Wirral Mencap Newsletter April 2015

Wirral Mencap
Newsletter
Volume 12, Issue 2—April 2015
www.mencapwirral.org.uk
info@mencapwirral.org.uk
Contact
0151 666 1829
Wirral Mencap
The Lauries Centre
136 Claughton Road
Birkenhead
CH41 6EY
Office Hours
Mon: 9:30am—5pm
Tues: 9:30am—5pm
Weds: 9:30am—5pm
Thurs: 9:30am—5pm
Fri: 9:30am—5pm
Sat: CLOSED
Sun: CLOSED
The office is open at
these times for
anyone requiring
information or support.
If you require help with
a specific issue please
call ahead to book an
appointment with a
member of the team.
The shop at the front of
the office has now
closed due to a need to
expand our support
services. We will no
longer be taking book
donations.
Welcome to the Spring edition of the Wirral
Mencap Newsletter.........
It’s nice to see the sun shining outside our offices in Birkenhead. Let’s
hope that Spring is finally on its way.
Firstly, we would like to thank all those that attended our Annual
General Meeting on Tuesday 19th February. For those that were
unable to attend we have illustrated versions of our annual report
available in the office. If you are unable to pop in to pick one up
please call to request a copy in the post.
The Trustees re-elected for the term were: Gwen Seller (Chair), Ros
Turton (Vice-Chair), Ken Corker, Angela Hesketh and Arnie Troxler.
We are actively seeking new Trustees to join our board, particularly
those with school aged children. Please call if you are interested.
In this issue..........



Information about Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans)
New activities and courses available in Wirral
Wirral Mencap Updates
Wirral Mencap Volunteers Receive Awards
from National Mencap
We are delighted to announce that our volunteers received a number
of awards at an event at York Racecourse on Friday 13th March. The
event, organised by National Mencap, celebrated the work of Mencap
volunteers from across the North of England.
Our volunteers did incredibly well with Ken
and Lynda Corker, Ken and Carol Griffiths,
Chris Munro, Karl Mansell and Ros Turton
receiving ‘Awards for Long Service’; Sian
Round reaching the final 3 for the ‘Young
Volunteer’ award; and our Chair, Gwen
Seller, winning the Award for ‘Innovation’
for being the driving force behind our
recent developments.
Gwen Seller receiving the award from
our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rose Paul
Almost 30 local Mencap groups put forward nominees so we are
incredibly proud that our volunteers were selected. Congratulations to
you all! We would also like to thank all of our other volunteers, past
and present, that have contributed to the projects and services that
make such a difference to the lives of local people.
Disclaimer
This newsletter contains information about services provided by a range of organisations and individuals. Inclusion in our Newsletter is
by no means an endorsement of the quality of the services provided. Wirral Mencap is acting as a distributer of information only;
assessing the suitability of activities or services remains the responsibility of the individual/s.
Wirral Mencap News—Volume 12, Issue 2
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www.mencapwirral.org.uk
Education Health and Care Plans (for 0 - 25s)
Since 1st September 2014, ‘Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans)’ started to replace
‘Statements of Special Educational Needs’ and ‘Learning Disability Assessments’.
An EHC plan brings together a child or young person’s education, health and social care needs
into a single, legal document. It should enable children, young people and parents to have more
control over decisions about their support. EHC Plans extend from birth to 25. The plan may
involve providing a Personal Budget to manage how a child or young person’s support is put in
place. Eligibility criteria for an EHC Plan is the same as it was for a Statement. Wirral Council
released some information stating that all existing Statements will be replaced by EHC Plans by
April 2018.
To view the sample format for an EHC Plan please see http://www.wirral.gov.uk/downloads/7009
As a parent you can request an EHC Plan. Contact the Special Educational Needs Coordinator
(SENCO) at your child’s school/nursery or your health visitor if they are not yet school aged.
For more information or support concerning EHC Plans please contact the Wirral SEND
Partnership (previously Parent Partnership Service) on 0151 522 7990 or visit www.wired.me.uk/
Parent-Partnership.asp
The Local Offer
The Local Offer sets out what is available in the area for children and young people with special
educational needs and/ or a disability. It provides information on what services children, young
people and their families can expect from a range of local agencies, including education, health
and social care as well as information about other local, support services. Knowing what is out
there gives you more choice and therefore more control over what support is right for your child.
To find out more go to www.localofferwirral.org
New Tennis Sessions
Port Sunlight Tennis Club, Leverhulme Sports
Field, Warren Lane, Bromborough CH62 3QQ
Our specialist learning disability sessions offer a
fun, active and social session for players.
Fridays 1:30pm – 2:30pm – Adults aged 16+
Fridays 6pm – 7pm – juniors aged 10-16
Sunday 11am- 12pm – juniors aged 4-10
Sunday 5pm – 6pm – Adults aged 16+
All sessions are ran on a Pay and Play basis @
£3 per session but please book your place in
advance by calling / texting Steve on
07989162851 or email
stephen@protennisacademy.org.uk
Do you use Facebook?
Search for the Wirral Mencap
Facebook page to keep up to
date with news, events,
activities and opportunities!
