Ballymoney Disability Programme

INTRODUCTION

Ballymoney Disability Programme is currently viewed by a number of statutory and voluntary organisations as a ‘model of good practice’ and we intend to maintain that status. This reporting period has seen some change in direction for the programme and we are pleased to confirm that these changes have been positive. Ballymoney Borough Local Strategy Partnership generously funded Ballymoney Resource Centre £83,000.00 to deliver the Disability Development and Awareness Programme starting in May 2003. This funding had been utilised by June 2006 and the Resource Centre Coordinator has secured funds from our LHSCG. We would like to pay tribute to the BLSP and thank them for their contribution.

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES

· Continue to empower Disability Forum through inclusion in the decision making process of the programme.
· Hold monthly Disability and Development Forum meetings.
· Follow-up on Carer’s Event of June 2006.
· Promote availability of Community Resource Centre wheelchair.
· Support Northern Alliance of People with Disabilities in its research on Accessible Transport Strategy.
· Network with Voluntary and Statutory Agencies and lobby with them on disability issues.
· Review and expand Disability Website.
· Distribute and promote up-dated Disability Guide 2006/7.
· Initiate training on Personal Development issues for Disability Forum.

The Past Year:

Targets Achieved:

Revised ‘Disability Guide 2006/7 300 copies distributed

Disability Forum Meetings 10 meetings held

People Assisted


Community Wheelchair: - A Disability Awareness Event was held on 1st December 2005 in Ballymoney Town Hall to celebrate ‘International Day of People with Disabilities’. At this ‘Event’ funds were raised to purchase a wheelchair for the Resource Centre. If someone uses a wheelchair or knows someone who does and would like to, say go shopping in Ballymoney (as yet there is no shop mobility in the town), they can avail of the service. There is a small refundable fee on return of the wheelchair.

Careers Information Evening: - The Disability and Development Programme supported this year’s national Carer week (June 12-18) by organising a Carers Information Event. This took place in Ballymoney Town Hall on 15th June 2006 and involved information on benefits, care allowance, experience of others and services available. Carers Week supports the UK’s six million carers.

Many carers are not aware of the services available to them. One Carer who attended the event in the Town Hall said ‘The most useful part of the event was all the talks. They gave you a variety of knowledge that I was not aware of’. Another person said ‘It was most useful to know that there was help out there’. We would like to thank Ballymoney Local Strategy Partnership who funded the Event and Ballymoney Community Resource Centre for its continued support.

Launch of 4th Edition of ‘Disability Guide 2006/7: - The Disability Programme is pleased to announce the launch of the 4th edition of ‘Disability Guide 2006/7’. The Guide/Directory is printed using symbols, diagrams, in size 14 font and can be available in different formats, e.g. disc or tape. The up-dated edition contains some new information, contacts and will soon be available on our up-dated website. Copies have been hand delivered to local Health Centres; Ballymoney Council/Town Hall (20); Library (20); Joey Dunlop Centre (20); Causeway Volunteer Bureau (10) and 200 have been hand delivered to groups/orgs, which are included in the Directory, by the Disability Forum or posted. The Resource Centre would like to thank the Disability Forum and staff for composing; Impact Printing Ltd., Ballycastle for printing and the LSP for funding. Copies of the Disability Guide 2006/7 are available from BCRC. Our next publication will be Fact Sheets on disability related issues.

Causeway LHSCG funds Disability/Carers Advice and Support Service: - As I referred to in my opening remarks, Causeway Local Health and Social Care Group, under the auspices of the Northern Health and Social Services Board, has generously funded Ballymoney Disability/Carers Drop-in Advice and Support Service. The project will address local needs as it has been identified through the experience and knowledge of Disability Programme Officer and by gaps identified by the Disability Forum who represent areas within the catchment area of the project. Secondary research by the DHSSPS recognises it’s Investing for Health Strategy: ‘People with disabilities often face problems of social inclusion, lower incomes and difficulties in accessing services/transport. Also, Disability Action’s research highlights: ‘Lack of current and comprehensive information, and no ongoing analysis of government policies on how they impact on the lives of people with disabilities’. BCRC would like to thank Causeway LHSCG and the NHSSB for their grant aid support and their recognition of the need to support people with disabilities. The Resource Centre would like to assure them that the project would continue to work closely with local Council, Statutory and Voluntary Agencies.

Conclusion: - While we value the work and commitment of the Disability Forum, we feel that we could do with some ‘new blood’ and ask Community Groups to direct people to us. There is some concern for the Disability Programme if it has to leave current premises, as accessible premises may be difficult to find in a central location in town.