On 14 July 2009 the Government published a Green Paper called 'Shaping The Future of Care Together.' 
 'Shaping the Future of Care Together' set out a vision for a new care and support system. Their aim is to develop a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone. It set out a number of questions and asked everyone to provide their views about how they think the Government can make this vision a reality.

The LINk did a survey of local people and groups to put a response together. This was done by postal questionnaire and discussion at local group meetings. There were 235 replies to the questionnaire. The main points raised include:

• The proposed National Care Service could provide good support for people who need it.
• Access to information and advice; choice between good quality services and services that help people to remain more independent as they get older (or become disabled) are more important than having a national assessment.
• People made a range of suggestions about how services can be improved.
• People recognised that some things that already happen in Tameside will help with this, they also suggested things that might make the changes difficult to achieve.
• The focus for any care service must be on how it helps each individual person – not on how well it meets national targets.
• People who have paid National Insurance throughout their adult lives feel that the current charging system is unfair and are worried that the proposals might make this even worse.

There’s more information about the Green Paper at: http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/

You can see our response at  Tameside LINk - Green Paper response 

We will be publishing a fuller analysis of our questionnaire data in the new year.

Local transport is an issue of great importance to people and communities in Tameside as the continued feedback to our networks has shown.

This  Transport information leaflet details the community transport services and social needs options for people in Tameside. It aims to provide key information on what is being done to address gaps in provision. If you have comments on any of these services please get in touch with the Policy and Participation Team at T3SC (0161 339 4985 or email us).

The Investors in Diversity standard helps organisations adopt and develop a set of standards which promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are pleased to have received the standard last month. If you too would like to show your organisation’s commitment to the inclusion of your stakeholders in your policies and practices, then as a member, you can get 5% discount off the cost of the accreditation.

Charity Property Help (CPH) provides voluntary and community organisations with free support and guidance on all property matters, from planning and environmental issues to project management and maintenance.

www.charitypropertyhelp.com

  The latest Safeguarding children update

In this issue you can discover briefings about a new site for teenage parents called Bubbalicious, how to protect those at risk of forced marraige and the results of a survey undertaken with parents of disabled children. You can also sign up to receive this update directly!

The new FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet covers various questions that parent volunteers and organisations may have about the new vetting and barring.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact David Barnes 
Tel: 0161 342 4348 Email: david.barnes@tameside.gov.uk

Age Concern Tameside has received additional funding through the Supporting People Programme to enhance and grow our First Call Service.

 

From October 2009, we will have a bigger team who will be looking to help more and more older people in the Tameside area. Our First Call service will be helping people make their homes, safer and more secure and will also be able to put people in touch with other services both within Age Concern and across Tameside who will be able to offer a wide range of help with lots of different issues. We will also be continuing to do those practical tasks which we know makes lives easier.

For more information on our First Call Service, please contact Bill Pearson on 0161 308 5000 or email pearsonb@ageconcerntameside.com

Whether it’s a luncheon club, resident’s association or any sort of voluntary group, I would like the opportunity to let them know about the Carers Centre.  We provide a free and confidential service for any adult caring for a Tameside resident, including parents of disabled children, as well as those looking after disabled partners or elderly parents or friends.

We’re here for information, advice, advocacy and support and we run courses and put on trips and activities to help Carers get a break. If you would like me to come along and speak to your members about what we do, I’m happy to tailor a presentation to suit the group, so it may be a ten-minute chat or a more in-depth overview of the service. I’ll bring goody bags and can be available at days and times to fit in with your meetings.

 

Please Tel: 0161 342 4102/3344 or Email: kay.robinson@tameside.gov.uk

Tameside CAB has a new weekly advice surgery every Tuesday 2pm-5pm at the Water Adventure Centre, The Old Boathouse, Fairfield Locks, Droylsden, M43 6ES                                           

 

Advice on any subject!
No appointment necessary just drop in to see our adviser.

• Benefits
• Finance
• Consumer
• Health
• Debt
• Housing
• Education
• Immigration
• Employment
• Legal
• Taxes
• Relationships

Access other CAB Services (provided at the main Bureau) by coming to the Dukinfield Thursday CAB advice session for an assessment by an appropriate specialist. You can make an appointment for housing or bankruptcy or get details of family or immigration sessions. (Family, Immigration, Housing, Bankruptcy advice at main Bureau is provided by a Legal Help Quality Marked supplier). Free confidential impartial independent advice.