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Looking after someone? Know your rights: Carers Rights Day on Friday

Thousands of people looking after a disabled, older or seriously-ill loved one in the region may be missing out on vital benefits and support.

It’s estimated that there are over 18,000 carers in York alone, with around 1,300 under the age of 18.

Carers Rights Day (Friday 20th November) brings together organisations across the UK to help carers in their local community find out about their rights and how to get the help and support they are entitled to.

It’s hoped that the Day will help reach out to the 6.5 million people in the UK who care for an older, seriously-ill or disabled loved one, informing them of the rights, benefits and the services they are entitled to; including benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, short breaks and access to equipment and technology which can help them in their caring role.

Carole Zagrovic, Chief Executive of York Carers Centre, said:

“It’s vital that we reach out to the thousands of carers in York and let them know about their rights and the support they could be entitled to. We will be able to provide carers with important advice and information to make sure they know how to get the financial and practical support they need, when they need it.”

Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

“Every day, 6,000 people begin caring for a disabled, older or seriously-ill loved one. But when this caring journey starts, it can be hard to get the help and advice you need. Without this support, caring can take a serious toll on a carer’s health, finances and wellbeing. No one should have to care alone and Carers Rights Day events mean they don’t have to; carers can get the essential information and advice they need and connect with other local carers.”

Councillor Carol Runciman, Executive member for Adult Social Care and Health, City of York Council, said: “Carers are the unsung heroes of our communities. They provide care and support to friends and loved-ones, but are often unaware of the help and support they can get themselves. Often carers do not realise the importance or significance of the work they do. Carers Rights Day is an opportunity to celebrate the impact carers have in our society, while raising the profile of the rights they have and help available.”

Carers can download a copy of the Carers’ Rights’ Guide at www.carersuk.org/carersrightsguide or order a free copy by calling the Carers UK’s Adviceline on 0808 808 7777 or emailing advice@carersuk.org

For more information about York Carers Centre, please contact enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk or phone 01904 715490.

Case study: Leigh’s story (more…)

Disability sports on show as part of Celebrating Ability Week

A fun packed week of exciting sports, physical activities and courses are lined up to encourage more York residents into disability sport as part of York’s fifth Celebrating Activity Week, Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November.

The new programme, co-ordinated by the council’s Sport and Active Leisure team, offers a wide range of taster sessions for disabled children and adults. It includes a full day of sports coaching and fun at Energise, with different afternoons dedicated to both Deaf and Hard of Hearing sport and Visually Impaired sport.

This year, for the first time, sessions are also taking place at 10 different local sports clubs and organisations who are inviting disabled residents through their doors to try what’s on offer. These sessions include Inclusive Cycling at York Sports Village, Tennis at the University of York, Wigginton Tennis Club and David Lloyd Sports Centre, Wheelchair Basketball at Joseph Rowntree School, Deaf Badminton at York Railway Institute and Bowlsability at New Earswick Bowls Club. There will also be a new practical session for young people to help develop wheelchair manoeuvring skills.

A Snooker taster session is planned at York Railway Institute, Queen Street, between 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday 31 October, led by qualified World Snooker coach, Kevin Gall. It is hoped that enough interest will be shown to enable the launch of a new Inclusive Snooker Club at the venue.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Celebrating Activity Week offers a fantastic opportunity to find out about the many disability sports in York taking place throughout the year and to make new friends. All adults should be aiming to do 150 minutes of physical activity a week and this event will help many to find ways they enjoy of doing just that.”

This year the programme will include a number of short courses for support workers, parents, carers, health professionals, volunteers, coaches and PE teachers which aim to raise awareness and confidence in delivering sports based activities to disabled people.

For more information about Celebrating Activity week visit www.york.gov.uk/celebratingability or call 01904 553377.

Foster Care Fortnight launches major recruitment shift

People with experience of health, caring and education or youth work are being recruited to a career in fostering with City of York Council.

Interested individuals, couples or those with families are being invited to meet local need for foster care for older children and young people who are unable to live with their own families.

Also, more experienced carers are being recruited to foster children and young people with additional needs such as learning or physical disabilities, for short breaks or the longer term.

Besides ongoing training and support for carers from the council’s team as well as from local foster carers, a financial package is provided that recognises the foster carer’s commitment and care and the level of need they support.
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Acomb “stayin alive” despite raw deal from York Council

After pressure from the newly formed Acomb Traders Association (Acomb Alive) the Council allocated £30,000 for improvement in the area. There was a promise of flower tubs, better signage street-markets and outdoor events.
In the last 18 months the Council has only managed to spend £6,000 of this money –with which even Mary Portas would struggle to make a significant difference!
Sue Hunter, who runs the local Florist – Floral Elegance – on Front Street, is keen to see a major investment in the area to really pull Acomb around.
“Many businesses are investing in the area, and we have seen new businesses open, and we are looking forward to the imminent opening of Boyes. However, there is much to do to fill all the empty shops and to provide the range of shops that would make Acomb a thriving place to do business”. We need a shopping centre where the pavements are safe from trip hazards, especially for elderly and disabled residents who specifically come to Acomb.

