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March 2006-May 2006 Newsletter In Full
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March 2006-May 2006 Newsletter In Full |
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Here is the latest newsletter in full. You can also read the new section of the newsletter, which is all about the Partnership Board, by clicking this link: Partnership Board News
By David Norman and Philip Hawley
What is your job?
Leeds City Council employs 6,000 people helping in Social Services. Ultimately the Director of Social Services has to report to a Cabinet of 9 Councillors, each with responsibility for a different part of Council work. I am the Councillor with responsibility for Social Services. We meet every week so that we know all that is going on.
What type of decisions does the Council make?
Leeds spends £1 million a day on Social Services and we have to decide how best to spend that money. We try to spend the money on people who need it the most and on areas that will make the most difference. We decide things like how many social workers there are, how many day centres. We can never do everything we want, so we are always reviewing our decisions and making sure we are still doing the right things.
How does the Council affect learning disability services?
Most of what we do to help people with learning disabilities is provide the ATCs. Social Services does what it can, but in fact it is families that do the most.
What other ways can people influence what the Council does?
Not enough people go to Partnership Board meetings. If more people went we would have more ideas. You can also come to Council meetings and scrutiny board meetings. Also, get councillors along to the Partnership Board meetings.
A lot of Council information is available via the website but many people cannot use this – how else can people find out what is happening?
The best way to find out is through Dave Rosser and the Partnership Board. Councillors represent everyone in their wards and people with learning difficulties should natter them if they are not getting the information they need.
Do you think there will be councillors with learning disabilities soon?
I should think so. People with learning disabilities are just as important, no-one would think it is unusual.
Bullying is a type of discrimination. What does Leeds Council do to stop discrimination against people with learning disabilities?
Bullying makes people miserable. We could have lots of policies and plans to stop it, but if people don’t use them, they won’t work. You must always complain. Don’t accept things – kick up a fuss!
This is a day for young people aged between 15 and 25, to have a go at graffiti art. This is on:
Saturday 18th March, from 10am to 4pm, at the Cardinal Youth club, Cardinal Crescent, Beeston.
You will need to book a place.
For more information call Rozina on Tel 
246 9900.
The helpline is for young people to talk about bullying, abuse, relationships or about any problem.
Calls are taken by trained counsellors. As well as talk to you, they can also:
The helpline is run by Respond, a national organisation that works with people with learning disabilities that have been abused.
Telephone 0800 808 0700
Leeds has 2 new shops, run by people with learning disabilities.
The Feel Good Furniture Shop
Opposite Tulip Retail Park, Tulip Street, Hunslet.
Quality unused and second-hand furniture, with free local delivery.
Open 9.30am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.
For more information contact Frances or Jane on Tel 270 4005.
The Changing Rooms.
Next to Bramley day centre, Railsfield Rise, Bramley.
Sells cards and jewellery, colourful rugs, nearly new clothes, books and CDs.
For more information contact Jackie, Ida or Rosemary on Tel 256 8686.
This is a free booklet that tells you how to make your house safer from the risk of fire.
It was made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
It tells you:
You can get a copy of the booklet by calling Through The Maze on Tel 243 9919.
Learn how to make several meals and learn about food hygiene. The course starts at 10.00am and finishes at 3.00pm. This is every Friday from 17th March for 6 weeks.
For more information call Tara on Tel 245 9061
In December people completed a questionnaire to see if they would want a dating agency for people with learning disabilities. 230 questionnaires were sent out and 60 people completed and returned them. Some of the things they said were:
What Will Happen Now?
There is a need in Leeds for a dating agency for people with learning disabilities. Now, a small group of people from HFT, People in Action and MESMAC will meet to see if they can make this happen. One idea is to set up a dating agency that is managed by people with learning disabilities.
If you would like to get involved or find out more information contact Mairead O’Donnell on Tel 287 2515.
Nathan Wells from Crossgates is to take part in the 9th national learning disability athletics championships in Manchester later this year.
Nathan, who is 19, started 6 years ago when he wanted something different to do. This will be the 4th time he has taken part in the championships and he will be competing in the 100 metres, 200 metres and high jump.
He began training with the special needs running group at South Leeds stadium. Now, he also runs for Leeds City senior B team, trains with the England and GB Learning Disability Athletics Squad, and has taken part in major competitions including European Indoor Championships in Ancona, Italy last year.
“I like athletics because it keeps me busy, I’ve made friends and I get to go places.”
As well as the learning disability championships, Nathan competes with his club in an athletics league, and he also competes in ‘open’ competitions on his own. When he isn’t running, Nathan goes to Park Lane college at Horsforth, where he studies horticulture.
For information about sport opportunities for people with disabilities contact Katy Elliott on Tel 395 0159.
Or for information about athletics in Leeds, contact Paul Moseley on Tel 395 0162.
For more information contact Kathy Anstey at Mencap Sport on Tel 01924 234912.
Monday 27th March, Leeds Central Library, Calverley St. from 1.30pm to 3.30pm
The event is about how parents and carers can plan for the future of the person they care for. Two ways this often happens is by:
Mencap’s in-house wills and trusts solicitor, will be at the event to give information and advice on wills and trusts. They can also give advice on other issues, like making enduring powers of attourney, living wills, finding a solicitor and issues of capacity.
You will need to book a place before the event. If you cannot come to the event, you can still contact the Legacies team for information and advice:
Tel 0207 696 6925 or
Email 
legaciesweb@mencap.org.uk
The new Leeds symbols service is just getting started at Centenary house. Lots of things need to be done, including choosing a name for the office. At the moment, its called the Grey room – boring!.
If you have an idea for a name, or want to get involved in the symbols work later on, call Dean on Mondays and Thursdays on Tel 202 1456.
A new free bus is available round Leeds city centre. The bus route includes stops at the train and bus stations, at LGI, the Headrow and at the universities.
They run every few minutes from 6.30am to 7.30pm, from Monday to Saturday.
If you would like a map of the bus route call
Tel 2517 287 or
Tel 2517 384 during Monday to Friday.
Return to: Newsletters
Also see Partnership Board News
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