The next LINk Executive Meeting open to the public and starts with an Executive business meeting from 6 pm on Tuesday 16^th March at Mushkil Aasaan, 220-222 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7EW.

This will be followed at 7.15 pm by refreshments, and updates and an open discussion about Mental Health Services with contributions from Wandsworth’s Black and Minority Ethnic Forum and Voicing Views (Service User Project). 

Please come along and share your experiences.

To view the papers click here

Wandsworth LINk has produced an easy read version of its newsletter which can be found by clicking here Wandsworth LINk newsletter EasyRead

Click here to read the latest Wandsworth LINk Newsletter February 2010

This issue contains articles on the upcoming Sexual Health Consultations, Polyclinic Proposals, Electronic Patient Records, Enter and View, Free Talking Therapy in Wandsworth and Personal budgets. As well as information on up coming events in Wandsworth and how to get involved with LINk.

“Training to make a difference”

Are you a member of LINk?

Do you want to make a difference to health care services in Wandsworth?

Do you want to contribute your experience as a patient with a long term health condition or as a carer?

Do you want to be listened to as an equal with NHS managers and clinicians?

If so, this innovative and challenging training programme could be just what you need.

“Training to make a difference” is the first of a rolling programme of training which will be presented in six 2 ½ hour sessions from 10 am to 12.30 at accessible user friendly venues. Refreshments will be provided. Travel and other out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

The training sessions will include personal and electronic presentations and there will be visiting VIP speakers from NHS Wandsworth and local health providers.  The style will be participative with interactive exercises and in depth discussion that will challenge everyone’s preconceptions representation.

If you want to join “Training to make a difference” you need to be committed to attending the full training programme with a view to being actively involved in the future as a lay representative with NHS Wandsworth’s committees, working groups and consultation procedures.

On completion of the training you will receive a “Training to make a difference” certificate. We hope this training will be useful to participants in their own personal and career development.

The programme is designed to ensure the following outcomes for participants:

• Can participate fully at NHS Wandsworth committees and working groups
• Understand the way the NHS in England and NHS Wandsworth operate
• Have an understanding of the legislation and guidance governing involvement and engagement in the NHS
• Understand the roles of users and lay representatives and health professionals

• Can develop their communication skills
• Gain experience of developing involvement and engagement techniques

• Have knowledge of the barriers and benefits of working together

• Have the confidence to present the views and experience of patients to senior managers and clinicians

For further information, application form, and to sign up for this training, please contact:

Colin Smith, PPI Manager, 0208812 7743 or email colin.smith@wpct.nhs.uk

Michelle Heller, Patient Relationship Manager on 0208 812 7577 or email michelle.heller@wpct.nhs.uk

“Training to make a difference” is developed and presented by the Moore Adamson Craig Partnership LLP – consultants in public involvement – www.mooreadamsoncraig.co.uk  on behalf of NHS Wandsworth.

Last week saw the launch of the exciting new Newspaper for people with a learning difficulty in Wandsworth, WORD UP!

People with a learning difficulty have been involved in all aspects of the newspaper’s production and WORD UP! is the first of its kind in Wandsworth.

The launch event held at the Trident Business Centre last Friday was hugely successful  and very well attended by service users and supporters.

If you would like to be involved in the next issue please contact Tom on 0208 516 7785

If you would like to receive a copy of WORD UP! Please send your details to newspaper@wandacreall.org.uk or phone Tom on 0208 516 7785.

“The Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee supported the Wandsworth LINk in their call for the Battersea polyclinic hub to be subject to further consultation.  The Councillors agreed that the new split-site solution was a far cry from the original purpose-built comprehensive centre and that NHS Wandsworth should consult local residents before proceeding.  More details are contained in the attached press release.”

February 22nd 2010

For the first time, it will be possible for an unpaid carer looking after a loved one to build up a full basic State Pension based entirely on National Insurance credits. The Department for Work and Pensions and Carers UK are calling on the 4.7 million carers across the country to find out if they could benefit.

April 2010 will see the introduction of the new Carer’s Credit that will count towards their basic and second State Pension. People may not recognise the help they give unpaid to a disabled, ill or family member as caring but today they are being encouraged to come forward if they are looking after someone for at least twenty hours a week.

Minister of State for Pensions and Ageing Society Angela Eagle said: “We want people to tell us if they, or people they know, are looking after somebody for more than 20 hours a week so they benefit from this change. The State Pension is everyone’s foundation of financial security in later life and therefore, it’s only right that caring for others should be counted towards it.”

The natural focus for most carers is to meet the immediate needs of their loved one rather than on planning their own financial future. Results by the Ipsos MORI survey found less than one in five of the carers (19%) pay regularly into savings and only one in seven felt they had a comfortable amount put aside for the future. It also revealed almost half (46%) the carers it questioned are worried about their financial future and just over a third (36%)have dipped into savings as a result of caring.

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We know saving for your retirement years won’t be your priority when you suddenly find yourself caring for a loved one. But there are simple steps you can take to secure your State Pension that will protect your long-term future as you care for others.”

If you are caring for someone for 20 hours or more a week you could get the new Carer’s Credit that will count towards your State Pension. Find out if you qualify by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/pensions or by calling 0800 678 1132.