By having a long term plan we can draw in more investment, and make the most of what the council can contribute to do their bit.
Delivery lorries are shattering the pavements, so they need replacing with stronger surfaces in a way that makes the area distinct – we have a great deal of heritage in our part of York, as a lifelong Acomb resident I say let’s celebrate that !
It is about getting the basics right, bringing back the litter and salt bins which disappeared, and restoring and area that we can all take pride in..
Traders worked together to put up more Christmas trees this year, and I worked with council staff and Gateway to put up the first large Christmas tree in the area for several years.”
NB Morrisons have confirmed that they will fill in the potholes which are appearing in the Acomb car park. Drainage issues will also be addressed.

The way we were in 2013

Jan 2013— There were major delays in post Christmas refuse collections. It was revealed that York taxpayers were paying interest charges of £651,000 a month on accumulated Council debts. Councillors travel expenses were under the microscope. The Tour de France route was revealed.

Feb 2013—Proposed changes to ward boundaries were published. Councillors were accused of bullying officials in York. Charging for green bin emptying was proposed. Later the Council would charge for second bin emptying and, more recently, propose to extend the charge to cover all green bins. The Chain gang principle was extended to public space maintenance. 50% increase in car parking charges was announced.

March 2013— Acomb Alive announced an events programme. Police enforcement policy on 20 mph limits was confused. The York Council announced major public service cuts. Only 17% of goods and services bought by the Council were “locally sourced” Kings Square was to get £490,000 facelift.

April 2013— The York Council announced that it will no longer “scout” for faulty streetlights. The decision is to result in a big increase in faulty lights. Gale Farm Court management arrangements were under the spotlight. Plans to build on York’s Green Belt are announced by Labour while traveller site locations also slip out. The city centre swimming pool project is ditched by Labour

May 2013—Petition launched opposing “Showman’s Yard” plan for Wetherby Road. First signs that support for Labour party in York was plummeting. Former Labour Councillor Lynn Jeffries joins LibDems. Lowfields care village opening date slips to 2016. The project was later to be abandoned altogether.

June 2013— Labour started “webcasting” its Cabinet meetings. Taxpayers fund a £180 pedicure. A large number of speeders are caught by mobile cameras.

July 2013— The Toy bus is scrapped. Labour plan to close Lendal Bridge despite a big opposition petition. It was to be the defining moment for the present administration. The Council was urged to “pull back from the brink” as it introduced a wide area 20 mph speed limit.

August 2013— A big increase in warden call charges hits the elderly and disabled. A consultation hologram is suggested. LibDems publish an alternative to the Labour Local Plan . Council withdraws from the annual “Britain in Bloom” contest. Lendal Bridge is closed. The “trial” is a shambles from day one.

September 2013— There is a call for the Lendal Bridge trial to be suspended as fines totalling £500,000 are issued. Council is spending £1/4 million a year clearing fly tipping. New bin emptying schedules produce problems. The Council is to spend £1.4 million on the Tour de France. This will later increase to over £1.6 million. Revised bus timetables introduced but the Council continues to refuse to publish reliability stats.

October 2013—York is to get more electric buses. In York, a number of affordable homes projects falter. “Left luggage” arrangements at York station are criticised. Shopper numbers fall by 12%

November 2013— Council debts are set to rise to £300 million.Council grants to Community centres are to be scrapped from April. The numbers fined on Lendal Bridge and Coppergate tops 35,000. The Council publishes a list of foreign trips made by Councillors and officials. A new TV station for York is announced. More than two years later, it has still to broadcast.

December 2013— It will cost 40p to spend a penny. “Bed blocking “ at York hospital is on the increase. Labour continued to evade answering questions about Lendal Bridge

How the Westfield Focus reported events in 2013

New Inclusive Cycling Club makes sport accessible for all

A new, Inclusive Cycling Club is launching in York which will allow disabled residents who would like to enjoy cycling on specialised bicycles to take up this popular activity.