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Wirral Mencap News—Volume 12, Issue 2
www.protennisacademy.org.uk
www.mencapwirral.org.uk
Social Clubs for Adults
Did you know that there are lots of social
clubs running across Wirral?
New Courses
At the St James Centre
(344 Laird Street, Birkenhead)
These courses are part of the ‘Avenues’ project
which is specifically for adults with a disability.
Craft Creations using Re-cycled Materials
Starts Tuesday 28 April, 10am-12pm (5 weeks)
3D Craft (mosaics, clay and paper mache)
Starts Tuesday 28 April, 1pm-3pm (10 weeks)
Disco @ Sherlocks Club in Birkenhead
Mondays, 7pm - 10pm
Cost: £2 (carers go free)
Tuesday Club @ The Lauries Centre
Tuesdays, 7pm - 9pm
Cost: 50p
Call Bert on 677 2794 for more information
Crossbow Club (Wirral Mencap Social
Club) @ Charing Cross Methodist Church
Wednesdays 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Cost: £1
Wirral Disc @ The Ex-Civil Defence Service
Club, School Lane, New Ferry
Tuesday nights
Cost: £1
Call Paul on 07546440071 for more
information or go to www.wirraldisc.org
Easy Steps Computers
Starts Thursday 30 April, 10am-12pm (10 weeks)
Food for Independent Living
Starts Thursday 30th April, 1pm-3pm (10 weeks)
For more information or to book a place call Anna
on 670 9974
Spring Family Day
at the St James Centre
Tuesday 14th April
12pm - 2pm
Food, Craft, Fun!
Pre-employment workshops
for women
From Coaching and Community Support
Learn more about the demands of the
workplace
Orion Club @ Heswall Day Centre
Mondays, 7:30pm - 9pm
Cost: £1
Call Mandy on 07783628624 for more
information
FREE 2-day workshop taking place 14-15th April
Soda Club @ Seacombe United Reformed
Church
Wednesdays 7:30pm - 9pm
Cost £1 (+£1 for a jacket potato tea)
Call Cathy on 07821677075 for more
information
 Being Part of a Team and working relationships
 Communicating with others in work
 The nature of Change / Change in organisations
 Staying Confident and Motivated
 Time / Stress Management – Staying calm
Phab Club @ Meyer Hall, Bebington
Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm
Cost £2
It covers:
 The needs of employers
 `Knowing myself better`
under pressure
 1-1 confidential coaching sessions for all those
who attend workshops
Please contact Helen or Mitch on
0151 644 4557
info@coachingandcommunitysupport.org.uk
Royal Standard House, Rock Ferry
Wirral Mencap News—Volume 12, Issue 2
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www.mencapwirral.org.uk
Dates for your
diary
Monday 15 June (10am - 12pm)
Options for the Future Event at
The Lauries Centre, Birkenhead
An opportunity to find out about
Housing and Support Options for the
future.
Weds 19 August (11am - 3pm)
Leisure Fair and Family Fun Day
At Birkenhead Park Rugby Club
A chance to find out about social
clubs, activities and other leisure
opportunities in Wirral.
Store Collections:
Saturday 9 May—Sainsburys Upton
Please let us know whether you
could spare a few hours to help out.
Committee contacts
Gwen Seller (Chair) - Meols
Tel. 666 1829
Ros Turton (Vice Chair) - Heswall
Tel. 342 2701
Ken Corker (Crossbow Club) - Irby
Tel. 648 1092
Volunteer Spotlight
This
issue’s
‘volunteer spotlight’
has to be on our
Chair, Gwen Seller
for receiving
National Mencap’s
Volunteer Award
for Innovation.
Congratulations Gwen!
Volunteers needed!
Volunteer Mentors are needed to volunteer alongside
adults with a learning disability in community settings
such as charity shops, community centres, parks and
cafes. Could you spare a few hours a week?
Call Rose on 666 1829.
ILF Survey
The North West Regional Learning Disability Board is
collating information about how each area is making
arrangements in relation to changes to the Independent
Living Fund to feedback to the North West Regional
Forum and North West Regional Family Forum.
We want a clear picture of the action that is being taken
across the North West from the perspective of people
who currently receive ILF.
Could you please spare a few moments to complete the
attached survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
ilf2015rec
Legal Information
Wirral Mencap held a legal event with Jackson Canter
Solicitors on Thursday 26 March. There was information
available concerning
 Wills and Trusts
 Power of Attorney
 Court of Protection
If you were unable to attend but require some information
please go to our website to download some useful
factsheets http://mencapwirral.org.uk/legal-factsheetsfrom-jackson-canter-solicitors/ or call us on 666 1829.
Thank you
To Jan Ellison of ‘Come Rain or
Shine’ on Arrowe Park Road for
raising £92 for the Gateway
Award Project.
To the Edward Bibby Fund for
the donation of £200
To everyone that helped at our bag pack in New Brighton
Morrisons on Sunday 22nd February. We raised £459.43
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Post to: Wirral Mencap, The Lauries Centre, 136 Claughton Road, Birkenhead, CH41 6EY
Wirral Mencap News—Volume 12, Issue 2