Comments for This is my Truth http://thisismytruth.org Bevan Foundation blog Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:10:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Solving the Merthyr Problem by Maggie Taylor http://thisismytruth.org/economy-employment/solving-the-merthyr-problem/#comment-1295 Maggie Taylor Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:10:20 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2355#comment-1295 My first thought after watching this report on the unemployed in Merthyr was to get in my car and drive around the town with a loudhailer urging everybody who wants to work, to get out and clean up a derelict factory. Surely, this would get them admiring attention from the press and ultimately the business world. What an impression they would make, team spirited and showing their eagerness to get working! I cannot imagine the sense of hopelessness a teenager must experience when leaving school to be faced with a future of benefits and boredom. I'm sure the majority if not all the unemployed would ultimately want to earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their families. I believe in the power of people and the difference they can attempt to make on their lives, rather than depending solely on the Government to call all the shots. My first thought after watching this report on the unemployed in Merthyr was to get in my car and drive around the town with a loudhailer urging everybody who wants to work, to get out and clean up a derelict factory. Surely, this would get them admiring attention from the press and ultimately the business world. What an impression they would make, team spirited and showing their eagerness to get working! I cannot imagine the sense of hopelessness a teenager must experience when leaving school to be faced with a future of benefits and boredom. I’m sure the majority if not all the unemployed would ultimately want to earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their families. I believe in the power of people and the difference they can attempt to make on their lives, rather than depending solely on the Government to call all the shots.

]]> Comment on Solving the Merthyr Problem by angela el http://thisismytruth.org/economy-employment/solving-the-merthyr-problem/#comment-1279 angela el Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:31:36 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2355#comment-1279 To create jobs needs vision yes, but firstly it needs a way for existing business to take a step up - that would be achieved easily if and its a big if we/they could access some seed money to pay the wages etc until the sales caught up Its a real chicken and egg problem.Retail is not the answer -yes there are even more retail jobs planned.The ex Hoover site is vast and if marketed properly I am sure Merthyr could attract some level of manufacturing , but that too needs some lateral thinking. Do we have it though? maybe looking to a team of successful Merthyr expats to input and maybe help. Merthyr is not a dump. most people are employed, maybe we need to look at the skills of those that are not employed. Then try matching to the possible skills they could aspire to. Schemes are not the answer ,they just plaster a cut. To create jobs needs vision yes, but firstly it needs a way for existing business to take a step up – that would be achieved easily if and its a big if we/they could access some seed money to pay the wages etc until the sales caught up Its a real chicken and egg problem.Retail is not the answer -yes there are even more retail jobs planned.The ex Hoover site is vast and if marketed properly I am sure Merthyr could attract some level of manufacturing , but that too needs some lateral thinking. Do we have it though? maybe looking to a team of successful Merthyr expats to input and maybe help. Merthyr is not a dump. most people are employed, maybe we need to look at the skills of those that are not employed. Then try matching to the possible skills they could aspire to. Schemes are not the answer ,they just plaster a cut.

]]> Comment on From DLA to PIP – not just a new name by eleanor harnott http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/from-dla-to-pip-not-just-a-new-name/#comment-1271 eleanor harnott Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:41:30 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=1291#comment-1271 I agree with some of your points. Please re word para 3 into plain english - yes I get your point(s). Unfortunately, I will probably qualify for whatever disability benefits any Govt. comes up with at the highest level for the rest of my life. I am very much aware of varying degrees of disability and don't judge the needs of others just because my own are significant. I am optimistic about the ESA and PIP changes and I believe that the majority of those that do not qualify under the revised criteria are the ones, mainly, who would complain about fairness. I feel that you as an advisor along with many others should focus more on preparing individuals for their assessments by ensuring all the relevant evidence is available to help to justify the decision that is eventually made by the DWP. You know that the person who completes the assessment is not the one who makes the final decision. Too many organisations are rattling a sabre at the changes generally and do not offer an alternative. Your point about extending qualifying period is valid. No Govt is likely to not allow help/aid to those in genuine need. Basically, as with the ESA migration, the transition to PIP will cause upset for some. If you're poorly you're poorly but if you're not...... You may gather that I support the changes, as time passes those that really need help will be identified quite easily and therefore resources will better used. I have been given the " all clear " from cancer for a couple of years now but am disabled through stroke. I agree with some of your points. Please re word para 3 into plain english – yes I get your point(s). Unfortunately, I will probably qualify for whatever disability benefits any Govt. comes up with at the highest level for the rest of my life. I am very much aware of varying degrees of disability and don’t judge the needs of others just because my own are significant. I am optimistic about the ESA and PIP changes and I believe that the majority of those that do not qualify under the revised criteria are the ones, mainly, who would complain about fairness. I feel that you as an advisor along with many others should focus more on preparing individuals for their assessments by ensuring all the relevant evidence is available to help to justify the decision that is eventually made by the DWP. You know that the person who completes the assessment is not the one who makes the final decision.
Too many organisations are rattling a sabre at the changes generally and do not offer an alternative. Your point about extending qualifying period is valid. No Govt is likely to not allow help/aid to those in genuine need. Basically, as with the ESA migration, the transition to PIP will cause upset for some. If you’re poorly you’re poorly but if you’re not……

You may gather that I support the changes, as time passes those that really need help will be identified quite easily and therefore resources will better used.
I have been given the ” all clear ” from cancer for a couple of years now but am disabled through stroke.

]]> Comment on Someone else’s shoes: Living with Asperger Syndrome by Victoria Winckler http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/someone-elses-shoes-living-with-asperger-syndrome/#comment-1259 Victoria Winckler Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:06:02 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2306#comment-1259 Thanks very much for this helpful information - I am sure it will be useful to all those affected. Thanks very much for this helpful information – I am sure it will be useful to all those affected.