The club sessions, organised by City of York Council, will take place at York Sports Village and start on Thursday 9 April from 2pm to 4pm. The sessions are suitable for young people and adults over the age of 11 years and will continue three times a week at the following times:

Wednesdays from 5pm to 6.30pm
Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm
Sundays from 3pm to 5pm

A range of different specialised bikes will be on hand to enjoy, including three wheeled bicycles and ‘steer from the rear’ tandems which help improve balance and cycling confidence. Flat bed bikes with platforms for wheelchairs at the front, mountain bikes and road bikes will also be available. The new club welcomes the support of local cycling organisations Get Cycling and Open Country, who are bringing additional bikes and with a fleet of 30 cycles available to the club everyone attending will be able to have a go.

This new Inclusive Cycling Club is one of the ways in which the council is working to reduce health inequalities in the city, help improve physical and mental health and provide financially sustainable health and wellbeing opportunities for everybody across the city.

The cost for club sessions is £5 per hour (free for carers), payable on the day at the Sports Centre Reception.

For more information on this and other disability sport opportunities call Glyn Newberry on 01904 553377, email glyn.newberry@york.gov.uk or visit www.york.gov.uk/disabilitysport

For more information on cycling in York visit www.itravelyork.info/cycling

York Family Information service celebrate turning 15!

City of York Council’s award winning York Family Information Service (FIS) is celebrating 15 years of supporting families in York this year.

The milestone comes at a time when the Labour led Council is considering major cuts to children’s services including the popular children s centers. The scale of the reductions will be decided at a meeting next week.

Liberal Democrat Councillors will be opposing the cuts.

York FIS is a free and impartial information service for mums, dads and carers of children and young people aged 0-19 (or up to 25 for disabled children), providing help with family life.This ranges from childcare to toddler groups to youth clubs to support for a child with a disability.
The YorOK website provides advice about childcare, children’s centres, parenting, disabilities and additional needs and much more. It’s also possible to search the directory which has information about groups or services that may be helpful to families in York.
If you’re a mum, dad or carer, and have a question but don’t know where to go, then call 01904 554444 or email fis@york.gov.uk or for a face-to-face chat visit the council’s West Offices.

For more information about York FIS visit http://www.yor-ok.org.uk/

Car park signage criticised

St. Leonards Place car park

Some motorists have been confused by the signing at the entrance to the – now privately run – car park on St Leonards Place. Several have thought that the entrance had been moved as part of the Exhibition Square refurbishment, although this isn’t the case.

For a Conservation Area the signs are borderline intrusive anyway.

Users of the car park find that they are expected to pay up to £12 to park. Unfortunately the operators – a Leeds based company – allow only cash payments for tickets.

Parking machines at St. Leonards Place car park. click to enlarge

It is several years since the Council made credit card and “pay by phone” options available at its central car parks.

There is also no parking available for those with disabled badges although it is the most central facility for those accessing most of the shops in the city centre.

This is a good location for cycle parking facilities and it would have been worth the Council continuing to operate the car park facilities until the apparently endless saga over the future of the adjacent office block is finally settled.

There is no sign of work commencing on site despite the council announcing a development scheme almost 3 years ago.

The Council is also remaining tight lipped about the planned hotel at the Barbican site which is now 4 years behind schedule.

York Council call for young carers to be given extra support

Liberal Democrats are calling for more support to be given to young carers in York by extending a successful national funding scheme.

The Lib Dems, along with groups such as the Carers Trust, are calling for Pupil Premium eligibility to be extended to include young carers.

The Pupil Premium is an additional allowance given to schools to support looked after children and those from low income families.

Children entitled to free school meals are eligible for the funding along with children in care, adopted children, children in hospital schools and service personnel children.

Schools in York have received £12.6 million since the Lib Dem policy was introduced in 2011.
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Begging in York

Not before time, authorities in York are moving to deal with the issue of begging on York’s streets.

Disabled busker on Coney Street

A combination of help for those in genuine need (who themselves may be the subject of exploitation by unscrupulous gangs) coupled with enforcement action against those trying to intimidate passers by is (rightly) proposed.

The Council says, a joint operation to work with people begging on York’s streets is being launched by City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and the Salvation Army.

Officers from the police and Salvation Army will be carrying out walks in the city centre at the end of this week and over the weekend to talk to people appearing to beg on the streets.

Officers will also hand out leaflets asking people not to give money to beggars who, if in genuine need, should be eligible for benefits or accommodation.

The Salvation Army is accredited to give housing advice which they can offer individuals found begging, or they can signpost them to appropriate benefits advice.

Officers from the police or council will remind any beggars that it is an offence to beg, that they must stop and if found begging again they will be prosecuted.

Officers will also liaise with the Department for Work and Pensions if any person begging is found to be getting social security benefits too.

Similar operations have been successfully carried out by Humberside police who found numbers of people begging on the streets halved.