Hello Everyone

Disability Employment Rights and Support Event

Real Voices

13.00- 14.30. Thursday 25/11/21

1] w/c 8/11/21

Spotlight on Disability Employment Rights! How does the law protect you and disabled colleagues at work? What is a ‘reasonable’ adjustment? What free advice and support is available in East London? On-line workshop: 1pm- 2.30pm Thursday 25^th November. Let us know if you have any concerns or disability access needs.

To get the Zoom link:

Email: events@real.org.uk

Phone or text: 07458 305430

2] w/c 15/11/21

Disabled? Live, work or study in Tower Hamlets? Take a good look at your UK employment rights with us!

Learn more at our friendly on-line workshop. All welcome! 1pm- 2.30pm Thursday 25^th November.

Let us know if you have any concerns or disability access needs.

For a Zoom link, please contact

Email: events@real.org.uk

Phone or text: 07458 305430

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your support. We still need you!

Looks like we might be having a busy Christmas,

so any friend with a car over the holiday period

will be welcome! I am sure there will be more in

need of the cheery warm-up our Deliveroo Angels

provide.

Donations towards the Food Bank will be welcome.

Keep warm and well.

Best wishes,

Sister Christine fcJ

UK Disability History Month is now in its 12th Year.

UK Disability History Month 2021 is from 18th November till 18th December

There will be an online launch on evening 18th November

Our Joint themes in 2021 are:

• Disability and Hidden Impairment
• Disability Sex and Relationships

Our aim has always been to:

• Celebrate our Lives as Disabled People now and in the past
• Challenge Disabilism by exploring our oppression over time and now
• Achieve Equality

Currently the Equality Act 2010 defines disability as “if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.”

• ‘substantial’ is more than minor or trivial,
• ‘long-term’ means 12 months or more or likely to last 12 months or more
• a physical or mental impairment impacts on ability to do normal day to day activities and must be judged without the impact of assistive devices, medication or treatment.

UKDHM adheres to the social model of disability in which the barriers of attitude, environment and organisation cause most of the disabilism we face. Such thinking did not exist in most of the past with individuals and their impairments held responsible for the disadvantage and worse. Disabled people experienced being seen as bewitched, evil or punished by God. Disabled people were often viewed as perpetual children incapable of adult relationships..

We will be looking for examples of good and bad practice in both hidden impairment and sex and relationships to add to this year’s resources.

Join us for the online launch event
7pm UTC on Thursday 18th November

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-disability-history-month-2021-online-launch-tickets-187581941637

Please send examples to UKDHM Coordinator Richard Rieser rlrieser@gmail.com

Please Read – Carers Views being Sought…

The survey will produce important findings on carers’ views on the social care system, and the support they need. These findings in turn will be used in advocacy work and to campaign through the media for far greater support for unpaid carers within social care.

 The results from the survey and our campaign will be launched in mid-January

  We need as many carers as possible to take the survey!

 Please share the survey.

 For our campaign to be credible, and to make government take notice, it is essential that carers’ voices and views are at the very heart of the campaign.

  We need to be able to say to government that we know what carers want from a reformed social care system, and that we can work with government to help ensure that reform meets the needs of millions of unpaid carers across the UK.

  And the more carers that take the survey, the more powerful the findings will be that we present to government and use in the campaign!

  Taking the survey is easy and should take less than 20 minutes to complete.

 Please share the survey.

 The survey will close on Thursday 25 November.

Carer Physical & Mental Wellbeing – Don’t Forget Starts Monday 8th

As part of ongoing carer wellbeing programme we will be starting a new weekly physical movement session every Monday from 8th November 10am to 11am, so if you want to come and have some physical activity and remember it is also good for better mental health.

This will be followed by

Did You Know we have a weekly Shared Reading Group?

How does it work?

A group of carers, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. We stop and talk about what we have read. There is no need for carers to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.

Reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Carers are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading.

Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.

