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IMPORTANT NEWS HEAD LINES
Walsall Housing Group
whg publishes a range of leaflets offering information to our customers about our standards and services.
Below is a web link to gain access to a list of leaflets currently available in print. Click on any of the titles to view the leaflet in full. Alternatively, you can pick up a leaflet at any of our offices.
Web link: (Click here)
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LTNC NEWSLETTER
New to this site here is a new issue for March 2010 the Long Term Neurological Conditions Service User Group Newsletter. Click the download bar below to download the publisher Adobe reader .pdf versions.
BREAKING NEWS
Please take a look at our new web site at www.walsallva.org.uk and WVA's fundraising portal www.walsallfunding.com Walsall and the West Midlands first local fundraising portal of its kind.
If you are searching for funding to pay for your individual training also please see www.walsall4learning.co.uk where you can fidn opportunities to access funding to pay for training.
If you would like to receive the latest updates from WVA and news of interest to local voluntary and community groups please visit the WVA News and Opportunities sections of our website www.walsallva.org.uk and enter your email address to subscribe to the automatic updates service in the box at the top of the page.
MS Society Grants
The MS Society, through its branches, considers grant requests to help people affected by MS obtain funding for items they need because of their disability, but for which they cannot get statutory help.
The MS Society provides individual grants to assist people with necessary items such as aids and equipment, adaptations to the home or car and top up funds for respite care breaks. (How to Apply Click Here)
Blue Badge Reform Strategy
The Strategy document, which is available to view below, contains the most significant reforms to the disabled parking regime since the introduction of the Scheme in 1971.
The Department’s progress in implementing the commitments in the Strategy will be monitored and supported by a high level steering group, drawn from disability organisation, the police and retailers.
Download Easy Read Version here
Union Locks and the New Night Latch
Union Locks have launched their new Night latch which was designed in partnership with the Disability Forum member organisations some 18 months ago, now to give a pledge of some sponsorship for the 2010 Awards. to download more information on this fantastic new product. click here
Black Country Grants Available
For any further informaiton please click on link below:
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are being assessed or reassessed for the new allowance then please make sure you get help from the following agencies to ensure you do not lose existing allowances.
Age Concern 01922 638825
Citizens Advice Bureau 01922 700600
Welfare Rights Department 01922 627247 or 746031
Care Quality Commission
if you have a concern or complaint about a social care service, your council, independent healthcare services, the NHS or us then please contact the Care Quality Commission or read their advice page at Quality Care Commission or phone them at the following details:
Telephone: 03000 616161 E- Mail: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
you can also write to them at: CQC National Correspondence, PO Box 1258, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 5AU
Health Secretary Clarifies Government Position on Disability Benefits
The Secretary of State for Health has made it clear that Disability Living Allowance for the Under 65s will not be affected by Government plans to create a National Care Service.Speaking at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Harrogate, Andy Burnham MP said: "I am encouraged by the response to our Big Care Debate and welcome the fact that other political parties are beginning to put their ideas on the table. There are big differences between what we are saying but we are beginning to create what I wanted to see - unstoppable momentum for legislation in the next Parliament.
"But, while the debate is moving quickly, I do want to stress that the door is wide open for discussion. We are still in a consultation period. No decisions have been made on funding options. We are still listening – about funding, about structures, and about how to build a forward-looking system of care.
"One avenue I do want to close down, however, is the debate and controversy over Disability Living Allowance. "We recognise that this is an important benefit for disabled people, and I can state categorically that we have now ruled out any suggestion that DLA for under-65s will be brought into the new National Care Service.
"This is because, whilst there will be increases in the numbers of disabled people of working age who need care, the majority of the people needing care in the future will be older people. "However, we do think there may be a case for bringing together elements of some disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance, with social care funding, to create a new care and support system to provide for the needs of older and disabled people.
"But the important principle is that people receiving any of the relevant benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an equivalent level of support and protection under a new and better care and support system.
"And let's not forget, everyone - regardless of wealth or asset base – will benefit from the protection and piece of mind that the National Care Service will provide."
The Government is currently carrying out a consultation – the Big Care Debate - on the new National Care Service, a vision for which was set out in July’s Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together.
