Author Archives: David

Power Cuts

Posted on by

Given the importance of our previous news post on power cuts we have added the post as a web page; a link to which can be found on the advice drop down menu.

UK Power Networks is the company that looks after our electricity supply cables and has to go out and repair them when something goes wrong. They are concerned that people who are vulnerable during a power cut get the help they need. Examples include people who are dependent on electricity for medical equipment such as oxygen, nebulisers, dialysis, sleep apnoea, hoists, stair lifts or have medication that needs to be kept in a fridge. Also, people who have chronic health problems, mobility problems and other disabilities or who are frail.

These people need to join the Priority Customer Register and Ipswich DAB has the registration forms. You can also join by e-mail: prs@ukpowernetworks.co.uk or by telephone: 0800 169 9970

Big Lottery Fund Grant – Reaching Communities

Posted on by

The following was published on the Big Lottery Fund website on 22nd October:

A new project by The Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau (IDAB) will support disabled people to reduce their levels of isolation and improve their health and wellbeing. The £263,838 grant will support individuals to develop their money management, IT, cooking and other life skills. This will develop their confidence and increase their chances of entering education, training, employment and volunteering. At least 1,000 disabled people from Ipswich and surrounding areas will benefit, including Kesgrave, the Shotley peninsula and Hadleigh.

The project aims to reduce anxiety in coping with financial welfare reforms through debt and money management sessions, including basic IT training and managing universal credit accounts. There will also be group sessions on loan sharks, legal advice, mobility cars and access to work. Healthy lifestyle activities will include healthy eating workshops, gentle exercise classes and swimming clubs. The project will also provide social group activities, peer support lunches, relationship advice sessions and home visits to reduce isolation.


Big Lottery Fund spokesperson Jonathan Clarke said: “Today’s funding will help projects to give vulnerable older people and people with disabilities the support to help them build a comfortable and positive future for themselves.”

Big Lottery Fund

Changes to Social Fund from April 2013

Posted on by

From April 2013, community care grants and crisis loans from the social fund will no longer exist. The Government will give money which used to pay for these schemes to local authorities. Local authorities may choose to run a replacement scheme, but they won’t have to and they won’t have to give out cash loans. They may choose to put the money towards supporting existing local schemes, such as foodbanks, schemes which provide subsidized furniture and white goods, credit unions and homelessness prevention schemes.

Those requiring help in Suffolk should first approach agencies with whom they are currently in contact, such as SNAP/CARA, Anglia Care Trust, Local Authority housing advice services and Childrens Centres etc.

If claimants are waiting for their first benefit payment then they should contact DWP and will be considered for a short-term benefit advance if appropriate. Where claimants need short-term benefit advances, DWP should be paying them.

Research

Posted on by

Research is listed as one of our primary activities in the Memorandum and Articles of Ipswich DAB but very, very little has ever been carried out. Now we are making up for lost time and two pieces of research are currently underway, both linked to projects detailed below:-

  • The implementation of the Universal Credit pilot study and the analysis of the outcomes are part of a Master of Science degree supervised by University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth.
  • Employment in a changing workplace and people with dyslexia, who completed their education before the 1981 Education Act introduced SEN (Special Educational Needs) provision in school, is the subject of a distance learning doctorate being studied at the University of Exeter, funded and jointly supervised by University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth.