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VOiCEMore Choice: ChoiceUnlimited returns toLeicester and debutsin Surrey

Shared Lives: Long-term, respite and daycare support forLeicester residents

Mums the Word:West End’s PolishMum’s and Children’sGroup

The Dog Blog: Zana’slatest waggy tales

News and views from LCiL, your local user led organisation for disabled people

July 2014 FREE

After 17 years of residing in our offices in Upper Brown Street,we are really excited to have just moved to pastures new. Ournew home, the West End Centre on Andrewes Street, has lotsmore room, free parking spaces and easy access.

Our phone numbers and emails will all remain the same, butour new address will be: LCiL, West End Centre, AndrewesStreet, Leicester, LE3 5PA.

After several months of redevelopment, and working alongsideLeicester City Council, LCiL is ready to showcase its newfacilities. Stephen Cooper, CEO of LCiL said, “Our investmentat West End Neighbourhood Centre represents a significantupgrade of the existing facilities, ensuring we are able toprovide the local community with a first class product andservice to match.”

Being at the Centre allows LCiL to be at the hub of thecommunity and we are looking forward to exploring ways thatthe Centre can strengthen these relationships and build uponits successes. LCiL is keen to work with and encourage localpeople to develop and run their own groups and activities, to

be active in their community and influence the decisions thataffect their lives.

We will continue to offer the same friendly and professionalservices as we have always done from our new address. As adisabled people’s user led organisation, run and controlled by disabled people, we continue our pledge to work ininnovative ways based on the social model of disability. Ournew centre will allow us to better support disabled people at a local, regional and national level to exercise choice andcontrol for independent living.

The West End Centre is a vibrant community centre in theWestcotes Ward. The Centre provides services and activitiesfor everyone in our community, catering for a wide range of interests and age groups. You can see a variety of activitiesthat take place on page 8 of this edition of Voice.

We have a lounge area with sofas and facilities for refreshmentsin the new offices, so please pop in any time for a coffee anda chat! See you soon!

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Movin’ on up!A bigger and brighter new home for LCiL

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The Leicester Disabled People’s Access Group were nominated for the CharlesMaher 2014 Award, by the Living Streets organisation, for their continuing workon streets of Leicester. Although they did not win they have been highlycommended for working tirelessly for a number of years to get the streets ofLeicester de-cluttered. It has recently been active in stopping a street cafeopening, and is now working with the City Council to keep cars from pavements.The group is also working with a cycling group to stop cyclists using pavementsin the city centre area.

The Access Group have been recently represented on a consultation groupheaded by Dr Philip Barham whose remit is to study the interactions ofpedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicles, scooter and wheelchair users, with a viewto making Leicester a safer environment for all.

John Hargrave, who is the Chair of the Leicester Disabled People’s AccessGroup said, “We are delighted to have been nominated for this award by LivingStreets. The Access Group works tirelessly to ensure the city centre isaccessible to all and we are proud to have been recognised for our work”.

For more information about the group contact the Group’s Chair, John Hargrave,on 07875 607396 or email john.hargrave092@gmail.com

In 2012, two Polish Mums, MarzenaZarczynska and Iwona Zadroga, had anidea about how to tackle boredom intheir local area. They formed a PolishMum’s and Children’s group which nowmeets weekly at the West End Centre.

Marzena and Iwona give up their owntime on a voluntary basis providingweekly activities, dance classes andcreative gardening for the West Endcommunity. To date they have servedaround 1500 people. Their creativity andinnovative ideas attract more and morepeople also from all across Leicesterand everyone is made most welcome.

Their optimism, hospitality and desirefor helping others ensures that everyonefeels welcome and looks forward tocoming back each week. Their sessionsare enjoyed by many people of differentages from small babies to teenagers,parents and grandparents. Marzena andIwona work closely with organisationsacross Leicester such as dance teachers,musicians, entertainers, students, localshops to name a few ensuresing thattheir sessions offer variety.

The group works hard in contributingtowards making the West End area ofLeicester a vibrant place to live.

STREETSAHEAD

Leicester Disabled People’s Access Group recognisedfor their work in making the local pavements accessible

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mum’s the wordWest End Polish Mum’s and Children’s Group

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Choice Unlimited returns to Leicester and debuts in SurreyChoice Unlimited is a unique roadshow led by disabled people to empower disabledpeople and benefits everyone involved:• Disabled People enjoy an exciting event to learn about the services available to • them on their doorstep and to support them to live independent lives.• Organisations enjoy the opportunity to showcase their wares and increase • awareness about their services to an ever increasingly powerful customer base.• Professionals enjoy the opportunity to learn about the diversity of services • available so they are better able to support their disabled clients.

Choice Unlimited is a UK wideroadshow on independent living andthe first of its kind nationally. Aimedat disabled people, older people andcarers, Choice Unlimited showcasesthe diversity of information, services,products, ideas and innovation that isavailable to support independentliving all under one roof.

More choice!

The Choice Unlimited roadshow calls in at Leicester and Surrey. More on pages 4 & 5 �

Unlimited.ChoiceLeicester & Surrey

Unlimited.ChoiceLeicester

Choice Unlimited causesruckus at the Tigers

and Don Bhagawati from City Cricket Academy talking abouttheir plans to start disability cricket in Leicestershire.

Both the ground floor and the first floor of the Tigers Stadiumaccommodated over 100 exhibitors which were put into thezones of Products & Services, Care & Support, Education,Employment & Training, Health and Leisure & Wellbeing,bringing together a wealth of diverse services available tosupport independent living.

The event was supported by Leicester City Council, NHSEngland and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. A free Directory listinglocal services for disabled people, older people and carers isavailable from LCIL or via www.choiceunlimited.co.uk.

The LCiL Events team returned to the Tigers Stadium for thethird year running on the 9th April to once again bring ChoiceUnlimited to Leicester. It was the best year yet, with a footfallof over 1200 visitors creating a buzzing and fun atmospherethat lasted throughout the day.

This year the event was officially opened by the Chief Constableof Leicestershire, Simon Cole. Simon led the national portfoliofor the Association of Chief Police Officers ACPO on mentalhealth and disability from September 2011 until April 2014.Matt Hampson, LCiL’s Patron, was there to give his supportduring the afternoon. Rounding up the day were visits fromPaul Nixon, England cricketer and former Leicestershire Captain

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On the 19th June, LCiL Events staged its first Choice UnlimitedSurrey in partnership with hosts Surrey Independent LivingCouncil (SILC). The event was the first outside the Midlands,with Epsom Downs Racecourse being the chosen venue. Thisbeautiful location, with magnificent views over the course andthe London skyline, played host to around 100 exhibitors. Theevent was supported by NHS England, Healthwatch Surrey andIrwin Mitchell Solicitors. Considering it was Surrey’s first year ofrunning the event, footfall topped a remarkable 1000 disabledpeople, older people, carers, families and professionals.

Here’s what some of our visitors said:“A valuable opportunity for people in the community to seewhat’s available in Surrey – great!“An excellent idea, please repeat it.”

YOUNG REPORTERMy day at Choice Unlimited SurreyJennifer Pascoe (aged 12)

Choice Unlimited is an event for disabled people, olderpeople and carers. It is an exhibition showing products,services and opportunities. I’ve been to 2 events like thisbefore; usually it was in Leicester at the Tigers Stadiumbut this time it was in Surrey. This event had a partnershipwith Surrey Independent Living Council (SILC). I wasthe youngest person on work experience; the otherswere about 17 so I had to be a mature adult for the day.

My mum was the organiser of this event along with herother colleagues so I was in safe hands. As well asmeeting and greeting visitors and exhibitors, I alsohelped set up the stands, exhibitions and reception.Throughout the day I helped the event run smoothly bygoing to exhibitors and visitors and asking they if theyneeded any help. Later on in the day I helped hand outsurveys about the event and I collected them later on.

