News items from January 2013
Healthwatch Leicestershire - a new consumer champion for health and social care issues
Leicestersire County Council has appointed Voluntary Action Leicestersire (VAL) as the new consumer champion for health and social care issues in the county.
Healthwatch Leicestershire will start work on 1st April to ensure that health and social care service users have a real impact on how those services are delivered.
Funded by Leicestershire County Council and the government, Healthwatch Leicestershire will build on the good work done by Leicestershire LINk over the last four years.
LINk into Healthwatch Event
If you'd like to find out more about Healthwatch Leicestershire and how you can get involved, you're welcome to go along to an event on Thursday 14th March at the Leicester Tigers Stadium from 1.30pm to 3.30pm (with a free buffet lunch from 12.30pm). Free car parking is also available at the ground.
To find out more please call Gemma Hammond at Communities in Partnership on 0116 229 3103 or email [email protected]
Crisis loans & community care grants are changing - have your say
Leicestershire County Council would like your comments on its proposed changes to some aspects of welfare provision in Leicestershire.
From 1st April 2013, the Government is transferring responsiblity for some aspects of welfare funding to local councils, which up to now have been known as crisis loans and community care grants.
Leicestershire County Council says:
"Local councils will now be responsible for a very different service.
We have a much smaller budget and will be issuing grants and advice, rather than loans and advice.
This new service will be called 'Leicestershire Welfare Provision' and we've had to devise new rules around who is eligible.
We would like to hear from people who may use the new service, to find out the best way of delivering it."
To have your say please fill in a short survey on the Council's website. Click here to get started
Have your say on services for older people in Leicestershire
As we reported in December, Communities in Partnership is currently working with Leicestershire County Council Adults and Communities Department to deliver two consultations which could affect you.
Assistive Technology & Housing Related Residential Support
Leicestershire residents are being asked for their views on plans for a 'fairer and more flexible approach' towards helping older people stay in their homes. Assistive Technology uses lifelines and a range of additional sensors, such as fall detectors, to support people to live independently. At the moment, Assistive Technology is only available to people who live in their own home, and the County Council is considering extending the service to include those who live in sheltered or social housing. They are also considering extending Housing Related Support for older people. This would enable people who own or rent their homes to have the same access to services as those who live in social housing - if it would help them. Historically, the support is usually given by housing wardens or scheme managers.
To find out more and to complete the survey online please visit www.leics.gov.uk/ATandHRSconsultation
For a paper copy of the survey please call 0116 305 0004. The consulation runs until 11th February 2013.
Focus Group - 6th February, Lubenham
You're also welcome to take part in a small focus group being held at Lubenham Village Hall, Lubenham on Wednesday 6th February from 2pm to 4pm - where you'll be able to have your say and find out more about Assistive Technology and Housing Related Residential Support Services. To find out more and book a free place please call Liz at Communities in Partnership on 0116 233 4243.
Planning for your future
Leicestershire residents are also being asked for their views on planning for the future, thinking about what their needs might be. Communities in Partnership and Leicestershire County Council would like to find out how older people can be encouraged to plan for the future, what barriers may be faced in doing so, and how to support older people in the community for as long as possible. To find out more and have your say please call Harvey at Communities in Partnership on 0116 229 3019 or email [email protected]
To find out more about Communities in Partnership please visit www.communitiesinpartnership.org.uk
Has the person you care for recently been in hospital? Have your say
Has the person you care for recently visited the Leicester General, Glenfield or the Royal Infimary?
If so, the hospitals are keen to get your feedback, so they can continue to improve things - both for patients and carers.
To have your say click here to fill in a short online survey.
To request a paper copy of the survey please call 0116 258 5384.
Help to beat the January Blues
We came across this useful article from the Mental Health Foundation, which includes ten tips for beating the January Blues.
As the article says, shorter days and less sunlight can have a significant impact on people's mental health and wellbeing, so it's really important to look after yourself.
Click here to read the article
Carers’ Support Grant - reminder
If you're an adult caring for someone aged 18+ (for 28 hours or more a week) and they have a terminal or long-term degenerative illness; mental ill health; or a physical, sensory or learning disability you can apply for a Carers' Support Grant via Leicestershire County Council's Adults & Communities Department on 0116 305 0004.
If you don't receive any support from the Council you're welcome to apply for a grant via Support for Carers. Call Pat, Diane, Gurjit or Jacqui on 0845 689 9510 or email [email protected]
The aim of the one-off grant (worth up to £250 per financial year) is to give carers a break from caring, or to reduce the impact of caring on your health and wellbeing, or to support you in your caring role.
For example, you can use the grant to pay for things like short breaks, respite care, a sitting service, physical work around your home like gardening, decorating and housework, gym membership, driving lessons, transport to hospital appointments, home appliances or assistive technology.
If you're a parent carer you may be entitled to similar support via the Parent Carer Council. Please call Jane on 07870 688 973.
Changes to benefits in 2013
From 8 April 2013 the Government is introducing a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64.
The change means that the Disability Living Allowance will end for everyone of working age even if they have an indefinite period award. By working age we mean everyone who is aged 16 to 64 on the day Personal Independence Payment is introduced. There are no current plans to replace Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 and people aged 65 and over who are already receiving Disability Living Allowance.
Personal Independence Payment is based on an assessment of individual need. The new assessment will focus on an individual’s ability to carry out a range of key activities necessary to everyday life. Information will be gathered from the individual, as well as healthcare and other professionals who work with and support them. Most people will also be asked to a face to face consultation with a trained independent assessor as part of the claim process.
If you'd like to find out more you're welcome to call us or call the Benefits Helpline number on 0800 882200.
Implementation of Universal Credit from October 2013
The current complex system of working-age benefits and Tax Credits is to be gradually replaced by a new benefit called Universal Credit. The process of moving existing claimants on to Universal Credit should be completed by October 2017.
From 2013/2014 Universal Credit will replace Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
