Aberdeen Care Communication Network
ACCN
'bridging the communication gap'
 
 

News

NESEN leaflet

Click on the link below to find the updated NESEN leaflet:

 NESEN Leaflet

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Watch our film: Being part of Scotland's story under the UN Disability Convention

The Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Human Rights Commission have launched a short animated film to raise awareness of the UN Disability Convention in Scotland. The film has British Sign Language and captioning. It was illustrated by Ko Lik Films and produced by Glasgow Media Access Centre.

For full details, click on the link below:

Details
Film: Being part of Scotland's story under the Disability Convention - EHRC website

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GREC News

For the latest issue of GREC News, click on the link below:

GREC News Spring 2012

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LGBT Development Group

Gay Men's Health's new Grampian based project worker vacancies are now available. For full details, click on the link below:

gmh.org.uk/recruitment

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News: Bipolar Aberdeen

A public education campaign, National Bipolar Awareness Day will be launched on Wednesday 27 June 2012 by Bipolar UK, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Bipolar Scotland.

As part of the launch,they have put together two surveys; one for service users & family members/carers and one for clinicians.

The surveys look at the difficulties in making a correct diagnosis of bipolar and we hope that you will be able to take part and further our understanding of these difficulties.

Click on the following link to complete the survey for service users and family members/carers

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JX6LB66

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The Volunteering Development Grant (VDG)

 The VDG is a small grant of up to £10,000 available to charities that want to improve and develop their capacity to involve volunteers.

This grant is available to registered charities working in Scotland who:

Do not currently involve volunteers to any significant extent but who want to add value to their existing services or develop new ones that can involve volunteers, or

Already involve volunteers but want improve and develop their capacity to deploy and support volunteers.

The grant could be used to increase the hours of an existing staff member or buy in support to help develop volunteering opportunities and practices. It could also be used to pay for volunteer expenses and training for staff, committee and volunteers.

VAF would welcome, and consider a priority, applications that will improve the volunteering opportunities for people who are disadvantaged or excluded. For example who are disadvantaged or excluded through unemployment or a disability or health problem; or due to their ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or offending behaviour.

The deadline for submitting the application form and all documents is 5pm, Friday 8th June 2012.

For more information and to download the application form and guidance notes, click on the link below:

 http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/5,1298/grants/volunteering_development_grant/

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Local Authorities Report

Click on the link below to find the report from a local transgender organisation. Nicola James, Director of NEST, delivered a powerful presentation at a Community Planning conference day.

 Report

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Grampian Police- Update Letter 

 The following letter relates to proposed changes in the Lay Advisor structure within Grampian Police, which we hope will enhance the service to our minority communities.

Letter

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Self-harm Survey

SAMH has created an on-line questionnaire for people who do or who used to self harm. We want to learn more about people's experiences to help improve the support, treatment and services that people receive. The survey can be accessed via this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LHVW35Q

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New Research Information

Runnymede Research/Round Table Report on Race and last years riots in London is attached below:

  Report

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Funding available for holidays at Kielder

The Calvert Trust provides outdoor and adventure holidays for children and adults with disabilities, their carers and their young carers.
They have received funding that allows them to give bursaries to people living in Scotland to have a holiday with them at their centre in Kielder.
If you are interested or know someone else who might be please contact Calvert directly 01434 250232 or email enquiries@calvert-kielder.com

For the poster, click on the link below:

Poster
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Scope links on disability and social attitudes

The scope article (see link below) reports that 66% of disabled people had experienced aggression or hostility in the last year, up from 41% in May last year. In addition, almost half of those interviewed found that attitudes towards them have worsened since last year. The change in attitude is thought to be linked to the current recession.

Scope Report: http://www.scope.org.uk/news/latest-attitudes-survey

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 How to Contact the Imam

Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre would like to inform you of the new and improved way how you can contact the Imam through the Aberdeen Mosque's website.

Please go to the link below to get more information, everyone is welcome.

 http://aberdeenmosque.org/contactus.htm

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Third Force News

 Following is the news from the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance appearing in the Third Force News - a weekly newspaper for charities and voluntary organisations in Scotland.