Overall this trip has been an experience of a lifetime. Iwish it was more than one day, it was a fun andexcitable day and I would do it all over again.

Unlimited.ChoiceSurrey

Come on Downs, the choice is yours!

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Sharedlives,better lives

The Shared Lives service supports a wide range of people tolive independent lives. A Shared Lives arrangement can be:• somewhere to live• somewhere to stay for a short break• somewhere to go for day time support• someone who will support you to live in your own home

The Shared Lives service is registered with the Care QualityCommission and our carers undergo rigorous assessmentsbefore becoming self-employed Shared Lives carers.

Our carers come from all walks of life – they may beindividuals, couples or families in the local community. Theyare supported in their roles by a dedicated team of socialworkers and community care workers. The Shared Lives teamspecialise in assessing, monitoring, offering guidance, andproviding training to all carers.

Who can use the service?Shared Lives provides care, support and accommodation forpeople with an assessed community care need. This includespeople with:• a learning, physical and/or sensory disability• living with dementia • mental health problems You have to be assessed to use the scheme.

What does it cost?The costs of using Shared Lives will depend on how you wouldaccess the service for example whether you wanted long termor day care support. It will also depend on your individualfinancial circumstances.Someone from your social work team will be able to assess youand help you understand the costs of the service that you want.

What can a Shared Lives arrangement offer you?In a Shared Lives arrangement:• YOU can get the support you need to do things you choose • to do.• YOU are able to choose your own carers.• YOUR carers will respect you, and support you to make • choices and decisions and be in control of your own life.• YOU will share a home which will be clean and well looked • after.• YOU will be part of your local community.• YOU will have the company of other people but also have • your own independence as an adult.• YOU will be able to meet new people and make new friends.• YOU can learn new skills.

All Shared Lives Carers undergo a detailed assessment priorto approval which includes CRB (Criminal Records Bureau)check and references are sought from their doctor and fromfriends, employers and colleagues.

They also receive training Shared Lives workers to help themcarry out their caring role. Shared Lives carers are supportedand monitored by Leicester City Council.

We welcome feedback on the Shared Lives service and wewant to hear any comments, compliments or complaints youmay have.

To contact the Shared Lives team please call 0116 221 1370 oremail sharedlives@leicester.gov.uk

Shared Lives is a unique serviceoffering eligible city residents thechoice to receive long term, respiteand day care support from thehome of a Shared Lives carer.

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Hello everyone, I hope you are all well!

Well as you may know I have been away from the office fora few months but I am now back. And goodness me what achange! I turn my back and everyone has moved office butI found them. It was very strange coming back to work andfinding my way around a new building as we are now all onone level and there are no stairs.

Within a few days of being back in the office, they’vealready got me working hard. They even wanted me to helpwith the distribution of the Choice Unlimited leaflets. I’mnow adding marketing guru to my job description.

It’s very nice being in our new premises as I get to go andsay hello to all the groups that we have in. On Wednesdays,I go in to say “Hi” to the Asian Lunch Club Group while Dadhas some lunch. Every Friday (I love Fridays) I get to go intothe hall and play with the children.

Anyway, it’s nice to be back and I will give you anotherupdate soon.

Zanna

Ask Eric is a dedicated service whereindividuals can ask any disabilityequality related question. Send yourenquiries to askeric@lcil.org.uk andthey maybe featured in future editionsof Voice

Alternatively, you can go to our websitewww.lcil.org.uk and click on Ask Ericand submit your questions there.

The online service is only available tomembers of LCiL. Please contact theoffice to find out how you can join LCiL.

?ASKERIC

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Zanna’sdogblog

All sessions need to be booked. Pleasecontact LCiL: Telephone: 0116 222 5005Text: 07910 864 594Email: events@lcil.org.uk___________________________________

We need to hear about thequality and safety of Leicester’sClinical Commissioning GroupGP practicesFacilitated by LCiL in partnership withthe Care Quality CommissionWed 23rd July • 1pm - 4pm

This session is for community groupsand voluntatry organisations to provideevidence on behalf of their service users.