]]> Comment on Someone else’s shoes: Living with Asperger Syndrome by J White http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/someone-elses-shoes-living-with-asperger-syndrome/#comment-1258 J White Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:00:31 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2306#comment-1258 I thought you may be interested to hear that a new Project Officer Adults with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism - community Support has been appointed by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. This new service will eventually provide a “one stop shop” of information and will signpost adults with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, their family and carers on to appropriate support within the community. The Project Officer's phone number is shown below. The Project Officer will be able to offer advice about services in the area that may meet your needs or identify gaps in services which need to be addressed. You will be asked to register with the service. Contact Details J White, Project Officer Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital 01633 623549 also see the following website for helpful information www.asdinfowales.co.uk I thought you may be interested to hear that a new Project Officer Adults with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism – community Support has been appointed by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. This new service will eventually provide a “one stop shop” of information and will signpost adults with Aspergers Syndrome or High Functioning Autism, their family and carers on to appropriate support within the community.
The Project Officer’s phone number is shown below.
The Project Officer will be able to offer advice about services in the area that may meet your needs or identify gaps in services which need to be addressed.
You will be asked to register with the service.
Contact Details
J White,
Project Officer
Aneurin Bevan Health Board,
Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital
01633 623549
also see the following website for helpful information http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk

]]> Comment on Someone else’s shoes: Living with Asperger Syndrome by AspieMom http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/someone-elses-shoes-living-with-asperger-syndrome/#comment-1245 AspieMom Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:05:43 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2306#comment-1245 Mark sounds alot like my son, who only started doing his own shopping last year (he's 19). He doesn't have the same problems with noise but he hates public transport and can't drive (yet!). Mark sounds alot like my son, who only started doing his own shopping last year (he’s 19). He doesn’t have the same problems with noise but he hates public transport and can’t drive (yet!).

]]> Comment on Someone else’s shoes: Living with Asperger Syndrome by suzy http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/someone-elses-shoes-living-with-asperger-syndrome/#comment-1244 suzy Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:32:44 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2306#comment-1244 Came here via twitter and am pleased I did. While many people with autism can share their own story, others can't which means things remain hidden that people need to know about. Came here via twitter and am pleased I did. While many people with autism can share their own story, others can’t which means things remain hidden that people need to know about.

]]> Comment on Someone else’s shoes: Living with Asperger Syndrome by D S Thomas http://thisismytruth.org/health-social-care/someone-elses-shoes-living-with-asperger-syndrome/#comment-1243 D S Thomas Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:31:47 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=2306#comment-1243 So refreshing to see an item on autism set out this way. People don’t realise that autism isn’t just one thing. While I don’t recognise everything in this piece I too need a regimented lifestyle or I become very anxious and some noises are particular painful to me. So refreshing to see an item on autism set out this way. People don’t realise that autism isn’t just one thing. While I don’t recognise everything in this piece I too need a regimented lifestyle or I become very anxious and some noises are particular painful to me.

]]> Comment on DWP Smoke and Mirrors by mark http://thisismytruth.org/economy-employment/dwp-smoke-and-mirrors/#comment-1237 mark Sun, 01 Apr 2012 11:34:48 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=494#comment-1237 Just came across this blog,I have also enjoyed the benefit of a provider called Jobfit,after being inducted and having redone my CV,How to fill in an application and had the "nerve" to ask about Training Reply......Hello can you please tell what training you provide..A few phone calls made by my adviser...none other than interview skills..I then e-mailed the programme director,in a very terse reply "there is no money in the budget for training full stop" you need to find employment and then perhaps we will take the risk after you are hired to get you a CSCS or SIA card providing that it will be able to be claimed from DWP. I asked for an outline of what the "programme offered" or at least a mission statement,The reply was this is none of your business I must admit the next E-mail was from their Legal Dept and they would no longer be answering any questions upon advice from their solicitors Just came across this blog,I have also enjoyed the benefit of a provider called Jobfit,after being inducted and having redone my CV,How to fill in an application and had the “nerve” to ask about Training Reply……Hello can you please tell what training you provide..A few phone calls made by my adviser…none other than interview skills..I then e-mailed the programme director,in a very terse reply “there is no money in the budget for training full stop” you need to find employment and then perhaps we will take the risk after you are hired to get you a CSCS or SIA card providing that it will be able to be claimed from DWP.
I asked for an outline of what the “programme offered” or at least a mission statement,The reply was this is none of your business I must admit the next E-mail was from their Legal Dept
and they would no longer be answering any questions upon advice from their solicitors

]]> Comment on Warning for Wales as G20 Inequality Rises by Paul Bright http://thisismytruth.org/equality/warning-for-wales-as-g20-inequality-rises/#comment-1206 Paul Bright Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:00:06 +0000 http://thisismytruth.org/?p=1902#comment-1206 Accessible and affordable public transport is also absolutely vital. Transport exclusion leads to all other forms of exclusion. If a disabled person cannot roll their wheelchair onto a bus then how can they ever get to the council to claim other rights ? Why does transport inequality never get mentioned in the UK does everyon in the UK have a car or something like that ??? You also fail to mention the thousands of cyclists killed on roads. Inequality kills. The UK is not OK and action is needed ! Accessible and affordable public transport is also absolutely vital.
Transport exclusion leads to all other forms of exclusion.
If a disabled person cannot roll their wheelchair onto a bus
then how can they ever get to the council to claim other rights ?
Why does transport inequality never get mentioned in the UK
does everyon in the UK have a car or something like that ???
You also fail to mention the thousands of cyclists killed on roads.
Inequality kills. The UK is not OK and action is needed !

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