It can even help with your ESOL needs.

If this is for you then email tony@ccth.org.uk

This Week’s Activities

REMINDER – YOU CAN CHECK THE CCTH CALENDAR – NOVEMBER Activities being posted soon..

If you want to know what activities are on each day at the centre then check out the CCTH Calendar – https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/?cid=mc-03c4653fb809aa02e303ae7a3bb5520a&month=9&yr=2021

Then email me tony@cth.org.uk to book your place.

Take a stand against hate crime this Islamophobia Awareness Month

November is Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM), which aims to raise awareness of the national rise of Islamophobia and encourage better reporting of incidents to the police.

We believe that it is everyone’s job to stand up to Islamophobia. We stand in solidarity with all communities in our borough and we are committed to tackling Islamophobia and all hate crimes, which have no place in our borough.

All residents and visitors to Tower Hamlets can sign our No Place for Hate Pledge to show their support for Islamophobia Awareness Month.

If you witness or experience a hate crime, you can report this to the police by calling 101. Always call 999 immediately if it is an emergency. You can also access support services via our website.

Sign our pledge >

Suicide Prevention Consultation

We are currently drafting the Tower Hamlets Suicide Prevention Strategy for 2022-2025, in partnership with a multi-agency suicide prevention steering group. Aligning with the national strategy, the overall aims of this strategy are to:

1. Reduce the rates of suicide and self-harm, and
2. Establish supportive environments for people affected by suicide.

The strategy focuses on seven priority areas, how to address local gaps and build on pre-existing activities over the next three years.

Learn more and share your views >

London: Port City

Museum of London Docklands, now open until 8 May 2022

Explore fascinating stories of London’s port at this brand new, free exhibition. Rarely seen objects, interactive displays and specially commissioned art pieces bring to life the personal stories and pivotal moments that make up the port’s complex and captivating history. From Victorian docks to modern day mega-port, discover how the port continues to impact and influence London today.

Image: © PLA Collection/Museum of London

Visit the exhibition >

WEAR A WHITE RIBBON AND MAKE THE PROMISE

We encourage all men to wear a White Ribbon, and make the Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. This is a serious declaration and requires thought and consideration before it is made.

Please note: we specifically ask men to make the Promise, however anyone over the age of 14 can take it.

https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise

The ULEZ charges come into effect today, there is a grace period until 2025 for people who claim Vehicle tax exemption, you can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

• higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time. For more information see here https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport

For more information about ULEZ exemptions see here https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions#on-this-page-0

Don’t Forget to get your Flu Jab

I had mine last week and I am so glad I did, it was painless, no side effects and I feel better mentally equiped for the winter…

WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS

1) Plan Your Route

Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.

2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans

Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighborhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.

3) Always Carry Your Phone with You

Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.

4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas

Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbor’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.

5) Keep Your Hands Free

Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.

6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent

In addition to a flashlight, carry a non-violent deterrent such as a whistle, mace, or pepper spray. A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.

7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents

When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.

8) Take a Self-Defense Class

When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favor. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defense class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defense. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defense will help give you those survival skills.

9) Remove Any Distractions

Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.

10) Trust Your Gut

When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.

Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.

REMINDER TO CARERS

If you still need PPE for you and your loved one then Tower Hamlets are still providing PPE for Carers.

Collection and delivery is on Wednesday only from Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Carers can call or email Ayeda directly 0n 07366977103 or ayeda@ccth.org.uk to order.

Check out a new free course that has just been launched that focuses on carer wellbeing. It is called ‘Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role’ and has been kindly endorsed by the Carers Trust. The course is 6 hours in length and learners can achieve a ‘badge’ on completion of the end quiz, and this can be added on a CV to evidence their learning/continuous professional development. We hope that it will be helpful to those working with carers, including carer centre staff, those supporting carers less formally and importantly carers themselves!

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/physical-activity-health-and-wellbeing-the-caring-role/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab