charity’ Fun Run in Regents Park.

Bromley Mencap Super Heroes Team

It was a beautiful sunny day, not too hot but the perfect blend of sun and a slight wind to comfortably run, jog or walk in. With over 1700 ‘Super Heroes’ taking part, Regents Park was a sea of caps with us all buzzing with excitement to do our part in raising money for our chosen charities.

Before we started the event, all the Super Heroes were led in a group warm up session which involved various comical dance moves and some Super Heroe type stances to get us all pumped, stretched and ready to fly, well run, jog or walk if your super powers were limited. ;o)

I am pleased to say that we all managed to complete the run and raised a very impressive £3,200. Sarah Ellis-Keeler (9 years old), deserves a special mention as she made a superb effort in raising over £770. Bromley Mencap also received a £750 contribution from Barclays bank through their pound for pound matched funding scheme via Peter Bevan. Great job all round to all who took part!

Laura Quailey - Bromley Mencap Bulletin Editor

Bromley Mencap members raise £3,200 in charity Fun Run

Family Services Events

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6th Aug 2013: Summer Activity Day (Age 14-30 )Emergency 999 and Sports AfternoonWilberforce Scout Camp, Keston

10th Aug 2013: Outdoor Activity Club – High Elms Walk High Elms(By personal invitation only. If you would like to attend and don’t receive an invitation please call us)

14th Aug 2013: Summer Activity Day (Age 14-30)Cookery and SingingConey Hall Baptist Church, Coney Hall

21st Aug 2013: Focus Group and Disco (Age 14-30) Coney Hall Baptist Church, Coney Hall

22nd Aug 2013: Summer Activity (Age 14-30)Drama, Visit from Foal Farm and ArtWilberforce Scout Camp, Keston

Family Services Events

Family Services Events Family Services Events

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30th Aug 2013: Summer Activity Day (Age 14-30)Cookery and Keep Fit Wilberforce Scout Camp, Keston

2nd Sept 2013: Older Carers Lunch Club (+60 years)St Augustine’s Church, Bromley(By personal invitation only. If you are over 60, and would like to attend but don’t receive an invitation please call us)

2nd Sept 2013: Monday Afternooners Broadstairs (weather permitting) or pub visit if weather bad. (Members of the Monday Afternooners only)

30th Sept 2013: Quiz at Durham House(Members of the Monday Afternooners only)

Flyers, invitation and booking forms for these events will follow. For more details please call the office on 020 8466 0790

CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORTEDDIE LYNCH

Summer is finally with us and so too are the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the latest report on the government’s Work Programme.

Work Programme

Although the latest Work Programme figures show improved performance outcomes for people on Jobseekers Allowance the Programme is still falling short of expectations around supporting people on Employment Support Allowance. This supports the consensus that the Work Programme is beginning to work for the more employable but still struggling for the more disadvantaged.

Affinity Sutton

After 2 years of the Work Programme the initial cohort are now leaving and there are many stories from people who feel the Work Programme has failed them. Bromley Mencap continues to receive concerns from people on the Work Programme and their families and we are seeking opportunities to provide support where possible. As a result we are pleased to announce a new partnership with Affinity Sutton, a national housing association. Affinity Sutton has commissioned Jobmatch to work with some of their local residents who need additional support on the Work Programme.

Spending Review

The government’s Comprehensive Spending Review brings both good and bad news for disabled people and their families. Welfare is hit again and the government is now drawing a distinction between what they call ‘welfare beneficiaries and taxpayers’.

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In reality there are significant overlaps between the 2 groups. On top of the billions of pounds of cuts to welfare already George Osborne has announced a new cap, a limit, to the welfare system as a whole. The cap will be set in cash terms every four years, starting from April 2015 and it will include housing benefit, tax credits and disability benefits.

Social Care

On a positive note the government has announced an extra £3.8billion investment in social care. This money will help towards solving the social care crisis and ensure disabled people get essential support they need to get up, get dressed, get out of the house and live full lives.

Government Proposals

However, now the crucial question is Who gets care and who doesn’t? The Government has just published proposals about who will get social care and who won’t. Currently the Government is saying it wants to deny 100,000 disabled people any social care at all. This is essential support to enable them to live their lives. Without it, they will be left isolated and in crisis. Now, more than ever, Bromley Mencap has a key role to play in providing a range of services and preventative support to disabled people, carers and families who will be hardest hit by the government’s cuts and reforms.

George Osborne

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The Monday Afternooners had an exciting outing to London to join a Thames riverboat for the sightseeing tour to Greenwich. The weather was fine and our wheelchair users were able to sit in the front of the boat having a very clear view.

We had some of our picnic on the boat as we were very hungry. Members had a look around the outside of the Cutty Sark then got back on the buses to go to Greenwich Park for tea and cake. A good time was had by all.

Thanks once again to our band of volunteers for making the trip such a success. Kim Neighbour

THE MONdAyAFTERNOONERS

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Sara seeks sales venues With the assistance of Jobmatch Sara Lawrence has recently started up a very promising Micro Enterprise selling craft items she makes with the help of her family and her support team. These include bead bracelets, greetings cards and a range of hand-knitted items including scarves, handbags and cushions.

She already visits a number of places such as the Bertha James Centre in Bromley and the Saxon Centre in Orpington on a regular basis to offer her wares for sale, but would welcome the opportunity to show them at any new venues that members would like to suggest. Please send details to Fran Dillnutt at Bromley Mencap, and keep an eye open for Sara at a venue near you!

Anniversary Fran Dillnutt -Employment Services

Manager - JOBMATCH

Jobmatch

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In June 2013 Jobmatch reached a significant milestone in its history by being in operation for the past 20 years. Where other supported employment services have come and gone due to the recession or changes in government strategy, Jobmatch has maintained its services to people with learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and those on the autistic spectrum. This is reassuring for our Jobmatch candidates who have been supported into employment over the years and know that Jobmatch is there to return to the worksite if they need further help.

I am the longest serving member of staff at Bromley Mencap, having arrived on 16th June 1993 to work initially as the Jobmatch Scheme Administrator before becoming Employment Services Manager in March 1998. In those 20 years I have had all sorts of experiences, some of which have been very challenging, but I am pleased

to say most experiences have been very rewarding. Writing about those experiences will probably result in a book, but in the meantime here are some facts about JOBMATCH.

The First Job Secured

This was at a pig farm near Keston in September 1993. Our first Employment Consultant was Tracy Illingworth and she provided Paul Battman with on-the-job support at the farm. This, as you can imagine, was very dirty work and required additional time at the end of each shift for Tracy to make herself presentable for appointments with candidates and potential employers.

Catering

Retail

Admin

Total Jobs Secured in 20 Years 438 jobs have been secured over the above period and that number includes second and third jobs secured for our candidates, as well as those that ended because the candidate either moved out of the area, had a contract end or experienced long term health difficulties which affected their ability to work.

158 candidates are currently sustaining their employment in this anniversary year. This number represents 52% of candidates in jobs of 16hrs per week or more, 20% in jobs of 8 to 15hrs per week and 28% in jobs of 1 to 7hrs per week

Top Five Choice of Jobs for Candidates

1. Retail

2. Catering

3. Administration

4. Gardening

5. Cleaning

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Employment Initiatives, Partnerships and Highlights

1993 Partnership with the London Borough of Bromley to provide employment services to people with learning disabilities

1998 Partnership with Royal Mencap Pathway Employment Services to deliver work preparation courses and job search programmes over the next 15 years

2005 Jobmatch start to promote job carving to local employers. Broomleigh Housing job carve a general assistant post at their head office and Bromley Social Services job carve a Kitchen Assistant post at the Astley Day Centre

2006 London Borough of Bromley offer first job carved post at Bromley Civic Centre. Jobmatch partner up with Royal Mencap to deliver the Work Right Programme. First Work Right job secured at Williams Lea at Canary Wharf

2007 Jobmatch pilot a Micro Enterprise Scheme – 2 small businesses are created. Townsend Cleaning & Gardening Services and PS Garden Care. Bromley Mencap job carve an Administrator post in Jobmatch

2008 London Borough of Bromley fund a Job Carving Scheme and 5 Jobmatch candidates secure employment with the council in the first year. Nash College adopt job carving and employ 2 Jobmatch candidates

2009 Following a successful start to the Job Carving Scheme a 6th candidate is offered employment at Bromley Civic Centre. Nash College employ another Jobmatch candidate as a Classroom Support Worker

2010 The New Inn at Hayes adopts job carving scheme and employs a Jobmatch candidate as General Assistant. Another candidate is employed at Nash College as a Classroom Support Worker.Wetherspoons job carve customer service roles for 2 Jobmatch candidates. NEXT in Bromley job carve a sales assistant role

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2011 Nash College job carve a Swimming Assistant role. E-training job carve administrator role. Two new Micro Enterprises developed selling hand made greetings cards, knitted bags and jewellery

2012 Two Jobmatch candidates secure voluntary work at the Olympics. Two candidates are torch bearers at the Olympics. McDonalds job carve a table clearing role for Sam

The Years Ahead

The economic climate continues to challenge Jobmatch but despite this the staff team do well and achieve excellent job outcomes for our candidates. Special thanks go to the current staff team who are Jill Baughen, Ian Breslin, Mary Coleman, Tony Holah, Marcia Lawrence and Liz Sharp. I am also grateful to Pat O’Shea for supporting our Micro Enterprise candidates.

To end this brief overview of the Jobmatch service, I am often asked why I still do this job after 20 years. Well, apart from working for a great organisation like Bromley Mencap and enjoying the work in Jobmatch, I feel there is still such a lot of work to be done to raise awareness with employers and increase job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Olympic torch bearers

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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - Mobility Component Consultation

The consultation is concerned with the PIP ‘Moving around activity’ and specifically with the 20 and 50 metres walking tests. The consultation closes on 5 August 2013.

For more information on how to respond:

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/june/new-govt-pip-mobility-component-consultation

Early Day Motion (EDM) 327 - Universal Credit Pilots

An Early Day Motion against additional conditionality for former tax credit claimants and the discrimination of online claiming for those with disabilities and those on low incomes has been tabled.

For more details and to ask your MP to support it:

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/july/early-day-motion-universal-credit

Work Capability Assessment - 4th Review Launched

The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed Dr Paul Litchfield to undertake the fourth independent review of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). The deadline for responses is 27 August 2013.

For more information go to:

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2013/july/work-capability-assessment-4th-review-launched

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People With Learning Disabilities in England in 2012

Public Health England has published their first annual report covering statistics on the lives of people with learning disabilities. The report has a wide range of information about population numbers, education, health and social care.

For both the report and the easy read version please click here:

http://www.improvinghealthandlives.org.uk/publications/1185/People_with_Learning_Dis-abilities_in_England_2012

Free Summer Events for Young People

Bromley Council is supporting a programme of activities for young people in the borough's parks, youth hubs and projects over the summer.

Full details of the dates and venues are available via facebook/bromleyyouthactivi-ties and www.bromley.gov.uk/youthactivi-ties

Community Fundraising

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Still Here!

I would like to thank everyone for their kind good wishes and gift on my retirement at the end of June. Meanwhile I am staying on in the role for 1 day a week until a replacement is recruited.

The Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem are a very ancient Order descended from the Crusaders. They still exist to help those in need and we have been very fortunate to have received a number of gifts from them during my time at Bromley Mencap. Their most recent gifts are a printer and laptop for the use of members of staff in Family Services. Father Victor Camilleri visited our offices on Tuesday 25 June and personally presented the laptop to myself and our Chief Executive and spent some time finding out about the work of the charity.

Gifts for Bromley

Still Here!

I would like to thank everyone for their kind good wishes and gift on my retirement at the end of June. Meanwhile I am staying on in the role for 1 day a week until a replacement is recruited.

Diary of Events

Date Event Help Needed

Saturday 7 September 9.00am – 5.00pm

Annual Flag Day in Bromley Collectors

Friday 15 November10.00am-4.00pm Collection at Sainsbury’s

Locksbottom Collectors

Thursday 5th December The Glades/Intu Carol Singing Day Collectors

Saturday 14 December Grand Tombola, Bromley High Street

Setting up and Ticket sellers

Help Urgently Needed

All of our events rely heavily on volunteer help. If you are able to spare just an hour or two to help out at any of the events below please ring or email.

We still need paperback books, glossy magazines, old mobile phones and printer cartridges which we can convert into cash. We would also be delighted to receive any unwanted gifts for our various events throughout the year.

Susanne Dowswell, Corporate and Community FundraiserEmail susanne.dowswell@bromleymencap.org tel 020 8466 0790

Unwanted gifts?

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Copy deadline for September/October 2013 is 1st September Editor: Laura Quailey, email: laura@flhbeauty.co.ukPublisher: Bromley Mencap, Rutland House, 44 Masons HillBromley Kent BR2 9JG TEL: 020 8466 0790

Copyright © Bromley Mencap Charity Number: 800685

The opinions expressed in Bromley Mencap Bulletin are thoseof the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Bromley Mencap. We reserve the right to edit articles before publication.