 Third Force News

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Survey of Trans People in Scotland about Social Care Services

Click on the link below to find out the Survey of Trans People in Scotland about Social Care Services:

http://www.scottishtrans.org/Article.aspx?id=89

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Badaguish Outdoor Centre 20 FREE Places!!

Short Break Respite Holidays for people with learning and multiple disabilities (24 hour respite care). Free offer 20 places.

BADAGUISH is an exciting yet sheltered environment which people of all abilities can enjoy with safety and confidence in the care of our experienced and qualified team. SPEYSIDE TRUST is a Scottish Charity which has provided high quality respite care activity holidays at Badaguish for 25 years. We welcome adults and children of all abilities.

For further details, click on the link below:

 Respite Leaflet
Respite Poster

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Grampian Credit Union

Please find the link of the new advert  who may wish to find out more about the services.

For people who may not be sure of banks, they provide an easy and safe place for savings, and have children's and Christmas accounts too.

 Ad

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Forced Marriage Legislation Pack

Please find attached an information pack regarding legislation on forced marriage which came into force in November 2011 and how it might impact on the work you do.

 Forced Marriage Press

FM Doc
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Parking at Foresterhill Health Campus

NHS Grampian is planning to change parking arrangements at the Foresterhill Health Campus (ARI). Attached newsletter will inform the public when you come as a patient or a visitor.

Parking Newsletter

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New Project:Access to support 

Pillar Kincardine and Aberdeenshire Council Community Learning and Development are collaborating to support individuals who are living in the Coastal Regeneration Priority Area (St Cyrus, Johnshaven, Gourdon, Inverbervie, Kineff, Catterline etc) and suffering from mental health difficulties to engage in local community services, groups and activities; providing transport, facilitating access and offering support.

Individuals will be accompanied by a qualified support worker to local activities/groups for the first few sessions to help build confidence, which will be required to sustain the activity and community involvement independently.

If you know of any service users, who would benefit from this service, please do not hesitate to contact or refer the individual using the Pillar Kincardine Referral Form. Please find information and referral form attached. Refferal Form

Access to Support RPA
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IoW Judgment

Please find attached decision concerning two claimants with severe disablities who were in receipt of community care services from the Isle of Wight Council. The Council restricted their access to the adult social care services due to budgetary cuts. The Council's decision to do this has been deemed unlawful in terms of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

IoW Judgment
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Community Activities Trust

A new fund was launched on Wednesday 6th April 2011 for adults (16+) with learning disabilities called the Community Activities Trust Fund (or CAT Fund for short).

If you, or someone you know, has learning disabilities and is wanting to try something new or challenging – from swimming lessons to sky-diving; art classes to visiting a museum; attending a football match to being an active participant in a club – but can't afford it, the CAT Fundmay be able to help.

For the application form and for full details, click on the link below:

 Application Form
New Fund Launching

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Pro active approach to youth unemployment

As you will be aware we have a growing number of young  people who are unemployed across Aberdeenshire. Through Job Centre Plus there are a number of session being planned which will support young people to make informed choices for their future. The sessions will cover topics / issue which young people have raised , highlight the range of partners who deliver youth services and information around the employment market at that time.
The sessions would last no more that 2 hours.
Anne Kain, Employer & Partnership Manager ( JCP) is looking for  support in developing  and delivering these sessions therefore if you are interested then please e-mail her so a meeting can be set up.
Anne's contact details are -
Anne Kain
Employer & Partnership Manager (Aberdeenshire) | Jobcentre Plus | Ebury
House| 14 Dee Street | Aberdeen| AB11 6DR | TEL: 01224 802590
mailto:anne.kain@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

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 Drugs Action Services

Please find below links to the web pages for all of Drugs Action's services in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Of these CASA and Compass services (which deal with alcohol) and the INCITE service (which deals with stimulant use and 'legal highs') are for people from Aberdeenshire only.

Further information about all services and referral routes can be found by calling helpline on 01224 594700 or the admin number on 01224 577120.

We have very recently taken up the use of Language Line so we would be able to offer an interpretation service for those who may need support but do not speak English. 