The aim of the session is to hearevidence about the quality and safety ofservices prior to the Care QualityCommission inspection. This meetingwill focus on the following questions: • Are services caring?• Are services safe?• Are services effective?• Are services responsive?• Are services well-led?___________________________________

Free legal advisory clinicsLCiL in partnership with Irwin Mitchell SolicitorsTues 29th July • 10am - 1pmWed 26th November • 10.30am - 12pmThurs 18th December • 2pm - 4pmFree for LCiL Members

As part of their commitment to provideaccess to justice for all, Irwin Mitchell isdetermined to ensure that access tolegal advice is truly available to all.

Free legal advisory clinics on all disabilityrelated matters are available throughoutthe year. These are extremely popularand booking is essential. To book, call0116 222 5005 or text 07910 864 594.

Puppetry WorkshopsLCiL in partnership with Upstairs at theWestern and Effigy Theatre CompanyWed 30th July • 1pm - 5pm • £5For young disabled people agedbetween 12 - 19 years

Anything can be a puppet, with a littlehelp from the puppeteer of course. Thisworkshop will explore puppetconstruction, performance and buildingcharacters that will tell their own stories.Bring your inner comedian along andenjoy transforming everyday objects intooutstanding puppets. Light refreshmentsavailable on the day.___________________________________

Legal briefing: The Equality Act 2010, your responsibilities their rightsLCiL in partnership with Ropewalk ChambersThurs 14th August • 1pm - 2:30pm£15 Voluntary sector£25 Public and private sector

This briefing focuses on theresponsibilities under the Equality Act2010 of the public, private and voluntarysector. It should be attended inparticular by officers and decision-makers in all sectors and in particularlocal authorities, the police service, fireand rescue authorities, health and careproviders, social housing providers, NHStrusts, probation trusts and schools.___________________________________

Legal briefing: The Equality Act 2010, yourrights, their responsibilitiesLCiL in partnership with Ropewalk ChambersThurs 14th August • 3pm - 4:30pmFree to LCiL members

The general single equality duty requirespublic bodies, in the exercise of theirfunctions, to have due regard to the needto eliminate discrimination, harassmentand victimisation, advance equality ofopportunity and foster good relationsbetween those who share or havedifferent protected characteristics. Doyou know your rights? Do you want toknow more?

Knowing your legal rights –Children & Families Act 2014LCiL in partnership with Irwin Mitchell SolicitorsMon 15th September10:30am - 1:30pmFree for LCiL Members

The Children & Families Act 2014 takesforward the Coalition Government’scommitments to improve services forvulnerable children and support strongfamilies. It underpins wider reforms toensure that all children and youngpeople can succeed, no matter whattheir background. The Act seeks toreform the systems for adoption, lookedafter children, family justice and specialeducational needs.

Want to know what that means for you?Find out all you need to know at thisbriefing.___________________________________

Direct Payments and Personal BudgetsWed 24th September • 10:30am - 2pmMon 6th October • 10:30am - 2pmFreeVenue: The Race Equality Centre, 5 - 9 Upper Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5TE

Not sure about Direct Payments?Concerned how Personal Budgets willaffect you? Then this workshop is foryou. Come along and ask thosequestions you’ve never been sure whoyou can ask. Find out how DirectPayments work, how to get carersDirect Payment and find out who canprovide you with support.

To book your place contact LCiL:Telephone: 0116 222 5005Text: 07910 864 594Email: events@lcil.org.uk

LCiLEmpowering Disabled People

LCiL, West End Centre, Andrewes Street, Leicester LE3 5PA • Tel: 0116 222 5005SMS: 07910 864 594 • Email: admin@lcil.org.uk • Twitter: @LeicesterCIL Web: www.lcil.org.uk • Registered Charity Number: 1072345 • Company Number: 3271124

LCiLWest End CentreEvents Diary

Puppetry Workshops

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