For full details, click on the link below:

http://www.drugsaction.co.uk/index.htm

http://www.quayservices.co.uk/ http://www.casaaberdeenshire.co.uk/

http://www.compassaberdeenshire.co.uk/

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Grampian Senior Citizens Forum

Congratulations to members of Grampian Senior Citizens Forum, whose programme on Shmu FM has won the 'Shmu FM Partner of the Year 2011' Award!

Arthur Shmu Award photo

Pictured at Shmu with the Award are: Arthur Forbes, John Duncan, Maureen Paterson, George Thomson and George Paterson

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An essential resource for everyone committed to making their services inclusive is now available from the Scottish Accessible Information Forum at www.saifscotland.org.uk or at the link below:

The Access Guide

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NESEN Launch Networking Success

There has been much reported about the success of the NESEN Launch back in March, and we would like to share with you some of the partnership-working that has taken place since then amongst our Network members:

  • Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MeAL) made at least 10 contacts
  • Aberdeen Action on Disability made a lot of contacts, including Shmu which has resulted in them having their own radio programme at the station
  • People First, Fraserburgh will be working collaboratively with MeAL at Fraserburgh Academy presenting the RESPECT programme
  • Cornerstone made contacts at the launch which has led to them potentially being offered placements for some clients

Networking works, and NESEN is helping bring groups and individuals together to the benefit of all.

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Cairngorms National Park Website

We are pleased to let you know that the Cairngorms National Park website is now live.  We have been developing the site over the past year and would like to thank you all for your support.  The National Park Plan 2007 - 12 recognised that that Park needs a high profile, inspirational presence on the web which raises the profile of and promotes the Park and its special qualities and allows people with a range of interests in the Park to find informaiton quickly and easily.

Many thanks for your support and we hope you like the redesigned site.

www.cairngorms.co.uk

Stephanie Bungay, Communications & Information Manager, Cairngorm National Park Authority 

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RNIB Scotland Employment Services - Aberdeenshire

RNIB Scotland's Employment Service is available to people with sight loss to help them develop the confidence and skills they need to get into work, or if they are having problems in work because of sight loss. RNIB Scotland also offers advice and support to employers, training and education providers, and public and voluntary sector organisations.

For full details and to contact, click on the link  below:

RNIB Scotland employment service
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New Online Disability Database Launch

UPDATE- Disability Information Scotland is proud to announce the launch of its new online pan-disability database for Scotland (SCOOP). Released in conjunction with their newwebsite (www.update.org.uk), SCOOP provides a one stop shop for disability related information in Scotland.

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A new web resource

This is a new web resource developed with staff, support providers, service users and carers by NHS Health Scotland in partnership with the Mental Welfare Commission. It was funded by the Scottish Government.

This resource creates customised mental health information sheets. It is easy to use and helps frontline mental health staff communicate difficult mental health and legal information with service users and carers.

Find the link below:

talkingmentalhealth.net website

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Scottish Disability Equality Forum

The Scottish Disability Equality Forum is a user-led membership organisation which works across Scotland to remove barriers to the social inclusion of people affected by disability.  Membership is open to all disability organisations, people with any kind of imapirment and to organisations and individuals who share our aims. 

For more information, visit their website on www.sdef.org.uk

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Guide Dogs Could Change Your Life

Do you, or does someone you know, have sight loss that makes it difficult to get around independently or live life to the full?  A guide dog could make a life-changing difference.  If you know someone who could benefit, please contact The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association on 0845 372 7499 and they will arrange to come and talk to you, informally and confidentially, to help you decide if a guide dog might be suitable for you.

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Stop Hate in Central Scotland

WHAT IS A HATE INCIDENT?

A Hate Incident- is any incident perceived as such by you or any other person. Anyone can be the victim of a hate incident.

Incidents perceived by any person to have been motivated by hatred, malice or prejudice of Race, Religion/Faith, Sexual Orientation,Transgender Identity or Disability are recorded, monitored and investigated as hate incidents. 

Please click on the link below to view real case studies of experiences of hate crime in Scotland. 

http://www.stophateincentralscotland.org.uk/page9.htm